All The Pinks Scrappy Scarf Pattern | Tw-In Stitches

Recently, I made my friend, Nikki, a sweater vest using Caron Cakes Cherry Chip. Cherry Chip is a great colorway. It has several different shades of pink and a bit of brown. It was the first time I used Caron Cakes and I discovered that in order to maintain the striping order, I often had to cut the yarn and start a new skein. That meant I had 3 partial skeins left. I hate left over yarn! So, I decided to use the left over skeins to create something else for Nikki: a scarf with All The Pinks! Pink is Nikki's favorite color, so this scarf is going to be loved.

Supplies:

1.5 skeins of leftover Caron Cakes Cherry Chip yarn (I joined all of the skeins using the Double Knot technique before I started.)
J (6 mm) hook
1 tapestry needle

Stitches:

chain
slip stitch
DC
DC2TOG

Pattern:

Chain 29.

Row 1: DC in the fourth chain from the hook.Chain 1. *Start a DC2TOG in the same stitch. Skip one chain. Complete the DC2TOG in the next stitch.* Repeat from * to * across, ignoring the skip one chain to finish the last DC2tog. Chain 3 and turn. (1 DC, 12 DC2TOG)

Row 2: DC in the first chain 1 space. *Chain 1 and start a DC2TOG in the same space.  Complete the DC2TOG in the next chain 1 space. * Repeat from * to * across. Chain 3 and turn.

Rows 3-105: Repeat Row 2.

After completing row 105, fasten off and weave in ends.

I kept going until I ran out of yarn, but you can stop at any length!

The On-The-Go Wobbly Blanket - Free Pattern

My son has started his basketball season and I find myself a mess during basketball games.  I could handle soccer, but the stress of basketball leaves me with my hands covering my eyes and generally not being a positive vision as a spectator.  I decided last night that I need something to occupy my hands so that I can keep them away from my face. It also needs to be portable so that I don't have to drag around something large.  I've decided to use the Wobbly Pattern (my favorite) to create something I can crochet without having to think too much.

Last year, I made this blanket by crocheting strips of Wobbly stripes and joining them using the flat braid join.

A photo posted by Jennifer Uribe (@uribetwins) on Dec 14, 2015 at 2:47pm PST

I've decided to actually write down the pattern this time and make it into something with lots more color. This is very much a pattern in progress and I will update it as I go. For now, the plan is to make this in a baby blanket size.

Supplies:
{As I am stash busting, I am using any leftover Red Heart with Love yarn I have}
Red Heart with Love Yarn in 6 colors
J Hook (6 mm)
tapestry needle

Stitches:

Chain
DC - double crochet
dc2tog - couble crochet together

Pattern:

To make this blanket, I am going to start by making 5 panels in different colors.

To make a panel:

Chain 20. (This will make a receiving blanket size.  To make a larger blanket, chain a multiple of 3 plus 2.)

Row 1: DC in the third chain from the hook. Chain 1. *Begin a dc2tog in the same chain, skip one chain, complete the dc2tog in the next chain. Chain 1. * Continue from * to * across. To complete the row, crochet one final dc2tog without skipping a chain between the dcs. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 2: DC in the first chain 1 space.  Chain 1. *Begin a dc2tog in the same space and complete it in the next chain 1 space. Chain 1.* Continue from * to * across. To complete the row, begin the last dc2tog in the last chain 1 space and complete it in the top of the chain 3 from the first row. Chain 3 and turn.

Row 3: DC in the first chain 1 space.  Chain 1. *Begin a dc2tog in the same space and complete it in the next chain 1 space. Chain 1.* Continue from * to * across. To complete the row, begin the last dc2tog in the last chain 1 space and complete it in the top of the turning chain of the previous row. Chain 3 and turn.

Rows 4-42: The rest of the panel is super simple!  Just repeat row 3.  If you would like your blanket longer, continue row 3.

To be continued...

Half Wobbly Hat Crochet Pattern | Tw-In Stitches

In December of 2015, I shared the Half Wobbly Hat pattern using super bulky yarn.  Recently, I had the opportunity to make a hat for my sister using this pattern, but with a very different yarn.  I thought I might share the pattern with you in case you would like to make a Half Wobbly Hat in a worsted weight or other yarn!

Half Wobbly Hat Pattern

Supplies:

1 skein Red Heart Unforgettable or worsted weight yarn
I (5.5 mm) hook
1 tapestry needle

Stitches:

Chain
DC
DC2TOG
Slip stitch

Pattern:

Row 1: Using a magic circle, chain 2. Crochet 12 DC into the magic circle. Close the circle and slip stitch into the top of the first DC. (Note: it is very important that this beginning circle is a multiple of three.)

Row 2: Chain 2, 2 DC in each stitch around. Slip Stitch into the top of the first DC. (24 DCs)

Row 3: Chain 2, *2 DC in the first stitch, 1 DC in the next.* Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch into the top of the first DC to finish.  (36 DCs)

Row 4: Chain 2, *2 DC in the first stitch, 1 DC in each of the next two stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch into the top of the first DC to finish.  (48 DCs)

Row 5: Chain 2, *2 DC in the first stitch, 1 DC in each of the next three stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch into the top of the first DC to finish. (60 DCs)

At this point, stop and measure the diameter of your circle.  An adult hat should measure 6.75 in (adult small) to 7.25 inches (adult large) across.  You need to keep increasing until you reach that length. Depending on your tension, you may need to crochet additional rows to increase.

**Row 6 (if you need to increase to reach correct size): Chain 2, *2 DC in the first stitch, 1 DC in each of the next four stitches.* Repeat from * to * around. Slip stitch into the top of the first DC to finish. (72 DCs)

*** If you need to keep increasing: Chain 2, *2 DC in the first stitch, 1 DC in each of the next 5 stitches, etc.


Row 7 (Wobbly Row): Chain 1. HDC in the same stitch (counts as one half of a DC2TOG). Skip one stitch and DC in the next. Chain 1. Start a DC2TOG in the same space, skip one stitch and complete the DC2TOG in the next space. *Chain 1, start a DC2TOG in the same space, skip one stitch and complete the DC2TOG in the next chain stitch.* Repeat from * to star around until you finish the last DC2TOG. Chain 1, DC in the same stitch and slip stitch to the third chain to end the row. The number of stitches you have will depend on how many times you increased.

Row 8 (Wobbly Row): Slip stitch into the chain 1 space.  HDC in the same space and DC into the next chain 1 space.  *Chain 1 and begin a DC2TOG in the same space. Complete the DC2TOG in the next chain 1 space.* Repeat from * to * around. Following final chain 1, slip stitch into the top of the first DC to join.

Row 9-12: Repeat Row 8. For a slouchy hat, you can repeat Row 8 for two or three more rows.

Row 13: Slip stitch into the chain 1 space. Chain 1. Crochet 2 HDC in the same space. 2 HDC in each chain 1 space around. Slip stitch to the top of the first HDC to join.


Row 14. Chain 1. 1 HDC in each stitch around. Slip stitch to the top of the first HDC to join.

Repeat Row 14 if you would like more of a band.

Fasten off and weave in ends. Viola!

The Secret Stitch | A Ficton Book Review | Tw-In Stitches Blog

I'm an avid reader.  When I say avid, I mean I often have several books going at the same time. I listen to audio books on my way to work and have an e-book on my tablet at all times.  I'm even 200% over my Good Reads goal for 2016!

A few months ago, I learned about a book called The Secret Stitch.  Written by C. Jane Reid, the book is the first in a series of historical fiction books about women who migrated to colonial America.  The Secret Stitch centers around Ailee Donaghue, a young woman with an unfortunate past who marries a stranger and makes the journey to America.  The book takes us through the treacherous trip across the Atlantic Ocean and the challenges Ailee and her husband face once they arrive. The part that I found most interesting was the hints about the origins of crochet.  While never explicitly stated, we learn a little about how crochet came to America and how it was passed down from woman to woman.

As a character, Ailee is very sympathetic. She's made some poor decisions and she looks at her current situation as making the most of what she created for herself.  She is young and still trying to find her place.  I really appreciated that she felt like an outsider most of the time.  She worked hard for the people on board the ship and those she met once she arrived in America to like her.  Like many of us, she is not good at everything.  Her knitting leaves a lot to be desired. (Just like mine!) She does not know how to cook or keep a house because she grew up in a home where she had servants.  Now that she is married, she is expected to learn how to do all of those things.  I appreciated that she did not give up in the face of criticism and scorn.

The Secret Stitch is, for the most part, a story about Ailee: her journey to wife-hood, her growth as a woman, and her ability to face trials . As it progresses, her relationship with her husband becomes closer (although I did want to shake him at times), so this book is also a romance. C. Jane Reid did a good job of communicating how awkward their marriage initially is and how trying it is to undertake as bold a move as they did as newlyweds.

I don't want to give spoilers because it will ruin how crochet becomes important in the book, but I can tell you that as soon as Ailee learned "the secret stitch," I was dying to know more about it.  The hints and descriptions of how she was using it drew me in and kept me reading long into the night. 

The best part about The Secret Stitch is that it is the first in a series by C. Jane Reid!  Each story appears to be about a different woman from the ship Ailee and her husband traveled on to America. As we are introduced to the stories of the new characters, more and more is revealed about the crochet and an ancient mystery.  Even better, each book features a crochet pattern by Laurinda Reddig of Recrochetions.  This book contains a pattern for a cowl made with slip stitches!

I really enjoyed The Secret Stitch and am planning to purchase The Sojourn Stitch, the next in the series, to find out what happens to Ailee's friend Elsie. I can recommend this book to anyone who likes historical fiction or historical romance.  You can purchase The Secret Stitch in e-book form on Amazon, from Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Scribd, or Apple iBooks.

Disclaimer: I received this book in exchange for a review and was not compensated by the author. All opinions are my own. I really enjoyed it!

Wobbly Squares Blanket in Variegated Yarn | Tw-In Stitches

Curious about making the Wobbly Squares Blanket in variegated yarn?  Here are some photos of a baby blanket I made earlier this year! These are raw out of my camera, so please forgive them if the colors seem off.

 

Center of the blanket

The entire Wobbly Squares Blanket with Variegated yarn

These pictures don't really do the blanket justice.  Here's an up close shot of one side.

I think this is super fun!  If you would like to make your own Wobbly Squares Blanket in one color or with variegated yarn, follow this pattern!

Wobbly Squares Blanket Without Changing Colors