Send a little love to that special someone in your life with Lola the Lovebug. Packed full of love from antennae to the tips of her toes she will be sure to be loved by everyone!
The pattern for Lola, along with her little heart, is available in issue 90 of Crochet Now magazine. Lola comes equipped with delicate hearts on top of her antennae making her a true love bug! She was a really fun project to work on, and you could make her holding the heart, or leave it separate, or why not even embroider the initials of someone special onto the front.
I created my lovebug with a 3mm hook out of some James C. Brett It’s 100% Pure Cotton which is 100% cotton that comes in 100g [215 meters / 235yds] balls and, for a cotton, is lovely and soft.
Nothing says I love you as much as something handmade I think. She would make the perfect pick-me-up gift for someone special this Valentine’s Day or any other day.
If you make up Lola the Lovebug 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
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.
Welcome to the first KCACO.UK blog post for 2023! I’d like to wishing you all a very Happy New Year! I hope you had a restful and woolly festive break.
I umm’d and ahh’d about doing an end of year review but I decided that I actually forget so much that I’ve done that it can be rather nice to take a bit of time to look back at the year in this way.
Apparently I released 49 patterns in 2022; which seems a little bonkers when it’s added up like that. I’m so often going straight to the next project, after finishing the last, so I don’t realise just how much crochet I’ve managed to squeeze in! 49 patterns seemed a bit excessive to recap though so I thought I’d just share some of my personal highlights or favourites projects of the year!
January / February 2022
At the start of the year I was delighted to share some designs in Happily Hooked Magazine, I Like Crochet Magazine and Crochet Now. There was a moose, a hat, scarf, purse and three wraps in amongst the designs, but I have to say that one of my favourites was the Chevron Spectrum Wrap from Happily Hooked Issue 94 – and I’ve had such positive feedback about it that it seemed to be a favourite with you too.
Now that the pattern rights have come back to me for this one it’s definitely on the list as an early release for 2023 (so watch this space!)
March / April 2022
In March / April I re-released some patterns including two bunnies and a dragon, and I worked with Crochet Now Magazine again with the Flora Filet wrap design, and a bit of a highlight, an Official Clangers pattern for a baby mobile for Issue 79. There were also the three free patterns working in collaboration with Anchor Yarns to create some jewellery designs – they were fun. I also released my first mini crochet kit, for a hanging heart ornament, which I thoroughly enjoyed creating.
But I have to say that one of my favourite designs was another rainbow inspired design (because I do so love a rainbow!) again for Happily Hooked Magazine (Issue 96) and that was the Colour Wheel Cowl.
I actually really want to recreate this design in some hand-dyed mini’s that I’ve got – don’t you think that could be an great project?
I was also delighted to be one of the guest designers for The Crochet Society subscription box 35. The Argon Triangular Scarf actually was my favourite makes of the year, I loved how it turned out – that texture still really makes me smile!
And I’m going to sneak in a couple of additional favourite designs, because the lovely Kitey (aka The Yarn Whisperer) and I collaborated on our summer make-along at this time too. The Dragonfly River Cowl is a pattern I LOVED designing – it’s always a delight to create something with beautiful yarn and accessories!
We already have some ideas lined up for summer (and winter) which are some of the things I’m looking forward to in 2023.
May was also the month that I released Flynn the Fox with Dear Ewe which launched when I exhibited at Wool@Jct13 Yarn Show. I love how sweet this little amigurumi fox turned out, he’s definitely on my list of favourite makes for the year.
I’m going to be back exhibiting with Wool@Jct13 again in May 2023 (it’s in Staffordshire if fancy coming along), with (fingers crossed) a brand new amigurumi kit design – something else I’m looking forward too.
July / August 2022
In July and August there were some more amigurumi’s with Crochet Now Magazine, including one of my favourite collections, for some official Care Bear Patterns (in Issue 84). As a child of the 80’s it was rather special to have the opportunity to work on those simply because they were CARE BEARS!
I love, love, LOVE how it turned out and I’m still in love with all slubby textured yarns as a consequence I think! Maybe more of that sort of yarn this year.
September / October 2022
There were ponies and re-released life-sized pumpkins. and bird baubles, monsters, and free blocks like the Isaz Afghan Block I think I had a couple of favourites again during this period. I released another mini crochet kit, The Teeny Tiny Pumpkins, which I thoroughly enjoyed – there’s just something so satisfactory about making a load of pumpkins!
I really do enjoy creating these tiny crochet kits, so I’m certain they’ll be some more of these on the cards for 2023.
I also really loved making The Acorn Gnomes for Crochet Now magazine (Issue 86), these little characters really just came alive when I made them, I love walks in the woods, and loved imagining these little guys into being!
And of course I can’t forget the winter make along for The Peppermint Pageant MAL with Kitey – but as that’s still on going (until 26 January) I won’t share all the details on that just yet. But needless to say the yarn was a delight to work with and the accessories by Mrs G Makes were perfection as always.
I’ve loved being involved in all the designs I’ve worked on this year, it’s all been rather creative! And of course there’s more to look forward to in 2023 from me, we’ve got the new Crochet Along for 2023, The Enchanted Wood, starting in a couple of weeks (squee!) and there’s some more amigurumi, home decor items and accessories that I’ll be sharing with you throughout the year, I’ve got plenty to keep my hooks busy!
I’d love to here about what you’ve finished in 2023, or what you are looking forward to making in 2023 – drop me a comment below.
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.
I hope you are enjoying a restful festive period and are now ready for a bit of hooky time.
All the folks that ordered the exclusive Peppermint Pageant MAL kit should have already received the gorgeous Yarn Whisperer yarn (plus fab extras), and the pattern went out to everyone a few days ago (from Kitey – so maybe check your junk mail if the pattern doesn’t seem to have appeared). So we should be all ready to begin!
The exclusive colourway that Kitey has come up with this time was inspired by Christmas! It contains a 50g skein of a fabulously rich tonal minty green that you would see in peppermints and in traditional fir trees. Then alongside that skein was a 50g skein of a beautiful semi-solid rich red – the unique variations in each make them just so special to work with.
These colours have been married up with a hank of natural yarn, because it’s beautiful in it’s own right, it’s actually one of my favourite things – to see natural yarn along side a hand dyed version as the colours really pop! And the merino Aran weight yarn I think is my new yarn crush – such a delight to crochet with!
And in amongst the kit there is THE MOST FABULOUS stitch marker, wooden button and pencil from Mrs G! So a little known fact about me is that I have a thing about stationery, I actually I do all my pattern writing in pencil, so I loved the addition of the engraved pencil, what a lovely reminder of the MAL each time I use it.
I also have a thing about things made in wood, which the little Christmas button was made from, I love the fact it has the date engraved on it to mark the project date. And of course the metal disc snowflake stitch marker was a perfect match for the project and is so fab and functional as all Mrs G’s stitch markers are (I have quite the collection).
For the full information about this particular MAL you can find all the details here (or via the top menu of this blog under the tab ‘CALS AND MALS’). But generally the idea is that the MAL is a relaxed event designed to be a lovely betwixtmas project – this time round we are making a Christmas stocking.
The Make Along will run from today (Monday 26 December 2022) until Thursday 26 January 2022 giving everyone plenty of time to make the pattern during the festive season and new year. You can of course start the pattern at anytime you wish, this deadline is just there for those that like to have one.
There will be support for the pattern as usual in my Facebook group; the KCACO-UK Crochet Community Group and in Kitey’s Virtual Stitch-n-B*tch zoom sessions – see full details on Kitey’s Insta page
SHARING WITH THE #PEPPERMINTPAGEANT MAKEALONG COMMUNITY
We hope you’ll share your photos with us on social media (facebook, twitter or instagram) or as a project on Ravelry – we’d love to see what you make! We will be sharing our progress with the hashtags #peppermintpageantmal#kcacouk#yarnwhisperer. If you’re blogging, feel free to leave links to your post(s) in the comments here.
You also 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 – I’ll just say that Kitey and I have already planned projects for well into 2024!
We do hope that you enjoy this fun make-along; Kitey and I can’t wait to see your wonderful stockings come to life!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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.
Meet Pickwick, the cheeky little puppy, who’s stolen the Christmas stocking to see if there are any bones or biscuits in it for him! But look at that sweet face – surely he can’t help but be forgiven!
The pattern for little Pickwick, along with the miniature stocking, is available in issue 88 of Crochet Now magazine. I’d sort of had an idea for Pickwick for awhile so it’s nice that he’s finally been brought to life.
Combined with the Cottonsoft I added some King Cole Truffle, which is classed as a fashion yarn, made up of 70% acrylic and 30% Polyamide (100g balls / 255m), which was perfect for adding some extra fluffy, stroke-able ears for Pickwick.
If you make up Pickwick the Puppy 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
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.
The Fasten Off Yarnalong has begun! From now until the 31 December 2022 you can enjoy an inclusive stitch-a-long event which aims to showcase independent crochet and knitting designers.
RBSCrochet – Baby Blues Blanket, Mrenji – Emerald Wave Cowl, Crochetcetera – Parallel Celebrations Shawl, Capital Crochet – Juliet Cowl, YarnAndy – Aglaia Shawl, Rachel Newin Designs – As You Wish Beanie, ReVe Design Co – Comfy Cuff Socks, Draco the Dragon – by me, La Vishch Designs – Heuvel en Dal Shawl and Knot Bad Britt – Autumn Waves Wrap
It’s the 3rd year that Fasten Off has been running for, and this year’s seasonal event is featuring 109 designers, and over 4,300 patterns – and 1,062 of those are crochet or Tunisian crochet!
The event is filled with activities and games, includes lots of opportunity for chatting on various social media channels. Makers can get as involved as they feel comfortable with, on the channels they feel comfortable on.
To participate in the stitchalong, you just have to start a project using a purchasable pattern from any of the participating designers. You can check out the YAL database which lists every participating designer and all of the patterns.
At a time of year when many of us are in a hurry to finish Christmas gift items, this event is a great way to stitch along with other makers.
Toyslab Creations – Crochet Adult Slippers, Creations by Courtney – Draped in Diamonds Poncho, Germander Cottage Crafts – Breeze Cardigan, Bramble Saddle Bag – by me, Eat.Wander.Crochet – Autumn’s End Cowl, The Frosted Stitch – Starflower Shawl, Catkitbob Designs – Melford Square, Sammich Stitches – Bobs Headband, KnitterKnotter – Madhu Honeycomb Blanket, Don’t Crochet Highway – Scrap That Raglan
HOW TO JOIN THE EVENT
You can join the event via the Discord server or follow the fasten off yal on instagram or Twitter, you can also read more about the event by visiting the website. There’s even a Spotify playlist full of songs related to the Fasten Off event in fun ways.
The event kicks off with a two-week discount period; that’s when people can use the event’s discount code to get 25% off a selection of patterns from our participating designers! And there are SO many great patterns by fabulous designers on offer – I may have snapped up a few patterns for myself!
I’m discounting all of my patterns in my Etsy shop (apart from CAL and MAL designs) for the duration of the sale period! Meaning you can get 25% discount off whatever you’ve been eyeing up lately.
DISCOUNT CODE
All you need to do is use code FO2022 to get 25% discount between 25th November and 8th December on each of these platforms. Use it for any pattern or eBook, and there’s no limit to the number of times you can use the code during the sale period!
To share your finished projects on social media, use the hashtag #FOYAL2022FO! If you’re on Discord, you can post in our #yal-finished-projects channel, and please use the hashtag #KCACOUK to tag any of your makes from my patterns on socials – I can’t wait to see what you make!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Helloo!! How’s it going? I feel like everything is a bit crazy here at the minute, it’s definitely that busy time of year! I seem to have lots of lists with ‘things to do’ sitting about everywhere but I’m going to tick off one of those right now! And it’s one I’m rather excited about!
In this month’s Inside Crochet (issue 152) there’s a pattern of mine called the Winter Rambles Scarf. It’s a lovely textured colour block stripe kind of scarf that was a really enjoyable, mindful project to work on.
I’ve had the idea for this scarf for awhile actually; I am quite keen to explore some more unisex / neutral or men’s designs and this is a design that I think could work well for anyone.
The scarf is made up of different sized colour blocks both with different textures – I’m on a real textured stitch kick at the moment with my crochet, I can’t seem to get enough of it!
I would suggest that a crochet scarf is a great beginner crochet project especially when you are first learning how to crochet, though with the different stitches I would suggest this is still an interesting design for a more accomplished crocheter.
I made my scarf nice and long so that you can wrap it round your neck a few times, though it would be fairly easy to adjust this pattern to a different size by taking out some rows (each side mirrors each other so you’d just need to take out the same number on each side.
I created my scarf with a 4.5mm hook (US size 7) and Drops Soft Tweed (25% viscose / 50% wool/25% alpaca) which comes in 50g balls (130m / 142yds).
It’s a new yarn to me and I loved the ‘tweediness’ of it – I used 4 balls of Denim (10) and 3 balls of Cookie Dough (04) for the scarf which was more than enough to make it nice and long.
The only other things you will need to make the scarf are maybe some stitch markers to help mark the beginning and end of each row and a tapestry needle. I finished off my scarf with a twisted fridge or you could leave it plain, I think both options would look great!
Also can I just say that being published in Inside Crochet is a tick off the crochet bucket list for me. It’s rather special because when I first started crocheting Inside Crochet was one of the first magazine’s that I ever subscribed to – and now I’ve got a pattern inside!!
And look my scarf made one of the little squares on the front cover! Excuse me for getting rather excited, but it really is one of those warm feeling yay moments for me!
Inside Crochet is available in paper form from all good newsagents and craft stores. To purchase a digital copy of Inside Crochet, visit us on www.pocketmags.com
So go wrap up warm in this stylish striped block scarf. With fabulous textured stitches make in your favourite neutral shades or go brighter as an effective way to introduce colour to a dark outfit. this classic look scarf is guaranteed to complement any staples your friends or family winter wardrobe.
If you make up the Winter Rambles Scarf 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
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 love a good Christmas decoration; I think they are actually one of my favourite things to make, they are usually quick and satisfying, great to gift or perfect to keep for your own home.
That’s why I was delighted to have the opportunity to design some cute baubles for the RSPB featuring some of the nations favourite British birds.
The RSPB (aka The Royal Society for the Protection of Birds) is a charitable organisation here in the UK that’s been around since 1889. It’s the UK’s largest nature conservation charity, inspiring everyone to give nature a home and secure a healthy environment for wildlife.
My British Bird Baubles are inspired by a goldfinch, a blue tit, a house sparrow, a chaffinch and a robin, and the exclusive RSPB pattern card is available with issue 87 of Crochet Now magazine.
Each bauble is worked in tapestry crochet working two or more colours of yarn within a single round switching back and forth between the colours to create the characteristics of the birds.
I created my baubles with a 3mm hook and various colours of Ricorumi DK which, if you are not not familiar with it, is a100% cotton yarn which comes in 25g [57.5 meters] balls. I love Ricorumi DK especially for amigurumi as it comes in the cute little balls in loads of different colours so I can usually find the shades that I’m looking for.
So send a collection of cute bird baubles flying to your tree this Christmas with the RSPB British Bird Baubles. These pretty decorations are idea for all bird lovers – and are cute enough to be displayed all year round.
If you make up either of the British Bird Baubles 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
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.
As you know I’m slowly working my way through old Deramores patterns to add to my pattern shops and as we are now most definitely in pumpkin season there no more appropriate time for me to re-release my Chunky Pumpkins.
This time of year I can’t help but make some pumpkins (watch this space for some more coming soon!), and I don’t think I’m the only one, if you happen to be scrolling through Instagram you’ll have potentially seen all the lovely pumpkins that have been made.
Different from other pumpkin patterns I’ve made before, these next pumpkins are pretty much life sized! The biggest measures in with a diameter of 62cm and the smallest still has a substantial 43cm diameter.
My chunky pumpkins are made from, well you’ve probably guessed it, chunky (bulky) yarn and as a consequence they don’t take long to make. They also have the most fabulous texture too, which was something I’d not tried before with other pumpkins I’ve designed before – the end result I think is very pleasing.
The yarn alternative I have suggested for the Chunky Pumpkins (instead of the original Deramores Chunky) is Paintbox Yarns Simply Chunky which is a 100% premium acrylic yarn that comes in 100g balls (136m / 149yds). I used a 6.5mm (US size K) hook and the colours I’ve suggested are Blood Orange (319) and Coffee Bean (310). Other than that you would need some stitch markers, 400g of toy filler, pins and a yarn needle to sew all the pieces together.
The 3 page pattern comes in either UK or US terms with full descriptions of any stitch abbreviations. It’s classed as an “beginner” pattern which I’m hoping anyone new to crochet, along with more experienced crocheters will enjoy.
The pattern is now available from my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version at the links below:
This pattern, along with all of my Halloween designs (some below coming this week), have 25% off until 31 October with code: PUMPKINNICE on both Etsy and Ravelry – so go grab yourself a treat!
Please bear with me with regards to re-releasing the old Deramores patterns, it can take up to a whole day or two to reformat and upload to various shops, so it will be a work in progress – though do let me know if there’s a pattern you’d really love to see come next and I’ll see what I can do!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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