Share the Link - a few thoughts on free patterns.

Free patterns. Free patterns and their distribution.

I have free patterns, and I'd say most designers have at least one.

Sometimes they are released as a taster - get a feel for the designers writing style. Sometimes they are a designers first foray into writing and they don't feel like they are ready to charge. Sometimes it's just free for a limited time. Sometimes the designers are paid by another party (like a yarn company)  Or paid in another way - the advertising or 'click' revenue they receive. Maybe it's none of those reasons, but whatever it is, the designer or still owns the copyright and distribution rights to it. (if a third party has paid the designer for the pattern, the ownership may be transferred, but the following still applies.)

Ownership and distribution rights. What does that mean? It means you can't copy or redistribute the pattern anywhere, which includes digitally. Uploading the file to another location is the same thing as redistributing. You might think that you are doing the designer a favour, by getting their name out there, but you aren't. Exposure isn't a legitimate currency - it *can* be a nice added bonus, but it shouldn't be the motivating force.

So what can you do? Share the Link! Copy and paste the URL. (That's the web address - www. etc) If there is a share button on a blog post, that is fine too. You wouldn't copy and paste this whole blog post if you wanted to share it - too much work! You would copy the link and share that! Same goes for patterns, it's actually the least amount of work - and, at the end of the day - the legal way to share.

Yep, legal way. Designers aren't being precious, they just want to fairly stand up for their legal rights.

Share the Link!

Designers do want their patterns to be shared, and made, and enjoyed.

Do you like free patterns - you might enjoy these! Click the link to be taken to the blog post, and share the link with a friend! And for what it's worth - I'm not a lawyer :)

Wind rose Heart

Chunky Hexies

Blueberry washcloth

Denimberry Washcloth

Strawberry Fields Beanie 

Big Circle Granny

Thistle Beanie

Summer Vibes Wall Hanging 

Thank you for reading today! Do you have a favourite pattern? Share the link with me in the comments. 

Heart Wall Hanging 'Summer Vibes'- free crochet pattern

One day this past week, while I was sorting and cleaning my yarn stash, I found some chunky yarn left over from a beanie I made.

The yarn is Papatya Mouline Chunky in colour 5981 - which  self stripes!

The beanie I made was the thistle beanie - which you can find here

I had enough yarn to make a heart and tassel, and combine them to make a beachy wall hanging. I've called it Summer Vibes.

Click here to purchase the ad free PDF 

or continue for the free pattern

The heart measures 10 inches or 24.5 cm in height, with another 5 inches/ 12 cm for the tassel.

Chains are not counted as stitches -  US terms used. 8mm crochet hook.

Chain 4

Row 1: Sk 2 sts, hdc in next, 2 hdc in last ch, turn (3)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, turn. (5)
Row 3 - 9: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (17)
Row 10 - 11: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (17)
Row 12: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (19)
Row 13: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn. (19)
Row 14: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (21)
Row 15 - 16: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn. (21)

Rows 17 - 21 can be worked in two ways - complete the whole right side before completing left side, or if you want to continue colour sequence of Mouline Chunky; work R(ight) Rows 17 and 18, L(eft) Rows 17 - 20, R Rows 19 - 21, L Row 21.

Right
Row 17: Ch 2, hdc2tog, 7 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (9)
Row 18: Ch2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (9)
Row 19: Ch 2, Ch 2, hdc2tog, 5 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (7)
Row 20: Ch 2, hdc in same st,  hdc in every st to end, turn. (7)
Row 21: Ch 2, hdc2tog, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in last st. (6)

Left
Join Yarn  to 11th st/centre. (last worked stitch from other half of Row 17)
Row 17: Ch 2, hdc2tog, 7 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (9)
Row 18: Ch2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (9)
Row 19: Ch 2, Ch 2, hdc2tog, 5 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (7)
Row 20: Ch 2, hdc in same st,  hdc in every st to end, turn. (7)
Row 21: Ch 2, hdc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog. (6)

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Tassel:

Follow these instructions, or use your preferred method - I used a 5 inch/12 cm piece of card.


Using a stick or dowl, attach to the top of the heart, and attach a final length of yarn to hang.


Abbreviations Used
ch - chain
hdc- half double crochet
dc - double crochet
sk - skip
st - stitch

If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.

Changes!

I've been slowly updating the blog in small ways this month.

I'm hoping that it is more accessible to those who struggle reading on a screen, by changing the background to white, and a font change. If it causes any issues, this is something I would love to know about.

I have added a few links in the bar at the top of the blog, and some of those are works in progress. There are a couple of ways to help support the blog - which you can find in the 'support me' section. Some are free, like sharing a free pattern online, or  signing up as a pattern tester, but a couple of ways to support by making a purchase.

I'll have a free pattern available in early February, right here on the blog, and currently have a Valentine's day special running on the Hug cushion (pictured above) You can grab the pattern, no code necessary, by clicking here

If you would like to get the pattern AND all the yarn to make it, you can on LoveCrochet. Two of the colours have been discontinued, but I have added substitutes.

Thanks again for reading and your continued support!

Emma.

Competition Time! Win a Pattern.

I'm running a fun competition at the moment, which has been announced on Facebook and Instagram.

Recently I've been paying attention to my free patterns on Ravelry- how many downloads, which ones are popular and so on.

I have a handful of free patterns, some started out as blog posts, others were components, and some I just wanted to have as a taster to my style of writing.

So the competition is to make something from a free pattern, and upload the project to Ravelry, between now and the 10th March 2018. Simple!

You will go in the running to win any paid pattern (of mine) of your choice.

I would love to be tagged to be shown what you are making!

The winner be be decided by myself and announced on Facebook, Instagram and here on the blog. All results are final.

Any questions? Please don't hesitate to ask!

Finally the link >> Ravelry Patterns.

Any free pattern is eligible, like the three pictured.


Competition not affiliated with Instagram, Facebook or Ravelry.




Winner has been selected! Lee, who has been contacted with the prize.

Crochet Hearts and Hugs - Pattern Round up!

Did you know my first crochet blog was called 'How to Crochet a Heart'? I had quite a few heart patterns, and they still remain close to.. my .. heart!

Today.. In time for Valentine's Day, I'm sharing a few of my favourite heart themed patterns. Click the pattern name to get to the pattern site.

"Hug"

This is my newest pattern - a cushion cover with a patchwork heart. Made with paintbox yarns, this is currently avaliable on the LoveCrochet site. 

Heart in Bloom

A gorgeous heart, with a floral centre, by Vivid Kreations.

Valentine's Gloves

Keep your hands warm (while you crochet!)

Windrose Heart

A compass rose; let those travelling know your thinking of them. 

'Heart Garland'

This sweet granny square themed heart is By Jennifer from Crochet to Play. I imagine this would make some fabulous rustic wedding decor.

Mini Heart

A free pattern on this blog!

If you do make one of these crochet heart patterns, please let me know! You can add a project on Ravelry, or tag us on Instagram!

How to Crochet a Heart

Today's post is an update of an old one from my old blog. I like to update things to keep them fresh, or update old (or dark) pictures.




This is a pretty special post, as my old blog was named How to Crochet a Heart! As you can see, the love of crochet hearts has not faded, as I continue to use them!

You can find the original blog post HERE, which is also written as a photo tutorial, so if you need it to be simplified as much as possible, that's where to go!

Hook and yarn size isn't essential, but should match. This will work with a super chunky yarn and a 10mm hook, or crochet thread and a 1.5mm hook. Hmm. That gives me a few ideas!

I have used a 4mm, and a worsted or aran weight pink yarn, as pictured above, and a 5mm hook with 8ply /dk grey yarn, as pictured below. The grey yarn was also done with the second round in the back loops, as I sometimes like the emphasis of the centre heart shape.

Great for using up scraps!


Method (in US terms)

Round 1: Make a chain of 4, and crochet the following ALL into the first chain.
3 tr, 3 dc, 1ch, 1 tr, 1 ch, 3dc, 3tr.
3ch and sl st into chain also.
Round 2: 3ch, (sc, dc) into first stitch (3dc) into next (2dc) into next. dc once only into next three 3dc. dc into ch, 1ch, dcinto ch, (2dc) into next stitch, (3dc) into next, (dc, sc) into next. 3 ch and sl st back into original chain. You may need to secure or tighten original chain.
Fasten off.


Method (in UK terms)

Round 1: Make a chain of 4, and crochet the following ALL into the first chain.
3 dtr, 3 tr, 1ch, 1 dtr, 1 ch, 3tr, 3dtr.
3ch and sl st into chain also.
Round 2: 3ch, (dc, tr) into first stitch (3tr) into next (2tr) into next. tr once only into next three 3tr. tr into ch, 1ch, tr into ch, (2tr) into next stitch, (3tr) into next, (tr, dc) into next. 3 ch and sl st back into original chain. You may need to secure or tighten original chain.
Fasten off.

End of Round 1

Start of Second Round.

End of Second Round

thanks for coming to look! Please let me know if you have made a heart, either in the comments, or by tagging me on instagram (emma_crochets)

If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.

Wind Rose Heart - free pattern.

The Wind Rose Heart was part of the 26 Days of Love Blog Hop 

Missed a pattern? Grab the whole bundle here (affiliate link) 

The Wind Rose Heart - keep reading for the free pattern. 

Wind Rose is an old name for the compass points on a map, sometimes called a compass rose. The pattern uses spike stitches, and also back and front post stitches. The wind rose heart keeps anyone travelling afar, close to your heart. You could make a token or a tag from a heart, or a set of coasters or garland if your make many!

Great for stash busting. Only 10g or less of each of the colours is required.  This pattern was first written in 2017 for Valentine’s Day and has been since updated.Written in US terms.

The pattern is available as an ad free Premium PAID PDF to download on Ravelry, Etsy and LoveCrafts. This premium pattern also includes a chart. 

Materials:

 

Yarn: Cotton (100% Cotton/ 10 g) in C1, C2, C3 and C4 in a weight 2/ fingering weight yarn.

Hook: 3.5 or 4.0mm

Notions: yarn needle

Size: 13 cm (h)

Skill level: Intermediate

  

 

Pattern Notes:

Starting chains count as stitches throughout, but can be replaced with standing stitches if desired.  The main body of the heart is worked in rounds, and the arches are completed separately and worked in rows.

The corners of Round 4 work either side of the spike stitch. 

Stitch Instructions:

 

Spike Stitch – in this pattern, a spike stitch is a double crochet worked two rows below, in the centre of the magic ring.

Method: YO, insert hook into centre of magic ring, YO and pull up loop to same height as previous dc, YO, pull through 2 loops twice.

 

Abbreviations  US terminology:

Ch – chain

Sc – single crochet

Dc – double crochet

Tr-   treble crochet

FPhdc – Front post half double crochet

BPtr – Back post treble crochet

Crsp – corner space

Sp/s – space/es

St/s – stitch/es

SP st – Spike Stitch

Sl st – slip stitch.

YO – yarn over

Before we start, here are two photos to help with the tricky spots.

Row 4's corner works either side of the spike stitch of Row 3

Row 5 starts with a slip stitch in the chain space after the corner, then 8 trebles in the next space,then a slip stitch in the next space. To finish the row, sl st across to the corner. 

Begin

With C1, make a magic ring.

Round 1:  Ch 3, 2dc, *2 ch, 3 dc, repeat from * twice, 2 ch and sl st into 3rd chain.  (12 dc, 8 ch) Fasten off C1

Round 2: Join C2 into any corner space, ch 3, (2dc, 2ch, 3dc) into same corner space. *(ch 1, 3 dc, 2 ch, 3 dc) into next corner space; repeat from * twice, ch 1, sl st to 3^rd ch. (24 dc, 8 ch) Fasten off C2

Round 3: Join C3 into any crsp, 3ch, (2 dc, ch 1) in same cr-sp, SP st into centre (of magic ring), (ch 1, 3dc) into same cr-sp, *(ch 1, 3 dc) into next ch-1 sp, ** (ch 1, 3 dc, ch 1) in next crsp, SP into centre,  (ch 1, 3 dc) into same crsp; repeat from * 2 twice, ending at ** the second time; ch 1, sl st to 3^rd ch. (36 sts, 16 ch) Fasten off C3.

Row 3 Optional: Change the middle dc, of the centre cluster, to an additional SP st. 

Round 4: Join C4 in any ch-1 crsp on the right of SP st, (3ch, 2 dc, ch 3) in same crsp, (3 dc, ch 1) in next ch-1 crsp (left of SP St), (3 dc, ch 1) into next 2 ch sps, *(3 dc, ch 3) in next crsp (3 dc, ch 1) into next crsp, (3 dc, ch 1) into next 2 ch sps, repeat from * twice. (48 sts, 24 ch) Fasten off C4

 

Arches

Row 1: Rejoin C4 with a slst in the ch-1 sp to the left of any corner, 8 tr, in next ch-1 sp, sl st into next ch-1 sp, sl st across the top of the 3 dc, and sl st into cr-sp, turn. (8 tr)

Row 2: WS facing, (BPtr, ch) seven times, BPtr, sl st into next crsp, turn. (8 Bptr) Fasten off C4.

Repeat Arch into next side.

Edging

(RS facing) Join any colour (other than C4) in the corner space opposite the arches (base of heart), sc into corner space, sc into each stitch and ch around,

Fasten off and weave in ends

 

Block if desired.

Thanks for reading Happy Crocheting Emma.

 

 

Valentine Gloves

In the excitement of Valentine's Day, I completely forgot to post my newest pattern!

Introducing the Valentine Gloves! a fun set of fingerless mitts/ wrist warmers. The heart is made within the granny square, so no need to sew on motifs! Just a little sewing to join the sides.

 They are available on Etsy, Ravelry, Craftsy AND Loveknitting. (click each name for the link)  I try my best to keep the prices the same over the various platforms, but sometimes I have to convert overseas currencies, and exchangerates are not updated at the same time! I also have a free pattern out in a few days, so stay tuned!

Thanks to everyone who purchases a pattern, it means I can produce more!

Little crochet heart

This pattern was originally posted on my old blog.

(link to original post >> http://howtocrochetaheart.blogspot.com/2013/02/10-days-of-hearts-day-1-heart-ornament.html)

I use the US terms: ch = chain, dc = double crochet, tr = triple/treble crochet, sl st = slip stitch.

Magic Ring tutorial here

Starting with the magic ring, then chain 4 (using US terms)

then 3 tr, 3 dc, 1 ch, 1tr, 1ch, 3dc, 3tr. all into the centre of the ring,

chain 4, Sl st in the centre,

then add 10 chains, and slip stitch back into centre and fasten off

And if you would like the UK terms: starting with the magic ring, then chain 4,

3 dtr, 3tr, 1ch, 1dtr, 1 ch, 3tr, 3 dtr, all into centre of ring 

chain 4, Sl st in the centre, 

then add 10 chains, and slip stitch back into centre and fasten off


If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.


 hang them up inside, use as a gift tag, or join in my facebook event link >> https://www.facebook.com/events/397280150620083// <<