Celebrations Over

Time to gather my thoughts

The Easter long weekend now seems so long ago, and the "big day" the Royal Wedding is now past history, and I am happy to report WE MANAGED TO CELEBRATE THE WEDDING IN STYLE.

Celebrating the Royal Wedding - William and Kate

It is now time to get back to some serious crocheting before the next big calendar event, which will be the end of May and the arrival of my daughter from Australia woo hoo! I am so excited, to the point of distraction. It's a real effort to focus on new crochet designs right now, so many other things to get ready and to do.

New Crochet Hat Pattern

However, with all this extra-curricular activity I still managed to design another crochet sun hat, have a look.

The pattern is called "Crochet Hat SAILS" and is available from my RAVELRY store.

It is one of my favourite texture patterns, it looks like sails on the water or on the other hand it can also look like two-tone triangular leaves.

However you view this crochet stitch, it is definitely an interesting little textured pattern. PATTERN NOTE: This pattern requires patience, and would suit those with intermediate crochet skills.

Crochet Covers for Wedges

In the meantime, I have also been crocheting covers for my two foam wedges which I use to help support my lower back, especially good to use in the car, and a must when I am crocheting.

I used three strands of yarn for the cover mainly for strength and thickness.

Aran Wool Blend in navy blue, a tan coloured 3ply and a multi-coloured blue 3ply yarn. Using up my stash yarns,  and crocheting with a 5mm hook to achieve a compact  fabric.  Especially since it will be sat on quite a bit!  LOL

The first cover is finished and already in the car, and I am now working my way through the second wedge cover,  which will be made with Cream Aran yarn instead of the blue and I will continue using the tan and multi-coloured blue (both these yarns are on cones).

Crochet Coffee Cozy

I am also in the final stages of crocheting a coffee cozy to fit a Bodum Coffee Plunger - slightly tricky it's for a friend and my coffee plunger is not the same size or style.

Here's a photo of "WIP" and I am hoping the colours will match her kitchen.

The yarn is Sirdar CROFTER DK "Fair Isle Effect" which of course when crocheted results in a totally different pattern to when knitted, also I used two strands held together for extra thickness, and using a 5mm hook for compact texture.

Crochet Flower Brooch

This week's "quickie" crochet project - my flower brooch for the jacket which I wore for the Royal Wedding celebrations.

The centre of flower crocheted with two strands: one strand of Sirdar Snuggly "Baby Bamboo" a blend of 80% bamboo and 20% wool PLUS  one strand of cotton with gold metallic thread, for a hint of glitter.

Petals of the flower crocheted with Sirdar "Just Bamboo" 100% bamboo and using a 3.5mm hook for some rigidity, because the bamboo yarn is very soft and floppy.  The outer edge petals and the inner petals also edged in cotton and gold metallic single crochet for some sparkling contrast.

This flower pattern is available with my GREEN SHRIMP Hat Pattern, you can find it in my online stores. 

ETSY            RAVELRY

So for now, that is it, I am furiously ploughing through the foam wedge cover and enjoying the spring weather.  

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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SPRING Sun Hats!

Sunny Days

After a long grey winter the sun is here - and also the need for protection from harmful UV rays!

Funny really, we long for the sun and then when it is here we need protection!  And the best solution is to wear a hat - and for total comfort and breathability make it cotton!

Of course, we also have sun protection lotions, sunglasses, umbrellas, and the rest - but what about your little bundle of joy sitting in the stroller or sitting in that sling (baby carrier)?

A lovely cotton sun hat is the best answer, and for many years I have had requests from mums wanting cotton sun hats for their babies from as young as three (3) months, because even though they are not sitting yet, they are being carried by mum or dad in a sling/carrier on chest or back.  So obviously sun protection in the form of a soft cotton hat is the perfect solution!

Favourite Sun Hat Patterns

Here are the most favourited and most popular sun hats from my collection of crochet sun hat patterns.  

All sun hat patterns are available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY 

1.  SPRING Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

A perfectly simple crochet sun hat pattern comprised of just three (3) simple stitch rows to achieve the decorative little pattern.  Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy Intermediate - need to know colour change, and working in rounds.

Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar cotton yarn)

Hook: 4.5mm

Measurements: One size: Three (3) months PLUS (depending on head size).

Terminology: US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

SPRING Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY 

2. SUNSHINE Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

Simple crochet sun hat pattern for your baby. Perfect sun protection. Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

You can have a play with this pattern, choose your colours and make it striped, plain or use blocks of colour.  

Pattern instructions also include hints on up-sizing. 

FLOWER PATTERN NOT INCLUDED.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy - need to know working in rounds.

Yarn:  Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar yarn)

Hook:  4.5mm

Measurements:  One size: Three (3) months PLUS 

Terminology:  US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

SUNSHINE Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY  

3.  STRIPES Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

Simply Perfect STRIPES - Perfect sun hat (bucket style) for summer, and a perfect beanie hat with turn-up brim for winter. Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

Pattern includes full-instructions for each hat.

Three (3) motifs included: Starfish, Heart and Flower.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy - working in the round and knowledge of colour change needed.

Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply; OR King Cole Bamboo Cotton; OR Rowan Belle Organic DK; or similar yarn.

Hook: 4.5mm

Measurements: One size: Twelve (12) months PLUS (hat size can be adjusted)

Terminology: US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

STRIPES Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY   

4.  BLOSSOM Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

A beautiful and colourful crochet sun hat pattern which includes three (3) sizes, baby, toddler and child, with a lovely wide brim.

This pattern is available in USA AMERICAN crochet terms and UK BRITISH crochet terms. 

PLEASE SELECT THE CORRECT PATTERN TERMINOLOGY prior to purchase.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate - need to know colour change, working in rounds.

YARN: Bendigo Woollen Mills; Heirloom Cotton 8ply; OR any other similar cotton yarn

HOOK: 4.5mm (7)

SIZES: Three (3) sizes - Baby/Toddler/Child

TERMINOLOGY: USA crochet terms OR UK crochet terms.

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

BLOSSOM Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY   

Patterns are available from my online stores

CRAFTSY        RAVELRY   

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

Spring Blossoms in UK

Each day a new discovery!  

I love springtime in the UK, when everything is bursting to life with vibrant colours. Each walk finds glorious new blossoms on show and even when walking down the same old street we discover more and more trees and shrubs in full bloom!

SPRINGTIME CROCHET INSPIRATION

So with all this spring blossom and sunshine, I have now started on designing some new crochet sun hats for the coming of those amazing sunny days.

SUN HAT DETAILS

I am using one of my favourite 100% cotton yarns from Bendigo Woollen Mills, it is ever so soft and really comfortable to wear and perfectly special for your little one!

I have focused my crochet sun hat patterns for the three (3) months plus age group, however, having said that, these patterns can be easily modified for larger head sizes also.

Here's a little peek of the first sun hat pattern to be released in next few days.  It's called SPRING Sun Hat Pattern. Pattern will be available from my online stores - 

CRAFTSY         ETSY         RAVELRY 

PATTERN DETAILS

Perfectly simple crochet sun hat pattern, with drawstring for perfect fit.  

SKILL: Easy
Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar yarn)
Hook: 4.5mm
Measurements: 3 months PLUS (depending on head size)
Terminology: USA  American Crochet Terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

This new SPRING sun hat pattern is a bit more involved than my previous long standing Crochet Sun Hat Pattern called SUNSHINE which I have been making for many years now (SEE BELOW).

SUNSHINE Crochet Sun Hat Pattern is simple, versatile and very adaptable to different yarns and can be easily modified for larger head sizes also. You can make it plain or striped.  It's all up to you - play and have some creative fun with it!

Pattern is available from my online stores - 

CRAFTSY         ETSY         RAVELRY 

OK you may want to follow the pattern the first time, but then once it is done, go ahead and make it using a different yarn and hook size, or adjust the number of stitches to achieve a smaller or larger fitting. It's all fun, and experimentation is always good!

Here are a few examples of how you can change the look with some stripes, using the basic sun hat pattern.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can learn so much VERY QUICKLY, especially from the ones you crochet and then rip. ALWAYS remember to enjoy yourself and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, wherever you are, maybe it's a bit soon for some, but hey it's coming, and soon you'll be complaining about the heat!

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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Just White - Crochet Hats!

Surpise Package
I recently received a package from my daughter with guess what?

My Life is Sunshine, Lollipops and Rainbows!

Heavenly sunshine days!

How fantastic has the weather been lately?

Here in Kent the sun is shining, the wind has died down and it's just glorious, not only feels like those long summer days but it's even starting to smell like them. Well, maybe I exaggerate a bit, just a little bit. But it is wonderful to be able to get out and walk along the seafront without a wind chill factor freezing my face off!

Concerted Effort!

Which brings me to the patterns I am working on right now. I have finally knuckled down and I am working conscientiously on writing up, checking and re-making those colourful crochet hat patterns which I worked on, oh so many weeks ago!

Three (3) Crochet Patterns for Spring and Summer Hats

All three crochet hat patterns are crocheted with King Cole “Bamboo Cotton” 50% bamboo 50% cotton, in beautiful vibrant spring/summer colours.

Crochet Hat No. 1 is the  TROPO Hat

TROPO Hat is a colourful, springtime crochet hat pattern with a lovely stitch design pattern involving colour changes, and some tricky stitch work and is definitely NOT for the beginner!  Sorry folks.

Crochet Hat No. 2 is the GREEN SHRIMP Hat

GREEN SHRIMP is a simpler crochet hat pattern, which any confident beginner can tackle.  The pattern includes instructions for the Flower Brooch.

Crochet Hat No. 3 is the  VIOLET Hat

VIOLET Hat is a super little cloche hat just perfect for the spring months.  Flower Brooch pattern is included.

Of course, if you like plain colours and don't want to do colour changes, all of these crochet hat patterns can always be crocheted in one (1) colour, resulting in a very interesting and beautiful texture to the finished project.

So do keep your eye open for these wonderful, colourful fresh springtime crochet hat patterns, which will be appearing soon, in my online stores.   Available from RAVELRY, and CRAFTSY.

Hope you are enjoying the sunshine!  I am.  Ciao, for now!

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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Spring Fever!

Blossom time

Spring is here and the blossoms are popping out all over, daffodils, tulips, hyacinths, snowdrops, pansys, cherry blossoms. I am so excited!

I love getting out and seeing what is about to blossom next, just love this time of year.

Celebration Time

So to celebrate spring and the promise of new beginnings, I came up with this little crochet pattern last night.

A sweet little daisy headband, just perfect for your cutie pie or for yourself.

DAISY Crochet Headband Pattern 

Pattern is available from my online stores - 

CRAFTSY         ETSY         RAVELRY 

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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Return to the Crochet Coop!

Like a homing pigeon

Just like our feathered friends we flew the coop. We had a lovely weekend away with relatives in Northampton and then drove onwards east to Norfolk to meet up with "the coast walkers". Oh yeah, believe it, we have members of the family who are walking the whole coast of Britain!

If you are wondering if we join them walking, the answer is NO we don't walk with them, their pace is a bit too fast for us and the weather conditions are sometimes (often) too wild FOR US!

Apart from the cold weather, we managed to have a great week away exploring the West Norfolk region, ran out of time to see everything we wanted to see, basically a good reason to go back in warmer weather. We are now back home and I am scratching around for inspiration for new crochet projects.

Limboing

For some reason, (maybe it is due to having a week away and not crocheting?) I am struggling with getting back into something, anything, so last night I just sat and crocheted small stuff, straight out of a crochet book, just to get back into crochet.   Do you like?

I do have a few crochet patterns to write up and finalize but I am procrastinating, I am definitely not in the mood for pattern writing,  I know "this too will change" as everything does change and I will be back with more patterns to share soon. I just need to get enthusiastic again.

On the Crochet Horizon

I have a number of hat projects just waiting to be presented in pattern form, and here is a sneak peek! 

These crochet baby hats are colourful and playful and I will definitely get out of this rut soon, and get it all together. I may have to wait till after the full moon? LOL

So for now, ciao, and keep a lookout for the new crochet hat patterns coming soon!

2008 (C) Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet

All Rights Reserved.

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Cutie Pie and 3D texture!

Keeping up appearances!
How satisfying is it to have your "darling little treasure" dressed in a cute or handsome little hat?

"awh... how sweet!"  "isn't she beautiful"  "how handsome does he look?"

and being able to say "I MADE IT!"

Would you like me to make you one?

or if you prefer this is where you can find the pattern!

Sweat and tears!
Finally, after many hours of crochet, writing, photos and the rest....

I have just listed a few more baby hat patterns to help you dress your darling!

Quick and easy with a bit of style.

Check them out and see if anything takes your fancy.

There will be more coming soon...



when I get back from our little getaway (next 5-6 days)... so looking forward to our trip north.


Ciao! for now!

Patterns, Crochet and me!

WIP - Tick. Done. 
Crochet Hearts Doily now done and dusted.  Must say for the time I spent on this piece, I could have made a number of baby hats, mittens, bootees, etc.  However I appreciate the experience and I will file away the knowledge of this exercise for future reference. Here is a photo of the finished doily, just before cutting thread and prior to blocking.

Crochet Hearts Doily 

Heart Thoughts!
I am glad to have chosen two heart doilies to trial.  I personally prefer pattern No. 1 from Coats and Clarke "Hearts Desire".... simple, easy beginners heart doily, and a very easy pattern to remember.  I really like the ease of crochet, the quickness and versatility .... use it with any yarn and hook size.  I think I will definitely use this pattern again ... maybe not as a doily but for use in making a beret or summer hat!  Will see!

Crochet Hearts Desire Doily

Today is free day!
I am now ploughing through my handwritten scribbles, which I decipher and turn into patterns which make sense.... I hope.... and of course this is not my favourite part of crocheting.  However it needs to be done if my intention nowadays is to crochet for pleasure and for sharing... and opposed to crocheting madly for hours each day just to reach my quota by the end of the week .... so I can have stock for my market stall!  Those days are now gone, by choice, and I am now stress free!

I am going to share a few patterns with you soon, which will be free!  Simple and quick patterns.

So stay tuned.... there will be ...  NEWBORN Baby Hat FREE PATTERN

Crochet Hat Newborn

This "Perfect Wrist and Headband" pattern is so simple to make.  

A perfect little accessory for the coming summer months.

PLEASE NOTE:  HEART MOTIF - IS NOT included in this FREE PATTERN

PATTERN FOR HEART MOTIF IS AVAILABLE HERE:  

Wristband/Headband Measurements: 

will vary depending on yarn and hook size. 

Aim for easy fit, this stitch will stretch and cotton yarn does relax with wear.

Crochet Wristband Pattern

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
Copyright (C) 2008-2015 Barbara Summers - All rights reserved.

Loving the Hearts - Crochet Doily Pattern

Crochet Hearts Doily - after row 8

Work in Progress

As promised I started the "Crochet-Along Hearts Doily" last night and here are some photos of my progress.

I placed it over my blue doily for size comparison, you can see it will end up a bit bigger which is not an issue, and I am really enjoying the experience.  

Thank you to Cylinda Matthews from Crochet Memories for this wonderful crochet hearts doily pattern.

Crochet Hearts Doily Pattern - after row 17

Confusion

The pattern is easy to follow,  although there were a few moments there, I wasn't exactly sure what it was saying and I actually thought there was a mistake in the pattern, I think it was my haste to get on with it, because as soon as I focused and re-read the instruction it all made sense.

I think this is where a chart would help to explain what is happening in each row.

The end is in sight!

So tonight I will have completed the doily, so excited about it, now it will be interesting deciding where to use it!

Crochet Hearts Doily - WIP

I hope you are willing to try this Hearts Doily Pattern, it is really quite easy and I think it would look lovely in a heavier cotton, maybe something like a 4ply or even an DK, using either Patons 100% Cotton, or Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton.  I am sure that will be a project for another time.

Do come back and share your creations, when you have tried this beautiful Hearts Doily Pattern, I would love to see your lovely handiwork.

Ciao, Ciao

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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