Tuesday 30 April 2019

Ditsy Daisy Granny Squares - Learn how to make them in this crochet tutorial by Lullaby Lodge

Hello friends, it's Tutorial Tuesday again and this week I will be showing you how to make these perfectly, pretty, daisy, granny squares.  I just love making granny squares and there are so many projects you can use them for.  This week's Freebie Friday is featuring lots ways to use those squares, so be sure to check it out...




Video Tutorial





Ditsy Daisy Granny Square


Materials

Yarn
Darning needle
Scissors

Abbreviations / Terms

US terms are used through out (UK terms)
dc - double crochet (treble crochet)
tr - treble crochet (double treble crochet)
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(s)
sp - space
pc - popcorn
bpc - beginning popcorn

Special stitches:  

Popcorn  - 3 dc in same st, remove hook from stitch and insert in top of first dc from front to back, insert into last dc and pull loop through.

Beginning popcorn - ch 3, 2dc in same sp, remove hook from stitch and insert in top of ch 3 from front to back, insert into last stitch loop from back to front and pull through.


Notes:  I used Stylecraft Special Aran in colours Baby Mint, Baby Pink, Fondant, White, Saffron, Silver and Aspen, with a 5mm (H) hook to make my squares;  but you can use any weight yarn you like, just be sure to use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band.  Thinner yarns will make smaller squares and subsequently, thicker yarns, bigger squares.  The finished size of my 3 round squares is approx 4 inches (10cm).

With yellow yarn, ch4 and join with sl st to form ring.

Round 1 ch3 (counts as dc), 11dc into ring, join with sl st to top ch3.  Fasten off.  (12dc)



Round 2 With white, join with sl st in any sp, bpc in same sp, ch2.  Pc, ch2 in each sp around.  Join with sl st to top of 1st pc.  Fasten off.



Round 3 With colour yarn, join with sl st in any sp and ch3 (counts as dc).  2dc in same sp, 3dc in next sp.  *3tr, ch2, 3tr in next sp (corner formed), [3dc in next sp] twice* repeat from *to* 3 times in total.  3tr, ch2, 3tr in next sp, join with sl st to top ch3.  Fasten off and weave in ends...


You can make a whole pile in no time at all...


I think they would make an adorable baby blanket.


I hope you enjoyed this tutorial, if you did please follow and subscribe (in the sidebar) so you don't miss out on my latest posts.  I post regularly every week so go hit that follow button!

Catch you soon
Catherine
x

This tutorial is now available as a PDF in my Etsy store...


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Saturday 27 April 2019

Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket - Free Crochet Pattern

My Blanket Stitch tutorial has been very popular and many people have asked for a full pattern for one of the blankets featured in that post.  So by popular demand here is the Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket.  I have designed the blanket in two different sizes and two colourways, you can of course use any colours you like and create a truly individual blanket.





Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket


Materials


For the pram [cot] blanket, 2 [4] 100g balls in each colour Stylecraft Special Aran - White, Silver, Baby Pink, (Baby Mint).  You may substitute any Aran or Worsted yarn if you wish.
Darning needle.

Hook


5mm (H) hook.

Size


The pram [cot] blanket measures approximately 65 x 85cm (25 x 38 inches), [85 x 110 cm (25 x 43 inches).

Ability


Advanced beginner.

Gauge


Not essential for this project.

Abbreviations / Terms


US terms are used throughout (UK terms)
sc - single crochet (double crochet)
dc - double crochet (treble crochet)
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(s)
sp - space
sk - skip

Other notes:  Stripe sequence as follows - 4 rows silver, 4 rows Baby Pink (Baby Mint), 4 rows White.  Work stripe sequence a total of 7 [9] times.  If you need help changing colours, watch this video.

With Silver ch 94 [124].  Commence colour sequence.

Row 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, *sk2, sc in next ch, 2dc in same ch*repeat from *to* until last 3 st's, sk2, sc in last ch.  Turn.



Row 2 ch3, dc in 1st st (same st as ch3), *sk2, sc in next st (sc from previous round), 2dc in same st* repeat from *to* until last 2 st's, sc in sp between ch3 and dc of last round.  Turn/


Repeat row 2 until stripe sequence is complete.


Shell Border


With Baby Pink (Baby Mint) join with sl st to any corner, ch3 (counts as dc).  Using photos as a guide and working into spaces along sides, top and bottom of blanket, commence shell border as follows -

In each corner 7dc, along each side [sc in next sp, 5dc in next sp] repeat across, ending with sc in last sp.  Join with sl st to starting ch3.


You should have a shell in the sp where a new colour starts and a sc in the centre sp of a colour stripe...


Place your st's in the spaces between each group of 3 st's...


Fasten off and weave in ends.









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I hope you enjoyed this pattern and if you would like to help support my work, an ad free pdf version is available in my online stores... 





Don't forget to follow and subscribe so you never miss out on a post...

Back soon
Catherine
x






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Friday 26 April 2019

Terrific Teacher Gifts - Six Free Crochet Patterns

If you have children at school, then it's that time of year again that you start to think about teacher gifts.  So for this week's Freebie Friday, I have rounded up some of my favourite free crochet patterns, that will be sure to delight any teacher.

Crochet Teacher Gifts - Six to Make




One thing teachers do is drink a lot of tea, so why not make this super simple mug cosy.  The pattern is available on the Hobby Craft blog...

Chunky Crochet Mug Cosy




We all carry water bottles around with us these days and what teacher wouldn't love one of these pretties?  The pattern is available at Design Peak blog, is super simple to make and looks fabulous in pretty pastels...

 Bottle Holder




These rainbow lip balm holders would brighten up anyone's day.  The pattern is by Kristy Ashmore and is available as a Ravelry download.

Lip Balm Holder




This stunning pattern by Poppy & Bliss can be used to make dreamcatchers but is pictured here used as a bookmark.  This would make a lovely teacher gift.

Tunisian Feathers




Who wouldn't love these kawaii watermelon keychains?  So quick and easy to make, the pattern is by One Dog Woof. 

Watermelon Keychain




Lastly we have the quintessential teacher gift, an apple, made super pretty with this crochet cosy.  The pattern is by Little Abbee.

Apple Cosy




Thanks for reading and if you like this post be sure to subscribe and follow (in the sidebar) so you don't miss out on future posts.  I post every week so make sure you don't miss out.

See you soon
Catherine
x

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Tuesday 23 April 2019

Learn how to Crochet a Solid Granny Square and What to Make With Them...

Hello and welcome to Tutorial Tuesday, a new series I am starting aimed at beginner crocheters and people wanting to learn new stitches or improve their skills.  This series will include lots of tips, tricks, how to's and ideas and inspiration.  This week I will be showing you how to make a solid granny square and include ways to use them...





 

Solid Granny Square


Materials

Yarn
Darning needle
Scissors

Abbreviations / Terms

US terms are used throughout (UK terms)
dc - double crochet (treble crochet)
ch - chain
sl st - slip stitch
st(s) - stitch(s)


Notes:  I used Stylecraft Special Aran in colours Baby Mint, Baby Pink, Fondant, White and Aspen, with a 5mm (H) hook to make my squares;  but you can use any weight yarn you like, just be sure to use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band.  Thinner yarns will make smaller squares and subsequently, thicker yarns, bigger squares.  The finished size of my 3-round squares is approx 3 ½ inches (9cm).

I like to use a chainless dc to start my rounds instead of the usual ch3, so feel free to to substitute this for yourself if you wish.

With chosen yarn and hook, ch4 and sl st to form ring.







Round 1 ch3, 2dc into ring, [ch2, 3dc into ring] 3 times, ch2.  Join with sl st to top ch3.


Round 2 ch3, dc in next 2 st's, 2dc in corner sp, ch2, 2dc in same sp.  [dc in next 3 st's, 2dc in corner sp, ch2, 2dc in same sp] x3.  Join with sl st to top ch3.


Round 3 ch3, along each side, dc in each dc across.  In each corner, 2dc, ch2, 2dc.  Join with sl st to top ch3.


Repeat round 3 until square is desired size...



Make a whole bunch and you can use them for anything from granny square blankets, to hot water bottles, to wall art.  This stunning bag is designed by the late "Wink" and features a ton of gorgeously colourful solid granny squares.  The pattern is still available on her blog, A Creative Being.

Squares Bag



Kristen from Cozy Things, made this super comfy cushion with her solid granny squares and you can read all about it on her blog here...

Crochet Patchwork Pillow - Farewell to the scraps






 




Why not mix your solid granny squares with these daisy motifs and make a pretty baby blanket.  The pattern for this blanket is available in my online stores.

Thank you for reading and I hope you found this tutorial helpful.  If there are any tutorials you would like to see please let me know in the comments below and be sure to subscribe and follow (in the sidebar) so you don't miss any new posts.


Take care for now...
Catherine
x
















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I love to listen to audiobooks while I crochet, why not try Audible from Amazon.  You can try free for 30 days with no obligation to buy...



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Monday 22 April 2019

Craft Fair Idea #5 Nail File Holders - 2019 Craft Fair Season - WRMK Envelope Punch Board Tutorial

Hello and welcome to my 2019 Craft Fair Series.  This week I have been making these really cute nail file favours.  They make wonderful teacher gifts, work colleague treats or stocking stuffers.  What?  Too soon for Christmas I hear you say?  It's never too soon to start stocking up and getting ready for the holiday season.  I got this idea from Septeria18 on Youtube and I will link her video at the end.

Nail File Holders




Materials


Designer series paper (12x12)
Envelope punch Board (optional)
Bone folder (optional)
Paper trimmer / scissors
Glue
Nail files
Scoreboard (optional)
Hole punch (optional)
Embellishments
Plastic sleeves (optional)


First cut your paper at 1 ½ inches.


Then score at 4 ¼ inches and fold along the scoreline.


Burnish with your bonefolder.  If you don't have a scoreboard or bonefolder just measure and fold.


With your paper still folded and using your We Are Memory Keepers envelope punch board, line it up at the 4 ½ inch mark.  Punch, flip over and punch again.


It should look like this...  If you don't have a punch board you can totally leave your edges straight.


Then open your paper and line up your fold line in the centre of the punch area.  Punch and flip over and punch again.


Next take your glue and adhere along the straight edges, leaving the indented parts unglued.


Like this...


You can now shape the top of your holder by lining it up as in the photo, punch flip over and punch.


This gives it a nice curved edge.  You can also punch a hole here for adding ribbon later.  Again this step is optional, you can decorate your holders however you please.


You can now slide in your nail file.  I got mine from Poundland but you can get them from Amazon, they do some really pretty ones.


Embellish however you like...


I used ribbon, twine, sticky gems, paper punches and stamps to decorate mine.


I added plastic sleeves for a more professional look and to keep them clean ready for the craft fair.


I really had fun making these and I hope you will have a go yourself, they are so easy to produce and make wonderful gifts.



If you liked this tutorial be sure to subscribe to my blog.  You can do this by hitting the follow button in the sidebar or you can sign up for email notifications.  I post a few times a week so make sure you don't miss out on any new posts.

Take care
Catherine
x

Gift Pocket Packaging Idea - Septeria18


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