Friday, November 19, 2010

Retro Ruffle Scarf - FREE PATTERN

Getting My Retro On!

This is the first pattern I've ever written down!  Whew...glad that's over!  I enjoy creating new things but not real sure I like the writing down part of it.  I'm sure there's some sort of trick or technique to creating and writing a pattern at the same time...if you know of one please share!

If you think the colors look familiar then you might have seen them at Scarves for Special Olympics.  I had mentioned this in one of my earlier posts.  These are the official colors this year and I thought I'd not only get creative but actually try and write it down in case I ever wanted to do it again.  Actually I find myself being one of those people that will do a pattern once and not have any desire to do it again.  Of course if you really want one in specific colors my arm can be twisted!

I hope you enjoy...and if you find an error (if you don't I'd be surprised) please let me know!!!

Color A - Red Heart Super Saver 886 Blue
Color B - Red Heart Super Saver 512 Turqua

Large Circle - make 8
Begin with Color A
ch 2
Rw1 - 6 sc in second ch from hook, slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (6 sc)
Rw2 - 2 sc in each sc around, changing to Color B slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (12 sc)
Rw3 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next sc* repeat around, slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (18 sc)
Rw4 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc* repeat around, slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (24 sc)
Rw5 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc* repeat around, changing to Color A slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (30 sc)
Rw6 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 4 sc* repeat around, chainging to Color B slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (36 sc)
Rw7 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 5 sc* repeat around, slst in first sc to join, fasten off (42 sc)

Small Circle - make 9
Begin with Color B
ch 2
Rw1 - 6 sc in second ch from hook, slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (6 sc)
Rw2 - 2 sc in each sc around, slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not surn (12 sc)
Rw3 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 ch in next sc* repeat around, changing to Color A slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (18 sc)
Rw4 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 2 sc* repeat around, changing to Color B slst in first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn (24 sc)
Rw5 - *2 sc in first sc, 1 sc in next 3 sc* repeat around, slst in first sc to join, fasten off (30 sc)

Connect alternating circles end to end using Color B to sew through 3 stiches on each end.

Close up of "valley" where two circles meet.
Edging
Rw1 - With Color B sc all the way around the edge of the scarf.  On each end do 2 sc in the same st. changing to Color A slst in the first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn.
Rw2 - sc all the way around the edge of the scarf.  At each valley where the circles join, sctog in the last sc from one circle and the first sc on the next circle from the previous row.  On each end circle do 2 sc in the same st at the 3 o'clock and 9 o'clock position. Slst in the first sc to join, ch 1 do not turn.
Rw3 - 2 sc in each stitch all the way around, skipping the sctog at each valley from previous row.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.



Retro Ruffles!

A Favorite Blog AND Pattern Give-a-way!

Who doesn't love a give-a-way!  If you've not visited The Sunroom you've got to see her patterns...I love her retro color choices and the designs have just the right amount of modern chic!  The Sunroom is also doing a GREAT give-a-way...check out this post for more details!

If you'd like to buy any of her patterns go to her Etsy store...here's the link to my personal favorite!

ENJOY!

Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Crochet A Good Cause


One of my goals in my blog is to talk about what I'm currently working on.  But...since my current creation is a gift I have to wait until I give it away before I talk about it....don't worry, I'm taking pictures as I go!  So since I can't talk about that...I've chosen to talk about crocheting for a cause.  As many of you know my birthday was a couple of weeks ago.  Joe and I spent the day by the beach and when I got home I had this beautiful bag along with some hand picked flowers from some of the neighborhood kids.
Costa Rican Messenger Bag

Well I could immediately tell that this bag had been crocheted.  But out of what?  It was pretty stiff and felt almost plastic.  Upon further research I found out that it was indeed plastic, recycled grocery bags to be exact...AND a portion of it's purchase price went to help a Leatherback Conservation Project in Costa Rica.

Ain't he cute?

Not only did it help the leatherback but it also helped the Sea Turtles at Sea Turtle, Inc. right here in South Padre Island, TX!  According to their website these bags are created with approximately 80 plastic grocery bags.  Finding a use for these bags keep them out of our oceans and landfills thus helping to keep them away from wildlife where they can accidently harm themselves.  The women of Costa Rica crochet these bags, and are paid a fair wage thus helping not only the turtles but their family as well.

There are so may ways that we can use the craft of crochet to help our world.  Here are just a few I found:

Scarves for Special Olympics - You will see another post from me when I finish my contributions!

You can upcycle and recycle just about anything you can put your mind to...find something that you are passionate about and let your creativity be your guide.  God gave us our gifts to share...I can't think of a better way than to help others...can you?

Some more birthday shots for you...

My new tire cover...Life IS Good!!
Toes in the sand...just like we like 'em!