Crochet – Rohn Strong

Crochet for Mental Health: How the Craft Can Help You Manage Stress and Anxiety

Crochet is more than just a hobby – it can be a powerful tool for managing stress and anxiety. In fact, research shows that engaging in creative activities like crochet can have a positive impact on mental health. In this post, we’ll explore the many benefits of crochet for mental health, from reducing stress to promoting mindfulness.

Crochet as a Stress-Reliever

For many people, crochet is a form of meditation that allows them to take a break from the stresses of everyday life. When you crochet, your mind is focused on the task at hand, and you can let go of your worries for a little while.

Studies have shown that engaging in activities that require focus and concentration, like crochet, can help reduce cortisol levels in the body. Cortisol is a hormone that’s released in response to stress, and high levels can contribute to anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues. By reducing cortisol levels through crochet, you can help alleviate the symptoms of stress and anxiety.

Ready to try your hand at crochet? Make the Cobblestone Steps Throw today! I have a kit from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn HERE!

Crochet as a Mindfulness Practice

Crochet can also be a mindfulness practice, which involves being present at the moment and fully engaged with your surroundings. When you crochet, you’re focused on the feel of the yarn, the movement of the hook, and the pattern you’re following.

Mindfulness is an effective way to manage anxiety and depression. By practicing mindfulness through crochet, you can learn to let go of negative thoughts and emotions and focus on the present moment.

Ready to try your hand at crochet? Make the Cobblestone Steps Throw today! I have a kit from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn HERE!

Crochet as a Creative Outlet

For many people, crochet is a creative outlet that allows them to express themselves in a way that’s both productive and enjoyable. You feel a sense of accomplishment and pride when you create something with two hands.

Creating something beautiful and tangible can help boost your self-esteem and improve your mood. Plus, crochet is a beginner-friendly craft, which means anyone can start creating their own projects with just a few simple stitches. Whether you’re a beginner looking to make a crochet afghan or an experienced crocheter looking to challenge yourself with a more complex pattern, there’s something for everyone in the crochet world.

Ready to try your hand at crochet? Make the Cobblestone Steps Throw today! I have a kit from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn HERE!

Crochet is a wonderful way to promote mental health and well-being. Engaging in this calming and creative hobby can reduce stress and anxiety, practice mindfulness, and express your creativity. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced crocheter, there’s never been a better time to pick up your hook and start stitching.

So why not try a beginner crochet project, like a cozy crochet afghan, and see how this craft can benefit your mental health? Your mind and body will thank you for it!

1970s Crochet Goes Modern: Rediscovering the Timeless Charm of Retro Trends

Hey Friends!

Crochet is a timeless craft that has been enjoyed by generations of women. In the 1970s, crochet experienced a surge in popularity, as people embraced DIY culture and sought to express their creativity in new ways. In this blog post, we’ll take a trip down memory lane and explore the history of crochet in the 1970s.

The Rise of Beginner Crochet

The 1970s marked the rise of beginner crochet, as more and more people became interested in learning the craft. Crochet patterns and instruction books became widely available, and beginners could find guidance in magazines and newspapers. Women of all ages were drawn to crochet, and it became a popular pastime for young and old alike. Crochet also became a form of self-expression, as people used the craft to create unique and personalized items.

Crochet Fashion Trends

Crochet fashion was a big trend in the 1970s. Clothing, accessories, and home decor items were all adorned with crochet. Crochet vests, ponchos, and dresses were popular clothing items, while crocheted afghans were a staple in many households. The popularity of crochet fashion was also reflected in pop culture, as celebrities like Cher and Stevie Nicks were often seen wearing crochet clothing.

The Legacy of the Crochet Afghan

The crochet afghan is one of the most iconic crochet items of the 1970s. These colorful and cozy blankets were often made as gifts for friends and family, and many people still cherish afghans made by loved ones. The popularity of crochet afghans also had a social component, as they were often made in groups by women who gathered to share patterns and techniques. Today, crochet afghans continue to be a beloved and cherished item, with many people passing down family heirlooms from generation to generation.

Crochet in the 1970s was a time of creativity, self-expression, and community. Beginner crochet became popular, fashion trends embraced crochet, and the crochet afghan became a beloved staple in many households. Today, these trends continue to inspire and inform modern crochet culture. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or just starting out, the history of crochet in the 1970s is a testament to the enduring appeal of this timeless craft.

Chevron blankets are my absolute fav, and the Chev Throw by Rohn Strong is a great example of a modern twist on a classic pattern. With a little nod to the past, this easy-to-stitch blanket makes quick work of simple stitches. The Chev Throw is worked as an extra long chevron with two colors in alternating double crochet mesh and single crochet, creating a beautiful texture and pattern. This pattern is perfect for beginner crocheters looking to make a statement piece or for more experienced crafters looking for a quick and easy project. The Chev Throw is a great way to pay homage to the history of crochet while embracing the modern and contemporary style of today’s crochet culture.

The Lil’ Log Cabin Blanket Crochet Pattern

This technique is perfect for beginners and I hope you’ll try it out! I have a kit available from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn which is available here!

Log cabins are the easiest way to crochet your first blanket. You start with a little square, crochet on each side, and work out from there. If you’ve been itching to try something new, get out your hook and stitch up this throw!

*Please see our affiliate page for more information on how we use links to keep our blog up and running! This pattern is currently not available as a single PDF download but may become available in the future. For updates please subscribe to my newsletter.

Let’s kick off the new year with a new crochet pattern!! The Lil’ Log Cabin Blanket is a lil’ something I was working on through the Holidays and just couldn’t wait to share with y’all. It’s relatively easy, with a bit of explaining for all you new crocheters out there, and for those of us that have a little more practice, it’s fun as all get out.

For the yarn, I chose to go with Color Theory! It’s such a great yarn because it lets you mix and match hues with ease. There are no wrong combinations, only possibilities! Color Theory yarn is crafted from machine washable and dryable 100% easy-care acrylic, giving this classic CYC #4 worsted weight yarn even more reason to become your go-to option for accessories and wearables for the whole family.

So, let’s talk a little about construction. If you’ve never crocheted a log cabin blanket, it’s actually pretty easy and it creates a really cool pattern without much work at all.

See that white square in the center? That’s where we start! Just crocheting. simple square using the pattern stitch. In this case, the stitch is made up of single and double crochet stitches, that’s all! It’s incredibly simple.

This technique is perfect for beginners and I hope you’ll try it out! I have a kit available from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn which is available here!

Next, we work on one side of the square, usually just down the side. While we change colors to create the color pattern you see. on the right, it can just as easily be worked with one color too!

After that, we just keep working in rounds, turning the square 90 degrees and working down the rows and stitches from previous rows. Stitch count doesn’t really matter all that much, as long as your work stays consistently flat. One wonky edge and your whole blanket can get thrown off.

This technique is perfect for beginners and I hope you’ll try it out! I have a kit available from my friends at Lion Brand Yarn which is available here!

Blizzard Blanket – Free Crochet Pattern by Rohn Strong

Hey Friends!

It’s a new year *waves wildly* and I’m so excited to start the year off with a new FREE CROCHET PATTERN! It’s a simply lil’ blankie with a couple cool twists that keep it from being too boring.

Here’s the good stuff:

Buy the PDF of this pattern Here (It really helps me keep designing these awesome blankets for you all when you purchase a pattern!)

B uy the Kit Here (This is an affiliate link which means I make a little bit when you buy through it at no cost to you.)

Or just scroll on down for the free pattern!

Click Here to purchase the Kit!

Click Here to add this project to Ravelry!

Blizzard Blanket

Nothing says, “I love you but I totally forgot about you…” like a last minute gift! This
little blanket works up in no time and can be made with any combo of any three colors! It’s a simple 2-row repeat that won’t overwhelm you and creates a stunning blanket. Make it as big or as small as you’d like!

Finished Measurements
Yarn included in kit is enough to complete a blanket about 40 inches wide

Gauge
About 4 sts and 1 rows = 1 inch in Double Crochet fd

Materials
Yarn
Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti Pilling Yarn (100% Acrylic Worsted Weight Yarn;
185 (153 in prints, 157 in moulines)/1170 (140 in prints, 144 in moulines);
3.5oz (3oz in prints/moulines)/100g (85g in prints/moulines))
3 skeins Steel Blue (202 – 109)
3 skeins Frost (202 – 105)
3 skeins Two Pines (202 – 208)

Hook
US K/6.5mm Crochet Hook or size needed to obtain gauge

Notions
Tapestry Needle

PATTERN

Change colors every 2 rounds, beginning and ending with the desired color. This is a great scrap busting project too!

Ch 4
Rnd 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, (ch 4, 2dc) 7 times, ch 4, join to top of beg ch 4
with a sl st. (16 dc, 8 ch-spaces)

Rnd 2: Sl st into next ch-4 sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 3dc
in same ch-space, (4dc in next ch sp) 7 times, join to top of beg ch-3. (32 dc)
Rnd 3: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, sc in next space between stitches; rep
from * around. (16 ch-4 spaces)

Rnd 4 and all even rnds: Sl st into next ch-4 space, ch 3, 3dc in same sp, (ch 2,
4dc in next ch sp) around to last ch-space, ch 2, join to top of beg ch 3.

Rnd 5: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 4 dc sts, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th ch from
hook, sk next 2 dc, sc in space between dc sts; rep from * around. (32 ch-4
spaces)

Rnd 7: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, (sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 4 dc sts) twice, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th ch
from hook, sk next 2 dc, sc in space between dc sts; rep from * around. (40 ch-4
spaces)

Rnd 9: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, (sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 4 dc sts) three times, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 2 dc, sc in space between dc sts; rep from * around. (48
ch-4 spaces)

Rnd 11: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, (sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 4 dc sts) three times, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 2 dc, sc in space between dc sts; rep from * around. (54
ch-4 spaces)

Rnd 13: Sl st into next dc, ch 1, sc in space between current dc and next dc, *ch
4, dc in 4th ch from hook, sk next 2dc sts, (sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 4 dc sts) three times, sc in next ch-2 space, ch 4, dc in 4th
ch from hook, sk next 2 dc, sc in space between dc sts; rep from * around. (62
ch-4 spaces)

Continue to work as established, increasing 8 ch-4 spaces every even round.
This will create a blanket that can be made as large (or as small) as desired.
Weave in ends as your work progresses. Stop working after an odd row.

Final Row: Working from left to right, work 2 reverse single crochet stitches into
last ch-space completed, *ch 4, sk next 4 dc, work 2 reverse single crochet
stitches into the next ch space; rep from * around. Join to first st with a sl st.
Fasten off. Wash and lay flat to block.

Summer Blossom Mandala – Week 8

It is here friends! Our last rounds on this giant mandala! We only have three rounds to focus on and, while there are a number of stitches to worry about, it’s pretty smooth sailing at this point!

Last Rounds:

Rnd 1: Join Color A in marked st, ch 3 (counts as first dc), tr in next ch sp, tr4tog in last two sts of current scallop and first two sts of next scallop, *tr in next ch sp, dc in each of the next 4 sts, hdc in each of the next 33 sts, dc in each of the next 4 sts**, tr in next ch sp, tr4tog; rep from * around ending last rep at **, join to beg ch-3 with a sl st. Fasten off.

Rnd 2: Join Color C with a sl st in same st as join, ch 2, fpdc around post of same st as join, *sk next tr4tog, fpdc around post of next st, (sk next st, fpdc around post of next st) twice, hdc in each of the next 4 sts, working in 3rd loop of hdc on Rnd 1, sc in each of the next 25 sts, hdc in each of the next 4 sts, (fpdc around post of the next st, sk next st) twice**, fpdc around post of next st; rep from * around, ending last rep at **, join to first fpdc with a sl st. Fasten off.

Rnd 3: Join Color B in fpdc one stitch to the right of join, *dc4tog, dc in next st, hdc in each of the next 4 sts, working behind last two rounds, (dc in next 2 dc on Row 8 of Scallop, sk 2 sts on current rnd, sc in each of the next 2 sts) six times, dc in next 2 dc on Row 8 of Scallop, sk 1 st on current round, hdc in each of the next four sts, dc in next st; rep from * around, join to first dc4tog with a sl st. Fasten off.

Weave in all ends. Wash and lay flat to block.