1 for Me, 1 for You- Berries and Bobbles Block

Help me help local communities by creating blocks for Warm Up America, by making a block for yourself and one for a community project with this free pattern. I will be creating a new block every two weeks and sharing it with you, I just ask that make one for donation.

Warm Up America is a nation wide organization that encourages local donations, but will also except donations to be sent to their office so that blocks can be assembled and then blankets can be donated through the United States.

Berries and Bobbles Block

Even is you do not want to participate with Warm Up America, please consider creating blocks, or blankets for your local community. There are various places in every community that accept donations.

Berries and Bobbles Block

This block features some texture, by utilizing chain loops that create little “bumps” or “berries” while it is broken up by strips of bobbles.

Gauge: Square measures 7”x 9”

Materials

Medium weigh yarn

J/10/6.00mm crochet hook

Special Stitches

Bobble: [Yo, insert hook in stitch, yo, pull through a loop] rep 4 times, yo, pull through 8 loops.

Block Pattern

Ch 23

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn. -22sc

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, [ch 3, sc in next 2 sts] 9 times, sc in last 2 sts, turn. -9 ch-3 loops

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each sc across, pushing ch-3 loops to the back side of work, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next 2 sts, [ch 3, sc in next 2 scs] 9 times, sc in last st, turn. -9 ch-3 loops

Row 6: Rep Row 4.

Rows 7-8: Rep Rows 3-4.

Row 9: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across.

Row 10: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in next st, [Bobble in next st, ch 1, sc in next 2 sts] 6 times, sc in last 2 sts, turn. -6 bobbles

Row 11: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each sc and bobble skipping ch sts, turn. -23 sc

Row 12: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across, turn.

Row 13-22: Rep Rows 3-12.

Row 23-29: Rep Rows 3-9.

Row 30: Ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each st across. Fasten off. Weave in ends.

See the texture on the Berries and Bobbles Block

5 Tips to Stay Cool and Crochet

Some say it is too hot to crochet, but I have always found the summer months my most productive time of year. I should preface that I do not have any air conditioning. I know that some might see this and think that I must be in some Nordic part of the world, and while I live in a climate that affords me cool nights and hot days, my summer temperatures can easily find a month of temperatures over 100° Fahrenheit (38° Celsius). So, let me share some of my tips.

Stay Hydrated

I keep a glass of water or iced tea near me at all times. I have a pretty bad habit of getting really involved in “just one more row” to the point that I can miss meals, so having a beverage at the ready really helps me have no excuse to not get a drink. It is pretty easy to hold the project and get a sip.

A tall cold glass to keep hydrated

Lotion if Needed

Since I live in an area with very little humidity, I need a good lotion to keep my hands smooth and feeling good. I have found that I like some wax based lotions that are in a solid form, like lotion bars. However I have also found success with thick medicated lotions. Basically anything that absorbs into my skin and does not feel like it is just sitting atop my skin.

Find the Shade

Honestly, I probably am in doors with most of my stitching, but venturing out in the heat of the day means that I am finding a nice piece of shade. If the location has a bit of a breeze even better. In addition, I am usually wearing a hat and sporting sunscreen.

If at all possible I make sure that I am out of the car. Sitting in the car and crocheting might be a necessity for me in some instances, but if I can get out of the car and get into fresh air it helps.

A Well Placed Fan

Putting a fan about 6-10 feet away and directed at me, is all I really need. If it oscillates, it is even better. This air movement helps to keep me comfortable, even while finishing a king sized afghan.

Check your Yarn

I tend to avoid using yarns with a lot of halo, or “fuzz” when the weather turns hot. I prefer a smooth yarn. Although this is probably more of a mental thought of what is cooler to work with than a reality. I just think that as the yarn slips smoother through my fingers, the easier it flows the cooler I feel.

I think that looking over my list I realize why I am so productive during hot weather….I basically find a place and stay there, I stay in a seat, with a fan blowing and a cold drink, in the shade while pampering my hands a bit. This makes it easy to work on projects, and beat the heat.

Crochet More Alike

For some reason I am finding it difficult to write this post.

The last couple of weeks has reminded me of something quite fundamental within the fiber arts. When you find those that share your hobby, you find your tribe. I have witnessed several examples of how this tribe is a force of good in the world.

The first example was while I was at the DFW Fiber Fest. Just as the vendor market was about to open the rumor had spread that one vendor had not been able to set up. Apparently, the trailer that carried all of their yarns, their samples, their entire booth set up was stolen from a hotel parking lot.

Most vendors are small businesses, the entire family participates in the entire experience. This is the livelihood, and obviously a loss like this is huge set back.

So, what happened next was a true feeling of the tribe. All the other vendors donated items for a raffle drawing, while attendees began taking up donations. After 24 hours all organization came together for one central raffle drawing fundraising event. In just two and a half short days over $12,000 was raised to help offset the losses to this family.

To add to the story, apparently the thieves took approximately a third of the yarn they had stolen and donated it to a Habitat for Humanity store. A crochet loving volunteer thought that this donation looked odd, did a bit of research and was able to return some of the vendors stock to them. The vendor was able to have a small booth to sell these found yarns, in which they had a steady show of support.

This was occurring as a fellow crochet was losing her battle with cancer. By now in life I have been down this path before, it does not become any easier. However there was a bit of a difference with this passing. I know this crocheter from the Crochet Guild of America, I have spent time with her at the annual conference, and followed her life on-line via Facebook.

After her passing, her only living relative, her brother, reached out to her crochet community to inform them of just how much we all meant to her. This tribe was her family, and the simple act of sharing our love for crochet had created an environment in her life that was the world to her. Her tribe was important to her enough that they become a part of her everyday life. There is a void in the crochet community.

There are other instances that have come together this week to remind me that there is so much more we have in common than we have different. Crochet just happens to be one of those tribes that we can easily recognize, we know that if someone plays with yarn we can find a common ground.

I still do not understand why I have had such difficulty putting any of this to words, maybe it is because my tribe is too close to my heart.

A Crochet Celebration- Free Quiet Night Wrap Pattern and Discount

When I first created this design, I was planning on celebrating crochet during the National Crochet Month (every March), but now it has grown into a much longer celebration time….If you are visiting this site from the Yarnover Truck as part of the San Diego Yarn Crawl…Thank you! Please enjoy “my crochet story” and your free pattern.

This original post was the last day of a month long tour, put on by Underground Crafter, filled with free patterns, great discounts, and giveaways…if you have missed any of the fun, make sure and check it out here.

My Crochet Story

I met Underground Crafter through the Crochet Guild of America, actually I have my career in crochet because of CGOA. I never thought that crochet could take me to the places it has.

I will admit that when I first learned about CGOA I didn’t really know what to expect. I found an ad for it in a magazine, and figured I would give membership a try.

I soon learned of the Masters program, then completed the Advanced Stitches &Techniques Program, which consists of 48 swatches and 13 question. Some of the swatches were things I had never heard of before, like foundation single crochet, so I learned some new skills and have my work reviewed. I remember that I was nervous, excited and a bit terrified to have my work reviewed. Fortunately, and eventually, I passed the program.

Later that year I was invited to the CGOA annual conference to be recognized for my accomplishment. I was a bit reluctant….after all it was a crochet conference….so people just sat around and crocheted?…But with encouragement from family and friends I went, and I was hooked!

Where this one event took me

I met so many incredible people from so many walks of life. It was an experience that changed my life, seriously. It was at this conference that I sold my first design, and began my career as a crochet designer, that lead to more teaching, that lead to volunteer work in crochet…that lead to being a reviewer and a writer for the Masters Program, that lead to a seat on the Board of Directors, and finally my title as President. It is hard to believe that my career started only 7 years ago, from a membership that I took a chance on a decade ago.

Even if I never took the chance at conference and started a new path in my life, I was hooked as a supporter of CGOA for the simple fact that it is the only organization that solely supports crochet. It is a unified voice of crocheters in the craft industry, a central point for the history of all things crochet, a source that encourages and expands the skills and knowledge of crochet. It does all of this numerous volunteers coordinating over twenty committees. I am constantly impressed with the ideas and energy of those that love crochet.

I would continue to support CGOA simply because it supports crochet.

If you would be in checking out CGOA for yourself….you will find it here.

Celebrate Crochet Some More

I would also like to help you to celebrate crochet, so I am providing a 15% off discount on all my patterns available until September 30, 2019 with code SDYC.

This Design Story

In addition, please enjoy my free pattern, Quiet Night Wrap. I designed this pattern by candle light during the winter storms and my journey back to the 1800’s just a few weeks ago (find that story here). I hope you have enjoyed a month long celebration of crochet, personally I think I will try and celebrate it every day.

Quiet Nights Wrap

Quiet Nights Wrap   by: Linda Dean

Created in the dark during a winter storm, this simple 2 row repeat worked from the center back outward, will be a go to favorite for a triangle shawl. The ending edge really makes it a show stopper. This will be the wrap that everyone wants you to make for them.

Quiet Night Wrap Free Pattern
Quiet Night Wrap

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner  

Finished Size Approximately: 65” x34”

Gauge: 20 dc, 4 ch-1sp sts /9 rows=4”

Materials List:

  • H/8/5.00mm size crochet hook
  • Mountain Colors Twizzlefoot lightweight 53% Superwash Merino Wool, 17% Domestic Wool, 17% Silk, 13% Nylon (450yds/412m/100g): 2 skeins Joliet (mountaincolors.com)
  • Tapestry needle

Abbreviations:

ch(s): chain(s)

dc: double crochet

rem: remaining

rep: repeat

sc: single crochet

sp(s): space(s)

st(s): stitch(es)

tr: treble crochet

yo: yarn over

Pattern Notes

Treble Crochet Two Together (tr2tog): YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops) twice, YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops) twice, YO, pull through 3 loops.

The Pattern

Row 1: Ch 2, (sc, [ch 3, sc] 3 times) all in 2nd ch from hook, turn. -4 sc, (3) ch-3 sps

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + 1 ch now and throughout), 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (insert removable stitch marker in ch-1 sp to mark center of shawl), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn.  14 dc

Row 3: Ch 1,(sc, ch 3, sc) in same st, ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sk 3dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in ch-1 sp] across to center of shawl, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in center ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp] across to last ch- 1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 dc, sk ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in last dc, turn. -7 ch-3 sps

Row 4: Ch 4, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] rep across to center of shawl, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in center ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] across, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. -26 dc

Rows 5-50: Rep Rows 3 and 4 twenty-three times. -302 dc, 101 ch-1 sps

Lets start the edging

Row 51: Ch 4, dc in same sp, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to center of shawl, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in center of shawl, ch 1, dc in next st, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to ast st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st, turn.

Row 52: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, [ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts]
12 times, ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in next ch-1sp (center of shawl), [ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts ] 12 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sps, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 4 sts, turn.

Row 53: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts]
12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk next ch-sp and dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.

Row 54: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7 (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 sts]
12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 dc sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.

Almost done….

Row 55: Ch 3, dc in next st, [ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 3 dc, [ch 3, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 2 sts, turn.

Row 56: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, sc in next st, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12 times, [ch5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, (sc, ch 5, sc) in ch-1 sp, ch 5, sc in ch-5 sp, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12 times, [ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, sc in next dc, ch 3, sc in next dc. Fasten off.

Weave in ends, block.

A Bonus

Thank you for participating in the San Diego Yarn Crawl…as an added bonus, you can download a PDF of this pattern here.

My Crochet Carrot- Crochet as Motivation

Usually crochet becomes a bit of my refuge from doing the dishes and cleaning the floor. However, with spring in the air I do get the urge to actually clean out some clutter and have a fresh home. I use crochet to help me to do this.

This spring, crochet is my carrot.

I know myself well enough to know that this desire to clean those dust bunnies from under the sofa will be short lived. I really only spurs during the seasonal changes of spring and fall, and have a very limited number of hours that I will be in this mood. This year I decided to nurture it a bit.

Using Crochet as my carrot to keep spring cleaning productive

I allow myself a set number of pattern row repeats on the project I am working on, then I can clean a shelf in the refrigerator. Once the shelf is clean I can return to another pattern row repeat of my project.

I really have found this to be productive, even if the back and forth nature seems a bit counterintuitive. While I am working my pattern repeats I am mentally planning my attack on my next small cleaning projects so that things go smoothly. In addition I do not get burnt out as fast in my cleaning undertaking.

If it were not for my carrot of getting to crochet after I finish a small cleaning, I am not sure if I would be as productive. In the past I would start in a corner to clean, give it my all and go full throttle into the project, I would have everything torn apart to give a through deep clean….then as everything needs to get put back into place I would lose all desire and energy, and if things went well everything would end up tossed in the corner again and I would pass out on the couch.  At least in this small step approach I find that the entire small project gets completed. Not to mention I am actually still making headway on my crochet.