Blog Contest Winners!

Here are the result for my blog contest:

The random winner is...... Shelly (creator of the "Flower Shower")!

And the people's choice award goes to...
Nadine McCrady with "When it Rains it Pours"!

Thanks everyone who participated, I hope you had as much fun as I did! I will be contacting the winners by email to set up mailing of your prizes!

Blog Review - Debbi-a1

This week we're looking at Deborah's blog - Debbi-a1. Her site features mainly in-progress and completed shots of her work. Deborah is very active in producing items for charity, like her 100 squares for the cancer comfortghan on C'ville (oh my goodness!) along with gifts for others and a few things for herself too! She can be found on Crochetville as Debbi-a1, just like her blog name.

Charity squares are not all Deborah is up to, she's got beautiful shawls, afghans, scarves, and various other projects. Her sidebar has some great links to free patterns along with other crochet resources around the net. She also has fun info about herself and her crochet history.

Here's even more on our newest friend:

How long have you been crocheting?
Oh, since I was about 8. But stopped, of course. Started again when I was actually a teen. I was very, very shy (still am shy) and so I stayed home a lot and my mom taught me again.

What's the project you're most proud of?
A round tablecloth done in thread. No picture (maybe need one). It’s about 30+ inches around (I never measured, but somewhere around there). I has a few pineapples around it. That’s the one I kept. There were a few others that I’ve given away.


What's your favorite thing about crochet?
The way it reduces stress. Gives me something to do and look forward too. The sense of accomplishment when something is finished. The friendship it creates when you meet someone else who crochets (online or in person), and this is an almost instant friendship with crochet which I don’t see elsewhere.

What do you enjoy working on the most?
I don’t know if I have a preference. At the moment, I’m not enjoying thread, although I haven’t abandoned it. I’m enjoying making purses, which I just started doing this last year (okay there was one a few years ago but without lining, which I didn’t know how to do, doesn’t help).

What else are you interested in?
I also do bead jewelry (just easy items, non crochet too). I’ve done some cross stitch. Some plastic canvas (proud of the 3 Christmas houses I did). Writing. Make up (that’s why I do Avon). Internet and computers. Reading (just about anything).

Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
I’m a very shy and introverted person so that’s why my blog doesn’t have much on it besides crochet. That’s the way I am in person too. I haven’t been married and I don’t have kids, just never happened for me and it’s not the worse thing, and as I’m getting older I’m feeling better about it. Although I do like men and children (for some reason children call me “silly” and I don’t know why…). I do seem to get along better with kids and the elderly then people my own age (not sure why but I’m okay with that). Most of my crochet items go as gifts and I don’t mind at all. I did start making things for me after years of crocheting for others. I have made sweaters and vests that I do wear. I am a religious person. I don’t travel much and I’m okay with that, although it always sounds like fun.

Thanks to Debbie for sharing her work with us and for participating in the review!!

Ripples

Do you recognize this pattern?

How about now?

Now?

Here it is in its full glory!

Its the Chromium Star Blanket by Laura Hanks!

I had so much fun working on this. I have to say, I am definitely not a long-term project maker, and this was stretching it a bit for me. Those last few rows I wanted to call it quits. I love the versatility of this pattern though. Choose any colors you want, do as many rows of each that you want and it always comes out looking great! This was my color variation: 5 rows red, 1 white, 4 red, 2 white, 3 red, 3 white, 2 red, 4 white, 1 red, 5 white, 1 hdc red, crab stitch white.
I also added some tassles to the corners, but they look a little small in comparison with the rest of the blanket.... not sure I'm going to keep them on. They made for fun pics though!

People's Choice Award

Here are the entries for the People's Choice award. Vote for your favorite in the sidebar!

Rainy Day Blues

When it Rains it Pours

Flower Shower
(its hard to tell, but that's a flower dishcloth below the cloud)





Dark Skies

Blog Contest Part 1 is over

Well, thanks to everyone who participated! For those who couldn't find the time to join in the fun, but are curious what the pattern produced, here's my original:

Its a rain cloud!

I was trying to come up with something appropriate for the weather in March in Indiana - and its RAIN. We've had a few nice days this month, but the majority of the time its been rainy and a little chilly.

I will announce the "random" winner at the same time as the "people's choice" winner. Since I only got a few entries, I would like to make sure that 2 people win, and not one! I'll choose the random winner out of all the entries, minus the people's choice. Keep your eyes out for the post containing all the entries and don't forget to vote for your favorite. You can call or text your vote to.... oh, wait, this isn't American Idol. Just look for the poll in my sidebar in the next day or so ;) I'll post when I do put them up!

Blog Contest - Prizes have been added!

I've added the prize info to my blog contest! Remember, you've got till tomorrow afternoon to enter... you can easily get it done in one sitting. Join the fun!

Blog Review - A Little Something Different

Well, it finally happened, after a mere 5 weeks of doing my "weekly" blog review, I just can't get one done this week. I've been super busy trying to get patterns together for my girl's shrug and JoJo blanket. That, coupled with going back to watching my nephew full-time during the week and some other personally time-consuming things, just made this week's review impossible to get done!

I was thinking of what to do instead and, remembering it was Good Friday, I thought I would do something a little different. I'll give you a review of the life of Jesus, whom we honor in this season for his Life, Death, and Resurrection!

Then Peter began to speak: “I now realize how true it is that God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear him and do what is right. You know the message God sent to the people of Israel, telling the good news of peace through Jesus Christ, who is Lord of all. You know what has happened throughout Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
“We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a tree, but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”
—Acts 10:34-43, NIV- emphasis mine

Jesus is Risen!
He is Risen, indeed!

Reminder - Blog Contest!

Just a little reminder, if you want to enter my blog contest, you need to have your entry in by March 23rd (this coming Saturday)!!! So far I only have 3 entries, but they're all good ones! Don't forget, if you send me a picture, you get an extra chance to win, as there will be a "people's choice" award for the favorite photo. So get out your hooks and join in the fun!

Babies Love Balls

It seems now that I'm taking crochet seriously, no matter what occasion I'm supposed to provide a gift for, I think of what I can make! I recently helped some friends celebrate their first child's 1st birthday. Knowing how much kids of all ages can't resist a ball, I whipped up some quick cotton balls for the little man. I hope he'll have fun with them, they're intentionally really soft to be safe when he gets into that toddler throwing age!

The JoJo Blanket Pattern

Its finally done! I have completed my JoJo blanket (to go along with my JoJo the Giraffe ami pattern). I am working on writing up the pattern, but its taking longer than I thought. My husband and I didn't have the kids for most of the weekend while we celebrated our 6 year wedding anniversary. It was wonderful and relaxing and freeing... and I got none of the work done I hoped to do this weekend, including charting the blanket! Oh well, I'll save that one for another day. I got some great input from my friends at the 'Ville about what to include in the pattern, and I already have testers lined up. I'll be so thrilled to see this one done! It has been my most difficult project so far, as I had never done a blanket before, let alone intarsia! There is such a sense of accomplishment when finishing new and difficult project! I'm really pleased with the results :)

This pattern is now available on Ravelry and at my Etsy store!

Blog Review - A Whole Load of Craft

This week we're taking a look at Laura Hanks' blog, A Whole Load of Craft. This site is full of beautiful color photography and crochet links galore. It is a great resource for any crafter.

Laura, also known as the kidney bean, is not only a crochet enthusiast, but a budding designer as well. Her Chromium Star blanket and Through Any Window baby blanket are fine examples of her designing abilities. She provides tutorials for these patterns along with other useful crochet tutorials she has created. There are also links to great resources on her site for those with an interest in learning crochet.

The sidebar on A Whole Load of Craft is a great resource in and of itself. There are crochet tutorial links from around the internet, online store links, and other crochet resources. Another interest is the Blogroll in her sidebar that is one of the longest list of crochet and craft blogs that I have seen!


Check out Laura's email interview for a personal take on her skills and her site:

How long have you been crocheting?

The summer I turned eighteen my older cousin Kristin was making Red Heart SS hats by the dozen. There was no pattern, but she knew how to crochet in the round and change colors. That day in the den of her parents' house, listening to Grease in the background, she showed me to chain and double crochet. I'm a leftie, so it took a little patience, but I did finally figure it out. That was about seven years ago and counting!

What's the project you're most proud of?

It sounds crazy, but it was my first single crochet scarf. In college, during the fall and winter months especially, I would make plain double crochet scarves for various friends. No border, color change or fringe of any kind, and always with Red Heart Super Saver.

One winter, my friend LeAnn asked me to make a scarf that was less 'holey'. Like I said, my cousin only had only taught me double crochet, so LeAnn introduced me to a crafty friend of hers who knew how to single crochet. After a million double crochet scarves, the single crochet scarf (in Bernat!) seemed to take forever, but I was proud when I finally finished it. That scarf really started me on a path to learning more about crochet.

What's your favorite thing about crochet?

The craft community. There are so many talented people out there who are funny, creative, generous, friendly and supportive. Just look at how many blogs and craft forums like Ravelry are allowing meaningful connections from people all over the globe. Part of the excitement of crocheting, for me, is becoming part of that.

What do you enjoy working on the most?

This changes all the time, but in-the-round crochet seems to hold my interest continually. I hate counting chains and stitches. Maybe it's all those plain double crochet scarves, but I prefer watching an in-the-round project grow. Also, I enjoy patterns like the round ripple where there's some concentration required in the beginning, but it's easily memorized and there's no exact amount of yarn needed.

What else are you interested in?

The first craft I learned well was cross stitch. My mom is very skilled in embroidery and she taught me to cross stitch on scrap linen in the sixth grade. When our family moved to NSW the following year, the Australian embroidery magazines she bought came with those little dollar cross stitch kits. My mom always gave me the kits and I slowly got better with keeping all the threads slanting the right way. Cross stitch was actually a great skill to learn before trying to knit or crochet. Tension is important, follow the directions and most of all, absolutely no knots! I still love to cross stitch, but crochet takes up a much greater portion of my craft time.

Other crafts I like are knitting, paper models, rug hooking, origami and beading. My high school art teacher would be disappointed, but I like paint-by-numbers, too. (He said paint-by-numbers had little artistic or creative value.) I'm slowly learning the fundamentals of photography and I also would like to take a class in book-making someday.

Is there anything else you want people to know about you?

I'm a Guitar Hero fan. It started in a Best Buy when I was in my last quarter of college. They had a huge sixty inch screen in the store and those rocking game chairs. Customers would play eachother and the employees would compete on their breaks. I had a great time playing, but had no intention of actually buying the game. Then, as a college graduation present, my younger brother got me the PS2 and Guitar Hero I. Now I've got Guitar Hero II and I'm stuck on the expert level song Free Bird. If you're a gamer on Ravelry, join my 'You Rock! Guitar Hero Enthusiasts' group!

Thanks to Laura for all she offers and for participating!

Blog Contest!

I was encouraged by my husband's recent dollar short sweepstakes to host a blog contest of my own to celebrate March as National Crochet Month. So all you crocheters out there, get out your hooks and scrap yarn, give me about 30 minutes of your time, and you could win a fabulous prize!

Here's what you need to do: Complete the mystery pattern written below. When you're done, email me (knitsandknots@gmail.com) a picture of the finished object and/or a description of what it is by March 23rd at 2 pm. I will take all of the correct entries and choose at random one winner to receive the prize on that day. Here's where you get to be creative: I'll also post some of my favorite pictures of finished objects, and we'll hold a poll to determine the "people's choice" who will win another great prize! Voting will be open from Mar 23-30, and the winner will be announced March 31. I won't give any hints as to what the FO is, but take note of the suggested colors of yarn to make the most accurate representation.

Prizes:
Each of the winners will receive a copy of my JoJo the Giraffe amigurumi pattern, and the matching JoJo blanket pattern (when it is finished-currently being tested!) and a set of handmade stitch markers.
Also, the "people's choice" winner will get one ball of Jo Sharp Alpaca Silk Georgette fingering weight yarn in "briar". This is an AWESOME alpaca, merino, silk blend.... yummy!

So without further ado, here is the pattern:

Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn (less than 1 oz probably) - suggested colors: gray, white, or brown
Size 10 Cotton thread (very small amount) - suggested color: blue
Hooks: Size H (5.0 mm) and Size 7(1.65 mm)
Split Stitch Markers - 3

Abbreviations:
US terminology
sk - skip
dc - double crochet
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
tr - treble crochet

Pattern:
Using any one of the colors of worsted yarn and size H hook, ch 11
Rnd 1: (makes an oval) work 3 dc in 4th chain from hook (1st 3 ch count as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 6 ch, 8 dc in last ch, turn piece counterclockwise and work 1 dc in each of next 6 unworked loops of base ch, 4 dc in last unworked ch loop, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3. (28 dc)
Rnd 2: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 8 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3 (44 dc)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 7 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 3 dc, 7 tr in next dc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 8 tr in next dc, sk 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 5 dc in next st (mark top of 1st dc worked in this st with a stitch marker), sk 1 dc, sc in next dc (mark top of sc with 2nd stitch marker), sk 1 dc, 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 9 tr in next dc (mark top of 2nd tr worked with 3rd stitch marker), sk 2 dc, 2 sc in next dc, sk 1 st, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 st, sc in next dc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Finish off and weave in ends

*Join cotton thread at first stitch marker using size 7 hook with right side facing you. ch 18, sc in 5th ch from hook, sl st in next ch, turn (chain loop on the left), sc in next sc, sc in next ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, sc in next ch, sl st in each next 2 stitches, finish off, leaving long tail (approx 6 inches). Weave tail through back loops of chain toward the worsted yarn, all the way to starting ch, tie two ends of thread together and weave in ends.

Join thread at second stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 13 (instead of 18)

Join thread at 3rd stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 20 (instead of 18)

_____________________

Good Luck to all!

7 Random Things About Me

After doing all my blog reviews recently, I thought this would be a fun way to let you all know more about me!

Laura tagged me!

The tag rules are:

1. When tagged, place the name of the person and URL on your blog

2. Post the rules on your blog

3. Write 7 things about yourself

4. Name 7 of your favorite weblogs

5. Send an e-mail letting those bloggers know they have been tagged

So here are 7 random things about me:

1. I play hand percussion at my church once a month. The instruments include djembe, congas, and all manner of auxiliary percussion. I also have a hammered dulcimer that my husband gave me for Christmas the year before we got married, which I play much less frequently than I'd like to!

2. I can make my tongue into the shape of a clover. I thought about posting a photo, but I really don't want that to go floating around in cyberspace.... its not that pretty of a picture!

3. I had hyperemesis gravidarum with both of my pregnancies, which made me extremely ill. It is the reason my husband and I only have 2 children. It is also the reason that saltine crackers and Sprite were completely unappealing to me for about 2 years after my 2nd baby was born! (check out the website www.helpher.org for more info on HG)

4. I participated in local theater and musical groups as a child, playing roles like: Gretel VonTrapp in The Sound of Music, a sheep in Charlott's Web, and a singing flower in The Wizard of Oz. I also sang in the Indianapolis Children's Choir for about 1 year till my parents finally got the hint that I hated it!

5. My husband and I visited Europe after we got married where in one week we visited: London, England; Paris, France; Freiburg, Germany; Paris again; Madrid, Spain; Paris again; London again. Needless to say, it was a whirlwind trip! My brother was living in Freiburg at the time and my husband's brother was in Madrid. They were both about to come home, so it was our last chance to visit. After having just taken a week off for our honeymoon a few months earlier, it was all the time we could take! This is a photo of us in front of Notre Dame, in Paris. Do you see the carefree look on our faces?! This is BEFORE traveling with children!

That is also where we found this sign:

We couldn't for the life of us understand what it meant, so we assumed it meant "No tall men holding hands with short women", which was understandably disappointing for us considering my husband is 6'4" and I'm only 5'3".

6. I love to read. I lived across the street from a library growing up, and there were no kids around to play with besides my older brother, who got sick of my some days, so I spent many many hours reading. One summer, I think I read every single book in our library's young-adult reader section that appealed to me. I still to this day would rather sit down and read a young-adult fiction book than just about any book geared for adults. There's something innocent about them that you don't find typically in adult fiction. Well, maybe crochet books might be taking over my reading at this point, but as I crochet I've been listening to audio books - mostly young-adult!

7. Ok, last one... this was harder than I thought it would be, I don't think there's that much interesting about me! Oh, here's something interesting: I took a scientific glassblowing class in college where I learned to make all manner of scientific glass, like what you would use in a laboratory (I was a Chemistry major). It was probably my FAVORITE class of my entire education! Our instructor was awesome. He let us play around with glass blowing after we got our assignments done, and he even made the cake topper for my wedding!

I'm tagging the following 7 people:
Matt, Relynn, Heather, Susan, Joanna, Stacie, Carol

Night Out

So I went out to Barnes and Noble tonight to get away from the house for a bit. Since I stay home with my kids, life can seem kinda dull some days. I've been sick all week and needed a little pick-me-up, so my wonderful husband allowed me some free time. I figured I'd get a hot tea, browse a little, and then enjoy the ambiance while I worked on a charity square. Well, I forgot my hook case, so the crocheting was out. Then I thought, "well, I'll just have to look around and see what there is to see!" What did I see? The crafting section! I spent the whole night reading about crochet instead of doing it. I found this really interesting looking book that I'm kicking myself for not writing down the name of. **Edit: This is the book! Its one of those that I plan to get someday** It was torn up pretty badly, and I was hoping they'd give me some discount for buying it, but the best they would do was 10% off. Not good enough for me! I was highly disappointed to see that as on the internet, knitting is still the main focus of media attention. There were relatively few crochet books compared to knit, and only 2 measly magazines versus the 7-8 knit! I did get my tea, and sipped it over a copy of the latest Interweave Crochet (I need a subscription to that one!). All-in-all a pleasant night out.

Blog Review - Crafty Ashley

Ashley Gibbons (also known as Ashley3121 or Crafty Ashley) brings us her blog this week, Crafty Ashley. This blog is a mix of personal revelation and display of fine crocheted work. Its obvious from her writing that Ashley has fallen in love with crochet, as many of us have!

While Ashley is still relatively new to crochet, she shows off her skill with her fun and creative projects. She hasn't branched out into writing her own patterns yet, but Ashley has tried out many different areas of crochet. She provides helpful links in her sidebar to some great free patterns online; be sure to check them out.

Below is Ashley's email interview:

How long have you been crocheting?
I have been crochet since October of last year. I tried about 3 years ago and couldn't get the hang of it. Until a friend taught me and if it wasn't for her and the internet I would have this crazy obsession.

What's the project you're most proud of?
I wish I had more projects under my belt. But it is a toss between the recent tote I made or the sock monkey afghan for my nephew. The reason I love the tote because I love the look of the stitches going up and down and I put such hard work into the lining. I love the Sock Monkey afghan because of those dang cute monkey faces and I thought the pattern was cute and made it into what I thought would be cuter.

What's your favorite thing about crochet?
I love how versatile crochet is. I can make anything from blankets, to toys, to purses. I feel like there isn't anyone I can't make something for. (Except for me at the moment. I hope to change that next month!)

What do you enjoy working on the most?
I can't say I love anything the most. They all have such great attributes! Afghans are something you can always fall back on if you need some good routine stitches. Ami's are so great to see your results the same day. Purses are so exciting to make because the possibilities are endless and it only takes a few days. Oh they are all so wonderful I can't wait to try everything at least once!

What else are you interested in?
I hope one day to have a eureka moment and design my own things. I love blogging and hope to meet more and more people! My other loves are sewing, cross stitching, and reading. Oh and I'm a third degree black belt!

Is there anything else you want people to know about you?
Well something most people don't know is that I am only 24. I am from Louisiana and have only lived in Utah the last 6 years. My husband and I have been married for almost 6 years now. I have 3 great kids, Cassy almost 5, Carson 3, and Lydia 18 months. I have spent the last 5 years putting my husband through school and this year is the big year where we (I say we) graduate and move out East.

Thanks to Ashley for participating!

Girl's Shrug Pattern

Make this adorable shrug for the fashionista in your life! The shrug can make jeans and a t-shirt look hip and trendy, or it can be an elegant accessory to a beautiful gown. The bead stitch pattern allows for warmth without adding weight, and the adjustable length of the sleeves make this shrug good for all seasons.

This is a CROCHET PATTERN only. The pattern comes in two size ranges: sizes 18mo-4T and sizes 5-12. Both size ranges include standard sizing plus a custom sizing guide to make sure the shrug fits perfectly!

Size 18mo-4T

Size 5-12

Easter Shrug - Pattern Now Available!

My daughter and I made an un-accompanied visit to Walmart this week. As we strolled past the baby section, the Easter dresses made me halt in my tracks! Now in the past, Anna has received dresses that were appropriate for Easter well in advance of the holiday, but not this year. I resisted the urge to buy the frilliest, girliest dress I found. Instead, we went for a less expensive one that I thought she might actually wear again. For some reason, every single Easter dress there was short-sleeved, even though its usually less than 50 degrees here on Easter day! Since I've been on such a crochet kick I figured I'd make my little girl a sweater to cover up her bare arms, and this is what I came up with:

Fortunately, as you can see below, the shrug looks much better on than off! I have never made (or worn) a shrug before, so I was concerned about this "tube" I was making for my daughter, but she looked so adorable in it. Its scary how much older she looked in this "grown-up" piece! She's only 2 1/2!!! I think part of it is the dress - which almost gives her the appearance of a "bust". YIKES! I'm certainly not ready for that!

You can now find this pattern on Etsy or Ravelry!

Rain Cloud - Free Pattern

Materials:
Worsted Weight yarn (less than 1 oz probably) - suggested colors: gray, white, or black
Size 10 Cotton thread (very small amount) - suggested color: blue
Hooks: Size H (5.0 mm) and Size 7(1.65 mm)
Split Stitch Markers - 3

Abbreviations:US terminology
sk - skip
dc - double crochet
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet
tr - treble crochet

Pattern:
Using any one of the colors of worsted yarn and size H hook, ch 11
Rnd 1: (makes an oval) work 3 dc in 4th chain from hook (1st 3 ch count as 1 dc), 1 dc in each of next 6 ch, 8 dc in last ch, turn piece counterclockwise and work 1 dc in each of next 6 unworked loops of base ch, 4 dc in last unworked ch loop, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3. (28 dc)
Rnd 2: ch3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each of next 3 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 8 dc, 1 dc in each of next 6 dc, 2 dc in each of next 4 dc, join with sl st to top of starting ch 3 (44 dc)
Rnd 3: ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 7 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 3 dc, 7 tr in next dc, skip 2 dc, sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 8 tr in next dc, sk 2 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 5 dc in next st (mark top of 1st dc worked in this st with a stitch marker), sk 1 dc, sc in next dc (mark top of sc with 2nd stitch marker), sk 1 dc, 4 dc in next dc, sk 1 dc, 1 sc in next dc, sk 2 dc, 9 tr in next dc (mark top of 2nd tr worked with 3rd stitch marker), sk 2 dc, 2 sc in next dc, sk 1 st, 6 dc in next dc, sk 1 st, sc in next dc, join with sl st to top of beginning ch 3. Finish off and weave in ends

*Join cotton thread at first stitch marker using size 7 hook with right side facing you. ch 18, sc in 5th ch from hook, sl st in next ch, turn (chain loop on the left), sc in next sc, sc in next ch, 2 sc in each of next 2 ch, sc in next ch, sl st in each next 2 stitches, finish off, leaving long tail (approx 6 inches). Weave tail through back loops of chain toward the worsted yarn, all the way to starting ch, tie two ends of thread together and weave in ends.

Join thread at second stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 13 (instead of 18)

Join thread at 3rd stitch marker. Repeat as above (*), using a base chain of 20 (instead of 18)

**Feel free to use this pattern for anything you wish, but please credit me if you do post it elsewhere!**

(c) 2008 Andrea Moberly


Raincloud pattern - French Version (thanks to Fabienne for the translation!)

Abréviations :
ml = maille en l'air
mc = maille coulée
ms = maille serrée
B = bride
DB = double bride

Rang 1 (former un oval) :

Démarrer en faisant une chaînette de 11 ml

3*B dans la 4^ème ml (en partant du crochet)
1*B dans les 6 B suivantes
8*B dans la dernière B
Tourner le travail dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d’une montre
1*B dans les 6 B
4*B dans la dernière B
Joindre par une mc dans la 3^ème ml de la première bride.

Rang 2 :

Démarrer par une chainette de 3 ml

1*B dans la ml de départ
2*B dans chacune des 3 prochaines B
1*B dans chacune des 6 prochaines B
2*B dans chacune des 8 prochaines B
1*B dans chacune des 6 prochaines B
2*B dans chacune des 4 prochaines B
Joindre par une maille coulée dans la 3^ème ml de la première bride. 

Rang 3 :

Faire une chainette de 3 ml
4*B dans la bride suivante - Sauter une bride - 1*ms - Sauter une bride - 7*B - Sauter 1 bride - 1*ms - Sauter 3 brides - 7*DB - Sauter 2 brides - 1*ms dans la bride suivante - Sauter 1 bride - 6*B  - Sauter 1 bride - 1*ms - Sauter 2 brides - 8*DB dans la bride suivante - Sauter 2 brides - 1*ms - Sauter 1 bride - 5*B - Sauter 1 bride - 1*B - Sauter 1 bride - 4*B - Sauter 1 bride - 1*ms - Sauter 2 brides - 9*DB - Sauter 2 brides - 2*B - Sauter 1 bride - 6*B - Sauter 1 point - 1*ms

Joindre par une maille coulée dans la 3^ème ml de la première bride.
Terminer et rentrer le fil.

And another kind reader offered these corrections to the French translation:

Rang 1 (former un ovale) :
Démarrer en faisant une chaînette de 11 ml
3B dans la 4ème ml (en partant du crochet)
1B dans les 6 ml suivantes
8B dans la dernièreml*
Tourner le travail dans le sens inverse des aiguilles d’une montre
1B dans les 6ml*
4B dans la dernièreml*
Joindre par une mc dans la 3ème ml de la première bride.
Rang 2 :
Démarrer par une chainette de 3 ml
1B dans la ml de départ
2B dans chacune des 3 prochaines B
1B dans chacune des 6 prochaines B
2B dans chacune des 8 prochaines B
1B dans chacune des 6 prochaines B
2B dans chacune des 4 prochaines B
Joindre par une maille coulée dans la 3ème ml de la première bride.
Rang 3 :
Faire une chainette de 3 ml
4B dans la bride suivante - Sauter une bride - 1ms - Sauter une bride - 7Bdans la bride suivante* - Sauter 1 bride - 1ms - Sauter 3 brides - 7DB dans la bride suivante- Sauter 2 brides - 1ms dans la bride suivante - Sauter 1 bride - 6B dans la bride suivante - Sauter 1 bride - 1ms - Sauter 2 brides - 8DB dans la bride suivante - Sauter 2 brides - 1ms - Sauter 1 bride - 5B dans la bride suivante - Sauter 1 bride - 1ms** - Sauter 1 bride - 4Bdans la bride suivante- Sauter 1 bride - 1ms - Sauter 2 brides - 9DBdans la bride suivante- Sauter 2 brides - 2ms - Sauter 1 bride - 6Bdans la bride suivante- Sauter 1m* - 1ms
Joindre par une maille coulée dans la 3ème ml de la première bride.
Terminer et rentrer le fil.
(thanks to Lilo of http://lilofil.canalblog.com/)


Spanish version of the pattern thanks to Lehandmade

Abreviaturas:

- cad = cadeneta

- pr = punto raso (o enano)

- pb = punto bajo

- pa = punto alto

- dpa = doble punto alto

Vuelta 1 (hacer un óvalo): montar una cadeneta de 11 puntos. Tejer 3 pa en la cuarta cad desde el ganchillo, 1 pa en las 6 cad siguientes, y tejer 8 pa en la última cadeneta. En el otro lado de la cadeneta y girando la labor en el sentido contrario de las agujas de un reloj, seguir con 1 pa en las 6 cad siguientes y 4 pa en la última cad. Cerrar con un pr en la 3ra cadeneta del primer punto alto.

Vuelta 2: Empezar con 3 cad. 1 pa en el mismo pa en el que se ha tejido las 3 cad. 2pa en los 3 pa siguientes, 1 pa en los 6 pa siguientes, 2 pa en los 8 pa siguientes 1 pa en los 6 pa siguientes y 2 pa en los 4 pa siguientes. Cerrar con un pr en la 3ra cad del primer pa.

Vuelta 3: Empezar con 3 cad. 

4 pa en el pa siguiente, saltar un pa, 1 pb, saltar un pa.

7 pa en el pa siguiente, saltar un pa, 1 pb, saltar 3 pa

7 dpa en el pa siguiente, saltar 2 pa. 1 pb, saltar un pa

6 pa en el pa siguiente, saltar un pa. 1 pb, saltar 2 pa

8 dpa en el pa siguiente, saltar 2 pa. 1 pb, saltar un pa

5 pa en el pa siguiente (poner un marcador en el primer pa para poder tejer la primera gota una ve acabada la nube), saltar un pa. 1 pb (poner el segundo marcador de punto), saltar un pa

4 pa en el pa siguiente, saltar un pa. 1 pb, saltar 2 pa

9 dpa en el pa siguiente (poner el último marcador en el segundo dpa), saltar 2 pa. 2 pb, saltar un pa

6 pa en el pa siguiente, saltar un pa. 1 pb

Cerrar con pr en la 3ra cad del primer pa.

Cortar y esconder el hilo

Para las gotas:

Sacar el hilo del punto en el que se encuentra el primer marcador. tejer 18 cad, 1 pb en la quinta cad desde el ganchillo, 1 pr en la siguiente cad, girar, 1 pb en el siguiente pb, 1 pb en la cad siguiente, 2 cad en las 2 cad siguiente, 1 pb en la cad siguiente, 1 pr en las dos cad siguientes. Cerrar, cortar el hilo, dejándolo bastante largo. Esconder el hilo en la parte trasera de los puntos.

Sacar el hilo del punto en el que se encuentra el segundo marcardor. Repetir el mismo procedimiento pero con una cadeneta de 13 puntos, en vez de 18.

Sacar el hilo del punto en el que se encuentra el tercer marcardor. Repetir el mismo procedimiento pero con una cadeneta de 20 puntos, en vez de 18.