July 2021 -

Simple and Cute Crochet Belt Pattern

by strommercrafts / July 28, 2021

Hello again, and welcome to Strommer Crafts. Today we will be learning how to make simple and cute crochet belt! I thought I would share this pattern even though anyone could have come up with it.

***Please note that this post may contain affiliate links. This means that I may receive a commission if you purchase something through these links (at no cost to you!). Thank you for your support!***

I had recently made an online purchase of a yellow, floral dress for my birthday. When it arrived, I tried it on and quickly noticed that it was missing something…

A belt!

Although, I ashamedly admit, I didn’t have one (but now I do, yay!). So I started browsing through the internet for a cute black belt. After scrolling for a while and not being satisfied with the belt or price, it hit me; why not just make a belt?

I have so much yarn to use, I thought I would at least try to whip one up. Plus it would save me a little bit of cash, which is always a bonus in my book!

This is a great project for beginner crocheters! The only “weird” thing you do in the pattern is crochet in the back loop of your single crochets.

Plus all you need is a bit of yarn and a crochet hook and you’re good to go! I used Black Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver and a 5 mm crochet hook, however, feel free to use whatever yarn and hook size you would like. Just note that different yarn and hook sizes might make your project wider or skinnier.

Feel free to adjust the number of chains at the beginning if you would like a wider or skinnier belt.

The pattern gives it a nice little “ridged” texture, as well as making the ends slightly pointy. I didn’t want my belt to be totally squared off at the ends, and I think the end result looks pretty decent.

I had originally thought about making a single crochet border around the finished belt, but decided against it. I thought the little gaps between the rows gave it a nice texture too. Of course, if you like a little more structure with your crochet projects, feel free to add a border of your choice around.

Alright, let’s get started!

Materials Needed:

5 mm crochet hook
<1 skein of Black Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Abbreviations Used:

Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Sc2tog – single crochet 2 stitches together

Simple and Cute Crochet Belt Pattern:

With Black yarn and 5 mm crochet hook: (if you need help putting your yarn on your hook by slip knotting click here).

Row 1: Ch 3, from second ch from hook, make 2 sc in that ch and in the next ch make another 2 sc (4 sts)
Row 2-desired length: Ch 1 and turn, sc in the back loop of each st, repeat for each row. (4sts)
- What is the back loop? If you look straight down on your stitch…it has 2 sides and looks a little bit like a V, insert your hook into the side that is farthest away from you and make your sc. This helps create that nice ridged texture.
At desired length: Ch1, turn, sc2tog and then sc2tog again (2sts). At the end of your row, cut yarn with scissors and pull through. Weave in ends with tapestry needle.

Tada! It’s really that simple! Here’s another picture of the belt with a different dress. Get creative and tie it in different ways!

Thank you as always for checking out my patterns, see you in the next one!

Home Decor

Crochet Lobster Pillow – Try Out This Free Summer Time Pattern

by strommercrafts / July 17, 2021

Hellow and welcome back to Strommer Crafts! Today we will be learning how to make a crochet Lobster Pillow! I thought this would be a fun pattern to make, especially since I’ve been experimenting with graphs.

The finished lobster crochet pillow is about 19″ x 13″ when finished. This also depends on your gauge and how firmly you stuff your pillow :).

I like to use Stitch Fiddle to create some of my designs. I previously crocheted a Dark Souls Pillow and a Black and White Star Blanket that uses the same technique. I think this website is extremely helping when needing to make a grid/graph of an image or picture.

Here is an image of the graph I used below:

I also have a PDF of the graph that you can download here. It may be easier to see the rows on the PDF.

I suggest either printing out the PDF to mark where you are in the pattern, or write down somewhere what row you are on.

Each square on the graph represents 1 single crochet, and you always chain 1 and turn at the end of the rows to keep going.

The pillow is simple. You’ll need to crochet the front piece with the lobster and then make a separate back piece that’s the same size. Throw some stuffing in there, sew it up and viola!

Even though you sew up the entire pillow, you can throw the whole thing into the wash, as poly-fil stuffing is 100% machine washable.

I also used yarn from Red Heart Super Saver (medium 4 worsted weight). It’s acrylic, so it’s a little cheaper and it comes in so many different colors. As always, feel free to use a different yarn or yarn color if it suits you better!

I decided to go with a smaller hook size than normal. It was difficult to obtain a clear image of the lobster and using my typical 5 mm hook would make the pillow a bit too big for my liking. Of course feel free to use a larger hook size, your pillow will just be bigger.

Materials Needed:

3.75 mm crochet hook
1 skein of Light Blue Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
1 skein of White Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
Poly-fil for stuffing
Stitch marker (optional)
Scissors

Abbreviations Used:

Ch – chain
St – stitch
Sl st – slip stitch
Sc – single crochet

Special Instructions

The ch 1 at the beginning of each round does not count as a stitch.
I used a stitch marker to help me identify the left from the right side of the front panel of the Lobster Crochet Pillow. You don’t have to use one (a scrap piece of yarn also works), but I think it really helped me. Sometimes I would forget if I was going left to right, or right to left down the row I was on. Especially if I left the project and picked it up later.
Just make sure when you read it left to right, you’ll chain 1 and turn your work and then read the graph right to left.
To change yarn colors from white to blue correctly, plan ahead! I always stop at the stitch prior to the needed color change and put my new color on. This keeps a nice even look to the color change. You’ll want to make a single crochet, but don’t completely finish it. You should have 2 loops on your hook. Loop your new color around your hook and pull it through. See my previous post on how to change colors correctly in crochet for further details.
I decided not to carry the white yarn along with me throughout the pillow. I only did this in the center area where the lobster is. A few rows required a switch to the white yarn but I had ended it a few stitches away in the row below. I went ahead and pulled the white from the previous row to where it needed to be in the next, and then crocheted while going underneath the long stretch of white to hide it…if that makes sense!
Don’t be alarmed if your front panel starts to get wavy around where the lobster image is. When you sew the back panel, and stuff the pillow, it’s very difficult to see it.

Crochet Lobster Pillow Pattern:

With 3.75 mm crochet hook and Light Blue Yarn:

Ch 76, from second ch from hook; sc in each ch across (75 sts)

Rows 1-65: Follow the lobster graph by starting left to right. At the end of each row, ch 1 and turn. Light Blue = the white squares and White = the black squares on the graph. Remember: 1 square = 1 sc.

Cut yarn with scissors and pull through.

Back Panel:

With 3.75 mm crochet hook and White Yarn:

Ch 76, from second ch from hook, sc in each ch across (75 sts)

Rows 1-65: Sc in each st across, turn and ch 1

Do not cut yarn.

With your back panel finished, line up both the front and the back panel with each other. (Make sure you have the front panel facing the correct way).

Start sewing the panels together by slip stitching into both sts all the way around the sides. Use the poly-fil to stuff the pillow firmly before completely sewing shut.

Cut off excess yarn and weave in any ends with tapestry needle.

Completed black and white crochet baby blanket

Patterns

Black and White Star Crochet Baby Blanket

by strommercrafts / July 9, 2021

Hey there and welcome to StrommerCrafts, today I am presenting to you my first completed baby blanket pattern! A Black and White Star Crochet Baby Blanket!

I used a 5 mm crochet hook and 1 jumbo skein of white yarn from Red Heart Super Saver and 1 jumbo skein of black yarn from Red Heart Super Saver.

When finished, this blanket is about 33” x 27” depending on your gauge.

The stars are actually not a perfectly repeating pattern…I found an image of stars that I liked and used my favorite crochet graph generator, Stitch Fiddle, to create it.

Since the stars are not all the same, you can adjust the black stitches to be the exact same as the first whole star if the variations among the stars bothers you. I’m just lazy, so I left it as is ;).

You’ll also need to change colors correctly when following this pattern. When you switch between the two colored yarns, you’ll find that your skeins will start to get twisted. That is ok! That just tends to happen when you switch, just make sure that you unravel them occasionally so they don’t get knotted.

Each square on the graph represents 1 half double crochet. I had originally used single crochets, but found that it took way too long to complete a baby blanket this way. Plus it was pretty stiff. The half double crochets worked perfectly, as the stars didn’t get stretched out too much (double crochets would distort the image and make it too tall…if that makes sense!).

Here is the graph I used to make the blanket:

Here is a link to a PDF of the pattern, which may be easier to see.

I suggest either printing the graph out to mark where you are in the Black and White Star Baby Blanket pattern or head over to Stitch Fiddle and mark where you are by using your own colored square (this is how I did it). You can also write down on a piece of paper or on your phone which row you last completed or are on.

It’s easy to get lost if you don’t have a way of marking which row you’re on, especially since this is a longer crochet project!

I also polished up the blanket by adding a shell stitch border around it. The shell border makes it look a little more feminine in my opinion, but you can add any border you like (or none at all!).

Okay, let’s get started on our Black and White Star Crochet Baby Blanket!

Materials Needed:

5 mm crochet hook
1 jumbo skein of White Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
1 jumbo skein of Black Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Abbreviations Used:

Ch(s) – chain(s)
St – stitch
Sl st – slip stitch
Hdc – half double crochet
Dc – double crochet

Special Instructions:

Each square on the graph is equal to 1 half double crochet.
I carry the yarn color I’m not using with me. This prevents having a thousand ends that have to be weaved back into the project, however, you will be able to see the black yarn between the white.
Make sure that you change yarn colors correctly. This prevents your colors from “straying” away.
Remember to untwist your skeins occasionally to prevent future knots and entanglement.

Black and White Star Baby Blanket Pattern:

With black yarn and 5 mm crochet hook:

Ch 103, in second ch from your hook, make 1 hdc in each ch across (102 sts)
Rows 1-62: Turn, ch 1 and follow the squares on the graph. The white squares indicate that 1 white hdc should be placed and the same with the black. I started Row 1 by reading the graph, left to right. Please see image above or high quality PDF below.
Click here for PDF version of the pattern.
If you want to make the shell border, don’t cut your yarn yet. When I ended the last row, I had black yarn on my hook already, so I went ahead and cut the white yarn off.

Shell Border (optional)

With 5 mm crochet hook and black yarn:

If you haven’t already, turn and ch 1. Skip 2 sts, in the third st make a total of 5 dcs, all separted by a ch 1 (do not ch 1 after the 5th dc).
In other words, in the same st: dc and ch 1, dc and ch1, dc and ch1, dc and ch1, and dc.
Skip 2 sts and make a sl st in the next st.
Repeat all the way to the end of the row.

You should end with a sl st in the last st (if not it’s ok if a shell is there, just keep repeating the pattern around).
If you end with a sl st in the last st, ch 1 to adjust for the corner and sl st into the same st.
Continue to skip 2 sts (or rows now that we’re down the side) make the shell, sl st, skip 2, all the way around the blanket.
The sides of the blanket can be difficult to see where you need to skip two and put your stitches. Try you’re best to stay consistent on both sides. I would count the shells to make sure they match.

And you’re done! I think this black and white star baby blanket turned out great! It took some time, but we always stitch with love, don’t we?

As always, thank you for checking out my crochet patterns! Until next time!

Patterns

A Whale of a Pattern! Try this Free Crochet Pattern Today!

by strommercrafts / July 2, 2021

Learn to crochet this free whale pattern in a day! This post contains: materials needed, the free whale pattern, and pictures to help guide you.

Summer is finally here! Can you believe it? I feel like this year has flown by so quickly and it’s more than halfway over!

Why not celebrate by crocheting this cute little whale? I had a lot of fun coming up with another crochet stuffed animal, and having it be nautical themed just seemed appropriate for the season.

This crochet whale toy is made very similarly to my frog toy. I will admit, that I’ve been in the groove for making these flatter stuffed animals. They are kind of like amigurimi, but you have to sew two sides of the project together.

When completed, the whale is about 7″ x 5,” but depends on your tension.

I use Red Heart Super Saver, medium 4 worsted weight yarn for this project. You can use a different type of yarn if you prefer. If it’s not medium 4 worsted weight, then it might come out bigger or smaller than expected!

This project took me less than a day to complete, so it’s a super quick crochet pattern. Perfect for a last minute crochet gift!

Alright let’s dive in!

Materials Needed:

5 mm crochet hook
<1 skein of Dusty Gray Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
<1 skein of Soft White Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
<1 skein of Black Yarn by Red Heart Super Saver
Poly-fil for stuffing
Stitch marker
Tapestry Needle
Scissors

Abbreviations Used:

(Please note that these are in US terms, not UK)

Ch – chain
Mc – magic circle
St – stitch
Sl st – slip stitch
Sc – single crochet
Hdc – half double crochet

Special Instructions:

When working on the body of the crochet whale, do not join to your first stitch with a slip stitch. Continue to single crochet around. Your stitch marker will come in handy to mark the beginning of your rounds. That way, you won’t get lost.
When working the tail of the whale (haha), you will notice that some of the rows do not require chain 1’s. This is intentional.
I sew both the whale panels together using slip stitches with the crochet hook. Instead of cutting my yarn and pulling through for the second side of the whale, I keep my hook on so I can do this. This step is up to you, you can sew with the tapestry needle instead if you would like.
Sew the facial features onto the front panel before joining the two panels together. This is so you can tie your strands of yarn securely inside of the whale.
The rounds end with a (x), where x represents the number of stitches you should have.

Crochet Whale Body (Front Panel)

With 5 mm crochet hook and Dusty Gray yarn:

Main Body:

6 sc in mc (if you don’t like the mc, you can ch 2 and start in the second from the hook, but the center “hole” tends to be a little bigger)
Round 1: 2 sc in each st around (12 sts)
Round 2: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st. Repeat around (18 sts)
Round 3: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 2 sts. Repeat around (24 sts)
Round 4: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 3 sts. Repeat around (30 sts)
Round 5: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 4 sts. Repeat around (36 sts)
Round 6: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 5 sts. Repeat around (42 sts)
Round 7: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 6 sts. Repeat around, sl st into the first st (48 sts)

Tail:

Round 8: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in next 5 sts, sl st into next 5 sts (10 sts)
Round 9: Turn, sl st into next 3 sts (do not sl st into the first st after you turn…sl st into the next, you’ll lose a st here), 1 hdc into next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 4 sts (9 sts)
Round 10: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc into next 3 sts, sl st into next 2 sts (5 sts)
Round 11: Turn, sl st into next st (again, not the first st, but the next). 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts (4 sts)
Round 12: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in next sts (2 sts)
Round 13: Ch 4, turn, (from second ch from hook), 1 sc into next 5 sts (see pic below) (5 sts)
Round 14: Ch 4, turn, (from second ch from hook), 1 sc into next 3 sts, sl st into next 2 sts, 1 sc into next 3 sts (8 sts)
Round 15: Turn, sl st into next 4 sts, 1 sc in last 3 sts (7 sts)
Cut yarn with scissors and pull through.

Crochet Whale Body (Back Panel)

With 5 mm crochet hook and Dusty Gray yarn:

Body:

6 sc in mc
Repeat Rounds 1-6 from front panel (above).
Round 7: 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next 6 sts, Repeat around (48 sts)

Tail (Back Panel):

Round 8: 1 sc in next 5 sts (5 sts)
Round 9: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in next 5 sts, sl st into next 5 sts (10 sts)
Round 10: Turn, sl st into next 3 sts (do not sl st into the first st after you turn…sl st into the next, you’ll lose a st here), 1 hdc into next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 4 sts (9 sts)
Round 11: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc into next 3 sts, sl st into next 2 sts (5 sts)
Round 12: Turn, sl st into next st (again, not the first st, but the next). 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 2 sts (4 sts)
Round 13: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in next sts (2 sts)
Round 14: Ch 4, turn, (from second ch from hook), 1 sc into next 5 sts (see pic below) (5 sts)
Round 15: Ch 4, turn, (from second ch from hook), 1 sc into next 3 sts, sl st into next 2 sts, 1 sc into next 3 sts (8 sts)
Round 16: Turn, sl st into next 4 sts, 1 sc in last 3 sts (7 sts)
Do not cut yarn yet.

Belly

With 5 mm crochet hook and Soft White Yarn:

Ch 10
Row 1: From second ch from hook, 1 sc into the next 6 chs across, sl st into last 3 chs (9 sts)
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sl st into the next 3 sts, make 1 hdc in next 6 sts (9 sts)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 hdc in next 3 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, sl st into the next 4 sts (9 sts)
Cut a long piece of yarn of for sewing later and pull through.

Facial Features:

With your tapestry needle, sew the belly of the whale onto the front panel. Place the belly in the bottom middle of the crochet whale body.
Tie off excess yarn in the back of the panel (this will be hidden inside the whale when completed)
With Black yarn, cute 3 long strands off with scissors.
Sew on the left and right closed eyes, as well as the smile. I like to make a line straight across and then “catch” it a row or so below in the middle. This helps create the “U” shape. See picture below to use as a reference. Tie off excess yarn in the back.

Arms (make 2):

With 5 mm crochet hook and Dusty Gray yarn:

Ch 4
Row 1: From second ch from hook, make 1 hdc in next 2 chs, sl st in last ch (3 sts)
Cut a length of yarn for sewing and pull through.

Sew both crochet whale arms onto front panel. The whale’s right arm (your left) will be sewn right on the edge of the front panel. See picture above for reference. Tie off excess yarn in the back.
Pick up the back panel of the whale body. Line up the front and the back panels so that they match up evenly. Make sure that the correct sides are facing out.
With your 5 mm crochet hook and the back panel, sl st into both the front and back panels of the crochet whale to sew them together. Do not completely sew shut.
Leave an open space large enough to stuff the body with poly-fil. Continue to sl st sew along after stuffing.
Cut yarn and pull through.
Weave in any extra yarn ends with tapestry needle.

And that’s it! I think this little crochet stuffed whale turned out pretty cute. What do you think?

As always, thank you for checking out my crochet patterns! Until next time!