Category: Patterns

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The Gradient Afghan

The Gradient Afghan

There is so much crocheting happening here. Two baby blankets, 1 regular sized afghan and another in the works. It’s going well and I hope to have it done by next week. Other than that, I have been sewing masks and cooking for the people in my house. Oh, and laundry, lest anyone think that our work is ever done. I’ve received several custom orders.

The Gradient Afghan

The Gradient Afghan is finished, not only is it finished but the pattern is actually written! Yay! It is crocheted out of LIon Brand yarn. It sure makes it easier for U.S. crocheters to find the colors. I believe that most are available in most big craft stores. The pattern is available in the Etsy shop and will be available soon in the Studio shop. It was such fun to play with the yarn gradients that I might try another afghan out of the same yarns.

Gardening

Gardening has been filling our time as we’ve been building raised garden beds and then hauling pick up truck loads of dirt by the garden cart load to fill each bed. It was nothing but seriously hard work. Keeping the dogs out of the vegetable garden has also been an issue. We resorted to a very lightweight fence of garden string and bamboo poles. I do think that this low cost method is working and I hope that the veggies revive after the visits from the big dog paws.Time is flying and our garden is looking good. It is probably the best garden that we have ever had. There has been one funny. At the beginning of the great quarantine, I was concerned about finding onions. Onions are a natural anti inflammatory and we eat a bunch of onions so I bought onions online and then they said that it would be weeks before they would be delivered. Our sweet daughter in law said that they would pick some up for us. Our daughter also thought we needed onions so she ordered and we received about 30 onions sets. I thought sure why not more onions are great. Every garden bed is full on onions and we still have one more set to be delivered this week. The laughs on us as we will “get” to eat onions at every meal. I may get to sell them door to door. Gardening has been filling our time as we’ve been building raised garden beds and then hauling pick up truck loads of dirt by the garden cart load to fill each bed. It was nothing but seriously hard work. Keeping the dogs out of the vegetable garden has also been an issue. We resorted to a very lightweight fence of garden string and bamboo poles. I do think that this low cost method is working and I hope that the veggies revive after the visits from the big dog paws.

Self Quarantining

We are still all here at home and I think we are all beginning to get on each other’s nerves. I seem to be the one that most everyone is unhappy about, while I am unhappy that the dishes never seem to be completed and the counters are never cleared off crumbs. I guess it is a matched set of issues and we are at an impasse on solving this issue. It is finals week so I am giving us all some much needed grace on these issues, providing good food and allowing us to be ok with slightly lower standards.

Painting

I am starting to paint furniture again as I recently bought 5, yes 5 matched chairs and I am over the moon excited about them. I can’t wait to bring them inside but there is no where to put them. The paint is on order and should be here in several weeks for at least one of them. Two of these lovely chairs sold straight off, which makes me smile.

A tray table that will works as a tv tray or computer desk as needed.

Work

We keep hearing bad news on the work front for many of our friends and family. We do live in Oklahoma where oil has so much to do with everyone’s employment. I know that the job front for many people is at risk or over. I am sorry and am praying daily for everyone’s employment to kick back in strongly.

Talk to you later,

Karen

p.s. This was written before the worries about killer hornets.

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Crochet and Painting

The weeks have been speeding by and much has happened here at the Studio; painting and more painting, and also tons of crochet. Sharing my painting is more uncomfortable for me as it is so much more personal. Only recently has it been that I’ve felt that what has been painted is good enough to share. That not good enough feeling keeps so many of us creatives down. The painting is such an outpouring of the joy in my heart these days that I can’t not paint.

Painting

Painting has been taking over my life and I couldn’t be happier. It is a good thing and keeps me moving around and busy. If you follow chocodogstudio on instagram then you have seen these pieces in process. It seems like time has flown by and it has. At least 5-6 pieces have been painted since the first of the year with several others in a partially painted state. The studio is so full with furniture that it can be hard to move around and open the curtains.

Hand Painted curio shelving unit with each shelf smaller than the other. The shelf supports are turned wood and painted in a variety of very bright colors and finished to a high gloss. Each shelf is painted in a different rainbow color with patterns painted on each shelf.
This shelf unit is also a custom piece and is already home.
A brightly painted patterned table about the right size for an entry hall. It has a piecrust edge and is oval in shape with six legs.
This table isn’t quite finished but it’s getting close to the end.
This photo shows an oblong octagon shaped table with 3 legs next to a brown leather couch. The table is hand painted in a variety of patterns and colors.
Here you can see how pretty and practical the painted table is in a living room. The glass top protects the table from hard use.
This little occasional table was a custom painted piece. These are the legs to the table shown above.

Crochet

The newest project is this cute granny square that I’m sharing with you. It’s will be used in a memory afghan using my client’s Mother’s yarn stash. Isn’t that a sweet idea and such a good one. There will be two blankets coming out of this yarn stash. Blocking the squares will get rid of the wonky squares and ease the slight difference in them. Since this is crocheted out of varying brands of yarns the difference in the gauge of the yarns is affecting the size of the squares slightly.

Floral Memories Granny Square Tutorial

Center

Using an infinity ring, CH2 and HDC into the ring 11 times, for 12 total stitches. Pull the center tight to close the center of the flower. Weave in all ends as you go.

2nd round

Ch 3 HDC in next space chain 1,* HDC in next space chain1, Repeat from * around the circle. Slip stitch to join. There should be 12 CH 1. ch1

3 round (petal round)

*Crochet 4 DC into the next CH1 space from the previous round. CH 1 into the next space. Repeat from * around the circle. SS to join to the first ch1.

4th round

Chain 4, ss to join to 3 DC in petal. CH 3, DC to the SS from the previous row. *Chain 3, ss to join to the 3rd DC in the petal. Continue from * around the flower. SS to join CH 4.

5th Round

CH 2, HDC 2 into same CH 4 group. *HDC 3 times into next CH 3 group.
Create 1st Corner in the next CH 3 group, HDC 1, DC 1, CH1, DC 1 HDC1. HDC3 times into next CH3 group,

Continue from * around the block creating three more corners. SS to join to 1st HDC group.

6th Round

CH 2, HDC in each stitch until corner. At corner, HDC 2 times, CH 2 times, and HDC 2 times. Continue crocheting HDC in each stitch. Treat the other three corners the same as above, SS to join, Tie off and cut yarn.

This pattern is short on photos but this blog post doesn’t post today it might be months before you see anything!

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Christmas Chains, Yarn and Crochet

Christmas chains, yarn and crochet; there isn’t much painting this week. The studio is full of soft goods right now, quilts for small grandkids, yarn from Black Friday shopping, products to ship and projects to finish. Are you ready for a small breather in your hectic schedule? I know that we are. Some time off doing what we love, maybe a little home repair, a little deep cleaning, a ton of family time, church time and time to reflect. Like you, we live a rather normal life; well, as normal as it can get. Family time has been a little more intense the past several months. It is good to see that some crochet is starting to happen again. It fills a deep need to create and is more portable than painting and it keeps me balanced.

Yarn Shopping

This post contains affiliate links

Crochet has been filling my time more since Black Friday shopping. My crochet momentum is back, finally! The family knew when the soft squishy packages started arriving that Black Friday shopping had been a serious occupation for the Studio. Good thing that some of these projects have used up a little of the yarn. Hopefully, the projects planned for the yarn will work up quickly and fill the Etsy shop. A few photos of the beautiful colors soon to be coming your way with new patterns (hopefully) or remakes of older patterns in new colors.

Christmas Chains

 

Christmas Chains

Crochet

Here is a little of what I have been working on these days.

Christmas Chains

The Baby Hexi which seemed to take all summer.

Christmas Chains

A new take on the Ruby Red with Lion Brand Landscapes “Twilight” (Amazon link) just to give folks another viewpoint of the Ruby Red in colors other than pink/red.

I also worked on a cute crocheted paper chain style garland for the Christmas tree. Super simple to crochet. I used all of the silvery yarn on hand and created two separate chains. The instructions are included below.  Here they are in process. These chains were fairly quick and I crocheted a bunch in one color and then joined them with the other color. Super fast and easy, great for beginners or children for learning to crochet. Also great for using up small bits of scrap yarn!

Here they are on the tree.

 

A few more more links will be added when there is a little more time. They were crocheted out of silvery grey and red Stylecraft Special DK but they would be beautiful out of bright cotton yarns or all white, even tropical colors would be beautiful. Crochet them any color and it will still add a fun look to your Christmas tree.

Christmas Chains Garland Pattern

Supplies

  • DK weight yarn in Red and silvery grey,
  • Size G crochet hook
  • Scissors
  • Large eye needle for sewing links.

Link:

Chain 25,

First row: HDC in the third chain from hook and HDC across the chain, keeping the chain untwisted.

Second row: chain 2 HDC in each stitch across the the previous row. Tie off and cut with a long tail.

Sew one end to the other using whip stitch.

Finished one chain. Continue creating links being sure when sewing to link the chains together to create a Christmas Garland.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays and Happy New Year everyone. All online shops are open this year for the next several  weeks. We have family visiting and hubs in off work for weeks between December 17 and January 1st. Should you need any help on any crocheting or orders, please bear this in mind. I will be stopping by to check on things but not as often. The last day to order from Etsy and Amazon for Christmas delivery is Tuesday Dec. 11th.

Merry Christmas and Talk to you later,

Karen

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The Adapted Lemon Peel Dishcloth Tutorial

Here is the next crochet washcloth/dishcloth pattern; The Adapted Lemon Peel dishcloth.

(This post has affiliate links)

The super easy  Adapted Lemon Peel Dishcloth is fun to crochet. It creates a lovely nubby texture without too much thinking about repeats or counting. It has a soft bumpy look which is great in a dishcloth. This pattern would also make a wonderful spa washcloth for an easy crochet Birthday or Christmas gift. Crochet 2-3 in different colors, add the washcloth to a few lovely soaps and you have an inexpensive and lovely gift for a new mother or a special friend.

The Adapted Lemon Peel Dishcloth Tutorial

Here is the washcloth first finished.

The Adapted Lemon Peel

Supplies

  • Cotton dishcloth yarn  (link)
  • Size G crochet hook  (link)
  • Scissors

Skills Needed

  • single crochet = SC
  • chain
  • double crochet = DC
  • Weave in ends

The Adapted Lemon Peel

Crochet 32 stitches in your cotton yarn.

Foundation Row

SC across the chain to create a foundation for your washcloth. (I am using a different color cotton yarn for these instructions.)

The Adapted Lemon Peel

Row 1

Single crochet in the  2nd chain from the hook. Double crochet in the next chain,

sc in the next 4 chains.The Adapted Lemon Peel

Alternate between the double crochet and  4 single crochets across the washcloth.

Chain 1 turn

(The double crochets will  to need to be on one side of the washcloth, poke them through to whichever side you pick for the front.)

The Adapted Lemon Peel

Row 2

The Adapted Lemon Peel

Sc in the  first stitch of the previous row.

3 sc in next  3 stitches, DC in the next stitch

Alternate 4 sc, 1 DC across the washcloth.

Alternate row 1 and row 2 until the washcloth is square.

I like to unplug and have paper patterns at times, so there is a free download  for The Free Pattern :Adapted Lemon Peel Dishcloth in the shop.

Other Stuff

We have been helping a chick fly out of the nest this week and build another nest in a first apartment. Part of me is so excited and the other part of me is a tiny bit anxious. Mom’s tend to do this; be anxious, happy and excited all at the same time. The other part of the excitement is that the studio will finally get to move into a more permanent home with a door and nothing but studio items inside. I truly can’t wait but feel wrong to be too excited. Is it wrong to want your chicks to leave the nest?

I spent some time watercolor painting with a friend as we both needed the nudge to do something out of our normal routine. I attempted to paint roses again. These are really simple and today they look much better than they did yesterday. I need to go and look at the other paintings I finished. They might look better as well.

 I’ve been working steadily on this afghan but have had to take a break on it due to the busyness of life and some arthritis issues this week.

Take care and enjoy your week. The sun is shining here even though the temps dipped a little lower earlier this week.

This beautiful daffodil is blooming in my garden and bring a great touch of spring to the yard.

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S. I would like to think that I invented The Adapted Lemon Peel stitch, but I am pretty sure that I didn’t. If you know the name of it, let me know and I will change the title and credit the stitch. The nearest I could find was the Lemon Peel stitch. There are so many outlets for finding new crochet stitches; from magazines, books and the internet that it is difficult to search back and find the source of your inspiration.

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Fear and Crocheting

Ridged Square Pattern

You may be asking yourself what fear has to do with crocheting. So much more than you can ever imagine! Fear keeps us in a rut: using the same yarns, shopping the same paths, befriending the same kinds of people. Refusing to change our perspectives and viewpoints is much like using the same colors of yarn with the same stitch. Quite frankly, it is boring, wrong, and keeps us trapped. As artists, we know that variety, changing things up, having a new viewpoint, and trying a new medium can all totally change the end result, enriching our work and propelling us forward into new ideas.

For the past month, I have been crocheting in monotone colors, first blue and now white. I am so incredibly bored. Even though, texturally, the stitches are interesting, monotone crochet is not my cup of tea. Put all of the textured squares together, and it is quite exciting. But right now, in the middle of this afghan, it is mind-numbing and plain hard work. I know, I know, you never hear me say that about yarn, crochet or afghans.

Fear and Crocheting

The fear of changing my mind has kept me here in this monochrome rut, but I am close to the end of this crochet blanket.

 (Actually, it is the overabundance of white and blue yarn in Yarntopia that is keeping me on track — and the fear of having to buy more yarn. I just hope I can finish both of these afghans without needing to buy any more yarn!)

Stepping Out of My Box

Your fear may be different. It may be fear of color, fear of new stitches, fear of commitment to crocheting an afghan, fear of trying something new, or fear of being seen as different. Kick that fear out of your life and move on! Just start step-by-step, and you will soon overcome it.

I am a person that likes the same things, same foods, and same restaurants. I know this is because I have some food issues that result in migraines. Fear of migraines has kept me from trying new foods and new restaurants. But, I have been making myself try new places and order new food. I will say that some of the food I’ve tried is not my thing or too incredibly spicy-hot. But, some has been wonderful. So, my thought is this: be prepared for a little disappointment when you try something new — it might not work out for the best the first time around.

A Different Kind of Creating

I have also been painting some wood planks we have for wall decorations. The first three turned out great, number four was good, and number five… well, take a look and see what you think.

Fear and creativity
Here are planks 1, 2, and 3.

Here are planks 4 and 5.

Yes, I passed grade school, and I do know how to spell ‘Merry.’ The next one is going to be ‘Christmas.’ I guess I was tired, so I quit while I was ahead. I will take another shot at it this next weekend.

So the thought I leave you with is to try something new; don’t be afraid, keep trying, and don’t give up!

Creating Washcloth Patterns

I have been on a binge creating new square patterns for washcloths or an afghan or two, and it has been disappointing. It is just plain hard work to jump the tracks and create a different rhythm in my crochet. I have frogged more than crocheted lately, but the two crochet patterns below are easy and small enough to frog without feeling like a failure.

What I am excited about is the washcloth patterns that I just released.

The first is this Ridged  Stripe. It uses front post crochet so you can get used to the stitch, along with half double crochet.Ridged Square Pattern

Here is the Textured Stripes washcloth pattern.

Both are free downloads in the blog shop. Whip one up, place in a gift basket, add some beautiful spa products, and you have a lovely gift! There will be a total of four washcloth patterns for you to add to the basket. The two patterns mentioned above are free in the shop today and every day. Just download them and start crocheting!

Age-old Wisdom

I will say that crocheting with the full spectrum of color is far more exciting and enriching than staying with monochrome. But, as my Gran would say, “Don’t judge a book by its cover,” and “If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all.”

Talk to you later,

Karen

P.S.

There will be another set of washcloth patterns coming in the next couple of weeks so keep coming back — and yes, they aren’t blue!

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3 Super Easy Crochet Borders: The Scalloped Border

scalloped border

Everyone plays favorites, including me: I’ve been sharing the 3 super easy borders that are mine. I find myself using these borders all the time. These are borders that I don’t have to think about when I crochet them — that’s why they are my favorites. Who wants to spend time calculating how many stitches they need and whether the border is going to fit and turn out just right? This Scalloped Border works all the time on my granny stripe or granny square crocheted items.  Continue reading 3 Super Easy Crochet Borders: The Scalloped Border

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3 Super Easy Crochet Borders: The Rolled Edge or Fold Over Border

rolled edge border

Last week we talked about the reverse single crochet border. Our second super easy crochet border is the rolled edge (or fold over) border. This is another super easy border for any crochet item. I just love how it turns out. I haven’t used this one much, but it works so great and gives the project a nice, finished look. It is a great border for all of those striped afghans that have tons of ends to weave in; you can skip the weaving in, cover the ends up, and provide a nice finished border all at the same time. It looks awesome. Perfect for a ripple afghan, as you only need to put the border on the side edges to cover all the ends.

Continue reading 3 Super Easy Crochet Borders: The Rolled Edge or Fold Over Border

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Noelle’s Blanket Pattern

Noelle's Blanket

Here, finally, is Noelle’s Blanket pattern. If you’re a regular reader, you know that I finished this in the Challenge last month. What you don’t know is that I also finally finished writing the pattern. You can now make your own Noelle’s Blanket. Which is great! It is so much fun to see this blanket coming together as you make it.

Continue reading Noelle’s Blanket Pattern

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Cathedral Window Granny Square Free Pattern

Cathedral Window Granny Square

A few weeks ago, a friend brought me an afghan to repair. It was her mother’s favorite and was crocheted sometime in the ’70s. I was fascinated with the pattern as I have never seen a granny square quite like it. I decided to write-up a pattern based on the squares as I repaired the unraveled spots. It’s called a Cathedral Window Granny Square, and I’d like to share that pattern with you today.

Cathedral Window Granny Square

(I think I need to show you how to repair afghans because things happen– like dogs– but that is another post, or maybe another YouTube video!)

Cathedral Window Granny Square

As you can see in the photo, this square is done in 4 colors.

  • Color 1–The first two rounds are a light main color
  • Color 2– The third and fourth rounds are a medium main color
  • Color 3– The fifth round is the darkest shade of the main color
  • Color 4– The sixth round (in the example above) is white.

The yarn in the example afghan is baby weight yarn and the hook used was smaller than a G-size.

Notes: 

  • The sample square is crocheted in DK Stylecraft Special
  • I used a G-size hook and my instructions are in US crochet terminology

Abbreviations:

  • hdc — half double crochet
  • sc — single crochet
  • tc — triple crochet
  • dc — double crochet
  • ch — chain

Notes:

This square was crocheted with Stylecraft Special DK  with a size G hook. The instructions are written in U.S. crochet terminology. I crocheted several different squares using various color yarns. The photos are color accurate. The square will look misshapen until the last round and may still need blocking to get it truly square.

Instructions

Start of Cathedral Window Granny SquareRound 1

Using color 1, ch 3 and join into a circle with a slip stitch.

Ch 2 and dc into center of circle, *ch 3 and dc twice into circle (corner loop group created).

Repeat from * two more times, until you have four double crochet groups, ch 3 and join to beginning ch 2 with a slip stitch (4 corner loop groups created).

 

Row 2

Ch 2, *hdc into loop group 2 times, (hdc into space created between 2 dc of previous round). Hdc twice into next corner space (5 hdc created). Ch 4 and continue from * three more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch to complete the round.

There should be 5 hdc on each side. Fasten off yarn.

Round 3

Join color 2 at loop group on corner.

Ch 2 (counts as 1hdc), hdc into loop group and in each space between hdc across and 2 hdc in corner loop group (8 hdc created per side). *Ch 5, hdc twice into loop group from previous row. Hdc in between each hdc across the side and 2 in corner loop group ch 5. Continue from * two more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch.

Middle of Cathedral Window Granny SquareRound 4

Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc). Hdc into loop group and in each space between hdc across and 2 hdc in corner loop group (10 hdc created per side). *Ch 2, hdc twice into loop group from previous row. Hdc in between each hdc across and 2 in corner, ch 5. Continue from * two more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch.

Fasten off yarn.

 

 

Round 5

Join color 3 in corner loop group. Ch 2 (counts as 1 hdc) crochet 1 hdc in corner loop group and in each space between each hdc across ending with 2 hdc in corner loop group (total of 14 hdc).

*Chain 5 and crochet 2 hdc in corner loop and in each space between hdc from previous round ending with 2 hdc in corner loop and ch 3. Continue from * 2 more times. Join to beginning ch 2 with slip stitch. Fasten off yarn.

Round 6

Join color 4 (white) to corner chain loop.

Ch 1, sc in corner loop group, sc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round, hdc in next 2 spaces. Dc in next 5 spaces. Hdc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round. Sc in next 2 spaces and 2 times in corner loop and then ch 5.

Completed Cathedral Window Granny Square* Sc twice in corner chain loop. Sc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round, hdc in next 2 spaces. Dc in next 5 spaces. Hdc in next 2 spaces between hdc from previous round. Sc in next 2 spaces and 2 times in corner loop and then ch 5. Repeat from * two more times.  Join to beginning ch 1 with slip stitch. Tie off.

 

Cathedral Window Granny Square is complete.

Pattern based on vintage crochet blanket from a friend.

 

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Granny Square Scarf with Scalloped Border

Granny Square Scarf with Scalloped Border

The Granny Square Scarf is so flirty, feminine, and full of style. After creating it, I fell in love with the cute scallops around the outside edge–in fact, I love it so much I had to write up the pattern for you!

Crocheting the Granny Square Scarf

You can use any colors or yarn that you like to make this scarf. I think I made mine out of granny squares leftover from afghans. There always seems to be a whole row (almost) of squares that just didn’t quite fit in whatever afghan I’m currently working on. The blue scarf pictured here is crocheted using Vanna’s Choice, and the brown one below is made with Stylecraft Special DK.

Blue edged Granny Square Scarf

Versatile Colors

As you can see, the edging color can be whatever you need it to be, to match your coat or favorite outfit. I chose chocolate brown for this one’s border, and it really seems to make the pastels colors pop.

Brown-edged Granny Square Scarf

The pattern is very simple, but I’ve included three different corner detail options. Making scarves like this is one of my favorite things to do with leftover granny squares, especially when I don’t have enough for another afghan. You can find the pattern in my Etsy or Craftsy shops.

What I’ve Been Up To

watercolor leaves

It has been a lovely autumn week here. We watercolored leaves for our art class. Since we don’t have art every week, it is a nice change in our day when we do.

I am working hard to finish up some patterns to share with you. Hopefully, I will get them all posted in November. The home front has been pretty quiet, which I’m enjoying. I don’t know about you, but it seems like October and November hit at light speed, and we’re sliding downhill to Christmas rapidly.

Changes in Our Lives

The grandkids are settling in, and I am getting used to the idea that Hubs is now a Grandpa. It just cracks me up. The eyes with which I look out on the world feel about 16, but the rest of my body feels older. For about five months now, I have been working on some weight loss, and I’m finally starting to see some results. (Hopefully, those chocolate chips that keep calling my name aren’t going to make me gain it back!) I love dumping my “too big” clothes into the donation bag–quite a nice thing to have to do since I am not really working on losing weight as much as I should be right now. Real life is enough exercise for me; I can’t even seem to make time to go to the pool!

The other obstacle I’m fighting right now is being on time. It seems as though everything is working together to make me late to every single thing I have going on in my life. I’m not sure why either. For example, I drive my Mom and her friend to church every Sunday. After being told (repeatedly) that I am getting them there late, we finally sat down and figured out the right time. It turns out they are supposed to be there 15 minutes earlier than I was told.

I hope things are going better for all of you.

Oh, and I bought more yarn. Yes, I have repeatedly told myself that I have more than enough yarn, and I really do! I have enough of every color to last me awhile … except for that certain light yellow color which I really, really need!

Remember to always shop your stash first!

Talk to you later,

Karen