Two new Patterns - Rose Sisters

 This month I released some new patterns.. and totally spaced on sharing them here!

First up is the Rosebud Wrap - This one is designed to showcase your favourite gradient yarn.

Link to Etsy

Link to Ravelry 

I've used a Stenli Muffin - a yarn from Bulgaria! This is a huge 2000 m thread cake, which means it's made of three threads held together - not plied - and the colour changes happen as one thread at a time is changed over. 

I've also included a chart with the fully written pattern (US terms). 

Rosebud is named after the little clusters within the design, and also as a sister piece to go along with the Primrose Wrap

Which is the second release!

Primrose is a re - release,updated to include a chart, and written in US terms. Primrose is also still 'under contract' through Bendigo Woollen Mills, and they are selling the UK version - via their own website and on Ravelry. I will be selling mine via Etsy and Lovecrafts. 

Primrose was one of my first patterns I wrote! This one uses 2 colours in 4ply cotton - I've used Bendigo Cotton in 'Primrose' - where the name came from! and 'Snow'. Sadly the Primrose colour has been discontinued. 

Link to Etsy

Link to Lovecrafts

If you get a chance to make one - please let me know via social media. And don't forget to sign up for my newsletter - that way you don't wait to hear about new releases! You can do that by clicking here

Thanks for reading and Happy Crocheting

Emma

Knitting Socks!

Not too long ago I wrote about making a sock blank, and dyeing them. Well, I just started knitting one up and the two months of prep have been all worth it!

See the first post here

And the second one here

I'm knitting directly from the blank. the curly yarn isn't an issue for me. I find I can be a bit messy with yarn, so it's actually really good for me. Not worrying about the yarn getting tangled up means I can just concentrate on the socks. The pattern I'm using is the 'Easy Peasy Socks for First-Timers' by Stacey Trock. If you can knit and purl, then this is the pattern for you if you want to try sock knitting. I've had to look up a couple of the techniques, but a quick search on Youtube has given me all the answers. 

The stripes are working.. so far. I'm crossing my fingers I'll get a second sock that matches close enough. If you look at the sock - each stripe repeat (one purple and yellow) is only one row of the blank.   I think I can get about 10 socks from this one blank! So I might make as many as I can, and see which ones match the best. 

Here's a reminder of the full dyed blank

I'm using a fixed cable needle, that's specially designed for socks - an addi sockenwunder - 3.75 mm (US 5) Which i got from Yarnish. I've previously only used a longer fixed cable and used the magic loop method. The sockenwunder has allowed faster knitting, due to the fact I don't have to rearrange the cables every row, but the turning of the heel was a bit of a challenge. 

I've made another blank, and have been dyeing with more precision to get some perfect stripes - which I am sure I'll blog about soon!

Thanks for reading

Emma. 

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.

Fall Fashion Blog Hop

 I had so much fun participating in the Summer Blog Hop, that I've teamed up with some more great designers and taking part in the Fall Fashion Blog Hop.

The Fall Fashion blog hop is featuring 32 crochet designers, who will be sharing beautiful crochet fall fashion patterns. From garments to accessories, there are so many amazing designs that are a part of this event! During the event, each designer will be sharing a FREE PDF pattern! That’s right, there are 32 FREE PDF crochet patterns that you can get from this event! By the end of September, you’ll have so many amazing patterns to make each fall!

This time, there is one difference - and that you can purchase the entire collection of 32 patterns now. Price is in US dollars. 

To purchase, click this affilate link (which means I earn a small commission on each purchase)

This means you will have a PDF copy of every pattern to keep, without having to check back each day! 

If you do love to check back each day - the follow the Blog Hop - It's being hosted by Claire from E'Claire Bakery and you can find all the info here on her blog - with all the links and instructions. 

On my Day - I'll be updating this post with my free link! Remember each pattern link is only live for 24 hours! 

Thanks for dropping by, and Happy Crocheting!

Emma

If you missed the link: Click here to visit E'Claire Makery for the full Blog Hop

Standing Stitches (standing double crochet)

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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.

Sock Blank Update

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

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:

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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 was first soaking the blank in a mix of water and vinegar, then painted food colouring on. If you don't want the colours to bleed into each other, it might be best to miss the first step. I wanted the watercolour look, though. 

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 (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

Good Old Granny Squares

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August 15th is Granny Square Day - and this year, I'm going back to basics. After trial and error, I now have my own preferred method - and I thought it would be good to write it down, and share with you today. 

Some fun ways to use Granny Squares are to make Lovies - shown below is Kirra Lovey and Lambie and Llamie  

I have included an explanation why I do it the way I do. -but feel free to experiment and see what you like best. for example - I never turn my granny squares, but if it's something you like, then please feel free to do so. Some people find it results in a straighter square.

Ok, lets get into it!

As usual, I use US terms. Photos use a 4.5 mm hook and dk weight yarn. This pattern works for any weight yarn, but make sure you use an appropriate hook. You can change colours after each round, or continue with the same yarn. Grab a paintbox 5 pack if you can't decide on colours 

I refer to '3dc' as a cluster in this tutorial.

So first step is to make a magic ring. You can follow this tutorial, or use your own preferred method. If you arent a fan of magic rings, a chain of 4, joined with a slip stitch will also work. The first row is all worked into the ring, then closed and secured at the end. 

R1: 3ch (counts as dc throughout) dc, ch 2, *3dc, ch 2, rep from *3 times; dc, sl st to 1^st st, sl st to 1^st ch-2 sp… (12 dc, 8ch)

• I like to put the 'first' dc at the end. Having the chain in the middle of the cluster hides it a bit better - it's less obvious that it's a chain. And it's as close to the corner as possible. 

• Why two slip stitches? I think it's a nicer join to sl st to the top of the first stitch (not the chain) and the second slip stitch means you are starting in the corner.

R2: (3ch, dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same ch-2 sp, *(ch, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 3 times; ch, dc in 1^st ch-2 sp,  sl st to 1^st st, sl st to 1^st ch-2 sp ….(24 dc, 12 ch)

R3: (3ch, dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same ch-2 sp, *(ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, (ch, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 3 times, (ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch, dc in 1^st ch-2 sp,  sl st to 1^st st, sl st to 1^st ch-2 sp… (36 tr, 16 ch)

• Having a chain space between the non corner clusters is also a personal choice. I think for beginners its a very good method - 2 chains is a corner, 1 chain is a regular space. 

• Strictly speaking - every round from now one will be the same as round three, but with the addition an extra cluster each side - 4 per round. 

• Every corner space (2 chains) will contain a corner cluster of ch, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc. Every ch-1 space will contain (ch, 3dc) 

Rows 4 and 5 will read like:

R4: (3ch, dc, ch 2, 3dc) in same ch-2 sp, *(ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, twice, (ch, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 3 times, (ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, twice, ch, dc in 1^st ch-2 sp,  sl st to 1^st st, sl st to 1^st ch-2 sp…(48 tr, 20 ch)

R5: (3ch, dc ch 2, 3dc) in same ch-2 sp, *(ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, 3 times, (ch, 3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in next ch-2 sp, rep from * 3 times, (ch, 3dc) in next ch-1 sp, 3 times, ch, dc in 1^st ch-2 sp, sl st to 1^st st, sl st to 1^st ch-2 sp…(60 tr, 24 ch)

Continue your square as big as you like! Just follow the rule of the corner cluster in ch-2 sp, and every ch-1 sp contains a single cluster of stitches. 

I hope you enjoyed my pattern and explanation. 

If you would like to continue on to some Granny Square variations, here are some suggestions:

• Dahlia Pinnata 
• Big Circle Grannies
• Granny Heart

As usual: No restrictions are placed on finished items made with this pattern, however the pattern may not be resold or copied in any form. Pictures remain the property of Emma Wilkinson Designs