FaveCrafts

1000s of free craft projects, home decor ideas and DIY tips

Adorable Granny Square Scarf + 10 More Uses for Granny Squares

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When it comes to crochet, I simply can’t get enough granny square patterns. I love them. Granny squares are the perfect way to add unique designs to virtually any crochet project. With the right colors, they can make your project decadent and elegant or stylish and kitschy, which makes them incredibly useful and versatile. While most crafters tend to use granny squares for afghans, I like to experiment. It’s fun to see how many different projects you can use them with.

Adorable Granny Square Crochet Scarf Pattern

I recently discovered this Adorable Granny Square Crochet Scarf Pattern from Red Heart Yarn, and it incorporates a new granny square design in a phenomenal way. With this pattern, the granny square is used to build a crochet scarf that’s beautiful and very eye-catching. The scarf is so ornate that you would think it was made by a leading fashion designer. That’s the beauty of it. Even more beautiful is the fact that this crochet scarf pattern is easy to duplicate. With just a handful of materials, you could use this crochet scarf pattern to make a piece so stunning that you’ll have family and friends asking you where you bought that magnificent scarf.

Love it yet? Find the printable pattern on FaveCrafts!

10 More Cute Granny Square Patterns:

  1. Nouveau Chic Granny Throw
  2. Flower Granny Poncho
  3. Granny Square Sweater Crochet Pattern
  4. Autumn Granny Afghan
  5. Granny Square Crochet Shorts – wait WHUUU?!
  6. Multi-Color Granny Slippers
  7. Granny Square Cabin Rug
  8. Southern Cross Afghan
  9. Granny Square Crochet Purse
  10. Granny Square Scarf

I’ve shown you one of my favorite granny square projects. What’s your favorite way to use your granny squares?

For the Love of the Granny Stitch: Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

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I left my hat on the train the other day. The family and I were coming back from an event downtown. It was late, we were tired, and I took my hat off right before I closed my eyes for a train ride snooze session. When I woke up at our stop, I had completely forgotten that I had removed my hat. I didn’t realize that I wasn’t wearing it until we were already on our way home from the train station. By then, the train had moved on to the next stop, and my beautiful crochet hat was riding the rails all alone. After I was done being mad at myself, I pulled out my phone and took to the Internet in search of an easy crochet hat pattern.

I fell in love with this easy crochet hat pattern when I first laid eyes on it. It’s beautiful, stylish, and uses the granny stitch to create a hat that is comfy, cozy, and eye-catching. The best part is, this easy crochet hat can be whipped up in no time! With work kicking into high gear after the holidays, I don’t have the time I’d like for making a detailed and intricate piece for my head. This easy crochet hat pattern takes my time into consideration and still makes something that I’m absolutely thrilled about wearing out and about on our next trip downtown. I’ll make a note to put my hat in my pocket the next time that I decide to take it off. 

For the Love of the Granny Stitch Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

You’ll Love This Easy Crochet Hat Pattern

By Katy Petersen for redheart.com

 

MATERIALS

  • RED HEART® Grande™: 1 ball each of 3927 Chianti A and 941 Barley B
  • Susan Bates® Crochet Hook: 11.5mm [US P-16]
  • Yarn needle

GAUGE: 6 dc = 4½” (11.5 cm); 4 rows = 4″ (10 cm)

Finished Size: Hat measures 20 (22½)” [51 (57) cm] circumference at brim.

 

NOTES

  1. Easy Crochet Hat is worked in joined rounds with right side facing.
  2. To change color, work last stitch of old color to last yarn over. Yarn over with new color and draw through all loops on hook to complete stitch. Proceed with new color. Cut old color.

 

Special Technique

Adjustable-ring method = Wrap yarn into a ring, ensuring that the tail falls behind the working yarn. Grip ring and tail firmly between middle finger and thumb. Insert hook through center of ring, yarn over (with working yarn) and draw up a loop. Work stitches of first round in ring, working over both strands (the tail and the ring). After the first round of stitches is worked, pull gently, but firmly, on tail to tighten ring.

 

DIRECTIONS
Directions for this easy crochet hat pattern make a size small. Changes for size large are in parentheses.

 

 

HAT
With A, make an adjustable ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 8 (9) dc in ring; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—9 (10) dc. Pull gently on tail to close ring.

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in each dc around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—18 (20) dc.

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch; change to B—27 (30) dc.

 

Size Small Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around to last dc, dc in last dc; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—13 two-dc groups and 1 dc.

Rounds 5 and 6: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 7: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, *2 dc in next space between 2-dc groups; repeat from * 11 times, 2 dc in space before last dc, dc in space between last dc and beginning ch; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

 

Size Large Only:
Round 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, skip next dc, *2 dc in next dc, skip next dc; repeat from * around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch—15 two-2 dc groups.

Rounds 5–7: Slip st in next dc, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch.

Round 8: Slip st in next dc; change to A, slip st in space before next 2-dc group, ch 3, dc in same space, 2 dc in each space between 2-dc groups around; join with slip st in top of beginning ch. Fasten off.

 

FINISHING
Weave in all ends.

 

ABBREVIATIONS
A, B = Color A, Color B; ch = chain(s); dc = double crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); * = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

I’m always on the lookout for more fantastic hats! What are some of your favorite winter hats to crochet?

19 Ingenious Uses for DIY Doilies

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I love learning how to crochet charming and stunning crochet doily patterns. They easily add texture to surfaces all over your home and can really protect your more expensive wooden surfaces from the bumps and bruises of glass tchotchkes or knick knacks. The problem is too many doilies on too many surfaces starts too look a bit like you’re living in an antique store. Now don’t get me wrong, I love some good doily on doily action, but there are even more exciting ways to use your crochet doily patterns and projects once you have finished them! For some ideas, the editors of FaveCrafts turned to our active Facebook audience for their suggestions. Check out what our friends had to say!

19 Ingenious Uses

19 Ingenious  Uses for Doilies

  1. Use doilies on mixed media projects like these stunning journals. –Johana Laskso

    Mixed Media Doily Idea

    Image courtesy of Nooti

  2. Frame them with a contrasting background and hang as art. –Deborah C. Harding
  3. Rugs in doll’s houses. – Melanie Rayner
  4. Transform your finished crochet and lace doily patterns into delicate and decorative bowls. – Tiffany from Cool2CraftLovely Lace Doily Dowls
  5. Put a doily at the center of a ring and hang it with feathers and beads to make a dream catcher. – Pamela Heath
  6. Use them on purses, towels, hats, and t-shirt! –Marie Rust
  7. I’ll put a doily half in and hanging out of a drawer. It’s a really pretty accent! Especially on dresser drawers. – Gloria Belanger Baker
  8. Attached to a piece of velvet and framed in an embroidery hoop makes a lovely wall hanging. – Waneta Snyder Miles
  9. String smaller crochet doily patterns onto a necklace for a soft and lacy accent for your wardrobe. – Maya Kuzman from thelittletreasures.blogspot.com
    Crocheted Doily DIY Necklace
  10. Add them to lampshades by sewing them onto singlets and tops. – Myshelle Cole
  11. Attach to the bottom of a skirt as trim.– Myshelle Cole
  12. Hang them as wallhangings. – Myshelle Cole
  13. Combine doilies to make curtains. – Myshelle Cole
  14. Molded with fabric stiffener to make a doily bowl or made into a cake plate cover. – Gloria Belanger Baker
  15. Use them to add interest while quilting.-Judy Lunsford
  16. Combine multiple doily patterns to make a table runner. – Bernat YarnsSea Glass Table Runner
  17. Use smaller doily patterns as coasters for your home! – Morgan (our newsletter editor!)
  18. Use crochet doily projects as bunting. – Dawn Gardner
  19. Wrap them around your wrist to make a lovely DIY bracelet! – Debby from Arty CraftyDoily Cuff Bracelet

Crochet Doily Patterns We Love

If you are dying to try out one of the ideas above, check out these free crochet doily patterns over on FaveCrafts and AllFreeCrochet for inspiration.

  1. Lacy Doily T-Shirt Yarn Rug
  2. Pretty Doily Crochet Pattern
  3. Tulip Mandala Crochet Pattern
  4. Elegant Crochet Doily
  5. Pansy Doily
  6. Crown of Pineapples Doily
  7. Pinwheel Doily Pattern

How do you like to display your crochet doily projects ?
(We’all add it to the list!)

Seashore Solutions: 23 Crochet Tote Bag Patterns

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So, summer is almost officially here, but you have at least a month before it is actually beach season. The weather isn’t quite as warm as you need it to be to truly enjoy a warm and wonderful day in the sun, sand, and surf. At least, that’s the case for us here in Chicago. If you’re a Florida or California crafter, I am crazy jealous. Either way, one of the best ways to learn how to make a beach bag is to create crochet bag patterns. Crochet tote bag patterns make fantastic beach accessories because they are sturdy without being too heavy. Plus, if you make them lacy enough, the sand can fall right through or you can easily line these light crochet patterns to make clean-up simple.

Sometimes it can be hard to find the right crochet patterns to hook up in the summer. Bulky projects like an afghan can’t travel, and you won’t wear a new crochet scarf pattern for months! Make something you can bring along on road trips and actually use the next day when you make the sunshine-approved crochet bag patterns in Seashore Solutions 23 Crochet Tote Bag Patterns.

Crochet Bag Patterns for Summer

Seashore Solutions: 23 Crochet Tote Bag Patterns

Beach Bag Free Crochet Patterns

These free crochet patterns are beach day essentials. Simply stunning and perfect for carting your sunscreen and beach reads, these crochet projects will surely find a home atop your beach towel.

Coastal Beach Bag

Desert Sunset Tote Bag

Summer Tote Bag Patterns

In the summer, you’re exploring all sorts of places. Whether you’re flip flopping your way to the Farmer’s Market or sipping an iced coffee out on the town, these crochet tote bag patterns have your summer purse needs covered!

Jane Austen Book Club Tote

Eco-Friendly Crochet Tote Bag Pattern

 

Describe the best beach bag you’ve ever had.

16 Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns You’ll Want To Keep For Yourself

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I can speak from personal experience that handmade afghans turn into lifelong keepsake. In fact, I have two homemade blankets that I absolutely adore and consider to be my most treasured items. To me, nothing is more special than knowing someone put so much time and care into the creation of my blankets. When I look at either of these crochet baby blanket patterns, I’m reminded just how much I’m loved, and that’s truly special.

Now it’s your turn to make an impression in someone’s life. Work up one of these free crochet baby blanket patterns before a baby shower or birthday party – mommy and baby will appreciate the warmth and comfort. Baby blankets are one of the most popular types of patterns on FaveCrafts and it’s easy to see why. If you have some sort of crochet knowledge, you can make a baby blanket. You can choose to make a quick and easy baby blanket or work on something more complicated, but either way, you’re sure to make a huge statement.

 

Free Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns

  1. Precious Pink Baby Afghan
  2. Pretty in Pink Baby Blanket
  3. Striped Lavender Baby Blanket
  4. Bluebell Baby Afghan
  5. Peppermint Candy Afghan
  6. Yellow Baby Blanket
  7. The Coziest Crocheted Baby Blanket Ever
  8. Lace Baby Blanket

 

 

Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Ideas

  1. Squares in the Corners Baby Blanket
  2. Beautiful Crochet Baby Blanket
  3. Ruffled Baby Blanket
  4. Gingham Baby Blanket
  5. Baby Block Crochet Blanket
  6. Diamond Bobble Baby Blanket
  7. Easy One Ball Baby Blanket
  8. Bitty Blossom Baby Afghan

 

 

 

 

Looking for more free crochet baby blanket patterns? Check out this collection of 34 Easy Crochet Baby Blanket Patterns, Free Tutorials and More and make sure to save it for a shower or birthday. Baby blankets make great gifts are often saved as keepsakes, so be sure to make one for your favorite little bundle of joy. You’ll find afghans for little boys and girls, as well as gender-neutral afghans that expectant mommies will surely appreciate.

 

 

 

 

What’s your favorite thing to crochet?

 

 

 

16 Beautiful Crocheted Baby Blankets

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Whether you’re welcoming a new little one into your life or you’re just looking for a quick and easy baby blanket to crochet, you’re going to love this adorable collection of sweet baby blankets!  Perfect for little girls and boys, these sweet blankets are great for wrapping your little one in warmth and love.

If you’re getting ready to head to a baby shower this summer, you’re going to want to get started on the Sweetest Baby Blanket pattern.  Perfect for little girls (it could easily be for a little boy, too…just change the yarn colors!), this blanket would make a lovely gift that would last a lifetime.  Kids and adults alike are sure to treasure these precious handmade gifts, and all the time you spent on it will be well worth it when you see the little baby all wrapped up in your creation!

And what baby doesn’t want a cute little lovey blanket?  This You Are My Sunshine Lovey Pattern makes an adorable gift for a new little baby…and is a bright and festive way to welcome a little one into your life!  Use bright fun colors like the pattern suggests to create the perfect summertime afghan…or stick with softer pastel hues to create an equally adorable blanket that baby is sure to treasure.

And no blanket is complete without a little trim!  Scroll on down to the bottom of the post to learn how you can win a book filled with beautiful and exquisite crocheted trim designs!

 

16 Beautiful Baby Blankets

Want even more crocheted baby patterns?  Check out these awesome collection pages:

  

 

Bonus!  Enter to win this beautiful book filled with lovely crocheted trims!  75 Exquisite Trims in Thread Crochet is a fabulous book for crochet fans and it’s filled with amazing trims and finishes that you can add to everything from socks to afghans.  Want to win this book?  Head on over to the giveaway page and register to win!  You have until June 6th to enter, and you can enter to win once a day…so the more you return, the greater your chances of winning this book!  Good luck!

332 Easy Crochet Patterns: The Ultimate Guide

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Love to crochet?  We do, too!  That’s why we’ve taken the best of the best patterns on FaveCrafts and compiled it all into one humongous conglomeration of crafty awesomeness!  In 332 Easy Crochet Patterns:  The Ultimate Guide, you’ll find great tutorials on how to make afghans, sweaters, accessories, home decor, scarves, hats, gloves, and so much more!

Great for living rooms and bedrooms, crochet throws are great for crochet fans of all skill levels. The easy, intermediate, and advanced crochet patterns you’ll find in 25 Crocheted Throws, one of the articles featured in our guide, will help you create lovely throws and afghans for your home. Don’t forget, crocheted afghans make great gifts for friends and loved ones, so be sure to make them a lovely blanket as well! You can find lots of awesome crochet afghan patterns in our 332 Easy Crochet Patterns guide!

And it’s no great secret that the holidays are quickly approaching. In 332 Easy Crochet Patterns, you’ll find a great article filled with more than 20 easy crochet Christmas gifts that work up quickly and easily. From adorable crocheted ornaments to decorations and afghans that would make great gifts for anyone, this collection of crochet patterns is just the thing to help you get through the holiday gift buying slump.

Speaking of the holidays…winter is on its way. Get ready for the cold weather by crocheting some fashionable ear warmers! Crochet ear warmers are great projects for beginning crochet fans. They also make great gifts for teens and tweens of all ages. Embellish your ear warmer with flowers, bows, or other colorful accents using the patterns provided in the article titled 13 Crochet Ear Warmers, one of the many great articles you’ll find in 332 Easy Crochet Patterns. The other great thing about crochet ear warmers is that they don’t use up that much yarn…so this is a great way to use up all that leftover yarn that you have lying around the house.

From colorful afghans to easy clothing and accessories perfect for adults and kids alike, 332 Easy Crochet Patterns:  The Ultimate Guide is sure to be your newest go-to crochet inspiration station!

 

 

 

AllFreeCrochet’s Giveaway: Cute and Easy Crochet Book

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Who doesn’t want some Cute & Easy Crochet patterns to make in the new year? This book is full of just that, cute patterns. We are giving away one copy of Cute & Easy Crochet to one lucky winner.

You will find 35 must-have adorable projects. From purses to dresses and baby patterns to coffee cozies, you won’t be disappointed. If you want to learn crochet then this is a great book as the patterns are easy-to-follow and great for beginners and the more experienced.

Learn more about this book.

Contest ends December 28. You can enter once daily so be sure you come back often. Good luck!

 

Celebrate Your Love of Fiber on I Love Yarn Day!

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Do you knit and crochet or just absolutely adore fiber?  If this describes you, then October 14 is your day to tell the world.  Celebrate I Love Yarn Day along with the Craft Yarn Council this October.  Whether you knit it, crochet it, wear it, post it, tweet it, carry it, share it, give it, or bomb it, you will join fiber enthusiasts around the nation who love yarn just as much as you do!  And by spreading the word about how amazing fiber can be, you might even inspire another knitter or crocheter or two!

Can’t decide how to show your yarn love?  The Craft yarn Council has some great ideas on their website, ILoveYarn.org.  Here are a few of them:

  •     Create an I Love Day Yarn badge
  •     Teach someone to knit or crochet
  •     Do something for charity
  •     Wear a knitted or crocheted item
  •     Give a gift of yarn
  •     Take your yarn to work day
  •     Host a yarn-a-bration party
  •     Knit, crochet and craft in public

We also have several easy knitting and crochet patterns on AllFreeKnitting and AllFreeCrochet that would be great to make and wear on I Love Yarn Day.  Don’t miss a couple of our favorites below!

90 Minute Wasabi Cowl

90 Minute Wasabi Cowl from AllFreeKnitting.com

Sensational Scarf

Sensational Scarf from AllFreeCrochet.com

 

How will you celebrate I Love Yarn Day?  Tell us in the comments! 

10 Crochet Baby Blankets in Our New eBook

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Small fires, small hot dogs, and small children are all more comfortable when enclosed in a blanket. So what could be a more appropriate gift when a new life enters your orbit than a handmade blanket that they can cherish for years to come?  Well, I’m proud to say that if you’ve got an infant you want covered, we at AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns have you covered with our new eBook, 10 Crochet Baby Blankets.

 

If you have the interest,  we’ve got the steps for success.  Beginners can warm up by making the simple and neat Easy One Ball Baby Blanket, while advanced hook-jockeys can try their hand at the rainbow-colored (and aptly-named) Coziest Crocheted Baby Blanket.  For the crocheter on the go, the Squares in the Corners Baby Blanket consists of 36 smaller separate squares, making it ideal to work on piece by piece, or all at once if you happen to have 18 extra hands.  Did I mention that you can download this eBook for free, right now?  Just consider it a congratulatory gift from us to you.

Download 10 Crochet Baby Blankets Today!

What kinds of crafts do you think make the best gifts on the occasion of a new baby?  Leave a comment below and tell us?

Crochet

Jewelry

Knitting

Paper

Sewing

Thrifty