Independence Day

Happy Fourth of July, everyone! I hope you all have a great day, and please be careful if you're shooting off fireworks!

Patriotic Concert Series

Hey! For those of you who don't know, I also play the piano. To celebrate the 4th of July, I'm recording a some patriotic songs and posting them in a concert series on youtube! Thus far, all the songs recorded have been from Catherine Rollin's "American Medleys and Variations." Today's pieces are "America the Beautiful" and "A Star-Spangled Fantasy."
http://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=B4E73A597BF009C0

Coaster Pattern

As promised, here is a free pattern perfect for the summer! These coasters are great to put under any refreshing summer beverage. In addition, it requires crocheting in a round, so if you haven't done that before this is great practice! This is the same basic technique I use to create my hats and dolls; master this, and you'll be ready to try making a hat when the weather gets colder! Also, try using furry yarn for one of the stripes; it makes these really fun and funky. Remember, all patterns are Copyright 2009, Angela Marshall. You may not use these patterns for commercial purposes without first gaining permission. You may, however, print them out and share them with your friends!

Striped Coaster Pattern

Materials needed: ~1 crochet hook. I used size I, but most sizes will work for this project.
~Two colors of yarn if you want to make a striped coaster. You could also complete the pattern using only one color for a solid look. Try using specialty yarn for one of the stripes

1: Do 3 chain stitches. Connect both ends using a slip stitch. Now you have a small loop.
2: Do 2 chain stitches. Now, using the center of the loop as the foundation for your stitches, do 8 single crochets. Use a slip stitch to join your last stitch to your first. If you are making a striped coaster, change colors now. If you are making a solid coaster, ignore directions that tell you to change colors.
3: Do 2 chain stitches. Going around the circle, put 1 single crochet in every odd numbered stitch, and 2 in every even stitch. Use a slip stitch to join your last stitch to your first. Switch yarn colors.
4: Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in the first stitch and 1 in the second. Put 2 single crochets in the third stitch. Work your way around the circle, continuing this pattern. Every third stitch should receive 2 single crochets. Join your last stitch to your first with a slip stitch and change yarn colors.
5: Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in every odd stitch, and 2 in every even stitch. (This is the same pattern of stitches you used in step 3.) Continue all the way around the circle, alternating between 1 and 2 stitches. Join your last stitch to your first with a slip stitch, completing the circle. Change yarn colors.
6. Do 2 chain stitches. Using the same pattern as step 4, work around the circle. Complete the circle with a chain stitch and change yarn colors.
7. Do 2 chain stitches. Put 1 single crochet in every stitch around the circle. Complete the circle with a slip stitch, and complete the pattern by cutting your yarn and tying a knot so your coaster won’t unravel!
8. Protect your furniture in style this summer!

If you have any problems completing this pattern, email your questions to pianofortedesigns@hotmail.com. And, if you finish this project and think it looks terrific, send me some pics! I'd love to see them and possibly post them!
~Angela