Crochet Tunisian Ear Warmer – Yarn Club Fundraising Project

It’s been a while since my last post, and I have been feeling guilty for slacking off.  Finally I’ve picked up the crochet hooks again and made the Tunisian Ear Warmer (Click here for the free pattern) for the Yarn Club Fundraising.  I used Bernat Baby Big Ball Sport Yarn (Color: Blossom) and a 4 mm crochet hook.  I followed the free pattern but since I am using a different yarn and a different size hook, I made more than 55 rows as stated in the  pattern.  I started with chaining 17 (same as the pattern), and crocheted until it measures 20″ long.  I made this for a 9-year old, but you can measure the head size and minus 1″ in order to get a better fit (since the yarn will stretch).  I like the Tunisian stitches very much and this is what it looks as when completed!  Hope you will like it too!

CLICK for Babies 2017 – Crochet Purple Baby Hats

I did this once three years ago, and didn’t get time to do it again in the past two years.

This year the knitting club at work will be participating, so I am in!  Coworker found this pattern from Allicrafts (click here) and I love it.  I made 2 trying out the pattern differently, using Caron Simply Soft.

First one, I used 5mm crochet hook, and follow the pattern until round 4.  I did purple and pink yarn alternatively.

Round 1 (use purple yarn): Make a magic ring, ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed.  *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  Repeat from * 3 times.  Pull magic ring tight.  sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (5 clusters)

Round 2 (change to pink yarn): This round you will make 2 clusters in each ch-2 space, making 10 clusters.  Ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the ch-2 space, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed..  In the same ch-2 space, *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  Repeat from * twice in each ch-2 space.  sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (10 clusters)

Round 3 (purple):  This round you will make 2 clusters in first ch-2 space, then 1 cluster in next ch-2 space alternatively, making 15 clusters.  Ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the ch-2 space, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed..  In the same ch-2 space, *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  The next ch-2 space you will only make 1 cluster, so repeat from * once.  Then repeat from * twice in next ch-2 space, then once until the end. sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (15 clusters)

Round 4 (pink): This round you will make 1 cluster in each ch-2 space, making 15 clusters.  Ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the ch-2 space, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed..  In the next ch-2 space, *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  Repeat from * in each ch-2 space till the end.  sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (15 clusters)

Round 5 (purple): This round you will make 2 clusters in first ch-2 space, then 1 cluster in next 2 ch-2 space, then repeat the same process, making 20 clusters.  Ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the ch-2 space, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed..  In the same ch-2 space, *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  The next 2 ch-2 space you will only make 1 cluster, so repeat from * once.  Then repeat from * twice in next ch-2 space, then once in next 2 ch-2 space until the end. sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (20 clusters)

Round 6 (pink): This round you will make 1 cluster in each ch-2 space, making 20 clusters.  Ch 3 (as part of the first cluster), then yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the ch-2 space, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step once.  You should end up with 3 loops on the hook. Yarn over and draw the yarn through all 3 loops on the hook, chain 2.  The first cluster is completed..  In the next ch-2 space, *yarn over (yo), insert the hook into the magic ring, yarn over, draw the yarn through the stitch, yarn over, draw the yarn through 2 loops on the hook.  Two loops remain on the hook. One half-closed double crochet is complete. A half-closed stitch is one that’s only worked partway, and then finished at the end of the combination.  Repeat the preceding step twice.  You should end up with 4 loops on the hook, chain 2.* Now you finished the 2nd cluster.  Repeat from * in each ch-2 space till the end.  sl st to top ch of ch 3, sl st in next st, sl st in ch-2 space.  (20 clusters)

Round 7-11 (purple): Loosely sl st around in back loops only. (60 st)

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Then I tried 5.5 mm crochet hook, following the pattern without changing anything, using pink and grey yarn alternatively.  It turned out about the same size as what I did with the purple/pink one.

Which one do you like better, color/pattern wise?  Stay tuned since I will be trying out different patterns when working on this project. 🙂

Crochet Fruit Coasters – Yarn Club Fundraising Project #4 – Free Pattern

Spring has been procrastinating and seems nowhere nearby, but I guess I could speed it up a little bit by making some fruit coasters to feel the summer earlier.  I’ve  made a set of 6 for the Knitting Club Fundraising.  All of them are using the same pattern pretty much, except changing yarn colors.   I innovated my pattern from Christine Longe’s Green Apple Coaster pattern as well as Tessa Shearer’s Summer Watermelon Coaster pattern.

I used Caron Simply Soft that I got from Michael’s.  For crochet hook, I used the 4.5 mm hook

Here’s the basic pattern:

R1: Chain 2 (counted as 1 double crochet) in magic ring, and then make 11 double crochet. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2, then chain 2 (as the next round’s first double crochet) – 12 stitches.

R2: Work 1 double crochet in the same stitch where you chain 2, then work 2 double crochet into each double crochet gap. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2, then chain 2 (as the next round’s first double crochet) – 24 stitches.

R3: Work 2 double crochet in next stitch. *Work 1 double crochet in next stitch, 2 double crochet in next stitch.* Repeat * 11 times.  Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2, then chain 1 (as the next round’s first half double crochet) – 36 stitches.

R4: Work 1 half double crochet in next stitch, work 2 half double crochet in next stitch.   *Work 1 half double crochet in next 2 stitches, work 2 half double crochet in next stitch.* Repeat * 11 times.  Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2, then chain 2 (as the next round’s first  double crochet) – 48 stitches.

R5: Work 1 double crochet in each stitch around. – 48 stitches.

Fasten off and weave in all loose ends.

Apples:  Use white yarn for R1-R4, and green/red yarn for R5.

Lime/Lemon/Orange: Use green/yellow/orange yarn for R1-R3 & R5, white yarn for R4.

Watermelon: Use red yarn for R1-R3, white for R4, and green for R5.

Seeds for apples/watermelon (optional):  Use Black Yarn to sew accordingly.  (See photo for placement.) Fasten off and weave in ends.

Leaf for apples:  Use green yarn, Chain 9, work 3 dc in 4^th chain from hook,  1 double crochet in next 2 chains, 1 half double crochet in next chain, 1 single crochet in next chain, 1 slip stitch in last chain.  Go on the other side of the chain and repeat in a reverse order: slip stitch in first chain, 1 single crochet in next chain, 1 half double crochet in next chain, 1 double crochet in next 2 chains, 3 double crochet in last chain (where the first 3 double crochet were made).  Fasten off, sew in apple coaster and weave in ends.

Stem for apples:  Use brown yarn, chain 10, from 2nd chain from hook, work 1 single crochet in each chain.  Fasten off, sew in apple coaster and weave in ends.

Section Lines for Lime/Lemon/Orange: Use white yarn, chain enough length measured from magic ring hole to R4 (white).  I chained 8 for mine.  Fasten off and sew into coaster.  Weave in ends.

Thank you for reading and comments are welcomed.   I would love to see your finished items too.  Show me in comments or on my Facebook page or twitter.

Crochet NBA Hat – Yarn Club Fundraising Project #3 – Free Pattern

When I sold my first project- the ear warmer, the associate dean passed by and asked if we would make and sell any items for men.  And he said he would be interested in a basket ball hat.  You name it, I make it.  Here’s what I made for him:

I used Bernat Premium Yarn (Color: Royal Blue) that I got from Walmart for the blue, and used scrap yarns left from my previous projects for the orange and white.

And here’s the pattern that I made up based on an NBA tuque that I found in google:

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain; sl st = slip stitch; st(s) = stitche(es); sc = single crochet; hdc = half double crochet; rep = repeat; * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated.

Note: At the end of each round of hdc, slip stitch and chain 2, then turn.

R1: Using blue color, 5 hdc in magic ring. – 5 hdc

R2: 2 hdc in each hdc around – 10 hdc

R3: 2 hdc in each hdc around – 20 hdc

R4: *hdc 1, 2 hdc in next hdc*, rep 10 times.  – 30 hdc

R5: *hdc 2, 2 hdc in next hdc*, rep 10 times.  – 40 hdc

R6: *hdc 3, 2 hdc in next hdc*, rep 10 times.  – 50 hdc

R7: *hdc 4, 2 hdc in next hdc*, rep 10 times.  – 60 hdc

R8: hdc in each hdc around. – 60 hdc

R9: *hdc 5, 2 hdc in next hdc*, rep 10 times.  – 70 hdc

R10-R18: hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

R19: change to white yarn, hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

R20: change to blue yarn, hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

R21: change to orange yarn, hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

R22: change to blue yarn, hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

R23: change to white yarn, hdc in each hdc around. – 70 hdc

You will now do the edge of the hat by using front post half double crochet and back post half double crochet.

R24: On each of the 70 hdc from R23, you make 1 front post half double crochet and 1 back post half double crochet alternatively across. – 70 stitches

R25: Make 1 back post half double crochet and 1 front post half double crochet alternatively across. – 70 stitches

Repeat R24 and R25 until you reach the height of your preference for the edge.  I repeated twice and ended in R29.

Fasten off and sew in ends.

Thank you for reading and comments are welcome!

 

 

 

 

Crochet Cell Phone Wristlet with Rosebud/Butterfly – Yarn Club Fundraising Project #2 – Free Pattern

I made two cell phone wristlets with inspiration from MyPicot’s posts: Crochet Rosebud Stitch and Crochet Butterfly Stitch.

I have used the Caron Simply Soft Yarn (Heather Grey for the body of the cozy, Watermelon for the rosebud).

For the butterfly and rose leaves, I used some scrap yarn that I have left from my previous projects.

To begin, I chained 17 (for my iPhone 6S).

Starting at the 2nd chain from your hook, do half double crochet across on each of the 16 chains.

Continue with half double crochet for the other side of your chain, that will make another 16 half double crochet.  So you will have a total of 32 half double crochet as an oval/rectangle shape.  I used a stitch  marker to mark my first stitch because I will be working in continuous rounds (instead of joined rounds with a joining mark in the finished piece).

Do half double crochet for another rounds until 2/3 of the height of your phone with 32 half double crochet each round.  Mine ends in row 10.

The next round (Row 11 of mine) will be changing to the first color (for the butterfly or leaves depending on which one you would like to do).  MyPicot has very good instructions on how to do the butterfly with antennas : Crochet Butterfly Stitch.  The position of the rosebud with leaves or butterfly will be up to you.  I will show below how I did the rosebud with leaves.

Join green yarn and single crochet in the first 8 stitches, and now starting to make the 2 leaves: chain 3

Insert your hook from back to front into a half double crochet below (like the picture below) and make 1 single crochet.  Where you insert the hook will be the where the tip of the leaf (left one) be positioned.  To make the leaf, in the 3 chain space, you make 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 sc.

To make the other leaf, chain 3, and then insert your hook from back to front again in a half double crochet that’s 3 stitches from where you positioned the left leaf and make 1 single crochet.  Now repeat what you did for the left leave: in the 3 chain space, you make 1 single crochet, 1 half double crochet, 3 double crochet, 1 half double crochet, 1 single crochet.   Then continue making single crochet across to the end of the row.

Next round (row 12 of mine) you join pink yarn and single crochet in the first 8 stitches, and now starting to make the rosebud: chain 12, 3 double crochet in the 4th chain from the hook, and then 3 double crochet in each of the remaining 8 chains, chain 3, slip stitch in last chain.  Turn and roll spiral together from one end, rolling towards the other end.  Form strip together into a rosebud shape.  Insert hook through bottom side of rose and sew all layers of the rosebud making slip stitch.  Repeat this slip stitch process one more time, chain 1 and turn. Then continue making single crochet across to the end of the row.

Join grey yarn and repeat the half double crochet across process until you reach the height you need.  You should still have 32 half double crochet each round. Mine is from row 13 to row 23.

Row 24 (to make the wristlet hole and strap): chain 45 (making the strap), skip 5 half double crochet (make sure the 5 you are skipping are in the center of the cozy), single crochet in the next 11 half double crochet, chain 5, skip 5 half double crochet (make sure the 5 you are skipping are in the center of the other side of the cozy), single crochet in the last 11 half double crochet.

Row 25 (to make the wristlet hole and strap thicker/stronger): make half double crochet in each of the 45 chain, single crochet in the next 11 single crochet, make 5 half double crochet in the 5 chain space, single crochet in the last 11 single crochet.

Fasten off and sew in ends.  Here’s the completed rosebud wristlet:

Thank you for reading and hope you have fun making this beautiful cozy.  Comments are welcome.

 

Crochet Ear Warmer – Yarn Club Fundraising Project #1

I recently joined the newly formed knitting club at work and we decided to crochet/knit small items that we can sell at work to raise funds to donate to a charity.  Here’s the first project I did for the club from one of the patterns I mentioned in my previous post (or click here), and it’s sold immediately!

 

Click for Babies

Introduced by a coworker friend who loves crocheting like me, I dropped off some purple newborn baby hats for Click for Babies at BC Children’s Hospital.  Good that I went there since the building mentioned in the flyer just got torn down 🙂  I enjoyed making these easy but cute hats and I will definitely try to crochet more next year, if it’s still running.