Crochet Podcast Episode 11

Hello and welcome to the latest episode of my crochet podcast (vlog)!! Just a quicky this time because it’s the summer holidays, I hope that’s OK. As always please click on the above picture to get transported to YouTube.

Here are the details for Episode 11…

The winner of the Phildar yarn Giveaway is Solstitches!! Please get in touch so that I can get your yarn sent out. 😀

The C2C Geo bag is now on Ravelry!!

For more details about the super cute Boho Hexie bag, please pop along and visit Kate @jellybean_junction on Instagram

And here is a list of lots of lovely fellow crochet podcasters, all of whom are completely fabulous… Crochet Luna, CrochetCakes, Addydae Designs, The Crochet Circle Podcast, Melody Crochet, and not mentioned in the episode but who I’ll put here anyway, The Cozy Cottage Crochet.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Save

Save

Crochet Podcast Episode 10. There’s a Giveaway too!

Hellooo!! Episode 10 already, where has the time gone?! Anyway, I talk enough in the video, so I won’t do it here too! Below are the links to the things I’ve talked about. As usual, click on the pic above to travel over to YouTube. Thanks so much. X

Links:

The Spider Tutorial on YouTube is here. And this is the written pattern here.

Granny Beach Bag pattern

Zeens and Roger on Ravelry. You’ll find the thread for Episode 10!

Urban Stripe Shawl

Connie’s Blanket

Fluffy Chevron Cowl Pattern

Viking Hand dyed Yarns

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Save

Save

Connie’s Blanket. A Colourful Crochet Granny.

It feels like this pretty crochet granny blanket has been in the making for aaaaggess. Relatively speaking that’s probably not true. I started it because I had leftovers from the Crazy Chevron blanket I made back in February. Trying (unsuccessfully) to reduce the stash has been the aim for quite a while. For this chap, a few colours were swapped depending on what there was most of in my “collection”. I only bought two balls extra.

If you watch my crochet podcast you’ll have heard me go on about this in nearly every single episode! I thought you guys might be interested in a blog post too and it’s a good idea to have all the info in one place. So here we are!

This colourful creation is now called Connie’s Blanket. I didn’t know when I started, that it would end up as a birthday present but at some stage or other it decided (not me), that that was what it was!

Connie’s Blanket is made up of 130 squares (10×13), which were Joined As You Go. The pattern and construction are similar to a blanket I made a few years ago. That one is nattily entitled Crochet Circles in a Square blanket. That blog post has links for all you need if you’re going to make a blanket like this. I’ll break it down here too…

Crochet Circle pattern.  The difference in Connie’s blanket is that I used a magic ring to start each circle and I added no chains between the trebs (US dc’s) of the first round. Oh, and no double trebles on the joining round, just some trebs.

Attic 24’s Join As You Go tutorial

Zeens and Roger on YouTube, pick an and episode, any episode… I’ll probs be talking about it!

I used Stylecraft Special DK in the following colours: Duck Egg, Spring, Fondant, Fuschia, Shrimp, Lobelia, Apricot, Grey, Kelly, Cloud, Mustard, Wisteria,

I made all the inner circles first (well, most of them – I kept adding more when I saw I had enough yarn for more rows), then evenly distributed those between the shades. I haven’t checked but I reckon they’re all unique.

The border is dead simple. Three rounds of Grannies, 1 row of trebles and a scallop edge. To jazz up the edge a bit more I ended up doing this: Starting in a dip: *(ch2, 1dc after next treble) x4, ch2, 1ss in the dip between scallops; rep from *. I think that’s right but give me a shout if it’s weird!

And that’s pretty much it. Blankets like these are one of my favourite things to crochet. I don’t know why, they just are! What about you? How do you get on with granny blankets?! I know some people think they’re naff and old fashioned but I can’t help but love em!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Save

Save

Save

The Urban Stripe Shawl

Hello, how’s it going?!

I’ve released a new pattern for this fabulous crochet shawl!! I’m wearing it as I type.

I’m trying super hard to be on “work mode” at the minute. I love crochet, just love it to pieces. But I don’t love writing up patterns. But if I want to be a crochet designer then I’ve got take all elements of it and suck it up. It gets easier the more I do it, I’m gaining confidence and learning new skills. This is good, it means the patterns that I write are getting better; I’m offering more for the money. For example, this snazzy number has a schematic of the design included and a diagram chart! I never thought I’d figure out how to do those!

Anyway, I shan’t keep you.  Please pop over to Ravelry to find out more. Thank you so much. X

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Phildar Phil Flocon Review with Chevron Cowl Pattern!

I was contacted by HobbyCraft a few weeks ago, Emily [she deals with the knit/crochet side of things there – check out @knitcraftHQ on IG] thought I’d be interested in trying out some yarn for them.  As you know, I have an inability to refuse free stuff so I was very happy to take a few balls off their hands! I was given a choice of any yarn from their Phildar range. I have a feeling that all things floof will get pretty popular in the coming months (Yep, I’ve been saying that since last year when I tried out Wool and the Gang’s Take Care Mohair). I need to do my bit in fulfilling this prediction so I chose Phildar Phil Flocon. It’s not mohair but it’s just as fluffy.

It’s a blend of all sorts but usually if I see alpaca on the label, I’m sold. I love anything with alpaca in it. This yarn is alpaca, wool, acrylic and polymide and it has a yummy woolly smell.

Did you know that Flocon can mean both flock as in wool (think flock wallpaper) and flake, as in snowflake! It’s wool and looks like fluffy snow!! Brilliant!

I had lots of fun working with it. From experience I know that this isn’t yarn you want to frog. Whatever I made had to be super simple. I didn’t want to make mistakes and have to waste hours with failed rescue attempts. I decided on a cowl, you can’t get much more basic than that. I love the result, it’s fab. It is also super quick to work up. The fluffy nature of the yarn means it comes out quite chunky. Chunky is excellent, chunky means less work as far as I’m concerned!

Because I got the yarn for free and because it’s a super easy crochet design I thought it’d be a nice idea to pop up the pattern for free too. Whilst you’re here, please do bear in mind that on the next episode of my podcast/vlog I’ll be doing a Giveway for my Phildar dregs. How appealing does that sound!!? Ok, sorry, not dregs. I have two full balls that I didn’t use and would love to pass it on. Keep an eye out for Episode 10, which is due to come out on the 21st July.

Sooo, fancy and warm and cosy crochet cowl for winter (a winter that’s ages away!)? Here’s the pattern…

You’ll need Phildar Flocon: 2x Creme, 2x Glacon and a 6.5mm hook.

Pattern is written in UK terms. 3tr=cluster.

Chain 65.

Row 1: 3tr in 7th from hook. (skip 2 st, 3tr in next) nine times. Ch2, 3tr in next st, (skip 2 st, 3tr) nine times. Skip 2 st, 1 tr in last st. Turn.

Row 2: Ch3. 3tr in space between clusters, nine times. (3tr, ch2, 3tr) in 2 chain space. 3tr in space between clusters, nine times. 1tr in last st of row. Turn

Row 3 – 35: Rep row 2, changing colour every six rows.

Row 36: As row 2 but slip stitch to join to Row 1 between each cluster. (Check the pics below to see the join) Fasten off and sew in ends.

I wish I’d worn eye make up the day I took this!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

By the way, this pattern belongs to me, please don’t publish it, pinch it, or do anything with it other than use it for your own personal fun. Give me a shout if you want to talk about that. Thanks ever so much. X

 

 

Save

Save

Episode 9 of a Crochet Podcast

Hey there! Episode 9 of my little crochet podcast/ crochet vlog is up and ready for goggling (I still can’t let go of “vlog” – I’m a pedant). Click on the image above to go to YouTube.

I’ve cut the interesting stuff. Sorry. Therefore there is no tale of how I drunkenly got the bruise on my arm. I deemed the whole saga as just too inappropriate! But give me a shout and I might tell you anyway ;p

Before I list any info about this episode’s stuff, I just want to let you know that there will definitely be a blog post about Connie’s blanket coming soon. I took the pics today. At the same time I also took photos of my fluffy Granny chevron cowl. There will be a post with the pattern for that on here in the next week or so too. Cheers.

Episode 9 gubbins:

The Magnolia Mandala by Crochet Millan is Here.

If you fancy treating yourself to some Phildar Flocon, then that’s Here. But you might want to hang on for episode 10. I’ve been given the go ahead to do a Giveaway!!

Do you think Instagram might have messed up your feed with dodgy algorithms? Check out Lauren Aston’s detailed blog post all about it.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Save

Save

Crochet Your Fade. The Blurre Shawl

Do you know the Find your Fade? A knitted shawl with glorious colour play, a spectrum of tones and speckled variegated yarns. I absolutely love the Fade but I’m just not a knitter. I was so excited when I discovered that a very clever crochet designer had come up with a crochet version. The best thing of all is that the Blurre is a completely original design. It isn’t a rip off of the Fade, it is its very own thing and it’s totally fab!

I stumbled upon the Blurre whilst watching a fellow crochet podcaster. Claudia of Crochet Luna was talking about it and I told her how beautiful I thought it was. A few days later I found a copy of the pattern in my Ravelry inbox! Claudia had bought it for me, for my birthday!! How lovely is that?!

I got stuck in straight away! I knew that I wanted to use the yarns I’d found at Stephen & Penelope’s in Amsterdam. That was my starting point. At the time, I was making a different shawl with some neon yellow I’d bought in Edinburgh. That was also going in too. I needed two more colours so looked for stuff that would blend the neon with the dusky blues from Amsterdam. The Wool Kitchen’s Nebula sprang to mind pretty quickly. Then a spot of time, trawling Etsy gave me Made By Jude’s When Dye Pots Attack. See here for the links to yarn. That’s also the link to the vlog/podcast episode where I talk about the shawl too!

The pattern is awesome. It’s super easy but creates something really sophisticated and modern. I didn’t know Deanne of Addydae Designs before. Well, I’d seen her work before but not properly registered in my head that one person was linked to all the pretties. Check out the Three Springs shawl. I lurrrvve it!! Deanne also has a podcast, check that out too.

I’m in love with my Blurre!! It’s awesome! However, it has been a bugger to photograph. The neon blows out no matter what I try. It makes the other colours look lacklustre. In real life it is all superb, I promise. If I were to be picky, I’d say that I’d like a few more rows of the first colour (the turquoisy one) and more rows of the Nebula (the dark one with rainbow flecks). I think that would have helped to balance out that crazy neon. For the most part, I’m well chuffed. If I didn’t have so many other things to make, I’d definitely make another one straight away. I know others have said the same too.

I got the camera out the other day and took some snaps that didn’t work too well. I asked my four year old to take some pictures of me too. Initially I just handed him the camera and asked him to click away. It didn’t go down well. I ended up with about twenty blurry Blurres. I got the tripod out but still couldn’t see exactly what was going on (not until I remembered to flip the viewing screen). Anyway, here are a few reasonably acceptable photos so you get more of an idea about how the Blurre looks.

It was fun to play around and the boy enjoyed some “responsibility” as my photographer. His favourites were when the cat got in on the action. She didn’t like being a model much.

What do you reckon? Fancy having a go at your own Blurre? I’d love to see other versions!

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

 

Save

Save

Episode 8 – All the stuff you need to know.

Oh jeez, I wish I’d noticed the lipstick!! I’m such a lipstick numpty, I look like the flipping Joker!! Please click on the pic above to travel (in swift fashion) to Episode 8 of the latest crochet podcast vlog. I hope you can ignore my face and simply enjoy the waffle. X

I have plans to write separate blog posts about both my beautiful Blurre shawl, and the colourful granny square blanket (a border colour and pattern have been chosen!).

Here are the links to all the info in this episode….

Pixie Day     There’s a YouTube video here too from a few years ago, to get more of a gist.

Blooming Marvellous

Addydae Designs. Deanne also has a podcast you should check out ~ Here.

Circles in Squares Stylecraft Blanket

Take Two crochet pattern book

Yarns: Dandelion Yarns.    Made By Jude.   The Wool Kitchen.    Viking Hand Dyed.   Undercover Otter.

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

 

Save

Blooming Marvellous – A Knit & Crochet Garden.

I love the Thelma Hulbert Gallery, it’s always welcoming and they have a really eclectic mix of exhibitions. A couple of years ago I went and saw a collection of Matisse paper cut-outs, which was great for a small town gallery (the Thelma Hulbert is in Honiton, East Devon). Sometimes we go just to use their fully stocked art and craft room. The kids love grabbing glue and making collages, or drawing the biggest pictures they can on massive sheets of paper.

I left it really late to visit their latest exhibition, the last day is this coming Saturday (24th June). I can’t believe I didn’t see that it was on until now.

Blooming Marvellous is right up my street because it is a knitting and crochet exhibition! It’s a garden of all things yarn. People from all ages, from all walks of life, hand stitched every item on display. I wasn’t sure if it’d be a bit cutesy but I was delighted to see it all! We also contributed by adding a few rows to some knitting that was there. Can you believe that there weren’t any crochet hooks?! I forgot to take crochet flowers with me. Annoyingly, I have some at home that would have been perfect to donate.

I went with my friend and our two youngest children. The boys had a great time finding things on a list they were given. A mole in a hole, tick! A ladybird wearing a lace collar, tick! A plate of prawns, tick! (The boys were also really pleased to find plug sockets hidden in the floor. But they are only four years old). After the exhibition one of the people working there told us to go and explore the gardens. There were plenty of strawberries to find and eat, she told us. It’s little things like that, that make me like the place so much.

Blooming Marvellous has been touring the UK for the past six years and I wish I could tell you where it’ll be next so that you might get to go. Sadly, I have no idea. Hopefully it’ll be on somewhere else soon. I did take pictures though…

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Crochet Catch up on Episode 7!

Wait! Don’t go, there are more pictures down below! You can still see what crochet I’ve been up to even if you don’t fancy sitting through the crochet vlog. However, you’d completely miss out on a woolly GIVEAWAY and some totally unexpected “live” cat on bird action. Click on the pic to go to YouTube!

The links for Episode 7 are…

My Ravelry gubbins – Come and join me.

My little holiday to Saleres, Spain.

Geo Rainbow Blanket info

Tina Tape Yarn by Wool and the Gang.

The Blurre shawl by Addydae Designs – I forgot to mention that Deanna is doing a Blurre CAL, so get your skates on if you fancy joining in! It ends 30th June.

Caron Cakes Beach Bag

The Crochet Circle – Fay’s informative and awesome crochet podcast.

Summer Romance CAL – I didn’t mention my couple!! I’m sticking with the Dr & Rose.

Crafting is My Therapy.

I hope that’s everything. Please let me know if I’ve missed something or whatevs. Give me a shout. Cheers. X

“I’m not a girly pink person” And then later….. “pink is more my colour” Wha?!

Thanks guys. X

Subscribe to Blog via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.