Crochet Edgings

Carefully chosen crochet edgings lift any crochet project.  Traditionally we think of using crochet edgings for baby blankets but you can also add them to beautify a wide variety of crochet items.  Add them to jackets, throws, hats and scarves and they finish off a simple pattern. If you are making a gift with a beautiful edging the person receiving it will know you have gone that extra mile for them.

An edging can be as simple or complicated as you like and will frame your finished design. Or you can make the edging the main part of your design and this works particularly well if you are making a simple design.

Use one of the colours from your project for your edging

If your crochet project has popcorns or clusters add rows of these to your edging and finish with a simple row of dc’s (sc’s) to create a stunning effect.

Use a loose slip stitch using 2 colours from your project together or use them alternatively

Ruffle edgings look very pretty and these are deceptively simple to make. Make a row of double crochet (SC). On the next row work 4 dc into each dc of the previous row, then continue making rows of dc’s on dc. Add some colourful stripes and your cushion throw or waistcoat will look amazing.

Stitch your edging lengthwise by joining on to the last row of your work and create an edging row on row around your work.

Stitch your edging horizontally and you can also make an edging separately by making a number of chains for the width of edging you want and by working horizontally. Carry on until your edging is the length you need, then attach by sewing on to your work or slip stitch together. This creates a completely different look to your work.

Plain stripes – use the colors of your project to create stripes. Make this edging special by working into the back loops only on all or rows or alternative rows to create a very pretty ribbed effect. Make uneven rows of colours or switch between trebles and double crochet (SC’s) rows.

A final row of shells stitches, looks lovely on baby blankets. Depending on the size of your project make shells by working into every 3^rd or 4^th stitch (1dc 1htr 3tr 1htr 1dc).

To add a small simple frilly edging, use 1sl st 1ch all around

A simple picot edging adds elegance to any project. Make 3ch and sl st or dc (sc) into the first ch

Add rows of half tr’s and dc’s (sc’s) to create a contemporary look

Simple rows of tr’s (dc’s) and dc’s (sc’s) working in back loops are easy to make and create a contemporary look

Crochet edgings are not just perfect for pieces of crochet. The Victorians made crochet edgings in fine cotton thread to add to embroidered handkerchiefs, now we can add them to homemade furnishings and clothing.

Crochet scarf with acorn edging.....

Using Specialist yarns in crochet projects

I like to treat these yarns as specialist basically anything that has significant different elements from plain yarn such as:

• Boucle
• Yarn textured with a slub
• With a metallic strip running through the yarn
• Any yarn with sequins added
• Faux Fur
• Recycled T shirt yarn
• Twine
• Mohair

If theory you can use different yarns together as long as they are the same weight, but combining e.g boucle with plain yarn in crochet projects will not only create a completely different look but can affect the tension of your project. Using specialist yarns either on their own or in combination is easier in more flexible projects such as scarves, cushions and throws. Combining and using specialist yarns becomes more difficult if you are making garments when size and tension is crucial. 

Specialist yarns are usually more expensive so it makes sense to use them for the borders and trims on scarves and cushions. This works well with boucle yarns and yarns with slubs. You can also use these yarns as the main motif of a throw and use a plain yarn for joining and this works well in baby blankets. It makes sense that whatever you are making try a sample first

Use textured yarns for stripes in scarves and cushions. You can do this with boucle, faux fur, sequined and metallic yarns.

Metallic yarns can be tricky to work particularly if they have sequins through the yarn, they work beautifully for crochet evening bags as the main yarn or as a trim.

Twine is the ideal yarn for crochet baskets and I love to combine them with recycled T shirt yarns.

Some of my favourites

• Sirdar Crofter
• Sirdar Alpine
• Sirdar Soukie with sequins
• Nutscene have a fantastic selection of jute twine and string, fluorescent to subtle colours and everything in between
• Wool and the Gang have a small but quality selection of recycled t shirt yarns
• Rico Essentials mohair is a lovely combination yarn

Choosing Yarn for your Crochet throw

The patterns, designs and styles you choose for your crochet throws are probably the first thing to inspire you, but the yarn you choose is as crucial to the success of your crochet project. For throws and blankets I like to use Acrylic blends they are hardwearing, soft and easy care. The blends I choose as well as including Acrylic depend on what I’m making. Wool for picnic blankets, nylon, cotton  and merino blends for baby blankets and throws for the lounge or bedroom.

Some of my favourites are Sirdar Snuggly, Sirdar Dapple and Sirdar No 1 and Scheepjes Cotton Fun . Both Caron and Sirdar have a wide range of acrylic blend yarns. Acrylic yarns and blends wash well and are hard wearing with some specifically spun for baby projects perfect for baby blankets and soft throws.

Cheap or expensive yarn what’s the difference? 
Cheap doesn’t always mean inferior, as a better guide, gauge the yarn content against what it is you are making. Important is the yardage on the ball band and bear in mind that not all yarns of the same gauge and weight per ball or skein produce the same amount of yarn. Some expensive yarns for example have a greater yardage than cheaper equivalents. Add one expensive yarn to your throw and it will lift the whole design.

Should you stick to the yarn recommended in the pattern?
There is no doubt that yarns of the same weight vary greatly in the finish they produce. I’ve experimented with different yarns of the same weight and the same pattern and produced very different results, from smaller stitches to different length and different widthways tension. If you want to use an alternative yarn to the one recommended in your pattern check your tension carefully and adjust your hook size as necessary.

Should you go for mass produced or independent spinner and dyer?
Hand dyed yarn is gorgeous  and usually produces unique colour ways. If your throw is a gift or something for a special occasion then buying from an independent dyer is the one to go for.

Colour choice 
Mass produced yarn ranges offer the greatest choice of colours. The more popular the yarn the bigger the choice of colours. Acrylic baby yarn blends usually come in a wide range as do economy yarn ranges. Are you going for brights, subtle shades or contrasting yarns. Look for a wide selection of colours such as Scheepjes colour crafter. Bonus yarns are a good choice for main colours.

What weight?
My favourite is DK (light worsted) weight. Crochet grows quickly and shows good stitch definition. Chunky and Aran weights grow more quickly but stitch definition is not as good. 4ply and lace weight yarns look beautiful but take a long time to make!

Find throw pattterns here.....

Perfect crochet projects for spring and Summer

If like me you love to crochet warmer weather will not stop you wanting to create something and indulge in crochet projects. When the weather is hot it’s good to crochet something simple and something you can make while sitting in the garden, during your lunch break,  sitting in the park when you are on the beach and when you are on holiday.

It helps to have crochet projects that don’t use too many different colours, multiple balls and different yarns to carry around. Cotton yarn is the obvious choice for summer projects as cotton is cooler to work than wool and acrylic based yarns. My favourite cotton yarns include Sirdar Cotton DK (light worsted), Scheepjes Cotton Fun and Patons 4ply cotton.  Scheepjes cotton Fun comes in a fantastic range of bright colours, perfect for Summer projects and summer cushions. Patons 4 ply cotton has a range of colours ideal for making bright mandalas. Linen and bamboo yarns are also soft and cool to use in the summer. Avoid alpaca and mohair yarns and blends for summer crochet projects.

When the weather warms up what crochet projects can you take on? Motif based projects are the obvious choice. I also love to make crochet toys in cottons and to make large summer bolster cushions. Summer shawls in lightweight yarns are also easy to transport and easy to make in the summer.

Use small click topped boxes to secure your hooks, scissors, needles for end fastening and stitching motifs together. I also like to include my elephant cutter which includes a small measure for checking sizes and a yarn cutter.

Sounds obvious but I love crochet summer projects that produce useful finished items. Garden table mats, coasters and bowls and baskets in cotton and linen yarn on hotter days are perfect summer crochet projects. The great news is that once finished you can use them for your garden parties and barbeques.

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!

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.

How to Create Picture Crochet

Otherwise known as Intarsia you can use picture crochet to create a variety of crochet projects. For example one large crochet image for a cushion or a bag or make smaller motifs for cushions and scarves. You can use any weight of yarn for Intarsia crochet, but DK (light worsted) and 4ply (sport weight) work best. You will need to use a yarn with a good stitch definition or your design will be lost. Once you have perfected the yarn change of Intarsia using this style of crochet makes easy crochet projects as usually only one stitch is used, usually dc’s (sc’s).

Intarsia hints and tips

If you are using multiple colours wind small balls to reduce ‘taffle’
Start with two colour designs to build your confidence
Always carry the yarn across the back of your work
Don’t crochet over the yarn you have carried across the back or you will create double thickness fabric
For long stretches of one colour ‘catch up’ the yarn once or twice to avoid long stretches of yarn strands
Take care not to pull up your work as you carry the yarn across the back of your work

For an example of picture crochet see large square cushion

What can you make using Intarsia Crochet?

• Cushions
• Bags look fantastic using Intarsia designs check out Wayuu bags from Columbia and South America on Pinterest
• Scarves with snowflakes
• Tartan cushions and scarves
• Cushions with flowers
• Flowers and leaves work well
• Animals such as cats, dogs, rabbits work well as do birds and look great on children’s clothing
• Contemporary designs such as triangles, zigzags and oblongs

Where to find inspiration and original design ideas?

Anything that can be turned into a grid will work, cross stitch patterns with grids are a good resource or you can place a grid over an image you like. The design you choose shouldn’t be too complicated as it is difficult to create shades with crochet. Check that the grid will fit your crochet work, use 1 stitch on the grid as one or two stitches in your crochet. Crochet Patchwork Bag. 

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.

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

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.

Kaleidoscope cushion - design 13

Crochet Kaleidoscope cushion

My first Kaleidoscope cushion launched in April this year, featured multiple square motifs. The Kaleidoscope collection of three cushions are all inspired by my garden which is a bit wild and rambling! For the second of my Kaleidoscope cushions  You can see the first one here...I had the idea of one big square motif for the middle of the cushion. I had been experimenting with free form crochet and making ruffles which in free form add a 3D element to flowers and shells. I could see how using a ruffle would make a lovely edging for the cushion, so the two ideas came together!

When I designed this cushion late spring was here and wild campion was growing alongside ‘Lady's Mantle’ (alchamelia mollis) in the garden. It’s amazing how nature creates lovely combinations all by itself. The pretty pink of the taller campion was surrounded by the lime coloured leaves of Lady’s mantle and late spring showers made sparkly rain drops on the leaves lady’s mantle. This gave me the idea for the colours and the yarn for the second of the Kaleidoscope cushion.

My first Kaleidoscope cushion has a homely style. I wanted the second one to have a summery look and feel, something that would look good in a conservatory or on a garden chair. What yarn to use? I love Baby Bamboo! It’s a soft yarn with a lovely sheen and comes in a gorgeous choice of colours so it seemed the perfect choice. I use Baby Bamboo a lot, you can see it here in my summer holdall. When I designed this bag I used baby bamboo for the popcorn flowers and it really stands out.

For my second Kaleidoscope cushion, which is design number 13 I used 3 colours of baby bamboo, I used a lovely bright green and turquoise blue for the centre motif and added a pale pink for the ruffle edging. Read my Baby Bamboo review here.

Whatever I am designing I love combining yarns and the effects this produces. It makes a big difference to crochet projects. Baby Bamboo is reasonably priced but does not go as far as other 50gm yarns so it makes sense to combine it with something else. 

I decided on Sirdar baby cotton it is a rather dull looking yarn but is very soft and lovely to crochet with. Better still it goes a long way. The idea I had was to create a basic background effect with a heavier weight yarn to the finished cushion which would show case the lovely shiny baby bamboo and I think this has come off.

For the second Kaleidoscope cushion, Auriol Crochet design 13, I used 3 colours of Baby Bamboo a lovely bright green and turquoise blue for the centre motif with a pale pink for the ruffle edging.

I love fastening and I feel very strongly they should be a fundamental part of the design not just an add on. Kaleidoscope cushion 1 has big buttons on an envelope style fastening. Kaleidoscope is a bit more sophisticated with a different style of button. I added 2 buttons, but a row of buttons would look really good. You could pick any colour you sued in the cushion for the buttons or ix and match!

 I used hook size 3.50 (E4)

Like more? See the pattern here....

Hooked on Crochet FREE monthly!

Summer Crochet Bolster Cushion

One of my favourite things to crochet are cushions and I love making oversized square, bolster and big round cushions, in fact cushions in any unusual shape or size! Oversized and unusual shaped cushions look so distinctive and if you make them give you the opportunity to show off your skills, your colour and yarn choices to best effect. You can find the pattern for one of my oversized cushions here.

But making large and unusually sized crochet cushions can create challenges for finding cushion pads. Round and bolster pads are now readily available online and square cushions come in a variety of sizes, but anything else can be a bit of a challenge. If stuck I’ve used and adapted pillows and children’s duvets, even though I’m not a fan of sewing. This month I’m making a bolster cushion for the garden chair in my small courtyard garden which is a bit uncomfortable!

I wanted some subtle colours as a change for the multi coloured throw I made in the winter. I picked Rowan Creative linen yarn, in teal, which I found for sale in Norfolk yarns last autumn. I also chose a DMC Wooly merino yarn, in a limey yellow, which I found in a garden centre! I also added some Debbie Bliss cotton, creamy beige, which I bought in the remnant basket at Little Lamb Yarns in Hovingham North Yorkshire.

I decided to use double crochet (single crochet U.S.) for the cushion as it creates a nice dense texture which suits the yarn I am using. To add interest I made some of the panels horizontally and vertically. This is a technique I used in my ripple stitch bolster cushion and I really like the effect it this creates.

I am a bit addicted to popcorn stitch flowers. They are a bit fiddly but I find them very relaxing to make. While I was making a row of them for the joins in the cushions I laid some of them out in front of me. I noticed that grouped together they made a lovely big flower so I’m also using this somewhere in the design.

The design isn’t finished! I have a bit of a reputation of designing as I go along rather than designing on paper which I should do! More on the design next month and the pattern will be available in May.

 See more of my patterns here.....

Crochet Flower Embelishments

As you know by now I love embelishments, those little extras that make your crochet project something very special! This time I'm looking at flowers. There are so many lovely designs and any number of ways to use them. It's very easy to design your own and adapt existing designs, changing colours, working into the back of stitches and grouping together can all turn an existing design into your own original crochet flower..

I came across this flower design which is very simple to make, this group are for a crochet bag I'm working on at the moment. http://mamachee.com/

and I wanted to share with you one of my own flower designs.

This flower is very easy to make. I made the one in the picture using Bergere de France Coton with a 2.5mm crochet hook.

Start with 8 chain. Join with a slip stitch to form a ring. 2 chain, into the ring make 16 double crochet (single crochet). Join with skip stitch into top of first chain.

Next row 2 chain 1 double crochet (single crochet), 12 chain, 1 treble (double crochet) into 6th chain from the hook, 1 treble (double crochet) into next 7 chain. 1 double crochet (single crochet) into next double crochet (single crochet) of previous row. Repeat to end, 8 petals. Join with slip stitch to top of first chain, fasten off.

Here are a few ways I've used crochet flowers

How to Design a Crochet Throw

Do you dream of creating your own original crochet throw or cushion? Something special for your home or family that becomes your own heritage project? Designing and making an original cushion or throw can be much more than usng a pattern and simply changing the colours suggested.

However experienced or inexperienced in crochet you are designing your own crochet items is much easier than you think. A whole world of opportunities to create something truly original exists and you don't have to a creative genius to do. Even something as simple as changing colours or the layout of motifs and your crochet throw will look completely different from the original pattern.

Planning and designing is exciting! Pulling together yarns, ideas and patterns and motifs you love is very inspiring. then beginning my throws or cushions. will the finished item look exactly how I expected it to look, will I make some changes as I get into the project?  Planning is the first stage and it will save you time and money and means you will finish up with something you really love and is exactly what you want.

Throws can be square, oblong or round. Cushions might be square, round, small large, bolster style or small and delicate for your bedroom. Where will your finished crocheted item it go? Is it for your lounge, sun room or window seat.

Cushions, throws and blankets for children need to be softer while throws for outside need to be more robust. Are you going to use double knitting, Arran or 4 ply weight. Children's blankets look lovely in soft 4 ply.

The finer the yarn the greater the definition of the crochet stitches and you will have more opportunity to bring in colours and stitches. Use a thicker yarn and your project will grow more quickly, so if your impatient or are new to crochet, this might be the way to go.

Are you planning to use up all those balls of wool and yarn in your work basket. Are you going to use one type of yarn or would you like to introduce something special, such as a tweed finish, multi colour or yarn with a different content from your main yarn. It will have to be the same weight but it can be very effective. Do you want to make your throw or cushion to be made using motifs or in one piece or a combination of motifs and in the round.

How to make a tassel

When you put love into something you make it's worth spending time to make it into something to make it look good. It doesn't matter if you are making it for yourself or for someone else as a gift or to sell it. A few embellishments make a simple project very special.

I've been crocheting and embroidering for many years so I've learnt experimented and taught myself various techniques for bringing something special to crochet projects. Many years ago I made a large cushion as a commission. I added four large tassels with the wool left over. with big beads. They looked stunning.

I love to share so I've included some instructions on how to make tassels. I love doing this like all repetitive stuff its soothing and relaxing.

You don't need thousands to make something special

Work has kept me busy this week as has the garden. The weeds are growing and so is the wild garlic. The path down to the steam is filled with the heady scent of garlic as the wind gently blows through the trees and the dogs are busy rummaging in the comfrey.

As you will have noticed I've completed a few projects over the last few weeks. To be honest all but one have been unfinished projects started through the winter. I see a design on Pinterest and I have to try it, so it was with 'Sophie's Garden'. Forgetting to check the size of the finished motif I ploughed on and finished up with a large motif the size of a cushion.

Until last week I wasn't sure where I was going with it, but now you can see what I decided to do with it! And the reverse which I'm quite pleased with!

What I’m doing now

Hi crochet friends

The ripple stitch cushion I started earlier in April is finished! I made using left over wools from my big wool basket. As soon as I’d set the cushion on the window seat next to my patchwork crochet cushion I realised that many of the colours I’d used for the ripple stitch cushion where in the patchwork cushion. Even though the designs are completely different using some of the same colours means the two cushions  look lovely together.

With nothing to crochet on a rainy afternoon in May, I looked in my wool basket . There were  numerous odd balls of different coloured wool  so I settled to use them all up. I rummaged around and some of the same colours as the patchwork and ripple stitch cushion where there with a few more shades. So I decided to make a couple of cushions in different designs using the same colours.

The cushions are for the lounge. For so long I’ve been making stuff for everyone else I thought it was time for me. I get bored with one design so all the cushions will be different but the colours of each will all tie together.  As always colour combinations make the design effect completely different.

The lounge of our cottage can be quite dark, but my favourite part of the lounge, the big Georgian window that looks out onto the front lawn brings afternoon sun in. Under the window we have a large chest that  Sam the dog loves to sit on.

Back to the cupboard next to the fireplace where I keep my crochet books, but no ideas jumped out. On to Pinterest where I found the ‘circle of friends’ motif in various colour ways. It's an unusual pattern as it looks good on both the 'right' and the 'wrong' side.

When the showers stopped I went into the garden with the dogs and we sat on the covered seat and I began to make the first motif. I have been crocheting for many years but I don't usually get the first motif right. A few goes before I got the colour combinations I wanted.

I know that most people make all the motifs first and pile them up neatly but this drives me mad. I have to see what the finished item will look like or at least get some idea. In the past this has saved me time as I have either discovered faults with my design or I don't like the finished result. When I had made four motifs of the circle of friends complete I stitched them together.

It looks quite good, but somehow lacks that extra bit of sparkle I like, so I am going to crochet an edging around it, using some of the colours in the motifs. One colour per row and I think I'll either do a raised shell or a raised double crochet border.

After a perfect afternoon in the garden the first butterfly I'd seen this year flew across the comfrey plants.....

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Rainbow colours

Hi Crochet friends

I wonder why it is that when we think of nature we think of subtle and subdued colours? Looking out of the cottage window on a sunny day this spring the new grass in the field is vivid green.   Bright yellow celandines give the grass a hazy gold look. The new growth on the trees is lime green and the sky is bright blue.  The contrast of brilliant white blossom on the damson tree is anything but subtle!

It's not so long ago when bright coloured crochet blankets were made up of fluorescent coloured granny squares that gave crochet a bad name! Thankfully now wools and yarns give us quality, variety and a fantastic range of colours to choose from subtle to bright. Rainbow colours to turn a simple motif into a lovely bright design. And who doesn't on a dark gloomy day love to dive into a basket of rainbow coloured yarn.

To make something with rainbow colours you need a good spread of colours and they definitely work better when you use the same brand as the dyes work better together and this will show in your final design. If you are looking for rainbow yarn in one ball, sock yarns are a good choice and create interesting results.

Bright colours work well in motifs whether made in the round or in rows and are lovely used with ripple stitches when you can create lots of effects.

From a simple granny square to a more complicated motif, you can use close shades together, contrasts or pick one colour to feature a row of textured stitches.

Don't restrict your rainbow colours to standard double knitting yarn, there are so many wonderful choices from artisan spinners to bigger brands and retailers such as Deramores, Bergere de France and West Yorkshire spinners. Bigger brands and artisan spinners can give you a range of rainbow yarns - some wispy some and others with silk and mohair added. 

A plea to you! Whatever you make always use the best yarn you can afford. Quality yarn is easier to crochet with, the colours are better and the finished item that you have spent so much time making will have a quality finish.

For so many years I've used subtle colours to create throws and cushions, this really fought against my nature as I've always loved bright colours. My favourite winter throw always cheers me when its cold and dark, but I also love rainbow coloured throws and cushions set on the bench in my garden in the summer.

On warm summer evenings  watching the dogs rootling around the garden and paddling in the stream that runs along the bottom of the garden, listening to the birds and relaxing after a busy day. Not forgetting my basket of wool, crochet hook and tablet for ideas!

This post is my submission to the Deramores Craft Blog Competition 2015. Deramores is the UK’s number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies. Visit www.deramores.com for more details.