Fifth Ave Shawl

I've just released Fifth Avenue Shawl.  

It features a shallow triangle of patterned mesh that drapes nicely over the shoulders or around the hips for a touch of sass. Because blocking is not required, it’s great for acrylic yarns as well as natural fiber.

The pattern includes instructions for two borders: a small ruffled border and a more tailored flat border. The shawl’s size is easily adjusted following the directions provided.

If done in lace or fingering weight yarns, this shawl makes a great four seasons wrap. A slightly heavier yarn would make a colder weather wrap.

Written instructions, photos, and charts included.

Experienced Beginner - - - US terminology

Frost Flowers

September has gone and fall has arrived.  Unfortunately, things haven't slowed down around here.  I am beginning to see a little light at the end of the tunnel in our remodeling projects.  Though it seems that when one project is done, we find two more to do.

I did take some time to test and release my latest pattern, Frost Flower Cowl Set.  I designed this set thinking of Christmas gifts.  I used a reasonably priced yarn, Paton's Lace and Paton's Lace Sequin, and the set makes up quickly.  

My teen granddaughter gave it a thumbs up.  She especially liked the tiny pink sequins in the flowers.  The whole set took one skein of Paton's Lace in soft sage, and one skein of Paton's Lace in pink diamond.

The pattern can be found on my Ravelry pattern page and is $2 off  through Sunday, 10/5 .  No coupon is needed.  The discount will come off when you place the pattern in your cart.  

Latest Shawl Patterns

I can't believe that it's been so long since I've spent any time on my blog.  I've been working on patterns, and putting in new plank flooring in our home.  I've done the living room, dining room, a small office, the master bedroom, and the upstairs hallway.  I only have the kitchen left to do, unless John decides to ripe out more carpet.  I sure hope not.  I don't think my old back can hold out much longer.  I can tell you one thing, floors are hard on the backside and the knees.

I have managed to squeeze in some crochet time.  Can't do without that.  All work and no play.....makes for an unhappy granny.  Here are the patterns I've completed since my last post.


Mokara

Carmen

I have a promotion going on through September 6.  With your Ravelry purchase of Carmen, you can pick one any of my other patterns for free.  The details are on the pattern page here.

I hope everyone has had a wonderful summer.  I'll try to do better on the blogging.

Free Mother's Day Shawl Pattern

I get a little sad each year around Mother’s Day.  I had a wonderful mother and I miss her terribly.   So this year, I decided to design a shawl in her honor and offer it for free as my Mother’s Day gift to everyone.  You can download your free copy on Ravelry by following this Ruthie's Sunshine link. 

I wanted this rectangular stole to be an easy, watch-TV-while-you-crochet type, or pack-and-go project.   Even though this pattern has an easy-to-remember one row repeat, the combination of stitches gives an interesting design with lots of texture.  

The first half of the shawl is crocheted completely, and then the yarn is joined and the second half is worked.  There is no sewing involved, and each half is a mirror image of the other.  The length of the shawl is easily adjusted.  There are written instructions and helpful charts.

You will need to know how to read instructions or charts, join yarn, chain, double crochet, half double crochet, and work into a starting chain.

Rated—Advanced Beginner

US terminology used

Happy (early) Mother's Day!

Startitis strikes again

Start-i-tis:   A burning desire to start a new project, when there are several needing to be finished.  Common among crafters of all kinds.  Often brought on by the purchase of new supplies, the latest crafting magazine release, or browsing the internet.

Ahhh, yes.  Good ole' startitis. 

In my case, it was caused the purchase of two lovely skeins of hand painted Ring Spun Rayon from YarntopiaTreasures on Etsy. 

The lovely blue and green yarn is called Rainfall.  And….even though I’m about a day or two away from having a pattern ready for testing, another half finished, and have at least three or four works in progress, I pulled out my notebooks, pencils, swatches and began a new pattern. 

What can I say?  I guess I’m hopeless.  

At least I’ll never be bored or run out of things to do.

Happy crafting!

Nancy 

Cute Easter Bunnies

Aren't these little bunnies the sweetest thing ever?  I found the pattern on The Green Dragonfly Blog.  The instructions are very clear and have photo guides to help.  I made these four in a couple of evenings.  All you need is small bits of yarn, poly fill to stuff them and a couple safety eyes or buttons.  I must warn you.  They are addicting.  I want to keep making them, and I already have enough for the grand-kids. 

 

But.....maybe I really need more bunnies.  

Maybe....I need some for me. 

My St. Patrick's Day Stole

I'm a little late in posting this, but here's my St. Paddy's day shawl.  It's crocheted in a super soft merino blend yarn and is beaded down each side.  

Many of my shawls are given away or sold, but this one is all mine.  I don't normally wear anything as long as this stole, because I'm a shortie.   However, I totally fell in love with this piece.  The yarn is Shalimar Breathless in fingering weight.  I'll be writing the pattern soon.  

Right now, I'm taking a little break from patterns.  I felt the need to take a couple of week to do some relaxing crochet.  Besides, Easter is quickly approaching and I have grandkids that need bunnies.  I found this really cute pattern on Ravelry.  Easy Easter Bunny 

I've added those to my to-do list.

Have a blessed day.

Nancy 

Honey, Honey Shawlette

I just release a new crochet pattern called Honey, Honey Shawlette.  The pattern can be found here Honey, Honey Pattern.  Until the end of March, there is a 50% off coupon code that can be found in this Ravelry thread Shalimarch coupon code.  Note:  to get the discount, you must purchase the pattern in my Ravelry store, not my Etsy store.

This shawlette works beautifully gathered around the neck as a scarf, or thrown over  shoulders as a light shawl. This is a quick one skein project with optional beading. The body is an easy-to-remember two row repeat, and the shape is a half hexagon.  There are easy instructions for increasing the shawlette to full shawl size, but additional yarn would be needed. Included are written instructions and helpful charts.  It's rated intermediate and uses US terminology.

Yarn: Fingering weight yarn—450 yards 
Recommended yarns: Shalimar Zoe Sock fingering weight yarn in Curry, or color of your choice.

Size after blocking: 55” wingspan and 20” deep down center of back.

Optional beading: approximately 300 #6 glass beads with holes large enough to pull your yarn through with a small steel crochet hook.

Hooks: 4.5mm (#7) crochet hook, or one that gives the desired fabric. (Opt.) Steel hook small enough to pull yarn through beads.

Garbo

I've missed a few days blogging, because I've been super busy getting a pattern ready for release.   I've decided to do a series of shawl patterns inspired by the glamorous film stars of the thirties and forties.  This is my first, called Garbo.  It's made with the oh-so-soft Shalimar Breathless fingering weight. 

I designed Garbo for Shalimar yarns for their Shalimarch celebration on Ravelry.  There is a 50% discount coupon through the end of March that you can use to purchase my Garbo pattern.  Just go to their Ravelry group and click on new patterns and discounts.  To get the discount, you must purchase the pattern through Ravelry and not Etsy.  To check out the pattern on Ravelry go here Garbo pattern.

The body of Garbo has an easy-to-remember three row repeat which makes it a great traveling project. Instructions for optional beading and four helpful charts are provided. The length of the shawl is easily adjusted for as much or little drama as you desire.  It's rated advanced beginner because of the fingering weight yarn and optional beading.  

Crocheted daisies and spring fever

Brrrrr……  Coldest day of the year.  We’re a couple degrees below zero this morning.  I know that for some this would be a warm spell, but this Missouri girl isn’t used to this frigid weather.  

Aren't these coasters pretty.  They are so easy and quick to crochet.  I found this lovely free pattern on Ravelry, Daisy Coasters by Doni Speigle.  If you are on Ravelry, you can find the pattern here.  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/daisy-coasters.   

If you aren’t on Ravelry.com and you love yarn crafts, check it out and sign up.  It’s totally free and super fun.  

Yesterday I couldn't hold myself back.  I bought a ton of seed packets for our veggie garden.  I love thumbing through seed catalogues and displays, and planning what I’m going to grow and when to start seedlings. Can you tell I have spring fever?  My biggest problem is keeping myself from getting too excited and starting the seedlings too soon.  

   

Stay warm and think spring!

Nancy

Heart dishcloths

Oh my, it's such a gloomy, rainy day.  I'm so ready for warmer weather and sunny days.  Since I'm stuck inside, I'm spending the afternoon with crochet, audio books, hot chocolate, and a dog snuggled on my lap.  Being lazy on a Saturday feels pretty good.

Currently I'm listening to Lying in Wait by J. A. Jance.  I love audio books and download them from audible.com and the library.  Lately I've been devouring books by Jance and Anne Perry.  I'm partial to mystery.  With my name, I'd better.  However, I loved mystery long before I got the name through marriage.

These are my crocheted heart dishcloths from the pattern that I released yesterday.  I'm getting a wonderful response on that pattern.  I can imagine all the colorful hearts being crocheted this month.  If you missed the pattern, you can find it on my January 31, 2014 post.  

My original coaster hearts were made with DK weight yarn, but for these dishcloths, I used worsted weight cotton and a 6 mm hook.  I also added an extra row of sc color to increase the size a little. On the additional row, I increased each side of the heart by 4 stitches following the same stitch pattern as the other sc rows.

Have a blessed day!

Granny Sweet Heart Pattern

February is almost here.  So I've been working on a crocheted heart that can be used for coasters or attached on a tie for cute wall buntings.  After several starts and restarts, I finally came up with a design that I liked.  There are several similar heart designs based on granny squares, but nothing that was working out for me.  I wanted something with several colors, but yet something that still looked like a heart and would be good for a nursery.  I also wanted something that would work with different weight yarns.  This is what I came up with, my Granny Sweet Heart.

  

I've written up the pattern to share with you.  For the hearts pictured, I used sport weight cotton.  The hearts measure (unblocked) about 5-1/2" at the widest point and 6" in length. 

To make them into buntings, crochet a chain and attach the hearts with double crochets into one or two of the border loops, while evenly spacing the hearts along the chain as you crocheted it.  I plan to use some of my hearts for coasters.  I also plan to do some with worsted cotton for dish cloths.  Don't you agree that they'd make super gifts.  Who doesn't need a little fun and color in the kitchen?  

Here's the pattern.  I hope you enjoy making these colorful hearts as much as I do.  Please let me know if you find any errors so that I may correct them.

Have a wonderful day!

Sweet Hearts Bunting Pattern

Note:   Click here for related chart that was added 1/15/2016.

Any type of yarn will work for this pattern.  I used KnitPicks sport weight Comfy and a 4mm hook.  Adjust your hook if you use a different weight yarn. 

1.       Ch 4 and sl-st to form a ring.  Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, (ch 2, 3 dc in ring) 3 times.  Ch 2, sl-st in top of ch-3.  Secure and break yarn.

2.        Attach next color with a sl-st into any ch 2-sp.  (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same ch-2 sp.  (Ch 1, 3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc in next ch-2 sp) 3 times.  Ch 1, sl-st in top of beginning ch 3.  Do not break yarn.

3.        Sl-st into the next 2 dc and then into the ch-2 space.  Ch 1, 3 sc in same ch-2 sp.  This will be the point of the heart.  Sc in the next 3 dc, sc in the next ch-1 sp, sc in next 3 dc, sc in ch-2 sp.  Skip 3 dc, 12 tr in ch-1 sp.  Skip 3 dc, sl-st in next ch-2 sp.  Skip 3 dc, 12 tr in next ch-1 sp.  Skip 3 dc, sc into next ch-2 sp, sc into next 7 st (dc’s and ch sp), sl-st into 1^st sc of 3-sc cluster.  Secure and break yarn.

4.        With new color, join yarn in middle (2^nd) sc of 3-sc cluster at heart’s point.  Ch 1, 3 sc in same stitch.  Sc in next 13 st.  (2 sc in next tr, sc in next tr) 3 times, sc in next 2 st, sl-st over sl-st of previous row down between tr’s of row 3.  Sc in next 3 st, (2 sc in next stitch, sc in next stitch) 3 times.  Sc in next 12 st, sl-st in starting sc.  Secure and break yarn.

5.        With new color, join yarn in middle (2^nd) sc of 3-sc cluster at heart’s point.  Ch 1, 3 sc in same stitch.  Sc in next 12 st.  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) 4 times.  Sc3tog (see special stitches below), sc in next 2 st, (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc) 4 times.  Sc in next 10 sc.  Sl-st into starting sc.  Secure and break yarn.

6.       With new color, join in middle (2^nd) sc of 3-sc cluster at heart’s point.   Ch 1, 3 sc in same stitch.  Sc in next 12 sc.  (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) 4 times.  Sc3tog, sc in next 3 sc, (2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc) 4 times.  Sc in next 9 sc, sl-st into starting sc.  Secure and break yarn.

7.       Join new color with a sc in 2^nd sc of 3 sc cluster at heart’s point, ch 3, sc in same stitch as join.  (Ch 3, skip one stitch, sc in next stitch) around heart.  End with sl-st into starting sc.  Secure and break yarn.  Weave in ends.

Abbreviations (US terminology):  

Ch – chain

Sl-st – slip stitch

Sc – single crochet

Dc – double crochet

Tr – treble crochet

Sc3tog – single crochet 3 stitches together (see special stitches below) 

Special Stitches:

Sc3tog- Insert hook in 1^st stitch, yo and pull through that stitch, (keep both stitches on hook), insert    hook through 2^nd stitch, yo and pull through that stitch (3 stitches on hook), insert hook through 3^rd stitch, yo and pull through that stitch, yo and pull through four stitches on hook.

Copyright Nancy Drew (AKA YarnPumpkin), 2014.   Please respect my copyright and do not resell, publish, or distribute this pattern.  However, you are free to use the final items you make from the pattern for charity, gifting, or selling in limited numbers. A link back to my webpage is greatly appreciated.  

  

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How to Crocodile Stitch Crochet

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Twenty Fourteen

On this cold, dreary January day, I’ve decided that 2014 is going to be my year of color.  I want to experiment with all kinds of color combinations, and get a bit out of my comfort zone.  I recently discovered http://design-seeds.com/.  Wow!  Talk about inspiration.  I have to be careful or I’ll find myself spending hours going through the different color combinations.   Another great site for inspiration is Attic 24 at http://attic24.typepad.com/. 

Last year I mostly concentrated on shawls.  I crocheted and knitted them, designed them, and started one after another throughout the whole year.  This year I seem to be leaning more toward motifs resembling handmade Spanish tile.  The more color, the better.  I predict colorful shawls, scarves and blankets in my work basket.

To get my year of color started, I participated in a hexagon blanket crochet-along on Ravelry.  We used a pattern called Hexagons by Julie Yeager.  You can find the pattern at http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hexaghan.  Here’s a photo of my finished blanket.

I haven’t been keeping up with my blog like I should.  I hope to do a better job this year by adding more content, tutorials, and inspiration for all my fellow yarnies.  

Stay warm everyone.