Monthly Archives: September 2015

KCACO-UK Afghan CAL 2015 -Block 20

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

Can you believe it’s time for block 20!!! It’s also kind of sad now we are almost coming to the end of the CAL but also exciting as we are not far from our complete blanket.  Now whether you are an Afghan square enthusiast or not you’ve got to love the designs of Julie Yeager.  Her Afghan squares in particular are always stunning and the ones I love the most are those that resemble a stained glass window.  As a big fan of hers I knew I wanted to add one of her designs in the CAL.   

This square will be available as a free Ravelry download throughout the end of the year 2015 (December 31, 2015).

Sun Catcher Afghan Square by Julie Yeager

Notes:

  • Hook: UK 5.5 mm / US Size I
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: Works best in at least 4-5 different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms: see the following link for a printable conversion chart: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/70437470329344/ 
  • Specialist stitch: Front Post Single Crochet (FPSC) – see a good video tutorial here if you are not sure how to do this stitch; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UvdqqR2Kkho

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here).  I love how it turned out! I love, love, love the stained glass window effect and how it highlights the pinks and purples in the centre!

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on 14 or 15th October.

Doodle Zoo No. 8: Kimberlie the Koala | Free Pattern

Posted in Doodle Zoo, For Child, Free Patterns, Pattern Release by

Wow how time flies… it’s time for Doodle Zoo character no. 8 already! Let me introduce to you Kimberlie the Koala!  Tah-dah!

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If you haven’t heard about Doodle Zoo it’s my mini challenge to myself this year to design 12 free little animals built on one simple base design so they all look related. For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck, Rowan Rabbit, Finlay Frog, Ezra Elephant, Peggy Panda, Petunia Pig and Ruby the Dragon. Don’t forget to look out for the next addition to the Doodle Zoo next month! You know what I just realised! I’ve missed out January so look out for an extra Doodle animal in the next few months so we have 12 little characters to form the eclectic menagerie that is our Doodle zoo.

Making good on an old promise and named after a good friend of mine; Kimberlie the Koala is a great little stash buster using roughly 30g / 90 yards of yarn. All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few!  Kimberlie would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.

This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.

Kimberlie the Koala

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Yarn: 8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4

  • 30g / 90 yards of any grey double knit yarn
  • Scraps if black and white yarn

Hook: 4mm (US size G)

You will also need:

  • Yarn needle
  • Stitch marker
  • 2 x 9mm black safety eyes
  • Polyester toy stuffing
  • A pet brush or some velcro

Gauge: 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm

Size: Finished koala measures = 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.

Stitch Guidance:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.

Double Crochet/Single Crochet (dc/sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.

Treble / Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 5 tr/dc in st  indicated, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st tr/dc (1st tr/dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr/dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

Double Crochet/Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.

Pattern Guidance:

Working without joining:

All the parts of the koala are worked without   joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds.  Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Pattern:

Nose:

Rnd 1: With black yarn ch 4, 3 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc/sc in the next st, 3 dc/sc in the next st then working down the other side of your beginning ch 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts (9 sts).

Rnd 2: * 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in the next st * repeat from * to * around, finish off but leave a yarn tail for sewing nose onto the body (12 sts).

Body:

Rnd 1: With grey yarn either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st *    repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts,  2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to *  until the end of the rnd(24 sts).

Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).

Rnd 6 – 10: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

Rnd 11- Arms: PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 14 sts, PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the in each of the remaining sts (30 sts).

Rnd 12: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

  • Add your safety eyes in between rows 7 and 8 about 1.25 inches/ 3.3cm apart and in-between the PC arms.
  • Sew the nose into place centrally just below the eyes.

Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your koala (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).

  • Finish off stuffing the body

Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread         leaving a long tail (6 sts).

  • Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches closed, finish off and weave in ends.

Ears (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary body (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnds 3-4: 1 dc/sc in each st around; on the last rnd sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing (12 sts).

  • Using either a pet brush or the rough part of a strip of Velcro either brush or rub the Velcro on the ears to make them fluffy.
  • Fold ear in half (so it forms a semi circle)then sew the sides together with tail end of yarn. Then sew ears into place on top of your koala’s head.

Feet (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With grey yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc in each st until end (10sts).

Rnd 2 – 3: 1 dc/sc in each st around, on the last row sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing (10 sts).

And that’s it!  Simple, cute and addictive!

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KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 19

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

I just love the ingenuity of our next block and think you will too! Picots stitches are usually seen as a decorative edging on a crochet piece but our next designer has cleverly incorporated them into her design.  It’s a really interesting pattern to work up too as you are pretty much doing something different on each round.

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and has been since May 2015.

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Sorrel by Sadie Cummings

Notes:

  • Hook: 5 mm (US Size H)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least four or five different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

Picot stitch: ch 3 or ch 4, slip stitch in either the 3rd or 4th ch (depending on which type of picot) – picot done.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). This block is simply scrumptious with it’s perfectly positioned picots! I didn’t change colour every round and I also stopped at rnd 17 (which for me was htr/hdc) as I was spot on 12 inches.  

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 30th September or 1st October.

WIP Finished | Ringo Raccoon Pillow by Sincerely Pam

Posted in Crochet, Family, From the Stash, Life, Tah-Dah, Works in Progress by

Cue Abba’s Slipping Through my Finger and me hiding my tears; Little G started BIG school last week! This is a humongous deal for both of us! Though I’m sure that Little G will take everything in her stride – she’s a happy, sociable child who loves to learn so I’m pretty sure she is going to adore everything about school. 

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How I feel about it all is a bit different…I’m happy for her, for this next part of her life, she is excited about it and I want her to keep that feeling rather than her dread going each day.  However, she’s only four and a half which I know is a normal age but it just seems so young – she looks so tiny in her proper uniform! I gaze around me in bewilderment at times alarmed at the accelerated manner in which  we seem to have got to this point. I look at her beautiful little face and see her as a baby; blink my eyes and there she is; long limbed and bouncing around like a colt ready to explore the meadow. As she is my one and only it also feels to me like this is the official end of her ‘baby’ years, the end of Mummy days together on a Friday – the end of an era!! I can’t help but be sad about that – but remaining positive I’ll now have about 5 hours on a Friday to catch up on all things crochet.

The nursery that she’s attended since she was 10 months old has been such a big part of our lives for the last 4 years.  It’s been a brilliant place for all of us and Little G has loved every minute that she’s attended there.  So I wanted to gift something special; I knew that I wanted it to be fun and, as there’s nothing better than a handmade gift in my eyes, I knew I wanted it to be something I made for them. In the end I decided on a cushion for the Pre-School story corner, Little G loves to read books so it seemed appropriate.  

For the pattern I choose Ringo Raccoon Pillow Cover/Bag by Sincerely Pam because it is just SUPER cute!  I made the Owl Be Your Buddy Pillow Cover previously for Little G’s bedroom and I loved how it turned out.

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This was also one of the special pillows I said I had to do in my WIP confession list so yay another one ticked off the list, 2 down, 8 to go…

Heather x

#Mandalas For Marinke / #MandalasforWink

Posted in Crochet by

#MandalaforMarinke

If you are a crocheter that spends a certain amount of time in cyber space then you probably will have been as shocked as I was to learn of the suicide of Marinke Slump (otherwise known as ‘Wink’) from A Creative Being.

When I read about Crochet Concupiscence‘s project ‘Mandalas For Marinke’ I knew that I wanted to contribute.  If you’ve not heard of it #MandalasForMarinke is a collaborative crochet art project in which contributors from all over the world are invited to create a crochet mandala in honour of Wink. This project will be used to celebrate her life and creativity as well as to raise awareness about depression. I was too late to meet the original deadline to send a mandala but the deadline has now been extended to October 15, 2015.

#MandalasforWink is a separate tribute set up by The Design Wars team (including ACCROchet) who have set up an online project to share mandala’s over social media.

Wink was known, among other things, for her beautiful crochet mandala patterns so crocheting a mandala really is a fitting tribute to her creativity and life.

I Love Holland Dutch Tulips Crochet Mandala by Marinke Slump

The healing properties of crochet have been widely acknowledged and is something Kathryn, from Crochet Concupiscence, explores in her book; Crochet Saved My Life in which Marinke features. I didn’t know Wink personally but no-one, I think, can be help but be saddened by the fact that such a talented young woman was suffering and felt that she had no other alternative from her depression.

Personally I have suffered with bouts of depression, anxiety and stress particularly over recent months when we have had a couple of close family losses. I know that it can seem impossible at times – that its just so hard to function and how it feels like the world has come to an end.  I understand that its also sometimes hard to talk about what’s happening and how alone it can make you feel. It annoys me that any mental health issues are seen as a taboo subject and not spoken about more freely! I think that if it was discussed more widely it would go along way to fixing the stigma that mental health issues have; that ‘there must be something is wrong with you’.

I chose the lovely Mandala for Your Home pattern by Marinke to send in for the project creating 3 mini mandala’s (working just up to round 6). I made them from odds and ends of Drops Paris Cotton which is a worsted / aran weight yarn in Light Pink and Raspberry and I used a 4mm (US size G) hook.

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With an estimated 450 million people worldwide suffering from some sort of mental health issue it’s unlikely that you HAVEN’T met someone who has been affected in some way – though they might be very good at hiding it! It can be really worrying when someone you or someone you know is going through a difficult time but there is help out there; the charity MIND in particular in the UK have a really helpful website.

For me crochet really has been a life saver! Whenever I’ve felt down; the rhythm of the hook, the feel of the yarn, the concentration on a pattern, with time, have all helped to soothe my soul a little.  If you’d like to read more about the meditative healing properties of crochet have a look at this article.

And most of all to everyone who is reading this if you’re feeling like depression is threatening you, TALK to someone. Talk until you are understood. Talk until it gets better. http://www.accrochet.com/

Heather x

KCACO-UK CAL 2015 – Block 18

Posted in Afghan Square, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2015 by

I have to confess that I am intrigued by tapestry crochet; just because you can be so creative with a design so I was very excited when our next lovely designer, from Crimson Clover, designed a tapestry crochet block for us to use in the CAL and what a unique design it is!

Click on the link in the title below to go straight to the pattern or add it to your Ravelry queue here. This square is currently free on Ravelry and will be forever yay!

If this is the first you are hearing about the CAL the full schedule can be found here.

Aztec Square by Kim Green

Notes:

  • Hook: 5.5 mm (US Size I)
  • Yarn: Aran / 10 ply / Worsted / Weight #4
  • Colours: I would suggest at least two different colours
  • Pattern uses American crochet terms see conversion chart here

Specialist Stitches:

None but you might want to research colour changing if you are not familiar with the technique:  Crochet Guru has a good video on Youtube.

My Version:

Ta dah!! This is my version of this square using my colour palette (I blogged about this here). I love how this design looks in two colours but I really wanted to use all five of my colours – as I have in all of the patterns we’ve made so far. I had fun coming up with this finished version.

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Don’t forget to stay tuned for the next block to be released on the 16th or 17th September.