Thursday, July 28, 2016




Now is the perfect time to stock up for winter!! Save 50% on all of your favorite crochet patterns and printable gift tags at knotsewcute design shop!

Enjoy 50% off our entire Etsy Shop by using coupon code SALE50 at the checkout. Remember, the deal of "Buy 5 in one transaction, get 1 free" still applies, so this adds to your savings!! Leave us a note at the checkout as to your free pattern choice and we will be happy to forward it to you!

Hurry!  The sale ends at midnight (PST) on
Sunday, July 31st, 2016.

Don't miss out!



For our Ravelry customers...To Receive 50% off of our crochet patterns on Ravelry.com visit
tearaleaf and/or knotsewcuteand use the coupon code "SALE50" at the check out.



kim and tara.

Thursday, July 14, 2016

new crochet pattern - making waves bucket bag by kim miller.



Making Waves Bucket Bag by Kim Miller



Skill Level: Intermediate

How much fun would it be to crochet this fashionable, striped bucket bag? 

This versatile bag can be used as:
• a purse
• a craft/project bag
• a bag to take on your day at the beach
• a catch-all in your office space
• just about anything...

This crochet pattern is complete with instructions for the striped bag, the rope handle, and anchor. Plus, I've included a chart for the anchor, and I show you an easy way to add stripes without having to fasten off at the end of each round...leaving you with a ton of yarn ends to work in.

This detailed crochet pattern calls for 2 balls of Bernat® Handicrafter® 100% Cotton [50 g (1.75 oz)/73 meters (80 yds) per ball] in Classic Navy, 3½ balls of Bernat® Handicrafter® in Off White, and Scraps of Bernat® Handicrafter® in Red. You will also need a 4.00 mm (G) crochet hook (or size needed to obtain gauge), four 7/16” [11 mm (inner diameter)] eyelets, grommet tool and a yarn needle. This crochet pattern is complete with colour illustrations and directions on attaching the eyelets. 

The finished bag measures 22.9 cm (9”) high, and 22.9 cm (9”) in diameter. 

Please note that lining instructions are not included with the pattern, but you do choose to go with lining the basic shaping should make it both fun and easy.







(Purchase this pattern from Ravelry.com and receive 20% off by using coupon code "BucketBag20" at the checkout. 
Offer valid until July 21st, 2016)




kim.

Wednesday, July 13, 2016

how to correctly place your post stitches.

I love the looks of front and back post stitches to create beautiful cables and designs on an otherwise flat fabric. But I must admit, I sometimes have difficulty figuring out where my next stitch should be placed, whether I am transitioning to a post stitch or back to a "regular" stitch. This often leads to me having to rip out the row and start over, really concentrating on my stitch placement. 

There are a few tricks that I use for myself that I thought might be useful for everyone else as well. Below is the beginning stages of a pattern that I have in the works.

Instructions for Row 2: Ch 2 (counts as a hdc), hdc in next hdc and each of the next 4 hdc, four-post cable over the next four stitches, hdc in next hdc and each of the next 7 hdc, four-post cable over the next four stitches, hdc in next hdc and each of the next 4 hdc, hdc in the turning ch, turn

I am about to do my four post cable where I must skip the next two posts and make a front post double crochet (fpdc) around each of the third and fourth post

   
It's not always so easy to tell if you are only looking at your current row, as it is hard to see which post your current stitch is actually sitting above. I have goofed up on this many, many times. So now I look at my previous row and count the posts. I just made 6 half double crochet (hdc) so I want to count in 6 posts and then my next two posts will be the ones I skip.


The two posts highlighted in a darker purple are the two posts that I am going to skip and I will place a fpdc around each of the next two posts as you can see in the next picture.


Now I must finish the four post cable by placing a fpdc around the two previously missed posts. After finishing my cable stitches, I return to making half double crochets, but this can also get confusing.


This is when I flip over my work and look at the back side. The post stitches push the tops of the stitches towards the back of the work and they are easy to locate. 

 

The stitches highlighted in soft blue are the tops of the stitches that have been pushed towards the back of the work. The cable was made up of four post stitches so count the four stitches and the next stitch (highlighted in purple) is where you will place your next hdc. 

 
Here it is on the front side again after doing a few half double crochet after the four post cable stitches.


Now you are off and running. Use these little tricks throughout your pattern and you will have no problem with your cables running amok. I know it has worked wonders for me and I hope that you find it useful as well. 

tara. 




Friday, July 8, 2016

sneak peek.


A month or so ago, when I started working in the round with cotton stripes, I couldn't decide if I wanted to create a pattern for storage bins....or a bucket bag....so I created both :)



I was hoping to release the pattern for the Making Waves Bucket Bag this week, but time got away on me, so I should have the pattern up by early next week. In the meantime have a great weekend!!!



kim.