Pattern in Pictures: Alternate change purse

Materials:
less than 3oz of worsted weight yarn
h hook

Ch 4.

9 dc in 4th ch from hook. (first 3 chs count as 1 dc.)

Sl st to top of beginning ch 3. 10 dc total

Ch 3.

dc in same stitch. (counts as 2 dc.)

2 dc in each st around. 20 dc total.

Ch, 3. Working in back loops only, dc in each dc around. (20 dc)

This should make it start to turn into a bowl.

Ch 3 and dc in each dc around. Sl st to top of beginning ch 3 until the bag is as big as you'd like. When you've made it as big as you'd like, ch 4. (this counts as first dc, ch1)

sk next dc. dc in next st. ch1. Repeat around.

sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 4.

ch 1, work lazy shell (sc, ch 3, dc) in first st. sk next st. Work lazy shell in next st. sl st to beginning ch 1.

Make the same braid you made for the first bag. Weave it through and you've got yourself a drawstring bag. If you want a bigger bag, just make the bottom bigger. (next row would be 1 dc, 2dc in same st, repeat. following row would be dc 2 times, 2dc in same st and so on and so forth until bottom is wide enough)

The first person to email me a picture of something they've made from one of my patterns gets this bag. :D Send pictures to armyofowls@gmail.com

FF a day late.

This week just really got away from me. I cannot believe how late in May it already is. I've been filling my days with lots and lots of crochet.

This Fanatic Friday (on a Saturday) is devoted to books full of crochet stitches. As I get further along in my crochet I'm finding it easier and easier to not only adapt crochet patterns to what I need them for, but to write my own patterns as well. Having books full of crochet stitches around has been more than helpful in both endeavors.

The first one I'd like to showcase is The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs by Linda P. Schapper. It contains 500 classic and original patterns. There have been a few places where I've noticed the wording is weird, or they've used the wrong term. It's easy enough to figure it out if you've got a little crochet experience. Plus, the variety of beautiful, interesting patterns makes up for it and then some. I've already made a few shrugs out of the patterns.

Leisure Arts has a lot of good resources in this aspect. I currently own #75071, #75009, and #75033. These have 30, 19, and 19 crochet stitch patterns respectively. The latter 2 have extra patterns using the stitches too. Some of the patterns look a little dated, but there are some baby blankets, rugs, scarves, and dishcloths that are decent. The best thing about these? They're all $3.50! They're also available in most craft stores. I got mine at JoAnn's, but I've seen them in Hobby Lobby and Wal-mart. Definitely worth a look, if not a purchase.


The stitch I used for this pattern is located in Leisure Arts #75033. It's called "Shells & Lace". I've adapted it to make a shrug. The one in this pattern is for a little girl, probably sized around 2T. It's so easy to turn it into a grown person's sized shrug. The instructions to make a bigger shrug will follow the pattern.



Girl's Shrug

Materials:
-around 3 oz of worsted weight yarn
-H hook
-Yarn needle
-measuring tape
-2 stitch markers

Abbreviations used:
sc= single crochet
sk= skip
ch= chain
dc= double crochet

Pattern note: This pattern is essentially just a rectangle. I tend to crochet very tightly, so with the listed materials I made a size 2T shrug. It's a rectangle about 8in wide and approximately 16in long. Also, the pattern will tell you to work a st in the next dc and sometimes that will mean into the third ch of the beginning ch 5 or ch 6.

-Shell stitch is 5 dc in stitch indicated.-

Ch 44

Row 1: (right side) sc in second ch from hook. *sk next 2 chs, work Shell in next ch, sk next 2 chs, sc in next ch. Repeat from * across.

Row 2: Ch 5 (counts as first dc plus ch 2), turn. sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc. *ch 2, sc in center dc of next shell, ch 2, dc in next sc. Repeat from * across.

Row 3: Ch 6 (counts as first dc plus ch 3) turn. sc in next sc, ch 3, dc in next dc, *ch 3, sc in next sc, ch 3, dc in next dc. Repeat from * across.

Row 4: ch 1, turn, sc in first dc, *ch 2, dc in next sc, ch 2, sc in next dc. Repeat from * across.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn, sc in first sc, *work shell in next dc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * across.

Repeat Rows 2-5 until piece is at least 16 inches long. You should end on Row 4. Don't fasten off. Fold the rectangle in half, length-wise. About 3 inches from your hook, use a stitch marker to hold the sides of the rectangle together. About 10 inches from your stitch marker, place another stitch marker holding the 2 sides together. Now pick up your hook again.

Edging:
Working in the edges of the rows, sc the sides together until you reach the stitch marker. Remove the stitch marker and continue working sc in the edges of just the side closest to you. Once you reach the second stitch marker, remove it and start single crocheting both sides together again. Once you reach the end, fasten off, and you've got yourself a shrug.


Adult sizes:
You just have to make a rectangle wide enough to go around your arm at it's widest point, and across your back. Add length to the rectangle if you want longer sleeves. (Obviously this will take more yarn too.)


Using this rectangle, there are so many options of stitches that open up. Using these books you should be able to make a wide variety of shrugs, rugs, blankets, and scarves. If you're really crafty you can adapt these to hats as well. These patterns aren't only for use in a rectangular or square application. All it takes is some math and some knowledge of decreases and increases and things start getting circular or 3-D.

Does this cover the Saturday stitch portion too? :D

Sunday Showcase!

This is a new portion of the blog where I tell everyone about another awesome crochet blog or website. I've come across many while searching for patterns for things. I'll have more than enough to fill this area for awhile.

This week's entry belongs entirely to Ravelry. You have to sign up for it but it's free. It would be worth it to pay to join. This site is a collection of knit and crochet patterns. Some you have to pay for but most of them are free. I've got 3 patterns posted on there so far.

BUT WAIT THERE'S MORE! They have so many search options. Let's say all that you've got with you is 500 yards of worsted weight yarn. You can search by yarn yardage, weight, hook size, etc. This option is invaluable to those trying to use up a yarn stash. That's not where the search options end. You can narrow your search enough that you can find all the free baby sweater patterns using sport weight yarn and an E hook.

As far as my favorite thing regarding just the patterns goes, I LOVE the variety of stuff on this site. There's even a naughty section, for those of you with a Mom like mine who has a decidedly perverse sense of humor and would appreciate a crocheted amigurumi dildo. I'm not even kidding.

So to all of you following, and all those learning to crochet along with me, join. It's only a few moments of your time. When you do join, search for FistfulOfRobots. That's me and I will gladly be your Ravelry.com friend. :D


I'd also like to showcase my Mom, for being awesome and giving me a perverse (read: Awesome!) sense of humor. She taught me to crochet and I love her the mostest.

It's much bigger on the inside.

An order came in for a TARDIS and I was so excited. The trial and error process was a little more than I expected, but I'm alright with how it turned out. It's so easy to make. As always, email me pictures of finished products or if you've got any questions. (armyofowls@gmail.com)


Materials:
3-5 oz. worsted weight yarn in blue
white and black yarn for embroidering
g hook
yarn needle
stuffing

Pattern Note: I crochet tightly anyways, but I find that crocheting tightly helps a lot in this aspect because it makes the rectangles a little bit more sturdy.

Side: (Make 4)
Ch 16
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each stitch across.(15 sc)
Row 2-25: ch 1, turn. sc in each sc. (15 sc)
Fasten off.

[if you want a taller TARDIS make more rows here]

Bottom:
Ch 21
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each sc across (20 sc)
Row 2-20: ch 1, turn. sc in each sc. (20 sc)
Fasten off.

[make as many rows as needed to make a square.]

Top:
ch 16
Row 1: sc in second ch from hook and in each sc across (15 sc)
Row 2-15: ch 1, turn. sc in each sc. (15 sc)
Fasten off

Assembly:
1: With white yarn, embroider "Police Box" on the top of each of the sides. Under that, embroider 6 "windows" in 2 groups of 3. Directly under that, embroider 2 sets of 3 windows again.

2. On one of the sides (I picked the best looking one because I'm not the best embroiderer) stitch lines around the windows to make doors. (using black yarn) See photo.

3. Sew all four sides together to make a 3-d rectangle.

4. Sew bottom to 3-D rectangle. It should be bigger than the rectangle by about 2 stitches on each side.

5. To make the light on top, ch 5, sl st in second ch from hook and in each across. Sew this, upright, to the top.

*If desired, cut cardboard to fit inside the bottom and all four sides. You don't need to attach these in any way. They'll be held down and up by the stuffing.*

6. Sew top to top of rectangle 3/4 of the way. Stuff TARDIS. Sew last side of top. If you pull a little bit on the light in the middle of the top it gives it a peaked appearance.

7. Find a handsome Scottish gentleman and go gallivanting across space and time.

Super Super Fanatic Fridays

Super Super Cute Crochet by Brigitte Read is an amazing book. She does amazing work with yarn and makes some of the most realistic looking animals I've ever seen. I can't rave enough about her. What I will do, is tell you how this is a run of the mill (pattern-wise) book full of the least run-of-the-mill animals I've ever seen made into amigurumi. Here's what she's got in there:

• Pomeranian
• Bunny
• Kitten
• Pig
• Siberian Hamster
• Puppy
• Cat
• Cow (It's square! And ridiculously cute!)
• Polar Bear
• Penguin (oh my the cuteness of this penguin. my god...)
• Turtles
• Crocodile
• Frogs and Toads
• Walrus
• Manta Ray
• Squid (this one I'm in the middle of and will post pictures of when it's finished)
• Whale
• Shrimp
• Duck-billed platypus (!!!)
• Snail
• Flamingo
• Tortoise
• Hippo
• Guinea Pig
• Anteater
• Butterfly
• Bluebird
• Toucan
• Owls
• Panda
• Koala
• Silkworm
• Arctic Fox
  
• Star-nosed mole
• Dragon

They all look so complex but the patterns are pretty easy to follow as long as you know your crochet basics (and after last Fanatic Friday, you should. BUY THAT BOOK!)

There is a TARDIS in the works, folks, and I'm working on writing out the Old Gregg pattern. Get ready for some more patterns, as well as the very first Sunday Showcase.

Updates and Freebies and Contests, Oh My!

I'm getting a nice chunk of sales from my Facebook page. Granted, all of them have been friends or internet friends (HULLO GOONS!) but it's still nice that people are willing to help someone they know get their stuff out there.

I've got a nice little stockpile of stuff made now, and I want to pass along some freebies to folks. I'd love to see a jump in followers on either this or my facebook page. Just tell whoever you refer to follow me to leave a comment somewhere saying you sent them. I'll even take a custom order as long as it won't take more than 1 skein's worth of yarn. (it can be multicolored, just not huge).

I would also love to give away something I've made to someone who genuinely appreciates what I'm doing here. Email me and tell me how I've helped you with crochet. If you've got a picture of something of mine you've made, send that along too! I'd like to get my name out there and I want to know this little bitty blog is helping folks.

Next post will be stitch related, I promise. :D Any requests for the next pattern in pictures?

Pattern in Pictures: Jewelry bag/Change purse

Jewelry/Change Purse

Materials:

• I hook

• 50-100 yrds worsted weight yarn (this is a great pattern to use up scraps!)

• stitch marker or safety pin
  

Rnd 1: Make a magic ring. sc 5 in ring. (alternately, ch 2 and make 5 sc in second ch from hook). Mark first st of each row with a stitch marker.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc. (10 sc)

Rnd 3: sc in next sc. 2 sc in next sc. Repeat around. (15 sc)

Rnd 4: sc in next 2 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat around.

Rnd 5: sc in next 3 sc. 2 sc in next sc.

Rnd 6: sc in next 4 sc, 2sc in next sc. Repeat around. (30 sc)
*If you want a bigger bag, work more rounds here in the same fashion.

Rnd 7: working in back loop only, sc in each sc around. (30 sc)

Rnd 8: working in both loops now, sc in each sc around. (30 sc)

Continue working one sc in each sc around, moving the stitch marker up to each new round. The number of rounds depends on how tall you want the bag to be. I believe there are 12 rounds of sc worked even here.

Next rnd: work 1 sc, sc dec in each st around.

Next rnd: sl st in first sc. Ch 5 (counts as first dc and ch 2)

Dc in same st. *sk next st. dc, ch 2, dc all in next st* Repeat *-* around.

Sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 5.

Next rnd: ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3, dc in same st. sk ch 2.

*sc in next dc. ch 3, dc in same st. sk next dc and ch 2.* Repeat *-* around to last st. end with sc in last st. Sl st to first ch 1 and fasten off.

Cut 6 equal pieces of yarn the length you'd like the drawstring/ handle to be. It should at least be 12 in. Make a knot at the end, and using 3 groups of 2 strands, make a braid. Knot it again at the other end.

Weave the braid through the dc, ch 2 rnd and you're done!


Questions or corrections? email me at armyofowls@gmail.com

This particular bag is getting sent out to Julie for passing along my blog and Facebook page to all her friends. If you'd like free stuff, have people comment or email me and tell me that you brought them to either site.