FashBlog.com

By Christina VanGinkel

With the holidays now done, but several months of winter yet to come, I thought I would browse a few of my favorite yarn sites to see if there were any interesting patterns available for a child's sweater, a scarf, or some other small project to do in the evenings. I found several and just had to share. One place that I often visit for inspiration and free patterns to use when crocheting is the website put together by the Lion Brand Yarn Company. They often have unique ideas, and usable patterns, all at no cost. For you knitters out there, they have just as many patterns to satisfy your wants and needs as they do for the crochet fanatics. They did not disappoint on my most recent search of their site either.

They have their patterns separated into crochet and knit, and broken down further into patterns for the home, patterns for adults, patterns for children, patterns for toys, patterns for dogs and cats, and patterns for babies. I decided to check out the crochet patterns for adults. What I found was some totally free, and fun patterns that I could make in the evenings for friends and a few teens that I know like fashions a bit on the crazy side.

Fun Fashion Jeans

With fashion jeans costing a small fortune, they have one of the most interesting patterns I have ever seen to dress up a pair of jeans. Using their Lion Suede yarn, made to look like, you guessed it, Sued, they have a fun pattern for turning a plain old (or new) pair of jeans into a wild fashion statement.

Red Hat Boa

Looking further through their crochet pattern library, one title caught my attention; it was for a Red Hat Boa. If you know any woman who happens to be a member of the Red Hat Society, this would be a gift that she would remember for a long time to come, and it sure looks fun to make. Crafted with red and purple Chenille Thick and Quick yarn, it would be the perfect project to make in an evening or two, and absolutely fun to wear for the lucky woman you give it too. If you happen to a member yourself, a bit of warning, as once the other women see you wearing yours, they will be begging you either to share the pattern, or to make them one. So make a few copies of the pattern, it is free, to pass along when the request start to pour in, or stock up on the yarn because you will have all the projects you could possibly accomplish for those winter evenings you were looking to fill.

Chemo Caps

If you have given everyone you know a fun fashion find you have created, and yet you want a project, and a worthy one at that, they offer a pattern for a Cheery Chemo Cap, made up in Fun Fur. This good project would be small enough to even take along with you for those times on the go, and in the evenings. Make up a few in some fun colors, and donate them to your area hospitals for Chemo Patients. While a small thing indeed, they are sure to bring a smile to even the most worn out chemo patient. Patterns for these worthy caps are available in both crochet and knitted versions, so everyone can get in on the sharing.

Mittens

They have several patterns for mittens, and everyone can always use another warm and fashionable pair to wear during the cold winter months. They have several pair made up in their Homespun, Homespun Deco yarn, and their Wool-Easy Chunky yarn. The patterns would all easily accommodate adding some of their more fun yarns though, such as their Fun Fur, or their Suede yarn, so you could even make a matching pair of mittens to go with those fabulous fashion jeans! In addition, for the wildest outfit, they have a pattern for a pair of fingerless mitts and matching scarf made in red and white fun fur. Sure to bring a smile to the teen or young adult that gets this set as a gift!