There are no rules in crafting, just follow your heart
This is the simplest afghan there is to make! I bought a variegated yarn where the color is varied in large chunks to create this striped effect. There is no actual pattern for the afghan – the whole thing is made with double crochet stitches. Here is basically what I did:
I made the blanket 36×36 inches square. I started with a chain that was 36 inches long. Then dc in the 2nd stitch from the hook and dc in every stitch until the end. Chain 3 and repeat. The striped pattern is created by the type of yarn I used. I then added the scalloped edge to “fancy” up the blanket a bit!
For the Scallop Edging~
To Begin: Join yarn or thread in the edge stitch of the piece to which you are adding this edging.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in first st, * ch 5, skip 4 sts, sc in next st **, repeat from * to ** as many times as needed to complete a row or round.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sl st in first sc, ch 3, sl st in first ch-5 space, * ch 3, work (2 dc, ch 4, 2 dc) in next ch-5 sp, ch 3, sl st in next ch-5 sp **, repeat from * to **, until you reach the end of the row or round.
End of Row 2 (If row 2 ended with the shell): After making the shell, add a ch 3, sl st in end sc, to finish the row.
End of Row 2 (If row 2 ended with the ch 3, sl st in ch-5 sp): Add a ch 3, sl st in end sc, to finish the row.
Row 3 (If row 2 ended with the shell): Ch 3, * skip 2 dc of shell, 10 dc in the ch-4 sp (in the center of the shell), skip 2 dc of shell, sl st in next ch-3 sp, ch 4, sl st in next ch-3 sp **, repeat * to **.
Row 3 (If row 2 ended with the ch 3, sl st in ch-3 sp): Sl st in first ch-3 sp, * Ch 4, sl st in next ch-3 sp, skip 2 dc of shell, 10 dc in the ch-4 sp (in the center of the shell), skip 2 dc of shell, sl st in next ch-3 sp **, repeat * to **.
End of Row 3 (If row 3 ended with the sl st in next ch-3 sp): Add a ch 3, then sl st in last ch-3 sp, to reach the end of the row or round.
End of Row 3 (If row 3 ended with the 10 dc in ch-4 sp): Leave off the 10th dc and, instead, do a ch 3, sl st in last dc of previous row.
To finish: End off, leaving a strand to weave in.
Whenever I want to try a new crocheted afghan pattern, I usually start by making a washcloth. It is a quick and easy way to figure out if I like the pattern, what size hook to use and what my tension should be.
This is a pattern that I am planning on making an afghan with. It turned out to be a pretty cute washcloth.
The stitch pattern in this baby blanket moves along quickly. It’s an easy pattern to crochet and easy enough even for beginners. If you’re looking for the pattern for a larger afghan in this stitch combination, click here for that larger free afghan pattern.
Materials:
For a small afghan (sized for a baby blanket, afghan for a small child or for a lap robe): About 21 oz. Worsted weight yarn
Size G crochet hook
Finished size: about 31 1/2″ x 42″
Gauge: a group of 3 dc stitches = 3/4″ wide; 2 pattern repeat rows (rows 3 and 4) = 1″
Directions:
Chain 134.
Row 1: Working in back loops only for this row, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in ea ch across.
Row 2: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 sc, * skip 3 sc of previous row, then (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in back loop of next sc, skip 3 sc of previous row, dc in both loops of each of next 3 sc **, repeat from * to ** as many times as needed across row.
Row 3: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 dc, * ch 3, skip next 3 dc, in chain-1 space work 3 sc, ch 3, skip next 3 dc, dc in both loops of each of next 3 dc ** repeat from * to ** across row.
Row 4: ch 3 (counts as 1st dc), dc in both loops of each of next 2 dc, * skip the ch-3, skip next sc, then (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) all in back loop of next sc, skip next sc, skip the next ch-3, dc in both loops of each of next 3 dc ** repeat from * to ** across row.
Additional Rows: Repeat rows 3 and 4 until the piece measures about 41″.
Next to the Last Row: Repeat row 3.
Last Row: ch 1, sc in first dc, sc in each of next 2 dc * 2 sc in ch-3 space, sc in both loops of each of next 3 sts ** repeat from * to ** across row, end row with 2 sc in last ch-3 space, sc in each of last 3 dc.
End off.
I used a basic shell border stitch (tutorial link) to finish off the washcloth. I like how it turned out and I think I will use the same border for the afghan.
I found this idea on-line and I thought that this Easter bunny was so cute! This project is so simple that it would be great for making multiple items or a great project to do with kids! We made these for my kids school teachers gift.
Easter Bagalope Tutorial~
Supplies: Legal Size Envelope, Stamp Set, Ink, Ribbon, Craft Glue, 3-D Dots, Black Marker, White Marker, Scissors, Pom Pom and a Tape Runner.
Punches: 3/4 x 1 1/2″ Oval, 1 1/4×2″ Oval, 1 1/2″ Circle, 3/4″ Circle, 1/4″ Circle, 1/8″ Circle and a Small Flower.
Seal the envelope and then stamp the front of the envelope. I used Old Olive ink.
Make a template that is 1″x4 1/2″ . Trace around it on the top right and top left corner to make the handle of the Easter basket.
Cut a piece of green (I used old olive) 1″x4 1/8″, then cut grass strips about 3/4 ” deep.
Punch out the following shapes:
4 Lt. Pink 3/4″ x 1 1/2 ” ovals – I used Pretty in Pink
2 Lt. Brown 3/4″ x 1 1/2″ ovals – I used Creamy Carmel
4 Lt. Brown 1 1/4″ x 2″ ovals – I used Creamy Carmel
1 Lt. Brown 1 1/2″ Circle – I used Creamy Carmel
2 White 3/4″ Circles – I used white card stock
2 Black 1/4″ Circles – I used Basic Black
1 Pink 1/4″ Circles – I used Pretty in Pink
6 Pink 1/8″ Circles – I used Pretty in Pink
3 small Flowers – I used Barely Banana
Adhere grass strip to bottom of envelope. Draw “paws” on 2 of the small Lt. Brown ovals and adhere them to the envelope. Adhere the 6 1/8″ Lt. Pink Circles and the 4 Lt. Pink Ovals on the 4 Lg. Lt. Brown Ovals. Put together the bunny’s face. Draw the whiskers and eye details on.
Adhere the 2 large bunny paws and the 2 bunny ears to the envelope.
Adhere the bunny’s head with pop up dots. Tie a ribbon around the base of the handle – I used lt. pink organza ribbon. I did not have an Easter stamp, so I printed “Hoppy Easter” on my computer and punched it out with the large (1 1/4″ x 2″ oval) and sponged the edges with lt. pink – I used (). Adhere the small lt. yellow flowers and small pink rhinestones in the center of the flowers. Adhere the pom pom for the bunny’s tail.
Both of my daughters have birthdays in the Spring and when I saw these fun alphabets, I just had to make them each one! My daughters are sharing a room while we are living in Boston, so I wanted both of them to match but also to incorporate both of their favorite colors which are pink and blue.
Altered Wooden Alphabet Tutorial~
Supplies:
Wooden Alphabet Letter(s) from Michael’s, Patterned Paper, Mod Podge, Paint Brush, Scissors, Pencil and Decorations.
Put your letter right side down on the patterned paper. Trace around the letter and cut it out.
I like to paint the edges of the letter so that it has a finished edge.
Put a generous coat of Mod Podge on the top of the letter.
Adhere the patterned paper to the letter and then put a layer of Mod Podge on the patterned paper.
Once the Mod Podge has dried you can decorate the letter. I used the supplies pictured below. K&Company Stickers, Prima Flowers, Joann’s Essentials Word Tile and Black Dress Designs Paper Ribbon.
Finished Product~
