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.
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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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Crochet Poinsettia Jar Cozy

Knit Basket Full of Posies

Monday, November 6, 2017

Poinsettia Jar Cozy

 A Free Crochet Pattern




This is the last pattern that I am moving over from Crochetvolution.  I'm a little sad to be done. Crochetvolution and the Editor Melissa Mall were such an integral part of me becoming the designer and blogger I am today. I will always be thankful for the boost of confidence that I got from being a published designer in those beginning days, before I even had a website in place.

The Poinsettia Jar Cozy is made beautiful by painting it after it's made. If you have seen my Sunflower Project then you already know I like to paint on my projects. For this one I used my water color pencils, so maybe I shouldn't call it painting but coloring. Water color pencils are great for beginners to play with I think they give you more control over what you are doing.  If you are going to get your project damp to block it why not color on it a little.

I should also note that this pattern inspired another Christmas pattern that you can find Here. The Poinsettia Christmas Ornament is my most popular pattern on Pinterest for obvious reasons.



Where Can I Get This Pattern

This is a free Pattern on the blog. Keep scrolling down to see this pattern. If you would like an ads free printer friendly version you can purchase one through my Ravelry Store for $3.00.
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If you like this pattern and you would like to continue to see more patterns like this subscribe to designs by diligence. Follow the steps and you will get an e-mail any time there is a new post on the blog.

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Poinsettia Jar Cozy

Designer: Julia Schwartz
Difficulty: Intermediate
Yarn: Aunt Lydia’s Classic Crochet (Size 10); [100% Cotton, 400 yds/336m per ball] less than 1 ball.
Hook: Size 6 steel hook

Notions:
  • Water
  • Water color pencils
  • Wax paper
  • Jar
Size: One Size
Finished Measurements: 4.5 x 5 inches (folded over)
Gauge: 8 sts/8 rows = 1″ in sc

Directions:
Rnd 1: Ch 5; sl st in beginning ch to form a loop. Ch 1, make 12 sc in loop, sl st in first sc. (12 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), (dc, ch 3 (also counts at a dc here and throughout this row) sl st) in same st. {Sl st in next 2 sts, (ch 3, dc, ch 3, sl st) in same st.}  Repeat  {to} 4 more times. Sl st in next 2 sp and up the first dc. (6 groups of 3 dc)

Rnd 3: Ch 3; dc in same sp, make 2 dc in each of the next 2 st, ch 1, {Make 2 dc in each of  the next 3 st, ch 1.}  Repeat  {to} 5 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 – 6 dc groups)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog in next 2 st. Ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1. {Dc2tog, dc in the next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 1, dc in ch-sp, ch 1}. Repeat  {to}  4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 leaves and 6 dc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ddc2tog in next st, ch 2, 3 dc in next dc, ch 2. {Make 2 dc2tog in the next 4 st, ch 2, make 3 dc in the next dc, ch 2.} Repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 4 and 6 groups of 3 dc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, dc in next st (decrease just made). Ch 3, 2 dc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 3. {Dc2tog, ch 3, make 2 dc in each of the next 3 dc, ch 3}. Repeat  {to} 4 more times, sl st into beginning dc. (6 groups of 2 and 6 groups of 6 dc)

Rnd 7: Ch 5 (counts as dc, ch 2); sc in next sp, ch 2. Dc2tog, dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2. {Dc in dc2tog, ch 2, sc in next sp, ch 2, dc2tog, dc in next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 2, sc in sp, ch 2.}  Repeat {to} 4 more times, sl st in beg dc.


Rnd 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1. {(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice, (dc2tog in dc) twice, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 2 times, ch 3} Repeat {to} 5 more times,  sl st into beginning st.

Rnd 8: Sl st into sp, ch 1. {(Sc in sp, ch 3) twice, dc2tog in dc, (ch 3, sc in next sp) 3 times, ch 3} Repeat {to} 5 more times,   sc, ch 3, sl st into beginning st.


Finish off. Weave in ends.

For band:

Row 1: Insert hook at any dc2tog. Sl st, ch 1, sc in same st, (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 6 times.

Row 2: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, sc in 3 ch-sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 5 times, sc in last st.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc in sc, ch 3, sc in next sp. (Ch 3, sc in next sp) 4 times, ch 3, sc in next st.

Rows 4-23: Repeat rows 2 and 3.

Row 24: Ch 1, turn, grab opposite end of poinsettia and sc in both Row 23 and dc2tog. (Ch 3, sc in next sp of poinsettia, ch 3, sc in next sp of Row 23.) Repeat till you come to the next dc2tog; sc.  

Finish off.
Weave in your ends.

Finishing: To paint your flower, get your jar cover damp. Put wax paper between the poinsettia and the band. Using watercolor pencils, color your Poinsettia, using the pictures as your guide. With a damp cloth carefully rub in the colors to blend it all together; set it out to dry.

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Monday, October 23, 2017

Easy Yarn Unicorn Hair


A Free Tutorial For Unicorn Hair


The older Little One gets the more I need to get creative with Halloween. She is getting more ideas about what she wants and what is considered cool. Is cool even the right word anymore? We decided on her being a unicorn; not too baby but still sweet. Right away Sweet Pea insisted that she would be a princess, and she is telling everyone that Mommy is going to make her a princess. She gets very defensive if we suggest anything else. 2 year olds are so easy.  Hopefully this tutorial will be easier than figuring out the workings of preteens. 

Tutorial 

Start with a long tail slip knot, ch 12, cut your yarn for a long tail and pull tight.
Loop in scraps of yarn into the chains until the section is full. 
Repeat this process 5 or 6 times. For the top piece add scraps on both sides of the chains. 


Sew in the strips of hair using the long tails of the chain stitches, and wip stitch it down to the hat so the hair falls at the base of the hat. Weave in any left over yarn.


Repeat the process above, a few rows over the last strip of hair.  


Keep going all the way up until you reach the ears.


On the last strip, make sure you have hair going in both directions for bangs and back mane hair.




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