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Wednesday 31 October 2012

Hot Water Bottle Cover

Free crochet pattern from Coatscrafts.co.uk

 

Free crochet pattern: hot water bottle cover

Make this soft cotton hot water bottle cover in crochet and your hot water bottle will be a whole lot more appealing this winter.
Crocheted in Anchor Style Creativa, a lustrous cotton, your hot water bottle will feel like a glamorous accessory, rather than practical necessity. Finished with a pretty flower, you’re going to love making this free pattern.
With a choice of 30 shades in the Anchor Style Creativa range, you’re more than spoilt for choice. Pastel colours keep the hot water bottle cover looking soft and feminine, or you could make it in red for a fantastic Christmas gift. It would also look perfect in purple, and, dare we say it, even quite sexy in black with a red floral tie. Now who said hot water bottle covers couldn’t be glam?

 

Click here to download the PDF.

Tuesday 30 October 2012

Canadiana - Let's Go! Cowl (knit) Patons

 

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Arrows going back and forth make for an interesting and modern fair isle design in Patons Canadiana.

Skill Level
Intermediate

Arrows going back and forth make for an interesting and modern fair isle design in Patons Canadiana.

MEASUREMENTS
Approx 10 1/2" [26.5 cm] deep x 27" [68.5 cm] around.

MATERIALS
Patons Canadiana (100 g/3.5 oz; 187 m/205 yds)
Version I
Main Color (MC): White (10005) 1 ball
Contrast A: Pale Water Blue (10143) 1 ball
Version II
Main Color (MC)
: Medium Grey Mix (10044) 1 ball
Contrast A: Fool's Gold (10610) 1 ball

Size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) circular knitting needle 24" [60 cm] long or size needed to obtain tension. Stitch marker.

Visit Patons to download the PDF knitting pattern.

Sunday 28 October 2012

Amaryllis Crochet Cowl Pattern

Click here to get the pattern

Technique used:
Crochet/Broomstick Lace

MATERIALS

NaturallyCaron.com Joy!
(70% Acrylic/30% Bamboo; 2.5oz/70g, 138yds/126m):

#0002 Cerise: 3 balls

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Cowl measures approximately 50"/127cm circumference x 17 1/2"/44.5cm wide

Saturday 27 October 2012

Knit and Crochet Patterns Transition Wardrobe for Winter

 

Despite this week’s delay of game, the time is quickly approaching for knit and crochet sweaters, skirts and dresses.

These cozy items are a perfect choice as the weather chills and winter approaches, fashion experts say. They keep you warm and often appear hand-made — even if they aren’t.

“We are seeing lots of interesting knits that bring texture and subtle patterns to a garment,” says Gregg Andrews, Nordstrom fashion director. “These knits give a sense of authenticity. And we live in such a modern world that it is nice to own something that looks like it was done by hand, even if it wasn’t.”

Such garments are wonderful transition pieces from fall into winter, Andrews says. They can stand on their own now, and then, be worn under a jacket or blazer as the temperature plummets.

Tunic-length styles are great because they are easy to wear and look good over a slim pant with a pair of boots.

“And there you have a great outfit,” Andrews says. “But it is also one that is still really comfortable. Add jewelry, a scarf and heels, and it can take you from day to night.”

Every color works from neutrals such as ivory and oatmeal to deeper tones such as oxblood and deep green, he says. Expand your wardrobe with knits that have a metallic-like coating for a new and interesting look.

The trend this fall consists more of an open-weave or looser knit, says Marissa Rubin, senior market editor for People Style Watch.

“It has the feel of crochet, without being homespun and looking like grandma knit it for you,” Rubin says. “It can also give the feel of a little bit of a hippie. It looks nice layered over a tank for fall.”

 

Read More at Triblive click here.

Friday 26 October 2012

Modern Block Crocheted Bedspread - Free Crochet Patterns

Materials Required: AMERICAN THREAD COMPANY "STAR" FAST HEAVY CROCHET MERCERIZED COTTON, Article 140
20 balls Toltec Yellow.
8 balls Cinnamon.
36 balls Ecru.
39 balls Chocolate.
Steel crochet hook No. 1.

Each motif measures about 8 inches x 8 inches.
96 motifs 8 x 12 are required for bedspread measuring 68 inches x 102 inches.

Click here to get the pattern from freevintagecrochet.com

Thursday 25 October 2012

Crochet a Coral Reef :: News :: Washington and Lee University

Posted on September 21, 2012 by Sarah Tschiggfrie

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef is a project of the Institute for Figuring in Los Angeles that combines mathematics, art, crafts, marine biology and environmental science in creating crocheted reproductions of coral reefs. A satellite reef is now being locally constructed, sponsored by Roanoke College. Students and faculty at Washington and Lee University and members of the community will now have the opportunity to learn about the project and to add their own contributions

"It mixes all the disciplines and seems perfect for a liberal arts college," said Elizabeth Denne, assistant professor of mathematics at W&L. Denne has invited organizers of the Roanoke Valley Reef to give a talk at W&L on Tuesday, Sept. 25, in Robinson Hall 6 at 4:40 p.m. Refreshments will be available in Robinson Hall 2 at 4:20 p.m.

Contributors to the coral reef will use basic crochet stitches to produce reproductions of corals that mirror natural coral. The many individual contributions will then be combined to create a coral reef which will be exhibited at the Olin Gallery at Roanoke College in January 2013.

"We need to do this project this semester," said Denne, "because there's a January deadline for contributions for the exhibit. I've already started crocheting some pieces of my own and I'm hoping that we'll meet once a week to work on this.

"It's just meant to be something fun. People can learn about the project and if they want to take part I will teach them how to crochet if they don’t already know. It's one of the easier crafts to pick up. People also don't need to know any math because I'll explain that as well.

The Mathematical Association of America will be holding a meeting at Virginia Military Institute in the last weekend of October and Denne hopes to create a small exhibit of the coral creations at that meeting.

According to Denne, the crochet technique that causes the yarn to curve so interestingly was invented by the mathematician Daina Taimioa. It is the geometry of a hyperbolic plane that allows for the creation of a variety of coral-like shapes.

The Hyperbolic Crochet Coral Reef has been exhibited at museums and art galleries around the world, including the Natural History Museum of the Smithsonian, and is one of the largest participatory science and arts projects in the world. Its Satellite Reef program now has a global network of more than 5,000 active participants.

Further information about the Roanoke Valley Reef can be found at http://roanoke.edu/A-Z_Index/Coral_Reef.htm and information about the national project can be found at http://crochetcoralreef.org/

Crochet a Coral Reef :: News :: Washington and Lee University

Wednesday 24 October 2012

Hastings Woman uses Crochet at Youth Center - San Antonio Express-News

Hastings woman uses crochet at youth center

SHAY BURK, Hastings Tribune
Published 12:48 p.m., Saturday, October 20, 2012

HASTINGS, Neb. (AP) — Marnie Benson may not be a teacher in the traditional sense, but she's found that her current hobby, crochet, has translated well in her unique classroom setting.

Benson is a youth security supervisor at the Hastings Regional Center's Hastings Juvenile Chemical Dependency Program. She works with young men who have addictions to various drugs.

A few years ago Benson learned the basics of crochet from one of the residents. The night shift staff had taught the young man to crochet as a coping mechanism. The resident caught on so well that he was constantly bugging Benson about learning the craft, too.

Benson was leery about it because she had tried to learn before.

She comes from a family of crafty women, with one grandmother who knits and the other who crochets. "So I knew I could do it, but I just fidgeted around with it and never did well," Benson said.

But she decided to work out a deal with the young man: If he demonstrated positive behaviors for a week and kept it up, she would sit down with him for an hour and learn crochet.

They didn't make it through the hour, but it didn't matter. Benson was bitten by the crochet bug. She went home after her shift and watched numerous online tutorials to learn the art of crochet.

She started out making scarves, hats and baby blankets. Soon she was making hats for her co-workers and found that many of them were interested in her creations.

"I put some things on Facebook and people liked it and wanted to buy one, so then I would post something and people would order them," Benson said.

After a few trials and tribulations, Benson realized hats were the most sellable thing to make.

"At the start, I just wanted to earn enough to pay for expensive yarn," she said. "That was my plan in the beginning."

Soon Benson was selling her beanie hats along with hats with monkey and owl faces online through her Etsy and Facebook pages with the business name Strictly Yarn.

Crochet makes sense for Benson. She admits that she's always had a love for art and would get an art degree if she could do it all over again.

"Before crochet, I was constantly drawing and doing art things with Sharpies," she said. "Before that I was drawing and before that I was painting, so it's like drawing with yarn, sort of, for me."

Benson views crochet as just another personal expression through art. At the regional center, Benson works with young men struggling with behavioral problems, addictions or other issues.

In the past, she would put a pencil, a Sharpie or a paintbrush in their hands to let them express themselves through art. Now Benson said she loves to teach them how to crochet.

She said there are many benefits for the young men.

"It's a really great coping skill when they're having cravings or a bad day or they're dealing with anger," she said. "I find that angry kids are the ones that just really connect with crochet."

Benson said the young men with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder really benefit from crochet because it gives them something to do with their hands while they are having a conversation, watching television or just having some quiet time.

"There's a rhythm to it," she said. "I think it's really soothing for them."

Information from: Hastings Tribune, http://www.hastingstribune.com

Tuesday 23 October 2012

Purls of wisdom: how to visualise data in crochet–News - guardian.co.uk

 

Russia's population in knitting

Purls of wisdom: how to visualise data in crochet

How do you make a data visualisation - and keep yourself warm? Moscow-based blogger Russian Sphinx combined both with this knitted chart showing Russia's population growth since 1500. She admits to "limited knowledge of yarns" - although she normally visualises data in slightly more conventional ways
Who made this graphic? Russian Sphinx

 

Read more here.

Monday 22 October 2012

Half'n Half Granny Blanket (crochet) - Patons Yarn

 

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This crocheted Half'n Half Granny Blanket brings instant elegance to any room. Shown in Patons Decor.

MEASUREMENTS
Blanket: Approx 56" [142 cm] square.
Motif: Approx 14" [35.5 cm] square.

MATERIALS
Patons® Decor™ (100 g/3.5 oz; 190 m/208 yds)
Contrast A Mandarin (87700) 5 balls
Contrast B Grey Heather (87672) 5 balls

Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain tension.

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Click here to get the PDF pattern

Thursday 18 October 2012

Pretty Petals Potholder - Red Heart

 

Pretty Petals Potholder

These beautiful pompom flowers will serve double-duty in your kitchen—they’re also handy potholders! Line them with cotton batting and wool felt for added finger protection.

Get the pattern here.

Tuesday 16 October 2012

Catherine Wheel Blanket–Bernat Crochet Pattern

 

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MEASUREMENTS
Approx 60" x 68" [152.5 cm x 173 cm].

MATERIALS
Waverly® for Bernat® (100 g/3.5 oz; 180 m/197 yds)
Size 5.5 mm (U.S. I or 9) crochet hook or size needed to obtain
gauge.

SKIL LEVEL – Intermediate.

Click here for the free pattern.

Monday 15 October 2012

Patons Celtic Fairisle Beret Knitting Pattern

 

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Patons® Classic Wool WORSTED™
Celtic Fair Isle Beret (TO KNIT)

SIZE
One size to fit average woman’s head.


MATERIALS
Patons® Classic Wool Worsted™ (100 g/3.5 oz; 192 m/210 yds)
Main Color (MC) Moss Heather (77525) 1 ball
Contrast A Natural Mix (00229) 1 ball
Sizes 4 mm (U.S. 6) and 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) circular knitting needles 16"
[40 cm] long. Set of four size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) double-pointed knitting
needles or size needed to obtain tension. Stitch marker

Visit Patons here to get the free pattern.

Sunday 14 October 2012

5 Free Crochet Beanie Patterns

The Diamonds and Lace Hat by Linda Permann is a stylish cabled beanie worked in a fine sock-weight yarn. This textured hat is a great introduction to cables, and the detailed stitch diagram is invaluable to visual crocheters who want to learn to crochet cables. For a different look, try working this crochet beanie hat in a self-striping sock yarn with long repeats.

For an easy crochet beanie, try Nicole's Cap by Sarah Read. A quickly memorized V-stitch pattern creates the feminine body of this beautiful hat. The lace design makes this crochet topper the perfect accessory or gift for those who live in warmer climates.

The Flash Beanie by Judith is the perfect pattern for the whole family. This quick beany is easily customizable with a variety of stripe and color patterns. Try using a larger hook for a bigger hat or substitute your own stitch pattern for the single crochet or double crochet options given.

Galen's Manly Hat by Anne Lecrivain is the perfect guy's hat. This basic beanie has a classic look guys will appreciate, and the simple color work will ensure it is an exciting project to crochet. The sidebar on changing colors makes this beanie pattern accessible to beginning and experienced crocheters.

A simple crown highlights the rich cluster-stitch body of the quick-to-make Gloria's Happy Hat by Dora Ohrenstein. Worked in DK weight yarn, this stylish beanie is the perfect blend of warmth and fashion.

Visit CrochetMe here to downoad the pattern book.

Saturday 13 October 2012

Clipper Tea & Coffee

Have you got your clipper mug yet? I have and it’s fabulous as well as being able to win one you can collect tokens (3) off certain teas and just pay P&P to collect the mugs. I have recently been trying to cut out all caffeine and was delighted to discover clipper decaffeinated coffee it has an exquisite flavour and you really wouldn’t know that it was caffeine free.

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Click here to enter to win 1 of 5 teapot sets

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Click here to enter to win 1 of 20 Cornish sea salt sets.

Friday 12 October 2012

Action for Happiness–10 keys to Happier Living

 

Everyone's path to happiness is different. But our review of the latest research has found 10 Keys to Happier Living that consistently tend to make people's lives happier and more fulfilling. Together they spell "GREAT DREAM".

For each of the ten keys you'll find information, questions, resources and a range of suggested actions to help you apply them in your daily life. Read more

GREAT DREAM
Ten keys to happier living Action for Happiness has developed the 10 Keys to Happier Living based on a review of the latest scientific research relating to happiness.
Everyone’s path to happiness is different, but the research suggests these Ten Keys  consistently tend to have a positive impact on people’s overall happiness and well-being. The first five (GREAT) relate to how we interact with the outside world in our daily activities*.
The second five (DREAM) come more from inside us and depend on our attitude to life.

G IVING - Do things for others
R ELATING - Connect with people
E XERCISING - Take care of your body
A PPRECIATING - Notice the world around
T RYING OUT - Keep learning new things
D IRECTION - Have goals to look forward to
R ESILIENCE - Find ways to bounce back
E MOTION - Take a positive approach
A CCEPTANCE -Be comfortable with who you are
M EANING - Be part of something bigger

* The first five keys are based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing developed by nef as part of the UK Government's Foresight Project on Mental Capital.


Ten keys to happier living
The Ten Keys are explained in more detail below. Each has a related question to help us think about how our activities and attitudes affect our well-being and the well-being of the others around us.


G IVING Do things for others Caring about others is fundamental to our happiness. Helping other people is not only good for them and a great thing to do, it also makes us happier and healthier too. Giving also creates stronger connections between people and helps to build a happier society for everyone. And it's not all about money - we can also give our time, ideas and energy. So if you want to feel good, do good!


Q: What do you do to help others?

R ELATING Connect with people
Relationships are the most important overall contributor to happiness. People with strong and broad social relationships are happier, healthier and live longer. Close relationships with family and friends provide love, meaning, support and increase our feelings of self worth. Broader networks bring a sense of belonging. So taking action to
strengthen our relationships and create new connections is essential for happiness.


Q: Who matters most to you?


E XERCISING Take care of your body
Our body and our mind are connected. Being active makes us happier as well as being good for our physical health. It instantly improves our mood and can even lift us out of a depression. We don't all need to run marathons - there are simple things we can all do to be more active each day. We can also boost our well-being by unplugging from
technology, getting outside and making sure we get enough sleep!

Q: How do you stay active and healthy?


A PPRECIATING Notice the world around
Ever felt there must be more to life? Well good news, there is! And it's right here in front of us. We just need to stop and take notice. Learning to be more mindful and aware can do wonders for our well-being in all areas of life - like our walk to work, the way we eat or our relationships. It helps us get in tune with our feelings and stops us dwelling on the past or worrying about the future - so we get more out of the day-to-day.

Q: When do you stop and take notice?


T RYING OUT Keep learning new things
Learning affects our well-being in lots of positive ways. It exposes us to new ideas and helps us stay curious and engaged. It also gives us a sense of accomplishment and helps boost our self-confidence and resilience. There are many ways to learn new things - not
just through formal qualifications. We can share a skill with friends, join a club, learn to sing, play a new sport and so much more.

Q: What new things have you tried recently?

D IRECTION Have goals to look forward to
Feeling good about the future is important for our happiness. We all need goals to motivate us and these need to be challenging enough to excite us, but also achievable. If we try to attempt the impossible this brings unnecessary stress. Choosing ambitious but
realistic goals gives our lives direction and brings a sense of accomplishment and satisfaction when we achieve them.

Q: What are your most important goals?

R ESILIENCE Find ways to bounce back
All of us have times of stress, loss, failure or trauma in our lives. But how we respond to these has a big impact on our well-being. We often cannot choose what happens to us, but we can choose our own attitude to what happens. In practice it’s not always easy, but
one of the most exciting findings from recent research is that resilience, like many other life skills, can be learned.

Q: How do you bounce back in tough times?

E MOTION Take a positive approach
Positive emotions – like joy, gratitude, contentment, inspiration, and pride – are not just great at the time. Recent research shows that regularly experiencing them creates an 'upward spiral', helping to build our resources. So although we need to be realistic about
life's ups and downs, it helps to focus on the good aspects of any situation – the glass half full rather than the glass half empty.

Q: What are you feeling good about?

A CCEPTANCE Be comfortable with who you are
No-one's perfect. But so often we compare our insides to other people's outsides. Dwelling on our flaws - what we're not rather than what we've got - makes it much harder to be happy. Learning to accept ourselves, warts and all, and being kinder to ourselves when things go wrong, increases our enjoyment of life, our resilience and our
well-being. It also helps us accept others as they are.

Q: What is the real you like?

M EANING Be part of something bigger
People who have meaning and purpose in their lives are happier, feel more in control and get more out of what they do. They also experience less stress, anxiety and depression. But where do we find 'meaning and purpose'? It might be our religious faith,
being a parent or doing a job that makes a difference. The answers vary for each of us
but they all involve being connected to something bigger than ourselves.


Q: What gives your life meaning?

Join the movement
www.actionforhappiness.org

Thursday 11 October 2012