Circles in Squares Granny Square Crochet Blanket

Newly Completed.

All Crochet Blankets Green

Happy St Patrick’s Day.

Happy Mother’s Day

Cherry Red Petite Peony Granny Square Blanket

I’ve just completed this blanket and have now listed it as a made to  order blanket, in my Etsy store.

Circles in Squares Crochet Blanket

This blanket is available to order in my Etsy store here.

Small Squares Crochet Shawl–Free Crochet Pattern

This crochet shawl is a perfect on-the-go project -- work on it while your at the doctor's office or waiting for your next class to start. Click here to get the free pattern.

Source – lionbrand.com

Neck's Best Thing Triangle Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Create this beautifully striped afghan with just one colorway of Homespun^®. Learn how you can take this simple pattern and create a beautiful shawl of the same design.

Get the free pattern here at lionbrand.com

Circular Crochet Rag Rug Tutorial

Circular Crochet Rag Rug – Instructions

Circular Crochet Rag Rug Tutorial

This pattern is for a circular rag rug to illustrate the process of crocheting a rag rug in the round. Once you understand this concept you can then choose a variety of patterns to work with - ovals, squares, rectangles or even a hexagon.

A rag rug crochets up fairly quickly but the time consuming aspect is in the preparation. You will need to gather a variety of fabrics to cut and turn into your yarn. Think about the properties of any particular fabric you choose - is it stretchy, flexible, coarse, closely woven. Is it likely to fray? Although most fabrics do initially shed some fibres some materials are worse than others.

You will need a fairly large hook I always use 10mm but anything between 10mm and 15mm would be suitable. I find a 15mm hook a tad unwieldy in the hand.

Your next job is going to be to cut the yarn into strips with as few joins as possible. To avoid too many knots cut in a zigzag style from side to side or cut from out edge in a spiral manner to the centre. The fabric should be approximately 2cms wide or 1”. This measurement is not cast in stone and there will be slight variations in the width which is a natural property of any handmade crocheted rag rug. Roll the yarn into balls. It is difficult to estimate the amount of fabric required but I always find it is more than you might initially anticipate. If you prepare approx 5 different colours/patterns to begin with you should then be able to estimate how much more is required to complete the project.

If you are not used to using your hands intensively you may end up with aching hands during the cutting up stage - I think in my eagerness I even ended up with a blister or two. It is worth preparing the yarn in advance as it can become frustrating to have to stop crocheting to do more cutting up. It will also take a while to get used to working with such a large hook and fabric as it it is a very different experience to crocheting with yarn.

As you become more familiar with the process you will learn to assess which fabrics work best for you and your design. You will also learn when you need to make additional increases etc to stop the rug curling. The structure of a crocheted rag rug is synergistic each separate stitch is dependant upon all other stitches and the properties of the fabrics used.

1. Chain 3

2. Join the ring with a sl st, ch 1 and then sc x 5 into the ring, join the circle with a sl st.

3. ch 1, (It may be useful at this stage to start marking the beginning of your round with a safety pin). sc x2 into each st,then join with a sl st.

4. ch 1, *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end, join with sl st.

5. ch 1, *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end, join with sl st.

6. Now begin working in the round (no more ch at beg of row and no more sl st) *sc twice into next st, sc 1 in next st* ** rep to end.

7. Continue to use pin to mark your rounds. 1 sc into each st.

8. 1 sc into next 3 st, sc x2 into next st and every 4th st to end of round.

9. 1 sc into next 4 st, sc x2 into next st and every 5th st to end of round.

10. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.

11. sc x 2 into 1 st, sc for next 3 st, sc next st and every 4th st to end of round.

12. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.

13. sc x 2 into 1 st, sc for next 3 st, sc next st and every 4th st to end of round.

14. Complete 1 round 1 sc in each st to end.

Continue with these rounds (13 & 14) until work measures required diameter.

At this point my rug measures 19” diameter.

You can keep going here for as long as you like – but be warned they can become difficult to work with after a 4-5ft diameter.

Here is one of my earlier rugs and this reached approx 6ft.

Note: If your rug begins to wrinkle you are increasing too often – reduce amount of increase for 1 round. If your rug begins to curl upwards, like a bowl you are not increasing enough.

Happy Rug Making.

Dolly Crochet Granny Square Blanket

I have just completed this new ‘Dolly' granny square blanket for a customer. I really love the colours and the impact just isn’t reflected in the photographs unfortunately. Dolly blankets can be order in my Etsy store click here.

Springtime Sale

I’ve decided to list a couple of items in my  Etsy shop at springtime sale prices. It would be nice to make the room and clear some space for new projects and designs.

Patchwork Granny squares blanket click here.

Ivory Granny Squares Blanket click here.

Twisted Rib Vest Free Knitting Pattern

This vest silhouette complements your shape while being long in comfort and style. Knit it in a twisted rib pattern for an easy-care piece that you’ll love wearing.

Get the free pattern now at redheart.com

Sidewalk Shawl Free Crochet Pattern

This award-winning shawl design features the classic beauty of crocheted pineapples and is finished off with extra-long fringe. This is a shawl that you will love wearing for an evening out or more casual strolls.

Get the free pattern at redheart.com here.