Amy B Stitched's New Pattern - Meandering Paw Prints Shawl

I just had to share this wonderful new pattern - Meandering Paw Prints Shawl by Amy B Stitched!

Be sure to check out the pattern here.

Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Granny Stitch Triangle Shawl

Notes:

·      Size H/5.00 mm hook 

·      14 ounces/396 g yarn of choice

·      Terms are in US terms

·      Turning ch 4 counts as a dc plus 1 ch

Ch 4 and sl st into 4^thch from hook to create a loop

Row 1:    Ch 4, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into loop.  Ch 4 and turn.

Row 2:    3 dc into ch 1 space, ch 1; 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc into last ch 1 sp .  Ch 4 and turn.

Row 3:    3 dc into ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1 and 1 dc in last ch 1 sp.  Ch 4 and turn.

Rows 4 – 60:    The pattern repeats itself – after turning, 3 dc and ch 1 in the first ch 1 sp; 3 dc and ch 1 in each of the ch 1 spaces across.  In the last ch 1 sp, 3 dc, ch 1, 1 dc, ch 4 and turn.

*You can keep adding rows until you reach a desired width and length of the shawl.  Fasten off and sew in any loose ends.

The pattern pdf can be found here

This is an Original Design by Doug Speeckaert. Feel free to make and sell the finished product for profit, but remember to give credit to me, and link back to my blog https://dcspeeckaert.blogspot.com/

Thank You!!! Doug

A lot of hard work goes into writing patterns. Please feel free to share the link to this blog, but DO NOT copy and distribute this pattern by any other means.

Use of color can make a big difference

The use of color in our projects can make the biggest difference in the outcome.  When using one color or combination of colors for a project, the end product can turn out one way; and when using other colors or combination of colors, the same project can take on a whole new look.

Red Heart has a great article on the use of color and how our color choices can affect our projects.  Check out their blog post of Changing Colors for Different Looks.

Crocheting (and Knitting) For Charity

It is a wonderful thing when we can take our love of our craft and be able to share it with those in need.  One positive thing that I have picked up when I decided to participate in a Crochet-A-Long is that I am learning new patterns for items such as hats and shawls that I would have not done in the past as I thought that I didn't know of anyone who would want or need such items.

Below is a link to a charity listing from the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) that can give you some ideas for charities to crochet for:

Crochet For Charity - Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)

Red Heart also has some charity suggestions for crocheters and knitters:

Red Heart Charity Suggestions

Lion Brand Yarns has a listing for 10 Charities for Knitters and Crocheters

Lion Brand Yarns

And one of my favorites - Out of the Parc Designs blog.  Lyn frequently has a blog post called Charity Idea OUTpost.  These articles are full of charity ideas that benefit people and our four-legged furry friends.  When you visit Out of the Parc Designs blog, be sure to check the archives for the OUTpost blog entries - you won't be disappointed at what you find and how inspired you can become from them.

Out of the Parc Designs

Rainbow Colors for Your Crochet Projects

The use of the rainbow colors for crochet projects is something that I've come to love.  I can remember the acronym of ROY G BIV (Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue Indigo, Violet) from art class in high school and for some reason this has stuck in my head all these years.

Red Heart has a page for helping in selecting various shades of the rainbow colors for your projects and I think it's something to bookmark for color combination inspiration.  You can find their rainbow yarn page here.

Rainbow Colors in Red Heart Yarns

Benefits from Crocheting

I enjoy crocheting as a hobby and pastime and have personally benefited from the positive health related aspect of crocheting.  Crocheting has helped me in reducing some stress and anxiety and in the process I have created some pretty amazing (bragging, I know) pieces of work.  When my mind is racing and I need to slow it down, crocheting helps as it forces me to concentrate on what I am doing and the repetitive nature of crocheting helps me to focus.

Here are several sites that have articles, tips, etc on the health benefits of crocheting:

• All Free Crochet - 7 Surprising Crochet Health Benefits

• Red Heart - Health Benefits of Crocheting and Knitting

• Little Things - Experts Say Knitting And Crocheting Can Have A Surprising Impact On Your Health

• Lion Brand - 10 MOST IMPORTANT HEALTH BENEFITS OF YARNCRAFTING

• Countryside Daily - The Benefits of Learning How to Crochet

• Craft Yarn Council - The Truth About Knitting and Crochet….They are Good for You!

• Anxiety Resource Center - How Crochet and Knitting Help the Brain 

Crochet Friends - Out of the Parc Designs

As time goes on and the more that I have shared my own work through the various social networking sites, I have gained several friends in the fiber arts world.  I've already introduced my friend Amy from AmyBStitched and today I would like to introduce another great friend - Lyn Wilson.

Lyn is a small business owner, fantastic fiberartist and and wonderful blogger.  She owns and runs Out of the Parc Designs.  Her blogs are constantly informative and inspiring as she highlight various fiberart designers and some great charities and causes.  I've had the extreme pleasure and honor of being mentioned in some of her writings and that, to me, is really something special.

Please take some time and visit Lyn's blog - you won't be disappointed and will find a treasure of articles/entries that can provide some inspiration!