Basketweave Crochet Baby Blanket

Ever since my best friend told me she was pregnant, I knew I wanted to crochet her a baby blanket. They decided from the start that they were not going to find out the gender, so I went with a gender neutral mint green color. I purchased the yarn months ago and set out to find the perfect blanket pattern. I knew I didn't want to do a typical pattern that looks the same as every other pattern out there, I wanted something unique! After months of searching, I came across this pattern from Little Monkeys Crochet of her Basketweave Throw Pillow. I knew instantly that this would be the perfect pattern  for a baby blanket. 

Since I wanted the blanket to be larger, I had to modify the pattern a little bit. To add to this pattern, start by chaining to desired width in multiples of 4 and then and 1 chain. (example: 27x4= 108, 108+1=109). For the full pattern, head on over to Little Monkeys Crochet.

I love how my blanket turned out! And it was a pretty simple pattern as well.

I think baby blankets will be my new go-to shower gift, a new pattern every time!

What are some of your favorite baby blanket patterns?

Crocheted Bow Coffee Sleeves

This is my shameless post on my new coffee sleeve design now available in my Etsy shop, Melanie's Marketplace. These coffee sleeves come in any color imaginable, so head on over and check them out!

And, for this week only, get 15% OFF your order when you use coupon code "NOVEMBER"
Coupon code is redeemable now until Nov. 25th! 

Happy Shopping!

Crocheted Double V Stitch Blanket

This is the year-long crochet project that I thought would never end. But today I am happy to report... it is finally finished!

I started this blanket last fall with every intention to finish it. Then, my sister made a special request for this double sided shell blanket that she wanted me to make her for Christmas. Needless to say, it took every free moment I had to finish her blanket in time for Christmas, and then I became a little burnt out on making blankets. So as soon as the weather turned cold enough to crochet (below 70) this Fall, I kicked my butt in gear and got to work on finishing this beauty.

I am beyond excited with the final product! It is so warm & cozy and I am so thrilled to curl up on the couch with it each night. 

CROCHETED DOUBLE V STITCH BLANKET PATTERN

SUPPLIES:

CHUNKY YARN (ABOUT 20 SKEINS... I HONESTLY DON'T REMEMBER)

I USED LION BRAND HOMETOWN USA IN ASPEN TWEED

SIZE N HOOK

CH IN MULTIPLES OF 6 UNTIL DESIRED WIDTH

ROW 1: (DC, CH2, DC) IN THE 6TH CH FROM HOOK (V STITCH MADE). *SKIP NEXT 2 CH, THEN (DC, CH2, DC) IN NEXT CH. REPEAT FROM * UNTIL LAST 3 CHAINS. SKIP 2 CH, DC IN LAST CH. 

ROW 2: CH 3, TURN (DC, CH 2, DC) IN EACH CH 2 SPACE ACROSS. DC IN TOP OF TURNING CHAIN.

REPEAT ROW 2 UNTIL YOUR BLANKET IS YOUR DESIRED SIZE.

ADD FRINGE IF DESIRED.

While blankets are very time consuming to crochet, it is a great feeling of accomplishment every time I finish one! I've already got a few more patterns up my sleeve for the next one.

WHat is your favorite thing to crochet?

A VALENTINE'S GIVEAWAY: Crocheted Heart Coffee Sleeves (Set of Two)

Mondays are always the worst, so I am hoping this giveaway will brighten your day. What better way to start the week, right?

Love is in the air! And while it's not quite February yet, I wanted to make sure to run this giveaway with enough time for the winner to enjoy their coffee sleeves before Valentine's Day! 

The winner will receive two heart coffee sleeves (one for you and one for a friend) with their choice of colors from Melanie's Marketplace absolutely FREE!

Stop by Melanie's Marketplace on Etsy to start getting color ideas!

http://www.etsy.com/shop/MelaniesMarketplace

You must use the Rafflecopter widget to enter.

Giveaway will be open until Febraury 1st at 12AM. Winner will be chosen at random by Rafflecopter and notified by email. You will have 48 hours to respond before you lose your prize and a new winner will be chosen. Must be 18 years or older to win. Contest open to US Residents only.

Good Luck!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

What color combo will you choose if you are the lucky winner?

Crocheted Double-Sided Shell Blanket Pattern

As promised, I am sharing the pattern for this beautiful crocheted double-sided shell blanket today!

In case you missed the story behind this blanket and why it is so important to me, head on over to my post: A Crocheted Christmas Story.

This pattern is very time consuming, since it is double-sided, but I promise it is so worth it when it is done! The original pattern is for a baby blanket, but I used a bigger hook to make it work as a normal sized blanket. The pattern I am sharing makes a large blanket of over 5 feet wide and 5 feet long.

To make the pattern smaller or larger, you can add or subtract in multiples of 5 chains.

CROCHETED DOUBLE-SIDED SHELL BLANKET PATTERN

SUPPLIES:

6 SKEINS OF CARON ONE POUND YARN (3 SKEINS OF EACH COLOR)

SIZE K HOOK

ROW 1 (SHELL-ST ROW) WITH COLOR A, CH 198 LOOSELY. WORK IN 1 DC IN 5TH CH FROM HOOK (TURNING CH), 3 DC IN NEXT CH, 1 DC IN NEXT CH (1 SHELL COMPLETED) *SKIP 2 CH, WORK 1 DC IN NEXT CH, 3 DC IN NEXT CH, 1 DC IN NEXT CH. REPEAT FROM * ACROSS TO WITHIN 1 CH FROM END. DO NOT WORK IN LAST CH. DROP LOOP FROM HOOK.

ROW 2 (CHAIN-LOOP ROW) DO NOT TURN. WITH COLOR B, MAKE A LOOP ON HOOK.

STARTING AT THE BEGINNING OF THE LAST ROW, JOIN B WITH A SC IN THE 4TH CH OF TURNING CH (THE CH BEFORE FIRST DC OF FIRST SHELL-SC ROW). WORKING IN FRONT OF THE LAST ROW, *CH 6 SKIP NEXT SHELL, WORK 1 SC IN FIRST CH OF THE 2ND SKIPPED CH IN FOUNDATION CH (BETWEEN SHELLS) REPEAT FROM * ACROSS, ENDING WITH CH 6, 1 SC IN END CH (THE FREE CH AT END OF LAST SHELL-ST ROW).

ROW 3 (SHELL-ROW) WITH B, CH 2, TURN, WORK A SLIP-ST IN FIRST DC OF LAST SHELL-ST ROW, CH 2 *INSERTING HOOK THROUGH THE DC AND UNDER CHAIN-LOOP, WORK A SHELL (5 DC IN SAME ST) IN CENTER OF NEXT SHELL, REPEAT FROM *ACROSS ROW, DROP LOOP FROM HOOK. DO NOT TURN.

ROW 4 (CHAIN-LOOP ROW) PICK UP DROPPED A LOOP AT END OF THE SHELL-ST ROW BEFORE LAST. *CH 6, WORKING IN FRONT OF LAST SHELL-ST ROW, SKIP SHELL, WORK I SC IN SPACE BEFORE NEXT SHELL (SAME COLOR SHELL AS CHAIN-LOOP BEING MADE), REPEAT FROM * ACROSS, END WITH CH 6, SKIP LAST SHELL, 1 SC UNDER CHAIN-LOOP AT END OF ROW.

ROW 5 WITH A INSTEAD OF B, WORK SAME AS FOR ROW 3, DO NOT TURN.

ROW 6 PICK-UP DROPPED B LOOP AT END OF THE SHELL-ST ROW BEFORE LAST AND WORK SAME AS FOR ROW 4.

REPEAT ROWS 3,4,5,6 FOR PATTERN AND WORK UNTIL BLANKET MEASURES DESIRED LENGTH.

LAST ROW: SC IN EACH DC IN ALL SHELLS TO FINISH BLANKET.

IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO ADD FRINGE:

CUT 5 1/2" LENGTHS OF BOTH COLORS USING TO STRANDS OF EACH COLOR FRINGE. ATTACH FRINGE BETWEEN SHELLS ON STARTING EDGE. WHEN ATTACHING FRINGE ON LAST ROWS FINISHED, CATCH LOOSE LOOP IN BETWEEN SHELLS.

I made this blanket for my sister for Christmas, and she has informed me she carries it with her everywhere she goes in the house. I am so glad she likes it as much (if not more) than I do! 

As for me, I still can't decide which side I like better! And now that my big crochet project is complete, I hardly know what to do with myself. I am already itching to make another!

If you decide to make this blanket, or a variation of it, send me a picture, I'd love to see the finished product!

One more day of winter break and then it's back to the books for me.

Happy Monday!

A Crocheted Christmas Story

This Christmas, only one person on my list received a handmade gift. Now, before you assume it was because I was lazy and lacking any creativity, I must defend myself and say that was not at all the case. It's just that the gift given to the one person who received the handmade gift was a very time consuming project, and quite frankly, it's a miracle I finished in time. Because of this, I didn't have nearly as much time as I normally do to make handmade gifts for those on my list. 

This fall, my family came over to visit. As I think I have mentioned before, we refused to turn our heat on until November 1st, so some of our October evenings were a bit chilly. Without hesitation, my sister walked through the front door and grabbed a blanket, a crocheted blanket that had just been given to me as a gift from Adam's grandma. She commented on how much she would like one of her own and I told her that Grandma Muszynski would be happy to make her one. Her response: "Well it would mean a lot more coming from you." I laughed and told her there was no way I had time to make a blanket for her since I was already making one of my own. 

A few days later, my sister sent out her Christmas list and somewhere near the top read "a crocheted blanket (hint hint Melanie)." I figured if it meant that much to her, I would ask Grandma Muszynski for the pattern and have her teach me how to crochet her famous blankets. A few weeks later, we went to visit her and sure enough, she gave me three copies of the pattern, told me what kind of yarn to buy, and the cheapest places to buy it. She offered to make the blanket for me, telling me that it would only take her about a week. I heard my sister's voice in my head and kindly declined.

I remember this day fondly, as it was the last time I saw Grandma Muszynski. Sadly, she ended up in and out of the hospital with pneumonia in November. While in the hospital, I remember her asking how the blanket was coming along, and we would send her pictures of my progress, which at that point was only about 18 inches. I couldn't wait to take it with us for our next visit on December 12th. Unfortunately, I never got the chance to show her. She went back into the hospital on Thanksgiving and never recovered. She passed away December 9, 2014.

Before that day, I can honestly say the blanket was less than halfway done. I had planned to work on it more once I finished school and told everyone I would finish it by Christmas, but in my head I had my doubts. After that day, I told myself there was no choice, I needed to finish that blanket by Christmas, not only for my sister but for Grandma Muszynski, as well. I crocheted every free moment I had, for hours at a time, and I know she gave me the motivation to do it. It became my way of coping with losing her. As I crocheted, I thought about all the memories I had of her and how proud she would be of me if I finished it.

After two months, I ended up finishing the blanket on December 22nd. It was a wonderful accomplishment to say that I finished my first ever crocheted blanket! I know Grandma Muszynski was on the beach somewhere, drinking an ice cold beer, and watching with a smile as my sister opened it Christmas morning.

 It has been one month since Grandma Muszynski's passing, and I miss her like crazy! Although I wasn't her grandchild by blood, she always treated me as if I were one of her own and I have so many fond memories of her that I will cherish forever. I am hoping to continue to make these beautiful crocheted blankets in her memory.

Come back next week, because I will be sharing the pattern for this beautiful Crocheted Double Sided Shell Blanket!

Etsy Shop: Crocheted Coffee Sleeves

Well ladies, the holiday season is upon us and I could not be more excited!

When considering putting up my Christmas stuff early, my husband responded with "Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday! Can't you just let me enjoy it?!" So unfortunately I have to wait until Friday to put out any of my Christmas decorations. What a grinch, right? (just kidding, I kind of tend to agree with him). 

Instead, I will just write this post while watching my neighbors across the street put up their Christmas tree and listening to Christmas music.

Since the hubby's not home, he sure can't get upset. For all he knows I have yet to hear a Christmas song this season. :)

Anyways, since I have to wait until Friday to start anything Christmas related, I figured I'd share some of the new items available in my Etsy shop, in case you were looking for some unique gift ideas. 

First up, is my limited time only Crocheted Santa Coffee Sleeve.

Next is another new favorite, my Crocheted Bow Coffee Sleeve.

Last, but certainly not least is an oldie but goodie, my Crocheted Heart Coffee Sleeve.

If you are interested in purchasing any of these items, or just browsing my shop, you can check it out here.

I'm hoping to have a few other crocheted items in my shop for the holidays, so be sure to keep checking back!

Crochet Love

I don't remember if I mentioned it before, but I learned to crochet over my month long Christmas break. I kept seeing adorable patterns on Pinterest and was determined to learn. I came across a crochet along from Maybe Matilda. While I was a few years late, the material was so easy to understand. If you are interested in learning how to crochet, I highly suggest you check out her blog.

My first project was the beautiful cowl from that crochet along and it is by far one of my favorite winter accessories. 

cowl pattern

My next projects were a headband with a bow and a tweed looking scarf.

bow headband tutorial

hounds tooth scarf pattern

Do you like my scarf model? haha.

Once I mastered the patterns that required me to only crochet straight lines, I decided to move on to something new. I had been admiring some baby hats since before I knew how to crochet, so I decided  to give them a go.

puppy hat

penguin hat

And my most recent project... Coffee Cozy's! You may have seen it in my post last Friday, but if not here it is again.

heart coffee cozy's

I never really thought I'd be any good at crocheting, but I am so glad I got the hang of it. It is so much fun. I am hoping that next year, I can make more hats, headbands, and coffee sleeves to put in my Etsy shop. I am so excited about my new hobby, it is so relaxing and simple enough to do while watching TV. 

Next I think I might try making a big blanket. Go big or go home, right?

Happy Hump Day!

Crocheted Coffee Cozy's

 Happy Valentine's Day Everyone! 

I just woke up to big,  beautiful snow flakes floating in the air. Yes, it is February and yes,  this still excites me! I'm not quite sick of this fluffy white stuff yet, and I'm really not looking forward to the day the snow melts and we have to scoop up all the dog poop from the past 3-4 months. Yuck!

 Anyways, today I am sharing these adorable coffee cozy's I made for my friends for Valentine's Day. I already sent a few out in the mail, but everyone else is getting theirs today and I am so excited! I just love giving little gifts to make other people smile. 

**Update: These are also now available in my Etsy shop for purchase! You may click here to be sent directly to the listing.

The crochet pattern for the heart can found here. A crochet hook size E was used for the hearts.

Both the cozy and the heart use worsted weight yarn. I made up my own pattern for the actual cozy, using a size H crochet hook. Here it is:

Chain 30. Slip stitch into first chain to make a ring. before moving on, I would make sure that this will fit your coffee cup. If you crochet more loosely or more tightly, you may need to adjust this step.

Row 1: Single crochet into each chain all the way around the ring. Slip stitch into first single crochet to complete the row. 

Row 2-7: Chain 3. Double crochet all the way around the ring. Slip stitch into chain 3 to complete the row.

Row 8: Single crochet into each double crochet, all the way around the ring. Slip stitch into first single crochet to complete the row. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

And there you have it! An adorable coffee cozy. 

I can't wait to give these to all my coffee loving friends! I even stuck some of my Valentine's Day Popcorn Mix inside the cups for an extra special treat. 

Do you ever send gifts to your friends on Valentine's Day?

If so, what do you send them. I love finding new crafty, inexpensive gift ideas!