What’s new in crochet designs?

Like everything else there are trends in crochet, influenced by access to worldwide crocheters through social media and by developments and trends in yarn. What’s new this season and what you should be looking out for? Whether you are looking for inspiration for a new crochet project or simply want to keep ahead of trends these are my six favourite crochet finds for late 2017. 

1. Tapestry crochet is one of the big new themes. Originating in South America where crocheters make spectacular and very bright crochet drawstring bags, you can now see the tapestry trend in softer colours used to make cushions and scarves from crocheters around the world. Tapestry crochet can be tricky to work depending on the complexity of the pattern and the number of colours you use, but with a bit of practice these repeating pattern become easier to work.

2. Ponchos are big news in fashion and this has trended across to crochet. Crochet is perfect for ponchos and crochet ponchos can be made in many different styles and methods from traditional granny squares and round motifs to large chunky motifs, popcorns and cables. Stripes work well on crochet ponchos made either in one large piece folded or worked in a triangular way all work well.

3. Crochet rugs are always on the scene but now there are many crochet rug designs based on vintage crochet fine cotton mats and doily patterns, used to make rugs using larger weight cotton yarns. They look spectacular!

4. Sparkly and iridescent yarns are big news at the moment in fashion, at one time sparkly yarns were reserved for evening shawls. Now you can find them in traditional scarves and infinity scarves? Combine them with plainer yarns for gorgeous effects.Zig zags stripes are everywhere. 

5. Crochet zigzags made in the traditional rise and fall method have always been popular, but also now come in tapestry crochet form. Use subtle blends or more punchy colours. Zig zags look fantastic used in poncho designs.

6. Stripes large and small are always in fashion, but this season they are everywhere in crochet. I’ve seen them, narrow and wide, used in scarves, cushions, throws and ponchos. Combined with rows of specialist stitches such as popcorns or shells stripes look wonderful.

Rowan Tweed Hemp Yarn

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 Tweed.

50gram balls have 95metres of yarn. If you are knitting use a needle size 4.50mm, for my crochet project I used a 4mm hook. The great thing is this lovely rowan yarn is machine washable at 30°C. I used Kelp shade to make my tweedy 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!

Where to buy – Deramores &  Wool Warehouse

Raised Stitches

There are many different crochet stitches, but all are based on the basics of chains, single crochet, double crochet and trebles. Learn a few special stitches that combine the basics and you can begin to introduce them into your crochet projects and create something truly unique to you.

Raised stitches are special stitches that are easily achieved once you have mastered the basics and are easy and satisfying to work. Raised crochet stitches are trebles, double crochets and combinations of both usually created by working around the post of the stitches in the previous row.  This creates a firm, textured crochet finish. Post stitches can be worked around the front or the back of the post.  Doing this raises your crochet work in different ways.

Raised stitches can be used to create ribs, ridges and ripples. Crochet in the front, into the back into both alternatively or diagonally, they produce different effects.Raised stitches add another level to crochet projects. Most raised stitches create a double thickness finish, so they are lovely when you want to make something warm, such as baby blankets, throws and crochet jackets. But be warned using raised stitches uses a lot of yarn!

The yarn you use makes a difference when working raised stitches and you should be careful with your choice. An uneven yarn can look odd and create bumps as you work around posts.
Basket weave is one of the most popular and useful raised stitches it’s lovely to make and is perfect for baby blanket. Wave stitch, brick stitch working in the front give a softer look, working in the back creates ridges in your work, adding much more texture and design to it.

The abbreviation for these stitches is usually FL for front loops and BL for back loops.  These are put in front of the abbreviation of the basic stitch, for example double crochet worked in the front loop would be FLdc.

The Story of My Key collection

I love crochet and find it always inspiring. I love the flexibility and artistry of crochet. What other craft can be used to make such a variety of items, from lace mats, to rugs, clothing and even works of art? What other craft is as flexible and can be used in so many ways as crochet and what other craft evolves and develops in such new and fascinating ways.

My key crochet collection of classy patterns and designs is filled with my crochet favourites and showcases the way my crochet has matured! I wanted my classic crochet designs and patterns all together in one collection. All the crochet projects in this collection are stylish simple designs that look stunning and are easy to follow and make. No more reams of complex text and blurry charts!

The collection includes gorgeous scarves, cushions and bags, all the things I love to make. All the patterns are adaptable so you can easily use them in any number of different ways. Scarves become cushions and cushions become scarves. Small cushions become big ones and big ones become smaller, even the place mats in my key collection would make a lovely scarf! You’ll find some classics here and some truly original designs using motifs in a different way but all are easy to achieve.

The collection is my take on traditional crochet styles and traditional methods of making. I wanted to show you how by changing stitches and using crochet in new and different ways, you can easily change and improve the look, originality and feel of your crochet projects. I guarantee if you use one of my crochet patterns for your latest project you will produce something stunning and truly original to you, something that will be loved by your family and friends.

For this collection I picked my yarns with care, all are good quality and well priced. Spending time making something for yourself or as a gift it’s worth the investment. However all my designs can be made with your favourite yarns just make sure your tension is OK!

The designs and patterns in this key collection are based on my 40 years of crochet plus a lot of research and experimentation. My mission is to simplify designs and patterns but at the same time create original stunning crochet. I want to move crochet along to a new level of fun and innovation, so you can make something that says ‘wow’.

Who is my key collection for? Any crafter who can make the basic crochet stitches with confidence and is now ready to try make something new, something that looks different but is still within your  capabilities with a slight stretch! All of my patterns and designs grow quickly and you can make them in bite size pieces so they are perfect for when you are on the go.

If you love crochet and feel it’s time to make something special take a look inside my collection. Visit my key collection here.....

Choosing Colours – Where to find inspiration

Deciding what colours to choose for your crochet projects can be difficult. What colours go together, complement each other or contrast. What colour are your favourites and what colours match your surroundings? What colours will highlight the stitches you have chosen, or perhaps the colours you choose help you decide which stitches and design to use.

Subtle shade combinations of the same colour create a sophisticated look and are an easy option. Repeating colours through a design brings harmony, it works in gardening and it works in crochet design. For example if you have five colours, repeat two or three times through your design as a repeating pattern.

Looking for something original or to fit with your home decor? I use a variety of sources for inspiration and here are some of my favourite sources of inspiration.

I often use the colour wheel that clothes stylists use. This works really well and can throw up some unusual combinations. Generally stylists use the colours of the four seasons, for example, summer colours are bright pinks, blues and lavenders. Winter includes colours such as forest green, dark grey and indigo blue. Autumns are copper, teal, bronze and deep oranges. Spring colours are subtle pinks pale greys and pale blue. The key to using the colour wheels is to choose colour combinations from the same season. Using autumn colours for example very deep orange, teal and bronze make a wonderful combination.

I also use kitchen, fire and bathroom tile designs for colours and patterns getting ideas from brochures, online and from home style magazines.Nature always produces the best colour combinatio
ns including different shades of green so check out gardening catalogues.

Interior design magazines always provide the latest trending colours and pattern inspiration
Paint catalogues are one of my favourite sources for colour combination inspiration. They not only provide inspiration but their colour ideas and combinations are bang up to date with new combinations coming out every year.

Finally check out the pantone web site for the latest colour trends for this season.

West Yorkshire Spinners

There are so many yarns and yarn suppliers to choose from, that it’s difficult to decide who to buy from and what to buy. Many companies import wool and yarn from a variety of sources and dye on mass others buy in yarn and hand dye! It’s lovely to come across a company that spin, dye and produce their own yarns and if you are in the UK the good news is that if you buy from West Yorkshire Spinners you are supporting a UK company and UK sheep farmers.

From a relatively small range of West Yorkshire Spinners have expanded and now offer choices in 4 ply, DK and Arran, including Blue faced, British Wool breeds, Jacobs, Mohair, Norweigean and Wensleydale. The selection of yarns they offer are all lovely quality and well priced with a good choice of colours and blends.

The British Wool breeds range, Aire Valley which I’ve tried in a double knitting blend comes in very punchy cocktail colours and blends in DK and Arran, it’s a wool rich blends with 75% wool.
I’ve used Illustrious, 70% Falkland wool and 30% British Alpaca, which comes in 100grm balls which produces 225metres.

Blue Faced Arran comes in 4 ply, DK and Arran in multi shades and a good selection of sock yarns. The gorgeous country birds collection is self striping and the autumn collection is has lovely greens and deep rusts. 100% blue faced Leicester DK 100 gm balls (224 metres).
Buy direct from West Yorkshire Spinners

Mixing up Yarns

There are many reasons to combine different yarns in your crochet projects and lots of benefits for doing this. For a start this is a great way to use up yarn scraps! Adding a different yarn adds another texture to your crochet work and gives a completely different look. This makes your work completely exclusive, no one will be able to create the same look even if they are using the same pattern.

How to do it?

Combine a different yarn from your main yarn as a stripe

Put an alternative yarn at the centre of a motif
Use a different yarn from your main yarn for the edging of a crochet blanket or throw
Mix up yarns as part of your whole project by using two yarns together e.g. a plain 4 ply yarn with a silky 4 ply
Use a different yarn to make crochet buttons to decorate your project. This works nicely on children’s clothing, when contrasting buttons looks lovely.
Use a different yarn for surface crochet, silky and tweed on plain looks good
Add your different yarn to a motif. For example if you are using a double knit yarn for your project  twist 2 yarns of 3 or 4 ply together to make alternative rows.

Hints

Use different weights and twist together
Use a tweed yarn with a plain yarn
Use a silky yarn with a plain yarn to turn your project into something really classy

Use other weights together in contrasting colours to your main yarn and you can double up 4ply and combine to a double knit based project. If you do this please be careful to check your tension is OK. Make a test piece to check your tension and to check the yarns look OK together and it’s worth experimenting.

Your alternative yarn doesn’t have to be the same type of yarn as your main yarn. I often combine tweed yarns with plain double knit and this looks really good and it’s surprising how many yarn colours a tweed yarn will complement.

It’s worth bearing in mind that if you use different type of weight yarns but from the same manufacturer you often find the dyes are the same, so colours will blend together well.

Using Crochet Flowers

There are any number of ways to create pretty crochet flowers from the simple to the more complicated and so many ways to use them. Crochet flowers on the top of a tea cosy will turn it into something very special. Crochet flowers as necklaces, on hats, children’s clothing and crochet bags lift homemade or bought items into something original to you. One of the loveliest ways to use flowers is to create a flower wreaths using a bought ring and it’s quite simple to make them seasonal.

The beauty of crochet flowers is that with a simple change of colour, yarn texture or change of yarn thickness you can alter the appearance of the flower completely.

Tea cosies bought or made by you look much prettier with crochet flowers decorating the top.
Hats, whether you make your own hat or buy one a crochet flower or group of flowers will turn your hat into a design unique just for you.

Crochet wreaths, make them seasonal by your choice of colours, seasonal flowers and the addition of crochet leaves, glitter, pom poms and beads.

Brooches and corsage with crochet flowers and leaves and berries are very popular. Even if you are new to crochet you can create a very pretty corsage. Add beads or decorative buttons for more impact!

Crochet flowers for hair decorations work in a similar way to brooches, just simplify the design using one or two flowers instead of three or four. Add a large grip pin fastening to the back.

One of my favourite flowers is the popcorn flower and I love these added to my own crochet bags or to the top of straw bags. Give your popcorn flowers a different coloured centre then make them with a shiny yarn or thicker yarn and put a button in the middle. You can also use popcorn flowers to crochet wreaths.

Decorate children’s clothing with daisy crochet flowers.

Add crochet flowers to cushions as a cluster or as part of your cushion design.

Crochet flowers on throws look better as part of the design or if you are making your throw with motifs. Join together with a crochet flower where the 4 point meet, this looks very effective!

Use a large flower as a fastener for scarves by adding a pin to the back, use a complimentary colour to your bought scarf.

Small crochet flowers make lovely buttons for children’s cardigans

Wensleydale Longwool Wool

I love trying our new yarns and have wanted to sample Wensleydale wool for a long time so when I visited their shop in Leyburn North Yorkshire on a lovely sunny day earlier this month I was in my element!  Leyburn is lovely and the Wensleydale shop is a treasure trove of yarn, accessories and finished items made using this local Yorkshire wool. If you get the chance make a visit to the shop, the staff are very knowledgeable and very keen to help and discuss your projects.

Made in very pretty Wensleydale using traditional Wensleydale Wool, this very warm yarn presents very good value. The Aran (worsted) yarn is £6.50 per 100gm ball. Double knitting yarn (light worsted) is £6.60 for a 100gm ball and £3.40 buys you the 4 ply in 50gm balls.

The wide  selection of colours includes some marls in the Aran weight which includes Natural, Aubergine, Buttertubs, Coral, Denim, Dusk, Fennel, Larch, Lime Sherbet, Marshmallow, Mizzle, Moonlight, Pomegranate, Storm, Teal, Wild Thyme and Thornton Rust. Yardage per 100g ball: 160m – 174yds and for knitting recommended needle size: 4.5mm (UK 7) with a tension of 19sts and 25 rows over stocking stitch 10cm x 10cm using 4.5mm needles.

Wensleydale Double Knitted(light worsted) also comes in 100 gram ball, colours are Natural, Natural Black, Buttertubs, Coral, Denim, Fennel, Larch, Lime Sherbet, Mizzle, Moonlight, Spruce, Storm, Wild Thyme, Marshmallow, Pomegranate and Thornton Rust. I used a 3.5mm hook 11 dc’s (sc’s) and 13 rows made 6 cm’s/2”. Yardage per 100g ball for the double knit is 235m/257yds with a recommended needle size of 3.75mm (UK 9).

Wensleydale 4 ply in 50 gram ball comes in Natural, Natural Black, Buttertubs, Larch, Fennel, Moonlight, Pomegranate, Marshmallow. Yardage per 50g ball: 170m – 186yds with a recommended needle size: 3.25mm (UK 10) and a tension of 27sts and 36 rows over st/st on 3.25mm needles over 10cm (4″) square

All these gorgeous Wensleydale yarns would be perfect for winter jackets, cardigans, scarfs and hats and gloves. Buy at the lovely shop in Leyburn north Yorkshire or online at https://www.wensleydalelongwool.co.uk/?v=79cba1185463

What to make with one ball of yarn

When you feel the need to create something in crochet but time, circumstances or the need to use up some of your stash makes it a necessity, what can you make with one or two balls of yarn?  Of course it all depends on the size of your ball of yarn and the thickness of the yarn, but even 1 ball of chunky or double knit (light worsted) can be used to make something.

One 50 gm ball of double knit (light worsted)  yarn will make one place mat or 4 coasters
Amigurumi are always popular and it’s easy to make a very cute amigurumi with one ball of double knit (light worsted) yarn.

With one 100gm ball of double knit (light worsted) you could make a cushion front. Just add a contrasting material back.

Crochet bootees or sandals for babies are gorgeous and a 50gm ball of yarn will be all you need.

A mug holder, made with two or three granny squares. It’s good to make something useful!

Christmas decorations. Use traditional colours such as white, red and bright green, but any colour will work with a few sparkly beads. One colour Christmas decorations look very sophisticated.

Lavender bags make delightful gifts and are ideal makes for fundraising events. They look lovely made with a cotton based yarn thick or thin.

Use one ball of double knit (light worsted) or chunky cotton to create a small storage basket to keep your jewellery or buttons safe

Crochet a necklace using a cotton based yarn, just add a few buttons or beads.

Crochet brooches are very pretty and take very little yarn.

Decorative crochet flowers are special. Add them to jumpers, hats, cushions or to make in a simple corsage.

Pom poms. Okay so not crochet but pom poms add something special to crochet hats, crochet flower wreaths and children’s jumpers.

Crochet key rings take very little yarn. You could make an entwined knot or a small amigurumi.

One ball of yarn will make a child’s hat.

Crochet headbands or ear warmers, pretty, chunky or elegant don’ take much yarn. Use wool based for warmth and cotton based for pretty flowery styles.

A book mark. Even a simple design will create something lovely to give as a special handmade gift or for fund raising.

Crochet Bags

Crochet bags are lovely and you can make them in a whole variety of styles and yarns from simple farmers market shoppers to more sophisticated clutch and trendy beach bags. Crochet bags can be as simple or as complicated to make as you want them to be! What shape or style  to make your bag?

Holdall bags are probably the most useful. My calico bag pattern can be a work bag, beach bag or shopper. Holdall bags are easy to make with either one shaped piece or 5 separate pieces for back, sides, and bottom. Make crochet holdalls big or large.

Half moon shape or clutch shapes big or small. Use motifs or a solid block of crochet. Use a simple crochet button or crochet flower as a fastening, big or small.

Traditional crochet string bags are the easiest and quickest to make. Best made with chunky yarns or thick cottons. The choice of colours in chunky cottons is lovely so you can go bright or subtle.

Lined or unlined bags. A lining prevents your bag from stretching and protects intricate designs from damage by contents. Use a contrasting design for the lining to add a high end look of your bag.

Duffle shape crochet bags with drawstrings are one of my favourite styles. Use motifs or make them intarsia (colour motif) style. Intarsia bags are simple to make but take some expertise in colour changing.

Traditional granny squares make lovely original bags. Use motifs square on or diagonally.

Handbag style crochet bags have a more formal shape and look good in subtle shades or shades of one colour.

Use stripes small or large, 3 large in blended shades of the same colour create a sophisticated look. Combine different yarns of the same weight to create a unique effect.

Embossed or raised designs including surface crochet are very effective particularly on holdalls. Use raised crochet to create tartan effects.

What sort of handles do you want? Crochet, wooden or bamboo handles or round handles all look good and round handles give a retro look. If you make a holdall style crochet bag you can make and line your own crochet handles.

Crochet bags with flowers. I love raised flowers on bags. These look really pretty around the top and handles of your bag. Use the same yarn or a contrast for your flowers and pick out the colours of your bag.

Crochet Throws

Throws are so useful, to snuggle up to when nights are cold, in the garden when days are a little cooler or just for when you need a bit of comfort! Crochet throws are fun to make. Not too big so they take too long to stitch but big enough to make an interesting project. And there are so many style choices!


Oblong,  this is the most useful size and oblong throws look better too 

Use one style of motif
Choose two or three complimentary style of motif

Use small or large motifs to make your throw or combine small and large together
Strips give you more scope for design choices. Make simple horizontal or vertical strips or fit together in a log cabin design.

Make your throw as one piece from top to bottom and build your design in rows

Start in the centre of your crochet throw and work outwards. This works well if you start with a large oblong central motif or one or two square motifs stitched together. You can then add another row of motifs to finish your throw

Use chunky, double knit or finer yarn. The thicker the yarn the more quickly your throw will grow. 

Finer yarns give more definition and thicker yarns work really well with popcorn stitches and cables. 

Finer yarns work beautifully with more intricate motifs to create a lovely lacy effect.

The yarn content is critical for what you want to use your throw for. A cotton or acrylic blend is ideal for summer throws. Wool blends are ideal if you want something warmer. 

Colour is critical to your finished effect, use one colour or multi colours. One colour creates a subtle effect. Stick to four or five colours for a sophisticated effect or use yarn scarps and take pot luck!

Ripple or zig zags stitches work well 

Textured stitches such as popcorns, clusters look classy in throws. Work as a whole or as individual motifs

Raised stitches and cables are brilliant if you use a thicker yarn 

Flower based motifs are lovely if you sue cotton or a cotton blend

If you want a more contemporary look go for diagonals, squares and triangular shapes

Entrelac or stitch is very useful if you want to create a picture design. Use dc’s (sc’s) or trebles (dc’s).

Sirdar Snuggly Spots review

Sirdar Snuggly spots is the perfect  yarn to use if you want to create an unusual finish without the need to change yarns. There are many yarns now available that create a variety of special effects but Sirdar snugly spots is a bit more unusual, it creates spots randomly as you work.

There are 16 colours to choose from. I’ve tried the very pale pretty spot, this gives a very subtle sprinkling of pale pink and pale lavender spots. The darker cosy spot produces more pronounced spots of orange and grey.

A 50g ball makes 165m/179 yards. Sirdar Snuggly is made with 55% nylon and 45% acrylic and is very easy to work with. It’s perfect for children’s clothing and blankets and soft scarfs. I used it to make the teddy (more on this in May!). I use hook size 3.25 but any size up to 4 mm would be fine.

I’d like to Snuggly spots for a crochet Arran style jacket using the speckle. This is my favourite in the large range of Snuggly spots. You could also use this yarn for throws and blankets, picking out the colour of the spots for contrasting yarns.

Buy from Deramores.com and woolwarehouse.co.uk

Finishing off

When you spend time making something special and original to you finishing off well will show your work in the best light. Remember if you are making something like a scarf both sides of your work will be on show!

Make one extra chain for a more secure finish before weaving in ends. Fastening off the ends of thicker yarns, thread through denser areas of the same colour.

To keep the back of your work tidy crochet over loose ends as you work if you can. This works well if you are working with a thicker yarn or making a close work pattern. Doing this also makes finishing off easier.

Make sure the corners of cushions or bags are fully pushed out, use the back of your hook to do this.
If you are using a fine cotton yarn block out your motifs and your work will look 100% better.
For cushions and scarfs block edges to get a crisp straight edge finish.

Depending on what you are making if your first chain row is a bit loose crochet a dc(sc) row at both edges of your work or all around.

Attaching a material lining or backing add right side to right side with your work and use a matching shade of cotton. Use stem stitch and your stitches will disappear into the fabric of your crochet stitches.

Use back stitch on the wrong side when stitching motifs together.

If you don’t like sewing you can double crochet or slip stitch motifs together or even use something a bit more complex to make the joining of the motifs a feature of your work.

Leave long ends when finishing off or changing yarn, so you have enough to fasten off securely.
Sounds obvious, but invest in a pair of sharp embroidery scissors to make your finish ends  neater
Trim pompons and tassels so all strands are even

If possible use your main thread for stitching on buttons

If you can crochet edgings directly on to cushions and baby clothes rather than stitching it on for a better and more secure finish.

Making cushions choose a cushion pad slightly larger than your finished cushion cover. Your cushion will look plumper and will show your work off more distinctly

If you are making button loops add a row of dc’s (sc’s) for more secure fastening than a simple row of chains.

Calico Crochet Bag Pattern Story

I made a crochet bag a couple of years ago, I love it and use it all the time. I decided to create another bag but something simpler that a beginner would be able to make. I wanted this design to use the same layout as the first one which makes a strong rigid and reliable bag that doesn’t stretch.

This latest design is quick and easy to make and you have the choice of making the basic pattern which looks really classy or adding on the surface crochet to lift the bag to an extra level, something that makes it really special. Even with the surface crochet this crochet bag is not as complicated as it looks!

Use your bag for your craft projects and it would look really stylish as a holdall or beach bag. Cotton yarn is lovely to use for summer patterns and using a cotton rich yarn makes for a good rigid bag. Adding a lining is not my favourite thing to do but is so worth it to stop your bag stretching and also protects your bag from damage by the contents you add.

I used a pale sage green as this is one of my favourite colours but the crochet bag would also look good in pink with a cream trim or a darker colour with a contrasting colour for the surface trim. You could also try this pattern in Sirdar Beachcomber which is a cotton rich yarn with slubs and comes in a range of blended colours. This finished bag would make the perfect beach bag, pick one of the colours from the blend for a contrasting lining.

Debbie Bliss Juliet

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.

It would make a lovely cover up or summer jacket. I made a summer shawl with motifs, which I designed for summer weddings. This lovely quality yarn would make a gorgeous holdall style bag particularly blended with a plain double knit yarn (light worsted).

I used a hook size 3.25mm (U.S. 3) and my motif is 9cm (4”) by 9cm (4”). Pay up to £4.50 and buy from Black Sheep Wools or Deramores.

My 10 favourite yarns and how and what to use them for

Sirdar Snuggly double knit (light worsted) is my all time favourite yarn. It’s soft, comes in a wide range of colours and crochets beautifully. It washes well, it’s soft enough to make a baby blanket or a throw. I’ve used it for scarves and it feels beautifully soft next to your skin. Well priced it would be too soft for a bag or basket.

Bergere de France. I’ve used a few of the Bergere yarns range. I started out with the double knit and it was my favourite yarn for throws and baby blankets, but Sirdar Snuggly won me over! The quality of the double knit is excellent and the range of colours tend to be brighter than Sirdar Snuggly so if you want something bright go for the Bergere. It is priced higher than the Sirdar double knit and this helped in my decision. Bergere De France washes well.

DMC Petra is a finer yarn and it comes in 3,5,8 weights. All are more suitable to lace type crochet. It has a gorgeous soft sheen and comes in a wide range of colours with some very welcome brighter colours. I’ve used number 3 and 8. It is slightly thicker than traditional lace crochet cottons so if you are new to lace crochet this would be a good yarn to start with. Petra would make a lovely light weight summer scarf and fine baby blanket or shawl.

Sirdar Calico DK(light worsted) cotton as with all Sirdar yarns is a well priced quality yarn. It crochets beautifully and I love the colour range which goes from subtle greens, and greys, pinks, amber and baby blue. It would make a lovely summer waistcoat or more formal style crochet jacket, summer knits and I’ve used it for baskets and bags. It is very soft but more rigid than double knit wool or acrylic.

Manos de Uruguay. I used Maxima to make a cascade scarf. It was a joy to use, soft, warm and cuddly and it has a lovely finish. This extra fine merino is a hand dyed yarn and this shows in the finish. You will find slubs and variations in the colour but I see this as a sign of originality and I love the finish this produces. Manos del Uruguay is a non profit cooperative of women in the countryside of Uruguay. Maxima is 100% merino wool.

Sugar n Cream Sugar n Cream is a soft and strong yarn Arran weight (worsted) and makes a relatively strong and rigid structure perfect for crochet baskets and bags. Hardwearing, it works perfectly for place mats and rugs. Excellently priced and 100% cotton Sugar and Cream is a very economical yarn to use for larger projects. It comes in multiple colours and different ranges from solid colours to the denim and ombre ranges. It is also available in stripes and twists to a more subtle scents range ideal for baby blankets. Available in 50gram balls  I’d love to try using Sugar n cream for coverings for jars and macramé plant hangers. Use Sugar n Cream to crochet children’s toys, bibs, and baby blankets, dishcloths and sandals.

Puppets Eldorado Puppets Eldorado cotton comes in a whole range of colours and sizes 6, 10, 12, 16. The traditional colours still exist but for a more contemporary look go for a darker colour. Colours range from pale pinks and blues to darker like a deep red, dark brown, black and dark green. I love the broze and gold yellow. Puppets Eldorado also comes in a range of lovely blends which I’ve used for my 3D flowers. I used Puppets Eldorado number 10 for my gold table runner and number 20 for my pot pourri bags, it’s 100% cotton and lovely quality. Use puppets Eldorado to make traditional doilies and table covers but for delicate edgings and flower trims for summer straw hats. Use Puppets Eldorado to make a lovely anniversary or wedding gift when crocheted to match bought towels.

Sirdar Baby Bamboo is a soft yarn with a lovely sheen and comes in a gorgeous choice of colours, pinks, red, shades of green and blue and more subtle greys and browns. I use Baby Bamboo a lot in cushions and baby blankets and you can see it here in my summer holdall.  Baby bamboo while reasonably priced does not go as far as other 50 gram yarns so it makes sense then to combine it with another type of yarn.

Louisa Harding Azalea is a soft 100% cotton DK(light worsted) print yarn that comes in a choice of subtle blended colours, including heather and rusty purple subtle blends with multiple colours per ball. Azalea has an elegant drape effect which you can see in the cascade scarf I made. Used in combination with a Bergere de France Ideal wool based yarn the result was a lovely soft drape tweed scarf. Azalea is perfect for beautiful warm weather knits and stunning shawls. As you would expect from a cotton yarn, it has fantastic stitch definition.  Azalea is machine washable.

Sirdar Crofter double knit (light worsted is a quality yarn priced well. Very soft it was designed to create a Fair Isle effect in knitted jumpers and cardigans. I’ve seen Crofter used in knitting to create that lovely Fair Isle look, but you can also use Crofter very effectively in crochet tops and jackets. When you use it for scarves, cushions or throws, Crofter will make a simple design look much more intricate than it really is.

Sirdar Crofter Review

 Sirdar Crofter double knit (light worsted is a quality yarn priced well. Very soft it was designed to create a Fair Isle effect in knitted jumpers and cardigans. 60% Acrylic and 25% Cotton a 50g ball gives a Yardage/metre of 170m/184y.

I’ve seen Crofter used in knitting to create that lovely Fair Isle look, but you can also use Crofter very effectively in crochet tops and jackets. When you use it for scarves, cushions or throws, Crofter will make a simple design look much more intricate than it really is.

Simple strips or motifs of double crochet Crofter looks very effective combined with other Sirdar yarns, such as Baby Bamboo and cottons. Crofter would be lovely used in a ripple pattern using plain colours contrasting or blending with the colours of the Crofter Fair Isle.

I used Crofter for my summer bag/work bag and I added strips of Sirdar Crofter in a blue/rust/brown blend in double crochet in between rows of Sirdar double knit (light worsted) Snuggly. To add interest and to tone in with it I used Sirdar Snuggly double knit in a rusty brown colour.

Sirdar Crofter comes in a range of colours with dyes that tone in with other Sirdar yarns. Choose from 21 colours including pinks, purples, heathers, oranges, grey, greens and a lovely pale sea grass.
Where to buy from.....

Tea cosy Story

The carnation is the flower for January. It represents love, fascination and distinction. Carnations  are such pretty flowers and thanks to modern growing techniques come in a whole variety of colours  including some with very attractive frilly edges. I made a hair decoration with my carnation flower design but it would also  look lovely as part of a corsage or added to a flower wreath.

I decided to add the crochet carnations to a tea cosy and I created the design for the cosy in a slightly different way. It’s made on the horizontal to create a pretty effect from the bands of raised stitches, This makes it easier to adapt the pattern for different tea pot sizes! Simply add more rows to make a taller cosy and start with more chains to make a wider cosy. 5 more chains make about half an inch.

It’s an easy pattern to make and you can make this tea pot with pom poms or hearts if you prefer.
Tea cosies are very English and very traditional! Once visiting France we took a teapot and cosy as we knew neither would be available in the holiday gite we stayed. The French owners clearly thought us very eccentric when they unexpectedly called.

I returned to one of my favourite yarns Sirdar Snuggly double knit, it’s soft and strong and comes in a range of colours. I like it because it is reliable, the quality is always the same and it crochets easily.
I wanted to create a ridge effect and a chunkier finish after all its purpose is to act as insulation.

Crochet Styles

What other craft is as flexible as crochet? With just a few basic crochet skills you can make throws, hats, scarfs, shawls and baskets. Who doesn’t enjoy making something that is original to them?  With a bit of practice slippers, sandals, delicate curtains and jewellery are all achievable. There is even a free form style of crochet and spectacular crochet art installations can be seen online. For a craft that has only been around for about 150 years, the range and scope of crochet is fascinating and is growing year on year.

The lovely thing about crochet more than other crafts is the variety of styles and techniques. Once you’ve mastered the basics your choices are limitless. Twenty crochet style ideas for you:

1. Different countries historically have different styles of crochet. One distinct styles of crochet comes from the Azores where you find lace with sun motifs.
2. Irish crochet is very delicate, intricate and distinctive. Much of it is made free without patterns to produce flowers, leaves and tiny berries.
3. Tunisian crochet is a cross between knitting and crochet. Made using a long needle with a hook at the end, it holds multiple loops on the hook. The result is a fabric that is beautifully textured.
4. Russia and eastern European adapted Irish crochet to form their own style. This is now used widely in free form to create the most intricate and delicate dresses, tops and exquisite wedding dresses. You can find subtle shades of one colour for free form crochet to create delicate scarves and jewellery.
5. In South America crochet is used to make bright Aztec inspired bags. 
6. Bavarian crochet is a fairly new term for an old crochet style of motif that is worked in two rows. The first row is a series of clusters, and the second row is a series of shell stitches worked into the post below the stitch. 
   
7. The development of affordable yarns and clever blends from national, international and independent producers and dyers has opened up a whole world of possibilities for crocheters of all skill levels. The choice of yarns from wools and blends in every weight from lace to super chunky, and yarn blends with Merino, Alpaca, cotton, silk and linen. 
8. Multi coloured yarns and the very popular sock yarns cleverly produce bands of colour to create regular stripes, Fair isle and a whole range of effects, using the simplest of stitches. 
9. Crochet doesn’t have to be restricted to traditional yarns crochet can be made with very fine and very thick cotton, garden string, recycled T shirts and even plastic carrier bags.
10. Jewellery and crochet shoes and sandals for children are very popular now. 
11. In the U.S. favourites are bright multi coloured throws, using variations of the traditional granny square. 
12. In Europe bright colours are also popular but you will also find intricate designs using fine wool based yarn from designers such as Sophie Digard. 
13. Choose what you make by style, Raised crochet, lacy, textured or shells or more intricate stitches. 
    
14. Choose styles by what you want to make, clothes, children’s, home, decorations, jewellery
15. Motifs are a whole category in their own right, make square ones or round ones. Then decide how you want to put them together, in panels, as a circle or with one motif in the centre and building rounds on rounds. 
    
16. You can also make crochet in panels or strips, which works very well for throws and blankets, giving you the chance to show case various stitches and techniques using a subtle blend of colours. 
17. Broomstick crochet gets its name from 19th century crocheters who used a broom handle to crochet lace. Using a broom handle isn’t necessary a large knitting needle will do the trick. The circumference of whatever you use determines how large your lace pattern is. It produces very pretty open clusters.
18. Filet crochet is an old technique and is made using one or two types of stitches to produce blocks of stitches and spaces. These can be used to produce images everything from flowers, faces and house scenes.
19. Overlay crochet is made by crocheting on top of crochet already made. This is done to create a 3D effect and to highlight specific areas of the original crochet
20. Amigurumi from Japan is a whole new world of crochet, using mainly one stitch. These are not as easy to make as they look!

Bergere de France 50 coton review

Coton fifty is a round twisted yarn, quite fine but not at all breakable. Made up of 50% acrylic and 50% cotton there are 20 different colours to choose from, bright to subtle and muted  including creams, greys, lime green to pinks and corals. Plums, browns, black and white complete the range.

Machine wash and tumble dry makes Coton fifty an easy care yarn. The combination of acrylic and cotton makes it easy to use and produces a soft firm finish with good stitch definition.  Cotton fifty would be good for summer jumpers or crochet mats and heavy weight small summer scarves.

A 50gm ball has approximately 140metres of yarn. I used a 2.5mm crochet hook to make the bookmark. 11 stitches made 2” (5cm) and 6 rows made 1” (2.5cm).

Where to buy 
http://www.bergeredefrance.co.uk/coton-fifty.html 
or laughinghens.com

Twenty ways crochet can transform your home

Everyone wants their home to be a warm and welcoming place that reflects their personality and that feels comfortable and safe for family to live in, a place to enjoy and relax in. Here are my twenty ways to do it.

Making your own crochet projects whether you design them yourself or follow a pattern by your choice of colours will always make your home something that is original and created in a style you love.

1. Add crochet blankets and throws to your lounge or bedroom they serve a purpose and look lovely on display.
2. Whatever your style your crochet projects will make your home homely, this might be in a cottagy style or in a modern, contemporary or elegant way, just choose what you like to make
3. Crochet cushions can be as easy as you like to make but instantly transform your lounge and bedrooms.
4. William Morris said “Have nothing in your houses that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.” Use this as a guide when deciding on crochet projects for your home. It will probably be both.
5. Make things that you can’t easily find in the shops such as cushions or throws to match your furniture or table mats, coasters and runners that match your decor.
6. Change your crochet makes with the seasons 
7. Make crochet projects for special occasion such as Christmas, Thanksgiving, Easter or family events
   
8. Take patterns you like and change the colours, the thickness of the yarn you use or the size of the project. 
9. Table runners are very fashionable now. Transform your home with your own original runners and mats for your kitchen diner.
10. Bring your whole family into creating special items for your home, everyone can have a go at tassels or pom poms
11. Crochet bunting for your kitchen
12. Mug holders and pot holders in your kitchen.
13. Make pretty crochet hangers for your children’s special clothes.
14. Add extras such as edgings or tassels to your crochet projects
15. Crochet baskets for your bedroom and kitchen.
16. Crochet mats and rugs for your hall and reception rooms
17. Add crochet flower wreaths on the doors
18. Make crochet pouffe, chair and seat covers
19. Something as simple as a crochet edging to a bought cushion or throw will transform your home

It doesn’t all have to be on display at the same time so you can create different moods for the different seasons or just to suit your mood.