Thursday, December 22, 2022

Leilani Afghan | Crochet Pattern | Tester Call

 Timing is not necessarily my forte; hence, it is only appropriate for a "Tester Call" to come out a few days before Christmas. 🤔😱

This may not be the best timing, but then again perhaps you're looking for an easy
 and relaxing project during the break? 
🙏❤️🙏

The Leilani Afghan is a chunky blanket made from two strands of dk weight yarn 
for a warm and cozy addition to winter. 
I used Scheepjes Colour Crafter and Stylecraft Special DK, but any yarn can be used. 
 If using worsted or chunky weight yarn, then only one strand is needed, 
but a variegated yarn would result in a similar effect. 😁


Two bits of good news:
1) A sample of 39 sts and 23 rows vs the 139 sts and 111 rows
 called out in the pattern would be sufficient. 
2) The deadline is January 10, 2023, so there would be plenty of time to make a sample
 and if you are a daily crocheter with a good show/series to watch,
 perhaps the entire blanket could be crocheted by then?

I'm looking for two makers and two technical editors.☺️

If you are interested, please send me an email at Astri.Bowlin@gmail.com.

Wishing you happy holidays and

Warmly,
Astri


Sunday, December 11, 2022

A Blue Christmas | Crocheted Snowflake | Link to Free Pattern

 Loving me some crocheted snowflakes 

crocheted with Scheepjes Catona in Powder Blue, 
with a variegated yarn, I found on clearance! 


Now I'm working on a couple with the same variegated yarn but Catona in white. 

❄️❄️❄️

I'm excited to get home and block these as I have this idea for our Christmas tree this year.
These snowflakes are great as coasters, ornaments, or for candle placement. 🕯️
 
Note: These look a little wonky now but will look a lot different once they're blocked.
Stay tuned!


The pattern is by NotikaLand Crochet and Knitting and can be found on YouTube. It's called:
How to crochet for beginners CROCHET snowflake motif.

I wish you all a relaxing and fun time preparing for the holidays and/or winter.

Warmly,
Astri

Friday, December 2, 2022

Scarves for WInter - 2 | Crochet Pattern | City Scapes Scarf

  How about a winter scarf crocheted with 

Scheepjes Metropolis 
yarn pack of adorable cuties?
 

And how about making one with a little help from
Apple Blossom Dreams?

The crochet pattern that can be found in the

Ooooooooo....just in time for holiday gift-making or colder weather.

 

I wish you all a relaxing and fun time preparing for the holidays and/or winter.

Warmly,
Astri

Thursday, December 1, 2022

Scarves for Winter - 1| Crochet Pattern | Meadow Larksfoot Scarf

 How about a winter scarf crocheted with 
Scheepjes Metropolis 
yarn pack of adorable cuties?
 
So how about making one with a little help from
Apple Blossom Dreams?

The crochet pattern that can be found in the


Here it is without an edge/border.

The below scarf, on the left, is a different color version
from the same yarn pack:
and looks like this:
Ooooooooo....just in time for holiday gift-making or colder weather.

I wish you all a relaxing and fun time preparing for the holidays and/or winter.

Warmly,
Astri

Wednesday, November 30, 2022

Crocheted Christmas - 2 | More Snow for Decorating

I suppose it's appropriate to decorate with crocheted snowflakes after over 10" of snow the other night.

These fun snowflakes can be used as 
an ornament, gift topper, candle base, or coaster to mention a few...

This is my favorite crocheted snowflake pattern.
It might be difficult to see, but there's a bit of sparkle to this yarn.

The pattern is by NotikaLand Crochet and Knitting and can be found on 
YouTube by clicking here.

Wishing you cozy winter/holiday decorating!


Warmly,
Astri

Tuesday, November 29, 2022

Crocheted Christmas - 1 | On A Snowy Day

 Decorating for Christmas after over 10" of snow last night.

I call it the

"Koselig Jul Hekler Hus"
(Cozy Christmas Crochet House)
See this post for pattern and yarn information.

Wishing you cozy winter/holiday decorating!

Warmly,
Astri


Sunday, November 27, 2022

Leilani Blanket | Crocheted Gift

 I've been engaging in some late-in-the-season gift-making. 
This blanket was requested by one of our daughters who gave me some guidance on the colors
 and the design she would like and this is the result! 
I hope it's what she had in mind and I really hope she likes it!

I have named this the Leilani Blanket and am in the process of writing a pattern for it.

I will call out for testers as soon as the pattern is ready, 
but that might not happen before Christmas, but then again it might.

This blanket was crocheted with two strands of either Scheepjes Colour Crafter 
or Style Craft Special DK but two strands of any dk/sport weight or worsted yarn
or one strand of chunky acrylic yarn will work.

Stay tuned for more on this one....😊

and in the meantime....



Warmly,

Astri

Saturday, November 19, 2022

Fun Hats for Cold Weather or Gift Giving | Crochet Pattern

 There's still time to make this Duo Bun/Pigtail hat before the cold sets in!

 
 

This hat makes a great gift too...and the color possibilities are endless of course.

You can find the pattern by clicking on the following 
🍎🌸🍃 Apple Blossom Dreams 🍎🌸🍃 
shops:



  🍎🌿🌸💭

The pattern is written for three sizes: 16, 18 and 20 inch circumference. 
This hat is crocheted with Scheepjes Merino Soft (my absolute favorite yarn for hats); 
however, you can use any yarn you'd like. 
Gauge information is provided. 😁



Warmly,

Astri

Friday, November 18, 2022

Forest Flower aka Blomsterskogen | Crochet Pattern | 20% Off

I am so delighted that @crochetaladia has crocheted
 this beautiful Forest Flower aka Blomsterskogen Blanket Crochet! 
With a heart full of gratitude and celebration the pattern will be on sale through Sunday on Etsy. 


Click on the following shop links to take you to the pattern:
 
EtsyRavelry, and, Lovecrafts (Great Britain) or Lovecrafts (USA)
 The discount is good in the AppleBlossomDreams Etsy shop through Sunday 11/20/22. 
Use CODE - FOREST22.
 

The 22-page pattern includes over 100 photos and links
 to seven exclusive videos for additional help. 
The pattern also includes a 2-page abbreviated version for printing. 
It's suitable for an intermediate crocheter but with the assistance of
the photos, videos, and extra detailed schematics, 
it could be suitable for an advanced beginner.
This pattern also includes a Dutch translation by @roconsolata ‼!
There are two size options for the blanket:
27" x 41" (69 cm x 104 cm) - pictured
or
41" x 52" (104 cm x 132 cm)

It is named the Forest Flower because it was designed and crocheted in the forest! 
The pattern is similar to the Macaroon Blossom without the leaf row, 
the absence of picots, and a simple sc border with tassels.

The original blanket is made with 11 skeins of Style Craft Special DK 
and/or Scheepjes Colour Crafter, with yarn left over for other fun stuff! 
Both those yarns are acrylic DK weight yarn that comes in over 100 of the yummiest of colors!!! 
I can imagine that it would be super scrumptious made in wool or cotton, as well.

Here are a couple of color options from the tests:
 

Tests by the lovely @roconsolata and @lepitfish
 The pattern was technically edited by the amazing @paulina.s.maraboli 
A great big hug of thanks to these kind and thoughtful ladies.


I hope you are having a magnificent day,
 and hopefully, that day includes
some



Warmly,

Astri