Saturday, November 14, 2020

Stash Busting Blanket Part 4



This Stash busting project has been a slow burn! I started back in March, but as I said last time, it's supposed to be stress free, so I am taking my time. I've added a mustard/gold colour in and I'me really loving it! 


 RECAP: PART 1, PART 2 & PART 3


Today I have some extra calculations for you

These calculations are based on DK/8ply yarn

1 block uses  20 g/ 60 m of yarn, 

And measures 15 cm in height, 18 cm in width

So, a blanket of 4 rows of 7 blocks will measure 105 x 72 and make a decent sized baby blanket,
6 rows of 10 blocks will measure 108 x 150 cm and make a great couch throw, 14 rows and 14 blocks will fit an Australian King sized bed - 196 x 252. Of course, with a different sized yarn you'll need to check by making one block and measuring. 


While I'm not quite up to joining, I do know that I will use mattress stitch to join each strip together, but if you prefer to crochet them together you can slip stitch along the seams. I recommend that you pin, or use a stitch marker to line up the colour changes, so the stripes work out. 


With this extra info, will you be making a blanket for yourself?


I hope you do!


Happy Crocheting,


Emma. 

Wednesday, November 11, 2020

Tunisian Pattern Round Up



To celebrate my new Tunsian fingerless gloves - the Jindabyne Fingerless Mittens- I have compiled a list of some of my favourite Tunisian patterns that I have tried, or want to! 


My latest pattern is for Tunisian crochet (fingerless) mittens, that use a combination of stitches, are worked flat and seamed will help take your TC to the next level You can fnd my pattern on Etsy, Ravelry amd LoveCrafts

If you haven't used the technique before - if you can crochet, you can Tunisian crochet! Keep reading to the end of the post for some tips. 

Next - a pattern I have made myself - the Smirr Shawl. This one is also beyond the basics - increases and special stitches - it's probably the most favourite Tunisian piece I have made. It's by Melody Tallon of Artefacts Crochet. Below is my shawl, during progress.


And here is Melody's original shawl.


Double Brim Crochet Hat - another one I have made - the Tunisian knit stitch (or Tks) mimics the knit look, and creates a lovey thick fabric to keep you warm. Sized from newborn to adult.


Since we are coming up to Christmas - the Tunisian Crochet Christmas Tree Pillow is my next pick. The cushion includes colour work, and is a no-sew project!

 


If you like cute- then you will love the Tunisian Watermelon Bag from Blackstone Designs. This would make a sweet Christmas - or anytime- gift! 


A couple of cowls I would like to make:

Twisted Cowl by ACCRochet


Tunisian Concept Cowl by Rafamusa Designs


Tunisian Ribbed Cowl by Hooked by Hazel


Now, if you haven't tried Tunisian crochet before - I think the best way to try it, is by making a washcloth - then you have something useful at the end- make a few and package up with a beautiful soap for a cute handmade Christmas gift. 

I like this one by My Poppet Makes


You will need to get a Tunisian hook - sometimes called an afghan hook or a tricot hook. It's best to size up from what you'd use for 'regular' crochet, as the drape is different. A rigid hook is fine for a small project - like a washcloth, or my gloves, like this Addi one from LoveCrafts (affilate link)



 but if you are planning on going big, I love interchangables - and it may be worth investing in a set! I'm a fan of the knitpro sets (called knitters pride overseas) 

(affiliate link)


These come with a cables, so you can change the length depending on the project.

I hope you enjoyed my round up, and consider giving Tunisian crochet a go!


Happy Crocheting,

.

Emma


Thursday, November 5, 2020

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



Tuesday, October 20, 2020

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.


Monday, October 5, 2020

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.  

Monday, September 28, 2020

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 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

Wednesday, September 16, 2020

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!