Crocheted Green Flowers

After finishing my Seaside Scarf, I had a bit of leftover yarn and so to keep it from languishing forgotten in the bottom of my yarn drawer, I had a go at making a few flowers.

I've done this many times, with many bits of leftover yarn. There is something so satisfying about making crochet flowers; I spent a lovely evening sitting on the sofa in my pajamas, with a tea and a candle burning, crocheting these beauties - true relaxation.

These flowers are excellent as coasters, and also look adorable under a flower pot. I have a small windowsill in the kitchen and I love to put plants there as it is the only place in my house where plants survive. And nothing is more homey than a little plant sitting atop a crochet flower.

Now, this pattern is not my own, I printed it from somewhere years ago, and for the life of me I can not find the link anymore. So I've included the pattern here should you wish to make a few flowers of your own. From my experience any yarn type works well, just remember that the bulkier the yarn used, the larger your flower will be.

Crochet Flower

ch 6, join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

Round 1: ch 3 (counts as first dc), 19 dc in ring, join with slip stitch in top of first ch-3 (20 dc total for this round)

Round 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in next dc, *ch 2, dc in each of next 2 dc**, repeat the directions between * and ** around, then ch 2, slip stitch in top of first ch-3 of this round.

Round 3: slip stitch in next dc (to reach starting point for this round), slip stitch in ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same ch-2 space, *skip next 2 dc, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch-2 space**, repeat directions between * and ** around, then slip stitch in the top of the first ch-3 of this round

Round 4: slip stitch in next dc (to reach starting point for this round), slip stitch in ch-2 space, ch 3 (counts as first dc), (6 dc, 1 sc) in same ch-2 space, *(7 dc, 1 sc) in next ch-2 space**, repeat directions between * and ** around, then slip stitch in the top of the first ch-3 of this round, end off.

Make several flowers and put them in a little pile - so satisfying.

Happy crocheting friends.

March Intentions

Hello friends. I'm a little later with this post than I had planned, but better late than never.....

February certainly flew by, but in and among all the busyness of life I managed to fulfill some of the intentions that I set out at the beginning of the month. I did a minor clean out of my closet, getting rid of worn out clothes or ones that don't suit/fit. I baked a plant based dessert - Pistachio Coconut Bars - and they were delicious. We have a cottage booked for a week this summer, right on the lake, and I can't tell you how excited I am to sit by the water or on the porch and crochet. A financial goal of ours was reached. And I have made a few comfy additions to my crochet corner and spent some time tucked up there working on my latest project - the colorful stripes in the above photo.

As for my scarf pattern - it's out in the world, have you seen it?

Having set intentions in February and then having met them was incredibly satisfying for me, so I'm doing the same for March:

• clean out the girls' closets
• finish my Blooming Flower Cushion (it's going to be gorgeous!)
• buy tulips
• get summer camps organized for the girls
• go for walks 
• read two books

And I think I'll leave it at that...a manageable list.

What are your intentions for March? I'd love to hear. 

The Seaside Scarf

I feel a bit like I am stepping out from behind the curtain here, and there are definitely butterflies in my stomach, but today I am very excited to share with you the very first crochet pattern that I have ever designed....The Seaside Scarf

I know, right? So exciting!!!!!

Designing a pattern is something that I have wanted to do for a long time, but for one reason or another it never happened. And to be fair, as fun as the idea sounded, it also seemed incredibly daunting. But sometimes you just need to get over yourself and do it, know what I mean? And the results of doing that can be so rewarding and fulfilling.

As someone who has not crocheted many wearables, I was surprised that I was drawn to design a scarf. I always thought that if I ever got to designing a crochet pattern that it would be an amigurumi friend...who knows, that may still come.

This scarf is textured, yet the stitch pattern is very simple. It is a great project to work on while watching television or while waiting for/watching your children participate in their lessons. Best to keep those hands busy, and fill every spare moment with a little creativity, am I right?

I've used a multi-colored yarn for my scarf (Caron Tea Cakes in Pistachio Macron). The colors remind me of the seaside and I think the texture created by the stitches resembles the patterns left by the the waves as they roll in and out along the shore - hence the name: Seaside Scarf. That being said, I do think this scarf would look lovely in a solid color, a color that speaks to you and makes you incredibly happy to have wrapped around your neck.

I've written the pattern for the Seaside Scarf below should you wish to make one of your own. I hope you enjoy it, I really hope you do.

The Seaside Scarf

Materials:
Caron Big Cakes in Pistachio Macron (1 cake)
Size H crochet hook (5 mm)
Tapestry Needle

Gauge: 13 dc by 8 rows equals a 4 inch square

Dimensions: width: 7.5 inches; length: 62 inches without fringe, 80 inches with fringe

Notes:
1 ch = 1 sc
3 ch = 1 dc

Abbreviations (US terms):
ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sk - skip
fpdc - front post double crochet

Pattern:
ch 216

Row 1: sc in second ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn (215 sc)

Row 2: ch 3, sk 1 sc, dc in next sc, *ch 1, sk 1 sc, dc in next 2 sc*, repeat across ending with 2 dc, turn (72 2dc groups) (Note: when repeating row 2, end with 1 dc in top of turning ch from previous row)

Row 3: ch 1, sk 1 dc, *sc in next dc, 1 sc in ch 1 space from previous row, *sc in next 2 dc, 1 sc in ch 1 space from previous row*, repeat across ending with 1 sc in top of turning 3ch from previous row, turn (215 sc)

Row 4: ch 3, sk 1 sc, dc in next sc, dc in each sc across ending with 1 dc in turning chain from previous row, turn (215 dc)

Row 5: ch 2, sk 1 dc, fpdc in next dc, sc in next dc, *fpdc in next dc, sc in next dc* repeat across ending with 1 sc in top of turning 3ch from previous row, turn (107 fpdc)

Row 6: ch 3, sk 1 st (the sc that ended the previous row), dc in next stitch, dc in each stitch across ending with 1 dc in top of turning 2ch from previous row, turn (215 dc)

Row 7: ch 1, sk 1 sc, sc in next dc, sc in each dc across ending with 1 sc in top of turning 3ch from previous row, turn (215 sc)

Repeat rows 2 - 7 two times.
Repeat rows 2 and 3.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.

To create the fringe: cut 100 pieces of yarn 18 inches in length. Holding five 18 inch pieces together, fold them in half, holding a loop at one end. Feed the loop through the end of a row, pull the open ends through the loop and pull snug. Repeat along each end of the scarf, adding as much or as little fringe as you would like.