Swirling Iciciles Ornament

The inspriation for this ornament came about from a bracelet pattern that was published in the February 2021 issue of Crochet World magazine.  A few months ago the new editor said the previous editor had suggested making it into a Christmas ornament!!  We came up with the blue and white colors for the issue and I found some neat glass beads at the craft store which they had suggested adding for some sparkle!!  

I had some gold and silver crochet threads that had metallic in them so I tried some using those, too.   I found you can't go wrong with whatever color you decide to go with!!  

I made the granddaughters some bracelets in their favorite colors for Christmas gifts as well!!  As with the ornament the color combinations are endless and they are so much fun to make!!  

I made a couple longer ones as necklaces, too and adde a fringe to one of the bracelets for some fun.  

As you can see the photographers at Crochet World take the best photos!!  They make all my designs look so professional!!  

The ornament pattern is available in the new Christmas issue available at Annie's.com or will soon be out at your local craft store.  I hope you will give them a try!!  Either way you make them they will make a great gift, too!!  They are very easy to change the length on so you can make them to your liking.  
 

Old Tyme Christmas Runner

 

Inspriation comes from many places and the inspriation for the Old Tyme Table Runner came from this quilt!!  I saw the pattern for a primitive tree quilt in a magazine a long time ago and I made one in 2004.  It was very simple and fun to make!!  

I had made a runner a few years before, Ole Red White & Blue which looks like a flag,  with a star in the center of the motif.  I had the idea to use the same motif and when it came time to put the star on the top of the tree I made just the star rounds in the gold to make it stand out.  

I made this doily in size 40 threads a few years later for the CGOA Design competition and it ended up taking 3rd in the thread division!!  The only thing the judges said could be improved on was the thin edging. They said it could use a more substancial border on it.  This one was in more traditional Christmas colors. 

Then a few years after that in the size 40 threads I made just the tree motifs and sewed them to fabric to make this "picture".  For the star I only used the star section of the motif. 

I used two pieces of fabric, sewed the blocked motifs onto the fabric and added some straight stitch stars.  It is a very versatile pattern and I hope you will give it a try!!  

Crochet World has a great photo of it in the new Christmas issue!!  So happy to have it included with all the other great designs!! 

Go to Annie's.com and get your copy today!!  Or soon it will be available in your favorite craft store!!  

Have A Happy Crochet Christmas

So happy to share with you two of my patterns that are now available in the new Have a Happy Crochet Christmas special issue from Annie's Publishing.  

First is Swirling Icicles ornaments.  They are very easy to make and pretty quick to make, too.  The bottom has a purchased glass bead to give it a little sparkle.  So easy to make in any numbre of color combinations!!  You will want to add a dozen to your tree!!  

Next is the Old Tyme Christmas Table Runner.  It is made up of join on the go motifs with stars in the center.  It is worked in 2 halves then joined together in the middle as the last row of motifs are worked on the second half.  If you want you can make just one half and use it as a wall hanging, too!!  Very fun to make and once you get the pattern in your head for the joining it is pretty easy to do.

 You should be able to find this at your favorite craft store very soon or go to the link to order or download online....

https://www.anniescatalog.com/detail.html?code=A871789&source=NBSSEMG&gclid=CjwKCAjwjJmIBhA4EiwAQdCbxkDMt_ajghlCupz-6phcGhD826yNlz4ys8xPZ45Tj3PcYbr2zZuebxoCskwQAvD_BwE 

Basic Stitches Course

Well last year I decided to try one of the Master Crochet programs with the Crochet Guild of America.  That one was a challenge but when they came out with a re-release the older Basic Stitches course a few months ago I thought what the heck I'll give this one a try.  I learned a LOT from the first one which really helped with this one.  Especially all the tiny details to make sure were right.  Well, I thought I had them all correct but I still missed a few..... but the important thing is I PASSED!!!!!  whooohoooo!!!  There's one more program out there and I'm feeling brave....or ambitious.... or crazy!!  I just might have to give that one a try and then will have all of them completed. I learn a lot from each one so what have I got to lose!!  

 

Cobblestone Doily

Another of my patterns in the August 2021 Crochet World is this Cobblestone Doily.  It consists of joined motifs with a hexagon center and triangles and squares joined around it to make the doily and they are all joined as you go so no extra finishing required!!  

(photo credit Crochet World)

When the doily is blocked the triangles and square take on their own shape giving it a unique look and it has post stitches which also give it a neat texture and design.  

 

It has a simple double crochet and chain stitch edging on it, too.  

The original I made and submitted was worked in Aunt Lydia's size 10 Delft, Frosty Green, Wood Violet and Cream.  This version also has a scalloped edging and trim.  I like it both ways, the more rectangle edging does go faster tho!!

When the design was chosen for the issue, the editor asked for it in these colors to go along with the cobblestone theme.  She asked me to send her some samples since she couldn't really picture what they would end up looking like together and she asked me to try some different edging trims as well.  If you are interested, these are Aunt Lydia's size 10 Copper Mist, Russet, Black and Ecru. 

After trying a few different things and showing her she wasn't sure how good it would photograph in these colors and then said maybe she would just go with the one I had originally submitted.  I happened to think about the pillow in the Frosty Green, Maize and White and sent her pictures of that and she said "That's IT!!!"

And the rest as they say is history!!  

The whole design came about because of this pillow I made a few years back.  It's about 18" around.  I made it in Aunt Lydia's  Maize, Frosty Green and white.  It's just the doily pattern but in joining the two sides they are connected in the front post trebles by chain loops which the trim is worked into. 

It's also reversible and I changed the order of the colors so each side is a little different. 

The judges at The Great Frederick Fair really liked it!!  

I hope you will give this fun doily....or pillow if you choose, a try!!  The color combinations are endless!!  I like adding a little button to the centers of the pillows to close up that hole in the center but that's a matter of preference.  

Get your copy at Crochet-World.com where  you can get a digital download right now.... or check out your favorite news stand or craft store in a few weeks when the issue hits the stands!!

 

Garden Pavers Placemat

 Just saw on Ravelry the latest pictures from the new August 2021 issue of Crochet World and am happy to share that I have two designs in the magazine !!  This one is  the Garden Paver Place Mat.  It is worked in size 10 crochet thread, my original was in Aunt Lydia's size 10 Olive.  When my pattern was chosen I was asked to make it in Lizbeth size 10 #684 Green Leaf Med which is very close to the Olive.  I like both threads I think the Lizbeth has a little more sheen and a richer color to it tho. Both threads are very easy to work with, too.  

This photo is from the magazine.  Their photography really makes it look so great!!  They do an awesome job of showcasing the pattern!!

I havev whipped up a set of 4 of these for myself!!  I hope you will try a set to match your decor, too 😊

Toota's Tractor Crochet Pattern

 Recently I was contacted by a lady in Wyoming who had seen this pattern and was looking for someone to make it for her. She happened to come across my Etsy page and saw some of my tractor patterns.  I looked it up on Etsy and thought I'd give it a try!!  It was a very fun pattern to make and it's nice making someone elses patterns for once!!  I didn't have to write down everything I did so I could make the second one the same!!  Plus I learned some neat new techniques I may apply to some of my own patterns in the future.  The pattern was from a lady in New Zealand and is very well written with lots of photos to help along the way.  Also it is stuffed with pieces of foam and not fiberfill.  That was an intersting change and I like how it turned out.  Parts of it weren't as firm as with fiberfill but they weren't rounded either.  It made for a more square tractor toy.  They shipped out last week and the recipient was sooooo happy to recieve them!!  If you would like to get the pattern and try it for yourself here is the link....They will be cute in your favorite brand of tractor color, too!!  I have a request from this same lady for one in pink for a new arrival this fall 😊🚜

 https://www.etsy.com/listing/798053172/tootas-tractor-crochet-pattern?ref=hp_opfy-1&bes=1

Rippling Waters Table Runner

 

Another of my designs was chosen for the June issue of Crochet World, too!!  The Rippling Waters Table Runner!!  This is their beautiful photo of it!!

It is worked in size 10 Lizbeth Niagara and Ocean Teal DK. 

This was one of those designs that traveled a bit as it was being worked and is very easy to work on on the go!!  It is join on the go motifs, too!!  I was working on this one last fall while sitting with a load of fertilizer!!  Great way to pass the time!!  

My original version I called Fiesta!!  I thought it looked bright and cheery for a celebration.

I had seen this new color called Blacklight in the store and just had to take it home with me and then came up with this pattern.  

The fun part of this design is it can be changed up so easily.  It can be a runner or a doily or a placemat or even a square table topper.  It can be as large or small as you would like and by placing the colors in the opposite order can give it a whole different look.  

Check out all the beautiful designs in this latest issue at:

https://www.crochet-world.com/inthisissue.php