SPRING SPRING SPRING

Do you remember this song?   Spring, spring, spring...

March in Spring

Vernal Equinox

Here in the northern hemisphere the vernal equinox for this year 2012, took place on March 20 at 1.40am.

YES it is the spring equinox, it is the start of spring, signs of spring, and stunning spring photos!

Ah, wonderful spring!  This blessed season brings increasing daylight, warming temperatures and the rebirth of flora and fauna.

"equinox" is derived from the Latin word meaning "equal night".

The spring and fall equinoxes are the only dates with equal daylight and dark as the Sun crosses the celestial equator.

CROCHET TALK

AND IN MY WORLD, it is a time for the birth of new ideas and new ???   

yes, you guessed it, new crochet patterns.

I have been busy designing and creating, a definite sign of spring fever, so many ideas and sketches and not enough hours in the day to crochet them all. A time when I wish I could split myself into 4 or more of me, so I can get on with all the ideas I have squirrelled away for the right moment in time!

OK, enough of wishing and dreaming, there is only one of me and this me also has a life outside of crochet, so NOW, let's get on with the crochet talk, SHALL WE?

Do you remember this pattern?  Crochet Hat VALENTINA

I designed it for cool spring wearing and wrote the pattern for Rowan Wool Cotton DK and/or James C. Brett Pure Merino DK. 

You can also make this lovely spring hat in cotton, check it out BELOW

Made with Debbie Bliss Eco Baby 100% Organic Cotton and I added a different flower brooch.

OR HOW ABOUT making the hat with Rowan Pima Cotton And White/Metallic Gold cotton thread held together.

Looking good AND SUPER SPECIAL with the delicate metallic gold thread shimmering in the daylight, and ever so easy to wear!

Now you can do just the same using the original pattern, just adjust total stitch count to match head circumference and add or subtract a row or two, super simple. Go ahead have a play and have some fun with the Crochet Hat VALENTINA Pattern.

It's amazing how many different crochet hat looks you can achieve with just one pattern.
YOU CAN:-

1. change colour
2. OR use one colour
3. OR two colours
4. OR three or four colours

So let's get creative and have a PLAY.

AND you can also DO THIS (SEE PHOTO ABOVE) my version of a LOVELY CROCHET SUN HAT using the Crochet Pattern for the VALENTINA Hat.

This time I crochet the sun hat using Bendigo 8ply Cotton (also known as Heirloom 8ply Cotton)

I am not sure when I will be adding this pattern to the collection, but for now that is all.

I am currently in catch up mode with crochet pattern writing, so hopefully I will have more by next week.

Ciao, Ciao,  enjoy....

Crochet Hat VALENTINA

is available from my online stores

  ETSY        RAVELRY      CRAFTSY

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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EASTER EGGSTATIC

WHAT DOES EASTER MEAN TO YOU?

When I was a child, Easter for me was all about:

1. looking forward to LOADS of chocolate eggs;
2. PAINTING eggs, my favourite;
3. eating loads and loads of wonderful home-cooked traditional Polish Easter cuisine.

Easter Sunday Brunch in our house looked something like this: Cold meats - ham, kielbasa wiejska, (smoked sausage), pasztet (home-made liver pate), Fish - roll mops, Eggs - boiled.

Cakes - makowiec (poppy seed cake), sernik (baked cheesecake), Breads - rye and wheat, and best of all - bigos (Hunter's stew of cabbage and meats).

WOW my mouth is watering just writing and thinking about it, how long is it till EASTER?

 

Let's get back to talking about CROCHET.

A dear friend asked me for some crochet Easter decorations, and my first thought was OMG where is this taking me? Anyway it wasn't as bad as I was imagining, all she wanted was a few crochet EASTER eggs and egg cosies. Simple right? 

Well it was so easy and simple, I designed these little crochet amigurumi eggs and crochet egg cosies to match.

PATTERN DETAILS:

Skill Level: Easy - knowledge of surface crochet required
Yarn: DMC Petra 5 or similar yarn
Hook: 2mm
Stitches: single, half double and double crochet; surface crochet
Gauge/Tension: Not crucial - approx. 10dc to 4cm
Measurements: Cosy H2.5in X W3.5in; Egg H3.5in X W2.5in
Terminology: USA - American crochet terms

I had so much fun crocheting these little amigurumi eggs and delightful egg cosies, I am definitely making more for myself.

I hope you enjoy these egg cosies and amigurumi eggs too and may you have fun making them for yourself and for your friends.

ALLELUJA EASTER Eggs and Egg Cosies 

CROCHET PATTERN 
is available from my online shop

 RAVELRY

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FREE PATTERNS 

FOR 

EASTER BASKETS 

1. JUTE BASKETS

ADD this pattern JUTE BASKETS to your RAVELRY queue and favourites

2. JUTE2 BASKETS

ADD this pattern JUTE2 BASKETS to your RAVELRY queue and favourites 

MY PERFECT HEART IS HEXED

From my crochet design room rises another creation...


The HEXED HEART

THIS PATTERN features my Perfect Heart SUSPENDED in a HEXAGON.  It is the natural progression from the Perfect Heart CAPTIVE in a square.  I know, I know, I can't help myself, these crochet hearts are all consuming.   OBVIOUSLY,  I am having LOADS OF FUN playing with all the ideas.  Sometimes, the ideas are flowing fast, way too fast, for me to keep up with crocheting them.

Crochet Heart HEXED - samples crocheted in DMC Natura Just Cotton, DMC Petra 5 and BENDIGO Cotton 8ply.

AND then of course EASTER is just around the corner, and Easter treats are constantly on my mind. 

PATTERN DETAILS:

Crochet Heart “HEXED” Pattern ©  Barbara Summers Design 2012 

Description: A pattern featuring my Perfect Heart suspended in a HEXAGON. The Crochet Heart "hexagon" can be crochet in three (3) sizes.  Each hexagon grows in size with extra rounds and extra stitches. 

Make the hexagon in one colour or change colour every round or every other round, choice is always yours.

Make as many as you like for a COLOURFUL HEART THROW using any size hexagon. 

Join the hexagons and make a scarf, headband, wristband, handbag, placemat or wherever your inspiration takes you.

Use a variety of yarn weights and hook sizes and you will get a range of sizes.

Skill Level:  EASY

Yarn:  Bendigo Cotton 8ply OR DMC Natura 4ply OR DMC Petra 5 OR any other yarn

Hook:  BENDIGO/NATURA yarn use 3.5mm; PETRA 5 use 2mm.

Stitches:  single, half double, double, treble crochet and Bobble

Gauge/Tension:  Not crucial - use hook half to one size smaller than recommended on yarn label

Measurements:  varies depending on yarn and hook used

Terminology:  USA - American crochet terms

THIS PATTERN IS SUITABLE FOR OTHER YARNS.

Pattern is available from my online stores

CRAFTSY      RAVELRY      ETSY

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!
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CROCHET HEART SAGA

I have always had great admiration for granny square crocheters, their patience and their perseverance.  Many years ago when I looked at granny squares and attempted same, I was totally over the whole experience when it came to changing colour each round, the whole exercise of cut the yarn and hide end, and now attach next colour, totally wore out my patience. 

If you know me at all, you will know I am NOT fond of sewing, and you will know this is reflected in my crochet, small projects, with limited sewing, PREFER working in the round, and I will always opt for changing colour without having to cut the yarn.

I will go out of my way to limit the number of times I have to cut the yarn and reattach a new yarn, WAY TOO MANY ENDS TO SEW AND HIDE!!!

SO, with this in mind you may appreciate my latest attempt at designing a GRANNY square, not exactly your traditional "granny square"  but my version of how I would do it.

It took me some time to take my idea, of placing my perfect heart into a granny square, and finally bring it into crochet reality, so without any more banter here are some pattern details for you.

PATTERN DETAILS:

Description: Pattern features my Perfect Heart held "captive" in a square. The Crochet Heart "GRANNY SQUARE" can be crochet in three (3) sizes.

Each square grows in size with extra rounds and extra stitches. Make the square in one colour or change colour every round or every other round, choice is always yours.

Make as many as you like for a colourful granny square hearts throw using any size square. Join the squares and make a scarf, headband, wristband, handbag, placemat or wherever your inspiration takes you.

Skill Level: EASY

Yarn:   Bendigo Cotton 8ply OR DMC Natura 4ply OR DMC Petra 5 OR any other yarn 

Hook:  BENDIGO/NATURA yarn use 3.5mm; PETRA 5 use 2mm. 

Stitches:  single, half double, double and Bobble 

Gauge/Tension:  Not crucial - use hook half to one size smaller than recommended on yarn label 

Measurements:  varies depending on yarn and hook used 

Terminology:  USA - American crochet terms 

You can find the Crochet Heart CAPTIVE Pattern in my online stores

  ETSY            RAVELRY          CRAFTSY

so you can shop in your favourite shopping destination. 

Enjoy, ciao... ciao...

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LATEST CROCHET CREATIONS

ARE YOU LOOKING FOR INSPIRATIONAL CROCHET FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2012?

Why not try something completely different?

How about a paisley themed

  TABLE CENTRE with MATCHING COASTERS?

Made with a beautiful cotton yarn

NATURA "Just Cotton" 4ply  

from DMC Creative World 

 yarn comes in 50g balls 155m 

and a selection of 34 vibrant and subtle colours.

WHERE TO FIND THE PATTERN?

Your local DMC stockist will have the pattern instructions.

Find your local DMC stockist here 

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PATTERN DETAILS:

Materials:

DMC Natura Just Cotton 4ply

1 x 50gm ball Ivory 02
1 x 50gm ball Spring Rose 07
1 x 50gm ball Eucalyptus 08
1 x 50gm ball Blue Paradise 24

Crochet Hook size 3.5mm

Yarn needle to darn in ends and sew motifs together

The Table Centre consists of 7 different types of motifs. Each motif is crochet separately and then arranged and attached by sewing together with yarn ends. Two different coaster patterns are included to complement the set.

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SO GIVE IT A GO - 

AND HAVE SOME FUN CREATING YOURS

USE RECOMMENDED COLOURS IN PATTERN 

OR 

CHOOSE YOUR OWN COLOUR PALETTE 

from DMC's NATURA YARNS 

ENJOY, CIAO, CIAO.

SPRING FLORA patterns

FLORA Spring flowers crochet patterns

AMARYLLA crochet flower was inspired by snowdrops...

I know looks nothing like snowdrops but from here came the inspiration for this super crochet creation...

and how about a FIVE PETAL FLOWER.... ?  

ADD MORE PETALS... DELIGHTFUL...

PUT THE WHOLE LOT TOGETHER.....

and you have a garden full of blossoms....

Try these super cute crochet flower patterns - 

1. Crochet Flower PENINA...   5 petals   
2. Crochet Flower ROZINA...  10 petals 
3. Crochet Flower VALENTINA...   colossus
4. Crochet Flower AMARYLLA...   superb

PATTERN DETAILS:

SKILL LEVEL:  EASY ADVANCED - requires colour change knowledge; working in the round on a small scale.

YARN:  JAMES C. BRETT Pure Merino DK OR BENDIGO 8PLY Cotton OR DMC Crochet Thread OR ANY OTHER YARN

HOOK:  Size recommended for yarn

STITCHES:  Single, double and popcorn

All flowers are made in one piece - no need to sew pieces together.

Use these flower motifs to make brooches or attach to hats, berets, headbands, scarves, bags or wherever takes your fancy. 

 Get creative and find new ways you can use them!!

FLORA Crochet Flowers PATTERN

AVAILABLE from my online stores

 CRAFTSY

 ETSY

RAVELRY

Enjoy, 

ciao... ciao...

COOL SPRING FASHION

FEBRUARY DREAMING

Christmas and New Year are long gone ....  and spring is just around the corner...

JUST HEART ME

It's NEARLY HERE again - Valentine's Day

Whether you celebrate it or not - it's hard to ignore or avoid the hype!

I can take it or leave it, 

HOWEVER, there is something special about a day 

where we tell the one (or others) we love 

how we feel about them...

Now there has to be something special about that... 

right?

I like to think Valentine's Day is about celebrating LOVE

Love for another human being;

Love for your mother and father;

Love for your sister and brother;

Love for your daughter and son

and

Love for your husband or partner in life.

SO TO HELP YOU GET INTO THE LOVE SPACE 

YOU COULD TRY THESE LOVELY 

CROCHET HEARTS

A PHOTO TUTORIAL IS AVAILABLE HERE

Both of these hearts patterns are perfect for making heart garlands, heart buntings, heart applique, heart embellishments and heart keyrings.

You may also like

this pattern

PERFECT HEARTS 

available from my online shops:

   RAVELRY           LOVECROCHET

Enjoy!

Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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