Are you looking for some new summer favourites? Well Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine have several fun options that you might want to look into – including a couple of new patterns from me; and I’m delighted to say that my Red Squirrel is issue 141’s cover star!
My little red squirrel, with his stripy hat and cute little bowler hat were very fun to make. I used every colour in the yarn kit (which comes with the magazine) and I especially enjoyed using the variegated yarn to make the tail – colourwork has never been easier!
This fun amigurumi would make a great gift for an animal lover, or how about a cute decoration in a woodland themed nursery? Got the magazine and going to make him later, then save the pattern to your favourites on Ravelry at the link below.
Speaking of nurseries, my second pattern in issue 141 is a bead and ball mobile. I have a bit of a thing about wood, I love it! So for this project I mixed crochet with some wooden beads and a wooden hoop, with some crochet balls, in several different sizes, hanging off with embroidery thread.
The mobile is very easy to make and would make a great beginner project, in fact the whole process of making up the mobile was very enjoyable. And if you don’t have little ones to make it for how about making it for your craft room or conservatory!
As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook (3.75mm) and knitting needles for the projects inside.
There are lots of other fab patterns in this month’s edition including a sweet alpaca, a very cute knitted hippo and a pair of sweet knitted and crocheted unicorns!
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
I hope you’ll share any WIP or finished project 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, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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Did you know that there are now only 74 days until Christmas!? It’s coming up fast, which is why it’s handy that the latest issue of Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine has a couple of festive themed patterns in to help you get ready, but there’s also a dash of Autumnal patterns if you aren’t ready for Christmas yet!
I’m delighted to say that you can see one of my designs on the front cover; Patches the Elf is this month’s cover star! With Christmas coming fast it’s the ideal time to start some craftmas projects – so why not start with a fun little elf.
He was a really fun doll to make and if you are new to crocheting amigurumi he offers a great chance to try different stitches like loops and picots.
My daughter saw the recent issue and has asked me to make her one of these cute little pumpkin pals – they are really quick to make up so you could easily finishing one in an evening. You just need to take your time dividing up the segments and make sure the yarn is really secure.
The pattern also comes with three autumn leaves for you to make, so you can create your own Autumnal display.
As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
EDITED: Giveaway now closed! Congratulations Heather Reeve who’s name was selected at random as the winner!
I can’t believe this year marks 7 years of blogging like how did that happen? I wanted to do a bit of a giveaway to celebrate my blogiversary…. it was in January … so it’s a wee bit late, but I still wanted to do a little giveaway to say a big thank you to everyone that has supported me here and on social media.
Then I’ve got two more copies of the magazine, one to giveaway on my Facebook page and one on my Instagram. And as well as all the great patterns that are in the magazine this issue has two extra supplements of patterns, so there’s loads of fun things to choose from to make!
Here’s how you can enter:
To enter for the big blog prize, leave a comment at the end of this post telling me what’s your favourite things to crochet in Spring – to gain an extra entry maybe you might like to sign up to my newsletter.
Then hop over to my Facebook page and my Instagram for the instructions on how you can win the prize there – really easy ways to enter!
The contest is open from RIGHT NOW until Thursday 20 May 2020. The winner will be selected using a random number generator and I will need to be supplied with a full postal name and address to send out the prize. If efforts to contact the winner remain unsuccessful after a week, an alternative winner will be randomly selected.
This giveaway is open WORLDWIDE!
Thank you all my blog readers and social followers for your wonderful support and encouragement!
Until next time; keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
I think I say it every year that one of my favourite things to make are Christmas decorations, and it’s become somewhat of a tradition that I create a new free tree ornament pattern for you to enjoy too. This year I’ve gone a bit non-traditional but still fun – it’s a Christmas Mushroom!
Well actually it’s probably a Christmas toadstool but I’ve been singing Christmas mushroom to myself in my head so I’m afraid that title has stuck.
Apparently the red and white speckled fungi are known in German as gluckspilz which literally means ‘lucky mushroom’ which I really like and I think we can all do with a little luck to get past 2020 don’t you!
I’ve added a little twine to the top of my mushrooms so they can hang from the tree, but you could easily incorporate them into a wreath hanging on your door or even as part of a holiday table centrepiece.
They also don’t have to be just red, I experimented, because I got a little bit addicted to making mushrooms, with a few different colours – so you could match your fungi to your own decor.
Last year you may remember that I made a little Christmas bell tree decorations (FREE pattern here) with some Anchor CraftsCreativa Fino from my stash. I really like Creativa Fino to work with, it’s a nice firm mercerised cotton which I think works particularly well for amigurumi and ornaments like this one so that’s what I’ve used this year too.
The following Christmas Mushroom Tree Ornament pattern is free here on the blog but it’s also available in my Ravelry store, LoveCrafts or Etsy store, where there is a nominal fee for a downloadable PDF pattern if you’d prefer.
The pattern is available in both UK and US crochet terminology via the PDF download; the pattern below is written just in UK terms.
Christmas Mushroom Tree Ornament
MATERIALS
Yarn:
Anchor Creativa Fino: 4ply; 125m per 50g ball; 100% Cotton
1 ball in #00258 (A) – Red
1 ball in #00926 (B) – Cream
Anchor Metallic Thread: Viscose (80%) and metallised polyester (20%)
1 ball in #00304 (C) – Metallic White
Pattern will work in other hooks and yarns though finished size will be different.
Hook: 3mm (US size D/3)
You will also need:
Stitch Marker
Scissors
Yarn needle
Small amount of toy stuffing
Length of twine for hanging loop
Gauge: 5dc = 2.5cm / 1 inch
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: 9cm / 3.5 inches
ABBREVIATIONS: UK Terminology
st(s) stitch(es)
st sl slip stitch
ch(s) chain
dc double crochet
dc2tog double crochet two together
htr half treble
STITCH GUIDANCE:
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and draw through all loops.
Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indicated and draw up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, draw through both loops on hook.
Double Crochet (dc2tog): 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.
Half treble (htr): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
PATTERN NOTES
Magic ring:is also known as a Drawstring Ring or Magic Loop and is often used as a start for working amigurumi. If you are not familiar with this technique you could substitute with a ch2 and then work in the second ch from the hook.
Working in the round: This pattern is worked in the amigurumi style (unless specified), in a spiral without slip stitching or turning chains
Working in the Back or Front Loop Only (BLO / FLO): If you hold your piece of crochet in front of you with the Vs of the stitch on top, the part of the V closest to you is the front loop. The part of the V farther away from you on the opposite side is the back loop. When a pattern asks you to crochet into the back loop or front loop only insert your hook into the relevant loop and crochet as instructed.
Pattern:
Top of Mushroom
Rnd 1: With YARN A; working into a magic ring, 6dc. 6sts
Note: Do not pull magic ring too tight as you will thread some twine through the centre.
Rnd 2: [2dc] around. 12sts
Rnd 3: [1dc, 2dc] around. 18 sts
Rnd 4: Dc around.
Rnd 5: [1dc in next 2sts, 2dc] around. 24sts
Rnds 6-9: Dc around.
Rnd 10: [1dc in next 3sts, 2dc] around. 30sts
Fasten off YARN A with a sl st to the next st and weave in ends.
With YARN C embroider some spots on to your mushroom top
Create a hanging loop from twine and thread the loop through the centre of your magic ring with a knot to secure.
Underside of Mushroom
Rnd 11: Attach YARN B to the BLO of any st; [1dc in next 3sts, dc2tog] around. 24sts
Start to stuff, continue to stuff as you go.
Rnd 12: [1dc in next 2sts, dc2tog] around. 18sts
Rnd 13: [1dc, dc2tog] around. 12sts
Rnd 14: [dc2tog] to end. 6sts
Fasten off and use yarn tail to sew up the last 6sts
Mushroom Stalk
Rnd 1: With YARN A; working into a magic ring, 8dc. 8sts
Rnd 2: [2dc] around. 16sts
Rnds 3-5: Dc around.
Rnd 6: [1dc in next 2sts, dc2tog] around. 12sts
Start to stuff the mushroom stalk; continue to stuff as you go
Rnds 7-9: Dc around.
Rnd 10: [1dc in next 2sts, dc2tog] around. 9sts
Rnd 11: Dc around.
Rnd 12: BLO; Dc around.
Rnds 13-14: Dc around.
Fasten off with a sl st to the next st but leave a long yarn tail.
Rnd 15: Attach YARN C to the FLO; of rnd 12; ch2, 2htr in same st, 3htr in each st around until end, sl st to the beginning ch2 to join. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Stitch the mushroom stalk onto the bottom centre of the mushroom top.
It’s here, folks… the final part of the FREE Christmas Skittles crochet-along from Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine. Up until this point you’ve crafted four characterful pins and the bowling ball, and now it’s time for the final two skittles: Rudolph and Frosty the snowman.
I’ve used the fluffy yarn that comes in the packs for my snowman’s head but if you don’t have fluffy yarn for the snowman you could just follow the instructions for Rudolph’s head using white DK yarn from your collection instead.
Speaking of christmas…I’ve also got another pattern out in this edition for a cute little camel.
Millie has been given a Christmas make over with Festive green blanket for her hump. I think she’d make a perfectly fun and quirky addition to your Christmas decorations this festive season.
There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including a very cute gingerbread man and reindeer and I love the knitted robins and Santa.
As usual the magazine comes with a yarn pack, which this time includes six different yarns, and includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
A couple of blog posts ago I mentioned a FREE three part crochet-along that I’d been working on for Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine. Well I thought I’d pop by to say that you can pick up part 2 now – and part 3 is on it’s way very soon!
Following on from Santa Claus and Mrs Christmas, in Issue 25, we have two sweet elf skittles and a stripy ball. Don’t let the stripes put you off if you are a beginner – they are the perfect opportunity to practice some easy colour sequences. And you can learn a new technique by giving the ball an even stripier finish with a touch of surface crochet too.
And I’ll just share with you a little sneaky peep of the last two skittles in the collection…they’ll be available in issue 126 which is out on 29 October 2020, and topcrochetpatterns.com soon after. For the latter you just need to create an account to access this free pattern (and many more.)
I also had fun creating a sweet little angel for this edition. For many years as a child we had an angel at the top of our Christmas Tree.
Did you know that angels would be placed at the top of a Christmas tree to symbolise the significance of the angels who appeared high above Bethlehem to announce the birth of Jesus on the first Christmas.
Although in more recent years we’ve had a star at the top of our tree I think there’s always a place for an angel at Christmas – what tops your tree if you have one?
There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including some gorgeous knitted designs that really make me want to develop my (very) dusty knitting skills! I especially love the knitted nativity, for years now I’ve been wanting to handmake a nativity scene – maybe this year I’ll work on that a little more.
And as usually the magazine comes with a yarn pack which includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
It’s September, which is the time when many of us crafters start thinking about Christmas crafting – we need the time to prepare right! So with that in mind Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine have started the Christmas crafting countdown…and I’m helping with a couple of new seasonal designs.
Christmas just isn’t Christmas without games is it! You stuff yourself silly, watch the Queen’s speech, then… anyone for Uno? Monopoly? Our family usually has a tradition of holding a Christmas party on Christmas Eve where we all play games!
And now you can add a handmade touch to your games collection this year with a new FREE three part crochet-along. Over the next three issues of Let’s Get Crafting Knitting and Crochet magazine, starting with issue 124, we are going to be making six skittles, plus ball, that you can gleefully enjoy knocking down!
First up is the classic Father Christmas and his beloved wife which you can access for free over at topcrochetpatterns.com. You just need to create an account to access this free pattern (and many more.)
And I’ll just share with you a little sneaky peep of the next two skittles in the collection…they’ll be available in issue 125 which is out on 1 October 2020, and topcrochetpatterns.com soon after.
I also had fun creating a seasonal nutcracker soldier for this edition. I actually have a bit of thing about nutcrackers, I love them! I think I’ve designed two nutcrackers in the past before now, and it was really fun to come up with something new.
Did you know that Nutcracker dolls are most commonly made to resemble a toy soldier? This soldier has a smart red uniform, purple boots and hat, smart braiding and a big smile! I think he would make rather an endearing addition to your seasonal decor.
There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition including some gorgeous knitted designs that really make me want to develop my (very) dusty knitting skills! And as usually the magazine comes with a yarn pack which includes the relevant size crochet hook and knitting needles for the projects inside.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
If you hook up either the Christmas Skittles or the Nutcracker I hope you’ll share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – I love to see what you make!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
The first one is a Kimmy the Surfer – who everytime I see her I start singing ‘Surfing Safari’ by The Beach Boys in my head! She’s a water loving amigurumi, complete with wetsuit, who loves a bit of aqua fun! I think she would make a really fun gift for any surfer or bodyboarding fan.
I also had fun creating a water droplet bottle holder for this edition, and the great thing is that particular pattern is also available for FREE from the Top Crochet Patterns website right now.
There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition; the patterns I particularly love are Helen the Giraffe by Sarah Louise Read, who is super cute, and Terry the Olympian Pig by Sarah-Jane Hicks is just such fun!
There are lots of vibrant patterns in this months edition along with news, articles and tips. It also comes with a six yarn pack a hook and knitting needles.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
The first one is a Monster Rucksack that I think your little monsters will love as much as I do! It was such a fun design to create and is a great stash busting project!
The thing with monsters is that there is no right or wrong way for them to look! You could get really creative with buttons, zips, poppers or ribbon and create something truly unique for your kids to carry their essentials. I have to say that the two models did an amazing job of showing the rucksack off too!
Instead of crocheting some backpack straps I decided to investigate using some pre-made straps. The ones I used were these ‘Backpack Replacements Straps‘ from Amazon, which I was really impressed with – I would definitely use them again in future projects. They worked really well, especially as the rucksack was a large one, they gave the back a bit more support, and the straps also won’t stretch overtime.
I also had fun creating Kathie flamingo for this edition. I had a play with some colour-work to create something a little different and not your average looking flamingo.
Using fun different coloured stripes for interest, but still keeping some of the traditional pink, I think I’ve created something fun and new whilst still making sure it intrinsically keeps the look of a flamingo.
There are lots of other fab things in this month’s edition some of the patterns I particularly love are Bath-olomew the Elephant by Sarah Louise Read, his little rubber ducky is just so cute, and the cover star this month, the Land Girl by Sachiyo Ishii, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the VE day landing, is just wonderful!
I’m also quite excited about the pattern for Winnie the Pooh that appears in this issue from the fab looking Winnie the Pooh Crochet Book by Megan Kreiner, he’s a bit of a favourite of mine so I think I’m going to have to make him!
There are 35 patterns in this months edition along with news, articles and tips. It also comes with a six yarn pack a hook and knitting needles.
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK or if you’re not able to get to the shops right now you can get a digital version of the mag from Pocketmags (the free cover gifts are not available via this digital subscription).
Hey folks, how you all doing out there? Today has felt like a looooonnnggg day! So in an aim to focus on more positive things, I’ve got a brand new pattern release for you today! Meet the Batternburg Bunny, she’s as sweet as marzipan and some’bunny’ you should really get to know better!
Do you like Battenburg cake? It’s one of my eldest girls favourites, but I think marzipan in a bit like marmite isn’t it, you either love it or loathe it!
This is one of those designs that I had around at least a year ago which popped up into my head again, and then I couldn’t shake it, I really wanted to try and combine some tapestry crochet and amigurumi to make something new!
She’s a fun project to make, and really not too tricky once you get into the flow of things.
I was actually going to call this bunny the Patchwork bunny until one of my friends suggested it looked like a Battenburg cake and then it just had to be the name!
My bunny is made from Scheepjes Catona that I’d got in my stash (I have a lot of Catona in my stash! You may have noticed it’s one of my favourite yarns to use for amigurumi), but the pattern will work with other yarns.
The 6 page Battenburg Bunny pattern is now on sale over on Ravelry (available in UK and US terms).
In fact if you are looking for something to do I’ve put ALL my patterns on sale in my Ravelry store until 3 April 2020. Just enter code: LOCKDOWN for a discount off all patterns you add to your basket.
