Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch

March 30, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch

Crochet a heart centered granny square clutch for your crochet hooks and accessories!

This adorable little bag first appeared in Love of Crochet summer issue Crochet More 2014. We have the rights back to this pattern and have added this design to our shop.

For the magazine, Deborah crocheted the Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch in Knit Picks Shine yarn in greys and black. The prototype was crocheted in bright colors using Lion Brand Vanna’s Choice yarn (see photos in the shop). The is a quick and easy weekend project and would be a great stash buster.

Deborah uses this to store all her crochet tools. She added magnetic snaps to keep the front flap securely in place. It’s keeps her crochet hooks and tools securely inside and the little hands of her toddler out. The clutch is also small and portable for when Deborah wants to work on her crochet projects on the go.

Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch – Available in the Store

The crochet pattern includes lots of photos, written instructions, checkboxes to mark your progress and more.

Granny Heart Clutch purse pattern on Etsy.

Learn more about the Heart Centered Granny Square Clutch and see color photos in the shop.

Filed Under: Accessories, Bags, Patterns for Sale Tagged With: clutch, granny square, heart, purse

Behind the Scenes: Houndstooth Shrug

March 27, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Behind the Scenes: Houndstooth Shrug

The Houndstooth Shrug won by a landslide in the Twins Face Off Shrug design challenge. But it wasn’t always stunningly beautiful. It went through a couple of redsigns on it’s way to greatness.

“Shrugly” was how Deborah’s husband described the shrug at one point. Yep, combine the word shrug with ugly and you get one shrugly garment.

I think Deborah lost 50 pounds by getting rid of the hood!

Deborah and I talked on the phone throughout the design process and at one point I encouraged her to google images for Cruella Deville (cartoon character in 101 Dalmations). She liked the idea of splitting black and white on the outfit.

Deborah also mentioned that the collar was a happy accident. “I originally designing the collar so that it would join and buttoned in the center front,” she explaiend. “But, when I folded the collar back it created a stunning lapel”. The back of the collar looks great folded flat (as pictured above) or up (pictured right).

Kudos to Deborah for working and reworking her design until she got it just right. It’s absolutely gorgeous.

She held strong to her convictions to create a beautiful garment and her hard worked paid off.

You can see more pictures of the Houndstooth Shrug in the shop.

Houndstooth Shrug available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Behind the Scenes, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: behind the scenes, houndstooth, shrug

Tiger Print Scarves

March 23, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

White and Bengal Tiger Stripe Scarves – Crochet Pattern

Bring out your wild side with these two tiger striped scarves. This pattern includes both the V stripe and Diagnal stripe option.

Trendsetter Merino 6 is paired with La Furla to create a pair of ultra plush scarves. Your kids will want to wear these to school. That’s ok. So long as they let you borrow them back for your nights out.

White and Bengal Stripe Scarves – Available in the Store

Tiger Scarves pattern available on Etsy.

There are more pictures of these scarves and how they can be styled in the store. Learn more about the White and Bengal Tiger Scarves.

White and Bengal Tiger – Photo Shoot

The tiger stripe scaves are flirty and fun. Here are some are a few of our favorite pictures from the photo shoot. A big thank you to our friend Lorien for modeling these wild scarves.

Bengal-Wrapped

Cute and Contemplative

Tiger-Scarf-as-Wrap

Sultry and Sexy

Flirty and Coy

Scarf-folded-in-half

Charming and Sweet

Tiger Scarves pattern available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Accessories, Animals, Fair Isle, Patterns for Sale, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: bengal, black, orange, scarf, stripe, tiger, white, zebra

Vote in the Shrug Challenge and Giveaway

March 17, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Vote for Your Favorite Shrug and Enter to Win the Giveaway

Crochet hooks are down, now it’s time for you to vote. If you’d like to win the beautiful Red Heart yarn used in these projects and a copy of these sassy crochet patterns, enter after you vote!

Vote and giveaway close at midnight March 23, 2015.

Twins Face Off Shrug Challenge

Left: Houndstooth Shrug vs. Right: Black Cluster with White Stripe

We’ve asked a friend to model these two beautiful designs, so there’s no telling which twin designed which shrug. Don’t worry about hurt feelings; the vote is anonymous. We’re more curious to know which style is your favorite. So go ahead, cast your vote below.

If you’d like to see more photos, visit the Black and White Shrugs Pattern in the shop.

Black and White Shrugs Pattern available on Etsy.

Vote

Which Shrug Design is Your Favorite

Left - Houndstooth Design (70%, 117 Votes)
Right - Black Cluster with White Stripe (30%, 51 Votes)

Total Voters: 168

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Enter Red Heart Giveaway

Shipping to US and Canada Only

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Filed Under: Challenges & Contests, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs, Twins Face Off Design Challenge Tagged With: Giveaway, Shrug Challenge, Twins Face Off, Vote

Blog Tour with Crochetville

March 9, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

We’re Part of the Crochetville Blog Tour

To celebrate National Crochet Month (NatCroMo), Deborah and I joined the Crochetville Blog Tour! It is a whole lot of fun. We are highlighted on March 9. We answer lots of questions about our journey as crochet designers. You can read more about the us, the Yarn Twins on Crochetville. There are two crochet designers highlighted each day in March. It’s absolutely fascinating to read about so many talented crocheters.

Alternative Uses for to Victorian Lace Gift Card Holder

For National Crochet Month 2015 we shared a free pattern for a Victorian Lace Gift Card Holder. Today I also want to share with you a alternate uses for the various parts and pieces of the pattern.

The gift card holder itself can be used multiple ways. The friend I made this for is using it as a business card holder!

Gift Card Holder
Business Card Holder
Credit Card Wallet
Perks / Reward Cards to various businesses

The flower on the gift card holder is a lot of fun. It’s amazing how different it looks when crocheted with different yarns.

Acrylic Yarns from various companies were used in the flowers above. From left to right:

Bernat Handicrafter Thread
Bottom flower is single stranded with steel hook – 1″ across.
Top flower is double stranded with D Hook – 1 1/2″ across.
Caron Simply Soft with H Hook – 2″ across.
Vanna’s Choice with I Hook – 2 1/2″ across.
Red Heart (yellow: Super Saver, pink: Love)
Bottom flower is single stranded with I Hook – 1 3/4″ across.
Top flower is double stranded with L Hook – 3 3/4″ across.

Flowers can be used to dress up lots of things, handmade or store bought. Here are a couple of ways we’ve used the flowers:

Mittens dressed with flowers

It’s really fun to pin the flowers to a pair of mittens. Here is a pair of mittens our sister-in-law made for Deborah for Christmas one year.

Headband and flowers

Flowers look adorable on headbands. I’ve attached the thread flowers to a headband Deborah bought for me when living in China.

Want More Flowers

We’ve used flowers in various designs. Here are a few:

Flower Cozy in our Cup Cozy Collection ebook.
Hiking Buddy Mini Purse with Flower Button
Free Pattern on Red Heart – Mother’s Day Bouquet

Filed Under: Appliques, Flowers, Mittens Tagged With: flowers, natcromo, national crochet month

Ball and Chain Crochet Pattern

February 23, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Ball and Chain Crochet Pattern

Do your burdens feel like the old ball and chain?

We couldn’t resist having a little fun with the many references to the ball and chain. This is a funny gift to give at a bridal shower (yes, we have done that). It’s also a fun prop for use in plays like “A Christmas Carol” for the ghost of Christmas past.

Whatever your burden, this ball and chain was designed with comfort in mind. It has a faux leather lined cuff for when your burden seems extra heavy to carry.

Pictured above, the scarf is 5′ long. Add more or less links to change the length.

Ball and Chain pattern available on Etsy.

This Ball and Chain crochet pattern is available in the store.

Filed Under: Bridal Shower, Halloween, Holidays & Special Occasions, Patterns for Sale, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs, Toys, Wedding Tagged With: ball and chain, gag gift, wedding

Behind the Scenes: Designing a Houndstooth Pattern

February 20, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Behind the Scenes: Designing a Houndstooth Crochet Pattern

How is it my husband knew what houndstooth was and I did not? A friend of mine said she was going to try to come up with a crocheted houndstooth pattern. I had seen this pattern many times before but never knew what it was called. Trying to come up with a pattern intrigued me and I, too, made several attempts at getting an approximate pattern.

Lion Brand Fun Fur

First I had to decide if I wanted a small houndstooth pattern or a large one. There are several lovely small patterns available online often using an alternating pattern of single crochet and double crochet. I wanted to come up with a larger pattern, one that really incorporated the diagonal lines of the houndstooth. However, the diagonal spike stitch patterns I came up with seemed jumbled and messy. I finally decided to use a spike stitch that went straight down. The effect was quite lovely.

Trendsetter La Furla

I first proposed the houndstooth trio to a crochet magazine with Lion Brand’s Fun Fur. Paired with Vanna’s Choice yarn it made a lovely set. The magazine’s editor suggested I redo the set in Trendsetter’s Merino wool and La Furla. These are quite luxurious yarns. They are both incredibly soft and warm. The La Furla is thicker and softer than Fun Fur. They are stylish and functional for even the coldest of weather. Lion Brand has since come out with an equally soft and thicker fur like called Romance. Both yarn brands make for a beautiful houndstooth set.

So, just how did my husband know what houndstooth was? From football, of course. College football coach Paul Bryant was often seen at games wearing a houndstooth hat!

Learn more about the Houndstooth Trio in the shop.

Houndstooth Trio available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Adult, Age & Gender, Behind the Scenes, Crochet, Crochet Technique, Great as Gifts, Hat, Patterns for Sale, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: hounds tooth, houndstooth

Houndstooth Ladies Crochet Winter Accessories

February 16, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Houndstooth Ladies Crochet Winter Accessories

Photo: Love of Crochet

This delightful and warm Houndstooth Trio first appeared in Love of Crochet magazine Holiday 2014 issue. It is now available in our shop.

The crochet pattern includes a fur brimmed hat, fur brimmed cowl and fur lined muff. The trio fits ladies 8 years old and older.

The Houndstooth print is created with stitches of various heights and the spike stitch. It’s surprisingly easy to create. The most difficult part will be working with fur. But it is sooo worth it because it is super soft, very warm and absolutely gorgeous.

Pictured here is yarn from Trendsetter Yarns. This set used Merino 8 and La Furla. Both are super soft and delightful to work with.

Learn more about the Houndstooth Trio in the Shop.

Houndstooth Trio available on etsy.

Filed Under: Accessories, Adult, Age & Gender, Girl, Hat, Mittens, Patterns for Sale, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: cowl, hat, houndstooth, ladies, muff

Panda Set

February 9, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

Panda Set Crochet Pattern

Love Panda’s or know someone who adores these exotic bears?

The Panda Set has something for everyone – newborn to adult men!

Panda Set Includes:

Bean Bag Chair
Hats: 6 sizes (newborn to adult men)
Pants / Diaper Covers: 4 sizes (newborn to 12 mos)
Stuffed Animal
Bamboo Blanket
Panda Set pattern available on Etsy.

Panda Set – Crochet Details

The spike stitch is used where colors change to give the illusion of fur. We’ve included information on how to make a furry panda bean bag using Fun Fur.

Everything in the pattern is surprisingly easy to make. We rate the pattern intermediate because of the foundation ch (sometimes called no foundation chain stitches) used in the leaves of the bamboo.

You may have seen this pattern before. It first appeared in Love of Crochet magazine Holiday 2014 issue. Now it’s available in the store!

Panda Set – Crochet Pattern Now Available

The Panda Set is now available in the store as a crochet pattern. The pattern includes supplies list, lots of photos, step by step instructions, check boxes to mark your progress and more.

Panda Set pattern available on Etsy.

Filed Under: Accessories, Adult, Afghan, Animals, Baby, Bean Bag - Pouf, Boy, Child, Cozy, Girl, Hat, Home, Home Decor, Patterns for Sale, Toys Tagged With: afghan, baby blanket, blanket, ear flap, hat, lapghan, panda, pants, stuffed animal, toy

His and Hers Cowl Crochet Pattern

January 26, 2015 By Yarnitect (Dana)

His and Hers Cowls – Crochet Pattern

Photos: Love of Crochet Magazine

You may recognize these delightful cowls from the Holiday 2013 Issue of Love of Crochet Magazine. The pattern is now available in the Yarnovations Shop: His and Hers Cowl.

I, Dana, specifically designed these with beginners in mind. Deborah and I love playing around with a wide variety of stitches and techniques…but for this I wanted something that was simple and classic. The yarn and accents have a chance to shine in this crochet pattern.

The pattern includes suggestions for how the pattern can be modified for longer cowls and scarves. With the suggestioned variations, you can make gifts for the whole family that look unique even though they use the same basic design.

His and Hers Cowl is now available.

Filed Under: Adult, Patterns for Sale, Scarves, Cowls & Shrugs Tagged With: cowl, his and hers