April Edition of I Like Crochet Magazine

This year is just flying by ... March is already here, which means the April edition of I Like Crochet is also available. And what a great line up of patterns. So many cute, spring ideas.

Like Bright and Early Hexagon Pillow by Toni Lipsey and worked in 100% cotton heavy worsted weight yarn. I love these bright colours!

Bright and Early Hexagon Pillow by Toni Lipsey

Maybe you love cardigans ... Brooke Scalloped Cardigan by Quinny Zhang is gorgeous. Crocheted in a cotton/wool blend DK weight yarn. I really want to make this one!.

Brooke Scalloped Cardigan by Quinny Zhang

Brooke Scalloped Cardigan by Quinny Zhang

If you have little ones in your life, why not make Petunia the Pillow Buddy by Debra Arch. She's so adorable and is worked in worsted weight acrylic yarn. 

Petunia the Pillow Buddy by Debra Arch

And finally, a quick project just for you. A light and airy scarf will pair perfectly with your new spring outfit. Abigail Striped Bias Scarf by Cheryl Chow is worked in wool fingering weight yarn. Have fun choosing 3 of your favourite colours!

Abigail Striped Bias Scarf by Cheryl Chow

Abigail Striped Bias Scarf by Cheryl Chow

Find all the patterns on the I Like Crochet website.

Happy Crocheting!

Stornes Cowl - Free Crochet Pattern

Spincycle Independence Yarn

This pattern was born from one skein of Spincycle Independence yarn that was gifted to me by my daughter. I've had it out for a while now wondering how to best use it so I can enjoy the softness and colours!

Along comes Stornes Cowl. It's a short cowl (only 26 inches; 66 cm in length) so it hugs ones neck nicely.

It's a great pattern for that one skein of worsted/aran weight yarn (200 yards; 183 meters) that you have always wanted to use but can't find the right pattern.

Here is some basic information you need to create this cowl ...

SKILLS REQUIRED

Chain

Single Crochet

Double Crochet

Shell

V Stitch

Puff Stitch

SIZE

One size approximately 8 x 26 inches (20 x 66 cm)

HOOK SIZE

US size I/9 (5.5 mm)

GAUGE

 13 dc and 7 rows is 4 inches (10cm)

 YARN REQUIREMENTS

200 yards (183 meters ) worsted weight yarn

Sample crocheted with

Spincycle Yarns Independence; 100% American wool; 200 yards (183 meters) in 100g (3.53 ounces); Color: Idle Nights

OTHER MATERIALS

4 - 7/8 inch buttons (22mm) and matching thread

Tapestry needle

NOTES

Written in US Terminology

To create a wider or narrower cowl chain a  multiple of 6 + 5

Turn at the end of each row unless indicated otherwise

Want a chart? Find it on Ravelry here Stornes Cowl

Stornes is a rocky peninsula near the Larsemann Hills region of Antarctica. Why this name? Stornes features rich mineral deposits of boron and phosphate that create beautiful striations in the rockwork. Much like this Spincycle yarn creates in this pattern.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg-ch    Beginning chain

ch(s)       Chain(s)

ch-sp      Space formed by chain(s)

cm          centimeters

dc           Double crochet

Puff3       (Yarn over hook, insert hook into specified stitch, yarn over again and draw up a long loop) three times, yarn over hook and pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch 1. Find a picture tutorial of the Puff Stitch here Puff Stitch

sc           Single crochet

shell        3 dc in indicated st

sk           Skip

sl st        Slip stitch

tc           Turning ch

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

Now for the actual pattern ...

STORNES COWL

Ch 23.

BUTTONBAND

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch to end. (22 sc)

Row 2:  Ch 1, sc in each sc to end.

Repeat row 2 three more times.

MAIN PATTERN

Row 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in first sc, [sk 2 sc, shell in next sc] to end. (7 shells)

Row 2: Sl st in first dc, sl st in next dc, ch 4, dc in same dc, [sk 2 dc, Vst in next dc] to end. (7 Vst)

Row 3: Sl st in first dc, sl st in ch-sp, ch 3, 2 dc in same ch-sp, [shell in next ch-sp] 6 times, shell in tc.

Repeat rows 2 and 3 until cowl measures 24 inches (61 cm) or desired length, ending with row 3.

EDGING

Row 1: Ch 4, sk first dc, dc in next dc, [ch 1, sk 1 dc, dc in next dc] 10 times, ch 1, dc in tc. (11 ch-sp)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first dc, [ch 2, Puff3 in same dc, ch 1, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc] 4 times, ch 2, Puff3 in same dc, ch 1, sc in tc.

FINISHING

Break and fasten off yarn.

Weave in ends.

Block cowl.

Sew buttons onto buttonband using the chain spaces on row 1 of edging as buttonholes.

A note about the buttons ... these are ceramic buttons from Kaminski Pottery in British Columbia, Canada. They are beautiful and so unique. You can find her on Instagram here.

Enjoy!

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.  

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. 

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!

5 Tips for Choosing Yarn Colours

If you are planning on knitting/crocheting a garment or accessory that uses more than one colour of yarn, how do you go about choosing which colours go together? I find it much easier to choose if there are only two colurs in my project. Complicated fair-isle or stranded colourwork patterns can seem very daunting unless you work with the exact colours used in the sample.

Here are some tips to help you choose yarn for your next stranded colourwork project.

1. Use a colour wheel

One way to choose colours is to use a colour wheel. On the wheel you can choose whether you want bright, paste., or a more grey colour palette (shade, tint, tone).

Use a colour wheel

Once you've decided on shade, tint, or tone, choose the colour combination you would like. Often technical words like complementary, split-complementary, analogous, and triadic are used when choosing colours. You can use these methods for color choice (and I think it's good to know what they mean), but there's an easier way to choose.


2. Use your favourite shirt

I really like to use fabrics to choose colours. Someone has already done the hard work for me and I can choose fabrics that appeal to me.

Use fabric to choose yarn colours

Take a look at your clothing. I'm sure you have a favourite patterned shirt or skirt. What colours are in it? Can you seehow they work together?

The next time you are out shopping, be sure to look at the patterns and colours of the clothes you like. Maybe even take a few photos to analyze later when you are stuck on which colours of yarn to combine.

Use photos from pinterest

Alternately, look online (specifically pinterest) for those colour charts where the colours are taken out of a picture and combined for you. Harrisville yarn company does a fantastic job at this.


3. Add some drama

Colours on opposite sides of the wheel are complimentary and often cause drama or tension in you project. Choosing two colours that have one colour separating them (like green and blue) and then adding in their compliment (red-orange) makes for an exciting knitting garment. This is called split-complimentary. 

Add a pop of colour

This fair isle sweater is a good example with green, blue and white as the main colours and peachy/pink which is opposite on the colour wheel from the green and blue. Adds just a bit of pop to the design.


4. Vary the values

Vary the values of the colours you choose. If you use all dark colours they just blend together and the pattern doesn't stand out. By choosing a light, medium, and dark colour you are really able to see the 3 colours of yarn work together to make a pattern. You can also add white and/or black to the colour mix.

Vary the values

5. Take a black and white photo

Finally, to see if you have enough contrast between your yarns, take a photo and convert it to black and white. If all the yarns are a similar shade of grey you know that the yarn choice needs to be altered a bit. Try adding a darker or lighter yarn and retake the photo.

Use a black and white photo

In the photo to the right, the teal and peach yarns are similar in shade (as seen in the black and white photo). They work in this design though because they are opposite in colour. That is, they are complimentary or opposite on the colour wheel.

If you are looking for a small knit project to try out these tips you can check out my Stranded Flower Hat knitting pattern.

Stranded Flower Hat knit pattern

Or a crochet pattern to try could be Falling Leaves Baby Blanket which uses 4 colours of yarn.

Falling Leaves Baby Blanket

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!