Glass Beads and Chain Stitch, awesome jewelry project for summer!!

I love making crocheted jewelry, and this redone pattern set has some new designs which are great for summer!

To make this Beaded Chain Stitch Summer Necklace...

You’ll need no. 10 crochet cotton and a size 7 steel thread crochet hook for this project, as well as the desired number of beads. I used about 220 variously sized glass beads, which when pre-strung on my thread (the first step you will read about below) stretched out to about 20”.

First, you’ll need to stiffen the neatly trimmed end of your working thread (the number 10 crochet cotton) so that you can string beads easily! Use a dab of white glue or nail polish,and while it’s not quite dry, roll it in your fingers to straighten it and make a sharp point!

Next, you will string all of your beads, in the exact order and layout that you want them, on to your crochet thread (see below).

Now comes the chaining part: start with a few chains using the end of the thread that was stiffened (you can trim that off). Then, pull up your first bead,

snug it against the chains you just worked, reach around it, (see below)

and continue on to chain 4. Sometimes you’ll need to seesaw your thread back and forth to make the area where you jump across the bead nice and tight.

Continue in this manner *chain 4, jump over bead, repeat from * to desired length (for me, that was eight feet!)

Your necklace grows as those stringed beads wait for you near your ball of thread. You’ll occasionally need to move them down, away from your work, as you need more working thread.

When you are done, knot the two ends together tightly with a double knot, then finish off the knot with a tiny dab of glue.

Your finished piece can be looped around itself three or even four times to make a beautiful piece of jewelry; you can even wrap it around your wrist many more times to make a gorgeous bracelet! The best part is, your necklace is washable and durable.

If you wish, you can work larger knots at each end of your necklace and put crimps and lobster claw closures on them to make the wearing easier. 

If you'd like to see the full pattern set , including lots of photos, 9 jewelry projects, and  a video explaining this necklace, you can check out the pattern for sale on Etsy,. If you'd like to see it on Amazon, go to my Amazon page. 

Hope you enjoy this simple little project and thanks for reading, you guys! 

susanlinnstudio.etsy.com

Today I'm working on tapestry crochet! I love it, for some reason it never occurred to me to change colors so easily. You just start out with two or more yarns, and the ones which are not part of the design at the moment are just being carried along and are worked on top of. You can see in the photo above: that blue variegated yarn is just cruising along, hidden...UNTIL it's needed! Then you insert your hook, pick up the blue, and finish the sc with it. There's a lot more to it than that, if you want you can find any number of youtube videos on tapestry crochet.

I find it exciting to be able to create a repeating design with graph paper, the way knitters and crocheters have done for ages -- but to do so without annoying color changes! The catch is that three or more colors can get a bit bulky.

It's a switch from my usual applique and flower designs. My latest in that vein is a chameleon inspired by Pascal (in "Tangled"). You can find him in the store links below, so if you're so inclined, check out my latest at My Etsy Pattern Store or at My Ravelry Pattern Store. 
My 4-Chapter Mini Treasury

is also on Etsy right now for $12.99. It's one of my many small, low-commitment project collections!
Thanks for looking and keep that hook in your hand, it'll keep you out of trouble!
Susan Kennedy
www.susankennedy.com
www.susanlinnstudio.etsy.com
Also check out my patterns on Amazon!!

Remember a crocheted pigtail? Free pattern for this curly crochet stitch

Here's a little crochet smile...I know lots of crocheters from the 70's will remember the crocheted pigtail stitch, and most people will probably still see lots of it at craft fairs: it's a staple of bookmarks and hair ties! So here's the very simple way to do it!

And at the end, I'll show you a picture of a slightly more involved fashion crochet scarf I designed which elaborates on the humble crochet pigtail and makes it into statement neckwear!

First you start with a length of chains, for practice just make 25. (below)

Then, assuming you want a straight expanse of stitches before the curls, turn, skip one loop and start sc (single crochet) back toward the beginning. For this example I single crocheted 10 times, (photo below) then I was ready to start the curls!

(below) Now here's the big secret: simply start working 2 sc in every chain! First you'll see a hump. 

Then as you continue 2 sc in every ch, you'll see your work beginning to curl back on itself. (below)

Just keep working and if needed, twist the curly part behind you in a clockwise manner so that the curl lies evenly. (Below)

(Below) Voila! A curly pigtail, perfect for the end of a bookmark, the ends of a hair tie, a bow for a gift....OR (read on)

You can invent a cool fashion statement from this curly stitch by varying it a bit. If you'd like to see my "Curly Vines" statement scarf pattern, click here.

It looks like this: 

I'm so proud of it!! I love any statement scarves that reflect humble natural forms, and this one reminds me of the tendrils of a vine or seaweed. So much fun!! Stand by for some scarf patterns which look like leaves, coral and lichens!! 

Thanks for checking out my patterns! To see more, you can visit my Etsy store, check out my crochet blog or facebook page to find free tips, small patterns and inspiration, or see my Amazon Author Central page to see my patterns on the Kindle ebook store. Have a great time with your crochet!

This is one of the Flowers in my New Flower Crochet Pattern Book, and one of the rose flower patterns is here for free! Also new free coupons for discounts on my Etsy Pattern Store!

Hello all, this is one of the flowers I wanted to be sure to show you...dang proud of it!

It's not a free pattern (to see the book it's in, click here), but I will have it singly on my Etsy pattern store soon for $1.49 AND don't forget my best free rose pattern is right here (it's the second picture)

I don't know why crocheted flowers are the thing I keep coming back to...they are such a humble but to us, instinctively beautiful a form. And I notice that as I create a ruffle with a stitch which doubles and triples, that ruffle is created in such an organic way, the way a real ruffled petal gets more crowded and hence ruffled. Love love love it! As far as natural forms in crochet go, I've simply got to finish my ruffled scarfettes which look like ginkgo leaves and lichens, and there is a mermaid "under-the-sea" scarf which looks like an almost freeform crochet interpretation of coral reef forms. So check back soon, my crochet hook is hot!! How bout yours? 

Oh, don't forget to enter your coupon codes for 10%, 15%, and 20% off your Etsy pattern purchases from me...you just enter "SAVE10", SAVE15" or "SAVE20" at checkout to get those discounts for minimum purchases of $15, $25, and $40, respectively. 

Thanks for checking in! To see more, you can visit my Etsy store, check out my facebook page to find free tips, small patterns and inspiration, or see my Amazon Author Central page to see my patterns on the Kindle ebook store. Have a great time with your crochet!

Susan

New Ruffled "Who Hat" which is my latest crochet pattern! So silly, and it comes in sizes Preemie through Adult!

You guys, this pattern is live now right here on Etsy (and soon on Amazon).

I love how silly and ruffly it works up to be, and I've written it for sizes all the way from Preemie to Adult! I'm going to make up one in my daughter's school colors, because personally I think it will make a great school spirit hat. : ) 

If you want the free pattern for these easy pom poms, click here and thanks for checking in! 

To see more, you can visit my Etsy store, check out my crochet blog or facebook page to find free tips, small patterns and inspiration, or see my Amazon Author Central page to see my patterns on the Kindle ebook store. Have a great time with your crochet!

Susan

Free Crochet Pattern here, with my introduction of my New Flowers Pattern Collection on Etsy! It only took me two years... Flower Crochet Patterns, Big, Splashy and Easy!

Wow, I'm so proud to have finally finished this crochet flower pattern set! 

Fourteen crocheted flowers, some of them collected from my individual patterns for hats and scarves in the last two years, some of them all new. BUT all of them are bossy and bold, and they make a big flowery statement! And blog readers, you get the Flower Bag and one flower pattern for free right here!  BUT heck, the whole thing's on Etsy for only five bucks, so check it out and all of my all-original crochet designs at my Etsy Store. 

I've been mulling over other new ideas from the yarn-y stew which is my brain right now, and have some interesting baby accessory crochet items coming up, so keep checking it for new patterns being published soon, and for free crochet patterns right on this blog!

Thanks for checking out my patterns! To see more, you can visit my Etsy store, check out my crochet blog or facebook page to find free tips, small patterns and inspiration, or see my Amazon Author Central page to see my patterns on the Kindle ebook store. Have a great time with your crochet!

Susan

New Shell Stitch Hat Pattern from Susan, and Free New Two-Piece Natural Rose Pattern!

You guys, I've got a new pattern up on Etsy and soon to be live on Amazon too, if you like their Kindle store. It's a super fast, super simple baby hat pattern worked in easy and fast shell stitch! My granny style baby hat might be a tad faster, but this is pretty darn fast, and SUPER easy. And as a thank you for being a blog reader, just click here to get the new rose pattern which is part of the new pattern.

The shell baby hat comes in 5 sizes, ranging from Newborn to 6 months. I've got larger child and adult sizes coming up.

So if you have a little stash of baby weight yarn and a size H crochet hook, check out this pattern here on etsy, or hopefully within a day, find it among my Amazon items.

Thanks for checking it out!! Yours, Susan 

New Super Sale Amazon Collection of my Easy Crochet Patterns!

You guys, for a limited introductory period I have this new Mini Treasury listed on Amazon for $2.99! That's 75% off list price, and it's packed with patterns for small projects that won't bog you down! The best thing is...from your point of view, not mine (cough)...is that you can see all of the first chapter  by using the "look inside" feature, or even download the sample from its item page on amazon. Just click here.  But why would you do that when you can buy the whole ebook for three bucks?

The first chapter is my leaf and leaf garland collection, second chapter is a collection of super easy baskets and bowls, third chapter is a set of flowers for embellishing, and the fourth chapter is four of my easy baby hats, two of them brand new in 2015.

So check out the sample or check out all of my amazon patterns or better yet, my patterns on Ets

And thank you!

Updated Granny Hat, and a new Free Flower crochet pattern in this blog post

I just updated my easiest and (to me) cutest hat to have a cover picture in more current colors AND to add this cool little flower which is faster, cuter, and easier than in the unrevised pattern!! I'm so proud, it's "Susan's Loopy Flower" and if you want the pattern for free, you can find it here.

And if you'd like to see the revised Granny Hat pattern, complete with three sizes and both flower patterns, you can find it on etsy and also on Amazon. 

I'm also working on a great big Chrysanthemum revision which is also easier and just plain old better...so I hope you see it soon, and enjoy it! 

Thanks you guys, and check out all of my original patterns in my Etsy Store! 

 Susan

A New Revision of my Best Baby Hat Pattern, with an all New Crochet Flower

I've finally finished a rework of my basic baby hat for light weight yarn, and it gives it such a delicate feeling! Work this darling little cap in baby yarn with a size G hook, it'll only take an hour, if that! But the real new thing about the pattern is this new flower design I've been working on for a while, I'm so proud! It's full, but nice and flat, flat but not flopped-over...it's perfect for a baby hat!!

I hope you like it, guys, it's currently on Etsy right here. By tomorrow it should appear on Amazon among my Amazon patterns. 

Thanks for your kind words and support!!!

New Bunny Applique Pattern from Susan...try the little one for free!

You guys, I'm so proud of FINALLY having finished this little bunny pattern...I have a running bunny which was going to be a third pattern, but I just can't seem to finish it. SO, I'm happy just to introduce this bitty pair!!! I know you see five bunnies, but they are actually just two types, the Large Sitting Bunny and the Small Sitting Bunny.

Call me crazy, but I think these will be great on little girls' hats, scarves, jumpers, washcloths...And I'm planning on finding or making some fabric Easter Baskets which have these darlings on them. 

And I'm posting the pdf pattern for the little guy right here, who would look darn cute hopping around the edge of a dress, all by himself. I must admit, the little one is a lot faster than the larger one to make, and a bit easier.

I've written the pattern for yarn, but those of you who don't mind putting on your readers might try making these cuties in crochet thread and a 2 mm (size 4) steel thread crochet hook. 

Give me your feedback on the pattern, please!

And here are the instructions for the little guy:

Free Small Bunny Pattern

and if you like the little bunny, check out my pattern for both bunnies here on etsy. It will be on Amazon like most of my patterns within a day or two, also. 

Thanks for all of the support, you guys, and have a blast creating and crocheting this week!

Susan