Glacial Warmth Sale Extended

Thank you so much to everyone who has shown this pattern some love on Ravelry! We made it to their top 20 list yesterday!

I have extended the sale on this new pattern to celebrate! Take 30% off “Glacial Warmth” until 11:59 pm CST November 24, 2021. No code needed, valid on Etsy and Ravelry.

If you’d like to read more about the details of this pattern, besides that it has the option of being made using overlay mosaic crochet or interlocking crochet and both options come with charts (the mosaic charts have X’s) and line-by-line instructions (including color information for each row) just read my previous blog entry.

Previous blog entry: Glacial Warmth

Get the Pattern

“Glacial Warmth” on Ravelry
“Glacial Warmth” on Etsy

I use a different gauge and hook size for each technique because of how crowded the stitches get. Yardage requirements are different as well.

Overlay Mosaic Crochet

  • Mosaic Blanket: 55” x 62” / 140cm x 158cm
  • Mosaic Gauge: 16 stitches x 14 rows = 4”
  • 5 mm hook (H)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 320 yards / 141 g / 2 skeins needed
    • Purple – 1030 yards / 460 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1090 yards / 484 g / 4 skeins needed
    • White – 1055 yards / 471 g / 4 skeins needed

Numbers above are for a full blanket (6 repeats wide) and INCLUDE the optional envelope border on two ends (515 yards): Purple – 460 yards, Teal – 55 yards

Interlocking (LFM) Crochet

  • Finished LFM blanket: 53″ x 60″ / 135cm x 152cm
  • LFM Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 150 yards / 66 g / 1 skein needed
    • Purple – 1140 yards / 507 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1482 yards / 663 g / 6 skeins needed
    • White – 1080 yards / 483 g / 4 skeins needed

Yardage listed is for the full blanket (6 repeats wide).

ashleebrotzell

Glacial Warmth, Colorful Wintry Crochet Blanket

This blanket will keep you warm through the glacial winter! There are a few slight differences between the interlocking version and the overlay mosaic version of this pattern because I added the interlocking mesh after drawing the mosaic design.

Image comparing mosaic version to interlocking version

The gold sections were inspired by a gold belt buckle and the “trees” were originally supposed to represent holiday balls. There are two different sections of the teal and purple that look very, very similar: don’t panic and think you’ve made a mistake when the 5th blue/purple section looks different than your first 4 sections!

I have used Loops & Thread Impeccable yarn; you can substitute any worsted weight (4 – medium) yarn. This design uses four (4) colors: Gold (G), Purple (P), Teal (T), and White (W).

Like all of my patterns, this one has the option of being made using overlay mosaic crochet or interlocking crochet. Both options come with charts (the mosaic charts have X’s) and line-by-line instructions (including color information for each row).

It is easy to get multiple colors in a mosaic piece. When changing colors using interlocking crochet I suggest you cut and tie off only just before you attach the next color. It is important to keep the working yarn on the Right Side of your work and it is easy to get confused if you cut your yarn before you are ready to use the next color. Carrying your yarn is not recommended; cut and tie off at each color change.

The color changes create tails – not my favorite part.

Also, it is wise to decide what you will do with the tails before you start. Will you be crocheting a border over them? Will you be weaving them in like I did? Make sure to leave them long enough to do that.

To minimize seeing the colors below the color change in the wrong line (see picture below: the white stitch is behind the purple but some of it shows where it goes into the teal stitches), when using a new color I have used the WRONG SIDE loop only. Sometimes this is the Front Loop Only and other times this is the Back Loop Only. If you have a hard time distinguishing between the RIGHT SIDE and WRONG SIDE, you may wish to tie a bow on the right side of your work to help you remember. This step is optional.

See how the white shows where it has gone into the teal?

Normally I use Main Color (MC) and Accent Color (AC) to distinguish between two contrasting colors in my interlocking patterns. You can think of this as the outer layer and inner layer, or larger layer and smaller layer of mesh instead. Every time you turn your work, I have a note that says: Put non-working yarn to FRONT or BACK. This would normally be referring to your Accent Color yarn but it is still the smaller, inner mesh of whichever color you happen to be working with. The colors change but the technique does not; if you’re new to this technique I suggest you start with something simpler.

If you use mosaic crochet you will have fringe on the sides (the nature of joining and cutting your yarn for each row). I added an envelope border to the two side edges only (not around all four edges of the blanket) to cover up the tails.

There are a lot of options for dealing with those tails (including leaving them, twisting/braiding them, sewing them in afterwards, crocheting over them as you go, adding an envelope border, or you can even not cut at the end of each row and flip your work instead but then you’d also have to read some of the lines from end to start and make sure your dropped double crochets are always on the right side of your work).

The wrong side on the mosaic crochet version will be stripes. A faint image of the front can be seen on the back because of the flaps that are created when there are long stretches of dropped double crochets.

If you use the interlocking crochet technique you will have a reversed image on the wrong side. My sample is not as wide as a blanket but I think you can still see enough to get an idea.

Wrong sides when using overlay mosaic crochet and interlocking crochet.

The width of this pattern is easily adjustable, but it is designed as a blanket; that is six repeats of the pattern. Yardage listed is for a full blanket (six repeats). Repeat between the asterisks (*) to get your required width. Yarn weight and hook size can easily be adjusted, just keep in mind your finished project will use a different amount of yarn and be a different finished size.

Speaking of yarn usage, did you notice there is a difference in how many skeins are needed based on which technique you use? I find it quite interesting actually! My yardage amounts are quite exact so you may wish to buy an extra skein of purple if you are doing the interlocking technique.

Mosaic blanket draped on my front step.

Get the Pattern

If you weren’t the lucky winner of a FREE copy from my quick Facebook Group contest then you will want to use code “21WARM40” to take 40% off your purchase of my new blanket! Valid on Etsy and Ravelry until 11:59 pm CST November 19, 2021.

“Glacial Warmth” on Ravelry
“Glacial Warmth” on Etsy

I use a different gauge and hook size for each technique because of how crowded the stitches get. Yardage requirements are different as well.

Overlay Mosaic Crochet

  • Mosaic Blanket: 55” x 62” / 140cm x 158cm
  • Mosaic Gauge: 16 stitches x 14 rows = 4”
  • 5 mm hook (H)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 320 yards / 141 g / 2 skeins needed
    • Purple – 1030 yards / 460 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1090 yards / 484 g / 4 skeins needed
    • White – 1055 yards / 471 g / 4 skeins needed

Numbers above are for a full blanket (6 repeats wide) and INCLUDE the optional envelope border on two ends (515 yards): Purple – 460 yards, Teal – 55 yards

Interlocking (LFM) Crochet

  • Finished LFM blanket: 53″ x 60″ / 135cm x 152cm
  • LFM Gauge: 16 DC x 8 rows = 4”
  • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Loops & Threads, Impeccable Solids: 285 yards/261 m; 127.5 g/4.48 oz per skein or substitute any worsted weight yarn
    • Gold – 150 yards / 66 g / 1 skein needed
    • Purple – 1140 yards / 507 g / 4 skeins needed
    • Teal – 1482 yards / 663 g / 6 skeins needed
    • White – 1080 yards / 483 g / 4 skeins needed

Yardage listed is for the full blanket (6 repeats wide).

ashleebrotzell

Long Hauler: Interlocking and Mosaic Crochet Blanket Pattern

I originally created this pattern as a custom design for a friend. She made it for her husband who is a trucker (also called a Long Hauler). If you’re unfamiliar with that term, it means his job is to drive these great big trucks all across the country and deliver goods. We call it a semi truck, but I think it’s also called an 18-wheeler, a big rig, or a tractor trailer (there are probably a few more titles that all mean the same thing).

My Top 10 Flash Sale has about 4 hours left! Take 20% my top ten bestsellers on Ravelry by using code “21TOPTEN” until 3:30 pm CST, Nov. 13, 2021. Get more details here.

When I shared her picture to my Facebook Group, Ashlee Brotzell Designs, there were a lot of people interested in the pattern!

Custom piece crocheted by “Anonymous Squirrel”

My dad was a trucker for a few years, and my brother-in-law has done it for a few years as well. Based on the responses I received, it seems like everyone knows someone who has been a long-hauler or is still doing it even now!

If you’d like a customized piece, with a name or date like this image above, please email me: ashleebrotzelldesigns@gmail.com and we can go over some details. I will not be refunding your purchase of the non-customized pattern if you choose to add customization.

The non-customized blanket is slightly shorter than this image above crocheted by Anonymous Squirrel because I removed the extra rows above the truck. There is no name and no date in this version.

I have removed the interlocking mesh dots from the mosaic version of the pattern.

Interlocking mesh dots removed from the mosaic version. Also note the blank space above the truck.

Your purchase includes the written instructions and chart for the interlocking crochet technique and the written instructions and X-marked chart for the overlay mosaic technique.

Get the Pattern

*Customization is available – contact me before purchasing this pattern!

New release sale: 20% off for the first 2 days! Use code “21LONG” until November 15, 2021.

“Long Hauler” on Ravelry
“Long Hauler” on Etsy
  • Worsted weight yarn (4 – medium)
  • Chart size: 205 x 207
  • Interlocking Crochet:
    • Finished size 51″ x 52″
    • 4.5 mm hook (US7)
  • Overlay Mosaic Crochet
    • Finished size 55″ x 60″
    • 5 mm hook (H-8)

I’ve removed the mesh dots from the mosaic version and because of all the dropped double crochets next to each other I use a larger hook for the mosaic.

ashleebrotzell

Flash Sale on Top 10 Patterns

I sometimes lose sight of the big picture. It helps me to look back on the last 6 months and see how I’ve grown! So this post is for me. But it is also for you: I’m going to put my bestsellers on sale for 24 hours only!

I like to see how my art style has changed and developed since I started drawing patterns. I know you guys are buying crochet patterns, but I am really creating art. The crochet part is secondary.

Creating art has been scary at times. Showing something I have drawn opens up the risk that people will hate it. That hasn’t really happened, but I get scared every time I publish a new pattern. There is a quote that I read somewhere… but of course I can’t find the actual quote now and I don’t know who to credit with saying it. But my horrible memory summarizes it like this:

Artists don’t like their own art because it looks like they drew it. This is in fact the best quality of their work!

unknown, paraphrased

I definitely have felt this. My art looks like something I drew – which is technically a good thing – but it makes me highly critical of it.

And sometimes what I imagine in my head doesn’t get conveyed to the final piece. That can sometimes be good and other times not-so-good. Sometimes it surprises me when certain patterns sell better than others. Do you have a favorite? I think my Monstera Leaf blanket was my favorite make in the last few months.

Some of these patterns are older than others, obviously, but these were my top 10 sellers on Ravelry in the last 6 months:

  • MusicCAL – This one surprises me, because it was available free online! Thank you for making this my number 1 seller since March 2021!
  • Brotzell Tiger King – I am not so surprised at this one. It took me a long time to draw this one and I am pleased that you all found my effort worth it.
  • Summer Direction CAL – This one has a free version as well! I think you guys like working on the same project together.
  • A Year of Gnomes eBook – Every month a new gnome reminds everyone about this eBook, so I am not surprised to see it on this list!
  • Baby Ocean and Others eBook – This eBook has 6 patterns and it is a great value so having this on the top 10 list makes sense to me! Plus I think these designs are kind of awesome.
  • Blooming Owl Wall Hanging – This is my husband’s favorite, and it is a close 2nd for me.
  • Monstera Leaf – Like I said above, this was my favorite crochet project this year. I made it with my best friend in mind but I almost kept it instead!
  • Into the Ocean – This one is definitely on my top 5 all-time-favorites list!
  • 2020 Mother’s Day CAL eBook – Seeing this one on the list does surprise me – it is over a year old!
  • Chained Ponds – This one was my 200th pattern on Ravelry. And I believe it is on the top 10 list because of the challenge I gave you all to complete it within 6 weeks and receive a pillow square for free!

Were you surprised like me? Did your favorite pattern make it on the list?

Just for fun, I’m putting all 10 of these on sale for 24 HOURS ONLY! Use code “21TOPTEN” on Ravelry to get 20% off any of my top ten patterns! (Offer expires at 3:30 pm CST, November 13, 2021. Not valid on Etsy)

Thank you to my many testers: Altona Newcombe, CarolinevdB, Christine Schneider, CynCityCrochets, Dana Bouch, Eileen, and Erie Krol/Zus.

ashleebrotzell

Fa La La Wall Hanging

It is the beginning of November, prime time for Christmas decorations, right? Of course, right! (That’s must be said in the matchmaker’s voice from the movie, “Fiddler on the Roof” hahaha)

The season must start early when you are making your decorations by hand! And don’t forget about the gift you’re making for your brother and your aunt and your coworker and your neighbor and your dog and and your 3rd cousin twice removed.

Maybe it’s time to make something for yourself! This wall hanging can be used year after year. Every time I see it I start singing, “‘tis the season to be jolly, fa la la la la la la la la“!

Interlocking and mosaic samples crocheted by Heather Passmore and Altona Newcombe.

It is designed to use a thin, lightweight yarn (some countries call this fingering weight, 1- super fine, 8/4, 4-ply) so that you can hang it on your wall. If you meet gauge your finished piece will be 13″ x 40″ / 33cm x 101cm.

If you’d rather use worsted weight (4 – medium) yarn then you can create a shawl like Heather Passmore did. Her finished measurements were 65″ x 21.5″. She used a 5.5 mm hook. Her yarn was Caron One Pound; she used about 725 yard of off-white and 800 yards of claret. Following my gauge calculator, if I had designed this piece for worsted weight and a 4.5 mm hook I would have estimated 785 yards of each color for a piece that would finish to 66″ x 21.5″.

If a shawl isn’t your thing, you can easily make this a throw blanket: I’ve marked the border lines so you can repeat the inner design three times for a blanket width.

You can use the chart or written instructions for either technique (interlocking crochet or overlay mosaic crochet). The mosaic chart has X’s and both charts are color-coded to remind you not to do the straight lines on the sides in the middle of your repeats.

This pattern has words in the middle (does “Fa La La” count as words?) and thus, it makes things difficult if you’re left-handed. I have included written instructions for left-handed crocheters for both techniques.

You can see more of my left-handed patterns on Ravelry.

Get the Pattern

Take 30% off this pattern and any others you add to your Ravelry cart at the same time by using code “FALALA“; offer ends November 10, 2021.

“Fa La La Wall Hanging” on Ravelry
“Fa La La Wall Hanging” on Etsy
  • Fingering Weight Yarn (1 – Super Fine)
  • Finished measurements without fringe 13” x 40” / 33cm x 101cm
  • 2.5 mm hook (C/2)
  • Wooden Dowel: 1/2” diameter, 16” length
  • Chart size: 85 x 263

Repeat section does not include the straight border lines on the sides (as in, those lines won’t interrupt the inner design).

ashleebrotzell

Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf: 12 Days of Christmas Crochet Patterns Blog Hop

I created a brand new scarf pattern for the “12 Days of Christmas Crochet Patterns” blog hop #sponsored by WeCrochet. It’s my first time joining a sponsored blog hop and it makes me feel like a real designer! There are about 30 designers involved in this event and it is only 12 days long (from October 27 – November 7, 2021) so you must act quickly.

There are two paths to getting the Christmas Crochet Patterns in this event: daily free downloads or buy the entire bundle (for about $0.30 a pattern!). You can also get only my scarf pattern if you prefer – click or scroll down for details.

The blog hopping option allows you to download a few free patterns each day by checking daily for a new code. Click the image above to go to the main post by Fosbas (our host designer). She has a daily list of all the patterns and codes. Scroll down to the current day and copy the code and then use that code on the patterns she has listed for that day. All of the patterns involved in the blog hop are included in the bundle that is available for purchase – so if you’ve missed a day or two you may want to just grab the bundle!

Use my affiliate link to purchase the bundle

If you buy the bundle you will get all 47 patterns included in the blog hop and also receive two bonus patterns from Fosbas Designs. Plus, if you use my affiliate link I will send you an email after the return period has closed with a code to add Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf to your Ravelry library so you can receive any updates that may become available down the road. And, I’ll throw in a FREE blanket pattern of your choice: Oh Tannenbaum or Warm Wishes (Gingerbread).

I would love to stay in contact with you even after this event is done! Join my mailing list or subscribe to my blog (there should be a link in the sidebar) so you never miss a new pattern release!

By clicking submit, you agree to share your email address with the site owner and Mailchimp to receive marketing, updates, and other emails from the site owner. Use the unsubscribe link in those emails to opt out at any time.

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Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf

This luxurious unisex scarf uses the overlay mosaic crochet technique to create a stunning visual effect! The pattern includes written line-by-line instructions and a chart marked with X’s so you can use whichever is most comfortable for you. If you’re new to the technique check out my tutorials first.

If you’re joining me on my special day (November 2nd) as part of the blog hop you can use the code you got from Fosbas to download this pattern FREE on Ravelry. If you don’t want to buy the big bundle and you aren’t here on my special day (Nov 2), you can take 20% off your purchase of my new scarf by using code “20CHAIN” until November 8, 2021. You can also purchase this scarf pattern on Etsy and use the same code.

“Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf” on Ravelry
“Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf” on Etsy
Download my pattern FREE as part of the “12 Days of Christmas” blog hop event on November 2, 2021

And, I will always remember this project as the one I finished when we took the kids to the Royal Tyrell Museum of Paleontology (the dinosaur museum in Alberta, Canada). Great modeling skills, hubby! Happy times!

I wanted to make an elegant scarf that you could wear to a party or use for everyday warmth. I live in Canada, so I need something thick and warm as well as stylish. Who wears it better? My husband or me?

I’ve used Twill yarn. It is a worsted weight yarn (4-medium), 100% Superwash Merino Wool. These hanks are 100 grams each, with 149 yards. I chose to use the color Graphite Heather as my Main Color (MC) and Gold Rush as my Contrasting Color (CC). I needed two hanks of the gold and three hanks of the dark grey. You will have some leftover. You will need to carefully unwind these hanks before using them; a yarn swift and yarn winder come in very handy!

You can substitute any medium worsted weight yarn. Gauge isn’t critical with a scarf, if you’re off by a few inches it will still keep you warm and beautiful!

The nature of mosaic crochet is that fringe is created on the ends where you join and cut your yarn. I really like the finished, tidy look of chaining 15 to begin with and then chaining 15 before cutting it off. Be careful with your tension or you will create curly twists – they do block straight but an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure!

This chaining technique allows the project to be finished when you’re done the final row instead of requiring you to go back and do something extra with the loose tails.

Typically, my patterns are designed for two techniques, but this pattern only works for the overlay mosaic technique; there is no interlocking version of my Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf!

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Mosaic Technique

If you’re new to this technique, please start with my tutorials: http://ashleeslint.com/2020/07/23/mosaic-technique/
I have written instructions, a photo tutorial, and YouTube tutorials!

Chained Fringe

The nature of the overlay mosaic crochet technique automatically creates tails on both ends. By working our scarf along the long edge we keep the fringe on the short ends (which is pretty normal for a scarf). I’ve added a special detail to the fringe of this pattern. It is optional, of course, but if you like it you can use this technique for any of your overlay mosaic patterns!

Usually I join my yarn to my project with the shortest tail possible. It is a waste of yarn to make a long tail if you’re just going to cover it with an envelope border (which I usually use on blankets). For this scarf I decided to chain 15 before joining to the project. I also chained 15 at the end of the row before cutting the yarn. These chains become a sturdy fringe that won’t tangle and felt and frizz like loose yarn would. They can get curly if you’re not careful with your tension though.

Blocking, optional

I do not block very many of my projects. The type of material you use will affect how well the blocking process works. Since I used Merino Wool, it was relatively easy to pin it, wet it, and let it dry. The curly tails all straightened right out!

I did not block the body of the scarf.

https://videopress.com/v/4ljlSKeS?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata

Thank you for all the ways you support me (blog visits, pattern purchases, newsletter sign ups, etc)! I am really enjoying this and I will continue to design new patterns for you all!

ashleebrotzell

November Gnome

I am publishing this month’s gnome a few days early – I hope you don’t mind!

We just took possession of our new home (this will be our 3rd move in 14 months) and I am also involved in the “12 Days of Christmas Crochet Patterns” event so I wanted to make sure I am not late in releasing this gnome pattern. Early is better, in my opinion.

I don’t often have specific dates attached to my patterns. If life gets busy I can easily just delay publishing. No one ever knows how often that happens! But these Gnome squares have been coming out on the 1st of the month all year long and I wouldn’t want to disappoint anyone who has invested in the eBook!

“November Gnome” on Ravelry
“A Year of Gnomes” on Ravelry
“November Gnome” on Etsy
“A Year of Gnomes” on Etsy

First, I sent out the email to everyone who purchased the eBook on Etsy. Then I published the single pattern on Ravelry and uploaded the two files there (two files: one for the interlocking crochet technique and one for the overlay mosaic crochet method). After that I had to update the eBook listing on Ravelry.

Did you know that is two separate things on Ravelry? When I first started publishing patterns that caught me off guard. I thought you could create an eBook listing and tell Ravelry which patterns would be included and it would automatically join them but you actually have to upload everything you want in that eBook in the eBook listing itself.

When I went to add November Gnome to the Year of Gnomes eBook on Etsy I realized I hadn’t updated that listing since September! Oops! Good thing no one purchased it in the last few months anyway.

Then I realized I hadn’t published the single square on Etsy yet so I quickly did that.

Mosaic Crochet, by CarolinevdB

In case you’re new to this “A Year of Gnomes” series: there’s a new gnome each month. This month is a leafy design. You might see feathers if you’re thinking of Thanksgiving turkeys. This gnome has also put on his well-worn hat that’s been patched a few times. Why does a patch mean autumn weather to me? Is that in some nursery rhymes or something?

This pattern, like all the gnomes, has a chart size of 81 x 81 (so it is 20″ square if you match my gauge). I also have other squares of this same size if you’d prefer to mix and match: ashleeslint.com/patterns#large

On December 1st I will also be adding an all-in-one blanket pattern of all 12 gnomes to the eBooks on Ravelry and Etsy. The all-in-one pattern will save you from joining squares together but doesn’t allow as much creative freedom on yarn color. It won’t have a separate listing – it will only be available in the eBooks.

Speaking of the eBook – it is a great value; it is more than a 50% discount compared to buying each square individually (plus it’s the only way you’ll get that all-in-one blanket)! Ravelry has a great system for updating patterns; Etsy requires that I email you each month with the updated pattern. I offer both options for most of my patterns.

And, of course, our master list of gnomes that keeps getting updated:

Thank you for supporting me!

ashleebrotzell

12 Days of Christmas Crochet Patterns Blog Hop

I am so excited to tell you all that I am participating in a “12 Days of Christmas Crochet Patterns” blog hop, sponsored by WeCrochet. The most simple explanation is this: lots of designers, lots of patterns, hop from blog to blog daily to download each pattern free, OR purchase the bundle of patterns (and get a few bonuses!).

Blog Hop?

Each day, for the next 12 days (that is October 27 through to November 7, 2021), you will have the opportunity to download some free Christmas-themed crochet patterns. There are quite a few designers participating and if you collect every pattern you will have 47 new patterns at the end of these 12 Days! You will need to “hop” from blog to blog to collect everything. Each pattern is only free for 24 hours.

Here’s a sneak peak of just a few of the designs:

My contribution to this bundle is my brand new Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf pattern. This pattern hasn’t been published yet. And it will not be available for purchase until November 1st (but you can get it a few days early by buying the bundle). Most of my patterns have written instructions and charts for two techniques (interlocking crochet and overlay mosaic crochet) but this pattern is only for overlay mosaic crochet. WeCrochet sponsored this event so they sent me this gorgeous yarn: KnitPicks Twill, in Graphite Heather and Gold Rush. It is 100% soft merino wool and I loved working with it!

Explain this event again?

Each day of the event you will need to go to the main round up post to find that day’s code and see which patterns are available (each day will have have a minimum of 2 patterns, some days have up to 6!). To get a reminder email from me you can subscribe to my blog (see the side bar) or subscribe to my newsletter by entering your email below.

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Bonus

If you’re like me and know that you’d inevitably forget to download your favorite patterns on their specified days you might want to just grab the full PDF Pattern bundle now. Fosbas (our host, and an amazing designer) has thrown in 2 bonus PDF patterns for everyone who purchases the “12 Days Of Christmas Crochet Patterns” bundle – which means you’ll be receiving nearly 50 patterns at an amazing discount! You will also have the opportunity to grab her “winter bundle” at the same time; that’s the optional switch you’ll see.

How much better can it get? Well, when you purchase the bundle using my affiliate link I will send you an email after the return period has passed with a code to add Braided Chain Mosaic Scarf to your Ravelry library. This allows you to receive any updates that may become available down the road. And, I’ll throw in a code that allows you to download a FREE blanket pattern: your choice of Oh Tannenbaum or Warm Wishes (Gingerbread).

The “12 Days Of Christmas Crochet Patterns” bundle is only available for purchase during the event – when the event is over, the bundle deal goes away too. Also, note the purchase price is USD (not CAD like my patterns).

Click the image above to buy the bundle or click the image below to check out the round up post. You’ll need to refresh the round up post every day to see the new code for the day and the list of participating patterns.

The tag for this event is: #FallBlogHopWeC (this is the tag I was told to use, don’t ask me why it says “fall”). I’ll be posting nearly daily on my Instagram feed as well – to help remind you to grab those free downloads each day!

ashleebrotzell

October Mystery Pattern Reveal

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t done the mystery pattern yet, it is no longer a mystery!

You can download the pattern directly from me here!

2021 October Mystery Pattern – Mosaic onlyDownload

I hope you all enjoyed this little project! A few people said they had no idea what it was until they were done!

Mine is gold and black because I had these colors laying around. I hope you are pleased with the colors you chose. It is small, so you could always try again with different colors now that you know what it is. This yarn is worsted weight and my sample if 6.5″ x 5″.

I was thinking of making my foundation row as long as a scarf and then repeating the cat a few times for a cute little scarf. I would do ten repeats wide. But I haven’t had time to do that yet. A potholder or coaster is a good idea if you don’t want to join it to anything. You can always add an envelope border later (that’s my plan – later! lol).

I will make a draw from the facebook thread in about 14 hours and the winner will get a pattern of their choice!

The consolation prize for everyone else (besides this cute little cat pattern) is this coupon code: “OCTOBER2021“. Use this code to get $5 off your purchase of $10 or more (valid on Etsy and Ravelry) until October 31, 2021.

Etsy Shop
Ravelry Store

ashleebrotzell

October Mystery Pattern

There’s one week left in October. I don’t have a new pattern ready for this month. I haven’t published a new pattern since October 11, when I published all 6 patterns in the eBook More in the Ocean. It feels really weird to have so many days go by between publishing.

Since I started designing patterns 570 days ago, I have published 249 designs to Ravelry which averages to 1 new pattern every 2.3 days. I don’t know if Ravelry includes eBooks in that number (I have 15 eBooks listed). I only have 109 active listings on Etsy – I’ve bundled things when possible to keep fees down and some of the small squares just aren’t available on that platform yet. I’ll keep working on that.

Each pattern includes written line-by-line instructions for both techniques (interlocking and overlay mosaic) and a chart for each technique as well. The mosaic charts have X’s (there are still a few patterns that I haven’t updated yet; I’ll keep working on that too).

I haven’t had to rely on games or gimmicks to keep engagement up in my Facebook group or on my Instagram feed because I just have new content to share all the time. I am learning as I go and I am trying to be a full-time marketer as well as pattern designer as well as website creator as well as pattern support as well as teacher for newbies as well as…. you get the point.

So, when I realized I would have a big gap between new patterns I decided to create a game for my Facebook group! There’s still time for you to join!

I created a quick mystery pattern and posted it in my Facebook group for free. Thank you to the 100+ comments that have kept it bumped up for everyone to see! Tonight I will create a new post asking to see everyone’s creations. It is a very small piece and doesn’t take long to work up. One self-proclaimed “slow-crocheter” said it only took her 2.5 hours. I think it took me about 45 minutes – but I also had the benefit of knowing what I was making.

This mystery pattern is ONLY mosaic crochet this time. I was hoping it would encourage some of you to try something new and it is the more popular technique in the group. Plus, I really liked the solid look for this pattern so I didn’t want the interlocking mesh dots over the whole piece. Maybe next time I will get the group to learn solid interlocking sections!

If you share your photo in the thread that I haven’t created yet (wait about 12 hours for it to be October 24 here) then you will be entered to win a free pattern of your choice!

I hope you enjoy these little games while you wait for the next pattern. I have a few really awesome ones on the way!

Get the free mystery pattern

ashleebrotzell