Crochet Parfait: July 2013

Friday, July 26, 2013

What Would You Like Me to Design?

Well I just hit a milestone, 700 Facebook followers! Back in January, I was excited because I had 23 site members. Now just 7 months later I have 274 members, 700 Facebook followers and 355 crocheters who follow me by email. Woo Hoo!

So as a THANK YOU to all of my followers, I'm asking you, WHAT CROCHET DESIGNS WOULD YOU LIKE ME TO DO? One caveat, I'm trying to stay away from Trademarked images, I've gotten some flack for those. You can either post a comment here, on Facebook or email me at crochetparfaitpg@yahoo.com.

Tuesday, July 23, 2013

Angela's Harley Afghan

Angela just sent me a picture of her finished afghan. As I said before, each of you add your own style to the afghan. In order to cover up the messy stitches on the back Angela crocheted a personalized sampler and crocheted the two pieces together. After doing a row of single crochet to secure the two sides together, she did a round of reverse single crochet to give it a more finished look. Angela said it took her one month to do (working several hours at a time). She said her dad LOVES it!

If you would like the chart for the Harley Davidson part of this afghan you can find it here.

New Blogger/Designer

Good and Evil Granny Afghan

I just saw this afghan on Pinterest and had to share it. It's by DD Hines. DD is new to the blogosphere. She's only been posting since March. I think she has a great eye for color. I'll be keeping my eye on her.

Friday, July 19, 2013

Debbie L's Finished Harley Afghan

Here is Debbie L's finished Harley Afghan. All of you have added your own flair to your afghans! Thanks for the picture, Debbie.

If you would like to make this afghan you can find it here.

You May Also Like:

Chicago Blackhawks Afghan Chart

Breast Cancer Awareness Pillow

Don't Tread on Me Afghan

Air Force Afghan Chart

Thursday, July 18, 2013

Air Force Afghan Chart

THIS PATTERN IS NOW DOWNLOADABLE ON MY NEW FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE. YOU CAN FIND IT HERE. JUST GO TO THE FILES TAB TO DOWNLOAD.

I'm now rounding out my four branches of the armed service with this Air Force Afghan Chart. I also have plans to make a National Guard chart and a Coast Guard chart, so fear not.

Each square on the pattern counts as a single crochet. It has 209 stitches across and 213 rows. The gauge of the pattern totally depends on the size yarn and hook you use. I measured my gauge for worsted weight yarn and an I hook at 4 sts and 4 rows = 1". With this gauge the afghan would measure 52 1/4" x 53 1/4". If you want to make it wider or longer, I'd add white stitches on either side of the pattern for width or more rows to the top and bottom of the pattern to make it longer, you could also make a border in a contrasting color. I don't knit, but I think you could use this for a knitted afghan as well.

If you are really talented (and somewhat ambidextrous) you can switch the hook to your left hand when you get to the end of the row and then crochet back the way you came like Carol Ventura does. I think this tutorial by Interweave is a little easier if you want to keep all of the design facing the same direction. This video tutorial by Red Heart Yarn has you turn the afghan as you crochet, it's easier but the design is not as true.

If you are new to crochet charts check out my Globe Pillow Crochet Along, it has a tutorial on how to read a chart. If you would rather cross stitch the details of the chart, I would crochet the major areas and then you can have a look at my Day of the Dead Banner pattern for a tutorial on how to cross stitch on single crochet for the finer details.

For other tips on following a crochet chart check out my Harley Davidson Afghan post.

I realize there's no way you could crochet this afghan from this tiny picture, so if you want the chart email me at crochetparfaitpg@yahoo.com. Let me know what format you want it in. (Excel--editable .xlsx, Adobe .pdf or picture .png, I recommend the .xlsx or .png files because the pdf splits it up into several pages.)

If anyone wants to make this afghan or anything "Air Force" for sale please be sure to check this website for licensing of the image. Thanks.

Happy Hooking!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Army Afghan Chart

Don't Tread on Me Afghan Chart

Marine Afghan Chart

Navy Afghan Chart

Saturday, July 13, 2013

Natalie's Chicago Blackhawk Afghan

Natalie just sent me her version of the Chicago Blackhawks afghan. What do you think of her embellishments!

If you would like to have the chart for this afghan, you can find it here.

Thursday, July 11, 2013

Sandi's Yorkie

Sandi just sent me this picture of the Yorkie she made along with the following questions:

1. What does "amigurumi" mean? I think from your comment it is Japanese. Just curious. I looked it up but could not find it.

Amigurumi is the Japanese art of crocheting or knitting cute (emphasis on the CUTE) stuffed animals. Ami translates as crochet or knitted and Nuigurumi means stuffed doll.

2. The Yorkie's eyes came with backings. Did you attach yours with backing. I wish I had but following the pattern - I stuffed and attached without thinking about the eyes.

I actually used round black buttons with shanks so I was able to sew my eyes on after I put the doll together. What Sandi used are Safety Eyes. These are best when you are making a toy for a small child, that way they don't come off. Safety eyes have to be attached before you stuff the head. Here is a video tutorial on how to attach safety eyes.

3. I had to order the shimmer online because where I live no one heard of it or did not have it. I know that this is not your problem but it was a learning experience.

If you don't have shimmer yarns available where you live, you can order Red Heart Shimmer online from Redheart.com or Vanna's Glamour from Lionbrand.com.

And here is a tip from Sandi on how to attach the yarn for the hair:

I attached mine by measuring the strands -Then I folded one strand in half - inserted my hook through Yorkie- pulled the folded strand through and bought the ends through the loop that was formed. Then I tightened the thread.

If you would like to make your own Yorkie you can find the pattern here.

Sunday, July 7, 2013

Army Afghan Chart

THIS PATTERN IS NOW DOWNLOADABLE ON MY NEW FACEBOOK GROUP PAGE. YOU CAN FIND IT HERE. JUST GO TO THE FILES TAB TO DOWNLOAD.

Here is my latest afghan chart. I have had several requests for an Army afghan chart. I thought about using the Army logo with the star, but there are already existing charts, you can find them on Ravelry.com here and here. I altered the insignia somewhat to make it easier to crochet.

Each square on the pattern counts as a single crochet. It has 137 stitches across and 144 rows. The gauge of the pattern totally depends on the size yarn and hook you use. I measured my gauge for worsted weight yarn and an I hook at 4 sts and 4 rows = 1". With this gauge the afghan would measure 34 1/4" x 36" . If you want to make it wider or longer, I'd add white stitches on either side of the pattern for width or more rows to the top and bottom of the pattern to make it longer, you could also make a border in a contrasting color. I don't knit, but I think you could use this for a knitted afghan as well.

If you are new to crochet charts check out my Globe Pillow Crochet Along, it has a tutorial on how to read a chart. If you would rather cross stitch the details of the chart, I would crochet the major areas and then you can have a look at my Day of the Dead Banner (also below) pattern for a tutorial on how to cross stitch on single crochet for the finer details.

For other tips on following a crochet chart check out my Harley Davidson Afghan post.

If anyone wants to make this afghan or anything "Army" for sale please be sure to check this website for licensing of the image. Thanks.

Happy Hooking!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

USMC Afghan Chart

Navy Afghan Chart

Harley Afghan Chart

Globe Pillow/Ball Chart

Wednesday, July 3, 2013

Globe Pillow/Ball Crochet Along, Part III

Sorry it's taken me so long to post this, I had an elbow injury and had to lay off crocheting for about a week.

You can find Part I here and Part II here.

To form the pillow, first sew the two pieces together at the Equator. You either sew it all in blue (to show the Equator) or sew through the continents in green and the oceans in blue.

Line up the two pieces so they match.

Sew the pieces together going back and forth between the two pieces.

Now you can see the Equator.

Next sew the points for the Northern Hemisphere together.

To close the hole in the Northern Hemisphere, attach the blue yarn in any sc.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc in same st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, sc2tog, *1 sc in next 4 sts, sc2tog* 4 times, sl st in 1st sc.
( 25 scs) Evenly space the sts around the hole.
Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same sc, 1 sc in next 2 scs, sc2tog, *1 sc in next 3 scs, sc2tog* 4 times, sl st in 1st sc. (20 scs)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same sc, 1 sc in next sc, sc2tog, *1 sc in next 2 scs, sc2tog* 4 times, sl st in 1st sc. (15 scs)
Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same sc, sc2tog, *1 sc in next sc, sc2tog* 4 times, sl st in 1st sc. (10 scs)
Rnd 5: Ch 1, sc2tog 5 times, sl st in 1st sc. Fasten off and weave in ends to close the rest of the hole. (5 sc2tog)

Weave in most of the ends, leaving long pieces of yarn for sewing up the rest of the pillow.

Now you are ready to sew the Southern Hemisphere points together. While you still have the opening in the Southern Hemisphere, stuff the pillow, polyfil works well.

To close the Southern Hemisphere, attach the white yarn and repeat Rnds 1 to 5.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE:

Lace Spa Basket

Day of the Dead Banner

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My First Anniversary!

It was a year ago today that I posted my first pattern, for a chain stitch bangle bracelet. Since then I have posted 20 stitch and technique tutorials, 42 free patterns of my own design and 75 posts altogether!

Here is list of all my patterns with links to them, enjoy!