Add next in . Do NOT use www. for the new_domain Maria's Blue Crayon

Sunday, March 10, 2019

Farm Blanket Granny Square Joining and Border


Welcome to the last week of the Farm Blanket Crochet Along! It has been so much fun seeing everyone's progress and I can't wait to see all of the finished blankets!

In this last week, we will be joining all the granny squares then adding a border.
Click here to find the main post of the crochet along.

I love to join granny squares by crocheting them together. Personally, I think it's a pretty quick and easy way to get the job done!

Below, you will find the layout of the blanket and a video of exactly how I crochet the squares together. I typically join the squares together vertically, then horizontally. You can do it vice versa, either way works!

Farm Blanket Layout

Use J/6.00mm hook and red yarn to join granny squares.






*If you are not able to view the video above, you may need to disable your ad-blocker momentarily.

Border

Use J/6.00mm hook
Attach cranberry yarn to the corner of the blanket after it is joined. 
Ch 2, 5hdc in corner, hdc across, *5hdc in next corner, hdc across, repeat from * around the blanket. Join to first hdc. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Please share your finished blankets in my Facebook group! I would love to see them!
Also, if you enjoyed this Farm theme blanket, be sure to check out my other themed blankets!

Labels: ,

Monday, March 4, 2019

Best Free Crochet Patterns - In Stitches Link Party Week #31

Week #31 of the In Stitches Link Party brings super cute free crochet patterns! Keep scrolling to see more patterns as well!


Scroll down for more free patterns from the hosts and see what's being submitted this week for more goodies!

  1. Pineapple Poncho by The Purple Poncho
  2. Jonathan Beanie by Shabby Sheep Apparel
  3. Penelope Penguin by The Blue Elephants
  4. Creek Bed Beanie by Cute As A Button Crochet
  5. Claire Bun Beanie by A Crafty Concept

There are free crochet patterns being submitted every day by talented crochet bloggers designers at the very bottom! Check out your favorites and be sure to click them to get the free patterns! Then see who makes the top 5 next week!

Find even more free crochet patterns in past week's link up parties here!

Every other Monday, you will find a round up of the Top 5 Best Free Crochet Patterns! Plus, we (the hosts) will be sharing our own latest free crochet patterns on our blog. Throughout the week, links will be added so be sure to keep an eye on what others have to share as well!

If you are a crochet blogger that has free patterns to share, this is a great party for you to get your work out there! Simply follow the instructions below to 'link up' your free crochet patterns each week. If you are in the top 5 (most clicked patterns), your pattern will be shared and promoted by all of the crochet bloggers hosting this party! You can find more details below.

I am hosting this link up party right here on Maria's Blue Crayon, as well as on, Nicki's Handmade Crafts, Crochet Kim, Salty Pearl Crochet and The Unraveled Mitten. We are really excited to start this link up party and hope you join along!

Maria's Blue Crayon | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry | YouTube

Crochet Kim | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | YouTube | Ravelry

Nicki's Homemade Crafts | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Twitter | YouTube | Ravelry

Salty Pearl Crochet | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry

The Unraveled Mitten | Facebook | Instagram | Pinterest | Ravelry

Be sure to check out our social media pages and if you love free crochet patterns and inspiration!


These free crochet patterns are the newest from the hosts of the In Stitches Link Up Party! Be sure to subscribe and follow these bloggers to keep getting free crochet patterns!

If you love a particular design, be sure to scroll up a bit and check out that designer's blog and their social medias for more free patterns!

Ready to join In Stitches - The Best Free Crochet Pattern Party?

Want to add your link? Please remember to link to your actual project URL and not your homepage URL, and use the name of your project or post, not your own name. Just click the blue “Add Link” button below!

Please visit at least one other link, you just might find a new favorite project! AND – your clicks are how we determine which projects to feature each week! Feel free to leave a comment at the pattern link to provide feedback and show support.

No Etsy stores, Facebook pages, giveaways, or other link parties. Just blog posts to your actual crochet patterns that are accessible for FREE!

If your project gets featured as a top link, please do not submit that same project to future parties. We want to party fair! :)

Now let's get this party started! Please remember that the links below are shown in random order and are not shown according to when they were submitted or how many votes they received so far.

*Adding links will look a little different now! InLinkz has updated and you will need to 'sign in' only once and you can start adding your links!


Inlinkz Link Party

Labels:

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Cow Applique Free Crochet Pattern

Learn how to crochet this cow applique as a part of the Farm Granny Square Blanket! Scroll down for both the written pattern and video tutorial.


This crochet cow granny square is a part of my Farm Blanket Crochet Along.
Click here to see the main page of the crochet along.

For Week #6  of the CAL we will be making the following number of squares and appliques:
Baby size: Make 1 cow applique and 6 cranberry granny squares
Throw size: Make 2 cow appliques and 10 cranberry granny squares

Find the patterns and video tutorials below.

Don't miss next week's pattern for the crochet along! Sign up for my email list to get it right to your inbox when it's up!





*If you are not able to see the video above, you may need to disable your ad-blocker.
Lean how to Sew on Appliques to your granny square here!

Cow Applique Crochet Pattern

Yarn Colors: White, black, light pink, yellow
Hook: F/3.75mm hook

Notes: Beginning chain does not count as as a stitch
Abbreviations (US terms):
Ch = chain, sc = single crochet, hdc = half double crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch(es), sc3tog = single crochet 3 together (triple decrease)

Pattern

Head
Using white and F/3.75mm hook
Round 1: Magic ring, ch 2, 10hdc in ring, join to first hdc
Round 2: Ch 2, 2hdc in each st around, join to first hdc
Round 3: Ch 2, *2hdc, hdc in next st, repeat from * around, join to first hdc
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in next 10 st, 2hdc in next st, dc in next 2 st, *2dc, dc in next 2 st, repeat from * 2 more times, 2hdc in next st, sc in remaining st.
Fasten off

Ears
Attach white 5 st to the right of where round 4 ended on the head.
Ch 1, sc in next 3 st, turn
Ch 1, sc3tog, fasten off.
Attach black yarn 3 space to the left of where round 4 ended on the head.
Make second ear using instructions above for the first ear.


Horns
Attach yellow yarn 1 st away to the left of the right ear.
Ch 1, sc in same st, turn
Ch 1, sc, fasten off.
Attach yellow yarn 1 st away to the right of the left ear.
Ch 1, sc in same st, turn
Ch 1, sc, fasten off.

Black spot
Using black
Magic ring, ch 1, 2sc, hdc, 2dc, hdc, 2sc, join to first sc, fasten off.

Snout
Using pink
Row 1: Magic ring, ch 2, 5hdc in ring, tighten ring and turn
Row 2: Ch 2, 2hdc in each st across, turn
Row 3: Ch 2, *2hdc, hdc in next st, repeat from * across, turn
Row 4: Ch 1, sc, hdc, dc, *2dc, dc in next 2 st, repeat from * 2 more times, dc hdc, sc
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto head.
Use black yarn and tapestry needle to sew snout onto head using the photo as a guide.

Attach safety eyes.
Sew black spot onto cow head using photo as a guide.

Sew cow onto white granny square.

Lean how to Sew on Appliques to your granny square here!

Granny Square Crochet Pattern

Use J/6.00mm hook

Chain 2 in beginning of round does not count as stitch

Abbreviations (US terms)
Ch = chain, dc = double crochet, hdc = half double crochet, st = stich(es)

Round 1: Magic ring, Ch 2, 10dc into magic ring, join to first dc
Round 2: Ch 2, 2dc into each st around, join to first dc
Round 3: Ch 2, *dc, hdc into next 2 st, dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] all in one st, repeat from * , join to first dc (8 st per side)
Round 4: Ch 2, *dc until you get to the ch 2 space from previous row, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] all in ch 2 space, repeat from * , dc in next 2 spaces until you get to the beginning of the round, join to first dc (12 st per side)
Round 5: Ch 2, *dc until you get to the ch 2 space from previous row, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] all in chain 2 space, repeat from * , dc in next 4 spaces until you get to the beginning of the round, join to first dc (16 st per side)
Fasten off and weave in all ends.

The video for the granny square is the same as the Christmas square EXCEPT use a J/6.00mm hook and fasten off after the 5th row.

Labels: ,

Friday, March 1, 2019

Cardigan Shrug Free Crochet Pattern

Make the crochet cardigan shrug with this free crochet pattern! Sizes Small - 3XL and additional length sizes Petite - Tall.
Keep scrolling for the pattern!



The Design

When I dreamed up this design, I wanted something comfortable to wear around the house but something I could also grab and go out the door for a quick errand.

I love the ease of shrugs, but I'm not always a fan of the 'arm wing' that comes with it. I know that isn't a technical term, but if you've ever worn a shrug - you know what I mean!

So for this design, I wanted the body to be like a shrug to have that oval drape in the front panels but I wanted 'normal' sleeves so I could reach over my desk while working without feeling limited in my reach.


The body of the cardigan is a regular fit and super cozy.  The extra collar and ribbing that wraps around the entire cardigan gives you an extra cozy element and creates a great added texture!

I wanted to add subtle texture throughout the cardigan to make it stand out in a simple way, so I used a few different stitches for each component of the cardigan.


To add a different texture, I veered away from horizontal rows. Instead, the panels of the cardigan are made in vertical rows - you can see the vertical rows clearly in the back of the cardigan.  

I also used a herringbone stitch for the body of the cardigan and then completed the sleeves and ribbing with basic double crochets.



The Yarn

My previous cardigans were made from either worsted weight or bulky yarns. I wanted to go out of my comfort zone and use a lighter weight yarn.

I ultimately decided on using Knit Picks Brava Sport in Cream. It is a weight 2 100% acrylic yarn.  I heard it was a nice yarn to work with and washes up nicely.

Since I knew this cardigan would have some weight to it with the extra collar/ribbing along with the herringbone stitch, I thought it would be a good idea to use a light weight yarn so it wouldn't weigh me down while worn.


For a crochet cardigan, it is pretty light weight. It is even lighter than my Heartland Cardi that is shorter in size and uses only double crochets.

It did take a bit more time for this cardigan to come together because of the weight of the yarn, but I'm telling you - it was worth it!


Since the yarn I used is an online only yarn, I know you may be hesitant to purchase it. Personally, I love it! And I ordered several more skeins in gray and wine (more garment patterns coming soon!)

However, if you are more comfortable getting a yarn you are able to get in stores - I get it! I would recommend finding a sport weight yarn. Typically, many baby yarns are in the lighter weight categories.

If you shop at Hobby Lobby, they have a yarn called "Baby Bee Sweet Delight" and although it is a baby yarn, it comes in several beautiful neutral shades. I used the one of the gray colors for my Ruffle Cardigan that you can get the free pattern for here.

What ever yarn you choose, just be sure to check your gauge! I lay out everything you need to know about gauging and how to do it here in this post. It takes a few minutes, but will ensure your cardigan will come out the right size!

Sizes

There are a total of 18 different sizes for this crochet pattern! I know, that sounds like way too many sizes, but it's true!

The 'normal' sizing/bust sizing is there - S,M,L,XL,2X,3X. PLUS I've added sizes for height - Petite, Average, Tall. So if you need a Small Tall, it's all in the pattern. If you need a XL petite, it's all laid out for you! 

Being a shorty (4'10") I know how frustrating it can be to only find clothing that doesn't fit correctly.  Plus, I'm a size large so a lot of the things I try on in the store are by default too long.  

Crocheting your own garment should be custom fit to your body so I've thrown in ALL the sizes! 
This cardigan is meant to fit you perfectly so you can cozy up in it, I hope you find your perfect size that I've provided.




Please PIN this to your crochet boards to share it with all your friends! Grab a copy of the PDF if you like the convenience of being able to download/print - it also supports my blog and keeps the patterns coming!





Cardigan Shrug Free Crochet Pattern

  • Get the ad-free printable PDF on Ravelry or Etsy.
  • Save this pattern to your Ravelry.
  • PIN it on your Crochet Pinterest board for later.
Materials
(100% Acrylic 273yds/100g) Cream
H/5.00mm hook
Tapestry needle
Stitch Markers
Scissors

Level Easy

4” x 4” = 15 st x 11 rows in herringbone dc
4” x 4” = 17 st x 8 rows in dc

Abbreviations (US terms):
Ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dc2tog = double crochet 2 together, st(s) = stitch(es)

Special Stitch

Herringbone double crochet - Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, pull through one loop on hook, yarn over, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook. 

Sizes

Size
Fits Bust
Finished Width
Finished Length (Petite/Average/Tall)
Yardage Estimate in skeins (Petite/Average/Tall)
Small 32-34” 18” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 5 / 5 / 6
Medium 36-38” 19” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 5 / 6 / 6
Large 40-42” 20” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 6 / 6 / 7
XLarge 44-46” 21” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 7 / 7 / 7
2X 48-50” 22” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 7  / 7 / 8
3X 52-54” 23” 24.5”/ 27.5”/ 30.5” 7 / 7 / 8


Size Notes

Top and side of collar will be folded down and not accounted for in measurements.
Petite fits sizes 5’2” and below /
Average fits sizes 5’3” - 5’7” /
Tall sizes fits 5’8” and above

There are a total of 18 sizes to choose from when making this cardigan. First choose size according to bust and then choose size according to height. Example: Large Petite.

Beginning chain determines the length of the garment and will be written in Petite/Average/Tall numbers. Row 2 repeats create the width of the garment and will be written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).


Pattern notes

This cardigan is made in 4 pieces: 1 back panel, 2 front panels, and collar/ribbing. Sleeves will be crocheted on last.

Once the panels are completed, the rows will lay vertically when assembling the pieces together.

When seaming and attaching the components together, the mattress stitch method is recommended. Find a video tutorial for the mattress stitch here.

I have two different gauges listed as my tension was different for the two different stitches used in the pattern. Please check gauge to ensure your project comes out the size you want.

Beginning chain counts as a stitch when stated in the pattern, otherwise the beginning chain does not count as a stitch.

Beginning chain determines the length of the garment and will be written in Petite/Average/Tall numbers. Row 2 repeats create the width of the garment and will be written for sizes S (M, L, XL, 2X, 3X).

Pattern

Back Panel

Row 1: Ch 77/88/100 herringbone dc into the 4th ch from hook and each ch across, turn <75/86/98>
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as st), herringbone dc into next st and each st across, turn <75/86/98>
Repeat Row 2 until you have a total of 49 (52, 55, 58, 61, 64) rows.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Front Panel (Make 2)

Row 1: Ch 77/88/100 herringbone dc into 3rd ch from hook and each ch across, turn <75/86/98 sts>
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as st), herringbone dc into next st and each st across, turn <75/86/98 sts>
Repeat Row 2 until you have a total of 8 (10,11,12,14,15) rows

We will begin to decrease at the beginning and end of each row. Each row will be two less sts than the previous row.

Decrease Row: Ch 3 (counts as a st), dc2tog, herringbone dc across until last 2 sts, dc2tog over last 2 sts, turn <73/84/96 sts>
Repeat the decrease row for 14 more rows for all sizes. <45/56/68 sts>
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Make 2 front panels.

Collar/Ribbing

Row 1: Ch 22, dc in 3rd ch from hook and across, turn (20)

Row 2: Ch 2, dc across, turn (20)
Repeat row 2 until you have the total number of rows listed in the chart below according to the size you are making.

Row 3: Ch 2, dc across until last st, 2dc in last st, turn (22)

Row 4: Ch 2, 2dc in the next 2 st, dc across in remaining st, turn (24)
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until you have a total of 40 st across

Repeat row 2 for 26 rows (40)

Row 5: Ch 2, dc2tog twice over the next 4 st, dc across in remaining st, turn (38)

Row 6: Ch 2, dc across until last 4 st, dc2tog twice over last 4 st, turn (36)
Repeat rows 5 and 6 until you have 20 st across 

Repeat row 2 for a total number of rows listed in the chart according to the size you are making.
Fasten off.
 Seam the first and last row together using the mattress stitch.


Collar/Ribbing Repeats of Row 2

Petite
Average
Tall
Small
64
70
76
Medium
66
72
78
Large
68
74
80
XLarge
70
76
82
2X
72
78
84
3X
74
80
86

Assembly

Lay the back panel flat. The herringbone stitch will create a “v” pattern, you may decide if you want the “v” pointing up or down.
Lay the front panels on top of the back panel, making sure the “v” pattern is going the same direction.
Use stitch markers to pin together the front panels. Pin along the top shoulder areas and down the sides leaving a 7 (7.5, 8, 8.5, 9, 9.5) inch opening for arm holes on each side.

Using the mattress stitch, seam up the top shoulder area and sides leaving the arm holes open.


Pin the collar/ribbing onto the edging of the cardigan. Where the collar/ribbing increases/decreases, you will be able to fit that onto the top front panel like a puzzle piece. You can start at the top front panel, working your way around the neck line, around and down the second panel, around the back, and back up the first panel. Pin around carefully, making sure not to stretch the collar/ribbing too much while pinning. 

Using the mattress stitch, seam together the collar/ribbing to the main body of the cardigan. Weave in any ends.


Sleeves

Attach yarn to armpit area of one arm hole opening on main body of cardigan. 
Round 1: Ch 2, dc around the arm hole evenly making one dc in each stitch around, join to first dc, turn
Round 2: Ch 2, dc around until last 2 sts, dc2tog over last 2 st, join to first dc, turn
Repeat Round 2 until you have a total of 29 (30, 32, 34, 35, 35) rows
For sizes 2X-3X, fasten off and weave in ends.
For sizes S-XL, repeat Round 1 for an additional 6 (5, 3) rounds.

Each sleeve for all sizes will have a total of 35 rounds.

You may add/subtract rows here if you need extra/less length.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Repeat these steps for the second sleeve.

More Free Patterns You Will Love
 


Labels: