Showing posts with label #EWDMakes. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #EWDMakes. Show all posts

Thursday, September 3, 2020

Fall Fashion Blog Hop - Day 3 - Step in Line Gloves


Hi Everyone 

Welcome to Day 3 of the Fall Fashion Blog Hop! Today's  PDF is my very own Step in Line Gloves. 

EDIT: we have now hopped to the next blog, and my code has expired, but I'm keeping up the links. 

Need a quick recap - Click here to be taken to E'Claire Makery - and our wonderful Blog Hop Hostess has explained it all! 

The Step in Line Gloves are made 'amigurumi style' – as a spiral, with increases and invisible decreases. This could be a good introduction to these techniques for someone who wants to try amigurumi but has so far found it a bit daunting. Gloves are made in one piece, cuff up. They first appeared in Issue 44 of Crochet Now Magazine, and there are options for both US and UK terms, 





Missed a day, or maybe want to just grab all 32 patterns now? Click the image below to purchase them all now! 





Once again, thanks for being here and joining in the Hop!

Happy Crocheting,


Emma.

Tuesday, August 18, 2020

Standing Stitches (standing double crochet)

PIN FOR LATER

Standing stitches are a neat way of starting a new colour without chaining. There are a few different chainless methods, and this is one of my favourites.

In my example I'm using standing stitches to change colour in the Good Old Granny Square (pattern here)

In this tutorial I'll show you how to make a (in US terms) standing double crochet, but it works for any height stitch. 


Step 1: YO hook twice (YO one more time than usual - 3 times for a treble, once for a sc) The first YO mimics the last st/ch that would be on the hook. 


Step 2: Insert hook in stitch or space - like the ch-2 corner space for this granny square


Step 3: Pull up loop. It now looks like a regular dc, but make sure to keep loops on hook! 


Step 4: YO, pull through 2 loops, twice (like a 'normal' stitch) 


Continue your work. The top loop may look a little loose, and it's OK to tighten it. Once you finish the round, sl st into the top of the standing st, and once the ends are woven in, it will be hard to know where you started! 

DO you like chainless starts? DO you have a favourite?

Thanks for reading,

Happy Crocheting,

Emma.


Friday, August 14, 2020

Sock Blank Update - how I dyed my wool


This is part of my Sock Blank blog series

If you missed the first post about Sock Blanks - click here.

In this blog post I tell you how I dyed my sock blank, but this method works for also dyeing wool and finished items. This method is easy, great for small batches and for those who like to experiment.


A few days ago I dyed my two sock blanks. I ended up using things I already had in the kitchen, which was food colouring, white vinegar, water and the microwave!

My long thin blank is a mixture of purples and greens:



The second blank I made wide, and did my best to keep one half a magenta, and the other half a rainbow mix. This one had a few dropped stitches in the middle, but I don't think it will present a problem. I have seen some other sock blank makers use dropped stitches to mark out the centre, which would be good for those who want to dye their blanks more precisely than I did. 


My process uses things you might already have in your kitchen, and if not; you'll be able to get easily at a grocery store.


You'll need, food colouring, white vinegar, a microwave safe dish, and a microwave. 

Vinegar works as the fixing agent. This method works for wool, and can work for acrylic/wool mixes. It's always good to try a small swatch first.

First step is to soaking the item in a mix of water and vinegar,  (1:1) Then I painted a mix of food colouring and vinegar on. 

If you don't want the colours to bleed into each other, miss the soaking step. I wanted the watercolour look, though. If you aren't painting the wool, try dipping or submerging the item in a bath of your dye mix. The best thing about this method is that it works well with experimenting.

I left the blanks for a while (I didn't time anything) then rinsed out excess colour. 

Then, in a microwave safe bowl, I microwaved for 1 minute, sat for a minute (about three times each) to help set the colour. Then I hung outside to dry, and I left overnight.

Next day, I gave each 2 more minutes in the microwave (they were still damp) If they were dry, I probably would have skipped this step. 

At this point, no colour has come off on my hands, but I will most likely rinse out once more before using. 

Each blank has 'waste' yarn on either end, but next time I may secure it better 


Hopefully next time I post, I'll have the start of some socks! 


Happy crocheting,


Emma


Saturday, July 18, 2020

the Pattern Shop


OK, I'm re writing this post, because I'm not exactly sure what what I'm doing right now.

Currently my patterns are for sale on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and some on Etsy. While I am a big fan of Ravelry, I can't ignore the fact that their new updates have made the site inaccessible to many. So while I will keep patterns there for those who still prefer their platform, I'm also investigating Payhip and Ribblr as new venues. 

If you click on the pattern shop button you will now be taken to a list of venues for you to choose from. If  pattern is unavailable on a particular platform, please let me know - it takes time to upload to all! 

Happy Crocheting,

Emma


Wednesday, July 15, 2020

Magic Ring Crochet Tutorial

A quick tutorial for today - Magic Ring.




This is my preferred method for anything starting in the round - which includes amigurumi/toys, granny squares and top down beanies. The magic ring has the advantage that it pulls tight to close the hole - whereas a joined chain is a fixed size. 


I first wrote a tutorial in 2013 - which is still available as a PDF on Etsy. If you'd like to own a copy, you can click this link to buy it. 

There are four simple steps:

1- Wrap the yarn three times around two fingers - keeping the working end closest to your hand, and the tail at your fingertips

2- Insert hook under two loops, from fingertips, toward hand.


3- Pick up third loop under the two loops. 

4 - Make a chain, and remove from fingers.

The pattern will dictate what to do next - if you are working double crochet stitches into the ring, and need to chain 3, the chain already made counts as one of the chains. If you are working amigurumi, single crochet directly into the ring.

Once you have finished your first row, secure the ring by slowly and  gently pulling the tail, to ensure both loops tighten together. 


As I said, just a quick tutorial today- but one I will be referencing back to

Emma


Thursday, May 14, 2020

Soft as a Cloud - new pattern.

Last week (to coincide with May's Newsletter) a new pattern was released!




This one  was pretty fun to make - not to mention is was a quick one!

I was inspired by all the rainbow projects I've been seeing online, many a response to the global pandemic we are currently experiencing. If you'd like to see some of them - have a look at my previous rainbow round up - Rainbow Connections 



The cloud uses 'Sweetheart Soft' by Scheepjes. This happened to be in my stash along with av royal blue, so it also served as part of my ongoing 'use what you have on hand' mindset. A similar fluffy yarn could be substituted, and although it's hard to see the stitches, I could feel them fairly easily. 




Just quietly - how good would it look with the Fruit Cup fade! Due to the pandemic, I don't have access to the blanket at the moment to get a photo together - so I'll have to work on that later. 


Thanks again for reading! I hope you are all safe and well.

Emma. 



Thursday, January 30, 2020

Perks of Being a Newsletter Subscriber

You might have seen me advertise that I have a newsletter!


I thought I should take some time to let you know why you should subscribe.

Some of these perks are new for 2020, so if you are already a subscriber and thinking 'I didn't see that one.' don't panic! If you have signed up and don't get emails - check they haven't been sent to 'junk' or 'other' folder

Newsletters are sent once a month- This year they will be sent on or around the 3rd of each month.

Everyone who subscribes gets a free pattern! This pattern changes from time to time - currently, you get the thirtyseven cowl!





This one is brand new - New pattern releases will have a 25% off voucher. I usually have an 'opening week' offer and try to mix it up, but for the next 12 months, every new and self-published pattern will get the same discount *for newsletter subscribers* A smaller discount will be offered (15%) to social media followers. This offer will not be applied to any fundraising patterns, however.

Why not have this on the blog? Well the main reason is that blog posts stay up for months - and sometimes I get messages from people who have discovered a discount that is months or even years out of date. Keeping this info in a newsletter means it stays relevant.

Where do I sign up?


Remember to check the box that says 'email' My newsletter is strictly opt in! Your information will never be used for anything other than receiving my email, in accordance with the GDPR. You can unsubscribe at any time.

EDIT - From March, subscribers are also gifted a free smartphone wallpaper!



Thanks again!

Happy Crocheting,
Emma


Tuesday, November 12, 2019

It's Hip to be Square


I have had a few requests for a square version of the fruit cup fade - and part one is now published on the Yarnish Blog "What's on the Blog".




The pattern is once again split up in sections, which allows the pattern the be released quicker, and I think it helps makes bigger projects more manageable.




Like the original, a full PDF will be available once it is ready


Picture below is the original rectangular fruit cup fade





Thanks for reading,

Happy Crocheting - Emma.

Tuesday, May 28, 2019

Heart Wall Hanging 'Summer Vibes'- free crochet pattern

One day this past week, while I was sorting and cleaning my yarn stash, I found some chunky yarn left over from a beanie I made.




The yarn is Papatya Mouline Chunky in colour 5981 - which  self stripes!

The beanie I made was the thistle beanie - which you can find here



I had enough yarn to make a heart and tassel, and combine them to make a beachy wall hanging. I've called it Summer Vibes.

or continue for the free pattern


The heart measures 10 inches or 24.5 cm in height, with another 5 inches/ 12 cm for the tassel.

Chains are not counted as stitches -  US terms used. 8mm crochet hook.


Chain 4

Row 1: Sk 2 sts, hdc in next, 2 hdc in last ch, turn (3)
Row 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in next, 2 hdc in next, turn. (5)
Row 3 - 9: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (17)
Row 10 - 11: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (17)
Row 12: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (19)
Row 13: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn. (19)
Row 14: Ch 2, 2 hdc in same st, hdc in every st until one remains, 2 hdc in last st, turn. (21)
Row 15 - 16: Ch 2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn. (21)

Rows 17 - 21 can be worked in two ways - complete the whole right side before completing left side, or if you want to continue colour sequence of Mouline Chunky; work R(ight) Rows 17 and 18, L(eft) Rows 17 - 20, R Rows 19 - 21, L Row 21.

Right
Row 17: Ch 2, hdc2tog, 7 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (9)
Row 18: Ch2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (9)
Row 19: Ch 2, Ch 2, hdc2tog, 5 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (7)
Row 20: Ch 2, hdc in same st,  hdc in every st to end, turn. (7)
Row 21: Ch 2, hdc2tog, dc in next 4 sts, hdc in last st. (6)

Left
Join Yarn  to 11th st/centre. (last worked stitch from other half of Row 17)
Row 17: Ch 2, hdc2tog, 7 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (9)
Row 18: Ch2, hdc in same st, hdc in every st to end, turn (9)
Row 19: Ch 2, Ch 2, hdc2tog, 5 hdc, hdc2tog, turn (7)
Row 20: Ch 2, hdc in same st,  hdc in every st to end, turn. (7)
Row 21: Ch 2, hdc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, hdc2tog. (6)

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Tassel:

Follow these instructions, or use your preferred method - I used a 5 inch/12 cm piece of card.


Using a stick or dowl, attach to the top of the heart, and attach a final length of yarn to hang.


Abbreviations Used
ch - chain
hdc- half double crochet
dc - double crochet
sk - skip
st - stitch




If you are in a position to donate - please consider buying me a coffee. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.

Wednesday, May 1, 2019

Dino a Long - Part 1

Part 1 is now live!


From now until 11th of June, the pattern is avaliable at the discounted price of $3 (AU) So grab a copy, it's not too late to join in!

Don't forget to use #dinoalong on social media to share!

KNIT VERSION HERE

CROCHET VERSION HERE


Thursday, April 18, 2019

Dino A long - colours and materials

I had hoped to have a full list of colours available the same time the pre order went live, but sometimes things don't go to plan. One colour I was planning on using was out of stock, causing a last minute switch!

Today we also get a sneak peek at part 1; one of the pages of the cloth picture book. it's a big book for little hands - but the individual squares could also be joined to make a blanket - or make individual cushions. Finished size - 33 x 25 cm*. Each page will depict a different dinosaur.

EDIT* since posting this list of materials, I have decided to reduce the size of the book - switching to a smaller hook and/or needle. If you'd like to use the graph to make a cushion or blanket, you may choose to stick to a 3.5 - 4 mm.


I will be using 6 colours. I have gone for a retro inspired palette. The yarn I have chosen uses place names as the colours, and so I have included a colour description. As per last post, colour substitutions and alterations are welcome.



Yarn - Scheepjes Colour Crafter (300m/100g 100% acrylic)

2 x balls of each:

Back ground
Blue                    - Texel*           #1029
Light  Grey         - Helmond       #1724
Moss Green        - Enschede       #1824

*not used in the sample.

1 x ball of each**

Dinosaurs
Mustard yellow    - Coevorden    #1823
Chocolate Brown  -Haarlem        #1054
Light Olive Green -Assen            #1065

**partial balls used

Ameland (sage green #1725) and Middleburg (sky blue # 1003) are used for some embellishment and only a few meters required.

Also required
  • 3 mm hook or 3.25 mm needle set
  • darning/wool needle,
  • scissors,
  • and a love of dinosaurs!
Optional - you may wish to add some quilting batting between pages
and
a button to close the book. 

Remember the first part of the pattern will be released at midday (AEST - GMT +10) 30th of April, and this is when the price will go up to $3 (AU) where it will remain until 11th of June; 1 week after the last part is released, whereupon the price will be the usual price of $8 (AU) 

Thank you to all those who have bought a copy so far!

knit link


crochet link


Keeping up to date: It can be hard to keep up with a make a long. Each week will be a square that consists of 70 rows. That's only 10 rows per day to keep up to date! I estimate most will take a  few hours in total for each section - depending on the speed of your stitching! Pattern is rated Easy/Beginner, crafters will need to know how to change colour.

Gauge and finished sizes will be provided on 30th April

Tuesday, April 9, 2019

Dino Along! Revealed.

Recently I posted this teaser:



Today I announce what it is and how you can be involved.

The Dino a long will be both a crochet a long and a knit a long; and so it will be officially a MAL - make a long!

As promised in the teaser, it will be for younger children. I'm making mine for my 3 year old son. It will be a cloth book of dinosaur pictures!

The make a long will go for 6 weeks, and the first part will go live on the 30th of April, at midday Australian Eastern Standard Time. The pattern will work from a graph, but also include written instructions.

The pattern will be available on Ravelry as a paid pattern for the course of the Dino MAL - and released onto other selling platforms after. During the MAL the pattern will be set up as the reduced price of $3 (AU) and on the 11th June (1 week after the last section released) it will go up to the usual price of $8 (AU) - However if you pre order from now until the 30th of April it will only cost $1.50 (AU) Which is an absolute bargain - and my way of thanking you for trusting me that this pattern will be awesome! (it will :) )


PRE ORDER LINKS - read to the bottom of the page before clicking!

  • KNIT PATTERN    
  • CROCHET PATTERN


Materials Required I will be using Scheepjes Colour Crafter (100% acrylic 100 g/300 m per ball.)
I will be using 6 colours, which will be announced by the 18th of April.

You are free to colour match in another brand - or go rouge with whatever colours and fibres you wish!

I am also using a 4 mm hook.

And what about knitters? 4 mm needles are required.

Will you also need darning/wool needle, scissors and a love of dinosaurs!


I hope that you choose to dino a long with me!

Wednesday, June 20, 2018

Chunky Hexies - Join as you go - Free Pattern.



I have been playing with a large hexagon motif, that is 'joined as you go' (sometimes called Jaygo) This extra large hexagon measures 25 cm x 28 cm (10 x 11 inches)

Post has been been updated (Oct 2020) 


At the end of last year, in this post, I started making a hexagon motif with Bernat Big Ball Chunky in teal from American Yarns. In that post I thought I might keep going and make a huge hexagon, but I changed my mind and kept it at just 4 rounds. In the photo below you can see three motifs joined together, the join is incorporated in the 4th round.


IIf you'd like to make some hexagons of your own: 

Chunky Hexie- the Pattern. 
In US terms.
1 ball Big Ball Chunky in Teal (100% acrylic, 400 g, 394 m) 
12 mm Crochet Hook. 

Abbreviations (in US terms)
ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch 
st/s - stitch/es
sp - space
( ) - indicates stitches worked in same st/sp
[ ] or * * - indicates section to be repeated 

Single Motif.
Make a magic ring. 
 
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc) dc, [ch 2, 2 dc] 5 times, ch 2, sl st to 3rd ch; sl st to next ch-2 sp. (12 dc, 12 ch)

Round 2: (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same ch-2 sp as sl st. [(2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) into next ch-2 space] 5 times, sl st to 3rd ch, sl st into next ch-2 sp. (24 dc, 12 ch)

Round 3: (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same ch-2 sp as sl st. [2 dc in next sp, (2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) into next ch-2 space] 5 times, sl st to 3rd ch, sl st into nect ch-2 sp. (36 dc, 12 ch)

Round 4:  (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same ch-2 sp as sl st. [2 dc in next sp, twice (2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) into next ch-2 space,] 5 times, sl st to 3rd ch, sl st into next ch-2 sp. (48 dc, 12 ch)


Jaygo.
All the joining will take place in Round 4. To start with, you will only need to join one side, but you will need to join more than one side eventually! 

You can join the motifs at any point around, I have chosen to do the join on the second side. You will need to make at least one single motif to join to! (you might make a pile of single motifs in one colour, and use a second to join)  





Jaygo Motif - 1 side.

Rounds 1- 3: As above

Round 4: (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same ch-2 sp as sl st. 2 dc in next sp, twice, (2 dc, 1 ch) into next ch- 2 sp; sc (marked as 1) into any ch-2 sp of single motif; 2 dc into same ch-2 space, 2 dc into next sp; sc (marked as 2) into sp between two dc groups of single motif,  **2 dc into next sp; (2 dc, 1 ch) into next ch- 2 sp; sc (marked as 3) into next ch-2 sp of single motif; 2 dc into same ch- 2 sp; (2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) into next ch-2 space, rep from ** 4 times, sl st to 3rd ch, sl st into next ch-2 sp. (48 dc, 12 ch)

Jaygo Motif - 2 sides

Rounds 1- 3: As above

Round 4: (Ch 3, dc, ch 2, 2 dc) into same ch-2 sp as sl st. 2 dc in next sp, twice, (2 dc, 1 ch) into next ch- 2 sp; sc into any ch-2 sp of single motif; 2 dc into same ch-2 space, *2 dc into next sp; sc into sp between two dc groups of single motif,  2 dc into next sp; (2 dc, 1 ch) into next ch- 2 sp; sc into next ch-2 sp of single motif; 2 dc into same ch- 2 sp; rep from * once,  **2 dc into next sp; (2 dc, 1 ch) into next ch- 2 sp; sc into next ch-2 sp of single motif; 2 dc into same ch- 2 sp; (2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc) into next ch-2 space, rep from ** 3 times, sl st to 3rd ch, sl st into next ch-2 sp. (48 dc, 12 ch)

Continue in this fashion to join 3 or more sides. 


If you would like to make this pattern, please share a project on Ravelry, or tag me #EWDMakes on social media so I can see! 



This post contains no affiliate links, however I did receive the yarn as part of the linked review post. 



If you are in a position to donate - please consider a donation. Your support allows me to produce free patterns.

Until next time, Happy Crocheting 

Emma