It's almost November and as I have my fingerless mittens in my coat pocket (drafty Victorian building + lots of typing = desperately cold hands at this time of year!), I thought I'd jot down the pattern. I made it up as I went along and it's also the first time I've ever written out the pattern of something I've made, so poke me about any errors - I'm typing this out from memory!

These mittens were made out of hand spun merino wool on a 6mm hook. I have no idea about how much wool it took - the skein was approximately 130 yards long and I had enough wool left to make a long skinny scarf. And, of course, it depends on how big your hands are!

I have small hands, so the mittens measure approximately 7" (18cm) round and 4" (10cm) from knuckle to wrist. However, they're easily adjustable for all ages (men, women and children!), so go up a hook size or two or increase the stitches to suit your hand size. I tried them on as I went, so you may need to do a few more rows until you get to the thumb hole. They're also quite short (just to my wrist bone) so add on a few rows at the bottom if you want them longer, or add a cuff.

You could do a more fancy stitch, but I was aiming for a basic mitten so I could let the yarn speak for itself (it's a riot of beautiful colours). If your yarn is more plain, go wild with different stitches!

I crocheted in a round, with a slip stitch to join and no turning (except for one or two rows where I've indicated to turn).

Row 1 - Ch 21, join with a sl st. Ch 2.
Row 2 - Sc 20. Ch 2.

Morning! Some of you've asked me for the pattern for the green capelet that I wore in the Mixing Yarns episode from the 2nd season of Knitty Gritty. Well Knitties (or in this case, Hookers), ask and you shall receive! This is a super simple number that can be whipped up in the matter of a couple of hours. If you've never crocheted before no worries, this is a great beginner's project and my How-to section's got your back! Enjoy!, Vickie

2 Balls Lionbrand Jiffy. Color: Grass Green.
Size US N Crochet Hook
Tapestry Needle

One Size

Finished Measurements:
38" (at widest point) x 11" long

Gauge
6 1/2 sts= 4" in trc

Directions

Ch 55 and join with a sl st (be careful not to twist ch). PM to indicate end of rnd. Round 1: Ch 2. Beginning in next st from ch, hdc in all stitches. Join rnd with a sl st.

I made myself a shrug using a very basic concept, aka Basic Shrug 101.

Yarn: 2 skeins, Light & Lofty, Antique Rose
Hook: Red Heart Crystallites P-16 (11.5mm)

It was made specifically to fit me, but you can easily modify it to fit you.

None taken

Pattern uses US terminology
ch(s) chain(s)
sl st slip stitch
dc(s) double crochet(s)
st(s) stitch(es)
dc dec double crochet decrease
yo yarn over
dc-foundation ch
There is also a tutorial called Triple Base Chain that shows how to do the dc-foundation ch, too

Back:
Row 1: Ch 3, using dc-foundation ch, make 37 dc. Ch 2, turn.
Row 2: Skip first dc, work dc into each dc of previous row, dc into turning ch. Ch 2, turn. (37 dcs)

This adorable bag sold for $145 at Crochetville's 2007 auction! Features include a hook holder, yarn eyelets, and accessories pockets.

MC: 3 skeins (765 yd) Bernat® Soft Bouclé or 5/bulky weight yarn
CC: 1 skein (255 yd) Bernat® Soft Bouclé or 5/bulky weight yarn
Size J-10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook or size to obtain gauge
1 yd 1” wide grosgrain ribbon
1/2 yd fabric in coordinating color for lining
3 3/16” eyelets
Stitch markers
Yarn needle
Sewing thread in coordinating color
Sewing needle

12" wide x 10" high x 4" deep

None given.

Some sewing skill also required.

http://www.crochetkitten.com/files/The_Crocheter_s_Messenger.pdf

Georgia O’Keefe is my absolute favorite artist. She saw the world around her in minute detail, and to honor her vision I wanted to envision the scarf in a new way. Based on the O’Keefe painting “Large Dark Red Leaf On White,” I designed a scarf of large red crocheted leaves. Make this your own by arranging the leaves in a straight line, overlapping, or even make a V-shaped scarf with a leaf cluster in the back. Allow your inner artist to emerge and have fun with Georgia.

• Color A:  Malabrigo, Merino (100% wool; 216 yards / 3.5 oz.), #41 Burgundy, 1 hank
• Color B:  Malabrigo, Merino (100% wool; 216 yards / 3.5 oz.), #201 Pearl, 1 hank
• Color C:  Rowan, Lurex Shimmer (viscose blend; 103 yards per 25 grams), Black, 1 ball
• Color D:  Rowan, Kidsilk Spray (mohair blend; 229 yards / 25 grams), #573 Medici, 1 ball
• Color E:  Nashua, Creative Focus Chunky (75% wool, 25% alpaca; 110 yards/100 meters, 100 grams/3.5 oz.), #100 Natural, 1 ball
• Note:  If the above yarns are not available at your local yarn store, substitute a heavy worsted/aran weight yarn for the Malabrigo; fingering weight metallic yarn for Lurex Shimmer; DK weight mohair yarn for Kidsilk Spray; and any chunky wool for the Nashua Creative Focus.
• Hook size I/9 (5.5 mm) and K/10.5 (6.5 mm)

• Make all leaves prior to construction and play with the lay out to get the look you want. 
• Weaving in all ends as you go also makes the final construction easier and faster. 
• Gauge is not crucial for this project.

The Snuttis design is inspired by my very own Snuttis, which is the nickname I’ve given to my baby. Crochet a Snuttis scarf for yourself, or even better, as a gift to someone you care about. That way they will think of you every time they wear that big and comfy scarf.

The pictures were shot in the beautiful Vigeland park on a beautiful Sunday in October. The park is located in central Oslo, Norway. As seen on the cover of this issue, I even got the famous baby statue “The Little Angry Boy" to model for Snuttis.

• 4 skeins of “Topp’t Taa” bulky weight wool (50g/55m or 1.8oz/55yds): white (A),
• 1 skein bulky weight wool: pink (B)
• Size 10 mm (N/15) crochet hook
• Yarn needle

21 x 155 cm (8.3 x 61in)

9 dc x 5 rows = 10 cm (4”) in white

7 sc x 10 rows = 10 cm (4”) in pink. Please note that I’ve used novelty yarn for the hearts, where the thickness of the yarn changes in an uneven fashion).   

With a chill in the air, all of my Northern friends begin pulling wool from their stash and get to work on their dreamy projects. They are about to start the season of yarn - in fact 3 glorious seasons of yarn. Their projects are designed to make you feel warm and cozy on those chilly, breezy days. No yarn is too heavy or too warm for my Northern Friends.

Here in the South, it’s still 85 degrees. It’s hot. Real hot. Damn hot. The thought of wool would make your skin itch, crawl, and walk away if it could. The air conditioning is on full-blast and the ice is still melting in the lemonade. Fall is just another extension of summer here. Cotton is a Southerner’s best friend when you insist on using hooks in this heat.

And yet here is a simple pattern we can both agree on. Different fibers for our different locations keep us hooking along together, unified in crochet. A felted wool scarf to keep out those blustery fall breezes in the North and a cool cotton scarf to help us pretend that it really is Fall in the South.

North:

• Patons Classic Merino Wool (100% wool; 223 yards / 204 meters per 100 grams / 3.5 oz.), Old Gold (#204), Paprika (#238), Burgundy (#208), Leaf Green (#240), 1 skein of each
• K hook / 6.5 mm
• Yarn needle
• Zippered pillowcase or a regular pillowcase and strong rubber band
• 1/2 cup baking sod
• Dish soap, just a squirt
• Old jeans and/or tennis shoes
• A top-loading clothes washer
• Four old towels

South:

• Lily Sugar ‘n Cream (100% cotton; 120 yards / 110 meters per 70.9 grams/2.5 oz.), Ecru (#4), Warm Brown (#1130), Hot Green (#1712), Rose Pink (#46), 1 ball of each
• H hook / 5.0 mm
• Yarn needle

North: 90”/228 cm before felting; 78”/198 cm after felting. Your scarf may be a little longer or shorter, depending on your washer and the duration of felting time.

South: 81”/206 cm

North: each motif = 4"/10cm in diameter

South: each motif = 3.25"/8.25cm in diameter 

Motifs are worked in the round. Do not turn rows.

After a nice, relaxing summer and autumn, we are now heading towards winter. But winter garments and accessories do not need to come in boring and dull dark colours.

So with that in mind, I came up with the design for the Rose set, which includes a handbag, a headband and a matching rose to pin on your jacket. It all comes down to the accessories, right?

And since I’m also such a pink person, I couldn’t think of a better colour than pink for the set. This way you will certainly be seen.

The items in the Rose set are all felted, which makes the headband nice and warm, and it also gives the handbag sturdiness so it does not need to be lined.

The set is crocheted with bulky weight wool, so the items are fast projects to make.

• Cortina - Bulky weight wool (50g/55m or 1.8 oz/55yds): 4 skeins (3 skeins for the handbag & 1 skein for the headband)
• Size 7.0mm (K) hook
• Yarn needle

Before felting:

Handbag: 31.5 x 28 cm (12.4 x 11 in)

Headband: 10 x 50 cm ( 4 x 1.7 in) without tassels; tassel 32 cm (12.6 in).

After felting:

Handbag: 24.5 x 26 cm (9.6 x 10.2 in)

Headband: 8 x 47 cm (3.1 x 18.5 in); tassels 24 cm (9.5 ins)

Rose: 8 cm across (3.1 in)

Before felting: 10 dc x 6 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in)

After felting: 13 dc x 6.5 rows = 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in)

• The yarn needs to be 100% wool in order for the felting process to succeed.
• The items can be stretched and formed into correct shaping and sizes when wet.

Rose (make 5 alike)

Ch 4, sl st in first ch to create ring.

Round 1: *Ch 3, 1 sc.* Rep *-* 5 times –- 6 bows.

Round 2: Work in each bow: *1 sc, 3 dc, 1 sc*. Join to frst sc with a sl st. Cut thread, weave in ends. Attach to a pin, to be worn on a jacket.

Handbag

Front

Ch 32.

Row 1: Work 1 dc in the 4th ch from the hook and in each ch across – 30 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Work dc in each st across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3 - 12: Rep row 2.

Row 13: Work dc in each of first 2 sts, dc2tog, *dc in each of next 2 sts, dc2tog.* Rep *-* across, ending row with dc in each of last 2 sts –- 23 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Rows 14-16: Work dc in each st across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 17: Make opening for hand. Work dc in each of first 6 sts, ch 11 loosely, skip 11 sts before working dc in last 6 sts. Ch 3, turn.

Row 18: Work dc in each of first 6 sts, work 11 dc in ch-11 space, work dc in each of last 6 sts. Ch 3, turn.

Rows 19-21: Work dc in each st across. Ch 3, turn.

Cut thread, weave in ends.

Back

Work same as for front.

Assemble the handbag:

Sew sides and bottom of front and back pieces together, with their right sides facing each other. Turn right side out. Crochet 3 roses to be sewn on the front side. The roses can be sewn on both before and after the felting process. However, keep in mind that the roses will shrink, so the ‘placement’ of the roses may alter after the handbag has been felted if they are sewn on beforehand. I sewed on the rose after the felting on the handbag that is displayed in the picture.

Headband

Ch 43 to make a tassel.

Row 1: Work 2 dc in the 3rd ch from the hook – 3 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 2: Work 2 dc in the first st, dc in next st, 2 dc in the last st – 5 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 3: Work 2 dc in the first st, dc in each of next 3 sts, 2 dc in the last st – 7 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 4: Work 2 dc in the first st, dc in each of next 5 sts, 2 dc in the last st – 9 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 5: Work dc in each st across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 6: Work dc in each of first 4 sts, 2 dc in the next st, dc in each of last 4 sts – 10 dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 7-25: Work dc in each st across. Ch 3, turn.

Row 26: Work dc in each of first 4 sts, dc2tog, dc. Ch 3, turn.

Row 27: Ch 2. Work dc2tog, dc in each of next 5 sts across, dc2tog over last 2 sts – 7 dc.

Continue to dec 2 dc on each row (one at each end of the row) until there are only 3 dc left. Work 3 dc together. Ch 40 to make another tassel. Cut thread, weave in ends.

Felting

Put all items through a hot machine wash to shrink and felt.

If you’ve ever staked plants in your garden, chances are you have a spool of jute twine lying around the house. Put it to a fun, new use with this beaded basket. If you don’t have any jute, you’ll find what you need with a quick stop by the twine section of your local hardware store. While you’re there, take a look at some of the other twine available; you may just find yourself crocheting with alternative materials you never considered before.

Approx 4½ inches diameter and 2 7/8 inches tall.

Rounds 1-5 = 4¼ inches

US Pattern Notations Used
ch = chain
ch-1 sp(s) = chain 1 space(s)
flo = front loop only
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch
st(s) = stitch(es)

• Beads are sewn into the pattern with hemp cord after the basket is complete, not threaded onto the jute. Hemp jewelry cord is usually available in small quantities (about 10-yard bundles) at craft stores or anywhere jewelry-making supplies are sold.
• Some jute has an odor reminiscent of fuel while other jute is virtually odorless except for a very light scent of natural fibers. Give it a good whiff before you buy it. If it smells bad, buy it elsewhere.

Basket

Make an adjustable ring by placing tail end behind working end of yarn, forming a loop.

Until a few weeks ago, I thought “alternative fibers” meant eyelash yarn. Oh, how I was mistaken. Alternative fibers really mean anything you can get your hands on to crochet and knit with except yarn. The only limitation is your own creativity. My awakening happened at the Crochet and Knitting Conference in Valley Forge. My mom, sister, cousin, and I took a class on “alternative fibers.” It was fantastic. It was like being in camp again, sitting around the fire talking while trying to make lanyards; except there was no fire and we were trying to crochet with the gimp instead. Since then, I’ve been a woman on a mission. The mission is to crochet every material, paper to plastic, in sight. Recently, when Mother’s Day came around, I wanted to make my mom something with alternative fibers to say thank you for bringing me to class. That’s when these coasters were born.

I chose black flagging tape for my mom’s coasters. I wanted them to resemble the black bamboo mats that she bought and I wanted them to be waterproof, to be used outside. Flagging tape is a heavy plastic ribbon (no adhesive on any side) that surveyors, gardeners, and hikers use to mark off areas. You can easily find it in any hardware store (gardening aisle), sports store (camping/climbing aisle), or eBay - where you can find anything. Once I finished these, I tried grocery bags just for fun (shown in photo, above). The grocery bags coaster uses both plies of the bag (one seemed too flimsy). For yours, feel free to try any alternative fiber, like hemp, curling ribbon, or twine. Just think about the fabric and the use you want to achieve. One last note, if you are new to Tunisian crochet, I would recommend trying the pattern with yarn first. Yarn is much easier to work with to master the stitch.

US pattern notation used
Ch = chain
Yo = Yarn Over
Sl st = Slip stitch
TSS = Tunisian simple stitch – insert hook under next vertical bar, YO, pull up loop. For more information, see tutorial in April/May ’05 issue.

“Basket Weave” Coaster