This past Christmas, I enjoyed crocheting gifts for almost everyone on my Christmas gift list. I know this seems a little late but I couldn't post what I had made until the recipients had opened their gifts! Now it's time to share the gifts I made and the fun patterns I used to make them! Enjoy!

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1. Diamond Trail Scarf Pattern //by Paula, a retired Etsy Seller and Blogger. 

This free pattern can be found on her now dormant blog: Hookandyarn. The scarf modifications I followed are provided by Esther Chandler in her blog post on makemydaycreative.com.

Esther said that she added a few rows of the diamond portion of the pattern to the middle to make the scarf wider. I followed her example and also added some length.

Materials Used // 

• Red Heart Shimmer yarn in Peacock Blue
• Size G crochet hook
• Large yarn needle

2.  Chunky Cowl // Please see my previous blog post on this particular cowl. 

3. Buttoned Shell Stitch Cowl //  by Stephanie on her blog allaboutami.com.  

A bog post on this lovely neckwarmer to come soon! It will also be featured on my Etsy store!

3. Black Hole Cowl // by Laura Jansen on her blog redribbonfox.blogspot.com.  

Check back later for my blog post on this item. It will also be featured on my Etsy store!

4. Hooded Cowl // by Melissa on her shop Well-Ravelled.

I loved this pattern! It was a bit challenging at first because I didn't know how to crochet a "chainless" foundation row but after a few Youtube videos, I am pretty much expert (wink). The hooded part was a bit pointy for my liking but that can be worked with. Next time, I would crochet it with the same yarn but a larger sized hook. 

Materials Used //

• Super Bulky Lion Brand Hometown USA brand in Fort Worth Blue
• Size N crochet hook
• Large yarn needle
• Three silver buttons // Approx. 1"
• Smaller metal yarn needle for sewing on the buttons

5. Modern Lace Scarf Pattern // from the Martha Stewart Crafts™ Lion Brand Yarn Collection. 

This pattern is pretty simple and I was able to make a lovely scarf out of it.

Materials Used:

• 3 Skeins of Loops and Threads: Charisma yarn in White
• Size N crochet hook
• Large yarn needle

I do not have a picture of it but if you click the link above, you can view the one on Lion Brand's website! 

6. Lovely Buttoned Shell-Stitch Infinity Scarf // by myself. 

I wish I had a picture of this lovely gem! I wanted to make a cute infinity scarf that buttoned together to form a ring. I found a nice looking pattern to use but it was just too confusing and I figured I could make one from scratch without getting frustrated. I will duplicate the pattern soon and make a special blog post explaining my pattern! I may even offer the product on Etsy! 

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Well, that's about all! I'm pretty excited to continue learning more about crochet and expanding my collection of patterns. If you have any fun suggestions, let me know!

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© Amanda Lanae Waugh 2013 - 2014 All photographs taken by Stephen Rothrock and/or Amanda Waugh. Please do not copy or use without permission. All patterns are copyrighted under their original owner. Please give credit where credit it due.

Disclaimer: If you like my work/comments on a particular pattern and wish to share or use it, please credit it me and comment below. My original patterns are free to use unless stated otherwise; however, I only ask that you credit myself. Please do not sell my patterns, but you are encouraged to sell or gift garments made from the pattern. Thank you.

Chunky Cowl.

When I first started crocheting fun things to wear other than headbands, I found a lovely blog by an Amigurumi fanatic named Stephanie. If you didn't already know, Amigurumi is the art of knitting/crocheting stuffed animals founded in the Japanese culture. On top of her love for crocheting cute little animals, Stephanie also crafts patterns for scarves, cowls, neck warmers, mug cozies, etc. My very first cowl was created using her Chunky Double Crochet Cowl pattern. (Scroll to the bottom for my Pattern Thoughts)

Black Chunky Double Crochet Cowl //

Materials Used //

• Lion Brand's Hometown USA^® Yarn in Oakland Black
• Size K // 6.50 mm crochet hook
• 4 silver pearl buttons from Jo-Ann Fabric and Craft Store (plastic)
• Yarn needle

Now, the biggest problem with the first cowl I made is that it is a tad small and doesn't lay exactly like hers does but I still like it. In fact, I liked the pattern enough that I made one more as a gift. 

Blue Chunky Double Crochet Cowl //

Materials I used //

• Lion Brand's Hometown USA Yarn in Detroit Blue
• Size P // 10 mm crochet hook
• 45 mm // Approx. 2" dark wooden button {purchased on Etsy.com}
• Yarn needle

I did, however, change a few things about the pattern.

My Pattern Thoughts //

ONE. I started the pattern like normal but added two rows of single crochets on top of the chain before I began using double crochets.

TWO. I also ended the pattern with two rows of double crochets and decreased stitched A LOT. I didn't want a gaping hole at the end.

THREE. I also added a large 45 mm (about 2 inches) wooden button for decoration and to help with the gaping hole. Buttoning one side to the other helped keep in the heat. The button, sewed to the left side of the cowl,  fit right through the gaps created by the pattern.

FOUR. When I made the black cowl, I chose NOT to crochet it in a round. Instead, I sewed the ends together and added four buttons for decoration.

Let me know how it goes! 

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© Amanda Lanae Waugh 2013 - 2014 All photographs taken by Stephen Rothrock and/or Amanda Waugh. Please do not copy or use without permission. All patterns are copyrighted under their original owner. Please give credit where credit it due.

Disclaimer: If you like my work/comments on a particular pattern and wish to share or use it, please credit it me and comment below. My original patterns are free to use unless stated otherwise; however, I only ask that you credit myself. Please do not sell my patterns, but you are encouraged to sell or gift garments made from the pattern. Thank you.