Monthly Archives: July 2017
A la Koval Best Practices | Gauge Swatch
| July 31, 2017 | Filled under A la Koval Best Practices |
If you find so boring to crochet a gauge swatch and mostly skip on it praying that things turn out fine, take a look at solution I found for myself ;o)
Making sure your stitches are consistently the right size is very important when crocheting. And even if I perfectly understand it, I always hated to do that boring part – checking the crochet gauge… until I found for myself pretty comfy and easier (and much faster!) way to do it.
See how-to below:
Happy Monday everyone! Have a wonderful week, even if according to rumors…
Yarn Talk | Premier® Yarns Cotton Fair®
| July 24, 2017 | Filled under Yarn, Yarn Talk |
If you new to my blog, I want to introduce you Yarn Talk (formed “Featured Yarn”) category. Yarn Talk is a category about everything about yarn… favorite kinds, new yarn finds, weights and substitutes, storage, etc.
I recently had the pleasure of trying Premier® Yarns Cotton Fair® Solids Yarn for the very first time and it is fantastic to work with. This is a fine weight yarn and the fiber content is a mix of cotton and acrylic; making it durable, soft and light weight. Cotton Fair® Yarn is very easy to crochet with and the stitches slide smoothly along your hook. Can’t wait to show you my newest blanket and some fall/winter accessories made with this lovely yarn!
Brand: Premier® Yarns
Yarn Name: Cotton Fair® Solids and Multis Yarn
Weight: Sport weight (#2 Fine)
Fiber Content: 52% Cotton, 48% Acrylic
Yardage: 317 yd (290 m)/3.5 oz (100 g)
Care Instructions: Cool iron. Machine Washable.
Price: $4.99
OOAK Baby Boy Blanket | Crochet Pattern
| July 21, 2017 | Filled under 2017, Patterns |
Guess what?! ;o) Thank you so much dear Edie for such prompt turnaround, perfect tech editing and suggestions as always!!
So, let me introduce…
One of a Kind Baby Boy Blanket
Your baby is one of a kind. Crochet the blanket as unique as your baby is!
It’s a perfect gift for any little boy in your life—make it in any color of your choice, and watch little eyes grow wide in delight before Baby snuggles into the clouds for a nap!
IMAGINE THIS: Turn this comfy and fun blanket into activity mat. Just fill owl’s appliqués with various textures, and let your little one explore and play with eye-catching-cutes. Made with soft and high quality cotton, this blanket is machine washable, meaning it’s super easy to clean.
SKILL LEVEL
Intermediate
YARN
Sport weight (#2 Fine).
Shown: Omega Isuela (100% mercerized cotton; 295 yd [270 m]/3.52 oz [100 g]): 4 skeins of #1 white (MC), 3 skeins of #75 turquoise (CC1), 1 skein of #41 red (CC2).
Thread weight (#0 Lace).
Owl appliques: DMC Six Strand Embroidery Floss (100% cotton; 8.7 yd [8 m]): 14 hanks* of #3846 Light Bright Turquoise (CC3), 4 hanks of #321 red (CC4), 2 hanks of #B5200 white (CC5), 1 hank of and #743 yellow (CC6).
* Or 5 hanks of DMC Cotton Perle 5 (100% cotton; 27 yd [25 m]/5 g).
CROCHET HOOK
Size D/3 (3.25 mm); size C/2 (2.75 mm)
NOTIONS
• 2 size 20 mm sew-on eyes (shown by Darice)
• fiberfill
• 4 stitch markers
• Sewing needle and coordinating thread
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
33″ (84 cm) square
GAUGE
18 sc x 20 rows = 4″ (10 cm) after blocking
Gauge is not critical for this design.
* This eBook involves crochet skills only.
22 pages, 2 photos, 9 stitch diagrams, 4 tutorials: How To Carry Yarn in Crochet, Two Ways To Crochet Picot; technical pages: Glossary, Terms, Conversion charts charts, Yarn Substitution Chart.
COPYRIGHT: All graphics, template and photos are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Please be respectful of the designer’s rights to this pattern.
No portion of this work may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written authorization from Alla Koval Designs.
Unauthorized distribution or duplication is a violation of applicable laws. You are more than welcome to sell items made from AllaKovalDesigns™ patterns. Credit to the designer is greatly appreciated (example: pattern is designed by www.AllaKovalDesigns.com) but not required.
This pattern is available in myLCG Pattern Shop, Etsy, Raverly, Craftsy and LoveKnitting.
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To enjoy AllaKovalDesigns™ deals, please visit my Etsy, Ravelry, Amazon and ImagicalSeasons.com stores.
To look inside Imagical Seasons™ crochet pattern books, please visit my Amazon store.
OOAK Baby Blanket | Sneak Peek
| July 18, 2017 | Filled under Creations |
Finally!
This is the blanket that I started back in February ….and finally I got a change to finish it and write the pattern, which will be released pretty soon.
Not to mention that I ended with one more blanket using this fun stitch pattern in different way, and girl version for your OOAK (one of a kind) baby is scheduled too!
Wonderful and lovely Tuesday everyone!!
Candy Clouds | Baby Blanket/Throw Crochet Pattern
| July 13, 2017 | Filled under 2017, Patterns |
Final version of EAP Candy Clouds Blanket pattern is just released! A final version was emailed to you this morning. Please let me know if you did not get yours, and I’ll re-send it right away at email address you provide.
Candy Clouds Blanket
The sky’s the limit! Give Baby the sweetest of sleep and the best of dreams with this unbelievably luxurious and fun afghan. No matter what time of year Baby is expected to arrive, this blanket is suitable for any season—just add a ribbon in appropriate color, and watch little eyes grow wide in delight before Baby snuggles into the clouds for a nap!
IMAGINE THIS: Because the blanket size is so easily adjusted, make it a baby blankie, a king-size comforter, or crochet just first two-three pattern repeats to make a pretty and delicate scarf for yourself. Even more, crocheting two repeats of both sides of Blanket with a ribbon in a middle, will make a playful-any-season accessory for your little one! But why stop here?! Crochet it with gorgeous merino wool yarn for cold days, or use any yarn weights for other seasons and occasions. Make an equally stunning blanket in colors of your choice!
Below are some season-ribbon-inspiration from my stash… but why stop here?! Crochet with gorgeous merino wool yarn for cold days, or use any yarn weights for other seasons and occasions. Make an equally stunning blanket in colors of your choice!
SPRING:
SUMMER:
FALL:
WINTER:
SKILL LEVEL
Easy
YARN
Dk weight (#3 Light).
Shown: Omega Trigo (100% cotton; 295 yd [270 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]): 4 balls of #201 white and 2 balls of #273 turquoise
CROCHET HOOK
Size D/3 (3.25 mm)
NOTIONS
• 2.2 yd [2 m]) of 7/8” (22 mm) wide satin ribbon
• Sewing needle and coordinating thread
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
36” (92 cm) wide x 35″ long (89 cm) long after blocking
GAUGE
1 pattern rep x 4 rows = 3” (8 cm) after blocking
Gauge is not critical for this design.
* This eBook involves crochet skills only.
20 pages, 5 photos, 4 stitch diagrams, a schematic, 4 tutorials: Spike (Long stitch), Two Ways To Crochet Picot, Weaving a Ribbon, Reverse Single Crochet (a bonus ;o); technical pages: Glossary, Terms, Conversion charts charts, Yarn Substitution Chart.
COPYRIGHT: All graphics, template and photos are copyrighted. All rights reserved. Please be respectful of the designer’s rights to this pattern.
No portion of this work may be photocopied or reproduced by any means without written authorization from Alla Koval Designs.
Unauthorized distribution or duplication is a violation of applicable laws. You are more than welcome to sell items made from AllaKovalDesigns™ patterns. Credit to the designer is greatly appreciated (example: pattern is designed by www.AllaKovalDesigns.com) but not required.
This pattern is available in myLCG Pattern Shop, Etsy, Raverly, Craftsy and LoveKnitting.
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To enjoy AllaKovalDesigns™ deals, please visit my Etsy, Ravelry, Amazon and ImagicalSeasons.com stores.
To look inside Imagical Seasons™ crochet pattern books, please visit my Amazon store.
The Winner!!
| July 11, 2017 | Filled under Giveaway |
Our giveaway time is over, and I would like to thank you all so much for participation and sharing your favorite stitches! It was so interesting to know and looks I love more stitches than I mentioned ;o) One of them is 3rd loop hdc. I think it’s my most favorite so far ;o)
And our winner is…… Lani Juarez (comment #23). My CONGRATULATIONS Lani!! I’ll contact you shortly.
Lovely and wonderful Tuesday everyone!!
Interweave Crochet Summer 2017 | My New Publication
| July 10, 2017 | Filled under Publications |
One of my goal-dream for 2017 was to be published in every issue of my most beloved Interweave Crochet magazine. I am so happy that my dream come true! Now I work on a project for Spring 2018 issue, yay! Not to mention that it’s such a pleasure to find that my crochet stitch diagrams were worthy enough of being printed in a magazine. Did you I tell you that drawing stitch diagrams in Adobe Illustrator is my absolute favorite part of any pattern?! ;o)
So, let me introduce…
This lovely garden hat is worked in the round from the top down. Concealed wire creates a wide brim that will protect your face from the summer sun.
YARN Nazli Gelin Garden 5, distributed by Uviversal Yarn.
Interweave Crochet Summer 2017 captures the spirit of adventure. Travel to the ocean with seven light and airy projects that let in the ocean breeze. Our Summer by the Seaside story features tops, wraps, a glamorous dolman cardigan, and a beret that’s perfect for taming those tresses after a windy walk by the surf. Continue the adventure in your own backyard and throw a crochet garden party! Make twelve exciting projects perfect for garden gatherings. Brush up on the filet crochet technique with “7 Tips and Tricks for Perfect Filet Crochet.” Read about the crochet culture of Mexico and the story of family-owned Omega Yarn. Also, get a sneak peek and free pattern from Interweave’s newest book, Modern Bohemian Crochet.
This summer issue includes SO MANY wonderful projects!! Make sure to check it out!
Stay tuned for Fall 2017, Winter 2017 and Spring 2018 issues!
To be continue…
A la Koval Best Practices | New Category + Friday Deal!
| July 7, 2017 | Filled under A la Koval Best Practices, Giveaway |
Please let me introduce a new category—à la Koval Best Practices. I always loved to learn something new, and so happy to share with you my experience. This category is for knitters and crocheters, as well as for designers too! As completely self taught knitter and crocheter, and then knit and crochet patterns and books writer, I have plenty of tips, how-to-do and special stitches tutorials, drawing crochet charts in Adobe Illustrator, working with long documents in InDesign… and much more!
So, let’s go…
Today’s tutorial is how to crochet into third loop of half double crochet stitch—my most favorite stitch for the second year in a row ;o)
The third loop is required for “camel crochet.” It has also been called the hump, bump, nub, lower loop, back-back loop, and lower horizontal bar of the single crochet or half double crochet. The patterns that result from using this loop in different ways have been called Camel Crochet™.
You aren’t going to see that ribbing yet, unless you turn the work over. The row you are working on creates the ribbing on the opposite side. Crochet a few rows to see a beautiful pattern emerge!
Below are some designs using 3rd loop hdc stitch. All pattern are available at: my Pattern Shop, Etsy, Ravelry, Craftsy and LoveKnitting.
And last but not least, I have a Friday Deal for You – get any of patterns shown above for FREE!!
HOW IT WORKS: just share this post on your accounts: Facebook, Ravelry, Pinterest, Google+, Twitter, Yahoo, etc., and leave a comment on this post here, (if possible, with your link, but here is no any obligations). You also can simply share my original Instagram, Facebok or Google+ posts.
To get 2 patterns, share this post on 3 or more your networks!
Please email me at allakoval@gmail.com with info which pattern of 4 designs shown you would like and I’ll ship your pattern right away at email you provided.
*** This offer last through July 14th 2017 at 11:59 pm PST time.
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To get all the latest updates and special deals, please follow me Facebook and Instagram—my newest addiction ;o).
Have a wonderful and lovely weekend everyone!
Happy Independence Day & GIVEAWAYS for You!!
| July 3, 2017 | Filled under Giveaway, Holidays |
Hello my dear friends! I miss you so much! I know, it’s not a good idea to disappear from your own blog for so long, but that doesn’t mean I did nothing. I have a lot of news, new projects, publications, got new skills in patterns writing and designing (for example, – some designs you wanted to have in adult sizes will be available in the near future ;o) … and more & more things to share. Stay tuned!
But for now, let’s leap into Independence Day with some special deals and giveaways I have for you!!
First, for 4 days ONLY, get extra 44% off on all my patterns and crochet patterns books + free shipping on books within US.
Coupon code is USA2017. This coupon is applicable to myShop, Ravelry and Etsy stores. This offer last through July 7th 2017 at 11:59 pm PST time.
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Next, I am offering Fluffy Clouds Blanket pattern for only $4.00 + 44% off coupon (code: USA) = $2.24 total. Not only this blanket is the bestseller pattern since was released in 2010, but also a very special for me. It’s my first blanket I even made, and it was designed and crocheted as a gift for one absolutely precious baby girl of our friends.
Below is Fluffy Clouds blanket made in winter theme, just for inspiration ;o) Oh, and this so adorable furry doll designed and made by incredible talented and my amazing friend Aduska! Aduska, you are the BEST, I love you!!
Fluffy Clouds pattern is available in my Patern Shop, Etsy and Raverly. This offer last through March 31th 2017 at 11:59 pm PST time.
And now, it’s a GIVEAWAY time!! One lucky one from anywhere in the world will win:
- 5 balls of Omega Trigo (100% cotton; 295 yd [270 m]/3.5 oz [100 g]) of #201 white (or any color of your choice) to crochet Fluffy Clouds Blanket or even Hugs of Love or Silverlace blankets from Imagical Seasons crochet patterns books! All these 3 blankets are crocheted with 5 balls of Omega Trigo – I just love Trigo yarn for delicate baby projects ;o)
- Crochet pattern books Imagical Seasons: Crochet Couture for Kids 2-12: Spring, volume 01 & Summer, volume 02. A Winner will receive the books in both, – paperback and PDF format!
TO ENTER THE CONTEST
You can enter the contest in 3 ways:
- Mandatory Entry: Please let us know if you have any favorite crochet or knit stitches? My favorites are hdc, puff stich and picot for borders. Mainly because they are “reversible” and look great on both sides. Or just leave any comment here, on the blog—mylittlecitygirl.com. And that’s all, no any ;o)
- Optional Entry # 2: Blog about this giveaway, linking to this post, and leave another comment to this post with a link to your blog post.
- Optional Entry # 3: Share this post on your accounts: at Google+, Facebook, Ravelry, Twitter, Yahoo, etc., leave one more comment on this post (if possible, with your link, but here is no any obligations). You also can just share my original Google+ and Facebok posts. Share on more networks for more entries! (one additional entry per one network).
TERMS
- This contest starts today, July 3rd, 2017 and will end on July 10th, 2017 at 11:59pm PST.
- I’ll select the winner with random.org’s random number generator. Winners will be notified by email on July 11th, 2017.
Good luck everyone and lets fun begin!
Happy and safe July 4th from Seattle!
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To enjoy more summer deals, please visit my Etsy, Ravelry, Amazon and ImagicalSeasons.com stores!!
To look inside Imagical Seasons™ crochet pattern books, please visit my Amazon store.
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