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Posts Tagged ‘free crochet pattern’

Featured Product of the Week: 101 Stitches to Crochet

Saturday, March 3rd, 2012

If you love to crochet or have just started learning how to chain, you should have this fun little set of cards sitting on your desk! I don’t know about you, but I get one step ahead of myself whenever I’m learning something new. As soon as I start to grasp one concept I immediately want to move on to the next step. I think that 101 Stitches to Crochet is perfect for just that!

So, what’s the big deal you ask? Well this pretty packaging includes 101 individual cards that each teach you a new crochet stitch! They have a gorgeous color photo on the front and instructions on the back that include charts! It’s great to have all these different stitches right at your fingertips. I love how the cards are color coordinated into themes, making it super easy to pick out what kind of project I want to get started on. I love taking the sturdy cards with me when I start learning a new stitch and am crocheting away from my couch. It’s a great reference.

For someone like me who wants to know everything all at once, I very much enjoyed looking through the cards and seeing all the projects I could be making. This deck would be perfect for those who like to learn things slowly too, because you can take your time and there is always a next step when you are ready to move on. Me, I’m taking the title as a challenge – yes I will learn 101 new stitches!

In the meantime, here are some cute crochet projects to start once you’ve mastered those new stitches.

Easy Fashion Scarf
Extra Cushy Pet Rug
Organic Cotton Arm Warmers
Red Rose Slippers

So tell me, do you love jumping ahead or learning things slowly?

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Tags: crochet, easy crochet patterns, free crochet pattern
Posted in Product Review | 4 Comments »

Falling for Lotus Leaf Wraps and More Fall Fashion!

Wednesday, September 7th, 2011

Isn’t it amazing how the minute Labor Day weekend is over, fall appears, as if out of nowhere? It’s almost as if it’s been lurking around the corner, waiting for you to have your last summer barbeque, to soak in your last rays of sun and then… BAM! Just as you finish your Labor Day hotdog, a chill spreads through the air and you start to feel the first tinges of autumn. Every year this happens, and every year I’m surprised by how quickly the seasons can change.

Even thought fall snuck up on me (yet again) this year, it’s definitely a pleasant surprise. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been exhausting my summer wardrobe to the point where I feel like my coworkers will scream if they see me wear the same capri pants and short sleeved button-down top one more time. There’s only so much you can do with summer clothes and by the end of August I really feel like they’ve worn out their welcome, both to me and to the people who have to look at me!

That’s the main reason I’m super excited about fall. Not only are fall clothes more comfy than summer outfits, there’s also so much more you can do with them. It’s much easier to accessorize when you have layers to play with, when you can put a cute jacket on over a tee, or you can bring a pretty wrap to cover up with in the office when the AC is still on way too high from summer. Cardigans, sweaters, shrugs, shawls… there’s no other season besides fall that has so many wonderful options for fashion!

The other great thing about all of these coverups is that they’re mostly really easy to make yourself! So not only does fall liven up your wardrobe, it also gives you knitting and crochet projects to keep busy with!

One of my absolute favorite fall fashion accessories is this Magic Shevrons wrap. I love that you can wear it so many different ways, and the design just oozes that autumn feel. I made this wrap in the colors pictured, but I’m thinking about making another one in slightly different autumn hues because I love it so much and want to wear it pretty much every day!

I also just bought this awesome book — Lotus Leaf Wraps from Annie’s Attic — that has five cool crochet wrap designs. I’m obsessed with the one pictured on the cover and will definitely make that one first, but I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up making all of the projects in this book, because really, can you ever have too many wraps?! There are designs for casual wear and ones that can be more dressy, so no matter where I’m going or what I’m doing, I’ll have plenty of options to choose from once I finish making the wraps in this book!

Even though fall doesn’t officially start until later this month, in my mind summer is officially over and I’m ready to wrap myself in comfy and cute fall clothes right now!

Are you excited for autumn? What are you making to wear this season?

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Tags: autumn, crochet, easy crochet patterns, fall, free crochet pattern, wrap
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Creative Pet Projects

Thursday, August 11th, 2011

If you’re anything like me, your four-legged friends have become as much a part of your family as your very own flesh and blood. They sleep in your bed, accompany you to the bathroom, and sometimes even eat right from your plate. There is a reason dogs have been nicknamed “man’s best friend,” and although cats tend to stick to themselves a bit more than their canine counterparts, they still form just as close of a bond with their owners.

After years of coming home to a wagging tail, I am sad to report I am currently without a furry friend keeping me company. This, of course, means I live vicariously through all my friend’s and family’s pets. Being a newbie to the knitting and crocheting worlds, I am blown away at the sheer volume and immense variety of free pet craft projects and patterns available online to create. Between AllFreeCrochet, AllFreeKnitting, and AllFreeHolidayCrafts, there are literally pages and pages of unique homemade pet projects to make. You’ll find homemade sweaters, dog collars, and cat toys, just to name a few. Whether you’re a dog or a cat person, you are sure to find something to create for your favorite furry friend! If you are searching for a free online pet project to make, check out some of my favorites:

Paw Socks: This knit pattern is perfect for small pooches with sensitive paws. This simple pattern is easy to knit, and your puppy will thank you when the temperatures drop and the snow begins to fall.

Pet Candy Corn Sweater: Halloween is just around the corner, and you won’t want to forget about the family pet when you are planning this year’s costumes! This festive sweater would be a perfect weekend crochet project for any animal under 20 pounds, but the pattern can be adjusted for larger breeds, as well.

Crochet Pet Bow Tie Collar: More and more dogs are now being included in family weddings, Bar and Bat-Mitzvahs, and many other important milestones than they ever have been before. Make sure your pooch looks classy and stylish with this homemade Bow Tie Collar. This is an easy free crochet pattern and is perfect for novice crocheters like myself!

Crochet Kitten Cozy: Cats spend a good portion of their day napping, so why shouldn’t they have the most comfortable bed in the house? Your kitty will just love sleeping in this cozy homemade bed. Follow this intermediate crochet pattern to give your furry friend a new spot to spend the entire day in– literally!

All of the above projects are fairly easy to make, and they all use the same weight of yarn, worsted or aran. These two yarns are both medium weight and are the most popular to use, especially for throws. Our friends at CutRateCrafts carries a large selection of both. You can find a wide array of colors of worsted weight yarn, and many different varieties of aran yarn. So what are you waiting for? Pick up some yarn today and get crafting!

Have you made any pet crafts before? Which ones were your favorite? More importantly, which ones did your pet like the most?

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Tags: CutRateCrafts, easy crochet patterns, easy knitting patterns, free crochet pattern, free crochet patterns, knitting, pet crafts, pet projects
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Go Green With These Eco-Friendly Shopping Bags

Wednesday, July 27th, 2011

Do you have a Saturday morning ritual? Mine is going to my local farmer’s market, smack in the middle of one of the most beautiful parks Chicago has to offer.

cimg3905 Go Green With These Eco Friendly Shopping Bags

I love everything about the farmer’s market: The expanse of green grass dotted with produce stands, the smiley merchants offering samples of their freshest veggies and fruits, the happy customers strolling through the aisles picking out produce for their weekend meals. In a word, the farmer’s market just makes me HAPPY.

Lately I’ve been finding myself buying more and more when I go on my weekly shopping sprees at the farmer’s market. It must be because everything’s in season now and I just have to have one of everything… carrots, rhubarb, strawberries, peaches… you name it, it’s in my bag!

But because of the heavy load I’ve been taking home with me lately, my reusable shopping bag (that I bought for $1 at my local grocery store) broke last week. It was a pretty traumatic event, what with all the produce rolling down the sidewalk after the strap on the bag snapped.

My immediate thought was what would I do next week? I need something to carry all of my groceries home in! So I immediately jumped on the internet and started looking for options. I quickly discovered that not only are there TONS of patterns for eco-friendly bags to knit and crochet, there’s also eco-friendly yarn to make them with! Red Heart makes one that sounds AMAZING. Their Eco-Cotton yarn is made from t-shirt fabric remnants that are blended with acrylic and spun into a super soft yarn. What a cool concept!

Inspired by this eco-friendly yarn, I decided to crochet myself an eco-friendly shopping bag for my weekend farmer’s market excursions. I want something big enough to hold more than just a couple of apples, but not so big that things get lost and/or smooshed. Because there’s nothing worse than a bruised banana!

I finally settled on these two designs, but I’m not sure which one would be best.

I might make the Eco-Friendly Bag for my more delicate items, and then make the Think Green Bag for everything else. And knowing myself and how much I usually take home from the farmer’s market, I’m pretty sure I’m going to need both of these bags for my weekly shopping trips! I might even end up making a third!

I was always one of those girls who carried a plastic reusable grocery bag on shopping trips, but now that I know there are so many cute options for eco-friendly totes, I’m going to crochet my own bags and do my farmer’s market shopping in style from now on!

Would you use one of these eco-friendly bags for your shopping excursions?

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Tags: crochet, crochet bag, eco, free crochet pattern, green crafting, Red Heart
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Do You Bamboo? Check Out This Bamboo Wool Yarn From Red Heart!

Wednesday, July 20th, 2011

Last Tuesday in my crochet class my friend Samantha was talking about this new yarn she had discovered: Red Heart Bamboo Wool Yarn. Now, I don’t consider myself an overly eco-conscious person (I do my part to recycle my milk jugs and cans, but that’s about it), but something about this bamboo yarn intrigued me.

Samantha was raving about how soft it was and how easy it was to work with, but she’s also a die-hard environmentalist so I wasn’t really sure I could take her word for it. She probably just likes it because it’s an eco-friendly yarn, I remember thinking. I just couldn’t wrap my head around how yarn made of bamboo could be soft and flexible. In my head, this is what I imagine when I think of anything bamboo-related:

bamboos Do You Bamboo? Check Out This Bamboo Wool Yarn From Red Heart!

How could this turn into something as soft and fluffy as what Samantha was describing? According to her, working with this yarn was like working with a cloud:

cloud 5 Do You Bamboo? Check Out This Bamboo Wool Yarn From Red Heart!

Completely baffled, I decided to check this whole thing out for myself. I bought a skein in Red Heart’s rust color because I’m already getting ready for Fall and I think this shade will be beautiful to wear once the leaves start changing color. When I first picked up my skein, any doubts I had about bamboo yarn went out the window. This is honestly the softest, silkiest yarn I’ve ever worked with. I wish there was a way you could somehow feel this yarn through your computer screen because writing about it just won’t do it justice.

Once the yarn won me over with its soft-as-silk texture and beautiful sheen, I couldn’t wait to get started working with it! I decided to make a scarf because I always have problems with scarves being itchy and uncomfortable, but I figured with this yarn I wouldn’t have that problem.

Here’s the pattern I chose to make: The Soft Check Scarf. Isn’t it pretty?!

I love the detailed look, with the checks and diamonds running all along the scarf. Plus the pattern includes two slits to pull the scarf through so it stays put around your neck. Definitely a good thing for someone like me who has lost a scarf or two to a large wind gust or just from plain old absentmindedness! This is one scarf that’s sure to stay put!

I’m just starting out on my scarf, but I can already tell I’m in love. This is definitely going to be one of my wardrobe staples this Fall and I can’t wait until the weather gets cool enough to wear it!

So in the end Samantha was right and I probably never should have doubted her in the first place. At our next crochet class I’ll have to tell her how much I love the bamboo yarn… I just won’t mention that at first I dismissed her as an eco-crazy person!

To get your own Red Heart Bamboo Wool Yarn, just head on over to the CutRateCrafts online store!

We’re curious: What would you make with bamboo yarn?

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Tags: crochet, CutRateCrafts, easy crochet patterns, eco, free crochet pattern, free crochet patterns, green crafting, Red Heart, yarn
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Not Your Average Yarn

Tuesday, July 19th, 2011

When I was searching through yarns on CutRateCrafts the other day, I found some interesting texture yarns that I had seen different version of before, but they never really caught my eye. These two black textured yarns, however, really got me interested. I started thinking about what I would make with them. Do you have a scarf you’ve wanted to make for a while but have been tired of using the same old boring yarn that you always use? Why not try making something with either one of these fun yarns? Can you imagine how warm and cozy the Patons Moxie would feel?

Both from Patons, the Sequin Lace Yarn has little sequins woven into the fabric giving it a fun a shine. Imagine how eye-catching a sweater made from a few skeins of this would look! The Moxie Yarn in Chinchilla would be perfect for any furry friend project! I found these super cute Animal Pillows on AllFreeCrochet that I want to make for my niece, but I think they might look cuter as fuzzy pillow pals with added dimension.

Because I’m relatively new to both knitting and crochet, I’ve always been scared to use any of the textured yarn. But, I really love this sequin yarn because I tend to be very crow-like when it comes to anything shiny. I think, with the way that the sequins are strewn through the yarn, it would make a really nice and not over-the-top sweater. Although, a sweater is probably a far more advanced project than I am able to tackle at this moment. But these fuzzy pillow pals seem do-able!

Honestly, I’m still a little nervous to make anything with these kinds of yarns, but I might as well dive in and try it. Do you use textured yarn? What would you make out of these?

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Tags: crochet, free crochet pattern, knitting, yarn, yarn review
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Easy Wardrobe Makeover: It’s a Wrap!

Wednesday, July 13th, 2011

Lately I’ve been seeing a lot of people wearing wraps. Whether it’s at the grocery store or out on a date at a nice restaurant, it seems like wraps are the new hot accessory for women… and I think I know why.

First, they look good on everyone. How many kinds of clothing can you say that about? Second, you can pair a wrap with pretty much any outfit. Throw one on over a basic black tee and jeans to add a bit of visual interest to an otherwise boring outfit. Or you could pair a delicate, lacy wrap with an evening dress for a sophisticated and elegant look. Finally, I think the main reason wraps are becoming such a huge trend lately is because there are so many options to choose from!

Just take a look at some of the designs I found:

If you’re like me and have been in a bit of a fashion slump, wraps are a great way to easily add some “wow” to your wardrobe. I was looking in my closet the other day and realized that all I have are basics, basics and more basics. Which is great… everyone needs a little black dress, a classic crew neck sweater and a simple v-neck tee. But I have to admit, wearing these things day after day is getting a bit boring. I want to get excited about my clothes. I want to have pieces that I can’t wait to show off.

Luckily I have my crochet skills to fall back on. I haven’t crocheted clothes for myself in awhile, but whenever I wear something I’ve made myself, that’s usually when I get the most compliments… and usually from strangers!

So, inspired by my lackluster closet and these amazing trendy wraps I’ve been seeing lately, I decided to crochet myself a wrap. I wanted something that I could wear during several seasons, so nothing too heavy and nothing too light. I also wanted a simple pattern… I’m a no-fuss kind of girl and busy designs just aren’t for me.

I found my perfect pattern with this Sage One Skein Wrap. Not only is this wrap classy and sophisticated, the pattern is easy to make as well. And, just as the name suggests, all I need to make this beautiful coverup is one skein of yarn. You can’t beat that!

For the color I chose this Mixed Greens Print from Caron. It’s muted enough to be considered a “neutral,” but still has that pop of color I want.

I am so excited to make this wrap… It’s just what my wardrobe needs! I’m hoping that once I’m done making this, I’ll be inspired to make more crocheted clothing. I don’t know about you, but for me there’s nothing quite like opening my closet and seeing a bunch of things I created myself! Plus making your own clothing is a much thriftier way to give your wardrobe a makeover than going on a shopping spree at the mall!

What kinds of clothing have you made for yourself? Would you ever make a wrap?

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Tags: crochet, CutRateCrafts, easy crochet patterns, free crochet pattern, free crochet patterns, wrap, yarn
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Hot Project: Spiral Afghan for the Beach Lover

Wednesday, June 1st, 2011

June 1st… We made it! Summer is here (well not officially, but it’s never too early to celebrate, right?) and we’ve all got the beach on our minds. Well at least I do. I’m not sure whether my schedule (or my budget) will allow me to get away to explore any tropical locales this year, but that hasn’t stopped me from fantasizing about frothy waves and sand beneath my toes. Like any good crafter, my daydreams have led me to seek out ocean-inspired projects that will bring the beach to me.

Here are some of the fun summery craft projects I’ve found so far:

Seashell Treasure Box

Under the Sea Hanging Votive Holder

Seashells Crochet Scarf

I’m excited to make all of these projects, but — call me crazy — what I really want to make this summer is an afghan. Yes, an afghan. While most people think of afghans as heavy blankets to snuggle up with on a cold winter night, to me there’s something comforting about having an afghan around even during the warmest of summer months. They just make a house seem more like a home, don’t you think?

If you’re like me and want to add a crochet afghan to your summer home decor, you’re in luck because I found the most perfect pattern! The Spiral Afghan from Caron Yarn has this beautiful swirl pattern that when you look at it, you just can’t help but think of waves. I’m planning on making this beautiful blanket in the recommended colors (sky blue and white), but you can choose whatever color combination you want. I think it would also look nice in a deep blue/purple, possibly with some cream or tan thrown in there for a real beach-y effect.

I was also excited to see that the pattern calls for Caron Natura One Pound Yarn. It’s a great all-purpose yarn that’s also oh-so-soft! I seriously can’t get enough of the stuff. All of my blankets are made from this yarn, and several scarfs too. I got mine at CutRateCrafts.com for a great discounted price!

Now that I’ve shared this great project with all of you, I think it’s time for me to grab my yarn and my hooks and head outside for some relaxing summertime crocheting.

While I’m gone leave me a message! I want to know:

What’s your favorite beach-themed craft to make?

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Tags: afghan, afghan patterns, caron, crochet, crochet afghan, CutRateCrafts, easy crochet patterns, free crochet pattern, free crochet patterns, yarn
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Baby Blossoms for your Little One

Tuesday, May 24th, 2011

Now that the warm weather is in full swing, what says it better than flowers? Crochet flowers that is.

I love flowers and anything floral. What better way to announce that the gloom and cold of winter are finally going away? Or even during winter it’s nice to see a little flower bud now and then to remind us that it won’t last like this forever (As you can tell, I’m not one of the brave souls on the winter bandwagon). Check out this cute book with amazing ideas for little crochet flowers to break into the season!

Inside Ammee’s Babies – Baby Blossoms Say it with Crochet Flowers book you’ll find nine quick and easy crochet flower patterns with full page color instructions. Just imagine how adorable one of these pretty pink rosebuds would look adorning your little girl’s jacket or backpack. And all the flowers are different shapes and sizes so you’ll have plenty of designs to choose from. So pick out some of your favorite colors of yarn, get out those crochet hooks, and start making some lovely floral embellishments!

Once you’ve picked out what flowers you want to make, here is some inspiration for what to put them on!

I think this ruffle bag is pretty already on it’s own, but it would look so much more spring and summer ready with a bright little flower stitched along the side, don’t you agree? If you do, you can get the pattern for free from our sister site AllFreeCrochet.com. Or what about this otherwise plain Crochet Tote bag? The simple design makes it such a cute canvas for adding these floral embellishments. AllFreeCrochet.com actually has a collection of 20 bags like this one that you could embellish with little flowers. If bags aren’t your thing, try making this perfect for summer Crochet and Fabric Dress with little bright colored flower embellishments.

crochet fabric dress Baby Blossoms for your Little One

These are just a couple cute projects I found that I thought could use a little something extra, but in reality you could (and should) crochet little flowers to put on anything. And the best thing is you can stick them on a safety pin and move them around to whatever outfit you had picked out for your little girl that day.

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Tags: book, book review, crochet, crochet book review, crochet flowers, flowers, free crochet pattern
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Stop and Smell the (Crocheted) Roses

Monday, May 16th, 2011

I’m enamored with the idea of knitted and crocheted flowers: I already have an entire garden-full of flower patterns picked out for my wedding bouquets (which are still at least 2 years in the future). I love that the flowers are inexpensive and reusable, and the best part is that they never fade! The only drawback is that they don’t have the wonderful fragrance of fresh flowers…until now. CutRateCrafts is now offering an exciting collection of scented yarns from the Bernat Handicrafter line. The cotton, worsted weight yarn comes in several different fragrances and colors, including Lavender, Rose Petal, Powder, Vanilla Bouquet (in a buttery yellow), Aloe Vera, Camomile (in a creamy shade of off-white), and a multicolored Fleur Lavande.

I’ve had so much fun imagining all the wonderful scented projects I’m going to knit and crochet with these yarns, so I thought I would share some of my ideas with you:

Padded Hanger and Sachet (knit): A padded hanger in a Lavender, Rose Petal, or Fleur Lavande would lightly scent your clothes and look luxurious hanging in your closet. Handicrafter Scents is an especially good yarn to use for this project if you don’t have fresh lavender on hand for the sachet.

Embroidered Flower Neckroll Pillow (knit): I’m imagining this gorgeous little pillow with the soothing aromas of Camomile or Lavender. These scents are both popular in aromatherapy for their relaxing effect.

Rose Cosmetics Bag (crocheted): Of course, the Rose Petal yarn is a no-brainer for this feminine toiletry case, but any of the other scents would also be a charming touch on a homemade makeup bag. This bag does double duty as a scented sachet when you tuck it in with the rest of your luggage!

Flower Topped Giftbox (crocheted): The second I saw this, I had visions of 150 perfect Powder-scented flowers resting atop tiny white giftboxes holding wedding favors. These would also be elegant as favors for baby showers or bridal showers.

Crochet Hair Clip Pattern: Although this diminutive flower is very simple, it would make an alluring accessory in a softly scented Vanilla Bouquet yarn. Vanilla is supposedly one of the most attractive fragrances!

Fast Flower Bookmark (crochet): Hook up a bunch of these floral bookmarks in different colors and scents for a bouquet of fragrance when you crack open your favorite books.

Crocheted Flowers: As I said at the beginning of this post, there’s nothing more perfect for a vase full of crocheted flowers than scented yarn. Below I’ve included a list of crocheted flowers you can make to showcase this yarn’s beautiful colors and tempting aromas. Crochet stems and leaves in Aloe Vera yarn for a fresh green scent and color!

Yellow Daffodils Bouquet

Button Blossom Brooch

Daffodils of Spring

I know many of you knitters and crocheters have already discovered this yarn. What have you been crafting with it?