Free Crochet Pattern | Rinske Square

Let me introduce you to my latest free crochet granny square I've named Rinske. I've partnered with the talented Julie Yeager Designs and her 2019 Block a Week series to share with you a 12" (30.5cm) square that's loaded with typical Felted Button color and texture. 

Book Review, Crochet Cute Critters

When I first picked up my hook as an adult to begin crocheting, I did as I typically do when learning new things...I try the skill in as many ways as possible. That meant: something flat in rows, something flat in the round, mixing up stitch placements, shaping with short rows, and on and on. One of the techniques I really had fun with was making amigurumi--those soft and 3D toys and objects that are so cute and full of variety. My boy was young, and he loved the squishy little critters I made him that could be so personalized--and the pretend that was possible with them. Today I'm hopping in to share with you the perfect book for a beginner to have a go at making an alphabet of amigurumi critters.

Waikiki Wildflower Blanket Pattern Anew

When I contemplate the beginnings of Felted Button, one of my fondest memories is the creation of my Waikiki Wildflower Blanket inspired by my trips to the beaches of Hawaii. The yarn that I used to make it was a brightly-colored superwash wool that has since been discontinued, so I decided an update was in order.

I recruited the help of a friend, Sabrina, who has a knack with both crochet and photography. You can see some of her beautiful crochet on Instagram at SabrinaStitches. She offered (or rather I coerced her) to remake the blanket with some bright and happy Scheepjes Cahlista* a delightfully soft and "easy-on-the hands" no fuzz, 100% cotton yarn. Wanna see?

Photo used courtesy of Sabrina Newton.

Prism Blanket Make-a-Long MAL

I'm thrilled to be announcing something that's been in the works for quite some time now...

So what's a Scheepjes Make-A-Long (MAL), you may ask? It's a bit like having your own personal crochet club, one that meets at your convenience from the comfort of your own home and joins together with friends to crochet a project, share progress, ask questions and rejoice in your love for crochet and yarn! I'm tickled that for this MAL we will be making one of my designs--a colorful blanket with lots of texture, color and interest called the Prism Blanket. 

Riverstone Asanas -- Updated Blanket Pattern

One of the most gratifying things about designing crochet patterns is seeing what people are able to do with my patterns as a spark of inspiration to make a piece uniquely their own. Just recently, a fellow crocheter, April, shared with me a little tweaking she did with my Asanas Blanket pattern. 

Photo used courtesy of April Luescher

Isn't it beyond lovely!? And she has been kind enough to write up all the details for you so you can make one of your own. Here's April...

Scheepjes Yarn Reef and Skies

Some crochet can be ugly. I'll admit it. Sometimes it's just lumpy, old-fashioned and tacky. But then there's that crochet that makes your heart sing--that is true fiber art--beautiful, functional, stylish, trend-setting. YARN book-a-zine is all of that and more. The newest edition of the book-a-zine was just released and it is a sight to behold, I tell ya!

Not a tacky or unstylish thing in there--just mind-blowing creative bliss.

Here are just a few of my favorites from this issue...

Window to the Whirl Part 2

Last week I shared the free crochet pattern for Part 1 of my Window to the Whirl Blanket which included the panel with the nifty little "windows" created by the intermeshing crochet technique. Today I'm sharing Part 2 of the blanket. This section, made with its own coordinating Scheepjes Whirl, is really rhythmic and relaxing but perfectly highlights the gradient fade of the yarn. Let's get on with the details of how you can crochet your own.

When you've completed your intermeshing panel, grab your second whirl. The one below is Murderous Mint (C) from the Scheepjes Whirl Ombre Collection and your Whirlette in Liquorice (A), and poise that hook.

Window to the Whirl Free Crochet Pattern Part 1

The flowers of spring are now officially proclaiming their presence here in Utah--the pinks and purples of the phlox, the vibrant red tulips, the bright white blooms of candytuft, the pale pink floral popcorn adorning the cherry trees, and brilliant yellow of the creeping buttercups. They all make me happy as they foretell of the warm and colorful days of summer. But no matter the time of year, my hook stays busy trying to keep up with the colorful ideas in my head. Remember my Window to the Whirl Blanket that I shared here?

Today I'm sharing Part 1 of the crochet pattern with you. Why only Part 1? I quickly realized during the pattern writing phase, that this pattern took a little bit of explaining beyond what some other designs might require. And a blog post with the whole pattern might be a bit overwhelming for you and for me. So I'm sharing Part 1 today, and will provide Part 2 next week in a separate post to simplify things a bit. Next week the PDF for the whole pattern will be available for a small fee--ad-free and with all the pictures in a section together so printing is easy peasy.

So let's get on with the pattern for Part 1, which is this panel--Section 1...

Window to the Whirl Blanket Reveal

In my part of the world, the crocuses and hyacinths have peeked through the ground, the forsythia is shouting in bright yellow blossoms, and in some southern facing flower beds the daffodils are in bloom! I'm still waiting on the tulips, but it will be soon, very soon. All these flowers spark my dream of opening my own flower shop one day. For now, I'm happy to sit and crochet in the crisp spring air that smells of freshness and sounds of birds getting ready for new birth. Today I even put out my wee table and green chairs--perfect for crocheting outdoors.

Speaking of crochet...remember the yarny peek I showed you last week?  I've since worked out the border and my Window to the Whirl Blanket is officially finished!

A Window into my WIP

Helllloooo, my beautiful friends! I hope things have been wonderful in your little part of the world and that you've had lots of time to crochet and enjoy the changing seasons. I'm particularly in love with this time of year--spring in Utah--where the crocus and daffodils peek through the oft-times snow-covered ground and offer a hint of pending warmth and color and outdoor play! Besides being yarn and color-obsessed, I'm a bit flower obsessed. So is my daughter, Lizzie. For years, we've dreamed of opening a floral shop together so we can smell, arrange, display and design with colorful blooms. And this season always re-ignites that desire. Even when that dream comes to fruition, I'll still never abandon my love for hook and yarn. Last week I shared a few things that were on my hook, but today I'm popping in to show you a "sneaky peeky" of my latest crocheted blanket happiness.