Crochet Food

No carbs, no cholesterol, no calories, no fat. The perfect food, right?

These goodies are for decoration or for fun gifts. Check out this hand-crafted food.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/adorable-macarons

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/fancy-cake-cover

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/easter-eggs

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/anniversary-rose-cake

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/gingerbread-boy-heart

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/doughnut-ornament

Go ahead! Play with your food.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Cleaning Up

'Tis the season to scrub the grill, clean up after a graduation party, wash up pots and pans after the family reunion, and other fun events.

Scrubbies and washcloths are quick and easy to make. Some are even cute. Try out one of these patterns to sit next to your sink or grill.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/fancy-flower-scrubber

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/clean-stripes-dishcloth

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L30181.html?noImages=

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/90564AD.html?noImages=

Hope you have a great cook-out. Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Modern Baby Patterns

Babies today seem to be bundled in bright colors and spashy patterns. Here are some ideas for a vibrant baby's room.



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40054.html?noImages=;ss=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40579.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40311.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40489.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40355.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40071.html?noImages=



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32318.html?noImages=

Put a little color in that baby's life.

Happy crafting,
Kathi Linz

Blankets for That Special Baby

Spring is the time to think of new life - flowers, puppies, chickens, and babies. If you have someone new to knit for or crochet, here are some blanket patterns to keep the little one warm.

Crocheted blankets



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/cuddle-me-blanket



6 sided blanket
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/patriotic-hexagon-baby-blanket



Lions and tigers and bears
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/lions-tigers-bears-blanket

Knitted blankets



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/carry-along-cuddle-blanket



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/baby-blocks-blanket-hat-set



http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/baby-boy-chevron-blanket

I hope these ideas spark your creativity.
Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Fast Valentine's Projects

Best buds coffee cup cozies

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40735.html?noImages=

Do you need a quick project for someone special in your life? Valentine's Day is coming right up. I'll post some ideas that don't take a lot of time, but still show your heart is in the right place.

A little crocheted gift bag

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40733.html?noImages=

Crocheted Key Chain Decoration

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40734.html?noImages=

Crocheted Phone Cozy

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40736.html?noImages=

Knit Cabled Heart Boot Cuff

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40737.html?noImages=

Knitted Scarf

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L40583.html?noImages=

For more ideas and patterns, please remember to check, www.Ravelry.com, www.knittingpatterncentral.com, www.crochetpatterncentral.com, www.allfreecrochet.com, www.allfreeknitting.com, and the Hobbies and Crafts section in INSPIRE.gov. (http://web.a.ebscohost.com/hcrc/search/basic?sid=007924cc-34e0-4bd3-914c-d44ac5f25734%40sessionmgr4001&vid=0&hid=4214)

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Almost Superbowl

The contestants for the Super Bowl are raring to go and I'll be you're having people over to watch the game. Besides getting all the snacks ready, maybe you'd like to decorate the table just a bit.

Knit Placemats and Crochet Napkin Rings

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/60669A.html

Maybe you can make them in the colors of the team you hope will win!

And here are a couple of coaster patterns for those drinks.

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/single-square-coasters

http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/snowflake-coasters

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Tweeking a Pattern

You don't have to be "creative" to come up with a new pattern. You just have to want it to look a little bit different.

I started with this fan cluster pattern.

It's a simple pattern. Each row is basically the same except for how many double crochets start a row. The two colors and the wave design reminded me of tropical water. When my niece asked for a nautical pattern baby blanket and gave me her color scheme, it was a simple leap to add in a row of "foam" every third row. I also worked all three colors in the same direction and then turned the work. I did not cut the yarn after each row.

While I liked the pattern this way, I wanted the colors to be more tropical and I made the "foam" rows a little more random. I cut the yarn and turned the work after each row. I have to weave in the ends, but I like the effect.

At this point, I have made a new pattern. I didn't have to come up with a whole new idea. I just had to tweek an old one a couple of times.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

A New Slant on Knit and Crochet

If you are tired of the same patterns over and over, try something with a new slant.

Here's one for crocheters.



This is called "New Slant Afghan". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32019.html

Maybe you'd like to wander around in circles:



This one is called "Spiraling into Fall". http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32007.html

If you prefer needles to hooks, here's a pattern that will shift your focus a little:




This is a slip stitch sampler. http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L32155.html

Lion Brand Yarn has many patterns that will inspire you. If you are in Jackson County, Indiana, come in and see our knit and crochet books. We have a large selection of everything from mittens to large afghans. We have delicate lace patterns through tightly-worked Tunisian crochet.

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

New Knitting and Crochet Books

This is a most amazing book! When I picked up Knitting in Circles by Nicky Epstein, I was thinking socks. This is WAY better! The book is structured like an encyclopedia of sample patterns. The circles start with plainer stitches and go on up to Fair Isle and intarsia. To my taste, the prettiest ones were plain circles with i-cord in Celtic-like patterns. You must check out this book if you like to knit.



Knitting Architecture by Tanis Gray is full of new styles to knit with patterns and charts. I am no knitter, but these patterns were very tempting to try. Included are sweaters and shawls, bags and hats, dresses and - of course - socks.



Another Tanis Gray book, Cozy Knits: 50 Fast and Easy Projects from Top Designers, has patterns mostly for hats, scarves, mittens, and fingerless gloves. The designs are pretty and would make excellent gifts with the added benefit of being small enough to work up quickly.

And now for the crochet fanatics among us.



Doris Chan has a new book called Crochet Lace Innovations: 20 Dazzling Designs in Broomstick, Hairpin, Tunisian, and Exploded Lace. The techniques are different than the usual crochet pattern. When you get bored from doing the same thing, you might want to try out a different type of crochet. The designs in this book are more openwork and decorative. My coworkers and I thought the patterns were absolutely gorgeous. If only I had more time...



The Big Book of Crochet Afghans by Annie's Crochet has the usual ripples and motifs. Some are scrap afghans and some are more planned. There was one truly unique pattern which had beige blocks with a crocheted Oreo cookie in the middle of each one. If you know a cookie fresser, you should pick up this book and crochet this tempting afghan.



Crochet Pink: 26 Patterns to Crochet for Comfort, Gratitude, and Charity by Janet Rehfeldt shows every pattern done in shades of pink. The projects are all small enough to do in a reasonably short time and would be a blessing to anyone you gave them to. Shawls, scarves, hats, fingerless mittens, slippers, and face cloths are among the designs in the book.

We have many new options. Please come in and check them out.

Happy crafting this holiday season.

Kathi Linz

Diagonal Granny Afghan

I was looking for something else - never mind what - when I came across this beautiful pattern! 
Lion Brand Yarn posts this as a wedding afghan. I also like the technique for alternating rows of complementary colors or making fewer squares for a baby blanket.



http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70346AD.html?r=1

Happy crafting,

Kathi Linz

Crocheted iPad Cover

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20114.html

It seems like almost everyone has an iPad, Kindle, Nook, or some kind of ereader nowadays.  This pattern makes a quick Christmas gift for your family and friends who are technology carriers.

You will want to make sure your gauge is correct for this pattern so that it will fit nicely.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Baby Cocoons

http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20132.html


http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20132B.html

Doesn't this look so warm and cozy for the cooler weather to come?  Lion Brand Yarn has these two patterns for knitters.  Both are listed as easy.


http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L20323.html

Here's an easy baby booty pattern for crocheters.

Happy crafting,

Kathi

Woven Crochet

This shawl worked up very quickly in nothing but dc and ch stitches.  (I fixed the fringe after I took the picture.)

Make the chain as long as you want it.  The turning chain will always be three or four chains, depending on how relaxed you want the end space to be.  After that, the pattern is a simple mesh of dc, ch.  You will end up dc in each dc below and ch above each ch below so that the result is a bunch of open squares lined up like skyscraper windows.

When the piece is as long as you want it, cut yarn strands about a foot longer than the piece.  You will weave 2 strands up each column of spaces.   You might want to punch up the fringe by adding more at each end.  You might want to either tie the woven ends to secure them or include them in the extra fringe clusters.

You can do it all one color, the background one color and the strands another, or any pattern of plaid that you like.  For plaid ideas, go to Google or other search engine images and put in "plaid" or "Tartan plaid". 

This is a good masculine pattern in case you need an idea for the holidays for that difficult-to-shop-for man on your list.

Happy crafting,

Kathi