Three Way Afghan (Baby, Table Runner, Mats)

By Berta Gilholm

Take one pattern using the same leftover materials and by making it a little smaller or larger create several different gifts for family or friends.  You can make a Table Mat Afghan, a Table Runner Afghan or a Baby Boy/Girl Afghan with the following pattern.

Materials: Leftovers, any color of your choice (A) light (B) dark (C) medium.

(A) 6 skeins of Lion Brand Vanna's Choice, Worsted Weight #4 100% acrylic, 2.5 oz/70 g - 121 yds/111mm, 501 Vanilla Twist
(B) 1 skein of Red Heart Super Saver, Worsted Weight #4 100% acrylic, 7 oz/198 g - 364yds/333mm, 7365 Coffee Café
(C) 1 skein of (very old from 1988) Lee Wards Orlon Sayelle, Worsted Weight #4 100% Orlon, 3.5 oz/99 g - 235yds/333mm, 1069 Dark Williamsburg Blue. Love this color/no longer available.
"For a girl use pink in place of the blue".
Crochet Hook size US J/10, 6mm.
Yarn Needle
Note: The Baby Afghan is worked in three panels which are then joined together to form one piece. Two stripes of open weave stitches are created in each panel with skip stitches for weaving in chain stripes vertically, then a border is worked around the whole joined piece to finish. The Table Runner is just one single panel from the Baby Afghan and the Mat is ½ of a panel with border.
Weave in ends as work progresses. Ch 2L counts as first stitch of row unless otherwise indicated.
Approximate Finished Size:  Sizes are approximate.
Baby Afghan = 40 inches wide x 45 inches Long.
Afghan Runner = 13 inches wide x 30 inches long.
Afghan Mat = 13 inches wide  x  15 ½ inches long.
Abbreviations: Ch = chain, Ch 2L = chain 2 loosely, Dc = double crochet, FO = fasten off, Jwslst = join with slip stitch in top of beginning stitch of current row,  Rnd = round, Sc = single crochet, Slst = slip stitch, St = stitch Yo = yarn over.
Special stitch and Instructions:
Dc2t = double crochet two stitches together - Yo, go through next st, yo, pull up a loop, go through next st, yo pull up a loop, yo pull through 3 loops on hook, yo pull through last 2 loops on hook.  
Color Code = (A) Vanilla Twist (B) Coffee (C) Williamsburg Blue
Instruction/Baby Afghan:
Panel:  Make 3.
With (A) Ch 31,
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn (30 sc)
Row 2 through Row 4: Ch 2 L, dc in next st and in each st across, turn (30 dc)
Row 5: Ch 2 L, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, skip next dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, turn (26 dc + 4 ch spaces)
Row 6: Ch 2 L, 1 dc in each of next 5 dc, ch 1, skip next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, skip next ch, 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, ch 1, skip next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, ch 1, skip next ch, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, turn, (26 dc + 4 ch spaces)
Row 7 through Row 54 : Repeat Row 6,
Row 55 through Row 57: Ch 2 L, dc in next st and in each st across including ch spaces, turn (30 dc)
Row 58: Ch 1, Sc in each dc across, FO and weave in ends (30 sc)
Panel Border:
Join (B) in any short end corner,
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same space(corner made), *(1 dc in each of next 28 st), **((2 dc , ch 1, 2 dc) in next st (corner made)); ***(working down long side - "4 dc evenly spaced in next 2 row ends",  Dc2t in next row end", Repeat from " to " all the way down side to last 4 row end st's - 1dc in next 3 st), Repeat ** for corner,  Repeat * for other short end, Repeat ** for corner, Repeat *** for long side, jwslst, FO (B) (258 dc + 4 corner sp) 
Join (C) in any ch 1 sp of short end corner,
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same space(corner made), *1 dc in each dc across to next corner, (2 dc , ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp (corner made), Repeat from * 2 times, 1 dc in each dc across to corner,  jwslst, FO (C) (268 dc + 4 corner sp) 
Join (B) in any ch 1 sp of short end corner,
Rnd 3: Repeat pattern for Rnd 2, FO (B) (278 dc + 4 corner sp) 
Join panels together vertically using (B) and a whip stitch, FO weave in ends.
Afghan Top & Bottom Borders:
Top:
Join (A) in first dc after ch sp in the corner of one end (working across the 3 joined panels horizontally),
Row 1: Ch 3, 1 dc in next 37 dc, *1 trc in next 2 joined seam stitches,1 dc in next  37 dc, Repeat from * one more time, FO (A) (111 dc + 4 trc)  Turn,
Row 2: Join (B) in last st, Ch 3, 1 dc in next 114 stitches across, FO (B) (115 dc)  Turn,
Row 3: Join (C) in last st, Ch 3, 1 dc in next 114 stitches across, FO (C) (115 dc)  Turn,
For Rows 4 through 7: Repeat  Row 3 with the following colors - (4) B (5) A (6) B (7) C
Row 8:  Join B in last st, Ch 3, 1 dc in next 114 stitches across, turn (115 dc)
Row 9: Ch 1, 1 sc in next 114 dc, FO weave in ends
Bottom:
Using the same color sequence, Repeat Rows 1 through Row 5 of Top then repeat Row 8 and Row 9 of Top, FO weave in ends.

Instructions/AfghanTable Runner: 

(Make 1)
Make 1 Panel of the Baby Afghan including panel border, weave in ends.
You can do 1 more repeat of round3 using the border panel but, change the stitch to chain 1 and  single crochet.

Instructions/AfghanTable Mat: (Make 4)

Using the Panel pattern from the Baby Afghan as follows:
With (A) Ch 31,
Row 1 through Row 26:  Repeat Row 1 through Row 26 of  Afghan Baby Panel.
Row 27 through Row 29: Ch 2 L, dc in next st and in each st across including ch spaces, turn (30 dc)
Row 30: Ch 1, Sc in each dc across, FO and weave in ends (30 sc)

Mat Panel Border:
Basically the same as panel border except much shorter.
Join (B) in any short end corner,
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same space(corner made), *(1 dc in each of next 28 st), **((2 dc , ch 1, 2 dc) in next st (corner made)); ***(working down long side - "4 dc evenly spaced in next 2 row ends",  Dc2t in next row end", Repeat from " to " all the way down side to last 4 row end st's - 1dc in next 4 st), Repeat ** for corner,  Repeat * for other short end, Repeat ** for corner, Repeat *** for second long side, jwslst, FO (B)  
Join (C) in any ch 1 sp of short end corner,
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc in same space(corner made), *1 dc in each dc across to next corner, (2 dc , ch 1, 2 dc) in next ch 1 sp (corner made), Repeat from * 2 times, 1 dc in each dc across to corner,  jwslst, FO (C)   
Join (B) in any ch 1 sp of short end corner,
Rnd 3: Repeat pattern for Rnd 2, FO and weave in ends.

Beanie Brown for Drew

Berta Gilholm

There is a really great knit and crochet designer that I follow. His name is Drew Emborsky. He has a site call  www.thecrochetdude.com ; he's very talented and I love his pattern books.
This cap went to one of his charities along with 20 others.
 

Materials:
Coats and Clarks, Crème de La Crème, worsted weight 100% Combed Cotton,
(A) 1 skein - 0331 Fudge 2.5 oz/70gm
(B) 1 skein - 0930 Browntones 2 oz/56.7gm 
Crochet Hook US J10/6mm
Yarn Needle

Size: Adult, approximately 21 inches circumference (for a smaller or larger size change hook)

Abbreviations: Ch = chain, Dc = double crochet,  Hdc = half double crochet, FO = fasten off, Jwslst = join with slip stitch in top of beginning stitch of current row,  Rnd = round, Sc = single crochet, Slst = slip stitch, St = stitch.

Note: Weave in ends as you work. Ch 2 counts as hdc, Ch 2 loosely counts as first dc.
Special stitches:
Hdcdec = half double crochet decrease (yo, pull up a loop in next st (3 loops), yo pull up a loop in next st, yo pull through all 5 loops on hook).
Dcdec = double crochet decrease (yo, pull up a loop in next st, yo pull through 2 loops on hook, yo pull up a loop in next st, yo pull through 2 loops on hook, yo pull through 3 loops on hook).                                                                                 Top of Hat - Leaf are

Instructions:

Crown: With (A) Ch 3, jwslst to form ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, Sc 9 times in ring, jwslst (9 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, jwslst (18 sc)
Rnd 3: Ch1, sc in same st, 2 sc in nextsc, *1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, Repeat from * around, jwslst (27 sc)
Rnd 4: Ch 2, *1 hdc in each of next 3 sc, 2 hdc in next sc, Repeat from * around, hdc in last sc, jwslst (35 hdc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2 loosely, *1 dc in each of next 4 hdc, 2 dc in next hdc, Repeat from * around, dc in same st as ch 2, jwslst (42 dc)
Rnd 6: Ch 2 loosely, *1 dc in each of next 5 dc, 2 dc in next dc, Repeat from * around, dc in same st as ch 2, jwslst (49 dc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2 loosely, *1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in next dc, Repeat from * around, dc in same st as ch 2, jwslst (56 dc)
Rnd 8: "Leaf Round" *Ch 6,slst in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, sk next dc on crown, slst in next dc on crown, Repeat from * 26 times,  (27 leaves) FO (A)
Rnd 9: "Upper sides and lower hat".  Work around the post, not in the stitches. Work with the row facing you and push the leaves away from your work.
Join (B) around the post (atp) of any dc on round 7, Ch 1, 1 sc around each post all the way around, jwslst (56 sc atp)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in same sc, 2 sc in next sc (increase made), 1 sc in each of next 25 sc, 2 sc in next sc (increase made), 1 sc in each sc to end of round, jwslst (58 sc)
Rnd 11: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next sc and in each sc around, jwslst (58 hdc)
Rnd 12 and Rnd 13: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next hdc and in each hdc around, jwslst (58 hdc)
Rnd 14: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in next hdc and in each hdc around, jwslst (58 dc)
Rnd 15 and Rnd 16: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in next dc and in each dc around, jwslst (58 dc)
Rnd 17: Ch 2 loosely, dcdec in next 2 dc, dc in next 25 dc, dcdec in next 2 dc, dc in each dc around, jwslst (56 dc)
Rnd 18: Ch 2, 1 hdc in next dc and in each dc around, jwslst (56 dc)
Rnd 19: Ch 2, hdcdec in next 2 hdc, hdc in next 23 dc, hdcdec in next 2 hdc, hdc in each hdc around, jwslst (54 hdc)
Rnd 20: Ch 1, 1 sc in each hdc around, jwslst (54 sc)
Rnd 21: Ch 1, 1 sc in each sc around, jwslst (54 sc) FO and weave in ends.
Top of the Hat Leaf Flower:  "Work around sc posts for this area"
Rnd 1: Join (B) in any post of any sc on round 2, Ch 1, sc around the post of each sc around, jwslst (18 sc)
Rnd 2: "Top of Hat Leaf Round" *Ch 6,slst in second ch from hook, sc in next ch, 1 hdc in each of next 3 ch, sk next sc on round, slst in next sc,  Repeat from * 8 times,  (9 leaves) FO and weave in ends.
Finish: Thread a yarn needle with a long piece of (B) and tack each leaf end down separately to the bottom of round 4 tying on the inside of the hat, trim ends.
 

K 8.9 Felted Tote

By Berta Gilholm

Materials:

Lion Brand Martha Stewart Crafts Roving Wool, Bulky #5 100% wool, 1.75 oz/50 gm - 58 yds. -
3 skeins - #553 Umbrella, 2 skeins each of #513 Pimento and #548 Sea Glass Blue.
Crochet Hook size US L/11, 8mm.
Yarn Needle
Note: Tote is worked starting at the bottom in the round, work around ch row in rounds and join with slst on each round. Granny Pocket is made separately and then attached to tote. Strap is worked lengthwise in rows and then attached to tote and sewn together to finish. Weave in ends as work progresses. Ch 2 counts as first stitch of round/row unless otherwise indicated.
Approximate Finished Size: Tote = 10 inches wide x 12 inches High, Pocket = 7 ½ inches wide x 7 inches high, Strap = 34 ½  inches long x 2 ¼ inch circumference.
Abbreviations: Ch = chain, Dc = double crochet, Hdc = half double crochet, FO = fasten off, Jwslst = join with slip stitch in top of beginning stitch of current row,  Rnd = round, Sc = single crochet, Slst = slip stitch, St = stitch.
Instructions: Color Code = (A) Umbrella (B) Sea Glass Blue (C) Pimento
Main Tote: With (A) Ch 31 "Rnds will be started working arnd and in the ends of this ch"
Rnd 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, 3 more sc in last ch, (turn corner and work from opposite side of ch back to first sc)  sc in next 29 ch, 2 more sc in last ch, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 2, 1 hdc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 hdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 hdc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (A) Join (B) in any dc,
Rnd 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in same dc and each dc around, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 5: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (B) Join (C) between any dc,
Rnd 6: Ch1, 1 sc in between each dc around, jwslst (64 sc)
Rnd 7: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 sc, jwslst (64 dc) FO (C) Join (A) in any dc,
Rnd 8: Ch 2 loosely, 1 dc in each of next 63 dc, jwslst (64 dc)  
Rnd 9 through Rnd16: Repeat Rnd 8, at end of round 16 FO (A) Join (B) in any dc, (64 dc)
Rnd 17 through Rnd 20: Repeat Rnd 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 including yarn changes at end of round 7, (64 dc)
Rnd 21 and Rnd 22: Repeat Rnd 8, at end of round 22, FO (A) Join (B) in any dc, (64 dc)
Rnd 23 through Rnd 26: Repeat Rnd 4 - 5 - 6 - 7 including yarn changes, at end of round 26 FO, and weave in ends.
Granny Square Pocket:
With (A) Ch 3, jwslst in first ch to form a ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, Sc 12 times in ring, (12 sc) FO (A) Join (C)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc in any sc (corner made) 1 dc in each of next 2 dc, *3 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 2 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (20 dc (4-3dc corners + 8 side dc)) FO (C) and Join (B) in the center dc of any corner,
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 4 dc, *4 dc in next dc, 1 dc in each of next 4 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (32 dc (4-4 dc corners + 16 side dc)) FO (B) and Join (A) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 7 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  7 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (44 dc (4-4 dc corners + 28 side dc)) FO (A) and Join (C) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 5: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 10 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  10 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (56 dc (4-4 dc corners + 40 side dc)) FO (C) and Join (B) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 6: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 13 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next  13 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (68 dc (4-4 dc corners + 52 side dc)) FO (B) and Join (C) in between the center 2 dc of any corner,
Rnd 7: Ch 3, 3 dc in same dc (corner) , 1 dc in each of next 16 dc, *4 dc in between the center 2 dc of next corner, 1 dc in each of next 16 dc; Repeat from * 2 more times, jwslst, (80 dc (4-4 dc corners + 64 side dc)) FO leaving a 3 foot tail for sewing.
Center the Granny Square on either side of the Main Tote, using the tail with a yarn needle attach  the Granny Square to the tote starting down one side, then across bottom and back up other side, FO and weave in ends.
Strap:
With (A) leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing before first ch, Ch 100,
Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and each ch across, (99 sc) FO (A) Join (B)
Row 2: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO (B) Join (C)
Row 3 and 4: Ch 1, 1 Sc in every st across, turn (99 sc) at end of row 4 FO (C) Join (A)
Row 5: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO (A) Join (B)
Row 6 and 7: Ch 1, 1 Sc in every st across, turn (99 sc) at end of row 4 FO (B) Join (C)
Row 8: Ch 1, 1 hdc in every sc across, turn (99 sc) FO leaving an 8 inch tail for sewing.
Finishing Strap:
1. Center one of the strap ends on the outside top of one side of the main tote and pin with markers; using the 8 inch tail sew the strap end to the tote with a yarn needle, FO and weave in end.
2. Repeat with the other strap end on the other side of the tote.
3. Take a 48 inch piece of either yarn (A) or (C) and using yarn needle and starting on one side of tote; sew the first and last rows of strap on the underside together from one side of tote to the other to form a tube, FO and weave in ends.

Felting:  Felt the purse twice.

Put a small hard piece of plastic the size you want the finished pocket inside the pre-felted pocket area of the purse to help separate that area, you can also put a piece in the purse area. Then put the purse in a pillow case and tie closed with a piece of yarn. Place pillow case, tennis balls or other heavy articles and detergent into washer. Wash on hot for a regular load until just before spin cycle (Do not use softener, it will stop the felting process) this usually takes me 15 minutes. Remove the purse from case, stretch to check for size after each washing and smooth pockets and shape straps.  When you are satisfied with the size lay it flat on a towel to dry, or hang it from a door knob, leave it there 2 days to dry in a dry warm spot. Don’t use the dryer during felting, it will mess it up. After tote is dry, shave lightly with a disposable razor to remove any fuzz.

 

Midnight Earrings

By Berta Gilholm

I made these Earrings to go with Susie's Barefoot Sandals, same color yarn and beads, but, you wear them on your ears!!! They also make a great super easy and quickie Christmas Present using white, red or green thread yarn  and silver or, gold beads (or your choice of any).

Materials:

100 yds or less Black size 3 Fashion Cotton Crochet Thread, use in any color you like.
12 small metal beads (8 blue/4 silver) 2 medium large metal silver stars. Use colors you like and shapes you like.
Beading needle to thread beads.
Crochet Hooks: US D3/3.25mm
1 pair Fishhook Earring Wires
Stitch Abbreviations: Ch = Chain, FO = Fasten Off, Rnd + round, SB = slide up a bead, Sk = skip, Sc = Single Crochet, Slst = slip stitch.
Instructions:  "Make 2" unless you have more earring piercings, then you can make more.
String the following beads on yarn with beading needle - (Sm. Blue, sm. Silver, sm. Blue, Silver Star, sm. Blue, sm. Silver, sm. Blue)
Ch 3, jwslst to form a ring,
Rnd 1: Ch 1, sc 12 times in the ring, jwslst, (12 sc)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each of first 3 sc, *SB, sc in next sc, Repeat 6 more times in stringing order above, 2 sc in each of last 2 sc, jwslst (17 sc + 7 beads)
Hook Loop: Sc in same st as slst, ch 2, sk 1 sc, sc in next sc, FO, weave in ends and fabric tack ends.
Thread Ear-wire through hook loop.