Cyclone Shawl to Crochet

I named this shawl Cyclone for two reasons: 1) the design looks like a cyclone swirl, and 2) it perfectly describes how fast it is to make!

This shawl is crocheted from the top down using simple dc and ch stitches in an easy two row repeat. A one row sawtooth border finishes the edge.

The pictured shawl was made with 3 balls of Noro Aya, an Aran weight yarn, using a size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook. A worsted weight yarn would work equally well. You'll need about 600 yards of yarn.

Finished this shawl measures 47" along the neckline and 17" deep at center back. This is an unblocked measurement. The shawl would be even larger if you choose to block it.

Make it in Aran or worsted weight yarn, or choose a lighter weight yarn and use a smaller hook (usually a size larger than the yarn label recommends). You'll need more yardage for the same size shawl.

The three page pattern is both written and charted. You can find the pattern in my Ravelry pattern store.

Have fun!

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Pizzazz Scarf to Knit

Pizzazz Scarf is a quick and easy scarf to knit. Constructed sideways in garter stitch, it curves and has just a bit of pizzazz along the edge from elongated stitches. The short scarf pictured at right was knit with one skein (99 yards) of Plymouth Boku on size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles.

This is a great stash buster project! Grab any smooth textured worsted weight skein of yarn that have at least 100 yards and cast on!

Block it or not, it's totally up to you. I did block this one to open up the lacy edge. Unblocked it was 21" along the top edge x 27" along the bottom edge x 9" deep. Blocked it measures 30" x 39" x 11".


I did a second larger version that continues the lacy edge up the side. This is more like a shawlette than a scarf. I made it with about 350 yards of Blue Moon Fiber Arts Twisted in the waterlilies colorway. Unblocked it measures 44" x 45" x 16".

Go stash diving an see what you come up with. You can make this scarf in other weights of yarn by changing the needle size to one recommended by the yarn label or one size larger. Remember, yarn requirements will change if you use a different weight of yarn.

This 3 page pattern is available through my Ravelry pattern store.

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Around the Bend Hat and Cowl Set to Knit

My Around the Bend Hat & Cowl Set is now available for purchase in my Ravelry pattern store. The hat is a pillbox style with a flat top which is my favorite hat style. The set works up fast with 220 yards of Aran/worsted weight yarn using size 8 and 10 needles. The hat is worked from the bottom up in the round. The hat and the cowl have a decorative diagonal stitch pattern. The top of the hat continues this as decorative decreases. Wear the cowl as a tube as pictured or pull it to one side and pin it for a draft free fit. The hat is 22” around x 4.5” deep x 6” across flat top. Cowl is: 25” around x 7” tall. It’s easy to make it longer if you like a longer cowl.

 For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Cadence Hat & Cowl Set to Crochet

My newest crochet design is my Cadence Hat & Cowl set. I love pillbox style hats! And since I had leftover yarn, I decided to create a matching cowl. Both projects are worked in the round (the hat from the top down). Simple stitches and a striped yarn create an eye catching effect. I used a single 251 yard skein of I Love This Acrylic Stripes in black raspberry for both projects. You may need a little more than that, especially if you modify the pattern. The hat measured 23” around x 4” deep. The cowl 27.5” x 5” tall. Tips are included for making both items larger. Substitute any Aran weight yarn (heavy worsted) and size H and J hooks.

The pattern instructions are written only. Get both designs in one pattern in my Ravelry pattern store. Have fun!

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Yes, you can buy a pattern without Paypal!

I've been asked if there is any way to buy a pattern without using Paypal. Yes, there is.

You can use a credit card to purchase a pattern. Click on the link for my Ravelry shop, locate the pattern (or patterns) you want and click on the buy it now button. A new window will open. At the bottom of the payment window are the payment options---Paypal and 3 credit card icons (Visa, MasterCard and Discover). If you click on one of the credit card icons, you can complete your payment without signing up for a Paypal account. 

If you have a Ravelry account, the pattern(s) you purchase will be placed in your Ravelry pattern library and you will never lose it. You can print out the pattern or view it on a Kindle or computer at any time. I've heard that some people never print patterns. They open and work from them on whatever techno device they have.

I've also been asked if I could print and mail copies of my patterns. Sorry, I am unable to offer printed patterns, only downloads. Doing this allows me to keep my pattern prices reasonable. Otherwise, my pattern prices would double or more to cover the cost to print and mail a pattern.

The Crazy Quilt Sampler Afghan to knit

Introducing my Crazy Quilt Sampler Afghan. This 54 block afghan was a featured monthly project on the Holiday Mystery Group in 2012. My full size afghan measured 63" x 48" with each block about 8" x 7". I used Hobby Lobby's I Love The Yarn acrylic for the project.

Each block uses a different stitch -- simple cables, lace, texture, and a couple that use two colors. It's a great way to learn how to knit different stitches. Each block uses about 1 oz of yarn and takes an hour or two to knit. You'll need about 49 oz of worsted weight yarn and size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles.

All blocks have the same number of stitches and rows. This makes it easy to knit one block on top of the next into a strip, and as you knit the next strip, to join them to the first strip. I'll show you how to do this in the pattern. When you are done, tuck in all the ends (if you didn't do it as you knit each block), and you are finished!

I have taken all 54 blocks and put them together into a 30 page pattern that contains instructions on how to knit all the blocks.

The 30 page pattern features written instructions and a photo for each block, and a join-as-you-go tutorial.

The pattern is available in my Ravelry pattern store.

All profits from pattern sales will be donated to the Food Bank of Northern Indiana.


For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.

Whoody - a hood to crochet

It's been a a cold and snowy winter here this year. I am so wishing that spring would finally arrive and warm us up. Even today our temps are in the low 30s with snow. Average temp should be 50 degrees by now.

Here's a hood for the crocheters. It is made in the round using different height stitches to create the shape. The ending and beginning edge feature a shell stitch border.

Below is a picture of what it looks like laid out flat. When you slip it over your head and put the narrow part under your chin, it fits just right.

Keeps the cold air off your neck and out of your ears. :-)

My hood is 29" around, 8.5" at the wide at the chin and 17" wide in the hood part.

I used a skein of Hobby Lobby's Baby Bee Sweet Delight Flower Print in Pikalicious and a size H (5 mm) crochet hook. That's about 288 yards of a DK weight if you want to substitute something else.

Size is easy to adjust by beginning with more/less stitches and working more/less rows.

The 2 page pattern has written instructions. It's so simple you don't need a chart.

The pattern can be found in my Ravelry pattern store. Have fun!

For more information, visit my Ravelry pattern store to see all my available designs, current pricing information, and purchase pattern downloads.