Make it! Granny "fringe-rless'" gloves !!!

I know spring is approaching, so I was thinking of a pair of light fingerless gloves with a small old far west lure ...

What do you think, are you in, too ?

The construction is very simple : you need to crochet 2 basic granny squares and then embellish them with some colourful fringes !!!

I crocheted them in just one afternoon !!!!

WHAT YOU NEED

I've been working with :

• a 4 mm hook
• a 50 g acrylic yarn ball from Filatura Cervinia CAPRICE shade denim blue (gloves)
• small amount of Sirdar COUNTRY STYLE wool blend DK shade 397 periwinkle ( for top/bottom/thumb borders)
• small amount of TIGER garn/yarn (plied), Sirdar Wash'n'Wear Double Crepe DK shade Original Denim, CHARITY Double Knit Pullskein shade 011 silver grey and Filati Cervinia CAPRICE shade orange (fringes)
• a pair of scissors
• a yarn needle

Please remember that I follow the US crochet termilogy, thank you !

You need to know how to crochet a traditional granny square and the "join-as-you-go" method !!!

Any DK acrylic yarn is suitable for this project !!! ;oD

Well, let's start the crochet fun !!!

BASIC GRANNY SQUARE pattern

The "chain 2" at the beginning of each round is my turning chain and it's never considered as a proper stitch.

From round 2 on, you always start to work into the first corner of your square and you end your round in this same corner!

Each shell is made of 3 DCs.

Make a slip knot on your hook, chain 4, slip stitch in first stitch to form a ring.

round 1 : chain 2, work [3 DCs + chain 2] 4 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC to complete the round. Slip stitch even in next 2 DCs of same shell and in following corner.

round 2 : chain 2, work [3 DCs + chain 2 + 3 DCs and chain 1] 4 times, in each corner.  Slip stitch in top of first DC to complete the round. Slip stitch even in next 2 DCS of same shell and in following corner.

round 3 : chain 2, work [(3 DCs + chain 2 + 3 DCs + chain 1 ) in each corner and (3 DCs + chain 1) in each chain-1 space] 4 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC to complete the round. Slip stitch even in next 2 DCs of same shell and in following corner.

round 4 : chain 2, work [(3 DCs + chain 2 + 3 DCs + chain 1) in each corner and (3 DCs + chain 1) in following 2 chain-1 spaces)] 4 times. Slip stitch in top of first DC to complete the round. Slip stitch even in next 2 DCs of same shell and in following corner.

rounds 5, 6, 7 and 8 : are worked as the 4th round, just remembering to increase (one shell + chain-1 space) along each side of the square 4 times, each round !!!

round 9 : chain 2, work [(3 DCS + chain 2 + 3 DCs + chain 1) in each corner and (3 DCs + chain-1) in following 7 chain-1 spaces)] 3 times.

The fourth side of the granny is worked with the "join-as-you-go" method to trasform your granny into a fingerless glove , so :

fold your square in half (back sides facing) and align the side to complete over the second side you have been crocheting.

Now, continue with your crocheting as follow : 

work 3 DCs + chain 1 in fourth corner, then insert the tip of your hook in the space of 3rd corner from the front to the back and make a slip stitch (just started your joining!) and work the other 3 DCs to complete the 4th corner of your granny. Work another slip stitch in chain-1 space next to 3rd corner. Crochet a new shell (= 3 DCs) in chain-1 space next 4th corner and slip stitch in second chain-1 space of the above side. Crochet another shell in 2nd chain-1 space of 4th side and slip stitch in above corresponding chain-1 space. 

We have to leave an open space to let pass your thumb, so crochet (3 DCs + chain 1) twice in next 2 chain-1 spaces of your 9th round. Work another shell in next chain-1 space and slip stitch (joining starts again) in the above matching chain-1 space. Crochet a shell in next chain-1 space, slip stitch in above chain-1 space. Work your last shell in last chain-1 space and slip stitch in the above last chain-1 space, plus another slip stitch in top of first DC made at the beginning of round 9. 

Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave in all ends.

You will notice a mini slit at the bottom of your fingerless glove : I think this is a nice detail! ;oD

Please note : it could be that you need more or less rounds for your glove. To check which granny fits you best, I suggest you to measure the circumference of your hand at palm (that is the widest part of your hand) and regularly look at it at the end of each round (almost). 

Remember to work this same pattern twice, as you need two grannies to have a pair of gloves ! ;oD

FINISHING TOUCHES

Once you have weaved in all the tails, you can decide to wear your gloves the way they actually are, but I prefer to add some simple embellishments to give them a nicer look !!!

We can start with the top edge, adding a simple border of single crochets (=SC) :

Pick up a contrasting colour and make a slip knot on your hook. Insert the tip in the top corner at the left of the joining side and work your first SC. Then crochet 3 SCs in top of every shell and 1 SC in each chain-1 space. Your last SC is made in the last corn to the right of the joining side. Slip stitch in 2nd stitch made. Cut yarn and fasten off. Weave in ends.

Now the bottom edge : make another slip knot on your hook using the same yarn (or maybe not!) and insert the tip in the top of first DC along the slit (looking at the above picture, you start to work in top of first shell on the right side!) and work your first SC. Crochet other 2 SCs in same shell and then work 2 SCs into the turning corner. Apply the usual pattern : 3 SCs in top of each shell and 1 SC in every chain-1 space. When you reach the second turning corner, remember to crochet 2 SCs into it. Then work your last 3 SCs in top of last shell. Cut yarn, fasten off and weave ends in.

Thumb hole : make a slip knot on your hook and insert the tip in the top of first DC of first shell on the back of the glove. Work, as usual, 3 SCs in each shell top and 1 SC in every chain-1 space. When you have worked the last SC in last shell, slip stitch in 2nd stitch to end the border. Cut yarn, fasten off and weave ends in.


FRINGES (the old far west touch!)

I've added some fringes on the external side of each glove. You need to find the centre of your granny square. Once found, you have to consider 5 shells : the first one is part of the granny centre (the one at the bottom), while the other four are the ones under the first one . Imagine them all as lined up along a vertical line ... look at the dots in below picture ...

You will attach each fringe at the DC in the middle of each shell !

Cut 4 lenghts of yarn, more or less about 40 cm each. Fold them in half and with the help of the hook, pull them under the DC in the middle of the shell ...

then pass the free strands into the loop on the left and voila' the first fringe is done ...

Repeat the same procedure for the other 4 fringes, from top to bottom ...

You will have something like the following ...

Trim the fringes to the lenght you prefer (I did use a book as a guide.... Ha! Ha! Ha!) ...

... and soon I was ready to wear my first pair of "fringe-rless gloves" ...

... Now is your turn, lovelies !!!! ;oD


xxxx Alessandra


Look for more photo tutorials/free patterns ? Well, then look HERE and have fun !!!

Are you a fingerless gloves fan ? You can find another free pattern HERE !!!!! ;oD

Here …. again !!!!!!

Hi my Dears!!!!
The moving is completed!!! I've opened all the boxes and all our stuff is in place : we have a cosy place to call home again!!!! HURRAY!!!!

In the meantime I crafted a little, as some gifts were requested …

I had the joy to open my beads boxes and create a couple of beaded bracelets …

The first one had to be done with neutral colours ...

… while the second one was just up to me, so I went for blues …

… then I crocheted two pairs of fingerless Minions mitts (free pattern found here) for a couple of twins brothers (7 years old!) who are going to celebrate their birthday this coming Sunday …

So, I had some fun in creating all these little gifts, all handmade with love!!!

I'll be here in my place very soon : no more "excuses" for delay after delay!!!

xxxx, Alessandra

Make it ! 3 Ovals Wrist Warmers !!!

Do you remember these ones ??? You can click here to refresh your memory …. ;oD
Some friends asked me if it was possible to have an idea on how to crochet these simple, but original gauntlets ….

… well, I've prepared a photo tutorial/pattern for you to follow and make your own pair of wrist warmers !!!! Are you smiling and clapping your hands for the excitement ? You have to!

YOU WILL NEED :

• a crochet hook (4mm)
• some yarn (I decided to crochet my wrist warmers with MODA Vera MARVEL 8ply 100% acrylic)
• stitch markers (at least 4 of them, max 8)
• a pair of scissors
• a yarn needle
• I follow the US crochet terminology!

Each wrist warmer is made of 3 ovals, that are joined together using the "join as you go method" in the same way I did here, here and here, with a slight variation : for this project I chose to insert the hook under both loops of the same stitch (not only the back loop).

I think that the following pattern is not suitable for beginners, but if you are one of them I invite you to try anyway : a good challenge is what we need to improve our skills, right?

LET'S START !!!!!

FIRST OVAL

first round :

Pick up the hook and make a slip knot on it, then chain 40 (loosely)
N.B. : if you prefer a shorter wrist warmer, just chain less stitches for your foundation chain. On the contrary, if you would love to crochet a longer one, just add more chains !!! Easy peasy!!!

then wrap the yarn around the hook (you are going to crochet your 1st DC, or double crochet) and insert the tip of your hook in the 4th chain 

After this first DC, crochet other 36 DCs , so that, at the end of your foundation chain, you will have 37 DCs + ch 3, where the "ch 3" has the only function to reach the height of the 1st DC stitch at the beginning of each round : don't consider it as a stitch at all.

Now, in the last stitch you made your last DC, you have to add 4 DCs (so, there will be a total of 5 DCs in the same stitch), to give a rounded shape to your oval-to-be : you are crocheting the first semicircle 

As you can see in the above picture, after the first semicircle is done, you start to crochet another straight side in correspondence of the previous one : just crochet 1 DC in each base of the former DCs!

You have to crochet a total of 35 DCs, before to start the 2nd semicircle

In the base of the 1st crocheted DC, you need to crochet 4 DCs to form the 2nd semicircle of the oval shape, then make a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (skip ch 3!) to close this first round of the wrist warmers.

Please note that I put the stitch markers (4) in the first DC of the first straight side and at the end of the same side (DC #35). The other two are put on using the same concept : stitch markers in the first DC (just after the 1st semicircle) of the 2nd side and one in the last DC (DC #35) of the same side, just before the 2nd semicircle.

Note that the 1st DC made in each round is considered as the last DC of the 2nd semicircle, so the DC #1 for each round is usually the 2nd one that you crochet after the ch 3 !!!!!! ;oD

This is what you will have at the end of your first round 

I know that the picture is a little bit dark, but it shows what I was trying to explain to you few lines above !!!

second round :

Just chain 3 and crochet 1 DC in the same stitch

As you can see from the above picture, this DC that you have just made is situated just before (look at the stitch marker) the real 1st DC of the straight side (the one in the pic is of the previous round; we are going to crochet our 1st Dc of this round right now!)

After 5 DCs you will have

and after DC #35 is crocheted (before to start the 1st semicircle!) 

Now in each top of the previous DCs (they are 5, remember?) you need to crochet 2 DCs,  so that in the semicircle you will have a total of 10 DCs : in the semicircles you increase the number of the stitches (just think what happens in each round of a circle made of DCs!)

After 5 DCs done along the second row (next the 1st semicircle)

Add the remanent 30 DCs

and repeat what you did with the 1st semicircle, with a subtle difference

Even here you have to increase the number of your stitches, from 5 to 10. But you have to do it differently for the last 2 stitches of this semicircle. 

Do the first 4 increases as usual : (look at the first pic) 2 DCs in each stitch top, so you will have 8 DCs. Then, in the next DC (see 2nd pic) just crochet 1 DC (that is the stitch marked 9 in red) and make a slip stitch in the top of the first DC (marked with 10 in the 2nd pic) of this round, that is considered as the last DC of the 2nd semicircle !!! Simply done !!!!

third round :

Start as for the 2nd round : ch 3 and crochet 1 DC in the same stitch

Then, crochet the usual 35 DCs along the straight side 

and start the first semicircle to increase : 1 DC in first DC, then 2 DCs in the next DC. Repeat other 4 times. You will have 15 DCs in this semicircle

Again, 35 DCs along the 2nd straight side

the second semicircle :

As for the 1st semicircle : (1 DC + 2 DCs) 4 times (see 1st pic). Then 1 DC where 13 is  marked in red and 1 DC where 14 is marked in red : look at both pics, 1 and 2, to get the idea. After this last DC, just make a slip stitch in the top of the 1st DC of the 3rd round! In fact this 1st DC of this last round is the 15th stitch of your 2nd semicircle!!!

Your first oval is completed, so 1/3 of your 1st wrist warmer

Now you can cut the yarn and FASTEN OFF!!!!

SECOND OVAL 

first and second rounds :

follow the instruction given for the first oval

third round :

ch 3 and crochet 1 DC in same stitch, crochet 35 DCs and make the first semicircle, as for the first oval, nothing less, nothing more!

Then start to join the first oval to the second one you are crocheting : you have to join the 35 DCs of the previous oval with the brand new ones (35!) you are going to crochet using the "join as you go method".  HOW ????

Put the 2 ovals (right sides facing you) in front of each other along the straight sides.

Collect out the stitch marker close to the last stitch of the first semicircle of the second oval and start to work your 1st DC, only the first half : wrap yarn around the hook, insert hook in the top of the stitch, wrap yarn around hook again, pull it back to the front of your work, wrap yarn around hook once more, pull it trough the first 2 loops 

as you can see in the above pic, you have done the first half of your 1st DC and you still have 2 loops on your hook!

Now bring this piece of crochet near the first oval, so that its straight side has to face the one we are working along in the 2nd oval-to-be. Collect off the stitch marker from the 1st oval, while wrapping the yarn around your hook

insert the hook in the top of the 1st DC of the 1st oval and wrap the yarn around the hook

pull the yarn through the top of the stitch to the front of the work (you will have 3 loops)

and pull this "loop" through the other 2 loops : first join and DC done!!!

You have to repeat this other 34 times, to complete the straight side! You will notice that the 2nd oval will overlap the 1st one along the joining side.

After a dozen of joins/DCs you will see something like the following

and at the end of the joining …

Now you can complete the 2nd semicircle of the 3rd round in the usual way, slip stitch in the 1st DC, cut the yarn and fasten off !

THIRD OVAL 

first and second rounds:

same pattern as for the first oval!

This time I wanted to use more colours, so I changed them at the beginning of each round !!!! ;oD

Third round 

ch 3 and 1 DC in the same stitch

Then you have to crochet the joining/DCs as before! Just remember that the ch 3 + 1 DC are not used in the joining, because they will be part of the 2nd semicircle to crochet at the end of the joining!

When you start the 2nd DC, that is the 1st DC of the straight side, this is the stitch you begin the joining !

As you complete the 1st straight side, you will have something like this

Then you can complete the first semicircle as usual

After that, you need to fold your work (right sides in front of you) so that you will have the last straight sides facing each other

Collect out the first stitch markers on both sides and start the last joining

last joining done ….

Then the last part to finish : first the 2nd semicircle, then slip stitch in first DC, and last cut the yarn so you can fasten off!!!!

the first wrist warmer … collage …

try it on …

…. and crochet the second one to have a nice pair !!! ….

… as you can see, I crocheted a mismatched one and I really love this kind of design !!!!

What about you????

If you find the join as you go method a little bit tough, I suggest you to try more simple ways to join together the pieces of your wrist warmers : you can attempt a different crochet technique or just sew them using a whip stitch, for example!

I warmly suggest you to add decorations or embellishments just before doing the last joining : it was hard to crochet a simple line of slip stitches on a completed wrist warmer …. anyway, you learn by making mistakes … most of the times, at least!!!! ;oD

Let me know about your experiments with this pattern, more difficult to write than to follow … I hope!!!!!

xxxx Alessandra