What a Watermelon

Afternoon dear friends, hope for all of my fellow American readers you had a great Fourth of July! My dear best friend was in town this past week with her  little guys so I spent the last week visiting with her, not much crochet happened. *shame face* It was well worth neglecting my crochet for. 

I'm currently working on this gem, the colors remind me of watermelons. Check my etsy soon for the listing

That's about it for now. No new tutorials or patterns just yet. Currently working on one and hope to have it up next week. 

Until next time, have a great rest of the week and weekend.

-Monet 

Patriotic Viesta Granny Square Pattern (revised)

Patriotic Viesta Granny Square

Size

Pattern makes a 7 ½ inch square

Materials

·         Worsted weight yarn- any color(s)

·         Crochet hook size I9/5.50mm

·         Yarn needle

Stitch Abbreviations

ch: chain stitch

sc: Single crochet

sl st: Slip Stitch

st(s): sticth(es)

hdc: half double crochet

v-st: v-stitch 

dc: double crochet
sk: skip

NOTES:  The format *hdc, sc, hdc* means work hdc in next st, sc in st after that and hdc in next st. Not to work all three sts in same stitch unless otherwise stated. Also when reading please remember that * to * means to repeat pattern from everything inside the asterisks.

Stitch Guide

v-st: dc, ch 1, dc all in same sp.

Ch 5; sl st in the first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 15 dc in the ring, sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

***Round 2 Color Change:  start new color with a sl st in any dc and ch 4***

Round 2: Ch 4, dc in same st as joining (counts as first v-st), ch 1, *sk next st, v-st in next st, ch 1* repeat from * to * 6 more times, sl st in the 3^rd ch of the first v-st. ( 8 v-st, ch 1 sps made). 

***Round 3 Color Change:  sl st in any v-st sp and ch 4***

Round 3: sl st in next v-st, ch 4; dc in same sp (first v-st made), v-st in each v- st and ch 1 sp around.  (16 v-sts) 

***Round 4 Color Change:  start with a sc in any v-st*** 

Round 4: Sc in next ch 1 sp, 5 dc shell in next ch 1 sp, repeat around, sl st to first sc. (8 shells, 8 sc)

*** Round 5 Color Change:  sl st in same st as join and ch 3.***

Round 5:  ch 3 (counts as first dc), hdc in next 2 sts, sc in 3^rd dc of  5 dc shell, hdc in next 2sts, *5 dc in next st ( corner made), hdc , hdc, sc ,hdc, hdc ,dc, hdc, hdc,  sc, hdc, hdc* repeat from * to* 3 more times, 5 dc in the next st, hdc, hdc, sc ,hdc, hdc, sl st to beg ch 3.

***Round 6 Color Change:  sl st in same st as join and ch 4***

Round 6: ch 4, dc in same st as joining (v-st made), [sk  2 sts, v-st in next st],repeat from [ to ] once more, sk 1 st,* v-st ch 1 v-st in next st  (corner made), sk 1 st , v- stitch, sk 2, v-st across to the next corner, sk 1*, repeat from * to * around, sl st to beg ch 3.

Your finished Square should look like this!

Crochet Fish Pattern 1

Crochet Fish Pattern

Size

Pattern makes a 4.5 inch Fish

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn - any color
• Crochet Hook Size I/5.50mm
• Yarn Needle

Stitch Abbreviations

ch: chain

dc: double crochet

hdc: half - double crochet

sc: single crochet

sl st: slip stitch

sp (s): space (es)

stitch (s): stitch (es)

tr: treble crochet

Instructions

The Body

Ch 10;

Row 1: Sc in the 2nd ch from the hook. Hdc in next ch, dc in the next, tr in next 3 chs. Dc in the next ch, hdc in the next ch, 3 sc in the last ch.

You should have this so far.

Row 2: Working on the opposite side of the first row, hdc in next ch, dc, one tr in the next 3 sts, dc, hdc, then 2 sc in the last st, sl st to the first sc and fasten off. Weave in ends.

The fish will start to bow and puff out a bit and that's how it's supposed to be. So don't worry, you did everything right.

Now let’s make the tail.

The Tail

Attach yarn in the middle sc of any 3 sc sp you did. I prefer the end that doesn't have the sl st. 

Edit: After you attach the yarn  Ch 2, 4 dc in same space, ch 2 and sl st in same st. 

Ch 1, *sc in the next 4 sts, 2 sc in the next st, sc in the next 4 sts*, 3 sc in the next st, Repeat from * to *. 

Sl st in the tail sp, Ch 2. Sc 3 times in the first dc, sc in next two sts. 3 sc in the next dc. Ch 2. Sl st in the same tail sp. ch 1. Sl st to the first sc. 

Fasten Off. Weave in ends.

Hope you enjoy my pattern; 
Don’t forget to check my blog for more patterns and tutorials!
 Check out My Etsy Shop and

Follow me on Instagram @crochetbymonet

Something Fishy This Way Comes

Aah a break! I currently have no orders to work on; that makes me happy yet sad. My four lapghans turned out so beautifully, I'm so happy. Lapghans aren't even something I do, but my client asked if I could make them so why not?

Here are all four all finished and folded

I had a slight creative streak the other night and crocheted this cute little baby blanket.<3 p="">

I just listed it on Etsy today. I'm thinking of making one in girl colors with a different applique, maybe flowers. I came up with the pattern for the fish and I will be posting that soon. I think they're so cute! I think the blanket is going to be perfect for someone with a fish/ocean themed nursery maybe even a beach themed one as well. I made if from leftover yarn I had from the other blankets. I have so much yarn I really need to just sit down and crochet, crochet, crochet. 

I've been trying to come up with some patterns to post on here. I've come up with a few I just need to take the time to write them out and do a run through with pictures and such. Fun!

Well here's what I plan to do in the next few weeks or so:

Fish pattern

Headband pattern

Disney themed crochet bunting pattern (going to be so cute)

Crochet flower bunting pattern

So be on the lookout for those posts and patterns.

Thanks for reading my blog.

Until next time have a great memorial day!

-Monet

Five and Dime

I've been pretty busy lately, thanks to my etsy sale. I finished the custom blanket I was working on and have since shipped it off along with other blanket my client bought as well.

After completing that blanket my client decided she was such a fan of my work that she ordered 4 lapghans from me as well! So now I'm currently working on those for her. I also received another custom  order from a separate client for the same baby blanket in blue and lime green. So I'm busy crocheting away.

I've been updating the progress of the blankets on my instagram but figured I would come here to do a proper update. 

There isn't much else going on, I had a lovely Easter that I spent with my family which was wonderful. Now I'm at the boyfriends house in lovely Long Beach taking in the ocean breezes while I crochet. Life is good right now. Despite not having a full time job I am doing better than anticipated.

Here is the lapghan that is currently on my lap being worked on, I absolutely LOVE the color choice for this one. 

So fantastic!

Be prepared for a new tutorial and pattern post in a week or so. I was asked for the pattern to my headbands that have on Etsy and since I myself am not really too find of them I've decided to post the pattern. So look out for that soon.

Well that's the end if today's post. Hope everyone had a great weekend and holiday and I will be back with more updates soon.

-Monet 

Its all fun and games...

... Until you have to weave in the ends.

I definitely find this part of crochet to be most boring, time consuming and irritating part of making anything.

I would have just crocheted continuously, switching yarns and never cutting; but then your forced to have a border that looks weird.

So cutting and weaving in the ends it is. 

We are almost there.

-Monet 

P.s. Don't forget about that sale on Etsy. 20% off! SPRING20 is the offer code to use at checkout!

A Crochet Baby Blanket in Neutral Colors

I received a custom order for this lovely blanket a few days ago; it is going to be so beautiful! I'm making it as a baby shower gift for my clients niece but  they don't know the sex yet. She gave me the colors the couple likes and I chose the color sequence. I think they will love it! It's one of my favorites i've made so far.

Dont forget my spring sale is still going on in my Etsy shop where you can get 20% off your purchase using the offer code SPRING20. Don't miss out on it! It's a great sale, you can even use the discount for custom orders as well, you just have to pay once you confirm your order.

I'm also now on instagram.... @crochetbymonet is my name so go follow me and I will follow you back. 

Time to get back to that beautiful blanket

-Monet

All is fair in love & crochet

We'll I'm back. I've been absent for awhile because I got a real job, but now that's over (the company closed our site). I hope to write something every day until I get another full time job; we shall see. Any who, it's late and I've been up all nite trying to untangle a ball of yarn, fun! I'm trying to make some of these: Crochet Leg Warmers

Im making hot pink crochet leg warmers for my friends 80's themed birthday party in a few weeks. 

If you want to make some also, get the pattern here . I'll post my progress. My yarn is still tangled so I don't think I'll be working one them tonight. 

Anyways, until next time fellow readers.

Goodnight.

-Monet

Free Hair Bows

Free Hair Bows on Etsy! All you have to do is buy one set of hair bows and you get a free hair bow for each set. Purchase one set, get one bow, two sets, get two bows and three sets get an extra set completely free!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Limited time only, don't miss out!!

How To Make Hair Bow Display Cards

I recently decided to start selling crochet hair bows in my etsy shop but I didn't know how I wanted to gift wrap them and package them. I decided to put them on display cards. I googled hair bow display cards and came up with some good ideas but ultimately just decided to come up with my own. I think they came out pretty good and here I will share that with you. Enjoy!

Hair Bow Display Card Tutorial

Materials:

8.5 x 11 in Cardstock (any color)

Scissors, Paper Cutter or Exacto Knife/ Razor Blade

Computer and Printer (optional)

Microsoft Word or Photoshop
Ruler (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS:

This is pretty simple, I can’t believe it took me this long to make these but after doing some searches I came up with these.

First make sure you know the measurements of the hair bows you wish to put on the display cards. Once you know that you can determine the width and height of your cards.

My bows measure about 1 in x 2 ½ in; I sell my bows in sets of three so I came up with these measurements for my card.  The card itself measures 3 in x 7 ½ in. I figured out the dimensions by deciding that I wanted the slits in my card to be an inch apart (after trial and error of course). 


Using Photoshop:

Open Photoshop > File> New

Make the dimensions 3in x 8in

Duplicate the Background Layer.

Create Guides to help with the placement of the slits.  View --> New Guide
(Make sure Extras in the View tab has a check mark next to it)

Vertical guides:  Place guides at the 1 inch and 2 inch mark.

Horizontal guides:
Place guides at the 1.25 inch mark (this line represents where the bottom of the top text should be)
Then place guides at the 2,3,4,5,6, and 7 inch marks.

I created vertical lines from the 2 -3 inch mark, the 4-5 inch mark and the 6-7 inch mark using the Line tool. I then duplicated those layers and placed them evenly at the vertical 2 inch mark.

Now just add your text. The end.

This being the end result:

( I can't say this image is the exact size)

I printed my cards on the cardstock paper. My original cards are printed with grey ink seeing as my black ink was running out.

Once I printed them I used my paper cutter to cut them out and to cut my slits in it. If you don't have a paper cutter you can very well use scissors, and or an exacto knife/razor blade.

Alternate Method Using Microsoft Word

Open Microsoft Word

Create a new table go to Insert --> Table --> 2x1 

Table dimensions should be Height: 8" Width: 3"

Then for the text I added a Text Box go to Insert --> Text Box

Position the text where you would like it to be and write in it whatever you like. I did this for both the top and bottom text.

Now you can print out your card and cut the slits in them.

The End. 

If anyone makes a display card from my tutorial please drop me a comment and a link, I would love to see yours!

Enjoy!

Free Granny Square Pattern

Here is the pattern for my granny square that I posted a while back. It is not perfect, probably confusing as heck so if you have questions or need clarification just let me know. Sorry in advance for my potentially poor pattern writing on this one. I call it the Viesta Granny Square Pattern because the colors remind me of a fiesta but the pattern is full of v-stitches. Enjoy!

Viesta Granny Square Pattern

 

Size
Pattern makes a 7 ½ inch square

Materials
• Worsted weight yarn- any color(s)
• Crochet hook size I9/5.50mm
• Yarn needle

Stitch Abbreviations
ch: chain stitch
sc: Single crochet
sl st: Slip Stitch
st(s): sticth(es)
hdc: half double crochet
v-st: v-stitch
dc: double crochet

NOTES: The format *hdc, sc, hdc* means work hdc in next st, sc in st after that and hdc in next st. Not to work all three sts in same stitch unless otherwise stated. Also when reading please remember that * to * means to repeat pattern from everything inside the asterisks.

Stitch Guide v-st: dc, ch 1, dc all in same sp.

Ch 5; sl st in the first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), 15 dc in the ring, sl st in 3rd ch of beg ch 3. (16 dc)

Round 2: Ch 4, dc in same st as joining (counts as first v-st), ch 1, *sk next st, v-st in next st, ch 1* repeat from * to * 6 more times, sl st in the 3rd ch of the first v-st. ( 8 v-st, ch 1 sps made). If switching colors start new color by sl st in any dc and ch 4.

 

Round 3: ch 1, sl st in next v-st, ch 4; dc in same sp (first v-st made), v-st in each v- st and ch 1 sp around. (16 v-sts)

If using different color, sl st in any v-st sp and ch 4

Round 4: Sc in next ch 1 sp, 5 dc shell in next ch 1 sp, repeat around, sl st to first sc. (8 shells, 8 sc)

If using a different color, start with a sc in any v-st

 

Round 5: ch 3 (counts as first dc), hdc in next 2 sts, sc in 3rd dc of 5 dc shell, hdc in next 2sts, *5 dc in next st ( corner made), hdc , hdc, sc ,hdc, hdc ,dc, hdc, hdc, sc, hdc, hdc* repeat from * to* 3 more times, 5 dc in the next st, hdc, hdc, sc ,hdc, hdc, sl st to beg ch 3.

If using a different color, then start with a sc in the 3rd dc of any 5 dc shell.

 

Round 6: ch 4, dc in same st as joining (v-st made), [sk 2 sts, v-st in next st],repeat from [ to ] once more, sk 1 st,* v-st ch 1 v-st in next st (corner made), sk 1 st , v- stitch, sk 2, v-st across to the next corner, sk 1*, repeat from * to * around, sl st to beg ch 3.

If using a different color then start your round with a sl st and ch 4 in any dc of the previous round.

The finished square should look like this!

Simple Crochet Hair Bow Pattern

 

Simple Crochet Hair Bow Pattern

Size

Pattern makes a 4 ½ inch bow

Materials

·         Worsted weight yarn- any color (color A)

·         Worsted weight yarn in contrasting color (color B)

·         Crochet hook size h/8-5.00mm

·         Yarn needle

Gauge

Finished bow size = 4 ½ inches across

Stitch Abbreviations

ch: chain stitch

hdc: half double crochet

sl st: Slip Stitch

st(s): stitch(es)

Instructions

Main Bow

With Color A, ch 16.

Row 1: hdc in the next 7 sts; sl st in the next st; hdc in the next 7 sts; turn.

Row 2: ch 1, hdc in the next 7 sts; sl st in the next st; hdc in the next 7 sts; turn.

 Rows 3 -6: Repeat row 2. Fasten Off.

With color B, weave the yarn through the center of your work (through the sl sts that you made). You can also just pinch the center of your work and insert the yarn through there.Once your yarn is completely pulled through, wrap around the center of your work a few times and tie off. Weave in All loose ends.

Hot glue barette on the back to complete your bow. The End.

© 2012 Copyright by Monet Gipson
All rights reserved, not to be reprinted

Patterns are for personal use only.

Not for commercial or retail purposes.

Items made from my patterns may not be sold.

Crochet Pumpkin Coasters Pattern

Crochet Pumpkin Coaster Pattern

Size
Coaster Measures 5.in x 4.5 in, sizes may vary

Materials
* Worsted weight yarn - Orange
* Worsted weight yarn in contrasting color - Green
* Crochet hook size I9/5.50mm
* Yarn needle

Stitch Abbreviations
ch: chain stitch
sc: Single crochet
sl st: Slip Stitch
st(s): sticth(es)
hdc: half-double crochet
dc: double crochet

Instructions
Pumpkin
With orange;
Ch 5, sl st to form a ring.
Round 1: ch 1, sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sc, hdc, 5 dc, hdc, sl to first sc.

Round 2: ch 1, sc in same st as join, hdc in next st, 2 dc  in next 5 dc, hdc, sc, hdc, 2 dc in next 5 dc, hdc, sl st to first sc.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in same st as join, hdc, 2 dc in each of the next 10 sts, hdc, sc, hdc, 2dc in next 10 sts, hdc, sl st to first sc.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Stem
With green; and on the opposite side of your work (where your other hdc,sc,hdc sequence is)

Sl st in the first dc to the right of the first hdc (the hdc on the right)
Row 1: ch 1, sc in same st and in each of next 4 sts.

Row 2: repeat row 1, twice more.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Hope you enjoyed my tutorial; don’t forget to check here for more patterns and view My Etsy as well.

© 2014 Copyright by Monet Gipson
All rights reserved, not to be reprinted.
Patterns are for personal use only.
Not for commercial or retail purposes.
Items made from my patterns may not be sold.

Halloween Coffee Mug Cozies

Halloween Coffee Mug Cozies are now available for purchase in my etsy shop!!

 

 

These are too cute, I just keep imagining a person working in an office setting with one of these on their coffee mugs; these would definitely add a little  humor to anyones work day!

 

More to come, buy one today while the 20% Off Sale is still going on, sale ends Fri. Sept., 7, 2012 @ 11:59 PM PST!

 

Please remember you have to manually put in the coupon code to receive the extra 20% off, it is not automatic.

 

Coupon code: LABOR20

Granny Square, Granny Square, Granny Square!

About a week ago I decided I need to start coming up with more original patterns for my works and this granny square is the end result. Its fairly simple and basically just consists of shells and v-stitches.

The pink and blue one was the first square I made and the other is the second square I made.

 I was surprised how easy it was to come up with a square of my own once you get the hang of where to make your corners. I hope to make a blanket with my new square soon :) Wish me luck! I will definitely update again with my progress on the blanket.


-Mone't