Skimming Stones MCAL | Finally Finished!

Posted in Crochet, crochet-along, For Adult, From the Stash, Inspiration by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So today I’m going to celebrate the fact that I’ve finally finished off a WIP (work in progress) that’s been sitting by my chair for the last four months…which isn’t TOO bad I suppose. I’m sure I’ve got other WIPs that are gathering cobwebs in dusty recesses of hidden boxes and bags…but we won’t mention those.

Today it’s all about the WIP that is no longer in a state of incompleteness. Cue triumphant fanfare…my Skimming Stones Shawl is finally finished!

I don’t know if you remember but I joined the Crochet-Along (CAL) by designers Kat Goldin and Joanne Scrace (aka The Crochet Project) for their Skimming Stones Mystery Crochet A-Long that ran over June and July this year. You can read about my start here but, as with most things that are for myself, it got put to one side whilst I had to work on other commissions and things.

But I recently had a little bit of time to get it finished off, blocked and ready to wear. And actually as the weather is turning colder in this part of the UK it couldn’t have come at a better time!

I did a complete wet block for this shawl as it had been scrunched up in a WIP bag for ages. I left it pinned out over night on foam mats on the floor, which my family was really pleased to have to walk around, and the next day I did the fun unpinning part to see it in it’s new shape!

It turned out so pretty – I love this colour combination of Scheepjes Stonewashed together and I love the texture and the edging…

I was very lucky to get a bit of winter sunshine to take some photos – I hate this time of year when there’s very little natural light around (or it’s so grey outside it still seems like night time!) but Mr Sun was very obliging on this occasion…

We have a lovely wall of ivy in the back garden that stays green all year round, it’s one of my favourite places to use as a backdrop, and I think it really helps show you how the colours really appear!

My new shawl is going to keep me lovely and cosy! But I’ve still got shawl fever and want to make another one!

So I’ve been thinking about what other WIP projects I might start to work on in between other things. I’m not going to do another CAL right now but I’ve got my eye on the stunning Grinda Shawl by Tatsiana Kupryianchyk aka Lilla Bjorn which was released as a MCAL by Scheepjes.

That MCAL has finished now but I think the pattern is absolutely smashing and I have a Scheepjes Whirl (Black Forest Zinger) in my stash which I think has this shawls written all over it! Watch this space!

Have you made the Grinda Shawl? I’d love to hear about it and your top tips before I start.

Until next time! Keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

24Nov2018

Amigurumipatterns.net | Prehistoric Times Design Contest

Posted in Amigurumi, Competitions, Crochet, Designing, Tah-Dah, Works in Progress by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I do enjoy the Amigurumipatterns.net design contests – you may remember that I entered their ‘fantasy’ competition last year (read about it here) and weirdly when I saw this years ‘theme’ I was actually making a dinosaur! Call that serendipity or fate – I dunno but I thought it definitely seemed that I should enter my project.

If you follow me on Instagram then you’ve probably seen my gradual progress of Stefan the baby Stegosaurus from my initial sketched design…

I chose some of my favourite yarns; Scheepjes Stonewashed and Scheepjes Catona to make him with and then I posted photos of the progress I made as he developed…

Until he was all put together and ready for a cuddle!

And now the voting to the competition is OPEN! If you happen to like Stefan the Baby Stegosaurus could you please spare me a few moments to go vote for him. Your vote counts, and that’s why there’s three special Voters Prizes up for grabs! By voting you take part in the raffle to win 3 x 100 colors Must-Have Minis by Yarn and Colors!

HOW TO VOTE:

Go to the voting page on Allcrochetpatterns.net
Click the heart-button of TEN of your granny squares
Enter your name and email address in the pop-up screen to submit your vote.
Please note: multiple votings by one person will be removed.

Voting will take place from November 25 until December 2 and the three designs with the highest amount of votes will be announced as the winners.

As always there are seriously so many amazing designs from inventive designers and I’ve voted for my favourites – good luck to all designers taking part!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

21Nov2018

Stitch Story Crochet Along | Design 11 – Six Stitch Braid

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2018, Free Patterns, Hooking on a Hump Day, Inspiration, Pattern Release, Stitches, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Well we find ourselves at the penultimate block of the Stitch Story CAL Block 11! Don’t let this block intimidate you! It might look a little scary but it’s only made up from three stitches and it’s not so bad once you get into the rhythm of it.

If this is the first you are hearing about this CAL you can find the full schedule and Scheepjes yarn amounts here and a link to the crochet along page here. Would you like to see photos and specification all at once? Then click here for the Pinterest Board!

So let’s just quickly run through some of the pattern particulars…

Pattern:

This pattern will be free here on the blog but it’s also available in an e-book on Ravelry. There is a small charge for the downloadable 46 page PDF e-book (payable once). The booklet will be released in instalments, along with the CAL, so as not to spoil anyone’s fun. This PDF has the full pattern descriptions, charts and information all in one place without adverts (as requested).

Through the course of this crochet-along I will provide you with patterns to make twelve different blocks, each in two different sizes. Which one you make is totally up to you! Make all one size or mix and match, whatever takes your fancy! However to give you a helping hand I have included some schematics which you can see on this post here.

Support:

The KCACO-UK Community Facebook Group is a great source of support and helpful tips from fellow Crochet-a-longers.
A Dutch translation will be available by Iris from Een Mooi Gebaar (and a Dutch e-book will be coming soon to Ravelry). Link to Part 10 here.
For support with the Stitch Story CAL on Ravelry there is a thread facilitated by Reimy.
Accompanying CAL videos are being created by Esther from It’s All in a Nutshell. Link to Part 11 is available via the link below:

Social Media Links:

The hashtag for this years CAL is #SSCAL18 for Twitter and Instagram. Though you you can join in with any progress photos by linking your projects on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, Facebook page or Facebook group and Pinterest.

Stitch Story…

Six Stitched Braid: representing the strands of life. The strands when twisted together with others are part of a complex whole.

Design 11: Six Stitched Braid

Hook: 4mm / US size G or size needed to obtain 15cm /6” square

Abbreviations (same for both blocks):

Chain (Ch)
UK Half Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc)
UK Front Post Double Treble / US Front Post Treble Crochet (FPdtr/FPtr)

Stitch Guidance (same for both blocks):

UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
UK Front Post Double Treble / US Front Post Treble (FPdtr/FPtr): Yarn over twice and insert your hook from front to back around the post of the indicated stitch of the row below (your hook should now be positioned horizontally in front of the st that you’re working around), yarn over pull through two loops (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops (two loops on hook), yarn over pull through remaining two loops left on hook.

15cm / 6 inch block:

Row 1: (WS) Ch26, 1htr/hdc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each st along, turn (25sts)

Row 2-5: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 6: (RS) Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 3 sts, * miss 2 htr/hdc (of row 5), 1 FPdtr/FPtr around the posts of the next 2 sts (of row

5 – these are stitches 1 and 2) then working IN FRONT of the FPdtr/FPtr just made work 1 FPdtr/FPtr in each of the sts missed (stitches 3 and 4), then work 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next 2 sts (after the first 2 FPdtr/FPtr made—stitches 5 and 6) * These 6 FPdtr/FPtr mark the beginning of a six stranded braid. 1 htr/hdc in the next 5 sts, repeat from * to * then work 1 htr/hdc in the remaining 4 sts, turn.

Row 7: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 8: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 3 sts, * 1 FPdtr/FPtr around the posts of the FPdtr/FPtr on stitches 1 and 2 (of row 6), miss stitches 3 and 4 of row 6, 1 FPdtr/FPtr around the posts of stitches 5 and 6 (of row 6), then working BEHIND the sts just made, work 1 FPdtr/FPtr around the posts of stitches 3 and 4 (of row 6), * 1 htr/hdc in the next 5 sts, repeat from * to * then work 1 htr/hdc in the remaining 4 sts, turn.

Row 9: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 10: (RS) Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 3 sts, * miss the FPdtr/FPtr sts 1 and 2 of row 8, 1 FPdtr/FPtr around the posts of 3 and 4 (of row 8), then working IN FRONT of the FPdtr/FPtr just made work 1 FPdtr/FPtr in 1 and 2, then work 1 FPdtr/FPtr in 5 and 6 (after the first 2 FPdtr/FPtr made), 1 htr/hdc in the next 5 sts, repeat from * to * then work 1 htr/hdc in the remaining 4 sts.

Row 11: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 12: repeat row 8 (working FPdtr/FPtr on row 10)

Row 13: repeat row 9

Row 14: repeat row 10 (working FPdtr/FPtr on row 12)

Row 15: repeat row 9

Row 16: repeat row 8 (working FPdtr/FPtr on row 14)

Row 17-21: repeat row 9, at the end of row 20 finish off and weave in ends.

30cm / 12 inch block:

Hook: 3.75 mm / US size F or size needed to obtain either square

Note: Ch1 doesn’t count as a st

Row 1: (WS) Ch51, 1htr/hdc in 2nd ch from the hook and in each st along, turn (50sts)

Row 2-3: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 4: (RS) Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 6 sts, * miss 2 htr/hdc (of row 2), 1 fpdtr/fptr around the posts of the next 2 sts (of row 2—theses are stitches 1 and 2) then working IN FRONT of the fpdtr/fptr just made work 1 fpdtr/fptr in each of the sts missed (stitches 3 and 4), then work 1 fpdtr/fptr in the next 2 sts (after the first 2 fpdtr/fptr made—stitches 5 and 6) 1 htr/hdc in the next 4 sts * repeat from * to * three times, 1 htr/hdc in the last 7sts, turn.

Row 5: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in each st along until end, turn.

Row 6: Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 6 sts, * 1 fpdtr/fptr around the posts of the stitches 1 and 2 (of row 4), miss the next 2 fpdtr/fptr, 1 fpdtr/fptr around the posts of the stitches 5 and 6 (of row 4), then working BEHIND the sts just made, work 1 fpdtr/fptr around the posts of stitches 3 and 4 (of row 4), * 1 htr/hdc in the next 4 sts repeat from * to * three times, then work 1 htr/hdc in the remaining 7 sts, turn.

Row 7: Repeat row 5

Row 8: (RS) Ch 1, 1 htr/hdc in the same st as the ch 1 and in the next 6 sts, * miss 2 fpdtr/fptr, 1 fpdtr/fptr around the posts of stitches 3 and 4 (of row 6), then working IN FRONT of the fpdtr/fptr just made work 1 fpdtr/fptr in stitches 1 and 2, then work 1 fpdtr/fptr in stitches 5 and 6 (after the first 2 fpdtr/fptr made), 1 htr/hdc in the next 4 sts, repeat from * to * three times, then work 1 htr/hdc in the remaining 7 sts, turn

Row 9: Repeat row 5

Row 10: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below current row)

Row 11: Repeat row 5

Row 12: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 13: Repeat row 5

Row 14: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 15: Repeat row 5

Row 16: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 17: Repeat row 5

Row 18: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 19: Repeat row 5

Row 20: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 21: Repeat row 5

Row 22: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 23: Repeat row 5

Row 24: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 25: Repeat row 5

Row 26: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 27: Repeat row 5

Row 28: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 29: Repeat row 5

Row 30: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 31: Repeat row 5

Row 32: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Row 33: Repeat row 5

Row 34: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 35: Repeat row 5

Row 36: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Note: Measure as you go, if getting closer to size end on row 37 finish off and weave in ends.

Row 37: Repeat row 5

Row 38: Repeat row 6 (working two rows below)

Row 39: Repeat row 5

Row 40: Repeat row 8 (working two rows below)

Rows 41-43: Repeat row 5; at the end of row 43 finish off and weave in ends.

Edging for all blocks:

On the right side of your work evenly work dc/sc along each side of your block working 3 dc/sc in each corner (25sts for smaller block / 50sts for larger block). Fasten off and weave in ends.

You do not need to use the same number of stitches I have for each square, you just need to evenly spread the single crochet border along the rows and edges. Whatever number edging you use just keep the same number of stitches for ALL of your blocks – with the same count of single crochet border on each edge then they will line-up when its time to turn them into a finished blanket.

And that’s it!

Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

14Nov2018

I Like Crochet Magazine |Dachshund Through the Snow Amigurumi

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Holidays, Magazine, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

The December 2018 issue of I Like Crochet is full of holiday season and winter classics to crochet including a brand new pattern from yours truly…

Introducing the Dachshund Through the Snow Amigurumi! I happen to really love this amigurumi because once upon a time I had a daschund (called Cabbage) and this little ami was definitely inspired by him.

Kitted out in a cute hat and scarf he’s ready for a frolic through the snow – o’er the fields he’ll go, barking all the way!

For this design I used Scheepjes Catona which I really love for making amigurumi – and it’s really handy that they do the 10g cutie pie balls of yarn which are just perfect for little accessories.

Make as a fun alternate gift for the holiday season or make just because you love doxies.

As well as my amigurumi pattern the December issue features 38 patterns to enjoy including one-skein projects, cosy winter wearables including hats, mittens, cowls and scarves, and unique projects you haven’t seen anywhere else!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY for a copy straight to your desktop or iPad.

Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

7Nov2018

Stitch Story Crochet Along | Design 10 – Cabled Ropes

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2018, Free Patterns, Hooking on a Hump Day, Inspiration, Pattern Release, Stitches, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Stitch Story CAL Block 10 is a fun block featuring a simple cabled design which gives it a lovely texture – and after this block, it’s just 2 to go!

So let’s just quickly run through some of the pattern particulars…

Pattern:

Support:

The KCACO-UK Community Facebook Group is a great source of support and helpful tips from fellow Crochet-a-longers.
A Dutch translation will be available by Iris from Een Mooi Gebaar (and a Dutch e-book will be coming soon to Ravelry). Link to Part 10 here.
For support with the Stitch Story CAL on Ravelry there is a thread facilitated by Reimy.
Accompanying CAL videos are being created by Esther from It’s All in a Nutshell. Link to Part 10 is available from the link below:

Social Media Links:

Stitch Story…

Cabled ropes: a tribute to the fisherman’s daily life, representing the fisherman’s ropes and symbolising a safe and fruitful days work.

Design 10: Cabled Ropes

Hook: 4mm / US size G or size needed to obtain 15cm /6” square

Abbreviations (same for both blocks):

Chain (Ch)
UK Half Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc)
UK Treble / US Double Crochet (tr/dc)
UK Front Post Treble / US Front Post Double Crochet (FPtr/FPdc)
UK Back Post Treble / US Back Post Double Crochet (BPtr/BPdc)

Note: The 15cm / 6 inch pattern does differ from the 30cm/12 inch block

Stitch Guidance (same for both blocks):

UK Half Double Treble / US Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
UK Treble / US Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated 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.
UK Front Post Treble / US Front Post Double Crochet (fptr/fpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch below (your hook should now be positioned horizontally in front of the st that you’re working around), yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops on hook (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining loops on hook.
UK Back Post Treble / US Back Post Double Crochet (bptr/bpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch below (your hook should now be positioned horizontally behind of the st that you’re working around), yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops on hook (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining loops on hook.

15cm / 6 inch block:

Row 1: (WS) Ch27, 1tr/dc in 4th ch from the hook (counts as first tr/dc), 1tr/dc in each ch along until end, turn (25sts).

Row 2: Ch2 (counts as htr/hdc now and throughout), 1htr/hdc in the next 3 sts, skip 2 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in the next 2 sts, then IN FRONT of the FPtr/FPdc just made work 1FPtr/FPdc in each of the skipped sts, 1htr/hdc in the next 2 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in the next st, 1htr/hdc in the next 3 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in the next st, 1htr/hdc in the next 2 sts, skip the next 2 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in the next 2 sts, then IN FRONT of the FPtr/FPdc just made work 1FPtr/FPdc in each of the skipped sts, 1htr/hdc in the last 4 sts, turn.

Row 3: Ch2, 1htr/hdc in the next 3 sts, * 1BPtr/BPdc in the next 4 sts (around the FPtr/FPdc of row 2), 1htr/hdc in the next 2 sts, 1BPtr/BPdc in the next st, 1htr/hdc in the next 3 sts, 1BPtr/BPdc in the next st, 1htr/hdc in the next 2 sts, 1BPtr/BPdc in the next 4 sts, 1htr/hdc in the last 4 sts, turn.

Row 4-17: repeat row 2 & 3 for pattern until the last row.

Row 18: Ch2, 1htr/hdc in each st along until end, finish off and weave in ends.

30cm / 12 inch block:

Hook: 3.75 mm / US size F or size needed to obtain either square

Note: The 30cm/12 inch pattern does differ from the 15cm / 6 inch block.

Row 1: (WS) Ch 52, 1tr/dc in 4th ch from the hook (counts as first tr/dc), 1tr/dc in each ch along until end, (50sts).

Row 2: Ch2 (counts as htr/hdc now and throughout the pattern), 1 htr/hdc in the next 4 sts, *skip next 2sts, 1 FPtr/FPdc in the next 2 sts, then working in front of the FPtr/FPdc sts you have just made, work 1 FPtr/FPdc in the skipped 2 sts, 1 htr/hdc in the next 5 sts * repeat from * to * until end, turn.

Row 3: Ch2, 1 htr/hdc in the next 4 sts, *1 BPtr/BPdc around the next 4 sts, 1 htr/hdc in the next 5 sts * repeat from * to * until the end, turn.

Note: Measure as you go; end on a row 3 repeat (final row is row 37).

Row 4-36: Repeat rows 2-3 for pattern, turn

Row 37: Ch2, 1htr/hdc in each st along until end, finish off and weave in ends.

Edging for all blocks:

On the right side of your work evenly work dc/sc along each side of your block working 3 dc/sc in each corner (25sts for smaller block / 50sts for larger block). Fasten off and weave in ends.

And that’s it!

Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

4Nov2018

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Mrs Christmas and the Little Elves

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Issue 106 of LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is out in shops now and it’s a thoroughly festive affair! I have two Christmas designs in this months issue and I was delighted that my Mrs Christmas is this months cover star! You can also see Figgy and Pudding, my other designs, on the cover on the left hand-side.

I’m a big Christmas fan! It’s definitely my favourite holiday, so when I was asked to design Mrs Christmas I quickly formed an image in my head of how I wanted her to look. Because of this she came together quite quickly and the fluffy yarn, that comes with the kit, was just perfect for a bit of a blue rinse hair style under a traditional mop cap!

I was also asked to design some elves for this months edition – now this was a little bit more tricky because over the years I’ve designed 3 boy elves and 2 girl elves already! So with numbers 6 and 7 I was very conscious that I wanted not to even subconsciously make them look like the other designs. But that’s what I love about making amigurumi there’s always a new way you can create little characters to make them unique – and I was really pleased with how Figgy and Pudding turned out in the end.

I love the styling for this months magazine and if it’s seasonal amigurumi you are looking for then this edition is just full of Christmas toys!

This issue comes with a six wonderland yarns which are lovely pastel Christmas colours;

3mm hook & 3mm knitting needles
65 exclusive patterns
Plus… your 68 page magazine

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up either Mrs Christmas or the Little Elves please share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make! So why not hop to it and get your copy of the magazine now!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx