CAP's Crochet & Crafts

Another baby, another blankie.

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 02:00:00 +0000

Another wee friend is coming in January and this blankie will help keep him warm. This is my Textured, Random Striped Blankie.

Random stripe pattern generated using the Random Stitch Generator, beware it is addictive. It took me a good two hours to get a pattern that I loved, and then I still tweaked it.

The finished size is, 36" x 42".

I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease [Seaspray: 2 skeins, White: 1-1/4 skeins (270 yds), Lime: 1-1/2 skeins (280 yds), Yellow: 1 skein (207 yds), Orange: 3/4 skein (150 yds)] and Lion Brand Martha Stewart Crafts Extra Soft Wool Blend [Sable: 1-1/2 skeins (225 yds)], but any medium weight (worsted) yarn will work.

J (6 mm) Hook (roughly 7 pattern rows & 14 stitches = 4")

sc, dc alternating stitch pattern

Chain 114.

Row 1: sc into 2nd ch from hook, dc into next ch and repeat alternating across row, ending with sc. (113 st)

Row 2: Turn, ch 2 (or 3), dc into sc, sc into dc, repeat across row.

Row 3: Turn, ch 1, sc into dc, dc into sc, repeat across row.

Rows 4 - 123: Repeat rows 2 and 3 following the color pattern, sl st at end of rnd 123 to end off.

Color pattern by rows:

9 - Lime

3 - Seaspray

3 - White

7 - Seaspray

3 - White

3 - Sable

8 - White

5 - Banana Cream

2 - White

12 - Orange

4 - Seaspray

3 - White

11 - Seaspray

2 - White

4 - Banana Cream

2 - Orange

9 - Banana Cream

3 - Seaspray

5 - Lime

2 - Sable

4 - White

8 - Lime

6 - Sable

5 - Seaspray

Border:

Rnd 1: With right side facing, attach Sable 1 stitch to right of the Lime corner. sc around doing [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in each corner and one sc in each row on the sides (use pattern chart for correct number of stiches for each color)

Rnd 2: Do alternating stitch (sc, dc) around doing 1 additional sc, dc or dc, sc as pattern dictates in each corner.

Rnd 3: Do alternating stitch (dc into sc, sc into dc) around doing 1 additional sc, dc or dc, sc as pattern dictates in each corner.

Rnd 4: Do alternating stitch (sc, dc) around doing 1 additional sc, dc or dc, sc as pattern dictates in each corner.

Ribbon & Ruffles Blanket

Fri, 28 Oct 2011 00:15:00 +0000

I like to make blankets for special wee friends. Haley is a beautiful little girl who was born last month and this is the blanket I designed for her.

I had recently gotten a new book called Triple Play Pattern Stitches by Leisure Arts and Stitch Eight seemed perfect for this project. My favorite yarn for baby blankets is Lion Brand Cotton-Ease and since her nursery was pink and yellow I had the perfect yarns in my stash, Banana Cream and Bubblegum, two of the discontinued colors. I was then on the hunt for ribbon and when I couldn't find anything locally I turned to Etsy and got exactly what I envisioned.

If you like my blanket and would like to make one for yourself you will need the following:

Triple Play Pattern Stitches by Leisure Arts for Stitch Eight instructions

1100 yds. worsted weight yarn (blanket color)

300 yds. worsted weight yarn (border color)

Crochet hook size J/6.0 mm

5 yds 5/8" ribbon

With blanket color, Ch. 128

Following the instructions for Stitch Eight from Triple Play Pattern Stitches complete 88 rows and slip stitch to end off.

Attach border color at corner and crochet border as follows joining with sl st at the end of each round:

2 rounds of sc in banana, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in each corner

2 rounds of sc in bubblegum, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in each corner

1 round of [dc, ch 2, sk next sc]

1 round of sc in bubblegum, [1 sc, ch 2, 1 sc] in each corner

1 round ruffle; 3 dc, 2 dc around with 5 dc in each ch 2 corner.

Weave ribbon through round of [dc, ch 2, sk next sc], tie bow in corner. It is important that you stitch bow with needle and thread at corners to secure it.

A Hat and a Scarf

Thu, 11 Aug 2011 14:55:00 +0000

I am the crochet instructor at my local Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts store and this week I had to make my samples for the new classes starting in September and October. This was the first hat I had made (and I have made at least 100) that is made from band up and the scarf is made using a double strand. I am very happy with both projects and think that they are both great. I already have 3 people wanting me to make them hats, so if you crochet check them out at your local Jo-Ann Fabrics & Crafts.

The scarf is class Crochet 102 and the hat is Crochet 202 at your local Jo-Ann's store. Both are made from Red Heart Soft Solids in color 3729 Grape. The button is by Belle for Dritz and is fabulous for this project.

The hat pattern is the Fashionable Flapper Hat by Red Heart and I strongly recommend doing the swatch so you know what adjustments you will need to make.

Buttons, Buttons, Buttons

Thu, 14 Jul 2011 15:40:00 +0000

Buttons are a great way to add interest to any craft project. Yesterday I scored 26 great cards of button worth $110 for just $24. I got a buttons that retailed from $2.99 to $9.99 for $.25 to $1.97.

Need a few fun buttons at a great price, head to your local JoAnn Fabrics store and look for the JHB Buttons clearance section and see what you can score too. Hurry as these buttons won't last long.

Petal Pillows

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 02:29:00 +0000

I recently came across a pretty pillow tutorial on the Cluck, Cluck Sew blog and knew it would be perfect for my daughter's room.

Her room is black, white and fuschia. I knew that I had black felt at home so I decided to try a pillow with black on white fabric with a black flower as practice before attempting one using the material from the bag in which her comforter set came.

I also didn't want to make an 18" pillow so I calculated the proportions for both 14" and 16" pillows.

14" Pillow Dimensions:

Pillow Pieces: 15 x 15, 15 x 12 & 15 x 9
Circle Sizes: 2-3/4" & 2"
Pillow Insert 14"

16" Pillow Dimensions:

Pillow Pieces: 17 x 17, 17 x 13 &17 x 10
Circle Sizes: 3-1/8" & 2-1/4"
Pillow Insert 16"

After I was satisfied with the 14" pillow I found some fabric that was perfect for my living room, (the front was a discontinued fabric sample piece which they were selling at JoAnn Fabrics for $1) to make a 16" pillow.

When making this one I made a few "adjustments" from the first. I started shaping the petals from the beginning round and when I transitioned from the large to the small circles I did one round combining both large and small, 1 large, 2 small, etc. and then continued with the small circles to the center as written in the tutorial.

I rarely make things for myself, so I was thrilled with the results and now I want to make one for everyone I know. Next is the 18" black, white and fuschia for my daughter.

This is a great project with endless combinations, so give it a try.

Ruffles and Pink are for Girls

Sat, 24 Jul 2010 14:57:00 +0000

A good friend is having a baby girl in September so I wanted to make her a special, girly blanket. I looked at many patterns and projects and finally decided to create a blanket using the Snapdragon Stitch (scroll down to bottom of page).

This is the "recipe" I used to create this blanket.

J Hook

Approx. 1200 yards worsted weight yarn, I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease. This is approx. 6.2 skeins or about 22 oz.; 3.89 skeins pink, 2.29 skeins white and 1/2 skein stone.

Chain 149

76 Snapdragon Pattern Rows

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

10 Rows Pink

5 Rows White

2 Rows Stone

5 Rows White

10 Rows Pink

5 Rows White

2 Rows Stone

5 Rows White

10 Rows Pink

5 Rows White

2 Rows Stone

5 Rows White

10 Rows Pink

Continuing with pink, do 3 Rows sc, evenly spaced, around the outside edge of the blanket, doing sc, ch 2, sc in each corner.

1 Row of Ruffles, I alternated 3 and 2 dc in each dc around, doing 5 dc in each ch 2 sp of each corner. I would have done 3 in each, but I would not have had enough yarn.

That is all there is to making your own Ruffled Snapdragon Baby Blanket. The finished size of this blanket is 36" W x 40 " L, but I tend to crochet a tight stitch.

Bloomin' Bag

Sat, 29 May 2010 04:15:00 +0000

A few weeks back on Ravelry the pattern for my Lacy V Shopping Bag was linked in a group dedicated to knits from the store Anthropologie in response to trying to find similar patterns for the Everbloom Bag.

I took one look at the Everbloom Bag and recognized the stitch used immediately and decided to see if I could recreate the look. It didn't take me long and I had the pattern figured out, it pays to have made so many bags with a similar shape.

Since that time I have been working on completing my bag, writing and editing the pattern and to that end I bring you my pattern for the Bloomin' Bag, PDF file (this is the pattern).

Note, I made my bag using a DK weight, mercerized cotton yarn and it took approx. 400 yards. The bag pictured is approx. 12-1/8" W x 6" H x 3" D.

Textured Mesh Tote

Tue, 11 May 2010 15:46:00 +0000

My new pattern for the Textured Mesh Tote is now available. You get 4 patterns in one, solid and the stripe combinations for each of the three bags shown here. Also included in the pattern are two different sized bases so you can make any number of combinations of size, colors and stripes.

It can be found on Ravelry and at CAP's Crochet on Etsy. I offer full pattern support on all my patterns.

Flared Shell Brimmed Hat

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 16:15:00 +0000

Flared Shell Brimmed Hat

Hook sizes: H (5.0 mm), G (4.0 mm) for final sc rnd.

Approx. 200 yds light weight worsted yarn

Gauge is relative for this project, the most important gauge for this pattern is determining your own head size before beginning as this will be the gauge as to how wide the crown circle for YOUR hat needs to be. Not hook size, not yarn size, not the number of Rnds shown in the pattern, but your own head size.

Hat Sizing Tip: Measure around head just above eyebrows (keeping tape level) and divide that measurement by 3.1416. The result is the width your crown circle needs to be before continuing to Rnd 9. Example, head measures 22” around; 22 ÷ 3.1416 = 7.0028; Crown circle needs to be 7”.

Crown Circle

Ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc this round), work 9 dc into ring, sl st in 2nd ch to join rnd. (10 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in sl st, work 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (20 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in next st, rep from * around, work 2 dc in last st, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (30 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in first dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 2 dcs, rep from *around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (40 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in ea. of first 2 dcs, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 3 dcs, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (50 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in each of first 3 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (60 dc) (If you stop crown here, Hat Body directions can be found at the end).

Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in each of first 4 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (70 dc)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each of first 5 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 6 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (80 dc)

Hat Body

Rnds 9 – 12: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, sl to into 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 13: Ch 2, *dc into each of the next 9 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around 7 times, sl st to join. (88 dc)

Rnd 14: Ch 2, * dc into each of the next 11 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * around 6 times, sl st to join. (105 dc)

Shelled Brim

Rnd 15: Ch 1, skip 1 dc, *work 5 dc in next dc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, rep from * around, ending with 5 dc, sl st in beginning ch to join.

Rnd 16: Ch 2 (counts as dc), work 2 dc in sl st, *sc in 3rd dc of shell, work 6 dc in sc, rep from * around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of last shell, work 3 dc in sl st to complete beginning shell, sl st in 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 17: Ch 1, *work 7 dc in next sc, sc in 3rd dc of next shell, rep from * around, ignoring last sc, sl st in beg ch to join.

Rnd 18: Ch 2 (counts as dc), work 3 dc in sl st, *sc in 4th dc of shell, work 7 dc in sc, rep from * around, ending with sc in 4th dc of last shell, work 3 dc in sl st to complete beginning shell, sl st in 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 19: Ch 1, *work 7 dc in next sc, sc in 4th dc of next shell, rep from * around, ending with 7 dc, sl st in beg ch to join.

Rnds 20-21: Repeat Rnds 18-19

Rnd 22: Ch 2 (counts as dc), work 3 dc in sl st, *sc in 3rd dc of shell, work 8 dc in sc, rep from * around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of last shell, work 3 dc in sl st to complete beginning shell, sl st in 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 23: With G hook, *Sc in each dc, sl st into sc, repeat from * around, sl st to end off.

6 Rnd Crown Hat Body adjustments:

Rnd 7-10: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, sl st st into 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 11: Ch 2, dc into each of the next 7 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, * dc into each of the next 8 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * once, dc into each of next 7 dc, work 2 dc in next dc * dc into each of the next 8 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * once, dc into each of the next 7 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, sl st to join. (69 dc)

Rnd 12: Ch 2, *dc into each of the next 9 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * 6 times, sl st to join. (77 dc)

Continue pattern at Shelled Brim.

7 Rnd Crown Hat Body adjustments:

Rnd 7-10: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, sl st st into 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 11: Ch 2, *dc into each of the next 8 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * 7 times, sl st to join. (80 dc)

Rnd 12: Ch 2, *dc into each of the next 11 dc, work 2 dc in next dc, repeat from * 6 times, sl st to join. (91dc)

Continue pattern at Shelled Brim.

4-11-2011

Notes for these two hats:

6-12 month size
DK/Sport Weight Mercerized Cotton (Sinfonia on left, Saucy Sport on Right)
6 Round Crown measures 5-1/4", 16.5" circumference
Skipped 1 Round (12) of Hat Body
Skipped Rounds 20-21 of Brim

This pattern is similar to my Shell Brimmed Cloche but flares away from the head a bit more.

This hat was inspired by Melissa Rotert’s, Gulf Shores.

© All rights reserved. This pattern is available to you for personal use free of charge. Do not post this pattern on any other site without written permission from me, please link back here. Please report any problems.

Shell Brimmed Cloche

Fri, 30 Apr 2010 15:37:00 +0000

Shell Brimmed Cloche

Crochet Hooks: H (5.0 mm); G (4.0mm) for final sc rnd

175 - 250 yds Light Weight Worsted (Village Caribbean Cotton, Red Heart Crème de la Crème)

Hat Sizing Tip: Measure around head just above eyebrows (keeping tape level) and divide that measurement by 3.1416. The result is the width your crown circle needs to be before continuing to Rnd 9. Example, head measures 22” around; 22 ÷ 3.1416 = 7.0028; Crown circle needs to be 7”.

Crown Circle

Ch 4, sl st in 1st ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (counts as dc this round), work 9 dc into ring, sl st in 2nd ch to join rnd. (10 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, dc in sl st, work 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (20 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in next st, rep from * around, work 2 dc in last st, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (30 dc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in first dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 2 dc, rep from *around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (40 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in ea. of first 2 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 3 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to join. (50 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in each of first 3 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 4 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (60 dc)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc in each of first 4 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 5 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (70 dc)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, dc in each of first 5 dc, *work 2 dc in next dc, dc in each of next 6 dc, rep from * around, work 1 dc in last dc, sl st in 2nd ch to close ring. (80 dc; measures 7” across)

Hat Body

Rnds 9 – 14: Ch 2, dc in each dc around, sl to into 2nd ch to join.

Shelled Brim

Rnd 15: Ch 1, skip 1 dc, *work 5 dc in next dc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, rep from * around, ending with 5 dc, sl st in beginning ch to join.

Rnd 17. Ch 1, *work 6 dc in next sc, sc in 3rd dc of next shell, rep from * around, ignoring last sc, sl st in beg ch to join.

Rnd 18: Ch 2 (counts as dc), work 3 dc in sl st, *sc in 3rd dc of shell, work 7 dc in sc, rep from * around, ending with sc in 3rd dc of last shell, work 3 dc in sl st to complete beginning shell, sl st in 2nd ch to join.

Rnd 19. Ch 1, *work 7 dc in next sc, sc in 4th dc of next shell, rep from * around, ending with 7 dc, sl st in beg ch to join.

Rnd 20: Repeat Rnd 18

Rnd 21: Ch 1, *work 8 dc in 1st sc, sc in 5th dc of next shell, rep from * around, ending with 8 dc, sl st in beg ch to join.

Rnd 22: With G hook, *sc in each dc, sl st into sc, repeat from * around, sl st to end off.

This hat was inspired by Melissa Rotert’s, Gulf Shores.