All aboard, crochet crew – I’ve got a brand new pattern to share with you that’s sure to ruffle a few feathers (in the best possible way)! Introducing the dashing Captain Beakerson, a bold and briny seagull sailor who’s set to make waves in your yarn stash!
Captain Beakerson is a cheeky little seabird with plenty of personality. From his classic white and grey feathers to his striking red scarf and charming sailor’s cap, this nautical gent is ready to navigate his way straight into your heart. Oh, and did I mention the anchor tattoo on his wing? It’s the perfect finishing touch for this high-seas hero!
This pattern is available exclusively in Crochet Now Magazine, Issue 120, and I couldn’t be more excited to finally share him with you. Whether you’re an old salt at amigurumi or just dipping your toes in the water, this project is a fun and rewarding make that’s sure to bring a smile.
I made my Captain Beakerson using Ricorumi DK, one of my all-time favorite yarns. This 100% cotton yarn comes in handy 25g balls (57.5m) and is available in a wide range of options—80 solid shades, 10 spray shades, 5 prints, 3 neon colors, plus some sparkly 10g balls in gold and silver lamé. There’s such a fantastic variety to choose from.
I used the Ricorumi shades 2 balls in White 001 then 1 ball of Blue 032, Pearl Grey 004, Saffron 063 & Red 028 with a 3mm hook (closest US size D/3). Then the only other things you need for Captain Beakerson are:
Crochet Now issue 120 is available in shops now or you can grab a digital version from www.craftworld.com. This issue has 40 inspiring patterns inside including a lovely colourful jumper and several other fun nautical amigurumi projects.
I’d love to see your versions of Captain Beakerson out in the wild! Don’t forget to tag me on social media, @kcaco.uk, or use the hashtag #CaptainBeakerson so I can see all your seafaring seagulls.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
P.S. Make sure you’re subscribed to the blog (below) and/or my mailing list to stay updated on new blog posts, pattern releases, and exclusive discounts!
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, thank you for your support.
I’m beyond excited to share that I have not one, not two, but three crochet designs featured in the latest issue of Crochet Now! It’s always a joy to see my patterns in print, but this time it’s extra special, as each design is so different yet equally fun to create. Whether you love amigurumi, a mindful blanket project, or whimsical woodland creatures, this issue has something for you!
Cinderwhiskers the Cat
If you’ve ever wished for a crochet buddy who truly understands your yarn obsession? Meet Cinderwhiskers the Cat, a yarn loving little fellow ready to steal your heart! Styled with their very own tiny ball of yarn and crochet hook, this adorable amigurumi feline is perfect for fellow makers who can’t resist a yarny-themed project. I had so much fun bringing this little cat to life, and I hope Cinderwhiskers brings as much joy to you as they did to me!
I chose West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK (Light Worsted) for Cinderwhiskers as I wanted him to have a ‘heritage’ type feel. West Yorkshire Spinners ColourLab DK is a vibrant and durable 100% British wool yarn, known for its soft yet sturdy texture, making it perfect for colourful and long-lasting crochet projects. Colours come in 100g (225m) balls which I used with a 3.5mm hook (closest US size E/4). The only other things you would need for Cinderwhiskers is:
Next up is the Heatherside Blanket, a truly satisfying make that puts a twist on the classic granny square. This is a large, cosy blanket that’s designed with mindfulness in mind—perfect for those moments when you just want to relax with a soothing, repetitive pattern. I absolutely loved working on this one, and I can already picture it draped over a comfy armchair, ready for snuggling up with a good book and a hot drink.
I chose King Cole Fashion Aran (Worsted Weight) for the blanket which was a new yarn for me, but one I really enjoyed using, I definitely think that I will use it again at some point – especially the lovely tweedy yarns. King Cole Fashion Aran comes in 100g (200m) balls and is a blend of 70% Acrylic 30% Wool which offers warmth, durability, and a lovely drape for stylish and practical crochet projects.
I used a 5.5mm hook (US size I/9) and you need a total of 13 balls of yarn altogether; I chose to use 5 of the main ‘natural’ colour, combined with 10 balls of the other 5 colours, though you could use as little as two colours for the pattern.
Millie & Mollie the Mushroom Twins
Finally, let me introduce Millie & Mollie, two adorable mushroom twins who love to roam the woodlands in search of hidden treasures! These sweet amigurumi fungi are bursting with charm and will make a delightful addition to any crochet collection. Whether they’re sitting on a shelf or accompanying you on woodland adventures, Millie and Mollie are sure to bring a touch of magic wherever they go.
For Millie and Mollie, I used Ricorumi DK, one of my all-time favourite yarns, combined with a 3.5mm hook (closest US size E/4). This 100% cotton yarn comes in handy 25g (57.5m) balls and is perfect for amigurumi. If you haven’t tried it yet, you’re in for a treat—there are 80 solid shades to choose from, giving you endless colour possibilities. The only other things you would need for the twins are:
I’d love to hear what you think—will you be making one (or all!) of them? Tag me @KCACOUK on social media so I can see your creations!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
P.S. Make sure you’re subscribed to the blog (below) and/or my mailing list to stay updated on new blog posts, pattern releases, and exclusive discounts!
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, thank you for your support.
Hey there, crochet friends! I’m so excited to re-introduce the Briar Blanket to you. If you’re looking for a cosy project to snuggle up with this season, you’ll definitely want to add this one to your “must-make” list!
Pin for Later:
This cosy blanket was originally featured in the August 2022 issue of I Like Crochet magazine, and I couldn’t be more thrilled with how it turned out. It’s so lovely and squishy – perfect for cuddling up on chilly evenings.
The Briar Blanket was born out of my love for nature—specifically, those peaceful woodland walks that are full of interesting textures and shapes. I wanted to capture the feeling of being wrapped up in something that reminds you of nature’s beauty.
The design itself is a simple combination of stitches that creates a series of beautiful repeating patterns. I would suggest this intricate blanket is an intermediate pattern for crocheters looking for a fun challenge where you can enjoy watching the pattern come to life as you work.
I used the delectable Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky for this blanket, which is 100% wool and comes in 100g hanks (137yds / 125m). Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky is a heavy weight yarn that works up quickly; I used for the blanket were Currant 28211 (A, 6 balls), Gosling 28214 (B, 12 balls) and Fedora 28212 (C, 4 balls) with a 6mm (US size J/10) hook (which is amongst the suggested hook sizes).
This chunky blanket, with its large feature tassels, would make a perfect addition to style up your bed – or to keep as a throw on your sofa getting ready for when those nights turn cooler. Make in three muted complementary colours, like I did, or I think it would look stunning in jewel tones for a rich, cosy feel, or even pastels for a soft and serene vibe.
This pattern will be available with a 50% discount for 24hrs (1pm to 1pm GMT / 8am to 8am EST) on Wednesday 23 October 2024 as part of the Fireside Comforts Blog Hop.
Scroll down the designer’s post until you see the download button. The most current featured design will be added to the bottom every morning. This way it stays in chronological order and it’s easy to find the current pattern feature.
Follow the instructions to get today’s blog post link and / or coupon code to use on Ravelry or Etsy.
Download the pattern to your device or library!
If you are reading this after the promotion has passed you can purchase the blanket from any of the links to my patterns stores (links above)
All the patterns from Fireside Comforts Blog Hop are available in a limited edition bundle which is a fabulous collection of cosy autumn accessories like hats, coasters, cowls, blankets and more. Go straight to the bundle via the link below:
I can’t wait to see your versions of the Briar Blanket! Be sure to tag me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry) with your WIPs or finished projects—I love seeing what you all come up with. And if you have any questions, feel free to drop them in the comments below.
You may wish to make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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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. You can read more about my affiliate links here.
Allow me to introduce the Jardin de Fleur blanket which is available in Issue 97 of Crochet Now magazine. It’s a design I’m hoping might infuse your living space with a bit of Frida Kahlo’s creative spirit!
Mexican artist Frida Kahlo is remembered for her self-portraits and use of bold vibrant colours, and she’s become a recognisable historical figure partly because of her characteristic style and image.
Kahlo often embraced representations of flowers in her work, alongside geometry, to suggest that even if things look opposite, and shouldn’t seemly go together, we are never separate from nature. As a crochet designer I find that nature is a never-ending source of inspiration for me and so guided by Kahlo’s ideas I knew I wanted to use a flower motif combined with something else to create a unique look.
In the end I combined bold 3-D flowers with geometric diamond shapes in lovely bold colours to create a distinctive work of art for your home. The finished blanket is made up of four different motifs and is approx. 143 x 109 cm (56 x 43 inches) in size making it a great to cuddle up with on the sofa.
For my blanket I used Stylecraft Special DK with a 4mm hook in 4 different colours; White (1001), Dandelion (1856), Lipstick (1246) and Lobelia (1825). I think many of us have a Stylecraft stash of yarn for various projects, though if you’re not familiar with it, it’s a versatile 100% acrylic yarn that I’ve used many many times for various crochet projects. It’s available in a large selection of shades, and it’s a soft, durable yarn which is machine washable – making it great for blankets.
If you make up the the Jardin de Fleur Blanket I hope you’ll share any finished photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make! And finally you may wish to make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to get a reminder when new blog posts, discounts or new pattern releases are available.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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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, thank you for your support.
With about a month before The Enchanted Wood CAL begins I thought I’d share with you some more information so you can get planning; including yarn amounts and the colours that were used on both of the blankets.
I did mention some of the details in my first announcement post about the CAL (here) but I’ve got some more of the information I know you’ve been waiting for in this post. So let’s talk yarn!
The Enchanted Wood KCACOUKCAL23 – Stylecraft Special DK Version
YarnColours and Amounts
You will need at least 1500 / 1600g / 4425m / 4830yds for this CAL and I would suggest it works best in 8 – 10 different colours.
I mentioned before that I used Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo. + Cotton DK for my blanket which is lovely yarn to use. I used approximately the following colours in the following amounts:
Kits for both colourways have been put together by Black Sheep Wools:
Then my lovely mum created her version of the blanket in Stylecraft Special DK, she used the following colours in the following amounts (though again in some colours you may have little bits left over):
Prices are £69.99 for Stylecraft Natural Bamboo and Cotton (16 x 100g in total) and £29.99 (15 x 100g in total) for Stylecraft Special DK. Black Sheep Wools ship from the UK to Australia, Canada, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea and USA, they also offer a click and collect for those who are very local (WA3).
Hook Size:
I used a 3.5mm (US size E/4). If you were on the look out for a simple aluminium crochet hook (the kind I learnt to crochet with) then I have some in my Yarnybobs store or I also have other hooks and useful crochet tools linked in my Amazon Store.
Finished Blanket Size:
Both blankets finished up at roughly the same size when finished and measure Both blankets finished up at roughly the same size when finished and measure 122cm (48”) wide x 137cm (54”) long. The schematic for the blanket can be seen below:
Skill Level:
I would suggest that this pattern is rated as easy / intermediate. There are some sections that require a bit more concentration to them, but I’ve added both the written pattern and charts which will hopefully help.
CAL Accessories:
And don’t forget those all important CAL accessories and tools for making your blanket making:
Beautiful bespoke CAL cards have also been created by Simply Shade Cards with the list of the all the yarns used, for Stylecraft Naturals and Stylecraft Special DK, as a perfect way to keep track of colours for the project.
The pattern for this crochet along will be available for free here on the blog but sometimes it’s easier to have a printable PDF to refer to. The whole pattern therefore will also be available in a printer friendly PDF version in my Ravelry store (for a one off payment). Each weekly instalment will become ready for immediate download in either UK or US terms.
Shortly after the CAL has finished the PDF will also be added to my Etsy and LoveCrafts stores also.
The Schedule, Updates & Support:
If you need a reminder of the schedule then you can find the details on the CAL landing page (here) and you can keep up to date with the CAL details and get support if needed via the following links:
The Facebook group is a lovely place of support, there are crocheters there of all experiences and it’s likely that someone will be able to help you with any questions you might have. You can of course always contact me too here on the blog.
The hashtag for this years CAL is #KCACOUKCAL23 for Twitter and Instagram. Though you you can join in with any progress photos by linking your projects on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, Facebook page or Facebook group and Pinterest.
Ooo I’m excited! We can get our hooks stuck into part 1 on Friday 20 January – so save the date!!
Until next time; 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. You can read more about my affiliate links here.
Oh my word, you wouldn’t even believe how excited I am to finally announce that a bright and beautiful new crochet-along (CAL) is on the way for 2023!!
Join me in making an enchanted style blanket with a woodland-inspired theme. The Enchanted Wood throw is a versatile piece featuring an intricate collection of textured stitches intertwined together.
Bring the great outdoors indoors using a carefully curated palette of colours and stitches in a project that has plenty of interest as each section emerges – with no sewing together!
Believe it or not I actually started working on the design for this pattern not long after we finished with our 2021 CAL; Filet Fantastic. So for over a year this pattern has been bubbling away in the background getting crafted and honed until it was really to share with you lovely folks.
Everyone seemed to really enjoy the no-sew building block construction (I used in Filet Fantastic) so I decided to utilise that method again for the latest CAL blanket. Whilst it is of similar construction this year’s CAL is focused on texture to produce something that you truly just want to keep running your hands over!
This year’s particular theme came from two places; my favourite walking spots in the woods and one of my favourite Enid Blyton books as a child”
Right then, are you sitting comfortably? Then I shall begin with some of the specifics for this years design.
CAL Specifics
The Enchanted Wood CAL will be released in 8 parts which will be available for free here on the Keep Calm and Crochet On UK Blog. The CAL will start with Part 1 on Friday 20 January 2023 and runs for 8 weeks, each Friday, ending on Friday 10 March 2023.
The landing page for the CAL is available from the CALS AND MALS drop down at the top of the page (here), where I will link all the details in one place.
The Enchanted Wood KCACOUKCAL23 – Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo and Cotton
Yarn Amounts and Kits
I used Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo. + Cotton DK for my blanket which is a really lovely yarn. It’s a cotton / bamboo blended yarn that uses natural fibres for a luxurious crafting experience that’s kind to sensitive skin. Yet it can still go in the washing machine and tumble dryer (on a cool cycle) which makes it perfect for a blanket for the home. It comes in a gorgeous range of naturally inspired shades, designed to mix and match beautifully, and I picked ten colours for my blanket because there were so many lovely shades I wanted to use as many as possible!
And my lovely mum has been back with her hooks to make a second version of the blanket. She’s created hers in Stylecraft Special DK which I would describe as a bit of a staple in the crafting world. I’ve used it for every so many projects. It’s an acrylic yarn as it’s soft yet durable (making it particularly well suited to blankets – and it also washes well). It also comes in a vast rainbow of colours making it particularly easy to choose 8 ‘natural’ sort of shades
I’m delighted to say, as with the last CAL, that Black Sheep Wools have created some exclusive kits especially for the CAL. There are two kits available, the first is in the beautiful Stylecraft Naturals Bamboo. + Cotton. It contains 16 balls and is just £69.99 per kit. The second kit is in the crocheters favourite Stylecraft Special DK, there are 15 balls in the kits and it is just £29.99.
If you are thinking of hooking up this design using yarn from your own stash I would suggest that you would need at least 8 – 10 different colours and at least 1500 / 1600g / 4425m / 4830yds though I’ll be going into more detail about colours and yarn amounts in my next post (Friday 23 December).
Hook Size
I used a 3.5mm (US size E/4). If you were on the look out for a simple aluminium crochet hook (the kind I learnt to crochet with) then I have some in my Yarnybobs store or I also have other hooks and useful crochet tools linked in my Amazon Store.
CAL Accessories
I’m delighted to say I have once again set up some some special collaborations for this CAL for you. CAL lovers can now buy directly from small businesses that have created something special, specifically for the crochet along, which they will be sure to love!
Beautiful bespoke CAL cards have also been created by Simply Shade Cards with the list of the all the yarns used, for Stylecraft Naturals and Stylecraft Special DK, as a perfect way to keep track of colours for the project.
The Enchanted Wood KCACOUKCAL23 – Stylecraft Special DK Version
CAL Details
There is no charge to join the CAL; anyone can join in as long as they have some yarn and a hook.
Whilst the pattern will be available for free here on the blog sometimes it’s easier to have a printable PDF to refer to. The whole pattern therefore will also be available in a printer friendly PDF version in my Ravelry store (for a one off payment). Each weekly instalment will become ready for immediate download in either UK or US terms. During the duration of the CAL this pattern will be released part by part, via Ravelry updates, so as not to spoilt anyone’s fun.
For those that like a deadline I will be adding new details about each section every week on a Friday – see below for full schedule. For those that want to hook when they have the time then that’s fine too; there’s no pressure to this CAL it’s all about enjoying the journey and having fun!
I will be using both UK and US crochet terminology in the pattern (UK/US) so you can pick your preference. I will also always include any helpful information about each element including links about special stitches with the release of each new section.
The hashtag for this years CAL is #KCACOUKCAL23 for Twitter and Instagram. Though you you can join in with any progress photos by linking your projects on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, Facebook page or Facebook group and Pinterest.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected, thank you for your support.
I was delighted to be asked recently, by Simply Crochet magazine, if I wanted to talk about the very first piece of crochet that I’d ever done for their regular Hooky Treasures back page feature.
If you have Issue 112 and you turn to the back page you will see some photos of the first thing I crocheted, from start to finish, just over ten years ago!
I was extremely exciting to be asked to do this feature and it feels like quite an achievement as a designer (as I still suffer from imposter syndrome at times! 🙈) and although I’m usually more comfortable behind the camera than in front of it, I was happy to send in a photo on this occasion.
The Hooky Treasures page is where a designer talks about one of their favourite projects they’ve made and the story behind it. It has to be something very personal, like the first thing you made, or the thing that gave you confidence to be a designer, or just something made for a special person in your life.
I decided I had to choose the Filet Bunny Blanket I made when I was pregnant with my daughter, it is most definitely the thing that, if you’ll excuse the pun, got me hooked on crochet and which eventually lead to my designing crochet patterns of my own.
This project is quite precious to me, not only because I still remember how proud I was when I finally finished it, but because it wrapped up both of my daughters – and it’s still going strong to this day! Who knows; it may one day wrap up my grandchildren – what an amazing thought!
I also have many wonderful memories of working on this blanket with my mum’s help. What was particularly lovely was the magazine arrived on my doorstep on a day when she was visiting so I proudly got to show her the feature.
I’m not going to tell you what I said in the article, you might wish to read that yourself, but I thought you might enjoying seeing a few more photos of my first make.
I’d love to hear more about your first makes; do you still use or have your oldest crochet item? What was it and how old is it? Let me know in the comments below.
Issue 118 of Simply Crochet magazine is available to buy from your local supermarket or you can grab a digital or print subscription from buysubscriptions.com.
And if you are interested in making the filet bunny blanket yourself it’s still available as a free download from Yarnspirations.com here.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Please note that some of the links in my blog are affiliate links. I may earn a small commission if you purchase via these links, but the price you pay is not affected, thank you for your support.
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.
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.
I’m delighted to say that I’ve got another FREE pattern lined up for you today in collaboration with the lovely folks from Anchor Yarns. I’ve created a sweet new baby blanket with their Baby Pure Cotton yarn.
So without further ado allow me to introduce the XOXO Baby Blanket which is available for FREE from the Anchor website (see link below).
Baby Pure Cotton yarn is 100% cotton which is combed and not mercerised. It’s available in 24 soft powdered shades but I just used shade 00402 which is a lovely muted mushroom colour.
The yarn is ideal for babies as it’s hypoallergenic and saliva resistant to be entirely safe for the new-born. It’s also delicate and soft so very kind and gentle for babies sensitive skin. It’s also suitable to machine wash up to 60°C which is great for a baby blanket.
I used a 3.5mm hook (US size E/4) to create a square baby blanket which measures 76cm x 76cm (30 x 30 inches) which is perfect for Perfect for sleeping, cuddling or as a stroller cover.
I wanted to create something in a single block neutral colour so that crafters could imagine re-creating it in their own favourite shades – though you could totally mix and match the colours of the motifs to create something totally unique!
This pattern uses simple stitches throughout and has a nice texture whilst still having enough stitches to create a warm blanket. I’m a big fan of the popcorn stitch as it just creates such a wonderful texture that you just want to run your fingers over!
The XOXO Baby Blanket is a free download available directly from the Anchor Yarns website where you can just download the pattern or register for an account. It doesn’t cost anything for an account, but by signing up you’ll gain access to loads of other free patterns by other talented designers too.
The pattern is written in UK crochet terminology and I’ve linked it up on Ravelry too if you’d like to save it to your favourites on there (at the link below).
This blanket would be a great project for a beginner, or an intermediate crocheter. When you’re just learning to crochet, the thought of completing a whole blanket might seem impossible, let alone making an entire crochet blanket, but by working in smaller square motifs it breaks down the larger project into manageable chunks.
You could also easily make this blanket bigger by just increasing the number of square motifs you start with.
If you are looking for a few more FREE patterns, by me, using Anchor Yarns check out the following links:
If you hook up the XOXO Baby Blanket I hope you’ll tag @kcaco.uk on Instagram using the hashtags #kcacouk and #proud2craft or #anchoryarns (so the folks at Anchor Yarns can see too) 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
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.
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.
UKFront 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
