Friday, January 31, 2014

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 1st sc of 3-sc cluster.  Secure and break yarn.

4.        With new color, join yarn in middle (2nd) 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 (2nd) 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 (2nd) 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 2nd 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 1st stitch, yo and pull through that stitch, (keep both stitches on hook), insert    hook through 2nd stitch, yo and pull through that stitch (3 stitches on hook), insert hook through 3rd 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.  



  

Tuesday, January 21, 2014

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.