Kelsey Shawl

I just fastened off my beautiful Kelsey Shawl. This was such a fun, quick and lovely crochet shawl to make. It took just one ball of Lion Brand Mandala. I used the Wizard Colorway.

I did a little bit of yarn cake surgery to omit the yellow. I chose to go up one size on the hook to produce a drapier and airy shawl for this Texas climate. It took me about 5 rows of the pattern repeat to get the pattern down and then I just used a progress keeper on both sides to keep from crochet too few or too many stitches per row. Got to love that clean and pretty edge.



I would love to try this in some cotton! I think it would be amazing.

Thanks for joining me today! Have a good one <3
Melody

Please note that my blog posts usually contain affiliate links. I make a commission if you choose to use them. Thank you so much for your support! It really makes my day to make money doing what I love.

Succulent Pot Baby Cocoon

Ohhh its baby season again! They are everywhere. Absolutely adorable. You know what else is everywhere? Succulents. Succulents and Cacti as far as the eye can see in art, stickers, slippers...you name it. But, not newborn photography. Until now. Here is my contribution to the cactus madness. My succulent baby cocoon. It's an interesting crochet that won't take you too long. And the finish project will make any new parent smile. So, grab a hook and lets play!

Here is what you will need:
Size H/5mm Crochet Hook
2 Colors of Size 4/Medium Weight Yarn.
Examples: Red Heart Super Saver in Redwood and Red Heart With Love Minty
Scissors
Yarn Needle
Measuring Tape

And here is a link to the free PDF

As always if you see something on my blog that you like and you do not want to make it yourself then feel free to contact me for a custom order on Etsy. Be sure to use the hashtag #succulentbabycocoon if you post pictures of your make.

Take care and see you next time!
Melody

Here is the Video Tutorial!

This post contains affiliate links and if you click them I might be compensated financially. Thank you SO much for your support. It really means the world to me. 

Crochet Gauge and a Vanna's Choice Review

Hello! Today we are crocheting a swatch. I do this with all new yarns to see how they behave. I will be using Lion Brand Vanna Solid in Aqua and a J Hook. It's a great way to see what hook you want to use, how a yarn washes up, and a way to compare it to other yarns that you have also swatched. I find it very relaxing, too. So grab a hook and some yarn and let's have fun!

If you are swatching:

sock or fingering weight yarn use a D hook
dk or sport weight yarn use a F hook
worsted or aran use a J hook
super bulky would need a N hook and perhaps cute the stitches in half.

So...about the Lion Brand Vanna's Choice. I feel silly even reviewing this yarn. It feels like such a standard yarn. It is really what I gauge other yarns against. But, in the name of science I will move on with this!

I hope that you enjoy. :) Please like and subscribe.

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MelodyCrochet Podcast Group on Ravelry


Any links above might be affiliate links and I might be compensated financially. I really appreciate your support if you use them.

Melody

Podcast Episode 23 Show Notes!

Hi guys!

I hope you are all doing well. I posted podcast episode 23 this evening. I hope that you enjoy.

Here are some things that I discuss:

Finished Objects:

Rectangle Granny: J Hook and My own Pattern. I will link to it here when I make the pattern and video

Mandala Doily in Silk Roving from Darn Good Yarn. J Hook and improvised pattern.

WIPS

Mandala Madness1 used an I Hook and Red Heart Super Saver Yarn
Mandala Madness 2 used an I Hook and Caron Simply Soft Yarn

Shusui Shrug using Plank and Stella Sock Yarn in "Under the Sea" on Size 5 Chiaogoo Lace 24 inch circular needles

Amma Granny Top

Hobby Lobby Flexible Mesh Tote

Hobby Lobby Large Plastic Tote

Subscription to Darn Good Yarn

Link to the #SpringDecorAlong at the MelodyCrochet Podcast Group on Ravelry

Links to My Social Media!

Instagram: MelodyCrochet
Facebook 
Ravelry
MelodyCrochet Podcast Group on Ravelry

Thank you and please note that some of the links in this post are affiliate links. If you choose to use them I greatly appreciate your support!

Review! Loops & Threads Joy DK

Hi friends! I reviewed a new yarn today!

The yarn is Loops & Threads Joy DK!

The Facts!

The weight is a Size 3/Light.
It is machine washable and low heat dryable.
They suggest an H hook but I swatched with an F hook as I always do with DK and sport weight yarns.

Long story short!

Personally, I like the yarn. 

It is a bit stretchy so I had to go up one hook size for my chain then went down to the F hook for the rest of my stitches. Otherwise, it would pucker a bit at the base. After going up the hook size it was just right.

The finish is shiny and super soft. It is not splitty. I split the yarn two times but it left no wounds and that is really good since I used a hook two sizes smaller than suggested. There is a slight squeak factor but I had no issue. If you do I would suggest a wooden or brush nickel finished hook like these.

The packaging was super cute and very convenient to work with. It came in a ball! I have never gotten yarn in a ball. I love it!

I went ahead and made a video discussing it in depth...come see if you are interested.

Is there anything else you would like to know about this yarn? Feel free to ask!

Melody

Fiber Friends Post - Meet the Husbeast

Hi friends!

I have been loving the Fiber Friends tags on youtubes yarn community. We are meeting husbands, boyfriends and kids. I decided to go with my husband. He is always a good sport. So grab a warm drink of something and a project and lets hang out!

Groovy Square - Free Crochet Pattern

I was recently at the Groovy Coop in McKinney. A magical place filled with retro decor. Vintage Pyrex. Furniture from the 60's. Decanturs. Linens. And oh my, the wall art! And there was a big pile of vintage crocheted afghans. That is when I saw this gem. I immediately asked Amber to take my picture with it. 

The blanket was only $28 but I just knew I had to make it. When I got home I tried to find the pattern. No luck. I looked and looked and could not find it so I sat down to recreate it. It took a few tries but here it is! I want to share it with you guys! 

So here goes!

Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver in two complementary colors. MC (turquoise) and CC (white)

Hook:

Additional Materials:

Size:

Notes: 
The Chain 2 and Chain 3 at the beginning of the row does count as the first stitch in this pattern.

Sue Pinner Multiwrap Magic Circle. Sue Pinner might not have invented this but she is where I learned it and her blog and patterns are so wonderful that I just have to give her credit. Wrap the yarn around one finger about five times and then proceed to work into these strands as you would into a magic circle. You only wrap around one finger because it does not cinch closed as much as a typical magic circle. If you wrap around more than one finger it will be too big of a center gap. This adds a little bulk, strength and structure to the eye of a granny square.

3dc cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into chain space, draw up a loop, yarn over and pull under two of the loops on the hook. Repeat all twice more. Yarn over and pull under all 4 loops on the hook. 

4dc cluster: Yarn over, insert hook into chain space and draw up a loop, yarn over and pull under two of the loops on the hook. Repeat all three times more. Yarn over and pull under all 5 loops on the hook.

Abbreviations:

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
ss - slip stitch
fo - fasten off

Pattern: 

1) In MC. In a "Sue Pinner Magic Circle" ch 2 and 15 dc into the center of the circle, ss into the second ch of the ch 2 at the beginning of this row. Cinch your magic circle.

2) Ch 3 (counts as first dc + ch1) *dc + ch1* around 15 times, ss into the second ch of ch 3. fo (a circle with 16 spokes and 16 chains)

3) Attach CC into any ch 1 space, ch 3 and 3dc cluster in the same stitch. *ch2 4dc cluster in each space around (16 clusters and 16 chains 2 spaces) fo CC.

4) Skip over all clusters and work in the ch 2 spaces only. Attach MC into any ch2 space. ch 2 + 2dc in the same stitch,  3 dc in each of the next 2 spaces, 3dc + ch 2 + 3dc in next space to form a corner, *3 dc in each of the next 3 spaces, 3dc + ch 2 + 3dc in next ch space* repeat * to * all the way around. fo (60 double crochet stitches and 8 chains)


5) Attach CC into any corner, ch 2 + dc +dc + hdc into the same stitch. dc into each  of the 15 stitches *hdc + dc dc + hdc in the corner, dc into each of the next 15 stitches* repeat to the end of the row. ss fo.

tada!