Latest Pattern RAMBLER Hat Headband Cowl

Spring is in the air

Spring is here and the sun is shining and temperatures are getting warmer, I am so excited!

A week ago on Sunday, we walked the Chilham Circular (approx 10 miles) starting and finishing at Chilham, Kent, UK.  It was a fabulous day with loads of sunshine, a fresh breeze blowing reminding us it is still only March, and the temperature rose from 11C in the morning to 17C in the afternoon.

We thoroughly enjoyed  walking the woodlands, Yew forests, the Kentish Downs, upland and downland fields, panoramic views, bluebell woods (not blooming yet) and passed through the Godmersham Park estate.  What a fabulous walk, we will definitely go back and do it again when all the leaves are on the trees.

It's all this lovely spring weather walking which is guiding my crochet projects at the moment.

Spring crochet 

I have loads of crochet hats for winter walks and desperately need spring time hats, something to keep my head warm and keep the wind out of my ears, especially when the fresh breeze carries with it a "wind chill factor", and not a hat made with wool or alpaca, but a lighter weight cotton or bamboo yarn.

Ta-dah! the little Rambler hat headband cowl was created using a lovely 80% bamboo 20% wool yarn from Sirdar called "Smiley Stripes".  At first I wasn't too sure about the orange but when the lovely pattern started to emerge with each row, I was loving it.

I can wear it to keep my head warm, or open up the end and double it over for a headband and ear warmer, or slip it down and wear it around my neck, just lovely.  Rambler is similar in style to my first hat/headband/cowl which I made in autumn 2012 on our Scottish highlands trip (see this post) a totally different pattern, whereas this spring design is super easy and quick to make.

Here's my first SPRING design for 2014

RAMBLER Hat Headband Cowl

See below for the pattern details and instructions

PATTERN DETAILS:

A simple crochet hat, headband, cowl, for spring/autumn weather walking.

SKILL:  Easy

YARN:  Sirdar Snuggly Smiley Stripes DK - 80% Bamboo 20% Wool - 2 x 50g/95m/103yd

SUBSTITUTE YARN:   any other similar DK yarn

HOOK:  G/6 (4mm)

MEASUREMENTS:  Circumference 20in (50.8cm) , Height 8in (20.3cm)

TENSION/GAUGE:  20sts x 20 rows to 4in; in pattern stitch.

PATTERN NOTES:  The tension/gauge is only a guideline, it is not critical to this pattern.  As long as your circumference is big enough to fit your head, and the height is long enough for the hat to cover your head and ears, that is all you need to achieve here.

ABBREVIATIONS:  USA (American) Crochet Terms

ch = chain, sc = single crochet, dc = double crochet, st = stitch

Row 1:  Ch41, sc in back bump 2nd ch from hook, sc in back bump of each ch to end. Turn. (40sts)

Row 2:  Ch1, sc in back loop of each st to end. Turn.

Row 3-91:  Repeat Row 2.

Row 92:  Repeat Row 2, do not fasten off, continue with join, as follows:

Joining row

Row 93:  Join last row to first row, sc into back loop only of each st to end.  Do not turn, do not fasten off, continue to crochet the drawstring edge.

Drawstring Edge

Rnd 94:  Ch2, dc in end of each row, join.  (92dc)  Fasten off.

Make a Drawstring

Leave a 3-4in tail, Ch120, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc to end.  Cut yarn leaving a 3-4in tail.

Thread your tails into a yarn needle and feed the drawstring 2dc at a time round the drawstring round.

Hide ends into the drawstring, pull on the drawstring to minimize the hole, tie a knot close to hold secure, tie another knot at end, to hold drawstring ends together.

To Wear the Hat, Headband, Cowl:

• Wear the hat with the drawstring tightened, option to roll up brim.
• Wear the headband by releasing the knot closest to drawstring round, and fold in half.
• Wear the cowl by releasing the knot closest to drawstring round, and fold over one third.

Add this pattern to your Ravelry Queue and Favorites

LET ME KNOW how you go with this pattern and please share your creations.  I am always happy to help if you have any questions in regards to the pattern.

enjoy

ciao, ciao!

BARBARA SUMMERS HAND KNIT AND CROCHET

© 2008 Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet. All rights reserved. 

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How to Crochet a Mitered Square

Here is my version of the basic instructions for mitered crochet square.

HOW TO Mitered Crochet Squares using single crochet:

1. Decide what size square you wish to make. 

2. Start with a chain double the length of one side of the square.

3. For a 3in square, length of chain needs to be 6in. 

4. Even number of stitches plus one stitch for centre.

Simple Crochet Mitered Square

ABBREVIATIONS:  USA (American) Crochet Terms

ch = chain, st = stitch, sc = single crochet, sc3tog = single crochet 3 stitches together.

Row 1:  Ch25.

Row 2:  Ch1, sc in 11ch, sc3tog, sc in next 11ch. Turn. (23sts)

Row 3:  Ch1, sc in 10sts, sc3tog,  sc in next 10sts. Turn.  (21sts)
Row 4:  Ch1, sc in 9sts, sc3tog, sc in next 9sts. Turn.  (19sts)

Keep decreasing in same manner for each row as follows:

Row 5:  Ch1, sc in 8sts, sc3tog, sc in next 8sts. Turn.  (17sts)
Row 6:  Ch1, sc in 7sts, sc3tog, sc in next 7sts. Turn.  (15sts)

Row 7:  Ch1, sc in 6sts, sc3tog, sc in next 6sts. Turn.  (13sts)

Row 8:  Ch1, sc in 5sts, sc3tog, sc in next 5sts. Turn.  (11sts)

Row 9:  Ch1, sc in 4sts, sc3tog, sc in next 4sts. Turn.  (9sts)

Row 10:  Ch1, sc in 3sts, sc3tog, sc in next 3sts. Turn.  (7sts)

Row 11:  Ch1, sc in 2sts, sc3tog, sc in next 2sts. Turn.  (5sts)

Row 12:  Ch1, sc in 1sts, sc3tog, sc in next 1sts. Turn.  (3sts)

Row 13:  Ch1, sc3tog.

Fasten off.

You can change colour after every 2nd or 4th row.

You can make your mitered squares individually or "join as you go".  If you plan to create different patterns with the squares then you will want to join your squares later.  

Remember to check out what I did with my mitered squares HERE

BE CREATIVE

HAVE A PLAY AND HAVE SOME FUN!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE YOUR CREATIONS 

BELOW IN THE COMMENTS 

OR 

ON MY CROCKNIT FACEBOOK PAGE

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

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

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Summer Crochet Bags

LATTE crochet bag PATTERN is now AVAILABLE in 

UK British and USA American Crochet Terms

PLEASE SELECT THE CORRECT PATTERN TERMINOLOGY prior to purchase

from these online stores:

RAVELRY        CRAFTSY 

BE CREATIVE

PLAY AND HAVE SOME FUN!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE YOUR CREATIONS 

BELOW IN THE COMMENTS 

OR 

ON MY CROCKNIT FACEBOOK PAGE

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

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

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It's a MAN CUSHION... mitered squares

Here is the MAN CUSHION - MITERED SQUARES

Yarn:  Aran Wool 100%

Hook:  4mm

Check out the previous posts for the construction of this cushion here and here

BEING SQUARE Cushions and Pillows with Crochet SQUARES

Here I am into the second week in March and still haven't finished my mitered squares cushion, terrible really but I have good reasons for the delay. I was too sick one week with an URTI which annihilated my desire for any crocheting and any attempt at focusing on pattern writing was a huge failure. UGH!

A week of indoor-ism was so tedious, and as soon as my strength returned and throat cleared, I was keen to get out and enjoy the sunshine. Basically, I have indulged myself with wandering the countryside instead of getting back into my crochet projects. 

Totally lovely!

We visited Canterbury and walked the wall in the hope of photographing the yearly display of glorious daffodils round the perimeter of the wall, and we weren't disappointed at all!

How lovely are these?

The weather has been really lovely, with a wonderful feeling of spring in the air.  Some days it's a bit windy but the sunshine has made up for the wind chill factor.  

We enjoyed our Canterbury Walk so much we ventured on an eight (8) mile walk the very next day.

Drove to Chilham, parked up and walked from Chilham to Chartham and back again.  Country walking with a bit of historical sightseeing to make it really interesting.

Loved Chilham, so much history here, (if you would like to see more photos of our walks, do check out MiFotoLife blog)

Chilham Castle

And best of all we finished our walk with some lovely cream teas - two scones, freshly baked that day, with strawberry preserve and clotted cream, at Shelly's Tea Rooms in Chilham. Oh so delicious and ever so naughty!  yum yum!

CROCHET TALK

OK so let's move on and talk a bit about these CROCHET SQUARES - CUSHIONS/PILLOWS - WIP (work in progress)

The small mitered squares (see previous post) which I crocheted with aran wool are now joined together, by a single crochet join, and I've added a single crochet border, alternating the colours.  As you can see in the photo below.

For the back of the cushion, I've introduced a third colour, and just crocheting a striped square in alternating colours and irregular widths of colour.

Ever so simple, and a striking contrast to the front of the cushion which is in two colours and includes the mitered squares.  I am making this cushion cover for my husband so I am making sure the stitches are going to be strong and durable, by using the 100% aran wool and a 4mm hook.  The back of the cushion is crochet using single crochet in back loop, resulting in a lovely texture and ridged effect, a very masculine and robust cushion cover.  

It's my MAN CUSHION!

This cushion back is nearly finished, it won't be long and I will be able to crochet the front to the back and add some buttons at one end for the opening.  Promise to post an update when I have completed the mitered cushion cover, so do come back for the finale!

enjoy

ciao, ciao!

BE CREATIVE

HAVE A PLAY AND HAVE SOME FUN!

YOU ARE WELCOME TO SHARE YOUR CREATIONS 

BELOW IN THE COMMENTS 

OR 

ON MY CROCKNIT FACEBOOK PAGE

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

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

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BARBARA SUMMERS HAND KNIT AND CROCHET

STORMY WEATHER and mitered crochet squares !!

Don't know why there's no sun up in the sky

Stormy weather

Colours of Winter Sunrises

MOMENTS IN TIME

Winter Sunrises are amazing - the grey clouds of dawn, the pink glow of daylight. Some times more orange, other times more magenta, yet always beautiful!

MY FAVOURITE TIME OF DAY

I love being up to capture these moments, quite often they only last a short time and as soon as the sun starts to rise, either the clouds move in and all the glorious colours disappear or the glow of the sun eliminates the hues. So you have to be quick to capture the moment. When I am in a hurry to take the photo before the colours change and disappear I use my mobile instead of digging out my Fuji camera which then results in a mediocre photo.

The best time is when I have risen before the sun and the colours are just starting to appear, this is the time the Fuji is dug out of it's case and I delight in zooming in and out to capture segments of colour in the early morning skies.

Aren't they lovely colours?

YARN COLOUR INSPIRATION

So it is these beautiful winter sunrise colours which inspired my winter scarf design. 

I purchased these AMAZING coloured hanks of yarn by Debbie Bliss known as Andes. It was July 2013 at a 50% OFF SALE, almost a whole eight (8) months ago and it's taken this long to do something with them, it seems that life just got in the way. Honestly, I had no idea what I was going to make from these delightful three (3) hanks of colour, and then later I found and added another hank, the colour is fuchsia and it is just gorgeous, too beautiful to resist.

SPECIAL CROCHET DESIGNS

As you can see I have managed to use up the beautiful coloured hanks to make a lovely pair of fingerless mittens, SEE BELOW, and you can read all about these French inspired mittens in my previous post PARIS Crochet Mittens.

With the remainder of the yarn I crocheted a simple and easy scarf, I have called it ANDES after the name of the yarn. This is my special dress-up winter sunrise scarf and I am going to share the crochet pattern with you below.

YARN DETAILS

Debbie Bliss Andes yarn is pure luxury! 

Baby alpaca wool makes it irresistibly soft and warm, while mulberry silk creates shine, drape and elegance. 

This yarn is just one of those extra-indulgent treats for your most special projects.

Unfortunately ANDES yarn has now been discontinued which is a real shame, however you may still find ANDES or a similar yarn online via Ebay. If not go to this amazing website called YARNSUB where you can check which yarns you can use instead.

PATTERN DETAILS:

A simple striped crochet scarf using one stitch throughout and easy colour change.  No hiding ends.  No sew.  

SKILL:  Easy

YARN:  Debbie Bliss Andes ● DK/8ply ●  Baby Alpaca 65% Mulberry Silk 35%  ● 50g 100m(109yd)

YARDAGE:  200g = 400m(436yd) 4 x 50g - 1 skein of each colour

SUBSTITUTE YARN:  Rowan Alpaca Colour or any other similar DK yarn

HOOK:  7 (4.5mm)

MEASUREMENTS:  Length 55in (140cm) without fringe, Width 6.5in (16.5cm)

TENSION:  Not critical to this pattern.

ABBREVIATIONS:  USA (American) Crochet Terms

ch = chain, hdc = half double crochet, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, CC = contrast colour, MC = main colour.

PATTERN NOTES:  Beginning and end of each colour change, leave 3-4in tail, before cutting yarn. These yarn tails will be incorporated into the fringe.  

With MC and 7 (4.5mm) hook

Row 1:  Ch200, 1hdc in 3rd ch from hook, 1hdc in each ch to end. Turn.

Row 2:  Ch2, 1hdc in each st to end. Turn.

Row 3:  Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC1

Row 4-6: Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC2

Row 7-9: Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC3

Row 10-12: Repeat Row 2.

Change to MC

Row 13-15: Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC1

Row 16-18: Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC2

Row 19-21: Repeat Row 2.

Change to CC3

Row 22-24: Repeat Row 2.

Change to MC

Row 25-26: Repeat Row 2.

Row 27:  Sl st in each st to end.

Make fringe measuring 4-5ins in length.  Use all 4 colours.  2 strands of each contrast colour and 1 strand of main colour per fringe group.  7 fringe groups on each end of scarf.  Remember to incorporate the yarn tails into the fringe groups.

For some easy instructions on HOW TO MAKE A FRINGE check this out. http://www.wikihow.com/Add-Fringe-to-a-Crochet-or-Knit-Project

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

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

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Paris in Winter

Under the sky of Paris

A song takes flight
It was born today
In the heart of a boy
Under the sky of Paris
Lovers walk
Their happiness built
On an atmosphere made for them

I love this song about Paris -  Sous le ciel de Paris

Why am I talking of Paris?  because my new crochet pattern is named PARIS, and whenever I think of Paris I just want to get on the Eurostar and go, go, go, all the way to Paris.  

I just love the city, no matter what time of year it is.  Winter, Summer, Spring or Autumn, they are all beautiful in Paris.

I took these photos in 2008, it was January and we went there for my husband's birthday before we left England to return home to Australia. It was magical!  Winter in Paris!  Fabulous!

We have been back a few times since then and we always have the best time.  I have been to Paris in every season and I always love it!

Must be the time of year, but I am getting itchy feet again, maybe Paris is calling?

MAYBE NOT! OK stop daydreaming and let's get back to reality, for now, the reason for this post is my new pattern for crochet mittens, named PARIS.

I love this stitch, so simple and delicate, yet sturdy and warm.  And I love the yarn, so soft and silky.  With a beautiful weight and drape.  Maybe a cowl or scarf will be next on the "to do list" to match the mittens?

Anyway, I am very pleased with these mittens, and can't wait to wear them when I'm dressed to go out to lunch or dinner, and when I'm wearing my "going out" clothes, NOT when I'm out in the countryside and hiking for miles and dressed in hiking gear!

Unfortunately, I have made these mittens with a yarn which for some reason has now been discontinued. 

I am always amazed how quickly some yarns get replaced with newer yarns?  Especially, when the yarn is absolutely beautiful.  I love it.  

I know for a fact there is still quite a bit of the yarn available online from various stockists and yarn stores (I ordered some extra skeins from Pavi Yarns).  So if you really want your own silky alpaca mittens, get online and go hunting for those Debbie Bliss Andes skeins.  All worth the effort.

PATTERN DETAILS:

A lovely lace-look pattern for ladies fingerless mittens. Made with a lovely soft, alpaca and silk yarn, which makes these mittens extra special. Choose subdued or vibrant contrasting colours.

DIFFICULTY:  Intermediate

SIZES:  Two sizes - Small to Medium, Medium to Large

YARN USED:  Debbie Bliss Andes  ● Baby Alpaca 65% and Mulberry Silk 35% 

Substitute Yarn Suggestion:  Rowan Alpaca Colour  ● Baby Alpaca 100% OR any other similar DK yarn

Crochet in the round. No seams to sew. Wear the mittens on either hand. The pattern is the same for both left and right mittens.

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

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

PATTERN AVAILABLE NOW 

from my online shops

CRAFTSY       RAVELRY      LOVECROCHET

  

enjoy

ciao, ciao!

BARBARA SUMMERS HAND KNIT AND CROCHET