Thanks for stopping by my journal!

My journal is friends only, but things like crochet work are posted publicly. Anything more personal is locked, and you can only view it if you're on my friends list.

If you would like to add me to your friends list, please feel free. I will very likely add you back. Please be sure to let me know where I know you from and what name I would best know you by if it is different than the one you're using on Live Journal.

Thanks again for coming!

As it turns out, I don't really need this journal anymore, but I will continue to keep it open in the event that I do wish to come back and submit an entry. Otherwise, here are some other places to find me:

Deviant Art - http://midnightfury.deviantart.com
LJ - midnightfury
Blog Spot: http://trinketcrochet.blogspot.com/
Etsy: http://catniptrinket.etsy.com

Because I work outside my home, I can't make lots of things for my Etsy shop. So I only have three things for sale there.

To see my Etsy shop, click the following link: http://www.etsy.com/shop.php?user_id=5109733&show_panel=true

If you don't like what's there, I have examples of other things I've done in my crochet gallery on Deviant Art: http://fuzzyyarn.deviantart.com
I'll custom make anything you see there.

I bought a bunch of Red Heart Super Saver in "Cherry Chip" because I loved the color. When it's all wrapped up in a skein, it looks really pretty. But when I started working on a couple of the projects I had set aside with this color in mind, it didn't look so great anymore... After getting very frustrated over it, I just decided to go with something simplistic and fast in order to use it for SOMEthing. So I "doodled" up a round ripple.

I had some folks asking me if I had a pattern for this. Like with star-ghans, there really isn't anything different about round ripples except for how you create their centers. That's about the only real difference in my round ripple than in any other. Seems like typical rounds have 13 points. Mine has 8.

For those who were interested in a pattern, though, I did write one up.

Pattern*:

Materials needed:
Worsted weight 4-ply yarn in any brand (Red Heart Super Saver and Caron One Pound - also known as Perfect Match - were used for my example)
Size H 5.0 hook

Ch5, slip stitch into beginning chain to form a ring

Row 1: Ch2, 12 hdc into ring, slip stitch to top of first ch2 to join

Row 3: Ch3, dc into same stitch, 2dc into next stitch and each stitch around, slip stitch to first ch3 to join a ring - 24 dc

Row 3: Ch5, skip next 2 dc, sc into next dc, ch5, skip next 2 dc, ch5 round to first ch5, slip stitch to first chain of ch5 to join - 8 ch5 spaces

Row 4: Slip stitch into first ch5 space, ch3, 2dc into space, ch2, 3dc into same space, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into next ch5 space repeating around to first ch3, slip stitch to join - 8 (3dc, ch2, 3dc) points

Row 5: Slip stitch into next dc, ch3, dc into next 2 dc, (3dc, ch 2, 3dc) into first ch2 space, dc into next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc, dc into next 2 dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into next ch2 space repeating around, slip stitch to top of first ch3 to join

Row 6: Slip stitch into next dc, ch3, dc into next 3 dc, (2 dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch2 space, dc into next 3 dc, skip next 2 dc, dc into next 3 dc, (2dc, ch2, 2dc) into next ch2 space repeating around, slip stitch into top of first ch3

Continue on with the pattern in this way until it's as large as you want it. Make sure that once you've slip stitched to join the rows that you then slip stitch into the next stitch. As you go, be sure to alternate the number of double crochets in your "shells" (the "shells" are the series of stitches places into the chain 2 spaces on the points). The pattern begins with 3dc, ch2, 3dc, then switches to 2dc, ch2, 2dc, and then should switch back to 3dc, ch2, 3dc on the next row, and so on. This will ensure that you don't get any an uneven puckering effect in your blanket.

If you have any further questions or comments, please feel free to email me at wickedsquitty AT gmail DOT com.




*This is a FREE pattern for your personal use ONLY. It is not to be sold in any way. Appropriate actions will be taken against anyone found to be selling this free pattern in any form.

I know there are a couple other patterns on the internet for star shaped afghans. One of them I found too confusing to read, and the other one has a "wagon wheel" type base that I feel doesn't have enough stability. I'm always worried it'll come undone and unravel. And, really, there isn't much that's different from one star afghan to the next (unless it's a closed-stitch type) except for how the base is made. So, I decided to mix it up a little and make up my own base, which I feel has more strength to it.

Here's how to make my version of the star afghan!

Pattern*:

Materials:
Worsted weight 4-ply yarn in colors and brand of your choice.
Size H 5.5mm hook

Notes:
The mini center-star base is made using double crochet clusters. To make a cluster follow these instructions:
If you were doing a 3 double crochet cluster you would do each double crochet without completing the last step (you would have 2 loops on the hook after the first dc, 3 loops on the hook after the second dc and 4 loops on the hook when all three dcs are completed. Then you yarn over and draw through all of the loops.

Pattern:
Ch5, slip stitch to form a ring.
Row 1: 3dc cluster, ch3 5 times into ring, slip stitch last ch3 into top of beginning cluster making 5 clusters and 5 spaces. Mini center-star made.

Row 2: slip stitch into first ch3 space, ch3, 2dc into same space, ch2, 3dc into same space, 3dc into next space, ch2, 3dc into same repeating around, slip stitch into the top of beginning ch3.

Row 3: Slip stitch into next dc, ch3, 1dc in next dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) all in next ch2 space, dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc, dc in next 2 dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) all in next ch2 space repeating around to last 2 skipped dc, slip stitch into top of beginning ch3 of previous row.

Row 4: Slip stitch into next dc, ch3, dc into next 3 dc, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) into next ch2 space, dc in next 4 dc, skip next 2 dc, dc in next 4 dc, (3dc, ch2, 3cd) into next ch2 space repeating around to last 2 skipped dc, slip stitch into top of beginning ch3 of previous row.
Continue working the pattern in the same way until it's as large as you want it. Make sure that after you slip stitch to the beginning chain of the previous row that you then slip stitch into the next double crochet and THEN ch3 to begin your new row.

For more information and some extra photos to help you out more, please refer to the webpage I set up for this pattern at this link: http://theyarnbox.50megs.com/starafghanpattern.html

If you have any further questions or comments, you are welcome to contact me any time at wickedsquitty AT gmail DOT com.
Thanks for coming!


*This free pattern has been provided for your personal use ONLY. This pattern is not to be sold in any form, and appropriate action will be taken against anyone found to be selling this free pattern in any way.