Choc Top Lollipop - Sweet Treats CAL chart

 Welcome to Week 9 of the Sweet Treats CAL.  -  a c2c blanket made up of squares featuring the designers' favourite treats! 

If you haven't seen the CAL so far, you can catch up over on our host's blog post at the stardust gold crochet blog. Click the pink banner below. A BIG thank you to Tasha who has put this whole blog hop together and all the other designers who made this possible. 

My chosen treat is a lollipop! I can't really say there was a specific reason I chose it: the idea was fully formed minutes after I heard that Tasha was looking for designers. I was very keen to join in with a bright, pop art-inspired image. 

This pattern is a chart only, and the blanket uses the mini c2c technique. However, as a chart, you can get creative and change the technique if you so choose! Keep scrolling for the chart!

If you would like the very detailed written instructions, along with all the other patterns, there is an option to purchase the eBook. Click below to be taken to my affiliate link. 

The CAL is sponsored by Wecrochet, and the yarn used is Brava Worsted.

My colours are Rouge, White, Sienna and Marina

The suggested hook size for this project is 5mm, but use whatever size gives you your ideal drape. 

And one more thing, if you would like to download a copy of the chart as a PDF, I have added one to my Ravelry Store. Please remember this is a chart only. The chart will remain here in this blog post, so downloading isn't essential, I just wanted to offer the option. Click the pink banner below to be taken to my Ravelry store to download the chart.

For more help and information, and links to the other squares in the CAL, please refer to Stardust crochet's post. 

I really hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I enjoyed designing it! 

Happy Crocheting,

Emma

Sweet Treats CAL & Blog Hop

 Welcome - my first post of 2022 - and I have an announcement for you! Starting very soon is the Sweet Treats CAL & Blog Hop!

>>Hosted by Stardust Gold Crochet - you can get all the information here<<

And Sponsored by We Crochet

   

The blanket is going to be made up of C2C squares, and a free chart will be provided each week. However, if you've never tried C2C before and want to give it a go, then it may be worth investing in the eBook, which is incredibly detailed and takes you through a full stitch tutorial, as well as written instructions. The eBook contains all the patterns and charts if you don't want to wait!

By purchasing through the above affiliate link, I will earn a commission.

If you follow me on Instagram, you'll have seen a sneak peek at my square of the blanket! A Lollipop! All the squares are bright and fun, and you'll soon have a blanket that's perfect for the young, and young at heart.

The CAL begins very soon - I'll keep you up to date!

Happy Crocheting, and Happy 2022

Emma 

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.

This link also includes the original CAL sections!

 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!

Sol Square: the Friendship Blanket CAL

 The Sol Square is part of the 2021 Friendship blanket CAL

This awesome CAL is hosted by Helen from Sunflower Cottage Crochet and is a collaboration of 25 designers, where each designer designed a square (or two) for this blanket.

How does the CAL work?

The CAL began on January 15th and will end on April 18th. A new square will be released every week on Wednesday, Friday, and Sunday at 9 am GMT. Some of the squares will be available for download as a PDF with a coupon code that will be provided, and some will be available as a blog post. (Designer’s choice!)

All squares are made with an Aran/Worsted (#4) weight yarn.

(Ravelry Link)

Read my intro post here, which includes some yarn suggestions. 

The Sol square is a combination of many stitches, including puff stitches for texture! I was inspired by the sunflowers of the Sunflower cottage. 

Don’t want to wait?

If you don’t want to wait for each square to be released, or prefer your patterns organized together, you can get a bundle for all 40 squares patterns for only $10 (US) (only 25 cents per pattern)!

Grab the bundle HERE.

 

Keep reading for the free pattern. I have also provided an ad-free, premium PDF that is available to buy on Ravelry and will be uploaded to Etsy and Love Crochet as soon as possible (post will be updated once that has been completed) This paid version contains a chart. 

For the duration of the CAL, this PDF will be free to download on Ravelry -using the code: Squares

Code is case sensitive, but please get in contact if the code is not working for you. [email protected] 

Abbreviations (US terminology):

ch -           chain

sc –          single crochet

dc –  double crochet

hdc – half double crochet

hdcV –    half double V stitch

ps – puff stitch

sl st - slip stitch

sp/s – space/s

st/s – stitch/es

rep – repeat

( ) – indicate stitches worked in same st or sp

* * and [ ] – indicate section to be repeated

BLO – back loop only

Special Stitches (detailed at the end of the pattern)

hdcV

shell 

corner shell

puff stitch

standing sc (stsc)

standing dc (stdc)

standing hdc (sthdc)

magic ring

Materials:

Yarn: Any #4 worsted weight. Total used: 30g

Hook: US H (5.0 mm)
Notions: yarn needle
Gauge: 6 rows x 15 sts (dc) = 4 inches
Size: 9 inches
Skill level: Adventurous beginner

#friendshipblanket21

Pattern notes:

The pattern worked in rounds.
The pattern is written with a standing stitch and colour change at the start of each round. Standing stitches can be replaced with a starting chain, or preferred alternate method. 

Make a magic ring
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc) 11dc, sl st to 3^rd ch. (12dc)
Round 2: (stsc, 1ch) in any st, (1sc, 1ch) in each st around, sl st to stsc. (12sc, 12ch)
Round 3: (stsc, 2ch) in any ch-sp, (sc, 2ch) in next sp, and every ch-sp around, slst to stsc. (12sc, 24ch)
Round 4: (sthdc, 1ch, hdc, 1ch) in any ch-sp, (hdcV, 1ch) in next ch-sp, and every sp around, .(12 hdcV, 12ch)

Round 5: Ch 2 (not counted as st) (ps, 3ch) in ch-sp of any hdcV, *sk next ch-sp (ps, 3ch) in next ch-sp, rep from * around (12 ps, 36 ch)
Round 6: (stdc, 3dc, 1ch) in any ch-3 sp, (4dc, 1ch) in next ch-3 sp and every sp around. (48 dc, 12ch)
Round 7: (stdc, dc, 3ch, 2dc, 1ch) in any ch sp, *[(shell, 1ch) in next ch] twice, 1ch, corner shell, 1ch, rep from * twice, [shell, 1ch] twice. (8 shell, 4 corner shell, 12 ch)
 
 
 
 
 
 
Round 8: (stdc, dc) in any ch-3 sp, *BLOdc in each st and ch to next ch-3 sp, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in ch-3 sp, rep from * twice, *BLOdc in each st and ch to next ch-3 sp, (2dc, 2ch) in ch-3 sp, slst to stdc. (100dc, 8ch)
Round 9: (stdc, dc) in any ch-2 sp, *BLOdc in each st and ch to next ch-2 sp, (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in ch-2 sp, rep from * twice, *BLOdc in each st and ch to next ch-2 sp, (2dc, 2ch) in ch-2 sp, slst to stdc. (116dc, 8ch)

Special Stitches

hdcV:  (hdc, 1ch, hdc) worked in same sp

Shell: (2dc, 1ch, 2dc) worked in same sp

Corner shell: (2dc, 3ch, 2dc) worked in same sp

Puff stitch: [yo, insert the hook in stitch, yo, pull up loop] 3 times in same st, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook.

Standing sc (stsc): yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 loops on hook

Standing dc (stdc): yo twice, insert hook in st, yo, pull up loop, [yo, pull through 2 loops on hook] twice

Standing hdc (sthdc): yo twice, insert hook in st, yo, pull up loop, yo, pull through 3 loops on hook. 

Stdc tutorial: can be found here.

Magic ring tutorial: can be found here.

I hope you enjoy the square! If you'd like to keep up to date with my designs - sign up for my newsletter

Don't forget to share your squares on social media!

Happy Crocheting 

Emma. 

The Friendship Blanket CAL

This post contains affiliate links 

The Friendship Blanket CAL is the brainchild of Helen from Sunflower Cottage Crochet. 25 designers have teamed up to bring you 41 squares! Each square will be 9 inches, uses worsted weight yarn, and can be assembled to make a blanket. Pick and Mix which squares you want to make! The running theme is texture - and friendship!

What yarn to use?

The patterns are written for Worsted/Aran Weight yarn- some suggestions are:

Paintbox Simply Aran  100% Acrylic, 100g/3.5 oz - 60 colours to choose from!

Yarn and Colours Epic - 100% cotton, 50g -101 shades of pure cotton!

What am I using?

I'm using a yarn found at the Australian chain 'Spotlight' called

Spot Saver USA style (200 g/100% acrylic) 

I'll be using pumpkin (pictured) Peacock and Grey. 

How to join in?

I'll be updating this post every few days to update the new square releases, you can also follow Sunflower Cottage- the host of the CAL

Helen's Square kicks things off - you can find the pattern of the first square: the Friendship Square, here on the Sunflower Crochet Blog. 

If you'd like to read Helen's original post, that kick's off the CAL - click here.

All squares will remain free for the duration of the CAL. 

You can use the tag #Friendshipblanket21 to see what others are posting on social media.

Of course, I jumped at the opportunity to join in, but you'll have to wait to see my square! 

And, for those who just can't wait - there is the option of purchasing the entire CAL right now. You can click this link for the bundle (affiliate link)

Click on the photos below to be taken to each individual pattern. I will be updating the post to add all 41 squares! This post will remain once the crochet along has finished, as a way to find all the squares. I won't have any control over links that are no longer valid, 

Post Update: April 2th April 2021 - All the patterns are live - I just need to catch up on linking them all properly in this post. 

I've also written a follow-up post, with links to everything I think you'll need. 

Square 1: Friendship Square

 

Square 2: Pretty Petals

 

Square 3: Lauren

Square 3: Rambling Roses

Square 4: 

Square 5: Illusion Square

Square 6: Diamond Bliss

Square 7: Omatra Square

Square 8: Raised Diamonds

Square 9: Ara Square

Square 10: Argyll Square

Square 11: The Kindred Square

Square 12: The Eclectic Square

Square 13: Kinship Square

Square 14: Tapestry Heart

Square 15: Friendship Blanket Square

Square 16: Connection Square

Square 17: Sweet Stripes

Square 18: Sol Square

Square 19: Dolphin Stitch

Square 20: Cross Puff Square 

Square 21: Zamni Square

Square 22: Sun and Stars

Square 23: Lasting Links

Square 24:

Square 25: Synergy

Square 26: Sedge Stitch 

Square 27: Arianrhod Square

Square 28: Harmony Square 

Square 29: Crochet Cluster Stitch

Square 30:  Rialto Square

Square 31: Friendship Star

Square 32: Crochet Lace Square 

Square 33: 

Square 34: Integrity Square 

Square 35: Communion Square

Square 36: Malachia Granny Square 

Square 37:  Companion Square

Square 38: Fellowship Square

Square 39: Waffle Stitch Square

Square 40: Circle of Friends Square

Square 41: Brindisi Bobble 

What an incredible list! Make a few squares, or make them all! Don't forget there is still the option to purchase the full bundle right now. You can click this link for the bundle (affiliate link)