Allie showing attitude. She really loves to model in her own style.
My original name for this Cowl was “Crazy Crochet Lady Who Matches Her Dogs Cowl” but that seemed a tad long 😂. Then my oldest daughter suggested “CCLWMHDC” but I decided that was also too long. I settled for Brindle Cowl because my dogs are both Grey Brindle. Of course you don’t have to use grey and tan like I did. It would look cute in any two colours or even with two strands of the same colour. Plus, you can wear it in a bunch of different ways.
Folded OverAllie calls this “The Cuddled Up” way of wearing it. In this one Allie flipped it upside down and made it cover the area exposed by her coat.
Brindle Cowl
This pattern is so simple that I hesitate to even call it a pattern. I do love it though and so do my girls so I did decide to include it.
Materials Needed
11.5mm – P16 Crochet hook
Worsted Weight yarn in two colours
Yarn needle
Scissors
Skills Needed
Half Double Crochet (hdc)
Half Double Crochet in Back Loops Only (hdcblo)
Chain Stitch (ch)
Holding two strands of yarn together. Make a slip know and tighten it onto your crochet hook. Don’t make it too tight, you need to be able to pull your hook through your yarn loops.
Row 1 – Ch 27
Row 2 – Hdc in 2nd ch from hook (skipped ch does not count as a stitch)
Row 3 – Hdc to end (26) ch 1 turn
Row 4 – Hdc blo in first and to end (26) continue to end
Repeat row two until piece measures 56cm (22 inches)
Put short sides together
Sew halfway up the short sides
Then right side out
Voila! A new cozy Cowl that you can make in any colour you want.
The perfect little sack for some candies or a stuffed animal or maybe a watch or bracelet? Anything you want to gift to someone!
This gift bag does have little bobbles but sadly they don’t seem to show very well in this yarn. I will try to find the time to crochet another one in a solid colour.
Materials Needed
Worsted Weight Yarn (unless you want a different size sack, you can use other weights of yarn but your sack will be either bigger or smaller)
6mm/J10 crochet hook (or hook to match your yarn)
Yarn needle
Scissors
Skills Needed
Double Crochet (dc)
Single Crochet (sc)
Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (scblo)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Double Crochet 5 together (dc5tog) to do this stitch you start like a normal dc but only pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull up another loop, yarnover and pull through two loops. Do this 5 times in total. You should end up with 6 loops on your hook. Pull through all 6 stitches. If you are still having trouble with this stitch please google it. There are so many awesome videos out there.
Chain Stitch (ch)
Row 1 – ch2
Row 2 – 12dc I the second ch from hook, ss to first dc! Ch1 (12)
Row 3 – 2dc in same stitch as ss then 2dc in each stitch around, ss to first dc, ch1 (24)
Row 4 – 1dc in same stitch as ss then 2 dc in next stitch. Continue alternating 1dc and 2dc around, ss to first dc, ch1 (36)
Row 5 – scblo in first stitch and each stitch around, ss to first sc, ch1 (36)
Row 6 – dc in first stitch and each stitch around, ss to first sc, ch1
Row 7 – dc in first stitch and in next 4 stitches, dc5tog in next stitch (6th stitch), *dc in next 5 stitches, dc5tog in next stitch* continue this sequence around, ss to first dc, ch 1 (30dc & 6dc5tog)
Row 8 – dc in first stitch and in next stitch, dc5tog in next stitch (3rd stitch), continue with same sequence from previous row *5dc the. Dc5tog in next*, you should end with 3 dc, ss to first dc, ch1 (30dc & 6dc5tog)
Repeat rows 7 and 8 until your sack is the height you want it to be. I did 4 Row 7 and 3 Row 8 but you can easily make this sack taller to put a wine bottle or some other taller gift in
Row 9 – (remember this is after you have added as many row 7 and 8 as you want) dc in first stitch and in each stitch around, ss to first dc, ch1 (36)
Row 10 – sc in same stitch as ss, sc in next 4 stitches (total of 5 sc), ch1 and sk1, *sc in next 5 stitches, ch1, sk1* continue this around, ss to first sc, ch1(30sc & 6 ch spaces)
Row 11 – dc in each stitch and ch space around, ss to first dc, ch1, cut yarn and pull through the ch1 to lock it in place, weave in your ends
Tie String
Pick out some contrast yarn or use the same yarn like I did, the choice is yours. Chain 70 the cut yarn and pull through. Weave in your ends. Pull tie through the chain spaces you made on row 10
Pat yourself on the back and go find the perfect gift to put in your new regiftable and completely washable gift bag!
This ornament is just my style. It uses up some older yarn that I had leftover and it upcycles some newspaper or flyers. Keeping things out of the trash is something I try to do whenever I can. In fact I think this year I am going to save my Christmas wrapping paper to make these with.
I updated this ornament with a dollar store sticker. Yep one little sticker which I hot glued onto the ornament and BOOM modern looking ornament with vintage appeal!
Materials Needed
3 colours of any yarn you want to use. Instructions are given for worsted Weight but I will also give measurements so you can use other yarn if you wish.
6mm hook or hook that matches your yarn
Yarn needle
Scissors
Elastic Band
Skills Needed
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Chain Stitch (ch)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Instructions (scroll to the bottom for more pictures)
ch 32
Dc in 3rd ch from hook and across (the skipped chains do not count as stitches) (30)
Ch1 turn, dc in first stitch then dc across (30)
Continue double crocheting every row until you have 16 rows total (this does not include your chain row)
Ch1, cut yarn and pull through to lock in stitches (your pieces should measure 26X26 cm, approx 10X10 inches, size is not critical at all)
Join your white yarn (or whatever colour you like)
Pull up a loop and ch1
Sc in the same stitch then sc evenly around your piece. When you get to the edges, try to put in one stitch for each row but keep your stitches loose or they will pull your piece and make it pucker. When you get to a corner do 3 sc in the same stitch. This will allow you to smoothly turn the corner.
Ss to the first sc
Try to make it a number that is divisible by 3. I ended up making 100 sc around my piece. This works out to 30+30+16+16+8. The extra single Crochet’s are from the corners.
Ch1 and sc I the same stitch ch3 then ss to same stitch as sc * sc,ch3,ss,ss in next stitch* repeat around. My 100 stitches were not divisible by 3 so I actually skipped my last sc.
Ss to base of first sc, ch1 cut yarn and pull through to lock in your stitches
Weave in your ends
Grab your newspaper or flyers and crumple them into a ball roughly the size of a Christmas ornament. You can also use an old ornament, a styrofoam ball or even some stuffing. Whatever you have on hand is perfect.
Put your “ball” in the middle of your crocheted fabric and use the elastic to secure it
Pick up your third colour of yarn and tie it onto your ornament. You will be winding it around to cover the elastic.
Wind yarn around as much or as little as you like then thread the end onto your yarn needle and secure it by tying a few knots and weaving the end in and out.
Cut a 12 inch piece of whichever colour yarn you prefer and thread it onto your yarn needle. Push needle through centre of area you wound with yarn and then pull yarn halfway through.
Pull needle off and knot the two ends of the yarn together.
Stand back and admire your new handmade and customized to you ornament!
Guys I love today’s pattern. If you don’t want to jazz up a hand towel or facecloth you can add this edging to anything. I recommend end sewing it onto something that will be washed and dried but glue is great for a basket or anything else. You may be asking why I chose to crochet instead of just using burlap. Well yarn is washable and will probably still look new in 10 years when the towels are all worn out.
Materials Needed
Something to decorate
Yarn of your choice
Contrast colour yarn if you want to add the picot edge
Crochet hook to match yarn
Yarn needle to sew in ends
Thread that matches yarn
Needle for thread
Sewing pins
Skills Needed
Chain Stitch (ch)
Double Crochet (dc)
Single Crochet (sc)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Ability to thread a sewing needle
Ability to hand-sew (even if you’ve never seen before, just go for it!)
Instruction
Chain as long as the item you are attaching the ruffle to
Row 1 – Sc in second ch from hook and across ch1 turn
Row 2 – 4dc in each stitch across ch1 cut yarn and pull through ch1 to lock it in place, weave in ends.
Row 3 – use your crochet hook to pull yarn through first stitch then tie yarn on. Pull up a loop and ch1, sc then ch3 in the same stitch,ss to to the same stitch (this creates your picot, if you don’t understand this step I encourage you to google “crochet picot stitch” there are so many videos online that will help), ss to next stitch, sc, ch3, ss all in the next stitch. Continue this sequence to the end of your piece. Ch1, cut yarn and pull through to lock in the stitches.
Thread sewing needle with matching thread. I like to double it and then tie a knot at the bottom. This helps with strength.
Pin edging too item you are putting it on. Pay attention to the orientation of the ruffle as compared to the orientation of the item. For example I sewed my ruffle so that when the towel hangs on a towel rack, the ruffle will hang too.
Sew along the edge. You can sew it on any way you want to. * If you don’t want to sew the edging on, you can glue it with washable fabric glue but it will be much stiffer than it will be if you sew it.
Admire your new Farmhouse Style Item! And it’s completely washable which it wouldn’t be of you added real burlap or even many types of ribbon.
I hope you will have as much fun with this as I did.
Before I get to the pattern I want to tell you all something. Over the past week something has changed in the way I think about blogging. Now you may be saying but Tracy your blog is only a week old. That’s true but I have been blogging for over 10 years now.
My current digital scrapbooking blog is here: Atelier Tracy K and befor that one I had a very successful digital scrapbook freebie blog which I gave up because my young family needed me.
Now that the kids are mostly grown (12, 15, 17 and 23) I really want to contribute monetarily again but it’s still important that me to be at home. I mean let’s face it folks, teens need as much or more parental guidance as younger kids. Steering them away from drugs and violence and teaching them the skills they need to know to survive is an important job. Still there are times I feel guilty for being at home.
So many women have very successful careers and are still amazing and committed moms. I doubt myself and beat myself up. Most recently though I have decided that it’s ok to be home. The kids and I discussed me getting a job outside the home and they hated the idea of me not being there. So my commitment to a free pattern every weekday in November 2018 was born out of my need to feel relevant and alive. The alive part is a whole other story that I will share over time.
Thanks so much for joining me on my crochet journey. I am so happy to be part of yours!
Also I used less than a dollar to decorate this wreath! The berries, pine cone and pine sprig are from a dollar store garland that was a total of $2 but there are 5 more feet of decorations for me to plunder off of it. The little snow globe is a Gift Tag that was in a pack of 16 for $1.50.
Faux Burlap Ruffle Wreath
This project again uses something that would otherwise have been thrown away to create something new. I used an orphan plastic lid (a lid which mysteriously has no container to go onto) and I feel like the lid is smiling because it has a new purpose in life. 😂😂
Choose any orphaned lid for your base. Cut out the center. Tape edges to cover the sharp bits and allow yarn to slide. Tie yarn securely to lid then chain 1 and single crochet all around the lid.
You can use any lid you want but keep in mind that A) the bigger the lid, the more yarn needed and B) you need to be able to cut our the middle easily.
You Will Need
Plastic Lid which otherwise would be thrown out
Yarn of your choice
Crochet Hook recommended for your yarn or whichever hook you prefer
Scissors
Sand paper
Masking tape or any tape that will help your yarn slide over the cut edge of your plastic.
Yarn Needle
Any embellishments you want to add to your wreath.
A smile and a few minutes to indulge your love of crochet
Skills Needed
Ability to cut through the plastic lid (please, please be carful here! Plastic can be sharp and scissors can slip)
Ability to sand down the sharp edge of the plastic
Ability to put tape around the edges of the cut lid
Ability to tie the yarn to the lid
Crochet Skills Needed
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Chain Stitch (ch)
Instructions
Gather your supplies
Cut out the center of the lid. How thick you leave your lid is up to you. I let the ridges already existing on my lid be my guide. You want the lid to be strong enough to hold up to you crocheting around it but not so thick that crocheting is difficult
Sand the edges of the plastic to make them a little less sharp
Put masking tape over the cut edges. No need to make it look nice because it will be covered completely.
Tie yarn securely to your lid
Pull up a loop and ch1
Single crochet around you lid. You want to slide your stitches over and scrunch them together so that you are completely covering the plastic. For this step keep in mind that the more densely you scrunch them together, the more yarn you will use on your next step. So if you are concerned about using too much yarn, just scrunch so the plastic covered but stitches are still relatively loose. Also burlap wreaths tend to be random and messy so don’t worry if your single Crochets look a bit messy as you get the hang of this.
Slip Stitch to first single crochet
Put 3 double crochet in each stitch around
Slip Stitch to first double crochet
Now decorate your new wreath however your heart desires!
You will notice in the pictures that there are some with the ruffles all even and the same looking and some where I pulled the ruffles outwards and towards the centre for a more full look. As with everything handmade, the beauty of this pattern is, it’s up to you!
I think I need to change the name of the series to Free 1 Skein or Less Crochet Patterns 😂
My First Christmas Ornament Pattern
Today I have a cute little wreath pattern to share with you and it uses a piece of toilet paper tube as it’s base. So bonus points for upcycling something at the same time.
Today’s pictures aren’t the best and I apologize for that. I don’t have a really cute hook to hand things on yet and when I tried to take pictures with the wreath laying down I couldn’t find a background I liked.
Upcycled Wreath Ornament
Materials needed
Toilet paper roll
Yarn of your choice
Crochet hook to match the yarn
Glue
Pencil
Beads
Gold Thread or thread of your choice
Scissors or rotary cutter
Ruler
Cutting surface
Skills Needed
Ability to cut straight
Ability to tie a knot
Ability to glue
Crochet Skills Needed
Chain Stitch (ch)
Single Crochet (sc)
Double Crochet (dc)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Instructions
flatten your toilet paper roll
Mark off 1/4 inch sections (I just find it easier to use imperial measurements for this, if using metric it would be approx. 6mm)
Cut at 1/4 inch sections
Gently tie your yarn to one section. Be gentle so you do t crush the cardboard.
Pull up a loop and ch1
sc in multiples of 5 until your cardboard is covered. I did 35 sc using worsted Weight yarn and a 6mm/J10 hook. It can be a bit crowded, this will only add to the wreath look 😁
ss to first sc
sk second stitch
5 dc in 3rd stitch
ask next stitch
ss in next
sk next
5 dc in next
Continue around
ss to ss at base of first dc
Ch10
ss in same spot you just did a ss
Cut yarn about 6 inches long
Wind yarn around base of loop
Weave in your ends
Choose beads or buttons or whatever ornaments you like and hot glue or sew them to your wreath (I was lazy and used hot glue)
Have fun creating more and more with all your scrap yarn.
Welcome back for day 3! Today’s pattern is a poop bad holder for dog walks. Yes, I wrote poop 💩!!!
Sadie sat so well for these photos!
Do you have a dog owner on your gift giving list? Or perhaps a pig or miniature horse owner? I’ve seen both being walked on leashes recently!
This cute little bag will take you 20 minutes or less to crochet and it also takes much less than a Skein so you can make several.
There are several ways to use it. You can just loop it over your wrist. Pull it through the loop to hang it off the leash or pull it through the loop to hang it off your dogs collar.
Materials Needed
Worsted Weight yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver but I don’t remember the name of the colour)
6mm (J/10) Crochet Hook
Yarn Need
e
Scissors
Stitch Markers (can be scrap yarn or bobby pin)
Skills Needed
Chain Stitch (ch)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Double Crochet (dc)
Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (scblo)
Ch 2
Row 1 – 12 dc into 2nc chain from hook (first chain you made), ss into first dc. Ch1
Row 2 – 2 dc into same stitch as ch1 and into each stitch around (24), ss into first dc ch1
Row 3 – Scblo around (24), ss to first sc ch 1
Row 4 to Row 7 -Dc in every stitch around (24), ss to first dc, ch 1
Row 8 – Dc into same stitch as ss, ch 1, sk 1, dc into next. Continue around like this, your sequence is Dc, ch1, sk1. Ss into first dc, then chain 20 for the size loop in my picture. You can make your loop longer or shorter as you wish. Just keep in mind that you want to be able to pull the bag through the loop to attach to things.
That’s it, you’re done! Go find someone to give your creation to or keep it for yourself to make life a little easier.
That may not seem like a big deal but really it is. When you suffer from depression and anxiety sometimes following through on things can be difficult. A task that was easy yesterday might seem too big or too much of a bother today. I have committed myself to one pattern each weekday for the month of November and will do my best to follow through.
So today’s pattern is a shopping bag. I know there are a lot of them out there to choose from and many are similar to mine, this is just my version. I love the ombré yarn for this because it takes an old style and makes it modern.
Sadie wanted her turn but alas she was too small to show the bag properly 😂
Materials needed for this pattern
Worsted Weight Yarn, 1 Skein. ( I used red heart super saver ombré in the colour deep teal, this yarn comes in a bigger Skein so I only used about the amount in a Skein of Red Heart super saver)
6mm crochet hook (J/10 for Americans)
Scissors
Yarn Needle to weave in ends
Stitch Marker (can be Bobby Pin or Scrap Yarn)
Skills needed to complet this pattern
Chain Stitch (ch)
Double Crochet Stitch (dc)
Skip a Stitch (sk)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Ch1
One Skein Gift Two – shopping Bag
Ch3
Row 1 – 12 dc in first ch, ss to first dc, ch1
Row 2 – 2 dc in every dc around (24), ss to first dc, ch1
Row 3 – 1 dc in same stitch as ch1, 2 dc next Stitch continue alternating 1 dc and 2 dc around (36) ss to first dc, ch1
Row 4 – 1 dc in same stitch as ss and 1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch (so you are doing 2 dc in separate stitches and then two in the same stitch, a sequence of 1,1,2). Keep doing this all around (54), ss to first dc, ch1
Row 5 will be 3 dc in separate stitches followed by 2 dc in the same stitch so a sequence of 1,1,1,2. Ss, ch1 (68)
Row 6 will be 4 dc in separate stitches followed by two in the same so a sequence of 1,1,1,1,2, ss, ch1 (84)
Row 7 to row 23 – dc in same stitch as ss, ch 1, skip 1 Stitch, dc in next, so doe this row and the next 16 rows you will be doing (dc,ch1,sk1). When you get to the end of this row don’t ss. You will dc into the ch1 space from the previous row. Mark this dc so you can count your rows. When you get back to your marked stitch simply move the marker up or add another right above it. If you add another it will be easy to count your rows!
Now we will even out the top by doing an Hdc in the next stitch, then an sc in the next and finally a ss.
Row 24 – ch 1 and dc into the same stitch as the ss, skip over the ch 1 space and dc into the next dc. Continue this all around the bag, skipping all ch1 spaces and dc into all dc’s (42) * note you want to end up with an even number of dc’s On this round so that your handles will work out evenly.
Row 25 to row 28 -Dc into same stitch as ss and into each stitch around.
Now a little math. Don’t worry, I promise you can do it.
Divide your number of stitches I half
42/2=21
Count 21 from your ch1 and Mark that stitch. Now count 4 on either side of you marked stitch and mark those also. Do the same for your marked ch1.
Row 29 – Dc into same stitch as your ch 1 and into the next 3 stitches. So yes you are going to dc into your marked stitches.
Ch 30 and skip to your next marked stitch. This is a stitch increase to make your bag handles a bit longer.
Dc into the first marked stitch and all stitches to the last marker (7)
Ch 30 again and skip until the next marked stitch. Dc in the next 3 and ss to the first dc of this row, ch1
Row 30 – Dc into same stitch and each stitch around. This means that you will be crocheting into the chains. Ss to first dc, ch1
Row 31 – dc into same stitch as ss and each stitch around. Sc, ch1, cut yarn and pull it through your ch1.
Weave in all your yarn ends.
Congratulations you are done with your new shopping bag 😁
Close up of the stitch pattern, double crochet, chain 1, skip 1.
Hello World! Welcome to crochetbytes.com, I’m Tracy 🙂
For the month of November 2018 I will publish a new free pattern every weekday. Because today is now November 2nd, there will be at least one weekday when I publish two free patterns. Yay!
The first pattern is a headband. I’m calling it the Stoon Headband. Stoon is the local slang for Saskatoon which is a city here in Saskatchewan, Canada. That’s where I live. Today my model is my 10 month old Cane Corso/Pitbull Puppy Grumpy. He isn’t actually very grumpy anymore unless we try to cut his toenails! Then he acts like we are attacking him with knives for no reason. He’s a bit of a Diva Dog and our vet was happy when I said I was keeping him because she knows I can handle him and keep him on the side of good 🙂
You may notice as you crochet that I always start in the first stitch. Some crocheters skip the first stitch but I prefer to crochet into it. This helps me to keep my rows straight and if I get distracted and forget to count my stitches I find it helps make life easier. When you get to the end of the row you will always crochet into that first stitch not your chain. If this seems confusing at first, an easy way to keep everything straight is to mark your first stitch with a Bobby Pin or a scrap of yarn or a stitch marker. I use coloured Bobby Pins from the dollar store because they are cheap, stay put and come in big packs.
Stoon Headband
Skills Required
Chain Stitch (c)
Single Crochet Stitch (sc)
Single Crochet in Back Loop Only (scblo)
Double Crochet Stitch (dc)
Crossed Double Crochet Stitch (crdc)
Skip a Stitch (sk)
Slip Stitch (ss)
Materials Needed
6mm Crochet Hook
Worsted Weight Yarn (I used Red Heart Super Saver Ombré in the colour Deep Teal)
Yarn needle to weave in your ends
Scissors
Chain 17
Row 1 – Starting in second chain from hook, Single Crochet (sc) in each chain (16)
Rows 2 – 5 Ch 1 scblo of same and across ch1 turn (16)
Row 6 – dc in first stitch, skip one stitch dc in 3rd stitch, go back and dc in the stitch you skipped. Continue doing crossed dc across your headband you should end on a dc, ch1 turn (dc, 7 crdc, dc)
Rows 7 -11 scblo across (16)
Row 12 – dc in first stitch, skip one stitch dc in 3rd stitch, go back and dc in the stitch you skipped. Continue doing crossed dc across your headband you should end on a dc, ch1 turn (dc, 7 crdc, dc)
Rows 13 – 17 scblo across (16)
Row 18 – dc in first stitch, skip one stitch dc in 3rd stitch, go back and dc in the stitch you skipped. Continue doing crossed dc across your headband you should end on a dc, ch1 turn (dc, 7 crdc, dc)
Continue doing scblo in 5 rows and crdc in 6th row until you have 48 rows in total. This row count does not include your chained row. Your piece should now measure 51 cm (about 20 inches).
The side facing you is the right side.
Fold piece so the right side is inside and ss together along the short sides. Ch 1 cut yarn and pull through the ch 1 to lock it weave in your ends.
I hope you like my first crochet pattern and will give it a try. You can use any yarn you like to make this and really you can use any hook. Just chain an odd number until your chains measure 11.5 cm across (about 4 1/2 inches) and then follow the pattern stitches until your piece measures 51 cm (about 20 inches). Then follow the instructions for sewing the sides together. If you don’t like the look of slip stitches you can always thread your yarn tail onto your yarn needle and just sew the ends together. Whatever is easier for you.
