Foundation Single Crochet Flower Headband::: FREE PATTERN!

I am always trying to think of ways to use up those last little bits of yarn on small projects.  That, combined with needing a cute headband to match my daughter's outfit for an upcoming wedding, prompted me to experiment with a few patterns.  I wanted to share with you all what I came up with so far!

First, I remembered watching this video about the foundation single crochet stitch when I was trying to make a birthday crown for my daughter's first birthday party.  I remembered the lady saying that it was "more stretchy" than a simple chain, and that is exactly what I like in headbands:  a little forgiveness.  So, I found this great step by step tutorial that helped me learn the stitch.  Essentially, from what I understand, you are chaining & single crocheting at the same time. This means your project works up faster & you can adjust the length as you go, instead of having to pull it out all the way back to the chain.

You start by chaining 2.  Then, you insert your hook in the 2nd chain from hook (first one you made) and you yarn over and pull a loop through the first 2 loops on your hook (the chain you inserted it into).  Then, you yarn over and pull through just one of the remaining two loops on your hook (this is essentially chaining) and then you yarn over one more time and pull through the remaining two loops on your hook (this is essentially a single crochet stitch).

That is ONE foundation single crochet stitch completed!

You continue this pattern by inserting your hook into the very left side "chain stitch" (the front loop is easy to find, but the back loop can be tricky...always make sure you have BOTH chain loops on when you insert your hook!).

Here is a step by step picture after I had done quite a few stitches:

To the left, BOTH loops from chain are on hook.

This is after I have pulled through the first 2 loops (previous chain). 

This is after I have pulled through the remaining first loop (creating new chain stitch).

And, finally, I pull through both remaining loops (single crochet stitch).  

This is a close up view so you can see the place you insert your hook originally (only front loop visible). 

Here, I turned my product sideways so you can see how far back the second loop is.

When you have repeated the process enough times to get your desired length (I wanted 16" for a 12-18 month size according to this chart), slip stitch into the first chain to create a circle.

 From there, I decided to add a cute flower embellishment, but I wanted it to be more dainty than the patterns I had found.  So, I again sort of created my own.

First, start with a magic circle.  Then half double crochet ten times into the ring.

Then, chain 4 and alternate between single crochet to attach your chain, and skipping stitches.  You should have 5 petals by the time you make it back to the beginning.

I chained 2, then I began to create fuller petals by a pattern of single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet in each chain 4 space.

I chained 4 again, but this time I jumped down to the stitches I skipped before.  I single crocheted to attach them and then I chained four and skipped to the next empty stitch.  I repeated the same process of filling in the petals to create a flower with two layers.

Finally I attached the flower to the connection point of the headband using a yarn needle to weave the threads back and forth.

 And it fits the darling 12-18 month old model I have on hand :)

Here is the condensed pattern for you to use:

Complete Pattern:  Foundation Single Crochet Flower Headband
By Alison Schemmer

Hook Size: 5mm
Pattern Size:  12-18 month old


Headband: Foundation single crochet until you reach a length of 16 inches. Slip stitch to close up circle.

Flower

Round 1: Magic circle (chain 2).  10 half double crochet inside circle. Slip stitch to chain 2 and cinch to close up.

Round 2: Chain 4. Skip 1 hdc, single crochet in 2nd hdc.  Continue until you have 5 petals.  Slip stitch into chain 4 to finish.

Round 3: Chain 2.  SC, Hdc, Double crochet, Hdc, Sc in each Chain 4 space.  Continue until you have 5 petals.

Round 4: Chain 4, SC in previously skipped hdc.  Continue until you have 5 new petals.

Round 5:  Redo Round 3 but in new set of petals.  Tie & finish off when complete.

Attach flower to connection point of headband using yarn needle.  Finish off & weave in ends.

Triple Crochet Scarf with Fringe:::FREE pattern!

I really, really want to start an Etsy shop filled with crochet goodies to help support my family.  However, I don't have much experience crocheting, nor do I know much about running a business.  So, for the time being, I am experimenting with lots of different patterns, styles, yarn and inventions to come up with something I hope to mass-produce in the near future.  For those of you who are interested, I will share the pattern I came up with most recently that I like:  my Triple Crochet Scarf with Fringe (much better name in the works :) )

I modeled this pattern off of my favorite scarf that my aunt made me a few years ago.  It is so chunky, warm, and extra extra long...I love wrapping it around a few times and tying it in a big knot when these Indiana winters (or falls!) get especially chilly.  I adapted my pattern for a bit of a more dainty style and something I could make with the one skein of yarn I had laying around.

My favorite part about the Triple Crochet stitch is how it looks like a winding pillar.  Yarn with blended different colors makes it look especially interesting!  Plus, the stitches are obviously taller than a Double Crochet, so the scarf gets longer quicker.

In all, my scarf contained 65 rows of Triple Crochet stitches and measured about 55 inches in length.  It was 7 inches in width, which was 20 Triple Crochet stitches and then a chain 4 space to turn. You could probably get away with a chain 3, but I really started to like how the chain 4 gave a curved edge to the scarf.  I love the added details!

You can find the complete pattern below.  If you try to make it, please let me know how it goes, or what you do to improve it. I would love to see your pictures, too!  Like I said, this is one of my first real "inventions", so I tried to keep it extremely simple and easy to reproduce in the future.

Complete pattern:  Triple Crochet Scarf with Fringe
Pattern by: Alison Schemmer

Yarn: Weight 4
Skein: 1 (5oz), and additional yarn for fringe
Hook: J

Row 1: Chain (ch) 24.  **Row 1 stitch count=24**

Row 2: Triple Crochet (tc) In fourth stitch from hook & continue until the end of the chain.  Ch 4 & turn. **Row 2 stitch count: 20, plus ch4**

Row 3-66: Tc in each stitch, including top of chain 4 space from previous row.  Ch 4 &turn. **Rows will total 20 tc + ch4 each time**

Finish off & weave in ends.

For fringe
Yarn: 3 different colors (A, B & C)
Cut 40 pieces of yarn 8" long of color A
Cut 20 pieces of yarn 10" long of color B & C (40 total)

Fold each piece of A in half to form a loop.

Insert hook between each stitch on the end of the finished scarf & pull the loop through.

Tie a knot by putting the ends of the yarn through the loop and pulling tight.

Continue until each stitch has fringe from A secured on both ends of the scarf.

Do the same with yarn B pieces, by tying over your previous fringe pieces.  This time, skip a stitch each time, so each end only has 10 B colored pieces.

Then, flip the scarf over, so your yarn C pieces will be knotted on the opposite side (this ensures all fringe colors are more visible).  Tie yarn C pieces only in the stitches where there aren't any yarn B pieces.

If you want the yarn to be more even, feel free to trim with scissors after you are finished.

And, there you have it! A one-skein, triple crochet scarf with fringe, just in time for the cooler midwest weather on the way.  Bundle up!