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Basket Weave Crochet Stitch

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Time to jump in and learn the Basket Weave Square. This is the second block in the Crochet Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket CAL Sponsored by Red Heart Yarns and hosted by Marly Bird.

This is one of those stitches that becomes easier after you get through the first 10 rows but prior to that it feels a little clumsy. But I think with the written instructions I’ve provided and the HD Video and the charts you will get there. Regarding the charts…*deep sigh*…part of me hesitates to give you the charts for this square because I feel like they might be more confusing for you. Please know that is not my intention, let me explain.

There was a LOT of deliberation between the testers and my self about the best way to present the symbols on the basket weave charts. Some wanted me to have the symbols represent on each row with the actual stitch symbol that you would be working. My problem with that is that a chart is supposed to be a direct visual representation of what your fabric will look like on the right side/public side. For most crochet charts this is the case without having to worry about changing symbols, but when we are dealing with stitches that look differently on the RS vs. WS or vice versa that doesn’t hold true. Therefore, in an attempt to keep with the idea that a chart is supposed to be a direct visual representation of what the fabric will look like on the right side/public side,  I’ve decided to present the charts as if you are looking at the RS of the fabric.

What this means is the double crochet post stitch symbols have to be distinguishable as to RS or WS. Just like in knitting when you read a chart and it has a blank square and the key reads ‘knit on RS and purl on WS’; the blank square is the same symbol but when you see it you have to know whether you are on a RS or WS of the fabric to know which stitch you are supposed to use. Same will go for the post stitches.

See what I mean by getting confusing? Listen, you have the written instructions as well as the charts and the video. Follow along which ever one speaks to you. Hopefully some combination of all 3 will work and you will end up with a beautiful square 🙂

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Teacher, Designer Benjamin Krudwig

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Teacher, Designer Benjamin Krudwig was our guest today on the Yarn Thing podcast with Marly Bird.

BKrudwig profile

Benjamin says he is Multi-craftural. Marly met him at the Interweave Yarn Fest this year, when he was showing off his weaving talents. He began as a crocheter in High School, also learned to knit. His work at Schacht Spindle Co also led him to weave and spin. He pursued a career in evolutionary and ecological biologist, and used crocheting and knitting as a stress relief. Working at Schacht has really opened vistas for him… With all the avenues in fiber he has to be careful with his time! [Read more…]

1 x 1 Double Crochet Ribbing

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Time to jump in and learn the 1 x 1 Double Crochet Ribbing square. This is the first block in the Crochet Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket CAL Sponsored by Red Heart Yarns and hosted by Marly Bird.

Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket by Marly Bird. Square One: Double Crochet Ribbing

Where is the Full Pattern?

During the Crochet-along (CAL) you will be able to get the written and chart instructions as well as the HD Video tutorial for the next step in the Crochet Stitch Sampler Blanket every Tuesday and Thursday. The full pattern will not be posted until the end of the CAL.

GET FULL CAL DETAILS HERE

Get a little help from your friends!

Follow along and complete each step with my help as well as the wonderful group of other Marly Bird CAL members in the Facebook Group. In the group you can post pictures, ask questions and get general crochet support.

I’m ready! Let’s get this party started!

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Sherbet Crochet Cowl

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Sherbet_coverphoto_medium2SHERBET CROCHET COWL

Marly Bird Ravelry Store

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

The Sherbet Crochet Cowl is one of those designs that was dictated by the yarn. This yarn was screaming at me to make something with it..so the night before I was scheduled to shoot my Mitten and Gloves Galore Craftsy.com class I did!

It became a cute neck accessory for me to wear and I LOVED IT!

Sherbet_Cowl_1

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS [Read more…]

Crochet Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket CAL Details

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The Crochet Stitch Sampler Baby Blanket Crochet-along is sponsored by Red Heart and hosted by Marly Bird.

This is the very first CAL I’ve hosted that is based on my own pattern and includes a full set of HD videos of me demonstrating how to do each step of the blanket!

THE PROJECT

As a designer, I make a lot of gauge swatches. One day, I noticed that I had several swatches that were roughly the same size and fiber. I figured that I could seam the swatches together and make a quick baby blanket for my daughter. With this idea, came the pattern for the Crochet Stitch Sampler.

Given all the different stitch pattern books on the market today the sky’s the limit for blanket possibilities. By adjusting hook size and chain amounts to get a certain size it is possible to make any crochet stitch into a block. When you have several blocks that are the same size simply crochet them together and voila you have a blanket.

This crochet-along will show you 9 different stitches used in my. In the videos I demonstrate how to make the ‘in class block’ so you can get used to the pattern and have the ability to make a full size square on your own. Once all the blocks are crocheted you will seam them together and add a border. Then, voila, you too will have a great baby blanket!

THE DATE

The official start date is Sept. 22, 2015 – Oct. 30, 2015. There will be two videos released each week.

THE COMMUNITY

There is a dedicated Facebook group for this CAL that is monitored by me and several of the WONDERFUL sampler crocheters who tested this pattern for me. We are all there to help you with this project. Please join us!

You should really go and take a look at all the finished samples made by the testers. There are many different yarns used and color ways. They really are all so beautiful and inspiring. Some of the crocheters followed the pattern exactly and others put on their designer hat and used this pattern as a template to make their blanket their own! It was fun to watch them make their blankets.

THE PATTERN

During the CAL timeframe each section of the pattern will be released at the same time as the corresponding video release. This will help everybody who wants to participate in the crochet-along (CAL) stay at the same pace and subsequently make it easier for me to help!

Once the CAL is complete the full pattern will be available at MarlyBird.com.

THE VIDEOS

As I mentioned, two videos will be released each week during the CAL timeframe. In these videos I walk you though making this fun blanket and offer tips and tricks and suggestions to help you crochet the perfect project. Here is a link to the introduction video #1. 

You will be able to find all the videos at: https://www.YouTube.com/MarlyBird.

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Stellar Stripes Knit Shawl

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This free knit shawl pattern is one that I designed for the Winter 2014 issue of Love of Knitting. For that issue, the editor asked me to design a striped shawl that was on trend and could also be made in crochet. Mission Accepted!

This pattern has gotten a lot of attention from both Ravelry members andFacebook Friends. Many of you have asked me when it would be available for purchase. Well, good news is that it is available now and it is FREE!

Let me tell you about the yarn I used for both shawls. I got to use one of my favorite yarns byBijou Basin Ranch named Sport. It is 100% yak! The colors are rich and look lovely coupled together. No matter if you use the same two colors I used or mix and match from the other available colors. You can’t go wrong; and you only need one hank of each color!

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