Behind the Scenes: Designing a Houndstooth Pattern

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
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
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!

Buy the pattern on etsy

Houndstooth Trio Crochet Pattern available on Etsy.

Houndstooth Ladies Crochet Winter Accessories

Photo: Love of Crochet
Photo: Love of Crochet

Houndstooth Ladies Crochet Winter Accessories

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.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Houndstooth Trio Crochet Pattern available on etsy.

Panda Set Crochet Pattern

Panda Set Crochet Pattern

Panda Set

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:

Panda Set Crochet Pattern is now available in our Etsy shop.

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 Crochet Pattern is now available in our Etsy shop. The pattern includes supplies list, lots of photos, step by step instructions, check boxes to mark your progress and more.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Panda Set Crochet Pattern pattern available on Etsy.

His and Hers Cowl Crochet Pattern

His and Hers Cowls – Crochet Pattern

Photo: Love of Crochet Magazine
Photos: Love of Crochet Magazine

 You may recognize these delightful cowls from the Holiday 2013 Issue of Love of Crochet Magazine.

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.

Crochet Football Newborn Outfit Crochet Pattern

Crochet Football Newborn Outfit & Team Hats for the Whole Family – Crochet Pattern

Newborn-Football-Photo-prop-crochet-pattern

Hey football fans! Newborns score big with this newborn football outfit. This PDF ebook also includes hats for the whole family…so everyone can get into the game!

The Football Set crochet pattern ebook is now available in our Etsy shop.

Pattern includes:

  • Newborn Helmet
  • Newborn Football Mitts
  • Newborn Cleats Booties
  • Newborn Jersey Sweater
  • 5 Beanie Hat Sizes – 3 mos to adult men
  • 3 Jersey Sweater Sizes – newborn to 24 mos
  • Number Appliques: 1, 2, 3
Newborn-Football-Outfit-Crochet-Pattern

Newborn Football Outfit

With a newborn in the family, we couldn’t resist crocheting a newborn photo prop to celebrate football season. And you know how it is…once we made some mitts, we couldn’t resist making some booties. Then we thought…if the little guy is really going to get into the game, he needs a helmet and jersey, too!

So, the newborn football outfit is born. But we couldn’t even stop there. We wanted to get the whole family involved.

Football Beanies – Hats for the Whole Family

Football-Team-Hats

Football is a fall and winter sport…and for lots of teams, you need a hat when you go to the game.

The pattern includes striped beanie hats for ages 3 mos to adult men.

Mix and match the colors to match your favorite teams.

And there’s more.

Football Jersey – Sweater for Newborn to 24 mos.

Football-Jersey-Baby-Sweaters

We’ve included instructions for making the jersey (sweaters for babies) newborn to 24 mos. Crochet the number of your favorite player or the birth order of the child wearing the sweater.

We’ve included instructions for the numbers 1, 2 and 3.

Football Set – Available Now in Our Etsy Shop

The Football Set Crochet Pattern is now available on Etsy.

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

Buy the pattern on etsy

Turtle Family Crochet Pattern

Turtle Crochet Pattern – Mommy and Baby Turtle Rattle

Crochet Turtles Pattern

This turtle family crochet pattern is a whole lot of fun! The little guy is crocheted around a small plastic Easter egg to create a baby rattle! As baby gets a little older, he or she can shake the rattle and dance to some music.

Pattern includes:

  • Mommy Turtle Stuffed Animal
  • Baby Turtle Rattle
  • Pentagon Pattern
  • Hexagon Pattern

This Turtle Crochet Pattern PDF also includes instructions on how to crochet the spike stitch.

Turtle Stuffed Animal and Rattles pattern available on Etsy.

We label this project as intermediate because of the spike stitch. But if you’ve crocheted pentagons and hexagons before, then you should have no problem with this pattern.

When your kids ask you for a pet…crochet them one of these!

Buy the pattern on etsy
Photo: Love of Crochet Magazine
Photo: Love of Crochet Magazine

Coordinates with Published Set

These little stuffed animals coordinate with the “Teensy Turtle Baby Set” that was published in “Love of Crochet” magazine Fall 2014! The Teensy Turtle Baby Set in the magazine includes a baby blanket, hat, diaper cover and cape.

6 in 1: Turtle Blanket, Diaper Cover, Hat, Rattle, and Stuffed Animal crochet pattern available on Etsy.

Baseball Bean Bag, Blanket & Flags Crochet Pattern

Baseball Play Set: Bean Bag, Baby Blanket, Bunting and Pennant – Crochet Pattern

Baseball Bean Bag Play Set

If you’re a big time baseball fan, you’ll love this crochet pattern.

This Super Sized baseball is a bean bag chair! Yep, we crocheted a cozy to fit around a standard bean bag chair (we picked up at Walmart).

And of course, we couldn’t stop there. We created a matching baby blanket. It’s the perfect size to use as a lapghan or play mat.

To set it all off, we created some decorative flags. Create your own bunting and pennants in the colors of your favorite team.

Pattern Includes:

  • Baseball Bean Bag Chair
  • Ball Diamond Baby Blanket
  • “Play Ball” Bunting
  • “Go Team” Pennant
  • Baseball Applique
baseball set back

Baseball Set Crochet Pattern Available in Our Etsy Shop

Learn more about the crochet pattern for the Baseball Set in our Etsy shop.

You can buy the whole set or individual pieces. Learn more:

Hiking Buddy Crochet Pattern

Hiking Buddy Mini Purse Crochet Pattern

Hiking Buddy (a.k.a. Perfect Purse) Crochet Pattern

Remember the Perfect Purse from the Winter 2012 Love of Crochet magazine? If you missed that issue, then we have good news for you. You can get the pattern here!

We designed this mini purse as a hiking buddy…one that’s just large enough to stow your smart phone, ID and car keys. Your personal items will stay nice and secure with this beautiful flower button closure.

Crochet it with a strap and it’s a purse. Attach the belt loop and you can wear it at your hip. Oh, and there’s a chapstick holder, too!

Pattern Includes:

  • Purse
  • Flower Button
  • Shoulder Strap
  • Belt Loop
  • Chapstick Holder
Buy the pattern on etsy

Hiking Buddy Purse crochet pattern available on Etsy.

Coral Blooms: In Love of Crochet Spring 2014

LOC_SP14_Cover_FINAL_200px

Coral Blooms Scarf – Published in “Love of Crochet” Magazine: Spring 2014

Coral Blooms is the latest crocheted piece we have in a publication. You can find the pattern in the Spring 2014 issue of Love of Crochet Magazine.

CoralBlooms_DSC3800_200px

The Coral Blooms scarf is constructed of repeated sections of blooms and lattice. This is a quick and easy project that is made primarily with interconnected chain work.

This  scarf uses yarn from KnitPicks.com. Pictured is Gloss Fingering yarn in Guava. It’s 70% Merino Wool and 30% Silk. It has wonderful drape and blocks really well.

Check news stands for the Spring issue of Love of Crochet to get your copy of this beautiful pattern.

Flame Beanies and Flame Mittens

Flame Beanies and Flame Mittens Crochet Pattern

Flame Hats Father and Son-570

Warm your hands and your noggin in these flame mittens and hats! This crochet pattern is sized for everyone in the family from newborn to adult men.

Flame-Hats-all-sizes

Flame Beanies and Flame Mittens – Pattern Details

Fair Isle crocheted in the round creates fun flame patterns.

Pattern Includes:

  • 7 Hat Sizes – Newborn to Adult Men
  • 5 Mitten Sizes – Newborn to Adult Men
  • Charted Fair Isle Flame Pattern
Flame Mittens all sizes

We are rating the pattern intermediate because it’s fair isle, but the basic construction of the hat and mittens are pretty easy.

What is fair isle? It’s a fancy term that just means you’re using more than one color in a round. This pattern uses up to three colors in a round, but most of the time the pieces use one or two colors per round.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Flame Beanie Hats and Mittens Crochet Pattern available on Etsy.