Diamond Lace Stitch Tutorial

Thanks to Pinterest, my Diamond Lace baby afghan is the most viewed post on my blog. I've had requests for the stitch pattern, and have been meaning to post it, I'm just slow. So finally, here it is for anyone who wants to give it a shot! It is really easy, but the end result looks quite impressive. If you aren't familiar with patterns or the abbreviations, here is a website that can help you.  So on to the instructions.

First, you'll want your beginning chain to be a multiple of 6, plus 3 for turning.  I used worsted weight yarn for these pictures and for my afghan, but you could use any yarn and hook you wanted and just chain an amount according to how big you want your finished item.

Row 1: (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in 6th ch from hook, *skip next 5 ch, (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next ch; repeat from * across to within last 3 ch, skip next 2 ch, dc in last ch, turn.

This is what it should look like after the first row.

Row 2: ch1, sc in first dc, *ch 3, dc in next ch-1 space, ch 3, skip next 2 dc, sc between last skipped and next dc; repeat from * across, ending with last sc in top of turning ch, turn.

And this is what it looks like after the second row.

Row 3: ch 4 (counts as tr), skip next ch-3 loop, (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc) in next dc, *skip next 2 ch-3 loops, (2 dc, ch2, 2 dc) in next dc; repeat from * across to within last ch-3 loop, skip next ch-3 loop, tr in last sc, turn.

And this is after row 3. 

 

That's it! Just keep repeating rows 2 and 3 for the pattern.  Once you get in a rhythm with it, it goes really quickly. I've made scarves with this pattern, found here, and the baby blanket found here.

BYU Baby

My cousin just got his first son after three girls, so I thought a baby gift he would like was in order.

This is a softer ripple pattern than I've used before, and I love how it turned out. Definitely more ripply than zig-zaggy.

And I thought the Houndstooth Beanie from Playin' Hooky was a great one for a team colors hat. I've made one for my daughter in her school colors, and she loves to wear it on school pride days. I used an iron-on letter Y because I was too lazy to make one myself - but they're really cheap so it's a good way to go. 

I've been meaning to take a moment to gush about my new favorite yarn. They aren't paying me to say this, though wouldn't it be awesome if they did? My yarn of choice for a while now has been Caron Simply Soft. It is super affordable if you can get it at Walmart, which I'm thankful I can. It costs only slightly more than the cheapest of cheap Red Heart Super Saver. It comes in tons of colors, 6 ounces skeins, and though it's 100% acrylic you'd never know it to feel it. It is so soft and drapey, I just love everything I make with it. This set was made with Simply Soft, as was the Lime and Aqua combo, my daughter's Easter shrug, hat, and doll outfit, countless baby hats...I use it anytime I can get the colors I need. I feel it's soft enough for baby things, which opens up a whole new world of color options for those of us (raising my hand) who are sick of pastel everything for babies. Anyway, I just wanted to share because as much as I depend on the Red Heart Super Saver, this has become my go-to yarn.

Lime and Aqua Ripples

When I found out a friend was having a baby boy, I was so excited that I ran right out to get the yarn for this project. I'd had the idea for a while and was happy to have an excuse to make it! I love bright, more "unconventional" colors for baby gifts.

The blanket turned out so summery and fun that I searched out a boy's sun hat pattern for a little something to go with it. Now let's hope it still fits him when he gets it, since I'm a procrastinator and I hear he's growing like a weed!

And because I just can't resist a close-up of the lovely ripples...

Baby Boy Hats

I was contacted on Facebook a while back by an online friend who wanted to get a couple cute hats for her first baby boy. She sent me pictures wondering if I could replicate them - I had a pattern for the little newsboy, but I had a blast figuring out the owl! I've since made a couple more and they're always a big hit!

Large Anya Doily Throw

I can't get enough of all things lacy and airy lately! I loved the first doily blanket I made, but it was kinda small. So I had to make another one that's big enough to snuggle with  - I used a much bigger hook than was called for in the pattern, and that did the trick! I didn't even have to add any extra rounds. This pattern is Anya from ohmygoodknits! Lace Love booklet.

Coral and Aqua

This afghan is probably my favorite so far. The colors just scream summer to me - I wish I could get them to translate well in a picture, but it didn't quite work out. Anyway, you can find zig-zag and ripple patterns all over the internet for free. I have made a few now - they're so easy, they make a great TV-watching project. I only wish I would have made this one a bit wider. 

Happy Fourth!

I never would have believed it, but summer has been much more hectic than the school year was! It's been quite an adjustment, having both my daughter and husband home all the time, when I'm used to being on my own all day!  I've been busy creating, I just haven't been so good at taking pictures and blogging. I'm working on it, though!

I didn't even think of doing any decorations for the Fourth of July until last week - I had already done a summer wreath for the front door, and didn't really think of changing it out till fall. But then I was cleaning out my bag and found this pattern for the Star Blanket from Bernat that I'd picked up at Hobby Lobby. I just love all those free patterns at craft stores! I had some red, white, and blue yarn sitting on the table from a previous project, and inspiration struck.

Now, the pattern is for a baby blanket, so I've just continued working in the pattern to make it bigger. In fact, at the point I took this picture I still wasn't quite done with it. I like big blankets to snuggle with! I love the star shape, it's somehing new and unique. I think it'll be great for baby blankets, as well.

I came up with the idea of making a star garland before I was finished with the blanket. I used the beginning rounds of the Star Blanket for the background star, and another pattern from a Red Heart afghan (Stars & Stripes Ripple Throw) for the stars on top. The pennants and letters I kind of made up as I went along, and sewed them all to a chain crocheted holding three strands of yarn together.

I did finally finish a wreath, but I don't love it so I didn't photograph it. I'll work on it some more and it'll be fabulous for next year!