Loom Knit Hat Using the CHAIN CROCHET Method

Previously published February 24, 2015, on AllCraftConnection.org

In a previous post, I wrote about the Chain Crochet method of crocheting. You can find it here: Chain Crochet – Crocheting With Chains – a Crochet Experiment.

If you loom knit, you know that unless you use a very thick yarn, hats aren’t always tightly knit. That’s where Chain Crochet comes in. Take a simple 3- or 4-ply yarn and Chain Crochet the entire ball or skein of yarn. Then use your newly crocheted chain to loom knit your hat.

When I came up with the idea for Chain Crochet, I posted two blogs about it. Crystal Ray (thank you, Kim) commented on one of the blogs and said she would try it for one of her loom knitting projects. What a great idea! Because hats are so lightly woven on a loom, unless you use two strands of yarn, applying the Chain Crochet method would work well and give your finished product more bulk. 

I chained an entire ball of yarn and used probably more than half of it to loom knit the hat you see above. I even made a curly-cue hat topper out of some of the remaining chained yarn. I plan on making a headband and flower with the rest of the chained yarn. 

If you like the way this hat looks, you might want to try the Chain Crochet method for your next loom knit project. Just visit the link I posted above and thank you for visiting!

Chain Crochet – Crocheting With Chains – a Crochet Experiment

Previously published February 17, 2015, on AllCraftConnection.org

Many artistic people love to experiment, whether they paint, crochet, write, sculpt, build, or engage in any other creative endeavor. The “what if” question is what prompts inventive people to come up with new ideas. The “what if” question is what drove me to create what I am calling CHAIN CROCHET. With that thought in mind, I would like to take you through my thought processes when I created this cowl.

Finished cowl using Chain Crochet.

What if I used a Size G crochet hook to make a long chain out of a ball of yarn, I wondered, and then used the chain to crochet something using a Size N crochet hook? The process seemed as if it would work in theory, but what would result if I put it into practice?

I started with a skein of yarn that had already been partially used, so I had to find another skein of yarn that had one comparable color in it. Not knowing how much yarn I would need, I started with the smaller skein and crocheted one continuous chain, rolling the newly formed chain into a ball as I continued to chain. Knowing that the cowl would be ultra bulky, I didn’t want to crochet tightly (a SC would have made the end product stiff), so I started with a double crochet (DC) into the back loop only (BLO) and ended with a SC, skip 2 Ch, Ch 3 around the bottom edge. Crocheting into the back loop gives more flexibility to a bulky yarn.

Rolled up ball of chained yarn.

What I discovered while crocheting with a chain was that CHAIN CROCHET is no more time consuming than is any other type of crochet, simply because chaining is so quick and easy. Once the chain is created, you can use a larger hook to finish your project and the end result is a product that looks unlike anything you’ve ever created. Imagine the possibilities! I created this cowl in an afternoon (or less – I wasn’t timing myself).

If you find crochet to be relaxing and you want to see what your item will look like using the chain method, consider CHAIN CROCHET for your next project. And then show me what you’ve created! I’ll allow links to your finished items in the comments below.

Simple Lacy Cowl Crochet Instructions

Previously published as "Simple Lacy Crochet Cowl Instructions" March 2, 2015 on AllCraftConnection.org

As most of you already know, Facebook is filled with groups that match our interests. I belong to several groups, writing groups and crochet groups among them. When I posted the above cowl along with three additional cowls, the most popular cowl I posted was the one you see above. Many Facebookers asked me for instructions. 

Because so many were interested, I thought many of my readers might be interested too, so, though I followed no pattern, I can tell you what you can do to achieve the same lacy effect you see in the photo. 

The yarn I used was an ultra-soft shimmery yarn. If I had known so many people would be interested, I would have written down the brand name. I purchase my yarn from numerous places, though, so this one could have come from Jo-Ann, Hobby Lobby, Walmart, or Meijer. I also don’t remember the size hook I used, though it was probably anything from a J (6mm) to an N (9mm) hook. The pattern is so flexible, though, that you can use any type of yarn and any sized hook to achieve the same results.

To begin, crochet a length of chain to measure around your neck – long enough to reach about 4-6 inches below the front of your neck. You don’t have to pay attention to the number of chains you crochet, though if you are the type who needs exact numbers, chain groups of 5.

Connect the beginning of the chain to the end of a chain with a slip stitch. Make sure not to twist the yarn. I prefer to use the crochet-through-the-back-of-the-chain method for my first row (for instructions on how to do that, please refer to the short video I found and posted below). Skip the first two chains, placed 5 DBL crochets in the next chain, skip the next two chains, 5 DBL crochet in the next chain space, and so on, going around the foundation chain.

For the next row and for every row after, Chain 2, place 5 DBL crochets into the top center of each cluster from the previous row, Chain 2, etc. until you have an even number of clusters in each row. Because I used the entire skein of yarn, the cowl ended up having 15 rows of clusters.

So the basic instructions for each row after the foundation chain are:

Ch 2, 5 DBL crochet into the center top of each cluster below, Ch 2. End with a Ch 2 and place a slip stitch into the last 5DBL crochet cluster.

VIDEO – Stitch Scene: How to Crochet in the Back bar of chain.

Free Crochet Instructions for Scalloped Shell Cowl

Previously published September 1, 2015 on AllCraftConnection.org

CORRECTION BELOW **

Materials Used

Size 10/J (UK 4) crochet hook

1 skein 4-ply soft variegated yarn

1 skein 4-ply yarn – find a solid color that matches one of the colors in the variegated yarn

(You won’t use the entire skeins.)

Instructions

If you’ve read any of my other “instructional” blogs, you already know my instructions are never exact. I create a pattern that’s very forgiving, so you never have to worry about making a mistake, because they are always easily corrected.

To begin, use the solid color. Count your beginning chain in groups of 3, and create a chain long enough to go around your neck (see photo for reference).

Row 1

Flatten your chain and attach the beginning chain to the end of the chain by going through the back loop of the beginning chain with a single crochet (SC). You will be crocheting in the round. Make sure you don’t twist the original chain. SC all the way around. Ch 1.

If you’re not familiar with crocheting through the back loop of a beginning chain, please watch this short video tutorial (Stitch Scene: How to Crochet in the Back bar of chain) offered on YouTube.

Row 2

Going through back loops only (BLO), SC all the way around.

Ch 2.

Row 3

Switch to variegated yarn. Skip (SK) 2 stitches (st), *3 double crochet (DC), Ch 1, 3 DC in same st, SK 2 st, SC in next st, SK 2 st, and continue from * around. Ch 2.

** Correction: As you go around, you will place the *3 double crochet (DC), Ch 1, 3 DC into the SC space from the row below and you will place a SC into the Ch space between the 3 DC from the row before.

Use that pattern throughout the rest of the cowl, using variegated yarn for 2 rows, switching to solid yarn for 2 rows, then to variegated for 2, and ending with 2 rows of solid yarn.

Finishing

Weave in the ends and that’s it!

You are free to copy and share this pattern as long as you link back to this blog.

Crocheted Spider Halloween Project – FREE INSTRUCTIONS

Originally published September 16, 2015 on AllCraftConnection.org

My 4-year-old (now nearly 6) granddaughter wanted a stuffed spider (and a stuffed snake) for her birthday. I looked everywhere for both and couldn’t find them anywhere (which didn’t surprise me – she’s a funny little girl), so I came up with my own instructions for both. I basically just knitted the snake and folded it in half, then stuffed it and sewed on a couple of eyes. 

For this spider, though, I crocheted it with a size J Hook, and I made its legs short. If you want longer legs increase the number of chains in Row 4. This spider measures about 4 inches across and is kind of pudgy, because I used a lot of filler. A smaller hook would give you a smaller spider. Less filling would give you a flatter spider. 

One person in one of my crochet groups on Facebook suggested that this might make a nice Halloween project, so if you want to make smaller spiders use a smaller hook. 

Materials Needed

Black Yarn

Size J Crochet Hook (though any size would work)

2 Buttons

Filling

Mesh Stocking

Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations

Chain – Ch

Double Crochet – DC

Skip – Sk

Slip Stitch – Sl St

Stitch – St

Stitches – Sts

Instructions for Top of Spider

Ch 3, Sl St into beginning of Ch

Row 1

9 DC in ring, Sl St in top of 1st DC, Ch 2

Row 2

2 DC in each DC from previous row, Sl St in top of Ch 2 from previous row

Row 3

*2 DC in 1st St, 1 DC in next St, repeat from * around

Row 4

*Sl St in 1st 3 Sts, (Begin 1st leg) Ch 5 , Sk 1st St, Sl St into Ch 4 times, Sl St into row. Continue from * until you have four legs. Then Sl St 6 times and continue from * for the next four legs. Sl St into final stitches.

EYES

Sew buttons into top of project (see photo for example).

Instructions for Bottom of Spider

Repeat Rows 1, 2, and 3 from above. For Row 4, Sl St all the way around. 

Filling the Spider

Stuff a small piece of mesh material with filler. Using your tapestry needle, connect the top to the bottom, leaving a hole large enough to put the filler inside. Then sew up the rest.

Final Thoughts

As with any instructions, the writer may leave out a step or instructions may be confusing to the reader. Please contact craftconnection@mail.com if you have any problems understanding these instructions.

You are welcome to distribute this pattern, but only if you link back to this blog when you do.

Thank you for visiting!

Pumpkin Spice Cowl Free Crochet Instructions

Previously published on AllCraftConnection.org September 14, 2015

Just in time for the Halloween season – a pumpkin-colored cowl to spice things up.

Materials Used

Yarn – whatever 4-ply you can find in a pumpkin color

Crochet hook – Size US N15/10.00 mm

Abbreviations

beg – beginning

BLO – back loop only

DC – double crochet

Ch – chain

sl st – slip stitch

SC – single crochet

Sk – skip

Instructions

Ch 54, straighten and connect to 1st Ch through back loop with sl st (video shows how to work through the back loop of a chain)

Row 1

*Sk 2, DC 3x in same st – repeat from * all the way around, sl st into top of 1st DC of original chain

Row 2

*Ch 3, SC in top of every 1st DC from row below – repeat from * all around, sl st into bottom of beg Ch 3 of row below

Row 3

Ch 2, 2 DC, Ch 1, 2 DC, Ch 1 in each Ch 3 space from row below, sl st into top of 1st DC from row below

Row 4

*Ch 3, SC in ea Ch 1 s from row below, repeat from * all around, sl st into bottom of 1st Ch from beg of row below

Row 5

Ch 2, D DC in each Ch 3 sp all around, sl st into top of Ch 2 from beg of row below

Row 6

Repeat Row 2

Row 3

Repeat Row 3

Row 8

Repeat Row 4

Row 9

Repeat Row 5

Finishing

Tuck in ends – for longer cowl, just keep repeating rows 2, 3, 4, and 5

Final Thoughts

You are free to distribute this pattern as long as you don’t charge for it and you link it back to this blog.

Instructions are sometimes difficult to write or understand. Sometimes the writer might leave out an important step or something you read could be made clearer. If you have any problems with this pattern, please contact craftconnection@mail.com and put Pumpkin Spice Cowl in the subject line.

Thank you for visiting!

Free Easy Crochet Pattern for Stretchable Hat That Fits Toddlers Through Teens

Previously posted on my AllCraftConnection.org blog August 7, 2015.

Audrey is wearing a pony tail under the hat, and it stretches to accommodate the pony tail.

Nolan, missing his two front teeth, also wears the hat comfortably.

Avery wears the hat, too!

Myraiah's hat was crocheted without a brim (8" original chain)

Because of the remarkable stretchability of this hat, it fits a wide range of ages, from toddlers to adults. You just have to adjust the brim. The only two stitches used throughout the Stretchable Hat project are the Chain (Ch) and the Single Crochet (SC), Back Loop Only (BLO) stitches. 

Materials Needed

Crochet hook size J (6.00 mm) UK Sz. 4

Standard 4-ply Yarn

Measuring Tape

Tapestry Needle

Instructions

Crochet a chain that measures 10 inches* (10") in length (the number of stitches aren’t important).

SC in the back side of each Ch across, Ch 1 (if you don’t know how to crochet in the back side of a chain, watch the YouTube video posted below).

*SC (BLO) all the way across, Ch 1**

Repeat from * to ** until project reaches 15”. Leave off the last SC. Pull through a length of yarn about 25” long.

Fold the hat in half (inside out – though with this pattern the hat appears to look fine either way) so that it measures 7.5” across.

Sew the 25” yarn into the inner loops on both sides of the hat, then weave the needle through the larger holes at what will be the top of your hat wherever your yarn left off on the side. 

Pull tightly, but not so tightly you break your yarn. Then weave through and across the top so that you’ll cover any holes. Sew into stitches that are close to each other. You don’t want the hat to look amateurish when finished with long lengths of yarn that look out of place. To make sure you’ve closed the gap, place your finger through the other side of the hat. If your finger pokes through the hole, sew the hole tighter.

Here is the YouTube video that will show you how to crochet on the back side of your initial chain.

*If you don't want a brim, make your original chain shorter. For an 8-year-old, my original chain was only 8"