Tummy Time Nursery Rug - Free Crochet Pattern

Now that we're expecting a BABY (oh my goodness!!!), I'm getting really excited about all the fun baby stuff I get to make. One of the first things I thought to make was a super squishy crocheted rug for the nursery, so I got right to work. It needed to fit a few criteria: no holes so little fingers won't get caught and little toes won't trip, a flat circle, really soft and squishy for tummy time, and a cute border that also doesn't have any holes.

I searched and searched, but I couldn't find the perfect pattern. So of course I decided to free-wheel it! This "pattern" is very flexible and can be changed up depending on how big you want your rug and how tight/loose you crochet, but this will give you the specifics on how I got my perfect rug and general guidelines on how you can make yours!

Cable Stitch - Crochet Tutorials

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 5 - Cable Stitch

Star Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 4 - Star Stitch

Box Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 3 - Box Stitch

Waffle Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 2 - Waffle Stitch 

Textured Wave Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

Day 1 - Textured Wave Stitch 

Textured Shell Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 3 - Shell Variations

Day 5 - Textured Shell Stitch

Elegant Shell Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 3 - Shell Variations

Day 4 - Elegant Shell Stitch

 

Arcade Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 3 - Shell Variations

Day 3 - Arcade Stitch

Sidesaddle Shell Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 3 - Shell Variations

Day 2 - Sidesaddle Shell Stitch

Solid Shell Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 3 - Shell Variations

Day 1 - Solid Shell Stitch

Larksfoot Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

Day 5 - Larksfoot Stitch

Waistcoat Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

Day 4 - Waistcoat Stitch

Suzette Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

Day 3 - Suzette Stitch

 

Seed Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

Day 2 - Seed Stitch

Herringbone Double Crochet - Crochet Tutorial

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

Day 1 - Herringbone Double Crochet

Jasmine Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 1 - Puff Stitch Variations

Day 4 - Jasmine Stitch

Braided Puff Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 1 - Puff Stitch Variations

Day 3 - Braided Puff Stitch

V-Puff Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 1 - Puff Stitch Variations

Day 2 - V-Puff Stitch

Boxed Puff Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

Week 1 - Puff Stitch Variations

Day 1 - Boxed Puff Stitch

New Crochet Stitch Per Day - A new stitch per day for the month of May

I've felt myself getting into a rut lately. Slip stitch hat bands. Front post cables. Puff stitch rounds for texture. 3rd-loop half doubles. These are all great stitches, but I realized that it's time to branch out and learn some new stitches and combinations. The world of crochet is huge, and there are so many heritage and modern stitches that I've never explored!

So I thought you might want to come along with me and learn a new crochet stitch every day (or rather, every weekday) during the month of May. That's 23 new stitches, 23 swatches, and eventually, 23 new patterns (although those will come later)!

Here's how it's going to go down:

Upload your projects on Instagram as we go. Tag me @theivykillerscrochet and use hashtag #newcrochetstitchperday for a feature on my feed. I can't wait to see all of your swatches and projects!!!

 

The Rules

Actually, more like rule because there is just one. All stitches are new to me! You may be familiar with some of them, and I'd love to hear your tips and insights either from your experience using each stitch or as you learn it along with me!

I'm going to give you the basic instructions for the stitch - written out fully for beginner crocheters and in shorthand for those of you who are experienced with reading patterns -  recount any interesting tidbits I noticed while learning the stitch, and include links for video and photo tutorials. No need to re-create the wheel, and a lot of these stitches have fantastic tutorials already out there!

 

Week 1 - Puff Stitches

The basic puff stitch adds great dimension to hats and scarves, but did you know there are lots of variations on the puff stitch that each have their own character? This week we'll learn four different puff stitch techniques, and they're all amazingly different! 

Day 1 - Boxed Puff Stitch
Day 2 - V-Puff Stitch
Day 3 - Braided Puff Stitch
Day 4 - Jasmine Stitch

Week 2 - Riffs on the Basics

This week we're going to explore using basic stitches, like single and double crochet, in new ways to create awesome textures and unique patterns.

Day 1 - Herringbone Double Crochet
Day 2 - Seed Stitch
Day 3 - Suzette Stitch
Day 4 - Waistcoat Stitch
Day 5 - Larksfoot Stitch

Week 3 - Shell Stitches

Shells are wonderful for creating scalloped edges, and they also can make for eye-catching open-work to allow an underlayer to show through. This week is all about five variations on the basic shell stitch.

Day 1 - Solid Shell Stitch
Day 2 - Sidesaddle Shell Stitch
Day 3 - Arcade Stitch
Day 4 - Elegant Shell Stitch
Day 5 - Textured Shell Stitch

Week 4 - Out-There Textures

One of the things crochet is known for is creating highly textured fabrics, so I set out to find some of the coolest textures out there. This week, we'll learn five new stitches that use combinations of stitches to create waves, flowers, and other raised textures.

Day 1 - Textured Wave Stitch
Day 2 - Waffle Stitch
Day 3 - Box Stitch
Day 4 - Star Stitch
Day 5 - Cable Stitch

Week 5 - Crazy Complicated Crochet

Just four days to take us through the end of the month, so we're going to be learning four seriously complicated stitches. They're amazing looking, and they'll be worth the time and effort. Like all crochet, once our hands get used to it, these stitches should become second nature in no time!

Day 1 - Wheat Stitch
Day 2 - Polish Star Stitch
Day 3 - Honeycomb and Shells Stitch
Day 4 - Fancy Puff Stitch

*** Notes and corrections - this month has really gotten away from me! The crazy complicated stitches are... quite complicated. I'm going to have to put them off until I have a good chunk of time to tackle them. So we're going to finish up with Week 4, and those last 4 stitches will come sometime in the future. But don't worry - when I get the tutorials up I'll link them above.

GIVEAWAY - Chevron Infinity Scarf Made by Me

 

 

As the temperatures rise this spring, I've been finding less use for my cozy, chunky scarves.  But morning walks are still chilly, and the stubborn rain just won't stop spitting a few days every week. So I'm finding myself reaching for lighter, looser infinity scarves to keep me warm, but not TOO warm, through this transitional season.

In that spirit, I've decided to give one of you lucky winners a chance at a stripey chevron infinity scarf made by hand by yours truly, and I'll ship it to you anywhere in the world! I think you'll love tossing this scarf on over a t-shirt or hooded sweatshirt (or, in my case, peeking out from a rain jacket). And since it's made with Caron Simply Soft Yarn, it's super soft and has a bit of a sheen. Even so, I think it can go either feminine or masculine equally well.

 Here's how to enter (follow ALL 3 steps for one entry):

1. Follow/subscribe to this blog
2. Follow me on Instagram (@theivykillerscrochet)
3. "Like" the giveaway post on Instagram

For extra entries:
* Tag a friend on the giveaway Instagram post (1 entry for each friend tagged)
* Share the giveaway Instagram post in your own Instagram feed.

The drawing will take place on Thursday, April 5th at noon (Pacific time).

Open internationally. Giveaway is not sponsored by Instagram, Blogger, Caron, or any other entity. One winner will be chosen via random drawing from among all eligible entries. Accounts must be in use by individuals - giveaway accounts are not eligible.

If you'd like to make your own, I found this fabulous free pattern from Dandelion Daze and I used Caron Simply Soft yarn (but any worsted weight yarn would work great). It whips up in just a few hours, and once you get the rhythm, it's a nice easy repeat to memorize.

Cheers to spring!

Free crochet pattern: X-Stitch Neckwarmer

I love cowls. I didn't even know what a cowl was before I started crocheting - I'd heard the terms "snood," "balaclava," "infinity scarf," but never cowl. My first crochet pattern I termed an infinity scarf because it was long and could be wrapped several times, and I was quickly corrected by the crochet and knit community. "My dear," they said (because yarn-lovers are invariably sweet). "My dear, that is not an infinity scarf because it does not have a twist. It is, in fact, a cowl." Of course they were right, but when I created this pattern I was still not comfortable with the term, so I called this one the X-Stitch Neckwarmer. Ha! I've come around and correctly title my patterns now, but this one is special - my one and only neckwarmer pattern. I think I'll keep it that way.

One note on this wool: swoon! I received an amazing haul of yarn from a fellow member of the Buy Nothing community (if you aren't a member, check it out! There are groups all over the world!) I immediately fell in love with this ball because although there was no label, it was clearly all wool (but not scratchy!) and hand-dyed. Such a generous neighbor, and I still have some of the lovely yarns she gifted me.
I designed this cowl to fit snuggly for optimum warmth in cold months, but you can easily add stitches (in multiples of 2) to make it less snug. If you prefer a printable pattern, you can purchase the pdf for $2.99 at my Ravelry store, which also includes a photo-tutorial for the special starting chain.

And if you don't want to make your own, this very cowl is available for sale in the shop too! But for the free pattern, click to keep reading.