Butterflies and afghans

ok Just wrote and wrote and wrote, and it got eaten. So after I post this if it show up twice, Imma kill my computer and take up golf. I have not been here but I post on facebook weekly (Look for Free Range Fingers) and have been busy on Pinterest which is kinda odd but fun. While on Pinterest, I found a photo only for an afghan with 3 D Butterflies. I am not going to post the photo here cause that is what ate the last attempt. However it was darling. My friend Jo found a pattern for a 3d Butterfly afghan that did not have any photos so I gave the pattern a whirl. While not identical it is darling also! I am going to include her pattern here. I did one square so far, and mine came out larger then the pattern indicated with a size H hook, but I think as long as you keep the same yarn and hook through the afghan it will be fine. Also the pattern did not call for color changes, and I switched from white to purple vari for two reasons- it enabled me to see what I was doing better, and I thought it would make the butterfly show up. I also thought if you were making squares with all different butterflies it would be more festive.

The pattern was easy to follow- even though the author apologizes in one part. The Butterfly appears to be set on top of the afghan but is actually a part of each square and will not be removable.

Materials Used: Worsted Weight Yarn H hook Gauge isn't reallly important, since you can use any hook/yarn combo, but my finished square measures 5" on a side. Start with the Butterfly: Chain 6. Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook & in each additional chain. Ch 3 (counts as first DC in next row & throughout pattern), turn. Row 2: Dc twice in first st. (Ch 3, skip next st, 3 Dc in following st) two times. Dc 3 times in final stitch. Ch 3, turn. Row 3: Dc twice in first st. *Ch 3. In next ch-3 space, work (3dc, ch 3, 3dc). Repeat from * once more. Ch 3, skip next 2 Dc. Dc three times in last Dc. Ch 3, turn. Row 4: Dc 4 times in first st. Sc in next ch-3 space. (Dc 9 times in next ch-3 space. Sc in next ch-3 space) twice. Skip next 2 Dc. Dc 5 times in last DC. Now, this is the part where it's a little confusing, & for that I'm sorry. If anyone has a better way to explain this part, please let me know & I'll update the pattern. Slip stitch in the sides of the rows until you get around to the back of the beginning chain. Slip stitch in the beginning chain til you reach the center (it's obvious when you look at it, trust me). Wrap the yarn tightly four times around the center of the butterfly & cinch it up. This is what gives the butterfly its shape. Slip stitch again after the final wrap (you'll be holding the yarn in your hand just like for any other stitch. Next, you'll form the granny square. Only the first part of it is tricky, after that it's like a normal granny square. Slip stitch around the yarn wrapped around the back part of the butterfly. Chain 2. Slip stitch in the yarn wrap again. Chain two again. Join in the first chain. This will count as your starting ring for the granny square. Round 1: Ch 3. (Counts as DC). DC twice more in first half of starting ring. Ch 3. Dc 3 times in first half of starting ring. Ch 3. Dc 3 times in second half of starting ring. Ch 3. Dc 3 more times in 2nd half of starting ring. Ch 3, join to first DC. Round 2: Sl st in first 2 sts and in first ch-3 space. Chain 3, 2 Dc in ch-3 space. Ch 3, Dc 3 times in same space. Ch 2. *Work corner (3 DC, ch-3, 3 dc) in next ch-3 space. Ch 2. Repeat from * around to beginning. Sl st in first DC. Round 3: Sl st in first 2 sts & in first ch-3 space. Ch 3, 2 Dc, ch 3, 3 dc all in same ch-3 space. Chain 2. *Dc 3 times in next ch 2 space. Ch 2. Work corner in next ch-3 space. Repeat from * around, joining with sl st to first DC. Rounds 4, 5, & 6 are made in the same manner as Round 3. Finish off at the end of round 6, & weave in your ends. I stopped at row 5, was planning that row 6 would be white, and would be part of the joining process for multiple squares- like a Jacob's ladder type stitch. Here is the back- I have not yet woven in the ends. from the back the butterfly is really not visible at all.

If you try this I want to see your finished project! What colors are you going to use? and again, thank you JO for this pattern! I will update a bit more frequently next time (I hope) and add some other new tricks I have to pass on :)

Busy free Range Fingers!

I have been VERY bad about keeping up with this blog. However two things happened that reminded me of my promise to not give up- I started using Pinterest, and I wanted to add some of my own ideas to my boards. Pinterest will not allow a link to facebook pages. I have been pretty good about posting there!
And I have made some awesome new stuff with grocery bag yarn. I am working on two PDF files I will sell as a set- one is how to make the bags into yarn, and one is how to make the yarn into one of these: it is a crochet hook carrier. But you could also use it for drawing pencils, knitting needles or paintbrushes! I took a Pringles can, crocheted the cover- added a top with a handle and a tab to keep it on when walking and voila! no more lost scissors, hooks or needles!
I am now finding out that Pringles makes several other sized containers that would be fun to create with as well.
Then Eilish got an iPad for the holidays and she got a cover but it does not have handles. She wanted handles. So I made this: it is just large enough for the iPad and has handles for a grab and go kind of thing! The color was chosen by Eilish but any scrap yarn and bags would work- another great reason to keep your yarn scraps! Now- what to start next ^_^