~ the oval ripple placemat~

I think I've got this figured out - if you find any problems, please let me know. 

**This pattern was inspired by Aggie May (Colleen) from Crochetville.**

***I think that this oval ripple pattern is only good for a placemat. I've been thinking (and RoseRed from Crochetville made mention) that the middle should be a lot longer to be able to retain the oval shape for an afghan. I will come up with a longer oval ripple in the next couple of days and post it here. :)

--The pictured placemat is 10 rounds and approximately 15" x 12 1/2".

I used:  4-ply worsted weight yarn
            a "J" hook

Notes: 

v-st = dc, ch 2, dc
shell = 2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc

Directions:

Rnd 1:  Ch 13, 4 dc in 4th ch from hook.  Dc in next 8 chs, 5 dc in next ch.  Now working on opposite side of ch, dc in next 8 chs.  Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.  (26 dc)

Rnd 2:  Ch 3, dc in same st.  2 dc in each of next 4 dc.  Dc in next 8 dc.  2 dc in each of next 5 dc.  Dc in next 8 dc.  Join as before.  (36 dc)

Rnd 3:  Ch 5, dc in same st.  Skip next dc.  * v-st in next dc, skip next dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join with a sl st to 3rd ch of beginning ch 5.  (18 v-sts)

Rnd 4:  Sl st into ch 2 space, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same space.  Shell in next 4 v-sts.  *Dc in next v-st ch 2 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, dc in next v-st ch 2 space.  Repeat from * 1 more time.  --these 2 groups are now called shells--  Shell in next 5 v-sts.  $Dc in next v-st ch 2 space, dc in next dc, ch 2, dc in next dc, dc in next v-st ch 2 space.  Repeat from $ 1 more time.  --these 2 groups are now called shells--  Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 5:  Sl st in next dc, ch 3, shell in shell, dc in next dc, skip next 2 dc.  *Dc in next dc, shell in shell, dc in next dc, skip next 2 dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 6:  Sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, v-st in shell, dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc.  *Dc in next 2 dc, v-st in shell, dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Rnd 7:  Sl st in next dc, ch 3, dc in next dc, shell in v-st, dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc.  *Dc in next 2 dc, shell in v-st, dc in next 2 dc, skip next 2 dc.  Repeat from * around.  Join as before.

Repeat Rnds 6 & 7 increasing 1 dc along both sides of each ripple each time you repeat Rnd 6.

***Debi Y's version***

~ A 'squircle' ~

My version of a circle in a square = a 'squircle'. 

Materials:
- 4-ply worsted weight acrylic
- J hook

Size:  4 1/2"

Note:  I crochet tight, so you may need to adjust the size of your crochet hook

Directions:
Rnd 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st to 1st dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 dc in each dc around. Join as before. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: (Ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same dc. *Ch 1, skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. Ch 1, skip next 2 dc, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next dc. Repeat from * 2 more times. Ch 1, skip next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. Ch 1, join with a sl st to top of beginning ch 3.

Rnd 4: Sl st over to ch 2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space. *(ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 space) 2 times. Ch 1, (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in corner ch 2 space. Repeat from * 2 more times. (ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 space) 2 times. Ch 1, join as before. End off. (If moving on to Rnd 5, do not end off.)

Optional Rnd 5: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch 1 space around with (dc, ch 2, dc) in each corner ch 2 space. Join as before. End off.

***Debi Y's pattern***

~ Drink cozies ~

A friend at work asked me to crochet a couple of drink cozies for her husband. He's been using the lime green one I crocheted for her a while ago and she want's it back.   :)

Here's the quick and easy pattern for the manly drink cozy:

Materials:

- approximately 3/4 oz. each of 2 colors of worsted weight yarn
- K crochet hook

Notes:

- I crochet tight, so you may need to adjust the size of your crochet hook
- Do not join rounds - mark 1st stitch with a stitch marker

Directions:

Rnd 1: Working with 1 strand of each color held together, ch 2. 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook.

Rnd 2: 2 sc in each sc around.

Rnd 3: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around.

Rnd 4: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc. Repeat from * around.

Rnd 5: *2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc. Repeat from * around.

Rnd 6: Working this Rnd in back loops only, sc in each sc around.

Rnds 7 - 18: Sc in each sc around.

Rnd 19: Reverse sc in each sc around. Join with a sl st to 1st reverse sc. End off.

***Debi Y's version***

~ My crochet hooks ~

I've had a couple readers ask me about my crochet hooks so I've decided to post about how I make them.

I made my first crochet hook handle in 2002 - I needed more substance to hold in my hand - I was having a problem with having to stop crocheting and stretch out my fingers every once in a while. I thought of tape but I didn't think that that would feel comfortable or look very nice. My next thought was polymer clay. I had a small stash of it leftover from trying to make beads, so I tried it and it worked great.

This is how I create my crochet hook handles:

What you will need:

 

Step 1:  Knead the polymer clay to make it more pliable. (by the way, I use Sculpey and Fimo polymer clays) - then roll into a rope.  Twist the ropes together and then knead a little more.

Step 2:  Wrap the polymer clay around your crochet hook handle and shape it to your preference. I roll the handle on my dining room table to help smooth it out.

To flatten the end - I gently drop it to the table:

-- if you plan on adding a glass bead to the top, do that now.  Use a head pin (found in the jewelry section in the craft store) to help secure the bead.  You will have to cut the head pin about 1/8" from the bead.

 

Step 3:  Lay hook onto a bed of quilt batting - cover with an aluminum foil tent.

Step 4:  Bake in a toaster oven or regular oven at 275* for 15 minutes per 1/4" thickness.  Once baking is complete - leave the oven door open and the exhaust fan on to air it out.

Step 5:  Dry sand the handle with 320 grit sandpaper.  If you'd like, give it a good wet sanding with the 320 grit sandpaper also.

Step 6:  Buff with an old t-shirt.

Once you get the gist of creating these handles, you can let your imagination go. My favorite style is swirling 2 or 3 colors together with a glass bead on top. I think they're pretty and they really help out my crocheting hand.  :)

***Edited to add:

Use only metal crochet hooks. I tried a plastic hook once and it drooped down.

For spotted handles:

Make a handle according to the instructions except use only 1 color. To get the spots - just roll out a small ball of clay - flatten it between your thumb and finger and apply to the un-baked handle.  Then roll the handle on your table gently until the handle is smooth.  Bake it, and then sand it according to the instructions.
~~~

A little snake made with Fimo white glitter mixed with 1 drop of food coloring.

Cute hanger

Doing laundry today and I thought of the pretty Japanese hanger that's making it's way around the blogs. I don't have wooden hangers - only the plastic ones you get at the Dollar Tree - so I sat down and crocheted this cute hanger.

Just sc all around (except for the hook part) - attach a pretty flower and admire!   :)

Flower: With yellow, ch 4, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st to first dc. End off.

Attach 1st flower color with a sc in back loop of any dc, ch 8. *Sc in back loop of next dc, ch 8. Repeat from * all the way around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. End off.

Attach 2nd flower color with a sc in front loop of any dc, ch 6. *Sc in front loop of next dc, ch 6. Repeat from * all the way around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. End off.

Glue button to yellow section. :)

***Debi Y's flower version***

Debi Y's hexagon - version 2

Playing with my yarns again and this is my second version of a hexagon. Hope you like it.

Materials:

- 2 colors 4-ply ww acrylic

- J hook

Size: 5 1/2" point to point

Note: I crochet tight so you may want to adjust the size of your hook.

Directions:

Rnd 1: With 1st color, ch 4, dc in 3rd ch from hook, ch 2. (2 dc, ch 2) 5 more times in same ch. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3. End off.

Rnd 2: Join 2nd color with a sl st in any ch 2 space, (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in same space. (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in each ch 2 space around. Join as before.

Rnd 3: Sl st over to ch 2 space, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in same space, ch 1. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) in next ch 2 space, ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in each dc and ch 1 space around with 3 dc in each ch 2 space. Join as before. End off.

**Debi Y's version 2**

Debi Y's hexagon - version 1 - **pattern fixed**

I've been crocheting lots of grannies trying to use up some of my yarn and to give me a project that I can tote back and forth to work. I wanted to try a different motif so here is my version of a hexagon. I have crocheted this one in just one color, but I'm thinking of crocheting them in 3 colors. Maybe I'll do a mix - solid hex's, variegated hex's and multi-color hex's.   :)

Materials:

- 4-ply ww acrylic yarn

- I hook

Size: 5" side to side

Notes:

- beginning shell = (ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc)

- shell = (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc)

- ch 3 at beginning of Rnd 1 does not count as a stitch

Directions:

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 12 dc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with a sl st to 1st dc. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3. *Skip next dc, sc in next dc, ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to 1st sc. (6 ch 3 loops)

Rnd 3: Sl st into ch 3 space. Beginning shell in same ch 3 space, ch 1. *Shell in next ch 3 space, ch 1. Repeat from * around. Join with a sl st to top of ch 3.

Rnd 4: Sl st over to ch 2 space. Beginning shell in same ch 2 space. Ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 1 space. *Ch 1, shell in next shell. Ch 1, 2 dc in next ch 1 space. Repeat from * around. Join as before.

Rnd 5: Sl st over to ch 2 space. Beginning shell in same ch 2 space. Ch 1, 2 dc in each ch 1 space across. *Ch 1, shell in next shell. Ch 1, 2 dc in each ch 1 space across. Repeat from * around. Join as before. End off.

**Debi Y.'s - version 1**