free pattern

a design by La Visch Designs

lace for mom in knotions magazine

Lace for Mom

The moment I showed my mom the yarn I used in this shawl, she said: “You know this is soooo my color?!” No problem mom, this one is for you. The delicate lace in Lace for Mom is based on traditional Estonian stitch patterns, which, of course, include nupps. My mom wouldn’t have it any different! Often, people find nupps a tad daunting. Don’t stress though, the pattern contains instructions for both traditional and easy nupps.

And the best part? You can find this pattern for free in the March 2018 issue of Knotions Magazine!

Lace for Mom - a design by La Visch Designs
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free pattern – wine glass charms

Crochet wine glass charms - A free pattern by La Visch Designs

Here in the Netherlands Summer is having a somewhat hesitant start. The time for garden parties is bound to arrive soon though. Those I really enjoy: Firing up the BBQ, eating tasty sandwiches and salads and of course enjoying yourself with friends and family until the early hours. On those occasions I like to have a glass of wine. At busy parties there however usually comes a time that I really don’t know which one of the glasses on the table is mine…

For this I have found a solution: Wine glass charms! The idea is that you attach a unique charm to every glass, so you can always easily see which one is yours. Of course I wouldn’t be me if I didn’t make such charms myself!

In this post I’m giving you the pattern for wine glass charms that I designed to use with leftover bits of crochet cotton and a variety of buttons. These charms can of course also be used on other glasses with a stem. This pattern uses lobster stitch cord, that I explained step by step in this tutorial.

Crochet wine glass charms - A free pattern by La Visch Designs

Pattern wine glass charms

This pattern is written in American English crochet terminology.

Materials

  • Crochet Cotton, I used Schoeller + Stahl Manuela Häkelgarn No. 5 [100% mercerized cotton; 220 m / 50 g]
  • Various different buttons with a diameter of 10 to 20 mm (3/8 to 13/16 inch)
  • 1 crochet hook in size 2 mm (US steel crochet hook size 1)

Instructions

Round 1: Ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook and sl st closed to first sc. (6 sts)
Make sure you keep a yarn tail of about 30 cm (12 inch).

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to first ch of round. (12 sts)

Round 3: Ch 1, [2 sc in next st, 1 sc] 6 times, sl st to turning ch to close the round. (18 sts)

Round 4: Ch 1, [2 sc, 2 sc in next st] 6 times, sl st to turning ch to close the round. (24 sts)

Round 5: Ch 1, [2 sc in next st, 3 sc] 6 times, sl st to turning ch to close the round. (30 sts)

Next: Make a lobster stitch cord with a length of 12.5 cm / 5 inches.

Next: Close the cord into a loop by attaching the end with a sl st to the point where the start exists the crochet circle. Break yarn.

Finishing
Use the yarn tail from the center of the circle to sew on a button and weave in all ends.

Below you can find some examples of different types of buttons used. As you can see you can achieve very different effects by using various kinds of buttons!

Crochet wine glass charms - A free pattern by La Visch Designs

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free pattern: fun crochet coasters

Fun Crochet Coasters

Sometimes it’s just fun to dress up the table a bit. And what is better suited for that than these fun crochet coasters? I used small amounts of cotton left over from previous projects, making them easily washable. Of course, other types of yarn would also work perfectly fine. A very cheerful way to use up those little ends of yarn!

This pattern is written in American English crochet terminology.

Materials

  • A small amount of sport weight yarn. In the sample coasters, Wibra Nova was used (100% mercerized cotton; 110 m (120 yds) / 50 g), per coaster 11 m (12 yds) / 5 g in the main color and 7 m (8 yds) / 3 g in the contrast color.
  • Crochet hook size 3.5 mm (US # E/4).
Fun crochet coasters - a free pattern by La Visch Designs

Special stitches

  • Popcorn stitch: [Yo, insert hook in indicated st or sp, yo, pull lp through st, yo, pull lp through first 2 lp’s on hook] 3 times, yo and draw through all lps on hook (popcorn made).
  • Beg popcorn: [Yo, insert hook in indicated st or sp, yo, pull lp through st, yo, pull lp through first 2 lp’s on hook] 2 times, yo and draw through all lps on hook (popcorn made)

Instructions

Round 1: With CC ch 1, 6 sc in first ch and sl st closed to first sc (6 sts).
Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st, sl st to first ch of round (12 sts).
Round 3: Ch 1 (counts as 1 sc), 1 sc in 1st st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st; rep from *, sl st to turning ch (19 sts).
Round 4: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), beg popcorn in 1st st, ch 2, skip next st, *1 popcorn in next st, ch 2, skip next st; rep from *, sl st to top of first popcorn.
Break yarn.

Round 5: With MC ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in top of popcorn, *3 dc in next ch-2 sp, 2 dc in top of next popcorn; rep from *, end with 3 dc in last ch-2 sp, sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch.
Round 6: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), 1 dc in 1st st, *1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 dc in each of next 4 sts, sl st to 3rd ch of turning ch.
Break yarn and weave in ends.

In what colors will you be making your fun crochet coasters?

Fun crochet coasters - a free pattern by La Visch Designs

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frost giant – free pattern

Frost Giant - a free pattern by La Visch Designs

Sometimes you just want to get warm and make a statement. With the Frost Giant Cowl, you can achieve both. The cowl is worked flat and has two finishing options, choose the one you feel most comfortable with. The finishing options consist of either plain seaming or a three-needle-bind-off.

Materials

Yarn
The sample cowl was knit using 270 m (297 yards) / 450 g Wibra Myrna [80% acrylic, 20% wool; 60 m (66 yds) per 100 g skein] held double.
Substitute any (extra) bulky weight yarn for a similar result. Using a thinner yarn will result in a less humongous cowl.

Recommended needles
Needles in your preferred style in the following sizes (or to match gauge):

  • Size 14 mm (US #18)
  • 1 extra needle in size 14 mm (US #18) or slightly smaller (only needed with the three-needle bind-off finishing option)

Adjust needle size appropriately when using a less bulky yarn for a smaller cowl.

Other

  • Yarn needle
  • Waste yarn (optional) – only needed with the three-needle bind- off finishing option, worsted or aran weight yarn held double or triple can be used

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample cowl:
5.5 sts / 8 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) measured over 2×2 rib.

Sizes and Finished Measurements

27 cm (11 inch) wide (unstretched), 70 cm (27 ½ inch) long.

Skills required

The plain seaming finishing option in this pattern is suitable for the beginning knitter. The three-needle bind-off finishing option requires a provisional cast on. Because this is a more advanced knitting technique, this version is suitable for the intermediate knitter.
Stitches used include knit, purl and slipping stitches.

Abbreviations

BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
rep – repeat
sl – slip
st(s) – stitch(es)
wyib – with yarn in back

Pattern notes

  • Yarn is held double throughout.
  • Always slip the first stitch of the row purl-wise with the yarn held to the back.
  • When you run out of yarn, a new skein will be attached by knitting a few stitches with both the new and old yarn held double. The ends can be woven in later.

Instructions

Seamed finishing option:
CO 18 sts with the yarn held double.
Row 1: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.

Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
CO 18 sts with waste yarn held double or triple.
Row 1: Knit. Switch to working yarn held double.
Row 2: K3, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.

Both finishing options:
Next: Sl1wyib, k2, [p2, k2] 3 times, p3.
Rep this row until length of piece is 148 cm (58 inches) or desired length.

Bind-off
Seamed finishing option:
BO using your BO of choice, for example, the knit bind-off.

Next: Hold the ends of the piece together and use the yarn needle to sew both ends together and form a loop. Be careful not to twist the loop before seaming the ends together.

Three-needle bind-off finishing option:
Transfer the stitches from the waste yarn to the extra needle, be careful not to twist the loop when holding the beginning and end of the piece together.

Step 1: Hold both needles holding sts next to each other.
Step 2: With the third needle, knit each st through both the first st on the needle closest to you as well as through the first st on the back needle at the same time. Wrap as for a knit st and complete the stitch as usual.
Step 3: Rep step 2 one time.
Step 4: There are now 2 sts on your right hand needle. Lift the first st worked over the second st worked, using the tip of your left hand needle.
Step 5: Rep steps 3-4 until all sts are BO.

Click here for a tutorial on how to work a three-needle BO.

Finishing
Weave in ends and wear with attitude!

Tip: Use a crochet hook to weave yarn ends in, when the yarn is to thick to use regular yarn needles. Just grab the yarn with the hook, pull it through the fabric and repeat.

Click here to download the pattern for your convenience.

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autumn leaves shawl – free pattern

Autumn Leaves - a design by La Visch Designs

The Autumn Leaves Shawl features a simple stockinette body knit sideways in a shallow triangle shape. The leafy border is knitted on at the same time. Made in a loose gauge, Autumn Leaves is an airy layering piece, just enough for when there’s a chill in the air.

This design works great with that special skein of fingering weight yarn. The Autumn Leaves Shawl can, however, be made in any size, using any weight of yarn. Just knit until you have reached half of your yarn or half the size you want the shawl or shawlette to be. Since the body is in plain stockinette this pattern is also very suited to use with hand dyed yarns. Instructions for the lace border are both written and charted.

Materials

Yarn
360 m (393 yds) / 100 g Knitcola Alpaca Hand-dyed Yarn [100 % alpaca] in light blue.
Substitute any fingering weight yarn in a solid or semi-solid color for a similar result.

Recommended needles
Size 4.5 mm (US 7), 80 cm (32 inches) circular needles were used for the sample shawl.

Other

  • Yarn needle
  • 2 stitch markers

Gauge

Gauge is not critical in this design. For the sample shawl measured after blocking: 14 sts / 22 rows = 10 cm (4 inches) over stockinette.

Size and finished measurements

Finished dimensions of the sample shawl: 140 cm (55 inches) along the upper edge and a depth of 32 cm (12 ½ inches), measured after blocking.
The sample shawl has a total of 16 leaves.

This shawl can easily be made larger by using heavier yarn and/or working more repeats. This will, of course, increase the amount of yarn needed.

Skills required

This pattern features lace knitted on both right and wrong side rows. Stitches used include knit, purl, k2tog, p2tog, kfb, m1, skp, yo, and sl2-k-p2sso. Therefore, this pattern is suitable for the intermediate or lace knitter.

Abbreviations

BO – bind off
CO – cast on
k – knit
k2tog – knit two together
kfb – knit in the front and in the back of the stitch
m1 – increase by lifting the loop between the stitch just knit and the next one from the front with your left needle, then knit into the back of the loop
p – purl
p2tog – purl two together
PM – place marker
rep – repeat
RM – remove marker
RS/WS – right side/wrong side
skp – slip, knit, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch
sl2-k1-p2sso – slip two together, knit one, pass two stitches over (2 stitches decreased)
sl1 wyif – slip 1 stitch as if to purl, with yarn in front
SM – slip marker
st(s) – stitch(es)
yo – yarn over

Pattern notes

  • Work the Autumn Leaves shawl sideways from tip to tip, with increases and then decreases worked on one side every other row. The lace border is worked simultaneously.
  • The pattern has a garter stitch border of 4 stitches on the upper edge, with a decorative slipped stitch edge finishing.
  • Always slip markers as you come to them.
  • Instead of the skp decrease ssk can be used if desired.

Stitch guide

  • Slipped stitch edge: Slip the last stitch on each WS row as if to purl, with yarn in front.
  • Wrap and Turn (w&t): Bring your yarn to the front between the needles, slip the next stitch purl-wise, bring your yarn between the needles to the back again, slip the stitch back to the left needle, and turn work.

Instructions

CO 2 sts.

Set-up

Row 1 (RS): Kfb, k1. (3 sts)
Row 2 (WS): Knit.
Row 3: K1, kfb, k1. (4 sts)
Row 4: K to last st, sl1 wyif.
Row 5: K2, m1, k2. (5 sts)
Row 6: P1, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 7: K4, m1, k1. (6 sts)
Row 8: P2, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 9: K4, PM, k1, m1, k1. (7 sts)
Row 10: P3, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 11: K4, SM, k1, m1, k to end. (8 sts)
Row 12: P to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Rows 13-22: Rep row 11-12 five more times (13 sts).

Body – increase section

Both the written out and charted instructions for the leafy border can be found at the bottom of this page. Please note, stitch counts given here are only applicable to the body stitches.

Row 1 (RS): K4, SM, k1, m1, PM, work row 1 of Leafy border. (6 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 2 (WS): Work row 2 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 3: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, work row 3 of Leafy border. (7 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 4: Work row 4 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 5: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, M1, K1, SM, work row 5 of Leafy border. (8 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 6: Work row 6 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Continue in this manner until all 18 rows of the border pattern have been worked. (14 sts in body)

Next: Repeat last 18 rows until 8 leaves or almost half of the yarn has been used. (77 sts in body)

Next: Rep rows 1-16 once again. (85 sts in body)

Tip: Weigh your project in between pattern repeats to get an idea the amount of yarn needed for each repeat. This way, a better estimate can be made whether another repeat is possible with your available amount of yarn. 

Easing the border around the center point

Row 17: K4, SM, k to 1 st before marker, m1, K1, SM, work row 17 of Leafy border. (78 sts – 1 st increased in body)
Row 18: Work row 18 of Leafy border, RM, w&t.
Row 19: PM, work row 1 of Leafy border.
Row 20: Work row 2 of Leafy border, SM, pick up and purl wrap together with corresponding st, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Body – decrease section

Row 1 (RS): K4, SM, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work row 3 of Leafy border. (77 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Row 2 (WS): Work row 4 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Row 3: K4, SM, k to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, SM, work row 5 of Leafy border. (76 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Row 4: Work row 6 of Leafy border, SM, p to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.

Continue in this manner until the same number of leaves as on the increase section have been completed (14 sts).

Next row (RS): K4, SM, k1, k2tog, k to end, removing marker. (13 sts – 1 st decreased in body)
Next row (WS): P to marker, SM, k3, sl1 wyif.
Rep these last 2 rows 9 more times, removing marker after final rep (4 sts).

Next row: K1, k2tog, k1. (3 sts)
Next row: K2, sl1 wyif.
Next row: K1, k2tog. (2 sts)
Next row: K1, sl1 wyif.
Next row: K2tog and fasten off.

Finishing

Finally, weave in ends and block your Autumn Leaves Shawl to shape.

Leafy border lace

Chart with Autumn Leaves pattern by La Visch Designs

Leafy border

Stitch counts given here are only applicable to the edging stitches.
Row 1 (RS): K5, yo, k1, yo, k2. (10 sts)
Row 2 (WS): P6, kfb, yo, k2tog, k1. (11 sts)
Row 3: K4, p1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k3. (13 sts)
Row 4: P8, kfb, k1, yo, k2tog, k1. (14 sts)
Row 5: K4, p2, k3, yo, k1, yo, k4. (16 sts)
Row 6: P10, kfb, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 7: K4, p3, k4, yo, k1, yo, k5. (19 sts)
Row 8: P12, kfb, k3, yo, k2tog, k1. (20 sts)
Row 9: K4, p4, skp, k7, k2tog, k1. (18 sts)
Row 10: P10, kfb, k4, yo, k2tog, k1. (19 sts)
Row 11: K4, p5, skp, k5, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 12: P8, kfb, k2, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (18 sts)
Row 13: K4, p1, k1, p4, skp, k3, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)
Row 14: P6, kfb, k3, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (17 sts)
Row 15: K4, p1, k1, p5, skp, k1, k2tog, k1. (15 sts)
Row 16: P4, kfb, k4, p1, k2, yo, k2tog, k1. (16 sts)
Row 17: K4, p1, k1, p6, sl2-k1-p2sso, k1. (14 sts)
Row 18: P2tog, BO 5 sts by knitting the next st and passing the one already on the right-hand needle over the newly worked stitch 5 times, p3, k1, yo, k2tog, k1. (8 sts)

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