Doulton Border Leicester Review

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 blends that have won a wool award, good for a try out of this lovely quality yarn.

I used a 3.5mm hook but a 4mm or 4.5mm would work with the DK. The full range of colours includes blues, oranges, brown, greens and a gorgeous lilac. All the colours are cleverly and carefully blended so any two colours will work well together. Check out the purple and orange I’ve used here. This yarn would be good for crochet scarves, hats and throws.

Buy direct from Doulton, visit the site here, or visit them at one of the many wool, yarn and craft events they attend around the UK. If you are into knitting they have a lovely collection of exclusive patterns and knitting kits. Buy here.....

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. 

How to crochet an evening Bag

Given that there are so many stunning yarns available some with sequins, some with metallic threads running through them and silk and mohair blends crochet evening bags can be as stunning and as sophisticated as any shop versions. They can make quick to make crochet projects for proms and weddings outfits for yourself or for gifts.

What shape to make your evening bag?
Clutch style bags are very easy to construct. Basically you just need one long strip of crochet with enough crochet to fold over to form a flap. I like to add a decorative edge to the flap of my bags and to the sides. If you decide to add a decorative edge to the side of your bag you can crochet your bag together saving time on sewing! You can also insert decorative rows, such as rows of clusters or shells into the long strip of crochet as you go along.

Round shaped evening bags are very pretty and the easiest way to make them is with five motifs, one for the bottom and four for the sides. This also has the benefit of giving you an endless choice of motifs and designs to choose from. Use a see through lacy motif and make your bag lining a fundamental part of your design.

Alternatively round evening bags can be made by using a round base and then building up the sides. Make your base plain and make the sides decorative with popcorn stitches or front and back posts. Start with 8dc’s (sc’s) and increase on each row beginning with an increase in every stitch. Then increase in every other stitch, into every second, then third and so on. Stop increasing to work up the sides.

Which yarn to use for your bag?
It’s surprising that even a wool based yarn can produce a lovely bag. Try a sequin yarn or one with a sparkly thread running through it or a silk blend for a touch of luxury. I like to use Double knit (light worsted yarn) but 4 ply or chunky would work just as well. Yarns with soft sheens make very elegant crochet evening bags, Sirdar Baby Bamboo DK (light worsted) is ideal as is Sirdar Toscana 100% cotton which is a gorgeous blended silky cotton. Cotton yarns make strong durable bags.

Crochet Evening Bag

Which stitches to use?
Double crochet (single crochets) stitches work well, as do half trebles (half double crochets) and these create a lovely ridge effortlessly. You can also use a looser stitch or open work lacy style crochet when the lining will show through and this can look very effective. Front and back row post stitches look good, create pretty ridges and are useful for defining changes in rows. For example use front posts trebles (dc’s) before you add a band of cluster stitches.

Finishing your bag
Always line your bag. This really does make the difference between a professional looking bag that will not only look better and be one that will last longer.  If you can line your bag with a cotton or cotton rich fabric to protect your work and to make your bag stronger.
Try to use a material lining that doesn’t fray. Satin or a satin stripe would look lovely as would a lining in a contrasting material to the crochet you have made. Line the base of your bag to prevent stretching and make sure you leave a small gap of crochet around the edge of your lining so you can stitch together.

Add a decorative fastening, a crochet flower or crochet button and you can also add beads to your yarn to crochet them in as you go along. Add a centre button or flower with a loop for a fastening . Add a decorative draw string to the top of tour bag with an oversized tassel and handle.
Handles crochet or bought?

Crochet Evening Bag

I like strong carrying handles on the bags I make 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, doing this creates a lovely strong tweed style 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.

My favourite yarn for summer scarves

I love soft drapey summer scarves, cover ups and shawls! Not only do they protect your arms and keep you warm on cool evenings they bring elegance to summer wedding outfits and a touch of class for summer parties. The choice of yarn is critical to the finish you want so I choose with care. Here are my favourites. All my choices of my favourite yarns for summer scarves are cottons and cotton blends. Cotton is soft and cool and generally is easy care. The combination of cotton with other yarns, brings in other elements, whether you add it yourself or the blend is part of the yarn you use, such as warmth, softness, stretch and an easier more satisfying yarn to work with.

Who couldn’t love a cotton cashmere blend?  Soft 90% cotton and 10% cashmere Louisa Harding Azalea comes in a choice of subtle colours. Azalea has an elegant drape effect which you can see in the zig zag scarf I made. Azalea is perfect for beautiful warm weather knits and stunning shawls. As you would expect from a cotton yarn, it has fantastic stitch definition.  Lovely on its own I used with another cotton yarn Toscana my number 2 favourite.

Sirdar Toscana Strong is a cool silky blended yarn perfect for summer crochet projects. Strong and firm I used it for a gorgeous summer crochet cover up. Toscana is 100% cotton and machine washable. I love the very subtle colour effects of Toscana, it comes in a pale teal purple, a cream coral blend, a blue/grey blend, a very pretty red/teal/red,  cream/sea green, pale orange/red and a cream/lavender blend.

My number 3 favourite yarn for summer scarves and shawls is Drops cotton merino, blended with merino wool this light yarn combines the cool soft strength of cotton with the soft warmth of merino wool. in 50gm balls and 29 lovely shades, I love the cerise and powder pink which would make a lovely soft, warm scarf and the mustard yellow would work well with coral.

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 for my summer shawl. The yarn has slubs which makes for a more interesting finish and gives an extra level of interest.

Debbie Bliss Eco baby is a Fair trade yarn and 100% organic cotton, perfect for anyone with allergies. The dye colours are non allergenic and non toxic, considering all of this it is well priced and perfect for delicate baby skins. However I love it for lacy shawls.

Rowan hand knit cotton in 50gm balls is 100% cotton and comes in fabulous range of colours its washable. This 100% cotton is a wonderful, soft yarn perfect for light, summery projects. It has great stitch definition perfectly. It is also available in a bright and pretty colour palette.

Crochet on the go

If like me you can’t go anywhere without a ball of yarn and a crochet hook, crochet on the go is a must but what to make and what to take?

Your project on the go has to be simple and easy to make without lots of different yarns and complicated patterns. Here’s what I do when travelling and crocheting, usually in a car, on a train and sometimes on a bus! I hope it helps!

1. Have one specific crochet project for making on the go, one that you can finish off later at home
2. Sometimes I simply make motifs using up yarn scraps and decide later what to use them for. I keep the yarn scraps in a large plastic container
3. Take a net bag to keep your work protected and so you can see what’s inside to make finding a specific yarn, motif or hook easier
4. Take a notepad and pen to keep track of where you are in a pattern and for the ideas and inspiration you have along the way
5. The obvious choice for a project on the go is motifs they are usually small and easily transported. They also have the benefit of been quick to complete, making them perfect for shorter journeys or on the way to and from work
6. Make sure your projects on the go are simple travelling can be full of distractions!
7. If you are using large balls of yarn rewind to make smaller ones so they are easier to transport
8. If you are making a garment just take one part to make, such as the front or back
9. You can also consider making a project with finer yarns, these are lighter and usually smaller to transport
10. Take along, as well as your yarn and crochet hook, scissors, darning needle (threaded through a piece of paper), small tape measure or folding ruler, the part of the pattern you need (photocopy to make it easier) and spare hook

Shell Motif Scarf

Who doesn’t love a wrap around crochet scarf or shawl? This elegant design combines practical use and beauty and the finished project can be used either as a shawl or a scarf. Based on a fan shape the design uses a motif with a simple filler based on the main motif. Once you have mastered the main motif the project will be easy for you to complete and it grows quickly. Make the scarf as big or as small as you want by adding or reducing the number of motifs.

To make this special scarf I used Sirdar No 1 DK 50% Acrylic which is soft and has a lovely sheen.  Sirdar No. 1 is made up of 50% Nylon 230m/251 yards it comes in 100gm balls and it goes a long way! If you use an alternative yarn check your tension against the instructions in the pattern. I used one colour to create a harmonious look. Teal one of my all time favourite colours but I think the scarf would look lovely in cream or black.

The shawl design is an open design perfect for cooler summer evenings with pretty fillers finished with a row of generous tassels. I designed the motifs so the centre is raised giving it extra depth. The motifs are made row on row with extra motifs added down the sides at an angle to balance the finished scarf. Grab the pattern here.....

Sirdar Toscana Yarn Review

Strong cool and silky Sirdar Toscana yarn is perfect for summer crochet projects. Strong and firm I used it for place mats and for a gorgeous summer crochet cover up. Toscana is 100% cotton and machine washable. 50grm balls make 212m/232yds, using a 3.50mm or 4mm crochet hook.

I love the very subtle colour effects of Toscana, described as a blend it’s very subtle with only slight changes in colour. It comes in Val d’orcia a pale teal purple, Arezzo is a cream coral blend and this is the colour option I used for my summer wedding cover up.  Siena is a blue/grey blend and Orbetello is a very pretty red/teal/red, much subtler than it sounds. Tropica is cream/sea green, Firenze is pale orange/red and Ravello is cream/lavender blend. Porto Azurro is a teal/cream blend.

I’ve also used Toscana to make a crochet teddy and I think it would be perfect for crochet bags, giving a strong rigid structure to crochet toes and holdalls.