Filet Fantastic CAL: Made by You!

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2018, Free Patterns, From the Stash, Inspiration, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Although our recent crochet along journey is at an end I really wanted to do a post showcasing some of the wonderful Filet Fantastic blankets that YOU have made! It’s been such a privilege to have had the opportunity to watch your blankets grow every week – it has been really special to see.

Don’t if you are new to the blog and this is the first you are hearing about this CAL; you can find a list with all the links about the CAL here and I promise to keep all the details on the blog FOREVER.

This pattern will be free here on the blog but it will also be available in an e-book on Ravelry. Now that the CAL is over the full e-booklet with all the pattern details has been uploaded to Ravelry (and will be added to my other pattern stores if you don’t use Ravelry). This booklet is available in either UK or US terms and contains the full pattern descriptions, charts and information all in one place.

❤️🧡💛 Purchase the CAL e-Book on Ravelry 💚💙💜

It’s amazing how many countries this blanket has been made in including; UK, US, Australia, Netherlands, New Zealand, Germany, Canada, Sweden, Czech Republic, Italy, France and Ireland!

There have been many beautiful blankets put together with the exclusive kits from Black Sheep Wools , there were two rainbow colourway options, one in Scheepjes Colour Crafter (DK) and another in Scheepjes Riverwashed (4ply) – both are yarns which I’ve personally used many times and love.

Doesn’t that collection of beautiful happy rainbow blankets just make your heart sing! They are all just so pretty!

If you were looking to purchase a kit from Black Sheep Wools although the kits are showing out of stock at the moment, Black Sheep are in the process of getting the yarn together to restock (it’s just been held up a little by the new Brexit procedures). If you click on the button ‘notify me when available’ on their website, then you will get an email when the kits are available to order again.

There are also some stash buster, own colourways or single colour blankets photos that have been shared. I’d love to share all the blankets that have been made, as they are all so fantastic – but that would be an extremely lost post, so I have just selected a few different ones for inspiration purposes.

Aren’t they just all stunning! Thanks again to everyone that joined in the CAL with me this year and that shared their beautiful work with me! I have really loved seeing your finished blankets 💕

Although the our current CAL is now over please keep sharing your photos on Ravelry, in the Facebook group and Instagram – they are such a wonderful source of inspiration for us all.

I need at this point to say some quick thank you’s! There’s actually more people than me that helped to make this CAL happen! Many thanks to Scheepjes for supplying the yarn support for the Colour Crafter blanket so I could offer an alternative option of yarn for you. I need to thank Sara and Lucy from Black Sheep Wools for their time in putting together the kits, big thanks to Mrs G Makes and Simply Shade Cards for their stitch marker and shade card contributions.

I also need to say a MAHOOSIVE thank you to all the testers that helped with the colossal task of turning my scribbles into something legible and who helped with the moderation of the Facebook Group during CAL. So big shout outs to Kimberlie, Steff, Kim, Tracey L, Tracey P, Amanda, Leanne, Paula, Dulcy, Jan, Jacki and Leanne – this wouldn’t have been possible without your help!

Thanks as always to my family for bearing with me while I worked on the CAL; especially my husband for driving round to find that perfect spot for a photo, and to my wonderful mum who crocheted up the second colour crafter version of the blanket 💕

Now it’s time for me to fold up my Filet Fantastic Blanket!

But our community crafting endeavours are not yet over for this year, we’ve got our summer make-along starting on 5 July (read more about Whispers of the Sea here).

You might also wish to mark on your calendar a BRAND NEW four part FREE mini make along, sponsored by Anchor Yarns, starting on 1 August – though I’ll tell you more about that later, though you could always sign up to the KCACOUK newsletter to be kept up to date with any new plans.

And of course there is always 2022…you’ll be pleased to hear that planning for the next big CAL is already underway!

I hope you will continue to join me with these projects, it’s so wonderful to watch my designs grow with you!

Until next time thank you for hooking along with me!

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.

18Jun2020

Free Pattern| Boxing Rainbows Blanket

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, Designing, For Adult, For Baby, For Child, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

As Coronavirus sweeps across the UK, many people have responded by putting rainbow pictures in their windows. The rainbows have come to represent “positivity, hope and togetherness” during the pandemic. Today’s free blanket pattern not only take inspiration from that but also in the simple joys that a rainbow brings any time you see one.

It’s been a while since I shared a free pattern for you here on the blog, and I wanted todays blanket to be something positive that came from the lockdown, something that you could enjoy making, and maybe look forward to gifting to others after lockdown is over.

SAVE BOXING RAINBOWS BLANKET ON RAVELRY

During the pandemic I found myself looking for nice mindful patterns, where I could keep my hands busy and just lose myself in the stitches. Sometimes you just find a stitch pattern that you just enjoy making and for me that’s definitely the box stitch.

I think it might be known as other names, but to me it looks like rows of little boxes when put together.

SAVE BOXING RAINBOWS BLANKET ON LOVECRAFTS

Worked in double knit this lightweight blanket is easy to memorise making it a perfect pattern for relaxing hooky time! I made my blanket from some Scheepjes Colour Crafter that I’d got in my stash.

The following pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry, Etsy or LoveCrafts stores where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable 3 page PDF pattern free of advertisements if you’d prefer. The PDF download is available in UK or US crochet terminology.

FAVOURITE BOXING RAINBOWS BLANKET ON ETSY

Oh and if you enjoy making this box stitch blanket then you may also enjoy the ‘Don’t Box Me In’ blanket I designed for Dear Ewe which features the same stitch. You can pick up that free pattern over on the Dear Ewe blog.

Boxing Rainbows Blanket

MATERIALS
Yarn: 8ply / yarn weight #3
 100g / 300m White
 25g / 75m Red
 25g / 75m Orange
 25g / 75m Yellow
 25g / 75m Green
 25g / 75m Blue
 25g / 75m Indigo
 25g / 75m Violet
 25g / 75m Pink
Scheepjes Colour Crafter in Weert (1001),
Amsterdam (1010), Gent (2002), Leuven (2008), Terneuzen (1821), Knokke (2012), Brugge (2003), Drachten (1827), Luik (2006) used in photos.
You will also need:
 Scissors
 A yarn needle

Hook: 4mm (US Size G/6)
Gauge: 2 clusters= 3.5cm / 1.37”
Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match then your finished item will be a different size. Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though
finished size will be different.
Finished Size: 86cm (33.8”) long x 68cm (26.7”)

ABBREVIATIONS:
UK TERMS
st(s) stitch(es)
sl st slip stitch
ch(s) chain
dc double crochet
tr treble crochet
RS right side

STITCH GUIDANCE
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indi-cated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Treble Crochet (tr): 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.
Cluster (Cl): Three treble crochets worked in a ch3-sp

PATTERN NOTES
 Make the blanket bigger or smaller by making the beginning chain in a multiple of 3+5 (stitch counts in the pattern are for the blanket size specified on page 1)
 A ch3 at the start of a row counts as a st

PATTERN
Row 1: (RS) With Pink; ch43, 1tr in the 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each st along until end, turn. 41sts
Row 2: Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of previous row, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn. 14dc + 13 x ch3-sps
Row 3: Ch3, (miss the next dc, 1Cl in the next ch3-sp) repeat across until the last st, 1tr in the last st, turn. 41sts / 13 clusters + 1tr at either end of row.
Rows 4 – 5: Repeat rows 2 and 3. Fasten off Pink and weave in ends.
Row 6: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 7 – 9: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 10: Attach Violet, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 11 – 15: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Indigo and weave in ends.
Row 16: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 17 – 19: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 20: Attach Indigo, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn. Rows 21 – 25: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Indigo and weave in ends.
Row 26: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 27 – 29: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 30: Attach Blue, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 31 – 35: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Blue and weave in ends.
Row 36: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 37 – 39: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 40: Attach Green, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 41 – 45: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Green and weave in ends.
Row 46: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 47 – 49: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 50: Attach Yellow, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 51 – 55: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Yellow and weave in ends.
Row 56: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 57 – 59: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 60: Attach Orange, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 61 – 65: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Orange and weave in ends.
Row 66: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 67 – 69: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 70: Attach Red, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 71 – 75: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Red and weave in ends.
You will now need to rotate your work to the right so you can continue working on the long edge of the RS of your work.
Row 76: Attach White to the post of the 1tr of row 75, Ch3, 3tr in the first sp, then work a Cl in the tr post sp of each row along until the last tr last dc (of row 1), then work 4tr in the last sp, turn. 38 clusters + 2 x 1trs at the end of each row / 116sts
Rows 77 – 78: Repeat alternate rows of 2 and 3 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 79: Attach Blue, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 80 – 84: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Blue and weave in ends.
Row 85: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 86 – 88: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends. Row 89: Attach Indigo, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 90 – 94: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Indigo and weave in ends.
Row 95: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 96 – 98: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 99: Attach Violet, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 100 – 104: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Violet and weave in ends.
Row 105: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 106 – 108: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 109: Attach Pink, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 110 – 114: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Pink and weave in ends.
You will now need to rotate your work to the right again so you can continue working on the other long edge of the RS of your work.
Row 115: Attach White to the post of the 1tr of row 75, Ch3, 3tr in the first sp, then work a Cl in the tr post sp of each row along until the last tr last dc (of row 1), then work 4tr in the last sp, turn. 38 clusters + 2 x 1trs at the end of each row / 116sts
Rows 116 – 117: Repeat alternate rows of 2 and 3 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 118: Attach Green, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 119 – 123: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Green and weave in ends.
Row 124: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 125 – 127: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 128: Attach Yellow, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 129 – 133: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Yellow and weave in ends.
Row 134: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 135 – 137: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 138: Attach Orange, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 139 – 143: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Orange and weave in ends.
Row 144: Attach White, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 145 – 147: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off White and weave in ends.
Row 148: Attach Red, in-between the first 2trs of previous row with a sl st. Ch1, (1dc in-between the first 2trs of row 1, ch3, miss 3sts, 1dc in-between the next 2trs of row 1) repeat across until end, turn.
Rows 149 – 153: Repeat alternate rows of 3 and 2 for the pattern. Fasten off Red and weave in ends.

And that’s it!

I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects on Ravelry or 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

8Dec2019

Free Crochet Pattern | Poppin’ Spades Afghan Block

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

You may remember back in June that I had fun creating a new free 12″ (30cm) crocheted block called Encompass Me. I do love to create these afghan components as they have potential to be so many things! I’m now going to raise my own stakes by introducing a brand NEW free block for you.

Allow me to introduce to you the Poppin’ Spades Afghan Square! Inspired by a poker game the Poppin’ Square Afghan Square combines a fun combination of stitches to create a pleasing textured effect that I ‘wager’ any card player will love!

This is a great block to have up one’s sleeve to add as a component block to create a multi-square afghan or used as a pretty pot holder or cushion cover.

You could either follow suit and use colours similar to mine, which I felt fitted my theme, or you could shuffle your colours and see what top trumps you can come up with!

The following Poppin’ Spades Block pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry store where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable 3 page PDF pattern free of advertisements if you’d prefer.

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology on Ravelry though the pattern below is written with both terminology combined for ease.

SAVE PATTERN ON RAVELRY HERE

Poppin Spades 12″ Afghan Block

MATERIALS

Yarn: 10ply / yarn weight #4 (Worsted)

Pattern works best with four colors – referred to in this pattern as:

YARN A Dark Grey 45g / 68m
YARN B Yellow 15g / 23m
YARN C Light Grey 20g / 30m
YARN D White 15g / 23m

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.

Hook: US size H/8 (5 mm )

You will also need:

Scissors
Yarn needle

Gauge: 8dc= 2 inches (5.08cm)

Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match then your finished item will be a different size.

Finished Size: 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)

ABBREVIATIONS:

st(s) stitch(es)
st sl slip stitch
ch(s) chain
tr/dc UK treble / US double crochet
FPtr/FPdc UK Front Post treble / US Front Post Double Crochet
dtr/tr UK double treble / US treble
PC Popcorn Stitch

STITCH GUIDANCE:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
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 / 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 Double Treble / US Treble (dtr/tr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (three loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (two loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 5dc in indicated st, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st dc (1st dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.

PATTERN NOTES

Changing Colour: When changing to a different colour, pull the new colour through the last two loops of the previous st to complete that st. Continue in the new colour, following the pattern. Change colours in this manner, whenever indicated on the pattern.

When changing to and from a colour carry the unused coloured yarn along the wrong side of the work loosely so that the work does not gather. Crochet over the unused colour as they are carried along; this will hide the strands of yarn invisibly and eliminate long unused strands carried across the back of the work.

Pattern:

· Ch3 at the start of any rnd counts as a st.

· All ch’s are included in the st count.

Rnd 1: With A, ch5, sl st to form a ring, [ch3, 3tr/dc, ch3, sl st to ring] repeat three times. Fasten off A and weave in ends. 4 petals

Rnd 2: With B, sl st in-between any of the petals from rnd 1. Ch6 (counts as 1tr/dc + 3ch), 1tr/dc in-between the same petal, then work [ch3, 1tr/dc, ch3, 1tr/dc, in-between the next petal] repeat three times, sl st to the 3rd ch of the beginning ch6 to join. 8sts + 4 x ch-3sps

Push the petals forward from behind the ch3-sps.

Rnd 3: Sl st to the nearest ch3-sp. Ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [3tr/dc in the next ch3-sp, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the next ch3-sp], repeat three times, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off B and weave in ends. 36sts / 9sts each side

Rnd 4: With C, sl st in any ch2 corner sp; Ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [1tr/dc in the next 7sts, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch2-sp] repeat three times, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. 52sts / 13sts each side

Rnd 5: Ch3, [cc to A, 1FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to C, 1tr in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr into the top of the central tr/dc of the petal of rnd 1, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next st, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, 1tr/dc in the next st] repeat twice, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr into the top of the central tr of the petal of rnd 1, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next st, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off A / C and weave in ends. 68sts / 17sts each side

Rnd 6: With D, sl st in any ch2 corner sp; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, 1tr/dc in the next 4sts] repeat twice, [cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to A, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to D, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (2tr/dc, ch2) in the ch-2 sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off A / D and weave in ends. 84sts / 21sts each side

Rnd 7: With A, sl st in any ch2 corner sp; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [1tr/dc in the next st, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next 7sts, cc to A, 1 PC in the next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next 7sts, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next st, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, 1tr/dc in the next st] repeat twice, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next 7sts, cc to A, 1 PC in the next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next 7sts, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to A, 1tr/dc in the next st, (2tr/dc, ch2) in the ch-2 sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off A / B and weave in ends. 100sts / 25sts each side

Rnd 8: With C, sl st in any ch2 corner sp; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [1tr/dc in the next 3sts, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 15sts, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts] repeat twice, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in the next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 15sts, cc to B, 1 FPdtr/FPtr in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (2tr/dc, ch2,) in the ch-2 sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off C / B and weave in ends. 116sts

Rnd 9: Ch3, 1tr/dc in the same st, 1tr/dc in the next 5sts, [cc to D, PC in the next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 15sts, cc to D, PC in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 5sts, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, 1tr/dc in the next 5sts] repeat twice, cc to D, PC in the next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 15sts, cc to D, PC in next st, cc to C, 1tr/dc in the next 5sts, (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in the ch-2 sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off C / D and weave in ends. 132sts / 33 sts each side

Rnd 10: With A, sl st in any ch2 corner sp; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same sp, [1 tr/dc in the next 31sts, 2tr/dc , ch2, 2tr/dc ) in the ch-2 sp] repeat three times, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. 148sts / 37sts each side

Rnd 11: Ch3, 1tr/dc in the next 34sts, [(2tr/dc , ch2, 2tr/dc ), 1tr/dc in the next 35sts] repeat three times, (2tr/dc , ch2, 2tr/dc ), sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off and weave in ends. 164sts / 41sts each side

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

And that’s it!

If you hook up the Poppin Spades Block I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

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13Nov2019

How to repair a broken granny square blanket

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, From the Stash, Getting Crafty, Tutorial by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I was recently asked by the owner of the Artisan Boutique, where I sometimes do some crochet workshops, if it would be possible to mend a customers granny square blanket for her.

The blanket had been so well loved, and passed through a variety of different children in the family, that some of the squares had unravelled or almost disintegrated entirely!

The blanket was in a very sorry state with nine squares in total needing repair but I thought it could be fixed successfully – and I thought you guys might find it useful to know how to repair a granny square blanket too, just in case you are ever faced with a broken granny situation.

Repairing a granny square does take a bit of time! Depending on the severity of hole and the size of the square you’ll need to fix you’ll firstly want to choose a time where you can concentrate and be uninterrupted, as once you are in the process of repairing you really don’t want to be having to get up and run around somewhere.

To give you an example of time to set aside most of the squares I had to fix were of four rounds – and it took me at least an hour to make the new piece and fix that into place (and I’ve been told I’m not a slow crocheter). You could make a fair few brand new granny squares in that time. But for those blankets steeped in family stories and history that NEED to be kept as a keepsake, this method can be a perfect lifesaver!

This method is for any blanket that has a granny square that has unravelled from the centre but that has salvageable sections on the outer edges of the square.

What you will need:

Scrap bits of yarn roughly matching the yarn weight, fibre content (e.g. acrylic) and colours of the square you are going to replace,
A crochet hook to match the previous gauge, I do this by eye but roughly you’d probably use a 4mm (US size G) for DK (Light Worsted) or 5mm (US size H) for Aran (Worsted). If you are not sure make up a square with a hook first and see if it will fit the gap. A bit smaller is better, then it won’t be prone to sagging when it’s washed at a later date.
Sharp pair of scissors,
Lots of stitch markers with enough space on them to hold a cluster of three stitches,
A large wool / tapestry needle,
Optional: A small crochet hook (such as a 2.75 / US size C) to help pass the loop through stitches.
Optional: A table. Whilst you can make repairs with your crochet on your knee you’ll find it infinitely easier to fix broken squares working on a flat surface with you sitting comfortably!

Step 1:

Carefully snip away the damaged square to the point where the original stitches / yarn is strong enough. It’s important to not snip or untwist any of the original crochet stitches that are to be kept and worked on.

Sometimes you can save the centre of a square, you have cut away, to use again on a new square, just unravel where possible and use the yarn to remake your new granny square.

Step 2:

Making sure that your granny square blanket is right side facing add your stitch markers to each of the stitches you have saved; to stop them twisting and unravelling whilst you make your repair.

Step 3:

Make a new granny square to fit the space you have cut away. Snip yarn leaving a 10cm (4 inches) yarn tail. Weave in all ends EXCEPT the yarn tail have just crocheted with.

Step 4:

Unravel the last round you have just made to your first 3ch of the round, this will be exactly the amount of yarn you need to fix your new granny square replacement into the relevant gap. Thread your needle onto the yarn tail.

Step 5:

Line up your granny square in the gap so corners correspond and then thread the yarn tail end through the next bottom set of granny stitches.

Then using the small crochet hook pull through the loop of the top of the three chain through the bottom of the first cluster of granny stitches.

Step 6:

With your gauge sized hook; crochet in the next space as you would crochet a usual set of trebles (US double crochet) to make a granny square cluster.

Remove the stitch marker from the end of the cluster you have just passed your yarn / loop through. Double check that your square is still in the right place – it’s very easy to misalign your squares as you work!

To complete a corner, work the first granny square stitches next to the corner as usual, then thread the yarn / loop, through the bottom of TWO cluster of granny stitches (that form the corner), ch2, and then work the next granny square stitches as normal. Adjust the ch2 so that it fits through the bottom of the two clusters of granny stitches.

Step 7:

Continue to work your way around the square repeating the process from step 5 onwards; paying careful attention when you get to a corner.

And that’s it!

I hope that this tutorial helps your old blankets live on for many more years to come! Let me know if you find this tutorial useful, I’d love to hear the tales of blankets that have been saved!

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

14Aug2019

Free Crochet Pattern | Sherbet Star Granny Square

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

The lovely people over at Anchor Yarns were very kind enough recently to send me out some of their new Baby Pure Cotton yarn to play with.

Anchor Baby Pure Cotton is made from 100 % cotton, natural, combed and not mercerised (so matte not shiny) and it’s extremely soft on the hands to work with. It’s available in 24 colours which range from a soft muted powdered look or your more traditional pastel shades.

I’d say it’s totally suitable for modern fashion garments, home decor projects and amigurumi as well as quick and easy projects for baby. And it’s hypoallergenic and saliva resistant (love this) to be entirely safe for a new-born.

So I had a play with the yarn, and as it’s Granny Square Day tomorrow, it seemed only appropriate that I create a new free pattern for you all to enjoy! Allow me to introduce to you the Sherbet Star Granny Square.

Multi-colour granny squares are a great way to use up small amounts of yarn. A collection of these squares put together would look great as a cushion or blanket and you can be as adventurous as you like with your colours! Can’t wait to see what you come up with.

The Sherbert Star Granny Square pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry store where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable 2 page PDF pattern free of advertisements if you’d prefer.

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology on Ravelry though the pattern below is written with both terminology combined for ease.

SAVE PATTERN ON RAVELRY HERE

Sherbet Star Granny Square

MATERIALS

Yarn: 4ply / yarn weight #2 (Sport / Baby)

Anchor Baby Pure Cotton 4ply used in photographs.

· YARN A Raspberry (Shade: 00430)

· YARN B Pastel Pink (Shade: 00431)

· YARN C Pastel Yellow (Shade: 00106)

· YARN D Beige (Shade: 00404)

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.

Hook: 3 mm (US size D/3)

ABBREVIATIONS:

st(s) stitch(es)
st sl slip stitch
ch(s) chain
dc/sc UK double crochet / US single crochet
htr/hdc UK half treble / US half double crochet
tr/dc UK treble / US double crochet
dtr/tr UK double treble / US treble

STITCH GUIDANCE:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
UK double crochet / US 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.
UK half treble / US half double crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated 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 Treble 3 together / US double crochet 3 together (tr/dc3tog): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over insert in next st, pull up a loop, (four loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, (three loops on hook), yarn over insert in next st, yarn over pull up a loop, (five loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, (four loops on hook), yarn over pull through all four loops left on hook.
UK Treble 4 together / US double crochet 4 together (tr/dc4tog): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, * pull through two loops, yarn over insert in next st, pull up a loop * repeat from * to * three times, yarn over pull through all five loops on hook.

PATTERN NOTES

The Pattern works best using four colours per square; three inner colours and an outside joining colour. Use the same colour as rnd 4 for rnd 6 to bring the colours of your squares together.

Pattern:

Rnd 1: With YARN A; ch8, sl st to form a ring; 4ch, 23dtr/tr into the ring, sl st top of the beginning 4ch to join. 24sts

Rnd 2: Ch1, 1dc/sc in the same st as the beginning ch1, * ch4, miss st, 1dc/sc in the next st * repeat from * to * until last ch4, sl st to the top of the first st to join. Fasten off YARN A and weave in ends. 12sts / 12 x 4ch-sp.

Rnd 3: With YARN B; Sl st to any ch4 loop, ch3, tr/dc3tog in same ch4-sp (counts as first tr/dc4tog), ch4, * tr/dc4tog in the next ch4-sp, ch4 * repeat from * to * until end, sl st to the top of the first st to join. Fasten off YARN B and weave in ends. 12sts / 12 x 4ch-sp.

Rnd 4: With YARN C; Sl st to the top of any tr/dc4tog of rnd 3; [Ch3, 2tr/dc, ch3. 3tr/dc], * 3htr/hdc in the next three ch4-sps, [3tr/dc, ch3. 3tr/dc] in the top of the next tr/dc4tog of rnd 3 * repeat from * to * twice more, 3htr/hdc in the next three ch4-sps, sl st to the top of the first st to join. Fasten off YARN C and weave in ends. 60sts / 4 x 3ch-sp.

Rnd 5: With YARN D; Sl st to any ch3-sp of rnd 4; [Ch3, 2tr/dc, ch3. 3tr/dc], * 3tr/dc in the next four spaces (between htr/hdc’s of rnd 4), [3tr/dc, ch3. 3tr/dc] in the top of the next tr/dc4tog of rnd 3 * repeat from * to * twice more, 3tr/dc in the next four spaces, sl st to the top of the first st to join. Fasten off YARN D and weave in ends. 60sts / 4 x 3ch-sp.

Rnd 6: With YARN C; Sl st to any missed st of rnd 1, * ch4, sl st to the top of the tr/dc4tog of rnd 3, ch4, miss next empty st of rnd 1, 1dc/sc in the next st * repeat from * to * in each st around until end. Fasten off YARN C and weave in ends.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

And that’s it!

If you hook up the Sherbet Star Granny Square I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram using the hashtag #SHERBERTSTARGRANNY or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

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7Aug2019

Bit of a roll with C2C…Cedar River Crochet Blanket

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, From the Stash, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Howdy folks! How are you? And me? Well I’m on a bit of a roll with corner to corner (c2c) blankets actually and I forgot to tell you all about this other blanket I finished!

You may remember that I posted about the fun ZZ Block baby blanket I made (read about that here) which was completely non-traditional – well for my latest c2c project I’ve kept to a more traditional palette.

So here’s the finished blanket I made – what do you think? I seriously love how fast c2c blankets work up and this one, although this blanket is made up from smaller motifs, still works up relatively quickly.

The pattern is the Cedar River blanket by Kat Goldin (of Gartur Stitch Farm) which she originally created as a crochet-along for Deramores in 2015. I missed this design somehow when it was the crochet-along but stumbled upon it when I was looking for C2C blankets ideas and I love the bold geometric shapes the motifs create when put together in a certain way using different colours.

Capture_7bf16266-83e5-4052-a60d-56b7dd4c2ddf — © deramores.com 2015

For my colour choice I turned to my favourite gender neutral colour combination grey, white and yellow (or grellow as it’s also known). As my friend didn’t know what she was having I thought those colours would be perfect for her little one – and also I know her pram is grey so I thought having a little grey in the colour scheme would work perfectly.

I may have mentioned that I’m trying to be good, where buying yarn is concerned, as I really do have so much, so I went stash diving again for this blanket and found some StyleCraft Aran yarn so I didn’t have to buy anymore. The pattern is actually written for making in double knit and a 4mm so I knew my blanket would come out a little bit bigger using the Aran (worsted) and a larger hook but that’s the yarn I had enough for so I just went with it! In case you were wondering what colours I used in my version they are;

White (1001)
Lemon (1020)
Grey (1099)

The blanket was obviously bigger in the end but still okay as a baby blanket or a lap blanket I thought.

It’s always a nice rest for me working on someone else’s pattern because I’m not having to do the brain work, someone has already done all that for me, and I can just hook away without having to stop and make notes and that sort of thing.

More often that not I have these sorts of projects as the ones I take out and about with me too as it’s more difficult to be designing on the go – do you have projects like that? This one was great for taking out and about with it being motifs and I remember a lot of it being completed on various train journeys!

The clever design of this blanket produces such a pleasing effect that I just love and mum to be loved it too.

I’m now looking for my next c2c blanket project – do you have any suggestions of ones you have enjoyed? I’d love to hear them.

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

24Jul2019

Free Crochet Pattern | Mini Meditative Mandala

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I recently designed a mandala for a workshop I did at Abakhan fabrics. I needed a quick creative make and one where you could just use small bits of yarn. A mandala seems to lend itself perfectly as a little demo pattern as it’s a circle made up of different patterns and colours.

For the Mini Meditative Mandala design I used some Rico Design Ricorumi that I already had in my stash. These cute 25g balls are perfect for little projects like this mandala, though you can use any scraps that you have in your stash. Cotton yarn is also particularly good for mandalas as it shows off stitch definition and creates a nice neat, firm fabric when worked up.

There are so many options for how you can arrange your colours on this square – I can’t wait to see what combinations you come up with! I made one with some rainbow colours and I think the end result looks a bit like a sunflower! By simply changing some of the colours around you can get a whole new look! The only other thing I did differently on this version is on Rnd 6 I worked it as follows:

Rnd 6: Sl st yarn to any first dc/sc of the two dc/sc’s of rnd 5; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same st, 2tr/dc in the next dc/sc of rnd 5, * 1dc/sc in the back loop of the next 6sts, 2tr/dc in the next 2sts, Repeat from * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning 3ch to join. (60sts)

I bought a little hanging hoop to pop it in and I now really want to make myself a mandala wall with all sorts of different sized and coloured mandalas on – just need to convince my husband how excellent it would look!

And what can you do with mandalas like these when you’ve finished them? Well you can use it as a decorative piece hanging piece of art like I have, a coaster, or even as a motif sewn onto the front of a plain cushion.

The following Medative Mandala pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry store where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable 3 page PDF pattern free of advertisements if you’d prefer.

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology on Ravelry though the pattern below is written with both terminology combined for ease.

SAVE PATTERN ON RAVELRY HERE

Mini Meditative Mandala

MATERIALS

Yarn: 8ply / yarn weight #3 (Double Knit / Light Worsted)

Rico Ricorumi DK used in photographs.

5g / 11.6m Teal (Shade 040) YARN A
5g / 11.6m Light Blue (Shade 033) YARN B

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.

Hook: 4 mm (US size G/6)

You will also need:

Scissors
Yarn needle

Gauge: 4tr= 2cm / 0.79inch

Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match then your finished item will be a different size.

Finished Size: 13 cm diameter (5.12inches )

ABBREVIATIONS:

st(s) stitch(es)
st sl slip stitch
ch(s) chain
dc/sc UK double crochet / US single crochet
tr/dc UK treble / US double crochet

STITCH GUIDANCE:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
UK double crochet / US 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.
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.

Pattern:

Notes: The ch3 at the start of a rnd counts as the first treble st.

Rnd 1: With YARN A ch5 and sl st to form a ring, Ch4 (counts as first tr/dc + 1ch), work (1tr/dc, 1ch) eleven times into the ring, sl st to the third ch of the beginning ch to join. Fasten off YARN A (12sts + 12ch1-sps).

Rnd 2: Sl st YARN B into any ch1-sp of previous rnd. Ch4 (counts as first tr/dc + 1ch), 1tr/dc in the same sp, work (1tr/dc, 1ch, 1tr/dc) in each ch-sp around until end, sl st to the third ch of the beginning ch to join. Fasten off YARN B (24sts + 12ch1-sps).

Rnd 3: Sl st YARN A into any ch1-sp of previous rnd. Ch3, 2tr/dc in the same sp, work 3tr/dc in each ch-sp around until end, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join. Fasten off YARN A (36sts).

Rnd 4: Sl st YARN B in between any 3tr/dc cluster of rnd 3; 1dc/sc in the same sp, * ch4, sl st in between the next 3tr/tr cluster of rnd 3. Repeat from * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning dc/sc to join. (12 sts + 12 x 4ch-sps)

Rnd 5: Sl st into the next ch4-sp; ch3, 5tr/dc in the same sp, ch2, 2dc/sc in the next ch4-sp, ch2, * 6tr/dc in the next sp, ch2, 2dc/sc in the next ch4-sp, ch2. Repeat from * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning 3ch to join. Fasten off YARN B (48sts + 12 x 2ch-sps)

Rnd 6: Sl st YARN A to any first dc/sc of the two dc/sc’s of rnd 5; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same st, 2tr/dc in the next dc/sc of rnd 5, 1dc/sc in the next 6sts, * 2tr/dc in the next 2sts, 1dc/sc in the next 6sts. Repeat from * until end, sl st to the top of the beginning 3ch to join. Fasten off YARN A (60sts)

Rnd 7: Sl st YARN B to any dc/sc of rnd 6; ch1, 1dc/sc in the same st as the beginning ch1, 1dc/sc in the next 4sts, 2dc/sc in the next *1dc/sc in the next 5sts, 2dc/sc in the next. Repeat from * around until end. Fasten off and weave in all ends. (70sts)

And that’s it!

If you hook up the Mini Medative Mandala I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

5Jun2019

Free Crochet Pattern | Encompass Me Afghan Block

Posted in Afghan Square, Blanket, Crochet, Free Patterns, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

When I first started out crocheting one of the things I loved to make most were crocheted blocks or squares. My love of motifs like that later helped shape my first crochet along which, you may recall, was a big multi-square afghan.

Although there have been a few blocks in between that time none of them have been the 12inch (30cm) size type blocks that I first fell in love with all those years ago. So I decided it was high time for me to design another!

Allow me to introduce to you the Encompass Me Afghan Block.

The Encompass Me 12” Afghan Block combines simple stitches with interesting post stitch construction to create a pleasing textured effect.

There are so many options for how you can arrange your colours on this square – I can’t wait to see what combinations you come up with!

And what can you do with blocks like these when you’ve finished them? Well you could add it as a component block to create a multi-square afghan or use it as a pretty pot holder or even develop it in to a cushion cover by adding a few more rounds to the edge.

The following Encompass Me Afghan Block pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry store where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable 3 page PDF pattern free of advertisements if you’d prefer.

The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology on Ravelry though the pattern below is written with both terminology combined for ease.

SAVE PATTERN ON RAVELRY HERE

Encompass Me 12″ Afghan Block

MATERIALS

Yarn: 10ply / yarn weight #4 (Worsted)

Schjeepjes Stonewashed XL used in photographs.

20g / 30m Moon Stone (Shade 841) YARN A
18g / 27m Green Jade (Shade 846) YARN B
43g / 65m Yellow Jasper (Shade 849) YARN C

Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.

Hook: US size H/8 (5 mm )

You will also need:

Scissors
Yarn needle

Gauge: 9dc = 2.5inch / 6.35cm

Obtaining the correct gauge is not critical to this project but if your gauge does not match then your finished item will be a different size.

Finished Size: 12 x 12 inches (30 x 30 cm)

ABBREVIATIONS:

st(s) stitch(es)
st sl slip stitch
ch(s) chain
dc/sc UK double crochet / US single crochet
htr/hdc UK half treble / US half double crochet
tr/dc UK treble / US double crochet
BPtr/BPdc UK Back Post treble / US Back Post Double Crochet
FPtr/FPdc UK Front Post treble / US Front Post Double Crochet
dtr/tr UK double treble / US treble

STITCH GUIDANCE:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
UK double crochet / US 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.
UK half treble / US half double crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated 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.
US Double Crochet 3 together / US Double Crochet 3 together (tr3tog/dc3tog): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated stitch, pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over insert in next st, pull up a loop, (four loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, (three loops on hook), yarn over insert in next st, yarn over pull up a loop, (five loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, (four loops on hook), yarn over pull through all four loops left 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.
UK Front Post treble / 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 Double Treble / US Treble (dtr/tr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (three loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (two loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.

PATTERN NOTES

Special Increase: To make a special increase of two sts on rnd 6: work 1tr/dc in the st, then work a htr/hdc into the bottom post of the st just made.

The ch3 at the start of a rnd counts as the first UK treble / US double crochet st.

Pattern:

Rnd 1: With Moon Stone ch4 and sl st to form a ring, Ch3, work 11tr/dc into the ring, sl st to the top of first st to join (12sts).

Rnd 2: Ch3, [1FPtr/FPdc, 1tr/dc] in each st around, finishing with 1FPtr/FPdc, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (24 sts)

Rnd 3: Each FPtr/FPdc on this rnd should be around the FPtr/FPdc of rnd 2; ch3, 1tr/dc in the same st [ 1FPtr/FPdc , 2tr/dc in the next st] in each st around. finishing with 1FPtr/FPdc in the last st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (36 sts)

Rnd 4: Each tr3tog/dc3tog on this rnd should be around the FPtr/FPdc of rnd 3; ch3, 2tr/dc in the next st,[tr3tog/dc3tog, 1tr/dc in the next st, 2tr/dc in the next st] in each st around. finishing with 1FPtr/FPdc in the last st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (48 sts)

Rnd 5: Ch3, 1tr/dc in the next st, 2tr/dc in the next [1tr/dc in 3sts, 2tr/dc ] in each st around, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (60 sts)

Fasten off Moon Stone and weave in ends.

Rnd 6: With Green Jade and working around the back post of each st of rnd 5. Increases on this rnd should be the special increase (see notes on page 2); ch3, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, 2tr/dc in the next [1tr/dc in 4sts, 2tr/dc ] in each st around, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (72 sts)

Rnd 7: Ch3, [1dtr/tr in the next st, 1tr/dc in the next 4sts, 1htr/hdc in the next 7sts, 1dc/sc in the next 4sts, 1dtr/tr in the next st, (1dtr/tr, ch1, 1dtr/tr) in the next st] repeat […] twice, 1dtr/tr in the next st, 1tr/dc in the next 4sts, 1htr/dc in the next 7sts, 1tr/dc in the next 4sts, 1dtr/tr in the next st, ch1, sl st to the top of beginning ch3 to join (76sts + 4 x 1ch-sp)

Rnd 8: Ch3, 1tr/dc in the next 2sts, [1htr/hdc in the next 3sts, 1dc/sc in the next 7sts, 1htr/hdc in the next 3sts, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (1dtr/tr, ch1, 1dtr/tr) in the ch1-sp 1tr/dc in the next 3sts] repeat […] twice, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, 1htr/hdc in the next 3sts, 1dc/sc in the next 7sts, 1htr/hdc in the next 3sts, 1tr/dc in the next 3sts, (1dtr/tr, ch1, 1dtr/tr) 1tr/dc in the next st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (84 sts + 4 x ch1-sps)

Fasten off Green Jade and weave in ends.

Rnd 9: With Moon Stone join yarn in any ch1-sp; ch3. (1tr/dc, ch1, 2tr/dc) in same sp, then work [1BPtr/BPdc in next 21sts, 2tr/dc, ch1, 2tr/dc) in next ch-sp] repeat [..] twice, 1BPtr/BPdc in next 21sts, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (100 sts + 4 x ch1-sps)

Rnd 10: Ch3. 1tr/dc in next st, [ (2tr/dc, ch1, 2tr/dc) in ch-sp, 1tr/dc in next 2 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in next, (1tr/dc in next 3, 1FPtr/FPdc in next) repeat four times, 1tr/dc in next 2sts} repeat [..] twice, 1tr/dc in next 2 sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in next, (1tr/dc in next 3, 1FPtr/FPdc in next) repeat four times, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (116 sts + 4 x ch1-sps).

Fasten off Moon Stone and weave in ends.

Rnd 11: With Yellow Jasper join yarn in any ch1-sp, ch3. (1tr/dc, ch1, 2tr/dc) in same sp, then work 1BPtr/BPdc in next 4sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in next st [ (1BPtr/BPdc in next 3sts, 1FPtr/FPdc in next st) repeat four times, 1BPtr/BPdc in next 4sts, (2tr/dc, ch1, 2tr/dc) ] repeat from […] twice, 1BPtr/BPdc in next 4sts, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (132 sts + 4 x ch1-sps)

Rnd 12: Ch3. 1tr/dc in the next 32sts st, [ (1tr/dc, ch2, 1tr/dc) in same sp, 1tr/dc in the next 33sts ] repeat from […] twice more, 1tr/dc in the next 33sts, (1tr/dc, ch2, 1tr/dc) in same sp, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (140 sts + 4 x ch2-sps)

Rnd 13: Ch3. 1tr/dc in the next 33sts st, [ (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in same sp, 1tr/dc in the next 35sts ] repeat from […] twice more, 1tr/dc in the next 35sts (2tr/dc, ch2, 2tr/dc) in same sp, 1tr/dc in the next st, sl st to the top of the beginning ch3 to join (156 sts + 4 x ch2-sps)

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

And that’s it!

If you hook up the Encompass Me Afghan Square I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram or share your projects in my Facebook group as I love to see your finished work!

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

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3Apr2019

So I finished a thing…ZZ Block Crochet Blanket

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, From the Stash, Tah-Dah, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Hey folks! I’m celebrating today as I’ve finished a thing!!! I’ve completed a whole baby blanket for one of my lovely friends who is expecting a second baby boy later this month.

I do like to make my friends a baby blanket if I can, and I adore seeing their little ones wrapped up in something I’ve made them – it’s a guaranteed way to make me smile. But then I love to see children either wrapped in or dressed in handmade things full stop don’t you?

So here’s the finished blanket I made – what do you think? I love how this blanket turned out, my husband calls it the superhero blanket because it’s got that cool zig zag flash design running through it!

The pattern is the ZZ Block blanket by fellow blogger Rosina (aka Zeens and Roger) and when she posted this design on Instagram back in October last year it was a serendipitous moment – I knew it was going to be the perfect blanket to make for my colour loving friend!

My friend comes from Zimbabwe and she’s an avid lover of all bright colours and the bold graphic c2c design by Rosina just seemed to fit what she’d like perfectly.

I don’t know if you’ve seen Rosina’s original blanket but it features the zig zag in yellow, turquoise, blue, magenta and pink on a grey background.

I really loved the colours she used and the grey contrast but I personally really wanted to see what that zig zag looked like in a rainbow! Plus I’d found the perfect set of bright little baby tops that I knew would fit perfectly with my rainbow theme – especially if I could colour match!

As I’m trying to be good, where buying yarn is concerned, I went stash diving and found some of the Paintbox Yarns Simply Aran yarn I had left over from making my zig zag zing cushion (free pattern from LoveCrochet available here) and I had enough Paintbox yarn to complete the rainbow colours. I did have to buy a bit more grey – but I figured as I was using up some of my stash then it was still good to do that! The Paintbox colours I finally ended up using (in case you want to know were):

Granite Grey (206)
Rose Red (213)
Mandarin Orange (217)
Buttercup Yellow (222)
Neon Green (210)
Marine Blue (233)

In the pattern notes it suggests that if using a 4.5mm hook and aran (worsted) weight yarn (which I planned to) that the blanket would be 80 x 110cm / 32 x 43 inches. This was going to be a bit big for the amount of yarn I had so I fiddled a bit with the initial pattern a bit to reduce it slightly. It’s still the pattern in a nutshell, just smaller as I was careful to keep the integrity of the design feature that I loved. I didn’t actually measure the finished blanket (I forgot!) before I gifted it but it ended up what I would say was just the right size for a baby blanket / lap blanket.

I was so pleased with the end result of this blanket and mum to be loved it too – especially because of all the bright colours which I knew she would!

If you like this blanket the chart (it’s not a written pattern) is available for purchase from the Zeens and Roger Ravelry store where there’s also a link to a video with extra C2C help if you need it.

Sometimes it’s nice to go non-traditional for a baby blanket isn’t it as the end results can be really fun! Do you like to go non traditional or would you usually make something for a baby in more traditional pastels perhaps? I’d love to hear your thoughts…

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

9Jan2019

KCACOUK CAL 2018 | Stitch Story CAL Inspiration

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, Crochet-A-Long 2018, Free Patterns, From the Stash, Inspiration, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Our stitch story crochet along journey is at an end! But don’t worry if this is the first you are hearing about this CAL you can find the full schedule here and I promise to keep all the details on the blog FOREVER.

Now it’s time to fold up my blanket because I’m going to share some of the amazing finished Stitch Story Crochet blankets made by YOU!

But first I need to share Esther’s, from It’s All in A Nutshell, finished blanket! I know many of you really enjoyed Esther’s accompanying videos to the CAL and the link to her tutorials on her blog here (I’ve also added the link on the main CAL page). It’s so pretty in that colourway isn’t it (Scheepjes Riverwashed Shade Wheaton)!

I love that people have chosen to make blankets all in one colour like mine or multicoloured like my mums. All the colourways that were shared with me were fantastic and pretty but I have just selected a few different for inspiration purposes. So without further ado here are some unbelievably gorgeous blankets to feast your eyes on – and I’ve also added some of the stories the blanket owners have shared!

Made by Gerda for her daughter 💕

Made by Barbara and for her son who likes to steal this blanket to snuggle under! 💕

Ruby took joy in the creating of her beautiful blue blanket 💕

Made by Linda for her daughter who loved the gift 💕

Made in different tonal blues by Sara 💕

Lynn hooked 3 of each of the large blocks for her pretty blanket 💕

Elizabeth made only the little blocks and chose a lovely grouped arrangement 💕

Aren’t they just all stunning! Thanks again to everyone that joined in the CAL with me this year and that shared their beautiful work with me! I loved seeing your finished blankets 💕

I need at this point to say some quick thank you’s! I’ll try not to turn it into too much of an Oscar speech but I feel it’s important to acknowledge all the people behind the scenes that helped make this CAL happen!

Many thanks to Scheepjes for supplying the yarn for both blankets and so I could make this pattern for you. I need to thank Esther (It’s All in A Nutshell) for making the wonderful CAL video tutorials and to Iris who wonderfully translated the CAL from English to Dutch (which you can find on her blog Een Mooi Gebaar links to all the posts are here).

I need to say a MAHOOSIVE thank you to all the testers that helped with the colossal task of turning my scribbles into something legible for you all to make! Big shout outs to Jean, Steff, Dianne, Peggy, Kim, Leanne, Olwyn, Kimberlie, Jenn, Dulcy and Marie!

Thanks as always to my eldest daughter for posing in photos for me (even without marshmallow bribes!) and to my husband for driving round to find that perfect spot for a photo!

And I can’t write this post without thanking the lady without whom I just wouldn’t have ever finished two blankets in time. My lovely mum! I love the fact that we did this together and thank you for helping me with my crochet story, for your weaving in ends prowess and for rolling up your sleeves to just help me get it done! 💕

To be the first to find out about the crochet along for 2019 (later this year) you might like to subscribe to the blog here (if you haven’t already), sign up to my newsletter and / or join the KCACOUK Community Facebook group.

Until next time thank you for hooking along with me!

Keep calm and crochet on my friends xx