The February issue of I Like Crochet magazine is here to help you start off your New Year with a list of patterns you’ll be excited to start crocheting. New yarns to try, new projects to freshen up your wardrobe and plenty of opportunities to get inspired.
And, as my post title handily summed up, I’ve got FOUR brand new designs in this issue – and the first one is very appropriate for the kind of weather we are experiencing at the moment!
Spruce up your winter wardrobe with the playfully Tahoe Hat, a versatile and fuss-free style that you can bring out winter, after winter. This classic style beanie has masses of texture in both it’s stitches and use of yarn, making it perfect for everyone on your hat list!
I have to admit I’m in LOVE with the texture on this hat, I love textured crochet and this one turned out better than I’d hoped, especially when combined with the tweedy Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool Nepp yarn I used.
Stylecraft Special Aran with Wool Nepp is a 100% acrylic yarn and comes in a massive 400g ball (892yds / 815m). I used Atlantic Blue (shade 3391 ) and a 5mm hook (US H/8) which is the suggested hook size for this yarn. I topped off the hat with a lovely large pom pom from Cowling Country Crafts (who I can recommend). The pom poms from Cowling Country Crafts come with a big press stud on so you can remove the pom pom when you want to wash your hat – I love that option!
💕 SAVE THE TAHOE HAT ON RAVELRY 💕
But why do you need 400g of yarn for a hat? Well you don’t! But you do if you want to make the companion piece to the Tahoe Hat, the Tahoe Scarf!
Finish off your look and keep the cold away with the versatile Tahoe Hat AND Tahoe Scarf set! The textured stitches, combined with a tweed yarn, and twisted fringe ends give it a classic touch that you are sure to love.
The Tahoe Scarf has the same lovely texture as the Tahoe Hat and I would suggest is a pattern that adventurous beginners would enjoy. I also really enjoyed making the twisted fringe for the scarf, it’s such a great way to finish off that gives a lovely professional look to the finished piece I think. And it’s so easy to achieve, I’m hoping to add a blog post photo tutorial and video on how to make this fringe at some point – so watch this space!
With Valentines Day in February the magazine has also included a cupid’s pick of patterns including the next one from me, the Puppy Love Coin Purse.
Does your handbag need a new best friend? The Puppy Love Coin Purse is a playful choice for dog owners and animal lovers alike. This animal friendly purse features a lovable dog with heart shaped ears on the front and a cute 3-D nose. Perfect for stashing your pennies and your secret love notes!
I used some Ricorumi DK with a 3mm hook (Closest US size D/3) for my purse. Ricorumi DK is 100% cotton that comes in little 25g balls (57m / 62yds) which makes it perfect for making small items where you just need small amounts of yarn. The only other things you will need for your pup is a 9 x 6.3cm [3.5” x 2.4”] purse clasp, a small amount of toy stuffing, and 2 x small black shank buttons.
💕 SAVE PUPPY LOVE COIN PURSE ON RAVELRY 💕
Finally, the last pattern I have in the February issue of I Like Crochet magazine is the Carnation Pink Shawl; A gorgeous openwork shawl, this fringed piece is crocheted in soft shades of pink.
This stylish large wrap is perfect for everyday glamour that you can dress up or dress down. The lovely long fringe brings a refreshing take to your favourite looks of the season. Wear this shawl around your shoulders this spring or wrap around your neck in the cold months ahead.
For my Carnation Pink Shawl I used two cakes of James C Brett Northern Lights which is 95% Acrylic 5% Viscose, that comes in 150g (450m / 492yds) ball. I used shade NL8 – NL8 which is a lovely soft marled pink with flecks of white nepp, with a 3.75mm (US size F) hook, to produce a lovely drape.
💕 SAVE THE CARNATION PINK SHAWL ON RAVELRY 💕
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. With it being a US publication patterns are written using US crochet terminology – if you are not sure how that differs you may find my post British vs. American Crochet Terms: What’s the difference? of use.
As well as my hat, scarf, purse and wrap, the February 2022 edition features loads of lovely seasonal patterns and a range of interesting articles. If you SUBSCRIBE you can get the magazine straight to your desktop or iPad as well as access to lots of other extra crochet bonus material.
If the magazine is something that interests you I Like Crochet currently have a special introductory for KCACOUK readers. Join the I Like Crochet Gold Club for 90% off the regular price of a one-year membership and receive a full year of the digital I Like Crochet Magazine, instant access to their pattern collections (that includes never-before-seen patterns!), and get FREE access to the I Like Crochet pattern library that includes every single issue that they have ever published! (That’s 7 years of crochet with more than 50 issues and 100’s of designer patterns… for free!) Plus, subscribers who join now will also receive a FREE special issue: Crochet Your Best Year Ever: 21 Crochet Stitches, Tips, Tricks and More.
If you hook up the Tahoe Hat, the Tahoe Scarf, the Puppy Love Purse, or the Carnation Pink Wrap, 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! 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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