A lovely bunch…

I initially came up with these little flowers to use up scrap yarn and thread and since then, I’ve quite literally been hooked! They’re very quick and easy to make and are incredibly versatile. You can use whatever yarn you have to hand plus the flowers have many uses – as brooches, affixing to hairbands and hairslides, sticking on greetings cards or sewing on clothes. Different size yarns and hooks will give surprisingly different effects. I like to use embroidery thread with a 1.75mm hook as it gives pretty, delicate results and, as the thread comes in relatively small amounts, it means I can play around with colours.

Anyhow, enough waffle – here’s the pattern

U.K Pattern (U.S Pattern below)

Flower

Make a loop. 12 dc into loop. Slip stitch into first dc. If you want a different colour for the petals, fasten off and join in new yarn. In first dc (1 htr, 2 tr, 1 htr). Slip stitch into next dc. *In next dc (1 htr, 2 tr, 1htr). Slip stitch into next stitch. Repeat from * until end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Leaf

Chain 11. Dc in 2nd chain from hook. Dc in next chain, 5 tr, 1 htr, dc to end. When you reach last chain, turn the leaf 90 degrees and dc into end chain, then turn by another 90 degrees and dc into back of same chain. Work into back of chains down the other side of the leaf as follows: dc in next chain, 1 htr, 5 tr, dc to end. Fasten off.

U.S Pattern

Flower

Make a loop. 12 sc into loop. Slip stitch into first sc If you want a different colour for the petals, fasten off and join in new yarn. In first sc (1 hdc, 2 dc, 1 hdc). Slip stitch into next sc. *In next sc (1 hdc, 2 dc, 1hdc). Slip stitch into next stitch. Repeat from * until end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Leaf

Chain 11. Sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sc in next chain, 5 dc, 1 hdc, sc to end. When you reach last chain, turn the leaf 90 degrees and sc into end chain, then turn by another 90 degrees and sc into back of same chain. Work into back of chains down the other side of the leaf as follows: sc in next chain, 1 hdc, 5 dc, sc to end. Fasten off.

WIPs: Crochet Ripple Blanket and Granny Square Cushion

As I haven’t posted about crochet for a little while, I thought I’d share some works in progress with you. First off, I’m working on a small ripple stitch blanket. I started this as I need something to wrap baby small in when she’s in her pushchair and it’s cold. When she’s wearing trousers with tights underneath, it’s not too bad – but if she’s in a dress with tights, I thought she could do with something extra to keep her snug….

The other project I have on the go is a granny square cushion cover. Our sofas are a bit old and tatty now but, as I can’t afford new ones, I thought I’d try to spruce them up a bit by making some new cushion covers and possibly a throw. 

The front is just a simple granny square, made to the size of the cushion. I’m not quite sure how I’m going to do the back yet – I could just do another granny square and join with double crochet but I want the cushion cover to be removable (baby small currently has a fascination with felt tip pens so I think its important the cover can be washed!). I’ll probably do a striped piece for the back with an opening half way up. Once I’ve figured out what I’m doing, I’ll try to write up a pattern and post it here. 

Stashbusting: Coasters

A little while ago, as part of my move towards greener crafting, I promised a series of stashbusting tips and patterns, and without further ado, here’s Tip Number 1: Think Small! This may sound obvious, but it’s amazing what you can make with only a small amount of yarn so save every last scrap! Here’s a few ideas for things you can crochet with very little yarn:

• baby hat, mittens or booties
• granny squares (once you have enough join them into one big, beautiful, cosy blanket)
• headbands
• dishcloths
• little pots for keeping change and odds and ends in
• brooches
• soap savers

If you need a pattern for any of the above, take a look at crochetpatterncentral as there are patterns there for just about everything! If you’re still stuck for inspiration, I made some simple coasters a couple of days ago using yarn leftover from the many, many hats I made for Christmas. I’m reluctant to call the directions below a pattern – it’s really just 3 rows of trebles worked in a round – but for anyone new to crochet I thought it might be handy to elaborate a little….

Simple Coasters

Hook: 5.00mm

Yarn: Odds and ends of aran weight yarn (I used some scraps of Organic Jacob Wool from Garthenor) – or you could also use 4ply or DK held together or use singly and simply work additional rounds until coaster-sized.

Note: The directions below use UK crochet terms. For US directions simply subsitiute tr (treble) with dc (double crochet).

Note on joining in yarns: To change colours neatly, work to end of the round but leave last stitch incomplete. Complete stitch with new yarn then slip stitch into starting chain. 

Directions

First Round: Make an adjustable ring, chain 3 then make 11 tr into the ring. Join in new colour. Slip stitch into top of starting chain (12 stitches).

Second Round: Chain 3, tr into same stitch, 2 tr into each stitch until end. Join in new colour. Slip stitch into third of three chains (24 stitches).

Third Round: Chain 3, tr into same stitch, tr into next stitch, *2 tr into next stitch, then 1 tr into next stitch. Repeat from * to end. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off (36 stitches). 

Weave in ends. 

Now the important bit, make yourself a cuppa, pop you mug on the coaster and admire your handiwork!

The coasters will be going to my tea-loving dad for his birthday later in the month. They’ll match the hat I made him for Christmas. Nothing like a good bit of accessorizing……

Jacob Hats

I made these hats using the lovely organic Jacob Wool I bought from Garthenor and will be giving them as Christmas gifts to some of the men in my life: husband, dad, father-in-law and best friend’s hubby. 

The wool is undyed and the different colours in the stripes are a result of the natural colour variations in the fleece of Jacob sheep.

I made them in a similar way to the scrap hat, although I played around a bit to get rid of the seam. I’ve already ordered some more wool in order to make a couple more – some more Jacob plus some Manx Loghtan which I’m keen to give a try – in fact I’m keen to give all the wool at Garthenor a try! I think it’s important to support our rare breeds plus it gives me an excuse to buy yarn!

Finally, a bit about Jacob Sheep : Thought to be related to the pied sheep mentioned in the bible, the Jacob Sheep was introduced into Britain during the 18th century and was mainly kept as an ornamental parkland breed. Its wool is valued for its natural colour variations and its softness which makes it suitable for clothing. Personally, I found it lovely to work with – not itchy as I worried it might be – but lovely and soft and I’ve now added a few Jacob sheep to my fantasy smallholding wishlist!

Stashbusting: Scrap Hat

As mentioned in my previous post, I’m keen to use up every last scrap of yarn and so……. I present ‘The Scrap Hat!”

I made it using an assortment of yarns leftover from previous projects – as these were of varying weights, I worked some of the rows holding 2 or 3 strands together. In case anyone is curious as to which yarns they are….

From top to bottom:

• Cascade Pastaza in Mauve Heather 075 (this is a really beautiful blend of llama and wool – leftover from making a Fat Bottom Bag).
• Cascade 220 in Cerise held together with Crystal Palace Kid Merino in Berry (a laceweight yarn left over from my first Cassia Scarf).
• Debbie Bliss Cotton Cashmere in Purple held with Crystal Palace Kid Merino again plus 1 strand of Sirdar Snuggly DK in Ballerina (leftover from my baby ruffle sweater)
• Cascade 220 again.
• Cascade Pastaza again.

I didn’t really follow a pattern – just made it up as I went along and kept trying it on my noggin to check it fitted.  I’m pleased with the end result though – a really quick and easy way to use up scraps – plus it’s the first thing I’ve made for myself in a long, long time!

Greener Crafting

Although I try to be environmentally aware in many aspects of my life, my crafting is an area I’ve often overlooked – not anymore though. I really want to ‘green up’ my crafting and thought I’d start with crochet. I must confess, I’m a bit of a fiend for buying cheap yarn without really thinking about where its come from or how it’s been made. Similarly, I’ve often bought imported yarns because they’ve been the ones specified in a pattern. I wouldn’t buy food or clothes this way so why should yarn be any different? I’ve decided to try and buy ‘greener’ yarns from now on  this is how I plan to do it:

Think about the carbon footprint of the yarn and, where possible, buy British! It’s not only greener, it’s also supporting a traditional british industry. Handily, I’ve just discovered Garthenor Organic Pure Wool, a wonderful company which specialises in Soil Association certified organic wools and wool and fleece from rare breeds. I had my first batch of wool from them a couple of days ago – some Organic Jacob Wool – and was delighted with it. I’ll be posting pics of my finished items very soon. 

Look for organic alternatives and use undyed wools or wools that have been dyed with natural materials. 

Make my own (when my spinning improves!) and eventually keep a flock of sheep for their wool. That way I’ll know exactly where the wool comes from! 

Stashbusting! It’s not only a case of sourcing greener wool, I think it’s also important to use the wool well – using every last inch and limiting waste. My final aim, therefore, is to get creative with my leftovers – I don’t just mean the odd couple of balls – but also the tiny scraps that are so often leftover and then discarded. Thankfully, I’m something of a hoarder so I already have a big bag of scraps to play with and will let you know what I come up with! With this in mind, I’ve added a new category to my blog – stashbusting – and plan to fill it with plenty of tips for using up scraps and patterns that use only small amounts of yarn – so if anyone has any advice or recommendations of their own, please feel free to share!