Blood Bat Shawl

Hello friends! I've been knitting for a very, very long time, and I've worked with so many weights of yarn skeins; as small as 1.76 oz (50 g) and as large as 5.30 oz (150 g). Last September, I went into a shop in Erbil's bazaar, and came upon a huge skein that weighs 12.32 oz (350 g), with a rather nice gradient of red to black and back. I ended up buying it, even though I had no Idea what I would do with it at the time. I went back home and took a closer look at the skein's materials: wool and alpaca (there is acrylic and polyester too) and I thought to myself it would be great to make it into a shawl, suitable for a really cold winter evening event.

It was hard for me to knit this particular yarn at first; the stitches often got tangled, even worse was when I made a mistake and had to undo a row or two. Nevertheless, I powered through, and the skein finally turned into an elegant shawl. I'm happy to present to you the (somehow) simple instructions for this piece. I think it's marvelous how such a beautiful large shawl came out of just a single skein.

Skill level: Intermediate

Materials:

• Yarn: Alize Fancy Alpaca, 60% acrylic, 15% alpaca, 15% wool, 10% polyester. 12.32 oz (350 g), 957 yards (875 m), in the color rainbow 1008 (1 skeins).
• Knitting circular needles: 
• US 8, 5 mm, 30" (80 cm) long.
• US 10, 6 mm, 40" (100 cm) long.
• US 11, 8 mm, 40" (100 cm) long.
• Tapestry needle
• Stitch marker

Measurements: width= 84" (214 cm), length= 42" (107 cm) (diagonally), approx.

Yardage: 940- 955 yards (860- 870 m).

Gauge: 13 sts and 16 rows in 4" x 4" (10 x 10 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Knitting Terms:

• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• k: knit
• p: purl
• yo: yarn over
• m1k: single knit increase.
• yot: yarn over twice.

• s2s1ktog: slip two sts as if to knit them together, slip the third one knit-wise, knit the three sts together through back loops (centered double decrease). You can watch my tutorial video below to learn how to knit this stitch:

Instructions:

With 8 US (5 mm) circular needles, cast on 3 sts. 

Row 1: k 1, m1k, yo, k 1 (center st, place marker if you need), yo, m1k, k 1. (7 sts)

Row 2: p all sts.

Row 3: k 1, yo, k to center st, yo, k center st, yo, k to last st, yo, k 1. (11 sts)

Row 4: p all sts.

Repeat rows 3-4 till the work measures 14" (36 cm) from center. 

Change the circular needle to 10 US (6 mm) and continue working in rows 3- 4 until work measures 28" (72 cm) from center.

Change the circular needle to 11 US (8 mm) and continue working in rows 3- 4 until work measures 38" (97 cm) from center and 319 sts.

Edging Lace pattern:

Row 1: k 1, yot, *k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, yo, repeat from * ten times, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 5, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 5, **yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from ** ten times, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yot , k 1.

Row 2: p 1, p 2 into yot, p to last yot of previous row, p 2 in yot, p 1.

Row 3:  k 1, yo, k 1, *yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from * eleven times, k 5, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 5, **k 1, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, repeat from ** eleven times, k 1, yo, k 1.

Rows 4, 6, 8 and 10: p all sts.

Row 5: k 1, yo, k 2, *yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from * eleven times, k 6, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 6, **k 1, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, repeat from ** eleven times, k 2, yo, k 1.

Row 7: k 1, yo, k 3, *yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from * eleven times, k 7, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 7, **k 1, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, repeat from ** eleven times, k 3, yo, k 1.

Row 9: k 1, yo, k 4, *yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from * eleven times, k 8, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 8, **k 1, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, repeat from ** eleven times, k 4, yo, k 1.

Row 11: k 1, yo, k 5, *yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, k 1, repeat from * eleven times, k 9, yo, k 1 (center st), yo, k 9, **k 1, yo, k 5, s2s1ktog, k 5, yo, repeat from ** eleven times, k 5, yo, k 1.

Row 12: p all sts.

Bind off all stitches in the stretchy method.

Bind off row: k 2, *slip the two knitted stitches back to left needle, knit them again together, k 1, repeat from * to end of stitches. You can watch my tutorial video for the stretchy bind off method here: 

Weave in loose yarn ends, block, and it's ready to wear! 

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.

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Little Lily Nap Blanket

Hello friends! Baby blankets are always fun to work with, for it's a medium size project. It is a blanket, though it is done in a relatively short time, especially when I choose a straight forward pattern, and not granny squares type that needs many phases to finish. 

My new post is a baby blanket, which I crocheted using a multicoloured baby yarn that I found in a popular bazaar in Erbil (which is, by the way, a very beautiful city). It's easy to make, as I wrote the chosen pattern and designed a matching simple edging.

Level: Intermediate

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Lady Cool Shawl

Hello friends, it's been a while! I took a break and travelled back to my home country. I'm back now and I am very eager to post my new designs. I hope you all had a relaxing summer vacation!

I love knitting ribs patterns, so I was fascinated with the right diagonal ribs pattern the second I saw it on Pinterest. But when the lateral braid pattern came across my eyes, a sparkle lit up, and so I combined both in one shawl. 

At first, I couldn't decide the difficulty level of this shawl, because working both patterns requires that you are familiar with keeping stitches in needles and knitting them more than once before dropping them. I finally settled with 'intermediate'. I think that reading the instructions carefully, and watching the videos that I linked above will help you with any difficulties you may face. I'm sure knitters of the intermediate level will be able to make this shawl.

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Tiny Royal Baby Blanket

Few months ago, I was browsing Pinterest, and I came across this new crochet technique called the Element CAL. what does it mean? I didn't know then, but I liked it so much that I started crocheting immediately. I followed the tutorial videos posted by itsallinanutshell.com, which I thank so much for the gorgeous Element CAL design and clear instructions. This technique needs a lot of concentration if its your first time trying it, nevertheless, with time your work will go smoothly.

I had a small bag full of cotton yarn (catania and alize), so I started working on this project inspired by the Element CAL pattern, and now I proudly present to you my Tiny Royal Baby Blanket.

Level: Advanced



Materials:

• Yarn: Schachenmayer, Catania, 100% cotton, yarn weight: sport. 50 g/ 1.75 oz. 125 m/ 137 yds. one skein of each: Anthrazit 429, Denim 421, Jade 253 and Gold 249. Alize, cotton baby, 50% cotton, 50% acrylic. Classical unbrushed, 100 g/ 3.53 oz. 270 m/295 yds. color 01, 2 skeins. 
• Crochet Hook: US: E-4, 3.5 mm.
• Tapestry needle

Yardage: 800-850 m/ 875-930 yard.

Measures: 25 inch/ 64 cm long, 20.5 inch/ 53 cm wide.

Crochet Terms (US)

• ch: chain
• ss: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet
• tr: treble crochet
• bpsc: back post single stitch
• fptr: front post treble crochet

Before you start:

Note 1: All treble crochet stitches are worked into second round below, in front of the previous round and skipping it (please watch www.itsallinanutshell.com's element CAL project tutorial videos)

cc1: Corner cluster one; (ch 3, tr in the center of ch 2 space of previous round, dc).

cc2: Corner cluster two; (dc, tr in the center of ch 2 space of previous round, dc).

Note 2: cc1 and cc2 terms will be used from round 4 and on.

Note 3: To make your work easier, always weave in ends when changing yarn.

Note 4: You can make the color combinations you like for 1-6 rounds. 7-8 rounds must be worked in alize yarn.





Instructions:

The granny square (make 30):

With any catania yarn, work the next four rounds:

Round 1: make a magic ring, or chain five, ss to first ch.

Round 2: ch 3, dc, ch 2, *dc 2, ch 2, repeat from * three times, ss to third ch of first ch 3.



Round 3: ss to first ch 2 space, (ch 3, tr into round 1 (magic ring, or ch 5), dc, ch 2, dc, tr into round 1, dc) in ch 2 space.

*(dc, tr into round 1, dc, ch 2, dc, tr into round 1, dc), in next ch 2 space, repeat from * three times, ss to the third ch of first ch 3.






Round 4: ss to first ch 2 space, (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in ch 2 space, (dc, tr in between dc 2 of round 2, dc) in between the two clusters of previous round, *(cc2, ch 2, cc2) in next ch 2 space, (dc, tr in between dc 2 of round 2, dc) in between the two clusters of previous round, repeat from * three times, ss to the third ch of first ch 3.



Edging

Note: in each granny square of the border, ignore the corner sc 2 of round 8.



Round 1 

With alize yarn, in any corner of the blanket, work as follows:

1. Blanket first corner: (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, sc in each bpsc sts 18 times, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr in the last fptr of round 7 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space of wright side granny square, ch 2, (dc in ch 2 space, fptr in first fptr of round 7 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space of left side granny square.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space,

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut alize yarn.


Round 2

Bind on gold catania yarn in last ch 1 space of edging round 1.

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc)in ch 1 space, (cc1, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in next ch 1 space.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 16 times, skip sc, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares:
- Wright side granny square: (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space, (dc, tr in bpsc of round 8 vertically, dc) in ch 2 space, ch 2.

- Left side granny square: (dc, tr in bpsc of round 8, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in ch 1 space, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, tr in ch 2 space of round 7, dc) in next ch 1 space.

Work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, sc to third ch of first ch 3.


Round 3:

1. Blanket first corner: in between the first two clusters, (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc), (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters, ch1.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 14 times, skip sc, ch 1.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between the first two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: ch 1, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between the first two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 1, dc) in between next two clusters, ch 1.

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut gold yarn.


Round 4:

Bind on alize yarn in the first ch 2 space of any corner.

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space.

2. Granny square side: skip sc, sc in each sc 12 times, skip sc.

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 1 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 1 space.

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in between next two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 2, dc) in ch 2 space.

Work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3.


Round 5:

1. Blanket first corner: (ch 3, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between first two clusters, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between the next two clusters, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice, ch 1.

2. Granny square side: ch 1, skip sc, sc in each sc 10 times, skip sc, ch 1. 

3. Between two granny squares: (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between two clusters tiwce, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice,

Repeat 2 and 3 alternately as many as needed, until the second corner.

4. Blanket second corner: ch 1, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between two clusters tiwce, (cc2, ch 2, cc2) in the ch 2 space, (dc, fptr into fptr of edging round 3, dc) in between next two clusters twice, ch 1.

work 2, 3 and 4 all along the rest of blanket sides and corners as many as needed, ch 1, sc to third ch of first ch 3, cut yarn, weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.

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Black Widow Scarf

I've always been fascinated by the spider web crochet patterns, looking for them, saving them, in order that one day I would have the time and suitable yarn to make a project using the pattern somehow.
I'm glad that the time has come! so here is my new black widow scarf. It took a long time to adjust the webs into the scarf, but the result was nice and worth the effort.
It's really easy to crochet; for there are only three stitches in the pattern: chain, single crochet and double crochet stitches. If worked properly, you will see that time will fly, and webs will be constructed faster than a spider's own work.
I hope you like it too, and make one of your own, not necessarily in black. 

Follow me on my instagram @wiams_crafts to see what I'm working on currently.

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Santa Club Coaster

Even though Christmas is many months ahead, I realized in recent years that most of the crafters start the preparations early in July and August. I’ve been fascinated by the Christmas accessories since I was a teenager, but recently I began to come up with ideas for doilies, coasters, shawls and other things for Christmas. This year came up with this Santa Club Coaster. I hope you like it. It’s easy to make if you just follow the instructions carefully.

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Fall is coming Shawl

I had so many ideas for this summer, I've even finished many projects i had put on hold, and now they only need to be written, and posted. But time says its word, and summer is almost leaving us. So when I received this alize burcum yarn, I envisioned this shawl immediately, and began working on it. It's easy to make once you know how to crochet the six petal flower, which by the way, is popular. I incorporated it in this triangle shawl in a way that makes it almost unnoticeable at first glance, then, after a few seconds, you see multi colored flowers in between the mono repetitive clusters pattern. It's fun. I hope you enjoy making this fall welcoming shawl!



Follow me on my Instagram @wiams_crafts to see my upcoming projects. 

Materials
Yarn: alize Burcum "bebe batik", 100% acrylic, 3.53 oz/ 100 g, 330 yds/ 210 mt, 5652 color, classical -unbrushed (5 skeins).
Crochet Hook: US: H-8, 5 mm.
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Stitch markers

Yardage: 1600 - 1650 yds/ 1000 - 1050 m.

.

Level: Intermediate

Measures :
73 inch/ 185 cm wide, 35.5 inch/ 90 cm height.

Crochet Terms (US)

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

tr: treble crochet

tr3tog: treble 3 together

ch3tr2tog: (ch 3, treble 2) together

Instructions:

(For the pattern chart, go to the end of this post.)

Row 1: ch 7, tr to first ch, turn.




Row 2: ch 7, tr in first st, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch, mark the center tr stitch of this cluster, (tr, ch 3, tr) in root of tr of first row, turn.

Note: from this row on, always mark the center tr st.

Row 3: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

The six petals flower pattern

This pattern is worked in two rows:

First row: tr* in tr of previous row,

1. ch3tr2tog in top of tr* (first petal), 

2. tr3tog in the same tr in which tr* was crocheted (second petal),

3.  skip ch 3 space, tr3tog* in next tr of previous row (third petal),

 

4. ch3tr2tog in top of last tr3tog* (forth petal), tr in same tr the tr3tog* was croheted,

Second row: after (tr, ch 3, tr) cluster of the general pattern, (tr3tog, ch 3, tr3tog) in the center eyelet of the four petals made in first row, the fifth and sixth petals are made in this row. 







Note: the next two rows will contain the flower pattern.

Row 4: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Row 5: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern once, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space,(tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern once, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Rows 6-9: ch 7, tr in first st, *skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, repeat from * till you reach the center tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, **skip ch 3 space,(tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, repeat from ** till you reach the last ch 7, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Row 10: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, *skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, repeat from * four times, work first row of the flower pattern once, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, **skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, repeat from ** four times, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Row 11: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern once, *(tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, repeat from * four times, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space,(tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern, *(tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, repeat from * four times, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, work second row of the flower pattern, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Repeat rows 6-9 and the two flower 10-11 rows, another two flowers will be added, keep repeating these six rows till you have six flowers on each side of the shawl triangle, (four times).

Repeat rows 6-9 one more time, then work the last two flower rows as follows:

First row: ch 7, tr in first st, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, *skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, repeat from * till you reach the center tr, skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr, ch 3, tr) in center tr, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, **skip ch 3 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in next tr, skip ch 3 space, work first row of the flower pattern once, repeat from ** till you reach ch 7 space, (tr, ch 3, tr) in fourth ch of ch 7 of previous row, turn.

Second row: ch 1, sc in the first st, ch 3, sc in the ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in tr, ch 4, *work second row of the flower pattern once, ch 4, sc in tr, ch 3, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, repeat from * till the center st, (sc, ch 3, sc) in center tr, **ch 3, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in tr, ch 4, work second row of the flower pattern once, ch 4, sc in tr, repeat from **  till the ch 7 space, ch 3, sc in ch 3 space, ch 3, sc in fourth st of ch 7 of previous row, cut yarn.

Weave in loose ends, make fringes 6.5 inch/ 16.5 cm (finished length), in each flower's ch 3 space, first and last ch 3 space and center ch 3 space.

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