Stefan the Stegosaurus Amigurumi | New Crochet Pattern Release

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

Ten days into the New Year and I’m releasing my first pattern of 2019! In my bid to get more organised I’m trying to tick off anything outstanding for 2018 so there might be a slew of new patterns coming this way including some from magazine’s whose rights have now reverted back to me – so watch this space!

So my first pattern release of 2019 is Stefan the Baby Stegosaurus! HURRAY! I know I’ve been asked by a few people when he was going to be available so I thought I’d sort him out first.

AVAILABLE ON RAVELRY HERE. GET 20% OFF UNTIL JANUARY 31ST 2019.

You may remember that I entered him into the prehistoric Amigurumipatterns.net design contest (read about it here) and I’d like to say a big thanks to 375 people that voted for him – we didn’t win but it was fun taking part.

This cuddle sized prehistoric softie is looking for an owner to snuggle with and care for him. Stefan is the perfect addition to any dinosaur lovers soft toy collection.

With crochet eyes, rather than safety eyes, Stefan also makes a great gift for babies and toddlers.

The PDF file is 6 pages long, it’s written in both UK and US terms and includes explanations of all stitches and abbreviations. There’s also a mini photo tutorial on how to add the claws.

I made mine in Scheepjes Stone Washed Crystal Quartz and Larimar, because I adore the aged washed out look to that yarn, but my testers used some great colours – I especially love the variegated version of Stefan!

Stefan is now available to add to your favourites on Ravelry and you can get 20% discount off (no coupon required) until 31 January 2019. After that time the pattern will revert to full price.

Remember to share any Stefan project’s to be in with a chance to win a free pattern if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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

6Dec2018

Sheep on the Shelf Competition and New Crochet Kits

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Crochet Kit, Dear Ewe, For Adult, For Baby, For Child, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I just had to pop on here and tell you about a couple of crochet things that are happening with Dear Ewe. Now you may remember that I designed the Little Ewe amigurumi pattern as our mascot for Dear Ewe. She’s proven to be quite popular with lovely crocheters out in the world so this year, for a bit of fun, we decided to hold the inaugural Sheep on the Shelf Competition.

You can read all about the competition rules on the Dear Ewe blog but in a nutshell for anyone that sends in a festive photo of Little Ewe they will be added to a prize draw to win their choice of a Dear Ewe character mug worth £16!

The competition runs from 1st until 12th December so you have plenty of time to hook up a Little Ewe if you want to join in. Entry’s will then be put up for a public vote with a winner drawn on Sunday 16th December. The winner gets to pick their choice from one of our Dear Ewe character mugs featuring Crafty Ewe.

You can also pick up a free Little Ewe accessory pattern on the blog get EWE in an elvish mood! I think it also makes a cute little ornament even if you didn’t make Little Ewe.

The other very exciting news is that Little Ewe is now available in a complete crochet kit! The kits include everything EWE need for your project, from gorgeously soft Scheepjes yarn, a premium Addi bamboo hook (optional if you’d prefer to use your own tools) all in a handy drawstring cotton project bag.

I hope that some of you will join in the Sheep on the Shelf fun – can’t wait to see what everyone comes up with!

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

30Sep2018

I Like Crochet Magazine | October 2018 Edition

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

The October 2018 issue of I Like Crochet is officially here and it’s jam packed full of exciting new crochet patterns – including a brand new scarf pattern from me.

Scarves might just be my favourite accessory and a scarf, of course, is an essential for the autumn / winter months. Whether it’s style or just warmth you’re after I think the Shades of Grey scarf ticks all the boxes.

For this design I decided to combine filet crochet with a Lion Brand mandala yarn cake, which was really nice to work with, to create a lovely long versatile accessory which I just love.

Thanks to its easy-to-remember stitch pattern, this charming scarf practically makes itself! It’s a great beginner project, you can express your creativity by using a yarn cake or use that special yarn you’ve been saving in the back of your yarn stash — no matter what, the end result will be the perfect addition to your wardrobe

As well as my scarf pattern the October issue features 24+ patterns that are just perfect for the change in seasons as we fall into Autumn.

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

27Sep2018

Pattern Release & Giveway| Relaxing Ralph Cat Amigurumi

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, For Adult, For Baby, For Child, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Woo hooooo! I’m really excited to say that my Relaxing Ralph pattern, that I designed for the Crochet Sanctuary (read about that here), is now finally LIVE!

I’m chuffed to bits be able to finally release him into the wild because I really love how he turned out! I seriously just want to climb into his hammock with him and have a little snooze – don’t you?

If you have ever watched a cat sleeping you’ll know that they sleep like they don’t have a care in the world. Now you can take a leaf out of the life of a cat and relax like Ralph!

The pattern is 5 pages long and it’s written, as usual, in both UK and US terms. It was nice to see the folks at the crochet sanctuary who were both intermediate and beginners to amigurumi enjoying the pattern. Though if you are a beginner and would like to give this pattern a go you might want to familiarise yourself with working in rounds in the amigurumi style before you start.

Pattern Links 🎉

The Relaxing Ralph pattern is now available in my pattern stores on both Ravelry and on Lovecrochet.com – however if you’d like to be in with a chance to win a copy then keep reading…

Exclusive Giveaway 🎉

🚫 GIVEAWAY NOW CLOSED – CONGRATULATIONS TO

Catsmom6 & CrochetRoxx 🚫

If you’d like to be entered into the giveaway to win a copy of Relaxing Ralph simply head on over to Ravelry and/or LoveCrochet.com and add it to your favourites. Please then comment below this post with either your Ravelry username or email address for your chance to win a copy.

Your Ravelry username and email address will only be used to send you your prize, if you enter the information onto a comment it is understood that you are granting me your permission for me to use your information as advised.

Bonus Entry: Re-pin any of the images above. Copy & paste the URL of your re-pin in the blog comments below.

TWO winners will be randomly chosen on Tuesday 2 October 2018 evening around 7pm GMT

Finally I hope you will share any Relaxing Ralph project’s, on social media or as a Ravelry or LoveCrochet.com project, to be in with a chance to win a different pattern of mine if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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

1Jun2018

Pattern Release & Sale | A Purse for Ewe

Posted in Crochet, For Baby, For Child, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So when we were developing DearEwe.com we decided to develop a series of designs based on our lovable Dear Ewe illustrated character (who features on some of our products). The first design, Little Ewe, I told you about the other day, and today I’m going to tell you about the other fun design in this series. Introducing a Purse for Ewe crochet pattern (ta-dah!)

This cute curvy shaped sheep purse is just perfect to store your essentials: money, keys and lip balm. Also a great purse to save money for more yarn!

As with Little Ewe for this pattern I used Scheepjes Stone Washed for that lovely washed out look of the yarn it makes the best sheep patterns!

The Purse for Ewe crochet pattern is aimed at intermediate crocheters though advanced beginners could also probably handle it without problems. There are no tricky stitches are used in the design just a UK double crochet / US single crochets and a Puff stitch; but you will find full written instructions for both of these at the start of the pattern.

Purse for Ewe is made with a 3mm crochet hook (US D/3 will do) or any other size which allows you to obtain desired gauge. It’s optional as to whether you decide to line your purse or not, but some basic instructions on how you can do this have been included.

The Purse for Ewe pattern is in the patterns part of the website where crafters can choose to ‘make’ a variety of patterns from different designers using a diverse range of yarns.

Pattern Links 🎉

All of the Dear Ewe patterns are now available to add to your favourites on Ravelry and you can get 10% discount off the pattern price on the website (with coupon code: KCACOUK4EWE) until 30 June 2018 after that time the pattern will revert to full price.

Remember to share any Purse for Ewe project’s to be in with a chance to win a free pattern if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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

30May2018

Pattern Release & Sale | Little Ewe Amigurumi

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Dear Ewe, For Adult, For Baby, For Child, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So launching DearEwe.com has all been extremely exciting and part of the set up has included me designing some brand new exclusive designs for the store.

When we started discussing what we were going to call our new online shop for some reason we kept coming back to ‘sheep’. And why not! Sheep are wonderful! They give us wool and lambs are super cute…which leads me quite nicely into the oh so cuddly Little Ewe amigurumi pattern (ta-dah!).

Based on our lovable Dear Ewe illustrated character, that features on some of our products, Little Ewe is in the makers part of the website where crafters can choose to ‘make’ a variety of patterns from different designers using a diverse range of yarns.

For our first range of patterns we have used Scheepjes Stone Washed which is a cotton yarn with a tough name but a soft, woolly feel. And I really loved the aged washed out look of the yarn – it was exactly what I was looking for to create my little lamb.

Little Ewe is a sweet little lamb who loves the quiet life. She likes to spend her time in the country exploring the hills and dales. Spring is her favorite season, when the grass becomes green, when their are many butterflies and bees over the flowers and even with quiet April rainfall our Little Ewe just sits and waits for the rainbows.

As with the majority of my amigurumi crochet patterns Little Ewe is aimed at intermediate crocheters although I think advanced beginners could also probably handle it without problems. There are no tricky stitches are used in the pattern just a UK double crochet / US single crochets and a Puff stitch; but you will find full written instructions for both of these at the start of the pattern.

Little Ewe is made with a 3mm crochet hook (US D/3 will do) or any other size which allows you to obtain desired gauge. Gauge itself is not critical for this pattern but it is a pattern you want to crochet fairly tightly so that stuffing can not seen through the stitches.

It’s an exciting time for me as a designer and a partner of Dear Ewe! As well as a range of quality products for crafters were are in the process of developing a pattern house so crafters can choose to ‘make’ a variety of patterns from different designers using a diverse range of yarns. All our patterns (and products) are carefully designed and made with our crafting customers in mind and our designs will include homeware, fashion led-accessory items, amigurumi and other patterns in both crochet and knit – so watch this space.

Pattern Links 🎉

Remember to share any Little Ewe project’s to be in with a chance to win a free pattern if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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

4Mar2018

Pattern Release & Sale | Wheelan O’Wool the Leprechaun Amigurumi

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Dear Ewe, For Adult, For Baby, For Child, Independent Design, Pattern Release, Sale / Special Offer, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

With St Patrick’s Day coming up I felt that I really had to get little Wheelan O’Wool the Leprechaun tested and ready for release.

You may remember that at the end of last year I entered the Amigurumi.net fantasy character competition for which I designed three little characters. Gnorman the Gnome (the pattern of which is now available and you can read more about here) Gene the Genie and Wheelan.

He’s short, he’s green, his rosy cheeks are a sight to be seen!

Whelan is a feisty little fellow and not one to shy away from partaking in a little mischief! He spends his time mending the shoes of the fairy folk and hiding his earnings in a big pot at the end of the rainbow.

Whelan is well known for his love of Irish Poitín and he loves to share the craic with his cousin Gnorman every fortnight when he comes calling.

So if you want to hook up your own little lucky mascot then why not make yourself a little Wheelan O’ Wool the Leprechaun.

And what about the other characters? Well it’s just Gene the Genie to go and I’ll be working on him next – so watch this space!

Pattern Links 🎉

Wheelan O’ Wool is now available and on sale on Ravelry with a 40% discount (with coupon code: LUCKY) until 17 March 2018 after that time the pattern will revert to full price. The pattern is also available on Lovecrochet.com.

Remember to share your Wheelan project’s to be in with a chance to win a free pattern if you are featured in my monthly newsletter.

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

3Nov2017

I Like Crochet Magazine | December 2017 Edition

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

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links I do receive a small commission – thank you so much for supporting my blog! 💗

The December 2017 issue of I Like Crochet is officially here and I’m very excited about it because not only is it full of fabulous patterns but there’s a festive little pattern in it from me – you may just spy it on the bottom left hand corner of the front cover.

I’m a little bit obsessed by all things Christmas, truth be told, and yet I never seem to have acquired a nutcracker decoration of my very own….until now! Now we can both crack open the festive season with my fun nutcracker amigurumi.

Make him as a super cute decoration or a enchanting toy! He also makes a fantastic visual prop for the retelling of the Nutcracker story. I love the fact that according to German folklore, nutcrackers are keepsakes that bring good luck to your family while protecting your home. So this little amigurumi would make a perfect traditional Christmas gift!

The lovely people at I Like Crochet also gave me the opportunity to view the December issue of the magazine to tell you about the other patterns available. There are so many nice patterns in this edition but I thought I’d share with you my favourite three.

I’m completely in love with the Balsam Fir Waterfall Cardigan by Olivia Kent – isn’t it just gorgeous! I think it’s a really flattering style that would suit most body types.

I also really love the cover star Olwen the Snowman by Rachel Borello Carroll. Olwen, means “white footprint” in Welsh and it’s such a clever idea to include chunky cables on his belly.

And I’m simply dotty about the Darling and Dotted Hat by Amy Gunderson. Everyone loves polka dots right!?

There are over 25 beautiful patterns in the December edition but if you enjoy crochet magazines you might want to consider a subscription. 1 year membership starts at as little as $19.97 / £15.87 – so if you subscribe you do save!

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

6Sep2017

I Like Crochet Magazine | October 2017 Edition

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

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links, when you make a purchase through these links I do receive a small commission – thank you so much for supporting my blog! 💗

The October 2017 issue of I Like Crochet is officially here and it’s jam packed full of exciting new crochet patterns – including a little Halloween themed pattern from your’s truly!

If you haven’t heard of I Like Crochet magazine before it’s a US bi-monthly digital magazine which is published by the creators of AllFreeCrochet.com.

So let me tell you about my new pattern. You can now keep baby clean this Halloween with a fun pumpkin bib.

Designed for easy make-ability this jack-o’-lantern baby bib is just perfect for any little pumpkin’s first Halloween. My little one will definitely sporting this bib and enjoying Halloween in style! If you’d like to add this pattern to your queue / favourites on Ravelry you can do here.

The lovely people at I Like Crochet also gave me the opportunity to view the October issue of the magazine to tell you about the other patterns available. Some of my favourites include the Frightfully Adorable Bat Set by Amanda Saladin which is just CUTE it almost hurts the eyes with how ridiculously adorable it is!

And there’s plenty of patterns for grown ups too! The issues takes a cue from fall’s changing foliage with gorgeous variegated colourways featuring in scarves and shawls and another of my favourite patterns for this edition – socks! Aren’t these Caramel Corn Slipper Socks by Kristi Simpson just good enough to eat!

I’m also completely in love with the Herbal Tea Cardi by Kristen TenDyke, it completely fulfil’s my current love affair for mustard coloured yarn, and it would make a great piece for layering as the days turn chillier!

I advise you to stock up on rustic and autumnal colours, pick up a copy of the magazine and get hooking!

There are over 27 beautiful patterns in the October edition but if you enjoy crochet magazines you might want to consider a subscription. 1 year membership starts at as little as $19.97 / £15.87 – so if you subscribe you do save!

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

19Jul2017

Crochet Book Review | 9 Months to Crochet by Maaike van Koert

Posted in Book Review, Crochet, For Adult, For Baby by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Disclaimer: This book / pattern is one I have purchased (or used) for my own benefit. I have not been financially compensated by the book company or the designer to write this review. All opinions expressed are my own and based on my own experiences of using the book / pattern.

As you know the KCACOUK household celebrated a new addition to our household last year and as a result I became a little obsessed for awhile with crochet for babies. The book I’m reviewing today, 9 months to Crochet by Maaike Van Koert, came out a little late for me to use whilst actually pregnant (as first published in 2017) but it’s many gorgeous designs really appealed to me.

What a great concept for a book! I actually got back into crochet when I was pregnant with Little G in 2010 as I was overcome with the urge to make something for her – I wish this book had been around then as it would have been perfect.

Before I get onto the crochet patterns inside I just want to talk a little about the design of the actual book. I just love the arrangement of these patterns! The corners of the front cover and all the pages have been creatively rounded which suggests a softness to the book before you even open it. Then once inside beautiful little nursery animal illustrations accompany the text and photos throughout which is a nice touch.

The book is split into each trimester with twenty-five projects in total. And the projects are grouped into three levels; beginner, intermediate and experienced – but all of the patterns are very doable!

From baskets, shawls, blankets, toys and lovely cushions the book is filled with charming nursery designs for boys or girls and new mums to be.

The patterns are written in UK crochet terminology but the book also includes some excellent instructions (in the back of the book) with accompanying photos for basic stitches and techniques used.

I decided I wanted to make the cute ball rattle in bright rainbow hues for Little Miss. I used Drops Cotton Paris which is one of my favourite cottons. It’s a 10 ply / aran / worsted 100% Cotton which is machine washable (so perfect for baby) and comes in a varied range of colours including some great brights for rainbow making!

The pentagon motif, that makes up the ball, is quick and straightforward to hook up and nicely repetitive so easy to remember – great for hooking whilst watching your favourite TV show.

I was really pleased with how my final ball turned out; just perfect for little hands…