Free Clip Art for Crochet and Knitting

I have put a few websites together that offer free crochet, knitting and sewing clip art, images or graphics, but have also added links to where you can purchase clip art for a small fee. There are so many cute graphics. I could have spent many more hours searching through all these images and photos! You'll have fun going through them too. Of course, these are just a few and the are 100's more! If you know of some good websites that offer free ones that I don't have listed, then please, let me know and I'll add them! I can imagine these images on your blogs and even printed on mugs snd tote bags! Have fun!

http://m.123rf.com/photos-images/crochet.html

http://allthingsclipart.com/crochet.clipart.htm

https://www.shutterstock.com/search/crochet

http://www.clker.com/clipart-164482.html

http://us.wow.com/image?q=Crochet+Images+Clip+Art&s_it=img-ans&imgId=8D72C0699B05FB4B3F9C2E3B9404A07957678211&s_chn=225&s_pt=aolsem&v_t=aolsem

Etsy - for purchase $3.00
https://www.etsy.com/listing/269693604/sale-crochet-woman-in-armchair-with-yarn?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=crochet%20clipart&ref=sr_gallery_26

Many more at Etsy!! So cute!
https://www.etsy.com/search?q=crochet+clipart

Other Clip Art and Photos for Purchase
http://www.canstockphoto.com/illustration/crochet.html#types:[2,4]

Outstanding Crochet: My Designer Friend, Natalia Kononova

I am so excited that my dear friend, Natalia Kononova, talented crochet designer won 1st place in the design contest for the 2016 Crocbet Calender! She found out the good news on her birthday and you can read all about it at the link below. Congratulations Natalia! Your top design is beautiful and you deserve it!

                 

                          Natalia wearing her beautiful design that won the contest

Outstanding Crochet: Nice surprise for my birthday - to be selected as ...: and receive $500 prize from  Kniting & Crochet Pattern-A-Day Calendars The winning design is a Swing Top pattern: The top is embe...

Cabled Cowl - 7 Patterns in One! - For Sale

 

As a Cowl

 If you have never made a cowl, then it's time to jump on the bandwagon and try one of

As a Hood over the head

these neck warmers that will keep you all warm and snuggly during the cold winter months. Now's the time to be thinking about Christmas gifts. I can just hear several of you saying, "Let's get Thanksgiving over with first!", but if you're like me, you like to get started as soon as the weather turns cold.

As a Cape  

      According to Vashti Braha, fellow designer and friend, "There are 100's of Knit Cowl patterns out there, but not nearly as many for crochet cowls."

Since becoming aware of this fact back in Oct. 2010, she quickly decided to start the "New Crochet Cowls Scarves" blog, which has perked much interest in the crochet world. It's a place where professional designers can post about this trend while they're still hot. Please go here to read more about my "Versatile Cabled Cowl" on the new Cowl blog. It's getting a lot of attention already! You'll find lots of other cowls there too.

The Cowl blog was nominated in the Crochet Liberation Front's Flamie Awards, as "The Best Crochet Blog".  

As a Skirt

I meant to put my cowl up for sale on my blog last winter but  got sidetracked! I'm so, so sorry to those of you who have asked about my pattern and have waited patiently. I feel terrible about that but I lost my handwritten pattern and looked for month so I could put it up for sale. I'm happy to say I found the pattern and am posting ir for sale today. 

Cowl around Neck

There are several ways to wear this stunning cowl.You're buying 1 pattern, but I show you how to wear it as other pieces such as a basic cowl around the neck, a hooded cowl over the head,

Hood

capelet around the shoulders, a hip hugger skirt, a tube top to wear under a jacket, a pillow and a tote bag from the same exact pattern! You're getting 7 patterns for the price of one!

As a Tube Top

Maybe you can even think of other ideas, and if you do, I'd love for you to share that with me.

I want to say thanks to pretty Romanian beauty, Mihaela Vaduva, my daughter's sister in law,  for being willing to model for me.

As a Pillow

As a Tote Bag

 Actually Mihaela is also my son's sister in law. Strange? Not really, after I explain it. My daughter, Jamie Hall, married Mihael's brother, Virgil 13 yrs ago, and then 3 yrs later, my son Brian Hall, married their sister, Anca Vaduva. Their parents and sister, Ligia, are finally in the states now! To purchase this pattern, please see details below.

Price and Shipping Options

Pattern delivered by Email $5.99 USD Shipped by USPS $6.99 USD

Sun and Sand Crochet Tote Bag - Tutorial to Make Rings from Plastic Tubing

How to Make Round Plastic Rings from Tubing at Lowes 

Design and Tutorial by Mary Jane Hall

The Sun and Sand Tote is my original design which was in a back issue of Crochet Today! magazine. When I first had this bag design in mind, I ordered metal rings online. But when they arrived in the mail, I decided the combination of 14 rings I needed would make the bag WAY too heavy. I had to get an extension because of being in the hospital for 16 days (having emergency surgery) and needed to come up with a quick solution. Actually, a friend was visiting me in the hospital when we both came up with the idea for making rings out of tubing. I had IV's in me with tubing everywhere! Putting these rings together was very easy and inexpensive! There was no room in the magazine to put the tutorial for the rings, so they put the instructions on their website. See the full tutorial on Crochet Today!'s website here.

 

Thrift Store Find # 7 - Sak Crochet Purse

Mihaela Vaduva

I still have many more Thrift Store Finds to put on my blog, but when you're busy, life can pull you in so many different directions. It's just hard to find time to do little things and I'm pretty sure you can relate to that! Just make sure you find time to do the important things though! (like spending time with family and not neglecting your relationship with God.)

It can be so easy sometimes to let our "quiet time" with God be pushed aside when we have pressing matters to take care of.
I find that reading my Bible and praying in the morning while I drink my coffee helps me to stay on schedule with that - one of the most important things in my life. Seems like my day goes much better and is pretty much stress free when I remember to put God first. Reading God's word is like food for the soul. We wouldn't neglect eating a meal, would we? (which can weaken us and drag us down) So why would we starve our spirits, which need nourishment too? I don't mean to sound preachy, but truly want to be an encouragement to everyone I meet.

I bought this Sak crochet bag because I loved the teal color, which is one of the hotest colors for 2012. It's also brand new and the beautiful sheen of the nylon cord makes it even more appealing to me. I normally carry larger purses, but this one is big enough to carry my personal things without being too over crowded.

Most people can't afford to buy a purse or pair of shoes to go with every outfit they own but when you can find deals like this, why not? This bag cost me about $3.00, if I remember correctly.

Going "thriftin" is SO much fun!

Close - up of  Bag

Keep Scrolling!

Striped Sleeveless Turtleneck Sweater

Turtleneck Top in Crochet That Fits

This has been a very popular pattern in Crochet That Fits.  You may want to wear it in the summer if using a cool yarn, but it would also look great under a jacket in the fall or winter.

It's a beginner project which can be made with or without the turtleneck. Another idea would be to make the collar into a longer cowl. I have loved cowls since they were popular back in the 70's. Or was it the 80's? I don't remember!

 Many people on Ravelry have made this in solid colors and I think they look really sharp. See some photos below. If you go to Ravelry here you can view other projects with this pattern. Once you get to that page, click were it says "42 projects", above the title. You may get some ideas of your own!

Top Design by Mary Jane Hall - project by loopysue on Ravelry

Turtleneck Top Design by Mary Jane Hall - project by Macgillie on Ravelry

Turtleneck Top Design by Mary Jane Hall - project by Zuks on Ravelry

Turtleneck Top Design by Mary Jane Hall - Project by Davana on Ravelry

Angel Hair Bolero

Angel Hair Bolero in Positively Crochet!

The Angel Hair Bolero was published in Positively Crochet! and I gave it that name because the yarn I used is the softest my hands have ever worked with. This is a yarn by Sensations, which is found at JoAnn Fabrics and Crafts. It comes in beautiful colors, and is still available.

This is an intermediate project and the pattern instructions are for sizes xsm to 2x. I just love this color. Even though the yarn has a texture, the stitches are easy to see because of the mesh stitch pattern and hook size.

By the way, if you have Positively Crochet! you may have noticed the fabulous pictures. I'm proud to say that a world famous photographer (Dave Wacker of Photography by JD) took the pictures for this book!

Aminta Moses

 He is known all over the world and if fact he travels to other countries to do workshops on photography. Take a look at the pictures and poses a little closer, especially if you are an aspiring photographer.  To see this Bolero on Ravelry, go here and you'll find projects by other crocheters.

If you don't like putting in "set in" sleeves, you'll like this pattern because the sleeves are worked right onto the armhole opening.

The book you'll find this pattern in, Positively Crochet! is in the right column. Just click on it to be directed to Amazon where you can purchase it for around $15, which is a great buy. You'll get 50 patterns for trendy crochet garments and accessories! Can't beat that!

Cloverleaf Top

Jamie Hall Vaduva - Cloverleaf Top

Isn't she beautiful? Yes, I'm proud to say that's my daughter, Jamie. Krause Publishing hired professional models to be photographed for Positively Crochet!, but I was thrilled that Jamie was asked to model a few items.

We anxiously traveled to the state of Wisconsin in January, 07' for the photo shoot of my very first book, Positively Crochet. Jamie went along because I had convinced the publisher to allow my 2 granddaughters to model the girl's projects in the book. Jade11, and Sophia 8, were 2 and 5 back then, and I have to tell you, even though it was one of the most exciting times of my life, it was the coldest time of my life. I had no idea Wisconsin got as cold as it did!

One night the wind chill was 45 degrees below zero!! I'll never forget it. Jamie pulled out a wet wipe to clean Sophia and they were frozen even though they had been in the heated van for hours! Now that's cold!

 Aside from that, we had the most wonderful time and Krause publishing treated me like royalty! They put me up in a special cottage especially reserved for their authors. It was fully equipped with food, TV, and everything we needed. I didn't have to cook though. They took me out to eat at special restaurants.

The Cloverleaf Top has spaghetti straps and an attached band of dangling clover leaves. I wove an elastic thread through the top row of stitches to keep the band from falling down.

 This is an intermediate pattern with instructions for sizes xsm - 2x. By the way, the long beaded necklace, which  takes about 10 minutes to make, is a free pattern here on this blog. We just didn't have room to put it in the book. If you've never worked with thread, this would be a good project to get you started. It's not as hard as you may think. I avoided making anything with crochet thread for over 30 yrs, just because I didn't think I'd be able to see it very well. But all you need is a good light!

If you'd like to order the book this top is in, click on the front cover of Positively Crochet in the right column and you'll be directed to Amazon. $15 is a great price for a book with 50 crochet projects! (garments and accessories)

To see more and other crocheter's version of this top go to Ravelry and your see my page on this project.

Funky Stripes Leg Warmers

Funky Stripes Crochet Leg
Warmers by
Free Pattern 
Mary Jane Hall

I designed these leg warmers about 7 years ago and
 they were published in a book called "Hooks Only Crochet" by House of White Birches. You can still find this book in some stores, in libraries and of course on Amazon.

I have been surprised at how many people like this pattern and it is now available for free HERE.    Several people on Ravelry have made them and posted their pictures.

These fun to make leg warmers will definitely use up your yarn scraps! If you don’t like stripes just make them in a solid color.

 You can use any worsted wt. (# 4) yarn. I say "fun" because I have always loved making Puff stitches from the time I learned to crochet. As I've said so many times before, I love textured crochet, and this pattern is pretty easy!

I came up with the color combination from a sweater my daughter wore many years ago. I always loved that sweater. I’ll try to find a photo of it and post the pic here so you can see how well they go together.

by nicole02 on Ravelry

A Ravelry member, nicole02, made the ones on the right.

See the Ravelry page and other people's version of these leg warmers here. 

 Link to Funky Stripes Leg Warmer pattern is HERE

https://1drv.ms/w/c/3071c7b8ae2fd250/ETZGTja_WLZLh0Z9j8jc1LcBsnsF1QmpF0wtx2_WpRHVEghttps://1drv.ms/w/c/3071c7b8ae2fd250/ETZGTja_WLZLh0Z9j8jc1LcBsnsF1QmpF0wtx2_WpRHVEg

Leapin' Lizards Scarf

Leapin' Lizards Scarf

I'm sorry! I know this is my own original design but I have to say, I love this scarf! One reason is because it's green (one of my favorite colors) and the other reason is because it's textured. I've always loved textured crochet. It's made with a very pretty Yarn Bee bulky yarn called Icelandic Jewels by Hobby Lobby. This yarn has small specks of other colors, kind of like a tweed, but the colors are tiny little shiny ribbons! I'm not even sure if they still carry that yarn.

This scarf was published in a book called Big Hook Crochet. I have to tell you, if you're looking for a quick project, this is not it! I love designing quick and easy projects, but this scarf with basically all bobble stitches is pretty time consuming. I still love it though!

Big Hook Crochet

When I see this scarf, it reminds me of my sister being in the hospital. I sat right there next to her hospital bed working away. You know how you think of where you were when you see or hear about certain things from your past? You know exactly what you were doing and where you were at that moment. For instance, when JFK was killed I was sitting in class. I'll never forget that or Mrs McClain. She used to tell me I had pretty eyes. That was a long time ago, but I have never forgotten it!

To see the scarf on Ravelry and read more about it click here.

Wish you could see this pretty yarn up close!

Flower Motif Ponchette - Free Pattern

I designed this poncho for Hobby Lobby a few years ago for one of their free "Tear Sheets". Yarn companies give away free patterns hoping you'll buy their yarn. I am no longer doing designs for HL, but they used to send me huge boxes of yarn and told me to make whatever I wanted to with it. That was so much fun!


Of course, I'd send them a swatch and sketch of each design for their approval. They do have beautiful yarn, so if you've never seen their yarn you really need to go check it out. They have every kind of yarn you can think of! (as well as other popular brands)

A member of Ravelry pointed out that the link for the free pattern is no longer working on the Hobby Lobby website, so I'm posting it here. Hope you enjoy making it! If you're looking for a quick and easy open stitch poncho your search is over!. Just 4 large motifs makes a small ponchette, but you could easily add more motifs if you want a larger poncho. See my diagram below.

Using a smaller hook and smaller weight yarn will result in a poncho that will fit a child. If that's what you want, go for it!

Flower Motif Poncho

Original Design by Mary Jane Hall

One size fits most

Skill Level - Intermediate

Only 4 motifs are made joined together for this poncho that can be worn 2 different ways. See my diagram at the end of this post to see how many more squares you need to make if you want a larger, longer poncho.

Materials

Yarn Bee Yarn: 2 skeins -Highland Thistle in Tartan # 265 or any other # 6 Super Bulky yarn

Crochet hook size N (change to size P hook if your gauge does not match)

Yarn Needle

Gauge

1 Flower motif square = 13" x 13"

1 petal = 3" tall x 4" wide (2 dc, 2 tc, 3 dtr, 2 tr, & 2 dc)

8 sc in circle of round 1 = 2" in diameter

Special Stitch - 3 Loop Clover St - (ch 7, sl st in 1st ch of the ch 7 you just made, catching both lps) 3 times: Youll have 3 ch 7 lps

Instructions for Motif - Make 4

Ch 4, join with sl st to form a ring.

Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same sp, 7 sc in ring, join to 1st sc  (8 sc)

Rnd 2: * Ch 5, sk 1st st, 1 sc in next st; rep from * around, ending with sl st in 1st sc.

Rnd 3: Sc in same sp as sl st, in each ch 5 lp work (2 dc, 2 tr, 3 dtr, 2 tr, 2 dc) Sc in sc of previous rnd; rep from * around, sl st to sc (4 petals)

Rnd 4: Sl st over to middle st (dtr) * (ch 7, sl st in 1st ch of the ch 7 you just made, catching both lps) 3 times. Clover st made. Sl st in next dtr, sl st 3 sts over to top of last tr on petal, ch 7, sl st over to 2nd dc on next petal, sl st 3 sts over to middle st (dtr) of petal, Rep from * around, end with sl st to 2nd dc on last petal. End off yarn.

Rnd 5: Attach yarn to any ch 7 lp between petals. * Ch 5, sl st into 1st ch 7 lp of Clover St, ch 5, sl st in 2nd lp of Clover St, ch 5, sl st in 3rd lp of Clover St, ch 5, sl st in ch 7 lp between petals; rep from * around, ending with sl st to 1st sl st at beg. of rnd. End off.

Sew Motifs together with yarn and yarn needle in the following manner:

 See larger diagram below.

 Chain Link Edging

Attach yarn to center point at front or back of poncho (middle ch 7 lp of clover)

* Ch 5, Sl st in center st of next ch 5 (between clover leafs) ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp of clover, ch 5, sl st in middle ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in ch 7 lp between petals, ch 5, sl st in middle ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp (of clover st) ch 5, sl st in center of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in seam, ch 5,  sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in ch 7 lp of next clover leaf, ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp that is on previous rnd, ch 5,  sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp (clover leaf) ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next seam, ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp (clover leaf) ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in ch 7 lp that is on previous rnd, ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp, (clover leaf) ch 5, sl st in center ch of next ch 5, ch 5, sl st in next ch 7 lp (middle leaf of 3 leaf clover). Rep from * around to other point.

Next rnd: Sl st over to center of 1st ch 5 lp on previous rnd, * ch 6, sl st to next ch 5 lp; rep from * around entire edge, ending with sl st to 1st sl st on rnd.

Optional - add fringe if desired or add more motif's for a larger poncho!

Finishing - Weave in all loose ends with yarn needle

Block poncho if needed with steam iron . Make sure you have a protective fabric over poncho before steaming.
The cream color Ponchette was made by a Ravelry member (© Mermaiden) and I love the color.

This Ponchette will be shorter than the picture if you decide to use a smaller yarn such as a # 4, worsted weight. If it ends up shorter than you want it to be, all you have to do is make more squares and add to the ponchette, by following the diagram.

Double Breasted Jacket Purse

This has been a popular pattern in Positively Crochet and whenever I carry this purse it gets lots of attention! People always comment on it. Maybe it's because of the color combination or the style. I used a sturdy 100% nylon cord (with a gorgeous sheen) but you could use any yarn for this pattern. Of course using a sturdier cord such as this helps to give the purse shape.

I also added a lining and a sturdy stabilizer, which can be found at fabric shops such as Joanns or Hancocks. Just look for the thickest, most firm pelon called Peltex.

I normally am a loose crocheter, but when making a purse or tote bag, you want to work as tightly as you can, unless it's a lacy, open weave design. Nylon cord is a little slippery, so you'll want to use "Liquid Stitch" or "OK To Wash It" when weaving in your ends.

You can find the cord, Omega La Espiga # 18, in 83 gorgeous colors at Creative Yarn Source. (formerly crochetstyleetc.com) Mona is a very nice friend of mine and you'll love browsing her site for exciting yarns, cords and threads at great prices! The page for this nylon cord is HERE. This is the cord that used to be called Omega Hilos. Hobby Lobby also carries it but they have only a few colors.

Of course you can make this in one of your favorite colors but hot pink is hot, hot, hot right now!

Airy Vest in Positively Crochet

I've had people tell me the Airy Vest in Positively Crochet seems to fit small, but as you can see in the photo it was purposely designed so that the front left & right do not come together all the way.

I'd say if you don't want your vest to be this open at the front, then you should probably make a size larger than what you want to make or you could always add to the vertical edge at front, by making 2 - 4 rows.

I was at the photo shoot and this model (above left) was a size small  (maybe 4 - 6) and it doesn't come together in the front,which is the way I meant it to be. My daughter, Jamie, at the right is a size extra small (size 1 - 2) and you can see how it comes together even more.

This vest was designed to be a very quick and easy garment! Actually it takes only about 2 hours to make! Can you believe that? This is a great project even for a beginner. A # 6, super bulky yarn was used as well as a huge size "Q" hook. This hook is the turquoise one you see in the stores and is used many times to make rag rugs and baskets.

The yarn I used was a Hobby Lobby yarn by Yarn Bee yarns, but you can find a similar yarn just about anywhere. Just look for Super Bulky # 6. Having a yarn with 3 different colors makes it nice to be able to change the ribbon color from brown to olive green or denim blue.

See book this vest pattern is in below. Click on title below front cover to check it out on Amazon.

Positively Crochet! 50 Trendy Designs

Crochet Wall Art - Beautiful!

 Urban Outfitters' Creative Headquarters 

 I think this is such a cool idea, and I especially love the colors. 

Notice the gigantic yarn balls on the floor!

I wonder who crocheted this?

Cool Crochet Bag Made with Jersey Fabric

Check out this unique bag by Joanne L, owner of  Craft Passion blog. I have made crochet rugs and baskets from strips of cotton fabric, but never with jersey fabric, such as this. I have been in the process of making a large tote alternating with yarn and fabric, but I just never seem to have time to finish it. This gives me the inspiration.

Check out Craft Passion and the free pattern with Joanne L. here. She has some excellent step by step tutorials for this gorgeous bag.

Another one of her designs I love is her Yo Yo Hat with a wide brim. It's so colorful and springy looking! You'll find her free pattern here.