Crochet Succulents – Free Crochet Pattern

April 20, 2018 by Bethany 20 Comments

This crochet succulents blog post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase with one my links! Thanks for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

I grew up gardening. My parents always had a small garden in our backyard, my mother tended and cultivated large flower gardens in the front and a big garden a few miles from our house on the family farm. I have had ample opportunities to learn how to grow and nurture plants, but for some reason, it’s a skill that I can’t master. I have been loving the succulent trend, they are gorgeous and “low-maintenance.” Unfortunately, I have managed to kill all of mine. So I decided to create these crochet succulents. I am determined not to kill these!

Crochet Cactus Coasters – Free Crochet Pattern

April 14, 2018 by Bethany 6 Comments

The post has contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase with one my links! Thanks for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

I have been itching to get outside in my garden. We had some beautiful days this week, but spring is a fickle creature; one day it will be 72º and the next will be 40º. Yikes! So this weekend I spent my time designing these simply adorable crochet cactus coasters, because I am hoping the beautiful spring weather is around the corner and will plan to stay awhile. Aren’t they darling? Ever since I starting dabbling in colorwork with my Neva Hat, I have been having the most wonderful crochet colorwork ideas. It’s fun how these little coasters work up quite fast. I made mine almost entirely in the car this weekend as we took a short trip out of town with our kids. The graph is fairly simple and after you make two you might be able to finished your cactus coaster set without the graph!

16 Summer Crochet Projects – Free Crochet Patterns

March 10, 2018 by Bethany 2 Comments

Do you lose your crojo (crochet mojo) a bit in the summer? I admit I do a bit. Summertime is my jam! I want to be outside, playing in the sun, digging in my garden, repainting furniture, sipping drinks and a million other things. When evening comes, I am not super interested in sitting under my large WIP crochet blanket. I have a feeling there are a few of you who are with me. But don’t worry, I got you! In this post are 16 fun summer crochet projects that are perfect for your summer crochet bucket list. Which one are you going to try first?

16 SUMMER CROCHET PROJECTS

Crochet Nativity Set CAL 2017

November 1, 2017 by Bethany 40 Comments

This post contains affiliate links(click here for more info). This means I get a small commission with no cost to you! Thank you for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

UPDATE: The CAL is over but you can still get the patterns for FREE! Scroll to the bottom and click each photo for the individual patterns. If you prefer, you can buy an ad-free PDF on Ravelry or Etsy.

Some of you may remember the Crochet Nativity Set CAL from last year. It was a beautiful, rustic little set. Very minimalistic and lovely. I still love my small set with just the characters of Mary, Joseph and Baby Jesus, but I decided to expand the set this year and add the rest of the visitors. Also, I figured there may be many who didn’t have a chance to make the set last year and it would be fun to participate as a group again this year.

Crochet Plaid Tree Skirt – Free Crochet Pattern

October 15, 2017 by Bethany 42 Comments

This post is sponsored by Yarnspirations, all opinions are 100% my own. Thank you!

This crochet plaid tree skirt was something I wanted to design last year, but I couldn’t quite figure it out. How do you make a circle out of squares? Then the idea of making an octagon shape came to me randomly and it worked beautifully (Once I figured out the angles!). Since this crochet plaid tree skirt is a rather large project (in my opinion) I figured a big, chunky yarn would make it easier to make. I chose Bernat Softee Chunky and it couldn’t have worked out more perfectly. Yarnspirations was wonderful in offering its sponsorship so be sure to get on Facebook or Twitter and give Yarnspirations a big thank you for bringing you this free pattern!

C2C Solar System Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern

August 19, 2017 by Bethany 27 Comments

This Solar System themed crochet blanket features all the elements of our solar system, complete with comets, asteroids and a space ship (or two!). This blanket was originally released as a Crochet Along, but you can get all the afghan square patterns instantly by clicking each photo at the bottom of the post.

Large Planets – Solar System CAL Day Three

July 31, 2017 by Bethany 2 Comments

Welcome back to the C2C Solar System Blanket CAL ! I hope you had time over the weekend to catch up on Day Two. This week should be a bit less time-instenive than last week, as we are finishing up the planets. Today’s pattern is for the two large planets that don’t have distinctive markings: Uranus and Neptune.

How to C2C – Solar System CAL Day 1

July 24, 2017 by Bethany 14 Comments

Hey everyone! Welcome to Day 1 of the Solar System CAL. For all the details, you can read more here. For those of you who already know how to work a c2c, this day will be very simple for you! For those who are new to c2c (corner to corner), this day will only be slightly less simple as you take a few minutes and learn how to c2c.

Crochet Flip Flop Keychain

June 24, 2017 by Bethany 13 Comments

This post includes affiliate links, click here for more info. Thank you for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

I’ve struggled with my crojo this week. Summers are hard for me! Plus, my old iPod also died a few weeks ago. It was a 5th generation classic, so yeah, it was about 12 years old. I snagged another one and have spent that last few days putting all my music on it (some of it needed to be ripped from CDs ‘memba those?). I have forgotten about some of it and it’s crazy how listening to an old song can transport you back in time. It’s been very fun and nostalgic. Even though my mind was focused on getting all my music transferred, I was able to complete an itty, bitty project anyway, this Crochet Flip Flop Keychain! These cuties are made with cotton fingering yarn, and are so fun to mix and match colors.

Crochet Air Plant Pot Pattern

June 1, 2017 by Bethany 14 Comments

This post contains affiliate links. Thank you for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

I am pretty excited to share this Crochet Air Plant Pot with you today. I was gifted a large air plant last month and it’s sort of been sitting on the widow sill next to my cactus since then. I haven’t given it too much thought until I saw this fabulous Crochet Air Plant Jellyfish by One Dog Woof. So cute, right? Although an air plant will be perfectly happy and healthy sitting in the bright windowsill, it is a bit fun to make a crochet pot for it.

Crochet Striped Coin Purse

April 20, 2017 by Bethany 16 Comments

I’ve always been a wallet girl. I like to carry my cash and cards in a neat wallet, sometimes pinched under my arm, or more recently, in a small, boho-style crossover bag. But what to do with change? I don’t use cash very often, but I still end up with jingling coins somewhere in my bag and I hate it. I decided it was high time to take a few minutes and make myself something: a crochet striped coin purse!

So adorable, right?

Crochet Hacky Sack

April 3, 2017 by Bethany 19 Comments

The idea for today’s free crochet pattern is brought to you by my husband Dallas! He was a real whiz with a hacky sack back in the the day (still is!). It’s funny, and really cool, how you can be married to someone for almost a decade but still learn little things about him/her. He can keep this crochet hacky sack going for a while, and it’s fun to watch him teach our 5 year old his mad skills! I was never good at it, but it’s fun to stand around in a circle laughing, chatting and kicking around a foot bag (fun fact: “foot bag” is the generic term for a Hacky Sack).

Rock-a-bye-baby Bunting – A Free Crochet Pattern

March 23, 2017 by Abbey Swanson 4 Comments

The Rock-a-bye-baby Bunting is a guest post written by Abbey from The Firefly Hook. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

Sweetly festive and as colorful as you choose to make it, this bunting looks like a celebration and this superwash wool launders beautifully. You can pull it out every year for party decorations or crochet it in the colors of baby’s room and leave it up for whimsical décor.

Get the FREE PDF here:

Rock-a-bye-baby Bunting

Favorite or queue on Ravelry here.

The Rock-a-bye-baby Bunting is one of seven designs included in the latest eBook by The Firefly Hook:

You can purchase the entire 35 page eBook for $10.50 on Ravelry and Etsy.

Single patterns are on sale at The Firefly Hook’s Etsy shop.

Crochet Star Flower Lights

March 8, 2017 by Bethany 4 Comments

I absolutely love Christmas lights. My favorite ones to put on my tree are the rainbow colored ones (as a kid they reminded me of the cherry candy canes, yum!). Let me be clear, I don’t leave my Christmas lights up all year! But I love the ambience that those tiny twinkling lights bring, and I refuse to believe they are only for winter holidays. Sipping drinks in the warm backyard while the kids play is one of my favorite summer pastimes and these Crochet Star Flower Lights make the perfect decor to our back porch.

Crochet Gerbera Daisies Pattern

March 1, 2017 by Bethany 6 Comments

I really don’t mind the winter. I rather enjoy wearing hats, soft sweaters and my boot slippers. But when Mother Nature pulled a nasty trick last week with beautiful 50 degree weather only to drop 2 feet of snow, I admit, my heart sank. I was ready for a change! So even though spring is still (probably) a month off, I can still bring springtime inside with these beautiful crochet Gerbera Daisies.

Free Pattern: Double-Layered Handle Holder by The Firefly Hook

December 14, 2016 by Abbey Swanson 4 Comments

The Double-Layered Handle Holder is a guest post written by Abbey from The Firefly Hook. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

We are huge fans of cast iron in our house.

I won’t wax on about how awesome cast iron is or start a debate on how to properly season your pans. I’ll refrain because if you are looking to make an accessory for your pans you are already well-aware of cast iron’s many benefits and I’m sure you’ve formed all your opinions about the way to properly care for these superstars of the kitchen.

One thing I will share is my favorite dish to make in my cast iron: Shepherd’s Pie. Cook the meat, add veggies, plop mashed potatoes on top and throw the entire pan in the oven. It’s a one-pan-wonder! (My favorite recipe is from 100 Days of Real Food in case you need it)

There you are in a kitchen that smells heavenly with nothing but a cutting board to wash and some time to crochet until dinner. By the time your shepherd’s pie gets bubbly delicious inside, you can whip up one of these cozies.

I designed a cast iron handle cozy a few years ago – double layered and worked in a tube. I’m going to be honest – I really hate working on little projects. It hurts my hands and fingers when I can’t hold onto the project while I’m crocheting. (Am I the only one?)

I wanted to design a cozy that could be worked in rows then folded twice so it would be more fun for me to make them. The cozy on a cast iron needs to be double-layered because the pans are so heavy. If you only have one layer, your fingers could press against the holes in the cozy (which is supposed to function as a protection against the heat) and you’ll get a burn and probably a broken toe when you drop the pan.

So here you are – a cozy to make your hands happy twice: worked in rows and double layered.

Double-Layered Handle Holder:

Yarn: Wool and the Gang Shiny Happy Cotton 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton (100 g/142 m/ 155 yds per skein) in True Blood Red (CB) and Brick Red (CA)

Hook: Size (I-9) 5.5 mm

Gauge: 7 sts and 7 rows = 2” in sc

Abbreviations:

CA color A

CB color B

ch chain

sc single crochet

sl st slip stitch

Note: You can adjust the length of the handle holder by increasing or decreasing the initial chains; width is adjusted by increasing or decreasing rows.

Pattern:

With CA, ch 18.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. (17 sc)

Rows 2 – 35: Ch 1, sc in each st across.

Finish off.

Fold in half. Attach CB to any side.

Working through both sts on each side of fold, sc evenly around and 3 sc in each corner.

On folded edge, sc evenly across.

Fold in half once more and sl st around bottom and side working through both sts on each side of fold. Leave top open for slipping onto handle.

Slip onto your favorite cast iron pan and get cookin’!

Favorite or queue on Ravelry here.

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Happy crocheting,

Abbey

Crochet Plaid Wreath

December 10, 2016 by Bethany 6 Comments

Welcome to Day 6 of PLAID WEEK! This crochet plaid wreath is another project I knew from the beginning that I wanted to try. I love red plaid during the holiday season, so I naturally though of making a gorgeous buffalo plaid wreath. I haven’t tried many crochet wreaths, but I am very happy with how this one turned out.

Crochet Plaid Pillow

December 5, 2016 by Bethany 17 Comments

Welcome everyone to plaid week! I am absolutely humbled by your positive feedback and loving encouragement on this project, and I truly hope you find a project that you absolutely love this week! Today is the first day of plaid week and I am sharing this quickest pattern of all, this chunky crochet plaid pillow.

Click for more

Crochet S’more Ornament

November 26, 2016 by Bethany 11 Comments

Happy weekend friends! I hope those of you who celebrated Thanksgiving had a fabulous time eating and spending time with family. Our Thanksgiving was not great as none of us felt too well, but I am hoping next week will be better for us (and our tummies). Needless to say, this week’s free crochet pattern is getting published by the skin of my teeth!

The Pioneer Rug – A Free Crochet Pattern

November 25, 2016 by Abbey Swanson 8 Comments

The Pioneer Rug is a guest post written by Abbey from The Firefly Hook. You can find her on Facebook, Instagram and Pinterest.

The Pioneer Rug

My kids and I recently listened to all the Little House on the Prairie books. I love connecting to that time in history when people lived off the land and depended on each other to survive.

My son Benjamin especially enjoyed listening to all of Laura’s adventures. He connected to her wild and free spirit and wishes he could be friends with her.

It’s truly special when you kids connect deeply with something you held so dear as a child.

I love simplicity. I find it difficult to achieve, but I envy the Ingalls’ small Christmas celebrations. Everyone adored each small part because that’s all there was! One small gift or one special dessert wasn’t taken for granted.

I remember when the Ingalls girls pooled their money together to buy a gift for Pa: store-bought suspenders. Many gifts were handmade: socks, dolls, crocheted collars.

Remember in The Long Winter when Laura and her friends would sit together in Pa’s shop while they knit and crocheted lace collars? The crochet-lover in me wished I could sit and crochet with Laura and her friends as they watched people passing by on the street. I wish I could find a pattern for the collars they made!

In the spirit of a handmade Christmas, let me introduce the Pioneer Rug.

Crocheted with a 12mm hook and three strands held together, you can whip up one of these in a few hours. What’s more – I made this 28” rug for $7.00!

You can tailor the colors and size depending on who you are making the gift for and make it the perfect addition to any home, accommodating any style!

Enjoy!

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The Pioneer Rug

Yarn:

Any inexpensive worsted weight acrylic.

Size shown used 14 ounces.

Hook size: 12 mm

Completed Dimensions: 28″ diameter

Gauge: 6 sts and 4 rnds = 4″ in dc

Abbreviations:

CA—color A

CB—color B

ch—chain

dc—double crochet

rep—repeat

rnd(s)—round(s)

sc—single crochet

sl st—slip stitch

st—stitch

Pattern:

Note: Hold three strands together; use 3 separate skeins or make 3 balls from 1 skein. Carry unused color on wrong side of work. Change color on the yarn over of the sl st when connecting rnds.

Rnd 1: With CA, ch 4 (counts as 1 dc), 11 dc in fourth ch from hook. (12 dc)

Rnd 2: Sl st in first dc from rnd 1 and switch to CB, ch 3 (counts as 1 dc here and throughout pattern), dc in same st as ch, 2 dc in each st around. (24 dc)

Rnd 3: Sl st in first dc from previous rnd and switch to CA, ch 3, dc in same st as ch (place marker), [dc in next st, 2 dc in next st (place marker in second dc)] around, dc in last dc. (36 dc)

Rnd 4: Sl st in first dc from previous rnd and switch to next color, ch 3, dc in same st as ch (move marker), [dc in each st to marker, work 2 dc at marker (move marker to second dc)] rep around, dc in each st to end of rnd. (48 dc)

Rnds 5 – 13: Rep rnd 4 alternating colors on each rnd. (each rep adds 12 to the stitch count)

Rnd 14: Sl st in first dc from previous rnd and switch to CB, ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), sc in same st as ch, [sc in each st to marker, work 2 sc at marker] rep around, sc in each st to end of rnd.

Rnd 15: Sl st in first sc from previous rnd and switch to CA, sl st in each st around, sl st in first sl st, finish off.

Favorite or queue on Ravelry here.

Sign up for The Firefly Hook’s monthly newsletter!

Happy crocheting,

Abbey

Crochet Nativity Mini CAL

November 5, 2016 by Bethany 71 Comments

This post included affiliate links (click here for more info). Thanks for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

Update: The CAL is over but the patterns will ALWAYS be available! Scroll down to get them.

And if you aren’t fond of clicking to each page to get them, you can purchase an ad-free PDF with all the patterns. Get it on Ravelry, Etsy or Craftsy.

Happy weekend friends! Today, I am so happy to announce this year’s Holiday CAL! I have been working furiously on this adorable crochet nativity, and due to sick days for me, and sick days for the kids I wasn’t sure I could pull it off. But happily, I did! This sweet and rustic nativity is lovely to display, but also perfectly safe for little hands to play with. I prefer minimalist nativity sets, and I really love how this one turned out. I hope you do, too!

Crochet Key Fob

August 17, 2016 by Bethany 22 Comments

Happy Wednesday Whistlers! Several years ago, my sister sewed me a simple key fob, which I have kept on my keyring since then. Even though it was a small gift, I appreciated the gesture of a handmade item, and I felt special that it was made just for me. I am sad that it is wearing out. The fabric near the keyring is beginning to tear, so I figured I better make myself a new one for when this one is completely wore out. My new crochet key fob is sitting on my key ring, ready for when I need to use it.

This pattern is quite simple. It took me a bit of time to devise the perfect way to attach the crochet to the key clip, but it works out great and I love how the two-toned color work looks.

Aurora Flora Crochet Square

August 8, 2016 by Bethany 6 Comments

Happy Monday Whistlers! Yesterday was a relaxing, spiritual Sunday that ended with my family and I sitting on the back porch listening to the rain and thunder. It was wonderful, and I am glad my flowers and plants all received a hearty drink. I recently decided to give my “garden” back to the grass (I had dug out a small corner of my yard, attempting to grow vegetables with little success and a constant battle with the grass), and decided to seed it with Kentucky Blue Grass. I felt a burden lifted! I lost the battle, but I am winning in the front yard with my ENORMOUS tomato plants, so I am satisfied. I thought this week would be a fitting time to share my new Aurora Flora Crochet Square, a pretty little thing I worked on all last week. They are great fun to work up, and the defined lines look so pretty.

Crochet Super Chunky Wool Rug

July 25, 2016 by Bethany 18 Comments

Happy Monday everyone, I hope you are ready to start a new week! I am having a hard time today. I spent last week on the mountain with some youth from my church. It was a wonderful experience to be a camp leader for those amazing girls! Even though I missed my sweet kids, it was hard to come down off that beautiful mountain and away from the lovely fresh air. I did enjoy the opportunity to wear my striped hipster beanie since it got a bit chilly at night, but since I am back to 100 degree weather, I am sharing a non-wearable today: a super chunky wool rug.