Psychedelic Doilies

Its getting crochetzy up in here.

Rocky Horror CAL Week 3

It’s week three of our Rocky Horror blanket crochet along! To see all the panels released so far and find more info about the pattern click here. Or purchase on Ravelry with the button below.
 

I have good news and bad news and good news. There’s only one panel this week! But it’s huge. But it’s simple! I mean really, it’s just a jump to the left … and then a step to the riiiiiight. 

 

The Time Warp Panel

The Time Warp - week three of the Rocky Horror Blanket crochet along.

This panel is quadruple the size of a normal 25 x 25 panel but the design isn’t complicated so it works up faster than you may think. Also, not too many ends to weave in! The optional surface slip stitching detail really brings it all together. I used leftover red metallic yarn from my title banner. 

Want to join the fun? Hop on over to Ravelry to buy now.

 

Happy Hooking,

Jessica 

 

Rocky Horror CAL Week 2

It’s week two of our Rocky Horror Picture Show Crochet Along and three new panels released this week!

Rocky Horror Graphghan

To see all the updated panels so far click here. In only two weeks we already have 7 panels!

Click here for all the details and to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

Okay, now on to the new panels!

Transylvanian 

We can’t do the time warp with out Transylvanians! 

Transylvanian c2c square from the Rocky Horror crochet along

Columbia 

She tap danced into our hearts and never left. I wanted her outfit to be full of glam and glitz but it was some trial and error. I used a gilt eyelash yarn from Hobby Lobby and held it along side a neutral yarn. In the end she looked like a muppet so I trimmed all the fuzzy yarn back so she wasn’t so fluffy. I’m still finding yarn glitter in my house. 

Columbia c2c square from the Rocky Horror crochet along.

Eddie

Who is Columbia without her Eddie? I did a surface slip stitch for the cut on his head. Then I may have lost my mind (jury’s still out) by doing something I never thought I’d do for a crochet along. I used a Sharpie to add the leopard print detail to his jacket!

Eddie c2c graphghan square for the Rocky Horror crochet along.

We’ve come so far in just two weeks! I can’t wait to show you what’s coming next week. 

Rocky Horror graphghan blanket progress week 2.

If you want to join the fun, hop on over to Ravelry and purchase the pattern. 

Pin it for later!

Rocky Horror CAL Week 2 graphs

Rocky Horror CAL Week 1

It’s week 1 of our Rocky Horror Picture Show Crochet Along!

To learn more about the Rocky Horror Graphghan you can find more information  here. Click here to purchase the pattern on Ravelry.

 

This CAL is going to fly through October so we’re off to a fast start. Three panels were released this week!

Riff Raff

 

Magenta

I love the way the striping turned out in her hair. I had THE HARDEST TIME picking a yarn for her.

Magenta graphghan from the Rocky Horror crochet along.

Brad and Janet

Ugh, I had such a hard time capturing the details of this one on film. 

Brad and Janet graphghan from the Rocky Horror Crochet Along

With the pre-released title banner, this is how far we’ve come after just week 1 of the CAL! It’s really hard to get the exposure on my photos balanced with these color combos. Poor Brad and Janet look so washed out below. 

Rocky Horror Crochet Along Week 1

Stay tuned next week for more Transylvanian hooking! Click here to keep up with all the CAL updates. 

Riff Raff, Magenta, and Brad & Janet are all released on week 1 of the Rocky Horror Crochet along

How to Estimate Yardage for a Graphghan

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Estimating Yardage in Graphghans

In this article I’m going to show you how to estimate yardage for a graphghan no matter what stitch you use and how to determine how much yarn to wrap on your bobbins while working a graph.
 
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I am stubbornly resistant to giving yardage estimates for my crochet alongs because it can vary so widely from hooker to hooker based on hook size, yarn, personal tension, and stitch choice. You could use the same hook, yarn, and stitch as me and still end up with a different amount of yarn based on your tension. It’s maddening. However, I can help you calculate you’re own estimate for how much yarn you will need for a graphghan.
 
How to estimate yardage for crocheting graphghans.

How to estimate yardage for a graphghan

To estimate how much yarn you will need, first do a small sample gauge of your stitch. This will work no matter your stitch choice. There are many different stitches that can be used when crocheting a graph. I’ve highlighted three of the most popular in this article. Work up a few stitches in your method of choice, whether it’s c2c, bobble, hdc, etc.
 
Now frog a single stitch or “tile” represented in the graph and measure how much yarn one tile of the graph uses. Once you know how much yarn you personally need per tile you can easily multiple that number by the number of blocks in a graph.
Note: I use the words “tile” and “block” interchangeable when talking about graphs.
Many of the panels in my nerdy graphghans are 25 x 25 tiles large which is a total of 625 blocks. Okay, now you can estimate how much yarn you’ll need for one full panel, but what about the individual colors represented in a graph? 
 
Pictured below is a panel from my Elf Graphghan. There are 625 total tiles but only 38 of those tiles are green. Using the method above, you can calculate how much green yarn you’ll need for this panel. 
 
Buddy the Elf crochet blanket. Jack in the box.
 

How much yarn do I need on my bobbin?

Easy peasy! Count the number of blocks of a certain color that you want to put on your bobbin. I said before that there are 38 green tiles on the graph above but they are split into two different areas. Those are two different bobbins or sections of yarn. When I count the tiles in the shirt section of the Jack in the Box there are 31 tiles. So you would measure out the amount of yarn you need to work 31 of your stitches and wrap that onto your bobbin. Make sure to leave room for weaving in ends!

It’s that simple!

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Confession time. No, I don’t physically measure my yarn with a tape measure when doing my graphghans. I’m an eyeballer. I visually know the general amount of yarn a tile takes me so I quickly count out how many tiles I need from a skein all will nilly and wrap my bobbin. What can I say, I like to live dangerously. I never end up with too little yarn but sometimes do find myself with a little too much yarn. No bigs, I just save it on the bobbin for the next time I need that color. 🤷‍♀️

I hope that helps and that you’re now able to confidently calculate how much yardage you need for a graphghan! If you have anymore questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. 

 

Jessica Bowman

Spice Market Cowl Crochet Pattern

I have another free crochet pattern for you today as part of the International Crochet Month Designer Showcase with Underground Crafter! I’m just catching the tail end of it but all month long amazing designers and members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) have been offering free or discounted patterns for International Crochet Month. Click here to find all the info and patterns. There’s also a big giveaway happening so make sure to click over!

If you’re not a member of the CGOA, I recommend you check it out. There’s a small annual fee but you receive many benefits including free patterns, member discounts, access to educational classes and programs, and a subscription to Crochet! Magazine. Plus, you can find or start local chapters of the guild which can be a great way to find a community of other hookers in your area. We’re moving this summer and I’m definitely going to try to find a CGOA chapter in my new town! Click here to learn more about the Crochet Guild of America and to join now.

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Spice Market Spike Cowl

If you follow me on Instagram you’ve seen me teasing this scarf and her sister pattern for a bit now. It’s a lightweight cowl that is perfect for this warmer spring weather and it’s a simple pattern that’s easy enough for a beginner. You can find the free pattern below or as always you can purchase the inexpensive ad-free PDF for easy printing on Ravelry or Etsy with the links at the bottom of this post.

Spice Market Spike Cowl Crochet Pattern using Darn Good Yarn

The name of this pattern comes from the unique yarn used to make the spikes. This 100% silk yarn is made by Darn Good Yarn and is handmade in India by local women using upcycled saris. Every skein is unique and you never know the exotic color combos you’ll end up with but they’ll always have lots of bright color and beautiful shine from the silk.  Mine had lots of greens, pinks, oranges, and blues, which I loved because it’s such a funky, psychedelic combo.

Spice Market Silk Yarn by Darn Good Yarn

You can learn more about the yarn here. It retails for 16.99 a skein (100 grams) but I received mine with my Darn Good Yarn of the Month subscription which is $10 a month (plus shipping). The monthly subscription box includes one skein of yarn, a free pattern, and a mystery gift. One time my mystery gift was a whole second skein of yarn! If you’re interested in joining the Yarn of the Month club you can use my link to get your first month free. Click here to activate the offer for one free month of Darn Good Yarn.

Yarn

Color A

Loops and Threads Soft and Shiny

Medium 4 Weight (100% acrylic)

Color (Gray) 1 skein

 

Color B

Darn Good Yarn Spice Market

DK 3 Weight (100% silk)

1 skein

 

Yardage

105 yards

 

Gauge

13 sts and 18 rows in sc = 4”

 

Hook

US 8H 5mm

 

Size

4” x 16” (laid flat)

 

Terminology

All crochet in US terms

 

Stitches and Abbreviations

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

sl st – slip stitch

SS – spike stitch

 

Stitch Guide

Spike Stitch

Insert hook in specified space below current row, draw up a long loop to height of current row; yarn over and draw through both loops on hook.

Notes

  1. Each round will be joined with a slip stitch to beginning sc of round.
  2. When switching to color B there is no need to cut off color A. Simply set it down and pick it back up again when needed.
  3. For longer infinity scarf, chain a multiple of 3 and then follow pattern instructions, ignoring stitch counts.

Easy Crochet Pattern - Spice Market Spike Cowl

Get the Free Pattern Now

Instructions

In color A, chain 99, sl st to first ch to join.

Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each st around. 99 sts

Round 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around.

Round 3: Ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, ch 1, sk next st; repeat from * around. 66 sc, 33 ch-1 sps

Round 4: Ch 1, sc in each sc and ch-1 sp around.

99 sc (Do not cut yarn)

Round 5: With color B join with sl st in first st, ch 1, *in next ch-1 sp (2 rows below) work 3 SS; repeat from * around. 99 SS. Cut yarn B.

Rounds 6-15: Repeat rows 1-5 (twice), beginning round 1 with color A.

Rounds 16-18: With color A ch 1, sc in each st around. 99 sc

 

Cut yarn, tie off, and weave in ends. Easy Peasy!

 

Purchase the ad-free PDF

If you’d like the printable version you purchase it at the links below.

 

Happy  Hooking!

Jessica