Craftside

How to Crochet a Crescent Braid: Free Pattern from The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

I think it's fun to add little touches to garments and home decor items. This crescent braid pattern from The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition is just the kind of detail that would add just a little touch of fun to a t-shirt, tablecloth or just about anything! 

The crochet chart for the Crescent Braid:

CRESCENT BRAID PATTERN
Skill Level: Easy

Ch 5, join with a Sl st to form a ring.

Row 1: Ch 1, 6 sc in ring, ch 4, 1 sc in ring, turn.

Row 2: [6 sc, ch 4, 1 sc] in next ch-4 space, turn.

Rep Row 2 for desired length of trim.

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This crochet pattern is from the Edgings and Trims section in the new CPi book:

Psst! You can get this book for 35% off in honor of Independence Day if you use the code STARS14 on QBookshop.com! Offer good until July 13, 2014.

 

The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, 2nd Edition

*All You Need to Know to Crochet *The Essential Reference for Novice and Expert Crocheters *Comprehensive Guide to Crochet Tools and Techniques *Packed with Hundreds of Tips and Ideas *Step-by-Step Instructions for 220 Stitch Patterns

By Margaret Hubert

This is a comprehensive reference book on all aspects of crochet.

This book provides a reference for all methods, including Tunisian, intermeshing, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and freeform crochet.

Includes step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches and swatches of 100s of stitch patterns with completeinstructions. Now with:

• 15 all new projects
• 20 new stitch patterns (220 in all)
• Expanded basics
• Hundreds of tips and ideas

Margaret Hubert designs for yarn companies and book and magazine publishers including Crochet, Interweave Press, Quick and Easy Crochet, Crochet Fantasy, and Belle Armoire. She teaches at yarn shops, retreats, and national gatherings and rarely misses a national conference in the needle arts field. Among her specialties, she is a master at freeform crochetand knitting. She is the author of many books and currently resides in Pawling, NY. Visit her online at http://www.margarethubertoriginals.com and http://margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com.

Exclusive Knitting Pattern: Knit Doll Hair Hat by Mary Scott Huff author of Fun and Fantastical Hats to Knit

I have a super cute and fun knitting pattern to share with you today. Sometimes when a designer is working on a book there ends up being an extra project that doesn't make it in to the book. And this cute doll hair with a bow project was an extra pattern that didn't fit in Fun and Fantastical Hats to Knit: Animals, Monsters & Other Favorites for Kids and Grownups.

If this looks like something you need to make for yourself or know someone who would rock a crazy curly knit hairdo

Download

 

the free pattern and knit one up!

If you missed our post that featured the cute knit elf ears pattern from the book pop on over to check it out.

More about the CPi book:

Fun and Fantastical Hats to Knit:  Animals, Monsters & Other Favorites for Kids and Grownups

by Mary Scott Huff

Knit a hat for someone, and you'll keep their head warm. Give the hat googly eyes, floppy ears, or a prehensile tail, and you will give them and everyone they meet something to giggle about.

Do you know someone who could use a beyond-cute hat that resembles their favorite animal or character? Fun and Fantastical Hats to Knit adds a little fun to cold-weather wear. It doesn't have to be cold out for you to sport some fuzzy cuteness! You can have these amazing and easy-to-knit styles year-round! The twenty-one knit hats in this book are designed in sizes to fit everyone from babies to adults and are knit in-the-round with lots of amazing details!

Feeling a bit bonkers? Time to knit up a Tea Party topper or sport your new Rabble of Butterflies hat. Geek out with Architeuthis, Gargoyle, or Mercury hats; express your culinary inclinations with California Roll or Cherry Pie bring out your wild side with a Blue Crab cap, Frilly the frilled lizard, Baldy the eagle, or a Hedgehog helmet! Find all of these and more inside Fun and Fantastical Hats to Knit.

Mary Scott Huff, author of Fantastical Hats to Knit (CPi, 2014) began as a classically trained actor and theatrical costume designer, but accidentally became a computer programmer somewhere along the way. In writing her first two books, The New Stranded Colorwork, and Teach Yourself Visually Color Knitting, Mary fled the realm of Information Technology to pursue a more yarn-centered way of life. The many friends she found along the way have helped her become a nationally-recognized designer, teacher and author. A native of the Pacific Northwest, Mary shares a wee little house there with her husband, two children, some Scottish Terriers, and more yarn than is strictly necessary. You can join Mary on her adventures playing with string at www.maryscotthuff.com

www.maryscotthuff.com

www.ravelry.com/designers/mary-scott-huff

Mary Scott Huff lives in Fairview, Oregon, and teaches knitting all over the United States. Mary designs knitwear, writes books, blogs, and generally pursues a yarn-centered existence, in a little red house shared with her husband, two children, and two Scottish Terriers. This is her third book.

Join Mary in her adventures playing with string at www.maryscotthuff.com

A Giveaway with Red Heart Yarn and 2 Crochet Books, Plus a Lace-Up Boot Topper Design

I have a fun giveaway and crochet design to share with you today.

You can get yourself in the running for a copies of Simply Adorable Crochet: 40 of the Cutest Projects Ever and Fabulous & Flirty Crochet along with a skein of the new Red Heart Reflective Yarn and a skein of Red Heart Lustersheen.

I was so excited to work with the reflective yarn. Being that it has such a great safety feature I thought I'd make a pair of boot toppers for when I ride.

This was my favorite photo as you can see the reflection of all the pink on the bike.

I crocheted a rectangle that is about 15 stitches wide by 11 rows tall with a size 16mm crochet hook.

The rectangles actually get used sideways so the width is actually vertical.

I crocheted a chain to use as the cord to lace them up the back. For the chain stitch I used a size K hook and made each about 4 feet long.

I saw another blogger take a photo using a flash to try to share how the cool reflective quality of the yarn works so here is my "flash photo".

I can't wait to where my new reflective boot toppers riding at night to see how they work on the freeway.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

More about the crochet book:

 

Simply Adorable Crochet: 40 of the Cutest Projects Ever

by Maki Oomaci

This Simply Adorable book includes step-by-step instructions with both diagrams and colorful photographs showing how to make the cutest crochet projects ever.

 

There are food treats - cupcakes, doughnuts, candies, strawberries, and mushrooms, all looking good enough to eat. . . . And critters - little families of ducks and birds, squirrels with acorns, mice, ladybugs, deer, bunnies, lambs, donkies, kittens bears, and raccoons.

 

Find great ideas for a wide variety of holiday decorations - including snowflakes, wreaths, stockings, and bells. Make flowers for bookmarks, plus bows and booties and dolls, and so much more!

Knit a Fish Border Pattern from Baby Knits from Around the World

I tend to consider a fish as a summer motif, but this is the second fish pattern from our nordic knits book, Baby Knits from Around the World: Twenty Heirloom Projects in a Variety of Styles and Techniques that I just love!

More about the CPi knitting book:

 

 Baby Knits from Around the World: Twenty Heirloom Projects in a Variety of Styles and Techniques

by Kari Cornell

Baby Knits from Around the World showcases 20 designs by well-known artisans hailing from classic knitting traditions in Scandinavia, Ireland, Scotland, England, the Baltics, Europe, South America, and North America. The book includes detailed instructions for ever-popular baby hats, blankets, sweaters, booties, pants, dresses, toys, and mitts; while introductions to each pattern detail the history of the technique that the design employs. With over 100 gorgeous photos and diagrams throughout, knitters of all proficiency levels are sure to enjoy Kari Cornell’s hand-picked collection of baby knitting projects.

 

Kari Cornell is a freelance writer and editor who lives in South Minneapolis with her husband and two young boys. When she’s not working or spending time with her family, she loves to cook, tinker in the garden, knit, or run. She feels fortunate that she’s been able to combine many of the activities she likes to do in her free time with her day job. Cornell is the editor of a number of books published by Voyageur Press, including For the Love of Knitting, Modern Knits, Vintage Style, and Knitting Socks from Around the World.

Orange Slice Granny Square Pattern from the book, Granny Square Flowers

Granny squares come in so many fun motifs and patterns, it's a good thing you can make them and then mix and match them. This pattern for an orange slice granny square from the book Granny Square Flowers: 50 Botanical Crochet Motifs and 15 Original Projects would be a fun addition to a new project or one in the works.

Click on this page from Granny Square Flowers to enlarge and read the pattern and chart on how to crochet an orange slice crochet pattern.

More about the CPi book:

Granny Square Flowers: 50 Botanical Crochet Motifs and 15 Original Projects

by Margaret Hubert

The beloved granny square is the crocheter’s foundation for countless projects and is adored for its portability, versatility, and endless variety. With The Granny Square Book, Margaret Hubert showed how the humble granny makes the transition from tried-and-true blankets to all kinds of fashionable garments and accessories. Now, in Granny Square Flowers, Margaret presents 50 all-new granny squares with a botanical theme, then, using beautiful yarns and her keen design sense, she broadens their usefulness to making 15 new projects that will have you saying, “Wow, I didn’t know I could make that with granny squares!”

 

Each granny square is presented in a large, full-color photo accompanied by both written and diagrammed instructions. All sample squares are crocheted in bright colors of smooth cotton yarn to clearly show the stitch patterns. Projects using the floral granny squares include clothing for babies, children, and adults; fashion accessories, home décor items, and gifts. These projects use a wide variety of yarn types, fiber content, and weights--both LYS brands and big box brands—to demonstrate the versatility of granny squares. All yarn descriptions are included in generic terms with gauge and hook size information so you can easily substitute other choices.

 

Margaret Hubert is the author of more than 20 crochet and knitting books, including Plus Size Crochet, Knits for Men, Knit or Crochet—Have It Your Way, The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet, The Complete Photo Guide to Knitting, The Granny Square Book, Lacework for Adventurous Crocheters, and Runway Crochet. She has enjoyed a lifelong career designing both crochet and knit patterns for yarn companies and book and magazine publishers. Margaret also teaches at yarn shops, retreats, and national gatherings, and rarely misses a national conference in the needle arts field. A word traveler, Margaret pays close attention to the fashions in Europe and spots trends as they hit New York. In 2012, in fitting tribute to Margaret's lifelong work as a needle art designer, the Crochet Guild of America inducted her into their Jean Leinhauser Crochet Hall of Fame.

margaretshooksandneedles.blogspot.com/ 

www.ravelry.com/designers/margaret-hubert