Crafty Corner

by Pepper Mint

Greetings, my lovely crafters!

Alright, y'all. It's a new year. I know most of you are frantically trying to think of things to add to your New Year's Resolutions list and I've got a great little item for you to tack on. How about you make this... YEAR OF THE CRAFTS! … Yes? Sounds like fun, doesn't it?

No?

Aw, come on! Crafting is awesome! It's practical! It's a great way to keep your hands and mind busy! It's a convenient excuse to ignore everyone and retreat to your room for a day of quiet and solitude!

Not convinced?

Alright, how about a fun, flashy, and fast project to tempt you into my way of thinking? I just finished one of these and I have literally gotten nonstop compliments from everyone who sees it -

Rainbow Shawl!

*Project and photos borrowed from Clare Sullivan.

This is a wonderful project for novice crocheters. It's also a great way to use up scrap yarn, which is exactly what I was looking for when I went in search of a shawl pattern. Annnnnnnd if there's anyone you forgot to gift last month, this would make a wonderful "Oops, sorry I forgot about Christmas," gift.

Materials:

- 7 oz / 200 gram of Bright Yellow
- 5oz / 150 gram of each color: Pumpkin, Hot Red, Shocking Pink , Medium Purple, Turqua, and Spring Green
- 5.5mm I hook

Remember - Looser tension will give you a nice drape, rather than a stiff shawl

Order of Colors:

- 2 yellow
- 2 orange
- Red
- 2 Pink
- Purple
- 2 blue
- 2 green
- Yellow
- 2 orange
- 2 red
- Pink
- 2 purple
- Blue
- Green
- 2 yellow
- Orange
- Red
- 2 pink
- Purple
- 2 blue
- 2 green
- Yellow for the border

Finished size will measure approximately 140cm/54 inches wide x 75 cm/30 inches long.

Abbreviations:

- ch = chain
- cm = centimeters
- dc = double crochet
- () = work directions in brackets the number of times specified
- * or ** = repeat whatever follows the * or ** as indicated.

Body Instructions:

Step One: Make a magic ring. See HERE for magic ring tutorial.
Step Two: Ch 3 (this will act as your first dc), 3 dc, ch 3, 4 dc. Turn.
Step Three: Ch 3, 3 dc into space between ch 3 and dc from previous row (see image 1 below).

(3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into ch 3 space (see image 2 above).

4 dc into space between last and 2nd last stitch (see image 3 and 4 below). Turn.

Step Four: Ch 3, 3 dc between the last and second last stitch from previous row (see image 5 below).

3 dc into next space (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) into ch 3 space. 3 dc into next space, 4 dc into space between last and 2nd last stitch. Turn.

Step Five: Repeat the last row for an odd amount of rows until you get the length you would like your project (I did 33 rows).

Border Instructions:

Step One: Ch 3, 3 dc between the last and second last stitch from previous row *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next space, dc into the next space*. Repeat from * to * along the straight edge. When you get to the corner ch 3 space (3 dc, ch 2) three times & finish with an additional 3 dc. Dc into the next space *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next space, dc into the next space*. Repeat from * to *. 4 dc into the space between the second last and last stitch. Turn.

Step Two: Ch 3, 3 dc between the last and second last stitch from previous row. *(3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the ch 2 space, dc into the singular dc from previous row*. Repeat from * to * up to (but not including) corner space. (3 dc, ch 2, 3 dc) into the next ch 2 space – repeat 2 more times.

Step Three: Weave in your ends.

Ta-da! You now have a beautiful, fun-colored, & warm Rainbow Shawl! From start to finish this project took me about eight hours. I took it on a road trip with me the other day and by the time we'd reached our destination I was sporting my newest creating! Everyone at the Cracker Barrel said I looked fabulous!

Happy crafting!