Day 58 + Guest Blog Day Today!

 

 I have a special treat for you today - a GUEST BLOG by Beth who blogs here http://bethbutcher.wordpress.com/  

I met Beth at a "Crochet Get Together" in April last year & we have been in touch with each other via our blogs or on Twitter ever since!

You are going to really enjoy this as there is a full pattern in UK Crochet terminology too!

 

I started to crochet about a year and a half ago and I have to say, I loved it from the first moment I put hook to wool, as it were. 

I have done many projects since but I think the ones I'm most proud of are my wavy blankets. Now before we start, let me just say, please don't be scared of wavy blankets! In one way they are tricky to get started but they only use a couple of stitches, and the pattern is repeated so many times that once you get in the swing of it, you'll be doing with your eyes closed! 

When I started to crochet, I decided that repetition would be the best way for me to learn, so I decided to crochet a blanket to go on the sofa (to snuggle up under). 

Now I'm not going to share with you the pattern for this as it was an epic project! What I thought
you might like was a smaller, more manageable pattern to get you started! I made this for a friend
who was expecting a baby and loves rainbows. You can obviously use whatever colours you like.

The size of this is ideal for a buggy/car seat or as a lap blanket for you. You can use the basic
pattern and add to it to make it bigger if you like. 

The 'wave' is worked over 12 stitches, so make
sure you add the number of stitches you want, in multiples of 12. If you want to add a border, then take off at least one set of 12 stitches (depending on how big you want your border to be).

I used an acrylic wool (oh I can hear the groans already! Bear with me I have a reason, I promise!).

I chose this wool particularly because, in my experience, it’s good to have a buggy blanket that you can throw in the wash as much as you like; that muddy water practically rolls off (not to mention anything else that might end up on it); and you don’t mind throwing in the back of the car/buggy/bag etc. It's also nice to be able to give someone something that they don't mind using.

I promised you the pattern and here it is:

I used 3.5mm hook with DK wool and 5 different colours. 

I'm using UK terminology

 
Abbreviations: tr = treble, ch = chain, tr3tog = treble 3 together, st = stitch

Chain 112
Row 1: 1tr into third ch from hook, 1tr into next ch, *1tr into ch of next 3 ch, tr3tog over next 3ch,
1tr into next 3ch, 3tr into next ch*. Repeat *to* until you get to the end (with one ch remaining). 2tr
into last ch.
Row 2: 3ch, 1 tr into first st. *1tr into st next 3 st, tr3tog over next 3st, 1tr into next 3st, 3tr into next
st*. Repeat *to* until the last 3st. 1tr in each st and 2tr into top of turning chain.

Repeat Row 2 until the blanket is the length you want.

If you want it stripy, like mine; this is what I did:
Row 1: Colour A
Row 2: Colour E
Row 3: Colour A
Row 4: Colour A
Row 5: Colour B
Row 6: Colour A
Row 7: Colour B
Row 8: Colour B
Row 9: Colour C
Row 10: Colour B
Row 11: Colour C
Row 12: Colour C

Row 13: Colour D
Row 14: Colour C
Row 15: Colour D
Row 16: Colour D
Row 17:Colour E
Row 18: Colour D
Row 19: Colour E
Row 20: Colour E

Of course you could do whatever stripy pattern you fancy! As I was working this out as I went along, it took me a couple of rows to work out that you get a better ‘hole’ if you crochet into the chain space from the previous row and not into the chain (I know, it should be obvious). I’ve never been good at following patterns, hence why, after making my massive sofa blanket earlier this year, I just decided to try my own thing. I have been inspired a lot by the lovely work that Attic24 does and first saw the blanket with the small holes there (I have since seen it all over the place, it’s a classic, in fact the ladies at one of my ‘knit and natters’ have been doing it since before I was born).

Anyway, I saw it and thought, ‘that looks really nice, I’d like to give it a go.’

To work out my colours and because I’m much more of a visual person, I actually drew a few ideas on a piece of paper, coloured them in (you still need coloured pencils when you are an adult!) and then chose which one I liked best (this is something I learnt from doing my big blanket, I really should have done that then and I didn’t – learn from my mistakes people!). In the end I decided on the 18 Row pattern above, as my favourite. 

The EPIC Sofa Blanket!

I hope you enjoyed my little pattern and it's inspired you to have a go yourself! Happy crocheting!

Isn't that a lovely 1st Guest Blog to get my Guest Blog Spot rolling?

If you would like to Guest Blog here then do get in touch.

*******

Day 58 is this very vibrant green

which is thanks to @knitknurse from Twitter who kindly sent me a HUGE bag of wool, so that I can achieve my aim of getting a different colour for every day!

 And I have also been busy working on the next set if eLearning lessons in Course 2

This is a little gift to you.....

Get Hooked - A Taster

Yes, you can get a sneak peak at what is in my eLearning Courses if you click on the link above!

And finally

 

I have perfected my "roses" and will be making more tonight.

Free Pattern! - Crochet Hair Bow & GAD 329

Before I share my free pattern with you, I would like to share Granny A Day 329!

It's this rather lovely pattern from the Edie Eckman book that I mentioned yesterday.

The pattern reminds me of the "twirly's" that you get on the end of a stick that twirl when the wind blows

Now for the free pattern which I wrote today, so I though I would give you all an early Christmas Present.

Crochet Hair Bow or Bow Brooch

Using DK wool / yarn and a 4mm hook

Tension is not important

For the Bow body

Chain 30 

 Oops I didn't notice that "holey" one!!

Join with a slip stitch into the first chain made to form a loop – take care not to twist the chain.

  

Row 1:  Chain 1 & Double Crochet in each stitch to end, then join with a slip stich into the chain 1

Row 2:  Chain 3 & Treble Crochet in each stitch to end, then join with a slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of the chain 3

Row 3:  Chain 3 & Treble Crochet in each stitch to end. Join with a slip stitch into the 3^rd chain of the chain 3.

Row 4:  Chain 1 & Double Crochet to end & join with a slip stitch into the chain 1.

At this stage it's a good idea to give a little "tug" to the foundation chain at either end to pull the body of the bow into shape.

DO NOT FASTEN OFF!!

Now for the Middle bit

Now chain 8

 &

 then Half Treble crochet into the 3^rd chain from hook. Half Treble Crochet to end of the chain and then slip stitch into the body of the bow to “anchor”

Htr's down the chain to the  body of the bow

"Anchoring" the middle with a slip stitch to secure

Flatten the body of the bow so that you have 2 layers lying flat, with the "middle" bit in the middle.

Now wrap the “Middle bit” around the back of the bow body (so under both layers) and insert the hook into the end of the middle bit – try to catch

two strands with your hook & slip stitch, pulling tight.

Remember to pull tight before fastening off

Fasten off and darn in the end.

Now pull the bow to shape & attach either a hair clip or a brooch back to the bow!

Ta - Dah

Hope you like it.

Please let me know if you have any problems 

Ripples Blanket - Free Tutorial

Ripples Blanket

Here is my Ripples Blanket in Progress

I promised that I would share the pattern with you

So I hope that you can follow this very simple tutorial

Via a Crochet Chart Diagram 

To see a clearer diagram, please click on the FREE TUTORIALS tab above

Just remember to put 2 trebles into the very first chain/stitch (or 3 chains to count as one treble + one treble) and the last chain too!

You can do as many or as little colour changes as you want too - make it unique and do it your way!

Here I have used DK weight yarn with a 4mm hook 



***ALWAYS TRY A SAMPLE FIRST E.G. CHAIN 39 AS IN THE DIAGRAM ABOVE AND MAKE A FEW ROWS AS A "SAMPLER" JUST SO YOU CAN GET THE HANG OF IT***

Granny - A - Day #2 (includes a Tutorial for making a Granny & Joining as you go)

If you missed the original post then click here Granny-A-Day

If you are looking for the Free Tutorial - just click on the "Free Tutorial" tab at the top of this page!


Granny  - A - Day

Day #2

Day #1 Granny Square is to the right and Day #2 is to the left 

 Granny Square for Day 2

Another FAB day in my Crochet Bubble + free edging pattern

Firstly I thought I would share the fact that I am now the proud, however, temporary owner of a stall at Merton Abbey Mills for Sunday 11th December 2011 - from 10am to 5pm

I am really looking forward to my day, however I am not relishing the weather, so I will have to hunt out my thermals.

Now to some more news.

A customer ordered a Lime Green Beanie Hat with Ear Flaps via my For Sale page, so after purchasing the wool and agreeing via emails that the colour was right, I got to work.

However once I had got the main hat made, I thought that it might look better with a contrast colour finish, as it was for a young lady, so another email later and that was agreed.

I decided on a White Blanket Stitch all the way around the edge

which I thought looked FAB

And this meant that the plaits could have a touch of White in them too, which really sets off the whole hat.

I am REALLY pleased to say that the customer loved it too.

"...it’s really lovely! Thank you SO much for doing this, I’m sure she’ll love it."

I also had a Crochet Class today.  VM had bought some 100% Cotton tape from a local wool sale recently and she wanted to make a scarf from it.  

She had started on her own using a "mesh" pattern from a book she has, but there was a mistake in the pattern so it wasn't working out.  She was also using a 4mm hook and this made the work really tight.

  We went through the pattern together and with my help we adjusted the pattern (a stupid little mistake that added one chain too many) and got to work together.

Fortunately I had some Cotton Tape in my stash, so we worked alongside each other and worked 3 rows, until VM felt comfortable with carrying on, on her own once at home.

I decided to use a 9mm hook and VM an 8mm hook (the wool label said 9mm knitting needles)

I am sure that you can see the difference that 1mm CAN make - the lighter scarf is coming up much larger using the 9mm hook than the red scarf using an 8mm hook.

VM also wanted to add a nice "edge" to each end, so again, together we worked on a pattern together, however the pattern she liked in the book didn't quite fit in with the scarf's end, so we made our own up.

This is what we did for the edge

Join the wool & 1 ch, 1dc, 3tr into the one chain space. (UK)

Join the wool & 1ch, 1sc, 3dc into the one chain space. (US)

Repeat all the way along

In the end chain space - 1dc, 2tr, 1dc & fasten off (UK)

1sc, 2dc, 1sc & fasten off (US)

My FIRST Crochet Tutorial - A Chunky Cowl

Ok - here's my first Crochet Tutorial - How to make a Chunky Cowl.  I have been meaning to make a Cowl to match my Chunky Beanie Hat and after searching my many Crochet Books and various websites, I decided to go it alone.

You will need:

A ball of Chunky Wool - I used Patons Caressa Express
6.5mm Hook

Stitch Used:  UK Treble Crochet or US Double Crochet

Abbreviations:  BLO = Back Loop Only

Start by making 55 chains

TIP:  If you are using a larger hook then make fewer chains e.g. with a 9mm hook you will only need to chain 48 - measure the foundation chain around your head for a bespoke fit!

And join with a slip stitch into the first chain to make a large loop / ring

TIP: Make sure your loop / ring is not twisted when you join it

Your Loop / Ring should look something like this

Now make 2 chains (I know we are working in Trebles, but I find that 2 chains works better - a tip I picked up from a Hat pattern some time ago.

Then work treble crochets into the foundation chain

When you get to the joining stage, do not slip stitch into the 2nd chain of the turning chain but the next one along

In the photo above,  the point of the hook is resting on the 2nd chain but I will slip stitch into the chain that's just above the hook point.

This will help to close the gap in the join or seam. 

Like above.

Then make 2 chains and Treble Crochet into each Treble below but into the BLO - the BACK LOOP ONLY 

This will give a nice "ridged" effect all along the row

This is my hook going into the BLO

And the "ridged" effect

Continue to work as many rows as you would like your Cowl to be.

At the end, with the last loop remaining on the hook, slip stitch into the 2nd chain away from the hook then fasten off and darn in the end.  I find that this gives you a smoother finish.

I managed 8 rows from my ball of wool. 

And here it is!

A nice chunky Cowl to keep you warm this winter!

One other thing that I find is that your original knot can stick out a bit, so I undo this, leaving a loop, insert my hook and then slip stitch into the 2nd chain away (going backwards if you like) from the hook then fasten off.  This creates a nicer / smoother finish.

p.s. Can you see some of my wool stash in the book shelves behind me?

Any Questions?? Please ask away.