The Springtime Baby Blanket Pattern


Early in my knitting and crocheting journey, I bought several one-skein yarns for blankets. These yarns weigh about 454 grams and are perfect for making a baby blanket (Lion Brand yarn). I’ve made several blankets over the years, but I still have some one-skein yarn left. Starting now, I want to use up all my one-skein yarn and any leftover yarn from past projects this year. I intend to work on knitting/crochet patterns that are quick and simple to use up most of these one-skein yarns.

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Center-out and in the round technique is one way to use up most of these one-skein yarn. Another way is the corner to corner technique. The Springtime Baby Blanket is crocheted flat from corner to corner using a single crochet, chain one stitch pattern. The Springtime Baby Blanket starts with a chain of 2. Then, four stitches are increased every other row. This continues until the midpoint is reached. It is then decreased by four stitches every other row down to 2 stitches. The blanket is finished with a border in the crochet moss stitch pattern. The Springtime Baby Blanket pattern is beginner friendly and can be customized easily. Weigh any amount of one-skein yarn and set aside equal amounts for the increase and decrease sections. Also, reserve some extra amount for the border.

The Springtime Baby Blanket Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

Materials Needed:
Yarn: Lion Brand Pound of Love® Yarn in Pastel Yellow colorway (454 grams). Although the pastel yellow colorway is not available now, similar shade can be found in stores today
Gauge:  4.5 stitches per inch in the variation crochet moss stitch pattern 
Crochet hook: US size H-8 (5.00 mm) 
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

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Abbreviations:
sc: single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
[…]: pattern repeat
Skill Level: Beginner friendly pattern with single crochet and crochet chains

Crochet Foundation Chain:

  • Chain 2 using US size H-8 (5.00 mm) crochet hook
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Increase Section:

  • Row 1 (RS): Single crochet, chain 1 in the second foundation chain stitch from the crochet hook, sc, chain 1 again in the same second stitch and turn
  • Row 2 (WS): Single crochet in the second stitch from the crochet hook, chain 1, skip a stitch and sc in the last stitch, chain 1 and turn (4 stitches)
  • Row 3 (RS): Single crochet in the second stitch from the crochet hook, chain 1, sc in the same stitch again, chain 1, skip a stitch, and sc in the last stitch, chain 1, sc in the same last stitch again, chain 1 and turn 
  • Row 4 (WS): Single crochet in the second stitch from the crochet hook, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc in the last stitch, chain 1 and turn (8 stitches)
  • Row 5 (RS): Single crochet in the second stitch from the crochet hook, chain 1, sc in the same stitch again, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till the last stitch of the row, sc in the last stitch, chain 1, sc again in the same last stitch, chain 1 and turn 
  • Row 6 (WS): Single crochet in the second stitch from the crochet hook, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc in the last stitch, chain 1 and turn (12 stitches)

Repeat Rows 5 and 6 till 204 stitches in the row (about 200 grams of yarn). I put aside about 50 grams for the border.

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Decrease Section:

  • Row 1 (RS): Skip the first stitch, insert crochet hook into the next stitch, wrap yarn around the crochet hook and pull the loop under and through that stitch (there are 2 loops on the crochet hook), skip a stitch and insert hook in the next stitch (4th stitch from the beginning), wrap yarn around the crochet hook and pull the loop under and through that stitch (three loops on the hook now), yarn over and pull loop through the three loops on the hook, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till 4 stitches left, insert crochet hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (there are 2 loops on the crochet hook), skip a stitch and insert hook in the last stitch, yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (three loops on the hook), yarn over and pull loop through the three loops on the hook, chain 1 and turn
  • Row 2 (WS): [Skip the first stitch and sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till 2 stitches left, sc in the last stitch, chain 1, and turn 

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 till 4 stitches left in the row. Facing the right side of the work, wrap yarn around the crochet hook and pull the loop under and through that stitch (there are two loops on the crochet hook), skip a stitch and insert hook in the last stitch (three loops on the hook now), yarn over and pull loop through the three loops on the hook (one loop remaining on the hook)

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Crochet Moss Stitch Border (in the round):

Round 1:

  • With the remaining loop on the hook, chain 2, sc in the same stitch again and chain 2 (beginning of round). Facing the top left corner of right side of the blanket turn counter clockwise
  • Pick up stitches in the crochet in moss stitch pattern (pick up a stitch and sc, chain 2, skip the next stitch and repeat) all along the left side
  • At the bottom left corner edge stitch of the right side of the blanket, sc, chain 2, sc again in the same corner stitch, chain 2
  • Turn and pick up stitches in the crochet moss stitch pattern (pick up a stitch and sc, chain 2, skip the next stitch and repeat) along the bottom edge.
  • At the bottom right corner edge stitch of the right side of the blanket, sc, chain 2, sc again in the same corner stitch, chain 2
  • Turn and pick up stitches in the crochet in moss stitch pattern (pick up a stitch and sc, chain 2, skip the next stitch and repeat) going up all along the right side
  • At the top right corner edge stitch of the right side of the blanket, sc, chain 2, sc again in the same corner stitch, chain 2
  • Turn and pick up stitches in the last row in the crochet in moss stitch pattern (pick up a stitch and sc, chain 2, skip the next stitch and repeat) along that last row

Rounds 2 to 5:

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  • At the corner edge stitch (beginning of the round), sc , chain 2, sc again in the same corner stitch, chain 2
    Crochet moss stitch (sc in the chain 2 space, chain 2, skip the next stich and repeat) all around the blanket with a sc, chain 2, sc, chain 2 at each of the corner edge stitches

Single crochet in the first beginning of round stitch, cut yarn and pull yarn through the loop

Weave in ends, wash and block the Springtime Baby Blanket

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~coffeeteaknits.com

The Favorite Things Cowl Pattern


Change is inevitable, whether we want it or not, and embracing it allows us to move forward with enthusiasm. Whenever I face challenges in decision-making, thinking about my favorite activities brings me joy. I like exploring the yarn aisles at arts and craft stores and choosing beautiful yarn. Spending time knitting or crocheting is also a favorite thing of mine. While it’s true that Jo-Ann stores are closing, I will cherish the memories of browsing their colorful yarn selections. I’ve created some wonderful patterns using Jo-Ann yarns, like The Long Striped Crochet Scarf and The Unexpected Find Wrap. I, of course, had to stock up on some Jo-Ann store-brand yarn before the store closes. Every time I knit or crochet with these yarns, I will fondly remember the joy of exploring their yarn aisles.

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The Favorite Things Cowls are bandana-style cowls crocheted flat with a variation of the crochet moss stitch pattern. One uses K + C yarn and the other uses Loops and Threads yarn. Both start with a chain of 2 and are increased every other row to form a triangle. The cowl lengths are then extended without any row increases. One cowl is extended over 2 inches long, and the other over 3 inches. The edges of the extended section are joined, and a fringe is added at the end. These cowls are quick one-skein projects, perfect for keeping the neck warm and cozy.

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The Favorite Things Cowl Pattern

Materials Needed:
Yarn: Cowl 1 – K + C Botanical yarn in Colorway: Feather Gray (one skein of yarn from Jo-Ann store)
Yarn: Cowl 2 – Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend Colorway: Raindrops
Gauge: 4.0 stitches per inch for Favorite Things Cowl 1 and Favorite Things Cowl 2 in the variation crochet moss stitch pattern (gauge not necessary)
Crochet hook: US size H-8 (5.00 mm) for Favorite Things Cowl 1 and US size 7 (4.5 mm) for the Favorite Things Cowl 2
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
sc: single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
[…]: pattern repeat
Skill Level: Beginner friendly pattern with single crochet and crochet chains

The Favorite Things Cowl Pattern (images and text for personal use only)

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Tutorial Series: Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL)

Another variation of single crochet is the single crochet in front loop (SCFL). The stitch pattern gives a changed texture to a garment. This stitch pattern looks quite different from SCBL (Tutorial Series: Single Crochet in Back Loop).  

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The Suddenly It’s Summer Dishcloth Pattern is in single crochet in the front loop (SCFL). This stitch pattern can also be used for blankets, garments etc.

Suddenly It’s Summer Dishcloth
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After the foundation row for a single crochet has been worked (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet), all the following rows are worked only into the front loop. This gives the fabric a distinct textured pattern on both sides of the work. The video and written instructions provided below show how to make a single crochet in the front loop holding the crochet hook in your right hand.

How to Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL):

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Written Instructions on How to Single Crochet in Front Loop (SCFL):

  1. After working single crochet in the last stitch of the foundation chain row (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet), chain one and turn
  2. Skip the first stitch from the hook, and insert crochet hook in the front loop of the next stitch
  3. Catch and pull yarn loop under and through the front loop of the stitch
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook now
  5. Yarn over (wrap the working yarn around the hook counterclockwise)
  6. Catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.
  7. There is one loop left on the crochet hook
  8. Repeat Steps 2 to 7 till end of the row and all other subsequent rows (chain one after working the last stitch end of each row and turn to the next row)
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~coffeeteaknits.com

Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL)

One variation of single crochet stitch pattern is the single crochet in back loop (SCBL). This stitch pattern is commonly used as a ribbed border for sweaters, blankets etc. In the February 2025 Earwarmer, the ribbing sections for the earwarmers are in the single crochet in the back loop stitch pattern.

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Once the foundation row is worked for a single crochet, the crochet hook is inserted only into the back loop for all the the stitches in the next and the subsequent rows. After inserting the crochet hook in the back loop, a single crochet is worked. This differs from a regular single crochet where the crochet hook is inserted under both loops (strands) of a stitch. Using the single crochet in back loops gives the worked fabric a ribbed look.


The video and written instructions are below showing how to make a single crochet in the back loop. This technique is used for all the rows after the foundation chain row. The video and instructions below are for right-handed crocheting

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How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):

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Written Instructions on How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):

  1. After working single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet) in the last stitch of the foundation chain row, chain one and turn
  2. Skip the first stitch and insert crochet hook in the back loop of the next stitch
  3. Catch and pull yarn loop under the back loop of the stitch and on to the crochet hook
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook now
  5. Yarn over (wrap the working yarn around the hook counterclockwise)
  6. Catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.
  7. There is one loop left on the crochet hook.
  8. Insert hook into the back loop of the next stitch and repeat Steps 3 to 7 till the end of the row
  9. Chain one after working the last stitch of the row and turn to the next row
  10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for all subsequent rows as specified in a pattern.
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~coffeeteaknits.com

The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern


Hello folks, it’s been a while since my last pattern post. A bad case of the flu at the end of January, the passing of my adorable pet dog in mid-February, and other personal issues needed my time. I started working on the February 2025 Earwarmer crochet pattern a few days before my beloved dog passed away. I am grateful that my knitting and crocheting hobby gave me much-needed comfort. It supported me during this difficult period of grief and reflection. I am also thankful to all the readers and subscribers of this blog. I appreciate the knitting and crocheting community for their support and understanding.

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The February 2025 Earwarmer is crocheted flat and then the two ends are joined together with slip stitch crochet. The construction of this Earwarmer pattern is comparable to the “Goes with Everything Earwarmer” knitted version. It starts with a chain of eight stitches and ribbing. Then, it goes through a series of increases and length extension. It ends with a series of decreases and ribbing. The two ends are then joined together with a slip stitch crochet. A variation of the crochet moss stitch pattern is used for both earwarmers. February 2025 Earwarmer 1 is made with a cotton blend yarn and measures about 4.5 inches x 20 inches. February 2025 Earwarmer 2 is made with a merino wool blend yarn and measures about 4 inches x 19 inches.

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The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern

Materials Needed:
Yarn: Earwarmer 1 – Caron Blossom Cakes® yarn in Colorway: Bark
Yarn: Earwarmer 2 – Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend Colorway: Raindrops
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch for Earwarmer 1 and 5.0 stitches per inch for Earwarmer 2 in the variation crochet moss stitch pattern
Crochet hook: US size H-8 (5.00 mm) for February 2025 Earwarmer 1 and US size 7 (4.5 mm) for the February 2025 Earwarmer 2
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

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Tutorial Series: Slip Slip Knit (SSK)

Another way to decrease a stitch in knitting is to do a “Slip Slip Knit (SSK)”. In SSK, a stitch is decreased when two stitches are slipped and then knit together through the back loop. Decreasing stitches like increasing stitches are techniques in knitting used to give shape to knitted items. Unlike K2tog (Tutorial Series: K2tog and P2tog) technique which forms a right-leaning decrease, SSK technique forms a left-leaning decrease. The written instructions and video below show how to decrease one stitch for right handed knitting.

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Slip Slip Knit (SSK):

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The Steps for Slip Slip Knit (SSK):

  1. Slip the first two stitches knitwise (one at a time) on the left knitting needle to the right knitting needle
  2. Transfer the two slipped stitches (one at a time) now on the right knitting needle back to the left knitting needle
  3. Insert the right knitting needle through the back loop of those two slipped stitches on the left knitting needle
  4. Knit (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink) the two stitches together through the back loop (one stitch decreased)
  5. Repeat steps 1 to 4 as needed for a knitting pattern

~coffeeteaknits.com

Tutorial Series: The Provisional Cast-On Method

The provisional cast-on is a temporary cast on method. With this technique, the “live” stitches on the waste yarn are picked up later. They are then knit in the opposite direction. A common way to make a provisional cast on is to make a crochet chain from waste yarn first. Then, with the project yarn, make stitches using the purl bumps of the crochet chain. Later, remove the crochet chain waste yarn by picking up the “live” stitches and knitting them in the opposite direction. For example, I use provisional cast on to start a top down sweater. Once the body of the sweater is finished, I pick up the “live” stitches. Then, I knit the collar in the opposite direction. There are several different kinds of knitting projects that use the provisional cast on method. The written instructions and video on how to do the provisional cast on is shown below for right handed knitting.

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The Provisional Cast-On Method:

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The Provisional Cast-On Stitches:

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The Steps for the Provisional Cast-On Method:

  1. Using a waste yarn (or a yarn different from the knitting project yarn), make a crochet chain (Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Chain) with the number of stitches specific for a project
  2. [Tip: chain a few extra stitches than needed for the project]
  3. Turn the crochet chain so that the purl bumps are facing you (image below)
  4. Insert a knitting needle into the purl bump (image below)
  5. Make a loop with the project yarn and slide it onto the knitting needle
  6. Tighten and secure the project (working) yarn as needed
  7. Bring the project yarn loop through the purl bump and onto the needle
  8. Insert the knitting needle into the next purl bump
  9. Bring the project (working) yarn around the knitting needle (counterclockwise), catch and pull the yarn loop through the purl bump and onto the needle
  10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 till you have all the stitches needed for a knitting project
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~coffeeteaknits.com

The Light Unexpected Find Wrap Pattern


The Light Unexpected Find Wrap pattern is mostly based on the The Unexpected Find Wrap Pattern. The Light Unexpected Find Wrap is also a triangular shaped shawl. It is knit bottom up. The shawl features a two row repeat brioche honeycomb stitch pattern. However, nine stitches instead of seven are cast on for this shawl. It is also knit with a merino wool blend DK weight yarn (Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend). This yarn is lighter yet warm, making it suitable for this winter season. The yarn is also budget friendly and can be purchased at Michaels store.

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The Light Unexpected Find Wrap Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

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Tutorial Series: The Thumb Method Cast-on

The Thumb method cast-on is a commonly used long tail cast-on technique. A long tail of yarn is set aside on one side of the slip knot. The working yarn is on the other side of the slip knot. The thumb is used to form the loop that is used to make a new stitch on the knitting needle. Another example of a long tail cast-on technique is the slingshot method. In this method, the thumb and the index finger create a new stitch. The thumb method is beginner-friendly and a quick cast-on method. I use the thumb method cast-on mostly for knitting projects with few stitches (dishcloths, etc.). The written instructions and video below on how to do the thumb method cast-on are shown for right-handed knitting.

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The Thumb Method Cast-On:

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The Steps for the Thumb Method Cast-On:

  1. Make a slip knot (Tutorial Series: How to Slip Knot) with a yarn tail that will be enough for the number of stitches for a specific knitting project
  2. Insert the slip knot onto a knitting needle
  3. Holding the yarn tail with some tension in the left fist, wrap the left thumb under and over the yarn tail to make a loop
  4. Insert the right hand needle into the front strand of the loop on the thumb
  5. Bring the working yarn around the top of the right needle and wrap it between the thumb and the right knitting needle
  6. Catch and pick up the working yarn loop (a new stitch) with the right needle
  7. Repeat Steps 3 – 6 to cast-on the required number of stitches needed for a knitting project

~coffeeteaknits.com

The Berry Bunches Scarf Pattern


The Berry Bunches Scarf is a flat rectangular scarf in the crochet suzette stitch pattern. It’s a fun and quick project that is a combination of single and double crochet. Fringes are also added to the scarf. The yarn used for the project is Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend I purchased at Michaels. This soft and warm yarn is perfect for this time of year. The Berry Bunches Scarf, after washing, is about seven inches wide and eighty-three inches in length. The length and width can be customized, making the scarf more versatile.

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The Berry Bunches Scarf Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

Materials Needed:
Yarn: Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend in the Raindrops colorway (2 skeins needed for this project)
Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in the crochet suzette stitch pattern
Crochet hook: US size G6 or 4.00 mm

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