Mixing up Motifs

Choosing a crochet project with motifs has many benefits. You can make a motif when time is short and you can crochet on the go when travelling to work or on long journeys. Crochet motif projects grow quickly and motifs work well for just about every crochet project you can think of from traditional throws and cushions to bags, jackets, hats and baby clothes and toys.

When you are designing your own crochet throw and cushions you can use the same crochet motifs throughout the throw and change the look with the way you use colour. However mixing up motifs adds interest to crochet projects and to the finished design. If you decide to mix up your design using different crochet motifs use 3 or 5 different motifs for a more easy on the eye look. Base your throw or cushion design on squares or rectangles.

Incorporate big motifs for impact. Big motifs give you more scope to use clever colour combinations for more impact and big motifs don't have to use a complicated design, I've made them using a standard granny square to good effect. From my experience whatever motifs you use simple designs always work the best. The clever use of colour and yarns is what will make your design something special and original to you.

How to do it?

1. Use one large and four small motifs that when joined together are the same size as the big motif. When you use this method join the four small motifs together before joining to the larger motif. Use the same colour yarn for the last row of your large and small motifs for a very pretty effect.
2. Make a panel the width of your throw or cushion. Doing this means you can incorporate small and large triangles and even hexagons. If you use this method you will have to make sure that your motifs will create a panel that makes a level edged rectangle. 
3. Make triangular motifs and join together to make squares
4. Make square motifs in the round and combine with textured stitched square motifs made side to side
5. Create large squares turn to make diamonds and create triangles for fillers

How to crochet a beach bag

What yarns to use to make your bag?
Cotton and cotton rich yarns work best, they make bags more rigid, are hard wearing, but still soft. Use a wool based yarn and your bag is more likely to stretch. My favourites is Sugar n Cream an Aran weight yarn, but I also love Drops cotton yarns and Scheepjes soft fun is an excellent yarn for bags. cotton linen blends. Cotton made bags are usually washable, ideal for the beach and summer picnics.

What stitch to use for your bag?
Double crochet (single crochets) stitches work well, as do half trebles (half double crochets). You can also use a looser stitch or open work style crochet when the lining will show through and this can look very effective. Front and back row post stitches also look good, create pretty ridges and are useful for defining changes in rows.

Options for the construction of your bag
I like to make my rectangular crochet bags in 4 or 5 pieces. That is a front, back, 2 side gussets and a bottom piece, plus handles. Making your crochet bag in this way will make your bag more roomy. However you can make a bag with just a front, back and bottom piece. If you prefer a simpler style and one that is easier to make and easier to construct, just make a front and back and join together on three sides. With this option line it in the same way as a 5 piece bag, that is line your pieces separately, then join together using a back stitch.

Lining
If you can, line your bag with a cotton or cotton rich fabric to protect it and reduce the chances of stretch. This really does make bags look better and more professional, see my orange/pink bag above. Make lining pieces for the front and the back. Turn in half an inch (1.27cm’s) leaving a gap of one row of crochet. This will make it easier when you join your crochet pieces together and will create a neater finish.

Putting it all together after you have added the lining
Attach the side pieces to the front or back of your bag using matching yarn and a backstitch. Join this to the base of your bag. Finally attach the front to the sides and bottom. A ttach handles to your bag.

Handles and straps.
I like strong carrying handles and there are different ways to achieve this. You can make a strip of crochet using dc’s (sc’s) for your handle and double it over when finished by stitching the sides together.  Alternatively use your yarn double and doing this creates a lovely strong effect. You can also buy leather and wooden handles in craft stores and these work well.  Another alternative is to make thinner handles by making a length of crochet and stitching around strong plastic tubing which you can buy from craft stores. I make shoulder straps in the same way as handles for some of my bags, see my patchwork over shoulder beach bag. 

Fastenings
I like to vary these. Sometimes I make a drawstring top to my bags by making 2 chain holes in rows of crochet. This I do by crocheting in dc’s (sc’s) or half trebles (half dc’s) with one row of holes between to make a professional looking top to your bag and to make it stronger. If you do this make sure you make at least four rows on top of your holes. Crochet a drawstring using chains or dc’s (sc’s) on chains and thread through. You can also add tassels, small strips of crochet stitched to your bag for clipping on keys.  Sometimes I use a button fastening (you can find how to crochet a button in tutorials on my web site) and loop fastening or a zip. Zips make your bag more secure but require more dressmaking skills!

Home ware Crochet

What’s nicer than a home personalised with handmade cushions, throws and candle cosies you have made yourself. Big or small if you’ve made it yourself its special and will reflect your taste, skills, favourite colours and loves, so enhancing your home.

If you are making home ware crochet for gifts, crochet is a fantastic way to give a friend or relative a gift for a special occasion something unique for them. Everyone values handmade quality gifts and treasures them. 

What can you create? The choice is only limited by your imagination. If you are making something for yourself then choose to make something that fits in with and enhances your home decor. It’s a good idea to personalise what you make to the colour of one room of your home.

William Morris said’ Have nothing n your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful’. I use this to guide me when making something for myself and for friends. This especially applies if you are making something for a gift such as a house warming or wedding present.

Crochet home ware makes fantastic house warming gifts and wedding and engagement presents. Make it special for your friends by making your gift in their favourite colours and styles. Here are my ten favourite crochet home wares to make.....

Baskets – for storage in bedrooms, craft rooms and children’s bedrooms

Cushions – not just forlounges, make then for conservatories and garden rooms

Table mats – make these in the more traditional style of fine lace crochet or in more modern styles using bright colours and thicker cottons

Pot holders – perfect for kitchens, make a pretty stack and tie with a ribbon for a small but thoughtful gift

Table runners – these lookgorgeous on modern long tables and sideboards. You can make them by using lacymotifs or stripes of pretty cottons Throws – these are really special to make and are a lovely heritage housewarming gift, or wedding present

Candle cosies – gorgeous and useful  in bathrooms and bedrooms

Door and bedroom wreaths – the perfect housewarming gift , you can also make them for children’s bedrooms

Rugs – made in thickercotton, make them round, square or oblong

Door stop – make these round, square or in the shape of dogs and cats and add weights!

Lace Crochet

Traditionally lace crochet used fine cotton threads to make round mats (doilies) table runners, lace collars and tablecloths. Now thanks to better choice and a wider selection of cottons and threads we can make traditional lace crochet without having to resort to the very fine traditional cottons (thread). DMC petra for example comes in sizes from 3, 5 and 8 all of which come in a range of lovely colours. Use them to make traditional crochet lace and you will produce stunning results without losing out on quality.

The wonderful thing about the colour selection of cotton threads is that you can now create table runners and covers for modern settings as well as the more classic designs. Don’t restrict making lace crochet to the more traditional styles. Lace crochet creates light airy structures perfect for creating lace shawls and lightweight scarves and you can do this with DK (light worsted) or 4 ply yarns.

Make crochet lace as simple or as intricate as you like. For beginners to crochet rows of basic shells creates a simple but very pretty lace finish and would make a stunning crochet long style scarf or cowl, particularly if you use a blended yarn. Basic net crochet is a good place for beginners to crochet to start with lace. Net crochet in its simple form is created by making 1 or 2 ch spaces between trebles (double crochet) and it’s very simple to make using fine thread or yarn. Add in groups of 4 trebles and make filet crochet which can be used to create designs and images, everything from birds to people, houses and animals.

You can also use net crochet combined with clusters and shells together in one row or make a scarf with simple net crochet and add a scalloped edge to create a stunning scarf with a simple design.  Use lace crochet to make round or square motifs and you can do this with fine cotton or thicker yarn. As with other lace projects make your motifs as simple or as complicated as you wish. Granny squares for example made in a finer yarn creates a very pretty lace effect.

Irish crochet lace has always had its own style creating simple motifs in a variety of shapes, including spirals and leaves which have particularly featured in traditional Irish crochet. For more experienced crocheters this has developed from its own traditional style into free form crochet.

My Ten Favourite Yarns of 2018

I love yarn and I love that we have so many stunning yarns to choose from, from big brands to independent spinners and dyers. The quality of yarns today is generally excellent. These are my favourites from this year. It was very difficult to choose, but I can tell you I have used all of these and I love all of them! All the yarns here are double knitting (light worsted) apart from no 10 which is a 4ply (sport) weight.

1. Schjeepes Soft fun cotton -  64 colours to choose from in this 60% cotton and 40% acrylic yarn. It combines the best of both components, soft and lovely to work from the cotton and hardwearing and easy care from the Acrylic. Use this yarn for soft scarves, big squishy cushions and children’s clothing.

2. Wensleydale Longwool - I have wanted to sample Wensleydale wool for a long time so when I visited their shop in Leyburn North Yorkshire I was in my element!  The Wensleydale shop is a treasure trove of yarn, accessories and finished items made using this local Yorkshire wool. This is a traditional 100% wool yarn in a range of colours. It’s warm and has excellent crochet stitch definition. It’s perfect for winter scarves and hats.

3. Di Gilpin Lalland – 100% lambswool this yarn is double stranded. It’s soft and shouts out quality. It crochets beautifully and creates a lovely textured finish. It’s perfect for neck warmers and scarves and would make a gorgeous crochet jumper or jacket. The colours are reminiscent of the Scottish countryside, heather, deep greys, bright yellows and coral pinks are some of my favourites.

4. Sirdar Colourwheel - In 150gm balls and for this you get 520m/568 yards of yarn. Sirdar created 150gm balls so that one ball of yarn would be enough to knit or crochet a scarf and this definitely works for small infinity scarves. Made up of 80% Acrylic and 20% wool Colour Wheel is a warm and easy to crochet yarn. The colour way effect is very pretty giving you a whole range of colours all of which blend together beautifully. Colour wheel is great for scarves and shawls, but I've also tried it for small bags and this looks really pretty. I'd like to try baby jackets in ‘Follow the Rainbow’ and a summer cover up in ‘Flower Garden’.

5. Katia Azteca - a double knit (light worsted yarn), made in Spain. It’s a blended yarn with random slubs. The fantastic range of 17 blended colours includes blues, green, autumn colours and pinks. I used the pink/beige/orange blend to make a hat and scarf set and a clutch bag. Azteca comes in 100gm balls and one ball for me the hat and scarf set. Katia with a large wool content (53% wool, 47% acrylic), is perfectly designed for autumn/winter jumpers. This yarn is one of my all time favourite yarns!

6. Sirdar No.1 - Sirdar No 1 DK 50% Acrylic is soft and has a lovely sheen. Made up of 50% Nylon 230m/251 yards it comes in 100gm balls and it goes a long way! No 1 reminds me of crepe style yarns that were fashionable in the 1980’s. I used it to make a lacy summer shawl and it drapes beautifully.

7. Rowan tweed - This lovely Aran weight yarn is made up of 75% wool and 25% hemp with flecks. It comes in a wide range of lovely soft tweedy colours. Choose from fabulous almond, plum, denim, treacle, pine, duck egg, paprika and moss. I’d be happy with any of these! Nothing says Autumn and Winter more than Rowan Tweed. The great thing is this lovely Rowan yarn is machine washable at 30°C. I used Kelp shade to make a tweed hat. Dense, warm and super cosy Rowan Tweed hemp would be perfect for scarves, winter jumpers or ponchos. I can’t wait to try some cables with it!

8. Dalton border Leicester - Doulton Border Leicester comes in 100gm skeins and the DK has 200metres per skein. 100% pure worsted spun wool, is gorgeous quality with excellent stitch definition and does not split when crocheting. This is not a prickly wool yarn! This range of yarn from a rare breed herd of sheep includes 4ply, DK and Aran. The range also includes a mini skein selection, all close colour tones that have won a wool award, good for a try out of this lovely quality yarn.

9. Debbie Bliss Summer Tweed  - is sold as DK (light worsted) but it feels more like a 4 ply to me. It comes in a lovely range of beautifully blended colours from violet, daisy, poppy, rose, begonia, marigold, honeysuckle and petal. I used honeysuckle. The yarn has slubs which makes for a more interesting finish and gives and extra level of interest. Made up of 52% cotton 48% acrylic Debbie Bliss summer tweed is brilliant for shawls, scarves and lightweight summer knits. Wash at 30C 50 g balls. Yardage is 120m/131yds and Debblie Bliss summer tweed comes in 50g balls. This yarn would make a lovely cover up or summer jacket or a gorgeous holdall style bag particularly blended with a plain double knit yarn (light worsted).

10. Aurinkokehra Yarn - Every now and then a really special yarn comes along, something that stands out from the rest. I found just such a yarn, Aurinkokehra, tucked away on a stall at Yarndale this year and I fell in love with the colour of a hank on the display, a subtle pink/deep lavender blend. Aurinkokehra Yarn comes in a range of weights from chunky to double knit and 4ply. I used the 4ply not a weight I usually use,  but with the subtle blend of colours in a lightweight warm yarn, I knew it would be perfect for a delicate crochet scarf.

Aurinkokehra Yarn

Every now and then a really special yarn comes along, something that stands out from the rest. I found just such a yarn, Aurinkokehra, tucked away on a stall at Yarndale this year and I fell in love with the colour of a hank on the display, a subtle pink/deep lavender blend.

Aurinkokehra Yarn comes in a range of weights from chunky to double knit and 4ply. I used the 4ply not a weight I usually use,  but with the subtle blend of colours in a lightweight warm yarn, I knew it would be perfect for a delicate crochet scarf.

The yarn is produced from 100% Finish combed wool yarn and all the yarns are naturally dyed from ecologically and ethically produced dyes. The twenty colours as a result are extraordinarily bright yet subtle blends with some more contrasting colours. The blended colour hanks are irresistible!
Aurinkokehra Yarn produces 360m per 100gm hank and I used a 2mm hook to make the lacy shoulder scarf.

Buy direct from Finland at http://vanjasea.valmiskauppa.fi/aurinkokehra-solid-colors-360-c-45_61_62_83.html

Aurinkokehra Yarn 4ply is perfect for crochet shawls and would make lovely light weight crochet jackets. The thicker weights would be ideal for crochet hats and chunkier scarves.

Find women's crochet cowl scarf made with aurinkokehra yarn here.....

Not all Crochet motifs have to be square or round

Choosing a crochet project with motifs has many benefits. Firstly you can make a motif when time is short, secondly you can crochet on the go and lastly motif based crochet projects grow quickly. Traditionally we make motifs square or round, but not all motifs have to be shaped this way. With a little imagination you can add a new quality to your crochet projects and give yourself more design options with more unusual shaped motifs.

Irish and free style crochet traditionally use free form shapes and you can use these for inspiration. Don’t think that anything other than a square or round motifs will be difficult to make or difficult to crochet together. Triangular motifs for example can be easily fitted together to make a square giving you flexibility to create spectacular designs with the colours you use.

Joining together
As with square or round motifs you have many options when joining your more unusual shaped motifs together.  You can add a filler to make joining easier and this works well with crochet shawls. Base your filler on the centre of your main motif. Most non square or round motifs start in the same way with the same basis as square and round motifs, allowing you to use the middle part of your main motifs to create your filler. Check out my fan shawl to see how this works.

As with more traditional motifs you can use a lacy stitch to join your motifs together or use a simple slip stitch join motifs.  Alternatively stitch your motifs together and doing this will create a denser effect to your finished project. The motifs of my peacock scarf crochet were crocheted  together to create a pretty ridge effect.

If all else fails and you would like to make a throw or shawl using more unusually shaped motifs but  lack the confidence to do this, you can turn your square motifs on their side to create diamonds. You don’t even have to make filers just leave the edge of your throw jagged to give a pretty effect.

Creating your design
As with square or round motifs make your unusual shaped motifs plain or multi coloured or use plain motifs with a different or blended coloured joining stitch. Graph paper does help create designs with more unusually shaped motifs and I sometimes make a few motifs and experiment to work out the best way to join them together. You can use this method as the basis for creating shawls, throws and blankets. Make four or six motifs and find the best way to join these together then use multiples of the six motifs together to create your project.