Sunday, December 9, 2012

New Christmas Ornament Pattern for Sale!

I am definitely in the Christmas spirit and cannot wait to go home to Virginia in two weeks and celebrate the holidays with my family! It seems to me that Madrid is just bursting with Christmas decorations this year, and I was super inspired to make some cute ornaments! Here they are:



I am in love with this little stocking, wreath and snowflake, and I can't believe how easy they were to make! I finished each one in under 30 minutes!!!

I was sure to write the pattern so that every level of crocheter can enjoy. If you can work in rows, work in the round, and do basic stitches (including front post and back post double crochet, but don't worry - I explain how to do it!), you can make these cute and quick ornaments!

You can purchase this pattern in my Etsy shop here.

You can also purchase this pattern as a Ravelry download! Instant gratification! :)



Happy holidays and happy crocheting, everyone! :)

Monday, December 3, 2012

Small Chunky Crochet Nesting Basket Pattern

Hi guys! As a Christmas gift, I am working on some nesting baskets based on the pattern provided by Liz at Crochet in Color. You can find her awesome patterns for the large and medium basket on her blog here.

I wanted to make a third, smaller basket, to nest inside these two. It turned out so cute, and I hope it helps if you want to make a nesting set! Please post comments if you make this basket, including a photo so we can see your amazing handiwork!

All three baskets in a cute little nest!
Please note that you will still be working with two strands of extra chunky yarn. I used two strands of Katia Alaska and a 7.00mm hook.


The small blue basket measures approximately 6" / 15.5cm in diameter and is about 4" / 11cm deep.

Small Nesting Basket:

R1: Ch 2 and 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to ch 2. (8)

R2: Ch 2. Hdc in same st. 2 hdc in next 7 sts. Join with sl st to ch 2. (16)

R3: Ch 2. Hdc in same st. Hdc in next st. [2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st] around. Join with sl st to ch 2. (24)

R4: Ch 2. Hdc in same st. Hdc in next 2 sts. [2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 sts] around. Join with sl st to ch 2. (32)

R5: Ch 2. Hdc in same st. Hdc in next 3 sts. [2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 sts] around. Join with sl st to ch 2. (40).

(R6 begins the body of the basket)

R6: Ch 1. Sc around basket working in loop behind the back of the stitch. (Note: This is not working in back loops only, but rather the loop created behind the back loop of the stitch in the previous row. Crocht in Color has a wonderful tutorial on how to do this step here.) Join with sl st to Ch 1. (40)

R7: Ch 2. Hdc in next st and around basket. Join with sl st to Ch 2. (40)

R8: Ch 1. Working in back loops only, sc in same st and around basket. Join with sl st to Ch 1. (40)

R9: Ch 2. Hdc in next st and around basket. Join with sl st to Ch 2. (40)

R10: Ch 1. Sc in same st and around basket. Join with sl st to Ch 1. (40)

R11: Ch 1. Working in back loops only, sc in next st and around basket. Join with sl st to Ch 1. (40)

R12: Ch 2. Hdc in same st and in next 6 sts. Ch 5. Sk next 4 sts. Hdc in next 18 sts. Ch 5. Sk next 4 sts. Hdc in next 7 sts. Join with sl st to Ch 2.

R13: Ch 1. Sc in next 6 sts. Work 6 sc in the handle (the Ch 5 space from previous row) Hdc in next 18 sts. Work 6 sc in the second handle (the Ch 5 space from previous row). Hdc in next 7 sts. Join with sl st to Ch 1.

Note: I added a round of slip stitch to all three nesting baskets because I like the finished look that it gives to the top of the basket. This is optional.

R14: Ch 1. Sl st in next st and around basket. Sl st to Ch 1. Fasten off and weave in ends.

I hope that you enjoy this basket, and I want to send out a huge thank you Liz from Crochet in Color for her inspiration for this pattern!

Hugs and stitches! :)