Baby Star Barefoot Sandals

(This pattern originally appeared online at Craftown.com. Copyrights have now reverted to me, the designer.) 

Let your precious baby be the star of the summer with a pair of star barefoot sandals! These pretty star-shaped barefoot sandals are stellar accessories for your little star’s wardrobe and much cooler than wearing baby shoes or socks on a hot summer day.

Crochet a pair of barefoot sandals for your baby using my free pattern, and they are so quick and easy. That’s my favorite part of this project. Make several pairs for babies and as shower gifts too. Create the star barefoot sandals in many colors with just about any yarn (although Caron Simply Soft is a nice soft yarn to start with for delicate baby feet).

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Size: Newborn - 12 months

Skill Level:  Easy

Materials: Caron Simply Soft, any color

Hook size: G/4.25mm

Abbreviations:
CH = chain
SC = single crochet
HDC = half double crochet
DC = double crochet
RND = round
SL ST = slip stitch

Gauge: not needed

Instructions:

Star -
Start with a magic ring (tutorial here).
Ch 1, 10 sc in ring, tighten loop, sl st to 1st sc.
Rnd 1: [Ch 5, sl st to 2nd ch from hook, sc, hdc, dc. Skip next st in magic ring, sl st in next space.] 5 times, and end with sl st to same sc as join from round 1. Do not fasten off, proceed to toe loop instructions.

Toe Loop -
Ch 15, sl st to round 1 to form the toe loop, fasten off, weave ends.

Straps -
Ch 40 (Ch 80 if you want the strap to wrap twice around ankle), sl st to back of star point opposite of the toe loop. Ch 40 more (Ch 80 if you want the strap to wrap twice around ankle). Finish off. This forms the ankle straps. (See image.)

Rock the hook,
Tia

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.

Originally published at http://www.craftown.com/Baby-Star-Barefoot-Sandals.html

Magic Loop Tutorial

(This pattern originally appeared online at Craftown.com. Copyrights have now reverted to me, the designer.)  
 
If you have crocheted for a while, you may have run across patterns that start the pattern with a “Magic Ring” or “Magic Loop.” This technique is especially popular with current crochet designers and many modern hat, sock and slipper patterns employ the “Magic Loop.”

Essentially, the Magic Loop replaces (or may substitute) the technique of creating a beginning ring by crocheting 2, 3 or 4 chains and then single or double crochet several times in the first ch space to create a base ring for patterns that require it.

I don't know its origins and many crochet bloggers and designers have awesome published tutorials for creating the Magic Ring or Loop, I suspect it may have started with Amigurumi (the Japanese art of crocheted figures, toys, etc.).  Or at least that would make the most sense, since many of the Amigurumi patterns I have followed use the Magic Loop to start various pieces of a figure or animal.

I use the Magic Loop to start almost all of the hats I crochet and most of the slipper patterns I have designed so far. I prefer the snug little starting round for my projects. I hope you find this tutorial helpful. Please don’t hesitate to contact me or leave a comment if you run in to any trouble spots following this tutorial.

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Skill Level:  Easy

Materials: Practice yarn, any kind (worsted worked best for me to learn with)

Hook size: H/5.00mm or I/5.50mm

Gauge: Not needed for this tutorial

Abbreviations:
Ch = chain
Sc = single crochetSl st = slip stitch

Instructions:
Make a loop, about 4 – 6” from the end of your yarn. Pinch the loop between thumb and forefinger where the strands of yarn meet.

Insert your hook into the loop, front to back, to catch the yarn. Bring the yarn through, drawing up a small loop on your hook.

Ch 1. This is your anchor. (Note: I don’t usually count this as a stitch.)


Insert your hook into the loop again. Be sure you are still holding the loop and tail firmly between thumb and finger. Work your first sc around both loop and yarn tail.

Continue to sc around loop and tail until you have the desired number of sc for your foundation round. (I made 8 sc for this tutorial.)

Gently tug the yarn tail to close the center of your loop, creating a nice snug ring of sc’s. Sl st to the first sc in the loop to close it. Ch 1.


Start your second round by working 2 sc into the first sc from first round, continuing around. (16 sc)
I find I use this method of beginning patterns almost every time, even if the pattern calls for the older method of forming a base ring from making chains, connecting and/or sc into them. It’s easy to substitute in the Magic Loop, once you get the hang of it. Planet June also has an excellent tutorial for crocheting a "Magic Ring" as well as a video tutorial and instructions for left-handed crocheters.

Enjoy using your new crochet skill!
Rock the hook,
Tia

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.

Originally published at http://www.craftown.com/Magic-Loop.html

Spring Granny Dishcloth

 
(This pattern originally appeared online at Craftown.com. Copyrights have now reverted to me, the designer.)  
 
The sun is bright and birds are chirping, which reminds me that Spring cleaning is right around the corner…or just after I finish up another crochet project! Now is the perfect time to make yourself some Spring Granny dishcloths using our free crochet pattern. Crochet a pretty dishcloth based on the solid granny square motif to use in the kitchen, for cleaning or share with a friend as a lovely homemade gift.

Create several crocheted dishcloths in colors to match or contrast with your kitchen décor. Lily Sugar’n Cream has all sorts of new colors out and many in a nice variegated color scheme too. I was able to make two dishcloths from 1 skein of Lily Sugar’n Cream, but any cotton yarn will do the trick. I changed color before Round 6 to add a distinct border, but you could simply continue to Round 6 without changing color if you prefer. Enjoy crocheting this pattern and your Spring cleaning!

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Skill Level:  Easy
Materials:  Cotton yarn, (I used Lily Sugar’n Cream.)

Hook size: I/5.50mm

Abbreviations:
CC = change color
CH = chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet
JOIN = slip stitch to join
MR = magic ring
RND = round
SL ST = slip stitch

Gauge: 4 dc = 1 inch

Instructions:
Magic Ring (Click for tutorial.)
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, *ch 2, 3 dc, repeat twice from *, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3 from beginning of round and throughout pattern). (12 sts)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, *3 dc, [2 dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3). (28 sts)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, 4 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, *7 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *, 2 dc, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3). (44 dc)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, 6 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, *11 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *, 4 dc, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3). (60 dc)
Rnd 5: Ch 3, 8 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, *15 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *, 6 dc, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3). (76 dc)

CC
Rnd 6: Ch 3, 10 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, *19 dc, [2dc, ch 2, 2dc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *, 8 dc, join with sl st to 1st dc (ch 3). (92 dc)
Finish, weave ends. Or continue to optional finish round.

Optional Finish Round with Picot
*To form picot: ch 3, sl st to 1st ch
Rnd 7: Ch 1, 1 sc, picot, *3 sc, picot, repeat twice from *, 1 sc, [2 sc, picot, 2 sc] in ch 2 sp. *(3 sc, picot) 6 times, 1 sc, [2 sc, picot, 2 sc] in ch 2 sp, repeat twice from *. (This takes you completely around 3 sides of the dishcloth and back to the first side.) 1 sc, picot, *3 sc, picot, repeat twice from *, 2 sc, join to first sc of round with sl st.
Finish, weave ends.

Rock the hook,
Tia

Don't forget to rock with me over at Facebook, Pinterest and on Ravelry.

Originally published at http://www.craftown.com/Granny-Dishcloth.html