A warm, chunky scarf for winter

A couple of months ago, I got some super bulky yarn on clearance and have been searching for patterns since. Most call for a 9mm hook and while that's fine for boot cuffs and hats, the scarves and cowls end up too stiff for my taste. I like those to be soft and squishy.
So I came up with my own design. It's mesh-y...lots of holes...but so thick that it's still warm, but the holes keep it pliable.
It takes just over a skein of Lion Brand Hometown, 81 yards each, so...about 100-110 yards.

Super Chunky Mesh Cowl
Pattern designed and written by Rachel Simister

Super chunky yarn, category 6. I used Lion Brand Hometown. This took just over 1 skein, approximately 100-110 yards.
16mm crochet hook
J hook. I used this to weave in the tails and sew the ends as the thick yarn wouldn't fit in any yarn needle!

CH 13.
Row 1 - hdc in 3rd CH from hook, *CH 1, skip next foundation CH, hdc in next CH*. Rep from * to * across.

Row 2 - CH 3, turn. Hdc in first CH 1 space. *CH 1, skip next hdc, hdc in next CH 1 space*. Rep from * to * across, putting last hdc in chain space at the end of the row.

Rows 3-50 - rep row 2.
Cut yarn, leaving a 12" tail. Whip stitch short ends together, weave in ends.

This is a free pattern. You can give it out, but please don't sell it or post it anywhere. You may post a link to it if you like.
Thank you!
10/11/2014

Designing a New Fall Set

I picked up some Red Heart Boutique Unforgettable in Winery at Walmart a couple of weeks ago, on clearance, and since I've finished all my custom orders for the moment, I wanted to play with it.
The color is gorgeous. It gives from a deep Burgundy to a purple to a brownish to a pink...and everything in between! Great fallish colors. Because it was on clearance, however, it probably means they're discontinuing the color. Figures.
So, I scoured Ravelry and Google looking for a cowl I liked...and liked for the yarn. As I'm sure all you fiber artists know, not all patterns/ stitches work with all yarns.
Zilch. Nada. Nothing clicked.
I kinda liked this and kinda liked that...but...no. So. I winged it.
I'm not posting any patterns yet, because I want to post everything at once and the fingerless gloves aren't *there* yet, but...here are the pics. And the link to my Facebook page. I don't have any of it in my Etsy shop yet, not till it's done, but...here ya go!
Afghans Off the Hook

New Baby Stuff!

I was busy this weekend! A friend gave me some yarn and included was some absolutely delicious baby yarn! Oh, the fun I had!
Among the people I know there must be a bug going around...quite a few are either pregnant themselves or one of their kids are! In the last year, two have become grandparents and three have either had babies or are pregnant. And the year before had a good crop, too!
So. I had one blanket made already...I needed pictures for my shop... and this weekend I made another as well as my first lovey! As soon as I find out what my cousin is having...or find out she's not finding out!...I'll get her an afghan made.
Her grandmother, my aunt, was one of two aunts who were always giving afghans. She passed a few years ago and the other isn't well. I believe I'm the only one of the cousins who crochets, so I thought it would be nice for her to get a handmade afghan, even though her gramma is gone.
The blanket is just s simple basket weave, and the lovey is a granny square with a simple stuffed ball that I threaded with hair and sewed a face on.

Basket Weave Baby Afghan
Approximately 30x40"
I used over half a skein of Bernat Baby Sport and almost two skeins of Bernat Baby Coordinates.
The border was done in Bernat Pipsqueak, and used about a quarter of a skein.
I used a G hook for the Afghan and an N hook for the border.
I switched colors every 10 rows.

Chain 102.
Row 1- In the 4th chain from the hook, dc. Dc in each CH across. CH 3, turn.
Row 2- skip the first dc. Hdc in second dc. *Fpdc in next 3 dc, bpdc in next 3 dc.* rep * to * to the last 2 dc. Hdc in last 2 dc. CH 3, turn.
Row 3- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each fpdc, bpdc in each bpdc, across to last 2 hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 3, turn.
Row 4- skip first hdc, hdc in next hdc. Fpdc in each bpdc and bpdc in each fpdc, across to last two hdc. Hdc in last 2 hdc. CH 2, turn.
Row 5 on- repeat row 3 twice, then row 4 twice, back and forth, every two rows, across until Afghan reaches desired length.
Border - in any corner, attach yarn. CH 3, 2 dc, in same stitch. *Dc in every other stitch to the next corner. 3 dc in corner.* repeat * to * around. Attach to top of CH 3 with a slip stitch. Finish off and weave in ends.
I'll post the lovey tomorrow!

https://www.etsy.com/listing/193123622/handcrafted-crocheted-baby-afghan-or?ref=shop_home_active_1

Basket Weave Infant Cocoon and Hat Set

I have just written a pattern for an infant cocoon and hat set that I would like to share with you.  I haven't had a lot of time lately to post anything, but I'm hoping that changes soon. I now have a shop on Etsy.com and this set is for sale there, along with several other items.
Basket Weave Cocoon and Hat Set

 

Basket Weave Infant Cocoon and Hat Set

By Rachel Simister

8 oz. worsted weight yarn in main color.

3 oz. worsted weight yarn in secondary color.

Size I hook

Yarn needle 

Gauge isn’t very important here. After crocheting the 5^th round, piece should measure approximately 6” across. If you’re way off, go up (if it’s too small) or down (if it’s too big) a hook size.

I don’t like the magic circle, so I don’t use it. If you like it, feel free to use it.

The stripes were added randomly, so you can change from the main color to the secondary color whenever you like. Work the last stitch in the round, hook through the top of the first dc, yo with new color and pull through in a slip stitch to change color. The number of rows done in the secondary color were also random.

Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.

Round 1. ch 4, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a loop, ch 2, 12 dc in loop, join to 1st dc. (12dc)
Round 2. ch 2, 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Join to top of 1st dc. (24 dc)
Round 3. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (36 dc)
Round 4. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 2 sts. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (48 dc)
Round 5. ch2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next 3 sts. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (60 dc)

Round 6. ch 2, *FPDC in next 3 sts, BPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.
Round 7. ch 2, *BPDC in next 3 sts, FPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.

Round 8 on. Rep rounds 6 and 7 until cocoon measures approximately 19”, ending with main color. Do not fasten off, join secondary color.

Cuff

Round 1. Ch 2. Dc in each fpdc and bpdc around. Join with slip stitch to top of first dc.

Round 2-4. Ch 2. Fpdc in first dc. *Bpdc in next dc, fpdc in next dc* around. Join to top of first fpdc. Finish off.

 

Hat

Chain 2 does not count as a stitch.

Round 1. ch 4, join with a slip stitch in first chain to form a loop, ch 2, 12 dc in loop, join to 1st dc. (12dc)
Round 2. ch 2, 2 dc in same st and in each st around. Join to top of 1st dc. (24 dc)
Round 3. ch 2, 2 dc in same st, 1 dc in next st. *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st* rep * around, join to 1st dc. (36 dc)
Round 4. ch 2, *FPDC in next 3 sts, BPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.
Round 5. ch 2, *BPDC in next 3 sts, FPDC in next 3 sts* rep * around, join to first dc.

Round 6 on. Rep rounds 4 and 5 until hat measures approximately 4”, ending with main color. Do not fasten off, join secondary color.

Round 1. Ch 2. Sc in each fpdc and bpdc around. Join with slip stitch to top of first dc.

Fasten off.

 

Weave in all ends in cocoon and hat.