Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm -- A New Pattern eBook

Amidst the three crochet projects I've been working on simultaneously, my blogging here and my regular writing work, I've been busy writing a new pattern eBook! The Twisted Infinity scarf I finished the other day was the last of the four patterns I wanted to create for my pattern book. With it finished and photographed, I can finally say "Ta-da!" or "Voila!" and present my next (but not last!) crochet pattern eBook.

This pattern eBook was a labor of love. As I created each pattern, writing it as I stitched, I made alterations along the way. I put myself in your shoes, carefully considering the projects you might enjoy and find useful, as well as those that offer a bit of challenge and a learning opportunity. My sincerest hope is that you will find all of the above in my newest crochet pattern book, Four Infinity Scarf Patterns to Keep You Warm. If you like, while you're browsing, you can see my other books here.

With that accomplishment crossed off my Crochet To-Do list, I'm going to diligently continue working on my Lazy Daze Poncho (WIP pictured below), which is just a thrill to crochet because I love the yarn I'm using.  Even the name of the color -- Watercolor -- fills me with yarny pleasure! The Lazy Daze Poncho will be my next published pattern, which leads me to a question...as a consumer, do you prefer patterns of single items or do you like a pattern book that offers a few crochet patterns in one? Your thoughts and feedback are most appreciated! Wishing you a Happy, Crafty Sunday!

Lazy Daze Poncho -- a Go Crochet Crazy WIP

Off-the-Hook Thursday: Twisted Infinity Scarf

This week I learned an important lesson: crochet multitasking is not for me. I've been working on the last of four infinity scarves for a pattern eBook, a lapghan and a poncho pattern (get a glimpse of these WIPs here). While they're all wonderful, worthwhile projects, I haven't enjoyed them as much as I know I would if they were solo projects.

As I've hopped from one project to another, I've discovered that I feel pressured and unable to get lost in the joy of creation. And isn't that what crocheting and craftiness is all about? Relaxation and love of the craft are certainly amongst the reasons I crochet.

So it's with great pleasure that I take one of the three projects off the hook today!! The project that looked like this last week...

Twisted Infinity in Progress

Now looks like this....Ta-da!!!

The Twisted Infinity by Go Crochet Crazy

Now that the Twisted Infinity is finally off-the-hook, I'll be able to get my pattern eBook finished and published in the upcoming week. It feels good to finish projects, doesn't it? What are you taking or have you taken off-the-hook this week?

Cream and Pastel Chunky Infinity Scarf

A few weeks ago, I started working on a new crochet project. It started out with a forest green chunky-stitch infinity scarf, which I blogged about here. After working on a few crochet square designs, I returned to my infinity scarf project to make a cream and pastel version of my chunky infinity scarf.

With my trusty wooden Q hook in hand, I stitched up this beauty, working on it in bits and snatches of time over the course of a few nights.

Made with Redheart acrylic yarn in Aran along with a variegated pastel brand from Germany, this infinity scarf will be one of two basic patterns in an upcoming infinity scarf pattern book. It's soft, has just the right amount of elasticity and the bits of pastel color woven through give a classic scarf an attractive look.

I think it's safe to say that I'm officially addicted to infinity scarves. My next scarf has already been planned, and it's a fun fun fun pattern designed for intermediate crocheters. I can't wait to share it here! Do you like or wear infinity scarves? What crochet project are you addicted to right now?

Chunky-Stitch Infinity Scarf

Don't you love crochet projects that you can finish in a few days? I'd been wearing my Granny Square Scarf for quite some time and decided it might be time for another scarf option. Plus, wintertime is definitely scarf time. Although, this has been a very mild winter compared to my native Chicago. We've had no snow in the Dusseldorf area and the temperatures have hovered around the high 30s to low 40s F (3-8 degrees C). Whereas in Chicago, they've had Arctic weather and one serious snowfall after another. I'm hoping this will change by the time I visit there next week!!!

Here in Germany, the infinity scarf has been popular for quite some time. I have a few fabric infinity scarves that I wear with my outfits, but didn't have one to go with outerwear. Now I do! Here I am sporting my new, forest-green infinity scarf. Below the picture, I'll provide the directions. It was an easy project that took me three nights.

To make my chunky infinity scarf, I used:

• approx. 3 skeins of 3-ply acrylic yarn
• a Q hook (15.75 mm) (If a Q hook isn't available, use a P)

Get loose, chunky stitches with a Q hook.

The Q hook is a Big Daddy when it comes to crochet hooks, but I wanted a loose stitch and was happy to use one of the old wooden crochet hooks I'd inherited from my grandmother because it feels like she's near when I use them. To get the thick, chunky look, I used double strands of yarn.

1. Chain 18
2. Double crochet (DC) into the second stitch from the hook. Double crochet all the way across, ensuring you have 18 stitches at the end.
3. Chain two and turn your work to start row 3. Double crochet 17 to finish the row.
4. Repeat step 3 until your scarf has 70 to 80 rows.
5. Slipstitch the ends together and you're ready to wear your infinity scarf. 

You can also make an infinity scarf by crocheting in-the-round. To do this, you'd have to start with a Chain 82, and then double crochet 15 to 18 rounds.

Next, I'm going to blog about some baby crochet projects because we've got some babies coming in our family, and I've been crocheting my fingers off these past few months getting ready their arrivals!