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Saturday, October 28, 2017

WEEK 9 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Joining & Border


We made it! It's the last and final week of the Christmas Granny Afghan crochet along! Having so many join along on this project was pretty surreal for me. This is something I never did before and now I can't wait to do more crochet along projects!  It's so fun to see everyone's variations. Huge thank you to everyone in my Facebook group for being so kind, encouraging, supporting, and overall an amazing group of crochet friends! 

This last week we will be putting all the pieces together. We will be joining the squares and adding a border. You can join your squares how ever you feel comfortable joining them if you are experienced with joining granny squares.  

I have chosen to join my squares by single crocheting them together with the Linen colored yarn.  Instead of doing a traditional single crochet join, I do mine a bit different. I don't go through all loops when making the single crochet, I only insert my hook through the outer loops of the squares I'm joining . You can find the full photo tutorial plus video on how I joined them here.



As far as the layout, you may organize the squares how ever you prefer. I have made a small chart below of how I laid out my squares. You can see the picture below the chart of how I laid out the characters. 





For the border, I made a candy cane striped border with cranberry and white. You can find the full tutorial for that here.

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Saturday, October 21, 2017

WEEK 8 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Wreath Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Welcome to Week 8 of the CAL!

This week will be the last week we will be making squares and appliques! Next week will be all about joining the squares and making the border. This has been such a rewarding experience to get to see crocheters get together and make something memorable.

The wreath applique is fairly simple, but from what I've seen in the Facebook group - I know some of you will spruce it up and I can't wait to see all the creativity!

I know many of you are wondering when and if there will be a next crochet along and I can say I'm in the planning stages! I'm bouncing ideas back and forth and figuring out when and how long it will take place. I will be asking in the Facebook group for thoughts/suggestions - if you aren't a part of the yarn friends community yet you can join here.

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares along with the Wreath Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 8
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Fern
Make 4 wreath appliques
Weave in all ends!
& most importantly, pat yourself on the back for completing ALL the squares and appliques!!

Find the GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN HERE.

Materials

Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in:
Scarlet, Fern
G/4.00mm hook
Scissors and tapestry needle

Pattern Notes

Chain in the beginning of each round does not count as stitch.

Pattern

Starting with Fern

Round 1: Chain 15, join to first chain (careful not to twist chain) to form a loop
Round 2: Chain 1, SC around, join to first SC (15)
Round 3: Chain 1, 2SC into each stitch around (30)
Round 4: Chain 1, *2SC, SC in next 2 stitches, repeat from * around (40)
Round 5: Chain 2, *3DC into same space, skip 1 stitch, slip stitch, skip 1 stitch, repeat from * around ending with slip stitch into first space where the 1st set of 3DC is
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Bow - Using Scarlet

Chain 35, fasten off. Leave tail for sewing onto wreath.
Tie into a bow (similar to the second step of tying shoe laces together)

Sew bow onto wreath

Video Tutorial

You may need to disable your ad-blocker if you are not able to access the video tutorial below. Or you may view the video here on YouTube.



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Saturday, October 14, 2017

WEEK 7 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Elf Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Welcome to Week 7 of the CAL!

Where has the time gone?! Can you believe we have been at this for a month and a half?

We are nearly finished! After this little guy, we have one more week to go before we start joining everything all up :)

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Elf Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry. You can also save it on Ravelry for later.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 7
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Fern
Make 4 elf appliques
Weave in all ends!

Materials

Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in:
Beige, Taupe, Kelly Green, Cranberry
6mm safety eyes
G/4.0mm hook
Tapestry needle

Pattern Notes:

Chain 2/Chain 1 is not counted as a stitch in the beginning rounds/rows

Bobble stitch is worked as follows: *Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, YO, pull through two loops, repeat from * 2 more times in same space until you have 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops, chain one to secure bobble

SC2tog - single crochet 2 together AKA decrease is worked as follows: insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops

Elf hat is bent down before sewn onto granny square to give the hat a slouching look

Pattern

Head - starting with Beige

Round 1: Magic ring, Chain 2, 10HDC into ring, join to first HDC
Round 2: Chain 2, 2 HDC into each stitch around, join to first HDC
Round 3: Chain 2, *2HDC, HDC, repeat from * 5 more times,
Continued from Round 3: Change to Taupe, bobble stitch in 8 remaining stitches, join to first HDC in round
Fasten off

Turn circle so the brown bobbles are on top, representing the hair of the elf.

Ears - Beige
Attach to right side of the head one space underneath bobble
Chain 1, [3SC, triple crochet] all in one space, fasten off.

Flip the head over onto the ‘wrong side’
Attach yarn one space underneath bobble on other side of head to create the left ear.
Chain 1, [3SC, triple crochet] all in one space, fasten off.

Hat - Made separetly, starting with Cranberry

Row 1: Chain 12, HDC into 3rd chain from hook and into remaining stitches, turn
Change to Kelly Green
Row 2: Chain 1, *SC, DC down into chain row, repeat from * across, turn
Row 3: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC into next 6 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 4: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC into next 4 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 5: Chain 1, SC across into next 6 stitches, turn
Row 6: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC into next 2 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 7: Chain 1, SC across into next 4 stitches, turn
Row 8: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC2tog, turn
Row 9: Chain 1, SC across in next 2 stitches, turn
Row 10: SC2tog, turn
Switch to Cranberry
Row 11: Chain 2, bobble stitch, fasten off
Sew onto head

Eyes

Attach safety eyes or create a french knot with black yarn and a tapestry needle.

Nose

Sew on nose with tapestry needle and beige yarn. Using a running stitch, keep overlapping the same stitch 8-10 times to create a bump.

Video Tutorial

You may need to disable your ad-blocker if you are unable to access the video below.
Or you may view the video tutorial here on YouTube.





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Saturday, October 7, 2017

WEEK 6 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Christmas Lights Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Welcome to Week 6 of the CAL!

I can't believe we are half way through this crochet along already! This week, we will have a very easy square. If you're behind - don't sweat it! Work on it when you can and enjoy the process. :)

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Christmas Lights Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 6
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Cranberry
Make 4 Christmas Lights appliques
Weave in all ends!

Materials

Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in:
Kelly Green
Mustard
Scarlet
Colonial Blue
Black

G/4.0mm hook
Tapestry needle & Scissors

Pattern

Light bulb - make 4 - one of each of the following colors: kelly green, mustard, scarlet, colonial blue

Magic ring, Chain 1 and work the following into the ring: 3SC, DC, triple crochet, DC, 3SC, join to first SC
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Joining the lights - using black yarn


Chain 5, SC into either side of where you fastened off on a lightbulb, *chain 10, SC into either side of the join on another light bulb, repeat from * until all 4 light bulbs are joined, finish off by chaining 5 and fastening off. Leave tail for sewing onto granny square.

Video Tutorial

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Sunday, October 1, 2017

WEEK 5 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Gingerbread Man Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Welcome to Week 5 of the CAL!

I can't believe it's been almost a month since we started this crochet along! I'm having so much fun watching everyone's progress and seeing everyone get so creative. You guys are so inspiring in the group, I absolutely love it and couldn't ask for a better group of crocheters! I can't wait to see what you come up with for this gingerbread man :)

Don't forget to hop on over to the Facebook group - you can join here to share your progress and to ask questions!

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Gingerbread Man Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 5
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Cranberry
Make 4 gingerbread man appliques
Weave in all ends!

Find the GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN HERE.

Materials
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in:
Taupe, White, Black
G/4.00mm hook
E/3.50mm hook
6 mm safety eyes
15mm buttons (needle and thread to sew on buttons)
Tapestry needle & Scissors

Pattern Notes
Chain 1 in beginning of rows do not count as a stitch

After Row 3, I give you the option to fasten off/attach yarn or slip stitch to the place where we start making the body. I fastened off because once we finish the gingerbread man, we will SC around the perimeter of the body and I find it easier to do that into single crochets rather than the slip stitches.

Pattern

Using taupe

Row 1: Chain 15, SC in second chain from hook and into remaining stitches across, turn
Row 2: Chain 1, SC across, turn
Row 3: repeat Row 2
*At this point, you can either fasten off or slip stitch into next 5 stitches*

Attach taupe 5 stitches in from the right (disregard if you are doing slip stitches instead)
Row 4: Chain 1, SC into next 6 stitches, turn
Row 5: Repeat Row 4
Row 6: Chain 1, 2SC, SC into next 4 stitches, 2SC, turn
Row 7: Chain 1, SC across, turn
Row 8-9: Repeat Row 7
Row 10: Chain 1, SC into next 4 stitches, turn
Row 11-13: Chain 1, SC across next 4 stitches, turn
Row 14: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC2tog
Fasten off

That completes one leg. To make next leg, attach taupe to Row 9 next to first leg
Follow Rows 10-14 above.
Turn the body so the feet are facing down and the arms are straight across.

Head

Attach taupe to the 6th space in from the right
Row 1: Chain 1, SC into next 4 stitches, turn
Row 2: Chain 1, 2SC in each stitch across, turn
Row 3-4: Chain 1, SC across, turn
Row 5: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC into next 4 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 6: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC into next 2 stitches, SC2tog
Change to White and use E hook
Chain 1, SC around the perimeter of the gingerbread man.
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Attach safety eyes or create a french knot with black yarn and a tapestry needle.

Use black yarn and tapestry needle to sew on mouth.

Sew on buttons with needle and thread.

Video Tutorial

You may need to disable your ad-blocker if you are not able to access the video tutorial below. Or you may view the video here on YouTube.




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Sunday, September 24, 2017

WEEK 4 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Rudolph Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Welcome to Week 4 of the CAL!

*I hope you're enjoying the crochet along so far! If you haven't hopped on over to the Facebook group - you can join here to share your progress and to ask questions!

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Reindeer/Rudolph Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern and work ahead or at your own pace, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL for previous weeks - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 4
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Kelly Green
Make 4 Rudolph appliques
Weave in all ends!

You can find the GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN HERE!

Materials
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in:
Taupe
Beige
White
Scarlet

G hook
6mm safety eyes
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Notes

Beginning chain in rounds do not count as a stitch

Special stitches used: SC foundation chain 


Pattern

Head - Taupe

Row 1: Magic ring, Ch 1, 12 SC in ring, join to first SC 
Row 2: Chain 1, SC in next 3 stitches, 2 SC into each of the next 3 spaces, SC in next 2 stitches, 2 SC into each of the next 3 spaces, join
Row 3: Chain 1, SC in next 6 stitches, 2 SC into each of the next 3 spaces, SC in next 6 stitches, 2 SC into each of the next 3 spaces, join
Row 4: Chain 1, SC all around, join (24)
Row 5: Chain 1, SC in next 7 stitches, 1 HDC, 2 DC in each of the next 8 stitches, 1 HDC, SC in next 8 stitches, join to first SC
Fasten off and leave long tail for sewing onto granny square


Antlers - Beige

We will be working the horns in the 4th and 5th stitches to the right (right antler) and the 4th and 5th stitches to left (left antler) of the space where we joined for the head. Because we are working in the round and from right to left, where we start the left and right antler will be a slightly different. Pay attention to what # stitch you are inserting your hook into.
*I have provided pictures below to help aide you in starting the antler (specifically shown for the left horn)

Right Antler:
Insert your hook into the 5th space to the right of the join and attach taupe color. Chain 1 to secure, insert and pull up a loop into space to the left (4th space to the right of the join). **YO pull through one, YO pull through both loops. (That completes your first SC foundation) Continue to SC foundation crochet until you have 6 SC foundation crochets. Chain 4, treble crochet into SC foundation nearest to chain. Slip stitch into same space. Slip stitch into next two spaces. [Slip stitch, chain 2, DC, Slip stitch] all into next space. Slip stitch until you get back to the head portion. Slip stitch into 4th space to the right of the join on the head portion. Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square.

Left Antler:
Insert hook into 4th space to the left of the join, attach taupe color. Chain 1 to secure, insert and pull up a loop into the space to the left (5th space to the right of the join). Follow direction from ** for the right antler.

Ears - Taupe

Left ear
Attach taupe one space below the horn, SC into same space and next space, turn 
Chain 1, SC decrease
Fasten off

Right ear
Attach choclate brown yarn into two spaces below horn
SC into same space and next space, turn
Chain 1, decrease
Fasten off

Nose - Scarlet

Magic Ring, Chain 1, work the following into the ring: 2SC, 2DC, 2SC, 2DC, join to first SC.
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Eyes - white - make 2

Magic ring, Chain 1, 8SC into ring, join to first SC
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing

Attach safety eyes into white eye centers. Place eyes onto head and place safety eye backings on the back of the head.

OR create a french knot with black yarn and a tapestry needle on the whites of the eyes.

Video Tutorial

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Sharing in any way really helps my blog going and the free patterns coming - thank you!

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Saturday, September 16, 2017

WEEK 3 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Christmas Tree Applique Free Crochet Patter



Welcome to Week 3 of the CAL!

Many of you are zipping right along, and it's so neat to see everyone's progress! I'm also enjoying seeing everyone's variations - so fun! If at any time you have questions, hop on over to the Facebook group - you can join here. I try to be very present in the group, so I'll be there to help you out! If you'd like - you may also shoot me an email mariasbluecrayon@gmail.com

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Christmas Tree Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 3
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Kelly Green
Make 4 tree appliques and sew them onto Linen squares
Weave in all ends!

You can find the GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN HERE

Materials:
Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in:
Kelly Green, Taupe, Mustard
G hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Pattern notes:

Chain 1 in the beginning of each row does not count as a stitch

SC2tog - single crochet 2 together AKA decrease is worked as follows: insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops

Loop stitch is worked as follows: (hold the working yarn around your index finger) insert hook into stitch, grab the yarn from behind the index finger as well as the yarn in front of the index finger, pull up a loop (at this point you can pull the working yarn to make the loop on the backside of the work smaller or pull the loop to be bigger), yarn over, pull through all loops on hook. This will create a loop on the backside of your work

Pattern:

Tree - Kelly Green

Row 1: Chain 13
Row 2: SC into second chain from hook and across, turn (12)
Row 3: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (12)
Row 4: Chain 1, SC2tog, 8 SC, SC2tog, turn (10)
Row 5: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (10)
Row 6: Chain 1, SC2tog, 6 SC, SC2tog, turn (8)
Row 7: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (8)
Row 8: Chain 1, SC2tog, 4 SC, SC2tog, turn (6)
Row 9: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (6)
Row 10: Chain 1, SC2tog, 2 SC, SC2tog, turn (4)
Row 11: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (4)
Row 12: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC2tog, turn (2)
Row 13: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (2)
Row 14: Chain 1, SC2tog, turn (1)
Row 15: Chain 1, loop stitch across, turn (1)
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square

Tree trunk - Taupe

Attach yarn into 6th stitch on the bottom of the tree
Row 1: Chain 1, SC in same space and next space
Row 2: Chain 1, SC across next 2 stitches, turn
Row 3: Chain 1, SC across next 2 stitches, turn
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square


Star - Mustard

Magic ring, Chain 2, *DC, slip stitch, repeat from * 4 more times
Fasten off, leave tail for sewing
Sew onto top of tree


Video Tutorial

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Saturday, September 9, 2017

WEEK 2 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Snowman Applique Free Crochet Pattern



Welcome to Week 2 of the CAL!

I hope you're enjoying the crochet along so far! If you haven't hopped on over to the Facebook group - you can join here to share your progress and to ask questions!

I know a lot of you are new to appliques - don't be scared of them! Sewing them on isn't the most enjoyable either, but it will be a lot better if you don't wait until the end. ;) To help you out, here is a good YouTube tutorial on how to sew these little guys on: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ukil6fPT9BY
Also, I've seen people in the group sew the appliques on with thread, which is genius! You can sew them on using a running stitch (just back and forth through the square) and you won't see where you sewed it!

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Snowman Applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL to see previous weeks - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.

Week 2
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Scarlet
Make 4 snowman appliques and sew them onto Linen squares
Weave in all ends!

Find the GRANNY SQUARE PATTERN HERE! I've updated it with extra photos to help with those stitch counts ;)

Materials 
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in:
White
Black
Terracotta
G hook
6mm safety eyes
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Notes:

Chain in the beginning of each round/row does not count as a stitch

You may substitute safety eyes by using black yarn to make french knots. You can find a good YouTube tutorial here on how to make french knots here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5BHO_Cnvzs

Pattern

Head - White

Round 1: Magic ring, Chain 2, 10HDC into ring, join to first HDC
Round 2: Chain 2, 2 HDC into each stitch around, join to first HDC
Round 3: Chain 2, *2HDC, HDC, repeat from * around, fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square

Hat - Black

Row 1: Chain 16, HDC into 3rd chain from hook, HDC into remaining stitches, fasten off
Row 2: Attach black to 4th stitch from the right, Chain 2, HDC into same space and into the next 7 stitches, turn
Row 3: Chain 2, HDC across into 8 stitches, turn
Row 4-5: repeat Row 3
Fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square
Sew hat onto head

Eyes

Attach safety eyes or create a french knot with black yarn and a tapestry needle.

Nose

Using terra cotta and tapestry needle, sew on nose by first making the triangle outline, then filling it in using back stitches

Mouth

Using black yarn and tapestry needle, sew on mouth using a back stitch along the curve between the 2nd and 3rd rounds of the head.
*back stitch: insert needle and yarn from the back to the front, send the needle back down one space over, bring needle back up to the front one space over, insert your needle back down to the left next to previous stitch

Video tutorial


You may need to disable your ad-blocker if you are not able to access the video tutorial below. Or you may view the video here on YouTube.





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Saturday, September 2, 2017

WEEK 1 - Christmas Granny Afghan CAL - Santa Claus Applique Free Crochet Pattern


Hi everyone - Welcome to week 1!

 I know a lot of you have been very eager to start this CAL, and I have been too! This is my first ever CAL that I will be hosting! Please be patient with me if there are any issues - don't hesitate to contact me with questions!

This week we will be working up 8 granny squares and the Santa Claus applique.
All the patterns and video tutorials that you will need are below.

If you would like to purchase the complete afghan pattern, you may do so here on Ravelry.

If you need to go back to the main page of the CAL - click here.

If you need to take another look at the materials list - click here.


Week One
Make 4 granny squares in Linen
Make 4 granny squares in Scarlet
Make 4 Santa Claus applqiues
Sew appliques onto Linen granny squares
Weave in all ends!

Find the Granny Square Pattern HERE.

Materials
Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice worsted weight in:
Scarlet
White
Beige
6mm safety eyes
G hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Notes:

Chain 2/Chain 1 is not counted as a stitch in the beginning rounds/rows

Bobble stitch is worked as follows: *Yarn over, insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, YO, pull through two loops, repeat from * 2 more times in same space until you have 4 loops on the hook. Yarn over, pull through all 4 loops, chain one to secure bobble

SC2tog - single crochet 2 together AKA decrease is worked as follows: insert hook into stitch, pull up a loop, insert hook into next stitch, pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through all loops

Santa Claus hat is bent down before sewn onto granny square to give the hat a slouching look


Pattern

Head - Beige & White

Starting with Beige
Round 1: Magic ring, Chain 2, 10 HDC, join to first HDC
Round 2: Chain 2, 2HDC in each stitch around, join to first HDC
Round 3: Chain 2, *2HDC, HDC, repeat from * 4 more times
Continued from Round 3: Change to white, bobble stitch into remaining stitches, join to first HDC, fasten off and leave tail for sewing onto granny square

Hat - White & Scarlet

Starting with white
Row 1: Chain 13, SC into second chain from hook and across, fasten off
Attach Scarlet into 3rd stitch from the right
Row 2: Chain 1, SC into next 8 stitches, turn
Row 3: Chain 1, SC across 8 stitches, turn
Row 4: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC in next 4 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 5: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC in next 2 stitches, SC2tog, turn
Row 6: Chain 1, SC across in next 4 stitches, turn
Row 7: Chain 1, SC2tog, SC2tog, turn
Row 8: Chain 1, SC across in next 2 stitches, turn
Row 9: Chain 1, SC2tog, turn
Row 10: Change to white
Row 11: Chain 2, bobble stitch, fasten off
Sew hat onto head

Nose -  Scarlet

Magic ring, SC into ring 3 times, fasten off
Sew onto face

Eyes

Attach safety eyes or create a french knot with black yarn and a tapestry needle.

If you are using the french knot technique for the eyes, here is a good video tutorial:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z5BHO_Cnvzs

Video Tutorial

You may need to disable your ad-blocker if you are unable to access the video tutorial below.
Or you may view the video tutorial here on YouTube.







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Christmas Granny Square Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern



Welcome to the Christmas Granny Square Blanket Crochet Along 2017!

Find details on this CAL here.

Find the materials list here.

 I'm so happy to have a group of people join in on the fun of making this crochet Christmas blanket! I hope this brings a lot of people together all over the world - to encourage, support, and just to have fun! If you'd like, you can join the facebook group here.

The group is a place to share your progress on your Christmas blankets and ask crochet questions about the CAL, but it is still a general group for yarn friends to chat about yarny things!

Listed below is the timeline of this CAL (crochet along) for the Christmas blanket. As you can see, it will span into late October. That is 9 weeks of fun, and you will have the afghan finished by the time December rolls around.

There is also an option to purchase the pattern for the Christmas Granny Square Blanket. If you'd like to purchase the complete blanket pattern you may do so here on Ravelry

This PDF file has everything you need to complete this crochet Christmas blanket. You may want to purchase this file in order to print out the patterns to have on hand and/or to work at your own pace. The file will include the crochet along time line as well!

Every Sunday 12am (EST), the links will be updated on the dates listed below. I will also post on Facebook and send out emails to those on the mailing list (sign up on the side bar) when the 'weekly assignment' have been posted.

Let's get started, shall we?!

PURCHASE THE ENTIRE COMPILED FILE OF ALL PATTERNS HERE ON RAVELRY. 
Thank you so much for your support!

Materials List

Week 1 Santa Claus

Week 2 Snowman

Week 3 Christmas Tree

Week 4 Rudolph the Reindeer

Week 5 Gingerbread Man

Week 6 Christmas Lights

Week 7 Christmas Elf

Week 8 Wreath

Week 9 Joining squares and border


PIN IT TO YOUR PINTEREST BOARDS.
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Saturday, August 19, 2017

Christmas Granny Afghan CAL Materials List


Who wants to join in on a crochet along to make a festive Christmas Granny Afghan?!

I'm so happy and proud that I was able to complete this blanket in a short amount of time to put together my first ever crochet along for you all! I'm looking forward to bringing together the crochet community to work on something fun and to encourage and support each other along the way! Join the Facebook group to be with other yarn lovers like yourselves ;)

I know many of you have been waiting on the complete materials list and I finally have it for you! It's been a rough few days with having to get my wisdom teeth removed, but I pushed on to get the afghan completed so you all have some time to get all the materials needed.

I have posted some details previously in this post if you want to check it out.  Click here when you are ready to start the afghan!


Below is everything I used to make the Christmas Granny Afghan.  It is not required that you use the exact materials I did, but if you do plan on using different yarn - worsted weighted yarn would be preferable and watch your yardage as different brands have different sized skeins.

All the yarn I used is Lion Brand Vanna's Choice worsted weighted yarn that has 170 yards per skein. (Keep that in mind if choosing a different brand).

8 skeins Linen (pale gray/dusty off-white)
2 skeins Fern (slightly lighter shade of green pictured above)
2 skeins Kelly Green (shade of green pictured above)
3 skeins Cranberry (dark red)
2 skeins Scarlet (red)
2 skeins White
(less than 1 skein) Black
(less than 1 skein) Taupe (brown)
(less than 1 skein) Beige
(less than 1 skein) Colonial Blue (blue)
(less than 1 skein) Mustard (darker shade of yellow)
(less than 1 skein) Terracotta (orange)
I hook (5.25mm)
G hook (4.0mm)
E hook (3.50mm)
Tapestry needle
Scissors
8 small buttons in different colors & thread and needle for attachment (for gingerbread man appliques)
40 (6mm) safety eyes (can be substituted with sewing eyes on with black yarn if preferred)

*I bought my safety eyes off Amazon 100 pieces for about $6, best deal I have found so far. Never had problems with them - I've boughten 2 sets already. You can buy them here: Darice SBE20 100-Piece Solid Black Eyes, 6mm


Notes: If you are using different brands and would like to use similar colors, I described some of the color names of the skeins I used in parenthesis above as some of the names aren't obvious as to what color can be substituted for.

The colors used for the granny squares are linen, kelly green, fern, cranberry, and scarlet. If you choose to make your squares different colors you will still need the kelly green, fern, cranberry, and scarlet for the appliques.

The official start of the crochet along will be September 3rd! The CAL will run until the last week of October. Each week we will be making 8 squares plus a design and the very last week we will join and do the border.

Grab your materials and get ready to begin :) When you are ready to start, you can find the main page of the CAL here.


You can find the main page of the CAL here

Sign up for the mailing list on the side bar if you don't want to miss anything!
You can also stay up to date by following any of my social media pages:
Instagram
Facebook

I've also made a Facebook group for everyone to share their works and for support/encouragement! See you there!

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Thursday, August 3, 2017

Christmas Crochet Along Announcement


Who's interested in a crochet along for a Christmas Granny Square Afghan?!


 What will the project be?

The project will be a throw sized Christmas themed afghan. It will be similar to my past granny square projects (Ocean Afghan & Woodland Afghan). For this particular afghan, I will have 8 different Christmas themed designs that will be repeated throughout the afghan.

 This won't be a mystery CAL, you will know exactly what the project will look like before you get started. I am shooting for the middle of August to get this project finished so you can all see if you would like to participate in making this afghan.

Also, I will have the supplies/materials list available to you at this time as well so you have about 2 weeks to purchase/gather your supplies.

**UPDATE** I have finished the afghan and have the materials list here.
When you are ready to start the CAL - click here for the main page of the CAL

How big will the afghan be?

The finished size for this afghan is roughly 58" x 58"

 What is the time frame for this CAL?

September 3rd - November 4th. I will release one design every Sunday for 9 weeks along with the 'assignment' for the week. The last week will be bringing this afghan all together by joining and making a border. You will have this Christmas Afghan ready in time for Christmas :)

 Can beginners do this project?

Yes! I plan on having video tutorials along with each written pattern so this CAL can be for all skill levels!

 Is it free?

Yasss!! This CAL will be absolutely free on my blog. However, there will be a PDF available to purchase as most of my other patterns are. This PDF will be a downloadable/printable and ad-free for you to have on hand that will include the entire schedule of the CAL along with what needs to be done each week, all materials needed, all design patterns - basically everything you need to make this afghan whether you would like to participate in the CAL or go at your own pace.

The PDF would also be convenient to print out so you can crochet where you would like without needing access to internet and/or device.

But like I said.. Yes, absolutely free on my blog for anyone.

Can I get a reminder for this?

Yes! You can sign up for my mailing list on the side bar or you can join my Facebook group that I've created to bring yarn crafters together! I hope this Facebook group will allow everyone participating in the CAL to share, ask questions, and to find support and encouragement throughout the project!
You find the group at this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1991216357832159/
or by searching "Maria's Blue Crayon Yarn Friends" on Facebook.

 Have any other questions? Feel free to comment below!


I have been posting on my Instagram about the CAL - if you'd like to see some snippets before it's completed and for other projects I am working on, you can follow me there! www.instagram.com/mariasbluecrayon

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