Have you picked up the latest issue of Crochet Now magazine? The new colourful issue hit the shelves on 12 April and I’ve got a brand new pattern featured inside. See that cute little toucan on the front cover, well that’s my Tulio.
Nature is a constant source of inspiration for my designs and, although I’ve been designing for awhile now, a toucan was on my (long) list of creatures I wanted to try and crochet.
Birds are such a wonderful subjects to recreate in yarn as they often have such wonderful colouring. They also lend themselves so well to a bit of creative licence; I love rainbows too so the combination of the rainbow beak makes me feel very happy.
Now you may notice, if you have the magazine, that there is a picture reference to the right side and wrong side of crochet, unfortunately there was a ‘layout error’ and the images were swapped, picture 1 is the wrong side and picture 2 is the right side and it should have been the right way around.
I know a couple of people contacted me asking about it and, don’t worry you haven’t been crocheting wrong, it was just a little mix up and the magazine has passed on their apologies for any confusion.
I really enjoyed leafing through my copy of Issue 27 as it’s is such a lovely bright edition! Along with Tulio the Toucan there’s tons of fabulous patterns, inspiration, offers, giveaways and interesting articles to read – and this issue also comes with a super fun fun addition to your crochet kit; a sparkly unicorn hook gauge.
Crochet Now magazineis available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up Tulio the Toucanbe sure to share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitterorinstagram) – I love to see what your finished projects!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
Anyone else just longing for Spring? It’s been so cold here recently that it’s been distinctly unpleasant to even go outside! Now it’s March I’m beginning to feel that we are heading out of winter and onto warmer days filled with Spring lambs, chicks, Easter eggs and bunnies! So I was super exited to see the lovely and bright new LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine (on sale now) with my sweet and stripy Isabella Bunny as the cover star!
The fun amigurumi pattern will help you to create a wonderful crochet bunny with interesting striped details. She has a removable fluffy dress and of course is wearing underwear to preserve some of her modesty! And you can use the length of free pink ribbon tied around her ear to finish off the project,
As well as Isabella Bunny I worked on the most fun pattern imaginable! Who in their lifetime gets to say that they’ve designed a bow tie for a rabbit! Well I can now claim that moniker and I couldn’t be more pleased! I adore how Reeces the rabbit looks in his smart formal wear – all dressed up ready for Spring. Of course humans could wear the bow tie too but you’ve got to admit it looks awesome on the bunny!
The free yarn kit with issue 99 includes six lovely bright colours:
Six hoppy yarns…including a special yellow fluffy yarn and pink ribbon!
4.5 mm hook & 4.5 mm knitting needles
47 exclusive patterns
Plus… a 68 page magazine
LGC Knitting & Crochet Magazine is available in major supermarkets and newsagents across the UK. If you hook up either Isabella Bunnyor the Bow Tiebe sure to share your photos with me on social media (facebook, twitterorinstagram) – I love to see what you make! So why not hop to it and get your copy of the magazine now!
Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
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The April 2017 issue of I Like Crochet magazine is now available for your reading and crochet pleasure…and it’s chock-a-block full with over 27 lovely Spring patterns for you…including one designed by me!
If you haven’t heard of I Like Crochet magazine before it’s a US bi-monthly digital magazine which is published by the creators ofAllFreeCrochet.com.
Can’t wait to get ready for Easter? For this months issue I have designed a sweet little Jelly Bean Bunny amigurumi which you can personalise in your favourite spring colours and add a yummy sweet snack in its arms. It’s a fab little stash buster for any odds and ends that you have lying around – you can make up a load of bunnies in no time!
This month’s features:
27+ spectacular spring projects
Easter Sweets
Fairy Tale Shawls
Birds of a Feather
Crochet Classics
Make it for Mom
There are patterns for Easter, mum, and just for you!
SUBSCRIBE TODAY to get your own copy of my new pattern plus more straight to your desktop or iPad.
Well until next time, happy hooking and keep calm and crochet on my friends xx
So continuing my mini challenge to myself this year, it’s time for Doodle Zoo character number 2; Rowan the Rabbit – just in time for Easter! A great little stash buster the Doodle Zoo animals are designed to work up in less than an hour and because they are just the right hand size they become very steal-able so be prepared to make a few! Rowan the Rabbit would make a cute additional gift for family and friends or an quick addition to a craft stall.
This is an easy pattern suitable for beginners looking to learn some new crochet techniques. Click here to add this pattern to your favourites / queue on Ravelry or click here to access on Craftsy or scroll down for the pattern.
For details about Doodle Zoo’s first character; see my post about Doodle Duck. Don’t forget to look out for the next Doodle Animal; Finley Frog coming next month!
Rowan the Rabbit
Materials:
(8ply / yarn weight #3 or #4)
30g / 90 yards of white double knit yarn
Scraps of pink yarn
Hook: 4mm (US size G)
You will also need:
Yarn needle
Stitch marker
2 x 9mm pink / black safety eyes
Polyester toy stuffing
Gauge:
4 dc/sc = 1 inch / 2.5 cm
Size: Finished rabbit measures = 4.5 inches high / 11.4 cm high
These measurements are approximated, and actual subjects may vary. Pattern will work in other yarns though gauge/size will be different.
Abbreviations:
st(s) = stitch(es)
sp = space
sl st = slip stitch
ch(s) = chain
dc/sc = UK double / US single crochet
dc/sc2tog = UK double Crochet / US Single Crochet 2 sts together
popcorn (PC) = Work 5 tr/dc in st indicated, remove hook completely, insert hook in 1st tr/dc (1st tr/dc of the 5), insert hook in loop that you just removed your hook from (5th tr/dc of the 5), yarn over and pull through both loops on hook.
Working without joining:
All the parts of the rabbit are worked without joining using a stitch marker to keep track of the rounds. Place the stitch marker in the top of the first st to mark start of round.
Pattern:
Body:
Rnd 1:With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).
Rnd 2:2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3: *1 dc/sc in next, 2 dc/sc in next st * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (18 sts).
Rnd 4:* 1 dc/sc in next 2 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd(24 sts).
Rnd 5:* 1 dc/sc in next 3 sts, 2 dc/sc in next st, * repeat from * to * until the end of the rnd (30 sts).
Rnd 6 – 10:1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).
Rnd 11- Arms and Tail:PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 7 sts, PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the next 6, PC in the next st, 1 dc/sc in the remaining sts (30 sts).
Rnd 12:1 dc/sc in each st around (30 sts).
Add your safety eyes in between rows 7 and 8 about 1.25 inches/ 3.3cm apart and in-between the PC arms.
Rnd 13:* 1 dc/sc in the next 3 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of rnd, begin to stuff your rabbit (24 sts).
Rnd 14:*1 dc/sc in the next 2 sts, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (18 sts).
Rnd 15:*1 dc/sc in the next st, 1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd (12 sts).
With pink yarn embroider a nose for your rabbit in a triangle shape (over rnds 13-14); adding a line underneath for the mouth
Finish off stuffing the body
Rnd 16:*1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread leaving a long tail (6 sts).
Using your tail end and using your yarn needle sew the last 6 stitches, finish off and weave in ends.
Ears (Make 2):
Rnd 1:With white yarn; either make a magic ring (adjustable ring) to start or ch 2, crochet 6 dc/sc into the ring / 2nd ch from hook, use tail yarn to tighten centre ring closed if necessary (6 sts).
Rnd 2:2 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 3 – 7: 1 dc/sc in each st around (12 sts).
Rnd 8:*1dc/sc2tog over next 2 sts * repeat from * to * until end of the rnd, cut thread leaving a long tail (6 sts).
Sew ears into place on top of your rabbits head with tail end of yarn.
Feet (Make 2):
Rnd 1:With white yarn; ch 6, 1 dc/sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along until end (5 sts), then working down the other side of your sts work 1 dc/sc until end (10sts).
Rnd 2 – 6:1 dc/sc in each st around, sl st to the next st to join but leave a long tail for sewing. (10 sts).
Sew the sides of the feet together then sew onto the front of your rabbit on rnd 13 approximately 0.25 inch / 1.5 cm apart.
If you’ve been following my blog then you will know that I set myself a mini challenge last year to design a new 6 inch Afghan square for each month…now I may have accidentally missed out May, July & September but I did finally finish off 3 more designs at the end of 2014 to bring my total up to 12 blocks – phew!
This was a super fun and challenging process and it has brought to life some of my personal favourite square designs. So to recap each design…
January – Midnight Eagle Owl Afghan Square
February – Shy Violet Afghan Square
March – Solomon’s Cross Afghan Square
April – Mini Filet Cross Afghan Square
May – Humming Bird /Dove Afghan Square (really finished in December!)
June – ‘Jolly Clown’ Afghan Square
July– Blooming Flower Afghan Square(also finished in December!)
August – Octagon Garden Afghan Square
September– Gingerbread Man Afghan Square (finished in November!)
And my mini challenge to myself this year…well it’s all about the amigurumis! After creatingDoodle Duckmy testers suggested I should make some other animals and so the idea for ‘Doodle Zoo’ was born. Through out the year I’m planning to design 12 free little animals for you all. Look out for the next Doodle Animal just in time for Easter – Rowan Rabbit coming soon!
