LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Novelty Garland & Free Robin Pattern

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

Issue 104 of LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is out in shops now and I’ve got two exclusive patterns in this issue which is a crafting for Christmas special – I know it’s only September but we crafters gotta start early am I right?!When the red, red robin, comes bob, bob, bobbing along….along!!! Today’s earworm is bought to you courtesy of me (sorry!). Robins are such a familiar site on Christmas cards aren’t they. So often pictured in the snow it’s because Britain’s favourite hardy little bird doesn’t migrate from the UK in the Winter it sticks around like we do (probably also muttering to itself about the weather).

Now you can make your own little crochet versions, Robert and Richard, to perch on your mantel during the festive season.

Made using three simple stitches, these little feathered friends are the perfect project for a crochet newbie – and right now these little birds are available for FREE from topcrochetpatterns.com

Sometimes I get asked to do things that seem rather bizarre – like my second make for this months edition. The brief was for a novelty brussel sprout garland with some party hats, but when I got to thinking about it, you don’t actually get more Christmassy than that do you! Even if you hate the vegetable (and who is it that really likes them?) this garland is so fun (and quick) to make – though you might feel as if someone is watching you whilst you are making it!

The magazine comes with a six blitzen yarns which are lovely and bright and the yellow has sparkly gold running through it too. You also get;

3.5mm hook & 3.5mm knitting needles
50 exclusive patterns
Plus… your 68 page magazine

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up either Richard and Robert Robin or make the fun Novelty Garland please share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make!

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

24Aug2018

Make it Today Magazine | Snails and Unicorns and another Dear Ewe Competition

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

Crochet Mag ‘n’ Makes, the special edition of Make It Today magazine, is on sale now and I’ve got two new fun designs inside AND (as we wanted to launch with a bang) there’s another feature and crochet related giveaway from Dear Ewe in this issue!

You can just see on the front cover a couple of my makes – peeking out in the top right hand corner there’s a snail and at the bottom left you might just be able to make out a Stripes the Unicorn!

I’ve always wanted to design a unicorn so was excited to give one a go for the magazine and he turned out to be really fun to make. And I always think of rainbows when I think of unicorns but I wanted to give this make a little twist, so instead of giving him a stripy rainbow mane (which you always see), I decided to give him a stripy body.

I had to hide him a little whilst I was making him as my 7 year old is unicorn mad and would have run off with him given the chance!

In this issue I also made a colorful shellection of snails! Just forget about annoying garden pests and make up some gorgeous gastrapods to brighten up your day instead.

I nicknamed them Shelly and Sheldon (of course!) and opted for a traditional swirly pattern on their shells. But you could experiment with designs to create something completely unique to you.

I adore how the magazines have styled them as well with the bulb box and the flowers!

The mags and makes issue comes with the eight yarns I used for the patterns plus;

3mm hook & 4.5mm crochet hooks
55 exclusive patterns
Plus a 66 page magazine

You may also spy on page 6 in their news section that Dear Ewe had a lovely little feature…Little Ewe felt quite famous!

Dear Ewe have teamed up with Make It Today magazine to offer a fab ultimate crochet bundle! Worth over £129 one winner will receive a crochet chart mug, crochet chart tote bag, crochet chart large project bag, 8 x creative greeting cards, 4 x photo prop card packs and two pattern downloads in either UK or US terminology.

Click here to enter the giveaway

Entries must be received by 6 September 2018.

Make It Today magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up either Stripes the Unicorn or the Snail Duo please share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make!

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

14Aug2018

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine | Goldilocks Pattern and Dear Ewe Competition

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

Issue 103 of LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is out in shops now and I’ve got a new fun design for the heritage toy special edition AND there’s some exciting things from Dear Ewe in this issue!

Once upon a time there were three bears who lived in a house in the forest. While they were out, a little girl called Goldilocks came through the trees and found their house and their porridge! We all know the story of Goldilocks and the Three Bears don’t we, it’s something we just seem to grow up with so I was delighted to have the opportunity to recreate such well known characters is yarn.

Goldilocks, to my mind, has golden curls so I knew I was going to have to include that in my design…

And I really enjoyed creating the three bear characters. They were such fun to make and just perfect for little hands to accompany the much loved tale!

Issue 103 comes with a six sundaze yarns which are lovely bright colours. There are also some mini pink pom poms included in the pack as well as;

3.75mm hook & 3.75mm knitting needles
45 exclusive patterns
Plus a 68 page magazine

If you’ve already picked up the latest edition of LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine you may also have seen that Dear Ewe had an exciting little feature in the news section.

Dear Ewe have teamed up with Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet Magazine to offer four winners the ultimate crochet bundle!

Included in your prize, worth over £70, is a chart mug, a large granny square themed project bag, a full set of Dear Ewe character greeting cards, each of the photo prop cards sets and two adorable crochet pattern downloads in either UK or US terminology. Sounds pretty great, right?

Enter the giveaway at:
https://www.topcrochetpatterns.com/giveaways/ultimate-crochet-bundle

Entries must be received by 31st August 2018.

LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up Goldilocks and the Three Bears please share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) – I love to see what you make!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, 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

2May2018

Happily Hooked Magazine | Gazania Clutch Bag

Posted in Crochet, Designing, 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! 💗

This month Happily Hooked magazine is celebrating it’s 50th issue (congratulations guys!) and I’m very excited to have a exclusive design appear in this special edition. Let me introduce to you my new Gazania Clutch Bag.

You know me, I do so love a motif but I wanted to try something a little different and play around with three dimensions rather than two. My inspiration came from nature, as it often does, as I was actually looking at some flower pictures for our garden when I came across this image of a Gazania flower. I loved how the centre of the flower was framed by the outer petals but I didn’t want to create a crochet flower as such, so I thought if I stylised it a bit it could work really well as a fun 3-D motif – and I think it does.

I think my Gazania clutch bag would make a wonderful companion for a Spring or Summer wedding 🌼

The ‘motif’ edition of Happily Hooked magazine is filled with articles and interviews and the rest of the magazine shows you some amazing motif patterns in different styles, shapes, and stitches.

Check out the Happily Hooked Magazine website for more details about the magazine and how you can subscribe and I do hope you’ll add the Gazania clutch bag pattern to your 💗Favourites and Ravelry Queue here.

As always I hope you will share your finished clutch bag on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, LoveCrochet.com, Facebook page or Facebook group, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram as I love to see your finished work! And if you are featured in my newsletter, as the customer spotlight, you could win a pattern of your choice!

Well until next time, happy hooking and 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

29Nov2017

Happily Hooked Magazine | Little Red Robot

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, 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! 💗

Beep, boop, get your daily dose of cute with my new simple robot pattern out now in the latest issue of Happily Hooked magazine (out now).

The little red robot can’t wait to make friends, he is a loving little fellow with a big heart!

The new edition of the online US magazine is filled with patterns, articles and interviews in this ‘For the Guys’ issue. So chuffed to see my little amigurumi Robot on the the front cover too!

From the smallest to the tallest there’s so many patterns in this issue that guys will love, and let’s face it, they aren’t always the easiest to crochet for. It’s great therefore that Happily Hooked magazine have compiled this wonderful collection for stylish, classy patterns that guys will want to wear.

Check out the Happily Hooked Magazine website for more details about the magazine and how you can subscribe and I do hope you’ll add the robot pattern to your 💗 Favourites and Ravelry Queue here.

As always I hope you will share your finished robot’s on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, LoveCrochet.com, Facebook page or Facebook group, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram as I love to see your finished work! And if you are featured in my newsletter, as the customer spotlight, you could win a pattern of your choice!

Well until next time, happy hooking and 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

15Aug2017

Happily Hooked Magazine | Back to School Bear

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, For Adult, For Child, 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 summer holidays will be over before we know it and then it’s back to school time! Why not make the start of the new school year even more exciting for your little ones by hooking up some of the projects from issue 41 of Happily Hooked Magazine (out now).

The new edition of the online US magazine is filled with patterns, articles and interviews and I’m very excited to tell you that I’ve got an exclusive pattern for this Back to School issue! I’m just tickled pink that my Back to School Bear (who I nicknamed Bernard) made the front cover; he’s dressed and ready to go and start learning!

The back pack is completely detachable and opens and closes with a simple button fastening. Don’t you think his little back pack would be a great place to add a little note or a joke for your little one to find!

As well as my Back to School Bear pattern in this months edition you will find projects for kids of all ages; from tote bags to pencil cases, cardigans and scarfs and cute alphabet baby blocks. There are also some great articles including one on how to teach your children to crochet and another about the healing properties of crochet. I also especially enjoyed the one by the Yarnpreneur Society about grouping tasks!

Check out the Happily Hooked Magazine website for more details about the magazine and how you can subscribe and I do hope you’ll add the Back to School Bear pattern to your 💗 Favourites and Ravelry Queue here.

I hope you will share your finished Back to School Bears on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, LoveCrochet.com, Facebook page or Facebook group, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram as I love to see your finished work! And if you are featured in my newsletter, as the customer spotlight, you could win a pattern of your choice!