Free Crochet Pattern: TWO Super Easy Hearts

It's that time of year.....
Valentine's Day fast approaches, and you may need and easy heart applique pattern. My patterns are worked in joined rounds, as I was not happy with how the others I had tried out were looking and they got a bit confusing.  

I used this batch to make hair pins, and a few larger ones that will go onto headbands. I used a variety of yarns, hooks, and stitch combinations before coming up with 2 that I liked best. I am not providing yarn or hook info for that reason, play around and have fun with your scraps! These take very little yarn to make, and are fast and easy.

My Reluctant Model, aka Baby Photo Shoot FAIL

My baby girl is 16 months old, and is adorable. 

She loves to try on clothes, twirl, dance, and touches every texture to see what it feel like. She loves clothes, sparkles, horses, and is cool enough that she loves superhero's and train building too.

But a mini-model she is not! I have been trying new crochet item on her to take pictures for the new Etsy store, and have had little to no luck.

 So, when I made this Froggy Hugs Hat, I just had to get her to hold still for a picture. She had other plans! I had to share the cuteness. Three tries, three outfits, no good pictures. I may need to enlist a pro!
 

FREE Crochet Pattern: Anchor Applique Tutorial

Want to add something nautical to your project? 
I was making a Navy scarf for my Dad, and could not find a (free) pattern anywhere online that I liked - so I made one up!

This anchor with a rope wrapped around is made in 4 pieces that are stitched together, as I found that this method made the lines much sharper and defined than others I had seen. I plan to use this on some funky Rockabilly pieces and cute baby hats in the future. And of course anything involving Navy pride for family.

Tutorial/Pattern:

Materials:

• 5 mm hook
• I used Lion Wool Ease WW Oxford Grey for the anchor (Color A), and Red Heart WW Latte for the rope (Color B)
• Needle to stitch pieces together 

Crochet Sneak Peak!

Wanted to share a few crochet pics - here are some of the items that will be up on Etsy and the new websites! 

I'll have a crochet website site and a separate jewelry site, but both will be sold on Etsy in the Horizontal Designs shop. Also will be adding more free patterns in the next week!

Girls Sparkly Shawl and Hat Set, Vintage Inspired

In Progress...Clockwork Pearl Collection, Steampunk Chic Creations

Worked on multiple parts and designs for upcoming jewelry today, love how they are turning out! Antique keys, gears, springs, moving watch hands...constructing from scratch with such small parts can be a challenge, but the detail is amazing.

And yes, I've been playing with new photo editing apps...

Free Crochet Pattern: Vintage Ruffled Curtain Tie Backs

This is a quick and easy (and super cute!) way to whip up curtain tie backs that are versatile, customizable, and use up scrap yarn.

They can be hooked on to wall hardware, or tied around your curtains without anything extra. They can be looped once for a looser look, or looped multiple times. The yarn used is very stretchy, so you have a lot of options!  I looped mine twice, and don't have them attached to anything.

Materials:

• I used Red Heart Shimmer Yarn (Teal), but you can use any yarn 
• 5mm hook, adjust according to your yarn size
• A large button, or other ornamentation to tie your loop over
• Yarn needle

 Stitches/Abreviations:

• ss = slip stitch
• ch = chain
• dc = double crochet
• st = stitch

 Pattern: 

• Ch 75 (or whatever length you want)
• Row 1: dc into 4th st, this counts as 2 dc's, then dc in to the next st. *2 dc's in next st, 1 dc in next st* and repeat across row.
• Row 2: ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc into next 2 st. *2 dc in next stitch, then dc in to next 2 st's* and repeat across row. Do not tie off.
• I stopped here. You could make yours thinker and keep increasing by adding a single dc to each*repeated increase* - for example: Row 3 would be *2 dc in st, dc into next 3 st* and so on.
• Once you have the desire amount of rows, at the end of your final row, ch 10. Then form a loop and ss into your last dc. This will be your loop that goes around your button. Tie off and weave in any ends.
• Attach a button to the other end of the piece, tie off and secure yarn, and that's it! Enjoy!

  
 Other custom ideas (I'll try some of these when I have time!): Adding beading, using cool vintage fabric covered buttons, using fuzzy or unique textured yarn, the possibilities go on and on. Have fun!
      
***Feel free to use free patterns for whatever purpose you like, but please link back to my post. Please do not copy and post this pattern and claim it as your own. You may share photos that include the Horizontal Designs text only.