Thursday, December 28, 2017

2017 Pattern Recap



2017 is ending. It has been a great year for Designs by Diligence. 
I published 17 patterns this year. This year I also introduced knitting patterns. I'm excited about what 2018 will bring. Below I have added links to all the patterns created in 2017. 

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Up Coming News


I just wanted to remind you that the CAL is starting next week. Please head over to the Facebook page to get all the updates and fun for the CAL. Designs by Diligence




Knitting Patterns for 2017












Crochet Patterns for 2017























Tuesday, December 19, 2017

The Story Behind The Name: Designs by Diligence



There have been a lot of new people who have found my little blog in the last year. People who have no idea who I am so I figured I should give some more back ground about who I am. By now I think you have been to my about page, If not you can start there and come back to this. I'm a preacher's wife so my life decisions always fall in the lines of what I think God would want for myself and my family.

There are a couple of parables in the Bible that make me wiggle in my pew. They make me vulnerable and uncomfortable, But in a good way. They stretch me to be better than I am. The first is Matthew 25: 14-30 the parable of the talents. This parable has always been tough for me because I know I would be just like the servant who just stored the money. My thrifty side always says, "keep the money safe, save it for a rainy day." I really have to stretch myself to be the servant that comes up with ideas to grow investment so to say.

The other parable is Luke 18: 1-8 The Persistant Widow, or the Diligent Widow. I am very creative person, with that often comes the attitude of, "Meh, that's good enough."  In College when I was studying these verses (I went to Bible College and graduated with a Youth and Family Ministry Degree), I took on these verses as a way to challenge myself to be better. Someone who is more willing to take risks and more willing to be persistent to go back and perfect my work.

I put the word diligence on everything as a reminder to myself that I can always try again, no matter the outcome. I can take the risk and I can take the time to do things again.

My very first pattern.

Crocheting and knitting did not come easily for me. I cried all through my first lesson in crochet (and I was in College). I had to try again and again and again before I started to get it right. When my vacation was over I went back to school and I thought I had my new skill down, and one day someone was watching me crochet and they said "what stitch is that?' I said, "It's the single crochet." They proceeded to tell me no that wasn't the right way to do it at all. I had been doing the wrong thing for who knows how long, so I had to retrain myself to do it the right way.

With Knitting I was agonizingly slow. It has taken me a lot of years to get to where I am now. It's all second nature to me now. I can do both without looking. I am where I am now because I kept trying and I didn't give up.

Now to the name of the blog. When I signed up for Ravelry in 2011, I had already adapted the word Diligence into my everyday life as my email and other social media tags. So it was a natural fit to be Diligence on Ravelry.

I started designing crochet patterns for an online magazine called Crochetvolution soon after joining Ravelry. My creativity started outpacing my submissions for the magazine and I was encouraged to start a blog. I used my Ravelry name, and called it Designs by Diligence. The rest is history.

The Mod Mum CAL coming soon.

I love teaching, I have a passion for the fiber arts, and I'm super creative, so keeping a blog has been a perfect fit. My goal is to be an encourager, and instructor for new ideas and patterns in the fiber arts industry. Thank you for following me through this journey. It's been so fun and I hope you keep sticking around. If this is your first time here you can Subscribe to the blog.
You will get an email every time there is a new post, usually that happens on a Tuesday.

I would also love it if you followed me on Facebook I will be starting a brand new CAL for a scrapghan in January all the action for that pattern will be happening there.

More Stories found on Designs by Diligence

Tears in Baby Hats

The things we do for yarn


Wednesday, December 13, 2017

Douglas Fir Dishcloth

A Free Knitting Pattern 



This will be my last Holiday Gift Pattern for 2017. It's crazy that 2018 is so close upon us. Almost 20 years ago we were going crazy over Y2K. I'm so happy the clocks kept going.

Do you have a favorite Christmas tree story? When I was a little girl my family liked going to this out in the middle of nowhere tree farm to pick out our tree. I remember the first year we did it. We totally miss judged the length of the tree. It was gigantic, and my dad had to spend quite a while trimming the tree to get it to fit in our house. The next year we were wiser and picked out a much smaller one. There are also lots of stories my sister could tell of the cat knocking the tree over on her.

I have a little pattern today to bring back some of those memories. I say little, but this dishcloth is bigger than what I usually make them, because I like little dishcloths. Other people will probably say it is just right at 7 1/2 by 7 1/2


Where can I get this pattern

This is a free Pattern right here on the blog. Just keep scrolling down to find the pattern. If you would like an ads free, printer friendly PDF version I have them for sale in my Ravelry Shop for 3.00.
<----------->buy now <------------>
If you like this pattern be sure to subscribe to Designs by Diligence to get notified when new patterns come out. The only time you will get an email is when a new post happens on the blog, usually on Tuesday.

You can also follow me through my social media sites. I love sharing sneak peeks, wips, and fiber arts news and projects.
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Douglas Fir Dishcloth

Designer: Julia Schwartz
Yarn: Bernat HandiCrafter 100% cotton color Sonoma Print
Needles: size 7 (4.5mm)
Notions: yarn needle to weave in your ends
Size: 7 1/2 by 7 1/2 inches
Gauge: 20 st for 4 in and 26 rows
Stitch terms: 
k: knit, p:purl, k2tog: knit 2 together, bl: back loop, m1: make 1, p wise: purl wise, p2tog: purl 2 together,
Notes: 
All of the rows start with a seed st border, sometimes you will see a (K 2, k,p,k,p) you wil knit 3 in this instance. It is just my way of differentiating the boarder from the rest of the pattern. I have highlighted the rows that there will be multiple repeats for easy finding. 
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact me through e-mail.


Instructions


Cast on 32 sts ( I used the twisted German Long tail)

Row 1: (P, k) repeat (to)
Row 2: (K, p) Repeat (to)
Row 3-6: Repeat row 1 and 2
Row 7: P, k, p, k, k 24, p,k,p,k
Row 8: K, p, k,p, k 24, k, p, k, p
Row 9- 10: Repeat row 7 and 8

Row 11: P, k, p, k, p 4, k 16, p 4, p, k, p, k

Row 12: Repeat row 8
Row 13: Repeat row 11

Row 14: k,p,k,p, k 4, p 16, k 4, k,p,k,p

Row 15: Repeat row 11
Row 16: Repeat 14

Row 17: p,k,p,k, p 4, place 4 stitches onto the cable needle, place cable needle behind work, k 4, k cable stitches, place next 4 st on cable needle, place cable needle in front of your work, k 4, k cable stitches, p 4, p,k,p,k

Row 18: Repeat row 14
Row 19: Repeat row 11
Row 20: Repeat row 14
Row 21: Repeat row 11
Row 22: Repeat row 14
Row 23: repeat row 17
Row 24: repeat row 14
Row 25: p,k,p,k, p 4, m 1 p wise, k2tog through bl, k 12, k2tog, M1 p wise, p 4, p,k,p,k
Row 26: k,p,k,p, k 5, p 14, k 5, k,p,k,p
Row 27: p,k,p,k, p 5, m1 p wise, k2tog through bl, k 10, M1 p wise, p 5, p,k,p,k
Row 28: k,p,k,p, k 6, p 12, k 6, k,p,k,p
Row 29: P,k,p,k, p 6,  place 3 stitches onto the cable needle, place cable needle behind work, k 3, k cable stitches, place next 3 st on cable needle, place cable needle in front of your work, k 3, k cable stitches, p 6, p,k,p,k

Row 30: repeat row 28
Row 31: P,k,p,k, p 6, m1 p wise, k2tog through bl, k 8, k2tog, m1 p wise, p,k,p,k
Row 32: K,p,k,p, k 7, p 10, k 7, k,p,k,p
Row 33: p,k,p,k, p 7, m1 p wise, k2tog through bl, k 6, k2tog, m1 p wise, p 6, p,k,p,k
Row 34: K,p,k,p, k 8, p 8, k 8, 
Row 35: P,k,p,k, p 8,  place 2 stitches onto the cable needle, place cable needle behind work, k 2, k cable stitches, place next 2 st on cable needle, place cable needle in front of your work, k 2, k cable stitches, p 8, p,k,p,k

Row 36: Repeat row 34
Row 37: P, k, p,k, p 8, m1 p wise, k2tog through bl, k 4, k2tog, M1 p wise, p 8, p,k,p,k
Row 38: K,p,k,p, k 9, m1, p2tog, p 2, p2tog, m1, k 9, k,p,k,p
Row 39: P,k,p,k, p 10,  place 2 stitches onto the cable needle, place cable needle behind work, k 2, k cable stitches, p 10, p,k,p,k
Row 40: k,p,k,p k 10, m1, p2tog, p2tog, m1, k 10, k,p,k,p
Row 41: P,k,p,k, p 24, p,k,p,k
Row 42: K,p,k,p, k 24, k,p,k,p
Row 43- 47: repeat row 1 and 2
cast off. weave in your ends.

More Patterns You Will Love

Learner's Curve Dishcloth

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Monday, December 4, 2017

Etching Scarf

A Free Tunisian Crochet Pattern



I have a Men's Pattern for you today.

Funny Story, I finished the scarf and it just screamed, "I need tassels!" I asked my husband, "Is this scarf still manly if I add tassels?" He gave an automatic "no." "Will you still model it for me if it has tassels?" From the pictures below you will see that the answer is yes. If your husband is like mine you can leave the tassels off and it will still look fetching. Or you can leave them on for yourself and pick one of the other great colors in the Scarfie yarn line.


The whole time I was making this scarf it made me think about when I was in art class and learning about shading with a pencil. All those etched lines across a paper to make your silhouettes stand out. For this drawing  scarf the shading is created with mitered squares and then they are shaded in with entrelac triangles. This scarf works up fast. I as able to finish it in 2 nights. Then there was another 2 nights for blocking. This is a very do-able project for a last minute Christmas gift. 



 Where Is This Pattern Available

This is a free Pattern right here on the blog. Just keep scrolling down to find the pattern. If you would like an ads free, printer friendly PDF version I have them for sale in my Ravelry Shop for $3.00.
<---------->buy now <---------->

If you like this pattern be sure to subscribe to Designs by Diligence to get notified when new patterns come out. The only time you will get an email is when a new post happens on the blog, usually on Tuesday.

You can also follow me through my social media sites. I love sharing sneak peeks, wips, and fiber arts news and projects.
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest 


Etching Scarf Pattern


Yarn: Lion Brand yarns: Scarfie Size 5/ bulky 78% acrylic, 22% wool 5.3 oz, 150g. 1 ball, color cream/black

Hook: K- 10.5 (6.5mm) (Even though this is Tunisian crochet all of your stitches will fit on a normal hook).
Notions: yarn needle to weave in your ends, hard back book to make your tassels.
Size: 80 by 5 inches (after blocking)
Gauge: each square is 4 by 4 before blocking. 6 TKS and 8 rows equals 2 inches
Special Stitches:
TKS: (Forward pass)working with the yarn behind your work, insert your hook between the vertical bars below the horizontal bars in the st below, yo, pull the yarn through, keep your loop on the hook.
(Return pass): follow instructions in the pattern.
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact me through e-mail.

Notes: You will make all of the squares first and then go back and add the triangles. If you would like to see pictures of my process of making mitered corners you can check out my tutorial in Mitered Corners Blanket.

Instructions: 

The Squares:

Row 1: (Forward pass) Ch 10, pull up a loop in each ch for a total of 10 loops
(return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 2:  (Forward pass) TKS for 8 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 3: (forward pass) TKS for 7 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 4: (Forward pass) TKS for 6 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 5: (forward pass) TKS for 5 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 6: (forward pass) TKS for 4 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 7: (forward pass) TKS for 3 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 8: (forward pass) TKS for 2 sts.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop,  (yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 9 - 11: (forward pass) TKS for 1 st.
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, yo, pull through 2 loops

Row 12: (forward pass) TKS for 1 st, TKS in sk st of row 8
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop,  (yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 13: (forward pass) TKS for 2 sts, TKS in sk st of row 7
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 14: (forward pass) TKS for 3 sts, TKS in sk st of row 6
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 15: (forward pass) TKS for 4 sts, TKS in sk st of row 5
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 16: (forward pass) TKS for 5 sts, TKS in sk st of row 4
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 17: (forward pass) TKS for 6 sts, TKS in sk st of row 3
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 18: (forward pass) TKS for 7 sts, TKS in sk st of row 2
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 19: (forward pass) TKS for 8 sts, TKS in sk st of row 1
(Return pass) yo, pull through 1 loop, ( yo, pull through 2 loops) Repeat (to) to the last loop.

Row 20: Ch 1, turn sl st in the next 10 st up the side of the square to the opposite corner

Repeat row 1-20 for a total of 14 squares. 

At the end of square 14 do not make row 20. 

Do not Finish off. 

1st set of triangles:


Row 1: (Forward pass) pull up a loop in the next 9 st, pull up a loop from the next square (there will be 11 loops on the hook)
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 8 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 2: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 8 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 7 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 3: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 7 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 6 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 4: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 6 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 5 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 5: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 5 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 4 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 6: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 4 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 3 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 7: (Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 3 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 2 times, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 8:(Forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next 2 st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) (yo, pull through 2 loops) 1 time, yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 9: (forward pass) sk 1 st, pull up a loop in the next st, pull up a loop from the next square
(return pass) Yo, pull through 3 loops

Row 10: (forward pass) pull up 1 loop
(return pass) yo, pull through 2 loops

Repeat rows 1-10 12 times

Finish off.

2nd set of Triangles


Rotate to the other side
Insert into the corner st with a sl st and repeat instructions of the 1st set of Triangles.

Weave in your ends and block to proper size.

More Patterns You Will Love

In a Flash Mitered Corners Blanket

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Monday, November 27, 2017

Paperless Post Review


This Post is Sponsored by Paperless Postin collaboration with Anagram Interactive.
*I was compensated for trying out the website and for  my review. All opinions are mine.* 



I realize that this is not really Fiber Arts related. Bare with me while I share this company to you. I would not share anything that I did not think was worthwhile or that I would not think my readers would be interested in. Even though Paperless Post has nothing to do with yarn, it is a fantastic time saver. 

As creators,  I know that you put you heart and soul into all the projects you make. Your love language is probably acts of service and gift giving. You want to put your personal touch in everything you do. I know because I am a creator too. 

Paperless  Post is an online card service. They are a "company that designs customizable online and printed stationery, to show that communication can be personal and well-designed regardless of the medium. Paperless Post has partnered with several world-famous designers and lifestyle brands, including Kate Spade New York, Oscar de la Renta, Jonathan Adler, and Rifle Paper Co., and has delivered over 85 million cards to date."

These cards are paperless, meaning that they come in e-mail form. I personally love this. Being in Canada and all of my family being in the US, sometimes  it's hard staying in touch.  Sending personal touches across the border does not happen very often because of the hefty shipping costs. 

Canada Post is also not known for being a great mail service. Two years ago I received a Christmas card in March. The sender was a half hour drive from my house. I love that I can send a super personal card through e-mail and I know they are going to get the card when I want them to get it. 

As you can see from the photo above, their birthday cards are beautiful. I would call them classic, sophisticated, very clean line, and modern. 



You can also customize cards and personalize them as much as you like. You can't go to a store and pick out a card with a personal picture on it, but with Paperless Post you can. In the above photo I have a screen shot of a card I was making. You can choose the picture, font (size, color, and print), what the card says, background, envelope, and stamp. 

When you sign up for paperless post you get your own dashboard where you can keep your contact list, rough drafts, and your favorite cards. Most cards come out to be under $2.00. I find that to be extremely reasonable. Especially for a card that is so personal. 


I think one of my favorite things about the website is that I can schedule when the card gets sent. I can take the time I need to make the card when I want,  then I can schedule the card to be sent on time.  
Give Paperless Post a try. 

Monday, November 20, 2017

Embroidered Swirly Christmas Tree

A Free Embroidery Tutorial


Sometimes creativity needs a kick start or a reboot. That is what embroidery is for me. I love the colors and the motion of sewing in and out of the fabric. It is an art that makes you go slow and think through the creative process. If I am drawing blanks when it comes to crocheting or knitting I always turn to embroidery. It is just a slightly different medium to give my brain a rest and think on different things.

I made a few of these last year during my Christmas break. It was to late in the season to blog about them, so I have been holding on to them until now to share them with you. These trees were a fun way to express my creativity. There was no right or wrong, I just let the curls make their own rules.

Tutorial 

To start I marked my fabric where I wanted to add the buttons. I made a long triangle and then I staggered where I would put the buttons on the tree.


After that I rough sketched where the swirls would go. (It might be better to put the buttons on first then add the sketch of swirls). 

I put the fabric in the hoop and stretched it tight and added the buttons using 3 strands the silver thread. I made 6 long stitches through the button holes and then put 2 stitches over each of the 6 long stitches.

I picked 6 to 7 colors and just went to town with the stem stitch all around the tree. I started at the bottom and worked my way up. I tried to work it so that one color never touched itself, and that the swirls went across the whole tree at some points.


The point is to have fun and to just let the stitches speak for themselves.

As you go along you can go back to the empty spaces and fill them in with other colors.


What colors would you make your trees?



What do you like to do to express your creativity? I'd love to know in the comments. 

 More Embroidery Projects You Will Love:

Finding Inspiration in Nature

Embroidery Bookmark



Monday, November 13, 2017

Crochet and Knit Christmas Tags

A Free Crochet and Knitting Pattern



I love wrapping presents. It's one of my favorite things to do around the holidays. There is just something about folding the paper and finding creative ideas to make them look festive and beautiful at the same time. There are a lot of options for these.


I have a knit and crochet version for whatever craft you prefer. You can design the tag however you like. You could choose different holiday shapes like me, or you could embroider the monogram of the person you are giving the present to. Another idea would be to number them for an advent present calendar. Whatever you chose they will last for as long as you want them and they will add a personal touch to any gift.

Where can I get this pattern?

These are free patterns. Just keep scrolling down to find these patterns. These are also available for a free PDF download through my Ravelry Store. It's my way of saying Merry Christmas to you. Be sure to check out my other patterns in the shop if you like what you see.
 <------------>download now<------------>


Crochet Pattern


Yarn: worsted cotton yarn
Hook: H/8 5mm
Notions: tapestry needle, embroidery thread
Size: 4 by 3 inches
Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Instructions

Row 1: Ch 9, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across. (8 sc)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sc in each sc. (8 sc)
Row 3- 9: Repeat row 2. (8 sc)
Row 10: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next 4 sc, sc2tog. (6 st)
Row 11: Ch 1, turn, sc2tog, sc in the next 2 sc, sc2tog. (4 st)
Row 12: Ch 1, turn sc in each st. (4 st)
Edging: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around, ch 1 at every corner.

Finish off
Weave in your ends.

For embroidery, use all 6 strands of cotton floss to add a simple design to your tags.

Optional Grommet:  Follow the instructions on the package to insert the grommet in between the stitches of rows 7 and 9.

Knitting Pattern


Yarn: Worsted cotton yarn
Needles: 4.5 mm (U.S. 7)
Notions: tapestry needle, embroidery thread
Size: 4 by 3 inches
Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rows 
Notes: I tried to make his pattern as beginner friendly as possible. so if you like to keep your edges extra crisp and flat with a beg. sl st and end with a purl Go For It.
Copyright:
Julia Schwartz. Do not reproduce, copy, distribute, or sell this pattern without permission of the designer. This pattern must not be translated, reproduced, or circulated in another language without prior consent. If you have questions about this pattern please contact Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Instructions

Cast on 12 st. 
Row 1: p 12
Row 2: k 12
Row 3- 14: repeat rows 1 and 2
Row 15: p 12
Row 16: k 1, k2tog through back loop, k 6, k2tog, k 1
Row 17: p 10
Row 18: k 1, k2tog through the back loop, k 4, k2tog, k 1
Row 19: p 8
Row 20: bind off

Finish off
Weave in your ends.

For embroidery, use all 6 strands of cotton floss to add a simple design to your tags.

Optional Grommet:  Follow the instructions on the package to insert the grommet in between the stitches of rows 14 and 16.


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You can also follow me through my social media sites to find updates, sneak peeks, promo codes, and news about fiber arts around the world.






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