Tuesday, May 29, 2018

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.




Friday, May 11, 2018

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. 



Tuesday, March 27, 2018

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.



Instagram: MelodyCrochet
Facebook
Ravelry: MelodyCrochet2
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

Monday, March 26, 2018

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!





Tuesday, March 13, 2018

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

Sunday, March 11, 2018

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!


Tuesday, February 27, 2018

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!




Friday, February 9, 2018

Lets Make Heart Pompoms!



Hi guys! I just posted a video making heart shaped pompoms TWO ways. The easy way, winding the yarn around my hand and shaping it after the fact. And the more labor intensive way...the Clover Heart Shaped Pompom Maker. Both, were cute...which do you prefer?



Melody

Small Scissors
Large Scissors
I Love This Yarn Solid in Tropical Pink
Heart Shaped Pompom Maker
Aunt Lydias Crochet Thread Size 10
Glittery Nail Polish 


Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Conversation Heart Coasters


Crochet a Conversation Heart Coaster with Me!!

Here is a super chatty tutorial on how to crochet these cute little coasters to decorate for Valentine's Day!



I like to make my comments a little snarky.

Materials:

Size H/5.00 mm crochet hook
1/2 ball of Peachs & Creme Worsted Weight 4 Ply Cotton Yarn
Yarn Needle (here's my bent tipped Clover needle)
Scissors (here's my Knit Picks Steeking Scissors)
1 Stitch Marker (Optional)
Fabric Glue - I like to glue down my ends after I weave them in. This Glue is Machine Washable and Dryable and I love how it works!!

Free Printable Pattern for this Project:
Crochet Heart Coaster PDF Pattern

I hope that you enjoy watching and making along. This is my very first video tutorial. It took me forever because I just had no grasp of my desired outcome when I first began. I am sure that my video tutorials will evolve and that I will someday look back lovingly on this one as my first.

With Love,
Melody



This blog post contains affiliate links and I might be compensated financially if you choose to click on them. Thank you so much for your support. I really appreciate it!





Sunday, December 31, 2017

MelodyCrochet Podcast Episode 18 - Ready for 2018!



Happy New Years Eve! What better way to end the year then by looking forward to next years dream crochet? Today I am talking about knitting and crochet goals for 2018. I go over the two itty bitty works in progress that I started while I was supposed to be finishing my test knit (I DID end up finishing it that night!)

Cactus Hat
Spring Green Red Heart Super Saver. 41 Stitches tall on a J Hook. More info will be available on sizing when it is complete. :)

Thank you so much to Twinkie Chan for the inspiration. It brought a great smile to my face on Christmas morning.

Fortune's Shawlette by Tamara Kelly of Moogly.com
J sized Bamboo Hook
Dream In Color Smooshy with Cashmere in Carousel
#Oneskeinwonderlandcal with Crochet Circle Podcast
Ravelry Project Page

My Crochet Cozy Memories Blanket is at 91 Squares as of today!
Here is a link to my ravelry project page!


Here is a link to my post on my #makenine2018. I go over all of the patterns that I just HAVE to make. There is a link to my ravelry project page where I am keeping the raverly pattern pages. And if you look below the picture in the blog post I have liked to the designers blog posts on their patterns. Both are so valuable to me when I start a project that I had to share!

Happy New Year, Friend! Enjoy and be safe!!


Yarn Goals for 2018!






My #Makenine2018!!

The Picture is  Link to my Ravelry Project Page for my #MakeNine2018 with links to all of the patterns on it that are available to me. The links below are the ones to their websites if they have any info about the patterns there. Hope the info helps!! 

Granny Shorts 

Lavanya Patricellis "Brioche Topped Thigh High Socks"

Skeinos "Arabella Shawl"

Helen Shrimptons "Mandala Madness" blog post!

Attic24s Cowl-Neck Poncho blog post! The pattern is actually from Simone Francis. 

The Loopy Stitchs "Mexican Inspired Blanket" blog post!

Amy Millers "Betsy" Shawl

West Knits "Dotted Rays Speckle Fade" Shawl

Sosu Knits "Shusui Shrug" blog post!


Honerable Mention: I will need a Piha Shawl by Alia Bland. So gorgeous!!



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