Sunday School!

Good Morning!  I hope your weekend has been wonderful so far!

I found a link to a book of 262 stitch patterns via Pinterest the other day.  It's all online and free and amazing:
http://issuu.com/talpa/docs/262_patrones_crochet

I found it completely inspiring!  I have been looking for something fun and different to work on, and I can see so many applications for these stitch patterns.  The only problem (not a problem!) with the book is that all of the patterns are charted.  I can read crochet charts, but I'm not an expert at it by any means.  But I know of someone who is!!!

Are you guys familliar with Dana at CraftyMinx?  She's got the absolute BEST crochet tutorial set that she calls "Crochet School".  It's flipping amazing and pretty much takes you from complete beginner to Crochet Rockstar in 23 awesome lessons!

Of course she had absolutely the best lesson on reading crochet charts:
http://www.craftyminx.com/2011/11/crochet-school-lesson-21-reading-crochet-charts.html
(squeee!  I love her so much!! Those of you who have bought my ebook know I mentioned her in it too!  She just rocks!)

So, using my awesome new stitch charts (that you can read now too!) I made you a scarf!  Isn't it Autumnal-ly fabulous?!  I named it in honor of the stitch chart number that I used to make it!

#48 Scarf
Approx 5 1/2" x 56"
Supplies:
Worsted weight yarn (I used a whole skein of Loops and Threads Impeccable in Cherry)
Size G crochet hook
Yarn needle
Scissors

(the 3 ch at beginning of row count as 1st stitch)
ch 23
R1: dc in 4th ch from hook, 2 dc, skip 2 ch, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch space, skip 2 ch, 5 dc, skip 2 ch, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next ch space, skip 2 ch, 3 dc (21 st)
R2: ch 3, skip first st, 2 dc, skip next st, 5 dc in chain space, skip next st, 5 dc, skip next st, 5 dc in chain space, skip next st, 3 dc (21 st)
R3: ch 3, skip first st, 2 dc, skip next 2 st, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, skip 2 st, 5 dc, skip 2 st, (dc, ch 3, dc) in next st, skip 2 ch 3 dc (21 st)
R4: ch 3, skip first st, 2 dc, skip next st, 5 dc in chain space, skip next st, 5 dc, skip next st, 5 dc in chain space, skip next st, 3 dc (21 st)
Repeat R3-4 as many times as you need to get the length that you want.  I used 42 repeats, which took me almost to the end of my skein.
When you're ready to finish the scarf, end on a R4 row.
Scalloped Edge: ch 1, skip first st, sc in next st,*skip 2 st, 5 dc in next st, skip 2 st, sc in next st* 3 times, sc in last st (21 st)
Fasten off.
Attach yarn to the edge of starting edge and repeat Scalloped Edge on the other end of the scarf.
Fasten off.  Weave in ends.

Okay, so I know I'm a little late to this party (and it has nothing to do with crochet) but I am in love with this video this week!  I can't stop watching it!  Warning: this song will get stuck in your head for DAYS...

xoxo


Now, a quick word from today's free-pattern SPONSOR:

Hi Dynamos!  I've put out an ebook of 6 of my fanciest-schmanciest (wearable) patterns from this site!  It's in the Kindle store right now!  It's called Crochet Dynamite: Fancy-Schmancy.  If you have an e-reader, iPad, Smart Phone or other tech-y awesomeness (including Kindle on your laptop/PC) please click HERE to go and check it out.

Sunday School

Welcome back to Sunday School!  I've been scouring the web to find the coolest tips and tricks to share with you!

I really liked this article from the Leisure Arts website about using everyday items that you have around the house in your crochet tool bag.  The use-what-you've-got sensibility of these tips really appealed to me:
http://leisureartsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/10-creative-crochet-tips.html

This article from Craft Stylish about how to edge fabric with crochet was eye-opening!  Using your sewing machine to blanket-stitch or zig-zag the edge as the foundation row is genius!  It looks a little fussy for large blankets, but I have been searching for an easy and clean way to edge handkerchiefs and I think this technique would be perfect.
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/26040/how-to-edge-a-napkin-or-anything-else-with-crochet

Cute visual tute on the magic loop!  I dig the bluebirds!
http://pinterest.com/pin/228909593531157076/

Okay, this week I've got a project for you that I've been working on with my friend Kendra!  It uses front-post double-crochet and back-post double-crochet stitches.  If you aren't familiar with those stitches, now would be a great time to try them out!  I really liked the picture tutorial in the first link.
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-front-post-double-crochet-fpdc/
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-back-post-double-crochet-bpdc/

**Want a hint about this week's project?**

Okay, some of you might have noticed that I consolidated some pages on the site this week.  When I redesigned the Free Pattern Page to make it easier to navigate, the Theme Week Pattern Page became redundant.  Also, I folded the Crochet DIY projects into the free patterns.  There weren't a lot of them, and it no longer made sense to have a separate page for them either.

That freed up some space for me to add a Sample Shop!  So, from time to time, when I have design samples left after photographing my projects, I will be adding them to the store.  I will let you know at the end of pattern posts if there are any samples available for purchase.

One more item of business, before I go: Captcha.  How annoying is it to you?  I saw on my friend Rosamargarita's blog that she moderates her comments instead of requiring people to fill out the captcha.  Honestly, it hadn't occurred to me that people might find it irritating before.  So, now's your time to speak up!  I'm starting to get some spam-like non-crochet-promoting comments (I am NOT talking about the amazing links that you guys leave me so that I can go check out your blog/etsy shop/or other fun crochet link.  I LOVE those links and would be sad if you stopped leaving them!).  The comments that I'm talking about are not from my Dyanmos, and they're not interested in adding to the fun conversations on the site.  This is making me realize that I may need to begin moderating comments anyway.  Anyone else been through this and have advice for me?  I'd love to have another opinion or two (or thirty!).

xoxo