The Granny Square Blanket DIY

I know I diss on the granny square a lot... but sometimes a crocheter just has to make one, a really big one... and that's what this blanked it, one HUGE granny square (make it as big as you like)!

Here is what you will need...
-J hook
-Worsted weight yarn in a few fun colors - I'm using black, white, red, yellow, and mint
-Scissors?  that's pretty much it...


Chain 6.  Join in a small loop with a sl st.
Row 1:  Ch 2.  *3 dc into the center of the ch-6 loop.  Ch 2.  Repeat from * 3 more times.  Join with sl st. 
Row 2:  Ch 2.  *Ch 2 and skip the 3 dc of previous row.  (3 dc, ch 2, 3dc) in the ch-2 space of previous row.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.
Row 3:  Ch 2.  *3 dc in the ch-2 space of previous row. Ch 2 and skip the 3 dc of previous row.  When you reach the corner, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the ch-2 space in the corner of the previous row.  Repeat from * around.
Continue in this way for each row.  Ch 2 over the 3 dc of previous row and 3 dc into the ch-2 spaces of previous rows, each time you reach a corner making a (3dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the corner ch-2 space.

I made 10 rows in white, 5 rows of black, 5 rows of white, 5 rows of black, 5 rows of white, 5 rows of red, 5 rows of blue, 5 rows of yellow, 5 rows of white... and my blanket is HUGE!!!

You can make yours far smaller if you like! 

Sheepskin decorating...

Just released a pattern where you can crochet your own version of a sheepskin rug.  Now use it to decorate your house like all these awesome people!

 

image from http://greyandscout.tumblr.com

image from http://www.the-brick-house.com

image from http://www.trettien.com

image from http://theglossiernerd.tumblr.com

Garden Love

I've never been one for gardening... although I recently heard that an hour out in the garden has the same effect as Prozac and helps to boost your brain function... who knew?

Then I was playing around on Pinterst and found 3 plant related posts that got me really happy.  And they can be done inside... away from the cold (and one is crochet related)!

So...  Thank you to duitang.com,  CuteDIY, and Lynzarium's Custom Living Design for these amazing plant pick-me-ups!  I really want to try them!

Click on the links before the images to see these images normal sized AND straight from these amazing creative people!  Stitch and Garden Happy! 

Throw DIY

This is a variation of the massive Blanket DIY that I made for my mom for her birthday!

It's so much quicker to work up, and still helps keep you warm... YAY!

So...
the variations...
Use a hook 2 sizes larger than you would use for the blanket.
Make 16 of the squares... leave the last 3 rows of sc off of these squares.
Join in a row of 4 using the same technique for joining that you used for the blanket, going back and forth making 3 dc stitches in each of the ch-3 spaces.  Join 4 rows of 4 together so you make one large square.

Just large enough to be used as a throw at the end of your bed, or for cuddling up on the couch!

YAY!  Have fun with it!  Happy stitching!

Blanket DIY

I finally put those squares to good use!  Made this blanket that is just barely big enough to cover the top of a full bed.

Here's a little DIY for you to enjoy!

The squares are based on this one from the book Crochet Motifs.  I highly recommend the book!  Grab one if you don't have it already.

Square:
Chain 12.  Join into the first ch to make a loop.
Row 1:  Ch 1.  24 sc into the ch-12 loop.  Join with sl st.
Row 2:  Ch 5.  *Quadcrochet 3 together.  Chain 7.  Repeat from * 7 more times.  Join with sl st.
Row 3: Ch 1.  *Sc in first st.  Ch 3 and skip the next stitch.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.
Row 4:  Ch 1. *1 sc in ch-3 space of previous row.  Ch 3.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.
Row 5:  As Row 4.
Row 6:  Ch 1.  *(1 sc in ch-3 space of previous row.  Ch 3.) 5 times.  Skip the next ch-3 space.  In the next ch-3 space (Quadcrochet 3 together. Ch 4. Quadcrochet 3 together. Ch4 and sl st in the top of the quad 3 together {picot made}.  Ch 4. Quadcrochet 3 together. Ch 3.)  Corner made.  Repeat from * around.  Join with sl st.
Row 7:  Ch 1.  1 sc in sc of previous row.  2 sc in each ch-3 space.  When you reach the corner, 1 sc in each quad3together.  3 sc in each ch-4 space.  3 sc in picot at corner.
Row 8:  Ch 1.  1 sc in each sc of previous row.  3 sc in each corner sc of previous row.
Row 9:  As Row 8.
Cut, bind off, weave in ends.

Make 30 of these squares.

Join 5 squares in one long row by...
Join yarn in corner stitch.  Chain 4.  Sl st in the corner of another square.  Then sl st in 2 of the first ch 4.  Now, make 3 dc in the next 3 stitches of the second square.  Now turn to work in the first square.  Skip the next 3 stitches between the original joining of yarn and insert hook to make another 3 dc in the first square.  Turn to work in the second square again.  Continue making 3 dc in one square, then turning and working in the opposite square having skipped 3 stitches.  When you reach the end of the square,  end by making a dc in the corner stitch.  Turn and dc in the corner stitch of the other square.  Cut and bind off.

When you have 6 rows of 5 squares.  Join them in the same way you joined each individual square.

Final border.

Make a final border around the entire blanket by...
Join yarn.  Ch 2.  1 dc in each of the next 3 stitches.  Ch 3 and skip the next 3 stitches.  When you reach the corner, make  dc to the end of the corner.  Ch 5 around the corner. and 3 dc in the first st of the new side.  Join with a sl st when you reach the original point of joining yarn.

Make a second row around the entire border.  In this row, make 3 dc into the ch-3 spaces, and ch 3 over the 3 dc of previous row.  When you reach the corners, make 3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc in the ch-5 space that goes around the corner.

Now if you would like...  Cut some fringe about 8-10 inches long (so 4-5 inches when threaded through) and thread 2 strands through the ch-3 spaces.

OK... and lots and lots of yarn and stitching later... YOU ARE DONE!  Boom!

Stay nice and cozy warm!

Loop Pillow DIY

Another pillow to make for my redecorating project, and a great way to practice the Loop Stitch from yesterday!

OK... you will need:
- A 14 x 14 inch pillow.
- About 2 skeins of worsted weight yarn.
-A 14 inch zipper
-Some needle and thread
-I hook

Piece 1:
Chain about 45... or the amount of chains needed to reach close to 14 inches.
Row 1: Ch 1.  1 sc in each ch across.  Turn.
Row 2:  Ch 1.  The Loop Row!  It's an altered version of a sc... read this tutorial for help.  Turn.
Row 3:  Ch 1. 1 sc in each sc of previous row. Turn.
Row 4:  Ch 1.  Loop Row again...
... you get the idea.  Continue in this fashion until the piece is a perfect square.
Finish the square by making a sc row around the entire square (make 3 sc into each of the corner stitches).  This extra border row will help keep the loop row from stretching out... cause it can do that.

Make another piece that is the same size as the first.  I made this one with plain sc so that only one side has the loops (reversible pillow=awesome),  but you can make yours loopy on both sides if you want (just make sure you have plenty of yarn).

Seem the two pieces together on three of the 4 sides with a sl st seem  (Right sides AKA loop sides facing one another so seem will be on the inside).  Flip so that loops are on the outside and seem is on the inside.  Take your needle and thread and sew in that zipper.  Stuff your pillow through that open zipper and ... boom... cool shaggy loop pillow!

Have fun decorating your bed, couch, floor, or whatever you choose to throw this on!

Simple Pillow Cover DIY

My sister got me this great cotton yarn for Christmas.  (Thanks, Amanda!)  I'm using it to commence the crochet redecorating project.  Here's the first DIY of redecoration! TA DA!

You will need:
-An 18 X 18 inch pillow
- 5 little skeins of Lily Sugar and Cream Cotton Yarn
-An 18 inch zipper in a matching color
- An I hook

Chain 57.

1 dc in third ch from hook and in each ch across (55 dc total). This number can be altered according to your gauge to make an 18 inch length.
Turn.  Ch 2.  1 dc in each dc of previous row.
Continue until you have a perfect square... about 32 rows.  Then cut, bind off, and weave in ends.

Make a second square piece.

Join with a sc seam around 3 edges.  Make a sc row across one of the pieces at the top, not seaming. Join with a sl st.

Make a second sc row around that will help you with the fringe.  1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches.  Ch 1 and skip the next stitch.  This makes a small hole to loop the fringe through.  Continue this around the pillow... making 3 sc at each corner.

Sew the zipper across the unseamed  top.

Cut 6 inch pieces of fringe.  Grab 3 strands, fold them in half, loop it through one of the ch-1 spaces and pull the fringe through the loop.  TA DA... you have a very cool pillow!