crocheting the American flag

Last year, on July 3rd, I decided I would crochet a flag to celebrate our nation's independence. I looked through my stash and realized that the red, white and blue yarn I had would be enough for a flag the size of an index card. Because of that - and the fact that I didn't have much time - I wisely decided to not start this new project but to work on one of the zillions of projects that I had abandoned in the middle of production.

This year I did a bit more pre-planning. I got some yarn last weekend and went to work Monday night. My goal was to have one done by Flag Day and two by the 4th of July. Well today is Flag Day and I'm not done so I amended my goal to finish just the crochet parts. Goal completed. Not bad for less than three days of work, but my wrists are mad at me.

Now all I need to do is sew it together between the blue part and the top stripes and sew in the stars. I thought about crocheting each star one by one and then sew them on, but that would have been a lot of work. I want both flags to be finished on both sides... 200 stars... no way.

I'm making these flags not only to be festive, but because I like the idea of having them around for awhile. I'd like to put them up every year and then pass them down to the next generation of my family.

I'll make updates when this flag is done and then again after they're both finished. I didn't use a pattern so I'll write it out and post it with one of the updates. And in case you were interested, I used a 5.5mm hook and Red Heart Super Saver yarn in soft navy, soft white and burgundy. The whole thing is done in single crochet.

Happy Flag Day!

I dream of chevron

Don't you love the chevron pattern? It's simple, bold, classic.

{ 1 } - { 2 } - { 3 } - { 4 } - { 5 } - { 6 } - { 7 } - { 8 }

This pattern has recently inspired tons of projects that I want to make. At this point it's a challenge to design something that isn't zigzag. The first project that I couldn't wait to start is a crochet chevron blanket.

When starting a new project google is always the first place I go. Naturally. I began by looking at all the different crochet chevron blankets out there -trust, theres a ton- so I could get an idea of where to start. I knew it would be black and tan... because I already had a ton of black and tan yarn. It was just a happy coincidence that the two colors go lovely together.

I decided to create my own pattern. I chose to do it in single crochet and a small hook to create a very defined pattern and a dense piece of fabric. Plus I wanted the points of the chevron to be... well, pointy.

I'm falling more and more in love with this blanket with every stitch.