(Distant) Memories of Summer Wrap

With winter inching closer every day (I hear it is snowing in the northern Midwest already!), who wouldn't want to snuggle up in a lovely Homespun ripple-stitch wrap? As a bonus, it's made in two shades of blue reminiscent of Caribbean ocean waters. So, while the blizzards rage outside (or, if you live in an old, drafty house like I do and even crisp fall temperatures cause your fingers to turn blue and you're a big, whiny wimp like
I amsomeone I know) you will get lots of use from something like this.

I won't, though, because I made it for K, my sister-in-law, whose birthday was last week.

As an added bonus, it works up pretty quickly and you can huddle under it while you crochet.

Yarn: 3 skeins Lion Brand Homespun yarn.
I used 1 skein of "Colonial" and 2 skeins "Blue Sky,"
but really any bulky weight homespun-type yarn would work.

Hook: US size P/12

Stitches: chain (ch), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explanation of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Foundation row: Chain 62, turn. NTCDC, dc in ch. Dc in next ch. *skip 2 chs, 3 dc in next 3 chs. Ch 2, 3 dc in next 3 chs.* Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Skip 2 chs, dc in next ch. 2 dc in last ch. Turn. (62 sts)

Rows 1 thru 75: NTCDC, dc in dc, dc in next dc. *skip 2 dc, 3 dc in next 3 dc. Ch 2, 3 dc in next 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Sk 2 dc, DC in next dc. 2 dc in last dc. Turn (62 sts)

I crocheted three blocks of color (Blue Sky, Colonial, Blue Sky) in 25 rows each because I'm kind of lazy, but any striping pattern would work.

Enjoy and keep warm!

Switcharoo Skelt

The Switcharoo Skelt (Scarf/Belt) (Yes, I know it should TECHNICALLY be spelled "Scelt" but I like the way the "k" looks and it's my pattern and I can name it whatever I want. So, ner.) can be worn as a scarf, a belt, or a headband. I made it for my niece, the Energizer Bunny, who turned eight years old in August.

One of these days I will send them their gifts on time! Honest!

Yarn: 1 skein Serenity Sock Yarn (Premier Yarns; 50% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Bamboo, 25% Nylon; 230 yards), or superfine yarn of your choice.

Hook: US size C/2

Stitches: chain (ch), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Foundation: Chain 22.

Row 1: NTCDC, dc in last ch. Dc in next ch. *Skip 2 ch, 3 dc in next 3 ch. Ch 2. 3 dc in next 3 ch.* Repeat from * to * once. Skip 2 ch, dc in next ch. 2 dc in last ch. Turn. [22 sts]

Rows 2 thru desired length: NTCDC, dc in first dc. Dc in next dc. *Skip 2 dc, 3 dc in next 3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * once. Skip 2 dc, dc in next dc. 2 dc in ntcdc. Turn. [22 sts]

This works up quickly despite the super fine-ness of the yarn.

Midsummer Twilight Hat

I've got a pattern posted on CrochetMe for a lovely (if I do say so myself) cotton hat.

Yes, I know I'm using a lot of cotton lately... It's the only yarn I can reach in the disaster that is my craft room at present. It became the storage room and all my yarn is at the back. Someday I will clean it all out, make a fortune on craigslist, and buy lots of fancy new yarn.

Someday.

Sparkly Disc Coasters

Here's a pattern for some coasters. I worked it out through much trial and error, so you won't have to. That's how nice I am.

Sparkly Disc Coaster Pattern

Yarn: 1 ball worsted-weight cotton for each color.

I used Bernat cotton for the green and Sugar 'n' Cream for the purple

Hook: US size H/8, 5.00mm

Other: Obsolete CDs or DVDs.

I crocheted this pretty tightly to avoid floppy fabric around the disc.

Stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (slst), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

BACK OF COASTER

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]

Row 2: Ntcdc. Dc in same stitch. 2 dc in each dc around. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]

Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 Dc in next dc. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]

Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. *Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]

Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc, tie off. [45 sts]

FRONT OF COASTER

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]

Row 2: Ntcdc, ch 1. *Dc in next dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]

Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]

Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]

Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. Do NOT tie off. [45 sts]

JOINING

Match the wrong sides together at the last slst to ntcdc. (I like to do this so there is only one clumsy spot where joining over the slst.)

Slst in both loops of each dc for each side. This creates the nice, rope-like edge. Once 30 or so slst are complete, insert CD/DVD, making sure the silver side shows through the front side. Continue slst until joined around, tie off. Weave ends under the back of the coaster.

These are quick and easy—my kind of project!

Mountain Girl Hat

Tada! I TOLD you I'd post it, eventually. Luckily, it's a great hat for Autumn, so there is still time!

Yarn: 1 ball Aunt Lydia's Denim Cotton, or worsted cotton of your choice.

Hook: US size H/8, 5.00mm

Stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (slst), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]
Row 2: Ntcdc, ch 1. *Dc in next dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]
Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]
Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]
Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [45 sts]
Row 6: Ntcdc. Dc in next 4 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 5 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [54 sts]
Row 7: Ntcdc. Dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [63 sts]
Row 8: Ntcdc. Dc in next 6 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 7 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 9: Ntcdc. Dc in next 6 dc, 1 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 7 dc, 1 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 10: Ntcdc. Dc in each dc around. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 11: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. Skip next dc. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1. Skip next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 12: Ntcdc. Dc in each dc and ch 1 sp around. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 13: Repeat row 11. [72 sts]
Row 14: Repeat row 12. [72 sts]
Row 15: Ntcdc. 2 Dc in same sp. Skip next dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next dc. *5 dc in next dc. Skip next dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next dc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. 2 dc in same st as ntcdc, slst to ntcdc. [108 sts]
Row 16: Ch 1, sc in ntcdc from last row. Skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc. *Skip 2 dc, sc in next dc. Skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. Slst to first sc. [108 sts]
Row 17: Ntcdc. 2 dc in same sp. Skip 2 dc, sc in next dc. Skip 2 dc. *5 dc in next sc. Skip 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next 2 dc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. 2 dc in same sc as ntcdc, slst to ntcdc. [108 sts]
Row 18: Repeat row 16. [108 sts]
Row 19: Repeat row 17. [108 sts]
Row 20: Repeat row 16. Tie off. [108 sts]

If this pattern seems familiar at first, it's because the crown follows the same pattern as my Sparkly Disc Coasters posted a little while ago. I was watching Wee Ninja Girl put the coasters on her head and thought the pattern might make a cute hat. The tip of the hat tends to poke up like a little point, giving a slightly elvish look. The brim can be folded or rolled up or kept down.

If you feel ambitious, crochet some different colored flowers to pin on the side. I made a handful of those, but haven't pinned them on, since I like the simplicity of the hat alone.