Monday, September 11, 2017

Painted Sunflower

A free Crochet Pattern


Of all of my designs, I think this is one of my favorites. I made this sunflower to hang in my bathroom in 2012 and it is still in my bathroom, even after 4 moves. Yikes lets not talk about how I have moved 4 times in the last 5 years. This is one of the last patterns I am moving over from Crochetvotution . After this pattern there is only one left, and it is a Christmas pattern, so I might wait a little while to put that one up.
There it is hanging in my bathroom for proof.

This pattern is a little unconventional. You don't see crochet projects as stiff wall hangings that have been painted, and I think that's why I like it so much. It is different and it showcases crochet and fiber art in a different way.

This sunflower is easy and fast to work up since you are using 2 strands of cotton thread at the same time. What takes this project time is the drying time for the starch and paint, so don't let the amount of time scare you; it mostly takes that long because it is sitting there drying.




Designer: Julia Schwartz
Time to complete: one week, (3 to 6 hours for the crochet, 48 to 36 hours of drying time, 1 hour of painting, and another 24 hours of drying.)
Hook: size 4/2.00mm steel crochet hook,
Yarn: Size 10 crochet thread (two balls),
Materials used:
  • sugar,
  • water, 
  • wax paper, 
  • Folk art acrylic paint Sunny yellow, and burnt sienna), 
  • Apple Barrel colors craft paint ( apricot, and goose feather), 
  • 2 ½ paint brush 
Finished Size:  11 in. circumference
Crocheting Note: Two strands of string will be used at the same time.
Special stitches:
picot: Chain 4 slip stitch in forth chain from hook.

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.

Where Can I Get This Pattern?

This is a Free Crochet Pattern. So just keep scrolling down to find this pattern. I also have this pattern available for a PDF download through my Ravelry Store. For $3.00 you can have this Pattern that is printer friendly and ads free.
<---------------> buy now <------------>
You can purchase through this link or you can start at my Ravelry store.


Painted Sunflower Pattern

Flower center 

Round one: Chain 8, slip stitch into beginning chain to form a ring, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 double crochet around ring, slip stitch in beginning chain 3. (12 double crochet made).

Round two: Chain 8, slip stitch in 4th chain from hook (picot made), chain 1, double crochet in starting stitch, {Double crochet, chain 1, picot, chain 1 double crochet in next stitch} repeat {to}until end of round, slip stitch in 3rd chain of beginning stitch. (12 picots)

Round three: Chain 9 slip stitch in 4th chain from hook (picot made), chain 1, 2 treble crochet in next double crochet, picot, treble crochet in next stitch, {chain 1, picot, chain 1, 2 treble crochet in next stitch, picot 1 treble crochet in next stitch} repeat {to} to end of round. End with picot, chain 1, slip stitch in beginning chain 4. (24 picots)

Round four: Chain 6, 1 treble crochet, picot, 1 treble crochet in same stitch, chain 2, skip one treble crochet and one picot, {1 treble crochet, picot, 1 treble crochet in next treble crochet} Repeat {to}to end. End with skip one treble crochet, picot, treble crochet in next treble crochet, slip stitch in 4th chain at beginning. (24 picots)

Round five: Chain 4, 2 treble crochet in chain two, (chain 2, 3treble crochet in next chain two space) repeat around, end with chain two, slip stitch in beginning treble crochet. (24 3 tr groups)

Round six: Chain 1, 1 single crochet in beginning stitch 2 single crochet in next stitch, 1 single crochet in next, 4 single crochet in chain two space, ( 1 single crochet, 2 single crochet in one stitch, 1 single crochet, 4 single crochet in chain two space) Repeat to end slip stitch in beginning stitch.
Do not finish off.

Petals 

First petal
Row one through twelve: Chain 1, 1 single crochet in same stitch, (chain 3 skip one stitch 1 single crochet) Repeat 10 times, chain 1 skip one stitch, 1 half double crochet. You should have twelve loops {chain 3, turn, 1 single crochet in next loop, (chain 3, 1 single crochet in next loop) Repeat (to) 9 times, chain 1, 1 half double crochet in last loop} keep repeating till one loop is left, decreasing one loop each row up,
Finish off.

Second petal through eighth petal:
Insert thread with a slip stitch into last single crochet used in flower center. Follow the directions in petal one.

Edging 

Insert thread with a slip stitch into any chain 2 space on petals, 2 single crochet in each loop around, when you come to the tip 3 single crochet, chain 1, 3 single crochet. When you have gone all the way around, slip stitch into beginning round, finish off.
Weave in all ends.

Starching
 I like using sugar starch.
You will need handy some cardboard covered with wax paper.
Mix 1 cup of sugar with ½ a cup of water, put it over medium heat, and stir it until the sugar melts and becomes translucent, this will happen right before boiling.
Take the starch off of the heat.
Soak your sunflower in the starch, making sure all parts of it is saturated. It will be hot and sticky so take caution when taking it out, ring out or let it drip off all excess starch.
 Place it on the wax paper covered cardboard stretch and pin the center of the flower into a tight circle, Arrange the petals to your liking and make sure all of the picots are standing up.
Depending on the weather it should dry and harden in 48 to 72 hours.

Painting
Starting with the burnt sienna and a ½ brush, paint the center of the flower. When that is dry paint the picots with goose feather, go back with a dry brush and brush on the wet goose feather onto the burnt sienna. Next paint the petals with the apricot, then highlight with the sunny yellow. Allow another 24 hours to dry.


 More Crochet Patterns You will Love:

Crafty Containers

Messenger Envelope tablet Case


Monday, September 4, 2017

Baby Helix Hat

A Free Knitting Pattern 



I have been playing with Right and Left Twist Stitches again. I really love these stitches. They are so versatile, and they make texture so much easier than remembering to yarn over and decrease when needed. If you don't know the right and left twist I would encourage you to lookup some Youtube videos and watch how they are made.

You can also look at a couple of my patterns that include them. The Swift Swirl Hat is a great introduction to the Right Twist Stitch and it is a free pattern. Its companion pattern The Swift Chevron Hat is a paid pattern that takes the swirl to another level by making a chevron instead with Right and Left Twist.

The Baby helix Hat is an easy pattern to follow.  It is a 5 round repeat, that gives the allusion of twisting cables almost like a double helix. For the yarn I used two different yarns so you could see how it worked up in different options. The blue hat is Lion brand Yarn: Woolease, and the pink hat is Red Heart:With Love Metalic.

Where Can I Get This Pattern?


This is a free knitting pattern that you can read and follow along below. The pattern is made for a baby or a 14 in circumference. There is a lot of stretch in this pattern so it will fit and grow with baby for a long time. My 2 year old even stretched it over her head, but it was a bit to short for her, but that gives you an idea of how much stretch there is.
<-------------->buy now<--------------->
 If you would like to purchase this pattern you can. When you purchase this pattern you will get an instant download that is ads free and  you can print it off and keep.
You can buy now, Or you can start at my Ravelry Store first. 

The pattern includes what you see below plus the instructions for 3 more sizes; toddler, child and adult.

  

Designer Julia Schwartz

Yarn: Red Heart: With Love Metallic, 4.5 oz/127g 200 yrds/183m Fuisha

Needle: 9 US 5.5mm 16 in circulars and double points to finish

Notions: Yarn Needle to weave in your ends

Size: Baby (15 in), (Find these sizes in the paid pattern, toddler (18), child (20), adult (21))

Gauge: 16 st 22 rows is 4 inches

Stitches Used: k, LT, RT, k through back loop, k2tog through back loop, sl st, psso

Special Stitches:
Right Twist (RT): Knit 2 together keeping both stitches on the left needle, knit into the first stitch, then pull both stitches onto the right needle, stitch complete.
Left Twist (LT): Knit through the back loop of the 2nd st, keep the stitch on the left needle, knit in the first stitch, then pull both stitches onto the right needle, stitch complete.

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:
Pattern is based on multiples of 6.
Cast on 60 st. (I used a long tail version)
Rounds 1-3: (k, p), Repeat (to) around for ribbing
Round 4: (k 5 , p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 5: (LT, k, RT, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 6: (k, LT, k, k, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 7: (k, k, LT, k, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 8: (k, k, k, LT, p) Repeat (to) 9 times. Repeat Rounds 4- 8, 5 times.  

Decreasing Rounds 

Round 1: (LT, k, K2tog through the back, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 2: (k, k2tog through the back, k, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 3: (sl st, k2tog through the back, psso, p) Repeat (to) 9 times.
Round 4: (k2tog) Repeat (to) 9 times.

Finish off by pulling the tail through the remaining stitches on the needles, pull tight and slip knot closed. Weave in your ends.

More Knitting Patterns You Will Love


Learner's Curve Clutch

Swift Chevron Hat

Saturday, August 26, 2017

Top 10 Crochet Baby Patterns


Reader's Favorite Free Crochet Patterns For Babies



Welcome to Designs by Diligence. If this is your first time here, I hope you enjoy the patterns and have a good look around. For others welcome back. This is a post that has been long awaited. Some of these patterns are back from 2012. I have been doing a lot of updating this year and all the patterns have been newly updated and reviewed. Just click on the picture or link that you like to find the free patterns. 

If you like what you see I would encourage you to subscribe to Designs by Diligence.
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You can also follow me through my social media sites. 
http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.html




http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2017/08/minnesota-layette-set.html
Minnesota layette Set
  • blanket
  • hat
  • sweater
This is a great beginner blanket for those that are wanting to add more color and learn some new stitches. After the blanket try the hat and the sweater. The sweater is easier than you think with it's easy construction and design.

http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2017/02/the-love-patch-crochet-pattern.html
The Love Patch
This patch can be added to any hat, garment or bag, and it does not even need to be for a baby. This is a quick project that adds a lot of pizzazz to your finished project.


http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2016/02/tulips-aplenty-dress.html
Tulips Aplenty Dress
This is a sweet little dress that comes in 3 size options. The yarn used is Simply Soft and and it is so comfortable and easy to adjust to fit your little one.


http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2014/04/bullion-butterfly-beanie.html
Bullion Butterfly beanie
This is another great beginner pattern. It is a basic beanie with a statement of bullion stitches at the end. Follow the picture tutorial for the bullion butterfly. 


http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2014/03/infant-hat-in-simple-cables.html
Infant Hat in Simple Cables 
This is the most loved pattern that I have on Ravelry. This is my go to pattern for baby shower gifts. I can't tell you how many complements I have gotten for this hat. Mom's tell me that it is the perfect fit for their newborn. 




http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2014/02/peek-boo-striped-blanket.html
Peek a boo striped blanket 
This is one of my favorite patterns. pick two solid colors and one omber color and then watch the magic happen as the texture of this blanket come alive.





http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2013/05/primrose-newborn-hat.html
Primrose Newborn Hat
This is a sweet little fairy pattern, that has an added layer of warmth to it because of the back post stitches.



http://designsbydiligence.blogspot.com/2012/09/curling-baby-set.html

Curling Baby Set
  • hat
  • diaper cover
  • booties
This is the most looked at pattern on the blog. The cabled stitches really make this set stand out. Try two colors like the picture or keep it all one color the choice is yours.

What Pattern will you try. Tell me in the comments! Do you have any go to baby patterns that you love? Let us know.