Tag: Free Friday

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Manchester, NH – CGOA Chain Link Conference – Elf Gift Bag Crochet Pattern

Christmas Elf Gift Bag Crochet Pattern

I recently had the opportunity to visit Manchester for the first time. All my preconceived ideas of New England came true! It’s such a beautiful city, full of history. I only wish I could have stayed longer. The people, the food, the weather – everything was lovely!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kP27RNyGrKk&t=49s

Chain Link Conference 2019

I can’t believe that I’ve been crocheting for most of my life but only found out about the Crochet Guild of America a few years ago. The conference was so much fun – meeting other crocheters from around the world, seeing their creations, hearing their ideas for new projects. Talk about idea overload! I may not sleep for a month with all the designs floating around in my head. One of the classes I took was Irish crochet, and I have so many ideas for future projects. For anyone who wants to learn, Susan Lowman does beautiful work, and she explains everything so well. My class piece isn’t finished yet, but hopefully this weekend I can get to it.

To thank all the wonderful people I met and learned from, My Fingers Fly is offering free shipping on t-shirts and leggings for crocheters. Just use code CGOA by July 31, 2019. https://www.myfingersfly.com/collections/t-shirts

This week’s free pattern is another Christmas in July theme. These little elf gift bags are so cute and versatile.

 

Materials:

Small amounts of worsted yarn – ivory, brown or black, red or green.

Crochet hook size H

Small pom poms, google eyes, 2 jingle bells

Directions:

Rnd 1: With ivory yarn, ch 2. Sc 6 in second ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc (12 sc).

Rnd 3: 1 sc in next sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (18 sc).

Rnd 4: 1 sc in next 2 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (24 sc).

Rnd 5: 1 sc in next 3 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (30 sc).

Rnd 6: 1 sc in next 4 sc, 2 sc in next sc, repeat (36 sc).

Rnds 7-13: Work even. Finish off ivory. Turn.

Rnd 14-15: With black (or brown) yarn, loop st in each st around. Join with sl st. Fasten off.

Rnds 16: Ch1, turn. Attach desired color for hat. Work even on 36 sc. Do not join.

Rnds 17-18: Work even on 36 sc.

Rnd 19: Dec, sc in next 4 sc, repeat (30 sc).

Rnds 20-21: Work even.

Rnd 22: Dec, sc in next 3 sc, repeat (24 sc).

Rnds 23-24: Work even. Join.

Rnd 25: Sc, ch 1, skip 1 sc, repeat. Join. Fasten off.  

Drawstring: Using same color yarn as hat, make a chain 12″ long and knot both ends. Pull through loops made in Rnd 22 of hat.

Ears: (Make 2)

With ivory yarn, ch 9, 3 dc in 4th ch from hook, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, hdc next ch, sc next ch, sl st next ch, ch 1, sl st in this ch. (This makes point of ear.) Working down opposite side of starting ch, sl st next ch, sc next ch, hdc next ch, 1 dc in each of next 2 ch, 3 dc last ch. Join with sl st to beg ch-3. Sew one ear to each side of face from Rnds 9-13.

Glue on google eyes and pom pom for nose. Embroidery with straight stitch in pink or red for mouth. Sew a jingle bell to each side of drawstring.

Decorate hat as you wish with pom poms, rick rack, etc. You can sc Rnd 16 of hat with eyelash or bulky yarn to make a fringe. For the elf in the picture with the red hat, I used Yarn Bee Cameo Bulky in white.

This pattern is also available printed on note card at https://www.etsy.com/MyFingersFly/listing/574255967/christmas-elf-goody-bags-crochet-pattern?utm_source=Copy&utm_medium=ListingManager&utm_campaign=Share&utm_term=so.lmsm&share_time=1563564900966

or as a PDF download at https://www.etsy.com/listing/640459076/christmas-elf-goody-bag-crochet-pattern?ref=listing_published_alert

To purchase the Christmas Goody Bag paperback book, please visit my Amazon page at https://www.amazon.com/dp/1549546732

More Christmas Ideas

Bearded Elf Christmas Ornament Crochet Pattern

Christmas in July Blog Hop

Texas Flag Christmas Tree Ornament

Moose Ornament

Crown Ornament

Fox Christmas Ornament

This weekend I will be catching up on housework (and crochet) and resting a bit before we’re off to Houston next week to see Queen and The Rolling Stones. Hopefully I can get my Adam Lambert and Brian May dolls finished before we leave.

Pattern testers are always wanted. Join my Facebook group at https://www.facebook.com/pg/myfingersfly/groups/?ref=page_internal

Happy crocheting!

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New York Trip, Lion Yarn Studio – Free Father’s Day Pattern

Fish towel

During the nearly 10 years that I lived in Queens, NY in the 80s, most of my yarn shopping was at Nelson Yarns in Ridgewood. Several years ago, I took my daughter to the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and drove down Fresh Pond Road, but Nelson Yarns was no longer there. Fortunately, I found out that Lion Brand has a studio in Chelsea, so I jumped at the chance to accompany my husband on a business trip to New Jersey. For eight years, I commuted from Queens to Midtown on the subway, but riding NJ Transit trains was a new experience for me. We stayed at the Courtyard Marriott in Woodbridge, NJ, and the staff was amazing, as usual. Not knowing how far the train station was from the hotel, I took an Uber on Monday and took note of the streets along the way. Since it was only a 5-minute drive, I decided to walk on Tuesday. The weather was beautiful, and I thoroughly enjoyed the walk down Main Street.

As usual, Penn Station is a hive of activity with commuters rushing to catch their trains or enjoying a meal or coffee while they wait. There are shops that sell souvenirs, magazines, clothing, cell phone accessories, and so much more. Street musicians perform for tips, filling the area with their music.

Violinist in Penn Station

On my last trip to New York, the new buildings in the World Trade Center had not yet started. This week I was fortunate to be able to visit the new Freedom Tower and the Oculus. Another treat was lunch with some family members who I had not seen in many years.

Lion Yarn Studio is located on 15th Street in Chelsea, an unassuming little shop with an amazing window display. Inside, they sell Lion Brand products including yarn, hooks, and notions. Their “On The Table” display provides free patterns for Lion yarns. Classes and workshops of all types and for all skill levels are offered on weekends and in the evenings. It’s definitely a stop you’ll want to add to your itinerary if you’re planning a trip to New York. My next trip to the area will be to the Lion Yarn Outlet in New Jersey, but I will have to remember to take an empty suitcase with me to hold all the yarn I’m going to buy!

For our last dinner in Woodbridge, we tried a local restaurant, Miller’s Ale House. We don’t drink beer, but the food was excellent, and so was the service. I look forward to trying more of their menu if I’m ever in Woodbridge again.

Pork Osso Buco

For the Father’s Day Friday Freebie, I chose a fish-shaped dish towel that I designed for my father last year to use when he barbeques.

PDF available at
https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/fish-dish-towel-crochet-pattern

Fish Dish Towel

Materials:

Sugar ‘n Cream Cotton yarn – 1 oz MC (If you want to use a separate color for the tail and fins, you need 0.7 oz MC and 0.3 oz CC.)

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

1 ½” plastic ring

Towel measures approximately 11” x 7” (not incuding ring).

Directions:

BODY: Row 1: Work 5 sc through ring. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-6: Work 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc across to last st, 2 hdc in last st. Ch 1, turn. (16 hdc at end of Row 6).

Rows 7-10: Work 2 hdc in 1st st, hdc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (19 hdc at end of Row 10).

Rows 11-20: Work even in hdc. Ch 1, turn.

Rows 21-27: Dec, hdc across to last 2 st, dec. Ch 1, turn. (5 hdc at end of Row 27).

TAIL: (If using contrasting colors, change colors here.)

Row 1: 2 hdc in each st across. Ch 1, turn. (10 hdc)

Row 2: *Hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat across. Ch 1, turn. (15 hdc)

Row 3: *Hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st,* repeat across. Ch 1, turn. (20 hdc)

Row 4: Hdc across. Fasten off.

LARGE FIN:

Row 1: Attach yarn at end of Row 11 of body. Make 12 sc evenly spaced across top of fish.

Row 2: Dec over 1st 2 sts, sc across. Ch 1, turn. (11 sc).

Row 3: Sc across to last 2 sts, dec over last 2 sts. Ch 1, turn. (10 sc).

Row 4: Repeat Row 2 (9 sc).

Row 5: Repeat Row 3 (8 sc).

Row 6: Hdc in each of next 3 sts, sc in each of next 3 sts, sl st in each of last 2 sts. Fasten off.

SMALL FIN: On bottom of fish, attach yarn at opposite end of row where the top fin ends. Ch 2, 2 dc, 2 hdc, and 2 sc evenly spaced across ends of rows. Sl st. Fasten off.

More Fish Patterns

National Zoo & Aquarium Month Blog Hop, Day 1 World Reef Awareness Day

 

Ebook Update –

Unicorn Crochet Patterns Ebook has a new pattern – Unicorn Waist Bag (Fanny Pack)

 

National Unicorn Day 2021 – Free Unicorn Fanny Pack Crochet Pattern

Zoo Blog Hop Day 13 – Mystical, Magical Unicorns!

Flag Day Pattern

Also available for Addi Express Knitting Machine https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/thin-blue-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro-thin-red-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro

Thin Blue Line Afghan Addi Express Pattern

Happy Father’s Day ** Happy Flag Day ** Happy Birthday Army ** Happy Crocheting

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Friday Freebie, Owl Eyeglass Holder

owl crochet pattern

The end of May is graduation season, so I created this cute little owl to make for your graduate. He can sit on the nightstand in the dorm room and guard their eyeglasses. There are several variations of the crocodile stitch, so I have posted a video on YouTube for this version.

The owl works up quickly with worsted weight yarn using about 2 1/3 ounce of ombre or variegated and 1 ounce of a matching solid color.

To download the pattern as a PDF or to see other eyeglass holders, please visit https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/owl-eyeglass-holder-crochet-pattern
Please remember to share your projects on Instagram @myfingersfly.

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

   2 1/3  oz. ombre or variegated

   1 oz. solid

   Few yards orange

Size G crochet hook

Yarn needle

Plastic googly eyes 40 mm

Fiberfil

Pantyhose

Crocodile stitch video – https://youtu.be/HN_SNZDW21w

Directions:

BODY:

Rnd 1: With ombre yarn, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each st (12 sc).

Rnd 3: *Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, repeat around (18 sc).

Rnd 4: *Sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, * repeat around (24 sc).

Rnd 5: *Sc in each of next 3 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (30 sc).

Rnd 6: *Sc in each of next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnd 7: *Sc in each of next 5 sc, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (42 sc).

Rnd 8: *Sc in each of next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 9: *Sc in each of next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (54 sc).

Rnd 10: *Sc in each of next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st,* repeat around (60 sc). Join with sl st.  

Rnd 11: Ch 4 (counts as 3 dc plus ch-1), dc in same st, sk 2 sts, *(dc, ch 1, dc) in same st (V-stitch made), sk 2 sts,* repeat around (20 V-stitches). Join with sl st in 3rd ch of ch-4.

Rnd 12: Ch 1, in first V-stitch, *work 5 dc around post of first dc of V-stitch, then work 5 dc around post of second dc of V-stitch (crocodile stitch made). Sl st in center of next V-stitch,* repeat around (10 croc st).

Rnd 13: Ch 4, dc in same st, *V-stitch in center of croc st, V-stitch in center of V-stitch,* repeat around. End with V-stitch in last croc, sl st in 3rd ch of ch-4.

Rnds 14-20: Repeat Rnds 11 & 12 three times, then repeat Rnd 12 once more. Fasten off ombre yarn.

Rnd 21: Switch to solid yarn, ch 1, *sc in V-stitch, 2 sc across first half of croc st, sc in center of croc st, 2 sc across 2nd half of croc st,* repeat around (60 sc).

Rnds 22-26: Sc in each sc. Do not join.

Rnd 27: *Dec, sc in next 8 sts,* repeat around (54 sc).

Rnd 28: *Dec, sc in next 7 sts,* repeat around (48 sc).

Rnd 29: *Dec, sc in next 6 sts,* repeat around (42 sc).

Rnd 30: *Dec, sc in next 5 sts,* repeat around (36 sc).

Rnds 31-33: Sc in each st. Join with sl st at end of Rnd 33.

Insert pantyhose into body to prevent stuffing from showing, stuff pantyhose.  

Rnd 34: Holding both sides of Rnd 33 tog, sc through both thicknesses to close. Fasten off.

EYES: (Make 2)

With ombre yarn, ch 23, Join with sl st in 1st ch. Ch 1, hdc in each ch. Join with sl st. Fasten off. Sew eyes to top of body and glue googly eyes inside.

WINGS: (Make 2)

Row 1: With solid yarn, ch 8, hdc in 2nd ch and in next 6 chs. (7 hdc).

Row 2: Ch 1, turn, 2 hdc in first st, hdc in remaining sts (8 hdc).

Row 3: Ch 1, turn, hdc in each st with 2 hdc in last st (9 hdc).

Row 4: Ch 1, turn, sc in 1st st, *sk 1 st, 4 dc in next st, sk 1 st, sc in next st,* repeat once. Fasten off leaving 12” length. Sew to sides above top croc st row with scalloped edge toward the front.

BEAK:

Rnd 1: With orange yarn, ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Do not join.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 2 sts (4 sc).

Rnd 3: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 3 sts (5 sc).

Rnd 4: 2 sc in first st, sc in next 4 sts (6 sc).

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts (8 sc). Fasten off leaving 6” length. Sew beak to face between eyes.

Cut 4 pieces of yarn 3″ long. Fold 2 in half, insert hook into top corner of head, pull loops through, then pull ends through loop. Repeat on the other side of the head. 

YouTube tutorial

Visit My Fingers Fly on Etsy to purchase a complete crochet kit. 

More Owl Patterns

owl crochet patterns

Zoo Blog Hop Day 2 – Owl Crochet Patterns

More Eyeglass Holders

Koala

Easter Lamb Free Pattern

Eyeglass Holder Crochet Patterns Ebook

Poodle

Octopus

For a book containing all 15 eyeglass holder crochet patterns (available in Kindle and paperback formats), please visit my Amazon author page. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07P3WPQ2K

Last year I had the opportunity to work with a home builder to coordinate a house for Operation Finally Home that was donated to a local Marine veteran who was injured while working as a police officer after returning home. My contribution was a Thin Blue Line afghan created on the Addi Pro knitting machine.

https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/thin-blue-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro-thin-red-line-afghan-pattern-for-addi-pro

As a follow-up to my recent post regarding TSA rules and what crafters can carry on a plane, yesterday I found this great pair of travel scissors that are TSA compliant. There’s even a keychain hole, so I can carry them everywhere!

Also released this week is the Sugar Skull Purses Crochet Patterns. Instructions include three different versions – waist bag (fanny pack), messenger bag, and neck wallet. Two versions require an approximately 4″ zipper which is very difficult to find, so I made a YouTube video on how to shorten a zipper. https://youtu.be/s8fyr_As-tA

http:// https://www.myfingersfly.com/products/sugar-skull-purses-crochet-pattern
These bags were inspired by a purse I bought for my daughter on our recent trip to Monterrey, Mexico.

Stay tuned for Sugar Skull Crochet Patterns ebook which will be available also on Amazon in Kindle and paperback formats. I am also working on some California-themed patterns and hope to visit Los Angeles next month to snap some photos.

To celebrate my new line of crochet-themed clothing, I will be giving away one free pattern for each t-shirt or set of leggings purchased through May 31, 2019. Simply place your order, then email me at lisa@myfingersfly.com with the name of the pattern you would like (ebooks not included). I will email you the requested pattern with 24 hours.