Pattern Release & Sale | Bright Bonny Bunny Ami-Egg

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Independent Design, Sale / Special Offer, Tah-Dah by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

If you follow me over on Instagram then you may have seen a sneak peep of my next pattern release…peekaboo!

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Snowy and rather grey winter weather has had me longing for Spring flowers…

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and then of course I needed someone to wear the pretty flower garland! So I came up with a fun bunny egg shaped amigurumi. Bunnies seem to be one of my favourite ami’s to make, I think this is about my six rabbit design – but who doesn’t love a bunny at Easter!

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So without further ado I’d like you to meet Belinda the Bright Bonny Bunny Ami-Egg. Inspired by vibrant Easter eggs this fun shaped bunny, with her pretty flower garland, will be the belle of any Easter egg hunt.

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So why not hop to it and make your Easter celebrations unforgettable with this lovely bright decorative toy.

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Pattern Links 🎉

Belinda the Bright Bonny Bunny Ami-Egg is now available and on sale on Ravelry (with coupon code: FUNBUN) until 23 February 2018 after that time the pattern will revert to full price. The pattern is also available on Lovecrochet.com.

Remember to share your bunny 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

8Mar2017

I Like Crochet Magazine | Jelly Bean Bunny

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Magazine, Pattern Release, Patterns 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 April 2017 issue of I Like Crochet magazine is now available for your reading and crochet pleasure…and it’s chock-a-block full with over 27 lovely Spring patterns for you…including one designed by me!

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.

Can’t wait to get ready for Easter? For this months issue I have designed a sweet little Jelly Bean Bunny amigurumi which you can personalise in your favourite spring colours and add a yummy sweet snack in its arms. It’s a fab little stash buster for any odds and ends that you have lying around – you can make up a load of bunnies in no time!

This month’s features:

27+ spectacular spring projects
Easter Sweets
Fairy Tale Shawls
Birds of a Feather
Crochet Classics
Make it for Mom

There are patterns for Easter, mum, and just for you!

SUBSCRIBE TODAY to get your own copy of my new pattern plus more straight to your desktop or iPad.

Well until next time, happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

30Nov2016

Designer Interview | Kerry Lord from TOFT / Edward’s Menagerie

Posted in Amigurumi, Blogging, British Crochet Designer, Crochet, Designer Interview, Yarn by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I’m thrilled about my next designer interview because I actually had the pleasure of meeting her in person!! Kerry Lord is the author of the extremely popular Edward’s Menagerie series which feature her designs of extremely cute animals, Birds and, in her new book: Imaginarium, all sorts of fabulous creatures. She is also a busy working mum and the founder of British luxury yarn brand TOFT which specialises in alpaca yarn.

Recently I attended TOFTfest, which celebrated the 10^th birthday of TOFT yarn (which I blogged about here), where I met Kerry and I thought I would see if she would kindly let me find out more about her designing process – to my delight she said YES! Here’s what we chatted about…

How did you first discover crocheting and amigurumi?

When very pregnant with my first child Edward I decided to teach myself to crochet in order to distract me from going back to work. As soon as I had mastered the double crochet stitch an elephant flew off my hook and into existence. I think the Edward’s Menagerie shape had been living in my head for a while but my knitting skills didn’t allow me to achieve them.

How did you become a crocheting designer? Is it your real job?

My real job is running the company TOFT and everything that this involves. Designing crochet animals and clothing patterns is part of this role, but by no means all – I have to source and design the yarns first!

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get lots of my inspiration from feedback, both from my family, colleagues and customers.

Tell us a bit about your design process…

I usually just pick up my yarn and start making when designing amigurumi. If designing something to wear it’s a far longer process as I sketch and swatch first before doing calculations to work out the pattern.

Many of your animals, birds and creatures have names (like Georgina the Hippo), how do you come up with them? Do you get people requesting names?

Some of them are people I know, whereas others are truly fictional characters. This is the most fun part of my job!

Do you have a favourite creation that you’ve designed?

I am very fond of Blake from Edward’s Menagerie, but Kerry the Chameleon from our recent hand-dyed project makes me feel very proud.

Do you have go to hooks and yarn? I’m guessing TOFT yarn is your favourite; but can you pick a favourite TOFT yarn?

I am lucky enough to design my own yarns and hooks, so of course I choose our own ones. My favourite TOFT yarn to make things for myself to wear is our DK Silver.

Who gets your creations; you, your family, your friends?

The studio!! Most of my crochet goes on display, but every now and again I find the time to make something for my children.

Now we’ve had animals, birds and imaginary characters can you tell us what might be next for Edward’s Menagerie?

I can’t let that secret slip just yet, but book four is well underway!

Where do you work? Do you have a studio space or do you work from your living room chair?

I do have my own room of yarny chaos (and lots of cacti), but more often than that I’ll work from the sofa.

Tell us a bit about yourself – what do you do when you’re not crocheting?

When not at work or crocheting I am having fun with my family. We enjoy muddy walks around the farm and plenty of messy crafts.

Finally finish the sentence … I love crochet because…

It makes other people very happy.

I’d just like to take this opportunity to thank Kerry again for taking time out of her busy schedule to answer these questions. I’ve really enjoyed getting a better understanding of what’s involved with in her designing process and hope you have too.

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

12Jul2015

Doodle Zoo No. 6: Petunia the Pig | Free Pattern

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Doodle Zoo, Free Patterns, From the Stash by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

I think it’s time for a new little Doodle Zoo animal don’t you. This next little gal is the sixth animal I’ve made this year. For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck, Rowan Rabbit, Finlay Frog, Ezra Elephant and Peggy Panda. If you haven’t heard about Doodle Zoo it’s my mini challenge to myself this year to design 12 free little animals for you all built on one simple base design so they all look related.

So without further ado let me introduce Petunia the Pig!

Petunia is a great little stash buster using roughly 30g / 90 yards of light pink and dark pink yarn. All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few! Petunia the Pig would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.

This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.

Don’t forget to look out for the next addition to the Doodle Zoo next month!

Petunia the Pig

Yarn: (8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4)

25g / 85 yards of light pink double knit yarn
5g / 15 yards of dark pink double knit
Scraps of white and yellow yarn

Hook: 4mm (US size G)

You will also need:

Yarn needle
Stitch marker
2 x 9mm blue or black safety eyes
Polyester toy stuffing

Gauge: 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm

Size: Finished pig measures = 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm

These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.

Abbreviations:

st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
ch(s) = chain
dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
dc/sc2tog = UK double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together
popcorn (PC) = see specialist stitch guidance

Stitch Guidance:

Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
Double Crochet/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.
Half Double Treble / Half Double Crochet (htr/hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in next st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
Treble / Double Crochet (tr/dc): Yarn over, insert hook in next 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.

Popcorn Stitch (PC): Work 5 tr/dc in st indicated, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st tr/dc (1st tr/dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr/dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
Double Crochet/Single Crochet 2 sts together (dc/sc2tog): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), Insert hook in next st, yarn over, pull up a loop, yarn over, pull through three loops on hook.

Pattern Guidance:

Working without joining:

All the parts of Petunia are worked without joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds. Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Pattern:

Tail:

With dark pink yarn ch 5, 3 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end, the tail should curl up on it’s own, finish off and weave in ends but leave a length of yarn for sewing.

Ears (Make 2):

The ch 1 does not count as a st

Row 1: Using darker pink yarn ch 2 then work 2 dc/sc in the 2nd ch from hook, turn (2 sts)

Row 2: Ch 1, 2 dc/sc in the same ch as ch 1, 2 dc/sc in the next st, turn (4 sts)

Row 3: Ch 1, 2 dc/sc in the same ch as ch 1, 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in the next st, turn (6 sts)

Row 4: Ch 1, 1 dc/sc in each st until end, finish off and weave in ends but leave a length of yarn for sewing (6 sts)

Nose:

Rnd 1: With darker pink yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: * 3 dc/sc in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts * repeat from * to * once more (10 sts).

Rnd 3: 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 3 dc/sc in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 4 sts, 3 dc/sc in the

next st 1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, sl st to the next st to join, finish off but leave a long tail to sew your nose into place (14 sts).

Mini Flower:

With white yarn ch 4, sl st to first ch to form a ring, then work * ch 2, 1 tr/dc, 1 htr/hdc, sl st * into the ring 5 times to make 5 petals, finish off and weave in ends but leave a length of yarn for sewing; add some yellow embroidered lines to the centre of your flower with a scrap of yellow yarn and your yarn needle.

Body:

Rnd 1: With light pink yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (24 sts).

Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).

Rnd 6 – 12: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

Add your safety eyes in between rows 7 and 8 about 8 stitches apart.

Sew ears onto the top of the body on either side of the head, curve them slightly as you attach. The top corner of each ear should start on row 2.

Sew your mini flower into place beside one ear.

Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your pig (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).

Sew nose into place between the eyes with the top edge of the nose just below row 9.

Sew the curly tail onto the rear of Petunia

Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).

Finish off stuffing the body

Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat

from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread leaving a long tail (6 sts).

Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches closed, finish off and weave in ends.

Feet (Make 4):

Rnd 1: With darker pink yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc until end (10sts).

Rnd 2: 1 dc/sc in each st around (10 sts).

Rnds 3-5: Change colour to lighter pink yarn (finish off the darker pink yarn), 1 dc/sc in each st around, sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing. (10 sts).

Sew the sides of the feet together then sew onto the front of your pig on rnd 13 approximately 0.25 inch / 1.5 cm apart.

And that’s it! Simple, cute and addictive!

22Apr2015

Doodle Zoo – No. 3: Finlay the Frog (Free Pattern)

Posted in Amigurumi, Crochet, Doodle Zoo, For Child, Free Patterns, Pattern Release by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

So who here likes frogs? Well my next little amigurumi is just for you! Continuing my mini challenge to myself, it’s time for Doodle Zoo character number 3 – Finlay the Frog.

Finlay is a great little stash buster using only 30g / 90 yards of yarn. All the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few! Finlay the Frog would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.

This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.

For details about the other Doodle Zoo characters; see my posts about Doodle Duck and Rowan Rabbit.

Don’t forget to look out for the next Doodle Animal; Ezra Elephant coming next month!

Finlay the Frog

Materials:

(8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4)

30g / 90 yards of green double knit yarn
Scraps of white yarn
Scraps of red yarn

Hook: 4mm (US size G)

You will also need:

Yarn needle
Stitch marker
2 x 9mm black safety eyes
Polyester toy stuffing

Gauge: 4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm

Size: Finished frog measures = 3.25 inches / 8.3 cm

Abbreviations:

st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
ch(s) = chain
dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
dc/sc2tog = UK double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together

Working without joining:

All the parts of the frog are worked without joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds. Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.

Body:

Rnd 1: With green yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).

Rnd 2: 2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).

Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 4: * 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd(24 sts).

Rnd 5: * 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).

Rnd 6 – 12: 1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).

Rnd 13: * 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your frog (24 sts).

Rnd 14: *1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).

Rnd 15: *1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).

With red yarn embroider a mouth for your frog (over rnds 13-14).
Finish off stuffing the body

Rnd 16: *1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread leaving a long tail (6 sts).

Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches, finish off and weave in ends.

Eye inner (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With white yarn, either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook (6 sts).

Rnd 2: *1 dc/sc in next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (8 sts).

Rnd 3-4: 1 dc/sc in each st around, finish off on the last rnd and weave in ends (8 sts).

Eye outer (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With green yarn, either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 8 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook (8 sts).

Rnd 2: *1 dc/sc in next st, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (12 sts).

Rnd 3-4: 1 dc/sc in each st around, finish off on the last rnd and weave in ends (12 sts).

Secure each safety eye to the middle of the white inner eye.
Lightly stuff around the eye stalk and then insert the inner eye into the outer eye and with green yarn sew them securely together.
Sew each eye onto the top of your frog body.

Legs (Make 2):

Row 1: With green yarn; ch 11, sl st into second ch from hook and in each st along until end.

Sew legs onto each side of your frog with the top part on rnd 9 and the bottom part on rnd 12.

Feet (Make 2):

Rnd 1: With green yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc until end (10sts).

Rnd 2 – 4: 1 dc/sc in each st around, sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing. (10 sts).

Sew the sides of the feet together then sew onto the sides of your frog on rnd 13.

And that’s it! Simple, cute and addictive!

Text Link: Link & Share Wednesday Party at Oombawka Design Crochet

22Mar2015

Old and new mini-crochet challenges

Posted in Afghan Square, Afghan Square Challenge 2014, Amigurumi, Crochet, Doodle Zoo, Free Patterns by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

If you’ve been following my blog then you will know that I set myself a mini challenge last year to design a new 6 inch Afghan square for each month…now I may have accidentally missed out May, July & September but I did finally finish off 3 more designs at the end of 2014 to bring my total up to 12 blocks – phew!

This was a super fun and challenging process and it has brought to life some of my personal favourite square designs. So to recap each design…

January – Midnight Eagle Owl Afghan Square
February – Shy Violet Afghan Square
March – Solomon’s Cross Afghan Square
April – Mini Filet Cross Afghan Square
May – Humming Bird /Dove Afghan Square (really finished in December!)
June – ‘Jolly Clown’ Afghan Square
July – Blooming Flower Afghan Square (also finished in December!)
August – Octagon Garden Afghan Square
September – Gingerbread Man Afghan Square (finished in November!)
October – Jack O Lantern / Pumpkin Afghan Square
November – Thanksgiving / Xmas Turkey Afghan Square
December – Christmas Bauble Afghan Square

And my mini challenge to myself this year…well it’s all about the amigurumis! After creating Doodle Duck my testers suggested I should make some other animals and so the idea for ‘Doodle Zoo’ was born. Through out the year I’m planning to design 12 free little animals for you all. Look out for the next Doodle Animal just in time for Easter – Rowan Rabbit coming soon!

14Apr2014

Pattern Release: Easter Bag Buddies

Posted in Crochet, Pattern Release, Patterns by Keep Calm and Crochet On UK

Sometimes as a designer I think you get an idea in your head that just won’t go away. The only alternative is to just crochet it out of your system and that’s what happened in this case!

Introducing my Easter Buddy Bags; perfect for little hands for those Easter Egg hunts or for storing yummy treats inside.

And from now until Easter Sunday (20 April 2014) you can save 60% on the pattern and get your copy for just £1 / $1.67 from my Ravelry store after that it will revert back to it’s regular price of £2.50 / $4.19 so make sure you pick up your copy!

These little bags are roughly 11 inches / 28 cm from handle top to bottom and are super fast to make up; I made both of these in a day. The pattern contains instructions to make both the bunny and the chick versions and, as with all my patterns, features both UK and US crochet stitch terminology.

The pattern is available on either Ravelry or Craftsy:

Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easter-bag-buddies
Craftsy: http://www.craftsy.com/pattern/crocheting/accessory/easter-bag-buddies/92926

This year now that Little G is old enough we are planning a ‘home’ type Easter hunt and these little bags are just perfect for her to collect eggs and treats into – I can’t wait!