Did you happen to catch the lovely Sara-Jayne (aka Bella Coco Crochet) for the Crochet Society Box 33 Unboxing and Box 35 Designer Reveal that she did on YouTube the other day? Well now the cat is out of the bag I can say I’m very excited to have had the opportunity to design something special for Box 35!
If you’ve not heard about the Crochet Society before, it’s a crochet subscription box, curated by Sara-Jayne, delivered directly to your door every month. In each box there is an exclusively designed pattern book, featuring designs by a range of fantastic designers, a bespoke crochet hook, Typically some lovely yarn and usually some really fun notions and little gifts too.
This month, along side my design, there is also a design by the fantastic Toni from TL Yarn Crafts and another by Victoria from In the Stitch with Vix. We all had the opportunity to chat about about our crochet to the folks at Crochet Society – you can read what I had to say here, and the other designers interviews can be found at the links at the bottom of that page.
I can’t actually tell you about my design for this box, it’s going to be a lovely surprise for subscribers, but I think I can safely say it’s been one of my favourite designs of recent months!
Prices for the box are £21.99 and they ship to most places in the world not just the UK! And if you want to try a box, to see what you think, they have different past boxes (while stocks last) in the Crochet Society Shop. There is also the opportunity to get just the Digital Download for boxes no longer in stock too (for instance Box 13 featuring my little Briar Bunny or Box 17 featuring my Saffi the Squirrel).
Example of Crochet Society Box
Though by subscribing you will receive a box full of lovely crochet fun each month which is something really nice to look forward to! And whether you’re new to crochet, or building your crochet skills, as there are always a range of designs featured in the pattern booklet, not just one, there is something for everyone. Plus there are lots of lots of top tips, tutorials and advice available as a resource on the Crochet Society website
If you are interested in grabbing yourself a Crochet Society box you have until 20th April 2022 to subscribe – and if you subscribe by then you’ll get Box 35 as your first box which features my new design.
I’m so excited to share that design with you – make sure you are signed up to blog (below) and / or my mailing list to be the first to see that pattern when it lands!
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.
So recently I was approached by Three Bears Yarns to see if I would like to review their Great British Textile Box. Review a box full of delicious quality British wool…oh go on then I said…you’ve twisted my arm – if you’d like to send me one over, I said, that would be very kind of you…(cue me dancing with glee).
Not long after a fabulously designed box was delivered by my nice postman (all postman are nice that deliver yarn aren’t they!)…
Three Bears Yarns are a company that originates from the heritage of Blackburn Yarn Dyers founded in 1915. I first became aware of Three Bears Yarns earlier this year and have been following them with interest since then. I love the fact that they are passionate about what they are producing and are keen to put Lancashire (British) textiles back on the map.
I would say Three Bears Yarns are probably best known for their delicious range of 100% cotton yarn on Aran (Worsted), DK (Sport) and 3ply (Fingering) weights which comes in over 70 shades across the weights…
I’ve used some of their cottons for a few projects now for Dear Ewe (the Lime Crush Baskets and Fat Bottomed Rustic Basket) and really liked it and have some more projects coming up in 2019 (so watch this space).
The Great British Textile Box is a monthly crochet subscription box filled with 200g of beautiful yarn that comes complete with a crochet pattern available in both UK and US terms. Each month you’ll receive:
200g of quality British Wool
A unique crochet design to craft
Accessories included
So back to the box…nestled in some turquoise tissue paper were two beautiful skeins of the finest Falkland Merino DK yarn.
It’s unfortunate that this blog isn’t equipped with squidge-o-vision because it’s the kind of yarn that begs to be squished a bit! When I got it out I was delighted by how soft it felt.
Aren’t you always a bit worried when you hear wool – and think scratchy? Not a jot with this Falklands Merino, it’s soft as a cloud! The two skeins were cream and taupe coloured and the pattern design that accompanied the yarn was for the Hannah Hat and Gauntlets designed by Jacinta Bowie.
Now unfortunately I can’t tell you about the pattern booklet as they had run out so I only had an emailed copy of the pattern to work from. But the pattern I had (in UK terminology) was clearly set out and included a chart; there was also a link to a useful video tutorial on how to do the crocodile stitch. However I would say the hat design would perhaps be a bit tricky for a beginner and would be more suitable for an intermediate crocheter.
I decided to make the hat because I fell in love with it! Crocodile stitch is such a fun stitch to do and it makes an amazing texture! The recommended hook size for the hat is a 4mm (US size G) but I really wanted to make the hat for my 2 year old so after a bit of calculating I went down to a 3.5mm (US size E-4).
And the finished hat came out beautifully, just the right size for her head, though if you make the pattern as written it will fit an average size adult head.
Now my toddler, even with bribery, didn’t want to play mummy take photos so I had to improvise to show you the finished hat…yes it is just possible that I have a gin glass as large as a toddlers head…
The pattern does come with instructions on how to make and add twisted cord to add to the bottom of the ear-flaps which I didn’t add just because it was for my little one.
The yarn is just perfect for the design and is a delight to work with; as it was so easy on the fingers it meant I really enjoyed making up this hat and the texture of the finished hat – augh! Isn’t is just awesome!
And one final picture because you just have to see the top of the hat…so clever!
I don’t know if any of the patterns included in the boxes will be available after the subscription boxes at any point (in case you were wondering) but I do have a feeling that all future designs are going to be a match for the yarn so super lovely!
By the time of this post I believe that the December Great British Textile Box, this time with 200g of a Bluefaced Leicester and Masham blend of yarn, will be sent to subscribers soon with another beautiful pattern (also by Jacinta Bowie) of a stunning cushion. So I think there will be accessories, house decor items and other items, for a bit of variety, to crochet with each box.
I think it’s obvious that I loved the yarn and enjoyed the pattern but what I also like about the Great British Textile Box, as far as subscription boxes go, is that the contents are very luxurious, the patterns so far seem gorgeous, and it’s all at a very reasonably priced £21.95 (roughly $31.57) per month. It’s also a great way to learn more about wool yarn blends if that’s something you might be interested in.
For someone who is also a bit unsure of subscription boxes it’s free to cancel any time and Three Bears Yarns also offer free UK postage on all boxes (and also free delivery to other selected countries – see their website for more details)
Many thanks to Three Bears Yarns for supplying me with a box free of charge so I could tell you all about it.
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx