Music Tapestry Block for Crochet Celebration

Do you hear the Music? Happy National Crochet Month! I am part of the annual Crochetville Blog tour to celebrate the event. This year the theme is Crochet Concert and features how music can be an inspiration, as my inspiration I have created a Music Tapestry Block to Celebrate crochet.

I Celebrate Crochet with Music

As my contribution to this tour I have created a Music Block. Use this block for various things including as a contribution to Warm Up America.

Music Block

You can donate to Warm Up America as a nationwide organization. Donating locally is encouraged, however donations can be sent to their office to be assembled. Assembled blankets will be donated through the United States.

Tapestry Crochet to Create Music

The Music Block gives you an opportunity to learn Tapestry Crochet. Tapestry Crochet is a technique of color work that has you crocheting over the unused color. This reduces finish work and creates a solid, somewhat dense, fabric.

Tapestry Crochet is worked entirely in single crochet with color changes.

Worked entirely in Singe Crochet (Double Crochet if you are using UK terms). Worked with a chart, where each block is 1 stitch. Just remember to work back and forth in the chart, meaning read right to left for odd number rows and left to right for even number rows. (Needs tips for changing color…check here).

Crochet over the unused color, and carry it across. This reduces finish work while creating a charted design.

Enjoy this technique, and take some time to celebrate crochet this month.

Music Block

Gauge

Gauge: Square measures 7”x 9”

Materials

  • Medium weigh yarn, two colors (A), (B)
  • I/9/5.50 mm crochet hook

With Color B, chain 24, sc in 2nd ch from hook. Follow chart for design.

Chinese Lantern Bag- A free crochet pattern

Tis the season for quick holiday gifts, and I am honored to be part of the Marly Bird 24 Days of Quickies, sharing a free crochet bag pattern with you. Look for free patterns every day to help you meet your gift giving needs.

Today I am sharing a quick bag, the Chinese Lantern Bag works up in 1 skein, and since the yarn is super bulky it does not take much time to complete. Yet in the end you get a cute bag that any girl, or woman would enjoy. It is that “goldilocks” size, not too big and not too small, it is “just right”.

If your still need more quick gifts, don’t miss all the ideas from many designers, at Marly Birds, here.

Chinese Lantern Bag

Chinese Lantern Bag

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner Finished Size: 9” deep, 40” in circumference

Materials

  • Manos del Uruguay Franca super bulky weight, 100% superwash merino (114 yrds/105m/5.3 oz/150 g), 1 skein; colorway F9019 Duende
  • N/9.00mm crochet hook

Notes:

This bag is made by bringing the corners to the center and touching each other. The sides between the adjacent corners are then seamed part way.

Handles as attached at the corners.

Lets crochet the Square for the bag

Rnd 1: Ch 4, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, ch 1, [3 dc in same ch as previous, ch 1] 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, bldc in next st, fldc in next, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp (corner made), [fldc in next st, bldc in next st, fldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp] 3 times, sl st to top of beg ch.

And Rnd 3: Ch 3, bldc in next st, fldc in next st, bldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, bldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp} 3 times, bldc in next st, sl st to join.

Still working on crocheting the square bag….

Rnd 4: Ch 3, [bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, fldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp} 3 times, fldc in next st, bldc in next st, sl st to join.

Rnd 5: Ch 3, bldc in next st, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, bldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp]} 3 times, bldc in next st, fldc in next st, bldc in next st, sl st to join.

Almost there…

Rnd 6: Ch 3, [bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, fldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp} 3 times, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] twice, sl st to join.

Rnd 7: Ch 3, bldc in next st, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, bldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp]} 3 times, bldc in next st, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] twice, sl st to join.

Almost done crocheting…

Rnd 8: Ch 3, [bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, fldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp} 3 times, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] 3 times, sl st to join.

Rnd 9: Ch 3, bldc in next st, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, {[bldc in next st, fldc in next st] across until 1 st before corner remains, bldc in next st, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp]} 3 times, bldc in next st, [fldc in next st, bldc in next st] 3 times, sl st to join.

Joining the sides…

Joining corners Rnd 10: Ch 1, fold corners together that hook is between, insert hook into same stitch as join and the stitch folded next to it, sc in this stitch, inserting hook through both sides of the fabric, sc in next 5 sts, only working through 1 fabric, sc in next 4 sts to corner, (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner, sc in next 4 sts, [fold corner just worked to next corner, working through both sides of the fabric sc in next 5 sts, only working through 1 fabric, sc in next 4 sts to corner, (sc, ch 3, sc) in corner, sc in next 4 sts] rep 3 times, sl st to join, fasten off.

Making the handles

Handles: Join to any corner, ch 5, sl st to the corner directly opposite, fasten off. Repeat for the other two corners. 

Abbreviations

Ch(s): chain(s)

Bldc: back loop double crochet

Dc: double crochet

Fldc: front loop double crochet

Sc: single crochet

Sl st: slip stitch

Sp: space

I hope you enjoy your free crochet bag pattern.

Candy Cane Lace

I have begun decorating candy canes with lace to help get into the mood for a great holiday season.

Honestly, I am not a fan of the candy cane. It is a candy that I usually pass on, but I have a couple of candy canes that have decorated my tree for decades. A friend created these decorated candy canes and I treasure them.

Candy Cane Lace Solid Shells and Lacy Loops

I want to share my own approach to these decorations to help adorn your tree or even a package or gift. Since it is a simple two row pattern that you can be altered and personalized many ways it is great way to spread cheer.

Materials

  • #10 Crochet Cotton Thread (or a lace weight yarn)
  • C/2/2.75mm crochet hook

The First Row- Creates the Woven Strip

Row 1: Ch 55, dc in 6th ch from hook, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across.

Make a chain as log as the candy cane working an odd number (basic candy cane works at 55 chains)
DC in the 6th chain from the hook
Chain 1, skip 1, dc in next chain, across. This is the ladder bade that the candy cane will weave through

Option 1- Solid Shells

Round 1 Option Solid Shells: Ch 1, working around the last dc st or Row 1, sc around post, ch 1, 5 dc around same post, ch 1, sc around same post, turn to work over beginning ch, [5 dc in next ch-1 sp, sc in next ch-1 sp] across to end, ch 1, working around the end ch-5 loop, 5 dc in same space, ch 1, sc in same sp, turn to work over the top of Row 1, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp, [sc in next ch-1 sp, 5 dc in next ch-1 sp] across, sl st to first sc. Fasten off.

To start the shell lace, sc 5 dc sc in the end of the ladder
sc in the next ladder rung, 5 dc in the next ladder rung, sc in the next ladder rung, across to the other end and repeat all the way around the other side
Solid Shell Lace

Option 2 Lacy Loops

Round 1 Option Lacy Loops: [(sc, ch 5, sc)] 3 times around last dc, (sc, ch 5, sc) in each ch-1 sp across to other end, [(sc, ch 5, sc)] 3 times around beg ch-5 loop, (sc, ch 5, sc) in each ch-1 sp across, sl st to join. Fasten off.

To start Loops end work sc ch 5 sc, 3 times in end of the ladder
sc ch 5 sc in each rung around
Lacy Loops

Finishing Up

Weave in ends and weave candy cane through the spaces or Row 1.

Lisa’s Ladder Cowl- Free Pattern

A free pattern means that it is that time again, the New York Sheep and Wool Festival (a.k.a Rhinebeck)! Just like most everything else this year, it will be done a bit differently…as in virtually (find out information here).

This means that you do not have to live in or travel to Duchess County New York. You can be anywhere in the world and take classes, visit booths, and get a little hint of the New England turning leaves.

Lisa’s Ladder Cowl

For the last several years I have been teaming up with Lisa Souza Dyeworks and providing a free pattern to accompany her limited addition colorway for the week. This year is no different.  

Lisa’s Ladder Cowl

Materials

J/10/6.00mm crochet hook

Pyrenees Worsted 100% Merino wool; colorway Rhinebeck 2020; 1 Skein

Lisa’s Ladder close up

Pattern

Row 1: Ch 62, sc in 2nd ch from hook, [sk 3 chs, 2 dc in next ch, sc in next st] rep across 12 times, turn.

Row 2- until desired length: Ch 3, [2 dc in ch-3 sp, ch 3, sc in next dc] rep across 12 times, turn.

Block. Seam last row to row 1. Weave in ends.

Phoenix Poncho- Free Pattern

I think everyone needs a little pick me up in July, so I am releasing my latest free pattern. I hope to brightens the dances of your hook.

Worked from the neck outward, this is a poncho that easily adds a bit of flare to any wardrobe. The simple stitch pattern lends to great coloring pooling and a fabulous drape.

Phoenix Poncho

Size

40” square

Skill Level

Intermediate

Gauge

5 (sc, ch-3) sts/ 13 rows=4”

Materials

  • H/8/5.0 mm crochet hook
  • Alexandra The Art if Yarn Silverton Fine weight 75% Superwash Merino/ 15% Nylon/ 10% Tencel yarn (434yrds/397m/3.5oz/100g) 1 skein each color Wine (A), Fire (B)

Notes

When joining at the end of round 1 ensure that the round is not twisted.

Neck Edging is worked as four separated corner points.

Pattern

Rnd 1: With A, ch 150, dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 36 chs, [ch 2 (corner made), dc in next 37 chs] rep 3 times, ch 2, sl st to top of beg ch, (weave tail into base of the beg chain to close ring) change to B.  – 148 dc, 4 ch-2 sps

A little bit of an airy stitch…

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sk 3, sc in next st] rep across to ch-2 corner, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sc in next st,} 3 times,  [ch 3, sk 3, sc in next st] rep across to ch-2 corner, ch 1, (sc, ch 3, sc) in ch-2 sp, ch 1, sl st to join. – 40 (ch-3) sps, 8 (ch-1) sps

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sc in next sc] across to corner, ch 3, dc in ch-3 sp of corner} rep 4 times, ch 3, sc in next sc, ch 3, sl st to join.  – 4 dc, 52 (ch-3)sps

Rnd 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sc in next sc] across to corner, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in dc} rep 4 times, ch 3, sc in next sc, ch 3, sl st to join, change to A.

Making it a bit more solid…

Rnd 5: Ch 3, {[3 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in sc] rep across to corner, ch 3, dc in ch-3 corner sp, ch 3, dc in sc} rep 4 times, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in sc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, sl st to join.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, [dc in each dc across to corner, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 3, dc) in dc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp] rep 4 times, dc across to first st, sl st to join.

Rnd 7: Ch 3, [dc in each dc across to corner, ch 3, dc in ch-3 sp, ch 3] rep 4 times, dc across to first st, sl st to join, change to B.

Phoenix Poncho

Back to being airy…

Rnd 8: Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sk 3, sc in next st] rep across to corner, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in dc, ch 3, sc in next dc} rep 4 times, [ch 3, sk 3, sc in next st] 3 times, sl st to join.

Rnd 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sc in next sc] across to corner, ch 3, dc in ch-3 sp of corner} rep 4 times, ch 3, [sc in next sc, ch 3] across to first st, sl st to join.

Rnd 10:  Ch 1, sc in same st, {[ch 3, sc in next sc] across to corner, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in dc} rep 4 times, ch 3, [sc in next sc, ch 3] rep across to first st, sl st to join.

Rnd 11-14: Rep Rnds 9 & 10.

Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 9, changing to A at join.

A bit of solid…

Rnd 16: Ch 3, {[3 dc in ch-3 sp, dc in sc] rep across to corner, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, (dc, ch 3, dc) in dc} rep 4 times, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, [dc in sc, 3 dc in ch-3 sp] rep across to first st, sl st to join, change to B.

Needs to be airy…

Rnd 17: Rep Rnd 8.

Rnds 18-33: Rep Rnds 9 & 10, change to A at the join of Rnd 33.

Rnd 34: Rep Rnd 9.

Rnd 35: Rep Rnd 16.

Let’s finish it up…

Rnd 36: Sl st in next st, ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, ch 1 sk 1, {[dc in next 5 sts, ch 1, sk 1] rep across to corner, (dc, ch 1, dc, ch 1, dc) in ch- 3 sp, ch 1, sk 1} rep 4 times, [dc in next 5 sts, ch 1, sk 1] across to first st, sl st to join.

Rnd 37: Sl st in next st, ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, {[ch 3, sk dc, sk ch-1 sp, sk dc, dc in next 3 dc] rep across to corner, ch 3, sk dc, sk ch-1 sp, sk dc, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp} rep 4 times, [ch 3, sk dc, sk ch-1 sp, sk dc, dc in next 3 dc] across to first st, ch 3, sl st to join.

Rnd 38: Sl st in next st, ch 5, (dc, ch 2, dc) in same st, sc in ch-3 sp, sk next dc, {[(dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc, sc in ch-3 sp] across to corner, sk next dc (dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc) in corner dc, sc in ch-3 sp} rep 4 times, [(dc, ch 2, dc, ch 2, dc) in next dc, sc in ch-3 sp] across to first st, sl st to join. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

Neck Edging, Work in each corner

Row 1: From any corner, join with B to stitch 7 away from corner, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in corner, sk next 6 sts, dc in next st, turn.

Edging: Ch 2 sc in base of dc, ch 3, sk 3 sts of neck, sc in next st, turn, ch 5, dc in center dc of Row 1, ch 1, dc in same st, ch 5, sk 3 sts from join of Row 1, sc in next st, turn, ch 3, sc in join of Row 1, ch 2, sl st to center dc in Row 1. Fasten off. Weave in ends.