Fingerless Gloves: Patterns

The latest craze all over the web is fingerless gloves or wristwarmers.
There are many other names for these cuffs, can you think of a few more?

Part of the allure may come from the fact that you can still wear them inside AND you can still use your touchscreen phone outside.
Of course, these are only suitable for cooler temperatures and not freezing weather!!

Still, they make such a fashion statement.
I made these up last night, just a simple and basic pattern to get the measurements needed for further embellishment.

I'm working on my pattern so stay tuned for it in the next couple of days. In the meantime, here are some free patterns I found on the net that looked really cute:

1) Adeline Fingerless Mitts on crochetdreamz.blogspot.ca
A very unique cabled pattern using chain stitches to create easy "crochet cables"

2) Free Simple Fingerless Gloves by Amy Solovay
Simple starter pattern. Thumb hole is made just by sewing the edges and leaving a gap...

3) Puff Stitch Fingerless Gloves by Olivia on her "My Favourite Things" blog
Really cute puffy textured!!

Crochet Cowl Pattern, Convertible Cowl & Shawl

Extra long cowl crochet pattern: Downloadable.

This is a beautiful and luxurious extra bulky and long cowl. I made it in Cozy Wool (Pewter color) and it's so soft, like wearing a trendy blanket on your neck. I personally love it, and have made a few for others :)

You can wear it multiple ways, up to your nose, or down to your shoulders!
The ribbing is such a nice texture too. Great for cool or COLD weather.
The pattern is good for a size small or medium.

Find the finished product in my Etsy shop (karliboutique).

Purchase my pattern for only $1.99 here. Full email support included!

Materials:

P 10mm Hook
Super Bulky 6 weight yarn 180yds or 164m
(I used Loops and Threads Cozy Wool in Pewter)
Yard Needle

Free Chunky Cowl with Buttons Pattern

I finished this cowl on the weekend and you can find both the matching cowl and headband in my Etsy shop.

It is SUPER soft, made from alpaca and wool blend (40%, 40%), and I just love how the ribbing makes the color pop out!

I have included the pattern that I used to create this original design. The PDF is available here.

Free Crochet Pattern: Ribbed Bulky Cowl with Buttons

By karliboutique

Materials:
P crochet hook (10mm)
2 skeins (230yards or 210m) of 5 weight bulky yarn
(I used alpaca blend Martha Stewart by Lion Brand in Foxglove)
3 wood buttons (38mm in diameter)

Hdc: half double crochet
fpdc: front post double crochet
bpdc: back post double crochet
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch

This pattern is worked side to side.

Main pattern:
Ch 25
Row 1: skip first ch, hdc in each ch across (25 sts)
Row 2: turn, ch1, skip first ch, hdc in each back loop of each following stitch (25sts)
Row3 - 14: turn, ch1, repeat row 2
Row 15: turn, ch2, hdc into the proper st 3rd ch from loop, *fpdc in the second hdc post below, bpdc in the second hdc post below* repeat from * 12 times, hdc into last st (26sts)
Row 16: turn, ch2, hdc into the proper st 3rd ch from loop, *bpdc in the first fpdc below, fpdc in the second st which is a bpdc* repeart from * 12 times, hdc into the last st (26sts)
Row 17 -50: Repeat row 15 and row 16. FPDCs and BPDCs should be maintained to continue growing on the same side throughout.
Row 50: turn, ch2, hdc into each st, skipping last st (25st)
Row 51 – 58: turn, ch2, hdc into the back loop of each st (25st per row)
Row 59 (ch1s made here are for button holes): turn, ch2, hdc into first 6, ch1, hdc into next 5 sts, ch1, hdc into next 5 sts, ch1, hdc into last 6 sts (25sts)
Row 60: turn, ch2, hdc into the back loop of all sts (incl. the ch1s below) (25sts)
Row 61- 65: turn, ch2, hdc into the back loops of all sts across (25sts)
Row 66: finishing: sl st into each st across for edging (25sts)
Tie off, weave in loose ends into wrong side.

Buttons: Align the two hdc sides and sew on three 38mm buttons in the appropriate stitches. Make sure sewing is tight.

© karliboutique
Do not copy or reproduce this pattern without prior permission. Feel free to use for personal purposes. If selling finished product, please credit me for original pattern.
karliboutique.etsy.com

karliboutique.blogspot.ca
kar.li.boutique@gmail.com


Coming soon: Matching ribbed headband pattern:

For more patterns, check out my shop.

Convertible Cowl & Shawl Crochet Pattern

Free Pattern: Ribbed Headband Earwarmer

FREE PATTERN: Simple Ribbed Headband Earwarmer

I whipped up this back loop simple ribbed headband in under an hour, while watching Ellen.
I wanted to try it out with a decorative button and a rounded-end.
I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice in Antique Rose and the photos come out more red but the actual colourway is a deep pink. I really like it and might keep it for myself...or put it on in my shop and make another one.
This pattern only takes about 1/4 of a Vanna's Choice skein.

Free Pattern for download here PDF.    
 Materials:
     H hook
     1/4 Skein Vanna's Choice worsted yarn (4 weight)
     oversized wood button (pictured is 38mm diameter)

    sc = single crochet
    hdc= half double crochet
    sl st = slip stitch









Beginning:
Ch 13
Turn
Row 1: Chain 1, skip first chain, sc across each chain, turn (12sts)
Row 2: Chain 1, skip first chain, sc across each st in back loop only, turn (12sts)
Row 3 and 4: Repeat Row 2, all sc's in back loops

Row 5-34: Chain 1, skip first chain, hdc in the back loop of each stitch across, turn

Rounded end:
Row 35: do not chain 1, sl st in next st, sc across 10 st, sl st last stitch
Row 36: do not chain 1, sl st in next 2 sts, hdc across 8st (both loops), sl st last 2 stitches
Row 37: do not chain 1, sl st in next 3 sts, hdc across 6st (both loops), sl st in last 3 stitches
Row 38: do not chain 1, sl st in next 4 sts, hdc across 4 st(both loops), sl st in last 4 stitches
Row 39: do not chain 1, sl st in next 5 sts, hdc across 2 (both loops), sl st in last 5 stitches

Tie off, weave in ends.
Align ends of headband.
Sew on wood button on top of rounded flap you just created.
This is just a decorative button so sew the button onto the bottom 4 rows of sc's

Feel free to use this and any of my patterns for personal use. If you sell the finished product or post online, I just ask you kindly link back to this page. Enjoy!

Download the PDF for this pattern here.

Cable Chunky Headband

I just listed this scarlet red cable chunky headband in my shop.


It's made from mostly FPDC and BPDC, and in a size 3 Satin Sport Yarn. Isn't it so Valentiney?
At the back, the wrap is adorned with, you guess it, an oversized wood button!

I adapted it from a free pattern on the Oodles 4 Noodles site, by Carrie.
I made a few so I have to get rid of some because let's face it, I will never be able to wear all my headbands in my entire lifetime!!
While I followed the general outline, I had to add rows at important transition sites since I used a finer yarn and smaller hook for the detailing and to make the cables really pop out. Check out Carrie's site for lots more fun free crochet patterns!!

Yarn Weights Deciphered

I often get confused with different naming methods on yarn labels and want to set some definitions straight. This is especially true when I find that some brands use names/types and numbers interchangeably but I don’t know what is comparable to what?!

YARN WEIGHT: means the thickness of yarn being used to create fabric, combined with the hook size (crocheters), the weight can influence the gauge, bulkiness, texture and size of the finished product

YARN TYPE: Just the common commercial name given to different weights, usually listed on the label but may not always accompany a number.

WRAP METHOD: A practical way to deduce the weight of a random yarn (maybe unmarked from a thrift store or hand-me-down yarn) .

String/wrap the yarn around a ruler or the straight edge of a crochet hook. Ensure the yarn is flat across the spirals. Push the yarn together to eliminate spaces and gaps. Make sure the wrap is not too taut or too dangly and loose. Measure how many “spirals” span 2.5cm or 1 inch. The WRAP PER INCH (WPI) can help you identify the weight of an unmarked yarn.

Going by the Standard Yarn Weight System set out by the Craft Yarn Council, here are some common Yarn Types and what they mean in size:

Yarn Type (US/Canada Labels)	Standard Yarn Weight System (US)	Wraps per inch (WPI)	Example
Super Bulky (Super Chunky), Roving	6   or   Super Bulky	5-6	Loops & Threads Country Loom
Bulky, Chunky (or Heavy Worsted), Rug, Craft	5  or   Bulky	7	Lion Brand Wool-Ease
Worsted* (Common) Afghan, Aran	4   or  Medium	9	Red Heart Super Saver
DK (Double Knitting) Light Worsted	3   or  Light	11	Bernat Satin Sport
Sport**, Baby	2   or   Fine	12-13	Lion Brand Vanna’s Glamour
Fingering, Baby, Sock	1   or  Superfine	14-17	Bernat Baby
Thread, Lace, Cobweb	0   or   Lace	18++	Lion Brand Stainless Steel

*"Worsted": Is probably the most common yarn type you will come across in patterns. Its medium weight is versatile for a range of textures and gauges. It's most commonly used in creating wearable items in general.

The term worsted is derived from an English village in Norfolk, Worstead, which was a major yarn producing centre in the 12th century.
In modern times, worsted usually refers to tightly twisted woolen yarn spun from long-staple wool. 

**”Sport”: actually has nothing to do with gym time or athletic endeavours. It usually means the fabric created is about as thick as the usual weight attributed to women’s sportswear. Sport weight is popular for thinner sweaters.

Left to Right:
Bernat Satin Sport (3)
Red Heart Soft (4)
LionBrand MS Alpaca (5)

Loops and Threads Cozy Wool (6)

And yes, there is a Craft Yarn Council! 

Who knew? This is their mandate:

"The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) represents the leading yarn companies, accessory manufacturers, magazine, book publishers, and consultants in the yarn industry. For more than 25 years the Council has sponsored a wide range of promotional and educational programs, including its highly acclaimed Certified Instructors Program and its popular Knit-Out and Crochet events, which offer a meeting place for the nation's knitters and crocheters."

Well, I'm glad someone is out there regulating all this yarny business!!

Buttons, buttons, buttons!!!

THIS JUST IN!!!
I just received a large shipment of wooden buttons to finish off my crochet fashions!!
I'm so excited because they are so stylish and the possibilities are endless.
I'm really into HUGE oversized buttons right now. They just look so trendy on a cowl, headband, or hat.

Here is a photo of what came in the mail today:

There are 30mm diameter ones and also some 40mm ones. I'm going on the hunt for even LARGER buttons now.

Aren't they so beautiful??







Aside from wooden buttons, I am also obsessed with fabric-covered buttons because for some pieces, they are just so glamorous and "cute as a button" (puntacular, I know). I started making them myself and now I can style buttons to go with the shades of yarn I'm using!

Here are some fabric-covered buttons I have made and are now featured in my shop:

Which ones are your favourites?!

FIRST POST!

Hello, everyone!
Thanks for visiting my blog!
This is my very first post and and I'm still learning the ropes of this fandangled thing so bear with me!
I hope to be able to share with you the musings of my life as a full-time graduate student and part-time Etsy shopkeeper. I opened my shop early in January 2013 so I'm still quite a rookie. It's been a fun and challenging experience though :)

I am OBSESSED with yarn and crocheting. I love creating fashionable items, because you know it will be unique!! I love cables and buttons at the moment so I'm incorporating them into a lot of my designs.
Other things I enjoy include loose-leaf tea, the show Happy Endings, and SHOPPING SHOPPING SHOPPING!!!

Some things you can look forward to in my blog:

• free crochet patterns
• tutorials
• yarn comparisons
• shopping-related topics
• features from my Etsy shop (karliboutique)

EXCITING NEWS: 
I am currently being featured on the Alberta Street Team Etsy Blog front page!

FEATURES:
Below are some of my featured items in my Etsy Shop: karliboutique:

Cabled Beanie Hat with Buttons (Soft Yarn)

Thea Split Pea Beanie (Split Cables) with Buttons

Ribbed Chunky Scarf in Light Grey Alpaca & Wool Blend