Christmas Toilet Paper Cozy: Free Crochet Pattern

Toilet paper. It's one of those things that everyone uses. Well . . . I guess not everyone. There is this thing I was reading about the other night called "Family Cloths."

*shrug*

I dunno, I'm all on-board for cloth baby wipes and cleaning rags but have yet to be sold on the idea of reusable cloth toilet paper . . . that you wash . . . in your washing machine . . .

*again . . . shrug*

I digress! Toilet paper! It's a novel invention. It's useful, convenient and practical. However, it's not the fanciest thing out there.

Remember when toilet paper "cozies" were a big thing? Are they still?? I remember my mother having several during the late 80's / early 90's. Was that the end of them?

Anyway, I need a unique and cute Teacher/Bus Driver/Mother-in-Law/Hostess/you name it, gift that is quick and is one size fits most (toilet paper rolls that is)

So, here is the pattern for the Christmas Toilet Paper Cozy!!  On to the pattern!!







↘       ↙

Faux Paracord Wrap Bracelets: Free Crochet Pattern

image (c) Ruth Windover

I have at least half a dozen (probably more like a couple of dozen 😕) unfinished, half-finished or un-started (is that a word?) projects sitting in my "working" basket.

I looked at them this week but so many of the projects are on "time out" or have patterns that are half written that I decided I would start something new and quick that I have been thinking about: crochet bracelets.

I saw some pretty ones around the virtual world and thought, 'Hey, I could make myself some of those!'


And so I did.


And then I made one for Hunny.  And then another to add to her friends birthday present.  And then a few dozen more 'cause they were pretty.  And then another for Hoss in "a manly colour" because he thought they looked cool too! 😊

image (c) Ruth Windover

And of course, the very first time Hoss wore his he got a compliment!!  And then, when asked where he got it, instead of advertising for Red Mitten Designs he responds "my wife made it."  Grrrr!  Ha Ha!!  Oh well, they look fantastic so I decided I'd share the pattern with you . . .


*Special Note:
If you are a local and would like to custom order a handmade bracelet (or toque, mittens, washcloths, teddy bears, . . . :) feel free to check out my Facebook Page 

(At this time custom orders handmade by Red Mitten Designs are only available in my local area and are not available to ship.  My sincere apologies for any inconvenience)


On to the pattern!!!

Bee Sweet Washcloth: Free Knit Pattern

image (c) Ruth Windover

Time for spring knits!!!  

And today was a great day for photographing ducks with the light drizzle we are getting.

I love this time of year, as my projects turn from holy-crap-its-cold-and-I-need-knits-to-stay-warm to beautiful, artfully crafted home decor items, children's toys (for next Christmas - ssssshhhh!), and home essentials - like today's project: knit washcloths (does anyone else call them facecloths?)

I adore how these cloths feel.  

So light and fluffy!  They are porous enough to wash away baby drool, little boy mud smears and princess marker "tattoo's".

I struggled with what to name this pattern and ended up settling on "Bee Sweet" as it is designed using the "bee stitch."

For other unique washcloth patterns don't forget to check out allfreeknitting.com's selection of FREE patterns

Bandanna Dribble Bib, Bee Sweet cloth & Lil Duck
image (c) Ruth Windover

The "ducklings" in the picture were created using Karla Fitch's "Lil Ducks" pattern that can be found HERE.  This pattern is so sweet and quick!!!

A couple of these cloths, a duckling and a "Bandanna Dribble Bib" would make an absolutely adorable (and I'm sure appreciated) baby shower gift!

Or, for the more adventurous baby shower giver, try my HBC Grey Scale Inspired Toddler Blanket


Without further rambling . . . on to the pattern!!



↓   ↓  click on "Read More"  ↓   ↓  

HBC Grey-scale Inspired Blanket: Free Crochet Pattern

image (c) Ruth Windover

Well, I can't seem to stay away from making pretty things with my crochet hooks!  So, here is another crochet pattern!!

Because I love both knitting and crochet (and am convinced that both are gorgeous forms of art!) I have decided that I am going to upgrade the blog description to "a blog about knitting . . . & occasionally crochet"

Readers!  What do you think?!  Does this change appeal to you or would you rather I return to exclusively posting knitting patterns?  Let me know in the comments section below ⇩

To a blogger, all comments are highly valued (no matter if they are a small comment or a soliloquy!) Readers comments are what keep this blogger posting!  I genuinely love to hear your thoughts, insights and to see any and all of the gorgeous things you create with my patterns

This weeks pattern is for a crocheted HBC inspired Toddler Size (also makes a great lap size) blanket.

The Hudson's Bay Company was founded in Canada in the 1600's and still endures today.  With its iconic colours (and its more modern, turn of the new millennium, grey-scale) it's "stripe spotting" branding is known worldwide.


For my blanket I opted to use the grey-scale as it fits nicely with the colour scheme I plan to use in Little Bears big boy room.  The pattern would also look wonderful in the vintage HBC colours!  Give it a go!!!

If you make one please share a picture; I would love to see it!








On to the pattern!



~ * ~ * ~

HBC Grey-scale Inspired Blanket
       ~by Ruth Windover

craft:
crochet

skill level:
beginner

size:
approx 42 x 54 inches (106 x 137 cm)
this is designed as a Toddler Size blanket.  It is not recommended for use in cribs

materials:

• 5.5mm (I/9) crochet hook
• Bernat Premium worsted weight yarn in the following:
• aran  825 yards
• black 165 yards
• dark grey heather 165 yards
• medium grey heather 165 yards
• light grey heather 165 yards

gauge:
12 sts and 8 rows = 4 inches in DC

abbreviations:
Ch     chain
st      stitch
DC   double crochet







pattern:
Row 1:  starting with the MC (aran) loosely Ch 128 sts.  DC in 3rd st from hook.  DC in each st across (126).  Turn

Row 2 - 12:  Ch 3 (counts as a st throughout pattern).  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 13 - 24: change to black.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126). Turn

Row 25 - 36: change to MC.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 37 - 48:  change to dark grey heather.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 49 - 60:  change to MC.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 61 - 72:  change to medium grey heather.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

image (c) Ruth Windover

Row 73 - 84:  change to MC.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 85 - 96:  change to light grey heather.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Row 97 - 108:  change to MC.  Ch 3.  DC in next st and all sts across (126).  Turn

Bind off and weave in all ends.
Block if desired

Thanks for crocheting!!

This pattern can be used for teaching classes, personal use or small quantity sales. If you do use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back - it’s the nice and morally responsible thing to do:) DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Thanks for knitting! Enjoy!!

All images copyright Ruth Windover. Do not use without permission

Messy Bun Toque: Free Crochet Pattern

Hello again everyone!!  Once again it is going to be a post on CROCHET!  

"W-H-Y!!?"  I imagine my avid knitting followers are asking.

In answer to your hypothetically envisioned question: I love crochet too.  Knitting will always be my first love, that is true; however, I find that I can create a far vaster variance of handcrafted items with crochet as the stitches I find can be twisted into less structured forms.  Also, I knit English Style and Crochet Continental Style.  Sooo, sometimes both my brain and my hands love the change!

Here is my version of the currently popular messy bun toque.  The unique thing about the pattern I am going to present to you is that the top (where your messy bun goes) is s-t-r-e-t-c-h-y and therefore can *theoretically* be put on after you have made your bun.

The free pattern is for the toque only in average adult size only.  The paid version of this pattern includes sizes for child and average adult. The pattern also contains instructions on how to create the flower pictured in both a small and a large size. 

{ want an ad free version of the Messy Bun Toque?  BUY NOW!! }

size  

20 - 22 inch (adult average)

yarn

Bernat Premium, medium grey heather (approx. 100 yards)

Bernat Premium, white (approx. 35 yards)

Bernat Premium, rich red (approx. 10 yards)

needles & notions
5.5 mm crochet hook
a strong hair elastic
tapestry needle

gauge

12 sts & 8 rounds = 4 inches in DC

notes

ch sts at beginning of rnds do not count as sts throughout pattern

pattern
Begin at the crown of the head using medium grey yarn.  Follow Step one - four to set up for the elastic inside the messy bun opening.  Use the image below as a reference as needed

Step 1:  make a slip knot and place it on your crochet hook

Step 2:  place the needle through the hair elastic as if it is a magic loop.  YO and pull up a slip stitch through both the elastic and the slip knot.  Ch 3 (does not count as a stitch)

Step 3:  DC 33 stitches around the hair elastic as if it is a magic loop

Step 4:  join with a slip stitch into the top of the first double crochet . 


Rnd 1:  Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch3.  DC in next st.  2 DC in next st.  *DC in each of next 2 sts.  2 DC in next st*  repeat from * - * around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (44sts)

Rnd 2:  Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch 3.  DC in each of the next 2 sts.  2 DC in next st.  *DC in each of the next 3 sts.  2 DC in next st *  repeat from * - * around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (55sts)

Rnd 3:  Ch3. DC into same st as Ch3.  DC in each of the next 3 sts.  2 DC in next st.  *DC in each of the next 4 sts.  2 DC in next st*  repeat from * - * around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (66sts)

Rnd 4 - 10:  Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch3.  DC around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (66sts)

Rnd 11:  change to white yarn (you don't need to cut MC just carry it up the inside of your work).  Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch3.  DC around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (66sts)

Rnd 12 - 13:  with white yarn Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch3.  DC around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (66sts)

Rnd 14:  cut white yarn & continue using medium grey yarn that was carried along the inside of work.  Ch3.  DC into same st as Ch3.  DC around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (66sts)

Rnd 15 - 18:  Ch1.  sc into the same st as Ch1.  sc around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first sc (66sts)

Rnd 19:  Ch1.  sc into the same st as Ch1.  sc around.  Join with a slip stitch in the top of the first sc (66sts)

Fasten off.  Secure and weave in all ends.

Make your favourite flower using white yarn and rich red yarn.  The flower pictured is available in the paid version of this pattern

{ want an ad free version of the Messy Bun Toque?  BUY NOW!! }

Finished your Messy Bun Toque?  Share it online and tag @redmittendesigns on Instagram or Facebook!  

Want to follow Red Mitten Designs on social media?  Click on a link below to find me on your favourite social channel!

Facebook

Ravelry

Pinterest

Instagram

If you use this pattern for sale items please provide a link back and give credit.  It's the nice, morally responsible thing to do! DO NOT claim this pattern as your own. Why not try writing one of your own? You can do it! I know you can!!  

All photos copyright Jocelyn Windover and Red Mitten Designs (do not use without permission).  

Once again, thank you for choosing a Red Mitten Designs pattern!  Enjoy!!