Friday, March 25, 2022

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

Wednesday, March 16, 2022

Stop and Crunch the Roses - Assigned Pooling - Free Pattern


 If you've been yarning for a while, you'll most likely have come across the term 'planned pooling', this is where, based on stitch count and variegated yarns, you can create a pattern that appears in the colour changes - where the colours 'pool' together. You basically just crochet or knit - and a pattern forms.



A fairly new term I've come across (I actually heard about it after I had written this pattern) is Assigned Pooling, where the colour of the yarn dictates the stitch pattern. 

Here is a knitting pattern: POPing yarn Dictatorship that uses Assigned pooling (Ravelry Link) 

After designing the Fruit Cup Fade, I've been wanting to come up with a different way to use the colour variations in the Cicibebe yarn, and think I have come up with a fun idea. The pattern uses hdc and crunch stitch, and the colour variations look like little flowers, hence the name 'Stop, and Crunch Roses'. It's not written like a regular pattern, because instead of changing at fixed intervals, your yarn dictates the colour changes, which means every Crunch the Roses Shawl could be unique! 



 

Abbreviations Used 

slst  - slip stitch

hdc -  half double crochet


Special Stitch

Crunch Stitch: [slst in next st, hdc in next st] repeat to end of row.

• if you finish a crunch stitch row with a slst, start the next row with an hdc, and vice versa.



Pattern notes


Pattern change may occur in the middle of a row.

ch2 at beginning of each row does not count as a stitch.

ch2 at beginning of every row, even if you start with a slst



What you need: 

2- 3 balls of Cicibebe yarn (100g/ 360m) (2 will make you a short scarf of 150 cm length, 3 will give you a longer one!)  

If you can't find this yarn, try Heirloom Dazzle 8ply, or Hayfield Baby Blossom 8ply as alternatives.

OR - find a yarn with long colour changes that has approx 1/3 in a distinctive colour change. We are going to refer to this third as the Assigned Crunch Colour. A hand-dyed skein could be suitable. 

4 mm crochet hook or one to suit preferred drape,

Scissors, yarn needle.




Begin:

R1: Ch5, sk 1 ch, 4hdc, turn

R2: Ch2, 4hdc, turn.

R3: Ch2, 3hdc, (2hdc) in final st (5hdc)

R4: Ch2, 5hdc, turn.


Regular Pattern:

R5 and all odd rows: Ch2, hdc to final st, (2hdc) in final st, turn. (1 st inc),

R6 and all even rows: Ch2 hdc across, turn.


Continue this established pattern repeat until you reach the assigned crunch colour change.


then STOP!


and begin crunch stitch, keeping increases even.


Crunch Stitch: [slst in next st, hdc in next] repeat to end of row.

• if you finish a crunch stitch row with a slst, start the next row with an hdc, and vice versa.

Keep increases even means we continue the established pattern of increasing in the final st of odd rows, either (hdc, hdc), (slst, hdc) or (hdc, slst) depending on your personal sequence.


Then, when colour changes back, return to the established regular pattern.


Continue until 150cm or desired length

Fasten off and weave in ends.


Trouble shooting:

My yarn starts with the assigned crunch colour - what do I do?

A couple of options - Check both ends of the yarn, of both balls. If they both start and finish with the assigned crunch, you can cut the first section, or ignore the change until you reach the second set of assigned crunch. When starting your second ball, you may decide to cut and join the yarn to match up your colours.


Happy crocheting,


Emma 


4 Planned Pooling resources - Pattern Round Up


I haven't done a round-up in a while, so i thought i'd put a quick one together about planning pooling. 

Stardust Gold Crochet has this great guide to colour pooling. It includes a detailed list of suitable yarns if you haven't been sure what works for this technique.


My Hobby is Crochet shares a tutorial on a planned pooling hat! 





and, this tutorial on a planned pooling scarf!




Off the Hook has a 'Tips and Hints' Blog post, which includes colour pooling with Granny Stitch.




I hope you enjoy these patterns and explanations of the technique of planned pooling. I do have a new pattern in the works which uses a similar technique- so stay tuned


happy crocheting,


Emma 

Sunday, January 23, 2022

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 

Saturday, December 4, 2021

Op Shop Wristlets - and the golden loop

It's been a while since I posted over here. Turns out 2021 was not conducive to creativity (for me anyway) I keep reading that many people took up crochet and knitting, along with bread baking and other 'home' based crafts or skills, and I'm very pleased to hear it! I did knit myself a few socks (I have posted about which sock patterns I've liked as a beginner) but for some reason, my crocheting passion had left me. 


Anyway, for today, I have a last-minute Christmas gift idea - ideally for those in the Northern Hemisphere. A pair of wristlets (or fingerless gloves). They belong to a set I've had out for a while - The Op Shop Collection. The collection was first conceived back in 2015, and had had a couple of re-writes since then. The wristlets have been a bonus pattern included in the ebook, so I figured it was time to make them a little more available! 


The Original Op Shop piece


The Op Shop Collection includes a shawl, a headband, and this pair of wristlets. The wristlets are ideal for those who need some extra warmth, but still need their fingers free - to type, or swipe their phones! 

To get the full pattern set - a ebook is available on Ravelry  at this link 

The Op shop Shawl is available as an individual item on Etsy. 


the original Op Shop Wristlets from 2016 


The Op Shop Wristlets use a stitch I have called a Long Double Crochet, or an LDC - which is very much like a regular dc, but the first loop is pulled up to the height of the turning chain. The first loop is also referred to as the golden loop, and knowing about it can be revolutionary in making gauge. 

Esther from It's all in a Nutshell has a very detailed blog post about it, which you can find linked here. For what it's worth, I tend to have a short golden loop, but it may answer some questions about why some people use 3 chains for a turning chain with dc, and others only use 2. 

These wristlets were first published in 2016. ‘Op shop’ is short for Opportunity Shop, which is the Australian version of a Thrift store. The story is that I have a much-loved, thrifted bed jacket, and wanted to create a modern garment using it as inspiration. The original bed jacket is baby pink, and still in my possession! The pattern has been edited for clarity. 


Materials needed 

9mm hook 

Bulky weight yarn. (I used a small part of 1 x 100gram skein of Superfine Alpaca from Knitpicks) 

needle/scissors


Wristlets are made flat and seamed together. 


Abbreviations used 

ch- chain 

ch-sp - chain space 

sc- single crochet 

 LDC- long double crochet 

sk - skip

YO - Yarn over 

Do not count the chain as s stitch throughout the pattern. 


LDC- YO, hook in next st, YO, pull up loop to height of ch-5, (YO, pull through 2 loops) twice.


To make: 

Left hand  

Make a chain of 21 
Row 1- sk 1st chain, sc across (20), turn.
Row 2- ch 1, sc across (20), turn.
Row 3- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 4- ch 1, 20 sc, turn.
Row 5- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 6- ch 1, 1 sc. ch 4. sk next 4 stitches, 15 sc, turn.
Row 7- ch 1, 15sc, 4 sc into ch-sp, turn.
Row 8 - ch 1, 20 sc. 

Fasten off. Mattress stitch two short sides (edges) together and weave all ends in. 

Right Hand. 

Make a chain of 21
Row 1- sk 1st chain, sc across (20), turn.
Row 2- ch 1, sc across (20), turn.
Row 3- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 4- ch 1 20 sc, turn.
Row 5- ch 5, 20 LDC, turn.
Row 6- ch 1, 15 sc. Skip next 4 stitches, 1 sc, turn.
Row 7- ch 1, 1 sc, 4 sc into chain space, 15 sc, turn.
Row 8 - ch 1, 20 sc. 

Fasten off. Mattress stitch two short sides (edges) together and weave all ends in. 



The current version of the Op Shop Shawl, which uses the LDC and can be part of a matching set.


I hope you enjoy this quick, and free pattern for fingerless gloves!


Happy Crocheting


Emma

Friday, September 3, 2021

Frog or Finish?


 A colleague of mine told me that in January every year she goes through her project basket and decides if she loves a project enough to finish it, she'll continue working on it, otherwise it'll get frogged and the yarn reused. This means she doesn't have anything too old sitting around or filling up space, and more importantly, gets projects finished! 

For those unsure - 'frog' means to undo. Because we often say 'Rip it out,' and rip it sounds a lot like ribbit.. a frog! Yes, crocheters and knitters often speak another language!

This may sound harsh, especially if you've put a lot of work into something, but I'm a fan of this way of thinking! I'm not sure that I've mentioned it on the blog before, but I also don't like to keep a huge stash of yarn at home either. Of course, I have no problem with those that do! I have found over time, what works for me, and it's just a few tubs of yarn. 

It was very common, just a generation or two ago, for sweaters to be undone and re knitted as children grew out of them when wool was harder to source. 

I've written about knitting from a sock blank, which is almost the same as knitting straight off a finished piece, but if you don't like the kinked texture (it looks like ramen noodles) you can soak and dry the yarn in hanks. The Spruce Crafts has this great tutorial on how to make a hank. 

But, back to your pile of unfinished projects, will you finish them or frog them? Remember there is no right or wrong answer - if you have the space and fully intend to finish everything, then please keep them! If the stack of unfinished projects is starting to overwhelm you, then making the decision to frog, or even donate, can be very refreshing. 


Thanks for reading, let me know your thoughts


Emma


Monday, August 2, 2021

Joshua Bonnet - free pattern - Pixie Bonnet


I first designed the Joshua Bonnet for my newborn son - Joshua! I love the look of bonnets on babies and wanted something that could be equally lovely for girls and boys. Joshua and the Joshua Bonnet are now over five years old, so time for a refresh of the pattern!

The pixie bonnet features some detailing along the front to frame the face.



Sizes: Newborn (Head circumference) 14 inches/35.5cm (3-6 month 16 inches/40.5 cm, 6-9 month 18/46 cm, 9-12 month 19 inches/ 48 cm, 2-5 years 20 inches/ 51 cm, 5-8 years 22 inches/ 56 cm.)


Yarn: 8ply/DK weight, 100g/3.53oz (283 m/309 yards) 52 m/56 yards (MC), 26m/23 yards A and B
Hook: US I (5.50mm) and US G (4.0mm)
Notions: Scissors, Yarn needle.
Gauge: 12 sts and 8 rows = 4" (10 cm) in hdc. 

Abbreviations: (US terms used) 

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

hdc = half double crochet

st(s) = stitch(es)

sl st = slip stitch

rep = repeat 


Pattern Notes: Turning chains do not count as a stitch.

The hat is worked flat in rows, and seamed along the back.



Using MC and 5.5 mm hook:

Chain 39. (41, 48, 51, 54, 59)

Row 1: Skip 1st ch, 38 (40, 47, 50, 53, 58) sc, turn.

Row 2: Ch 2, 38 (40, 47, 50, 53, 58) hdc, fasten off, turn.

Row 3: Using A, ch 1, 38 (40, 47, 50, 53, 58) sc, fasten off, turn.

Rows 4 - 8: Alternate rows 2 and 3

Rows 9 - 19 (20, 22, 24, 26, 28): in MC, As Row 2

Fasten off and weave in ends. 


Surface Crochet:

Using B and 4.0mm hook, RS facing out, surface slip stitch along Row 4, and repeat on Row 6.
Repeat with MC along the foundation chain.


Method:

Insert hook through space between first two stitches, front to back; keeping working yarn on
WS. Pull up a loop, insert hook into next sp (between stitches) pull up loop through space, and loop on
hook (one loop remains on hook). Continue to final st, cut or break yarn, bring remaining yarn through loop, and back to WS to secure the final loop.

Weave in ends.



Finishing:

Fold bonnet in half lengthways, so point a meets point b (above image) with WS together seam this edge together using your preferred joining method. This seam will be the back of the bonnet. Fasten off and weave in ends. 


Chin Tie:

Chin tie is worked in a continuous piece without cutting the yarn. Starting with one tie, then continuing around the base of the bonnet (back of the neck), and then continuing with the second tie.

Using MC, and 5.5 mm hook

Ch: 25 (29, 33, 37, 41, 46)

Skip 1st ch, sc across. Join to the left front corner of the bonnet with a sl st, sc across base of the bonnet, working one sc into the side of each row. Ch: 25 (29, 33, 37, 41, 46) Skip 1st ch, sc across, sl st to the bonnet.

Fasten off and weave in ends. 




 Happy Crocheting!


Let me know in the comments if you would like a tutorial on surface crochet, or on something else that's come up in the pattern.

Emma xx