By Helen

crochet scarf…

Hello!  It has been a while! I’ve been busy, busy, busy working in my real-life job and lots and lots of making: I’ve been making flowers for a lovely lady’s bridesmaids!  The wedding is tomorrow: so I’ll share some pictures of those makes very soon.  I’ve also been working on something for you!  As the weather, here is York, is turning distinctly chilly I thought I’d crochet a scarf and share the pattern with you.  It’s a short scarf (although you clever people can easily make it longer) perfect for chilly evenings and under jackets…

I’ve used some beautiful camel sock yarn (50% silk and 50% baby camel) from Truly Hooked and used a 4mm hook for a loose open feel.  The scarf used all of one 100g/400m skein, so if you decide to make the scarf longer, you will need more than one skein…

[instructions without pictures can be found at the end of this post]

Row one: ch 270. Turn…

Row two: dc in 2^nd ch from hook, dc into each st. Turn...

HINT: I would suggest working into the ch as in the image below, for a really neat foundation…

Row three: 3ch, 1tr in next st, *1ch, skip st, 1tr in next 2 sts**…

Repeat *-* to end. Turn…

Row four: 3ch, 1tr in next st. **2tr in ch sp, 1ch, 2tr in ch sp*. Repeat ** - ** to end. Turn…

Repeat row three and four, until the scarf is the width you would like.  When crocheting the last row, don’t do a chain between the trebles.

Last row: 1ch, dc in ch sp, dc in tr, dc between each ch…

Wear and enjoy! Share some of your scarf!  Either here, on Ravelry, on Facebook or on Instagram

Because sme of you don’t need all the picture instructions, here is the copy and paste version…

• Row one: ch 270. Turn.
• Row two: dc in 2^nd ch from hook, dc into each st. Turn
• HINT: I would suggest working into the ch as in the image below, for a really neat foundation.
• Row three: 3ch, 1tr in next st, *1ch, skip st, 1tr in next 2 sts**.
• Repeat *-* to end. Turn.
• Row four: 3ch, 1tr in next st. **2tr in ch sp, 1ch, 2tr in ch sp*. Repeat ** - ** to end. Turn.
• Repeat row three and four, until the scarf is the width you would like. When crocheting the last row, don’t do a chain between the trebles.
• Last row: 1ch, dc in ch sp, dc in tr, dc between each ch.

Wear and enjoy! Share some of your scarf!  Either here, on Ravelry, on Facebook or on Instagram

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Hello Lovelies!  It has been an absolute age, since I wrote a crochet pattern.  I have been soooo busy in my other life; crochet has taken a bit of a back-seat: I am trying so hard to right this situation, so please, please, bear with me.   Last week I finally sat down, crochet hook and yarn in hand, and wrote a crochet pattern.  The crochet pattern has been mulling around in my head for a very, very, long time.  It started way-back when, when I crocheted my rose wreath and it finally developed into the pattern, that I am going to share with you now. 

You will need; yarn and crochet hook (appropriate to the yarn that you are using), a needle and scissors.  For those of you who want to, there is a copy and paste version of this pattern at the bottom of this post.

The pattern is written so that you can crochet three different size roses…

Ready?  Good.

Start by crocheting either 53 (39 or 23) ch…

Working into the 5^th ch from the hook…

1tr…

*1ch, miss 1ch, 1tr into next ch*...

Repeat *-* until end…

3ch, 4tr, 1dc into chsp...

**into next chsp, 1dc, 5tr, 1dc** …

Repeat **-** until end, finished off leaving a long tail…

Coil the rose together and secure, using the tail and stitching together…

Crochet lots of roses and make yourself a beautiful bunch of roses or attach them to a wreath.

If you’ve enjoyed crocheting my rose, I’d love to see your work.  You can follow me on Facebook HERE or on Instagram HERE or on Ravelry HERE

Enjoy!

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• Start by crocheting either 53 (39 or 23) ch
• Working into the 5^th ch from the hook, 1tr
• 1ch, miss 1ch, 1tr into next ch
• Repeat *-* until end
• 3ch, 4tr, 1dc into chsp
• **into next chsp, 1dc, 5tr, 1dc**
• Repeat **-** until end
• finished off leaving a long tail
• Coil the rose together and secure, using the tail and stitching together

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Yay!  Busy back with crochet!  I’m busy getting ready for my next crochet workshop.  On 21^st May I’ll be running a crochet workshop for some lovely people at The Silver Thimble, just outside York.  This will be the second crochet workshop that I have run, in the last couple of months; this one will focus on crocheting granny squares and crocheting them into something fabulous.  I’ve designed the workshop so anyone can join, anyone: those with no crochet experience, those with lots of crochet experience – there will be something for everyone.   All are welcome!  If you'd love to come and crochet yourself a granny square, joining details are at the bottom of this post...

The workshop is £20.00 and runs from 10:00 – 14:00.  If you are interested in coming to this crochet workshop then either message me, via my Facebook page HERE or contact Kath at The Silver Thimble. 

See you on the 21^st!

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Hello!  Hello!  Hello!  I know I’ve been very quiet for the last few weeks.  I’ve changed jobs and I’ve been having a few family things going on, hopefully, things are starting the settle down and life will return to normal and I’ll be picking my hook back-up over the next few days.  My hook hasn’t been totally still over the last few weeks. You can always catch-up with me on Facebook!  I’ve slowly, slowly, been working on a pattern to share with you. The crochet pattern is for a water-lily square, inspired by the water-lilies that I saw at Burnby Hall.  I hope you like it…

To crochet a water-lily square you will need yarn in a selection of colours (I used Stylecraft’s DK), a yarn appropriate hook (I used a 4mm) and some scissors.  Ready?

Round one: 5ch, ss to join…

Round two: 3ch, working into the ring, 2tr tog, *3ch, 3tr tog,* repeat *-* 3 more times, you should have 5ch sp, finish off and weave in ends…

Round three: join new yarn in any ch sp, *dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc* into ch sp, repeat *-* into each ch sp…

Round four: working into the back of the petals *ss into 2^nd tr, 5ch* repeat so you have 5ch sp…

Round five: as round three.

Round six: as round four.

Round seven: as round three.

Round eight: as round four.

Round nine: as round three only work evenly so you have 4ch sp, finish off and weave in ends…

Round ten: join new yarn in any ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into ch sp, 2ch, working into the same ch sp, 3tr, 5ch, *3tr, 2ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 5ch, * repeat *-* in each ch sp…

Round eleven: 3ch, 2tr, 3ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into next ch sp.  Continue working in this way around the square, finish off and weave in ends. You should have 3tr, 3ch, 3tr in each corner, 3tr in each side ch sp and 3ch between each…

Round twelve: join new yarn in any ch sp and continue crocheting as with round eleven…

After round twelve I finished off and started my next water-lily square, but it is up to you how many rounds you decide to do before finishing off.  I’m going to crochet a few more squares, then join them together so become a water-lily cushion cover. 

I’d love to see what you crochet yours into.  You can share them here, on Facebook or on Ravelry.

 Happy crocheting!

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For those of you that prefer a copy and paste pattern, here it is…

Round one: 5ch, ss to join.

Round two: 3ch, working into the ring, 2tr tog, *3ch, 3tr tog,* repeat *-* 3 more times, you should have 5ch sp, finish off and weave in ends.

Round three: join new yarn in any ch sp, *dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc* into ch sp, repeat *-* into each ch sp.

Round four: working into the back of the petals *ss into 2^nd tr, 5ch* repeat so you have 5ch sp.

Round five: as round three.

Round six: as round four.

Round seven: as round three.

Round eight: as round four.

Round nine: as round three only work evenly so you have 4ch sp, finish off and weave in ends.

Round ten: join new yarn in any ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into ch sp, 2ch, working into the same ch sp, 3tr, 5ch, *3tr, 2ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 5ch, * repeat *-* in each ch sp.

Round eleven: 3ch, 2tr, 3ch, 3tr, into ch sp, 3ch, 2tr into next ch sp.  Continue working in this way around the square, finish off and weave in ends. You should have 3tr, 3ch, 3tr in each corner, 3tr in each side ch sp and 3ch between each.

Round twelve: join new yarn in any ch sp and continue crocheting as with round eleven. 

After round twelve I finished off and started my next water-lily square, but it is up to you how many rounds you decide to do before finishing off.  I’m going to crochet a few more squares, then join them together so become a water-lily cushion cover. 

xxx

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Well after a few weeks of fuzziness the world is starting to look clearer.  There are going to be some big, but very exciting changes in mine and Si’s life over the coming months.  I’m changing jobs and Si has some really exciting opportunities that he is exploring.  So, in celebration me and a large glass of something red, my crochet hook and my camera sat out in the sunshine and designed a new flower, especially for you!  I’ve called it a layered flower, as it has two different layers of petals... 

You are going to be crocheting into the front loop only and back loop only of a double-crochet.  In case you need a reminder, this is what I mean….

Front loop only…

Back loop only…

You can use any yarn that you have to hand and a hook appropriate for the yarn.  A copy and paste pattern is at the bottom of this post!

5ch, ss to join…

7dc into the round, ss to join…

Working into the front loop only, * ss to first dc, 5ch, ss into the dc*…

Repeat *-* until you have your first layer of petals…

Working into the back loop only **ss to first dc, 7ch, ss into the dc**…

Repeat **-** until you have your second layer of petals…

Have fun experimenting with different number of double crochet and different lengths of chain petals. I’d love to see you flowers.  You can share them here, or on Facebook or on Ravelry.

Happy crocheting!

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For those of you who like to copy and paste patterns…

• 5ch, ss to join
• 7dc into the round, ss to join
• Working into the front loop only, * ss to first dc, 5ch, ss into the dc*
• Repeat *-* until you have your first layer of petals
• Working into the back loop only **ss to first dc, 7ch, ss into the dc**
• Repeat **-** until you have your second layer of petals

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I’ve decided that Spring is here.  The weather may be disagreeing, but there are definitely signs of Spring springing.  I decided to crochet a Spring garland in celebration.  I am sooooo happy with how it turned out, I had to share it with you…

I hope you like it?  I thought I’d share the pattern with you, so that you can have a little bit of Spring, no matter what the weather decides to do this weekend.  I used five different colours of DK yarn, but I’ll leave the colour and yarn choice for you to decide.  You’ll also need a yarn appropriate hood, scissors and a needle.  To make the flowers, you’ll need to crochet a puff stitch (ps), I’ve provided instruction for this at the end on the main pattern.  For those of you that don’t need photograph instructions, or want to copy and paste the pattern, just scroll to the bottom of this post.  OK?  Ready?  Here we go…

4ch, ss to join…

3ch, *ps into the ring, 2ch*…

repeat *-* so that you have 5ps and 5chsp, fasten off and secure in the ends…

join a new colour in any ch sp…

1ch to secure the new colour, then working in the ch sp, **dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc, **…

repeat **-** into each ch sp, ss into first stitch to join, fasten off and secure in the ends…

join new colour in any st…

dc into each st, including the top of the ps on the first round…

ss into first st, fasten off and secure in the ends…

Make as many flowers as you need for your garland.  Crochet some leaves, the pattern for leaves can be found HERE. I crocheted seven flowers and nine leaves…

Start to crochet a long chain, joining the flowers and leaves as you go along…

Hang you Spring garland and enjoy…

Let me know how you get along. Remember that you can find me on Ravelry HERE and on Facebook HERE.

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Crocheting a puff stitch (ps)…

Yarn over hook, * insert hook in to st, yarn over hook and pull through,* repeat *-* until you have nine loops on your hook, yarn over hook…

Pull back through all nine stitches…

You should have your puff stitch :)

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Copy and paste pattern…

• 4ch, ss to join
• 3ch, *ps into the ring, 2ch*
• repeat *-* so that you have 5ps and 5ch sp, fasten off and secure in the ends
• join a new colour in any ch sp
• 1ch to secure the new colour, then working in the ch sp, **dc, htr, 3tr, htr, dc, **
• repeat **-** into each ch sp, ss into first stitch to join, fasten off and secure in the ends
• Join new colour in any st
• dc into each st, including the top of the ps on the first round
• ss into first st, fasten off and secure in the ends
• make as many flowers as you need for your garland.  Crochet some leaves, the pattern for leaves can be found HERE (sorry no copy and paste).  I crocheted seven flowers and nine leaves
• start to crochet a long chain, joining the flowers and leaves as you go along

 Puff stitch (ps)

• Yarn over hook, * insert hook in to st, yarn over hook and pull through,* repeat *-* until you have nine loops on your hook, yarn over hook
• Pull back through all nine stitches
• You should have your puff stitch

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Happy Crocheting!

xxx

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For Valentine’s Day I made roses…

The roses are made from ric-rac (also known as rik-rak and rick-rack).  I hope you know what I mean?  It’s trimming that looks like this…

It comes in different widths, it really doesn’t matter what size you have to hand, you’ll just end up with slightly bigger, or slightly smaller roses!  I thought I’d share with you how to make these ric-rac roses.  Here goes.   You’ll need your sewing machine, thread that blends into the ric-rac (although I am using one that shows up, so that you can see what I’m doing), scissors, pins,a ruler,  glue (either fabric or hot glue-gun) and a peg!

Cut length of ric-rak, about 25-30cms long, then cut it in half.  Twist the two lengths of ric-rak together…

The peg comes in really handy for securing one end!  When you have twisted the lengths together, go to your sewing machine and make sure that you are using a straight stitch (average length will be fine) and set on the slowest speed:  your fingers are going to be close to the needle!   Carefully stitch down one side of the twisted ric-rak…

You might need a second peg to stop the other-end unravelling…

When you’ve finished stitching it should look something like…

Practice rolling the stitched ric-rak into a bud; do this a few times, so that when you start with the glue you don’t end up in a mess (like I did first time around).  When you are ready, roll the stitched ric-rak into a bud, gluing as you go …

When you have finished gluing, you might need a pin to secure the end…

Leave the roses overnight so that the glue completely dries.  When the glue is dry, gently fold out petals…

Decide what you are going to do with your lovely little rose.  I glued this on to a ring…

Let me know what you decide to you with your ric-rak roses, remember that you can find me on Facebook HERE

Play about with different lengths of ric-rak and different widths, until you have blooms and blooms of roses.

Happy crafting!

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simple crochet – granny square…

Hello Lovelies !  It’s been a crazy week here in blogland, as I have had lots and lots of new people dropping by.  You are all very welcome.  I really hope that some of you will stay awhile: I love sharing my crafty adventure with you all. The big increase is completely down to the lovlye Lucy, from Attic24, sharing a photo of my winter wreath.  Thank you Lucy! 

You can choose to follow my blog, or join me on Facebook HERE and I put my crochet patterns HERE on Ravelry: just in case you were wondering! 

I thought that I’d ease us into 2015 crochet with something simple: crocheting granny squares.  I do like granny squares, I don’t think I love them in the same way some crocheters do, but I definitely like them A LOT!  Actually I have more granny squares, in my home, than I realised!  I have them on cushions,, cushions, cushions,I use them every day as coasters, there on my needle case and I used them on my foot-stool…

I thought that I share with you how to crochet yourself a simple, basic, granny square: a request that also came from a conservation in a pub over Christmas.

I am using dk yarn and my trust 4mm hook, but you can crochet your granny square out of anything (copy and paste pattern at the end of this post).

Start by crochet 3ch and joining with a ss, to make a circle, 3ch, 2tr into the circle, 2ch,…

3tr into the circle, 2ch…

3tr into the circle, 2ch, 3tr into the circle, 2ch, ss to join…

Turn, either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch…

2tr into the chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the chsp, 2ch…

3tr into the next chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the same chsp, 2ch…

Repeat this into each chsp, then ss to join…

Turn, either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch, 2tr into the chsp…

Into the corner chsp, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 2ch (the 2ch moves you to the next chsp), 3tr into the side chsp…

Keep going, all the way around …

Keep crocheting in the same way until your granny square is the size you want: small or big…

HINT – if you find that your granny square is curing up at the edges you might you to try putting in an extra chain or two, so that you have a bigger chsp to work into.  If you find that your granny square is on the baggy side, only put one, or even no, chain, on the side of your squares and work into the small gap rather than actual chsp. 

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Copy and paste pattern:

• Crochet 3ch and joining with a ss, to make a circle, 3ch.
• 2tr into the circle, 2ch, 3tr into the circle, 2ch.
• 3tr into the circle, 2ch, 3tr into the circle, 2ch, ss to join.  Turn.  Then either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch.
• 2tr into the chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the chsp, 2ch
• 3tr into the next chsp, 2ch, 3tr into the same chsp, 2ch.
• Repeat this into each chsp, then ss to join. Turn.
• Either continue with the same colour, or join a new colour, 3ch, 2tr into the chsp.
• Into the corner chsp, 3tr, 2ch, 3tr, 2ch (the 2ch moves you to the next chsp), 3tr into the side chsp.
• Keep going, all the way around.
• Keep crocheting in the same way until your granny square is the size you want: small or big.

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Did you enjoy crocheting the cute crochet robin? I know that lots of you favourited and queued the pattern on Ravelry.  Thank you!  It is really, really, really easy to turn your crochet robin into a Christmas pudding…

Here’s how: you’ll need the same things as you needed for the crocheting the robin; dark brown yarn (I used dk), a yarn appropriate hook (I used a 4mm), white yarn (I used mercerised cotton, to give a slight sheen), a teeny-tiny amount of green felt, teeny-tiny red beads.

Start, in the same way as the crochet robin:

Round One: Into a magic ring work 1ch (to secure) and 5dc, ss to join.

Round Two: Crochet 2dc into each dc, ss to join.

Round Three: * dc in first dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Four:  * dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Five:  * dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Six – Round Ten: dc in each dc, ss to join.

Before you start to decrease, pause to secure the end.

Round Eleven:  * dc into next 3 dc, dc2tog *, repeat 8 - *, ss to join.

Round Twelve:  * dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Thirteen: * dc in next dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Fourteen:  * dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Before the gap at the top of the pudding gets too small, pause and stuff!

Secure in the end.

Once you have the brown ball, you need to crochet some brandy butter / brandy sauce / rum sauce…

Repeat the instructions for the pudding (see above) until you have enough for your taste: I stopped at about round nine). Then free-style an edge so it looks like the cream is dribbling down your pudding in a deliciously decadent way…

Stitch the cream to the pudding…

Garnish our pudding with holly leaves, or whatever you desire…

Perfect! 

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When I was little my Mum used to tell me that robin’s were Father Christmas’ spies.  That when they were sat watching you, they were noting down if you had been good or bad.  When they flew away, there were going to tell Father Christmas, who would decide if you would get any Christmas presents.  I love this idea; and still think of it each time I see a robin bobbing about in the garden. For this memory,  I decided that I had to crochet a robin.  I can’t quite believe how cute they turned out to be…

To crochet one for you, you will need; dark brown yarn (I used dk), a yarn appropriate hook (I used a 4mm), red yarn, needle, googly-eyes, small amount of yellow felt and small amount of toy stuffing.

(If you want to copy and paste these instructions, without photos, scroll down this post)

Round One: into a magic ring work 1ch (to secure) and 5dc, ss to join…

Round Two: 2dc into each dc, ss to join…

Round Three: * dc in first dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join…

Round Four:  * dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join…

Round Five:  * dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join…

Round Six – Round Ten: dc in each dc, ss to join…

Before you start to decrease, pause to secure the end…

Round Eleven:  * dc into next 3 dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join…

Round Twelve:  * dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join…

Round Thirteen: * dc in next dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join...

Round Fourteen:  * dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.  Before the gap at the top of the pudding gets too small, pause and stuff…

Secure in the end…

To crochet the red breast; follow the above instructions to Round Five, using your red yarn.  Then stitch the red breast to the body.

To crochet the wings: 2ch, turn, 2dc in 1^st ch, turn, 1ch, 2dc in each dc, turn, 1ch, 2dc in each dc, fasten off, Crochet another wing! Stitch the wings to the body and add eyes and add a beak…

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Round One: into a magic ring work 1ch (to secure) and 5dc, ss to join.

Round Two:  2dc into each dc, ss to join.

Round Three: * dc in first dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Four:  * dc in next 2 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Five:  * dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next dc *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Six – Round Ten: dc in each dc, ss to join.

Before you start to decrease, pause to secure the end.

Round Eleven:  * dc into next 3 dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Twelve:  * dc in next 2 dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Thirteen: * dc in next dc, dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Round Fourteen:  * dc2tog *, repeat * - *, ss to join.

Before the gap at the top of the pudding gets too small, pause and stuff!

Secure in the end.

To crochet the red breast; follow the above instructions to Round Five, using your red yarn.  

Stitch the red breast to the body

To crochet the wings: 2ch, turn, 2dc in 1^st ch, turn, 1ch, 2dc in each dc, turn, 1ch, 2dc in each dc, fasten off, Crochet another wing!

Stitch the wings to the body and add eyes and add a beak

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Happy crocheting!

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