Tuesday, February 27, 2018

Functional Elegance Cowl

A free Crochet Pattern




Lace is one of my favorite things to make with crochet. Lace does not keep you warm in the winter and those colder months though. I wanted a pattern that showed of my lace skills but still kept me warm for those transitional months from winter into spring.

This cowl was inspired by the decor using burlap with an overlay of lace. Do you know what I'm talking about? I love all those ball glass jar candles wrapped with burlap and lace. They are so pretty.

I kept the lace simple. It is an 8 stitch repeat, so If you want it longer or shorter you can increase or decrease by 8. Also I started this pattern with foundation stitches instead of chains because there are so many. If you are more comfortable with starting with a chain make sure you start with 203 chs to make your starting dc.

Where Can I Get This Pattern?


This is a free crochet pattern on the blog. Just keep scrolling down to see this pattern. By having it free on the blog I am able to promote the pattern more and share it with more people. I also feel that I bring some trust to my readers who can read through the pattern before they decide if they want to purchase the pattern.

If you would like to purchase this pattern that is ads free and printer friendly, it is available for Download through my Ravelry Store For $3.00.
<------->buy now<-------->






Designer Julia Schwartz 
Yarn: Knit picks: Hawthorne Speckled yarn for the lace section 100 grams (1 skein) and Knit Picks Palate Yarn for the solid color 100 grams (2 skeins). 
or any fingering weight size yarn.
Hook: E/ 4 3.5mm
Notions: Yarn Needle to weave in your ends
Size: 7 inches by 34 inches circumference
Gauge: 20 dc and 13 rows equals 4 inches
Stitches Used: ch, sl st, sc, dc, picot, foundation dc

Special Stitches: 
  • Picot: ch 4, sl st into last st made
  • Foundation DC: yo, insert hook into ch of last st, yo pull up a loop, yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull though 2 loops) 2 times.

Notes: If you want it longer or shorter you can increase or decrease by 8. Also I started this pattern with foundation stitches instead of chains because there are so many. If you are more comfortable with starting with a chain make sure you start with 203 chs to make your starting dc.

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.

Functional Elegance Cowl Pattern: 

Round 1: Ch 4, make a foundation dc in the 1st ch, make 198 more foundation dc for a total of 200 dc, sl st into beginning dc to close up loop.

Round 2 and 3: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in each st around, sl stitch into first dc

Round 4: Ch 4 (counts as dc ch 1), {sk 1 dc, dc in the next dc, ch 1} repeat {to} to the last dc, sl st into the 3rd ch of the beginning ch 4.

Round 5: Sl st into the first ch 1 sp, ch 1, {sc in the ch 1 sp, 3 dc in the next ch 1 sp}, repeat {to}, sl st in the first sc.

Round 6: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2), dc in starting st, sk 1 dc, sc in the next dc, { (dc, ch 2, dc) in the next sc, sk 1 dc, sc in the next dc} repeat {to} to the fist dc, sl st in beginning dc.

Round 7: Sl st into the first ch 2 sp, ch 1, sc, ( 4 dc, picot, 3 dc) {sc in the next ch 2 sp, (4 dc, picot, 3 dc) in the next ch 2 sp} repeat {to} to the beginning st, sl st in starting sc.

Round 8: Ch 5, dc in starting st, ch2, sc in picot, ch 2, {(dc, ch 3, dc) in sc, ch 2, sc in picot, ch 2}, repeat {to}, to the beginning dc, sl st into beginning st.

Round 9: Sl st into ch 3 sp,  Ch 6 (first dc and picot just made), 3 dc in same stitch, sc in next picot,     { (4 dc, picot, 3 dc) in the next ch 3, sc in the next picot},  repeat {to} to the starting ch sp, 3 dc in starting sp, sl st into starting st.

Finish off

Rotate the cowl around and sl st into starting st. repeat rounds 2- 9. 

Finish off.




Under layer 

Round 1: With Solid color, working with the lace folded down, sl st into an open dc of row 3 that lines up with the top of a shell of the row 9 of lace work, ch 3, dc in the same st, (2 dc in the next open dc) repeat (to) for a total of 200 dc, sl st into the starting dc.

Round 2-6: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), dc in each st around, sl stitch into first dc

Round 7: Ch 3, dc in the next 7 dc, {dc into the picot of top of lace and the dc of row 6(this is to secure the lace to the solid underlayer), dc in the next 7 dc} repeat {to}, sl st into the first st (200 dc)

Round 8 and 9: Ch 3, dc in each st around, sl stitch into first dc (200 dc)

Round 10: Ch 1, reverse sc in each stitch across for a total of 200 st. Sl st into first st.
Finish off.
Rotate the cowl and repeat the instructions for the under layer.
Weave in your ends 

 




Stay Connected

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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More Patterns You Will Love!

Isla Cowl


Pinevale Triangle scarf



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Tuesday, February 13, 2018

A Tisket A Tasket Basket

A Free Crochet Pattern


As you can see from the picture above I was meaning to have this pattern out before Christmas, my design schedule changed when I made the Etching Scarf Pattern. I think this date will be better anyway.

Easter is only a couple of months away. Do you like to make Easter baskets for your loved ones? I have made a few different ones. I made a really sturdy one with fabric strips and I have made a coil basket with thread and t-shirt yarn.

I really like this basket, because it looks so much like a woven basket. The tunisian seed stitch is the perfect look for a woven basket. I paired the basket with the attached i-cord edging to give it a modern streamlined look.

If this pattern looks a little hard for you. Don't forget that I have a practice pattern available for this basket. the A Trisket A Tasket Dishcloth will help you go through all the stitches need to make the basket.

This basket is easy to adjust in size. If you want a bigger basket I would suggest switching to a Tunisian hook. The math for making it bigger would be the width of stitches plus 20. So if you want a basket that is 30 stitches wide, You will want to make the pattern 50 rows tall. Do you see what I am saying? I'm sure that it will make more sense when you read through the pattern.

Where Can I get this pattern?

This is a free crochet pattern on the blog. Just keep scrolling down to see this pattern. By having it free on the blog I am able to promote the pattern more and share it with more people. I also feel that I bring some trust to my readers who can read through the pattern before they decide if they want to purchase the pattern.

If you would like to purchase this pattern that is ads free and printer friendly, it is available for Download through my Ravelry Store For $3.00.
<--------->buy now<---------->
When you purchase this pattern you will also be receiving the pattern for the matching dishcloth that I shared last week on the blog. You can go to Ravelry first to mark this pattern in your favorites, or you can purchase through my link.



Designer: Julia Schwartz
Yarn: worsted cotton yarn 2 colors 1 skein of the main color and scraps of the second color.
Hook: H/8 5mm
Notions: tapestry needle, cable needle
Size: 4 by 4 by 4 inches
Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows (not really needed for this pattern)

Special Stitches: 
 • TPS: (forward pass) Place yarn in front of your work, insert your hook into the left vertical bar of the st below, yo and pull your yarn through.
 (Return pass): follow instructions in the pattern.
• 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.

Notes: If you want to make just the dishcloth follow the pattern and finish off at row 15. Then follow the instructions for the attached I-cord.

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.


Pattern:
Row 1: ch 15, insert hook into each ch and pull up a loop for a total of 15 loops on the hook,
return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 2: Forward pass: (tks, tps) repeat (to) for 15 stitches
 return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 3: Forward pass: (tps, tks) repeat (to) for 15 stitches
return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 4-35: Repeat rows 2 and 3




Sides of the basket (repeat instructions on both sides) 

Row 1: working down the long side of the fabric with the right side facing up, skip 10 rows, sl st into the next st, bring up a loop from the next 14 sts for a total of 15 loops on the hook 
Return pass: return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left. 

Repeat pattern rows 2 and 3 for a total of 10 rows. 
Finish off.

Wip stich the 4 side corners together. 

Attached I-cord Edging 

With a new color, make a slip knot, ch 3, pull up a loop in each ch, insert the hook in a corner st, yo and pull up a loop for a total of 4 loops on the hook, {take the back 3 loops off the hook and put them on the cable needle, (yo and pull through one loop on the hook, take the next st off the cable needle and onto your hook) repeat (to) 2 times, take the last loop off the cable needle, place the loop on the hook, insert the hook into the next st of dishcloth, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 loops}

You should have 4 loops on your hook again.

Repeat {to} for a total of 19 stitches.

Regular I-cord handles 
Take the back 3 loops off the hook and put them on the cable needle, (yo and pull through one loop on the hook, take the next st off the cable needle and onto your hook) repeat (to) 3 times
Make 8 to 10 stitches

Go back to the attached I-cord edging for 23 stitches 

Make 8 to 10 stitches for the I- cord handles
Make 4 stitches for the attached I cord edging

To finish off, yo and pull through all 4 loops, sl st into the starting ch of the edging.
Finish off.
Weave in your ends.


Stay Connected


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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Tuesday, February 6, 2018

A Tisket A Tasket Dishcloth

A Free Crochet Pattern




I have a quick little pattern for you this week. This is a practice pattern for a basket that I am going to share next week. This Dishcloth will help you practice the Tunisian knit stitch and the Tunisian purl stitch for the body of the dishcloth. The pattern repeat is often referred to as the seed stitch in knitting. You will also learn how to make the attached i-cord stitch for the border of the dishcloth. These Dishcloths might look familiar to you. I designed them based off of my knit learner's curve dishcloths. I didn't want you crocheters to feel left out.

I like my dishcloths to be on the small side, so you will be able to make these with a regular crochet hook. I'm not going to lie; the i-cord edging (or just crocheted i-cord in general) is very fiddly and awkward. I found using a cable needle or a double pointed knitting needle to hold the stitches together made all the difference at making the edging look great.

I found this youtube video really helpful for the attached I-cord.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EbymEneY5qI

I will have a PDF for this pattern that will be added to next week's basket pattern, so be on the look out for it.
~edit~ Here is the Ravelry link for purchasing the Basket Pattern 

Stay Connected

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 art news and projects.
Facebook
Instagram
Pinterest




Designer: Julia Schwartz
Yarn: worsted cotton yarn
Hook: H/8 5mm
Notions: tapestry needle, cable needle
Size: 4 by 4 inches
Gauge: 13 sc and 14 rows (not really needed for this pattern)
Special Stitches:

  • TPS:  (forward pass) Place yarn in front of your work, insert your hook into the left vertical bar of the st below, yo and pull your yarn through.  
       (Return pass): follow instructions in the pattern.

  • 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 Julia.diligence@gmail.com.

Pattern: 

Row 1: ch 15, insert hook into each ch and pull up a loop for a total of 15 loops on the hook,
return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 2: Forward pass: (tks, tps) repeat (to) for 15 stitches
return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 3: Forward pass: (tps, tks) repeat (to) for 15 stitches
return pass: yo, pull through 1 loop, (yo, pull through 2 loops) repeat (to) until you have 1 loop left.

Row 4-15: Repeat rows 2 and 3

Finish off

I-cord Edging

With a new color, ch 3, pull up a loop in each ch, insert the hook in a corner st, yo and pull up a loop for a total of 4 loops on the hook, {take the back 3 loops off the hook and put them on the cable needle, (yo and pull through one loop on the hook, take the next st off the cable needle and onto your hook) repeat (to) 2 times, take the last loop off the cable needle, place the loop on the hook, insert the hook into the next st of dishcloth, yo and pull through, yo and pull through 2 loops}

You should have 4 loops on your hook again.

Repeat {to} until you have gone all the way around the dishcloth.

To finish off, yo and pull through all 4 loops, sl st into the starting ch of the edging.

Finish off. Weave in your ends.

More Patterns You Will Love:

How to Crochet a Double Brimmed Hat

Scrubbing Dishcloths

Pin for Later!


Thursday, February 1, 2018

Designs by Diligence is Six


It's hard to believe that this blog has been around for 6 years this month. In February I always like to look back to what has happened, so I can look forward to the next year.

So much has happened in 6 years. On a personal level we have moved 4 times, the first move being to a new country no less. I have had a pregnancy loss and another daughter to brighten my day. My oldest started school and now she is in the 3rd grade. My husband is still in school, but he is so close to being done.

On the blog, I have continued to share crochet patterns. I have added embroidery and knitting into the mix, and this coming year I will be adding charts to all of my paid patterns.

This last year I have gotten more serious and professional in my blogging. This last year the blog had close to 130,000 page views. I did not install google analytics until April so that's why the picture is set at April. On Ravelry my free and paid patterns saw over 2,000 downloads. I'm excited for the next year and the patterns and ideas that I have for the blog.
 

Thank you for joining me on this crazy ride.