Tag Archives: project

Make it for Me! Free Pattern

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ScannedImageI am so excited that I have been invited to join a vast array of talented designers to participate in the Elk Studios “Make it for Me” event. For the entire month of January, Elk Studios has been featuring a new design, from various designers, to encourage crocheters to make a little something for themselves. The rush of the holiday season creates hooks and yarn flying, but not usually in a project for the stitcher.

Today I am happy to share my Corkscrew Scarf. This is a fun project that can work up quickly in a wide variety of yarns, and is easily adjusted in length or width to make a scarf that fits just the way you want it.

The Corkscrew scarf was originally created as a project that “new to crochet” students could practice some stitches, while learning how to read patterns, in the crochet classes that I teach at my local yarn store, Lofty Lou’s. You can find me there most Tuesday mornings from 10-1:00, so if you happen to find yourself in the California Foothills, east of Sacramento, look us up and stop by.

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Corkscrew Scarf by Linda Dean

You will find the pattern below, if you prefer a printable version, you can download it here,  Beginner Project-Corkscrew Scarf. If you enjoy this pattern and want to explore more of my designs, check out more of my free and for sale patterns here. I hope you enjoy the Corkscrew Scarf, and take a little time to enjoy a time of Make it for Me.

Corkscrew Scarf

by: Linda Dean

Twist and Turn! This fun scarf works up quickly and is a whimsical addition to any wardrobe.

Skill level:  Beginner

Finished measurements: 2.5”x 72”

Gauge: is not critical for this project

Material List:

  • Size I/9/5.5mm hook
  • Approximately 200yrd of medium weight yarn, sample used: (multi color)Plymouth Yarn Encore Colorspun medium weight 75% acrylic, 25% wool yarn (3.5oz/100g/200yrd/183m), 1 skein color# 7512 or (solid) Berroco Ultra Alpaca medium weight 50% Super Fine Alpaca, 50% Peruvian Wool yarn (3.5 oz/100g/215yrd/189m) 1 skein color #62178
  • Tapestry Needle

 

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

dc: double crochet

rep: repeat

sc: single crochet

sk: skip

sl st: slip stitch

st(es): stitches

Row 1: Ch 182, dc in 4th ch from hook, 2dc in each ch across, turn.

Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc and ch 1), dc in next s, *ch 1, dc in next st; rep from * across, turn.

Row 3: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in same st, *ch 1, dc in ch-1 sp; rep from * across to last st, dc in last st, turn.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 1, sc in ch-1 sp; rep from * across to last 2 sts, ch 1, sc in last st, finish off.

Finishing    Weave in ends; twist scarf as desired.

© 2015 Linda Dean Crochet    #2015000T1   lindadeancrochet.com   Copying prohibited, intended for private use only

 

 

People Bring Life to My Crochet

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ScannedImageThere are times when my crochet needs an awakening. I can crochet for hours on end, pick up a skein and “play”, no pattern, no end goal, and still create something, it is a therapy, a routine. I create, but sometimes it just feels like the motions.

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Some of the woman that shared wonderful inspiration of crochet at the 2015 CGOA annual conference

Now, please, do not misunderstand; I love crochet. I have been placing hook to yarn for many decades, and evenings when I do not have a project in hand, I feel fidgety. I cannot go to long without at least making random stitches. Crochet travels with me, I have a spare skein of yarn and extra hook pin various places, but sometimes it doesn’t quite make me feel alive.

There is a simple fix for me on this, people. Getting together with others that use yarn can be such an energizing experience. It does not even have to be in person, chatting in emails, or phone calls can bring energy back to my work.

It can change a mood, and allow the spirit to soar. Looking back over my body of crochet projects, I took new directions, new types of projects, new types of yarns, after visiting with people that shared their passion. Positive spirits are contagious, and I need to remember that I need this to recharge and bring a new level of joy to my work, so it is not just work to my joy.

 

 

My New Kitchen Lights

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ScannedImageI usually chat about crochet, and how crochet has influenced my life, my designs, and my way of life, however today I am sharing another project, my new kitchen lights.

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My Mason Jar Pendant Lights

My husband and I have been working on refurbishing our older home. It was build in the 1920’s (by California standards it is almost historic), and over the last ten years, we have added such modern conveniences such as insulation, and current electrical wiring. Along the way we have attempted to keep the older charm.

Along with the house we obtained a root cellar full of canned goods. Now most of these items were canned a good thirty years ago, so they were not on a list of things to be consumed, but we found many of the jars interesting, and after cleaning them up an doing a little research we learned that a vast majority were from the 1930’s. Many ideas for their use came to mind, but one that was settled upon, and that my husband helped me to execute was to create pendant lights.

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Mason Jar Lights at Night

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Mason Jar Pendent Lights during the day

Fortunately my husband has tinkering skills, likes working with tools, and fabricating things, so together we managed to make the vision into a reality. We are pretty happy with them. So even though it is not in any way related to crochet, it is still related to the principals that I believe crochet holds, to create, to share, to enjoy.

The Lesson I am Not Going to Miss

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ScannedImageI began teaching myself the basics of knitting this last summer, but I will admit I have not kept it up. Now I have a knitting lesson that I am definitely going to keep.

My kids joined our local 4H club a few weeks ago, and my daughter decided to take a Fibers Art project. She had her first meeting last night and had the choice to learn knitting or crochet. She had some indecision about it, but in the end picked up some knitting needles and was taught how to knit in the Continental method.logo

I asked her on the way home about her hesitance when asked which she wanted to learn. She expressed to me that she was thinking about “learning to crochet so that she could work some of my patterns and do projects with me, but then if she learned to knit she could teach me”. Needless to say I smiled either one she decided to learn it was ultimately about what was most important, spending time with someone she loves.

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My knitting attempts this last summer

Getting ready for school today, she asked to take her knitting with her so she could practice at recess. Then while dropping her off she informed me that after school today I was going to have my first lesson. So, I am getting ready, a couple of more hours and I’ll be having my first knitting lesson. (Even if the really lesson is a reminder of what is really important).