Summer Mosaic – Mystery Afghan 2015 – August 1st

Summer Mosaic

For the fifth year, I am happy, proud, and excited to present the JulieAnny’s Mystery Afghan crochet-along. Thank you to all who purchase my patterns throughout the year and welcome to all who are new to my work.

This afghan is called Summer Mosaic and was inspired by the bright and hot summer sun shining down on colorful mosaic stepping stones.  Construction is mostly easy, with some post stitches and popcorn stitches, but very doable for an advanced beginner crocheter.

The first clue for the Mystery’ghan will be released August 1, 2015.  You can download the first mini-clue NOW on Ravelry using Coupon Code JulieYeagerDesigns.com. Once you’ve downloaded this first mini-clue, subsequent clues will be added as pattern updates and you can pick them up and they will remain in your Ravelry library at no charge.  At the conclusion of the Mystery CAL, about two months, the pattern will be available to newcomers as a paid pattern.  (Edit:  Pattern will remain free with Code until September 30, 2015.)

The afghan will be a 48″ x 72″ (122 cm x 182 cm) rectangle, but there will be an option to make a smaller throw at 48″ x 48″ (122 cm x 122 cm.)  Yarn packs in the suggested yarn Scheepjeswol Stone Washed XL are available for purchase at www.deramores.com now  – here are some links – UK large pack or UK medium pack.  There is free shipping and no sales tax to the US – US Large Pack  and US Medium Pack . For other countries there is a pull-down menu on the website. Stone Washed is a dream to work with!

Please give me a LIKE on my Facebook page, and follow the chat about this pattern at my Ravelry board.

Mystery Afghan 2015 – Summer Mosaic – Coming Soon!

Summer Mosaic

sneak peek

I’m working out the final pattern details on this year’s Mystery Afghan.  As I stitch I am thinking of the best way to present the clues.  Final result will be a rectangular afghan measuring about 48″ x 70″ in aran weight yarn, but getting to that size will be the fun part!  I like to keep you all guessing!  I will give more details on yarn requirements and obtaining the clues as things become more clear.  I’m working on getting yarn packs made available.  Pattern will be FREE for the duration of the CAL, about two months, and then when complete will be a paid pattern.  The clues will be released weekly on Ravelry.com.  Watch for details here on my blog, julieyeagerdesigns.com, my Facebook Page – Julie Yeager Crochet and Knit Designs, and on my Ravelry board.

Exciting things to come! And Thanks!

Crochet Chat

I am working on three blanket patterns right now, with yarn support by a major yarn company.  (EXCITING!)   The first is a simple and repetitive pattern, suitable for beginners.  The second is a floral-based motif afghan that is fun and beautiful.  The third is in the infancy stages but will BLOW YOUR MIND!  Heehee, it is super-cool.

Still hoping for a Mystery Afghan by the end of Summer.  I have a few ideas but nothing concrete yet.  I like to make the mysteries mysterious, so you don’t know what’s coming as you get the clues week by week.  This makes the design process a challenge.   I’m sure it work out, and it will be a FREE pattern.

For 2016, I’m thinking of a Hexagon of the Month Club.  🙂

Thanks so much to those of you who have been using my Amazon.com link on the upper right of the page.  Log in through my link to purchase anything on Amazon, from diapers, to cereal, to laptops, to sneakers, to yarn, cds, and even (crazy thought) books!  Remember when Amazon was just books?    I get a small commission which helps to keep the free patterns coming.

And thanks of course to all of you who buy my patterns on Ravelry.com every day.  I’m very fortunate.  🙂

 

 

Free Hat Patterns

Free Pattern

 

I am not exactly known for my hat patterns, but I love to knit and crochet hats and usually whip up a bunch for Christmas gifts.  I have a few hat patterns on Ravelry, one crocheted and three knitted, and they are now all free patterns.  Check them out and let me see your finished objects!

Maureen Crocheted Hat – Tapestry crochet techniqueIMG_0823_medium2

Pinwheel Beret – Knit flat in intarsia and seamed.  Fun.

IMG_0803_small_best_fit

Honeycomb Two-Toned Hat and Snowflake Topper (knit) – Both use corrugated Rib technique, simple knit cables

Honeycombhat2_medium2

IMG_0498_medium2

 

 

Revisiting September Morning Afghan

Paid Pattern - Afghan

September Morning Afghan was one of my Mystery Afghans a few years ago and it never fails to have a stunning result.  The pattern consists of three 18″ motifs which, individually, would be very suitable for throw pillows too!  I am going to release each motif separately, but here is a discount code to take 20% off the price of any of this and any of my four Mystery Afghans – Hexaghan, Garden State Afghan, and Deco’Ghan.  Coupon good until August 31, 2015 is MysteryGhan.  Here are lovely versions by KinnicChick, runningyogini, Kallene, and lisatinbath:

kinnicchickrunningyoginiseptmornkallene sept mornlisatinbath

 

Courtyard Tiles Afghan in Purple!

Paid Pattern - Afghan

This is such a pretty version of Courtyard Tiles Afghan that ViviLion posted to Ravelry.  She came up with a way of cutting down on the number of ends by carrying the purple yarn across the back loops and the white yarn in the front loops.  So nice.

vivilion2

Did you know the 8-pointed star shape is  called an octogram and is prominent in the symbolism of many cultures and religions?  The Star of Lakshmi represents the Hindu eight pillars of wealth:

star of lakshmi

It is also found in the Islamic culture; this is a ceramic tile in the Metropolitan Museum of Art from 13th Century Iran.

tile islamic

In Christianity, the eight-pointed star is called the Star of Redemption, and many baptismal fonts are octagonal:

star8-stainedglass

 

I’ve seen hardwood floor inlays:

hardwood floor medallion

Sol Lewitt painted this Stars 8-Pointed  in 1996:

Sol Lewitt -stars-8-pointed-1996

And we’re all familiar with gorgeous quilts with the star motif:

Hunters Star

I guess I’m in good company with my Eight-Pointed Flower from 2012 (this by Katsgrace):

Eight Pointed Flower katsgrace

 

Modern Blanket of Flowers CAL

Paid Pattern - Afghan

There will be a CAL (Crochet Along) to my pattern Modern Blanket of Flowers over on the Vanna’s Choice Fan Club board on Ravelry March through July.  (You don’t have to use Vanna’s Choice.  I love Vanna’s Choice, but this pattern is suited to a self-striping yarn.  You can use anything, though.)  It is a friendly group that shares photos and progress.  I’m excited to see how all the versions come out!

Here’s one I love by jnmac102:

jnmac102