Sandy's Beach Bag

Summertime means going to the beach, and what is the most important thing to take to the beach? Sunscreen, of course, but you’ll need something to carry that sunscreen in. Sandy's Beach Bag is the perfect accessory for the beach or any other vacation spot.

Click the photo for the Sandy's Beach Bag pattern.

Raffia Sun Hat is crocheted using our new Home Raffia Yarn. Raffia Yarn is a #4 medium weight yarn consisting of 100% Cellulose Rayon. It's a little smoother and more consistent than the raffia you might buy at a craft store and also comes in several beautiful colors.

Click the photo to shop Raffia yarn.

Watch the Right-Handed video lesson:

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Raffia Sun Hat

This Raffia Sun Hat is the perfect summertime accessory for anyone. It is crocheted in the round from the top of the head down to the brim using half double crochets and double crochets.

Click the photo for the Raffia Sun Hat pattern.

Raffia Sun Hat is crocheted using our new Home Raffia Yarn. Raffia Yarn is a #4 medium weight yarn consisting of 100% Cellulose Rayon. It's a little smoother and more consistent than the raffia you might buy at a craft store and also comes in several beautiful colors.

Click the photo for Raffia yarn.

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson:

Midnight Dune Scarf

This Midnight Dune Scarf is a great crochet project for summer.  It is crocheted in single six-sided motifs that are then sewed together to make this beautiful scarf, which means it is a very portable project, great to take with you on vacation or wherever you may be traveling.

Click the photo for the Midnight Dune Scarf pattern.

This pattern was designed with our new Wool-Free Lace yarn. Wool-Free Lace yarn is a #1 Super Fine Weight yarn, made of 88% Acrylic, 7% PBT, and 5% metallic threads. It has just a little bit of stretch to it and is recommended for use with a size E-4 crochet hook or US 2 knitting needles. Wool-Free Lace yarn is also machine wash and dryable!

Click the photo for Wool-Free Lace yarn.

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

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Sizzling Scalloped Shawlette

This beautiful Scalloped Shawlette is made with our new Wool-Free Lace yarn. It creates a light shawl, perfect for breezy summer nights or adding a touch of sophistication to any outfit. This pattern is worked in rows and is an intermediate skill level.

Click on the photo for the Sizzling Scalloped Shawlette Free Crochet Pattern.

Wool-Free Lace yarn is a #1 Super Fine Weight yarn, made of 88% Acrylic, 7% PBT, and 5% metallic threads. It has just a little bit of stretch to it and is recommended for use with a size E-4 crochet hook or US 2 knitting needles. Wool-Free Lace yarn is also machine wash and dryable!

Click on the photo for Wool-Free Lace yarn.

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson:

Parfait Baby Booties

Baby booties are always fun to crochet! Their small size means they work up quickly, and they're great for learning some new techniques like working on the opposite side of the starting chain, working in the round, and decreasing stitches. These Parfait Baby Booties are super cute. They look a little bit like Uggs, don't they?

Click on the photo for Parfait Baby Booties pattern

We've chosen Premier's Parfait yarn for these cute little booties. Parfait is a super soft chenille yarn that comes in 16 colors and prints. New technology makes this a chenille yarn that will not "coil" or "worm", so you won't be spending tons of time untwisting your yarn. Parfait is a #5 bulky weight yarn, which means you're projects will work up quickly when you choose Parfait.

Click on the photo for Parfait Yarn

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson: 

90-Minute Baby Blanket

 

Looking for a quick crochet baby project? Well, you've found it. This 90-Minute Baby Blanket free crochet pattern works up quickly using Safari #6 super bulky weight yarn from Premier. This cuddly little blanket is crocheted as a variation of the basic Granny Square, which is a super easy pattern stitch to learn. You'll also be using a size Q crochet hook to help speed things along.

Click on the photo for pattern

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:





Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson:

Trellis Wrap

 

Are you looking for a lightweight summer shawl? This Trellis Wrap is sure to please. It's a beautiful piece that resembles a trellis, hence the name. Trellis Wrap is an easy skill design and features two specialty stitches: the trellis stitch and the picot stitch. The trellis stitch consists of chain stitch, single crochet and double crochet. The picot is just a chain, very easy to do. So, this is another project that will help you perfect your basic crochet skills, and teach you some new stitch patterns at the same time.

Click on the photo for Trellis Wrap pattern

We've chosen Deborah Norville's Cotton Soft Silk yarn for this project. Cotton Soft Silk is a soft, breathable 78% cotton/ 22% silk blend. This medium weight yarn will become a favorite for fashion or home accessory items.  You will also need a size J-10 crochet hook.

Click on the photo for Cotton Soft Silk yarn

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:




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Crocheted Cafe Curtain

Cafe curtains are perhaps the most basic type of curtain there is. Typically a cafe curtain is nothing more than a straight panel hung from loops or rings from a simple curtain rod. Another feature of a cafe curtain is that it usually only covers part of a window.

Basic cafe curtain (image from http://www.womansday.com/home/craft-ideas/diy-home-decor-cafe-curtains-107373

Our Cafe Curtain free crochet pattern consists of a basic panel done in Filet Crochet. The hanging tabs are added to the top of the curtain after the panel is completed. If you're not familiar with Filet Crochet, this project will be a great lesson for you. Filet crochet is really nothing more than crocheting in two types of blocks: an open block and a closed block. Maggie will be teaching you all about filet crochet in the videos.

Click on the photo for Cafe Curtain free crochet pattern

Our cafe curtain is crocheted using Afternoon Cotton. This yarn is a #3 sport weight that comes in 20 beautiful solid and multi colors. Afternoon Cotton is a light weight 100% Egyptian Giza Mercerized Cotton that is perfect for home decor projects.

Click on the photo for Afternoon Cotton Yarn

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:




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Flower Fall Shawl

This Flower Fall Shawl is quickly becoming one of our favorites around the office. Isn't it beautiful? Flower Fall is an intermediate skill level project, mainly because it is a join-as-you-go. No sewing motifs together and weaving ends - we love that.

Click on the photo for Flower Fall Shawl crochet pattern

Premier Yarn's Serenity Garden is perfect for this project. Serenity Garden is a #2 lightweight yarn that is easy care - just toss it into the washer and dryer and you're all set. Saturated colors and unique prints are two of the amazing features of this yarn. The printed yarn does all the color work for you, so you get the result of Fair-Isle type knitting or crocheting without all the bobbins and yarn ends to weave in at finishing. Serenity Garden is great for soft wraps and tops that drape, and throws made with Serenity Garden are especially luscious!

Click on the photo for Serenity Garden yarn

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:


Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson: 

Modular Squares Throw

Isn't this Modular Squares Throw just stunning! From the gorgeous colors to the unique join-as-you-go construction, this intermediate skill level throw will definitely become one of your favorites.

Click on the photo for Modular Squares free crochet pattern

Deborah Norville's Everyday Soft Worsted yarn helps make this unique throw a stunner! Everyday comes in 72 colors of various types: solids, multicolor prints (like Valentine), neons, and "Go Team". Spun with our exclusive pill-resistant acrylic, this yarn is ideal for projects for the whole family. Machine wash and dry for easy care; and your projects will have that ”just finished” look for wash after wash. Our ”smart prints” create the look of stripes and Fair Isle color changing without the work, beautiful in both knit and crochet! And did we mention the softness of this yarn? You'll love it!

Click on the photo for Everyday Yarn

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson:

 

Macra-Made Plant Container Basket

Premier® Macra-Made is a polyester and acrylic yarn that is perfect for home decor projects like this Plant Cover, pattern found here. This cover is perfect for holding potted plants and can be crocheted to fit any size plant pot from the smallest up to a very large one. You can also use Macra-Made to crochet a container to use for just about anything you'd like. Because of it's bulky weight and texture, Macra-Made is great for making structured bags, baskets, accessories or even jewelry. 

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson

As its name implies, Macra-Made is also perfect for macrame projects. One project that we really like is the Awareness Bracelets. You can read more about those here.

Here are the links to products and videos contained in this post:

Pattern

Yarn

Right-Handed Video

Left-Handed Video

Starry Night Bauble Necklace

Premier® Spangle^TM is the perfect yarn for making jewelry and accessories. But did you know that you can combine it with Starry Night® to make even more beautiful jewelry? We've combined these two favorite yarns to make this gorgeous Bauble Necklace, pattern found here. 

Starry Night is a number 5 bulky weight ribbon yarn that comes in 9 beautiful colors. We've used it in the past for arm knitting, where we also combined it with other yarns. For the Bauble Necklace, Starry Night comprises the actual bauble or puff stitches. Spangle is then used to crochet the border around the baubles and to make the button closure. You can make the necklace as long or short as you would like. You can also make a bracelet!

Watch the Right-Handed Video Lesson:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Lesson:

The Spangle Ribbon Necklace is another accessory project you may enjoy. You can read more about it here.

Here are the quick links to products and videos contained in this post:

Pattern

Starry Night Yarn

Spangle Yarn

Right-Handed Video Lesson

Left-Handed Video Lesson

Razzle Dazzle Easter Eggs

 Are you getting ready for Easter? We have already shown you two different Easter baskets, a small one that will hold jellybeans or other small candies, and a larger one that is big enough to hold Easter eggs. Now it's time to make the eggs for your large Easter basket.

You will be making covers for plastic Easter eggs. We have two different patterns for making Easter egg covers. The pattern we will be showing you in the video is for crocheted Easter eggs, and can be found here.

 Our crocheted Easter eggs can be made with several different yarns, including Ever Soft, Hipster, Serenity Chunky (we used Serenity Chunky Sequins for the blue egg shown above) or Afternoon Cotton. The trick is to make the beginning crocheted circle the same size as the opening of the large side of your plastic egg. Crochet hook size is going to depend on what type of yarn you are using, and gauge is not important on this project.

Watch the Right-Handed Video Tutorial:

 
Watch the Left-Handed Video Tutorial:

There is also a pattern for knitting your Easter egg covers that can be found here. Again, you may use any of the yarns mentioned above, and your knitting needle size will depend on what yarn you are using. Whatever yarn and construction method you choose, you will love your Easter egg covers.

If you haven't made your Easter basket yet, you can find out how to make a Serenity Chunky Easter Basket here.

Here are the quick links to products and videos contained in this post:

Pattern for crochet eggs

Pattern for knitted eggs

Ever Soft Yarn

Hipster Yarn

Serenity Chunky Sequin Yarn

Afternoon Cotton Yarn

Right-Handed Video Lesson

Left-Handed Video Lesson

Baby Squares Blanket Crochet Challenge Sponsored by Maggie's Crochet and Premier Yarns

Enter the Baby Squares Blanket Crochet Challenge by April 23, 2014 11:59PM EST.

Please join us in our next Crochet Challenge sponsored by Maggie's Crochet and Premier® Yarns.

To join the fun, crochet a blanket using our Free Baby Squares Blanket Crochet Pattern and email us a photo of your creation!


Enter a photo to win $50 value of Premier Yarns! Please read the Baby Squares Blanket Crochet Challenge Rules & Submission Guidelines

SUGGESTED MATERIALS

Ever Soft Yarn

Deborah Norville Serenity Baby Yarn Home Cotton Grande

RSVP to the Facebook event page for challenge updates and to post your in-progress photos.
We would also love to see your photos posted to www.Facebook.com/MaggiesCrochet or www.Facebook.com/PremierYarn so those not participating in the challenge can see your beautiful creations!

Take a look at the entries from previous challenges - everyone did an amazing job!

Earth Rug Challenge

Arm Knit Challenge
Enchant Scarf Crochet Challenge
PomPom Hat Mini Challenge

Christmas Stocking Mini Challenge

Blooming Granny Square Challenge

Thanks for reading - we can't wait to see your projects!

Primo Cutie Bug Cardi

Have you ever tried to make a sweater, but had trouble sewing it together after all of the pieces where completed? This adorable Cutie Bug Cardi sweater, pattern found here, is crocheted in one piece starting from the neckline. This type of garment construction is called top-down with raglan sleeves. A raglan sleeve is simply a sleeve that continues in one piece from the neck of the garment down to the end of the sleeve and does not have a shoulder seam. And because the body of the sweater is worked all at once, you don't have a side seam either! Top-down raglan construction is one of the easiest ways to crochet or knit a sweater. If you've never tried it, here's your chance.

This is a larger project than those we normally feature, but I'm sure you will agree that the results are worth the effort. This children's sweater is adorable, isn't it? For this project we've chosen Primo® yarn from Premier.

Primo is an easy care, anti-pilling acrylic yarn that is perfect for new moms and lasting heirloom projects. It's springy twist offers great stitch definition and amazing softness. Primo comes in a collection of 13 spring and pastel colors for beautiful baby and kids knits.  This project has directions for sizes 6 months through 6 years.

You will need a size H crochet hook, yarn needle and 3 buttons. Ready to get started?

Watch the Right-Handed Video Tutorial:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Tutorial:

Ever Soft is another soft acrylic yarn that is great for baby and kids projects like the Ever Soft Baby Squares Blanket. Click here to read more about it.

Here are the quick links to products and videos contained in this post:

Pattern

Yarn

Right-Handed Video

Left-Handed Video

Zoo Keeper Frog Hat - Free Crochet Pattern

You may remember a while back when we introduced you to the Bunny Hat. Now it's time to introduce you to the Zookeeper Frog Hat, pattern found here. You will love this googly-eyed frog;
he is SO CUTE!!!

Like the Bunny Hat, the Frog Hat can be made in three different sizes, from infant to adult. The body, earflaps and fringe portions of the hat are made exactly like the Bunny Hat, so you will see video of the Bunny Hat for those portions of the pattern. The big googly eyes of the Frog Hat are made separately and sewn on.

This is an intermediate level project that uses Hush® Yarn. Hush is a #5 bulky weight yarn that comes in 13 soft, cuddly colors. Hush is perfect for children's apparel, and because its a bulky yarn, your projects will work up quickly.

Watch the Right-Handed Video Tutorial:

Watch the Left-Handed Video Tutorial:

Would you like to see the Bunny Hat? Just click here.

Here are the quick links to products and videos contained in this post:

Pattern

Yarn

Right-Handed Video

Left-Handed Video