I’m excited to say I’m going to be taking part in a new crochet blog hop! From 3 – 22 MarchMadame Stitch is hosting a blog hop featuring 22 fabulous crochet designers.
Each day beginning tomorrow, Friday 3 March, at 1pm UK time (8am ET), a crochet wrap, scarf or cowl design will be featured on the Madame Stitch blog.
AND you lovely crocheters will be able to get the pattern as a free PDF download for 24 hrs with the coupon code that will be provided!
In this Spring Edition of the Wraps, Scarves and Cowls blog hop, you’ll find crochet women’s accessories for all your needs. You might want something that:
Adds a dash of color to your favorite outfit.
Wraps you in warmth on a cool spring day.
Creates an elegant evening look for a night out on the town.
There are some really fabulous designs on offer in this blog hop!
I’m going to leave it as a surprise as to which day of March is my day, and what my design is, but I can say it’s a brand NEW cowl design made with some very fabulous yarn from one of my favourite yarn dyers – I think that was quite a big hint! Can you guess which one it is?
If you can’t wait for everyday in March, because you want things now, then there is also an option to purchase the pattern bundle for ALL the patterns from the blog hop for just £12.50 ($15)
It includes all 22 designs featured in the blog hop in one bundle that you can download to your favourite device. You’ll then be able to print out individual patterns as your convenience.
This pattern bundle of crochet women’s accessories won’t last for long. It will only be available until Sunday, 26 March2023.
So make sure you visit the Madame Stitch roundup post every day from 3rd through to the 24th March to pick that day’s featured pattern PDF absolutely free! And be sure to give my fellow designers some love as they share their work on each of the blog hop days.
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.
How are you all doing? Are you ready for Part 6 of the CAL?
I’ve so enjoyed watching the pinecones develop from last week in the Facebook group and Instagram! It’s so lovely to see the crochet community come together around the project, from all parts of the world, I can’t tell you how lovely it is to see your work progressing week by week!
Below you can see some of the wonderful photos of the CAL that have been shared of the last part, aren’t they wonderful! If you want to link your photos the hashtag for this years CAL is #KCACOUKCAL23 for Twitter and Instagram. Though you you can also join in with any progress photos by linking your projects on your favourite social media sites: Ravelry, my Facebook page or Facebook group and Pinterest.
So let’s get down to Part 6 then shall we, this week we are going to be adding some mushrooms to our Enchanted Wood.
I always thing that mushrooms are a fascinating and diverse feature of woodlands, many species can be spotted all year round and there are hundreds of different types. Fungi are the main decomposers the woods breaking down dead plants, basically it feeds itself by digesting organic matter which it then returns as nutrients to the soil. Clever little things, so I thought they needed a place in our blanket.
As before, as well as the written pattern I have included a crochet chart as an extra visual tool. If you are not familiar with reading charts, you you might find my blog post about ‘How to read a crochet chart’ a useful starting point.
If you are brand new to the CAL you can find all the information you need on the CAL landing page, where I’ll link all the CAL posts in one place as I add them here to the blog. Yarn packs are available from the lovely folks at Black Sheep Wools and there are a number of CAL accessories that are also available from some fabulous small businesses (that I talked a little more about here).
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. As with any purchase you make of my patterns your support of me and my crochet endeavours is very much appreciated – thank you for supporting my work!
A Dutch version of the pattern will be put together by the very lovely Iris from Eenmooigebaar via the link below. Iris has brilliantly translated a range of my patterns before (these are also available on the website) so I’m delighted she’s joining us again this time.
Yarn: 160g / 400m / 437yds or 2 x 100g ball of Stylecraft Naturals Cotton and Bamboo in Celery (7155) – YARN H or alternatively 2 x 100g of Stylecraft Special DK in Pistachio (1822) – YARN F
You will also need: Scissors, A yarn needle, stitch markers
Gauge: 5 htr sts = 2.5cm (1”). Gauge is not critical for this design, with each part I will provide the size of my work. If your gauge does not meet mine it will just mean you will end up with a bigger or smaller blanket. If you wish to match my gauge you might try going up a hook size if your tension is quite tight, or going down a hook size if your tension is looser.
Finished Size (Unblocked): Part 6 Approximate measurements:
In Naturals 84cm (33”) wide x 104cm (40.9”) long
In Special DK: 85.5cm (33.5”) wide x 103.5cm (40.5”) long.
The pattern below is in UK Terms, scroll down for US Terms:
STITCH GUIDANCE
Chain (ch): Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook. Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
Double Crochet (dc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Half Treble (htr): Yarn over, insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
Treble (tr): Yarn over, insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Seven Treble Cluster (7trCl): Work 7 trebles into one stitch.
Back Post Treble (BPtr): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch below (your hook should now be positioned horizontally behind of the st that you’re working around), yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops on hook (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining loops on hook.
Puff Stitch (PF): Work puff stitches in this pattern as follows; Yarn over and insert your hook into the specified stitch/space, yarn over again and pull up a long loop. (Yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch / space, yarn over again and pull up a long loop) repeat from ( …) three more times (5 times total – 11 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through 10 loops on your hook (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through last 2 loops on hook to close. Puff stitches will show on the other side of your work when made.
Right side (RS): This indicates the right side of your work
[ … ] Repeat section in square brackets until specified
( … ) Repeat section in curved brackets into one stitch or space
SCHEMATIC – PART 6
PATTERN – PART 6
You will build part 6 onto the right side of the CAL;
With the right side facing you will work on the row ends of part 5, then across part 4, then on the row ends of part 5 again.
We will be adding rows, working from the bottom upwards, where there isn’t a st you will use post of sts of the row ends of Part 5.
The ch3 counts as the first st, if this produces too much of a gap at the start of a row it can be substituted for a ch2.
The ch1 at the start of a row doesn’t count as a stitch.
You will not count the sl st’s of row 5 in your stitch count when instructed to miss sts.
If you find that your rows are pulling into the centre you may wish to use a larger hook for this section e.g. 4mm (US size G/6).
Row 1 (RS): Sl st to join YARN H around the post of the last st of Part 5; ch3, 1tr in the same st,[ miss st at end of the next row, 2tr around the post of the next st ] repeat from [ … ] evenly fourteen times on Part 3, 1tr in the corner of Part 4, BPtr in the next 123sts of Part 4, 1tr in the corner of Part 4, 2tr around the post of the next 2sts [miss st at the end of the next row, 2tr around the post of the next st], repeat { … ] evenly twelve times more on the row ends of Part 5, turn. 62 tr / 123 BPtr / 185 sts
Row 2: Ch3, 1tr in the next st, [ch1, miss st, 1tr in the next 3sts] repeat { … ] across until the last 3sts, ch1, miss st, 1tr in the last 2sts, turn. 139 tr / 46 x ch1-sps
Row 3: Ch3, 1tr in each st across, turn. 185 tr
Row 4 (WS) : Ch3, 1tr in the next st, [ch2, miss 2sts, PF in the next st, ch2, miss 2sts, 1tr in the
next 3sts ] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, ch2, miss 2sts, PF in the next st, ch2, miss 2sts, 1tr in the last 2sts. 70 tr / 46 x ch2-sps / 23 PF
Row 5: Ch1, 1dc in the next st, sl st in the next st, [miss 2 ch, 7trCl in the top of the next PF st, miss 2 ch, sl st in the top of the next tr, ch4, miss next st, sl st in the top of the next tr] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, miss 2 ch, 7trCl in the top of the next PF st, miss 2 ch, sl st in the top of the next tr, 1dc in the last st, turn. 23 x 7trCl / 22 x ch4-sps / 2 dc
Row 6: Ch6 (counts as tr + ch3), [ miss 3sts, 1 dc in the top centre tr of the 7trCl, ch3, miss 3sts, 1htr in the ch4-sp, ch3 ] repeat from { … ] across another twenty-one times, miss 3sts, 1 dc in the top centre of the 7trCl, miss 3sts, 1tr in the last st, turn. 2tr / 22 htr / 23 dc / 46 x ch3-sps
Row 7: Ch3, [ 3tr in the next ch3-sp, 1tr in the next dc, 3tr in the next ch3-sp, 1tr in the next htr ] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, 3tr in the next ch3-sp, 1tr in the next dc, 3tr in the next ch3-sp, 1tr in the last st, turn. 185 tr
Rows 8 – 13: Repeat rows 2 – 7
Rows 14—15: Repeat rows 2 – 3. 185 sts
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Reattach YARN H to the opposite side of your work and repeat rows 1 – 15. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Pattern in US Terms:
STITCH GUIDANCE
Chain (ch): Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook. Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
Single Crochet (sc): Insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through both loops on hook.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): Yarn over, insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook in st indicated and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Seven Double Crochet Cluster (7dcCl): Work 7 double crochet into one stitch.
Back Post Double Crochet (BPdc): Yarn over, insert hook from back to front to back around post of indicated stitch below (your hook should now be positioned horizontally behind of the st that you’re working around), yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over pull through two loops on hook (two loops on hook), yarn over, pull through remaining loops on hook.
Right side (RS): This indicates the right side of your work
Puff Stitch (PF): Work puff stitches in this pattern as follows; Yarn over and insert your hook into the specified stitch/space, yarn over again and pull up a long loop. (Yarn over and insert your hook into the same stitch / space, yarn over again and pull up a long loop) repeat from ( …) three more times (5 times total – 11 loops on hook). Yarn over and pull through 10 loops on your hook (2 loops on hook), yarn over and pull through last 2 loops on hook to close. Puff stitches will show on the other side of your work when made.
[ … ] Repeat section in square brackets until specified
( … ) Repeat section in curved brackets into one stitch or space
SCHEMATIC – PART 6
PATTERN – PART 6
You will build part 6 onto the right side of the CAL;
· With the right side facing you will work on the row ends of part 5, then across part 4, then on the row ends of part 5 again.
· We will be adding rows, working from the bottom upwards, where there isn’t a st you will use post of sts of the row ends of Part 5.
· The ch3 counts as the first st, if this produces too much of a gap at the start of a row it can be substituted for a ch2.
· The ch1 at the start of a row doesn’t count as a stitch.
· You will not count the sl st’s of row 5 in your stitch count when instructed to miss sts.
· If you find that your rows are pulling into the centre you may wish to use a larger hook for this section e.g. 4mm (US size G/6).
Row 1 (RS): Sl st to join YARN H around the post of the last st of Part 5; ch3, 1dc in the same st,[ miss st at end of the next row, 2dc around the post of the next st ] repeat from [ … ] evenly fourteen times on Part 3, 1dc in the corner of Part 4, BPdc in the next 123sts of Part 4, 1dc in the corner of Part 4, 2dc around the post of the next 2sts [miss st at the end of the next row, 2dc around the post of the next st], repeat { … ] evenly twelve times more on the row ends of Part 5, turn. 62 dc / 123 BPdc / 185 sts
Row 2: Ch3, 1dc in the next st, [ch1, miss st, 1dc in the next 3sts] repeat { … ] across until the last 3sts, ch1, miss st, 1dc in the last 2sts, turn. 139 dc / 46 x ch1-sps
Row 3: Ch3, 1dc in each st across, turn. 185 dc
Row 4 (WS) : Ch3, 1dc in the next st, [ch2, miss 2sts, PF in the next st, ch2, miss 2sts, 1dc in the next 3sts ] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, ch2, miss 2sts, PF in the next st, ch2, miss 2sts, 1dc in the last 2sts. 70 dc / 46 x ch2-sps / 23 PF
Row 5: Ch1, 1sc in the next st, sl st in the next st, [miss 2 ch, 7dcCl in the top of the next PF st, miss 2 ch, sl st in the top of the next dc, ch4, miss next st, sl st in the top of the next dc] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, miss 2 ch, 7dcCl in the top of the next PF st, miss 2 ch, sl st in the top of the next dc, 1sc in the last st, turn. 23 x 7dcCl / 22 x ch4-sps / 2 sc
Row 6: Ch6 (counts as dc + ch3), [ miss 3sts, 1 sc in the top centre dc of the 7dcCl, ch3, miss 3sts, 1hdc in the ch4-sp, ch3 ] repeat from { … ] across another twenty-one times, miss 3sts, 1 sc in the top centre of the 7dcCl, miss 3sts, 1dc in the last st, turn. 2dc / 22 hdc / 23 sc / 46 x ch3-sps
Row 7: Ch3, [ 3dc in the next ch3-sp, 1dc in the next sc, 3dc in the next ch3-sp, 1dc in the next hdc ] repeat { … ] across another twenty-one times, 3dc in the next ch3-sp, 1dc in the next sc, 3dc in the next ch3-sp, 1dc in the last st, turn. 185 dc
Rows 8 – 13: Repeat rows 2 – 7
Rows 14—15: Repeat rows 2 – 3. 185 sts
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Reattach YARN H to the opposite side of your work and repeat rows 1 – 15. Fasten off and weave in ends.
And that’s it! Part 6 completed! I hope you’ve enjoyed the start and I can’t wait to se your mushrooms sprout from Parts 4 and 5!
The Schedule, Updates & Support:
As always 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:
As I may have mentioned before the Facebook group is a lovely place of support, there are crocheters in there of all experiences, with new crocheters joining all the time! It’s likely that someone will be able to help you with any questions you might have though of course you can always contact me too here on the blog if you need any help.
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.
Thank you for crocheting along with me – the next eleven weeks are going to be so much fun!
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.
“Red and yellow and pink and green, purple and orange and blue, I can sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow, sing a rainbow too!” Envelop yourself in rainbows with the Chevron Spectrum Wrap!
Today I’m doing an independent release of the rainbow Chevron Spectrum Wrap which first appeared in in Happily HookedMagazine (Issue 94) back in January 2022.
This colourful piece is sure to put a smile on your face! It was one of my absolute favourite makes of 2022 and was inspired by both the yarn and my idea for the stitch which I think came together perfectly.
I used a Scheepjes Whirl in Jumping Jelly (shade 759) combined with a Scheepjes Whirlette in Chewy (shade 865) with a 3.25mm hook (US size D/3).
Both the whirls and the whirlettes are a 60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic 4ply (fingering weight). The larger whirl comes in a 220g (1000 metres) cake, and the whirlettes are 100g (455m) solid colour balls designed to compliment whirl colours. However I wanted a bit of a stormy contrast to my rainbow which is why I chose the grey.
This delightful chevron wrap is perfect for combining solid and gradient yarn for an overall fun zig zag ombre effect, the whirls are perfect though I’ve also seen some beautiful versions using hand-dyed yarn – you could substitute with any similar sock / fingering weight yarns (though you may wish to check your gauge).
The pattern is available in both UK and US terms and I’ve included a chart as a helpful visual guide. The wrap is worked in row repeat making it a nice mindful pattern once you get into the swing of things. I would suggest it’s suitable for a more intermediate crocheter – though there is nothing to stop an adventurous beginner having a go!
You can purchase an ad-free PDF Pattern with the instructions and pictures in a nice document, which you can print and take notes on without relying on your phone or an internet connection, via the links to your favourite pattern plaform below:
If you like this pattern please give it a love, or leave a comment or review on the platform you got it from when you’ve made it up, as a small biz all support and shares are very much appreciated! 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, 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.
Get your little ones hooked on Peanuts early with these adorable official Snoopy and Woodstock baby blanket loveys – out now in issue 91 of Crochet Now magazine
Stars of the Charles M. Schulz’s comic strip Peanuts, and later TV and movies, Snoopy is best known as the pet beagle of Charlie Brown and the small yellow bird, Woodstock, is Snoopy’s best friend. Everybody loves Snoopy and all fans of the iconic series will adore these super soft and cuddly lovey blankets.
There are so many options for little blankets for babies to cuddle and the right toy will do wonders for your kid’s comfort and confidence – my eldest fixed on a lovey as her ‘toy of choice’ so I personally think they are a great toy to make and gift.
I created Snoopy and Woodstock out of some Stylecraft Special DK which is 100% acrylic that comes in 100g balls [295 meters / 323yds] balls, it’s a yarn I’m very familiar with, one I’ve used so many times for different projects including this years crochet along. The only other things you need to make Snoopy and Woodstock is some, stitch markers, a tapestry needle and some toy stuffing.
The lovey section and the tops (hands and arms) are made in the round, working in the amigurumi style of continuous rounds without joining, they would make great beginners patterns for someone who’d like to try making an amigurumi.
Issue 91, with my little Snoopy and Woodstock on the front cover, is full of lovely seasonal patterns and is available to buy from most supermarkets. Or you can grab a digital version from www.craftstash.co.uk/books-magazines
If you make up either Snoopy or Woodstock 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.
Howdy, how are you all today? I’m just popping on today to tell you of my first pattern release of 2023!
The 26th of January was the last ‘official’ day of the latest make along that has been hosted by The Yarn Whisperer and myself. From the 26 December 2022 until now, over a month later, we have enjoyed our winter make along project with a bunch of lovely mal’ers. And now I get the opportunity to share my finished Peppermint Pageant Stocking, and it’s pattern, with you!
Inspired by Christmas colours of red, white and green and by hand made Scandinavian fairisle type patterns I really enjoyed coming up with my own tapestry crochet version of a tradition stocking.
As always it’s been an absolute delight to work with Kitey and his gorgeously coloured yarn, I love these collabs we do – it always provides me with an opportunity to work with gorgeous yarn which in turn makes the design process super enjoyable.
The Aran yarn in this case was such a beautiful yarn to crochet with and I thoroughly enjoyed seeing the slight variations of the semi solid colours come through as I worked each stitch.
If this is the first you’ve heard about the The Peppermint Pageant MAL you can read more about it here but in a nutshell it’s the result of a wonderful collaboration between myself and Kitey, aka The Yarn Whisperer, of a unique crocheted stocking designed with a special hand dyed yarn in mind.
It’s made us both incredibly happy to see the photos of folks sharing their progress with us on social media and I hope you will continue to do so as you finish your stockings if you haven’t had chance to make it yet.
Although the official end date of the MAL has come to an end DO NOT feel any panic or worry that you didn’t keep up or haven’t even started yet. The deadline was there just for those people that like a deadline, for everyone else, enjoy it when you have the time to use the yarn and / or make the stocking – there is no rush to this crochet makealong! And sometime in the future you will have a beautiful finished object that you can gift for someone special or to enjoy yourself.
Now that the MAL is over, I have listed the pattern in my usual pattern stores for you to make your own version of the The Peppermint Pageant Stocking.
I would suggest three different colours work best, I used 100g / 166m of a main colour (e.g. White) and 50g / 83m in contract colours (e.g. Green and Red) and a 5mm (US size H/8) hook.
If you’d like to pick up this specific kit colourway then you can pick it up from Kitey and EXCITEDLY the Peppermint Pageant kits are getting an upgrade for 2023. This design and yarn combo are going to be the first make-along kit that will keep going this year. Kitey is coming up with some exciting new colourways as we speak that I can’t wait to see come together (I’m looking at you teal and silver – oooo!)
The pattern has a written version, a chart and comes with a bonus pattern to make your own mini hanging stocking decorations – Kitey and I always like to add a little extra something for those scraps of leftover yarn! The pattern comes with all explanation of stitches used and is available in either UK or US terminology.
We do hope that you’ve enjoyed this fun make-along, I know Kitey and I have thoroughly enjoyed it – in fact we’ve already got our plans in the works for our annual summer make-along! I’m already excited about it – we will be looking to release, as before, in July but details will be sent out before that to give folks plenty of time to sign up if they want to.
Make sure you are signed up to the blog (or my newsletter) and The Yarn Whisperer newsletter to make sure you are the first to know when the new collaboration project is revealed!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Hooray! It’s here! Week 1 of our Enchanted Wood Crochet Along and I’m super excited to start this journey of 8 weeks to create a new unique blanket and hopefully some wonderful crochet memories too!
The first part of our CAL is the building block of the whole blanket (quite literally) so I thought it was appropriate to make it the centre of our Enchanted Wood, this is my Wishing Tree. Trees are a universal symbol of hope, life and resilience, so how better to start a CAL!
This week we are going to be working in rows and rounds to create a central tree motif, with lots of textured stitches created with front post and popcorn stitches.
As well as the written pattern I have included a crochet chart for each section as an extra visual tool – and I’ve also broken the chart down into sections so you can see how the tree grows line by line. If you are not familiar with reading charts, you you might find my blog post about ‘How to read a crochet chart’ a useful starting point.
If you are brand new to the CAL you can find all the information you need on the CAL landing page, where I’ll link all the CAL posts in one place as I add them here to the blog. Yarn packs are available from the lovely folks at Black Sheep Wools and there are a number of CAL accessories that are also available from some fabulous small businesses (that I talked a little more about here).
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. As with any purchase you make of my patterns your support of me and my crochet endeavours is very much appreciated – thank you for supporting my work!
A Dutch version of the pattern will be put together by the very lovely Iris from Eenmooigebaar via the link below. Iris has brilliantly translated a range of my patterns before (these are also available on the website) so I’m delighted she’s joining us again this time.
Yarn: 62g / 155m / 164yds or 1 x 100g ball of Stylecraft Naturals Cotton and Bamboo in Ecru (7128) or alternatively 1 x 100g of Stylecraft Special DK in Cream (1005) – YARN A
You will also need: Scissors, A yarn needle, stitch markers
Gauge: 5 htr sts = 2.5cm (1”). Gauge is not critical for this design, with each part I will provide the size of my work. If your gauge does not meet mine it will just mean you will end up with a bigger or smaller blanket. If you wish to match my gauge you might try going up a hook size if your tension is quite tight, or going down a hook size if your tension is looser.
Finished Size (Unblocked): Part 1 Approximate measurements:
In Naturals 24.5cm (9.6”) wide x 27.5cm (10.8”) long.
In Special DK: 26.5cm (10.25”) wide x 30.5cm (11.75”) long.
The pattern below is in UK Terms, scroll down for US Terms:
STITCH GUIDANCE
Chain (ch): Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook. Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
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.
Treble (tr): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Double Treble (dtr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (three loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (two loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Front Post Double Treble (FPdtr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 3 times.
Front Post Double Treble two together (FPdtr2tog): Yarn over hook (twice), insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 2 times, Yarn over 2 times, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch indicated, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 2 times. Yarn over, pull through all loops on your hook
Popcorn (PC): Work 5 tr in indicated st, remove hook completely, insert hook from front to back in 1st tr (1st tr of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook together.
Right side (RS): This indicates the right side of your work
[ … ] Repeat section in square brackets until specified
( … ) Repeat section in curved brackets into one stitch or space
SPECIAL STITCH
Backwards Popcorn (BWPC): Work as a normal popcorn to begin (e.g. work 5 tr in indicated st) remove hook completely, insert hook from back to front in 1st tr (1st tr of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr of the 5), pull loop through first loop on hook to sl st
PATTERN – PART 1
The ch1 at the start of a row does not count as a st;
From row 5 each FPdtr will be worked 2 rows below from the row you are currently working on,
When you work a FPdtr or FPdtr2tog it will look as if you have missed a st when you look at it on the wrong side – you will not ever work in this st.
Row 1 (RS): Ch42, 1htr in the 2nd ch from hook, 1htr in each st across until the end, turn. 41sts
Rows 2 – 4: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 5 (RS): Ch1, 1htr in 14sts, miss 12sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st , 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 7 sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st, 1htr in the remaining 14sts, turn. 41sts / 37htrs / 4 FPdtr
See diagram help below for row 5:
Row 6: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn
Row 7: Ch1, 1htr in 12sts, miss 10sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below [1 FPdtr around the post of the next st (on the next repeat work around the post of the next FPdtr), 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below ] repeat once more, FPdtr2tog over the next two FPdtr two rows below, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next st, 1htr in the remaining 12sts, turn. 41sts / 36htrs / 4 FPdtr / FPdtr2tog
See diagram help below for row 7:
Row 8: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn
Row 9: Ch1, 1htr in 12sts, miss 12sts two rows below [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below ] repeat once more, FPdtr around the top of the FPdtr2tog two rows below, [1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr two rows below] repeat once more, 1htr in the remaining 12sts, turn. 41sts / 36htrs / 5 FPdtr
See diagram help below for row 9:
Row 10: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn
Row 11: Ch1, 1htr in 13sts, miss 12sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below . [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below ] repeat once more, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in remaining 13sts, turn. 41sts / 36htrs / 5 FPdtr
See diagram help below for row 11:
Row 12: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn
Row 13: Ch1, 1htr in 14sts, miss 13sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below . [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 2sts on current row, miss 2sts two rows below ] repeat once more, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in remaining 14sts, turn. 41sts / 36htrs / 5 FPdtr
See diagram help below for row 13:
Row 14: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 15: Ch1, 1htr in 16sts, miss 14sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next st on current row, miss 2sts two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the remaining 16sts, turn. 41sts /36htrs / 5 FPdtr
See diagram help below for row 15:
Row 16: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 17: Ch1, 1htr in 16sts, miss 16sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next st on current row, miss 1st two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the remaining 16sts, turn. 41sts / 36htrs / 5 FPdtr.
See diagram help below for row 17:
Row 18: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 19: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
Row 20: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 21: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
Row 22: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 23: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
See diagram help below for rows 18 – 23.
Row 24: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 25: Ch1, 1htr in 7sts, [PC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat twice more [1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next st on current row, miss 1st two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPdtr around the post of the next FPdtr, 1htr in the next 2sts, [PC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat twice more ,1htr in the remaining 5sts, turn. 41sts / 30htrs / 5 FPdtr / 6PCs
See diagram help below for rows 25.
Row 26: Ch1, 1htr in next 8sts [BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat seven times more, BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 8sts, turn. 41sts / 32htrs / 9 BWPCs
Row 27: Ch1, 1htr in next 6sts [PC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat eight times more, PC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 7sts, turn. 41sts / 31htrs / 10 PCs
Row 28: Ch1, 1htr in next 5sts [BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat nine times more, BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 5sts, turn. 41sts / 30htrs / 11 BWPCs
Row 29: Repeat row 27, turn. 41sts
Row 30: Repeat row 28, turn. 41sts
Row 31: Repeat row 27, turn. 41sts
Row 32: Ch1, 1htr in next 8sts [BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat seven times more, BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 8sts, turn. 41sts / 32htrs / 9 BWPCs
Row 33: Ch1, 1htr in next 9sts [PC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat six times more, PC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 10sts, turn. 41sts / 33htrs / 8 PCs
Row 34: Ch1, 1htr in next 11sts [BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat five times more, BWPC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 11sts, turn. 41sts / 34htrs / 7 BWPCs
Row 35: Ch1, 1htr in next 12sts [PC in the next st, 1htr in the next 2sts] repeat four times more, PC in the next st, 1htr in the remaining 13sts, turn. 41sts / 35htrs / 6 PCs
Rows 36 – 38: Ch1, 1htr in each st across, turn. . 41sts
On the last row do not fasten off but continue onto the block border – you will end on the WS of your block, turn your block so you continue the border on the right side.
BORDER:
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch1, then work 1htr in 41sts. turn your block and [work 3htr in the first row end, then [1htr in the first two row ends, 2htrs in the next row end] in the next 36 rows ends (48sts), work 3htr in the last row end] , turn your block and work 1htr in the next 41sts of your beginning foundation chain, turn your block again and working on the row ends repeat [ … ] once more, sl st to the top of the beginning htr to join. 41sts on each short side / 54 sts on each long side / 190sts in total
Rnd 2: Ch1, then work 1htr in 42sts, (1htr, ch3, 2htr) in the next st, 1htr in the next 50sts (1htr, ch3, 1htr) in the next st, 1htr in the next 43sts, (1htr, ch3, 2htr) in the next st, 1htr in the next 50sts, (1htr, ch3, 1htr) in the next st, 1htr in the last st, sl st to the top of the beginning htr to join. 45sts on each short side / 53 sts on each long side / 196sts + 4 x 3ch-sps in total
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
Pattern in US Terms:
STITCH GUIDANCE
Chain (ch): Bring yarn over hook from back to front and grab it with hook. Draw hooked yarn through slip knot and onto hook.
Slip Stitch (sl st): Insert hook in st indicated, yarn over and pull through all loops.
Half Double Crochet (hdc): 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.
Double Crochet (dc): Yarn over, insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over, pull through two loops, yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Treble (tr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert hook in indicated st and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (three loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull yarn through two loops on hook (two loops remain on hook). Yarn over, pull through remaining two loops on hook.
Front Post Treble (FPtr): Yarn over hook (twice), insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 3 times.
Front Post Treble two together (FPtr2tog): Yarn over hook (twice), insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the stitch indicated, yarn over, pull up a loop, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 2 times, Yarn over 2 times, insert your hook from front to back to front around the post of the next stitch indicated, (yarn over, pull through 2 loops on your hook) 2 times. Yarn over, pull through all loops on your hook
Popcorn (PC): Work 5 dc in indicated st, remove hook completely, insert hook from front to back in 1st dc (1st dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook together.
Right side (RS): This indicates the right side of your work
[ … ] Repeat section in square brackets until specified
( … ) Repeat section in curved brackets into one stitch or space
SPECIAL STITCH
Backwards Popcorn (BWPC): Work as a normal popcorn to begin (e.g. work 5 dc in indicated st) remove hook completely, insert hook from back to front in 1st dc (1st dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th dc of the 5), pull loop through first loop on hook to sl st
PATTERN – PART 1
· The ch1 at the start of a row does not count as a st;
· From row 5 each FPtr will be worked 2 rows below from the row you are currently working on,
· When you work a FPtr or FPtr2tog it will look as if you have missed a st when you look at it on the wrong side – you will not ever work in this st.
Row 1 (RS): Ch42, 1hdc in the 2nd ch from hook, 1hdc in each st across until the end, turn. 41sts
Rows 2 – 4: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 5 (RS): Ch1, 1hdc in 14sts, miss 12sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st , 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st , 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 7 sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 14sts, turn. 41sts / 37hdcs / 4 FPtr
See diagram help below for row 5:
Row 6: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 7: Ch1, 1hdc in 12sts, miss 10sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below [1 FPtr around the post of the next st (on the next repeat work around the post of the next FPtr), 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below ] repeat once more, FPtr2tog over the next two FPtr two rows below, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3 sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 12sts, turn. 41sts / 36hdcs / 4 FPtr / FPtr2tog
See diagram help below for row 7:
Row 8: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 9: Ch1, 1hdc in 12sts, miss 12sts two rows below [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below ] repeat once more, FPtr around the top of the FPtr2tog two rows below, [1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, FPtr around the post of the next FPtr two rows below] repeat once more, 1hdc in the remaining 12sts, turn. 41sts / 36hdcs / 5 FPtr
See diagram help below for row 9:
Row 10: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 11: Ch1, 1hdc in 13sts, miss 12sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below . [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below ] repeat once more, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 3sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in remaining 13sts, turn. 41sts / 36hdcs / 5 FPtr
See diagram help below for row 11:
Row 12: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 13: Ch1, 1hdc in 14sts, miss 13sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below . [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 2sts on current row, miss 2sts two rows below ] repeat once more, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 2sts on current row, miss 3sts two rows below, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in remaining 14sts, turn. 41sts / 36hdcs / 5 FPtr
See diagram help below for row 13:
Row 14: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 15: Ch1, 1hdc in 16sts, miss 14sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next st on current row, miss 2sts two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the remaining 16sts, turn. 41sts /36hdcs / 5 FPtr
See diagram help below for row 15:
Row 16: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 17: Ch1, 1hdc in 16sts, miss 16sts (from the beginning of the row) two rows below, [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next st on current row, miss 1st two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the remaining 16sts, turn. 41sts / 36hdcs / 5 FPtr.
See diagram help below for row 17:
Row 18: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 19: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
Row 20: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 21: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
Row 22: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 23: Repeat row 17, turn. 41sts
See diagram help below for rows 18 – 23.
Row 24: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. 41sts
Row 25: Ch1, 1hdc in 7sts, [PC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat twice more [1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next st on current row, miss 1st two rows below] repeat three more times, 1 FPtr around the post of the next FPtr, 1hdc in the next 2sts, [PC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat twice more ,1hdc in the remaining 5sts, turn. 41sts / 30hdcs / 5 FPtr / 6PCs
See diagram help below for rows 25.
See diagram help for row 25 on previous page.
Row 26: Ch1, 1hdc in next 8sts [BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat seven times more, BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 8sts, turn. 41sts / 32hdcs / 9 BWPCs
Row 27: Ch1, 1hdc in next 6sts [PC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat eight times more, PC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 7sts, turn. 41sts / 31hdcs / 10 PCs
Row 28: Ch1, 1hdc in next 5sts [BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat nine times more, BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 5sts, turn. 41sts / 30hdcs / 11 BWPCs
Row 29: Repeat row 27, turn. 41sts
Row 30: Repeat row 28, turn. 41sts
Row 31: Repeat row 27, turn. 41sts
Row 32: Ch1, 1hdc in next 8sts [BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat seven times more, BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 8sts, turn. 41sts / 32hdcs / 9 BWPCs
Row 33: Ch1, 1hdc in next 9sts [PC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat six times more, PC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 10sts, turn. 41sts / 33hdcs / 8 PCs
Row 34: Ch1, 1hdc in next 11sts [BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat five times more, BWPC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 11sts, turn. 41sts / 34hdcs / 7 BWPCs
Row 35: Ch1, 1hdc in next 12sts [PC in the next st, 1hdc in the next 2sts] repeat four times more, PC in the next st, 1hdc in the remaining 13sts, turn. 41sts / 35hdcs / 6 PCs
Rows 36 – 38: Ch1, 1hdc in each st across, turn. . 41sts
On the last row do not fasten off but continue onto the block border – you will end on the WS of your block, turn your block so you continue the border on the right side.
BORDER:
Rnd 1 (RS): Ch1, then work 1hdc in 41sts. turn your block and [work 3hdc in the first row end, then [1hdc in the first two rows ends, 2hdcs in the next row end] in the next 36 rows ends (48sts), work 3hdc in the last row end] , turn your block and work 1hdc in the next 41sts of your beginning foundation chain, turn your block again and working on the row ends repeat [ … ] once more, sl st to the top of the beginning hdc to join. 41sts on each short side / 54 sts on each long side / 190sts in total
Rnd 2: Ch1, then work 1hdc in 42sts, (1hdc, ch3, 2hdc) in the next st, 1hdc in the next 50sts (1hdc, ch3, 1hdc) in the next st, 1hdc in the next 43sts, (1hdc, ch3, 2hdc) in the next st, 1hdc in the next 50sts, (1hdc, ch3, 1hdc) in the next st, 1hdc in the last st, sl st to the top of the beginning hdc to join. 45sts on each short side / 53 sts on each long side / 196sts + 4 x 3ch-sps in total
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
And that’s it! Part 1 completed! I hope you’ve enjoyed the start and I can’t wait to see your trees begin to grow!
The Schedule, Updates & Support:
As always 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:
As I may have mentioned before the Facebook group is a lovely place of support, there are crocheters in there of all experiences, with new crocheters joining all the time! It’s likely that someone will be able to help you with any questions you might have though of course you can always contact me too here on the blog if you need any help.
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.
Thank you for crocheting along with me – the next eleven weeks are going to be so much fun!
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.
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
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