Sunday, August 20, 2006



Fur-trimmed Handbag

Materials and Equipment
2 ½ oz Red worsted weight yarn
2 ½ oz Red Heart Plush yarn in Spice
1 ½ oz black and white combo fur yarn
crochet hooks sizes J, L

Gauge: 6 sc = 2 inches (with worsted weight and Plush yarns together and crochet hook size J)
6 rows = 2 inches


Directions

Front of purse (using crochet hook size J):
Use one strand of worsted weight yarn and Plush together.
Ch 25 loosely
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. 24 sc.
Rows 2-15: Work even in sc. 24 sc.
Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Back of purse:
Working on other side of beginning ch, crochet as follows.
Row 1: Join with sc in first st, sc in each ch of beginning row. 24 sc.
Rows 2-15: Work even in sc. 24 sc.

Sew side seams. Attach fur yarn to first sc after side seam. Work on sc in each sc around. Crochet a second round of sc.

Handles (make 2 using crochet hook size L):
Holding one strand of each of the three yarns, ch 50. Sl st in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Cut yarn leaving a long enough tail to sew strap to purse.

Finishing:
Position ends of handle approximately 2” in from side seams and sew to inside of purse just below fur trim. Weave in loose ends.

Sunday, August 13, 2006


Big Blocks Afghan

Materials and Equipment
Lion Brand Chunky USA yarn
6 skeins of color A (Gulf Green, in this case)
6 skeins of color B (Yukon Gold, in this case)
Crochet hook size Q

Gauge: Rounds 1- 3 = 9 inches

Finished afghan is approximately 60” x 80”

Directions

Square: Make 6 with color A and 6 with color B

Ch 4. Join to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (This counts as first dc in this and every dc round.), 3 dc, ch 2, (4 dc, ch 2) 3 times in ring. Sl st to top of beg ch 3 to close this and all dc rounds.
Rounds 2-6: Dc in each dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each corner space.
Round 7: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, sc in each dc, 5 sc in each ch 2 space. Sl st to top of first sc to close. Cut yarn.

Sew squares together alternating colors in a 3 x 4 checkerboard fashion matching stitches beginning with middle sc of 5 sc group and ending with middle sc in next 5 sc group. Sew through both loops of the final round when sewing squares together. You should have one row of squares as follows: green, gold, green. The next row should be gold, green, gold. The next row should be green, gold, green. The final row should be gold, green, gold.

Edging
Round 1: Join color A in middle stitch of 5 sc group in any corner square. Ch 3 (counts as first dc in this and next round of edging.), dc in each sc and joining between squares, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each of the four corners of the afghan (middle sc of the 5 sc group). Sl st to top of beg ch 3 to close this and next round of the edging.
Round 2; Using color B, repeat Round 2 of square.
Round 3: Using color A, repeat Round 7 of square.

Finish off and weave in loose ends.

Friday, August 04, 2006


Coffee Cup Plant Holder

Materials and Equipment
Ø 150 yards of jute twine
Ø Crochet hook size K
Ø 6-7 inch diameter potted plant or any potted plant that fits snugly inside crocheted cup


Gauge
Rounds 1-3 = 3 inches


Note: Jute twine can be messy to crochet with sometimes. Bits of the fiber will flake off around your work area and it can be itchy on your fingers as you crochet.


Directions

CUP:
Ch 4, join to form ring.
Round 1: Ch 1, 8 sc in ring. Sl st to top of first st to close this and all rounds. 8 sc.
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in same st as joining and in each st around. 16 sc.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 24 sc.
Round 4: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 2 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 32 sc.
Round 5: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 3 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 40 sc.
Round 6: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining, 2 sc in next st, *1 sc in each of next 4 st, 2 sc in next st.* Repeat between * * around. 48 sc.
Round 7: Working in back loops only, ch 3, dc in same st as joining and in each st around. 48 dc.
Rounds 8-10: Working in both loops, repeat Round 7. 48 dc.
Round 11: Ch 3, sc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 5 st, work dec as follows (yo, insert hook in next st, pull up 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, insert hook in next st, pull up 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops, yo, pull through 3 remaining loops), *1 dc in each of next 6 st, dec,* Repeat between * * around. 42 dc.
Round 12: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining and in each st around. 42 sc. Do not cut yarn. Continue with handle.

HANDLE:
Ch 15, join to bottom of Round 7 with sl st. Turn.
Work 2 sc in each of first 3 ch, 1 sc in each of next 7 ch, 5 sc in next ch, 1 sc in each of last 4. Sl st to top of coffee cup. Cut yarn and weave in loose end.

SAUCER:
Round 1: Working in unworked loops of round 7 of cup, join twine at bottom of cup (with open side of cup facing you) in any st, ch 3, dc in same st as joining, dc in each of next 4 unworked loops, 2 dc in next loop, *dc in each of next 5 loops, 2 dc in next loop.* Repeat between * * around. 56 dc.
Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat between * * around. 64 dc.
Round 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as joining, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in each of next 7 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat between * * around. 72 dc.
Round 4: Ch 1, work one round of crab stitch around. Cut yarn and weave in loose ends.

Press with an iron to smooth out the handle. Place potted plant inside cup.
You can play around with the hook size and number of single crochet rounds to adjust the size of the holder or you can use different yarns and a strong starch solution to set its shape.