Free Crochet Pattern- Simple Pretty Pastel Tablemat | Cherry and Crochet Designs

Simple Pretty Pastel Tablemat

This simple and pretty pastel tablemat can be made quickly and is ideal for a housewarming gift. It can be made with any double knitting yarn and is suitable for beginners. The whole project takes around half an hour to complete, making it perfect for last minute events. It is very simple to create and would look lovely in stripes, which would also be a great scrap busting make. 

You will need

3mm crochet hook
Double knitting yarn in 2 colours of your choice
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Pattern
Chain 3
Round 1) 2 double crochet in 3rd chain from hook, "chain 2, 3 double crochet in same stitch again" repeat from " to " twice more to create a square. Slip stitch to top of turning chain.
Round 2) Chain 2,"3 double crochet, chain 2, 3 double crochet in next 3 corner chains, then "3 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet, slip stitch to top of turning chain" in same corner as turning chain.
Round 3) Chain 2, 2 double crochet in same chain space as chain 2, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain" Slip stitch to first stitch
Round 4) Chain 2, 3 double crochet in next chain space, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain", "3 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet, slip stitch to top of turning chain" in same space as turning chain.
Round 5) Chain 2, 2 double crochet in same chain space as chain 2, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain" Slip stitch to first stitch
Round 6) Chain 2, 3 double crochet in next chain space, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain", "3 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet, slip stitch to top of turning chain" in same space as turning chain. Change colour.
Round 7) Chain 2, 2 double crochet in same chain space as chain 2, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain" Slip stitch to first stitch
Round 8) Chain 2, 3 double crochet in next chain space, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain", "3 double crochet, chain 2, 2 double crochet, slip stitch to top of turning chain" in same space as turning chain. Change colour.
Round 9) Chain 2, 2 double crochet in same chain space as chain 2, then "3 double crochet in each non-corner chain space and *3 double crochet, 2 chain, 3 double crochet* in each corner chain" Slip stitch to first stitch. Change colour back to first colour
Round 10) Chain 2, *4 double crochet in middle stitch of each cluster, slip stitch to gap between clusters* repeat from * to * around, slip stitch to first stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Thank you for visiting Cherry and Crochet Designs, please let me know if you need any help in the comments section. :)

Free Crochet Pattern- Simple Crochet Bracelet | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Simple Bracelet

You will need

4mm Crochet hook

Double knitting yarn (I used Stylecraft Cabaret in Purple Haze)

Yarn needle to weave in ends

Pattern

Chain 34, slip stitch to first chain to form a loop. 

Round 1) Chain 2, double crochet in each chain, slip stitch to top of chain 2

Round 2-4) Chain 2,"front post double crochet, back post double crochet," repeat from "to" around, slip stitch to top of chain. Fasten off

Fasten on yarn at join in chain, chain 1 and make 1 single crochet in the underside of the chain around, slip stitch to top of chain. 

Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Thank you for visiting Cherry and Crochet Designs, please comment if you need any help. 

Free Crochet Pattern- Easy Market/ Tote Bag | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Easy Market/Tote Bag

This quick and easy crochet project makes an ideal scrap buster and a perfect gift for an eco conscious friend, (or one who could be!). It is made using either 2 strands of double knitting or chunky yarn. It is slightly stretchy and very strong as the straps are not only crocheted in one piece, but also reinforced to ensure it doesn't break carrying the weight of groceries. It is very large, measuring 17 inches tall without including the straps. Folding up quite small for the large capacity makes it ideal for popping in your handbag or car for days when you forget to bring a bag. 

You will need

9mm crochet hook

Chunky yarn or 2 strands of double knitting held together

Yarn needle for weaving in ends and reinforcing the straps

Chain 33

Round 1) Double crochet in 3rd chain from hook, double crochet in each chain to end, 4 double crochet in end chain, then double crochet in the underside of the chain, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Round 2-20) Now working in continuous rounds, double crochet in each stitch. 

Round 21) (No longer working in continuous rounds), Chain 2, double crochet in 8 stitches, *chain 52, double crochet in 3rd chain from hook and each remaining chain, then 3 double crochet in end chain and double crochet in the underside of each chain, chain 2 and slip stitch to the original chain stitch to create a rounded end. Skip 14 stitches,  double crochet in 17 stitches then repeat from * to *. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Reinforce the straps by making a few stitches between the strap and stitch it is connected to, before securely fastening off. 

Thank you for visiting Cherry and Crochet Designs, please let me know if you need any help. 

How to Frog/Unravel Unwanted Crocheted /Knitted Items | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Frogging unwanted projects

If you have unwanted or old crocheted/knitted projects that didn't turn out so well, or you no longer need, why not unravel them and reuse the yarn for something else? I'll let you into a secret, this is what I do with most of my designs that I won't use. I've got it down to a fine art now, and figured it would perhaps help if you have stumbled across a few projects recently that you no longer need, or, like me, you try to be sustainable about the yarn you purchase and therefore reusing yarn is great. I've also been known to underestimate how much yarn I need for a last minute gift and resort to frogging designs after taking a quick picture, (this is what happened with my bone toy pattern). 

Step 1

This is probably quite obvious, but you want to check if the item is crocheted or knitted. If you have made the item yourself, then you know it is, but if not, check the seams to confirm it isn't knitted then cut into shape and stitched together. I tend to only unravel items that are definitely knitted or crocheted, so normally I don't have to worry about this. 

Step 2

Find the end. This can be quite tricky, but it is usually visible by which way around the stitches are and also looking for any unusual lumps signifying an end that has been woven into the fabric. In the picture below, it is clear that the end is where I am pointing because the stitches are that way around and there is an unusually thick row here. Ensure you get the end that is at the end of the fabric, not the end formed at the beginning. I've done this many times and it is exceptionally frustrating. 

Step 3

Un-weave the end from the fabric and unknot it. It should now look like when you have finished a project and are just about to fasten off. You should also remove any external pieces sewn onto it, for example pockets. Put these aside and frog them later. 

Step 4

Pull the yarn and it will unravel. This is the fun part. I would recommend forming a pile on the floor that you can then wind into a ball of yarn easily. It should unravel easily, if not, it is usually that a strand of yarn has got caught on another and tugging at both of them should pull it apart. 

Step 5

Wind your pile of yarn into a ball of wool, either by using a yarn winder or by winding a ball of wool as I do (as detailed in this post). 

Now you are done! Enjoy using your reused yarn!

Thank you for reading Cherry and Crochet Designs. If you need any help, please comment. 

How to Wind a Ball of Yarn | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Winding a Ball of Wool

I find that my yarn stash can get out of hand easily, but winding a ball of yarn definitely makes it easier to neatly store my yarn. It also means that the yarn takes up less space as the yarn is used and still appears tidy, unlike winding with a machine or using the yarn as it comes from the shop. I also like how it looks when I pull out my yarn basket. 

Step 1

Tuck the end of the yarn between your middle and ring finger. Wind the yarn around your fingers several times like in the picture. I do about 50 wraps. 

Step 2

Take the yarn off your fingers and turn it on its side. Wind the yarn around the middle around 50 times again (this is only a short length of yarn from an old project, so I didn't do so many)

Step 3

Turn the small ball and squash the ends towards each other, then wind the yarn around this about 50 times again. 

Step 4

Wind the yarn around the ball around 10-40 times, then turn the ball and wind the yarn again. Repeat this until the yarn is used up. 

Step 5

You are finished! I always secure the end to prevent it getting tangled with other balls of yarn. This can be done with either a hair pin, like a bobby pin, or a hair clip, like those used for children. I asked around and someone had all of their little girl's hairclips that she didn't need. This combined with hair pins that I don't use, gives me plenty for all my yarn. 

Thank you for reading, please let me know if you have any suggestions for future posts. 

How to Make Sustainable Scrunchies from Old Tights and Socks | Cherry and Crochet Designs

How to make sustainable scrunchies from old tights and socks

With growing awareness around the environment, more people than ever are trying to produce less waste,  save money and conserve worldwide resources. These simple and quick scrunchies are a great way to recycle old tatty and holey tights and socks into lots of hair ties, which are usually quite expensive if sustainably made and ethically produced. By making them yourself from unusable tights and socks, you recycle them yourself, ensuring they don't go to landfill and also make a big set of hair bands in less than twenty minutes.

I am still using up hair bobbles from before wanting to be sustainable, but they are showing their age and I think it won't be long before all my hair bands are from tights and socks. They aren't as stretchy, but are more durable, eco friendly and free. They are also easily washable, which is great if you have very oily hair.

How to convert old tights to hair ties

Step 1) Wash and dry your old tights

This may seem obvious, but it is far easier to wash the tights or socks prior to cutting them into smaller pieces. Wash them thoroughly and dry them.

Step 2) Preparing them

Lay out your tights and use a pen, piece of chalk, small piece of soap or pencil to mark out sections approximately 10cm (~4 inches) apart on the leg of the tights. Make a mark at the end of the leg of the tights.

Step 3) Cutting

Cut the end of the toe off, then cut at each mark you have made, until you reach the end of the leg of the tights. Pick up each band and stretch it, then put it down. It should curl naturally into a reasonably thick hairband.

Step 4) (Optional) Securing the end

If it bothers you that the end could unravel, you can sew the loose part to the body of the hair tie to secure it and stop it unravelling. I don't do this simply because I am a little lazy and I find that the hair tie doesn't uncurl for me.

Making scrunchies from socks

Step 1) Cut the toe off the sock

Cut the very end of the toe off the sock.

Step 2) Cut the elasticated ankle part off

Cut from the top of the ankle of the sock, to around 4cm below it. This is the most stretchy part of the sock and therefore the most stretchy hair band.

Step 3) Cut the remainder of the sock in half

This is usually not particularly stretchy, so may be better if you use the whole sock rolled up if you want it to be very stretchy. However, cutting it in half makes it a decent hair tie.

Step 4) Finishing off

Pick up each band and stretch it, then put it down. It should curl naturally into a reasonably thick hairband. If it bothers you that the end could unravel, you can sew the loose part to the main bit of the scrunchie to secure it and stop it unravelling. I don't do this.

If you are wondering what to do with the excess fabric, I have a post here on making toy stuffing from fabric scraps.

Thank you for visiting my blog, let me know if you have tried anything like this and how it turned out.

Free Crochet Pattern- Sensory Toy Balls #2 | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Sensory Toy Balls- Waves, Crossed, Textured, Circles

These sensory toy balls are a perfect gift for a baby or child. They work up really quickly and can be made using tiny scraps of yarn. They contain a filler pouch rather than regular stuffing for extra safety for the child, and feature a crossed version, a circle version, a wavy version, a textured version and many more in the previous post. The whole set would make a great quick and easy last minute present for an expectant mother or toddler. 

For all of the sensory balls in the series, you will need these items

Filler pouch (instructions for how to make here)
Double knitting yarn in colour(s) of your choice
4mm crochet hook
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Waves Toy Sensory Ball (medium blue)

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch

R7) Chain 1, "skip stitch, 5 half double crochet in post of stitch below, slip stitch to next stitch, chain 1," repeat from " to " around. 

Insert filler pouch here

R8) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R10) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Crossed Toy Sensory Ball (bright green)

Chain 2 with colour A

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour B. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-5) Chain 2, double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

Do the round 5 crosses now- 

Round 5 Crosses- Chain 4, slip stitch to base of 4th stitch of round 5, *chain 4 again and slip stitch to top of 3rd stitch from the current stitch, chain 4, slip stitch to base of stitch 4 stitches away* repeat from * to * until the end. 

R6) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour D. 

R7) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Round 4 crosses- fasten on yarn at beginning of round 4. Chain 4, slip stitch to top of 4th stitch of round 4 (this should be the same stitch as the first chain of the round 5 crosses) ,*chain 4 again and slip stitch to base of 3rd stitch from the current stitch, chain 4, slip stitch to top of stitch 4 stitches away*. Repeat from * to *, the slip stitches should line up from round 5 crosses and round 4 so they form crosses. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Textured Toy Sensory Ball (red)

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch

Insert filler pouch here

Texture) *Chain 5, slip stitch to post of stitch from round 3 directly below current stitch, chain 5, slip stitch to stitch from round 6 1 stitch away from previous stitch* repeat from * to *

R7) (Work in round 6, not the chains) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Circles Toy Sensory Ball (gold)

Circle- make 10 half double crochet into post of stitch,

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4) Chain 2, double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R5) Chain 2, "circle, double crochet in 3 stitches," repeat from " to ", then *circle, double crochet in final 2 stitches* in last 3 stitches, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends.

Thank you for reading Cherry and Crochet Designs, please comment if you have any issues or ideas for future patterns. 

Free Crochet Pattern- Sensory Toy Balls #1 | Cherry and Crochet Designs

 Sensory Toy Balls- Plain, Striped, Ridged, Bobble

These sensory toy balls are a perfect gift for a baby or child. They work up really quickly and can be made using tiny scraps of yarn. They contain a filler pouch rather than regular stuffing for extra safety for the child, and feature a striped version, a simple sparkly version, a bobbly version and many more in another post. The whole set would make a great quick and easy last minute present for an expectant mother or toddler. 

For all of the sensory balls in the series, you will need these items

Filler pouch (instructions for how to make here)
Double knitting yarn in colour(s) of your choice
4mm crochet hook
Yarn needle to weave in ends

Basic Toy Sensory Ball (sparkly black)

I used Stylecraft Cabaret in Shadows to make it sparkly. 

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Striped Toy Sensory Ball (mixed colours)

Chain 2 with colour A

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour B. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4-6) Chain 1, half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour C at end of round 5. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. Change to colour D. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Ridged Toy Sensory Ball (orange)

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4) Chain 2, double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R5) Chain 2,"front post double crochet, back post double crochet," repeat from "to" around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends. 

Bobble Toy Sensory Ball

Bobble- make 5 double crochet, take hook out of loop and reinsert at top of first double crochet, insert end of hook into loop of 5th stitch and make a slip stitch.

Chain 2

R1) 8 half double crochet in 2nd chain from hook, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R2) Chain 1, 2 half double crochet in each stitch, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R3) Chain 1, *2 half double crochet in stitch, 1 half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R4) Chain 1, half double crochet in 2 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

R5) Chain 1, half double crochet in 6 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

R6) Chain 1, half double crochet in 3 stitches, *bobble, half double crochet in 5 stitches, repeat from * around , slip stitch to first stitch. 

Insert filler pouch here

R7) Chain 1, *half double crochet two together in next 2 stitches, half double crochet in next stitch, repeat from * around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

R8) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch

R9) Chain 1, half double crochet 2 together around, slip stitch to first stitch. 

Fasten off and sew top and bottom of ball closed, then weave in ends.

Thank you for reading Cherry and Crochet Designs, please comment if you have any issues or ideas for future patterns.