Quick and Cozy Crocheted Family Room Throw

I don’t crochet, knit or sew as much as I used to, but there’s something comforting sitting on the chaise of my big yellow family room sectional with some project in my hands.

When we bought our condo in Noblesville, I had no idea what color to paint the rooms, and all the rooms were going to be transfixed from garish bright gold wall paint already on the walls to a civilized taupe, and taupe green. (Benjamin Moore Revere Pewter and Sherwin Williams Chat Room). I figured they’d be easy colors to work around because they popular neutrals.

Now, two years before I bought the condo, my sister and I were shopping fabric outlet stores in Pennsylvania when I discovered this great drapery fabric at a Calico Corners outlet. I fell in love with the eclectic spatter pattern, and the colors. Kinda reminded me of Jackson Pollack – I had to buy it. Peach and turquoise, rusty-brown and yellow, I couldn’t resist. There was only a little over a yard of the fabric in the store.  Ever the optimist, I searched online fabric outlets and was able to find an ample supply Fabric Guru, where they sell all types of high-end drapery fabric at good prices, and shipping is reasonable.

So, now I have my lovely drapery fabric, and get stalled when I can’t decide on a suitable window covering style. My family room is very long with a gas fireplace between a bank of windows.  I have wooden blinds covering the windows now, but I still need padded cornices or full-length draperies. The room is transitional, not too modern and not too traditional. I know the fabric will bring the room together once I make a decision and get my act together. My sis found a perfect striped accent fabric to make pillows. Awesome!

Last year I was strolling through a yarn shop in Noblesville, and came across the colors I wanted for the family room throw. Cream, lemon yellow, dark turquoise, light turquoise, peachy orange, medium gray, and a rich dark brown.

at mimi's table quick and cozy family room throw

The pattern for the throw is real simple:

  • Using one color, crochet two rows of double crochet.
  • The third row you begin a simple 3-double crochet shell stitch.
  • Begin the third row with one double crochet. Skip the next two stitches. In the third stitch, make 3-double crochets in the same single crochet. *Skip two single crochets, make 3-double crochets in the single crochet, skip two single crochets* and continue the pattern all the way across.
  • 4th row, double crochet in the first stitch, *skip two double crochets, make 3-double crochets in the same stitch, skip 2 single crochets, and make 3-double crochets in the same stitch* across until you reach the end of the row.

Now, it’s time to switch colors. Choose color combinations are pleasing to you. I used seven different colors and used 3-100 gram balls of each color in Cascade Superwash DK weight, so the throw wouldn’t be too heavy, and it would wash beautifully

My throw is roughly 60″ long x 42″ wide. Probably too big to be called a throw, but it’s going to look great on my big yellow couch.

As a little extra something, something, I came across the Hopeful Honey website recently. Olivia is an avid knitter and crocheter. She has lots of great tips. What I really like best are her YTube tutorials on how to work specialty stitches. And she has some great free patterns for women, men, and children. Check her out!

Working on an infinity scarf next!

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Jessica Apron Two

simplicity pattern jessica apron two

Jessica Apron Two Fabric

I’m getting ready for a trip to Indianapolis in a couple of weeks.  At Christmas, I bought my daughter, Jessica, two apron patterns, and we went out shopping for fabric.  My sister found the appliance fabric, which is so adorable.  Just perfect for this project.  Here’s the pattern and fabric for the second apron.  Needless to say, I’m a little behind schedule.  I have all the pieces cut out.  I’m crazy about the fabrics for this apron.  It should go much quicker this time, because there’s no bib.

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Jessica’s Apron One is DONE!

I can’t believe it! I finished Jessica’s first apron today!  It took me about three hours this morning, but so worth the effort.  If I’d put my mind to it, I could have finished this in two days, tops.  This is an easy pattern anyone could put together in no time at all.  And the apron is nicely constructed.  There’s a lining for the bodice and waistband.  The waistband ties are long and wide. I strayed from the pattern instructions just a bit and lined the pockets.

IF

The first thing I did was stitch the pockets to the front and then sewed the waistband and ties.

IF

Then, I attached the bodice to the waistband, and voila!  It was finished.  Well, I still have to whipstitch the waistband lining, but that won’t take long.

I really like the fabric not only because of the color combinations but because of the quality.  We chose quilting fabric from JoAnn’s.  I washed and ironed the fabric before I started cutting out pattern pieces – a lesson I learned when I took quilting classes.  I was afraid the fabric would become limp and lose its body, but the weight and feel pretty much stayed the same, especially after it was ironed.

I’m off to Pennsylvania Thursday, so I’ll take a project rest for a couple of weeks.  I’m sure my sister and I will come up with several ideas.  After all, we’ll be in Pennsylvania Dutch country, quilting capital of the world!

Can’t wait to share more ideas with you – Linda

 

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