New Crochet Patterns!

I have made this star wash cloth and face scrubbies to sell in my Etsy shop for a few years now and I recently decided to offer my pattern for sale. But, I couldn't leave it at that, for some reason I got it into my head that I was going to create a symbol crochet pattern chart to go along with the written instructions. Wow! What an adventure that was! It literally took me weeks to figure out how I was going create the chart. But happily I did, and I am very proud and pleased with how it turned out!




The duster or mop head replacement pattern came about after looking through a magazine and seeing a knit pattern they had for sale. From the picture I couldn't figure how it would ever stay on while you were using it. The pattern was only for the duster, and I wanted to be able to use it on my mop as well. So, I decided to make my own pattern. This cover I designed fits snugly, and is made of acrylic yarn, which washes and wears very well. Super easy care - just toss it in the washing machine to clean.


I've also changed my logo and banner, and created a website:



http://redberrycrochet.com


It's been a busy and challenging few weeks, but I'm excited to have the new patterns finished. And stay tuned! I have more patterns in the works!

Chicken Update - my happy girls!

It's been awhile since I've posted about our chickens. I had good intentions of taking pictures of them every week, but well . . . things happen, lol!

Anyway, here are a few pictures of them at 5 weeks (they are now 9 weeks - already!) And they are all happy and healthy.





It is a real joy to watch them, there's something comforting and soothing about their contented chirps and sounds they make. That is until one decides to peck the other - then all heck breaks loose!

BOGO Free! Crochet pdf Patterns - Cute Patterns for the Home

As part of the Yart Sale I am having in my Etsy shop, I am offering a Buy One Get One Free special on crochet pdf patterns. These are my own original designs, and I have patterns for beginning to intermediate crocheters. The sale runs through June 14th. Stop in and check them out :)

Yart Sale! Etsy Wide Sales Extravaganza!

Shop Etsy now through June 14 for some fabulous sales! What the heck is yart, you may be wondering? Yart is the combination of yard + art = yart! Pretty clever, and you can easily find great bargains from many sellers by searching keyword "yart" on Etsy.

My shop, Red Berry Crochet is participating. I have a special section of marked down items:
YART Sale Items, and I will be adding more items to it throughout the sale. So check back often! I am also offering BOGO Free on my crochet pdf patterns. They are all my own original designs, and if you love to crochet, it's a great deal - how could you resist?

So repeat after me, yart, yart, yart - now you've got it! Happy shopping!

Special Delivery! The Baby Chicks Have Arrived

Our new baby chicks have arrived - delivered right through the USPS! I got an early morning call that the chicks were at the post office waiting to be picked up. Here's a picture of the box before I opened them up:


Cute fuzzy babies, all 25 of them.



We ordered 10 Buff Orpingtons, 10 Barred Rocks (black chicks) and 5 New Hampshire Reds. It's been a few years since we've had chickens, so we are uber excited!

I will post pics as they grow - they grow very quickly, and before you know it, we'll have lovely brown eggs to enjoy.

Wild Weekend Weather - Yikes!

The ongoing joke here in Michigan is if you are tired of the weather, just give it a minute . . .

Saturday was no exception with clear sunny skies and warm temperatures, until the afternoon thunderstorms hit. We had winds of up to 70 miles an hour! I know that's nothing compared to a tornado, but I am always afraid of the high winds. We have so many older trees on our place and surrounding our house. We had only 1 casualty, this 45 foot tall pine. Thankfully it fell in an open area away from Steve's shop.


Amazingly we didn't lose power - at least not until Sunday evening around 5:30 pm. We had some thunderstorms on Sunday, but nothing like those of the previous day. Seems strange to me that the power went out, but happily it was back up by 11:30 pm.

Steve managed to get quite a bit cleaned up on Sunday.


Today is a very blustery day out, with high temps in the mid 80's. More thunderstorms are predicted overnight and temperatures tomorrow will be - hold on give it a minute - in the 50's!
Yikes! There's nothing like Michigan weather to keep you in suspense ;)

The Amigurumi Chickens of Red Berry Farm

Meet the chickens of Red Berry Farm!

Red Rooster has a colorful tail that he likes to flash around the barn yard, and Berry Hen with her gorgeous red comb is the apple of his eye. Baby EggB is a little shy and hasn't decided if he's ready to come completely come out his shell, but he's on his feet and testing the world.

These cute chicken patterns are an easy project for those familiar with working in rounds, and require medium weight yarns and sizes G and H crochet hooks.
Finished sizes of completed chickens will be:
Red Rooster: 5 inches tall including comb, 3 1/2 inches wide
Berry Hen: 4 inches tall including comb, 3 1/4 inches wide
Baby EggB: 2 3/4 inches tall, 2 inches wide

I really enjoyed making these chickens, they are so much fun! It was my first experience creating amigurumi (Japanese word which loosely translated means crocheted small stuffed doll), and I hope to explore the world of amigurumi much more. Enjoy!

New RedBerryCrochet Patterns

It's amazing how quickly time can get away from you! Here are two patterns that I have listed in my Etsy shop since my last blog update:


This is an intermediate crochet pattern requiring simple color changes and embroidery. Requires 100% cotton yarns and a size G hook. Finished size of your potholder will be 6 3/4 inches (17 cm) wide by 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall. This pattern includes complete instructions, color photos, and embroidery charts for both the Jam and Jelly labels in a pdf file. My patterns also include a Helps & Hints section on the last page which explain and show (with photographs) techniques and steps that may be unfamiliar to you. Also included are explanations of special stitches and a list of abbreviations used in the pattern.




This is an easy beginner crochet pattern that requires worsted (medium) weight yarn and a size K crochet hook. These blankets are a Quick to Stitch project and the pattern includes complete instructions and color photos in a pdf file. The finished size of your pet blanket will be 19 inches across by 19 1/2" tall. I also include easy instructions for you to customize your blanket and make it as large as you wish.

Thanks for visiting and stay tuned for more fun crochet patterns!

Jelly Jar Potholder - A brand new shop item!

Newly listed tonight, this Jelly Jar potholder is just too "sweet"! I had so much fun making my fried egg potholder, that I decided to make some new designs, all with a country flair. I will also be listing a Jam Jar version of this in different colors. Designing new patterns is truly my passion and for my "hooker" friends I will also be adding a pdf crochet pattern of both versions for sale this week.

A Hooker Book Review - The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs
500 Classic & Original Patterns
by Linda P. Schapper
ISBN 1-57990-915-9
Revised Edition, published 2007 by Lark Books


Originally published in 1985, this revised edition is much easier to read and has all new updated photos.
The book includes 33 chapters, an introduction, illustrations of basic stitches, International crochet symbols, and a pictoral index of all the stitches.
I really love the pictoral index. Set up with 6 columns and 5 rows, the mini pictures are clear enough to search for a particular stitch or design that you are looking for. For example, if you want a stitch pattern that is more detailed vertically than horizontally, it is easy to browse and visually pick out one that may work for you. Each picture in the index also includes a number and the page number where the details can be found.
When you go the page that has the stitch details you will find a larger photo, a symbol pattern chart (I love these!) and step by step instructions.
Every stitch design book is unique and different in its own way, and this book is much more than a guide to basic stitches and the simple patterns that we all know and love. If you are searching for a lacy pattern for a lovely evening shawl, or an openwork pattern for a tablerunner, or popcorn stitch patterns for a new scarf, you will certainly find them here!
This is a great reference book for any crocheter, beginner to experienced, that makes it easy to design and create your own projects.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.


4 out of 5 "Hooks Up" Recommendation