More Patriotic Ideas for Knit and Crochet

There's still a week before the Fourth to do a project or two. Here are a few more ideas.

Crocheted Apron

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0149AD.html?noImages=

Knitted Napkin Holders

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90205AD.html?noImages=

Crocheted bag

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ccusa-patrioticBag.html?noImages=

Knitted placemats

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kkc-patrioticPlacemats.html?noImages=

Pocket Wrap

Crochet pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/ccusa-patrioticPocketWrap.html?noImages=

Knit Pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/kcusa-patrioticPocketWrap.html?noImages=

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

New Knit and Crochet Books

The library now owns two new yarn arts books, one for knit and one for crochet. Entrelac 2: New Techniques for Interlace Knitting by Rosemary Drysdale has an intriguing pattern on the cover. The piece is being knit in the round. This one new technique is shown as a purse, a hat, and a pin cushion cover. Also included are zigzag scarves, a cowl, poncho, baby booties,  a garter stitch openwork short-sleeved sweater top, and both pinwheel and cabled pillow covers. 

The first half of the book teaches you different techniques like zigzags, braids, coils, and four-, five- or six-pointed stars. There are openwork techniques, beaded work, and beautiful squares done in quarters.

If you like to knit, this book is well worth looking at.

Reversible Color Crochet: A New Technique by Laurinda Reddig shows you how to work with more than one color in the same row. The most difficult thing about it is keeping the yarns from tangling. Laurinda starts with two-color rows and then progresses up to four-color rows. The patterns are simple and the end result is beautiful. You don't have to cut the yarn and weave in a bunch of ends. The afghan is completely reversible.

If you crochet and want to try something a little different, come and check out this book.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Some Recent Crochet Projects

If you need some ideas to get your inspiration flowing, here are a few recent projects you might enjoy.

Prayer shawl

This one was started in the center using a fan stitch. Each color was added to both sides to make it balanced.

Lap robe

This was done with granny squares using a K hook. There are 48 squares in the finished piece and a final round of black on the outside.

Granny ripple afghan

Fast and easy project. For instructions, this is one possible link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-ripple-4

This pattern originally was Tunisian crochet. The squares were actually worked in single crochet, chain. A row of V-stitch was worked around each square, then a round of single crochet and finally a round of double crochet.

This is Tunisian entrelac worked with a N or P hook. The larger size hook makes the weave a little looser than normal Tunisian simple stitch. It doesn't curl as much as the tighter stitched one would.

Here is the pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20319.html.  If you need to see how the stitches are made, www.youtube.com has videos of how to work Tunisian crochet.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

New Database for Crafters!!

To everyone in Indiana who likes crafts or DIY projects - Good News!!

INSPIRE has added new sections. One has instructions, plans, tips, videos, and ideas for every kind of household project from plumbing to building a shed. I think I saw plans for constructing your own house, if you are that ambitious. Our shelver asked about building a guitar and I found him information on what kind of finishing varnishes to use.

Now, on to the really good stuff! Crafters - Wow!

Sewing, knitting and crochet have topic areas with smaller individual sections including patterns, instructions, and videos. The sidebar had a list of ideas for St. Patrick's Day. Other choices for crafting include beading, paper crafts, Chinese knotting, braiding, model building, kid's crafts, home and garden, performing arts, and a section each for indoor and outdoor recreation.

Got a bored child? Check around in this database (free from your state and library) and you will transform that child into a busy and entertained one.

All you have to do is click on a few links:
1. Go to www.myjclibrary.org
2. Click on the long bar at the bottom of the home page - Online Resources
3. Look at the choices and find INSPIRE (lower right).
4. Near the top of the page, under the tab that says "Advanced Search", click on the link that says "Search by database".
5. A long list shows up. It is in alphabetical order. Go down to "Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center" or "Home Improvement Reference Center".
6. Once you get to that page you can find ideas and follow links to your heart's delight.

By the way - did you notice all of the other treasures of information contained in INSPIRE as you went by them to get to these two choices? When you have picked your craft or project, hit the back arrow a couple of times and look through all the information you can access when you need it.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Valentine Coasters

Maybe you're planning a Valentine party or you might have a sweetheart you would like to impress. Here's a crochet pattern from Red Heart for a quick and easy heart-shaped coaster to make your table cheery.



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/valentine-heart-coaster

Make them in any color you wish. They'd make great party favors. And - just a thought - do you know anyone in the hospital or a nursing home who might enjoy one or two of these?

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

More New Crochet Books

We have The Complete Idiot's Guide to Amigurumi by June Gilbank. This is a very cool book by the writer of PlanetJune craft blog.

The information in this book includes how to work basic amigurumi shapes, how to plan your own pattern for an amigurumi creature, how to joint the arms and legs, about eyes, hair, clothes, etc. and it has a few patterns including the most adorable hamster pattern ever.



What's your pleasure - popcorn and bobbles, ripples, mitered boxes, octagons, hexagons, sea shells, flowers?  They're all in here and many more. 100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet: Dozens of Mix and Match Combos and Fabulous Projects by Leonie Morgan is in the new book section for the next couple of months.

Covers for Modern Electronics

Here are a few more interesting items to make for our various electronic devices.

Phone cozies



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10564.html



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10563.html?noImages=


iPad cover



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20114.html?noImages=

Digital Tablet cover



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L10543.html?noImages=

Book/Tablet cover



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/80067AD.html?noImages=

Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for our photos and free patterns.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Something a Little Different

I'm poking around for some knit and crochet ideas that are a little different.

Lion Brand Yarn has a pretty Tunisian crochet afghan that can be done with a regular crochet hook since you only hold a few stitches on the hook at a time. Here's the link to the pattern: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20319.html



I think it looks bright, cheerful, and warm. It would be wonderful if I aimed towards doing one for next fall.

On the other end of the scale, here's a light, out-on-the-town crocheted shawl. (A little more advanced skill might be required for this one.)

   

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32001.html


This looks like an airy crocheted summer top. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20500.html




This is called a knit pattern. It's a pom-pom pillow, all soft and nice.



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0082B.html

Maybe you would like to try making a purse?



One for crocheters - http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20627.html?noImages=



One for knitters - http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60399B.html?noImages=



One for loom knitters - http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20267.html?noImages=

And a spare for the knitters. This was just too interesting to pass up.



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20288.html?noImages=

Whatever you pick,

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Some Recent Projects

The smaller pieces are crocheted.  The afghan is knitted in simple garter stitch using two strands on large needles.

 

The yellow and brown one is done in Bavarian crochet with adaptations.

I hope this gives you some ideas for your own projects.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Stashbusters - Granny Stripes and Granny Ripples

Now that you have all of your holiday gifts made, you probaby have some extra yarn lying around.  If you're like me, you have a PILE of yarn stuck in the corner just asking to be used up.

I keep an ice cream bucket or large pretzel jar to collect those tiny scraps of yarn that would otherwise drift to the bottom of the stash or unwind to make a huge tangled mess.  These small scraps make an excellent source when you want to put together a traditional granny square afghan or one of its variants like a hexagon granny.

 
Photos by Lion Brand Yarn

If your balls of leftover yarn are a little larger, you could use them up by crocheting a granny stripe or a granny ripple afghan.

Granny ripples are easy and look fancy.  You can use any combination of colors in any order.  You might want to organize the colors or just be random.  Both ways work beautifully.

Granny stripes are even easier.  You simply work the double-crochet clusters in a straight line.  You don't even have to count groups between peaks and valleys like you do with a ripple pattern. 

There are several good patterns for both types of afghans (and many others) on www.ravelry.com and www.crochetpatterncentral.com.

Happy stashbusting,

Kathi Linz

More Recent Projects

Lap robe for hospice



Doll blanket



Round doll blanket


Baby blanket



Prayer shawl for hospice



Lap robe for hospice - knitted



Rose trellis pattern prayer shawl



Lap robe for hospice

Please remember to share something with those who need comfort or support this holiday season.

Happy crafting.

Kathi

Crochet Bangles

Maybe you know a girl who likes to wear bangles.  I found this idea on the internet.  While I don't have permission to repost the picture, you could see it  and find the pattern by putting "Sprite bangles" in the search bar.  http://www.crochetdynamite.com/2012/07/sprite-bangles.html

The way they described making the bangles is to take a 2-liter plastic bottle and cut rings 3/4 inch wide.  Make sure the edges are smooth so as not to snag the yarn or you.

Crochet narrow strips of single crochet in any color to the same size as the rings.  You make a strip for the outside and one for the inside and then whipstitch or single crochet them together. 

That's it!  I believe my grand-niece would like a couple for Christmas.

Happy crafting.

Kathi

Some Recent Crochet Projects

Here are a few shawls and laprobes that will be donated to hospice around Valentine's Day.

I hope this inspires you to make something comforting for your favorite cause.

Happy crafting,

Kathi