Blog

Kaya Shawl Pattern

23/04/2019 by Dada Filed Under: Scarves and shawls, Uncategorized 3 Comments

This shawl is one of those totally unexpected projects. Like, you work on something completely different, and then an idea in some way related to the thing you’re working on, pops up in your head, and you just have to try it out. You don’t want to let it go. That happened to me with this shawl. I was working on figuring out a border for a blanket, and when I finished it, I saw that if repeated, that border could be used in a simple triangle shawl. Needless to say, I immediately grabbed my crochet hook and some pale greenish yarn from my stash, and started to build this shawl. It went so smoothly that I really enjoyed the whole process.

There are some patterns which are very hard to give birth to, and there are patterns which are so easy and effortless. Kaya shawl is definitely the latter kind of the pattern. Maybe that’s the main reason I decided to name it Kaya shawl, after my paternal grandmother who I loved so much, so effortlessly. I probably spent my happiest childhood days in her house, playing with my sister, and our neighbors. She gave me that incredible feeling of protection and unconditional love, and I’m forever grateful to her for that.

simple crochet shawl pattern by dadas place

Let’s say a few words about the shawl. I love how simple it is, but interesting at the same time, which is a quality I appreciate very much. It has a beautiful texture created with popcorn stitches and empty spaces. It can be made with any yarn. I used 100% cotton yarn, 170m/50g. The pale blue-green version is made with Maja yarn by Bimtex, and the pink version is made with Cotton 8 by Stoff & stil. I used 3.5 mm crochet hook.
The finished shawl measures approximately 158 cm x 77 cm (62” x30”). I would say it’s an ideal project for an intermediate crocheter or even an ambitious beginner who wants to improve their crochet skills and learn new stitches.

The pattern is written in English using US crochet terms. There are 20 step-by-step pictures, and 2 crochet charts for all of you who prefer charts. I personally love charts. When you take a look at it, you can instantly see what stitches are used, and know everything you’re supposed to do to accomplish the pattern. You have the picture of the whole pattern in front of you. I really like that.

kaya shawl crochet pattern by dadas place

The pattern is now available in Dada’s place shop, here (Payment options: credit cards and PayPal), in my Ravelry shop, and in my Etsy shop. (Payment option: PayPal)

Kaya crochet shawl step by step tutorial

If you make Kaya shawl, please share it on your favorite social media platform, using #kayashawl

I would really like to see what you will do with the pattern!
*

Follow me Doily Free Pattern

25/03/2019 by Dada Filed Under: Free crochet patterns 7 Comments

I bet that you love free crochet patterns! But maybe doilies are not exactly your jam. I know. I’ve been there. But, doilies are so fun to make! Believe me! I think that they are ideal crochet projects for any beginner, because they are quite quick to make, and you can have that sweet feeling of accomplishment after just several hours of your effort. Plus they are beautiful!

how to crochet doily dadas place free pattern

Simple and elegant, this doily is the perfect crochet project for beginners. Or ideal project for a lazy and relaxing weekend… You can make this doily to treat yourself, or you can tell someone how important he/she is by gifting them this beautiful handmade doily.

Skill level: Beginner
Stitches: magic ring, slip stitch, chain stitch (ch), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), double crochet (dc), treble crochet (tr), 4tr bobble stitch, 3tr bobble stitch, picot-4 stitch, standing single crochet
Crochet hook: 2mm (USA – size B1)
Size: 18 x 18 cm (7” x 7”)
Crochet terms: standard US crochet terms
Yarn: thread for doilies 100% cotton, 530m/100g – you will need approximately 10 g of the main color.

free crochet doily step-by-step tutorial

So, let’s get started!

Start with a magic ring. Make ch-4 in ring (counts as dc + ch-1) (1),

dc in ring, ch-1 (2),

[dc in ring, ch-1] x 6 (3);

pull the yarn tail and close the ring. You should have 8 dc with ch-1 between each dc (4);

Join with slip st to the third chain of the initial ch-4; Fasten off (5).

Take the yarn you want to use for the petals. Attach the yarn in any ch-1 space and make ch-4 (counts as the first tr in bobble stitch) (6);

Now, we’re going to make an “incomplete” tr – yo twice, insert the hook into the same space, yo, pull up a loop, [yo, draw the yarn through 2 loops] twice. You should have two loops on the hook (7);

make two more “incomplete” tr (itr henceforward) in the same space; now you have four loops on your hook (8);

yo (9),

and draw the yarn through all four loops on the hook. This is our first 4 tr bobble stitch (10);

make ch-5 (11),

then 4 itr in the next ch-1 space; now you have five loops on the hook (12);

yo, and draw the yarn through all five loops on the hook, ch-5 (13);

make * 4 tr bobble stitch in the next ch-1 space, ch-5 (14);

repeat from * five more times; you should have 8 bobble stitches with ch-5 between each bobble (15).

join with slip st to the top of the beginning bobble (16);

Fasten off. We’re going to make a standing sc, so take the background color and make a slip knot on your hook (17).

Make standing sc – (Insert hook into stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, and draw yarn through both loops on the hook) at the beginning of any ch-5 spaces (18).

crochet doily step-by-step free tutorial

Make 6 sc in the same space – 7 sc in total (19),

make 7 sc in the next ch-5 space (20),

then 7 sc in the next 6 ch-5 spaces (21);

free crochet doily pattern by Dadas place

join with slip st to the standing sc and make ch-9 – counts as hdc + ch-7 (22);

* skip the next 6 sc, and make hdc in the next sc, then make ch-7 (23);

repeat from * six more times (24);

free crochet doily step-by-step tutorial by Dadas place

Join with slip st to the second chain of the initial ch-9 (25);

make 9 sc in the next ch-7 space (26);

make 9 sc in the next 7 ch-7 spaces (27);

join with slip st to the first sc and make ch-5 – counts as tr + ch-1 (28);

skip the next sc, make tr in the next sc (29);

[ch-1, skip the next sc, tr in the next sc] x 3, ch-3 (30);

crochet mandala free step-by-step tutorial

make * tr in the next sc, [ch-1, skip the next sc, tr in the next sc] x 4, ch-3 (31);

repeat from * 6 more times (32);

join with slip st to the fourth chain of the initial ch-5 (33);

make slip st in the next ch-1 space (34).

Now, we’re going to make another bobble stitch. This time 3 tr bobble, so, make ch-4, 2 itr in the same space (35);

yo, and draw the yarn through all three loops on the hook (36);

make [ch-2, bobble in the next ch-1 space] x 3 (37);

ch-3, tr in the next ch-3 space, ch-3 (38);

make * [bobble in the next ch-1 space, ch-2] x 3, bobble in the next ch-1 space, ch-3, tr in the next ch-3 space, ch-3 (39);

repeat from * six more times (40);

join with slip st to the top of the beginning bobble (41);

slip st in the next ch-2 space, make the beginning bobble, [ch-2, bobble in the next ch-2 space] x 2 (42);

ch-3, tr in the next tr, [ch-1, tr in the same tr], x 2, ch-3 (43);

make * [bobble in the next ch-2 space, ch-2] x 2, bobble in the next ch-2 space, ch-3, tr in the next tr, [ch-1, tr in the same tr], x 2, ch-3 (44);

repeat from * six more times (45);

free crochet step-by-step mandala tutorial

join with slip st to the top of the beginning bobble, slip st in the next ch-2 space, make the beginning bobble, ch-2, bobble in the next ch-2 space (46);

ch-3, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr, [ch-1, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr] x 2, ch-3 (47),

make * bobble in the next ch-2 space, ch-2, bobble in the next ch-2 space, ch-3, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr, [ch-1, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr] x 2, ch-3 (48);

crochet doily free pattern and step-by-step tutorial

repeat from * 6 more times (49);

join with slip st to the top of the beginning bobble, slip st in the next ch-2 space, make the beginning bobble, [ch-1, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr] x 6, ch-1 (50);

make * bobble in the next ch-2 space, [ch-1, tr in the next tr, ch-1, tr in the same tr] x 6, ch-1 (51);

repeat from * 6 more times (52);

join with slip st to the top of the beginning bobble; fasten off (53).

Make a slip knot on your hook with a contrasting color, then standing sc in ch-1 space before any bobble, make sc in the same space (54);

Now, we’re going to make a picot-4 stitch, so make ch-4; I marked the stitch where you should make slip st. It’s the fifth stitch from the hook (55);

so, pull the hook through both loops of that stitch (56),

yo, and draw the yarn through the stitch and through the loop on your hook (57).

how to crochet doily free step-by-step tutorial by dadas place

Make 2 sc in the next thirteen ch-1 spaces (58);

* make picot-4, 2 sc in the next thirteen ch-1 spaces (59);

repeat from * five more times (60);

free crochet pattern - mandala step-by-step tutorial

make picot-4, 2 sc in the next twelve ch-1 spaces; We’re going to make an invisible join, now. Cut the yarn and pull it through the stitch (61).

Thread a tapestry needle. Skip the standing sc, and insert your needle under both loops of the next sc, from back to front, and pull it through (62);

Insert your needle back, in the last sc you made, through the back loop only, from front to back, and pull it through. Weave in the yarn end (63).

And now you have it! Simple to make, beautiful and modern doily pattern! Hope you will like it! I would love to see your finished creations, so please share them on the Internet, tag me and use #followmedoily hash tag.

Although this pattern is free, it is copyright protected, so please don’t sell or publish this pattern anywhere, don’t translate it, or make YouTube videos without my permission. Thank you for respecting my work.
*
If you’d like to have a printable pdf version of the pattern, you can get it for only $3.97 in Dada’s place shop, here.
*
Happy crocheting!

It’s a Bear! Baby Sweater Pattern

12/03/2019 by Dada Filed Under: Other crochet projects 2 Comments

Looking at the big pile of little baby sweaters I’ve been making for the last two months, I think about what a rollercoaster I had to go through, to finally cross the finish line. The road from the idea about the little teddy bear sweater to the finished pattern was very long, and unpredictable, and I must admit that I didn’t always enjoy the ride. But I’m happy that the pattern is finally finished and I hope that I will see the pictures of cute little babies wearing this teddy bear sweater all around the Internet! So, if you make your version of “It’s a bear!” sweater, please, please, please post your picture on the Internet and tag me, wherever you publish it. I would really love to see all your creations! The best way for me to see your pullover is to use hash tag #itsabearsweater on Instagram, or to tag me (on Instagram and Facebook). I will share the best pictures in my Instastories.

The pattern comes in four sizes: 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months and 12-18 months. The sweater is quite warm and stretchable. My intention for this pattern was to make a beautiful, simple baby garment with clean lines, but very practical and wearable at the same time. The sweater is worked from the top down. It is made in one piece; no assembly is needed.

I designed this sweater making sure that the collar is big and stretchable enough for a gentle baby’s head.

*
The pattern is very detailed, with more than 120 step-by-step pictures. There is a crochet chart for teddy bear applique, as well as step-by-step tutorial, and written pattern. All main parts of the process of making a sweater (how to make chainless foundation, how to separate sleeves from the body, how to make sleeves, how to decrease with hdc) are given in step-by-step tutorials. I tried once again to make the pattern which will guide you easily and effortlessly from the beginning to the end. Hope I succeeded in doing that.

As for the majority of my crochet project, I used “Tango” yarn from St. George. Since it isn’t available on-line and you can’t get it if you live anywhere outside Serbia I would like to recommend two alternatives to “Tango” yarn. They’re both 100% cotton yarn, the same weight as “Tango”, and they’re gorgeous!
The first one is “Catona”, manufactured by Scheepjes, which you’re probably very familiar with, especially if you live in Europe. “Catona” has a very rich and beautiful color palette (somewhere over 100 shades!), you can check it out, here.

The second one is “Catania” from Schachenmayr. It also comes in a variety of colors (105 to be exact!), and looks beautiful. Click here to check it out.

I would say that this pattern is suitable for intermediate crocheters who have already had some experience in making crochet garments, or can follow successfully complex crochet patterns from the beginning to the end.

Now, when I learned a few lessons about making crochet garments, I’m thinking about designing the whole series of cute, animal inspired baby clothes. I’d appreciate it if you let me know in the comments your thoughts about it. Is it a good idea? Or should I turn my attention back to designing crochet blanket patterns?

crochet baby sweater step-by-step tutorial

I know that what you would probably like most is to see more free patterns on my blog. I promise that I will publish the next free crochet pattern by the end of March, at the latest. Probably sooner.

“It’s a bear!” baby sweater pattern is now available in all my shops. You can buy it in Dada’s place shop. (Payment options: credit cards and PayPal). Click here to buy the pattern.

It is also available in my Etsy shop, as well in Dada’s Ravelry shop. (Payment option: PayPal)

Happy crocheting!