crochet afghan Archives - Page 2 of 14

Posted on April 1, 2016 by Karen Stewart

Checkerboard Crochet Afghan Pattern!

The Checkerboard Afghan pattern is now available! Do you remember this beautiful afghan?

It has such a simple yet beautiful border. There is not much to remember and it all just flows together so easily.

Lovely masculine squares and stripes with incredibly soft yarn.

There are several different color combinations of this easily found yarn. You can shop your local craft store to find the perfect colors for your checkerboard afghan.

Incredible visual texture and a soft, warm cuddly exterior.

I have ranked this afghan a beginner + 1. It is a little bit more complex than the other afghan patterns I have created. This is a perfect step up. One of the easier parts is the lovely border which is included in the pattern with step by step instructions.

Skills needed:
â€¢ Double crochet
â€¢ Slip stitch
â€¢ Weave ends in
â€¢ Change colors
â€¢ Single crochet

Supplies needed:
â€¢ Yarn
â€¢ Scissors
â€¢ Large eye needle
â€¢ Size g crochet hook or size needed for gauge

These instructions are written in U.S. crochet terminology.

You can find the pattern for sale on Craftsy

http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/home-decor/checkerboard-afghan/199395

and Etsy

https://www.etsy.com/listing/288035203/crochet-afghan-checkerboard-pattern

FYI:

I also have links on this webpage to several shops that also sell the yarn. Should you purchase from any of the links on this page I will receive a small percentage of the sale, which will help fund my future yarn purchases!

It has been a full week. I have been crocheting on these flowers and I just can’t seem to crochet them fast enough. Here they are several days ago. The were taking over the coffee table and I finally popped them all in the basket lid to contain them. I am trying not to repeat any color combinations but it is difficult. I have been crocheting early in the morning and late into the night trying to get them all crocheted.

I, also, Â just found out that one of my favorite fabric shops is having a going out of business sale. I am headed over there after lunch with my daughter-in-law. I am going to try to teach her to sew a log cabin quilt. I think we will be purchasing fabric and goodness knows what else. I might stock up on craft staples like sewing machine needles, yarn, quilt batting and other sewing necessities. Now I know that yarn is not a sewing necessity but it is Necessary for happiness Â in my house! I hope to find some great deals as thing are supposedly 50% off in some cases. You just never know if what you want is actually on sale or not.

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S. ChocolatesBabyShop is now closed. I have been stretched too thin trying to keep two shops up. I was pleased with the results of the shop but all the crochet afghans can been shown in one shop! If you are looking for baby afghans you can now find them here:Â https://www.etsy.com/shop/ChocolateDogStudio?section_id=11215540

Posted on March 29, 2016 by Karen Stewart

Crochet Flowers

I have been working on crochet flowersÂ the last week. Here is a sneak peak.

I made 100 flower centers and then had to take them all apart as I had create them wrong. Some of the yellow flowers above need to be frogged as well. It seems that I keep making mistakes and then having to take out yarn.

The arm of my chair looked like this…

There was so many ends just about 1 yard long. I finally pulled out the baggies and started organizing the flowers more. I think it is helping and now I am putting the next round on the two round circles above. I hope to get this project finished up pretty quick as the photographer is coming this weekend and I really want to have him take the photos of this blanket then. Crochet is pretty Â much all I have on my mind as I take this project from the bare bones idea to a finished project in about a month. I am writing the pattern as I go so progress seems really slow, but I am pretty sure that I can finish this blanket by next week at the latest.
I’m off to crochet some more.

Talk to you later,

Karen,

Posted on March 25, 2016 by Karen Stewart

5 Ways to Challenge your Crocheting!

Be brave and challenge your crocheting skills! Try something new, expand your horizons and jump out there into the crochet world. The worst thing that can happen is that you take it all out orÂ get some help to finish a pattern!

Here are five ways to ChallengeÂ your crocheting!

Try new colors:

We generally choose the same color pallet every time we create. It does make sense financially. That way we can use yarn we already have and actually be a bit more frugal with this passion of ours. My advice is to start small and add colors that are slightly different to the current pallet you use. Use brighter or more somber tones, add black or white as the background. Stretch your crochet a bit.

This isn’t my usual color choice. I prefer the bright crayon colors better, but this works great and was a stretch for me.

2. Use different yarns. If you normally use solid color yarns try some variegated yarns. Boucle yarns or soft pom pom yarns can challenge you while adding some interest to the same pattern you have used in the past. Using yarns that have a different feel will help you learn to tension your yarns better. Pick a small item to make not a huge 10 skein afghan out of expensive yarn. See if you really like working with the expensive new yarn first before you invest your yarn budget in some strange new yarn.Â

These are little pumpkins crocheted out of a variety of yarns. I used variegated, eyelash and some soft fluffy yarn for these. It was a fairly quick project and gave me a taste of using them without a huge time or money commitment.

3.Try a slightly harder pattern.

If you feel ready then jump up in technical difficulty. Try new stitches in small projects like potholders or granny squares. These are quick to finish and will keep you from getting frustrated with the difficulty of working with the new. The good thing with granny squares is that eventually you have enough for a scarf, purse or afghan.Â

This little bowl required a new technique forÂ me. I was crocheting over a clothesline. It adds the rounded shape to the stitches. It was a small project but still a challenge.

4. Try a different hook size.

A great way to learn more about crochet is to work with a different sized hook. The different hooks really affect the stiffness of the crochet. Trying the same yarn with different sized hooks can really affect the finished look of your project. It will really solidify why pattern designers insist that you create a gauge sample first.

This is one of the few times I used a steel crochet hook and did some thread crochet. I am not that great at it but I liked the result.

This is the giant hook that I used to create the giant blanket. These are 7 inch sewing scissors so you can see how huge that hook really is. That crochet hook is bigger than a broom handle.

5. Giving yourself a deadline.

Setting a deadline will force you to finish what you start. If you decide to crochet a gift for friends or family, that deadline will keep you working at it when you are just ready to quit.Â The craft fair was a huge deadline for me as it forced me to work quickly to make as many things as I could. I wouldn’t suggest a craft show as a deadline if you are a beginner crocheter. I would pick making something for a Birthday or Christmas gift. Possibly choose to crochet some red white and blue bunting for Memorial day or the 4th of July. Then also pick a smaller project if you are new at crocheting under a time deadline. The purpose is to grow not beat yourself over the head with some huge project that is too challenging or difficult.

It is better not to pick all five of these challenges to do at one time. I am not saying you should crochet your wedding dress out of fine thread with a steel needle for your wedding in a month, when you have only crocheted potholders. Crocheting the edging on a handkerchief that you can carry would be more likely to be finished, and more than enough of a challenge if you are beginner! Change one aspect of your crocheting at a time. Change up your yarn weight, or hook size or the pattern you keep making; not everything at one time. Changing everything at once can make you frustrated. Struggling to hold the right tension, use the smaller or larger hook, deal with slippery yarn or thread, while reading a more complex pattern is a recipe for frustration and possibly failure.

How are you going to challenge your crochet skills? Let me know.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 27, 2016 by Karen Stewart — 2 Comments

Two Separate Afghans

I have been working on two separate afghans and though there has been crochet happening here, it has taken a back seat to dealing with a very nasty migraine. This one has come and gone for several days now. I think it is a sinus headache and I will be heading to Â the Dr. to find out for sure. However, I have also been working on several different projects this week while I am feeling under the weather. Crocheting is soothing and helps me relax.

Did I ever show you these circles?

Turns out that I have made 120 mistakes when crocheting them. They should be two tone. That is a ton of frogging that I get to do. I have started and this is what they should look like when finished and almost finished.

Since I have 120 flower squares to make I can afford to work in color families. I have also picked up this blanket again. I am writing the pattern for this one and it is turning out quite nice. I really love the colors and it is starting to flow. Â It looks more masculine to me so I am trying to make it larger than the normal.

It is just beautiful. This will also be a beginner afghan with a little twist to it.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on February 15, 2016 by Karen Stewart

Work in Progress this week 2/12/2016

There has been so much going on this week that I decided to show you my work in progress. The days seem to run together without slowing down. I have been working on so many different projects this week. I have been painting, framing, crocheting, pattern writing, cleaning, donating and trashing! It has been good but I am also tired tonight. Here are a few Â of the highlights.

I have been framing a couple of needlework projects. This one is a cross stitch I finished a couple of years ago. I love the curly frame on this one.

This fantastic needlework is my Aunt’s. She gave it to my mom, and Mom gave it to me. I love it. It is going to hang in my living room as it has all the colors I love in it.

I have been crocheting on tons of tiny circles for a new afghan. There isn’t much done yet and no beautiful photos of them for you to see.

I have also been crocheting on this afghan. It doesn’t look like much does it. This is what 120+ flower centers look like.

I have been writing a pattern for a scarf and it is about ready to go out in the world. It is a beauty and fairly easy for beginners.

This is part of it. It will stretch you a bit as the border is a bit more complicated than most beginner projects. This pattern will be released on Wednesday to both the craftsy shop and the Etsy shop.

FYI: I’m also an affiliate to various different craft shops and if you click to their shops from this page I get a small percentage. Â This is a new step for me and I am trying it on for size. It shouldn’t affect anything I say or do here but I believe in being upfront about such things.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on January 31, 2016 by Karen Stewart

Creativity block

..Whew, I have been fighting a horrible case of creativity block, brain block, the blahs, no mojo…whatever you want to call it. It was a horrible dry spell in creativity. I have just not been able to sit and work on anything for any length of time. Hopscotching around on different projects, starting one just to stop four rows in and cut all the yarns. Finally, finally, from a chance remark of a friend I finally hit on something worth my time.

It is flowing and it looks great! I feel that contentment as each row of color is crocheted on. One row right after another with no second guessing or worries. I am thrilled. The truth is that this is the pillow pattern that is going out to all my email subscribers. It has just taken this long to get the right creative flow going. I can’t wait to show it to you and send it to my subscribers. I can’t wait. It is so exciting!Â I should have it done by tomorrow if all goes according to plan. Â The pattern should go out on Wednesday. It is another simple pattern and I know you will love it.

It has been a busy past couple of weeks helping my Mom and just doing the living things that seem to take so much time. Mothering has been strange this week as the birds in our nest seem to be all preparing to leave the nest about the same time. It has kept me up and awake. I think last night’s’ Â 12+ hours of sleep helped immensely. I am feeling much more like myself.

What have you been working on and how are your days going?

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S. If you sign up for the pattern it is a free gift to my subscribers. Otherwise I will have it for sale in the shops!

Posted on January 21, 2016 by Karen Stewart

Autumn blanket pattern

I have just finished writing the Autumn blanket pattern. It is now listed for sale on Etsy. It seemed to take ages to write the pattern but I kept finding more little details that I needed to add to the pattern.

This is the Autumn blanket. The one that reminds me of Oklahoma in the winter. I love the colors in this blanket and the yarn is wonderfully soft.

The pattern has step by step photo instructions.

I have included the beautiful scalloped border in the pattern. You need to know several stitches to crochet this blanket; double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet and slip stitch. The Â blanket is generously sized with none of the holes that granny square blankets have. Â This is afghan makes a Â wonderful gift for the special people in your life.

You can find this pattern on Etsy at ChocolateDogStudio. I will be adding it to craftsy as well.

It has been a busy week. My Mom is recovering nicely from her knee replacement surgery and hopes to get to her home soon. Â It has been nice to spend so much time with her, I just wish she felt much better. She is walking all the time and the therapists are extremely happy with her recovery.

Our daughter is back and college and settled in for the final semester. Everyone else is doing well. There is a bit of remodeling going on in the kitchen. It should be finished fairly quickly and isn’t interfering with the cooking, much at all. I will be making Lemon meringue pies for my Father in law this week. We can’t wait to see him.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on January 9, 2016 by Karen Stewart — 2 Comments

Tips for the Ombre or Temperature blanket

The temperature blanket has had great interest since Repeat Crafter Me on Facebook posted a photo of my blanket. I have had numerous questions asÂ people have needed a few pointers and or had general questions that needed to be answered. Here are a few Q and A’s on the Ombre, Temperature or granny Stripe blanket.

Question: How do I turn from row 2 to row 3 in the temperature blanket, ombre blanket or granny stripe blanket?

A:
I just do the one dc into the turning stitch. Then chain two and turn. I would then follow with two dc into the gap between the 1 dc and the next group of three dc.

Here you are getting ready to turn to row three. You have just completed the last group of 3 dc.

Do the dc in the top of the last stitch of the last group of 3 dc from the previous row.

Chain two and turn. You are now ready for row three!

Question: Do the stripes run from side to side or from top to bottom?

A: The stripes run from top to bottom.

Question: How do I crochet the granny stripe border?

A: The long sides are simply the granny stripe as you would have crocheted the rest of the blanket.
In the corners
dc three times chain one dc three times in the same stitch.

On the short ends. You crochet the three dc in the chain five space at the end of each row of colors.

Q:Â I was wondering if you would be able to tell me the heights of the rows for the two blankets in the subject.

A.Â The dc rows are about 3/4 of an inch high. She, could of course use a shorter stitch like a sc or hdc stitch instead.

Q:Â How many different colors does this take?

A. It uses about 12 + colors of yarn. The exact number and a list of colors used are in the pattern.

Q: Â Â What weight of wool do you recommended for the temperature blanketÂ and how large of a skein?

A:Â The instructions tell what exactly brand of yarn and how much yarn you need to complete the afghan.From that starting point you can figure out how much yarn it will take.

Most afghans take on average 8 -10 skeins of Â aran weight yarn. This one uses more colors so that increases the number of skeins you need. It is a DK yarn which is skinnier than aran wool or a yarn like Vanna’s choice from Lion Brand but a bit bigger around than baby yarn. It is a number 4 yarn and takes about a g-h hook

****************************************************************

I apologize for being late on posting this. I have been at the hospital this week with my Mom for a knee replacement. This is the first chance I have had to sit down and write. She is doing much better. Thank you for your prayers and thoughts. I have so much to do today.

The weather is cooperating and making me want to stay in cozy and warm with a crochet hook or sewing machine. I need to do both and can’t wait to sit down and spend some creative time.

I have started an email newsletter which will come out at the end of each month. Please sign up as the first free pattern will be a pillow to accompany your temperature blanket!

Thanks,

Karen

You can read about all the great craziness that happened with this pattern here:

http://www.chocolatedogstudio.com/2016/01/02/the-temperature-blanket/

You can read about the email newsletter here:

http://www.chocolatedogstudio.com/2016/01/03/email-newsletter/

Posted on November 9, 2015 by Karen Stewart

A New Sign

This weekend I am working on packaging. It is the little things that count. Packaging, finishing work and tagging all speak for about the quality of your work. All the work that you put into your items should speak through your packaging and style of your booth. So, my booth has been getting an overhaul, I used to have green and white polka dot table covers and a fabric banner for the shop sign. So, it was time for a change.Â This is a much better sign than the one I had before, though it was good. It is easier to read from a distance and will stand out in a crowded marketplace.

It feels like things are starting to come together. There is a ton of work to do. Â I still need to make table covers for the show and they need to look good. I have been searching out ideas via Pinterest and have quite a few ideas for good table covers. There are several with pockets on the back for calculators and small things. That is the style I am thinking about but I’m just not sure what I will end up with.

The trees here are lovely in their orange and red leaves. The oak tree in the yard is dropping all its acorns. The squirrels are trying to evade the dogs in the yard. They seize the minutes when the dogs are in the house to scrounge as many as they can. There is a nip in the air that promises colder weather in the future. Winter seems to have held off longer than normal this year. Friends and family were still getting harvest from their gardens this weekend, but the end is in sight. My rose bush is still blooming and I need to trim it back and harvest the sage and basil. We are busy on fall home improvement projects like caulking and getting the house ready for the winter. I hope that you are enjoying glorious autumn weather at your house.

Talk to you later,

Karen

Posted on November 2, 2015 by Karen Stewart

What Did I get done in October

Last month I listed everything I got done day byÂ day for the Christmas selling season and in preparation for the craft show. It helpedÂ me keep track of how I wasÂ doingÂ and how much I had left. I always feel that I am not doing enough. This will be like a foodÂ diary; a true picture of how much I wasÂ getting done to prepare. I still have my to do list for the month.

~~Make Menu and Grocery list~~
s~~ew buttons on cup coziesÂ~~
Stiffen Â all crochet ornaments
cut out Tardis baby bibs
cut out flannel baby bibs
sew flannel baby bibs
~~sew 37Â cup cozies now cut outÂ~~
Sew Tardis baby bibs
add ribbons to all ornaments
Crochet 4 Â men’s hats
Crochet 2Â Women’s rose hats
Crochet 5 Granny Stripe Scarves
Crochet 5 Granny Square Scarves
Crochet stars
Crochet hearts
Sew 10 superhero capes
Sew 10 aprons
Cut out 8 Â aprons
Organize my side of the maker space
Sew 6 flannel baby blankets for crochet trim
Sew pillow cases for crochet trim
sew 3 craft show aprons
~~Sew 20 burp cloths Â~~ I’ve currently sewn 16
finish owl hats that need eyes, wings and beaks
Sew tags on all the scarves and hats
Anything else I can think of!

Oct 1. Â Thursday

Sewed, topstitched and buttoned 57 cup cozies
Sewed eyes on Minion 6 minion hats, and 1 ninja turtle hat
Did the hand work on 7 heart ornaments

Oct. 2. Â Friday

20 minutes posting on Hootsuite

October 3 Saturday

Posted on Hootsuite

October 4 Sunday

took the day off and made cake!
listed 3Â items on Handmade@Amazon

October 5 Monday

Listed 24 items on Handmade @Amazon
sewed patchwork bibs yellow 6 they are ready for batting and backing!
shipped order
dropped off hat…

Tuesday

sewed 10 patchwork bibs Â (lots of work but they are really cute.)

Wed.

Crocheted 2 hats 1 teal and 1 copper

Thursday

Cut threads and finished quilting on patchwork baby bibs
Sold two adult blankets and 1 baby blanket

Friday

listed 10 baby blankets on Amazon/handmade

Saturday!Â Tons done today.

Figured out the craft show display
started painting some of the craft show display pieces
watched more of the Influence/Impact summit.
we have watched about 10 of the interviews so far and the knowledge we have gleaned is incredible. I love the fact that it is free!

Sunday

Cut and pin Burp clothes
watch Influence and Impact Symposium
Crochet head band
work on crochet triangle scarf/shawl

Monday October 12 Columbus Day

Iron and sew burp cloths
I put the tags on and cut the threads
Finished three blanket scarves
watched Dave Ramsey on Influence and Impact
Started crocheting a hat
wove in the ends on the teal hat

And THEN the week happened….

Saturday and Sunday

worked on displays and floor plan for the craft fair.
Spent time with family and enjoyed the weekend.
Date night on Friday night and went to the Vintage Market Fair, twice! Once on Friday and once on Saturday.
I had breakfast with friends, lunch with my Daughter in law and Dinner with Dale. When I told him I had eaten every meal out. He said not to get used to it, Â but we had a great date night.

It is now Monday again, the 19 of October! Â :0)

3 headbands finished
1 scarfy shawl or shawly scarf
1 sweater/poncho in reds/pinks/brown
crocheted/finished three hats, black/white, red/white, black/white, rust,
finished one owl hat

Tuesday October 20

Crocheted three hats
sewed tags on 30+ hats
took inventory of hats completed and tagged 67 hats total

Wednesday

wrote blog post
working on crochet hats
posted on hoot suite

Thursday October

Tagged and inventoried hats
put belly bands on cup cozies
sewed 10+ coffee press cozies
sewed hot pads

The guinea hens stopped by our house this morning.

Friday

Dale picked up d rings for me… they were the wrong size

Saturday October 24

cut out 10+ aprons and linings
Sewed 2 aprons
sewed 4 pot holders
cut apron straps
sewed buttons on 8 coffee press cozies

Sunday October 25

Did absolutely nothing for the business.
Switched all the kids beds around in Preparation for Thanksgiving.
Cleaned and vacuum the guest room and closet.

Monday October 26

We are getting close to the end of this month. I am doing a bad job of documenting my work. I am getting loads of sewing and business things done.

I got Square up and running again on my phone. It allows me to accept credit cards
cut out linings forÂ aprons
cut out baby bibs
sewed 14 baby bibs
Set up Hootsuite for the week
sewed buttons on 3 coffee press cozies
received the order for d rings…. they were the wrong size
ordered more d rings online
crocheted one baby bow tie

Tuesday

top stitched 14 baby bibs
cut out baby bibs
sewed bow tie baby bibs
added snaps to baby bibs
Total number of bibs finished today (
cut out capes (
crocheted man’s hat

Wednesday

sew capes
sew aprons
cut out superhero capes

Thursday

Finished 12 capes with tags
Sew ties on aprons
Take a huge long nap followed by going to bed early and sleeping all night!

Friday the 30th of October

sew aprons
iron aprons
Compassion village
family game night with homemade pizza! The pizza was great and we started a new game. It was hugely funny or we were being silly.

October 31st

Here we are right at the end of the month. I did get more done than I thought I did. I am starting a new list for November and I will get that posted soon.

Talk to you Â later,

Karen