Unity Remixes and an Update

If you've been reading my blog for a while, you'll know about the Unity CAL that started in February.

Click here to read my original post about the CAL

The 2021 Unity CAL was created by 10 Australian designers and was sponsored by the Australian Crochet Community and KoKonki - Motki Ombre.

Here is my blanket, completed to part 4, and below - my finished blanket on display at the Sydney Royal Easter Show - I won the blue ribbon! 

The CAL has now finished but, like Harmony,  the 2019 ACC CAL, there is a Unity Remix & Extension.

Unity CAL remixes can be made by using:

• The released parts in a different order
• Blocks of the different parts to make a block afghan
• Blocks or parts to make different products altogether.

The blocks are now available on Ravelry, as stand-alone patterns, that can be combined in any way you choose- make a simple 3x3 square blanket, or make multiples of the squares like Jane Rawnsley-Kinney did for her test of the patterns, or if there is one square that you just love, why not make a whole blanket of just that! 

This link will take you to Ravelry to view all the patterns in the series.

Now, I know that some of you are still waiting for the full Unity CAL to be made available off Facebook, and that is in the works. Unfortunately, we have run into some technical difficulties, but are working through them. This post will be edited once they are live! 

Need help with the stitches from my block? you can find the tutorial for extended front post stitches here, and a tutorial for the hdc join here. 

As always, Happy Crocheting,

Emma. 

And, that's a Wrap! Friendship CAL Links

 If you've been following along with the Friendship Blanket CAL, you'll know that 28 crochet designers from all over the world, put together 41 different squares to be 'pick and mixed' to make unique blankets. 41 allows for some spares, in case there is a square that doesn't quite grab you. 

Today's post is a lot of information that has been previously made public, but I wanted to put all the links here, in one post, for convenience.  

The CAL is hosted by Sunflower Crochet Cottage, and you can see their original blog post, which contains links to ALL the patterns here, If you are unsure what a CAL is, this post also explains it all! 

You can also find the Zig Zag slip stitch method to join the squares as a photo and video tutorial here. This is just one option, of course, if you have a favourite joining method, you can use that! 

I'm also going to be keeping my list of all the squares up, and you can find them here. At this point, I still need to catch up with the last few squares! 

My contribution: the Sol Square.

Helen, from Sunflower Crochet Cottage, has also included a border option, and that can be found here. This is also a photo and video tutorial. 

During the Crochet A Long, I was also interviewed by Helen, and you can find 'Hooking with Emma Wilkinson' here! 

And finally, if you do want the option of purchasing all squares in one go, there is a bundle available (affiliate link)

I really hope you have enjoyed participating in this CAL, or maybe you are just starting out! The choice is yours in how many squares you make!

Happy Crocheting - Emma!

Quadruple Treble and the Six by Six Wrap

 My latest design is here! I've also put together a stitch tutorial for the dominant stitch in the design - the Quadruple Treble -

The new design is called the Six by Six Wrap, and is currently on sale on Ravelry and LoveCrafts, and will also be available on Etsy as soon as possible. 

Six by six a lightweight rectangular wrap, that has a simple, yet effective pattern repeat that reminds me of an open weave. I designed it with gradient yarn in mind but would look beautiful in any special fibre. 

This pattern was originally part of Cosy Rosie UK's Spring Exclusives Bundle. 

 

And now for the stitch tutorial: 

The Quadruple treble has 5 yarn overs and 6 'pull throughs' and is the same height as 6 chains, for context, the Qdtr falls in line after a Triple Treble (Trtr)

I've put together a little chart for the tall stitches. 

And a video tutorial for the quadruple treble:

1

make sure the loop is tight on the hook before starting.

2

yarn over 5 times, use index finger to keep firm tension

3

hook in next st, pull up loop. index finger keeps the loops secure

4

yo, pull through 2 loops, 6 times

5

all together!

Check out my other content @EmmaWilkinson on Jumprope.

Hope you have enj

Extended Stitches - FPedc tutorial

 

Extended stitches are a way of creating a bit more height to a stitch. I used them in my section of the Unity CAL, and now bringing you a tutorial for the specific stitches I used - which do look a bit daunting, especially when they are written out, because they are also front post stitches, as well as being extended - but the reality is that only one extra step (a chain) is made in the middle of the stitch. 

Like the block? it's the Unity Remix Block 5

Front Post Extended Double Crochet:
FPedc

1

yarn over

2

hook around next post, (from the front) and pull up loop

3

yarn over, pull through 1 loop only

4

yarn over, pull though 2 loops, twice

all together!

Check out my other content @EmmaWilkinson on Jumprope.

Coming Soon to this post - FPedc2tog tutorial 

Joining Rounds in Crochet - alternate method - hdc join

PIN FOR LATER

Today I have a tutorial for an alternate way to join a round in crochet. The example I'm using is an afghan block that has 2ch spaces for every corner, but the last corner replaces the 2ch and slip stitch with an hdc

Like the block? It's the Unity Remix Block 5

It works in the same way that a starting chain counts as a stitch, but the opposite, so the stitch counts as a chain! 

This method means you can start the next row in the corner, and if you aren't changing colours each row, it makes (in my opinion at least) a neater start to the row. 

I'm also trying out a new app called Jumprope. It looks like it will be an easier way for me to make tutorials! Jumprope is a new social network that specializes in DIY instructional videos. 

1

End of the round

hdc worked into starting chain

finish in the corner space

comparison

continuing on

hdc join complete!

Check out my other content @EmmaWilkinson on Jumprope.

Happy Crocheting

Emma

6 Patterns for Gradient Yarn - Round Up

In today's round-up, I've collected some pattern ideas for gradient yarns.

What's gradient yarn? They are skeins or cakes that gradually fade from one color to the next, either tonally or into other hues, saving you from weaving in ends! Some brand names you might recognise are Scheepjes 'Whirl', Garnmanufaktur 'Lola', Red Heart 'It;s a Wrap', Konkoki Mokti and Hobbii 'Twirl'. Some colours in the Mandala range are also gradients (check out my review post here) One that I haven't tried myself, but looks really pretty is the Lana Grossa "Twisted Summer Shades' 

6 Patterns that I've picked that suit gradient yarn 

Painswick Shawl by Bluestar Crochet 

My Cromulent Shawl

The Seasglass Tank by the Purple Poncho

The Wave Shawl by Desert Blossom Crafts

Wrapped in Diamonds by Torun Johansson

Half Moon Goddess by Betty McKnit

Bonus - Coming Soon: Next month I have a new pattern out! I'm going to leave you with a sneak peek - but if you want to be first to know - then please join my newsletter list by clicking the 'Newsletter' button at the top right of the blog.

This one has been made by one of my testers - Thanks so much Jenny! She has helped me keep you guessing, but still managed to show off the gradient in her styling. 

Once again, thank you for reading

and Happy Crocheting,

Emma. 

Crochet Squares Round Up - plus DK yarn recommendations

 The 'Sol Square' is proving to be very popular, so I thought I would do a round-up of all the squares I currently have on offer. This post does contain affiliate links

Some of these squares match, some don't! Some could be modified slightly to fit with others, by adding or subtracting a row or two. That's the beauty of crochet - make it your own!

The Sol Square has been made in a worsted weight yarn, but all the others are in a DK - which is my go-to yarn. There's no reason the Sol Square can't be made in DK either - it'll just work out a little smaller. I've included a few recommendations with links - which can also be helpful for yarn substitution. If you are Australian, you might think of DK as 8ply. It can also be classified as #3 Light.

Coboo - A cotton bamboo blend that comes in 18 colours, and is beautifully soft and light. 

Mandala Yarn - An Acrylic yarn  that comes in many gradients 

You can read my review on Mandala here.

Ice Cream Yarn - a soft Acrylic yarn in 12 colours ideal for baby and kids. Icecream is very similar to Mandala, but the colours repeat throughout. 

Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK - available in 56 shades

Paintbox Simply DK - available in 49 shades

And now for the squares: 

First up - the Sol Square. This one is part of the Friendship CAL and you can find the post here.

Let me know if you've made one already! 

Nebula Square is a bit smaller and simpler - but can be used to create a beautiful effect using variegated yarn - like Lionbrand Ice cream! 

Berirlee Square - Yes, I am a little bit obsessed with squares that start with a circle! 

the 'Big Circle Grannies' were first made to meet a donation request.

Celestial Square work with the Nebula Square, to create a little bit of texture. 

Dahlia Pinnata is a beautiful floral square. 

Good Old Grannies - if you want to go down the classic route. 

Thank you for reading,

Happy Crocheting!

Emma