Leap into Fall

I Love being able to join in on blog hops, especially ones created by amazing designers!  When Nicole from Nicki's Homemade Crafts announced she'd be hosting a hop right around Halloween time, I just had to join in!  This pattern is apart of her Leap Into Fall Blog Hop. Make sure you don't miss out on the other great designs!

I absolutely LOVE Fall! Growing up in New England, there's nothing better than the crisp autumn air, wearing your hoodies and boots, and having warm apple cider and apple cider donuts.  Just gives you such a nice, warm fuzzy feeling.  Fall is also home to my favorite holidays: Halloween and Thanksgiving. With my love of all things that go bump in the night, I decided it'd be a good time to revisit an old pattern and give it a little face lift.  

Knowing that there's a Huge fandom for all things Tim Burton, I knew that bringing my Glaring Jack Beanie back to life was the right pattern for this blog hop!  This pattern is listed as Intermediate, but don't let that deter you, only basic stitches are used in an unique way to shape them to make Jack's facial features.  With the photo tutorials, and video tutorials for special techniques in the pattern, you'll fly through making your beanie.  With the endless possibilities of facial expressions, I can't wait to see your version of Jack!

◇ Add this pattern to your Ravelry Favorites and queue by clicking HERE 

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My daughter and I showing off our Jack Skellington Beanies

Click the blue button below to have the pattern automatically added to your cart with the coupon code.

Next, click "use this coupon" to process!

Make sure the code was applied before checking out, and it shows as free ($0.00), then click Check Out Now.

Code is Only valid for Oct 31st, 2019 until 11:59pm EST!

Refunds will not be issued for an improperly applied coupon code.  If you have trouble with the coupon code working correctly, then please contact me before you check out, so I can help you!

What colors will you use to make your Jack Skellington? 
I'd Love to see your beanies; so please share them! 

Follow me on Instagram and use hashtag #glaringjack and #loopingwithlove when posting your photo(s). Or request to join my Looping with Love's Crafting Community on Facebook where you can stay up to date on exclusive promotions and sales for members only, plus a community full of crafters to share their knowledge and life experiences with; it's a community that's for sharing your love for your craft, whether it be yarn/clay/wood/vinyl related, or just your daily life and thoughts.

I can't wait to see your creations!   

Splash into Summer!

I had so much fun participating in Nicole's Valentine's Day month long pattern hop, that I jumped quickly to join in on the Splash into Summer! I hope you've been following all the other amazing designers up until now!

I can't believe it's half way through summer already! I hope y'all are enjoying your summer, and jam packing it with fun! I on the other hand have been packing up our house to move across country. Needless to say, I'm hot, tired, and just want our household goods to magically pack themselves and float into the moving truck. Wishful thinking I know, but I was hoping! 

So after doing a hard day of work, enduring a long summer day, or enjoying a bbq or bonfire, most will want to grab a nice ice cold drink to relax. But who likes it when your drink "sweats" and you end up with a cold, wet ring on the table? Not to mention, your hand is now cold and wet?!  I'd bet a lot of people wouldn't say, "I do," unless it's an outdoor event and it's super hot out.  So that got me thinking about koozies, and how most of them are geared towards men, and generally just plain foam holders. To modernize and make a koozie/cozy more "girly," I decided to make one to look like a dress. 

Even though the pattern name suggests to use a bottleneck, this cozy will also fit on soda cans or bottles, along with bottled water. Or leave the strap off to make a strapless dress. The color options are endless to customize your dress cozy!

For today only, July 30th, 2019, you can get a Free copy of this advanced beginner pattern, full of photo tutorials, by clicking on the download button below! 

Make sure you check out the other great pattern designers that are participating in Splash into Summer! 

Thank you Nicole from Nicki's Homemade Crafts for putting together another wonderful blog hop!

Please share your dress cozy with me! I can't wait to see them!

If you prefer to add this pattern to your Ravelry library, then click on the link below, and it'll automatically bring you to the pattern with the free pattern code. IF the pattern doesn't show up as FREE in your cart, then type in SPLASH19 to the coupon code section.
 (If you buy the pattern without using the free coupon code on 07/30/19, then I can't issue a refund due to the automatic download feature of Ravelry.)

https://www.ravelry.com/redeem/ashley-bower-designs?code=SPLASH19

Lovebug Legwarmers

My design hiatus is Over! 

I've decided that 2019 will be my year that I focus in more.  More on blogging, more on designing, more on being creative, and more being plugged in with my social media accounts. I'm Super Excited to push my boundaries, get out of my comfort zone, and grow as a person and business woman!

When Nicole from Nicki's Homemade Crafts was looking for designers to be apart of her Countdown to Valentine's Day blog hop, it was Just what I needed to kick my butt in gear!

Each designer has chosen different items perfect to make for you Valentine!  Immediately I wanted to push out a hat design that has been in queue for quite some time, but I decided to push myself out of my comfort zone.  So I started browsing my old design books for inspiration, and I found it!  A legwarmer pattern that I messily jotted down as I worked up a pair for my daughter.

So there I was staring at a pattern with no gauge, weight of yarn, or hook used to create the pattern.  Luckily, I was able to dig out the legwarmers from my daughter's closet to start piecing the puzzle together.  Once I dived in, I realized Why I never published this pattern years ago.  That's because there isn't much information (charts) out there for measurements for a person's ankle to knee.  So I had to resort to looking at charts for knee socks and compression socks to create my own length chart for legwarmers.

The Greatest thing about the Lovebug Legwarmers is that you Only need to know how to make a half double crochet, and a slip stitch to create these beautiful textured legwarmers!  Which can be reversible, thanks to how they're joined together with working the slip stitch a certain way.  This pattern gives you my legwarmer chart to create your own custom legwarmers, along with photo tutorials to guide you through how to work in the 3rd loop to create a wonderful textured item.

Use code: SWEET

 on my Ravelry for your FREE copy!

(Coupon code Only valid on Feb 8th, 2019)

What colors will you use to make your legwarmers? I'd Love to see your legwarmers! Follow me on Instagram and use hashtag #lovebuglegwarmers when posting your photo(s). Or request to join my Looping with Love's Crafting Community on Facebook where you can stay up to date on exclusive promotions and sales for members only, plus a community full of crafters to share their knowledge and life experiences with; it's a community that's for sharing your love for your craft, whether it be yarn/clay/wood/vinyl related, or just your daily life and thoughts.

I can't wait to see your creations!   

0-6 month Some Bunny Loves Me Beanie

We're finally hopping into Spring, and what better way to start off the season but with a FREE pattern! My gift to you this April is a: 

0-6 month Some Bunny Loves Me Beanie

0-6 month Some Bunny Loves Me Beanie

An Original Bunny Beanie

By: Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love

Copyright © Ashley Bower 2014

All Rights Reserved.

Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means, and imposes fines up to $25,000 for violation.

This pattern is registered and protected by copyright. All material (including all of the written pattern, photographs, and videos) may not be altered, reproduced, shared, and/or published in print or electronic form without consent from the designer;

Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love.

This material is intended for private use only. Permission to sell and photograph your completed items is granted with this pattern.

  

All techniques and finished sizes are listed in US terminology.

Skill Level: Intermediate

                                                                                    

Materials Needed:

Size 6, Super Bulky Yarn: I used Lion Brand Yarn’s Hometown USA

(OR double stranding Worsted Weight Yarn, size 4, will also work)

N (10.00mm) and P (11.5mm) crochet hooks

Scissors

Measuring Tape

Tapestry Needle

Optional: Floral Wire OR Pipe Cleaners (to create bendable ears)

Optional: Contrasting Super Bulky Yarn – size 6 (to create an inner ear, and hide the floral wire)

Abbreviation of Stitches and Special Terms Used:

Ch/Chs: Chain/Chains

Extended Cross-Over Sc: Extended cross-over single crochet: insert your hook into the stitch indicated, yarn over and pull up the loop to equal height of the half double crochet just made in the previous stitch, yarn over and pull through both loops on the hook.

Foundation Dc: Foundation Double Crochet: chain 3, yarn over and insert hook into the 1^st chain made, yarn over and pull up loop (3 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook. Yarn over and pull through the first 2 loops on the hook. Yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Gauge: what your indicated worked stitches should measure. This pattern measures gauge straight across the middle (diameter) closed circle of a Round. Gauge is given after Rounds 1 and 2. Make sure your stitches worked are riding stitches to obtain correct gauge.

HDC: Half Double Crochet

Invisible Join:  is used to fasten off the last round of an item, and make it appear seamless to the naked eye. If you have never used this stitch, then refer to my tutorial video here:  

MC: Magic Circle

Rnd/Rnds: Round/rounds

Slst: Slip Stitch

St/Sts: Stitch/stitches

[ X ] #x = work that stitch or pattern a multiple of what the # states. Each stitch that is separated by a comma will be worked in the next stitch.

( X ) = final stitch count for that round

YO: Yarn Over

Where to Find Looping with Love:

v Email: looping.with.love@gmail.com

v  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Looping-with-Love/166231056772011

v  Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/looping-with-love/patterns

v  Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/user/1851358/pattern-store

v  Blog: http://loopingwithlove.blogspot.com/
v Instagram: http://instagram.com/loopingwithlove
 vTwitter: https://twitter.com/LoopingWithLove
v Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/LoopingWithLove/

0-6 Month Beanie: With P (11.5mm) Hook:

Measures: 15” in circumference, 5” in length

NOTE:  Beginning chain does Not count as a stitch in the stitch count for the beanie.

Rnd 1: In MC, ch1 and work 12 hdc. Slst in the 1^st hdc to join. (12 hdc)

Gauge: 2” in diameter

Rnd 2: Ch1 and hdc in the Next st. Working in the st just skipped; insert your hook into the st, YO and pull up the loop to equal height of the hdc just made, YO and pull through both loops on the hook: first extended cross-over sc completed. [Hdc in the next open unused st, then in the st to the right (which already has a hdc in it) work an extended cross-over sc]10x. In the slst from the previous round work a hdc, then in the st to the right (which already has a hdc in it) work an extended cross-over sc. Slst in the 1^st hdc to join. (12 hdc, 12 extended cross-over sc = 24 sts)

Gauge: 4” in diameter

Rnds 3-7: Ch1 and hdc in the Next st. In the st skipped, work an extended cross-over sc. [skip a st, hdc in the next st. In the skipped st, work an extended cross-over sc]11x. Slst in the 1^st hdc to join. (12 hdc, 12 extended cross-over sc = 24sts)

Measure of length from the crown to the brim of the hat: approx. 5” long.

Use an Invisible Join to secure the hat, weave in loose ends.

Ears:

Outer Ear (Make 2): With N hook:

Row 1: Ch3 and work 12 foundation dc. Ch 1 and Turn. (12 foundation dc, 3 chs)

Rnd 1: Working on the Wrong Side of the foundation ch: sc in the first 12 sts, work 2sc in the middle of the beginning ch3 from Row 1 (see photo 1), then rotate your work to continue working on the other side of Row 1 and over the beginning tail (see photo 2): sc in the next 12 sts. Rotate the ear again, and slst twice (see photo 3) into the last foundation dc made in Row 1.  Leave a long tail for sewing, and then work 

an Invisible Join in the Ch1 from the end of Row 1. (26 sc, 2 slsts)

NOTE:  If you would rather have ears that bend and/or are able to stick straight up in the air, then you’ll need a small amount of floral wire or pipe cleaners, and contrasting yarn to create an inner ear to attach to the outer ear, and hide the wire.

Inner Ear (Make 2): With N hook and Contrasting Super Bulky Yarn:

Row 1: Ch 3 and 10 foundation dc. Leave a very long tail 15” or more) for sewing and Fasten Off. Weave in the ch tail. (12 foundation dc, 3 chs)

Take your pipe cleaner or floral wire, and measure it out to 10” long and snip off any extra length. Bend your pipe cleaner or floral wire in half, and place it in the middle of the outer ear (see photo below). Then place the inner ear on top of the pipe cleaner/floral wire. So your stitches won’t show through the backside of the ear, I suggest using a mattress stitch in between the outer ear sts and under both top loops of each st of the inner ear.

Attaching Ear Pieces: The ch 3 will automatically curve, that end should be placed towards the top of the ear, and the last foundation dc should be placed at the base of the ear. The wrong side of the inner ear will be facing the right side of the outer ear, so the wrong side of the outer ear will be towards the back of the hat once attached. To avoid the two pieces from moving from where you positioned them, I suggest using stitch markers (lobster claws, bobby pins, safety pins, etc.) at the top and bottom of where the inner ear is to keep it in place. I also suggest using the mattress stitch when attaching the inner ear to the outer ear, to avoid stitching showing on the backside of the ear. Once the base of the inner ear is just above the outer ear’s top loops on the base, start securing the inner ear to the outer ear by sewing through the outer ear’s stitches, and through the inner ear to avoid stitches being noticeable on the backside of the ear.

Attaching Ears to the Hat:  I suggest attaching the ears to the hat while the hat is on a flat surface, like a table.  Find the side creases, and attach the base of the ear to the top of Rnd 2, and to the bottom of Rnd 3 of the beanie.

Enjoy!

Thank you for viewing this pattern by Ashley Bower, owner of Looping with Love!  You may sell any hats made from this pattern, but you may not sell, share, or distribute any or part of this pattern’s written content and/or photos. 

You Must use your Own photos to advertise and sell your items.

When selling your items online, please give credit for the pattern, and link back to Looping with Love at: www.facebook.com/LoopingWithLove

This pattern has been tested to ensure proper fit and gauge. If you notice any mistakes, or have questions or concerns about the pattern, then please feel free to contact me on Facebook, or email me at looping.with.love@gmail.com. 


Happy Hooking :-)

May the 4th Be With You!

For all my friends that happen to love Star Wars, whether you consider yourself a geek, a nerd, or neither, this is for you!  After searching around on Ravelry, Craftsy, Etsy and even Pinterest, I couldn't find a single crochet stitch for Lightsaber Freeze/Ice Pop Cozies! A little befuddled by that, since there's an abundance of other STAR WARS items: amigurumis, hats, toys, etc, I decided to create my own pattern, and keep it free to share with all of my fellow hookers :-)

Light Sword Freeze Pop Cozy

All techniques and finished sizes are listed in US terminology.

Skill Level 1: Beginner

                                                                                    

Materials Needed:

  s   Size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook   

  s   Medium worsted weight yarn (WWY) in colors of: black, grey, and red 

(I prefer using Red Heart Super Savers. Feel free to substitute with similar shades, or similar weight yarns that you prefer. Always check gauge if substituting yarn, or hook, to ensure proper fit.)

  s   Tapestry needle

  s   Scissors

Abbreviation of Stitches and Special Terms Used:

• Ch/chs: Chain/Chains  
• Hdc: Half Double Crochet
• Invisible Join:  is used to fasten off the last round of an item, and make it appear seamless to the naked eye. If you have never used this stitch, then refer to my tutorial video here: 

                           

• MC: Magic Circle
• Reverse Slst Join: Reverse Slip Stitch: Insert hook from back to front under both loops of the 1^st stitch made in that round, yarn over, and pull through the stitch and the loop on the hook.
• Rnd: Round
• Sc: Single Crochet
• Slst: Slip Stitch
• St/sts: Stitch/Stitches
• [ X ] #x = work that stitch or pattern a multiple of what the # states. Each stitch that is separated by a comma will be worked in the next stitch.
• ( X ) = final stitch count for that round
• YO : Yarn Over

NOTE:  Beginning chain does Not count as a stitch in the stitch count.

Gauge:  5sc x 4 rows = 1” square

NOTE: I tend to ride my stitch. I use the Golden Loop Method when I work my stitches; which means as soon as I yarn over and pull up that first loop, as soon as it is through the stitch – I Stop; that first loop pulled up in every stitch is critical to your stitch height, and more Importantly: your gauge.  If you find that your swatch is smaller than what the gauge states, then you are most likely a “yanker,” who works very tightly and yanks/pulls on your working end before, during, and/or after each stitch; try working the gauge with a larger hook to help you match your stitch technique with the written gauge. If you find that your swatch is taller than what the gauge states, then you are most likely a “lifter,” and you elongate/raise your stitches’ golden loop height to make it even with your beginning loop on the hook; try working the gauge with a smaller hook to help you match your stitch technique with the written gauge.

An Original Light Sword Freeze Pop Cozy Pattern

By: Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love

Copyright © Ashley Bower 2013

All Rights Reserved.

Federal copyright law prohibits unauthorized reproduction by any means and imposes fines up to $25,000 for violation.

This pattern is registered and protected by copyright. All material (including all pattern and photographs) may not be altered, reproduced, shared, or published in print or electronic form without consent from the designer;

Ashley Bower, owner of

Looping with Love.

This material is intended for private use only. Permission to sell and photograph your completed items is granted with this pattern.

Freeze Pop Cozy:

Rnd 1: With Black WWY, In a MC work: ch 1 and 10 sc. Slst to join. (10 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch1 and 2sc in the same st. [2sc in the next st]9x. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Gauge: approx. 1.375” (1 and 6/16”) in diameter

Rnds 3 & 4: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 6: With Grey WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the black in front of the grey), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos below). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnds 7-19: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Slst to join. (20 sc)

Rnd 20: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way again.

Rnd 21: With Black WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the grey in front of the black), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos above as reference - note, the color change will be reverse). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnd 22: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 23: With Grey WWY, slst through loop on hook (ch made), then ch again. Working over the black and grey tails (keep the black in front of the grey), sc into the same st as the join. Sc in the next 4 or so sts. Then pull on the grey and black tails until the little beginning bump of the join disappears, and the color change is practically unnoticeable (see photos below). Continue to sc in each st around. Slst to join. Cut off excess tail ends (20 sc)

Rnd 24: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in the next 19 sts.  Reverse Slst join. (20 sc)

Note: You will be changing colors here in a non-traditional way.

Rnd 25: Ch1 and sc in the same st. Sc in each st around. Use the Invisible Join to fasten off. (20 sc) Weave in the beginning tail from MC in Rnd 1.

Button:

Rnd 1: With Red WWY, In a MC work: ch 1 and 10 hdc. Leave a long tail for sewing and then use the Invisible Join to fasten off. (10 hdc) Weave in beginning tail.

Assembly:

Place the red button on the middle front of the cozy, and sew it on. Cut off excess yarn.

Enjoy your hands staying warm and dry with your icy treat; and May the Fourth be with You!

Thank you for viewing this pattern by Ashley Bower, owner of Looping with Love!  You may sell any cozies made from this pattern, but you may not sell, share, or distribute any or part of this pattern’s written content and/or photos. You Must use your Own photos to advertise and sell your items.

When selling your items online, please give credit for the pattern, and link back to Looping with Love at: www.facebook.com/LoopingWithLove