Tag Archives: Crochet for Baby

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

Posted in Book Review, Crochet, For Adult, For Baby by

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. 

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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.

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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!

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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.

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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! 

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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…

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and Little Miss has certainly enjoyed playing with her new rattly ball.

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My verdict is that this is a wonderful little book for expectant  mums, new mothers or anyone that wants to hook something up for a newborn babe.

Well until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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Me and Too Yarn Cute Crochet Magazine

Posted in Blanket, Crochet, For Baby, Magazine, Pattern Release by

Magazines

Too Yarn Cute Crochet  is an on-line crochet magazine that I discovered through Facebook. In a PDF format it allows you to bookmark a section to take you to the pattern you want and includes links straight to the designers stores (though that bit hasn’t been so great for my pattern addiction!!!).  It’s a Quarterly Magazine, with issues for each season of the year so you don’t have that ‘long’ wait between issues you get with some of the more conventional crochet magazines and they also have “Speciality” Issues for those in-between months.  If you are on Facebook make sure to give their page a like as they always include offers for the magazine and sales from designers on their Facebook page. The magazine itself has featured patterns from many of my favourite designers and has introduced me to new designers that I hadn’t yet discovered.  

I was invited to write an article for their Christmas edition which became ‘Six Ways to Keep Calm during the Holidays’ and included tips for those trying to manage a crochet business and family and friends at the busiest time of year.  I really enjoyed my little foray into crochet journalism and was super excited when I was shortly asked to be the featured designer of the Winter 2013 edition.       

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It turned out to be a fabulous experience for me personally as well as a challenge.  I wanted to design new things that I hadn’t done before and this provided me with the perfect platform to get my creative juices flowing! I put on my thinking cap and eventually 4 brand new designs were born for the issue; Mr Croc Hand Puppet, Russian Doll Afghan Square (There just had to be a square pattern!), Ice-Flash Men’s Hat and Cowl Set and Loopy Ridges Boot Cuffs (Toddler to Adult).

After all that fun you can bet your bottom dollar that I jumped at the chance to do something for their forthcoming baby edition!  Now I love, love, love blankets and had an idea floating around in my head for a while about a blanket with elephants so it seemed that what was eventually created was destined to be!  Allow me to introduce my ‘Elephant’s On Parade’ baby blanket! 

I do love the versatility of this blanket, I made it in blue but my testers made one in pink for a baby girl and ones in yellow and rainbow colours (see photos on my Facebook page) for occasions where baby’s gender is a surprise.

Elephant's On Parade Baby Blanket

The Elephant On Parade Blanket is now available from here: http://transactions.sendowl.com/stores/3049/3715

As well as the Elephant’s On Parade baby blanket in the Baby Issue of Too Yarn Cute Crochet Magazine I’m also offering 20% discount on all my Ravelry patterns to readers – code in the magazine.