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Crochet, Projects

A Baby Blanket for Violet

It’s been a while since I’ve pulled out my crochet hooks. There’s no excuse (none!) except life has been busy with friends and work and enjoying all Toronto has to offer.

When our dear friends told us they were expecting their first child, I knew I had to crochet a blanket. There’s no better source (in my opinion) for baby blankets than Daisy Farm Crafts. I shared a few designs with the mom and she picked out this beautiful crochet mixed v-stitch blanket: https://daisyfarmcrafts.com/crochet-mixed-v-stitch-baby-blanket/.

My friends are naming their daughter Violet (love!) so the stripe of violet yarn was a subtle touch to her namesake.

Project details:

The pattern is mindless and easy – great to work on while watching TV or listening music.

The one thing I struggled with, however, was the border.

The pattern says, “Work one round of DC around the blanket, working 7 DCs for each gray section on the sides and 2 DCs for each color row on the sides.” I followed those instructions and should have checked my tension after the first couple stitches. It was too few stitches per row and I feel like the border ended up pretty tight. I stretched it and think it will be ok, but I wish there was a little more give. Next time, I’ll add a few more stitches around the border to help the blanket lay flat.

We can’t wait to love baby girl Violet and welcome this new life into the world. <3

Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

3 Crochet Blankets – Link to Free Patterns

I’ve been on a blanket kick. Crocheting one for my condo during a long Toronto stay-at-home pandemic, and two for upcoming Grassel babies. My cousin and sister-in-law are due with girls and the blankets became the perfect projects.

Black and White Crochet Bobble Blanket - JJCrochet

I recently came across Daisy Farm Crafts. (And apparently I’m late to the party.) Sharing a few pics with my crochet friends let me know they’d been making Tiffany’s patterns for years. Years!

One browse of her website and you’ll see why.

Colorful, unique, clean, endless options. What’s there not to love?

Crochet blankets

I made three blankets from two patterns.

Pattern Details:

  1. A large black & white bobble afghan (54 x 65 inches)
  2. Two baby blankets-one pink, one gray- of triangles (32 x 36 and 34 x 40 inches)

The black and white afghan I made extra large (54 x 65 inches). I like to think I crochet fast, but even with some speed, I calculated that each “stripe section” – the couple white rows + one black row of each section – took me about an hour to complete.

There are 16 stripes total so probably close to 16-18 hours of solid crocheting. Hey, it was a good activity during the pandemic!

Crochet blank and white blanket

The baby blankets are close in size, but a hook change and different yarn caused the gray one to be slightly bigger. The pink/white one measures 32 x 36, while the gray/white one is 34 x 40 inches.

But how cute are those triangles?

They’re actually worked by carrying the white yarn throughout the rows. Less ends to weave in at the end, but sometimes it felt silly to carry white yarn across 9 gray stitches, just hoping it wouldn’t show through.

The white yarn does peak out every so often, but it’s barely noticeable (and I’m hoping the kids won’t notice).

Have you explored Daisy Farm Crafts’ library of gorgeous blankets? What have you made?

Crochet blankets - free pattern
Crochet, Free Patterns, Knitting, Projects

Easy Crochet & Knit Christmas Gifts

There’s nothing better than a handmade gift. It’s personalized, thoughtful and often cheaper than buying from a store. Christmas is the perfect time to delve into your stash and whip up a gift–or two!–for the special people in your life.

I picked these six projects because they’re great last-minute gifts. Some work up in less than an hour and none take longer than a few hours to knit or crochet. Most are also one-skein projects.

Free Patterns clockwise, starting from top left corner:

  1. Canvas Crochet Hat + Flower – Works up in just 10 rounds, single skein project. I make this one on repeat all year.
  2. Infinity Knit CowlKnit on big needles, textured and works up quickly. 1.5 skein project, only knitted project in the group.
  3. Snowbird Crochet Hat Pattern – Warm and textured with a ribbed crochet brim and finished with a pom-pom. (Learn how to make your own DIY pom!) I crochet this hat for close friends – the pom makes it a crowd favorite and my most requested style.
  4. Simple Men’s Crochet Hat Pattern with Roll-Up Brim – Perfect for men, though unisex. Squishy, textured and worked vertically, then sewn together at the side.
  5. Baby Crochet Hats – Great for beginners! Uses 50 yards and works up in less than an hour. Can be made with or without a rolled brim. Play around with colors and stripes to make hats for boy or girls.
  6. Short Crocheted Infinity Cowl – Wraps once around your neck for all the warmth without the bulk. One skein project and easy for beginners, would be great for a teacher or coworker.

Each project (except the baby hats) use Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. If you read my blog, you know it’s some of my favvvorite yarn. Squishy, thick and comes in rich hues. Every Black Friday, my sister and I trek to Michael’s and buy no fewer than 50 skeins – enough to last the winter… and then some.

If you don’t have Super Bulky (6 weight) yarn, you could always use two strands of worsted weight held together and see if that gives you the right thickness. Then again, it’s Christmas so it’s ok to splurge on nice yarn. You’re investing lots of time into making hand-knit or hand-crocheted gifts and your friends and family deserve the best!

Do you have go-to projects when you need a quick gift? Share your last-minute crochet and knit gift patterns in the comments. I’d love to see what you’re working up this year.

Cheers, Warm Hugs & Merry Christmas!

<3 Jayna

Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

Canvas Hat – Free Crochet Pattern

Free easy crochet hat pattern for beginners by JJCrochet

This Canvas crochet hat takes 100 yards of yarn and can be worked up in less than an hour.

It’s perfect for those last minute gifts or instant gratification projects. 

The pattern is named “Canvas” because it’s my tried-and-true, go-to crochet hat pattern! I use it as the base for a lot of projects, choosing to add a brim, flower, or pop of color to create a different look each time.

For a men’s hat, simply leave off the flower and you’ve got a nice basic hat for your man.

Free beginner crochet mens hat pattern

Play around with the gauge, sizing and style to create your own canvas hat pattern.

Grab your favorite chunky yarn and enjoy!

Materials

  • Size K crochet hook
  • 1 skein chunky yarn: Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
  • Large Sewing or daring needle

Hat Directions

Ch 3. Join with sl st to form ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc). Work 11 more dc into ring. (12 dc)

Round 2: Ch 2, dc in same stitch. Work 2 dc into each stitch around. (24 dc).

Circle should measure 4″ in diameter. Check gauge. If hat is too small, use a J or L sized crochet hook. Don’t be afraid to go up a size or two – the yarn is big and bulky so it can handle it!

Crochet circle

Round 3: Ch 2. Work 1 dc into same stitch. Work *1 dc into next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch. * Repeat around. Join with sl st. (36 dc)

Rounds 4 – 10: Ch 2. Work 1 dc into each stitch around. (36 dc)

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Note: If hat is too small, add 2-3 stitches in Round 4 by increasing every 9 stitches. Try on your hat to make sure it fits your head!

Free easy crochet flower pattern

Flower Directions

Chain 3. Join with sl st to form ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first dc). Work 1 dc into ring. Repeat *Ch 3, 2 dc into ring* until five, chain-3 loops are made. Sl st in first chain-3 loop to join.

Round 2: Into each chain-3 space work: *1 sc, 5 dc, 1 sc*. Work petal repeat into each chain-3 space around, skipping dc stitches. 5 Petals.

Leave a long tail, fasten off. Sew onto left side of hat.

PDF version of the Canva Hat Pattern also available on Etsy.

Easy crochet flower pattern for beginners
Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

Simple Men’s Crochet Hat

You know when the Netflix show is so good, you just need a simple pattern? Something mindless, square, yes interesting.

This simple men’s crocheted hat works up with 1 skein in 1 hour.

Materials

  • Size K crochet hook
  • 1 skein chunky yarn: Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick
  • Large Sewing or daring needle

Directions

Foundation chain 26 + 1. A foundation chain will make your base chain stretchy. If that’s too adventurous, just do a regular Chain 26 + 1. Turn.

Row 1: Work 1 sc in each stitch across. Ch 1, turn. (26 stitches)

Row 2: Work 1 sc in back loops only of each stitch across. (26 stitches)

Repeat Row 2, working in back loops only of each row, until you have a rectangle 16 inches long.

Your rectangle should measure 11 inches tall by 16 inches wide.

Fold rectangle in half so short ends line up and ‘ridges’ are vertical. Join ends by working 1 sc into each stitch across to stitch the two ends together. 26 stitches.

Fasten off, leaving a long tail of yarn (about 8 inches).

With a darning needle, loosely thread yarn all around the open end. 12 or so big stitches. Pull tight, closing the hole like a drawstring to form the top of the hat.

If you’d like a smaller brim, make fewer than 26 chains at the beginning. The great part about this hat is that you can try it on before you end off to make sure it’s just the right size.

Make your own? I’d love to see your version in the comments!

Crochet, Projects

Wrapped Shell Stitch Hat

Got out the chunky yarn and crochet hooks this weekend. Whipped up this quick little guy.

crochet wrap-stitch hat

I didn’t write a pattern down, but can if there is interest!

A few moths ago, I remember seeing this stitch – I think it was used in a hat or a scarf. It’s worked similar to a shell stitch except you do this weird, yarn-over/wrap around thing that covered the top parts of stitches.

If ever there is a pattern, a video will be accompanying it, ha, don’t worry.

Materials:

  • 1 skein Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick & Quick
  • Size K crochet hook

Hat is worked from the bottom up. I started with a brim of 6 HDC in back-loops only short rows. Then I crocheted 4 rounds (yes, only 4!) in the shell wrap-around stitch, decreasing in certain intervals.

The hat crochets up quickly. Would also look cute with a pop up-top. I like how the variegated yarn looks in the tall, swoopy shell wrap-around stitches.

Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

Easy Baby Crochet Hat

Easy Baby Crochet Hat Pattern

This easy baby crochet hat takes 50 yards of yarn and can be worked up in less than 30 minutes. I wanted something quick and easy that I could make while watching Netflix. (We’ve all been there on a Friday night, no?)

Grab the small ball of yarn that’s been in your stash and give it purpose.

This baby hat uses basic stitches and is crocheted in just 9 rows. Yes, seriously – that’s it! Let’s go!

crochet baby hat

Baby Crochet Hat Pattern

Materials:

  • Size G (4.25mm) crochet hook
  • 50 yards medium weight yarn (I used Vanna’s Choice)

Size:

Hat will fit a newborn-ish baby. Not a fresh-out-of-the-mama baby, but the type of baby you see when you’re finally able to visit your friend and her 1 month old baby. 🙂

Hat is 5.5 inches wide, 4.5 inches tall.

To make a smaller or larger hat, size up or down with your hook. I think using a size F hook would make a “newborn-newborn” size hat.

Directions: 

Round 1: Chain 3. Do not join into ring. Skip 2 chain and work 9 DC into the next chain (the first chain you made, further away from your hook). Join with sl st. (10 DC)

Round 2: Ch 2 (counts as first DC). DC into same stitch. Work 2 DC in each stitch around. Join with sl st. (20 DC)

Round 3: Ch 2. DC into same stitch. Work *1 DC into next stitch, 2 DC in next stitch. * Repeat around. Join with sl st. (30 DC)

Round 4: Ch 2. DC into same stitch. Work *1 DC in each of next 3 stitches, 2 DC in next stitch * Repeat around. Join with sl st. (38 DC)

Rounds 5-8: Ch 2. Work 1 DC in each stitch around. Join with sl st. (38 DC)

Round 9: Ch 1 (counts as first SC). Work 1 SC in each stitch around. (38 SC). Fasten off.

For a hat with a roll-up brim: Work pattern as written, but repeat Round 5 for Rounds 5-11, followed by a Round 9 (which is your new Round 12). If you’d like a longer hat, simply work more rows.

crochet baby hat with brim

Yes, it’s that easy. Enjoy!

 

Projects

Textured Stitches

crochet modern granny square stitch

Have you ever found a stitch so beautiful, you have to try it? No project in mind, no yarn bought for the occasion, yet you’re intrigued by its simplicity.

I found this stitch from Daisy Farm Crafts called the “modern granny square”: https://daisyfarmcrafts.com/modern-crochet-granny-blanket/.

crochet modern granny square stitch

It’s worked by doing increases and decreases for alternating rows. The first (and every odd) row, you work 3DC in a stitch. The second (and every even) row, you DC3tog. There’s a chain-2 between each increase of decrease cluster.

I chose to work it up with a slightly larger crochet hook than the worsted weight calls for to make the stitches a little more defined and stretchy. I think this would make a fantastic base for a crocheted baby blanket.

Simple, yet interesting enough to look different.

I had fun working up these couple rows, though I know it’s not going to be fun weaving in all these ends. Thinking maybe I’ll carry the yarn up each two rows, then work a border around the edge to avoid having to sew ends in every two rows.

You can find more details on the pattern and some great pictures on Daisy Farm Crafts blog.

Projects

How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom for Knit & Crochet Hats

How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom

I’ve been crocheting and knitting so many hats it was hard to find pom-poms to top them all. I figured there HAD to be an easy and cheap way to make them myself. (Especially since each pre-made pom I was buying was close to $4!)

Learn to make a fur pom-pom

After reading a few blogs and trying different methods (circle vs. square), I found the best way to make faux fur pom-poms. 3 yards of faux fur later and it’s pom EVERYTHING.

Watch this one minute video to learn how to make a faux-fur pom yourself!

Materials: 

  • 6.5 inches faux fur (I purchased mine from JoAnn Fabric)
  • Polyfill (small handful)
  • Yarn (15 inches)
  • Big needle
  • Scissors

How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom:

  1. Cut 6.5 inch circle from faux fur. (Tip: Cutting is easiest fur-side down. Pull ends gently to remove extra “fluff”.)
  2. Thread 15 inches yarn onto large needle.
  3. Sew big, 1 inch stitches around circle.
  4. Pull ends to form dome.
  5. Fill with polyfill. Pull ends of yarn as tight as you can.
  6. Close circle by sewing “X” across opening.
  7. Tie a tight knot.

Enjoy!

How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom

Step 1: Cut 6.5 inch circle from faux fur.

Step 2: Thread 15 inches yarn onto large needle.

Step 3: Sew big, 1 inch stitches around circle.
Step 3: Sew big, 1 inch stitches around circle.

Step 4: How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom
Step 4: Pull ends to form dome.

Step 5: How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom
Step 5: Fill with polyfill. Pull ends of yarn as tight as you can.

Step 6: How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom
Step 6: Close circle by sewing “X” across opening.

Step 7: How to Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom
Step 7: Tie a tight knot.

Make a Fur Pom-Pom
Enjoy!

Make a Faux Fur Pom-Pom for a Crochet Hat

Crochet, Free Patterns, Projects

Snowbird Crochet Hat – Free Pattern

I’ve got a confession. I recently purchased 2.65 miles (????!!) of my favorite yarn, Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick. I found “bonus pack” skeins from Michael’s and picked up oh, just a couple… It was too good of a sale to pass up!

I knew with all this yarn, I had to come up with a classic crochet pattern I’d like. Something that was quick to make, had texture and I wouldn’t get bored crocheting. And so after a few frogggings, the snowbird hat was born.

The hat is crocheted from the brim up. It uses half-herringbone double crochet and relies on decreasing to shape the top. It’s probably not good for beginners, but if you’ve been crocheting and are familiar with a few stitches and typical hat construction, give it a try!

crocheted ribbed hat brim

Materials

85 yards of chunky yarn – I used Lionbrand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Fisherman (1 skein)

Size K (6.5mm) crochet hook

Abbreviations & Special Stitches

HDC – half double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch. Yarn over, pull through one. Yarn over, pull through 3 loops.

HHDC – half herringbone double crochet. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch. yarn over, pull through 2 loops. Yarn over, pull through 2 loops.

SC2TOG – single crochet two together. Worked across two stitches: insert hook into first stitch, yarn over, pull through one. Insert hook into second stitch, yarn over, pull through one. Yarn over, pull through 3 loops.

Directions

Brim is worked by making a long, skinny band.

To begin the brim:

Chain 5 + 2 (counts as first HDC). Work 1HDC into each of 5 stitches across. [6 HDC]

Row 2 – 26: Ch 2 (counts as first HDC), turn. Working in back loops only, HDC into each stitch across. [6 HDC). This will give it a textured “ribbed” look.

Slip stitch short ends together. This is the brim of your hat!

crochet hat band bottom up

To begin the hat body: 

Hat is worked in the round, do not turn between Rounds.

Round 1: Chain 2 (counts as first HHDC, half herringbone double crochet). Working across long side of brim, work 39 HHDC. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2. [40 HHDC]

Rounds 2 – 5: Chain 2, work HHDC in each stitch around. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2.  [40 HHDC]

Round 6: Chain 2, work 7 HHDC. *SC2TOG, 8 HHDC*. Work from * to * around for 5 decreases. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2. [35 HHDC] Note: HHDC stitches are the same height as SC so while it feels odd to use SC as a decrease  next to HHDC, it will look ok!

Rounds 7 – 9: Chain 2, work 4 HHDC. *SC2tog, 5 HHDC*. Work from * to * around. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2.

Round 10: Chain 2, work one SC. *SC2tog, 2 HHDC*. Work from * to * around. Join with slip stitch to top of chain 2.

Round 11: To tightly close top of hat, work one slip stitch into every other stitch around.

Repeat Round 11 again if needed. About 5 stitches should be remaining.

Fasten off, leaving long tail. Sew top of hat closed. Attach a pom or leave plain – whatever you’d like!

chunky cream crochet hat

Projects

Wooden Tags for Hats

As you know, I’ve been knitting pom-pom hats like there’s no tomorrow. Big ones, small ones neutral and colorful. There was just one missing piece. Something that would make the hats more “finished” and professional.

Browsing other knitter’s and crocheter’s accounts on Instagram led me to All That Wood, a custom shop on Etsy that offers engraved tags in all shapes and sizes. Just what I wanted!

I ordered these tags: https://www.etsy.com/listing/497038802/product-tags-customized-with-your-text

And they’re PERFECT. They’re 0.5 x 1 Inch and I ordered 40 in cherry.

Ana was great and helped me find the right looking text for the tags. If you’re selling your hand-made goods or just giving them to friends, I’d highly recommend your DIY game by getting professionally made tags. They’re a great way to brand your company, do some word-of-mouth-marketing and they’re so stinking cute.

Knitting, Projects

Cream Chunky Knit Cable Hat

chunk knit hat with pom pom

chunky knit cream hat

As mentioned in the post below, cable knit hats have been my jam recently. I’ll wake up before work and knit a few rows. I’ll pull out the needles before going to bed. I’ve even skipped the gym (more than once) because I just had to finish a cable.

We’ve all been there, right?

Knitting, however, is not my first love.

As the name JJCrochet suggests, my heart belongs to the knotty loops of the crochet world. But there’s something about these chunky hats with pom-poms that have pulled me deeper and deeper into the world of two needles.

chunk knit cream hat pom pom

I think the thing I like most about these chunky knit cable hats is they take me a while to make. Not too-too long since I’m still using chunky yarn, but each hat takes about 90ish minutes to finish. Compare that to my normal pace of 20-30 mins for a crochet hat and you could call them an invested labor of love.

Which means I care a little bit more and have spent time finding the perfect yarn, the perfect pom-poms (Pat Catans!) and the perfect tags (Etsy). Instead of just a hat, it’s a blended component of things I’ve hunted down. Sure, the cost to make each hat goes up (the pom-poms run me about $4 each and the tags are $.75), but it’s SO worth it.

pom pom knit hat

Some hats were made just to be made, while others were crafted with a specific person in mind. Sarah likes black, no pom-pom – Brianne likes gray – and Britt would look adorable in a floppy beret. The hats sit piled on my countertop, patiently waiting until they’re ready to be given away and it brings me SO. MUCH. JOY.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to pick up some more yarn with my 25% off coupon from Michael’s. 

Hat for sale on Etsy: Chunky Cream Knit Hat with Pom-Pom ($30)

fuzzy pom pom knit hat

chunk knit hat with pom pom