Dear ELK Studio – A Crochet Column #1

February 25, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 10 Comments

Here is our first Dear ELK Studio crochet column! I’m so excited to have such a wonderful team of contributors to help me with this column. If you would like to learn more about them, read the Contributor’s page. Be sure to fill out the form at the end of the page to submit any crochet/business related question you may have too! Enjoy!

Dear ELK STUDIO,
I have lost my faith in the “gauge”. After making swatch after swatch to get the desired gauge, changing out yarn and hooks, (as well as pulling out a few hairs), and then making the item only for it to be the wrong size. By the way, this happened while making hats and slippers. Can you lead me back to the swatch path?

Dear FAITHLESS,
I am so in tune with the gauge issue, it truly hurts. A fitted garment will not, if the person following the pattern is not able to make the right number of stitches fit in the prescribed space.
Some basic guidelines would include:

1) Start with the same yarn, and hook as the pattern writer.
2) Create your swatch at least 5 stitches wider than the gauge given.
3) Work 3 rows more than the gauge given
4) Measure the center of the swatch, NEVER check from the edges.

A beginning row, or turning chain will always be a more controlled stitch, almost certain to be different from the stitches you create when you are comfortably hooking along. When the measurements are obtained from the center of your work, it is true to how this hook, and this yarn are going to perform for you.

If you have even a half stitch variance, your fitted garment will be off. too many stitches, try a larger hook, or a yarn just a bit thicker, not enough stitches, a smaller hook, or maybe the yarn is too coarse.

It is also possible that your level of freshness can affect the way you work your project. Quality work requires that all the components be the best suited to the goal. If you are stressed or tired, your work will suffer.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
When I spend more than an hour on a project at a time my hands and arms get tired and sore. What are some of your favorite stretches or exercises for hookers?

Dear TIRED AND SORE,
The exercises I do regularly for wrist fatigue and pain are the wrist extensor stretch and the wrist flexor stretch. I also do an overhead stretch – it seems to help release some the tension in my shoulders and ease my arm and wrist fatigue as well. Here is a blog post written by Kara from Petals to Picots that may help you too.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best yarn to use in the summer?

Dear CURIOUS,
For garments, I like light weight, plant-based fibers, like DK-weight cotton and cotton blends. Cotton breathes and absorbs moisture. You might even be able to get away with a worsted weight cotton if you use a lacy stitch pattern. Other plant-based fibers include hemp (blends are softer than straight hemp), bamboo, and linen.

Dear ELK STUDIO,
What’s the best/easiest way to join granny squares?

Dear GRANNY SQUARE,
There are several ways to join Granny Squares. Below are 4 of the most popular and links to tutorials… Each method offers a different look and which ever method you choose… Your afghan will look great! Here are some links that may help you better understand the different methods. Join as you go, Fancy joins such as Flat Braid Method, Whip Stitch squares together, (My favorite method to join quickly and efficiently)~ Single Crochet Join.

Do you have a question for Dear ELK Studio Crochet Column? If so, ask in the contact form provided below. We would love to help you!

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Morning Frost – A Free Crochet Hat Pattern

February 8, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 92 Comments

After 91 comments on my blog post telling me why the crochet hat should be free, I’m totally convinced in my heart that I’m doing the right thing. I can’t tell you how amazing all of you are! I would imagine if I did the statistics on the comments, 95% of you want the pattern so you can make it to give to someone in need or a loved one. I knew we (crocheters) were generous but it sure is nice to see it comment after comment!

I would like to ask for your help. I love designing these patterns and feel honored to share them with you, especially for free. If you are on Ravelry, will you add it to your favorites and place it in your queue? It helps get the pattern out there to everyone which gives it more exposure (potential for more free patterns). If you are on any social media, sharing it would be much obliged too!

Some of the information below may seem familiar to you as I used it in Country Appeal beanie. It is still valuable information and applies to this crochet hat pattern also.

#1 Key Ingredient – When I created my band, I crocheted 72 rows which made 20” for me. After joining my band on round 1, I made 72 sc around the band. If you need more or less rows to achieve your desired width, that’s okay. Just remember in order for the stitching to come out right, your initial sc round must end on an even number. For example, if it took you 63 rows to achieve 20”, you would need to make sure you had 64 sc around for your first round. Another example would be if it took you 68 rows to achieve 20”, crochet 68 sc around for your first round.

Hint: If this is your first experience working with a hat from the bottom up, don’t close the page! You can do this, I promise. It’s much easier than you think and in the end, you might even like it better! Just remember, when you start working the hat, the body may look “too big”. No worries. Once you close the top, it will fit nice and snug just as if you’ve worked it from the top down.

As you can see from the pictures, there are many variations and color schemes you can use to make this great hat. I’m going to tell you how to make all these styles and hopefully not confuse you. Read the pattern instructions first because I want you familiar with it when I start talking to you about the color changes. (I know, I know….. for some of you that might be challenging because you just want to dive into the pattern, but don’t be like your husband and not read the directions first). As for the pattern below, it’s only for a solid color hat. Once you become familiar, you can scroll to the bottom of the page. I’ve got each picture separate with the instructions on what rounds to make your color changes. Trust me, it’s really simple!

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Pattern Instructions:

Supplies:

Red Heart Soft, or any worsted weight #4 yarn, 150-175 yards.
Hook Size – J/6.0
Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.

Gauge:

Band – 1 sc row (width) and 2 rows of sc (length) = 1”

4 dc/4fpdc and 6 rows = 2”

The instructions for this hat, as given, will fit an adult measuring approximately 22”. The hat can easily be adjusted to meet other sizes. When I completed the band, the 72 rows measured approximately 20” and fit perfectly on my model measuring 22”. There is a great guide on head measurements provided by Cre8tion Crochet. It will give you the average size of head measurements (including length) from child to adult. I use this reference quite a lot as Lorene does a great job of thoroughly explaining the specifics required to successfully making a hat that fits.

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch

Note:

Ch 3 is considered first dc throughout the pattern.

Band:

Leave a long tail (4”) before making your beginning ch. This will be used to join the band of the hat.

Ch 6

Row 1: Sc in 2^nd ch from hook and in each st across, ch 1 turn. (5 st)

Row 2: sc in first sc and each sc across, ch 1 turn (5 st)

Row 3 – 72: Repeat row 2

At the end of row 72 do not cut the yarn. Take you tapestry needle and join the ends of your rows using the whipstitch method. Insert your hook once again and begin with round 1.

Body of hat:

Round 1: sc evenly around, join with sl st to first sc (72st)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in next sc and around, join with sl st to top of 3^rd ch. (72st)

Round 3: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, sc in next dc and around, join with sl st to first sc (72st)

Round 4: Ch 3 skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc , *dc in next sc, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc* repeat from *to*, sl st to top of 3^rd ch. (72st)

Round 5: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, *sc in next fpdc, sc in next dc*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st to first sc, (72st)

Round 6: Sl st in next sc, ch 3, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc , *dc in next sc, skip next sc and fpdc in round below skipped sc*, sl st to top of 3^rd ch.

Round 7: Ch 1 and sc in same sp, *sc in next fpdc, sc in next dc*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st to first sc,

Round 8 – 22: Repeat Rounds 6 & 7 or until you have reached your desired length.

Do not fasten off. Measure out enough yarn to weave through every other sc. I’m an overachiever and probably cut around 20” of material.

Take your tapestry needle and weave under the loops of every other sc around, pull the yarn tightly. This will close up the hat. Sew the top of the hat with a few stitches for security. Fasten off.

Optional Round: Holding the hat upside down, insert hook into bottom row and form a sl st, ch 1 and sc in same st, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72st)

On this hat, you can see white is the “background” color. To get this look, on each round (not rows which is the band) that instructs you to sc, use white. So what that means is all your odd # rows are white.

For this hat, the band is also multi-colored. Change your color for each row, carrying your yarn along with you. I have shown you how to do this in my Houndstooth Scarf pattern with some photos, so this will help you if you don’t understand how to carry the yarn. Once you finish the band, you will follow the same instructions as above on the raspberry/white hat.

If you want to make a pom-pom for the top of your hat, The Crochet Geek has a wonderful video to show you how.

As always, please don’t use my photos as your own. You may sell your finished product from my pattern. If you share my pattern on any social media, please link back to my blog. If you print out that pattern, please leave my header on the page.

I hope you enjoy the pattern. Have a great day and be blessed!

Kathy

Country Appeal Free Crochet Beanie Pattern

February 2, 2014 by Kathy Lashley 47 Comments

It’s here! If you hang out around here, you know that I’ve been working on a free crochet beanie pattern to match the Country Appeal Infinity Scarf! I love the way this hat looks and think it’s a great compliment to the scarf.

For some of you, these instructions may seem like overkill, but I want the crocheter without much experience to crochet this hat successfully. Thanks for your patience.

Pattern Instructions:

#1 Key Ingredient – When I created my band, I crocheted 72 rows which made 20”. After joining my band on round 1, I made 72 sc around the band. If you need more or less rows to achieve your desired width, that’s okay. Just remember in order for the stitch count to come out right, your first sc round must be divisible by 4. For example, if it took you 63 rows to achieve 20”, you would need to make sure you had 64 sc around for your first round. Another example would be if it took you 68 rows to achieve 20”, crochet 68 sc around for your first round.

Hint: If this is your first experience working with a hat from the bottom up, don’t close the page! You can do this, I promise. It’s much easier than you think and at the end, you might even like it better! Just remember, when you start working the hat, the body may look “too big”. No worries. Once you close the top, it will fit nice and snug just as if you’ve worked it from the top down.

The instructions for this hat, as given, will fit an adult measuring approximately 22”. The hat can easily be adjusted to meet other sizes. When I completed the band, the 72 rows measured approximately 20” and fit perfectly on my model measuring 22”. There is a great guide on head measurements provided by Cre8tion Crochet. It will give you the average size of head measurements (including length) from child to adult. I use this reference a lot as Lorene does a great job of thoroughly explaining the specifics required to successfully making a hat that fits.

Supplies:

Red Heart Soft, or any worsted weight #4 yarn, 150-175 yards.
Hook Size – J/6.0
Tapestry needle for weaving in the ends.

Gauge:.

Band – 1 sc row (width) and 2 rows of sc (length) = 1”
8 dc and 5 rows = 2”

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
dc – double crochet
fpdc – front post double crochet
sc – single crochet
sl st – slip stitch

Note:

Ch 3 is considered first dc throughout the pattern.

Band:

Leave a long tail (4”) before making your beginning ch. This joins the band of the hat.

Ch 5

Row 1: sc in 2^nd chain from hook and in each remaining ch across, ch 1 turn (4 sc)

Row 2: sc in first ch and each ch across, ch 1 turn. (4 sc)

Row 3-72: Repeat Row 2 until it reaches approx. 20”. Do not fasten off working yarn. The working yarn and tail should end opposite of each other.

Forming Band:

Using 4’ tail and yarn needle, line up the two ends and whip stitch the seam and back loop stitches together to form the band. Insert the hook into the working yarn and begin the body of the hat.

Body:

Round 1: Ch 1 and sc in first st and each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72 st) (You will be crocheting evenly around).

Round 2: ch 3, dc in next sc and each sc around, join with sl st in top of 3^rd ch. (72 st)

Round 3: ch 3, dc in next 2 dc, fpdc around post of dc in the previous round, *dc in next 3 dc, fpdc around post of dc in the previous round*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st in top of 3^rd ch. (72 st)

Round 4-22: Repeat Round 3 (The height of your hat should measure approximately 7.25”-7.50”)

Round 23: ch 1 and sc in first dc, sc in next 2 dc, sc in next fpdc, *sc in next 3 dc, sc in next fpdc*, repeat from *to*, join with sl st to first sc. (72 st)

Do not fasten off. Measure out enough yarn to weave through every other sc. I’m an overachiever and probably cut around 20” of material.

Take your tapestry needle and weave under the loops of every other sc around, pull the yarn tightly. This will close up the hat. Sew the top of the hat with a few stitches for security. Fasten off.

Optional Round: I wanted a smooth round on the bottom of my hat, so I did a round of sc. Insert hook into bottom row and form a sl st, ch 1 and sc in same st, sc in each st around, join with sl st to first sc. (72st)

I hope you enjoy this pattern! As usual, you can sell your items made from my patterns. If you share on any social media or webpage, please give a link back to my blog post. If you print out this pattern, keep the heading on the page. Please do not use my photos as your own.

If you are on Ravelry, don’t forget to add this pattern to your favorites! It helps my pattern get to the front page of Ravelry so others can see it which in turn helps me give more FREE patterns. It’s a win-win for both of us!

Don’t forget that you can make the matching scarf too!

Have a great day and be blessed!

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