NATCROMO and FREEBIES

You know how you make all these plans... all these crazy, crazy plans, and then life gets in the way?

 My plan was to release two new patterns this month - one that would be free only during NATCROMO and one that would be forever free in honor of NATCROMO. Well, unfortunately, life has other plans. Both items have been long crocheted, but my life has taken a lot of different roads the last few years.

Most are fantastic, fantastic things - new church, new friends, and friends that have become my family, new adventures and experiences, work promotions, etc. But my health has gotten worse. The good news is I've finally got some diagnoses behind me - but now I need to find a doctor who doesn't believe it's "all in my head" and to continue to get better. (I have several chronic illnesses, including but not limited to CEBV, IBS, Lyme, TMJ, and depression, and most likely I've ended up with CFS as a result of the CEBV/Lyme).

 OK sorry, I got off topic. Enough of the excuses. So instead of the new patterns I wanted to put out this month, I give you... coupon codes LOL!! LOL... First of all... your choice of any one pattern from my Ravelry shop, yours free... no minimum, no fuss, no nothing. Please use coupon code natcromofree and head over to my Ravelry Shop.

Anika

Pick any crochet design you want, I suggest Anika, my most sold pattern...

Coupon code is good through Tuesday, March 15, at midnight EST.

While you are browsing my shop, I invite you to check out some of my many, many free patterns, and if you see some other paid patterns you'd like, why not take 50% off? Take 50% off as many patterns as you'd like in my shop - and this one is good through the end of the month, and you can use the code as many times as you want! As a matter of fact, to make your life even easier... no coupon code needed! Here's the twist however: It does not look like both codes will work all at the same time in Ravelry's shopping cart, at least I couldn't get it to work. So I'd suggest picking out your free pattern & using the coupon code for that, and then go back and buy your patterns, and finish the transaction.

Hope you enjoy your patterns and thanks so much for visiting!

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