Tuesday, January 16, 2024

New Pattern Release - Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt

 After a long delay it's finally pattern release time! I'm proud to introduce my new pattern Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt.

Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt

Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt pattern is now available for purchase on Etsy and Ravelry. This croquilt pattern was designed to be worked in overlay mosaic crochet and is my crocheted interpretation of a traditional Hunter's Star quilt.

Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt worked in rows 3 repeats wide by 3 repeats high
Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt Throw Size
Worked in rows 3 repeats wide by 3 repeats high

The versatile pattern can be worked either bottom up in rows or from the center out in the round. With a 64 stitch pattern repeat, the pattern can be used to create an endless number of projects including pillows/cushions, table runners, baby blankets, throw blankets, or even bed sized blankets.

Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt worked in the round
Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt
Lap or Baby/Toddler Size worked in the round
2 blocks wide by 2 blocks high

 The pattern includes basic mosaic crochet information, yarn and hook information, layout options and suggestions, charted graph with the pattern repeat clearly marked and Xs for dc stitches both in rows and in the round, written instructions both for working in rows and for working in the round, a tutorial for joining blocks made in the round, and border information.

Purchase on Etsy here or on Ravelry here.

Hunter's Star Mosaic
Single pattern repeat worked in rows
One repeat makes a pillow/cushion sized block

Several layout options are listed in the pattern file with yarn suggestions and estimated amounts for each layout. You'll need two contrasting colors of either worsted weight (category 4) yarn or DK weight (category 3) yarn with a size H/5mm or size G/4mm crochet hook. Worsted weight yarn was used for the red and white throw blanket and the aqua and white lap blanket. DK weight yarn was used for the blue and white table runner shown below.

Hunter's Star Mosaic table runner worked in rows 3 pattern repeats wide
Hunter's Star Mosaic Table Runner
Worked in rows 3 pattern repeats wide

Purchase the pattern on Etsy here or on Ravelry here.

Please contact me if you have any questions or need help. Several tutorials are available on this blog if you need help as well.

 

Sunday, January 14, 2024

Flat Braid Slip Stitch Crochet Join

 There are many good methods to join pieces of crochet or knit. My current favorite method is the Flat Braid Slip Stitch Join. This method is simple to do, looks nice, and creates a completely flat seam.

Flat Braid Slip Stitch Crochet Join 

How to work the Flat Braid Slip Stitch Join
Below is a short photo tutorial on the flat braid slip stitch join method, followed by a video tutorial.

The crochet block I'm using in the tutorial is my Hunter's Star mosaic blanket worked in the round. Since this block is worked in the round there are stitches on all four sides. If you're joining blocks that don't have stitches all the way around you'll want to make a round of single crochet all around so you have stitches to work into for the seam.

Materials Needed
Materials needed
You'll need:
  • Blocks/pieces of crochet or knit you want to join/seam together
  • Yarn to create the seam. In this tutorial I've used a contrasting color to my blocks as a design element and also to show the difference between the seam stitches and the block stitches. You could also use a matching color yarn.
  • Crochet hook in a size appropriate for your yarn. In this case I'm using a size H/5mm hook since I'm using a worsted weight/category 4 yarn.
  • Scissors
  • Needle to sew in your yarn ends
Begin by laying out your blocks how you want to join them. With two blocks side by side, start with a slip knot on your hook. (In the video I believe I said slip stitch. It should be slip knot.)

Insert hook into the back loop of the block on the right.

Insert your hook into the back loop of the next stitch of the block on the right. (If you're left handed you may find it easier to start with the back loop of the stitch on the left.)

Then insert your hook in the back loop of the next stitch of the block on the left.

Then insert your hook into the back loop of the corresponding stitch in the block on the left. (If you're left handed & started with the block on the left, insert into the block on the right in this step.)

Yarn over and pull through all loops on your hook to complete the stitch


 Yarn over and pull through all loops on the hook to complete the stitch.

Flat Braid Slip Stitch completed

Stitch completed


When you join more than one row of blocks, make a chain stitch over the seam joining the blocks in the opposite direction

Continue in this manner all the way down your row. When you turn your work to make the seam in the opposite direction, make a chain over the seam when you come to it. The video shows this in more detail.

Back side of stitches

This is what the back side of the seam looks like. Notice how neat and flat the seam is.

If you're more of a visual learner, here is a tutorial video that shows this method in more detail.


I hope this helps! If you have questions please contact me or comment below.

Wednesday, November 29, 2023

Coming Soon - Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt

 By popular demand I've created a mosaic croquilt version of a traditional Hunter's Star quilt pattern.

Hunter's Star Mosaic Croquilt by Kari Davies

This pattern is currently in the final stages of testing and will be released soon. I'll make an announcement post as soon as the pattern is available with links to the pattern on Etsy and Ravelry.

In the meantime, feel free to browse some of the other patterns and finished items available in my Etsy shop here or patterns available in my Ravelry shop here.

Tuesday, September 5, 2023

New Pattern Release - Anchor Mosaic

 

Anchor Mosaic

My newest pattern, Anchor Mosaic, is now available for purchase on both Ravelry and Etsy

This beautiful blanket featuring an anchor with bubbles in the background was designed to be worked in overlay mosaic crochet. The finished size will depend on your individual tension. At a suggested gauge of about 3.5 stitches per inch the finished size is approximately 38x39" including a small border. This is a great size for a baby, toddler, or lap afghan. 

The pattern file includes basic mosaic crochet information, yarn and hook information, a charted graph with double crochet stitches marked with Xs, written instructions, and suggested border information. There are several overlay mosaic crochet tutorials available on this blog if you need more help.

Purchase your copy today on Ravelry here or on Etsy here.

Tuesday, July 18, 2023

New Pattern Release - Paths Around The World

 

Paths Around The World mosaic croquilt pattern 
After a very long wait, my newest mosaic crochet pattern Paths Around The World is now available for purchase on both Ravelry and Etsy!

My original inspiration as I was drawing out this pattern was a traditional Trip Around The World quilt. After doodling further, I noticed a few of the areas reminded me of a trellis along a garden path. So I named the pattern Paths Around The world.

This pattern was designed to be worked in overlay mosaic crochet in rows. You can use this pattern to crochet a blanket in whatever size you like. The suggested layout of two pattern repeats wide by two repeats high will make a throw or bed size blanket, depending on your choice of yarn and hook size. With the recommended yarn & size H hook the finished size is approximately 48x60". This is the perfect size to use to snuggle up on the couch. One pattern repeat worked in worsted weight yarn will measure about 28x36" after the border is added. This is a great size for a baby or lap blanket. It would be good for a wheelchair lap blanket since it is small enough to not get caught in the wheels.

The pattern file includes a charted graph with double crochet stitches marked with Xs, row by row written instructions, mosaic crochet basics, yarn and hook information, and instructions for an envelope border.

Purchase your copy on Ravelry here: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paths-around-the-world or on Etsy here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1525920901/paths-around-the-world-croquilt-afghan 

Throw blanket made with two pattern repeats wide by two pattern repeats high

Baby or lap blanket made with one pattern repeat





Tuesday, June 20, 2023

Tutorial video: How to Crochet a Double Border aka Envelope Border

 I've had a photo tutorial on the blog for a while, but had several requests for a video tutorial. After a long delay the video is now available. 

You can still find the photo tutorial here

In the video I just show a solid color border to keep it simple and demonstrate the method, but the possibilities are endless of the borders you can create with this method. Almost any small mosaic pattern can be used on the border. Please contact me if you have any questions or need help.



Monday, June 19, 2023

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial - Adding a 3rd Color

 

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial - adding a third color
Next up in the mosaic crochet tutorial series is this video tutorial which demonstrates how to add a third color to the project. Most mosaic crochet only uses two colors, but occasionally you will have a pattern that calls for another color. The video works through the Flower Lattice 2 practice pattern. You can find the pattern on this blog here for free. 

Before working through this tutorial you'll want to familiarize yourself with some of the mosaic crochet basics. It may be helpful to watch some of the previous videos in this series including the Foundation i-Cord Tutorial, the Foundation Single Crochet Tutorial, and the Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial that works through row 6 of this pattern.

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial - Adding a Third Color:



Saturday, June 17, 2023

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Video Tutorial

 

Overlay Mosaic Crochet Tutorial

I've finally finished editing and uploading the tutorial video for overlay mosaic crochet. This is part of a series, so be sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel or check back here for updates and the next videos in the series. The video works this practice overlay mosaic crochet pattern, explains how to read a mosaic crochet chart, and demonstrates the basic stitches to create a mosaic project. The next videos in this series will show how to add a third color to overlay mosaic crochet and how to work a double border.

Before starting the practice chart you'll need to know how to either work a foundation chain with a row of single crochet stitches, foundation single crochet, or a foundation i-cord. Click on the links above for the videos.

Without further ado, here is the tutorial video. Please contact me if you have any questions or need help with anything shown in the video.



Friday, June 16, 2023

Stitch Tutorial: Foundation i-Cord

 The foundation i-cord is quickly becoming my go-to method for starting most crochet projects. It replaces the foundation chain and first row of single crochet. So for me, it's a faster way to start, especially for mosaic crochet projects and graphghans. It creates a nice, neat edge and is fairly stretchy.

Here is a video tutorial that shows how to make the foundation i-cord.



Thursday, June 15, 2023

Stitch Tutorial: Foundation Single Crochet

 A popular alternative to a starting chain and a row of single crochet is the foundation single crochet (fsc). This is helpful in projects where you know how long or wide you want your first row of crochet to be, but aren't sure how many stitches you need to start with, since you can just add fsc stitches until you reach your desired length. This stitch creates a fairly stretchy foundation, which you may want if you are crocheting a garment or other item where a stretchy foundation would be preferred. 

Many people like the foundation single crochet because it creates the chain and the first row of single crochet stitches all in one, so you don't have to do separate steps. This is particularly useful for graphghans or mosaic crochet projects.

Below is a video tutorial that demonstrates how to create the foundation single crochet stitch.