Lullaby Lodge: June 2019

Saturday 29 June 2019

Sunset Washcloth - CAL Central crochet along group on Ravelry...

Hello friends! It's the second week of the CAL Central Washcloth Crochet Along and this week we have another pretty washcloth to make. If you remember the CAL started last week with the gorgeous Rosettes and Ridges Washcloth, which you can read about here. This week's addition is another super pretty pattern, this time designed by Devine Debris. You can find the Sunset Washcloth pattern here and while you are at it why not check out the Ravelry group thread.

The pattern calls for DK cotton yarn (which I don't have much of in my stash), so I used Aran weight for mine. I really like Scheepjes Cahlista yarn, it comes in so many gorgeously, yummy colours. Here is my version of the Sunset Washcloth.

The pattern is very easy to understand and features repeating rows of single crochet and single crochet with spike stitches, with interlocking colours. The finished pattern makes a very pretty washcloth. You could of course use it for doing the dishes if you prefer.

The pattern does have a whopping 48 rows, but don't let this deter you as really, after you have worked the first couple of colour repeats, the pattern is easily memorised. I did miss a few rows off to stop my cloth getting too big (as I was using Aran weight yarn with a 5mm hook).

Of course no washcloth would be complete without a pretty label. You can find these labels and a selection of others in my Etsy Store...

Pin it for later!

Thanks for stopping by and if you love making dishcloths be sure to join in the fun. Make sure you don't miss any future post by following (in the sidebar) and subscribing.

I'll be back soon...

Catherine

Add to your Ravelry queue.

You might also like...

This post contains Amazon affiliate links...

Friday 28 June 2019

Make a blanket for a rescue cat - Free crochet patterns selected by Lullaby Lodge...

My local Cat & Dog shelter is always looking for blankets for their rescue animals, so I thought a great way to use up some stash, that might not otherwise get used, would be to make some blankets for them. We have a Battersea Cats and Dogs home in Windsor where I live and they generally prefer knitted blankets to crochet ones, especially for kittens as they can easily get their paws stuck in the holes that crochet blankets often have. So I have hunted down some patterns that I think will be suitable for cats (or dogs). The patterns I have chosen are not all specifically designed for cats but all have very little or no holes and can all be made with stash yarn (woohoo use up that stash!).

Blankets for Rescue Cats

This first blanket is actually designed as a baby blanket, but as it creates a close knit fabric, would make a great blanket for cats. The pattern is by Sunset Knots.

Woven Stitch Baby Cat Blanket

This next blanket is made up with loads of lovely textural squares. A great project for using up all those leftovers. The pattern is by Heart Hook Home.

Creighton's Blanket

This blanket is specifically designed for shelter cats and the pattern is by Lindsay Allercott.

Animal Shelter Kitty Blanket

Another blanket that is designed for babies, but as it has such a dense fabric this will be a great choice for cats. The pattern is by Kim Guzman and you can find it on her blog.

Straight to the Heart Baby Cat Blanket

This blanket by Linda Davie has a lovely texture to it and is designed specially to have no holes...

No Holes Baby Cat Blanket

My final selection is a fabulous stash buster project, gorgeously colourful and stripy (let's not think about those ends...). The pattern is by Crochet Instinct.

Scrap Yarn Stash Buster Blanket

Don't lose it, pin it!

I hope you enjoyed my selections and feel inspired to make a blanket for a rescue cat or dog. I also have some exciting news, I have a new blanket pattern just released and it has been designed especially for rescue kittens and for using up your stash.

Cat Blanket No.1

Make sure you follow (in the sidebar) and subscribe so you don't miss out on new posts. I post every week with reviews, tutorials and patterns...

Thanks for stopping by

Catherine

You might also like...

Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket Pattern

This post contains Amazon Affiliate links...

Tuesday 25 June 2019

Learn how to crochet front post & back post stitches, in this step by step tutorial by Lullaby Lodge...

I have a pattern coming out soon that utilises front post stitches, so I thought this would be a good time to do a tutorial to show you exactly how to do them. Post stitches give a really unique look to your work and are much easier to do than they sound.

Front & Back Post Stitches

Materials

Yarn

Darning needle

Hook

Use a hook recommended on your yarn ball band or required by your pattern

Abbreviations US Terms (UK Conversion)

dc - double crochet (treble crochet)

fpdc - front post double crochet (front post treble crochet)

bpdc - back post double crochet (back post treble crochet)

ch - chain

sl st - slip stitch

st(s) - stitch(s)

yo - yarn over

Usually when we crochet we work into the top of the stitch, but we can create exciting new effects in our work, simply by placing our stitches in a different place. Front and back post stitches are worked in exactly the same way, the only difference is where you place your stitch. Post stitches are worked around the post instead of into the top of the stitch.

Front Post Double Crochet

Make a small swatch to practice on. Ch 13, dc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (10dc)

Ch 3 to start your row and then insert your hook, from front to back, around the post of the next st.

Finish off your dc stitch as normal - yo and pull up a loop,

yo and pull through 2 loops,

yo and pull through remaining 2 loops.

Continue with a fpdc in each st, ending with a dc in the top of your ch3.

This is how it looks from the other side...

Back Post Double Crochet

Make a small swatch to practice on. Ch13, dc in 3rd ch from hook and each ch across. Turn. (10dc)

Ch 3 to start your row and then insert your hook, from back to front, around the post of the next st.

Finish off your dc stitch as normal - yo and pull up a loop,

yo and pull through 2 loops,

yo and pull through remaining 2 loops.

Continue with a bpdc in each st, ending with a dc in the top of your ch3.

This is how it looks on the other side...

Now you know how to make front and back post double crochets. The principle is the same for other crochet stitches, you can work single crochets, half double crochets and treble crochets around the post in the same way.

Pin it for later...

That's it for this week's tutorial, I hope you found it helpful. Don't forget to follow (in the sidebar) and subscribe for more posts like this. I usually post 3 or 4 times a week, so make sure you don't miss out.

Happy hooking!

Catherine

Saturday 22 June 2019

Rosettes & Ridges Washcloth - CAL Central, crochet along group on Ravelry...

Hello everyone! This week I joined a new CAL group on Ravelry. They are having a washcloth crochet along with a new pattern each week to make. You know how I love quick and easy projects, so I thought why not join in the fun. The group is CAL Central and you can find the washcloth thread here. The first pattern is a really pretty cloth, Rosettes & Ridges designed by Marie Segares.

I would say the pattern is for an intermediate crocheter, it uses bobble stitches and crocheting into back loops. The pattern features a mitred design and has a lovely textural look. I think this would also make a great dishcloth.

The pattern calls for DK yarn, although I chose to make mine in Aran with a 5mm hook. I used Drops Paris in colours Light Purple and White and Scheepjes Cahlista in Crystalline. I worked a few rows less than the pattern called for to get the correct size. The first few rows were a bit fiddly but the repeats are easy to remember and I enjoyed making it.

I love the way it turned out and I'm looking forward to the next pattern.

Pin it for later...

I added a pretty label; these are great if you want to gift your cloths, or for selling at craft fairs...

I have a selection of printable labels available in my Etsy store.

I hope you enjoyed this and are inspired to come along and join in the fun. If you would like to see more posts like this, along with tons of free patterns and tutorials, hit the follow button (in the sidebar) and subscribe...

See you soon

Catherine

Handmade With Love belly bands

Add to your Ravelry queue.

You might also like...

This post contains Amazon affiliate links...

Friday 21 June 2019

Summer Shawls perfect for your holiday wardrobe - Free crochet patterns selected by Lullaby Lodge...

A summer shawl really is a great addition to your wardrobe. Thrown over your shoulders after the sun goes down, perfect for dressing up an outfit when you are out for the evening or wear as a sarong by the beach; the ways to wear them are endless and there are so many gorgeous designs out there. I have chosen a few of my favourites to share with you...

Crochet Summer Shawls

I just love the colours in this first shawl and the addition of the little pom pom hearts is super cute. The pattern is by Wilma Westenburg and is available free on her blog...