Free Pattern: Somewhere Over the Rainbow

My Christmas gift crafting had yet to start and I had planned on going all in this weekend. The overwhelming sadness that took over on Friday changed that. Driving to pick up my 6 year old after work on Friday and listening to the latest updates on the Newtown shooting, I knew there were many parents who would not be picking up their 6 year olds from school ever again. It had not happened in Colorado. It happened just an hour away.

Saturday morning when I woke up I started looking through Ravelry to try to get going on those Christmas presents, but I couldn’t stop thinking about all of those who the day before were sent Somewhere Over the Rainbow. So in memory of them, I made a painted crochet version of the See My Stitches Color Party Throw called Somewhere Over the Rainbow.

My son curled up on top of it and fell asleep as I added the fringe. It was impossible not to cry.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Throw

Materials:

19mm Crochet Hook

7 skeins of Red Heart Super Saver Solids (worsted weight yarn in 364 yd skeins). 1 skein in each of the following colors: Hot Red (Red), Pumpkin (Orange), Bright Yellow (Yellow), Paddy Green (Green), Blue (Blue), Royal (Dark Blue), Amethyst (Purple).

Yarn Needle

Abbreviations (US terms used):

Ch = Chain

HDC = Half Double Crochet

FHDC = Foundation Half Double Crochet

BLO = Back Loops Only

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Pattern:

Final size is 54″ x 62″ not including the fringe.

You will be working this blanket from side to side.

Hold 3 strands of yarn together throughout the pattern. The painted crochet technique creates an ombre effect by changing the color of one of the three strands at a time. You will be repeating each color combination for two rows, then dropping one strand and picking up a new color strand.

Before you start, make balls around 44 yards of each color make 1 ball of each color around 44 yards long. When you need two strands of a color, pick up from both ends of the skein. When you need the third strand of the same color, add the ball you just made.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow – Full Image

Row 1: Using 3 strands of Purple, Ch2, 65 FHDC
(super easy alternative for Row 1: if you are afraid of the Foundation Half Double Crochet, you can Ch 67, then starting in 3rd chain from hook, 65 HDC)

Row 2: Turn, Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch), 65 HDC in BLO

Row 3: Drop one strand of Purple and pick up one strand of Dark Blue. Repeat Row 2.

Row 4: Repeat Row 2.

Rows 5-6: Repeat Row 3 then Row 2. You now have 1 Purple and 2 Dark Blue strands.

Rows 7-8: Repeat Row 3 then Row 2. You now have 3 Dark Blue strands.

Row 9: Drop one strand of Dark Blue and pick up one strand of Blue. Repeat Row 2.

Row 10: Repeat Row 2

Rows 11-12: Repeat Row 9 then Row 2. You now have 1 Dark Blue and 2 Blue strands.

Rows 13-14: Repeat Row 9 then Row 2. You now have 3 Blue strands.

Row 15: Drop one strand of Blue and pick up one strand of Green. Repeat Row 2.

Row 16: Repeat Row 2

Rows 17-18: Repeat Row 15 then Row 2. You now have 1 Blue and 2 Green strands.

Rows 19-20: Repeat Row 15 then Row 2. You now have 3 Green strands.

Row 21: Drop one strand of Green and pick up one strand of Yellow. Repeat Row 2.

Row 22: Repeat Row 2

Rows 23-24: Repeat Row 21 then Row 2. You now have 1 Green and 2 Yellow strands.

Rows 25-26: Repeat Row 21 then Row 2. You now have 3 Yellow strands.

Row 27: Drop one strand of Yellow and pick up one strand of Orange. Repeat Row 2.

Row 28: Repeat Row 2

Rows 29-30: Repeat Row 27 then Row 2. You now have 1 Yellow and 2 Orange strands.

Rows 31-32: Repeat Row 27 then Row 2. You now have 3 Orange strands.

Row 33: Drop one strand of Orange and pick up one strand of Red. Repeat Row 2.

Row 34: Repeat Row 2

Rows 35-36: Repeat Row 33 then Row 2. You now have 1 Orange and 2 Red strands.

Rows 37-38: Repeat Row 33 then Row 2. You now have 3 Red strands.

Add fringe. I added 1 fringe for each color combination, 19 fringes each side. For each fringe I cut 8 strands and incorporated any ends into the fringe.

Weave in any ends in the body of the blanket.

Somewhere Over the Rainbow Closeup

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Free Pattern: Supersized See My Stitches Scarf

Supersized See My Stitches Scarf

Supersized Side View

One of the first patterns I favorited on Ravelry was Lorraine Hern’s Bionic Wrap Scarf (pattern available on Ravelry and My PDF Patterns). Well… when I was about to pay for the pattern, I realized you needed two needles and not a hook to make this scarf. It was a knit pattern, so much for that idea. Over the months, I’ve continued to love the oversized stitch look and have been drawn back to this scarf time and time again.

The Bionic Wrap Scarf was the inspiration behind my crocheted Supersized See My Stitches Scarf which I had a blast making and LOVE wearing. I have decided this is my favorite scarf and I want to make a zillion more. It’s very simple and a lot of fun.

Supersized See My Stitches Scarf Closeup

Materials:

2 skeins Charisma by Loops & Threads (218 yards Bulky weight yarn, a fun bright multi color yarn is highly recommended, uses exactly all the yarn)

16mm crochet hook

Abbreviations (US terms used):

Ch = Chain

SC = Single Crochet

HDC = Half Double Crochet

FHDC = Foundation Half Double Crochet

BLO = Back Loops Only

Supersized See My Stitches Scarf Pattern:

Hold 2 strands of yarn together throughout the entire pattern.

Leave a 6.5″-7″ tail when starting, this will become part of the fringe.

Row 1: Ch 2, 95 FHDC  (super easy alternative: you can Ch 97, then 95 HDC if you are afraid of FHDC, but I really recommend FHDC)

Row 2: Ch 2, HDC in BLO

Row 3-4: repeat Row 2

Finish off leaving a 6.5″-7″ tail.

Then add the fringe.

Fringe:

Cut 18 13” strands.
Incorporate starting and ending ends of the scarf into the fringe so you don’t have to weave them in.
Thread 4 sets of 2 strands on the side with the ends and 5 sets of 2 strands on the other end of the scarf, push the loop in, then bring all the loops together and pull all the ends through at one time so it makes one big knot and one big fringe on each end.

Fringe Step 1: Pull Up Loops

Fringe Step 1: Another view

Fringe Step 2: Get all loops together

Fringe Step 3: Pull all loops through at the same time

Fringe Step 4: Pull tight

Final Fringe

Uses EXACTLY all the yarn.

It’s a party of color.

Free Pattern: 1 Hour + 1 Skein = 1 Spectacularly Sparkly Scarf

1 Hour + 1 Skein = 1 Spectacularly Sparkly Scarf

After eyeing it several times when I was in foreign Michael’s stores (aka the far ones that I don’t usually go to), I bought a skein of Dewdrops in Diamond over the weekend thinking it would work with a scarf pattern I’d been meaning to try. I tried it and it didn’t. It is gorgeous yarn though and I was on a mission to turn it into a scarf so this is the story of 1 hour + 1 skein and how it became 1 Spectacularly Sparkly Scarf.

This scarf is so simple I don’t even know that I would call this a pattern:

Abbreviations (US terms):
SC = Single Crochet
FLO = Front Loops Only

You will need:
1 Skein Loops & Threads Dewdrops (71 yards, Super Bulky, Metalic with Sequins)
M hook (9.0mm)

Thoughts on subbing yarns for this scarf:
You can use a different yarn, but if you go with a plain, solid color with no sparkle, it will result in a very basic scarf that I would call a Super Simple Scarf. At least use different colors for each row to add some interest to make a Simply Striped Scarf. Dewdrops is not as heavy as Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, so you could probably use a thicker Bulky yarn instead of Super Bulky if you’re subbing.

How 1 Hour + 1 Skein = 1 Spectacularly Sparkly Scarf:
Row 1: Ch 2, 120 Foundation Single Crochet (as an easier alternate for row 1, you can Ch 121, starting in second chain from hook, SC 120, but I highly recommend using the Foundation Single Crochet stitch)
Row 2: Turn, Ch 1, 120 SC in FLO
Row 3+4: Repeat Row 2
Finish Off
With remaining yarn, cut 18 strands 12 inches each. This will become your fringe.
Add 3 3 strand fringes per side. Instead of weaving in your ends, you can just tie them into your fringe.

That is how 1 hour + 1 skein = 1 Spectacularly Sparkly Scarf

I’ll be tucking this scarf away and giving it as a Christmas present for Christmas 2011. The sparkle in the yarn makes this a fun gift. This scarf looks great folded in half with the end threaded through and works as an indoor or outdoor accessory. It can also be worn as a belt.

Adding a fringe is very easy:

• For a bulky or super bulky yarn, you usually use 3-4 strands per fringe.
• Cut lengths of 10-14 inches (depending on how long you want your fringe and how much yarn you have left).
• Take 3-4 strands and fold them in half. Pull the folded part through where you want to add it to the scarf.
• Thread the loose strands through the folded part and pull it tight.
• TA DA! You have added a fringe.
• How many fringes you add per side depends on how much yarn you have and how wide your scarf is.

Fringe Step 1: Fold 3-4 strands in half

Fringe Step 2: Insert hook through scarf end and grab folded strandsFringe Step 3: Pull up through scarf end

Fringe Step 4: Pull up a loop

Fringe Step 5: Thread loose strands through

Fringe Step 6: Pull tight

Turn over for right side of fringe

An EEEEEEEEEEK my scarf isn’t long enough tip:

To add length to any scarf without adding more stitches, just add a fringe. It can add a few more inches to make your scarf just the right length instead of a little too short.