8.20.2012

Rainbow Chain Necklace



Materials:

-  H hook
-  worsted weight yarn
-  yarn needle


You will need to know how to:

-  chain  (ch)
-  single crochet  (sc)


This pattern is quick and easy.  You can do this, I promise.

Choose six colors.  I used red, orange, yellow, green, blue, and purple yarn.

Yes, I know that is not how it works when we think of ROYGBIV...


Make one chain of each color. 

**  Be sure to leave a little extra yarn at the beginning and end of each chain for when you tie them together.


I did my chains as follows:

Red                                                       Ch 80.
Orange                                                  Ch 90.
Yellow                                                  Ch 100.
Green                                                    Ch 110.
Blue                                                      Ch 120.
Purple                                                   Ch 130.


I should mention that, the higher the number of chains, the longer the chain it will be.





Now, you are going to tie the strands together.

**  I do not recommend that you tie the ends together before tying each end's ends together.  Does that makes sense?  Hold the six strands together and line up the ends before you tie.  Do this with each end and then, tie those ends together.  O.K.  You're probably really confused now...





Tie it tightly and then trim the ends to about an inch.  Don't worry about these ends too much.  You are going to cover them with a little strap.


Here's how to make the strap:

Ch 9.  Sc in first ch and across.                                      ( 8 sc )
   
Row 1:   Ch 1 and turn.  Sc across.                                ( 8 sc )

Repeat for rows 2-6. 

Fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing.


You now have a little rectangle that will be used to cover the knotty ends.  Fold it around those knotty ends and sew the long sides together to form a little tube around your necklace.





**  If you choose to modify this pattern to have more strands, you will need to add rows to the strap to be sure it can fit snuggly around the extra chains.




Hide ends.  Put on.  Smile.


**  Of course, what you make from this pattern is your property:  sell it, gift it, donate it.  However, please do not steal my pattern and give credit where credit is due - a quick little link is always appreciated.  ;)

2.24.2012

Chocolate Chip Cookies


Materials:

- G hook
- worsted weight yarn
- stitch marker
- yarn needle

You will need to know how to:

- chain (ch)
- single crochet (sc)
- single crochet two together (sc2tog) or decrease (dec)

This pattern is worked in a spiral round (with no joining or turning) so, don't forget to mark your place with a stitch marker of some sort - I use a paperclip. It drives me nuts to fumble with those teeny, tiny plastic rings...

You can start in one of two ways:

- Ch 2 and then sc 6 into 2nd ch from hook.

OR

- Sc 6 into a 'magic ring' - do not join.

I prefer to use a 'magic ring' because it allows me to tug on the tail and make the round snug; beginners may choose to use the 'ch 2' method.

Round 1:  2 sc in each st around   (12 sc)
Round 2: (sc 1, 2 sc in next)      (18 sc)
Round 3: (sc 2, 2 sc in next)      (24 sc)
Round 4: (sc 3, 2 sc in next)      (30 sc)
Round 5: (sc 4, 2 sc in next)      (36 sc)
Round 6: (sc 5, 2 sc in next)      (42 sc)
Round 7:  sc around                (42 sc)


Pull up a long loop with your crochet hook so you don't lose your place; it's time to take a break from crocheting so you can embroider the chocolate chips. Use a yarn needle and some brown yarn to make as many chocolate chips as you like. No need to worry about properly hiding the ends here, they will be hidden inside of the finished cookie.


O.K. - back to crocheting: put your hook back inside the loop and tighten it up so you're ready to continue...

Round 8:  (sc 5, sc2tog)          (36 sc)
Round 9:  (sc 4, sc2tog)          (30 sc)
Round 10: (sc 3, sc2tog)          (24 sc)
Round 11: (sc 2, sc2tog)          (18 sc)
Round 12: (sc 1, sc2tog)          (12 sc)
Round 13:  sc2tog around          (6 sc)


Fasten off with a longish tail; flatten and use yarn needle to sew remaining 6 st closed and hide the end inside of the cookie.




Enjoy! You now have a finished chocolate chip cookie and you didn't have to even sew two pieces together - it's perfect. Use your imagination to make sugar cookies with sprinkles, macadamia nut cookies, or whatever kind of cookie suits your fancy.

If you want to make this into a sensory toy for a baby, cut out a piece of crinkle material (ie.: a clean potato chip bag) and place it in the middle of the cookie anywhere between rounds 8-11. I would consider this toy to be safe for babies and children of any age but, as with any toy - be sure to check occasionally for wear and tear.

** Of course, what you make from this pattern is your property: sell it, donate it. However, do not steal my pattern and please give credit where credit is due - a quick little link is always appreciated. ;)