Needlecrafts - Crochet Happy Baby Blankets

Canadians love their cottages and the summer trek "up north". Even though my husband and I have never owned a cottage, we are lucky enough to be in a large family and have friends where many opportunities come our way to enjoy the "cottage culture". This is a perfect time to enjoy reading a good mystery novel (I love them) and working on small portable crafts.
Making squares of joyful colors is indeed the life, sitting on a dock, sipping on wine and catching up on news. In the dead of winter these little blasts of color will be cheerful, sunny and welcome.
Pick the brightest shades, kids love them and are instantly attracted to saturated color.
Choose from all the simple shapes. Make a large granny square or eye catching bullseye squares. It's all good!
Read further for ideas, free patterns and tutorials. Helpful videos also will help you to make that happy blanket.

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Corner Granny Squares

Mitered Corner Granny Square Vest | Let's Knit Series

Granny squares in any shape or form are fun to look at and try to crochet. The inspiration for this post is a mitered granny square meaning that it starts from a corner and works out diagonally. This particular design has longer straps but I think I would make a bigger square and add just enough for the shoulders. There is a step by step tutorial that I worked out to begin the design in the inspiration. For the tradionalists, I've included a more common mitered pattern, which really starts with a small square. Great way to use up small amounts of yarn and better still, a portable and easy project for my holiday in Halifax!

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Needlecrafts - Crochet, Scarf to Poncho

Inspirational image | Pinterest

Every Tues evening, my sister-in-law and I get together to knit, crochet and watch "The Voice".
Josie has just begun to knit again so simple stitch patterns are her preference along with simple squares and rectangles.
Whenever I come across an easy and stylish garment made essentially from a rectangle, I'm on board.
Simple shrugs, a simple pattern featured in a past post seems to appeal to her right now, another easy pattern made from a large rectangle. The poncho featured in this post will definitely prove to be just as popular. A great spring cover-up, both crocheters and knitters will want to add this one onto their "To do" list.
This pattern will certainly carry you through the different seasons right from fall/winter to spring/summer. The only hardship will be picking a yarn. Read further for step by step stitch tutorials and schematics for this easy pattern.

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Needlecrafts - Knit, Crochet - Braiding Ideas

Image | Benissimo Magazine

Large image | Chainlink braid, free tutorial here
Top and middle inset images | Interweave Rapunzel scarf pattern for purchase here
Bottom image | Youtube video - crochet weaving see video after jump.

One of the easiest ways to add interest to any garment is to add trim.
Trims can be opulent and glitzy or simple and humble. It depends on your own preference and the look you are trying to achieve.
Braid trims have always attracted my eye, from child-like prints to ornate velvet ones.
What better way to trim out a simple toque, sweater front bands, v neckline, boat neck or just to make a cowl neck scarf than with knitted or crocheted bands.
Working strips into braids is not only easy but also versatile and cost effective.
In everyone's stash, at least in mine, there are oddballs of expensive, lovely yarns that really need to be used and shown off.
Even if they are different weights, you can compensate by making the thicker or bulky strip first, measure the finished strip and then work the finer yarns accordingly by working more stitches and rows.

Read further to be inspired by different ways braids can be used and free tutorials for different braid projects.

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