LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Red Squirrel and Baby Mobile

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

Are you looking for some new summer favourites? Well Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine have several fun options that you might want to look into – including a couple of new patterns from me; and I’m delighted to say that my Red Squirrel is issue 141’s cover star!

Front Cover image of issue 141 of Let's Get Crafting magazine. — © Let’s Get Crafting magazine – Issue 141

My little red squirrel, with his stripy hat and cute little bowler hat were very fun to make. I used every colour in the yarn kit (which comes with the magazine) and I especially enjoyed using the variegated yarn to make the tail – colourwork has never been easier!

Colourful red squirrel with stripy jumper and mini bowler hat featured in issue 141 of Let's Get Crafting magazine. — © Let’s Get Crafting magazine – Issue 141

This fun amigurumi would make a great gift for an animal lover, or how about a cute decoration in a woodland themed nursery? Got the magazine and going to make him later, then save the pattern to your favourites on Ravelry at the link below.

❤️ SAVE THE RED SQUIRREL PATTERN ON RAVELRY ❤️

Speaking of nurseries, my second pattern in issue 141 is a bead and ball mobile. I have a bit of a thing about wood, I love it! So for this project I mixed crochet with some wooden beads and a wooden hoop, with some crochet balls, in several different sizes, hanging off with embroidery thread.

Crochet ball and wooden bead baby mobile as featured in issue 141 of Let's Get Crafting magazine. — © Let’s Get Crafting magazine – Issue 141

The mobile is very easy to make and would make a great beginner project, in fact the whole process of making up the mobile was very enjoyable. And if you don’t have little ones to make it for how about making it for your craft room or conservatory!

❤️SAVE THE B ALL BABY MOBILE ON RAVELRY ❤️

As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook (3.75mm) and knitting needles for the projects inside.

There are lots of other fab patterns in this month’s edition including a sweet alpaca, a very cute knitted hippo and a pair of sweet knitted and crocheted unicorns!

Cover image of projects featured in issue 141 of Let's Get Crafting magazine. — © Let’s Get Crafting magazine – Issue 141

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).

I hope you’ll share any WIP or finished project photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.

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

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12Oct2021

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Patch the Elf and Autumn Pumpkin

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

Did you know that there are now only 74 days until Christmas!? It’s coming up fast, which is why it’s handy that the latest issue of Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine has a couple of festive themed patterns in to help you get ready, but there’s also a dash of Autumnal patterns if you aren’t ready for Christmas yet!

© Let’s Get Crafting magazine – Issue 135

I’m delighted to say that you can see one of my designs on the front cover; Patches the Elf is this month’s cover star! With Christmas coming fast it’s the ideal time to start some craftmas projects – so why not start with a fun little elf.

He was a really fun doll to make and if you are new to crocheting amigurumi he offers a great chance to try different stitches like loops and picots.

Patches would make a great decoration or as a gift to help spread some holiday cheer – you can have your ‘elf a merry little Christmas for sure!

❤️ SAVE PATCH THE ELF ON RAVELRY ❤️

And if you aren’t ready for full on festive yet then how about something a little more seasonal – a cute little pumpkin!

My daughter saw the recent issue and has asked me to make her one of these cute little pumpkin pals – they are really quick to make up so you could easily finishing one in an evening. You just need to take your time dividing up the segments and make sure the yarn is really secure.

The pattern also comes with three autumn leaves for you to make, so you can create your own Autumnal display.

❤️ PUMPKIN PATCH ON RAVELRY ❤️

There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including a very cute robin and mice and I love the knitted and crochet reindeer.

As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.

If you hook up either Patches the Elf or the Pumpkin Patch I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

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15Mar2021

Deramores | Cuddle Bunny

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

EDITED: With the closure of Deramores, in Feb 2022, the place where this pattern was available changed. Please see this updated post for new links for this particular design.

Do you need some-bunny to love? Then I might just have the perfect new pattern for you! Allow me to introduce the new Cuddle Bunny pattern ~~that’s available now in my Deramores Designer Shop.~~

Everyone needs a friend who is all ears and I think you’ll find that this little guy is simply ear-resistible for bunny or animals lovers.

I used Deramores Studio DK in Frost and Rose for my bunny and a 3.25mm hook (US size D/3). I love the softness of Deramores Studio DK, it’s perfect for toys, especially as it’s anti-piling, and if you’ve followed me for awhile you’ll know I really enjoy working with it.

~~You can pick up the bunny as either a single pattern, for £2 / $2.79, or as a kit with everything you need (pattern, yarn, safety eyes and stuffing).~~

❤️ SAVE CUDDLE BUNNY ON RAVELRY ❤️

It’s getting near to Easter, so you might be thinking it’s bunny time – though I think this little fellow would be a perfect little keepsake for a child’s birthday or christening too.

~~If you are looking for more cute crochet projects to hook up there are bears, bunny’s, dogs, cats, donkey’~~s ~~and horses and poppies all available in my Deramores Designer Shop~~

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

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected.

11Feb2021

Olin the Ox Amigurumi Crochet Pattern

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I really like the idea of Chinese New Year, I like the idea that the festival signals the beginning of Spring and that it’s seen as a time to spend with family.

I also find the mythology of the Chinese zodiac animals fascinating, I remember learning about it in primary school, and it’s just something that has always stuck with me – I’m a horse by the way, if you share a similar fascination I’ll bet you know what animal you are too.

Last January I released Reginald the Royal Rat for the year of the rat which is the first animal in the Chinese zodiac. I enjoyed trying to think of a different way to create a rat and so I thought I would create a new design for the year of the Ox – allow me to introduce Olin the Ox!

Olin the Ox is a calm and patient fellow that can always be trusted for a cuddle. He loves lily of the valley and to run freely in the fields! His horns radiate with some rainbow positivity and who can’t help fall in love with his big soulful eyes! Olin’s a perfect pal!

I had sketched an idea I had for an Ox last September, and the main feature I knew I wanted was his rainbow horns! I do so love a rainbow, but you could easily replace the rainbow colours for white or cream for a more ‘natural’ looking ox.

Did you know that the Ox is the second of the 12-year cycle of animals which appear in the Chinese zodiac related to the Chinese calendar. According to one myth, the Jade Emperor said the order would be decided by the order in which they arrived to his party, Ox could have arrived the first but it kindly gave a ride to Rat, who hopped out first. However the diligent ox did not mind and simply continued on to arrive second.

Olin is made from a mixture of Scheepjes Stonewashed XL, Scheepjes Stonewashed (both in Boulder Opal) that I’ve had in my stash for ages, that I was glad to fit to a project, and some Scheepjes Catona and a bit of Gold thread for the ring in his nose. I used some 12mm orange glitter eyes (that I’d been desperate to use!), a 4.5mm and a 3mm hook and for the finishing touch I added a lovely large 38mm bell on a thin piece of red ribbon around his neck.

This would make a fun design for anyone born in the year of the Ox, or for ox and cow lovers everywhere!! The 4 page PDF pattern is available in either UK or US terms and includes explanations of all stitches and abbreviations.

To celebrate the new release I’m offering 20% discount from today until 17 February 2021 on Ravelry and Etsy. Just use coupon code: OX21

🧡 PURCHASE OLIN THE OX ON RAVELRY 🧡

🧡 PURCHASE OLIN THE OX ON ETSY 🧡

🧡 PURCHASE OLIN THE OX ON LOVECRAFTS 🧡

After a year of much anxiety let’s hope that 12 February brings with it some characteristics of the Ox for all – the time to take things slowly, some stability and some strength for those that need it.

I don’t know if I’ll create designs for every Chinese new year, but that would certainly be something fun to do – and next year is the tiger!

I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects on my Facebook page as I love to see your finished work! Happy Crocheting!

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

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected.

4Feb2021

Deramores | Unicorns and Elephants

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Deramores Designer Shop, Designing, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Are you a unicorn fan? There’s a new unicorn in my Deramores Designer Shop if you were after a pattern.

If you follow me in other places then you may have had a sneek peep at these guys – my plan was to write up a blog post back in January but having everyone home (due to the UK being back in lockdown at the moment) is kicking my behind in terms of productivity! So whilst the kids are amused I’ve snuck into the other room to write this up.

❤️ SHOP UNICORN PATTERN FROM DERAMORES ❤️

The patterns is available as a kit in two different colourways pastel pink or rainbow, my youngest daughter particularly likes the pink unicorn, or as just a digital pattern download.

For both unicorns I used Deramores Studio DK and a 3mm hook. If you are a follower of this blog you’ll know that I’ve used Deramores Studio DK for several designs and projects and I really enjoy working with it, it’s a lovely soft and squishy yarn.

❤️ SAVE UNICORNS ON RAVELRY ❤️

I also used Deramores Studio DK for another design that’s also available in my Deramores Shop. It’s a mummy and baby elephant, which I wanted to have a bit of a vintage feel.

❤️ SHOP ELEPHANTS PATTERN FROM DERAMORES ❤️

The elephants are actually designed to be worked in one piece, so the only parts you sew on are the ears and the tail! The legs and trunk are worked directly onto the body for a seam free look.

I think these amigurumi toys are perfect for your little ones to use in safari play, or as some friends for them to snuggle up to.

Like the unicorns you can pick up the elephant family as either a single pattern, for £1 / $1.30, or as a kit with everything you need (pattern, yarn, safety eyes and stuffing).

❤️ SAVE ELEPHANTS ON RAVELRY ❤️

If you are looking for more cute crochet projects to hook up there are bears, bunny’s, dogs, cats, donkey’s and horses and poppies all available in my Deramores Designer Shop

As always if you hook up the Unicorns or Elephants I hope you’ll tag kcaco.uk and Deramores on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected.

8Dec2020

New Crochet Pattern | Deramores Polar Bear

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Deramores Designer Shop, Designing, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Brrr things are certainly feeling rather chilly here in the UK… it feels positivity Arctic! Which allows me to neatly segway into telling you about my new design – who would feel right at home in the cold!

Allow me to present Paul the playful Polar Bear who is ready for some frosty fun with his pretty white fur and cute grey paw pads. He’s an adorable soft amigurumi friend for the little ones in your family to cuddle with, or for playtime at the zoo.

I have to admit I’m not a fan of cold weather (or dark winter nights). I’m one of those people that more often than not feel cold, so much prefer being inside, wrapped up in a blanket, with the fire on, and with a crochet project on my knee – who’s with me!?

❤️ SAVE DERAMORES POLAR BEAR ON RAVELRY ❤️

For my polar bear I used Deramores Studio DK in Frost, Ebony and Smoke and a 3mm hook. If you are a follower of this blog you’ll know that I’ve used Deramores Studio DK for several designs and projects and I really enjoy working with it.

I really like anti-pilling yarn for anything I’m making for children as it’s great then for washing (which you can do at 40°C in the washing machine). If you wanted to make this bear for an under 3 year old you could always replace the safety eyes with some embroidered ones.

The Polar Bear is now available in my Designer Shop; you can pick up either a single pattern, for £1 / $1.30, or the design as a kit with everything you need (pattern, yarn and stuffing) to make your polar bear.

❤️ SHOP POLAR BEAR PATTERN FROM DERAMORES ❤️

So for the cosiest cuddles in the whole Arctic, skate on over to my Deramores Designer Shop and pick up Paul the Polar Bear! And if you are looking for more cute crochet projects to hook up there are bears, bunny’s, dogs, cats, donkey’s and horses and poppies all available in my Deramores Designer Shop

As always if you hook up the Deramores Polar Bear I hope you’ll tag kcaco.uk and Deramores on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected.

23Nov2020

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Camels and Skittles Part 3

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

It’s here, folks… the final part of the FREE Christmas Skittles crochet-along from Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine. Up until this point you’ve crafted four characterful pins and the bowling ball, and now it’s time for the final two skittles: Rudolph and Frosty the snowman.

© Let’s Get Crafting Magazine – Issue 126

I’ve used the fluffy yarn that comes in the packs for my snowman’s head but if you don’t have fluffy yarn for the snowman you could just follow the instructions for Rudolph’s head using white DK yarn from your collection instead.

❤️ SAVE CHRISTMAS SKITTLES – PART 3 ON RAVELRY ❤️

And that’s the whole of the skittles gang together! I hope you’ve enjoyed this festive series, I had great fun putting the designs together.

Speaking of christmas…I’ve also got another pattern out in this edition for a cute little camel.

Millie has been given a Christmas make over with Festive green blanket for her hump. I think she’d make a perfectly fun and quirky addition to your Christmas decorations this festive season.

❤️ SAVE MILLIE THE CAMEL ON RAVELRY ❤️

There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including a very cute gingerbread man and reindeer and I love the knitted robins and Santa.

As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.

If you hook up either the Christmas Skittles 3 or the Millie the Camel I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

23Oct2020

New Crochet Pattern | Deramores Chunky Pumpkins

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Deramores Designer Shop, Designing, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Pumpkin spice and everything nice! Let’s pumpkin spice things up with a family of three ‘gourdgeous’ chunky pumpkins patterns!

This time of year I get an overwhelming urge to make pumpkins and I don’t think I’m the only one, if you happen to be scrolling through Instagram you’ll have potentially seen all the lovely pumpkins that have been made.

So I had to join in with some pumpkin patterns of my own! It was a case of go big or ‘gourd’ home as I even made a life size pumpkin! Each of these pumpkins are really easy to make, perfect for a beginner, but as they are all made from hunky chunky yarn even the largest pumpkin doesn’t take long to make.

❤️ SAVE CHUNKY PUMPKINS ON RAVELRY ❤️

For my pumpkins I used Deramores Studio Chunky which was actually a yarn I haven’t used before. It still has the anti-pilling part, which I love, and it’s lovely to work with. It’s 100% acrylic yarn and comes in lots of lovely colours, not as many yet as the DK range, but it still has 30 shades, including two different shades of orange for pumpkin making!

❤️ SHOP PUMPKINS PATTERN FROM DERAMORES ❤️

If you want to add an autumnal touch to your doorstops or window sills, or make some fun decor for Halloween, with the trio of Chunky Pumpkins they are now available in my Designer Shop. You can pick them up as either a single pattern, for £1 / $1.30, or as a kit with everything you need (pattern, yarn and stuffing) to make the pumpkins.

Well I hope I’ve given you ‘pumpkin’ to think about! If you are looking for more cute crochet projects to hook up there are bears, bunny’s, dogs, cats, donkey’s and horses and poppies all available in my Deramores Designer Shop

As always if you hook up the Chunky Pumpkins I hope you’ll tag kcaco.uk and Deramores on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected.

19Oct2020

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Angels and Skittles Part 2

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

A couple of blog posts ago I mentioned a FREE three part crochet-along that I’d been working on for Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine. Well I thought I’d pop by to say that you can pick up part 2 now – and part 3 is on it’s way very soon!

© Let’s Get Crafting Magazine – Issue 125

Following on from Santa Claus and Mrs Christmas, in Issue 25, we have two sweet elf skittles and a stripy ball. Don’t let the stripes put you off if you are a beginner – they are the perfect opportunity to practice some easy colour sequences. And you can learn a new technique by giving the ball an even stripier finish with a touch of surface crochet too.

❤️ SAVE CHRISTMAS SKITTLES – PART 2 ON RAVELRY ❤️

And I’ll just share with you a little sneaky peep of the last two skittles in the collection…they’ll be available in issue 126 which is out on 29 October 2020, and topcrochetpatterns.com soon after. For the latter you just need to create an account to access this free pattern (and many more.)

I also had fun creating a sweet little angel for this edition. For many years as a child we had an angel at the top of our Christmas Tree.

Did you know that angels would be placed at the top of a Christmas tree to symbolise the significance of the angels who appeared high above Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus on the first Christmas.

Although in more recent years we’ve had a star at the top of our tree I think there’s always a place for an angel at Christmas – what tops your tree if you have one?

❤️ SAVE SWEET ANGEL ON RAVELRY ❤️

There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including some gorgeous knitted designs that really make me want to develop my (very) dusty knitting skills! I especially love the knitted nativity, for years now I’ve been wanting to handmake a nativity scene – maybe this year I’ll work on that a little more.

And as usually the magazine comes with a yarn pack which includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.

If you hook up either the Christmas Skittles 2 or the Sweet Angel I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!

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

18Sep2020

20% Discount | Pattern Release: Pretty Pastel Pandas

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Independent Design, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Recently my godmother contacted me to see if I could make her a couple of amigurumis for twin grandbabies due in November. She specified that she’d like one blue and one pink but that everything else would be up to me. So I started thinking about twins, and what animals quite commonly have twins, and that led me to pandas…

Meet the pretty pastel panda twins Ping and Pei, a cute pair of cuddly keepsakes that are sure to be a firm favourite with children and grown-ups.

I wanted these pandas to be a little different from the traditional black and white versions which is why I made them in pastel colours. I thought the colour scheme would work well with pink and blue, and lent themselves to a wee baby nursery colour scheme.

❤️ SAVE PRETTY PASTEL PANDAS ON RAVELRY ❤️

Of course the pattern would work in other colours too, you could substitute the pink and blue for yellow or mint maybe if you were looking for more unisex colours, or if a baby’s gender was going to be a surprise. Of course the pattern would also work with some lovely primary brights too – I’d like to see that!

❤️ SAVE PRETTY PASTEL PANDAS ON LOVECRAFTS ❤️

I used Paintbox Cotton DK, which is 100% cotton that is available in a huge palette of 56 colours. I used 1 ball of Champagne White (403), 1 ball of Blush Pink (454) and 1 ball of , 1 ball of Slate Grey (406). You can use 1 ball of the white for both pandas and the grey you only need for the features so there’s loads left over.

It was my first time using Paintbox Cotton DK, and I really liked it as a cotton for amigurumi’s. It’s very affordable at £2.50 ($3.22) per ball; that’s for 50g, and the fact it comes in so many colours is a huge plus. Of course the other thing about making things in cotton is that it’s durable, but its not stiff like other cottons I’ve used, it’s quite soft and pliable.

❤️ SAVE PRETTY PASTEL PANDAS ON ETSY ❤️

Ping and Pei are fun amigurumi to make, with just a few simple techniques you can easily bring these pretty pastel pals to life.