Free Pattern: Chunky Doggie Cowl

My uncle's dog is really old (16 years!) and likes to be kept warm so I decided to make a doggie cowl for her.  I tested one out on my own dog shown below (she hates the camera!)  Also, sorry it's not the best pattern for sizes, I just kind of whipped it out last night.  It works up super quick and hopefully you will have a dog on hand to test it out :)

Yarn used: Lion Brand Hometown USA Tweeds (Super Bulky)

Hook used: P-15 (10 mm)

Ch = chain

Sl st = slip stitch

Hdc = half double crochet

My dog is 20 pounds and wears a small collar for an 11-14 inch neck.  If you do the foundation chain loosely, the cowl will be stretchy.

I chained 26 (for my uncle's dog who wears a size Xtra small collar I chained 22, so maybe increase/decrease by 4 or 5 to change sizes).  Sl st to 1st ch.

Round 1:  Ch 2.  Hdc in each ch around.  Sl st to top of ch 2.

Round 2:  Ch 2.  Hdc in each around (work in back loops if you would like more detail).  Sl st to top of ch 2.

Repeat round 2 until you've reached your desired length.  I did 7 rounds total but my dog kind of has a stubby neck :)  The next one I make will probably be longer so it can bunch up a bit more.  

Fasten off and weave in ends.  Add a button or a ribbon bow to spruce it up if you'd like.

So as you can see it was not a ground breaking pattern but hey it looks super cute and my dog doesn't even mind!

Free Pattern: Chunky Newborn Hat

I've recently become obsessed with chunky yarn.  I bought a bunch of it but then realized how expensive it is to actually make anything big with it, so I went in search of smaller projects to do with it.  Here's a pattern I found on another blog (here) that is really simple and really fast - like really, really fast.

I'd recommend making your stitches a little looser, at least at first, otherwise it'll end up really stiff.

I used Michael's Loops & Threads for the cream one and Lion Brand Hometown USA for the burgundy one.  Any super bulky yarn will work. 

Use a P or N crochet hook.

Ch 3, Sl st in 1st ch to join,

R1: ch 1, 5 sc around, sl st in 1st ch to join.

R2: ch 1, sc in same st *2 sc in each st* around, sl st to join
R3: ch 1 sc in same st * sc in next st, 2 sc in next* around, sl st to join
R4: ch 2, hdc in same st, *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in in next* around, sl st to join
R5-7: ch 2, *hdc in each st* around, sl st to join
R8: ch 3, *sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1* around, sl st in 2nd chain to join.
Weave in ends, run ribbon through spaces between dc's, and tie a bow.

Free Pattern: Easy Chevron Afghan

There are toooons of ripple/chevron afghan patterns out there.  I've finally just made one that I like and I've found the secret to making them.  Well I haven't just "made" it, I'm still in the process of making it, but I'm 1/8 of the way done and I like the way it looks.

Yarn Used:  Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn (Worsted size 4)

Hook Used: I/9 (5.50 MM)

Gauge: 2 rows = 1 inch; Peak to peak/valley to valley = 6 inches

Ch=chain

Dc = double crochet

Dc2tog = *Yarn over, insert hook through next stitch, yarn over and pull loop through stitch, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook; Repeat from * once. Yarn over and pull through remaining 3 loops on hook.

Dc3tog = *Yarn over, insert hook through next stitch, yarn over and pull loop through stitch, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook; Repeat from * twice. Yarn over and pull through remaining 4 loops on hook.

Ch multiples of 20 plus 2.

160 ch will make an approximately 48” wide afghan.

Row 1: Dc in 3^rd ch from hook;  dc in next 8 ch; 3 dc in next ch; dc in next 8 ch; *Dc3tog over next 3 ch; Dc in next 8 ch; 3 dc in next ch; dc in next 8 ch.  Repeat from * across.  Dc2tog in last 2 unworked ch of the row.  Ch 2, turn.

Row 2 (WORK IN BACK LOOPS ONLY IF YOU WANT A RIBBED EFFECT): Skip first dc, dc in next 9 dc; 3 dc in next dc; dc in next 8 dc; *dc3tog over next 3 dc; dc in next 8 dc; 3 dc in next dc; dc in next 8 dc.  Repeat from * across.  Dc2tog in last 2 unworked dc of the row.  Ch 2, turn.

Rows 3+: Repeat row 2 until you’ve reached your desired length.  2 rows is equal to one inch so multiply the number of inches you would like your afghan to be by 2 and that’s how many rows you need to make.  I’m making a 48”x60” afghan so I will need to make 120 rows.  Finish off and weave in ends (leave about 5 inches).

To change color:  At end of row, when working the dc2tog drop the current color of yarn when you have the last 3 loops left on your hook to finish the stitch. Yarn over with new color of yarn and pull through 3 loops on hook.  Ch 2 and turn.

My owl-hat experience (Pattern Link Below)

I first came across this pattern a year ago and made one owl.  Never did anything with the owl - I was going to give it to my nephew but it got buried at the bottom of my closet.  A year later I found it and brought it to work and everybody loved them!  I got a couple different orders for them from my coworkers...here's one of them:

It's a super easy pattern, great for beginners branching out, and I found it here:
http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2012/09/crochet-owl-hat-pattern-in-newborn.html

Easy Flower Headband Crochet Pattern

The other day I was having trouble finding a headband pattern I like.  A girl I work with asked me to make her one so she didn't have to spend $25 on the one she wanted.  None of the patterns were looking good so I just created one!  It's a super easy beginner level headband that looks like it could be intermediate or maybe even advanced.  It's available for just $3 in my Etsy shop (flower pattern included): https://www.etsy.com/listing/166295373/flower-headband-crochet-pattern?

Free CROCHET Cable "Knit" Tutorial

Update:  I finally actually tried the pattern, and.........................it's great!  Finished the hat no problem.  I did get hung up in one area..The third set of instructional photos I thought was meant for row 7, but the worded instructions for that round were different than what the pictures were saying.  I figured out the pictures were actually for row 8, and I was to follow the worded instructions for row 7.  I made one of these using worsted weight yarn as suggested and it's pretty thick.  I wanted it to be a bit thinner so I used Patons Lace Sequins on my next one and I liked that look a little better.

Original Post: I love the cable knit look, but as the name says, it's a knit technique.  Once upon a time I bought a pattern that was for a cable knit item, but using crochet.  I was totally confused and had no idea what I was doing so I gave up.  Recently, I came across this tutorial on how to do it.
Even if you don't want to make the hat, this is a really helpful cable "knit" crochet tutorial that can be applied to other projects.
Here it is:

http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=8

Bubble Stitch Crochet Hat

Love this pattern!  Here are a couple hats I crocheted using a bubble stitch.  Really easy and goes really fast!
They are for sale in my Esty shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelyseboutique)

Or here's a link to buy the pattern (which is not mine): http://www.etsy.com/listing/101936271/popcorn-slouch-beret-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active

Hey, Another Free Pattern! Shell Stitch Fingerless Gloves

Here's another pattern...I can't take credit as it being mine, I found it on Red Heart - it's listed as intermediate.  I took some of the more complicated stuff out but if you like a challenge here's the link to the actual pattern:
http://www.redheart.com/free-patterns/crochet-lace-fingerless-mitts
If you just want to stay here and go the easy route, read on...
What I like most about it is that you work in rounds and don't have to sew the sides together at the end. Here's what they look like (I'm a horrible photographer by the way):

Directions are for size medium.  Directions for large is in parentheses.

Gauge:
2 repeats (16 sts) = 2¾”; 2 rnds = 7/8” in pattern
Use any size hook

Abbreviations:
st = stitch
ch = chain
HDC = half double crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Special Stitches:
V-St (V Stitch) = (dc, ch 1, dc) all in same st.

Fan (Fan Stitch) = 5 dc in same ch-1 space or st.

Ch 40 (48).  Join with a slip st to top of first st without twisting.

Rnd 1 (Right Side): Ch 4, dc in same st as slip st (counts as first V-St) * skip next 3 sts, Fan in next st, skip next 3 sts **, V-St in next st; repeat from * around, end at **; join with a slip st in 3rd ch of ch-4; TURN.

Rnd 2: Loosely slip st across next 3 dc, ch 4, dc in same st as last slip st, * Fan in next ch-1 space **, V-St in 3rd dc of next Fan; repeat from * around, end at **; join; turn.

Rnd 3: Repeat Rnd 2

Thumb Opening-Row 4: Loosely slip st across next 3 dc, ch 4, dc in same st as last slip st, [Fan in next ch-1 space, V-St in 3rd dc of next Fan] 4 (5) times; turn leaving last V-St of Rnd 3 unworked; do NOT join.

Rnd 5: Slip st in ch-1 space of first V-St, ch 3, 4 dc in same ch-1 space, [V-St in 3rd dc of next Fan, Fan in next ch-1 space] 4 (5) times, ch 5, slip st in top of ch-3, slip st in next 2 dc; turn.

Rnd 6: Ch 4, dc in same st as last slip st, Fan in 3rd ch of ch-5 space, * V-St in 3rd dc of next Fan, Fan in next ch-1 space; repeat from * around; join; turn.

Top Edging-Rnd 12 (14): Ch 1, *sc in each dc of Fan, 2 sc in ch-1 space of V-St; repeat from * around; join to first st. Fasten off.

Cuff
Rnd 1 (Right Side): Attach yarn to ch on palm side of mitt body; ch 2, hdc in each st around; join with a slip st in top of ch-2 – 40 (48) sts.

Rnds 2-10: Ch 2, hdc in each st around.  Join in top of ch-2.

Fasten off at end of Rnd 10. Weave in ends.

Free Pattern: Simple Fingerless Gloves

I'll start my blog off with a free pattern!  I haven't perfected the art of creating patterns so these are basically just the notes I wrote down to make the gloves you see in the picture.

My materials:
Red Heart Boutique Midnight
Yarn weight - 4 (medium)
Hook size - J-10 (6 mm)

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
st = stitch
Sl st = slip stitch
HDC = half double crochet
DC = double crochet

Ch 24 (as I said, I'm not an expert pattern maker, but I'd say increase or decrease by 2 to change sizes)

Without twisting, sl st to beginning ch to form ring

Round 1: ch 1, HDC in each st around.  Sl st to ch 1.  Do not turn.

Round 2: ch 2, DC in each st around.  Sl st to top of ch 2.  Turn.

Round 3-4:  Repeat round 2

Round 5: sl st across 3 DC.  DC in next 18.  (Leave the remaining 3 stitches of this round unworked and that will equal out to be 24!) DO NOT JOIN.  Turn.

Round 6: ch 2, DC in 18 DC.  Ch 5.  Sl st to 1st DC.  Turn.

Round 7: ch 2, DC around.  Turn.

Round 8-9: Repeat round 7.

Round 10:  ch 1, HDC around.  DO NOT TURN.

Round 11-16 (or however long you want the cuffs):  Repeat round 10.