Crochet Baby Blanket RAINBOW

Last minute DOT crochet...  yes that's right just one week before my flight to Oz I decided to make another baby blanket for my daughter's first born.

QUICK PROJECT
I decided to make it easy on myself and just get something out fast and the only way to do that was to follow Helen Ardley's pattern for a "Snuggle Blanket".

I found the pattern in her book "Cute Crochet for Tiny Tots"... this book was available in my local KENT library.

The pattern is written for Rowan Wool Cotton using a 3.5mm hook; and the measurements are 42 x 58cm (16.5 x 22.25in).
Basically it is a small blanket and made with a Rowan yarn I had already used for my other baby blanket (which I will talk about in another blog soon)....  and I wanted this blanket to be different.

YARN CHOICE
I decided to use up my stash of Bendigo Woollen Mills "Cotton 8ply"... a few years ago Bendigo carried a range of colours in this beautiful soft cotton... and of course I managed to purchase at most 2 x 200g balls in each colour.... so obviously I had a good range of colours to choose from... hence the 12 colour blanket.

Unfortunately today the same colours are no longer available; however they still provide a nice selection of 10 colours... check it out here.

IN LOVE WITH BENDIGO
From the first time I used this cotton yarn I fell in love with it... it is just so soft... and at the time when I started using the yarn there was no other yarn on the market that even came close to the softness of this cotton yarn by Bendigo Woollen Mills.

You may know this yarn by it's other name "HEIRLOOM" Cotton 8ply which is available in 50g balls.

However, buying direct from the mill is a more economical purchase and you get the bonus of 200g balls which are perfect for larger projects.

RAINBOW BLANKET
Materials:  Heirloom/Bendigo Cotton 8ply in 12 colours
I used my stash of 200g balls in each colour.
If you use 50g balls I estimate approximately 1 to 1.5 x 50g balls of each colour; depending on size of blanket, and your tension/gauge.
Hook:  4mm
Size:  86.4 x 86.4cm (34 x 34in) (excluding the edging)
Tension/Gauge:  2.5 fans/shells over 10cm (4in)
The pattern is written in British Crochet terms, but it is easy to follow and easy to convert to US Crochet terms.

and there you have it... a "simply perfect" colourful baby blanket in rainbow colours... and what's even better is .... you can wash this cotton blanket in the washing machine... on a quick gentle wash... so perfect for new mums who may not have the time to wash by hand.

All you have to do is head off to your local library and borrow the book or purchase your own copy... the book includes a good number of easy crochet projects for your baby and toddler... and all worth trying...  I myself may have to revisit this book.... I enjoyed this blanket project so much and managed to complete it very quickly... estimate about 20hrs total from start to finish... and that includes 1hr of hiding yarn ends.

GO FOR IT... GIVE IT A TRY... YOU WON'T BE DISAPPOINTED...

Ciao, Ciao...  

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Crochet PATTERNS Drought

NO CROCHET BLOGS FOR A MONTH !

yes I have been too busy crocheting to blog

the month of May was here and now it is gone.

June is upon me 

AND my suitcase is packed for my trip "DOWN UNDER"

for the birth of my first grandchild

I am so excited... woo hoo!

however that's a story for another time,

right here and now let's focus on the crochet!

Month of May was consumed by "secret squirrel" crochet 

for DMC Creative World 

which I can't tell you about until it is published.

AND crocheting for my daughter's first baby, 

WHICH IS yet to be born 

and hopefully it will wait until I arrive. LOL

Naturally, I can't show you what I've crochet for her either

because I want it to be a surprise for her first

so you will have to wait patiently  

for the blog revealing my crochet surprise

end of June.  

Of course, once all these crocheting projects were finished, 

I managed to finish some other projects I had to put aside.

AND NOW I can START TO SHARE with you

Firstly, another one of my favourite 

the "PERFECT MAN" beanie

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat

SIZES:  ADULT MEN - S/M/L

SKILL LEVEL:  EASY - INTERMEDIATE

DESCRIPTION:
• Simply perfect crochet hat designed for the man/men in your life. 
• Beanie style with a texture stitch creating an art deco design in the fabric.
• Texture stitch adds extra warmth and elasticity to the fabric of the hat.
• 3D illusion
• Masculine
• Unisex
• Perfect for autumn walks in the woods or along the seafront.

YARN:  
Debbie Bliss Luxury Donegal Tweed Aran - 85% Wool 15% Angora;   OR any other similar yarn

TECHNIQUES USED:  Front and back post double crochet.

TRICKSTER Crochet Man Hat Pattern 

is available from 

Craftsy          Ravelry

you can shop at your convenience in your favourite store.

Ciao, ciao... 

I am off to enjoy the rest of my day before I fly out this evening, then I will be off-line until I land at the other end 

Tuesday morning Brisbane time. woo hoo!

EASY TRAVEL CROCHET SLIPPERS

Barefoot Girl

Yes, I admit I am happiest barefoot, my feet are my thermostat, once in the door my shoes and socks are off and my feet are naked! 

However, every now and then especially when travelling during cooler weather a pair of slippers are absolutely essential.

AND I always prefer SHOES OFF once you cross the threshold. So, literally two days before we took to the road I whipped up these

EASY, QUICK TRAVEL CROCHET SLIPPERS

This pattern is very easy and quite quick to make up and best of all no sewing apart from hiding yarn ends and attaching the perfect heart or some other kind of embellishment.

Attaching the perfect heart at an angle and off centre made it easier to identify which slipper went on which foot. You know LEFT or RIGHT foot, I know I am getting old.

Anyway, I only jotted down a few notes re the pattern prior to my travels, so on my return from our trip away, I decided yesterday to write the full pattern out and re-check it and share it with you. 

Hope you enjoy, Ciao, ciao.

PATTERN DETAILS:

Description: 

Easy and quick crochet slippers, made with one stitch and crochet in the round. Warm and comfortable, get creative and make them colourful with stripes or just edge with a contrast colour.

PLEASE NOTE - does NOT include a pattern for HEART or FLOWER.

HOTCHPOTCH EBOOK does include a pattern for Heart and Flower.

Yarn: Patons Wool Blend Aran 63% Wool 27% Acrylic

Hook: 5mm

Stitches: single crochet

Gauge/Tension: 14sts to 4in; 17 rows to 4in

Measurements: Length 9.5in; Width 9in

Size: UK 5.5 - USA 8 - Europe 38 - Australia - 7

Terminology: USA - American crochet terms

Pattern instructions are now available

for the 

TRAVELLER CROCHET SLIPPERS

from my online shops

CRAFTSY           RAVELRY       

APRIL TRAVELS

Quick Getaway... 

we are getting out of here...

COLOURFUL CROCHET BASKETS

SIMPLE and EASY basket pattern

Colourful crochet baskets, versatile and decorative, 

for special occasions or just for everyday.

AND perfect for those Easter eggs 

especially the chocolate ones.

PATTERN DETAILS:
SKILL:  Easy
YARN:  Nutscene Heritage Twine "Jute"
HOOK:  7mm
GAUGE:  Not crucial
MEASUREMENTS:  
Small Basket Height 2.5in Diameter 4in
Large Basket Height 3.5in Diameter 8.5in
TERMINOLOGY:  USA - American crochet terms

Basket is worked in the round into back loops of each stitch. Worked from the bottom up.

SMALL BASKET

Rnd 1:  With MC, make a Magic loop, ch1, 8sc in loop, join with sl st in ch1.  (8sts) 

Increase Rnds

Rnd 2:  Ch1, 2sc in BL of next and every st to end, join with sl st in ch1.  (16sts)

Rnd 3:  Ch1, *2sc in BL of next st, 1sc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in ch1.  (24sts)

Rnd 4:  Ch1, *2sc in BL of next st, 1sc in BL of next 2sts, rep from * to end, join with sl st in ch1.  (32sts)

Rnd 5:  Ch1, 1sc in BL of next and every st to end, join with sl st in ch1.  (32sts)

Rnd 6-7:  Rep Rnd 5.

CHANGE TO CC 

Rnd 8:  Rep Rnd 5.

CHANGE TO MC 

Rnd 9:  Rep Rnd 5.

CHANGE TO CC 

Rnd 10:  *Ch3, 2dc in BL of same st, skip next st, sl st in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st.  Change colour at each "sl st in BL of next st", and carry other yarn behind, working 2dc in BL and around yarn carried.

FINISH:  Cut yarn and hide ends.

LARGE BASKET

Rnd 1:  With MC, make a Magic loop, ch2, 8hdc in loop, join with sl st in ch1.  (9sts) 

Increase Rnds

Rnd 2:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, 2hdc in BL of next and every st to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (18sts)

Rnd 3:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, *1hdc in BL of next st, 2hdc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (27sts)

Rnd 4:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, *1hdc in BL of next 2sts, 2hdc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (36sts)

CHANGE TO CC

Rnd 5:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, *1hdc in BL of next 3sts, 2hdc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (45sts)

CHANGE TO MC

Rnd 6:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, *1hdc in BL of next 4sts, 2hdc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (54sts)

CHANGE TO CC

Rnd 7:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of same st, *1hdc in BL of next 5sts, 2hdc in BL of next st, rep from * to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (63sts)

CHANGE TO MC 

Rnd 8:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of next and every st to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (63sts)

Rnd 9:  Rep Rnd 8.

DECREASE Rnd

Rnd 10:  Ch2, 1hdc in next 4sts, *hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 5sts, rep from * to end, ending with  hdc2tog, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (54sts)

CHANGE TO CC

Rnd 11:  Ch2, 1hdc in BL of next and every st to end, join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2.  (54sts)

CHANGE TO MC 

Rnd 12:  Rep Rnd 11, ending with join with sl st in TOP of ch2.

CHANGE TO CC

DECREASE Rnd

Rnd 13:  Ch2, 1hdc in next 3sts, *hdc2tog, 1hdc in next 4sts, rep from * to end, ending with  hdc2tog, join with sl st in TOP of ch2.  (45sts)

FINISH:  Cut yarn and hide ends.

DRAWSTRING HANDLES:

With MC and 6mm hook

Ch75-80 , thread through Rnd 12, 2hdc at a time, join ends, cut yarn and hide ends.  Pull out loops at sides

Notes:

Take special care in maintaining stitch count in each increasing round.

Take particular attention to rounds ending with:-

·         join with sl st in 1st ch of ch2

·         join with sl st in TOP of ch2.

Abbreviation	Description
[ ]	work instructions within brackets as many times as directed
*	repeat the instructions following the single asterisk as directed
**	repeat the instructions between asterisks as many times as directed
approx	approximately
beg	begin/beginning
BL	back loop
ch	chain stitch
cm	centimetres
cont	continue
CC	contrast colour
dc	double crochet
hdc	half double crochet
hdc2tog	half double crochet 2 stitches together
in	inches
MC	main colour
rep	repeat
rnd(s)	round(s)
sc	single crochet
sl st	slip stitch
st(s)	stitch(es)

Download this FREE crochet pattern 
from my online shop

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