Knitted Intarsia

This pattern is a little more advanced than some I've posted before, but I really think it's beautiful.



The free pattern is here: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20642.html?noImages=
It seems like this could be a planned pattern or a stashbuster.

If you make one of these, I would love to see a picture of it.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Broomstick Lace

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/broomstick-lace-baby-blanket

I can't exactly call broomstick lace a "hybrid" craft, but you do need both a knitting needle (only one) and a crochet hook.

You'll use a size 50 knitting needle to make loops and then you remove the loops a few at a time - usually 5 loops - and hold them together. Next you crochet the same number of single crochet into the the top of the loops. So if you remove 5 loops from the knitting needle at a time, you will crochet 5 sc into the top of those loops. You work five loops off of the needle at a time until you finish all of the loops.

Next you will use the crochet hook to go through each single crochet and pull up a loop and slip it over the needle until you have one loop for each sc. Do taht process over and over and you will end up with a scarf, a shawl, a throw, or and afghan, depending on how wide you make your rows and how many rows you work.

About as clear as mud?  Check out the link to the free tutorial from Red Heart Yarn above. They explain it better than I do. There is even a link through their website to a video tutorial. If you are a visual person, as I am, you will be able to watch how the stitch is done.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Single Crochet, Chain

We had frost this morning. It made me want to crawl back under the covers and stay snug.

This is one of my favorite patterns for a nice, warm afghan.


http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70406AD.html

This pattern is very simple and very versatile. You can make it in any size you wish.

I've used it several times to make round afghans - also in various sizes.

 

Made in 1974

Made in 2013

 

 

And a small one for a doll blanket.

 

The pattern from Lion Brand yarn explains the basics of this stitch. It's a simple single crochet, chain. When you turn and go back, the single crochet goes around the chain of the row below.

 

To make the pie wedges, you make a chain half the length of the finished circle. Sc, ch to the end. Ch 1. Turn. Sc, ch back to the beginning always working the sc in the cha space below. Ch 3. Turn.

 

As you work the pattern stitch to the end again, stop one pattern before the end. Ch 1. Turn. Go back and repeat. The rows will get shorter on one end each time until you can't complete a sc, ch pattern. Finish off the color, weave in the end.

 

The next color will work along the stepped edge using the same sc, ch stitch. Start by working from the wide end all the way to the point and then repeat making every row going to the point shorter as before.

 

There are 14 colors in the circle. A large afghan uses 4 oz. per color. A small one can be made from left-over yarn, but you'll still need a fair amount - say, 2 oz. per color.

 

The edge is also worked in sc, ch, with a few increases in each round to keep the afghan flat.

 

If you want to make this an afghan, sew the last color to the foundation chain of the first color before going around the edge. You can also make this into a cape simply by not sew the beginning and ending edges together. If you work each color around the edge, you should also work the inside edges which you did not sew together. The rounds bunch up somewhat as you work the center of the circle. This gives you something of a collar when you wrap it around yourself.

 

My favorite way to use this on a cold night is to fold the afghan in half and wear it over my shoulders when I let the dog out or to admire the stars on a clear crisp night. The double layer keeps me toasty on even the coldest nights. Well...until you get pretty well below zero.

 

Happy crafting,

 

Kathi Linz