giveaway

For those of you who also love to read, I am actively blogging again over at my book blog and I am giving away a kindle fire or a $50 gift card to amazon, now through 12/4.




Anastacia Reads

Sensational Sunburst Square - free 6" square crochet pattern

Do you remember me mentioning this CAL a few weeks ago - well, I guess a month ago now?

I'm wicked excited to be a part of this VERY fun crochet along! I was proud and happy to be asked to to design one of 36 squares, which put together will make an amazing sampler lapghan.  I think a lot of us are making extras of some of the squares, to make a slightly larger blanket, and I hope you do too.

You can join in anytime and the group is having a ton of fun! For more info go to crochet memories

If you are new to my designs, I specialize in easy, beginner friendly accessories, and have been published in various magazines over the last few years, and I'd love to have you drop by my group, Anastacia Knits Designs, or visit my designs on Ravelry.

To download a printable pdf, click here

Sensational Sunburst Square

By Anastacia Zittel 
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/anastacia-knits-designs

Anastaciaknits on instagram, pinterest, Ravelry, and twitter

Use tag #anastaciaknits wherever you post photos!

Materials: 

• small amounts of Caron Simply Soft worsted weight yarn, in 4 colors (A, B, C, and D)
• size I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• yarn needle 

Gauge:  14 stitches in pattern =4"

Measurements: square measures 6” across

Abbreviations (pattern uses US terms):

ch(s): chain(s)

sp(s): space(s)

rep: repeat

sk: skip

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

hdc: half double crochet

dc: double crochet

tr: treble crochet

Pattern Notes:

• Square is rated easy.
• Chain loosely throughout pattern.
• If using a worsted weight yarn heavier than Simply Soft, you most likely will not need to crochet the last round

Pattern:

Round 1: With color A, make a magic circle, 12 dc in magic circle. Join with a sl st to first dc. Tighten magic circle. 12 dc made. (if you prefer, ch 5, join in a circle with a sl st, and then continue as above). End off color A.

Round 2: With color B, join yarn with a sl st to any dc, and ch 4 (counts as dc, ch-1 sp), * dc in next dc, ch 1 loosely. Rep from * around 10 times more, join with a sl st to first dc. 12 dc and 12 ch-1 sps made. End off color B. Measures 2 1/3” across.

Round 3: With color C, join yarn with a sl st to any dc, ch 6 (counts as tr, ch-2 corner sp), tr in same dc, * ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, hdc in next dc, ch 1, sk next ch-1 sp, hdc in next dc, ch 1, dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, ** (tr, ch 2, tr), all in next dc. Rep from * twice more, and from * to ** once more, join with a sl st to first tr. 8 tr, 8 dc, Do not end color C. 8 hdc, 4 ch-2 corner sps, and 20 ch-1 sps made.

Round 4: Continuing with color C, sl st into first ch-2 corner sp. Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc), all in same ch-2 corner sp. * (dc in next tr, sc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, (dc in next hdc, sc in next ch-1 sp) two times, dc in next dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, dc in next tr, ** (sc, ch 2, sc), all in ch-2 corner sp. Rep from * twice more, and from * to ** once more, join with a sl st to first sc. Do not end color C. 28 sc, 24 dc, and 4 ch-2 corner sps made.

Round 5: Continuing with color C, sl st into first ch-2 corner sp. Ch 1, (sc, ch 2, sc), all in same ch-2 corner sp. * dc in next sc, (sc in next dc, dc in next sc) across round until next ch-2 corner sp, ** (sc, ch 2, sc), all in ch-2 corner sp. Rep from * twice more, and from * to ** once, join with a sl st to first sc. Do not end color C. 32 sc, 28 dc, and 4 ch-2 corner sps made.

Round 6: With color C, rep round 5. End off color C. 36 sc, 32 dc, and 4 ch-2 corner sps made. 

Round 7: Measure your square. If your square matches my gauge exactly, then your square measures 5.75" across, and with color D, join yarn with a sl st in any ch-2 corner sp, and rep round 5.

 End off. Weave in ends and block lightly.

If you have any questions or comments or just want to join like-minded souls, please join my Ravelry group at http://www.ravelry.com/groups/anastacia-knits-designs. Thanks!

Optional color choices:
Use color A for rounds 1-2
Use color B for round 3
Use color C for rounds 4-5
Use color D for rounds 6-7

week three

I managed to make one more seed stitch crochet square - this is my own design, which will be published shortly

eek! sorry for the really blurry/ grainy photo

week five

Week five has been posted for this year's Alzheimer's CAL! I had to release it a little early (next week as well), so you have it already!

The pattern is FREE with coupon code - and any one who buys it has my thanks, as the money at the end of the CAL will be donated to my family's Alzheimer's walk.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2015-alzheimers-cal

week two

 I mentioned before I'm participating in the mystery lapghan - I have one design due out in September, and I'm also trying to crochetalong - this afghan, and the around the bases cal as well. I'm hoping to manage a few lapghans so I can donate them to my local nursing home, so I'm making extras of the squares when I have time, and adding a few of my own as well.



So after the first two weeks, with six squares released, I've added to my pile:




 

posy wheels- my favorite color combos of the bunch

more posies - not sure I like the solid version (which I changed up a bit, using fpdc instead of a regular dc as written)

borderline squares - I liked this one

I have not done today's square yet - on my list of things to do today!

I also managed to stitch up on my own

quad color square - one of my other stand-by favorite squares I often make as "fillers" for my charity afghans

Next up: two squares of my own design. The pattern is in testing - it's a sideways/bias stitch square afghan worked in 'seed' stitch (though the particular stitch has many different names in the crochet community) - the pattern will be released shortly. The directions include making the pattern in any size, using any weight of yarn in any gauge, and you can make anything from these little squares, to a full size, rectangular afghan

Week four has been posted for this year's Alzheimer's CAL!

It's not too late to join in - you can start with this week's directions, and make the first two weeks whenever you have a chance.

The pattern is FREE with coupon code - and any one who buys it has my thanks, as the money at the end of the CAL will be donated to my family's Alzheimer's walk.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2015-alzheimers-cal

week one

I believe I mentioned before I'm participating in the mystery lapghan - I have a design due out, and I'm also crocheting along - what fun to participate in someone else's cal for a change (I'm also doing the around the bases cal, too!)

I'm under no illusions I'll be able to keep up, but I'm hoping to make most of the squares. I'm hoping to make enough squares to make a couple of lapghans to eventually donate to a local nursing home, so I'm making extras of most of the squares (when I have time) and I'm adding in extra squares as well.

So after the first week, with three squares released, I've managed to make:

Lacy Crimson Square - easy version

Diagonal Box Square

 

Petite Purple Square

I also managed to make:

chain stitch square - one of my favorites for using up bits and bobs of scrap yarn

traditional granny

"solid" granny - sorry for the blurry photo

sampler lapghan CAL

I'm super excited to be a part of this VERY fun crochet along - which actually starts TODAY! I am designing one of 36 squares, which together will make an amazing sampler lapghan. I have a date in September which I'm looking forward to! I'm also making an afghan, but I am making extra squares - and using some of my own favorite 6" square patterns - to make a much larger blanket.

You can join in anytime and the group is having a ton of fun! For more info go to crochet memories

week 3

Week three has been posted for this year's Alzheimer's CAL! It's not too late to join in - you can start with this week's directions, and finish last week's whenever you have a chance. The pattern is FREE with coupon code - and any one who buys it has my thanks, as the money at the end of the CAL will be donated to my family's Alzheimer's walk.

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/2015-alzheimers-cal

My newsletter

I have a little newsletter that I only send out so often, but I just sent out a new issue this morning talking about the latest Alzheimer's afghan cal, which I mentioned last week. If you aren't a subscriber yet, you can sign up on the sidebar on the right, or just read it here

2015 Alzheimer's Afghan

The 2015 Alzheimer's Afghan CAL is ready to begin!

Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace, and Joy by Mallika Chopra

Living with Intent: My Somewhat Messy Journey to Purpose, Peace, and Joy by Mallika Chopra
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I requested this book from netgalley to read on a whim, and I was glad I did! I don't normally read books like this or really, self help books at all, but I've been struggling lately with being more organized, better planning, where do I want to be in a year or ten years and how do I get there? This book is a roadmap, and is constantly asking you questions that make you think about those very same issues. I've written down many of the questions Chopra asks so I can think about them more in more detail.

I like the fact that Chopra repeatedly admits how her own life can be a mess, that she's not perfect, that she too is striving to make sense of her life, and gives you the sense that if she can create order from chaos, so can you.

I received a free copy of this book in exchange for my review. I was not paid for my review

View all my reviews

Drink the Harvest: Making and Preserving Juices, Wines, Meads, Teas, and Ciders by Nan K. Chase

Drink the Harvest: Making and Preserving Juices, Wines, Meads, Teas, and Ciders by Nan K. Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I picked this book up on a whim from my local library, and fell in love. I've been dabbling with the idea of making my own wine, looking up the occasional how to when I come across a post on pinterest that looks interesting, but this book pushed me over the edge, and I now can't wait to try making my own wines & meads (I'm researching sources of local honey now in preparation!) I discovered wild grapes on my property, and not being a big fan of grape jelly (which is what I made last year), I'd much rather turn them into wine!

The book has gorgeous photographs, is very well laid out, explains all the steps (and most important to me, doesn't just tell you what to do, but explains why doing something this way is so important, so instead of just telling you how to make wine, it educates you). It's a must for any gardener looking for alternate ways to preserving their crops.

View all my reviews

New pattern release: grandpa allan's cowl

I'm so excited to tell you about my latest design, Grandpa Allan's Cowl!


My grandfather - Allan - never wore a cowl and I don't remember him wearing a scarf, either, but I couldn't resist naming this cowl after him when I found a simple knit / purl pattern called Alan's Pattern.


This easy to stitch cowl comes in two sizes, 7" by 22" or 10" by 34".

The border is a simple knit and purl pattern, and the cowl goes fast fast fast based on the stockinette stitch center.

Any worsted weight yarn you feel comfortable in blocking will work wonderfully for this design - and there's a matching hat in multiple sizes soon to come!

Friday FO

Not much to report on this week!

I finished my scarf - no photos & it's already given away - but I did manage to finish the mitten's for Jon's grandmother.


Unfortunately she now wants a matching hat & I don't have any more of this yarn, so I casted on another pair of mittens using the same pattern but a different yarn / color, so I'll have to muddle through another pair of mittens before I start the hat - she wants a slouchy beret type of hat.

I'm happy to knit a set for her, though!

My other FO is Scrunchies for Alzheimer's! If you follow me on instagram I've been talking about these a lot lately.

Anyone who knows me or knows my family, know that we are passionate about raising money and awareness for Alzheimer’s -  Disease - last year we raised over $10,000 (I think closer to $13,000) , through a variety of methods, including some of my patterns, the Alzheimer’s blanket I design, make & raffle off, etc. I think this is the fifth or sixth year I've done a blanket and we've been doing fundraising for longer than that.

This is one of my new ideas for this year - we’re planning on selling at a few flea markets this year & my parents started selling at a co-op, so I am making bunches of scrunchies & 100% of the money goes to Alzheimers.

The plainer ones are $2 & the fancier ones - fun fur, ribbon, etc will be $3.00. I’ll most likely make some beaded ones - no idea on a price for those.

work in progress Wednesday

a plain, multi directional, scrap knit scarf - something I started on a whim.


one of my favorite knit scarf patterns, I've made this pattern quite a few times for charity knitting


I'm using a magic ball of scraps of acrylic in whites / off white / eggshell, and mostly likely this will be given to charity.


Measures about 6" wide, I'll most likely make this about 6' feet.

sock madness socks, which I sadly ran out of time to finish, so I'm not competing this year :(

For my birthday, I started a seamless, bottom up EPS type of sweater, using superwash Wool of the Andes in this pretty redish color....

I also finally managed to restart Jon's flax....