Keep warm and cozy with a Crochet Blanket

SUN and STARS Crochet Blanket was designed specifically for my first grandchild. It is my very first attempt at designing a motif blanket.  I had long resisted granny squares for the simple fact of having to hide all those ends, and then attaching all those motifs to each other.  What a chore!

However, when the time came to making something really special for my daughter's first born, I decided to create something totally new and different from any other baby blanket or afghan blanket I have seen.  I hope you like the result?  I know for a fact my daughter loved it. 

WHY I HAVEN'T POSTED FOR A WHILE 

Simply I am suffering with a lovely pinched nerve in my neck, caused obviously by too much crochet and too much pattern designing, and too much computer work, and too much mouse use; not to mention the unforgivable cursed word - AGING and early signs of degenerative disc disease.   SOUNDS AWFUL... but it really is manageable.  I just have to undergo physiotherapy and acupuncture and totally limit my activities which aggravate the situation.  I am now in my 7th week and starting to feel normal again, but I think the days of 8-10 hours of crochet are gone for me.  Boo hoo!

HISTORY:

The design of this motif afghan blanket began in February 2012, and it's creation took a few months, due to other more urgent projects needing my attention, so it's completion was in May 2012, in plenty of time for the birth of baby girl CC born on June 30, 2012.  Yes, of course I was there for the birth!

PUBLISHED:

This pattern has been published in INSIDE CROCHET magazine Issue 37, January 2013.

PATTERN DETAILS:

This is the perfect pram or cot blanket for a boy or girl.

A simple octagon and a small square create this warm and comfy blanket made from organic wool cotton yarn.

This pattern written in UK - BRITISH and USA - AMERICAN crochet terms.

Please SELECT the CORRECT PATTERN TERMINOLOGY prior to purchase.

Skill Level: Intermediate 

Yarn: Rowan Belle Organic Aran 

Hook: 5mm (H-8) 

Measurements: Blanket consisting of 20 octagon motifs will measure approximately 76cm/30in by 61cm/24in

PATTERN AVAILABLE 

from my online shop

CRAFTSY 

enjoy

ciao, ciao!

---ooOOOoo---

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How to Crochet Spider Stitch - Swatch Four

How to crochet SPIDER STITCH - using single crochet, chain one, single crochet.  

This Swatch stitch pattern creates a lovely dainty textured stitch.

This swatch uses:

• single crochet (or double crochet for the British) and
• chain one

This stitch pattern uses an odd number of sts (add 2 extra sts for foundation ch).

Make your swatch:
Row 1:  Ch27, [1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in 3rd ch from hook, *miss 1ch, [1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in next ch, rep from * to last 2ch, miss 1ch, 1sc in last ch,  turn.
Row 2:  Ch2, miss first 2sc, [1sc, 1ch, 1sc] in each 1ch sp, ending 1sc in 2nd of 2ch, turn.
Rep Row 2 until the desired length is reached.

HOOK:  3mm (E-4)
YARN:  Bendigo Woollen Mills 4ply Cotton - (Fingering weight)

USA - American Crochet Terms
Abbreviation	Description
[ ]	work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
*	repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
ch	chain stitch
cm	centimetres
in	inches
rep	repeat
sc	single crochet
sp	space
st(s)	stitch(es)

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER CROCHET SWATCHES

1. Swatch One - How to Single Crochet BL and FL
2. Swatch Two - How to Crochet Half Double Crochet Paired
3. Swatch Three - How to Crochet Offset Filet

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com

Copyright © 2008 Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet. All rights reserved.  All materials contained on this website, including images, are protected by the UK and International Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Barbara Summers. Please CONTACT me at crocknit@gmail.com if you wish to obtain such permission.

WATER CARRIER CROCHET PATTERN

You may or may not know, but my husband and I love walking, and when we do long walks we need to hydrate.  Of course on these long walks (8 -14 miles) we always carry backpacks filled with water, snacks and lunch.  So naturally one of these water carriers would not be necessary, however we also do shorter walks (4 - 6 miles) where I always carry at least 1 litre of water, and it is on these short walks where I need a simple carrier for my water bottle.

And here it is, a simple water carrier, created in a moment of madness, yes madness, it is summer here in the UK and the weather has been warm to hot and really it's not ideal crochet weather, however I find it hard to NOT crochet in the evenings unless I am occupied in more entertaining pursuits.

PATTERN DETAILS:  

I used DMC Petra 3 (4ply) - Fingering weight, and Hook:  2.5mm (B-1).

JIMMY Water Carrier Crochet Pattern 

Start with a magic ring, and make a base of single crochet. Changing colour every round.

Soon as you have the base same size as your water bottle stop increasing, and start the body of the bag.

For the body of the bag, use SWATCH THREE stitch and change colour every round, or every two rounds.

Continue for desired length finishing with a border of single crochet, half double crochet and single crochet.

Do not cut yarn, continue with making the strap.

Using MC single crochet desired number of stitches, over the CC yarn, change colour in last stitch, turn, and single crochet over the MC yarn.

Continue in this manner until desired length.

Attach with single crochet to other side of bag.

By using this method of crocheting over the contrast yarn, you will achieve a stronger, thicker strap and by changing colour you will have one row of each colour.

I made my strap long enough to cross over my body.

SPECIAL NOTE:  The strap and bag will stretch as soon as you add weight to it.  I over-estimated the length of the strap, so after the first use it was way too long, even for my husband.   SEE SOLUTION BELOW.

To remedy the problem, of the much too long strap, I bought a couple of D-buckles and unpicked the last row of single crochet which attached the strap to the base.

Then with a single crochet stitch, attached the D-buckles. Now I can adjust the strap length to suit the wearer.

Hope you enjoying  the beautiful sunny weather,

Ciao, Ciao...

Summer Sun and Cotton Brim Hats

The WALKER Sun hat is designed for summer sun protection, 

and for those who enjoy the outdoors.

To be worn when you are

 gardening, beaching, walking, hiking, exploring, travelling, sightseeing or on a jungle safari

Simply the perfect wide brim breathable cotton hat 

made using Rowan Cotton Glace 5ply

and a 3.5mm (E-4) hook.

The hats wide brim is self-supporting, thanks to the Rowan Cotton Glace yarn, and for a better fit add the adjustable drawstring.

Pattern Details:

Skill Level:  Intermediate

Sizes:  Four (4) sizes - Toddler to Adult

This pattern is available in USA (American) 

and UK (British) Crochet Terms.

You will need to SELECT the CORRECT PATTERN TERMINOLOGY prior to purchase.

This WALKER SUN HAT crochet pattern
is available 

 from my online shops

Ravelry       Craftsy      Lovecrochet

Hope you enjoy the beautiful sunny weather,

Ciao, Ciao...

2008 (C) Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet

All Rights Reserved.

Swatch Three - How to crochet offset filet

How a simple double crochet and chain one, can make a filet net or mesh.  This Swatch stitch pattern creates an easy offset (slanted) filet net.

This swatch uses:

• double crochet (or treble crochet for the British) and
• chain one

This stitch pattern uses even number of sts (add 3 extra sts for foundation ch).

Make your swatch:

R1:  Ch27, 1dc in 5th ch from hook, *1ch, miss 1ch, 1dc in next ch, rep from * to end, turn.
R2:  Ch4, *1dc in next ch sp, 1ch,  rep from * to end, work 1dc in ch4 sp, turn.
Rep R2 until desired length is reached.

This is a great stitch pattern for a stretchy market bag or water bottle carrier.

HOOK:  3mm (E-4)
YARN:  Bendigo Woollen Mills 4ply Cotton - (Fingering weight)

USA - American Crochet Terms
Abbreviation	Description
*	repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
ch	chain stitch
dc	double crochet
R	row
rep	repeat
sc	single crochet
st(s)	stitch(es)

CHECK OUT THESE OTHER CROCHET SWATCHES

1. Swatch One - How to Single Crochet FL and BL

2. Swatch Two - How to Crochet Offset Filet

3. Swatch Four - How to Crochet Spider Stitch

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com

Copyright © 2008 Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet. All rights reserved.  All materials contained on this website, including images, are protected by the UK and International Copyright Law and may not be reproduced, distributed, transmitted, displayed, published or broadcast without the prior written permission of Barbara Summers. Please CONTACT me at crocknit@gmail.com if you wish to obtain such permission.

Summer Crochet LATTE Bag

SUMMER is HERE to STAY!

A bit of sunshine and warmer temperatures always put a smile on everyone's face...

have you noticed how everyone seems to be smiling as you walk down the street?  

It is absolutely lovely having the sun shine, the temperature rise, and the wind die down... just bliss really... hope you are all enjoying it while it lasts?

ABSENCE from BLOG

I want to share with you why I have not been blogging since mid May... basically a nasty bacteria  made it's way into my kidneys and the infection took hold... so I have been in limbo and out of action for weeks.  I have had 6 weeks of sick leave.  No crochet, no walking, no fun stuff, no nothing... just rest and recuperate.  I am glad to say I am now much better, however still wondering when my energy levels will return to 100%.  I am waiting patiently, nothing more I can do now.

On that sobering note, let's get on with crochet talk... and my latest pattern to be published with INSIDE CROCHET magazine July Issue 43. 

Crochet LATTE BAG

Photography:  Britt Spring - Inside Crochet Magazine

LATTE Bag is the perfect accessory for those lovely moments you manage to grab with your best friends down at the cafe... the perfect bag to throw in your basics and sling over your shoulder. 

I decided to call it the "LATTE" bag, because I also love catching up for coffee with my friends.  I chose colours which reminded me of a latte, the white froth of the milk and the lovely milky coffee colour.  

Latte Bag Details 

YARN:  Wendy Supreme Luxury Cotton DK

HOOK:  4mm

Construction:  

• Solid, sturdy bottom; and

• Retro cluster stitch design for the main body of the bag.

This bag is a great summer holiday project, all you need is one ball of each colour and one crochet hook.  And you will end up with a "simply perfect" summer holiday go-anywhere shoulder bag.

LATTE BAG PATTERN 

IS  AVAILABLE FROM

MY ONLINE SHOPS

RAVELRY        CRAFTSY

ENJOY THE SUNSHINE...... 
Ciao, ciao....

(C) Copyright - Barbara Summers.
All rights reserved.

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