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Scarf Love – Valentine’s Day Crochet Pattern

Crochet a Quick and Easy Fringe Scarf

A Crochet Pattern by Jeris from Fandom Knitting + Crochet

*This post may contain affiliate links.  See my full disclosure policy here.  

A Valentine’s Day Crochet Pattern

Before Fandom Knitting and Crochet, I had another knitting blog called “SwanJay.” SwanJay is still part of my life, but rather than posting patterns and blogging there, it has really evolved into my finished-items online shop. I make and sell finished items on Amazon Handmade, and that is really what SwanJay does. So, the blog aspect has kind of halted as that part of my business has evolved into something else. With that said, there are some pretty awesome patterns on the SwanJay blog, if I do say so myself, so I thought I’d re-format some of them and share them here.

I have always been inspired by fandoms, but my focus was less-explicitly on fandom projects on that blog. So, some of the patterns I’m repurposing from there will be a bit less “fandom,” but if you are anything like me, you like to knit and crochet some non-fandom things from time to time, as well.

Here’s the original post, with very few minor tweaks. I hope you enjoy!

Let’s be real. January and February can be kind of bleak months.  After the hustle and bustle of the holidays, it can get a little gloomy.  There aren’t as many gifts to make or parties to attend.  I have to psyche myself up to take down the Christmas tree so that I don’t end up woeful and in a listless funk.

So, I turn to Valentine’s Day.  I am not a particularly sappy person, and Valentine’s Day has never been a particularly romantic or important day in my marriage.  We don’t even celebrate it, usually.

That doesn’t stop me from finding ways of getting in the spirit, though.  First, I love the color scheme of pinks and reds.  So, if I have an excuse to add even more pink into our household decor, I will do so.  I also love a good seasonal find at the Target dollar section, so I add a few cute heart-shaped signs and arrows around the house.  I also like to get my boys a few Valentine’s Day treats or do a themed craft with them.

But my favorite way of getting into the spirit of the holiday of love is through knitting and crochet.  Because it is still cold as heck in Minnesota on February 14th, scarves, hats, and other winter wear are still very relevant.  So, I have created a cute, cozy, and whimsical scarf to mark the sweetheart season

Pattern for Scarf Love: Valentine’s Day Crochet Pattern

I’ve been wanting to design something that uses Caron Cakes because I love them and I have collected a few without knowing what I would do with them.  They come in a variety of lovely colors, are very soft, and are really nice to work with.  I also wanted something that would work up quickly and be really classic in style to contrast the funky colors.  So, I came up with the Scarf Love scarf.

Finished, it is about 7′ long, if you include the fringe.  I like a long scarf that can be wrapped numerous ways.  Gauge is not important for this project, so I didn’t even bother to measure it.  I started working from the middle of the cake and worked my way out, though it is not necessary to do it that way.

You, of course, don’t have to make it in this color – it can be any color you like using a similar weight yarn (#4). If you want to adjust the yarn to a smaller or larger weight, you will just want to adjust your hook size accordingly, as well.

Download the Printable PDF (if you’d like a printable PDF version, it is for sale at a low cost here):  Scarf Love Pattern PDF Download.

Materials:

Gauge:

Gauge is not important for this project.

abbreviations:

  • ch = chain
  • hdc = half-double crochet

Pattern Instructions:

The scarf is worked flat in rows.

Chain 33.

Work hdc in 4th Ch from the hook. *(Ch 1. hdc in next ch.) Repeat from * to the end of the row. (15 hdc)

Ch 2. Turn. Work hdc in each Ch space, chaining 1 between each hdc.

Repeat the last row until the piece measures approximately 6′ in length (or desired length).

Fasten off and weave in loose ends with the yarn needle.

Fringe:

Cut 60 pieces of yarn, each approximately 24″ long.

Holding two pieces of yarn together, pull them half-way through one of the chain spaces along one of the short edges of the scarf.   Knot the strands, creating the fringe.  If you’d like to see a tutorial for adding fringe, here’s a good video tutorial.

Repeat this for each chain space along both of the short edges of the scarf.  Trim the fringe if desired.

Get the pretty, printable PDF Download for a low prince right here at my shop: Printable Scarf Love Pattern PDF File Download.

Love Free Patterns? Want to see some More?

If you like this pattern, you might like more of my patterns, so go check ’em out. Lots of free patterns for both knitters and crocheters: Patterns.

Let’s Connect!

If you have any questions about the pattern or supplies, or you just want to talk fandom, knitting, or crocheting – or share your project photos (or even to request a fandom themed project), join me in the free, private facebook group “Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.” I’d love to see you there!

You should also hop over to the sidebar and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date on all the new patterns. 

If you make this project, share it with me on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet.

Thanks for checking out the pattern!

Binge-watcher Crochet Pillow Cover – Pattern

Crochet Button-closure Pillow Cover Pattern

A Crochet Pattern by Jeris from Fandom Knitting + Crochet

*This post may contain affiliate links.  See my full disclosure policy here.  

Style + Coziness = Binge-watcher Pillow Cover!

Binge-watching is the unofficial sport of Fandom Knitting + Crochet. Who would we be without our Harry Potter marathons, our Outlander obsession or our the unparalleled bliss of discovering a new series that we just cannot. stop. watching?

With that in mind, I thought it would only be appropriate to create something both pretty and functional (pretty functional?) to fit in with the fandom lifestyle. Admittedly, I also really needed a new throw pillow cover as my old one was worn and torn and not handmade. So, through those two reasons the Binge-watcher crochet pillow cover was born.

My requirements were a chunky, quick project that was also stylish and fit into the decor of my house. I love neutrals – they are just classic – so I went with the lovely “fossil” colorway. For extra coziness and quickness, I held two strands together throughout. It is a bit of a yarn-eater of a project, I’ll fully fess up to that. But, it is oh-so-worth it.

What you’ll find here is a crochet pillow cover pattern that includes FREE written instructions right here on the blog. 

Add to your Ravelry queue here: Bingewatcher Pillow Cover

Pattern for Binge-watcher Pillow Cover

The pattern is worked with two strands of super bulky-weight yarn held together throughout and a size Q-19 crochet hook. I used Lion Brand Wool-ease Thick & Quick yarn in Fossil and Fisherman. If your gauge is too large or small, just jump down or up a hook size or two. Easy peasy.

The pattern is worked in rows and results in a rectangle. It will be wrapped around the pillow form with the ends overlapping where the buttons are sewn. The sides are seamed with a whipstitch.

Download the Printable PDF:  Binge-watcher Pattern PDF Download.

Materials:

Gauge:

Approximately 6 hdc stitches & 4 rows = 4″

*Note: The finished item will be roughly 16″ x 16″ but will stretch to fit the pillow snugly.

abbreviations:

  • ch = chain
  • st = stitch
  • hdc = half-double crochet
  • fl = front loop (the loop closest to you at the top of the next crochet stitch)

Pattern:

The pillow cover is worked in one piece, which is worked in flat rows and
will wrap around the pillow form fully and overlap a bit for the button closure.

The sides will be sewn together with a whipstitch.

Hold two strands of yarn together throughout.

Construct the Pillow Cover:

Row 1: Ch 22. hdc in 2nd ch from hook and in each across (21 hdc). Ch 2. Turn.

Row 2: Working in the front loop only, hdc in the first hdc and in each across (21 fl hdc). Ch 2. Turn.

Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures approximately 40″ from the beginning.

Fasten off.

Attach Buttons:

Lay pillow cover flat. Place pillow form on top at the center of the finished piece.

Wrap the pillow cover around the pillow form so that the ends of the pillow
cover overlap slightly.

Sew buttons evenly along the edge of the pillow cover that is the bottom of the overlapped edges.

Button the top overlapped edge (there are no “button holes,” so just use stitches opposite the buttons. The stitches will stretch just enough to fit the buttons through.) This will hold the pillow cover in place enough to seam the sides.

Seaming:

Keeping the pillow cover in place, sew the open sides closed using the yarn needle and a whipstitch or other seaming method. I prefer the whipstitch as it looks neat and tidy and doesn’t make the seam too rigid.

Here’s a whipstitch tutorial: whipstitch.

*Note – you will be sewing through three edges at the overlapped part. Make sure you go through all layers there.

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Weave in all loose ends, ensuring that the loose ends from the seaming are secured well.

There is also a knit version of the Bingewatcher Pillow Cover, which you can find right here.

Let’s Connect!

If you have any questions about the pattern or supplies, or you just want to talk fandom, knitting, or crocheting – or share your project photos (or even to request a fandom themed project), join me in the free, private facebook group “Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.” I’d love to see you there!

You should also hop over to the sidebar and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date on all the new patterns. 

If you make this project, share it with me on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet.

Thanks for checking out the pattern!

Oculus Fan-tastic Crochet Ornament – Pattern

Oculus Fan-tastic Crochet Christmas Ornament
Crochet Christmas Ornaments
A Crochet Pattern by Jeris from Fandom Knitting & Crochet

*This post may contain affiliate links.  See my full disclosure policy here.  

Nerdy + Christmas = Oculus Ornaments! 

When I wanted to fandom-ize my Christmas tree this year, the first thing that came to mind were a pair of round glasses! So…the Oculus ornament was born.

Crocheters often spend loads of time making gifts for family and friends around the holidays, and this could certainly be gifted to a nerdy cousin or bff – but I made this one for ME, and you can make yours for YOU! Go on, you deserve to keep some of your hard work for yourself. 

One of the absolute, hands-down favorite fandoms in the Fandom Knitting & Crochet group (FKC Group) is you-know-who, the boy who lived, lighting scarface. Here’s a good place to note that this pattern is a geeky ornament, not associated with any one specific glasses wearer. 

Okay, that said – what you’ll find here is a crochet ornament cover pattern that includes FREE written instructions right here on the blog. 

Should you want a printable pdf version, which includes a handy-dandy graph of the ornament, you can find that for purchase right here at my Etsy shop: Oculus Pattern PDF Download with Graph. 

Crochet Christmas Ornaments

Should you want to make a few solid ornaments to go with the Oculus one, here is the solid version of the Fan-tastic Crochet Ornaments. 

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue right here. 

Pattern for Oculus Fan-tastic Ornaments

The pattern is worked with worsted-weight yarn and a size G-6 crochet hook. You’ll need two colors of yarn – I used Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice in White and Dark Grey Heather.  If your gauge is too large or small, just jump down or up a hook size or two. Easy peasy.

The pattern is worked in rows, which will be seamed around the plastic bulb. The top is open enough to fit around the top of the bulb, and the bottom is cinched and the back seam sewn with the yarn needle.

Download the PDF with graph:  Oculus Pattern PDF Download with Graph. 

Oculus Fantastic Crochet Ornaments

Materials:

Gauge:

Approximately 8 stitches & 8 rows = 2″

*Note: These will be stretched around the ornament, and this gauge was calculated after stretched to fit the ornament.

abbreviations:

  • ch = chain
  • sc = single crochet
  • 2sc = create two single crochet stitches in the next stitch
  • sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together
  • MC = Main Color (pictured in White)
  • CC = Contrast Color (pictured in Dark Grey Heather)

Pattern:

The piece is worked in flat rows and will be sewn together at the back when placed around the ornament. 

Start with MC until specified to use CC: 

Row 1: With MC, Ch 17. Sc in 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (16 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 2: (2sc in first stitch, sc 3) across. (20 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 3: (2 sc, sc 4) across. (24 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 4: (2sc, sc 5) across. (28 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 5: 2sc, sc 6, 2sc, sc 4 CC, sc 2 MC, 2sc MC, sc MC, sc 4 CC, sc MC, 2sc MC, sc 6 MC. (32 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 6: 2sc MC, sc 7, 2sc (1st MC, 2nd CC), sc 4 MC, sc 1 CC, sc 2 MC, 2sc MC, sc CC, sc 4 MC, sc CC, sc MC, 2sc MC, sc 7 MC. (36 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 7: 2sc MC, sc 7 MC, 2 sc MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, 2sc MC, sc MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, 2sc MC, sc 6 MC, 2sc MC. (40 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 8: sc 7 MC, sc 4 CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, sc 3 MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc 4 CC, sc 8 MC (40 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 9: sc 11 MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc 5 CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, sc 10 MC. (40 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 10: sc 10 MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, sc 3 MC, sc CC, sc 6 MC, sc CC, sc 11 MC. (40 sc.) Ch 1. Turn. 

Now begin decreasing as follows: 

Row 11: sc2tog MC, sc 7 MC, sc2tog MC, sc MC, sc CC, sc 4 MC, sc CC, sc MC, sc2tog MC, sc 2 MC, sc CC, sc 4 MC, sc CC, sc2tog MC, sc 9 MC. (36 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 12: sc2tog MC, sc 7 MC, sc2tog MC, sc 4 CC, sc 3 MC, sc2tog MC, sc MC, sc 4 CC, sc 2 MC, sc2tog MC, sc 7 MC. (32 sc.) Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 13: With MC, (sc2tog, sc 6) across. (28 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 14: With MC, (sc2tog, sc 5) across. (24 sc). Ch. 1. Turn. 

Row 15: With MC, (sc2tog, sc 4) across. (20 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 16: With MC, (sc2tog, sc 3) across. (16 sc). Ch 1. Turn. 

Row 17: With MC, (sc2tog, sc 2) across. (12 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 18: With MC, (sc2tog) across. (6 sc). 

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the ornament seam.  I leave about 18″ of yarn just to be safe.

Weave in the loose end at the beginning of your piece.

Using the long tail from where you fastened off, draw the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches, cinching them up.

Place the crochet piece around the plastic ornament. NOTE: You’ll need to pull the crochet piece to stretch around the ornament.  You want the stitches to be taught. 

Sew the back seam of the ornament. I like to use whipstitch, but you can seam any way you like.

Let’s Connect!

If you have any questions about the pattern or supplies, or you just want to talk fandom, knitting, or crocheting – or share your project photos (or even to request a fandom themed project), join me in the free, private facebook group “Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.” I’d love to see you there!

You should also hop over to the sidebar and subscribe to the newsletter to keep up to date on all the new patterns. 

If you make this project, share it with me on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet.

Thanks for checking out the pattern!

Fan-tastic Crochet Christmas Ornament: Solid

Fan-tastic Crochet Christmas Ornament: Solid
A Crochet Pattern by Jeris from Fandom Knitting & Crochet

*This post may contain affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.  

Christmas is totally a fandom

Here at Fandom Knitting & Crochet, everything is inspired by a fandom of sorts.  In our FKC Group, we discuss what makes something a fandom.  Really, it’s anything that you love so much that you want it to seep into your knitting and/or crochet.  Some may call it an obsession.  We accept that.  So, Christmas clearly qualifies as a fandom for many of us.

So, my lofty goal was to design a basic ornament cover pattern and then proceed to fandom-ize it with different color work patterns.  What I’ve found is that is much easier said than done.  It took me a good deal of tinkering to create a pattern to fit well and look decent around an ornament.  Then, it took me a good deal more tinkering to figure out a what to create a color work graph that will work with the increases and decreases required in covering a sphere.

What I have for you here is the basic crochet ornament in a solid color, which is the “base” more or less that I am using for the fandom-inspired patterns. I’ll share those as they are ready, but they may be fewer and farther-between than I would have hoped. But I hope you’ll stick with me on this, because they are so much fun to make once they are ready!

But, as it has been established that Christmas is a fandom, too, this basic, solid ornament still fits here on the blog! I hope you go forth and make some of these – they work up quickly, and it’s so fun to see the handmade bulbs adorn the tree.

Add to your Ravelry queue right here.

Want to make a more fandom-ized ornament? Check out the Oculus Ornament version (glasses) right here: Oculus Ornament Pattern.

Pattern for Fan-tastic Crochet Christmas Ornaments: Solid

The pattern is worked with worsted-weight yarn and a size G-6 crochet hook. I originally did it with a smaller hook, but the stitches were very tight and stretching it to fit was difficult.  If your gauge is too large, just jump down a hook size or two. Easy peasy.

The pattern is worked in rows, which will be seamed around the plastic bulb. The top is open enough to fit around the top of the bulb, and the bottom is cinched and the back seam sewn with the yarn needle.

If you would like to download a printable version of the pattern, you can purchase a handy-dandy pdf file here: Downloadable PDF Pattern File.

Materials:

Gauge:

Approximately 8 stitches & 8 rows = 2″

*Note: These will be stretched around the ornament, and this gauge was calculated after stretched to fit the ornament.

abbreviations:

ch – chain

sc – single crochet

2sc – create two single crochet stitches in the next stitch

sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together

Pattern:

Row 1: Ch 17. Sc in 2nd chain from the hook and in each chain across. (16 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 2: (sc 3, 2sc in next stitch) across. (20 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 3: (sc 4, 2 sc in next stitch) across. (24 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 4: (sc 5, 2 sc in next stitch) across. (28 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 5: (sc 6, 2 sc in next stitch) across. (32 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 6: (sc 7, 2 sc in next stitch) across. (36 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 7: (sc 8, 2 sc in next stitch) across. (40 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Rows 8-10: sc across. (40 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 11: (sc 8, sc2tog) across. (36 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 12: (sc 7, sc2tog) across. (32 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 13: (sc 6, sc2tog) across. (28 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 14: (sc 5, sc2tog) across. (24 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 15: (sc 4, sc2tog) across. (20 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 16: (sc 3, sc2tog) across. (16 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 17: (sc 2, sc2tog) across. (12 sc). Ch 1. Turn.

Row 18: (sc2tog) across. (6 sc).

Finishing:

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail to sew the ornament seam.  I leave about 18″ of yarn just to be safe.

Weave in the loose end at the beginning of your piece.

Using the long tail from where you fastened off, draw the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches, cinching them up.

Place the crochet piece around the plastic ornament. NOTE: You’ll need to pull the crochet piece to stretch around the ornament.  You want the stitches to be taught. 

Sew the back seam of the ornament. I like to use whipstitch, but you can seam any way you like.

Let’s Connect!

If you have any questions about the pattern or supplies, or you just want to talk fandom, knitting, or crocheting – or share your project photos (or even to request a fandom themed project), join me in the free, private facebook group “Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.” I’d love to see you there!

If you make this project, share it with me on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet

2018 Fandom Knitting & Crochet Awards – Nominate Your Favorites

I. Love. Awards. At the end of any year, my favorite way to procrastinate is reading all the Top 100s of the year, the year’s best books lists, the American Top 40 Countdown, the Oscar predictions. So, I got to thinking – why not create our own awards here at FKC?

What you’ll find here is a list of 20 categories – all related to fandom, knitting, and crochet.  What I need from you is your help creating the ballot.  This is a call for nominations! I have the categories here – I just want to know who and what you’d like to see make the ballot for voting.  So, please take a few minutes to nominate your favorites!

2018 FKC Awards Nomination Form

Guest Post: Alex from Two Hearts Crochet Shares Princes Graphs

Guest Post: Alex from Two Hearts Crochet Shares 11 “Princes” Graphs

Guest Contributor, Alex of Two Hearts Crochet, Shares 11 Graphs of “Princes” or  Male Lead Disney Characters

I cannot explain how thrilled I am that Alex from Two Hearts Crochet is sharing some of her graphing magic with us here at Fandom Knitting + Crochet!  If you are unfamiliar with her blog, she is the graphgan guru, a real-life crochet master.

Truly, I am so beyond excited to share her fabulous new graphs with you, not only because they are spectacular, but because it means a lot to me to collaborate with a fellow fangirl/nerdy crafter.  As anyone in the Fandom Knitting and Crochet Group or Two Hearts Crochet Family groups on Facebook know, it is all about supporting and building up one another.  Alex was kind enough to share some of her talents and knowledge with me (and us) and I am so grateful.

Without further ado, here is Alex’s guest post.  Enjoy!

*Disclaimer: This is solely a not-for-profit fan art activity, and in no way intends to infringe on copyrights held by Disney, Disney Enterprises, or other professional Disney-related agencies.

Guest Post Begins Here!

Hi! My name is Alex, and I am super excited to be guest posting here on the Fandom Knitting + Crochet blog.

Here’s a little snippet about me: I live in eastern Washington state (which is currently on fire, as per usual this time of year). I spend as much of my free time crocheting as possible, though I’ve been dabbling in both cross stitch and acrylic painting over the last several months. I’m a bit of a nerd myself, and I started my own blog as a way to share my nerdy crochet patterns.

A few years back, I posted amigurumi doll patterns on my blog for each of the Disney princesses. After the phenomenal response to the dolls, I knew I wanted to offer other “nerdy” patterns and designs!

I can’t list all of my fandoms here for you (we’d be here all day!), but I can tell you that my favorites are Doctor Who, Star Trek, Harry Potter, and Supernatural. Of course, I love all things related to Disney and Pixar, and I’ve just recently fallen in love with the Netflix original series Anne With an “E”, so if there’s a fandom for that, count me in!

My blog is called Two Hearts Crochet (time lord, you know?), and it’s grown a lot in the last few years. I offer mainly amigurumi patterns and graphghan designs featuring different nerdy/fandom characters, but I am also starting to offer a few home décor items and even some garments! I also share lots of tips and crochet resources, and I even teach a couple of online “ecourses”—one on making amigurumi dolls and one on making graphghans!

Okay, now for the good stuff!

For my guest post, I wanted to share with you some brand new graph designs I made that can either be used on their own OR can be paired with the graphs for my Disney Princess & Villains graphghan.

I’ve been wanting to make these graphs for a long time, and this opportunity to guest blog here at Fandom Knitting + Crochet was the perfect excuse to get started.

There are 11 princes (or otherwise male-lead characters) included in this pattern set:

  • Prince Florian (Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs)
  • Prince Henry/Prince Charming (Cinderella)
  • Prince Phillip (Sleeping Beauty)
  • Prince Eric (The Little Mermaid)
  • The Beast (Beauty and the Beast)
  • Aladdin (Aladdin)
  • John Smith (Pocahontas)
  • Li Shang (Mulan)
  • Prince Naveen (The Princess & The Frog)
  • Eugene/Flynn Rider (Tangled)
  • Kristoff (Frozen)

These graphs were designed to match the style of the other graphs in the Disney Princess & Villains graphghan, which were used with the Mini Corner-to-Corner stitch. As such, the arrows on these graphs are for use with Mini C2C (or regular C2C—either one works!)

Also included with each graph is a list of suggested yarn colors. For the Disney Princess & Villains graphghan, I recommended using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarns. To remain consistent with that recommendation, I decided to suggest the same yarn for these Disney Princes graphs.

These graphs turned out better than even I imagined! It’s hard to pick a favorite, but I’m especially happy without both Beast and Aladdin turned out.

Download the graphs here: Disney Prince Graphs.

I hope you enjoy these graph designs as much as I’ve enjoyed making them! They’re a perfect addition to the graphs for my Disney Princess & Villains graphghan. You can mix-and-match to make a blanket that’s truly unique!

For more graphghan goodness, I encourage you to visit my blog—there are lots of free patterns available to choose from!

Free Printable Gift Tags for Handmade Gifts

Print your own Free Gift Tags for Knitted and Crocheted Gifts

Gift Tags for Handmade Items – Free Printables

As knitters or crocheters, we put hours of thought, effort and love into the handmade gifts we make for our family and friends.  We think of the right project for the right person, we thoughtfully select the perfect yarn for the project, and then we stitch and stitch some more.

So why not finish them off with the same care?  I wanted to create some gift tags that made it clear the items were handmade, and also had a little bit of humor to them.  In other words, not just the ordinary gift tag for not just the ordinary gift.

*This post may contain affiliate links.  All opinions are my own, and I only recommend products I love.

Print and Customize Your Gift Tags

So, the goal was to make tags that were clearly for handmade items and that had a bit of personality.  So, what you’ll find are four different options.  You may love one or two more than the others, and that’s totally fine.  They are all on the same sheet, so you’ll have to deal with tossing a few if you aren’t a fan in order to get the ones you like, but such is life.

I printed these out on colored cardstock, which you can get at any craft store, or better yet, right here from Amazon: Awesome Colorful Cardstock.

Then, you can add the twine, ribbon, yarn, etc. by simply punching a little hole in the corner of the tag.  I use a mini hole punch, like this one: Mini Hole Punch.

So, what do they look like?  Here are the four designs:

Download the Printables

So, ready to grab your free printables?  Here’s what to do.

  1.  Download the printables here, and I’ll email them out to you: Get Printables.
  2. Load some card stock in your printer (any color you like).
  3. Print.
  4. Cut out.
  5. Punch a hole.
  6. Add some ribbon, twine, or string.
  7. Attach to your handmade gifts!

Share your Gift Tags in Action!

If you choose to print some of these babies out and attach them to your handmade goodies, I’d love to see it!  Share with me on Instagram @fandom.knitting.crochet or in the FKC Facebook Group!

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you love these as much as I do. 🙂

 

Nifty Gifty Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

Nifty Gifty Cowl – Free Crochet Pattern

Crochet an Easy, Reversible Cowl – A Perfect Gift Pattern

While it may only be August while I type this up, a crafter knows that the time from August to December 25 flies.  Many a knitter and crocheter know the mad-dash feeling of mid-December when all the gifts you had hoped to finish are likely going to end up in the “finish for next Christmas” pile.

With a fresh resolution to not wait until the last minute, I’ve been starting my giftable knitting and crocheting nice and early this year, and I think you should, too!  So, what I’ve got for you today is the “Nifty Gifty Cowl,” which is a super-easy, fast and fun crochet pattern.  It is a perfect gift item because it is versatile, one-size-fits-all, and works up in a flash.

I personally love the look of this cowl with the “knit-look” stitches on the outside, but the texture of the other side is just as lovely, so it is truly reversible, and it works for just about anyone on your gift list (heck-you may even want to make one or two for yourself)!

What’s the fandom inspiration?  Well, there really isn’t one.  This is a fandom knitting and crochet blog, but sometimes, I just make stuff that is neutral and classic.  So, here we are.  The name, however, is fandom-inspired.  My favorite comedy series of all time is the American version of The Office, and there is an episode where Michael Scott hands out “Nifty Gifties” to his new employees, so there you have it.  I couldn’t truly go without any fandom references, now could I?

I hope you enjoy, favorite, queue, share, pin, etc.

*This post contains affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.  

Materials:
Gauge:

While gauge is not important for this project, my gauge was approximately 5 stitches and 5 rows = 4″

Finished Size:

Approximately 16.5″ wide by 10.5″ tall, unstretched

Instructions:

Chain 42.

Half-double crochet (hdc) in the 2nd chain from the hook and in each across.  Join with a slip stitch to the first hdc.  (*Note – you will have a small gap at the bottom of your first round.  You can sew that up with the tail from the beginning of your starting chain when you are done.)

Chain 1.  Hdc in the 3rd loop around.  Join with a slip stitch. (*Note – the 3rd loop is the loop right under/behind the back loop of your stitch.  See the image.)

Repeat the last round 10 more times.

Fasten off.  Weave in loose ends with the yarn needle, attaching the bottom of the first round with the tail from your starting chain.

Download a Printer-friendly pdf version of the pattern right here.

Want More Crochet Patterns?

Check out my other crochet patterns in the Crochet Patterns section of the blog right here.

Let’s Connect!

I hope you like this pattern! Let me know if you make one by commenting here or connecting with me on Facebook or Instagram.  Follow the blog with your email address (sign up on the side bar) and be sure to join the “Fandom Knitting & Crochet Group” on Facebook.  We talk all things fandom and yarn.  I’m also on Instagram: @fandom.knitting.crochet.

Thanks for stopping by!

Reflections on Our First Knit and Crochet-Along

After finishing the first ever Fandom Knitting and Crochet Knit/Crochet-Along, I share my finished projects, thoughts, and some plans for the future.

That’s a Wrap! (or, more aptly, a Shawl)

The very first Fandom Knit/Crochet-Along has come to an end, and man, did I have fun!  Not only did I complete two shawls I would never have finished otherwise, I got to work along with some awesome fellow knitters and crocheters.  What you’ll find here are some photos of my finished projects, a few comments and notes about the patterns and the kal/cal process, and some ideas for the future.  Spoiler: I learned a lot and can’t wait for the next one!

(This post contains affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.  I recommend things that I personally love.)

The Projects: Secret Paths Shawl and Reyna Shawl (and Power Wave Scarf)

For the knit/crochet-along, we (the members of the FKC Facebook Group – if you aren’t already a member, you should join!), decided to work on a shawl.  That said, we have some knitters, some crocheters, and plenty of folks not really wanting to commit to a “big” project.  So, the patterns we worked from were:

For me, it was go big or go home, so I went with both the Secret Paths and the Reyna Shawls.

My Secret Paths Shawl

The biggest surprise for me in the whole CAL was how much I loved the Secret Paths Shawl.  I am not a “shawl person,” per se, and I’ve only really made and wore one shawl.  So, much to my surprise and delight, I really loved making this shawl (it works up quickly!) and I am so happy with the result.

I used Lion Brand Mandala yarn in Centaur, which is a dk weight yarn, and a H-8 crochet hook.  This is a larger yarn and hook than specified in the pattern, but the result is a good-sized cozy (and really, really cute) shawl.  In other words…I strongly urge you to give this pattern and yarn a try.  There are so many gorgeous colors of Mandala, and it is really affordable.  So, go treat yo’ self to some and make this delightful shawl.  You can shop Mandala yarn here.

My Reyna Shawl

Ah…the Reyna Shawl.  I have some mixed feelings about how my Reyna turned out.  First off, it is really much more of a “shawlette” than a shawl when knitted with the recommended yarn and needles, which I did.  So, I used fingering-weight yarn in three solid colors: white, grey, and black.  My inspiration were the dire wolves from Game of Thrones, and I used white as my predominant color for my favorite of the dire wolves, Jon Snow’s “Ghost.”

While I do think it is a nice pattern and am overall happy with it, I would do a few things differently.  I would likely use a nice, hand-dyed, fancy yarn next time around.  The color changes were not fun on this because there is such a delicate edge for weaving in loose ends, and it adds bulk.  I’d probably also use a larger weight yarn and needles so the finished shawl would be bigger.  Just personal preference.

Oh, and I’d pay better attention as I was going so I wouldn’t have made mistakes in my mesh sections.  I love the mesh sections and feel like they really “make” the shawl what it is.  However, I Shruted it (Office fans, anyone?) and have some “character” in my mesh sections.  Such is life, I suppose.  I can live with it.

Reflections on the Process and Looking to the Future

Overall, the Fandom Knit/Crochet-Along was a huge success.  Not only did we have an overwhelming amount of participation from fellow stitchers, which made it so much fun, I personally completed two projects I might not have had the motivation to finish all on my own.

One thing I’d do differently is to shorten the overall amount of weeks on the schedule.  I didn’t want to rush or overwhelm people, so I really spread it out, but I think some people lost their momentum in the process.

So, would I do it again? You betcha!

I’m currently planning a Halloween-themed Knit/Crochet-Along.  So, if you have some ideas of what you’d like to make, comment and let me know!  Halloween is one of my favorite times of year and I have some fabulous yarns in mind to work with.  Who’s excited?!?

Let’s Connect!

I’d love for you to follow Fandom Knitting & Crochet.  I so appreciate any support, and I love the community of fellow knitters and crocheters!  Join our email list here: Sign up! I also have a Facebook Page and a Facebook Group, which you can join here: Fandom Knitting & Crochet – Group.

Thanks for stopping by!

 

 

Fandom Spotlight: Women of Disney

The spotlight is on the Women of Disney (at least a few of them)! Get knitting and crochet patterns, yarns inspired by the characters, and some awesome fandom gear.

Women of Disney-Inspired Knitting and Crochet Patterns, Yarn, and Fandom Gear

Welcome to the second-ever Fandom Spotlight here at Fandom Knitting & Crochet!  The first one, our Harry Potter Fandom Spotlight, was so much fun to put together, and I got such wonderful feedback I decided to continue the series.  So, today, I bring you the Women of Disney.

So, why not Disney Princesses?  Well, I thought about that, and some of them aren’t really princesses.  So, I got to thinking, how about Disney Royals?  Well, that didn’t give the right “girl power” vibe, so I went with Women of Disney.

What you’ll find here is a collection of hand-picked knitting patterns, crochet patterns, yarn, and fandom gear that I personally love and find oh-so-fitting for celebrating the Women of Disney in the proper crafty fandom fashion.  While there are some “literal” interpretations of the characters these patterns and yarns inspire, I (as always) have also included a nice sampling of more loosely-related selections. 🙂

I hope you enjoy!

(This post contains affiliate links.  All opinions are my own.)

10 Women of Disney – Inspired Knitting & Crochet Patterns

While these patterns and are not officially associated with Disney, the inspiration can be seen if you are looking. 🙂 Here’s a round-up of some of my favorites to knit and crochet (some are my free designs, and some are fabulous patterns from other designers.)

  1. Rapunzel Scarf by Kate Lonsdale (Free Knitting Pattern)
  2. Disney Frozen Anna Doll by SarahBeth on Ravelry (Paid Crochet Pattern)
  3. Merida (Scarf) by Melissa G Martinez (Paid Knitting Pattern)
  4. Brave Scottish Princess Doll by Jana Whitley (Paid Crochet Pattern)
  5. Elsa’s Cable Socks by Valya Boutenko (Paid Knitting Pattern)
  6. Elsa (Shawl) by Christopher Salas (Free Knitting Pattern)
  7. Frozen Elsa Flip Doll by The Knitted Toybox (Free Knitting Pattern)
  8. Princess Anna Crochet Hat by Over the Apple Tree (Free Crochet Pattern)
  9. Ariel Cardigan by Simone Francis (Paid Crochet Pattern)
  10. Ariel Shawl by Kelly Spenhoff (Paid Knitting Pattern)

Royalty-worthy Yarn: Yarns Fit for a Princess

If you are looking for some perfectly princess-worthy yarn to create one of the projects above (or one of your own), I suggest using a yarn that comes in a variety of Women of Disney-type colors.

My recommendation for a general yarn is Swish DK from Knit Picks.  It is superwash, squishy, lovely, and affordable.  The best part is all of the colors! I have curated some of them in Disney-inspired combos in the photo above.  Here are the exact colors I pulled together:

  • For Elsa: Wonderland Heather
  • For Rapunzel: Sugar Plum & Carnation
  • For Merida: Rainforest Heather
  • For Snow: Dusk, Serrano, and Honey
  • For Tiana: Green Tea Heather
  • For Belle: Honey
  • For Anna: Bordeaux, Blak & Dusk

You can get all of these colors from Knit Picks right here.

Women of Disney Gear – Fandom Product Finds

So, if you’re like me, you want to show off your fandom.  It’s not just picking fandom-related projects to knit and crochet and carefully selecting yarn.  Sometimes it’s also about finding a cute fandom item that just brings a smile to your face.  So, if you’re looking for some Women of Disney fandom gear, here are my picks:

  • Mrs. Potts Ceramic Teapot available here.
  • Women’s Princess T-Shirt available here.
  • Disney Villians Faux Leather Handbag available here.

Want to See a Fandom Spotlight of Your Favorite Book, Series, or Movie?  Let Me Know!

If you want to give a suggestion for a fandom spotlight round-up of patterns, yarns, and products, comment here or let me know in the Fandom Knitting & Crochet Facebook Group.  Also, please keep in touch! Join the email newsletter list to get the latest updates on yarn and fandom goodies!

Thanks so much for stopping by!