Spring is Almost Here!

We can wish, right? 🙂  

Actually, I’m finally getting around to posting some more patterns that got lost in the abyss when the old Caron blog got removed.   All patterns here Simply Soft Party yarn, which  I really like better than other yarns with a metallic strand incorporated into it.  Simply Soft Party yarn has the metallic strand twisted into the yarn in a much better manner so the hook never seems to get caught on the strand like it does with other yarns, yet the yarn still maintains the softness it is known for.

I used my favorite Simply Soft Party color (Yes, Spring), to make these quick ornaments.  I made a small shamrock that can be used for just about anything- a pin, a pencil topper, a headband, etc- an all-around great St. Patty’s day embellishment. If you prefer the real luck of the Irish, then how about a 4 leaf clover?

Using the Embellish Knit, I made a cozy for a pencil by just knitting the length of the pencil and inserting the pencil into the tube (a sharpened pencil works best). The really fun thing about this cozy is that you can twist it in different directions on the pencil and get a really interesting textured effect. To top the pencil cozy off, I added a little flower done in Spring and Snow.  Or try knitting around a chenille stem and see what you can come up with. I coiled one around a chopstick and then added beads for embellishment.  I bent another into the shape of a shamrock.  If you want to make any of the projects pictured, my instructions are below.

Happy Oh, How I Wish It Was Almost Spring!

MATERIALS: 

• Caron International’s Simply Soft Party (99% Acrylic, 1% Metallic): small amounts  #0003 Spring Sparkle (A), #0001 Snow Sparkle (B)
• One size US H-8 (5mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
• One size US H-F (3.75mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
• Embellish Knit (to make Pencil Cover and Pencil Coil)
• Yarn needle
• Chenille Stems (for Pencil Coil)
• Pencil
• Beads

SMALL SHAMROCK:

With F-5 crochet hook ch 5. Slip stitch in 1^st ch, ch 4, sl st in same sp (1^st ch), ch 4, sl st in same sp (1^st ch).

Sc in 1^st 4 ch sp, *[hdc, 3 dc, sc, 3dc, hdc, sc] in same ch 4 sp, sl st in center, sc in next ch 4 sp, repeat from * 2 more times.

Stem: Ch 7, sc in 2^nd chain from hook, 2 sc in next ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch, sl st in center of clover. Bind off. Weave in ends.

FOR A LARGER SHAMROCK:

With H-8 crochet hook, ch 6. Slip stitch in 1^st ch, ch 5, sl st in same sp (1^st ch), ch 5, sl st in same sp (1^st ch).

Sc in 1^st 5 ch sp, *[hdc, 3 dc, sc, 3dc, hdc, sc] in same ch 5 sp, sl st in center, sc in next ch 5 sp, repeat from * for this and 3^rd ch 5 sp.

Stem: Ch 8, sc in 2^nd chain from hook, 2 sc in next ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch, sl st in center of clover.  Bind off. Weave in ends.

LUCKY 4-LEAF CLOVER

With F-5 crochet hook, ch 5. Slip stitch in 1^st ch, ch 4, sl st in same sp (1^st ch), ch 4, sl st in same sp (1^st ch).

Sc in 1^st 4 ch sp, *[hdc, 3 dc, sc, 3dc, hdc, sc] in same ch 4 sp, sl st in center, sc in next ch 4 sp, repeat from * 3 more times.

Stem: Ch 7, sc in 2^nd chain from hook, 2 sc in next ch from hook, sc in each remaining ch, sl st in center of clover. Bind off. Weave in ends.

FLOWER

With F-5 crochet hook, ch 5, slip stitch in 1^st ch, ch1.

Round 1: 5 sc in ring, sl st to 1^st sc, switch to B, ch 1.

Round 2: With B, ch 3, dc in same sp, dc in next sc, sl st in next st, repeat from * around 4 more times.

Bind off. Weave in ends.

 

PENCIL COVER

Using the Embellish Knit, knit a cord the length of pencil.  Insert pencil into center of cord allowing tip to come out the other end. Bind off at top of pencil.  Make small clover and attach to top.  Weave in any ends.

CHOPSTICK  COIL

Using the Embellish Knit, start knitting a cord.  Insert a chenille stem into the center of cord and continue knitting the cord until the chenille stem is entirely covered.  Bind of end.  Coil around pencil.  Add desired embellishments, such as beads. Weave in any ends.

EMBELLISH KNIT SHAMROCK

Using the Embellish Knit, start knitting a cord.  Insert a chenille stem into the center of cord and continue knitting the cord until the chenille stem is entirely covered.  Bind of end.  Bend into desired shape working from the center of the cord so that the ends can be twisted together.  With a yarn needle, stitch together.   Weave in any ends.