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Monday 30 June 2014

The Big Picture photography competition: round 176 Helsinki Cathedral with Crochet




How fantastic is this? I’ve been to this Cathedral but it sure didn’t look this fantastic, I think I would still be there if it did. Wow!

This week's Big Picture winner – and recipient of a Nikon Coolpix P300 camera worth £249.99 – is Peter Norris of Boxford, Suffolk, for this image of patchwork quilts on the steps outside Helsinki's cathedral, Finland.

Sunday 29 June 2014

Petal Pillow Free Crochet Pattern

petalpillow

 

A great gift for any loved one, this flower-decorated Valentine's Day pillow can be adapted to any holiday with an easy change of the color scheme!

MEASUREMENT
Approx 12 x 18 ins [30.5 x 45.5 cm].

MATERIALS
Patons® Classic Wool (100 g / 3.5 oz; 192 m / 210 yds)
Main Color (MC) (77710 Cherry) 2 balls
Contrast A (77404 Orchid) 1 ball

Sizes 4 mm (U.S. G or 6) and 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hooks or size needed to obtain gauge. 12 x 18 ins [30.5 x 45.5 cm] pillow form.

GAUGES
16 sts and 12 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with smaller hook in pat.
14 dc and 7 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] with larger hook.

INSTRUCTIONS
Pillow
With smaller hook and MC, ch 74.
1st row: (RS). 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. *1 dc in next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * to end of ch. Turn. 73 sts.
2nd row: Ch 3 (counts as dc). *1 sc in next dc. 1 dc in next sc. Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
3rd row: Ch 1. 1 sc in first dc. *1 dc in next sc. 1 sc in next dc.
Rep from * to end of row. Turn.
Rep last 2 rows for pat. Until work from beg measures 24 ins [61 cm].
Fasten off.

Small Flower (make 7)
With larger hook and A, ch 2.
1st rnd: 8 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: (petals) *Ch 11. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in next ch. 1 dc in next ch. 1 tr in each of next 4 ch. 1 dc in next ch. 1 hdc in next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Sl st in next sc of 1st rnd. Rep from * around. 8 petals.
3rd rnd: Sl st around outer edge of each petal. Join with sl st to first st.
Fasten off.

Small Flower Center (make 7)
With larger hook and MC, ch 2.
1st rnd: 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: Sl st in each st around. Join with sl st to first st. Fasten off. Sew one Small Flower Center to center of each Small Flower.

Large Flower (make 3)
With larger hook and A, ch 4. Join with sl st to form ring.
1st rnd: Ch 1. 16 sc in ring. Join with sl st to first sc.
2nd rnd: (petals) *Ch 15. 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook. 1 hdc in next ch. 1 dc in each of next 2 ch. 1 tr in each of next 6 ch. 1 dc in each of next 2 ch. 1 hdc in next ch. 1 sc in next ch. Rep from * around. 16 petals.
3rd rnd: Sl st around outer edge of each petal. Join with sl st to first st.
Fasten off.

Large Flower Center (make 3)
With larger hook and MC, ch 4.
1st rnd: 11 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join with sl st to top of ch 3. 12 dc.
2nd rnd: Sl st in each st around. Join with sl st to first st. Fasten off. Sew one Large Flower Center to center of each Large Flower.

Finishing.
Sew 3 sides of Pillow tog. Insert pillow form. Sew rem side closed. Sew all Flowers to one side of Pillow as seen in picture.

Click Here to get the free pattern from Patons Yarns

Saturday 28 June 2014

Vintage Crochet Pattern–Colonial Charm Afghan

Colonial Charm Afghan–Free Vintage Crochet Pattern

colonialcharm

Source - Freevintagecrochet.com

Afghan measures approximately 44 x 64 inches

MATERIALS:

CHADWICK'S RED HEART SOCK AND SWEATER YARN, 3 Ply, Shrink-and-Stretch Resist Finish, Art. E.255: 9 skeins (1 oz. "Tangle-Proof" Pull-Out Skeins) of No. 12 Black; 7 skeins of No. 686 Paddy Green; 5 skeins of No. 230 Yellow and 7 skeins of assorted colors.

Clark's O.N.T. Plastic Crochet Hook No. 4.

GAUGE: Each motif measures 4 inches from point to point.

FIRST MOTIF . . . Starting at center with Black, ch 5. Join with sl st to form ring.1st rnd: 12 sc in ring. Join and break off. 2nd rnd: Attach Yellow to first sc, ch 3, dc in same sc, 2 dc in each sc around. Join and break off. 3rd rnd: Attach Black to same place as sl st, sc in same place, sc in back loop of each dc around. Join and break off. 4th rnd: Attach any color of assorted colors to first sc, sc in same place, * sl st in next sc, ch 3, (yarn over, insert hook in same sc, draw loop through) 3 times; yarn over and draw through all loops on hook (puff st made), ch 3, sl st in same sc, sc in next sc. Repeat from * around. Join and break off. 5th rnd: Attach Black to ch-3 preceding any puff st, sc in same place, * ch 3, sc in next ch 3, ch 1, dc in next sc, ch 1, sc in next ch 3. Repeat from * around. Join and break off. 6th rnd: Attach Paddy Green to any dc, sc in same place, * ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, in next dc make dc, ch 3 and dc; ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, sc in next dc. Repeat from * around. Join and break off.

SECOND MOTIF . . . Work as for First Motif until 5 rnds have been completed. 6th rnd: Attach Paddy Green to any dc, sc in same place, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 3, dc in next dc, ch 1, sl st in corresponding loop on First Motif, ch 1, dc in same dc on Second Motif, ch 3, sc in next ch-3 loop, ch 1, sl st in corresponding loop on First Motif, ch 1, sc in next dc on Second Motif, ch 1, sl st in next loop on First Motif, ch 1, sc in next ch-3 loop on Second Motif, ch 3, dc in next dc and join next corner loop as before. Complete rnd (no more joinings).

Make 13 rows of 16 Motifs, joining adjacent sides as shown on chart as Second Motif was joined to First Motif (where 3 corners meet, join 3rd corner to joining of previous 2 corners).

EDGING . . . 1st rnd: Attach Paddy Green to corner sp of any side motif, ch 3, in same sp make dc, ch 3 and 2 dc; * 3 dc in each of next 4 sps, holding back on hook the last loop of each dc make a dc in next 2 joined loops, thread over and draw through all loops on hook (joint-dc made), 3 dc in each of next 4 sps, in next sp make 2 dc, ch 2 and 2 dc. Repeat from * around, making joint-dc over each joining and 2 dc, ch 3 and 2 dc in each corner loop. Join and break off. 2nd rnd:Attach Yellow to same place as sl st, sc in back loop of next dc, sc in next 3 ch, * sc in back loop of each dc to within 1 dc of next joint-dc, holding back on hook the last loop of each sc make sc in next dc, skip next joint-dc, sc in next dc, thread over and draw through all loops on hook (1 sc decreased). Repeat from * around, decreasing 1 sc over each joint-dc and making sc in each ch of ch-3. Join and break off. 3rd rnd: Attach Black to same place as sl st, sc in same place, sc in back loop of next 2 sc, 3 sc in back loop of next sc, sc in back loop of each sc around, decreasing 1 sc over previous decreases as before and making 3 sc in center sc of each point. Join and break off. 4th rnd: Attach Yellow and repeat last rnd. 5th rnd:Attach Green to same place as sl st, ch 3, dc in back loop of each sc around, making 3 dc in center sc of each point and decreasing 1 dc over previous decreases as before. Join and break off. Block to measurements.

afghans289_c118chart

Thursday 26 June 2014

Colour Blocks Granny Square Crochet Blanket

Here are some photographs of a custom order crochet blanket that I have just completed. Understated yet contemporary urban chic.

IMG_2477

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Wednesday 25 June 2014

How To Crochet Granny Squares Together–Tutorial

How to crochet granny squares together.


I have recently been asked how to crochet granny squares together and
so an impromptu tutorial. The concept seems much more difficult than the
actual process is. The important things to remember are.

Lay your squares out exactly as the pattern states or as you wish them to
be crocheted together.
Always keep your squares right side facing.
I always work from right to left.

I always crochet together all horizontal rows first and then vertical rows
second.

I always work from the bottom right hand corner and row progressing up
the way, 1 row at a time.
Abbreviations used:
ch – chain
sp – space
sc – single crochet USA, dc –UK
image
1. Lay out all your granny squares in the exact order that you
want to crochet them together.
image
2. Make sure that all squares are right side up.
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3. Take the first 2 squares from the right hand side of your
arrangement. Place one on top of the other but with both right
sides on the outside.
image
4. Fasten the yarn in the corner chain tying both squares
together.
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5. Hook your yarn and pull through both squares. Chain 1 and
hold the squares in one hand with the backs together. Insert
your hook into the same stitch again. Hook your yarn again and
pull through making 1 single crochet.
image
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6. Continue crocheting the squares together using sc across the
edges of both granny squares into the corner chain at the left.
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7. Now get the next 2 granny squares that need to be crocheted
together, again with right sides facing out the way.
image
8. Work the exact same process as the first 2 squares to be
crocheted together. Insert hook into corner ch of the squares and
begin to work in sc all across.
image
9. Be sure to leave tails of yarn long enough for ends to be sewn
in.
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10. Once you have completed your vertical rows lay the squares
out and then fold in the opposite horizontal direction and begin
the same process again. Always working from the right side to the
left.
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11. Crochet across until you reach the corner of the first square,
here you crochet through both corner ch spaces and again into
the next squares ch space. Then proceed to work in sc across the
square.
image
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Monday 23 June 2014

Saturday 21 June 2014

Looking for Green Inspiration

I found these pictures of a blanket I made a couple of years ago and the gnome still makes me smile, despite his serious expression.
Apple Green Granny Square Picnic Blanket

IMG_0292
25 different colours, 100 different granny squares and lashings of apple green yarn combine to make a real picnic blanket. Finished at last yipee :-)


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IMG_0293

Thursday 19 June 2014

Tiny Little Granny Squares Baby Toddler Nursery Crochet Blanket

80 Squares all complete, 7 rounds of border. Measures 30” x 36” approx.

IMG_2467

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IMG_2471

Free Vintage Crochet Pattern–Poncho & Cap

Poncho & Cap II - Free Vintage Crochet

Source - freevintagecrochet.com

PATONS TOTEM, DOUBLE KNIT or
BARONESS BRI-NYLON

Poncho
Main Color: 11 balls
1st Contrast: 6 balls
2nd Contrast: 8 balls

Cap
Main Color: 2 balls
1st Contrast: 1 ball
2nd Contrast: 1 ball

Poncho
Length at shortest point (excluding fringe): 17 ins.

HOOK—Milwards "Disc" 4 M/M (No. 8)

TENSION—1 motif measures 3½ inches square. Check your tension.

Milwards Tapestry Needle for sewing seams.

Milwards "Disc" Crochet Hook 5 M/M (No. 6) for fringe.

ABBREVIATIONS—M. = Main Color. C.1 = 1st Contrast. C.2 = 2nd Contrast. "Picot" = 4 ch., sl.st. back into last tr. worked.

MOTIF "A"

Using 4 M/M (No. 8) Hook and M., make 6 chain, join with a sl.st. to form ring.

1st round—3 ch., (2 tr., "Picot", 2 tr.) in ring, (1 ch., 3 tr., "Picot", 2 tr.) 3 times in ring, 1 ch., sl.st. in 3rd ch. at beg. of round.

Break off M.

2nd round—Using C.1, 1 ch., * (4 tr., "Picot", 3 tr.) in Picot, 1 d.c. in 1 ch. sp., rep. from * 3 times, sl.st. in first tr. at beg. of round. Fasten off.

3rd round—Join C.2 in last d.c. of previous round, 4 ch., 2 d.tr. in same d.c., * 1 ch., (3 tr., 3 ch., 3 tr.) in Picot, 1 ch., 3 d.tr. in d.c., rep. from * twice, 1 ch., (3 tr., 3 ch., 3 tr.) in Picot, 1 ch., sl.st. in 4th ch. at beg. of round. Fasten off.

MOTIF "B".

Work as given for Motif A, using C.2 for foundation ch. and 1st round, C.1 for 2nd round and M. for 3rd round.

PONCHO

Make 36 Motifs "A" and 36 Motifs "B".

Using a flat seam, join motifs as shown in diagram. Sew end AB to side CD, matching A to C and B to D.

NECK EDGING

With right side facing, using 4 M/M (No. 8) Hook and M., join yarn in one corner of inside edge and work 14 h.tr. along side of each motif to end.

2nd round—Miss first h.tr., 1 h.tr. in each h.tr. to within 1 h.tr. of next corner, miss 2 h.tr., 1 h.tr. in each h.tr. to last h.tr., miss last h.tr.

Rep. 2nd round 8 times. Miss next h.tr., join with a sl.st. in next h.tr. Fasten off.

LOWER EDGING

With right side facing, using 4 M/M (No. 8) Hook and M., work 14 h.tr. along side of each motif around lower edge, working 5 h.tr. in corners.

2nd round—1 h.tr. in each h.tr. to end, working 4 h.tr. in 1 h.tr. at corners, join with a sl.st. in next h.tr. Fasten off.

FRINGE

Wind M. and C.2 round a piece of cardboard 4½ ins. wide and cut along one side. With wrong side facing using 5 M/M (No. 6) Hook and 2 strands each M. and C.2, fold yarn in half and draw loop through a h.tr. at lower edge, pull ends through loop and tighten.

Rep. in alt. h.tr. around lower edge.

CAP—Make 3 Motifs "A" and 3 Motifs "B".

Using a flat seam, join motifs to form a ring, alternating Colors.

Monday 16 June 2014

Madrid Blanket–Free Crochet Pattern

madrid

Source - Berroco.com

madrid2

SIZE

34” wide x 52” long.

MATERIALS

BERROCO SOFTWIST (50 grs), 7 hanks #9412 Palmetto (A), and 5 hanks each #9420 Nouveau Berry (B), #9439 Ginger (C), #9450 Violet (D) and #9427 Dijon (E).

Crochet Hook, size 6.00 mm (J) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE.

GAUGE

24 sts = 4”;  13 rows = 4” in Pat St.

TO SAVE TIME, TAKE TIME TO CHECK GAUGE.

NOTE 1

All sc’s of Row 2 and following rows should be worked through the back loop only EXCEPT the first 2 and last 2 sts of each row.  These should be worked through BOTH loops creating an edge that will not curl.

NOTE 2

When changing colors at the end of a row, draw new color through 2 lps on hook to complete sc.  Make sure to leave a 5”-long end of new color and cut old color leaving a 5”-long end so you can easily weave in ends after throw is completed.

STRIPE SEQUENCE

Work 14 rows A, 10 rows B, 6 rows C, 2 rows D, 14 rows E, 10 rows A, 6 rows B, 2 rows C, 14 rows D, 10 rows E, 6 rows A, 2 rows B, 14 rows C, 10 rows D, 6 rows E, 2 rows A, 14 rows B, 10 rows C, 6 rows D, 2 rows E, then 14 rows A – 174 rows.

THROW

Using A, ch 259.

Row 1:  Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next ch, skip next ch, * sc in next 9 ch, work 3 sc in next ch, sc in next 9 ch, skip next 2 ch, rep from * 11 times more, end skip next ch, sc in last 2 ch.  Ch 1, turn.

Note:  From here on, work through back lps as stated in Note 1.

Row 2: Sc in first 2 sts, skip next st, * sc in next 9 sts, work 3 sc in next st, sc in next 9 sts, skip next 2 sts, rep from * 11 times more, end skip next st, sc in last 2 sts.  Ch 1, turn.  Rep Row 2, following Stripe Sequence until piece measures approximately 52” from beg and Stripe Sequence has been completed.  Fasten off.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends.

Sunday 15 June 2014

Grace From the Middle Bolero Crochet Pattern

grace

SIZES
To fit bust measurement
Extra-Small/Small
28-34" [71-86.5 cm]
Medium 36-38” [91.5-96.5 cm]
Large/Extra-Large 40-46" [101.5-117 cm]
2/3 Extra-Large 48-54" [122-137 cm]
4/5 Extra-Large 56-62" [142-157.5 cm]

Finished bust

Extra-Small/Small 36” [91.5 cm]
Medium 40” [101.5 cm]
Large/Extra-Large 46” [117 cm]
2/3 Extra-Large 56” [142 cm]
4/5 Extra-Large 64” [162.5 cm]
MATERIALS
Patons® Grace™ (50 g/1.75 oz; 125 m/136 yds)
Sizes XS/S (M-L/XL-2/3XL-4/5XL)
62012 (Taupe) 6 (7-10-12-14) balls
Size 3.5 mm (U.S. E or 4) crochet hook or size needed to obtain tension.
TENSION
22 dc and 12 rows = 4” [10 cm].

Download Free Pattern Details - Grace - From the Middle Bolero (crochet) - Patons Yarn

Please note that you will need to be registered with Patons to download the pattern.You can register by clicking here.

Saturday 14 June 2014

Indian summer by DROPS Design–Free Crochet Pattern

1-cp-th

1-1

STRIPES:
See diagram A.1. 1 row in diagram = 1 row with tr.
CROCHET TIP:
If a wider blanket is desired beg with an extra 32 ch for every extra repetition desired in breadth. Repeat explanation in 1st and 2nd row from *-* one more time for every extra repetition added. Work until desired length.
----------------------------------------------------------
BLANKET:
READ CROCHET TIP. Work 194 LOOSE ch (incl 3 ch to turn with) on hook size 6 mm with beige brown. Then work STRIPES according to A.1 – see explanation above, AT THE SAME TIME work zigzag pattern as follows:
ROW 1: Work 1 tr in 4th ch from hook, 1 tr in each of the next 12 ch, * skip 4 ch, 1 tr in each of the next 14 ch, 3 ch, 1 tr in each of the next 14 ch *, repeat from *-* 4 more times, skip 4 ch, 1 tr in each of the last 14 ch = 168 tr.
ROW 2: 3 ch (= 1 tr), 1 tr in same tr, 2 tr in next tr, 1 tr in each of the next 10 tr, * skip 4 tr, 1 tr in each of the next 12 tr, 2 tr in ch-loop, 3 ch, 2 tr in same ch-loop, 1 tr in each of the next 12 tr *, repeat from *-* 4 more times, skip 4 tr, finish with 1 tr in each of the next 10 tr and 2 tr in each of the last 2 tr = 168 tr.
Repeat 2nd row upwards until stripes in A.1 have been worked, blanket measures approx. 120 cm in length.


Click here to see the full pattern.

ku-01

Friday 13 June 2014

Versatile Granny Poncho Free Crochet Pattern

grannyponcho

Source - Redheart.com - download the pattern by clicking here.

Perk up your wardrobe with this fun accessory that can be worn two ways: as a traditional poncho or as a shoulder wrap. The row of granny squares adds interest and colour accents.

RED HEART® Bella: 2 (3, 3, 4, 5) balls 00415 Turquoise A, 1 ball each 00823 Camel B, Light Grey 00804 C and Navy 00153 D

Crochet Hook: 4mm [US G-6]

Yarn needle

Size:

Poncho measures 25 (28, 30, 33, 33) cm [10 (11, 12, 13, 13)”] wide inside neck x 49 (55, 61, 70, 77) cm [19½ (21½, 24, 27½, 30½”] at longest point.

Directions are for size Small; changes for sizes Medium, Large, X-Large and 2X are in parentheses.

Gauge/Tension:

TENSION/GAUGE: 16 sts = 10 cm [4”]; 14 rows = 10 cm [4”] in half treble crochet. CHECK YOUR TENSION/GAUGE. Use any size hook to obtain the tension/gauge.

Tuesday 10 June 2014