Hobby Stash » Crochet

Sampler Quilt to Crochet

Linda — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 14:28:58 +0000

The Sampler Quilt to Crochet pattern is now available. I wrestled with the idea of charging for this pattern and finally decided against it. I crochet because I love to, not because I want to make a living with it. I designed this pattern on a lark. I wanted to make a quilt with a matching afghan. The first time around I used a regular afghan hook rather than the flexible hook and created 4 block panels with 5 blocks in each panel, which I then sewed together. Either way looks great from the front. But I like the result of the cleaner back side when crocheting as one piece rather than the panels. It’s really a matter of personal choice. I will say it goes much faster when you choose to do panels.

Quilt With Matching Afghan

Back side of Panel Version

Back side of One-Piece Version

This pattern involves a lot of color changing and as a result, a lot of ends weaving. I deliberately left my weaving to the end to give you an idea of the amount involved. I strongly recommend you do this as you go along and not wait to the end like I did. I actually don’t normally mind doing it. I find it a easy task to work on while watching a good movie. Frankly, even for me, this was a daunting task to do all at once. But the end result was worth it.

Weaving Needed

Ends are about 6-inches long

The Weaving is Done!

Both afghans were given as Christmas gifts this year to two people I cherish. Was it worth the hard work? You betcha!

Popcorn Pinwheel Afghan

Linda — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 09:28:50 +0000

I made a sample of the popcorn pinwheel used in Fran Johnson’s popcorn pinwheel bedspread using #10 crochet thread with a #7 needle and fell in love with it. But I knew I would never finish the project given the number of pinwheels that would be required. Furthermore, I had no one I knew who would want it when it was finished. But I couldn’t let it die. So I began experimenting with baby yarn to see how it would look. I liked it. As I continued to ponder and try different size hooks, I came up with a plan. I’d make a decorative afghan in a simple off white to compliment the quilt my sister-in-law made for our guest room. The pinwheel is six-sided versus the eight-sided blocks in the quilt but I still think it will complement nicely.

I added two additional rounds to the pattern: a single crochet round and a double crochet round. The pinwheel finished size is approximately 9 1/2 inches. I’ll be alternating rows of 6 and 5 pinwheels until I get the size I want (to be determined). Here’s what I’ve done so far

Jazzy Journey

Linda — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 18:06:08 +0000

Jazzy Journey is a quick and easy pattern to do. Because I chose to use medium weight worsted yarn (Lion Brand Wool-Ease), I had to make some alterations to the original pattern, which called for bulky weight yarn. My adjustments:

Gauge in pattern: one repeat (18 stitches) = 5″, 20 rows = 5″ Finished size: 48 by 54

Yarn: Lion Brand Wool-Ease (3.5 oz, 197 yards, 180 meters) 5 skeins 140 Rose Heather, 6 skeins 104 Blush Heather

Pattern: Crochet rows 3-22 9 times total without repeating 3-12 at the end. Fringe: 14″ strands instead of 17″

Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread

Linda — Sun, 30 Oct 2011 13:57:03 +0000

Are you looking for the pattern??

After seeing Frances Johnson’s creation,I must admit I was enamored when I saw the original YouTube video of Frances Johnson. After seeing the video, my quest began to hunt down the pattern. It wasn’t as easy as it should be but here are the results.

Google immediately served up these two:

iOffer.com – Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread Vintage Crochet Pattern for $3.00. This was a cumbersome process and not one I recommend. You have to wait for Karen’s Variety to respond before actually getting the pattern after payment. Her site, KarensVariety.com, offers it for the same price and provides immediate download after payment. However, for $7.00 you can download The Spool Cotton Company’s Bedspreads pamphlet which includes 10 additional patterns with the Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread pattern.
Vintage Home Arts via Amazon for $7.99 ($9.99 after adding shipping). Quite steep for one pattern.

Frankly, the best source for this pattern is one I found completely by accident. I was searching for doily place mat patterns and decided to buy The Crocheter’s Treasure Chest: 80 Classic Patterns for Tablecloths, Bedspreads, Doilies and Edgings (Dover Needlework). Imagine my surprise when I found Popcorn Pinwheel on page 42. I spent a whopping $8.76 with free shipping.

I still plan to try a doily or two before I attempt something on this scale. But, as a result of my hunt for this one particular pattern, I now have a very nice stash of some wonderfully creative vintage crochet patterns. Now to see if I can actually hold and work that oh so tiny crochet hook…

Sunshine Sampler – Row 4

Linda — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 22:40:40 +0000

Getting ready to start my final row.

31 Vintage Bedspread Patterns to Crochet

Linda — Sun, 09 Oct 2011 12:10:45 +0000

Ever since I watched the Popcorn Pinwheel Bedspread video, I’ve been wanting that pattern. This morning while searching for something else on Amazon I ran across a kindle version of 31 Vintage Bedspread Patterns to Crochet. To be honest, if they’d had a print version, I’d have ordered that instead. But they don’t so I thought what the heck…on my kindle it went. I actually think there might be an advantage to using the kindle…no pages to wear out and that battery certainly lasts (I have the old black and white kindle…ha). The instructions are easy to read, pictures, well they are black and white and not the best.

Sunshine Sampler – Row 3

Linda — Tue, 27 Sep 2011 20:10:09 +0000

I took a little recess from this afghan while I updated the design on the site, but am now back on track. I finished the 3rd of 5 rows last night.

Sharon’s Rose

Linda — Sun, 25 Sep 2011 11:22:16 +0000

Sharon’s Rose is actually a knitted pattern in Leisure Arts’ Afghan Book 2. I used the Tunisian knit stitch suing the chart provided for the middle section and then made differently styled side panels to complete the afghan. It turned out very nice although a very heavy weight winter-only type afghan. I do wish I’d just created three of the middle panel and joined them together.

Here’s my adaptation:

Indian Design

Linda — Sat, 24 Sep 2011 13:56:43 +0000

Indian Designs is actually a knit pattern in Leisure Arts’ Afghan Book 2. Using the included graph, I adapted it to Tunisian crochet and used the basic afghan stitch. The gauge is not quite the same but I was still happy with the result. Unfortunately, Afghan Book 2 is out of print. I managed to purchase another copy to replace my worn out first edition via Amazon’s third-party vendors.

My adaptation:

Pleasing

Linda — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 11:00:27 +0000

Variegated in Vogue has some really nice patterns featuring the use of variegated yarn. My favorite, by far, is Pleasing. It uses the interesting technique of crocheting the length of the afghan leaving an 8-inch strand at each end to work into the fringe. Instead of using variegated yarn, I chose from Red Heart’s fleck series and then incorporated the blue fleck as my solid color (close up below).

Rating: ★★★★☆