Colorado Avalanche

I was asked to make a rug for my cousin a few years ago with the Avalanche logo on it.  I didn't have my software accessible at that time so i had y husband draw it on a piece of graph paper and blocked it out from there.  It was a small rug, about 2 or 3 feet wide.  I don't have any idea where that graph went, but when I got my PCStitch software accessible again I made a graph for a throw.  It's larger than my usual, taking a J hook and 1 sc per graph square to make a large throw (appx 5.5 ft x 6 ft).  If you want smaller, try using a smaller hook.  If you want it to fit a full sized (double) bed, use an H hook and 2 dc per graph square.  If you make this I'd love to see how it came out!  For the pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com wih "Colorado Avalanche" in the subject line. If you have any questions, please put them in the body of your email or in the comments below.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Happy Pi Day-a nerdy crochet round-up

I know not everyone is a math  nerd like me, and not everyone loves crochet, and even fewer still who fit both categories.  But for us (and those math nerds we crocheters love) there is a surprising amount of Pi (3.14 in the math world-the ratio of a circle's circumference to its diameter) projects.

Before I get to those, may I just say RIP Stephen Hawking. For a world-renowned physicist to die on Pi day has a kind of poetic irony to me.  Oh, and in case you didn't know, it is also Albert Einstein's birthday.  (Where's the crochet, Kendra? Here it comes:)

• I think my favorite by far is this pi digits blanket found here, but unfortunately I could not find a pattern for it.  Look closely at the stitch she used-how cool is that!?

• A free pattern for the pi symbol is found at Alicia Kachmar's blog, Create! Look at the little guys face!  He looks so happy just to be Pi!

• I was excited to see this crochet c2c pi pillow at akimakes.com! So many things to love about it. It's C2C, it's the 𝜋 symbol on one side, and the numeric abbreviation on the other side. The pattern isn't written on the website, though, it's a downloadable pdf.

• I am glad that someone out there has a sense of humor like mine.  Rebecca Breed Pepper's blog has a whimsical little pun of a "pie" crochet pattern here.

What are your favorite pi crochet patterns?  Leave a link in the comments below!

Tunisian crochet-an overview

One stitch that I feel doesn't get enough attention is the tunisian stitch (also called the afghan stitch).  If you're unfamiliar with tunisian crochet, there is a great site for beginners here that covers the basics really well.

tunisian crochet hook with cable and stopper

In tunisian crochet, you work with a long crochet hook (the one I use has a cable attached to the end, with a stopper at the end of that) and load all your stitches on (like with knitting) and then work them off.  Sometimes when we crochet it can be confusing about which side of our work is the front and which is the back (sometimes it doesn't matter!), but with tunisian crochet, the front is always facing you.  You don't turn your work to go back across.  You can always tell which was is the right way!

There are different ways to create designs using tunisian crochet.  One is with different stitches. There are really only a few different tunisian stitches to learn.  See the link above for the different stitches used in tunisian crochet.   I recommend once you learn the basics, to check out crochetkim.com and look through her tunisian crochet section.  She also has hundreds of free patterns to look through-not just tunisian (and they're all very good!).  She's one of my favorite designers.

afghan with cross stitched design

I made a graph for someone a short time ago and she sent me a photo of her finished afghan.  She used tunisian crochet to make the entire blanket in a solid color and then cross stitched the design on it in the yarn colors on the graph (thanks for the finished photo, Charlene, I love it!). This is a fun and simple way to incorporate color work into your projects without the hassle of changing colors during the crochet process.  Less chance of a tangled up mess occurring, too!   The graph for this Texas afghan, by the way, is available for sale from me.  Email me for details.  (It doesn't have to be made with this crochet stitch.😉)

Super Mario Brothers blanket

If you're comfortable with the tunisian simple stitch (usually the first stitch you learn) and ready to  move on to color changes, what fun you can have!  I graphed out a bunch of Super Mario Brothers characters for my son for an afghan for Christmas.   Unfortunately, he doesn't like "blankets with holes" as he calls afghans, so I used tunisian crochet to create this blanket for him.  Each character is in its own block, and then sewn to the block next to it. It forms a solid, squishy fabric without gaps between the stitches so I figured it would be perfect for him.  What I didn't think about was the back of the design.  With tunisian crochet, you don't cover the unused color with your working yarn like with tapestry crochet.  It hangs behind the work and gets picked up again later in the row when you need to switch back to that color.  This leaves a strand looped behind the work.   2 problems: 1. it looks ugly and 2. it catches your toes every time you move.  Solution?  I took an old sheet we didn't use anymore and sewed it to the back. Then I covered up the edges with quilt binding.

*designs do look a bit tall and thin when worked in tunisian simple stitch.  The stitch is taller than it is wide so it doesn't make a nice square like the graph square shows. I had to adjust some of my graphs to accommodate the nature of the stitch.

close up of design on block

A couple tips for the first time you use color work in your tunisian projects: 1. twist your yarns together once before changing colors. Otherwise, there WILL be a gap where the colors change. 2. give the unused yarn a little tug to firm up the stitches or it will be loose and baggy.  Not to tight though or it will warp the fabric a bit (look at the right side of the game controller in the close up picture.  See how it dips in? My fault.  Pulled too tight.  Don't do that.

 Have fun with your crochet!  Learning new stitches and trying new methods is a great way to improve yourself and your crochet as well as keeping it interesting.  I love learning new ways to crochet.  What is a stitch you've been wanting to try?

Free Koala graph

Koala

Koalas are just about my favorite animal. You'll probably  notice me saying that about a lot of animals!  But koalas are special.  They're marsupial, so they have pouches like kangaroos, they are adorable and ferocious at the same time (like me! 😉),  and they carry their growing babies like a backpack! They sleep up to 20 hours a day to conserve energy from their low-nutrition diet of eucalyptus leaves, which are tough and fibrous and often toxic to other animals.

Did I mention they're adorable?  This one sure is!  Clinging to a tree with a sweet look on her face, just begging to cover you with warmth and snuggles.  Best of all, she's free (for now).

Should I name her?  What do you think?  Give me your suggestions in the comments below, along with your thoughts on the pattern.  Feel free to share with the buttons below.

If you want her for yourself, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "koala" in the subject line.   If you'd like me to make it for you, I can do that too.  Email me for pricing.  If you make it yourself send me a photo!  Share it to instagram and tag #kendrascrochetedcreations in it!

Use an H hook and 2 dc per graph square for this throw sized blanket.

Whitetails Unlimited

Here in the mid west, we take hunting very seriously.  There are businesses and schools that even close for the first day of deer season! They figure since so many of their employees and school children will be out in the woods, they may as well not conduct business or classes. We teach our children to hold and shoot guns safely (and to never even aim it unless you intend to use it-NEVER at another human being!),  we believe that keeping the population of the deer down through humane hunting practices (go for the shot that kills, not injures or maims) will help those remaining to have a better life in regards to food supplies and overcrowding, and we believe that venison burgers, venison sausage, and venison steaks are a great way to feed our families!.  Whitetails Unlimited is an non-profit organization that promotes conservation. They raise funds to support educational programs, habitat conservation (including habitat enhancement and acquisition), research, wildlife agency assistance, and cooperative projects with conservation organizations.  

Because there is text on this graph, I'd suggest working it from the short side to avoid all the color changes in the lettering happening at the same time.  If you like the deer only, simply omit the text!  If you'd prefer a smaller throw (as is, working this graph with an H hook and 2 dc per graph square will give you an approximately twin sized afghan), then use a J hook and 1 sc per graph square, increasing the top and bottom by 5 rows and each side by 15.

If you'd like the pdf of Whitetails Unlimited for your favorite hunter (yourself included!) please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Whitetails Unlimited" in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.  If you'd like me to make it for you, please contact me for pricing.

Learning to crochet-how frustrating!

Have you ever taught anyone to knit or crochet?  I have.  I got a lot of  "I thought this was supposed to be relaxing!" complaints through their gritted teeth.  Well, it is!  After the learning curve, that is.  There is a process. (S)he who would learn to crochet one day must first learn to pull up loops and chain and yarn over and SC and DC and FPTC; one cannot simply crochet into crocheting.  Well, Nietzsche said it better, but you get the point.

My advice to them?  Keep trying!  Remember how hard it was to learn anything new as a kid?  How long did it take you to learn to tie your shoes? How many times did you fall while learning to ride a bike? But you try again till you get it!

 The first thing I ever crocheted was a granny square afghan.  I kept it for about 17 years before donating it. I could always tell which square was my first.  It was fully twice the size of the other squares, which were mostly the same size once I got my tension evened out.

Once I figured out my tension, learned a few more stitches, and taught myself to read patterns, I loved what I was doing!  I wanted more!

After you learn the different stitches and how to keep your tension steady, you can work on designs. Mixing different stitches to create a unique look  is one way.  Changing colors is another way.  Do both and be careful, because you can create rather a mess of things.  Not to say it can't be done well, it can and does and is!

But first, you need to start at the beginning.  Learn to chain stitch, learn to single crochet, do a project that give you lots of practice on them, then move on to the next thing.  I found a scarf pattern here, for a very basic scarf. I think that scarves are the best project to start on because they are finished quickly and give a feeling of accomplishment while giving you lots of practice on evening out your tension and creating the stitches.  Plus, the greatest thing about scarves is that it doesn't matter if your gauge is off!  Who cares if your tension is so loose that your scarf is wider than it "should" be?  Who cares if it's so tight it's a bit more narrow?  If you do, you can add or subtract stitches from the row and no one need ever know! Also, you can make it as long or as short as you want. And, it doesn't matter what size hook or what kind of yarn you use. Scarves are just about the greatest beginner project ever. After you master the stitches and reading patterns, you can move on to color work and more complicated stitch patterns.  First, start at the beginning!

Detroit Tigers

Old English D

Tigers are my favorite animal.  Michigan is my home state.  So of course I favor the Detroit Tigers over all other teams! The official logo is the Old English D you see here, though that has changed over time.  When the team first formed, they were cutting the logos out by hand and sewing them on to uniforms and caps, but the caps and uniforms were made by 2 different companies so they didn't match! Now, we still see different versions on caps and on banners and on uniforms...you get the idea.

Tigers are majestic, graceful, and beautiful. Another great thing about the mascot, PAWS the Tiger, is his affinity for social events!  He loves coming to office parties, community events, birthday parties (he can bring gifts from the Tigers!), weddings (he even has a tuxedo he'll wear-how cool is that?), special deliveries (I would dearly love to have a bouquet of flowers delivered to me by PAWS!), and school events.  What a great guy!

Tiger face

In the partial logo of the tiger's face, he looks strong, ferocious, and a little bit scary!  I haven't worked this one up myself but I might someday!  I do love him.  I spent a lot of time getting his face symmetrical, pixel by pixel.  If you want the pdf of either graph, please let me know at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with the photo caption of the graph you want in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.  If you make an afghan from these graphs, please send me a photo to be featured here or on my Facebook. page!  Also, I really love seeing the work you do send to me.

Both graphs should be worked up using an H hook and 2 dc per graph square. The tiger face is larger than my usual graphs, and more squared off, so I would work a couple rows before deciding if the size will be right for you.  If you need help changing the size of your finished product, let me know and I'll do my best to help.  If you want a 4 x 5 throw of the Old English D, add 15 rows to top and bottom and 5 rows to each side and work up using 1 sc per graph square with a J hook.

Chocolate bunny pattern tester needed

Scene from Peter Rabbit

looks cute, doesn't he?

I watched Peter Rabbit with my son and my parents at our local movie theater and fell in love with Peter's cousin, Benjamin. That's him in the brown jacket, with the flop ears.  He just looks so cuddly I can't stand it! I decided to try crocheting a flop eared bunny for myself because I love the way this little guy looks!  I've decided to call him chocolate bunny since I used brown yarn. I wrote up the pattern, but didn't take any in progress photos so have no pictorial to share.  I'd like help tweaking the pattern and making sure it is correct as far as numbers, counts, and ease of readability is concerned.  Please contact me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com to volunteer your pattern reading services.  At the very least, you'll get a pattern for a bunny just in time for Easter!😃

Hmm...maybe I should make him a little jacket. He looks odd on the same page with these well-dressed rabbits!

Mug shot, see the little tail? 

Crafter self-care

It's getting toward spring here in Michigan, though this has been a rather wonky winter!  It's this time of year I am more aware of my vision.  After being cooped up inside (by choice, really, I'm quite a homebody!) for months with the doors and windows shut and curtained off (my husband suffers from chronic migraines and the light coming in from outside makes him miserable-I tease him about being a vampire 😉 ), I realize that my eyes sting a bit when I look into the distance.  I have to start doing my neglected eye exercises again. Look into the distance, look at something close, rinse, repeat.

In case you missed it, my original post on eye care is here.

What I also need to take care of is my wrists.  Never mind the recurring tendinitis or the fact that I sleep with my hands balled up against my chest, crocheting and knitting can hurt if we don't take care of ourselves!  With doctor permission, especially if you have arthritis, joint injury, or inflammation, try these exercises to stretch your wrists and keep flexible so we can craft longer!

1. Do with each arm:

• Extend your arm with your palm facing up toward the ceiling.
• With your free hand, gently press your fingers down toward the floor. Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.
• Turn your arm over.  Gently pull your fingers back toward your body.  Hold for 10 to 30 seconds.
• Do this with each individual finger, one at a time.
•  Pay special attention to your thumbs!  Rotate each thumb in a circular motion clockwise and counterclockwise 3 times each direction. 
• Touch your thumb to each individual finger. Repeat with both hands.

Also important is to give yourself breaks.  I crochet for hours at a time, but I take several breaks each session so my wrists don't get tight and painful.  If this does happen, a heating pad works wonders for me!  What I actually have is a neck pillow filled with some sort of seed...flax, I think (it was a BeautiControl product my friend was selling in the early 2000s) that I put in the microwave for a minute or 2 and position it on my couch cushion just so and lay my wrist across it to take the stress off the joints and tendons.  Ahhh...it feels great!  I'm a bit of a wimp though, so I take care to stop crocheting as soon as any pain or discomfort occurs.  Maybe this is why I never get bad enough to need a doctor!

What do you do to keep your wrists and fingers agile enough to keep on crafting?

Buffalo Sabres

updated logo

Did you know that they had an awful time coming up with a name for the Buffalo Sabres?  They had this "thing" back then (early '70s, I believe) where they named all Buffalo teams "Bison."  The owners had a "name the team" contest and amongst all the obvious rejects someone had entered "The Sabres."  The owners thought thought it was appropriate because a sabre was carried by a leader and could be used on offense and defense (although not in hockey, thank goodness!). They have a large Canadian fan base, being just a few minutes away from Canada, and the winner of the contest was from Canada so they kept the spelling the way our Canadian neighbors spell it.  The Buffalo Sabres are a member of the National Hockey League based in Buffalo, New York.  I can't even remember how long ago I made this Buffalo Sabres graph!  They have since updated their logo to the one below, but I still like this one!  Does it matter to have the most recent logo on your afghan, do you think? Or is it ok to have an outdated logo that you like better, as long as the team name stays the same?  Please, put your opinions below in the comments!

If you would like the pdf of the graph above, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Buffalo Sabres" in the subject line.  Any questions should be put in the body of your email. 

Washington Redskins

I always wondered who the Washington Redskins primary logo was modeled after, but after finding out one of the prominent Native American leaders at the time helped design the logo, I'm not surprised how well it looks!  The "tucked" feathers were a result of the helmet decals not sticking properly on the "hanging" feathers.

This graph will create a twin mattress top sized afghan when using an H hook and 2 dc per graph square.  To make a 4 x 5 throw (or maybe it's a 5 x 6...I honestly don't remember my dimensions!) use a J hook and 1 sc per square after adding 15 rows to each side and 5 to top and bottom. If you'd like to create your own afghan with the pdf, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Washington Redskins" in the subject line. Any questions should be in the body of the email.  If you'd like me to make you one, I can do that too!  Email me for pricing.

Have a fabulous day!

Mermaid graph for sale

It wasn't till Hans Christian Andersen's "The Little Mermaid" that these mythical sea creatures became known as helpful and benevolent. The legends and stories before them  depicted them as evil, luring sailors into dangerous waters like Greek sirens, or dragging them underwater to their deaths. Personally, I prefer the Disney version.

I know I say all the patterns I post are free, but this isn't a pattern post!  I mean, it is, but the pattern itself isn't posted.  This is a gridless image of the graph I made.  I think she's adorable!  The pdf with gridlines and line numbers is $4 (no written pattern) and I can adjust the size to make any sized afghan you prefer.  Email me for info regarding payment details if you'd like to make this little cutie for yourself. Or, I'd love to make one for you, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com for pricing.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below and share using the buttons under this post.

Detroit Red Wings

Detroit Red Wings logo

Another hockey team logo today.  From my home state of Michigan, the Detroit Red Wings  They are one of the original 6 teams of the league.  As of 2018, the Red Wings have won the most Stanley Cup Championships in the United States.  They are 3rd overall in total Staley Cup championships.(Go Wings!) The Red Wings have made the playoffs 25 straight times from 1990!  They have tallied 6 regular season first place finishes and won the Stanley Cup 4 times in 6 Finals appearances.  Michigan has a team to be very proud of (and we are!).

Al

The unofficial mascot of the Detroit Red Wings is Al, the purple Octopus.   The octopus, having 8 arms, symbolizes the number of wins necessary to win the Cup (at the time the tradition of throwing dead octopuses on the ice was formed).  Even though fans had since developed "octopus etiquette" for launching the creatures onto the ice, the practice is discouraged, with expensive fines for anyone daring enough to try it.




If you'd like to sport your team pride in an afghan, use an H hook and 2 dc per graph square to get  large throw.  If you'd like a smaller, squarer one then add 15 rows to each side and 5 to the top and bottom while using 1 sc per graph square with a J hook.  Email me for the pdf at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Detroit Red Wings" in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.  If you'd like me to make it for you, I can do that too!  Email me for pricing.

LSU Tigers

Louisiana State University is located in Baton Rouge.  It is as of now, rank #6 in the Best Colleges for Athletics, according to niche.com. The Tiger logo is a bit complicated to work up, not that I'm not up for it, but my Louisiana State fan wanted this one with the text. I like it!  Do you?

Work this graph up with an H hook and 2 dc per graph square to get a 3.5 x 6.5 ft throw (about the size of a twin bed), or add 15 rows to the sides and 5 to the top and bottom and work up with 1 sc per graph square and a J hook to get a 4 x 5 ft throw.

I'd suggest using the intarsia method described here starting from the short side, to keep the colors separate and the knots away.

If you want a pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "LSU tigers" in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.

If you'd like me to make this for you, I can do that too!  Email me for pricing.

Miami Dolphins

A friend wanted this graph made, deciding on the alternate logo instead of he dolphin, "T.D." himself.  I think he would be cute in a blanket, but love the lean of the letters and the colors of the team and how they work together to give the illusion of waves in the ocean.


This graph will create a twin mattress top sized afghan with using 2 dc with an H hook. If you'd rather have a 4 x 5 foot throw, add 5 rows to each side and add 15 rows to the top and bottom. Use a J hook and 1 sc per graph square.

I'd suggest using the intarsia method that I've briefly described here, starting at the short end. It cuts down on color changes and saves time and tangles.


If you'd like the pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Miami Dolphins" in the subject line.  Leave your thoughts in the comments, and you're welcome to share using the buttons below.  If you make this, please credit me with the design, and tag me #kendrascrochetedcreations on instagram.

Indianapolis Colts

colts version 1

The use of the blue color in the Colts logo symbolizes excellence, class and strength, whereas the white color stands for its integrity and charm.

 The logo is a simple horseshoe rather than the colt "Blue" himself.  It makes sense, since Blue weighs 360 horseshoes, according to the Colts' official website. 😁

The horseshoe is seen on the helmets of the Indianapolis Colts. I created 2 versions of it for you, one plain with only the horseshoe, and the next with the white stripes on the edges and the word "Colts" underneath. The second version is a larger graph and made for a throw. Choose which color you want for your background and which you want for the design. 

colts version 2

For the 1st version, use an H hook and 2 dc  per graph square to get a 3.5 x 6.5 ft throw, about the size of a twin bed mattress top.  If you'd like a different size, please let me know and I'll do my best to make it up for you.  The second version uses a J hook and 1 sc per graph square.   If you'd like to request the pdf of either of these graphs, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with whichever version you like in the subject line (colts version 1 or colts version 2).  If you'd like me to make it for you, I can do that too!  Email me with a request for pricing and I'll get it to you.   

Murray State University

This Murray State University graph was requested by a proud grandma of a student planning attendance in the fall. It's a bit larger than most of my graphs since she claims she crochets tightly and wanted it to not end up too small.  If you'd like the pdf as well, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Murray State University" in the subject line. If you'd like any adjustments made to the graph (such as size), please put them in the body of your email.  If you'd like me to make it for you, I can do that too.  

L.A. Kings graph

Yesterday I stated "excitement" as one of the reasons we watch sports.  In my opinion, there is no more exciting sport than hockey!  Speed, adrenaline, fights, scores, penalties, blood...and it's all done on ice!  As a rather clumsy person who occasionally trips over nothing and runs into walls while turning a corner (I've even kicked my own leg out from under myself while standing up from the couch!), this seriously impresses me! Well, I could do without the blood and the fights, to be honest, but it does add to the excitement, I must admit.

I was asked to do this L.A. Kings graph and cringed when I saw the logo.  A crown?  A fancy crown?  I tried everything I could, including making the whole graph the crown.  I made the graph larger and thought if a single crochet stitch was used to get the right size...no.  Too much detail.  So I drew it in pixel by pixel and tried for hours to get it to look like a crown that a child didn't draw.  I'm not sure I succeeded but she says she likes it so here it is!  If you have any suggestions on making it better, please let me know!

If you'd like to request this graph in pdf form,please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "L.A. Kings" in the subject line.  The graph will look like this one, but I changed the background color to green to make it easier on the eyes.  Just be sure to pick up the right colors when you buy your yarn!

Please click the share buttons below and leave your thoughts in the comments.  If you make this graph, please send me a finished photo to be featured here or on my Facebook page.

NASCAR graph

What is it about stock car racing that gets the fans so hyped up?  Is it the speed?  The drama?  The crashes? Or is just a great way to kill a Sunday afternoon and a beer?  People who are not fans say the same thing: "mind-numbingly repetitive." People who aren't fans of basketball, baseball, and football say the same things about those sports. 

True fans of any sport say the excitement, the adrenaline, and watching their favorite member do something spectacular is why they keep coming back for more.

Use an H sized crochet hook and 2 dc per graph square on this NASCAR fan graph to get a twin-mattress-top sized afghan throw to curl up under during the races with your favorite beverage and snacks. I'd suggest working it from the short side and using a different skein for each color change to keep the colors from showing through.  If you are feeling a bit intimidated by the checks, leave them  out!  This afghan would look great with a solid top and bottom in either black or white.

To request the pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "NASCAR" in the subject line. If you make this afghan, please send me a photo to be featured here or on my Facebook page. When you post and share (using the buttons below) please credit me with the design. If you post your finished blanket to instagram, please tag #Kendrascrochetedcreations in your post.

San Francisco 49ers

The San Francisco 49ers is one of the few teams who haven't drastically changed their logo in decades.  It started out in 1946 as this guy here:

Can you imagine trying to crochet this guy?  Whoo!  I like the one they chose and varied very slightly from 1968. Much clearer and easier to make.  A simple Scarlett oval with intertwined white SF and black and gold outline.

If you would like the pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "San Francisco 49ers" in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.  Please share using the buttons below if you like the graph, or link directly to this page.  If you make this blanket, please credit me with the design when you post it to your social media page, and remember to tag #kendrascrochetedcreations when you post to instagram.  Leave your thoughts in the comments below.

Green Bay Packers version 2

I've had a lot of interest on my Green Bay Packers graph found here but one customer wated to try something different after she had tackled and conquered that pattern.  This was the idea she had and this was how it turned out.  Use an H hook and 2 dc per graph square to get a twin-mattress top sized throw (without border) or increase the rows by 15 on each side and 5 on top and bottom to crochet with a J hook order to get a 4 x 5 ft throw.  If you'd like the pdf version on this graph, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Green bay version 2" in the subject line.  I'd suggest working this pattern from the short side because it has text in it and it will cut down on the color changes and save time and frustration!  Let me know if you like it in the comments below, or you're welcome to use the share buttons below this post, but please credit me with the design.

Seattle Seahawks

The Seattle Seahawks are an NFL team with Blitz the Seahawk as part of the team's logo. He enjoys rousing up crowds and daredevil stunts.  His sidekick, Boom, doesn't feature in this graph.

I created this graph for a fan who decided at the last minute she wanted something different so I never got the chance to make it.  It's for a smaller throw that my usual mattress-top sized afghans but having not made it, I can't be specific.  Use an H hook and 2 dc per graph square to get a decent size throw.  Try chaining the length and see if it's big enough for your taste, then add stitches to each end as necessary to make it the size you prefer.  If you would like the pdf of this graph, please email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Seattle Seahawks" in the subject line.

Lisa sent me these finished photos.  she said that she used
2 super sized skeins of royal blue
1 regular skein of royal blue
1 skein white
1 skein gray
1 skein green

Thanks for the finished photos, Lisa, they look great!

New Orleans Saints

Fleur de Lis, plain

I made a few different versions of the New Orleans' Saints Fleur de Lis before I and my correspondent, who was desperate to make one, were happy with it.  The first was a black background with a gold Fleur de Lis. Very simple, very understated, very "elegant" was my thought.  "Lone tumbleweed in the desert" was hers.  Plus, a black background was difficult for anyone to see the grid lines on. Change that to gold.

Fleur de Lis, text

"Add some text" was her next thought.  So I put in the word "Saints" above (and another version with the text  below, but I didn't want to overwhelm you with too many photos-I think maybe she liked the text below better)!  "Better," she told me.  But still too plain.  What to do next?  She sent me a picture.  A large, black Fleur de Lis behind an upright, smaller, gold one with large lettering of "SAINTS" above and in the foreground.  "That's going to take some time," I told her.  She was excited at the prospect of it working and was willing to wait.  Within a few days I sent her this:

Fleur de Lis, fancy

Guess what?  She loved it!  I do too, but I think it would be a bit complicated to work up. So very many color changes and you know what that means!  Every opportunity for knots to invade our personal space and destroy what we've worked so hard to accomplish.  That's why I say to work it from the side - to cut down on the color changes all happening in the same rows.

If you'd like to receive a pdf of any of these graphs, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with the caption under the photo you want as the subject line.  For example if you want the plain black one at the top of the page, the subject will be "Fleur de Lis, plain."  Any questions should be in the body of the email. These are meant to be made using 2 DC per graph square with an H hook to get an afghan about twin sized.

Leave your thoughts in the comments below and please share using the buttons, or link directly to
this page.  Please remember to credit me with the design if you share or create a finished product from my graphs.  Send me a finished photo and it can be featured here or on my Facebook page.

Thanks for the finished photo, Stacey!

Baltimore Orioles

Another baseball graph, the Baltimore Orioles bird!  Use an h hook with 2 dc per graph square for a twin-mattress sized throw (without border) or add 15 rows to each side and 5 to the top and bottom to get a 4 x 5 ft throw when using a J hook and 1 sc per graph square.  No text on this graph means that you decide whether to work ot the long way or short way across (I'm betting most use the long way!).  If you'd like this graph in pdf form, email me at kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Baltimore Orioles" in the subject line.  Any questions should be put in the body of the email.  If you ake this, please send me a copy tobe featured here or on my facebook page.  Alternatively, post to Instagram and tag #kendrascrochetedcreations I'd love to see it!

Baltimore Ravens graph

Poe, the official mascot of the Baltimore Ravens, looks pretty fierce in this graph of the NFL team's logo.  When not cheering on his favorite team in purple, Poe enjoys hugging children in hospitals, visiting birthday parties, and bringing fun to area schools!  Get him on the home field, though, and he'll tell you to "play like a raven!"

Finished version.

Crochet this afghan using an H hook and 2 dc per graph square to get a twin-mattress-top sized throw.  To make it a bedspread, add several rows of dc border in the colors used in the main part of the blanket. To get a smaller sized throw, use a J hook and increase the rows by 15 on each side and 5 on top and bottom.  Use 1 sc per graph square.  To get a pdf of this graph, send an email to kendrascrochet@gmail.com with "Baltimore Ravens" in the subject line.  Any questions should be in the body of the email.   Leave your thoughts in the comments below and please click the share buttons, but remember to credit me with the design.  I do make items to sell, also, so if you'd like me to make it for you, contact me at the above email about prices and shipping.

A new version with text.  Ask for "Ravens Text" in your email request.