Crochet Heart Motif Pattern

Here's a Heart Motif just in time for Valentine's Day

Make a 12 dc magic circle (ch 2, 11 dc inside loop)

Ch 2, dc3tog, ch 3, dc3tog next st, ch 3, sl st next st, ch 3, dc3tog next st, ch 3, dc3tog next st, ch 3, sc in next 2 st, hdc in next, [dc, tr, dc] in next st, hdc in next, sc in next, sl st to join. Fasten off.

Sew motif to whatever your heart desires. ;)

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New Year, Old-Fashioned Patterns

It's the new year and I have a lot of crochet pattern ideas swirling around in my head, along with a few projects I've started on lately. Plus I taught myself to hand-knit enough to make a square and I got a knitting machine for Christmas! There are so many possibilities! I'm really into totes, handbags, purses, and general 'carrying-things-around' items right now. I also LOVE vintage patterns and have gotten a ton of vintage crochet/knitting books on ebay, and I found my new favorite sites for free vintage patterns:

http://www.gutenberg.org/ and https://archive.org/

I found a simple pattern for a 1916 'Grouch Bag' in the Artamo Crochet Book No.1 (found here on page 36: https://archive.org/details/artamocrochetboo00bent ). I did a trial run, since this was my first vintage pattern, with cheap, kelly green worsted weight yarn. I lined it with coordinating cotton fabric and sewed an antique gold button on it. My plan is to make another one using mercerized cotton thread as the pattern was originally written. It's supposed to be a much smaller, wallet-like bag for carrying around extra money and such. Here's a pic of my trial run (which is more like a medium sized clutch purse):

 

My other project is a handbag from a 1945 pattern that I found here (which is also available in a larger book on the websites given above): http://freevintagecrochet.com/purses/2721-purse-pattern.html 

I like this site because if you know what kind of project you're looking for, it gives individual pages/patterns, and you can print them off or email them to yourself.

Here's the purse. I had a lot of fun making it and putting it together. I followed directions exactly as written: 

Couldn't help myself

Made w/ 4 strands size 10 crochet thread held together and F hook

Lined w/ crinoline and fun red fabric

Asymmetrical Scarf Crochet Pattern

I really like the crochet Linen Stitch. Perhaps you call it the seed stitch, or granite, or moss, or woven....whatever you call it, it's easy and has a nice texture. Not too much 'flare' but interesting enough. I chose to use this stitch for a quick stripey men's scarf. I originally intended to write this pattern for men because I don't see many men's scarf patterns and I thought I'd see about making one for my husband (who never wears a scarf but said he would if I made one for him). I decided on a 5 inch width, the linen texture, and the grey tone colors, but I think depending on the colors you choose, it could really suit anyone. I wrote it with strands doubled so it'll work up faster. You could do it in all one color and it'd go even quicker.

Asymmetrical Stripes Linen Stitch Scarf

Skill level: Easy

Materials Needed:

1 skein medium grey (MG), 1 skein light grey (LG), 1 skein black (B) of soft worsted weight yarn such as I Love This Yarn, Red Heart Soft, or Deborah Norville Everyday Worsted

Pattern and scarf shown in picture, created with I Love This Yarn in Black, Greybeard, and Light Gray

Size M or N (9.00 mm) Crochet Hook

Large-eye, blunt needle for weaving ends

Easy, Quick, Trendy Chunky Scarf Pattern

I made this for myself and I just love it, so I wanted to share the pattern!  It's super soft (and super simple) and you can wear it several different ways. Make it with or without the fringe (I wanted fringe because I think it's fun!). If you want to make this into a chunky infinity cowl that you can double, it's easy enough to whip stitch or slip stitch the ends together once you're finished. This scarf is fast enough to make that you can crank several out for Christmas gifts in no time.  And it doesn't cost much either. I chose to make mine with I Love This Yarn (and I do very much love this yarn) in Cranberry because it's such a yummy color. I think it would look great in any color, but especially grey, sungold, or ivory tweed. Expand this post to see instructions and more pics by clicking 'read more' below

Chevron Tote Crochet Pattern

I created this pattern one summer for toting things to the pool. I worked hard on it to get it just the way I wanted it. I considered selling the pattern, but then this was one of my first bag patterns and I didn't take the time to professionally write it according to standards. I wasn't confident it was flawless either. I've since edited it a bit to make it a little more clear.  I love these colors and I'm a big fan of chevrons. My daughter has taken over this tote and carries around all manner of things. It's holding up well. I may make another. I hope you enjoy! Click 'read more' below to expand post and see instructions.