I'm a Lumberjack and I'm Okay!

We are getting so close to the Canada 150 celebration and I am excited to present to you this amazing new Lumberjack Crochet Throw Pattern.  It is available, for free, from Yarnspirations and can be found in their awesome Canada 150 Lookbook!

The idea for the Lumberjack Throw came to me while I was brainstorming for the Canada 150 projects and thinking about my childhood. I remember watching Sunday night TV as a kid (The Raccoons to be specific) and this amazing cartoon for the "Log Driver's Waltz" would come on. I loved the song, and the fact that my Dad was a real life lumberjack made it even better (he wasn't actually a lumberjack, he worked for the city and sometimes cleared brush, but I was 7 years old, so steel toed boots and thick grey work socks with a cream cuff and red stripe meant lumberjack.) The nostalgia factor of this blanket is huge for me, and using a cuddly yarn just makes wrapping up in it that much better.

This throw size blanket is crocheted with cozy Bernat Softee Chunky. This yarn is an old friend of mine that I use whenever I am looking to make something soft and cuddly that works up quickly. And this blanket definitely fits the bill.

It is also a pretty easy stitch pattern that makes it the perfect project for working in front of the TV.  The amazing ribbing is created with a combination of front and back post double crochet stitches and the pattern becomes pretty intuitive once you get going. 

The front-post and back-post stitches are actually pretty easy! It's just a question of where you place your hook.

For front-post stitches, simply place your hook under the post of the stitch from the previous row instead of through the top loops of the stitch as your normally would (see below.)

For back-post stitches, simply place your hook over the post of the stitch, coming through from the back of your work, (see below.)

Pretty easy, Eh!?!

This blanket really is so much fun to make and use! If you are looking for an in depth tutorial, my friends over at The Crochet Crowd have recorded a video tutorial just for this blanket, making it super duper easy to follow along.

Be sure to post your amazing creations to Instagram and tag me @midknits #midknitsmakers. I would love to see your makes!

Get the free Lumberjack Crochet Throw pattern from the Yarnspirations Canada 150 Lookbook!

Happy Crocheting,
Erin

Happy Birthd-EH!

It's Canada's 150th Birth-year and what better way to celebrate than to show off our Canadian pride with our favourite yarn-y hobbies; Knitting and Crochet! If you haven't had a chance to check out Yarnspirations Coast To Coast - Canada 150 Lookbook yet, make sure you do. It offers an array of free knit and crochet patterns that are all Canadian-centric in their design and super cute!

I was lucky enough to be asked to design some pieces for the collection and look forward to showing you some behind the scenes photos for some of the patterns soon!

The patterns are all available on the Yarnspirations.com website for free!

Croch-EH! Throw Pillow
A-moose-ing Knit Pillow
Lumberjack Crochet Throw
Maple Leaf Knit Applique
Crochet Buffalo Plaid Afghan

Take a look at these other amazing projects that are also available through the Coast To Coast - Canada 150  Lookbook.

True North Knit Jacket

Canada Knit Toque and Mittens

Go To Seed Knit Scarf

I will definitely have to make some of these projects for myself!

Happy Knitting & Crocheting,
Erin

Be sure to post your amazing creations to Instagram and tag me @midknits #midknitsmakers. I would love to see your makes!

Mega Free Crochet Pattern!

Never Fear, the crochet version is here! Do you really think I would leave all of my crochet peeps out of the Welcome-to-the-blog free pattern?!? Not likely.  I have used the same Bernat Mega Bulky yarn from Yarnspirations as I used in the knit version to create this gorgeous single-crochet throw. The yarn is amazingly thick and warm, 100% acrylic, and has a gorgeous luster that gives beautiful stitch definition. Because the yarn is so thick, this blanket works up in no time flat. On with the pattern...

MEGA CROCHET THROW BLANKET
knitting pattern 2017002

Written in Standard US Terms

+ DIMENSIONS:
Width: 44" (111.76 cm)
Length: 54" (137.16 cm)

+ SKILL LEVEL:
Easy

+ TECHNIQUES:
Chain Stitch, Single-Crochet Stitch, Easy Color Change, Fringe.

+ SUPPLIES REQUIRED:
US size 50 (25.0 mm) crochet hook
Yarn needle

+ YARN:
Bernat Mega Bulky
#7 jumbo weight
100% Acrylic
300 g (10.5 oz) / 58 m (647 yds)
3 skeins (1 for blanket 2 for fringe) Light Grey Heather (yarn A)
7 skeins Radiant Orchid (yarn B)

+ GAUGE:
Approx. 7 sts x 7.5 rows = 8" square in single-crochet.

+ ABBREVIATIONS:
approx. = approximately
ch(s) = chain(s)
fr = from
rep = repeat
sc = single crochet
st(s) = stitch(es)

---

+ PATTERN:
with yarn A
Ch 40
Row 1: 1 sc in 2nd ch fr hook, 1 sc in each ch to end of row. ch 1, turn. (39 sc)
Row 2: 1 sc in each st to end of row.
with yarn B
Rows 3-48 : rep row 2.
with yarn A
Row 49-50 : rep row 2.
Break yarn and pull through remaining loop on hook.

+ FINISHING:
Weave in loose ends.

Make fringe and attach to the trim edges of the blanket.

+Cut strands approximately 13" (33.02 cm) long.
+Fold one strand in half to form a loop.
+Insert your hook in a stitch along your trim edge and pull the fringe loop part way through.
+Pull the two ends of the strand through the loop and pull tight to secure.
+Continue adding fringe across both blanket trim edges.

Happy Crocheting,
Erin

P.S. Don't worry knitters, I have a version just for you!

Be sure to post your amazing creations to Instagram and tag me @midknits #midknitsmakers. I would love to see your makes!

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Feel free to sell your finished items*. Please be sure to give pattern design credit to "Erin Black of Midknits" and link back to this post. Please do not re-publish my pattern or photos.

(*intended for individuals who want to sell their handmade items at craft fairs, in small brick and mortar shops, and in small online stores. Please No Mass Production.)

If you are a blogger or website who would like to feature this blog post, please feel free to do so as long as you only use 1-2 photos and link back directly to this post for the full tutorial.

All patterns, information, and photos belong to Erin Black. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. © 2017 Erin Black.

Mega Free Knitting Pattern!

Hi Everyone! As promised I have been working away on a Free Pattern to kick off the new blog and here it is.....

This throw blanket is made using a wonderfully thick yarn called Bernat Mega Bulky which comes in an array of beautiful colours. The yarn is 100% Acrylic and is a #7 Jumbo Weight. It is thick thick, like 3/8" thick! It is soft and has a luxurious sheen that creates fantastic stitch definition. This blanket works up super fast and super warm and super cuddly, so let's get to the pattern...

MEGA KNIT THROW BLANKET
knitting pattern 2017001

Written in Standard US Terms.

+ DIMENSIONS:
Width: 46" (116.84 cm)
Length: 54" (137.16 cm)

+ SKILL LEVEL:
Easy

+ TECHNIQUES:
Knit, Purl, Easy Color Change, Pom-pom.

+ SUPPLIES REQUIRED:
US size 36 (20.0 mm) knitting needle (approx. 40” (101.60 cm) or longer)
Yarn needle

+ YARN:
Bernat Mega Bulky
#7 jumbo weight
100% Acrylic
300 g (10.5 oz) / 58 m (64 yds)
3 skeins (1 for blanket, 2 for pom-poms) Radiant Orchid (yarn A)
7 skeins Light Grey Heather (yarn B)

+ GAUGE:
Approx. 9.75 sts x 14 rows = 8" square in pattern stitch.

+ ABBREVIATIONS:
BO = Bind off
CO = Cast on
rep = repeat
st(s) = stitch(es)

---

+ PATTERN:
with yarn A
CO 56 sts
Row 1: knit all sts.
Row 2: purl all sts.
with yarn B
Rows 3-92 : rep row 1 and 2.
with yarn A
Row 93: knit all sts.
Row 94: purl all sts.
BO
Break yarn and pull through remaining st.

+ FINISHING:
Weave in loose ends.

Make 8 pom-poms and attach 4 evenly along each trim edge of the blanket.

+Wrap the yarn approximately 40 times around your hand.
+Secure the center of the pom-pom with a piece of  thread.
+To secure the pom-pom, I like to use a needle and the ends of the thread to sew through the center of the pom-pom a few times.
+Cut through the loops at either end of the pom-pom.
+Fluff up the pom-pom and trim around it to make it perfectly round.

I like to make my pom-poms removable so that they can be taken off before washing. Just use a piece of yarn, thread it through the center of the pom-pom, and tie it to the edge of the blanket.

Happy Knitting,
Erin

P.S. Don't worry crocheters, I haven't forgotten about you. Stay tuned...

Be sure to post your amazing creations to Instagram and tag me @midknits #midknitsmakers. I would love to see your makes!

---

Feel free to sell your finished items*. Please be sure to give pattern design credit to "Erin Black of Midknits" and link back to this post. Please do not re-publish my pattern or photos.

(*intended for individuals who want to sell their handmade items at craft fairs, in small brick and mortar shops, and in small online stores. Please No Mass Production.)

If you are a blogger or website who would like to feature this blog post, please feel free to do so as long as you only use 1-2 photos and link back directly to this post for the full tutorial.

All patterns, information, and photos belong to Erin Black. Any unauthorized reproduction or distribution, in whole or in part, is strictly prohibited. © 2017 Erin Black.