4 Mandala Yarn Single Skein Wraps – patterns now available!

I have released my very first series of original patterns! This time of year can be tough for crocheters (and knitters) who live in subtropical climates. There are virtually no fun wearable Holiday gift  type patterns. So I decided to design a set of airy but pretty wraps.

With cooler weather on the way, I was inspired to design a stylish and affordable wrap perfect for our SW Florida fall and winter months. I was determined to use only one skein per wrap because I had picked up a single cake each of four colors of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn some weeks ago and just knew these would be perfect to making a little something pretty to keep the chill away. It turns out these wraps are quick to make and look good enough to gift this holiday season.

There are 16 fun color ways in the yarn collection and I have created four styles of wrap: the Spirit Rectangular, the Pegasus Asymmetrical, the Sphinx Triangle and the Chimera Vee. Each pattern is suitable for beginning crocheters and each is slightly more challenging than the last. This is a great way to learn or practice chainless stitches, increases and decreases, and basic edging techniques.

You can purchase all 4 patterns in once convenient PDF right here. Or visit my Ravelry Store to view and purchase the individual patterns.

Thanks for stopping by!

Advertisement

Spirit Rectangular Wrap, a free single skein crochet pattern

With cooler weather on the way, I was inspired to design a stylish and affordable wrap perfect for our SW Florida fall and winter months. I was determined to use only one skein per wrap because I had picked up a single cake each of four colors of Lion Brand Mandala Yarn some weeks ago and just knew these would be perfect to making a little something pretty to keep the chill away. It turns out these wraps are quick to make and look good enough to gift this holiday season. There are 16 fun color ways in the yarn collection and I have created four styles of wrap, the Rectangular (shown here in Spirit), the Asymmetrical, the Triangle and the Vee. The three other styles will be available December 1^st, just in time to finish off your holiday gift list!

You can save this to your library on Ravelry and download the PDF here.

You can purchase the patterns for all 4 styles in once convenient PDF  here or visit my  Ravelry Store to purchase the individual patterns. And you can find me on Craftsy, too!

Size Info and Materials List

This particular style is an impressive 57” long and 16-1/2” wide.

1 skein of Lion Brand Yarn Mandala in the color of your choice (or 590 yards of a comparable light worsted yarn)

US I-9 (5.5 mm) Crochet hook

Stitch markers and yarn needle

Gauge is not critical but in order to achieve the desired length with a single cake of yarn, take care that 4 rows of sc alternated with 3 rows of trc, ch2 is not much less than 4”.

Skill Level: I’m going to say beginner but you must be familiar with edging techniques and working chainless beginning stitches

Notes:

Stitches:

ch – chain

sl st – slip stitch

sc – single crochet

trc – treble crochet

If you are not familiar with the chainless trc, there are a few variations with tutorials you can find with a Google search, or use a ch 3 and trc in the first stitch.

The beginning chain of each row does not count as a stitch. Use stitch markers to note the first and last stitch of each row.

Abbreviations:

ch2 space – the 2 chains between two treble crochet

BLO – back loop only

FLO – front loop only

Pattern Instructions

Main Pattern:

Row 1: ch 63, trc in 5th chain from hook, *ch 2, skip 2 ch, trc in next ch, repeat from* to last 2 ch, work 1 trc in each of the last 2 chains (19 ch2 spaces and 22 trc), turn

Row 2: ch 1, sc in each trc and 2 sc in each 2 ch space (60 sc), turn

Row 3: work chainless trc (see notes) in first sc, trc in next sc, *ch 2, skip 2 sc, trc in next sc, repeat gtom * to last 2 sc, work 1 trc in each of the last 2 sc (19 2 ch spaces and 22 trc)

Repeat rows 2 & 3, alternating rows of trc, ch 2 and sc rows until desired length, ending with a row of trc, ch2, turn

OPTIONAL Solid Stripe: to better define the color changes, work a solid strip of 3 sc rows as follows

Row 1: ch 1, sc in each trc and 2 sc in each 2 ch space (60 sc), turn

Row 2: ch1, sc in first sc, *sc in BLO of next sc, sc in FLO of next sc, repeat from * to last sc, work 1 sc in last sc, turn

Row 3: repeat row 2, turn

Resume alternating trc, ch2 and sc rows until next color change.

I ended with 42 rows of trc, ch2 and 9 solid stripe at color changes

Edging: The edging is worked on 3 sides only: the two short sides and the long side of chainless trc.

Row 1: ch 1, sc in each trc and 2 sc in each 2 ch space to the last trc, make a corner by working 3 sc in the last trc; work 4 sc in each chainless trc and sc in each sc along long side to last stitch of the beginning chain, make a corner by work 3 sc in that chain stitch; continue short side with sc in each chain with a trc and 2 sc in each ch2 space to the end, turn (your stitch count on the long side will depend on the number rows you’ve worked, each short side should have 59 sc plus 3 sc in the corner)

Row 2: ch 1, sc in each sc to corner, work sc, ch1, sc in corner sc (the second of the 3 sc in previous row), continue on long side sc in each sc to corner, work sc, ch1, sc in corner sc (the second of the 3 sc in previous row), continue along short side with sc in each sc, turn

Row 3: ch 1, sc in each sc to corner, work sc, ch1, sc in corner ch 1 of previous row, continue on long side sc in each sc to corner, work sc, ch1, sc in corner sc in corner ch1 of previous row, continue along short side with sc in each sc, turn

repeat row 3 until edging is desired width (or to use up all of the yarn if no embellishments are needed), fasten off

OPTIONAL final edging row: attach contrast yarn in 1st sc of opposite corner (not where previous row ended), loosely sl stitch in BLO of each sc and ch 1 on three sides of edging, fasten off

OPTIONAL: add flowers or tassels made with remaining yarn.

 

 

Pattern and photos © Jennifer Wingard, A Country Yarn Handmade. LaBelle, FL, USA

My Summer Trend Pt. 2

In case you missed Part 1, you can find it here – My Summer Trend Pt. 1. It’s basically the same sort of projects, just a different shape.

I finally worked up my nerve and purchased several cakes of gradient fingering yarn. As a self-taught crocheter, I was reluctant to take on what I saw as fancy projects using pricey yarns but I just couldn’t resist the color combinations and the airy drape of the fabrics.

Thankfully, I have my two best guinea pigs models and junior designers in house. It’s only because of them that I was brave enough to take the plunge. I think we were all more than a little pleased that I finally did.

These make excellent cover ups for the beach or pool, btw. And I think they’re trendy enough to wear out for a night on the town, not that the chicklets do much of anything (yet) at night or on the town but you get my meaning. You can find more about these two here – Flight of Fancy Shawl and here – Seraphina’s Shawl. Obviously, these are kid-sized but another cake of yarn would make for a fantastic over-sized adult shawl or wrap.

My brunette beauty is not a big fan of all things cutesy and rainbow, so I used up the leftovers from another couple of projects to make her a Summer Butterfly Wrap. This turned out both dark and fancy and while she wasn’t comfortable in front of the camera she loves it. I promise. She wears it almost everywhere.

Because guinea pigs the chicklets aren’t the only ones who enjoy looking awesome at the beach, I made the Edlothia Shawl for myself. This was the first multi-section shawl pattern I tried, and I was hooked. Thanks to the magic of Pinterest algorithms, I discovered the Lost in Time Shawl pattern which makes a spectacular baby blanket, btw.

My crowning achievement of the Summer of 2017 has to be the two Enchanted Sun Dresses and the matching shawls. As you can see, the chicklets have very different tastes and each of them was the final decision maker every step of the way.

You can find more info on Sarina’s Mermaids and Starfish here and Regina’s Candied Glam dress and shawl here.

It’s been a super creative and productive summer season for me. With the Winter Holidays approaching and cooler temps on the horizon (fingers crossed), I’ve moved on to creating warmer garments; but when I’m not actually working, I’m stockpiling colorful cotton 4-ply!

What are you most looking forward to crafting as the seasons change? Leave me a comment and, as always, thanks for stopping by!

 

My Summer Trend Pt. 1

I’m not even going to look at the date I last posted here.  Blogging is definitely not in my special skill set, but I’ve set my mind to post more often and to share not only my own work but the independent designers and fiber artists I’ve discovered over the summer.

This post, however, is All. About. Me. and the amazing circular garments I’ve been creating like some sort of possessed hooker. It’s like the 4-ply gradient cotton blend yarns have me under a spell. I could not stop ordering yarn and collecting patterns.

So I started with my two favorite guinea pigs models in the featured photo up there and we shrunk a couple of adult patterns down to fit a pair of 8-year old fashionistas in training. The one on the left is a free pattern you’ll find more info about here – Fall Festival Jacket and the one on the right is a paid pattern you’ll find more info about here – Oceano Circle Vest. I think we were all pretty stoked with the results. But it all changed when I discovered this free pattern you can learn more about here – Summer Circle Vest which uses a vintage tablecloth pattern to make a garment. I finished the black and turquoise on my way to my mother’s birthday party. She wears it all the time!

 

I had to have one for myself, so I headed back to Pinterest and with the help from my beloved eldest guinea pig daughter, we came up with the pattern on the right. You can find out more about that one 4th of July Boho Vest. At this point, I had a couple of custom orders and I was starting to focus on the upcoming holidays (because crafters always have half a brain well into the next season).

The always popular Lotus Mandala Duster was such a hit that the recipient couldn’t wait for the sleeves. Same with this gorgeous vest that had me daydreaming about hydrangeas. You can find out more about that one here – Spring Flair Jacket.

While most of our clan resides in a swamp South Florida, we do have a daughter and granddaughter in Germany and I thought they shouldn’t be left out of the circle (get it? see what I did there?). Of course, I need self striping worsted weight yarns to make jackets that are as functional as they are fabulous and you can find out more about those two projects here – Child’s Kaleidoscope Jacket and here – Fall Festival…with sleeves!

Which brings me to the absolute pinnacle of my Summer Circle Binge. This time, I found myself with a special request for Halloween and for the very first time in my 4-1/2 years of crocheting, I designed something besides a blanket. I used a vintage doily pattern to help me figure out the edging. You can find more info here – Boho Spider Web Jacket.

The center was easy enough but that edging and those sleeves and 9/10 of a mile (really!?) of black silk were tough. I honestly didn’t think I’d ever get it finished.

I’m really glad I did though.

Believe it or not, that’s not all I accomplished so far this year. So stay tuned for My Summer Trend Pt. 2.

Did you ever find yourself in a creative whirlpool? Let me know what took over your craft room in the comments below. And thanks for stopping by.

 

Relax! It’s just my yarn stash!

It’s a yarn artist’s thing, some of y’all will just never understand. 💖

Funky Air Bear

What the big deal with having a yarn stash?!

Only a knitter/crocheter would understand another knitter/crocheter. I’ve had many conversations with non-knitters about why I need more yarn, a different colour yarn, a different weight yarn, a different size needles, a different pattern, etc. I have had to explain the basics of knitting so many times that I feel like a broken record – no, super bulky yarn isn’t ideal for knitting a newborn baby hat; lace looks beautiful but it isn’t ideal for knitting slippers; just because I have size 3 needles doesn’t mean I can use them to knit all weights of yarn… and it goes on and on.

Same goes for how much yarn knitters have. What is wrong with having yarn? I mean people collect all kinds of things and usually are proud of their collections. So why the guilt every knitter feels when someone mentions…

View original post 306 more words

Messy Bun Hats

Were these unfinished hats a big hit in your area? I know that in a couple of the crochet groups I belong to on Facebook, some crafters were swamped with orders and requests right before Christmas. We rarely experience hat weather where I live, so I was able to get through the holidays without any last minute orders but I did make some practice hats that I thought you’d like to see.

The Easy Peasy Messy Bun Hat lives up to its name and you can find the pattern here. It works up quickly but it looks like a million bucks! For the kid size version, I used a smaller hook and made fewer rows. There was plenty of yarn left to make boot cuffs, too. Or in Regina’s case, wrist warmers. I made Tina one to match her cocoon cardigan.

Those girls do love purple.

I was looking for something different, and when this pattern showed up in my Facebook newsfeed I knew I had to try it. I am thrilled with the finished product, and so is my mom. She kept the hat after playing model. The free pattern by Marly Bird includes instructions for closing the top.

You can find several good ‘cat hat’ crochet patterns online. To make yours a messy bun hat, seam the ears only and leave the center portion unfinished. This style was the fastest to work up and has been a hit with kids and adults. I’m thinking about adding black whiskers to the front, and maybe a pink nose.

I happened to have a skein of chunky yarn in my stash and I used it to make a spiral hat using sc in the BLO. This particular hat is on its way to Kentucky. It’s a bottom-up hat, the first one I’ve ever made that didn’t use a ribbed band. I’ll be making more of them, but probably in worsted weight yarn.

A neighbor gave me a skein of Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Stained Glass and as soon as I put Sarina’s hair up I knew exactly what kind of hat she needed. I’ve called it the Two-Fer and the Double Trouble hat. I’ve had visions of the whole cheer squad wearing them in team colors at the regional competition. Or the hip hop dance class at the Spring recital! It’s a basic DC beanie, but I skipped some stitches in the 7th round to make the holes.

You can find all of my projects on Ravelry and on Facebook. And I wish you and yours all the best for the New Year!

Miniature Stockings

I’ve got 23 days…okay more like 22 and a 1/2…to finish 40 days of Christmas preparations. By when I found a box of Christmas decorations I made last year, and all of these precious miniature stockings were inside, I knew y’all would love them!

I use these to hold small bottles of specialty hand creams and bars of cold press soap, then arrange them in gift baskets with Spa Quality Wash Cloths.

I used this free pattern to make tiny stockings to decorate the tree. The girls and I also hung them in backpacks and handbags. I made some in team colors to add a personal touch to wrapped packages for sports enthusiasts.

I use for a bigger hook to make gift card holders! And they look really cute on wreaths and garlands.

I hope y’all get a chance to make a few!

 

Tote Bag Trio

I try to make sure all the kids have a little something special just from me under the tree each year. I decided on tote bags for the 7-9 year old girls so I could match their personalities but keep the gifts on an equal level. So I headed over to my Pinterest board in search of inspiration and I found a pair of perfect patterns!!

The Candy Colors Tote and the Rainbow Tote were made using the Simple Stripes Tote Bag pattern which is available on Ravelry.

 

The Purple Passion Tote was made using the Give Me Variety Tote Bag also available on Ravelry.

I used Red Heart Super Saver that was leftover from some other kid-related projects. Now I’m thinking about making each of them an ornament with the same colors, maybe start a new family tradition!

As always, you can see more of my work at http://www.facebook.com/acountryyarn

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am thankful for having found such a diverse group of creative and wonderful Internet friends. I hope that each of you has a day filled with whatever makes you happy.

Kids’ Jackets Round Up

I don’t know if I’ve ever mentioned that I’m a self-taught crocheter. I first picked up a hook in February of 2013, and I’ve learned everything thanks to the huge number of tutorials and patterns that are available online. My two girls, Sarina my youngest daughter and Regina my oldest granddaughter, are two of my most willing models and testers and my favorite collaborators (and Pop Warner cheerleaders). Because of their interest and enthusiasm in my art I’ve created theses jackets in less than a year’s time!!

I am particularly proud of the Sarina Hoodie which is an original pattern. Sarina chose her yarn and the colors and helped design the pattern. I’ve written down enough notes to recreate my work so I can offer custom orders but I have yet to write out the actual pattern.

This jacket is absolutely Regina’s favorite pattern in her favorite color. You can read more about our variations on this one in this post.

I made both of these last Spring when the early mornings were still nice and cool but the temps were up in the 80s before lunchtime. Sarina chose the Cotton Cardigan which I scaled down to fit her smaller frame. Regina’s jacket is a version of the Bouvardia Hooded Jacket.

This was the first serious “you can wear it in public” jacket I ever made. I had the yarn in my stash and we knew we needed something to go with those red boots! You’ll find the details and a link to the pattern in this post.