The 3-5-3-5-3 Crochet Square Pattern

I needed to make a 12 inch square for a charity donation. I decided to improvise my own design. Here's what I came up with... The 3-5-3-5-3 Square.

*Please be advised this is my own pattern. Although I am happy for you to use it for your own personal use, please do not reprint the pattern or use this pattern for items for sale. Thanks.*

Materials:

Carnival 8ply acryclic - Red

Size G / 4.25mm hook

Needle to darn in ends

*Pattern written using USA crochet terms*

Ch 50

Row 1: SC in 2nd chain from hook and each chain across (49 SC made).

Row 2: ch-1 and turn. #SC, ch-1 and skip next stitch# repeat from # to # across - ending with a SC in the last stitch.

Row 3: ch-3 and turn. #DC in ch-1 space, ch-1#, repeat from # to # all the way across, DC in last ch-1 space, NO CHAIN and then a DC in final stitch.

Row 4: ch-4 and turn. (skipping both the turning chain and the first DC of the previous row) #DC in ch-1 space, ch-1#, repeat from # to # all the way across ending with a DC in the last stitch.

Row 5: Repeat row 3.

THAT COMPLETES THE FIRST LOT OF "3" IN THE 3-5-3-5-3 PATTERN.

Row 6: ch-1 and turn. SC in each stitch across.

Row 7: ch-1 and turn. #SC, ch-1 and skip next stitch# repeat from # to # across - ending with a sc in the last stitch.

Rows 8-12: Repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3.

THAT COMPLETES THE FIRST LOT OF "5" IN THE 3-5-3-5-3 PATTERN.

Rows 13-14: Repeat rows 6 and 7.

Rows 15-17: Repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3.

THAT COMPLETES THE SECOND LOT OF "3" IN THE 3-5-3-5-3 PATTERN.

Rows 18-19: Repeat rows 6 and 7.

Rows 20-24: Repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3.

THAT COMPLETES THE SECOND LOT OF "5" IN THE 3-5-3-5-3 PATTERN.

Rows 25-26: Repeat rows 6 and 7.

Row 27-29: Repeat row 3, repeat row 4, repeat row 3.

THAT COMPLETES THE LAST LOT OF "3" IN THE 3-5-3-5-3 PATTERN.

Row 30: ch-1 and turn. SC in each stitch across.

Row 31: ch-1 and turn. SC in each stitch across, ending with 2 SC in the final stitch from the previous row.

FINISHING....

You will now continue along THE SIDE of the work - by rotating your square one quarter turn in a clockwise direction.

SC all the way along the side of the work. When you reach the end, ch-1 and turn. SC all the way back to where you came from. Finish off.

Now join with a slip stitch to the OTHER SIDE of the square. SC all the way along the side. When you reach the end, ch-1 and turn. SC all the way back to where you came from. Finish off.

Now just weave in your ends and your square is complete. Cheers!

*Please be advised this is my own pattern. Although I am happy for you to use it for your own personal use, please do not reprint the pattern or use this pattern for items for sale. Thanks.*

Wherefore art thou, Dolly?

I recently sent a Christmas package to the US, which included some more items I made for my niece's American girl dolls (among other things). They told me they really loved the capes/shawls I previously made for their dolls, so I've decided to make them each another one.

For their birthdays this year I made them each a blanket. For Niece 6, I made a matching blanket for her doll. For Niece 9, I didn't have a chance to do it, but instead made her a little doll purse. To even things up, I've reversed it for Christmas. I made Niece 6 the doll purse, and Niece 9 will finally get her matching dolly blanket (to match her big blanket).

I 'designed' the doll purse myself - and seeing I hate joining things together, I made it so it is all in one piece. I only had to weave in the beginning tail and the ending tail, sew on the button and ta-da! I've called it the "I'm Bringing Frilly Back" doll purse. Look out Justin Timberlake!

Cat's Curlique Scarf

I recently finished this curlique (curlicue?) scarf for my good friend Cat who just moved to Florida. I'm not sure what the weather is like in Florida, but I'm guessing not that cold. This fun curlique scarf both suits her personality, and shouldn't be too warm as it's rather light.

As a side note, I've been have a bad run of luck lately in the way of yarn. I keep starting all these projects, thinking I have enough wool, and then running out before I am finished. This project was one of those as well. I was 97 percent done with the scarf and ran out of the coffee brown colour. A couple of days later I had a "Christmas miracle" and found a half a skein of the coffee hiding in a drawer where no yarn should be. I was so glad!

Stop Reading My Blog!

I've recently made something, about which I am quite excited. Unfortunately I can not blog about it because the gift recipient reads my blog. Guess I'll have to wait until after Christmas - hope the excitement hasn't worn off by then. :)

Pink, purple & pumpkin

Back in September? or October? when I was being a really good girl and getting a nice earlier start on my Christmas presents, I made my sister a scarf and beret. I chose a pretty pumpkin colour (it is not "orange" like it looks in the photos) to go with her warm colouring.

I decided I'd make my nieces similiar style scarfs to match their mum's so all "the girls" would have the same.

I'm intending, time permitting, to also make the girls berets as well, in the same colour as the outside shell borders of their scarfs.

If you look closely I wove in the darker outside colour through the middle of the scarf. I was quite pleased with this idea (go me!) as I think it gives it a more finished look. (Not to be mistaken with Finnish from Finlad - ha! ha!).

Goldie the Goldfish Toilet Roll Cover

When I first learned to crochet my husband kept telling me that I needed to make a toilet roll cover. I'm pretty sure he meant it in jest, and I'm pretty sure he meant one of those ones where you put a barbie doll in the middle and her crocheted dress covers the roll of toilet paper.

On the lovely Ravelry group - Crochet Lovers Victoria - we are planning on having a toilet paper cover design competition after Christmas. Well, I couldn't wait that long! I can't remember but I may have even been the one to recommend we wait until after Christmas because I was too busy! LOL

Well, instead of working on Christmas presents like I should be, last night I designed and made this goldfish toilet paper roll cover instead. I'm exceedingly proud of myself - seeing I envisioned this thing in my head, winged it - having never made a toilet cover of any kind - used techniques I've never used before, and ended up with something that, if I do say so myself, is pretty cute!

First I drew a sketch (I know, I know... don't give up my day job to be an artist)

Then I grabbed the orange acrylic and started with the "face" - making sure it was the right size to fit the loo roll.

I decided I wanted to make and attach the eyes and mouth before proceeding any further as they would be harder to attach later on. First the eyes...

I was originally thinking red lips, but it was just too close too the orange. I pulled out some different shades, and found I like the purple lips the best. I made a small set of lips and a bigger set of lips. Unfortunately the bigger set made it look like a duck instead of a fish, so I went with the smaller ones.

After attaching the eyes and lips, I went back to my orange, created the "dorsal fin" curlique on top of the head, made a seam around the face (by doing what I think is called going around the post) then continued on until the body was "almost" the length I wanted.

I then switched to this variegated blue and white mixture for the water and waves. I made a few more rows with this colour, did the "going around the post thing - I think" and then made the waves around the bottom with triple crochet shells of five stitches each.

After I was done with the water and waves, I improvised some fins, popped them on, and TA-DA! My first toilet roll cover design was complete!

It would be very easy to modify this design for any colour fish... add some black stripes to make him like Nemo... do smaller cross eyes for a goofy fish, all sorts of variations.

I was hoping this would satisfy my husband desire for a toilet roll cover, but now he's talking about me making the entire cast of Nemo. Er, I don't think so!

Tricia's Christmas Scarf

I'm trying to get things crossed of my Christmas to-do list. On Sunday, I was on a roll and was able to both start AND finish a scarf for my dear friend Tricia. She has lovely Auburn coloured hair and I thought this coffee brown Patons soft haze would look very pretty on her.

This is a modification of the "One skein scarf" pattern from the "Happy Hooker" book. (Always takes me two to three skeins - just for the record). I'll post this at the end of the week so it will get to her sometime in December (along with a packet of Tim Tams for her cookie obsessed husband).

Some New Zealand Treasures

My husband and I just got back from a wonderful trip to New Zealand. In addition to all the lovely scenery and activities there were, of course, lots of sheep! And sheep make lovely wool. :)

There were a few purchases I just couldn't resist making. The first was an adorable little stuffed sheep wearing a pink hoodie. I've named him Jelly (short for Mint Jelly).

I also found some gorgeous NZ wool called "Touch" that is so incredibly soft, you just have to, well, TOUCH it! It was a bit expensive (okay a lot expensive), but it was a special treat for myself.

I also had to pick up some Possum/Merino/Silk wool that I found. You can buy the possum/merino products all over New Zealand but they are SOOOOO crazy expensive. The wool was pretty expensive as well, but it was just so different with the possum in it, I had to get it. I'm using it for some Christmas presents... which will have to remain secret for now.

Avatar Part 2

I spent quite a long time on my avatar yesterday, making sure it was accurate as possible, even making sure to add crow's feet by the eyes. I was quite proud of myself. Then I showed it to my husband and he said "Why do you have an F on your scarf?" Aaaahhhhhh!

I don't know how that F got there, and it is really annoying me. Especially since I can't think of anything that I could "make" it stand for. Ergh!

Avatar

I created a new avatar for myself today. I had to do this on my own without help from anyone else. I found it kind of hard actually because it's hard to know what you look like - shape of your eyes, face, nose, etc. I hope I did okay, but I'll have to get some feedback from people who know what I look like! :)

2 Bizarre 4 the Car

Several months ago, when I was pretty new to crochet, I boughtsome wool from Bendigo Woollen Mills to make a blanket for me car. Unfortunately, I severely underestimated how much I would need. What I've done so far will need to be repurposed for something else now.

A new Spotlight opened up last week and I was able to pick up some Cleckheaton's "Vintage Hues" wool for the wonderful bargain price of $1.29 a ball. I think I originally put 18 -20 in my basket, but I think some fell out and I ended up with 16. A good number though.

Some of the other colourways of this wool were going for $5.99 per ball, so I'm gonna take a wild guess that this colour wasn't selling so well. It's an "interesting" combination of purples, yellows and a little bit of green. There's something about it that is kind of ugly, but for some reason I am drawn to it anyway.

Well, for the price I couldn't pass it up, and picked it up to work on a blanket for the car. It's wool so it should be nice and durable, and with the "odd" colour combinations, you shouldn't really be able to notice if it gets a little dirty in the car.

As I'm starting to work with it, it is growing on me a bit more. I've made three squares (of 10 rounds each), and it's quite interesting how different all three of the squares have turned out - from where the colours happen to fall. Right now I'm getting one square per ball (with a bit leftover) so I am planning to make 16 squares all together for a 4x4 blanket.

I know I just finished making the granny square baby blanket, but I thought the granny square format would show off the different colours well, and seeing it is kind of a heavy wool, I thought the nice open granny square pattern would keep it from being too heavy or hot.

My goal is to have this finished by the end of the year - just in time for summer - ha! ha!

Blue Skies Baby Blanket

A friend recently had a baby boy. Since they are technically my husband's friends, I let him pick out the yarn for the blanket. I think he did a pretty good job. I'm not a big fan of the pastel type baby colours, so this bright blue blanket is very cheery in my opinion.

It is made of 9 granny squares (3x3) with 10 rounds per square. I whipstitched the squares together and finished it off with a row of SC border. The photo is a bit dark as I just finished it at about 7.30pm and it was getting dark outside.

Touche Scarf

I have some wonderfully soft yarn from Lincraft called "Entice" that is just soooo amazingly soft. I was looking at it and feeling it the other day and it made me think of my dad's wife's aunt. A very sweet lady who is unfortunately losing her vision. I thought this would be wonderful yarn to make something for her since it is so very soft. I'm working on this scarf for her for Christmas at the moment. Just a simple scarf of 10sc across. It's my understanding that she has a tiny bit of vision on the side (don't know how to spell "perrifreal???") so hopefully she will be able to get a glimpse of the pretty salmon colour as well.

Purple & Gray Days

Another hat and scarf set for my nieces' dolls. This one with mittens!

For their birthday doll items, I made a set of mittens with string in the middle. Unfortunately I made them a little too small so I thought I'd try again. These mittens have some stretchy elastic under the cuff of the "wristband." I tried to make them on the bigger side so they would fit the dolls' hands, and added the elastic, in case they were TOO big.

These were made with some 8 ply acrylic as well as some gray "hope" yarn around the edges for some fluffy softness. I ran out of the gray fluffy stuff when I was almost finished with the hat. I added the three little crocheted flowers near the brim to help disguise the fact that I ran out of the fluffy stuff! :) It was a happy accident because I quite like the result.

Once again, my good old friend Mandy, although 2/3 the size of the doll these are intended for, is a good sport and standing in as a model once again. What a good dolly! :)

Citrus Sunshine Doll Beanie & Scarf

Two of my nieces LOVE their American Girl dolls. For their birthdays this year, I made some crochet items for their dolls and they were a big hit. Don't you just love it when your work is appreciated? :)

I've been working on making a few more things for their dolls for Christmas. This particular set is made from a fun "citrus" coloured variegated yarn (Carnival). One of my nieces told me that they "especially love the furry and fuzzy stuff" so I've made sure to include it in the doll projects. I finished this beanie and hat off with a fun "flurry" yarn.
Both the doll scarf and beanie I just improvised as I went along. I have some measurements for the American Girl dolls so I just try to make sure they will fit.

The doll modelling is my old childhood doll "My Friend Mandy." She is probably about 2/3 the size of an American Girl doll so the items are all a bit too big for her.

Jewel Tone Stripes and Stripes Forever Scarf

The colours for this scarf were very loosely inspired by an outfit Cameron Diaz wore at a red carpet appearance. This scarf started out as an "easy" project to be a good girl and use up some of my stash and little bits of remaining wool. Primarily speaking, the turquoise colour that appears in the scarf.


I had, what I assumed to be, about a quarter of a skein of the turquoise wool left which I thought would be plenty to make the three rows of sc needed for this pattern. As it turned out, I only had enough for two rows, and truly, just barely at that. If the scarf had even be two or three stitches longer, I wouldn't have had enough. At this point, I was really loving the colour combination and didn't want to have to go another route.

Over the next several weeks, I went to every Spotlight I could find to try and get more of the turquoise colour wool. Nobody had any!!! I was absolutely crushed and so terribly disappointed. Some projects you just get more attached to than others, and I was quite attached to this one.



Thanks to some wonderfully kind and generous people on Ravelry, I was able to get a bit more of the right wool. Unfortunately not having the ball band for the partial skein anymore, I could only guess at the colour. I was able to purchase two balls from one kind-hearted soul, only to have it arrive and find out it was the wrong colour.

Another amazingly generous person sent me as much as she could fit in a standard 55 cent envelope and it ended up being a perfect match. Yippee!


Two days after I was finished making the scarf, I make a quick stop into a Spotlight to find something else, and wouldn't you know it, they had more of the teal/turquoise wool! LOL I had to buy 3 skeins while it was there... just in case! Pluse I do like these colours together and may make this scarf again for someone else.

I was originally intending for this scarf to be a Christmas gift for someone, but I'm just too darn attached to it now, I'll have to keep it for myself. But now that I've found more of the turquoise, I think I'll make another one.

Crochet Pink Ribbons

In honour of October being Breast Cancer Awareness Month,

I have crocheted these two different versions of a pink ribbon.

Hello and welcome to my blog! I've finally entered the 'aughts!