Gift-A-Long 2018 is Here

It's that time of year again when I am thinking of all the gift knitting/crocheting I want to do and that I should have started months ago! But then I remember that I don't have to despair ... the Indie GAL (gift-a-long) is here and it's the perfect time to set my pattern designing aside and knit/crochet other designers patterns. No need to work the math, think about the stitch counts, or rip out a bunch of times cause it's not working ... the work is done!

GAL 2018 on Ravelry

What is the Indie Gift-A-Long?

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by a rather extensive list of independent designers. 

From November 23rd, 2018 at 8:00 pm US EST to November 29th at 11:59pm US EST tons of indie designers will be discounting between 10 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event. Use coupon code: giftalong2018. Find all the discounted patterns in this bundle on Ravelry.

From November 23rd, 2018 at 8:00 pm US EST to December 31, 2018 at midnight US EST there will be fun games, contests, and 8 KAL/CALs that will help you get your holiday knitting and crocheting done with companionship and fun! 


Gift-A-Long Stats

There are 349 designers participating with 6,118 patterns on sale for 25% off until November 29th at 11:59pm US EST.

Both Knit and Crochet patterns are available with 51 crochet designers, 263 knit designers, and 33 designers who create both knit and crochet designs.

Patterns 25% off using coupon code giftalong2018 on Ravelry

I have 20 patterns on sale at 25% off using coupon code giftalong2018. Find those patterns in gift-a-long 2018 bundle here.

I hope you will come join in all the fun on Ravelry. 

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Midnight Soirée Shawl

San Francisco is such an amazing city. My husband and I went there in August and of course I had to stop by at least one yarn shop to peruse the local yarns. We took a bus from downtown to Atelier Yarns. This little shop is in a quaint part of town and is small (compared to the lys around here) but they had some wonderful yarns. I picked up Michael's CWD merino/angora/nylon sock yarn dyed by a local dyer in colourway SF Fog. It's gorgeous and I couldn't wait to use it. Thus, Midnight Soirée was created.

Midnight Soirée

This shawl is worked from the point up and when the main body of the shawl is complete a chain and shell edging is worked along two sides. It is easy to customize in size and notes are added to the pattern to help you.

Midnight Soirée

I would rate this an intermediate pattern, but like with most ratings this depends on how confident and adventurous a crocheter you are!

Skills needed to create this shawl include chains, single and double crochet, shells, and v-st. You also need to work a lot of single crochets along and edge evenly.

The pattern is written for one size which is approximately 29" x 65" (73.5 x 165 cm) but is easy to make larger or smaller.

Midnight Soirée

To create this shawl you would require an 8/H (5.0mm) hook and 800 yards of light fingering weight yarn or whatever combination of hook/yarn that gives you a gauge of 17 double crochets and 10 rows in 4 inches.

One of my testers used worsted weight yarn (Redheart Unforgettable) and her shawl turned out beautifully.

Go check out the projects on ravelry created by my testers. It's amazing how an item looks different in different yarns.

Until next time, Happy Crocheting!

That Wonderful Feeling ....

... of finishing a project. Whether it's crochet or knit, I just feel so excited when a project is off the hook or needle! I guess it's because I now have a new accessory or garment that I can wear or gift and it's unique. No one else has one just like it!

This week I finished a crochet shawl. 

This is yarn I bought at a San Francisco Yarn Shop - Atelier Yarns and is aptly named SF Fog. It's hand dyed by a local dyer and I believe is only available at this yarn shop. It is a light fingering weight yarn with merino, angora, and nylon. It just glows. So I've called this new shawl pattern Midnight Soirée.

Do you want to be one of the first to crochet this shawl? Head over to my group on Ravelry to read all the particulars (deadline to complete the shawl is November 5th). I would love to have to try out the pattern!

Happy Crocheting!

Stord Scarf - Free Crochet Pattern

I've had this yarn in my bin for quite some time, just waiting for the perfect project. It's 100% wool and fingering weight that was hand dyed by Melanie of Baad Mom Yarns. Unfortunately, she doesn't offer this base anymore but there are some other lovely fingering weight yarns on her website.



Stord Scarf is an easy to memorize, two row pattern with a delicate flower edging created with puff stitches. Never created a puff stitch before ... no worries ... you can find my picture tutorial here.

Some particulars for crocheting the scarf ...

SKILLS REQUIRED

Chain

Single Crochet

Double Crochet

V Stitch

Puff Stitch

SIZE

One size approximately 6.5 x 54 inches (17 x 137 cm)

Easily customize to a different width or length

HOOK SIZE

US size 7 (4.5 mm)

GAUGE

18 dc and 10 rows is 4 inches (10cm) though it's not critical. Have fun playing around with different yarn weights and hook sizes.

YARN REQUIREMENTS

420 yards (385 meters) fingering weight yarn

Sample crocheted with

Baad MomYarns Inverness; 100% merino; 250 yards (229 meters) in 50 g (1.76 oz); 2 skeins in color Berries

OTHER MATERIALS

Tapestry needle

NOTES

Written in US Terminology

Pattern is both charted and written
Turn at the end of each row unless indicated otherwise. 

To create a wider or narrower scarf chain a  multiple of 12.

Let's get started ...

Ch 36.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in next ch, [ch 3, sk 2 ch, sc in next ch] 10 times, ch 1, sk 1 ch, sc in last ch.

Row 2: Ch 3, sk 1st sc, [Vst in next sc] 11 times, dc in last sc.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in 1st dc, ch 1, sc in ch-sp of Vst, [ch 3, sc in ch-sp of Vst]10 times, ch 1, sc in tc.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until scarf measures 50 inches; 127 cm, ending with row 2.

EDGING

Row 1: Ch 3, dc in first dc, [dc in next dc, dc in ch-sp, dc in next dc] to end, dc in tc. (35 dc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc, ch 4, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc, ch 5, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 4, sk 3 dc, [(sc in next dc) 2 times, ch 4, sk 3 dc, sc in next dc, ch 5, sk 2 dc, sc in next dc, ch 4, sk 3 dc] 2 times, sc in tc.

Row 3: Ch 3, [Puff2 in 4 ch-sp, ch 3, (Puff2, ch 5, Puff2) in 5 ch-sp, ch 3, Puff2 in 4 ch-sp, ch 1] 2 times, Puff2 in 4 ch-sp, ch 3, (Puff2, ch 5, Puff2) in 5 ch-sp, ch 3, Puff2 in 4 ch-sp, dc in last sc.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in first dc, [3 sc in 3 ch-sp, 5 sc in 5 ch-sp, 3 sc in 3 ch-sp, sc in 1 ch-sp] 2 times, 3 sc in 3 ch-sp, 5 sc in 5 ch-sp, 3 sc in 3 ch-sp, sc in tc.

Row 5: Ch 3, sk 4 sc, (Puff3 in next sc, ch 3) 4 times, Puff3 in next sc, sk 3 sc, dc in next sc, [sk 3 sc, (Puff3 in next sc, ch 3) 4 times, Puff3 in next sc, sk 3 sc, dc in next sc] 2 times, do not turn.

Work 3 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each sc along long edge of scarf to beg-ch.

Row 1: Ch 3, work 35 dc evenly along beg-ch.

Work rows 2 to 5 of EDGING.

Work 3 sc in each dc and 1 sc in each sc along long edge of scarf to first Puff3 stitch. Sl st into top of Puff3 stitch.

Fasten off and break yarn.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Block scarf.


And you will need a list of the abbreviations I've used ...

beg-ch       Beginning chain

ch(s)          Chain(s)

ch-sp         Space formed by chain(s)

cm             centimeters

dc              Double crochet

Puff2          (Yarn over hook, insert hook into specified stitch, yarn over again and draw up a long loop) twice, yarn over hook and pull through all 5 loops on hook, ch 1.

Puff3          Same as Puff2 but work instructions in parentheses 3 times (7 loops on hook)

sc              Single crochet

sk              Skip

sl st            Slip stitch

tc               Turning ch

Vst             (dc, ch 1, dc) in indicated stitch

Enjoy creating your scarf and post a picture of your creation on Instagram and tag me @designsbycherylchow

Disclaimer:

This post may contain affiliate links.
When you purchase something using these links a small amount of the sales price goes to me to help keep this site, and the patterns on it free. You do not pay any extra for any item you purchase. 

Fall is Coming ...

I can feel it in the air every morning. Fall Is Coming! 

I have two dogs that think they need to get up at 5 am, yikes!

And when I do get up to take them out (not at 5 am btw) it is so crisp and cool outside. I even notice that the leaves are starting to change on some of the trees. I just love this time of year ... and start to think about all the woolly things I'm going to wear in the next month or two.


Crispin Poncho would be a great accessory for Fall. Not only is it cozy, but the leafy structure of this design paired with a wool and acrylic blend yarn gives it breathability and warmth at the same time. 

Crispin Poncho in I Like Crochet, October 2018 Issue

Buttons on Poncho Neckline

Buttons on the poncho neck allow one to wear Crispin with or without the hood depending on how crisp the weather may be. One could also permanently attach the hood to the poncho, leaving off the buttons and buttonholes.


The leaf design is created with a front-post and back-post with a shell in between. After working the 6 row repeat a few times it becomes much easier and I found I could even memorize it so I didn't have to keep consulting the pattern.

Crispin Poncho in I Like Crochet

Some details about the pattern ...

Skill Level: Intermediate

Size: 30″ from shoulder to hem x 40″ wide

Gauge: 14 sts and 8 rows = 4.25″ 11 cm in dc; 20 sts and 8 rows = 3.75″ 9.5 cm in leaf pattern after wet blocking

Yarn: Berroco Vintage (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon; 217 yards 198 meters/100 grams): 5175 Fennel (13 balls)

Hook: US size I/9 (5.5 mm)

Notions: Removable markers, tapestry needle, eight 3/4” buttons, sewing needle, thread to match buttons

I Like Crochet, October 2018

There are some other really great patterns in the October Issue of I Like Crochet so go check out the magazine!

I especially like ...

Macoun Leaf Shawl by Angèle Lumière

McIntosh Sweater by Tian Connaughton

Allspice Tote by Debra Arch

Until next time, 

Happy Crocheting!!

Disclaimer:
This post may contain affiliate links.
When you purchase something using these links a small amount of the sales price goes to me to help keep this site, and the patterns on it free. You do not pay any extra for the item you purchase. 

Crochet Projects

I've really been enjoying crochet projects lately. No ... I haven't given up knitting completely, but I am finding so much inspiration with crochet. So much to learn and try! And with back-to-school coming up so quickly, what better time to get the hooks/needles out and start a new project.

In the last few months I've released four new crochet patterns. Three shawls and one scarf.

First up is Askoy Scarf which is worked from one end to the other using three colors of fingering weight yarn. It's worked on the bias and stripes are used to transition from one color to the next. Easily adjustable in width, though the pattern is written to create a 10" wide scarf.

Askoy Scarf Crochet Pattern

Askoy Scarf Crochet Pattern

Next up is Harvest Shawl which is a triangle shaped shawl worked from the neck down to the point and has dramatic shells that look like sunflower petals and the multi-colored yarn to represent the seeds. You can find this pattern available on the I Like Crochet website in the August 2018 issue.

Harvest Shawl - I Like Crochet August 2018

Harvest Shawl - I Like Crochet August 2018

I will post about the other two crochet patterns next week, so stay tuned. 

Also, I am hoping to start posting FREE PATTERNS on here every 1 to 2 months. With limited sizes and options and a paid pattern on Ravelry with charts and more sizing options. 

Until next time, Happy Crocheting and Knitting!

~Cheryl

What's New?

I had a wonderful summer ... the weather was so warm and sunny and my family took a vacation to Europe. So much to see in Italy, I can't wait to go back and spend more time in Rome. It's now November and reality is setting in that Thanksgiving (here in the USA) is next week and Christmas will follow quickly on it's heals. 

I've been busy creating new designs for you to knit and crochet over the last few months.

Yorkshire Throw is a crocheted blanket available from I Like Crochet, an online magazine with many wonderful designs available every 2 months. There's a yearly subscription fee, but you get so many patterns and articles for that small price.

Yorkshire Throw from I Like Crochet

 This blanket is worked with Cascade 220 100% wool yarn in colors Yakima Heather (11 balls) and Antiqued Heather (3 balls) using hook size 7 (4.5mm).

Pattypan is part of a collaboration of talented designers and available exclusively on Ravelry through Stranded Magazine. 

©Andi Satterlund -  Pattypan

The asymmetrical pattern of Pattypan is inspired by the spokes of a ferris wheel. The intricate stitch pattern is balanced by stockinette stitch making this sport-weight cardigan the ideal combination of simple and complex knitting.


Finally, just released this week, is Grand Forks Pullover. Available in Interweave Knits Winter 2018 magazine on the Interweave website or through your local yarn store.

©Harper Point Photography - Grand Forks Pullover

This stranded colorwork pullover is worked with 3 colors of Green Mountain Spinnery Mountain Mohair and US8 (5.0mm) needles, top down and in the round. 

And one last note .... the 5th annual Indie Design Gift-A-Long starts on November 21st at 8pm EST. I'm participating again this year and I hope you will join all the very talented designers for heaps of friendly chatter, hundreds of prizes, and beautiful projects. Find out more on Ravelry.

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Charlestown Pullover

Photography @harperpointadventures | Stylist @tinamgill | Hair/Makeup @janierocek

This is my latest design ...

Charlestown Pullover published in Interweave Knits Spring 2017. 

Are you feeling adventurous in your knitting? Looking for a challenge? This highly textured pullover will provide the knitter with a challenge of multiple cables and textures being worked on the body and sleeves. Features include saddle shoulder, twisted stitches, cables, and is worked top down.

Photography @harperpointadventures | Stylist @tinamgill | Hair/Makeup @janierocek

Starting at the shoulders, two saddles are worked, stitches are picked up on either side of saddles and front/back are worked downwards to the hem. Stitches are picked up around the arm scythe and the sleeve is also worked downward to the cuff.

A few tips ....

* To help keep track of where each pattern starts and stops, place a marker between each chart. Any mistakes can be easily caught before working to the end of the row or round.

* Make a note of which row you've started the front neck shaping and also the armhole shaping. Then the charts will match correctly when the fronts and back are joined in the round.

Find a tutorial for this stitch in this blog post

Charlestown Pullover ~ Interweave Knits Spring 2017

Charlestown Pullover ~ Interweave Knits Spring 2017

Happy Knitting!

Gift-A-Long 2016

It's starting ... this years gift-a-long on Ravelry and it's something I look forward to at the end of each year. So many indie designers come together for a fun time connecting with our customers through knitting and crochet. And of course there's the SALE and PRIZES that are an incentive for you to join us!

20 of my Patterns on SALE with CODE giftalong2016

What is the Indie Design Gift-A-Long? 

It’s prepping for the holidays as only fiber folks can, with special deals from tons of indie designers!

The Indie Design Gift-A-Long is a 6 week long KAL/CAL of holiday gifts made from patterns designed by hundreds of independent designers. From November 22nd at 8pm (US-EST) through November 30th at 11:59 pm (US-EST) these indie designers will be discounting between 5 - 20 of their patterns 25% for this event.

There are eight KAL/CALs to participate in, prizes of all sorts given out, games, and generally a lot of fun! The Gift-A-Long KAL/CALs will run from November 22nd at 8pm US EST through - December 31, 2016 at 11:59pm US EST. All patterns by the participating designers are eligible for the KAL/CALs and all not-free patterns by the participating designers are eligible to win prizes.

Which Designers are participating? 

There's a list of participating designers with photos here. 
My discounted patterns can be found here.

How do I get the discount?

Just purchase the patterns you want directly from the designers' Ravelry shops between 8pm US EST on Tuesday, November 22nd and 11:59 pm on Friday, November 30th. Put them in your cart and enter the COUPON CODE giftalong2016 at checkout and 25% will be automatically taken off the total price.

Happy Knitting and Crocheting!

Knitscene Winter 2016

Have you seen the latest Knitscene magazine? Winter 2016 edition has Fête Cardigan designed by me, pictured on page 26 and 27. 

Knitscene Winter 2016

It's a top down, raglan sleeved cardigan with lots of pretty cables and a touch of lace too.

Fête Cardigan

If you plan to knit this cardigan, I've created a tutorial for the pkyk stitch that is only available to newsletter subscribers. Sign up for my newsletter and you will find a link to the tutorial inside the October edition emailed on October 12th.

Photo by KLMPhotos.com

There are lots of beautiful patterns in this magazine, so I hope you check them all out!

Happy Knitting!

Two New Hats

September has been a busy month for me ... Not only organizing my 2 teenagers to get them ready to go back to college, but also on the knitting front.

Two new hat patterns are available on Ravelry and Love Knitting websites.

First up is Strolling Hat ... a pretty leaf and cable pattern is worked on this slouchy hat. I used cashmere fingering weight yarn so the hat is super soft. My daughter stole it from me already!

Strolling Hat

This is Burghal Hat .... I used to do a lot of quilting and still do a bit of sewing occasionally, but knitting has taken over my life. I saw this beautiful, modern quilt and thought it would make a bold knit hat. Worked in 4 colours of fingering weight yarn, I used Blacker Yarns 4ply Classic for this version. Head over to Ravelry to see the colours two of my testers used.  

Burgal Hat

Happy Knitting!