Double Crochet Granny Square

Aah granny squares again! But hey why not?! I had these beautiful Alize Burcum Batik yarns in shades of blue, green and brownish cream plus was in the mood to experiment with variegated yarns. Am so glad I did because the squares turned out to be oh-so gorgeous!!! The advantages of using variegated yarn is that you don't have to cut off your yarn and join with another colour for the next rounds, simply continue to crochet until end. For those crocheters (like ME!) who find it tedious and are lazy to weave in ends after each rounds, using variegated yarns is definitely the way to go!

MATERIALS

Alize Burcum Batik no.3904 (100g, 210m)

Crochet hook 6.0mm or US size J

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Ruler / Measuring tape

GAUGE

Use finished granny square as gauge.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch           chain

dc           double crochet

st(s)       stitch(es)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Length: approx. 19cm x 19cm

NOTES

1 ball of 100g yarn makes 4 complete squares. You actually get 4.5 squares if you use up the whole ball.

I started off the first square with brownish cream part of the yarn so that I ended up with the blue tones at the outer sides of the square and vise versa.

INSTRUCTIONS

Rnd 1: ch4 (count as 1dc), 2dc, ch2, [3dc, ch2] x3 into 4^th ch from hook. Join with sl st to 4^th ch of beginning ch4 --- 4 clusters of 3dc & 4 ch2-sp [20 sts]. 

Rnd 2: Ch3, 1dc each in next 2dc, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in next ch2-sp, [1dc each in next 3dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2-sp] x3. Join with sl st to 3^rd ch of beginning ch3 [36 sts].

Reminder: From Round 2 onwards, remember that when you are at the corners of the square you should crochet 2dc, ch2, 2dc. 

Rnd 3: Ch3, 1dc each in next 4dc, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in next ch2-sp, [1dc each in next 7dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2-sp] x3, 1dc each in next 2dc. Join with sl st to 3^rd ch of beginning ch3 [52 sts].

Rnd 4: Ch3, 1dc each in next 6dc, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in next ch2-sp, [1dc each in next 11dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2-sp] x3, 1dc each in next 4dc. Join with sl st to 3^rd ch of beginning ch3 [68 sts].

Rnd 5: Ch3, 1dc each in next 8dc, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in next ch2-sp, [1dc each in next 15dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2-sp] x3, 1dc each in next 6dc. Join with sl st to 3^rd ch of beginning ch3 [84 sts].

Rnd 6: Ch3, 1dc each in next 10dc, [2dc, ch2, 2dc] in next ch2-sp, [1dc each in next 19dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) in next ch2-sp] x3, 1dc each in next 8dc. Join with sl st to 3^rd ch of beginning ch3 [100 sts].

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Use up the whole ball...

What can I say... hmmm... got carried away i guess... couldn't stop crocheting the squares. Happy days!!!

Pretty Petals

Recognise these pretty petals? They are the ones that I use to embellish my granny square in rounds hat. These flowers can be made from any leftover yarns and it’s totally easy to do. The best thing is you can choose how many layers you want to make, from just one layer to all four layers and it can be done in mere minutes. Make a pocketful (or a basketful... maybe?) of these pretty flowers to adorn your work or as gifts to your loved ones.

MATERIALS

A bit of 4-ply acrylic yarn in cream and red or any colours of your choice (about 40g)

Crochet hook 4.0mm or US size G

Tapestry needle

Scissors

Ruler / Measuring tape

ABBREVIATIONS

ch           chain

dc           double crochet

hdc         half double crochet

htr          half treble crochet

sc            single crochet

st(s)       stitch(es)

tr             treble crochet

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Diameter: approx. 9.5cm

INSTRUCTIONS

Rnd 1: With cream yarn, make 6sc in magic chain. Join round with sl st to 1^st sc --- 6sc.

Rnd 2: *Ch1, 2dc, ch1, sl st* into same st at joint. Repeat *to* in next 5sc. --- 6 petals.

Note: Fasten off and weave in ends if you want to change to another colour yarn but if you are not, simply crochet a ch st and continue with Rnd 3.

Now you have the 1^st layer of the flower... Next up, make loop spaces for the 2^nd layer base.

Rnd 3: With red yarn and working behind Rnd 2, pull yarn through st in between petals and make a sl st (This will be the 1^st sl st). *Ch3, sl st to next between petals stitch*. Repeat *to* 5 times and crochet last sl st into 1^st sl st to join --- 6 loop spaces.

Rnd 4: *Ch1, 3dc, ch1, sl st* into 1^st loop space. Repeat *to* in next 5 loop spaces. Fasten off and weave in ends --- 6 petals.

Rnd 5: Changing back to cream yarn and working behind Rnd 4, pull yarn through st in between petals and make a sl st (This will be the 1^st sl st). *Ch4, sl st to next between petals stitch*. Repeat *to* 5 times and crochet last sl st into 1^st sl st to join --- 6 loop spaces.

Rnd 6: *Ch1, 1dc, 3htr, 1dc, ch1, sl st* into 1^st loop space. Repeat *to* in next 5 loop spaces. Fasten off and weave in ends --- 6 petals.

Rnd 7: And now changing back to red yarn and working behind Rnd 6, pull yarn through st in between petals and make a sl st (This will be the 1^st sl st). *Ch5, sl st to next between petals stitch*. Repeat *to* 5 times and crochet last sl st into 1^st sl st to join --- 6 loop spaces.

Rnd 8: *Ch1, 1dc,1htr, 3tr, 1htr, 1dc, ch1, sl st* into 1^st loop space. Repeat *to* in next 5 loop spaces. Fasten off and weave in ends --- 6 petals.

Go on make more of these pretty petals in any colour that delights you! Cheers & happy crocheting!!!

Simple Cowl

This is my second knitting project. My first one was a book pouch. So I decided to challenge myself and make something larger and try out a bit of pattern instead of just making Stokinette Stitch only. Coincidentally a girl friend of mine was planning to go hiking in Nepal and I did plan to crochet her a cowl earlier. So I thought why not knit her a cowl instead?

MATERIALS

Aran weight yarn [1 ball, 200g]

Circular knitting needles 5.0mm, 100cm

Darning needle

Scissors

Ruler / Measuring tape

GAUGE / TENSION

19 sts and 25 rows = 10 cm / 4ʺ in SS

ABBREVIATIONS

K             knit

P             purl

SM         stitch marker

SS           stokinette stitch

St(s)       stitch(es)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Approx. 21cm x 132cm (all around)

INSTRUCTIONS

Cast-on 255 sts. Join in the rounds. Place a SM at the beginning of each round to keep track of your work.

Rnd 1: K1, P1 across until the last K st.

Rnd 2: P1, K1 across until the last P st.

Rnd 3-8: Repeat Rnd 1-2, three times.

Rnd 9-19: K all around.

Rnd 20: Repeat Rnd 1.

Rnd 21: Repeat Rnd 2.

Rnd 22-32: K all around.

Rnd 33: Repeat Rnd 1.

Rnd 34: Repeat Rnd 2.

Rnd 35-45: K all around.

Rnd 46-53: Repeat Rnd 1-2, four times.

Cast-off.  Break off yarn and weave in ends. 

To have a wider width, simply add more rows by repeating Rnd 33-45 again and then continue with Rnd 46-53.

Thank you for stopping by... enjoy!

My First Knitted Project: A Book Pouch

I started dabbling with knitting sometime in February. Finally now I'm able to produce something that's worthy to show you all. This simple book pouch is knitted with a circular knitting needles. I use the knit stitch all the way until the last few rows where I alternate between the knit stitch and the purl stitch.

Materials:

DK-weight yarn [I'm using King Cole Splash no.892] 

Circular knitting needles size 4.0mm, 40cm
Crochet hook 4.0mm

Scissors 

Darning needle

Ruler


Gauge/Tension:
22sts and 31 rows to 10cm measured over SS on 4mm needles

Abbreviations (US):

K       knit
sl st   slip stitch (crochet)
SM     stitch marker

SS      stokinette stitch
P       purl

WS    wrong side

Finished Size:
Approx. 20 x 15cm

Instructions:

Using 4mm circular needles, cast on 90 sts. Join in the round.  Place a SM at the beginning of each round to keep track of your work. Leave a long yarn tail of approx. 150cm when you make the slip knot to cast on.

Round 1-42:
K all around.

14th row.

42nd row.

Round 43-47:
Alternate between K1P1 rib for the last five rounds.

Cast off....

....break off yarn and join with invisible join. Weave in ends.

Now, turn WS out. With crochet hook and the yarn tail from foundation row, join/close the non-ribbed end using crochet sl st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

All done. I use mine to keep my notebook from fraying at the edges when I carry it in my handbag.

This is my first pouch actually. I did not make rib edging for this pouch, so the end curled in. Still usable though, it could fit my fav book, hp, tissue packet and lip balm!

I hope you will have fun trying out my first knitting project! Enjoy!

Granny Square in Rounds Mittens

It has been a long time since I last posted anything on my blog. So here's a very simple mittens for those who loves to crochet granny squares. Make them for your own baby, for charity or as gift to a friend.

Here's what you I use:

1 ball of (30g, 102m) 4-ply pink yarn

Little bit of cream yarn for the tie

Crochet hook size 3.5mm & 3.0mm

Scissors 

Darning needle

Ruler

Abbreviations (US):

ch     chain

slst   slip stitch

dc     double crochet

sp     space


Finished Size:
Approx. 9 x 8cm

Instructions:

With pink yarn and 3.5mm hook, ch3 (count as 1dc).

Round 1:

2dc, ch1, [3dc, ch1]x3 into 3rd ch from hook, join with sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch3. 

--- 4 groups of 3dc & 4 ch1-sp.

Round 2:

Sl st into next 2dc, [sl st, ch2, 2dc, ch1, 3dc] in next ch1-sp. Then, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] each in the next three ch1-sp. Join with sl st to 2nd ch of beginning ch2.

--- 8 groups of 3dc, 4 ch1-sp & 4 between dc-sp.

After the 2nd round, your work should measure approx. 4-4.5cm in diameter!

Round 3:

Sl st into next 2dc, [sl st, ch2, 2dc] in next ch1-sp, [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the next between dc-sp, 3dc each in the next ch1-sp, between dc-sp & ch1-sp, again [3dc, ch1, 3dc] in the next between dc-sp, 3 dc each in the next ch1-sp & between dc-sp. As with Round 2, join with sl st to 2nd ch of beginning ch2.

--- 10 groups of 3dc, 2 ch1-sp & 8 between dc-sp.

Your work would have curled up when you do the joining at the end of this round.

Round 4:

Sl st into next 2dc, [sl st, ch2, 2dc] in next between dc-sp, 3 dc each in the next ch1-sp, next 4 between dc-sp, next ch1-sp & next 3 between dc-sp. As with previous round, join with sl st to 2nd ch of beginning ch2.

--- 10 groups of 3dc & 10 between dc-sp.

Round 5-10:

Sl st into next 2dc, [sl st, ch2, 2dc] in next between dc-sp, 3 dc each in all between dc-sp til end. Join with sl st to 2nd ch of beginning ch2.

--- 10 groups of 3dc & 10 between dc-sp.

You can always add more rounds if you feel that you need longer mittens.

Round 11:

[6dc in next sp, sl st in next sp]. Repeat until end. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Repeat Round 1-11 to make a pair!

Now, with 3.0 mm hook and cream yarn, crochet 90-100 ch stitch (up to you) for the ties. Slip it in between the spaces below the shell edging. 

Done! How fast did you crochet yours? You can also use the same colour yarn to make the tie. It's totally up to you.