Magic with hook and needles: free pattern

Pumpkin decoration

By Vendulka - October 18, 2015

Hi my dears,
my Autumn mood continues...

Crochet pumpkin - free pattern by VendulkaM

As I wrote you, in my last post, I made some pumpkins :-) And today I wrote for you a free tutorial for making cute and fat pumpkin decoration. I made some smaller pumpkins for our Autumn wreath and some bigger fat pumpkins as window decoration. So if you would like to take a little bit of the wonderful autumn mood into your home too, just take a hook and some yarn and make some pumpkins with me :-)

Crochet pumpkin by VendulkaM - free pattern

My sweet fat pumpkin

Design by Vendula Maderska

October 2015

What do you need?

Material:
Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply (12 wpi), e.g. Jeans by Yarnart
Yardage: 174 yards (159 meters), Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)

You will need about 60 g of yarn totally for the pumpkin of this dimension: 13 cm/ 5,1 inches width and 7,5 cm / 2,9 inches high. You will work with two threads, one threads of every color of the yarn.

Colors: 23 orange, 61 neon orange

Recommended hook size: 4,5 mm (US 7)

Tip: You could also use some worsted yarn, one thread and hook 4,5 mm. The size of finished pumpkin should be very similar.

Other material: small piece of chenille wire in brown color, toy filling, piece of cinnamon (about 5 cm/1,9 inches, long needle with bigger "eye", scissors, some brown spangles, common sewing needle and brown sewing thread.

Abbreviations used: Chain (CH), Slip stitch (SlSt), Single crochet (SC), Double crochet (DC), Increasing (inc): crochet 2 SC in same stitch, Decreasing (dec): crochet 2 SC together

Level of the crocheting: beginner

Instruction:

Take one thread of orange and one thread of neon orange yarn, hook 4,5 mm and crochet in circle spiral rounds. It means, that you will not join the rounds by SlSt and you will not turn the work after finishing of the round. You will work continuously.

Round 1: 12 SC in the magic ring (12 SC)

Round 2: inc in each stitch around (24 SC)

Round 3: [inc, 1 SC in next stitch] repeat it 12 times totally (36 SC)

Round 4: [inc, 1 SC in next 3 stitches] - repeat it 9 times totally (45 SC)

Round 5: [inc, 1 SC in next 5 stitches] - repeat it 7 times totally, inc, 1 SC in next 2 stitches (53 SC)

Round 6-15: 1 SC in each stitch around (53 SC)

Round 16: [dec, 1 SC in next 5 stitches] - repeat 7 times totally, dec, 1 SC in next 2 stitches (45 SC)

Round 17: 1 SC in each stitch around (45 SC)

Round 18: [dec, 1 SC in next 3 stitches] – repeat 9 times totally (36 SC)

Round 19-20: 1 SC in each stitch around (36 SC). Begin with filling the pumpkin with toy filling.

Round 21: [dec, 1 SC in next 2 stitches] – repeat 9 times totally (27 SC)

Round 22: [dec, 1 SC in next stitch] – repeat 9 times totally (18 SC)

Round 23: [dec] - repeat 9 times totally (9 SC)

Round 24: [dec] - repeat 3 times totally, 1 SlSt. Don't crochet into other stitches from previous round and end the work. Let longer threads of yarn for shaping the pumpkin.

It is no need to fill the pumpkin a lot. The filled "ball" should be soft, to the shaping goes better.

Use small piece on cinnamon as a stem.

Use long needle and one thread of yarn and divide the pumpkins at some parts. Insert a hook from lower middle, inside the pumpkin. Continue from upper middle around the pumpkin and into lower middle of the pumpkin. Repeat it several times and make 5 irregular parts.

After then divide the pumpkin at other parts using second thread (color). I divided my pumpkin on 8 different parts totally. Neaten free threads. Please remember, that in the upper middle, there should stay the hole for the cinnamon.

Use small piece of chenille wire about 20 cm/7,8 inches long, shape it in nice spiral as a leaf. Your finger will help you with it. You could use different shades of brown chenille wires, or one piece only. It is up to you. I used three different shades and lenght of chenille wire, just what I found at home.

Insert chenille wire in same hole as cinnamon. You could use glue gun to stick it, but it is not necessary. Use some brown spangles and sew them on the upper part of the pumpkin irregularly.

Tadaaaah! Your new pumpkin decoration is finished. Congratulation!

Thank you very much for crocheting with me. I wish you nice Autumn days :-)

© Vendula Maderska, 2015. This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern or parts of it may be not reproduced, redistributed, resold, translated, published (online or printed), altered, shared or posted (for sale or free) over the Internet or offline! You are allowed to sell finished items based on this pattern in limited series, handmade by you. Please, write this text to your listing: "Based on pattern by Vendula Maderska, www.vendulkam.blogspot.com". If you have any questions – feel free to ask on this e-mail: vendula.maderska@seznam.cz . Thank you ♥

..........................♥.............................

6 Comments

crochet

Rainbow purse - free tutorial

By Vendulka - April 27, 2015

Hi my dears,

you wrote me quite often, that my free patterns in pdf are hard to download. I am sorry for the troubles. I checked it maybe million times but all looks that, it should be no problem with downloading. Sometimes these IT's (information technologies) makes me crazy... but I don't want to complain on it, because thanks IT's I could be in touch with you :-)

So I made the decision to write all my free patterns directly on the blog, to be no troubles with downloading anymore. And of course, I will make the revisions of these patterns - because, as I am saying: "Always it is something, what could be done better! :-)"

Today I will share with you my free pattern of Rainbow purse for little treasuries. It was my very first purse I made for my Natalka. I used bright colors and after the years I still like it.

Rainbow purse for little treasury

Used material:

100% cotton - Catania Solids by Schachenmayr SMC

Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply (12 wpi)

Yardage: 136 yards (124 meters)
Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)
Gauge: 26.0 sts = 4 inches

You will need small amount of these colors:
205 green, 219 light green, 222 light pink, 114 cyclamen, 397 light turquoise, 146 turquoise, 281 orange, 113 violet, 208 yellow You will need about 40 g of yarn totally.

Hook: 3 mm

Other material: wooden beads

Size of finished purse: this purse is quite little. It's size is: height 14 cm/5,5 inches and width 16 cm/ 6,3 inches

Note: if you would like to make your purse a little bit bigger, just repeat the rounds 14 - 22 and use the colors, following your own imagination or use another yarn e.g. worsted yarn, 100% cotton Lily sugar and Cream, hook 5 mm and follow the instruction. The size will be bigger and the shape will stay symmetrical.

Level of the pattern: beginner

Abbreviations used (US terminology):

Chain (CH)
Slip stitch (SlSt)
Single crochet (SC)
Half double crochet (HDC)
Double crochet (DC)

At the beginning of this purse I made African flower. I used African flower pattern designed by Lounette Fourie and Anita Roussouw. I made some little changes in the original pattern, but still the credit gives to them of course.

Instruction

Work in circular rounds. Begin with African flower and continue from down to top direction.

Beginning: use light blue yarn and make 5 CH, join first CH with 1 SlSt to form a ring.

Round 1: 3 CH (count as first DC), 1 DC in the middle of the ring, [1 chain stitch, 2 DC in ring] - repeat it 5 times totally, 1 CH, make 1 SlSt to first DC (you will get 6 shells), end the work.

Round 2: use turquoise yarn, insert the hook in 1CH space from previous round and make all stitches in same 1 CH space [3 CH as a first DC +1 DC + 2 DC] - picture of the left

Then you will make: [2 DC + 1 CH + 2 DC + 1 CH] - all stitches in one 1 CH stitch from previous round. Repeat it to the end of the round. Make 1 SlSt to first DC. You will have 6 groups of: [2 DC + 1 CH + 2 DC +1 CH] - picture on the right

Round 3: continue with turquoise yarn and crochet [7 DC first 1CH space from previous round, 1 SlSt in next 1 CH space from previous round] repeat to the end of the round (6 times totally). Make 1 SlSt to first 1 CH space from previous round and end the work. You will get 6 petals.

Round 4: use apple green yarn, insert a hook in first 1CH space round 2 and make 1 CH, then crochet [1 SC in next 7 stitches from previous round, then make 1 SlSt in 1 CH space from round 2] - repeat it to the end of the round. Make 1 SlSt to the first stitch of this round, end the work. You will get 48 stitches.

Round 5: Don't insert a hook in SlSt from previous round, you will skip these stitches. Use light green yarn, insert a hook in first SC from previous round and crochet: [1 SC in next 3 stitches, inc, 1 SC in next 3 stitches, skip one stitch] - repeat 6 times totally (you will have 48 SC). Make 1 SlSt to the first SC, end the work. You will have 48 SC.

Round 6: work with yellow color yarn, insert a hook in first SC from previous round and make: 3 CH as a first DC, then 1 DC in same stitch, [then skip 3 stitches and crochet these stitches: [2 DC + 1CH + 2 DC + 1CH] in next stitch, then skip 2 stitches and crochet 2 DC in next stitch + 1 CH, skip one stitch and make 2 DC in next stitch + 1 CH] - repeat this part 5 times totally, then skip 2 stitches and crochet in these stitches [2 DC + 1CH + 2 DC + 1CH] in next stitch, skip one stitch and make 2 DC in next stitch + 1 CH, join first stitch of the round with 1 SlSt. In fact you will get 24 groups of (2 DC + 1 CH)

Note: OK - this round sounds crazy - but main point is to counted the gaps between groups of stitches, to the final shape will look symmetrically :-)

Round 7: continue with yellow yarn and make: 3 CH as a 1st DC, 1 DC in 1CH space from previous round, 1 CH, [2DC in 1CH space from previous round, 1CH ] - repeat to the end of the round (You will get 24 groups of 2 DC + 1CH). Make 1 SlSt to the first SC, end the work.

Round 8 - 9: use orange yarn and make: 3 CH as a 1st DC, 2 DC in 1CH space from previous round 1 CH, [3 DC in 1CH space from previous round, 1 CH ]- repeat to the end of the round. (You will get 24 groups of 3 DC + 1CH). Make 1 SlSt to the first SC. End the work after round 9.

Round 10: use hot pink yarn and make: [5 CH, 1 SlSt in 1CH space from previous round] – repeat to the end of the round. You will get 24 groups of (5 CH + 1 SlSt)

Round 11 - 13: continue with hot pink yarn and make: 5 CH, 1 SlSt in 5CH space from previous round – repeat to the end of the round. End the work after round 13. You will get 24 groups of (5 CH + 1 SlSt)

Round 14 -15: use purple yarn and make: 3 CH as a 1st DC, 2 DC in 5 CH space from previous round 1 CH, [3 DC in 5 CH space from previous round, 1CH ]- repeat to the end of the round. You will get 24 groups of (3 DC + 1CH). Make 1 SlSt to the first SC. End the work after round 15.

Round 16 -17: repeat round 14 – 15, use light pink yarn. You will have 24 groups of (3 DC + 1CH).

Round 18: use green yarn and make: [5 CH, 1 SlSt in 1CH space from previous round] – repeat to the end of the round. You will get 24 5 CH + 1 SlSt groups

Round 19 - 21: continue with green yarn and make: 5 CH, 1 SlSt in 5CH space from previous round – repeat to the end of the round. End the work after round 21. You will get 24 5 CH + 1 SlSt groups

Round 22: use turquoise yarn and make: 2 CH counts as 1st HDC, 2 HDC in 5Ch space from previous round, [ 3 HCD in 5CH space from previous round] - repeat 2 times totally, 2 HDC in 5CH space from previous round, [ 3 HCD in 5CH space from previous round - repeat 3 times totally, 2 HDC in 5CH space from previous round ] – repeat 5 times. Make 1 SlSt to the first HDC. You will have 66 HDC.

Round 23: continue with turquoise yarn and make: 1 SC in every stitch from previous round. Join with stitch of the round with 1 SlSt.

Round 24: continue with turquoise yarn and make: [1 SlSt, skip 1 stitch, 5 SC in one stitch, skip 1 stitch] - repeat to the end of round. Make 1 SlSt to the first stitch of the round and end the work. Neaten free threads.

String:

You yellow yarn and make 180 CH, end the work, let longer thread for adding he beads. Use needle with blunt tip and draw the string through round 23. Add the beads on the ends of the string.

Beads:

Draw the beads using needle with blunt tip. Then insert the needle into second and third bead (skip the first bead) and draw the needle to the string direction. The end of the string and needle are by yellow bead now. Then take the thinnest hook you have at home and make 1 SlSt into the stitch directly next of yellow bead, use the end of the string for making SlSt. Then pass the hook through the beads one by one and cut the string.

Strap:
Row 1: use light pink yarn and make about 83 cm (33 inches) long chain using CH, end the work.
Row 2: use red yarn and make 1 SlSt in every stitch from previous row, end the work.
Neaten free threads and and sew the strap inside the purse.

Your rainbow purse is finished!

Congratulation! :-)

Have fun with this pattern! ♥ And let me see your purses :-). I am very curious on every single one of them! You could add the picture to this boar on the Pinterest or you could easily send it to me at these e-mails: vendula.maderska@seznam.cz or vendula.maderska@gmail.com

Note: This pattern is for personal use only. The pattern or parts of it may be not reproduced, redistributed, resold, translated, published (online or printed), altered, shared or posted (for sale or free) over the Internet or offline! You are allowed to sell finished items based on this pattern in limited series, handmade by you. Please, write this text to your listing: "Based on pattern by Vendula Maderska, www.vendulkam.blogspot.com"

Thank you, that you are respecting the copyright. I am very grateful for your loyalty.

Yours, Vendulka

27 Comments

crochet pattern by VendulkaM

Spring wreath

By Vendulka - March 10, 2015

Hi my dears,

do you like the spring? I love the spring very much. My mood always jumps over 100% :-) This is my most beloved period of the year. I just finished the new free tutorial for you and hope, you will like it :-)

When I made this wreath, I combined many different techniques. I used bright colors – I love this combination very much and I am pretty sure, you will see it on my other projects also :-). I used my favorite star stitch, I added ribbon bow and wicker heart. I enjoyed making this wreath and really hope, that you will enjoy it too.

This tutorial consists of 3 parts:

The Star Stitch Wreath

The Ribbon's Bow

The Wicker Heart

Let's begin with The Star Stitch Wreath

Abbreviations used:

Chain (CH)

Single crochet (SC)

Half double crochet (HDC)

Yarn over hook (YO)

Material:

Yarn weight: Sport / 5 ply (12 wpi) 100% cotton

e.g. Catania Solids by Schachenmayr SMC

Yardage: 136 yards (124 meters)

Unit weight: 50 grams (1.76 ounces)

Gauge: 26.0 sts = 4 inches

You will need about 70 g of yarn/ about 191 yards for all wreath

Hook: 3 mm

Colors: 165 light blue (if you don´t find this color you could use also number 253 – it is a little bit darker, but in same color line), 100 Light Yellow, 281 Orange, 256 Raspberry , 236 Pistachio green, 212 Kiwi green

Other material: as a base of my wreath I used the polystyrene wreath size 20 mm, then I needed common sewing thread, common sewing needle, needle with blunt tip, beaded garland, wicker heart and ribbon bow, scissors.

The gauge of the stitch: 16 rows and 33 stitch in 10 cm square

Note: Please remember, that if you will have another size of the wreath then I, you should adjust the number of stitches and rows according to your wreath and your own style of crocheting. Always it is better to make the sampler. Make first 4 rows and try it, if it is enough for your wreath, if yes continue :-)

Instruction

I used star stitch. I like this stitch very much. You could make this stitch by different ways and this is the way, I like most.

Beginning: make 43 CH

Row 1: Pick up a loop in second stitch from the hook and in each of next 4 CH (you will have 6 loops on the hook), YO and through all loops on the hook, then make 1 CH.

[Pick up a loop in the middle of the star (under the CH you made), then in the next stitch and in each of next 3 stitches, 1 CH ] as you see on the picture below.

Repeat to the end of the row. You will have 13 stars – enough for the wreath, ending with 1 HDC in last CH (same CH as last loop of last star), turn.

Row 2: 2 CH (count as first stitch), insert a hook in last HDC from previous row and make 1 HDC, 1 HDC in very first star from previous row, then make 3 HDC in the middle of each star across, ending with 1 HDC in the top of turning CH, turn.

Row 3: Change the color. You will have blue stitch on the hook, cut the thread. Change the color in your hand, take yellow thread and make 2 CH with yellow thread. Then pick up the loop in second stitch from the hook (yellow stitch), and in each of next 4 stitches from previous row. You will have 6 loops on the hook, then YO and through all loops on the hook, make 1 CH. [Then insert a hook in the middle of the star and pick up the loop. Then pick up the loop in each of 4 stitches from previous row. You will have 6 loops on the hook, then YO and through all loops on the hook, make 1 CH ] - repeat the group in brackets across, ending with 1 HDC in last stitch ( same stitch like last loop of last star), turn.

Row 4: 2 CH (count as first stitch), insert a hook in HDC from previous row and make 1 HDC, 1 HDC in very first star from previous row, then make 3 DC in the middle of each star across, ending with 1 HDC in top of turning CH, turn.

Try the sampler on the wreath, if it suits good.

Repeat row 3 – 4 until row 84, then end the work.

Color scheme:

Light blue: Rows 1, 2, 13, 14, 25, 26, 37, 38, 49, 50, 61, 62, 73, 74

Light Yellow: 3, 4, 15, 16, 27, 28, 39, 40, 51, 52, 63, 64, 75, 76

Orange: 5, 6, 17, 18, 29, 30, 41, 42, 53, 54, 65, 66, 77, 78

Hot pink: 7, 8, 19, 20, 31, 32, 43, 44, 55, 56, 67, 68, 79, 80

Hot green: 9, 10, 21, 22, 33, 34, 45, 46, 57, 58, 69, 70, 81, 82,

Dark Green: 11, 12, 23, 24, 35, 36, 47, 48, 59, 60, 71, 72, 83, 84

Neaten free threads. Place the crocheted part on the wreath, make some nice pins work to you could sew it together. Use needle with blunt tip and yellow thread. Make nice stitches, from inner edges to the second inner edge across, as you see on the picture below.