Crochet Basketweave Cowl in the Round

One of my most popular blog posts of all time is my basketweave stitch tutorial. It's easy to understand why; this is a fun stitch to work up, and the results are very attractive. One of my favorite basketweave projects has been my Carefree Crossbody Bag pattern. I also enjoy the basketweave stitch for times when mindless crocheting is necessary, such as on my commute or when distracted and chatting with my weekly fiber group. So, when I had some extra Berroco Ultra Alpaca hanging about, I decided to work it up in basketweave.

Sometimes you aren't sure what you are making until after you've begun. Such was the case with this particular project. This was my first time working the basketweave in the round, and boy was it fun. It looks crisper and cleaner than basketweave worked in rows because only the fronts of the stitches show on the outside. What my item eventually ended up becoming was an asymmetrical infinity scarf. I also included a little twist (ba dum tss!) on the basketweave by working up the lighter yarn in basketweave cables to vary the texture in addition to the color.

Working the scarf in the round made the finished product very warm. This is because the pocket in the center traps warmth. It would be an excellent choice for a very warm winter accessory.

Of course, Ranna didn't seem to mind the warmth. She is convinced that this scarf is actually some kind of cat bed. She murred and meowed while trying to get comfortable in it.

All in all, I definitely recommend working up basketweave in this way.

Wallingford Slouch Hat Crochet Pattern

Good morning! Today I bring you a new pattern, fresh from testing: the Wallingford Slouch Hat. Slouchy hats have been trending like crazy lately, so I couldn't help but design my own cozy, pretty version. It is primarily made of extended single crochet. If you're in the mood to painlessly learn a new stitch, give this one a try! The pattern is available on Ravelry and Craftsy.

The Wallingford neighborhood of Seattle is the namesake of this comfy hat. It is a relaxed place with fun, friendly people. This hat is the perfect everyday accessory. The slouch style is youthful and trendy, but the thoughtful design ensures that it is functional, keeping you warm with no slippage around the brim. A pom pom finishes things off with some flair. If you’re looking to learn some new, simple stitches while creating an item that is versatile and gift-ready, come spend a few hours getting to know the Wallingford Slouch Hat!

Becca's Wedding Crochet

My friend Rebecca Demarest and I have been friends for a while now and have a lot in common. She was my very first college friend, we both majored in Psychology, and our birthdays are only one day apart. We worked together for the admissions office and also taught a creative writing class together. Also, Becca double majored in English. In fact, she is an author who has published a book and even had a story read on NPR! I feel so lucky to have her as a friend. She's even one of my pattern testers!

Becca recently got married to a wonderful man, fellow Willamette University graduate Jason Panzer. She included many awesome crochet details in her wedding that I just had to show you. She made a shawl, a parasol, and edged handkerchiefs. Also included is some tatting work done by her great-great-grandmother. Let's take a look!

Simply lovely! Best Wishes to Becca and Jason!

Mermaid Cowl

Autumn is a magical time. I may be biased (my birthday is in autumn), but I can't help but think that the chill in the air comes with a special spark of excitement, color, and wonder. Because of this it's the perfect season for unveiling my new, magical pattern. Introducing the Mermaid Cowl!

A big thank you to Katie for being my model! Isn't the cowl so fun and whimsical? The stitch pattern was completely invented by me. Although the crocodile stitch and the shell stitch are both excellent, I really wanted my Mermaid Cowl to look a bit more delicate and have a texture that was realistically scale-y. Hence the scale stitch was born! It probably already exists out there somewhere in crochet land, but I haven't seen it.

This pattern is available for sale on both Craftsy and Ravelry. I'd love to know what you think!

Review: Mountain Colors Twizzle Yarn

Today I'll be reviewing Mountain Colors Twizzle yarn. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion.

First off let me say that this yarn is just lovely. I am so happy to have been introduced to it. Twizzle is a worsted weight merino wool and silk blend that has a fun twist pattern to it. The colorway I received was Harmony Mist, a combination of blues and greens that gave the yarn an altogether turquoise look. Have a gander!

So pretty! The yarn is delightfully squishy and soft, even more so when worked up. I decided to whip up a little double crochet and shells hat with it to see it in the round.

Thanks to the great yarn this hat turned out soft, squishy, and flexible. Very nice! I really like the heathered look of the yarn. I was excited that I had enough yarn left over to work it up in rows as well. Here's an ear-warmer I hooked up in alternating back and front loop half double crochet.

I think I like the pooling a little bit better in rows than in the round, but just by a little. Pooling is what happens when the colors of a multi-colored yarn group together in the finished product. Even after both of these projects I still have a little yarn left. What do you think I should do with it?

This yarn is totally a new favorite of mine. The colorways are pretty, the yarn has a great texture, and it works up smoothly. I unhesitatingly recommend Twizzle for your next project.

Crochet Luxe Wristwarmer and Headband Set Pattern

I recently wrote a review of Zealana Luxuria Air Marle, a DK yarn, and in the process wrote a pattern. Since the yarn used is a luxury yarn, this prudent pattern uses only 1 ball or about 120 yards. The pattern includes both around the post stitches as well as front and back loop stitches, so you will want to follow those links and learn about them if you haven't already. Are you ready to make your own Luxe Set? Grab your 4mm hook and here we go!

Materials
- 120 yards of DK weight yarn (I used Zealana Luxuria Air Marle in color A899)
- US size G6 4mm crochet hook
- yarn needle

Terms
ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, rep = repeat, dc = double crochet, fpdc = front post double crochet, bpdc = back post double crochet, FLdc = front loop double crochet, BLdc = back loop double crochet

Wristwarmer
For women's size small, chain 38. For medium, chain 40. For large, chain 42. Making sure there are no twists in the chain, sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work 1 dc into each ch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join.
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as a st, now and throughout). Work 1 fpdc into the ch 3. Work 1 bpdc into the following st. *Work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 bpdc in following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Round 3: Ch 3. Work 1 fpdc into each fpdc and 1 bpdc into each bpdc all of the way around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 4 and 5: Rep Round 3.
Round 6: Ch 3. Work 1 FLdc into same st as sl st. Work 1 BLdc into following st. *Work 1 FLdc into next st, work 1 BLdc into following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Round 7: Ch 3. Work 1 BLdc into same st as sl st. Work 1 FLdc into following st. *Work 1 BLdc into next st, work 1 FLdc into following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 8 and 9: Rep Rounds 6 and 7.
Round 9: Rep Round 6.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Make 2.

The headband pattern is coming up after these process pictures. 

Headband
Chain 122. Making sure there are no twists in the chain, sl st in first ch to join.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work 1 dc into each ch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join.
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as a st, now and throughout). Work 1 fpdc into the ch 3. Work 1 bpdc into the following st. *Work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 bpdc in following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 3 and 4: Rep Round 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Now you have a soft, cozy little set that's all ready for autumn :)

Remix Friday: Mommy and Me Divine Hats

When it comes to making a project your own, a simple change can make a big difference. Perhaps you'll work up a shell border instead of a ruffle border on a baby blanket. Maybe the amigurumi dinosaur you're making needs wings to make it a dragon. Whatever the change, small alterations can make a project feel totally new and personal. Today we're going to look at how Katrina's simple changes to a much loved hat pattern make it special for two happy recipients.

The Crocheter

When I needed a screen name, my husband dubbed me his PearlofGreatPrice and it seemed to fit my yarn related interests so I go by Pearl when talking knit and crochet.
Crochet was a second language my Mother taught me when I was 8 years old.  She had learned it from a friend's mother when she was a little girl.  No one else around us showed any interest so it was our special bond that we shared and loved for many many years and passed on to my daughter when she wanted to learn.  It was through crochet that I found much needed comfort and closeness to my Mother when she went on to her reward in glory.  Now when I see my Granddaughter wrapped in or wearing something I made for her from what I learned at my Mother's knee, I can feel her love enveloping us both in every stitch and that makes me smile inside and out.

The Original Pattern
Divine Hat by Sarah Arnold

The Story
The Divine Hat was a little miraculous answer to prayer.  Wanting to make a matching Mother+Daughter hat, I asked which was their favorite.  My Dear Daughter-in-law showed me one someone else had made and the baby had already outgrown.  She enthusiastically said she really wanted a larger one but I had no clue where to find the pattern.  One day I happened to be on Ravelry looking up projects made with a yarn from my stash and low and behold there was the Divine Hat Pattern! 

The Remix

I made the first one according to the pattern in the baby size, but realized I wanted to give it more depth so I added some extra rows in the next one.  Both the original hat and the first one I made seemed too snug with the front and back post stitching at the head band so I switched over to single crochet in rounds so it would have a little more give.   Then for the matching set I added several rows to the body of the adult sized hat so it could also be worn back like a slouch hat or pulled down snug.  For extra versatility there's room to fold up a cuff with the 12 rows of single crochet in the round (it's also a smoother finish without slip stitch joins).  For fun, I added my favorite crochet flower, Frothy Layered Flower by Ali Burdon, with a pin on the back so it can be placed in different positions according to the way the hat is being worn.

Note: All pictures belong to PearlofGreatPrice.

 

Crochet is... Creativity, Compassion and Comfort.

You can usually find me at KnittingParadise.com for those who knit and crochet.  One visit and you'll probably be calling it your on line home too.

What a fun twist on a hat pattern I totally love. What small changes have you made to patterns to make them your own? Thank you so much for joining us today, Katrina!

Half Crossed Hat

I had some delightfully chunky Berroco yarn that was begging me to create a pattern for it, so I put my nose to the grindstone and came up with this one. The finished product is nice and plush, perfect for a cold day or night. The first tickle of a chill is in the air here. I can hardly believe it! It pleases me that the hat came out so textured and interesting.

What are your favorite hat patterns? Let us know in the comments!

Little Owl

A dear friend of mine loves owls. She's in luck because owls are super trendy right now! For her birthday I decided to try out this popular free owl pattern. The finished object is very nice. I used much larger yarn than the pattern calls for resulting in a much larger owl. If you decide to try out the pattern for yourself, be aware that it has some really weird color changing instructions. Ignore them and use your own judgement like I did and you should be just fine.

Such a cute little bird! It's also kind of a blank slate that's begging to be dressed up with little scarves, bows, etc. I'll most likely be making more in a variety of colors. What add-ons would you like to see adorn our little fellow?