Ripple Blanket

A lot of crocheters have their go to blanket that they make when they need something done quick and easy. This is mine. I have made this blanket about 4 times in the last 2 years! I can not take credit for the pattern, My friend Jennifer Williams shared this with me when I was looking to branch out from doing granny squares. Thanks Jennifer for providing me with one of my favorite patterns!

Now, how to make it.



Materials:

Worsted weight yarn
I usually use an I hook. If you want the blanket bigger or smaller just use a bigger or smaller hook.

Chain 118


DC in third ch from hook (your two ch count as 1 DC) DC in next 5 chs (total of 7 DC including the first 2 chs) *In next ch, DC CH1 DC (this is the peak) DC in next 7 Chs. Skip the next 2 CHS. DC in next 7 CHS* Repeat from * until you make your last peak. After you make the last peak DC in next 6 Chs, Skip the next CH, DC in last stitch for a total 7.

Next Row:

CH 2, Turn. Skip a stitch, DC in next 6 stitches. Then DC CH1 DC in CH1 stitch. Then repeat the pattern like before. After you make the last peak DC in next 6 stitches, skip one DC in last stitch, CH 2 turn and repeat.

Repeat the second row until you have the length you desire.

E-Reader Case

I actually made this last year when my dad gave me a Nook for my birthday. I wanted to have something to keep it safe when I took it with me traveling.

Materials:

Worsted Weight Yarn
Size H crochet hook
Needle to weave in ends
Button
Thread to sew on button

Chain 26

Row 1: DC in 4^th ch from hook. DC in each stitch to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 2: DC in next stitch and all the way to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 3: Skip first stitch and DC in next stitch. DC in stitch just skipped. Repeat until 2 stitches remain. DC in last stitch. Ch 3. Turn. Should have a total of 11 “criss-crosses.”

Row 4-5: DC in every stitch across. Ch 3. Turn.

Repeat rows 3-5 until towel reaches desired length. Mine was made to fit a Nook and measured about 21.25”.

Finishing:

I used my Nook and measured to see how big I needed to make the opening and used pins to keep it together. Then, using single crochet stitch, I just sewed it together on both sides to the point where my pin was. Turn it inside-out and you should have a smooth edge and a flap on your case. Next, you can either use a button, snap, or Velcro to fasten it together. I of course chose a flamingo button to go with my pink yarn :) I just made sure that the button was in place so that I could slip it between 2 of the criss-crosses. 

And there you have it! It's just that easy. If you have any questions or see a problem with the written pattern, please let me know.

Go Noles!!

Criss-cross Baby Bib

In continuing with the criss-cross theme, I also designed a criss-cross baby bib. I tried to write down the pattern for the fingerless gloves, but I already sent them off. I'll try to make them again so I can refresh my memory on what I did! In the meantime, here is a pattern using the same stitch for a baby bib. Let me know if you find any problems with the pattern.

Materials:

Lily Sugar'n Cream Cotton
Size H crochet hook
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

CH 32

Row 1: DC in 4th CH from hook. DC in each stitch. CH 3. Turn.

Row 2: *Skip next stitch. DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch. * Repeat until one stitch remains. DC in turning chain from previous row. CH 3. Turn.

Row 3: DC in each stitch. CH 3. Turn.

Repeat Rows 2-3 until piece measures 5" ending on row 2.

Neck:

Row 1: DC in next 7 stitches. CH 3. Turn.

Row 2: *Skip next stitch. DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch. * Repeat until one stitch remains. DC in turning chain from previous row. CH 3. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1-2 6 more times.

Row 15: DC in each stitch. Finish off.

Left Side:

Row 1: Skip 14 stitches and slip stitch yarn to row. CH 3. DC in each stitch. CH 3. Turn.

Row 2: *Skip next stitch. DC in next stitch. Go back and DC in skipped stitch. * Repeat until one stitch remains. DC in turning chain from previous row. CH 3. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1-2 6 more times.

Row 15: DC in each stitch. Finish off.

Border:

SC evenly all around.

I used velcro to attach around the neck but you can use whatever you want. Button, snap, ties, etc.

Enjoy!! Go Noles!!

Criss-Cross Baby Blanket

As promised, here is the pattern for my first baby blanket that I've designed. It's really simple and works up fairly quickly! If you see any problems in the pattern, please let me know.

Chain 140 (If you want a smaller or larger blanket, just make sure you chain in even numbers)
Row 1: DC in 4th ch from hook. DC in each stitch to the last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 2: Skip first stitch and DC in next stitch. DC in stitch just skipped. Repeat until 2 stitches remain. DC in last stitch. Ch 3. Turn.

Row 3: Repeat row 2.

Row 4: DC in next stitch and each stitch across.

Repeat rows 2-4 until desired length. Mine measured about 36”.

That's it! Next time, the pattern for the fingerless gloves that I showed in my last posting.

Go Noles!

Recent Crafty Endeavors

Well, I've accomplished a lot of many different projects since my last posting. I've found that sometimes it's easier just to create a pattern from scratch rather than follow one.
In January, I joined this group on Ravelry.com where you were assigned a person to make a pair of gloves for. (For those of you that haven't heard of it, I describe it as a site similar to Facebook, but geared towards crocheters and knitters) I searched through all of the patterns and didn't really like what I found so I decided one day to just sit and try to come up with my own. I really liked the cross stitch that I discovered when I made my dishcloths so I decided to try and incorporate that in my gloves. Here is what I came up with:

I really like how they turned out and my swap partner in Connecticut really liked them too!

I haven't actually sat down and took the time to write down what I did, so I don't have the pattern for you. Yet. I will soon, I promise!

(I've also incorporated this stitch into a baby blanket, but I'll save that for another post :) )

iPad App

Testing out an app for my iPad.

Check back soon for more posts on my recent craft endeavors! I will also be posting a few crochet patterns...