Crocheters Unite! Unity CAL 2021

 Hi everyone, I'm pleased to announce that I am going to be part of a multi-designer crochet a long starting February 2021 -

It's called 'Unity'

UPDATE: Unity has started - it is being run on the Facebook group. I am listening to those who have said they don't use Facebook and taking it onboard. 

10 Australian designers have unified together to create one beautiful blanket.
Sponsored by the Australian Crochet Community and KoKonki - Motki Ombre.

Project Information will be released 1st December 2020, allowing for overseas postage of yarn.
Part 1 File will be released Valentine’s Day 14th February 2021.

The CAL will be run via the Unity Facebook group which you can find here and the pattern will be free! 
You can also find the Ravelry entry here, which includes pictures from the pattern testers - so you can get some inspiration! 

I have been told that the pattern will be released vis the sponsor's website - and I will update this post when I can. 

Here is the version I'm making -

I hope you consider joining in! 

Emma

Christmas Quick Makes - Blog Hop

This Blog Hop promotion has now ended, but I'll be keeping the links up to to Fosbas Design's original blog post. 

I'm joining in one more Blog Hop for the year - Quick Makes for Christmas

The Blog Hop is hosted by Fosbas Designs and you can find all the info you need in this blog post of hers.

Susanna; from Fosbas, loves to make cute items as gifts for loved ones, and created this blog hop to bring you 40 beautiful Christmas crochet patterns as daily PDF downloads. 

Today in the hop - it's my turn - St Niklaas Star 

It's a more intermediate pattern - but it's small! The first four rows have a chart included, as this is the big pressure point with colour changes! 

The post stitches also create a 'puffiness' which means you can make two and stitch together and not have to worry about looking for stuffing.

They are perfect for individual ornaments, or strung together as a garland. 

While you are here - i'd love for you to sign up for my monthly email - you can do that here. Oh yeah - did I mention there's another free pattern to thank you for joining the list! 

For more information on the Blog Hop - and to find the next patterns in the journey -  click below to be taken to Fosbas Designs Blog.

Thank you so much for hopping to my blog today, and happy holiday crafting!

Emma.

Crochet Wreath Base

 So - today's post is an old one re visited.  You can fin the 2016 post here. I've only made a few edits, but I thought it was time to share it again. 

Crocheted wreaths are very popular - for all times of the year. Here is how to make a plain wrath base, which you can decorate any way you like!

I picked up a Decofoam Wreath and some 8ply  acrylic yarn - the Kringle value ball, from Spotlight. 

pictures from spotlight.com

Then, using a 3.5mm hook 

Make a chain of 40, and then (in US terms)
Row 1 : skip the first three chains, 37 dc, turn. 
Row 2 - 100 : ch 3, 37 dc across, turn. 

Check your size against the foam wreath and bind off.

It should fit very snug.

Using a whip stitch, or whatever you find easiest, without twisting,sew the two short ends together. Then sew the sides together around the wreath.

Now you have a lovely base to add decorations to!

Hope you enjoy! 

Happy Crocheting, Emma.  

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!

This is part of my Sock Blank Blog Series 

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. 

Update: One sock finished! 

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