Saturday, May 4, 2013

Winding Lane Bracelet ~ Free Crochet Pattern with Video Tutorials



It's May in Wisconsin - when winter plays tag with summer, and spring sits on the sidelines debating whether to join the game. After months of jackets and sweaters, we're longing to feel the sun on our skin, and any sunny day is an excuse for short sleeves.

Bare arms mean bare wrists - and bare wrists cry out for bracelets. Fun little cottony warm-weather bracelets, stitched in a palette of spring colours and dotted with shining beads. Like these:

Winding Lane Bracelets

Winding Lane Bracelets are quick to make, and a perfect project for novice bead crocheters. They're based on a fun new technique I call Forward Loop Chain, which gives texture and stability to the wavy scallops, and a decorative edge that looks good from both sides - making the bracelets fully reversible.

Winding Lane Bracelets can be worn solo or stacked...


...or twisted together for an amazing cabled look.


Self-yarn buttons and loops make simple, organic closures - or you could sew on a traditional button if you liked. (Haven't tried this yet myself.)


Size: Custom

Yarn Requirements: 20-25 yds light DK weight cotton yarn
(You could also use lighter weight thread, with smaller beads and an appropriate hook size)

Yarns I Used:
Planet Penny Cotton Club, Apple
Planet Penny Cotton Club, Eggshell
Patons Grace, Orchid

How Did the Yarns Behave?
All very well. Planet Penny Cotton Club remains a favourite for its smooth hand and lovely range of colours. Patons Grace is very similar in texture and performance.

Hook Size: US D/3.25mm, or size appropriate to yarn

Notions: (20-30) size 6º or EE beads. Allow 2 beads per 3/4" of bracelet.
(If using smaller thread, use size 8º beads)

All crochet terminology is American.

Special Stitches and Abbreviations:

Forlp ch (forward loop chain): Make forward loop on hook next to working lp (2 lps now on hook), yo and pull through both lps on hook. (This gives a textured stitch which looks "normal" on one side and knobbly on the other. Stitches are worked into the normal side.) See video below for instructions on making a forward loop.
Dc5tog - double crochet 5 together in indicated stitch

Winding Lane Bracelet Crochet Shorthand Pattern:

String beads on yarn, allowing 2 beads per 3/4" of desired finished length.
Button Loop: Forlp ch 6, sl st in first ch to join.
First Half-Shell: Forlp ch 4, turn, yo, ins hook in back lp of 2nd ch from hook, yo and pull up a lp, [yo, ins hook in back loop of next ch, yo and pull up a lp] twice, yo, ins hook through 5th ch of button lp, yo and pull up a lp, yo, pull through all lps on hook. Slide 2 beads down to work, ch 1 to secure.
Whole Shells: Forlp ch 6, turn, yo, ins hook in back lp of 2nd ch from hook, yo and pull up a lp, [yo, ins hook in back loop of next ch, yo and pull up a lp] 4 times, yo, ins hook through row end of previous shell (turn previous shell if necessary so scalloped edge is facing up), yo and pull up a lp, yo, pull through all lps on hook. Tighten thread slightly if necessary to encourage scallop shape. Slide 2 beads down to work, ch 1 to secure.
Repeat Whole Shells until bracelet is about 1/2" - 3/4" shorter than wrist measurement. (Bracelet will stretch with wearing, so a snug fit is recommended.) If planning to wear 2 bracelets twisted together, repeat Whole Shells until bracelet nearly matches wrist measurement.
Finishing Half-Shell: Same as First Half-Shell.
Button: Turn, sl st in row end of Finishing Half-Shell. Ch 3, dc5tog in back lp of first ch. With fingertip push body of cluster towards you. Turn button over, ins hook  back to front through same strand dc5tog was made in, sl st. Ch 4, cut yarn above last ch, remove hook, pull to tighten into knot. Gently ins hook through front of button and out the hole at base of ch; pull until chain is completely hidden in button and yarn tail is sticking out. Carefully trim yarn tail close to knot; hide knot in button.



Winding Lane Bracelet Crochet Pattern in Plain English, with Video Tutorials:

String beads on yarn, allowing 2 beads per 3/4" of desired finished length.

Button Loop:
Forward Loop Chain 6,
slip stitch in first chain to join.


First Half-Shell:

Forward Loop Chain 4, turn,
yarn over, insert hook in back loop of 2nd chain from hook,
yarn over and pull up a loop,
[yarn over, insert hook in back loop of next chain, yarn over and pull up a loop] 2 more times,
yarn over, insert hook through top two strands of 5th chain of button loop,
yarn over and pull up a loop,
yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
Slide 2 beads down close to work,
chain 1 to secure.


Whole Shells:
Forward Loop Chain 6, turn,
yarn over, insert hook in back loop of 2nd chain from hook,
yarn over and pull up a loop,
[yarn over, insert hook in back loop of next chain, yarn over and pull up a loop] 4 more times,
yarn over, insert hook through row end of previous shell (turn previous shell if necessary so scalloped edge is facing up),

yarn over and pull up a loop,
yarn over, pull through all loops on hook.
Tighten thread slightly if necessary to encourage scallop shape.
Slide 2 beads down close to work,
chain 1 to secure.



Repeat Whole Shells until bracelet is about 1/2" - 3/4" shorter than wrist measurement. (Bracelet will stretch with wearing, so a snug fit is recommended.) If planning to wear 2 bracelets twisted together, repeat Whole Shells until bracelet nearly matches wrist measurement.

Finishing Half-Shell: Same as First Half-Shell.

Button:
Turn, slip stitch in row end of Finishing Half-Shell.
Chain 3.
Make 5 partial double crochets in back loop of first chain.
With fingertip, push body of cluster towards you.
Yarn over, draw through all loops on hook to form a dc5tog cluster (this is the button).
Turn button over,
insert hook through same strand dc5tog was made in,
slip stitch to secure.
Chain 4, then cut yarn about an inch above last chain.
Remove hook, pull to make a knot.
Gently insert hook through opposite side of button and out the hole at base of chain-4;
pull yarn tail back through button until chain is completely hidden in button and yarn tail is sticking out. Trim yarn tail close to knot; if knot has popped through, push back into button.


Here's one last video showing some different ways to wear your Winding Lane Bracelet:


You may do whatever you like with the items you make from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern or re-post it without permission.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask in the comment box below, or you can send me a message in Ravelry.

Thanks for viewing, and happy crocheting!


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40 comments:

  1. Woohoo. I love this pattern! During the summer months I like to make bracelets with my daughter and I'm always looking for new patterns. This one looks just perfect!
    Thanks for sharing,
    Rosie xx

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    1. Thanks Rosie - and I forgot to mention that the idea of stuffing the button came from a comment you left on somebody's blog, about stuffing something with matching thread clippings. So thank you for that idea! :)

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  2. Very pretty and with excellent instructions too! So many different ways to wear these bracelets! Happy Sunday!

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    1. Thank you Sandra - it was a happy Sunday. I hope yours was equally pleasant. :)

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  3. Looks lovely and seems like a good starting point for someone like me who has such trouble with crochet. Juliex

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    1. Thank you - and if you can find time between making those adorable quilts I'm sure you could handle this little project. :)

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  4. What a great tutorial Sue! Looks like a really fun project to do in the summer, thanks for sharing!
    xx Shari

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    1. Thanks Shari - and you're welcome. This is the time of year we start dreaming of summer, so cottony little projects are just the thing! :)

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  5. Hooray fun things to make for Spring. You have spoiled us all with this wonderful bracelet project and videos to help.
    Thanks so much for our Spring present.
    Hugs,
    Meredith

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  6. Hope this "springy beauty" means you finally have spring weather. Thanks for the crochet instructions. I've got cotton yarn and am ready for something besides dish cloths and scarves. Have a good Sunday. Now out to the yard before the heat arrives. Linda

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    1. We do have some lovely spring weather now - although last week was rather nasty and wintry. Let us crochet while the sun shines! :)

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  7. These are gorgeous Sue :) I particularly like the two braided together. And your tutorial is so easy to follow, even for a totally novice crocheter. Not that I tackled it with hook and yarn in hand, but I hope to :)

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  8. Wonderful, Sue! I love the bead details ♥

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    1. Thank you, Ana! I hope you're having a pleasant spring. :)

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  9. These look like fun. Great tutorial, as ever.

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    1. Thanks Anne! They are pretty fun, I think. :)

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  10. Oooo! Ahhhh!!! How beautiful! I must admit I am confused by 'anonymous'' comment though. :)

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    1. Poor Anonymous. He can barely write English. In fact sometimes he CAN'T write English. I have turned him off as I am tired of those cryptic remarks....

      And thank you. :)

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  11. Ooooo, I have been wanting to combine beads and yarn for quite some time. You have done it perfectly! Love this color combo and the new blog look is just simply lovely, Sue!

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    1. Thanks Liz - this is a really good starter bead crochet project because it's reversible. Impossible to get the beads on the wrong side! :)

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  12. Oooooo another project for my want to do list, Sue! Thanks for sharing your pattern....really lovely!!!
    Gracie xx

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    1. Thanks Gracie - I really like these myself. I wore two of them to work today and received a compliment from a co-worker. (Pats self on back.)

      :)

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  13. This is really beautiful, Sue. Love the twisted look, and the colors are wonderful, too.

    Gotta tell you, though, I am dreaming about doing it in thread when I get home!!! :)

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    1. Of course you are. (I wanted to do a thread sample too but ran out of time.) I still hope to make one before the next wave of pattern commissions starts rolling in.... :)

      And thanks.

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  14. So cute! I am pretty sure that I can do this one. I am going to get some DK and some beads tomorrow. Cause I need a new project. LOL ;)

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    1. Of course you need a new project! All your other yarn is probably in storage somewhere. :)

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  15. I'm a little bit behind in my reading so I'm just now commenting. As always a great tutorial for a great project. Those are adorable and I think they would make great prezzies for my granddaughters. Thanks, Sue.

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    1. Thanks Sharon - they're lots of fun for big and little girls alike. Judy of CJ Stitching just made some for her granddaughter, I think. :)

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  16. I love these and have made 5 already. Thanks for the great tutorial.
    Is the forward loop chain your own creation? I really like it. I dislike chains, but this looks really nice.

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    1. Wow - 5! You've beat my 3. :)

      I don't know if the forward loop chain is my own creation - I think it may be, because I came up with it myself - but it's perfectly possible it exists out there already.

      Some credit must go to Vashti Braha who planted the seed of this idea a year or two back, with a pattern using (if I remember correctly) cast-on backward loops to form a lacy or shell-like sort of trim. The idea stuck in my head and has since emerged in other forms, including the forward loop chain.

      Thanks for commenting!

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  17. My daughter asked me to make her a bracelet this evening, this is perfect with very clear instructions. Thank you for sharing. ~Alicia

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  18. You use techniques I've never seen or read about before. Where did you learn to crochet? Thanks for the video instructions and patterns.

    Samantha.

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    1. Sorry for this horribly late reply! My sister taught me to crochet when I was very young, but most of the odd techniques I post on the blog are things I worked out for myself in the last few years. :)

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  19. Dear Mrs. Micawber,
    Just came upon your this pattern through Crochet Me. It's beautiful and your video was nice and clear. However, may I gently make a suggestion?? I'm much older and have bad vision, so it was difficult for me to really see some of the stitches you were working into. I always have this problem which is why I usually stick to simple patterns. I'm not very good (especially at reading patterns - ugh) but I've recently started to crochet again after a long time. If you could use larger yarn and hook size just to allow for ease in identifying the stitches you're working into, that would be so helpful for me and others who have the same difficulty. It would obviously be for demo only and not the correct size. Just a thought. Thank you for your pattern and video. Plus, you have a very nice voice to listen to. Nunnie


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    1. Dear Nunnie,

      Thank you for the kind comment and the thoughtful suggestion. I do like to use a large yarn whenever possible for tutorials, but due to time constraints, sometimes it works out better for me to use the actual project and project yarn. Most of my patterns include a phototutorial, which allows the viewer to zoom in and enlarge the photos onscreen if they need to. Unfortunately this pattern did not include photos, so I'm sorry if you found it difficult to see the finer points on the video. Feel free to email me at any time (or use the comment box) to ask questions about the pattern, and I will do my best to help.

      Thanks again, and happy crocheting!

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  20. Thank you so much for this pattern and the tutorial which was clear and easy to follow. I have made a few bracelets already using different threads and beads and used one larger bead instead of two sometimes. I don't know how to attach my pictures but I have linked your website to my pins on Pinterest so others can enjoy this lovely pattern.
    Grace Israa

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  21. can I get a printable pattern of this

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