Free Pattern - Boucle Headband and Cowl Set

To get myself through the last few months of winter (so sad!), I felt like I needed something new and pretty. My scarf, even though I really love it, can be burdensome because of the length. About a year ago, I bought some yarn I just loved from which to make a slouch hat. Unfortunately, the pattern I was using didn't make a whole lot of sense and I never got it done. I was in headband making mode, so I thought I would whip this little set up.

Enjoy!


Boucle Headband and Cowl Set (adult size)

Materials:
Lion Brand Silky Twist in Linen (2 5oz. balls)
Size N crochet hook
Yarn Needle
Large Buttons (optional)

Stiches:
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
dc2tog = double crochet two together


Headband:

Ch7
Row1: In second ch from hook, dc in each ch across. Ch 3. Turn. (5)
R2: Dc in first two stitches, 2dc in third stitch, dc in last two stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (6)
R3: Dc in each stitch across. (6)
R4: Dc in first three stitches, 2dc in fourth stitch, dc in last two stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (7)
R5: Repeat R3 (7)
R6: Dc in first three stitches, 2dc in fourth stitch, dc in last three stiches. Ch 3. Turn. (8)
R7: Repeat R3 (8)
R8: Dc in first three stitches, 2dc in fourth stitch, dc in last four stiches. Ch 3. Turn. (9)
R9: Repeat R3 (9)
R10: Dc in first four stitches, 2dc in fifth, dc in last four stiches. Ch 3. Turn. (10)
R11: Repeat R3 (10)
R12: Dc in first four stitches, dc2tog, dc in last four stiches. Ch 3. Turn. (9)
R13: Repeat R3 (9)
R14: Dc in first three stitches, dc2tog, dc in last four stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (8)
R15: Repeat R3 (8)
R16: Dc in first three stitches, dc2tog, dc in last three stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (7)
R17: Repeat R3 (7)
R18: Dc in first two stitches, dc2tog, dc in last three stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (6)
R17: Repeat R3 (6)
R16: Dc in first two stitches, dc2tog, dc in last two stitches. Ch 3. Turn. (5)
R17: Dc in each stitch across. (5) Do not fasten off. First, test the headband around your head to make sure it would fit. If you need to add more length, repeat row 3 until long enough.

Once headband is long enough, fasten off, leaving a long thread for sewing.
To sew the ends together, use a mattress stitch. (It can be tough with this yarn, but if you do your best, it should be fine). Weave in ends.

Alternatively, you can fasten off and weave in as usual and then add a large button to one end. To fasten just slip the opposite end over the button.


Cowl:

Ch22
Row 1: Dc in second chain from hook and each chain across. Ch 3. Turn. (20)
R2-36. Dc in each st across. Ch 3. Turn. (20)
R37: Dc in each st across. (20) Do no fasten off. Test the cowl around your neck to make sure it drapes down as far from or as close to your neck as you would like it. If you need to add more length, repeat row 2 until it's until long enough.

Once the cowl is the size you want, fasten off, leaving a long thread for sewing.
Sew the ends together using a mattress stitch. Weave in ends.

Alternatively, you can fasten off and weave in as usual after the last row and then add two or three large buttons to one end of the cowl. To fasten just slip the opposite end over the buttons.

Show me yours!

Questions, comments, or see a mistake? Leave a comment for me.

Warm Rainbows

About a year ago, my mom made my eldest child Katie a sweet hat and hand warmer set from the prettiest Bernat Pipsqueak yarn. I couldn't believe how incredibly soft and warm it was and loved it so much that I decided we should share it with the world.

You can now get the pattern for this cozy set in our Etsy shop!

Happy mid-winter warm up!

Wednesday's Child: Something Old, Something New

You know the old saying about everything that goes out of style always comes back? Out of style for decades, it appears they are now in style again. I’m talking about beautiful beaded doilies which are used as jar covers and as accents on glassware. For some reason I am so inspired by them! Some time ago I stumbled onto a picture of a crochet cake cover and fell immediately in love. I searched the internet for the cake cover pattern and always it would take me back to the same site; http://heirloomtreasuresfiberarts.com/heirloom-heritage-techniques. While I enjoyed the site, I never found a pattern for this beautiful cake cover.

In my quest to find the ever-elusive crochet cake cover I ferreted out some beaded jar patterns. The really neat thing about the beaded jar covers is they are not only pretty; they can be practical as well. Imagine a dainty little jeweled doily covering your pitcher of iced sweet tea, keeping it bug-free while you sit on the front porch with friends. If you don’t crochet, I found this idea from http://www.pompomemporium.com/content/how-upcycle-a-cotton-doily:

In charity shops you can often see a pile of doilies languishing unappreciated in with the linens, it's a shame as obviously a lot of time and effort went into hand-crocheting these cotton doilies. Pondering their plight I had the idea of up-cycleing them into jug/bowl covers, to keep flies off food and drink in summer. All you do to give them a new lease of life is attach, by sewing, glass beads* around the edge.
*Glass ones have more weight than plastic ones.

I found the Bourbon Rose Jug/Bowl Cover here: http://megan.cc/BowlCover/

This is a free pattern for you to download and she not only gives you the pattern, she also has a section which tells you how to do the blocking. It would not be hard to make a fashion statement on your table with these. Beaded covers make the ordinary appear extraordinary!

This vintage pattern below is free from: http://www.knitting-and.com/crochet/jugcover.htm It’s originally from the 1940’s. It is so cute with a little crochet cup and saucer on top and would make a charming display in a kitchen.

But why stop at jug and jar covers? Can’t you just see little crochet beaded snowflakes sparkling from a Christmas tree branch, hanging from a nylon thread in a window, or even from a ceiling, as the beads catch the light? How cool would that be?! Or what about making coasters for parties? How about beaded “skirts” for wine glasses. Throw one over your pie dish or bowl of potato salad! They would make nice gifts too. For those who can’t or don’t want to crochet, what could be easier than to buy one from an internet store such as Etsy or E-bay?

There are even books available with a number of different patterns.

It’s time to re-enjoy old fashioned ideas and traditional crochet by making something updated and fun! If you have some ideas or some cool pictures of how to use beaded doilies, don’t hesitate in letting me know. Who knows, maybe I’ll do a post on it!