Free Crochet Pattern: Lazy Wave Hand Towel

We just finished remodeling our basement and I needed a hand towel for the new bathroom. I looked everywhere but couldn't find one I liked, so I decided to make one myself. But I had no idea what to make or what colors to use. The basement is neutral in different shades of beige, brown and grey. Then it hit me - I would copy the wavy design in the throw pillows on the couch.

It had been a long time since I'd made a chevron or ripple afghan so I needed a refresher course. I found this great 5 part video tutorial that helped me come up with this pattern.

Materials:
- Crochet hook size H - 5mm
- Worsted weight cotton yarn in colors of your choice (I used Loops & Threads Cotton Club yarn from Michaels because that was the only brand that made grey cotton yarn!)



Stitches:
- chain (ch)
- double crochet (dc)
- dc decrease: Yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook into next stitch and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops, (there should now be 3 loops on the hook). Yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

I didn't write down when I changed colors, I just freehanded it.

With yarn color of your choice
Ch 51
Row 1: dc in 4th ch from hook, dc in next 3 ch, [dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 3 ch, 2dc in next 2 ch, 1 dc in next 3 chs] 3 times, dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 2 ch, 2dc in last ch, ch 3, turn (45).
Row 2: dc in next 3 dc, [dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc] 3 times, dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in last dc, ch 3, turn (45).
Rows 3-41: dc in next 3 dc, [dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next 2 dc, 1 dc in next 3 dc] 3 times, dc decrease, dc decrease, 1 dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in the 3rd ch of the ch 3 you made at the end of the previous row, ch 3, turn (45).
Finish off and weave in ends.

My Favorite Free Crochet Patterns: Chunky Cowl

Do you ever buy yarn not knowing exactly what you are going to make it into? I bought some extra bulky off-white yarn a couple of years ago. I tried making it into a drop stitch scarf, but I'm not much of a knitter and it didn't look right. So I tried to make it into a hat, but again it didn't look right. It had been so long that I lost the wrapper to the yarn and didn't even know what kind of yarn it was or what to do with it.

And then I found this free pattern. It was the perfect use for my yarn! It works up quickly and you only need to know two stitches - two stitches I had never used before so I learned something new in the process :) I've made two so far to give as Christmas presents and I'm working on a third. The third one I'm making using some grey yarn I've had sitting around for a while, but it's not bulky weight so I'm holding two strands of yarn together as I work.

I followed one of the suggestions given in the comments to the pattern. After I made the cowl, I gave it a twist before sewing the ends together. I love it!

Free Crochet Pattern: Autumn Garland

As we are remodeling our basement I keep thinking of ideas for decorating my sons' playroom. I am obsessed with making garland to decorate for each season or holiday. Garland isn't just for Christmas anymore!

I made mine in shades of orange, red and yellow, but I think it would also look pretty in shades of green. Here it the free pattern for my autumn garland.

Materials:
- Size E/4 crochet hook
- Worsted weight acrylic yarn in tan and brown for acorns and in colors of your choice for leaves
- Yarn needle
- Small amount of polyfil for stuffing acorns.

Stitches:
Chain (ch)
Double crochet (dc)
Double loop start or magic ring
Half double crochet (hdc)
Single crochet (sc)
Single crochet together/decrease (sc2tog)
Slip stitch (sl st)

With brown yarn, chain 315. This will be the base chain that you sew the leaves and acorns to.

OAK LEAF
With yarn in your choice of color
Ch 5
Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each chain across, ch 1, turn (4).
Row 2: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 3: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (8).
Row 4: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (10).
Row 5: sc2tog, sc in next 6 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (8).
Row 6: sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 7: sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (4).
Row 8: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (4).
Row 9: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 10: sc in each sc across, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 11: 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in last sc, ch 1, turn (8).
Row 12: sc2tog, sc in next 4 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (6).
Row 13: sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc, sc2tog, ch 1, turn (4).
Row 14: [sc2tog] 2 times, ch 1, turn (2).
Row 15: sc2tog, ch 1, turn (1).
Row 16: 4 sc into remaining sc.
Finish off.
Stem:
Start by leaving a 6" tail
Ch 8
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.
Finish off leaving a 6" tail. Sew one end of stem to Row 1 of leaf and the other end of the stem to the foundation chain. I counted along 15 chains on the foundation chain and then sewed my first leaf to the chain. I placed all of the leaves and acorns 15 chains apart, leaving 15 free chains at the beginning and end of the foundation chain.

MAPLE LEAF: I followed the pattern here.

SMALLER LEAF:
Ch 7
Sc in 2nd ch from hook, hdc in next ch, dc in next 3 chs, [2hdc, ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook, 2hdc] in last ch. Working on opposite side of foundation chain, dc in next 3 chs, hdc in next ch, sc in last ch. Join with sl st into first sc of rnd.
Stem:
Start by leaving a 6" tail
Ch 7
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across.
Finish off leaving a 6" tail. Sew one end of stem to the leaf and the other end of the stem to the foundation chain.

ACORN:
With tan yarn
Rnd 1: 6 sc into a double loop start and pull the loop closed (6).
Rnd 2: [sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (9).
Rnd 3: [sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc] 3 times (12).
Rnds 4-5: sc in each sc around (12).
Switch to brown yarn
Rnd 6: sl st in each sc around (12).
Row 7: sc in the tops of Rnd 5 behind the sl st in Rnd 6 (12). Stuff with polyfil.
Row 8: [sc2tog] 6 times (6).
Finish off leaving an 18" tail. Weave tail through remaining 6 sc and pull up firmly to close the hole. Insert your hook into the top center of the acorn and pull up a loop. Ch 5 to form the stem. Sew to foundation chain.