Crochet Cables

I love crochet cables. Actually, I love the whole effect of crocheted aran. I think I am going to be doing a lot more of it very soon.

Yes, it takes up a lot more yarn than regular crochet but it creates a thick and warm fabric - perfect for chilly autumn days. And just as perfect for fresh spring days!

To ease you in gradually, I have two new patterns which are quick and easy to make.

This is the Chunky version. Materials 2 balls Sirdar Click (chunky), 1 for the headband and 1 for the mitts. Equipment 6.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends. Tension (UK terms) 9 htr and 7 rows to 8 cm

And this is the Aran version. Materials 1 balls Cygnet Aran. Equipment 4.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends. Tension (UK terms) 11 htr and 9 rows to 8 cm

They are £1.50 each or both for £2.50. The Chunky version is finished and the Aran version is available for pre-order. It will be finished just as soon as I can get hold of a model. Its a bit difficult when they are in school all day and the light isn't so good by the time they get home!

Daisy & Sweetheart Couch Potatoes

These Cushion covers are designed to be fun items for your home.  They use a standard 16inch cushion insert. Materials:  Cygnet Aran: 4 x Harvest (A), 1 x Coffee (B), 1 x Red (C), and White (D), small amounts of Green and colour of choice for flower, 4 buttons.

Flower Power uses just over 2 balls of Harvest and Sweetheart uses just under 2 balls. 4 balls should be enough to complete both cushions.
As the flower and leaves are made and stitched on separately, you can use any yarn you would like to because size and tension is not important.
Equipment:  4.00mm hook and a needle for sewing in ends.
Tension:  15 dc and 20 rows to 10 cm
Graphs:  Written instructions and graphs are given for each cushion. You can follow which ever you find easiest.
Finished Size:  42cm (16 in) wide x 42cm (16in) tall.



Just click on any of the pictures to go to the site to buy the pattern.

I have been really naughty!

I haven't blogged in what seems like forever!

So, I am going to try to be good, and blog a bit more.

For those of you who don't know, I went to Ally Pally in London to demonstrate those gorgeous Tulip Etimo hooks. I hade a wonderful time. Four whole days at the Knit & Stitch show. Four whole days without cooking, cleaning and washing the dishes. And I got paid for it!

And, as you can see, it wasn't only me who had a good time. Thank you to everybody who came and made weekend very enjoyable! There are more photos on Facebook.

Design a bag

Have you seen this bag? Click on the picture to see more - but please make sure you are sitting down safely first. Who, on their right mind, would pay that much for one?????? Anyway, it sparked a bit of interest on my Facebook Page and now we are having a competition. And before you say, I can't crochet so I can't enter - you don't need to crochet it.

The "Design a Bag" competition is for you to do exactly that - design a bag.

You don't have to be a designer to enter, you don't even need to know how to crochet.

All you have to do is come up with a design and sketch it.

Then post the picture in the "Design a Bag" album.

Your bag can be any size, any shape, any colour. All I ask is that you use DMC Petra to design it. This is my favourite thread to use - and I have an enormous stash of it!

I have 30 of these 3 inch felt squares and if you can use these as well, that would be great. If not, it doesn't matter. I also have a stash of denim.........

I have asked a few of my friends from the Crochet world to help judge. We won't be judging on technical merit or how well you present your entry. We will all be picking our favourite 3 and those picked the most will win.

They are - Claire Montgomerie, Zoe Clements from love:crochet, Irene Strange, Ros Austin from Scarletdash and Cara Ackerman from DMC and, of course, me!

Rules:

1. Closing date for entries is March 31st, 2012.
2. One photo/sketch per entry so that we don't get confused - and some of us get confused easily. You can make this a sketch, a swatch or a combination of both. You can pin a swatch to the sketch and scan or photograph it or use a photo editing program to combine photos.
3. you may enter as many times as you wish with different designs.
4. The winner(s) will be chosen by a panel of judges will get a copy of the finished patterns.
5. I will be selling the finished pattern on my website and, by entering, you are giving your permission for me to do so. Your name will be included as the designer - unless you request otherwise.
6. I may also use some of the designs in later patterns and, by entering, you are giving your permission for me to do so. Your name will be included as the designer - unless you request otherwise.

So get your thinking hats on and your crayons out!

I am please to announce.......

.......That I have finished my Clematis pattern. And I am even more pleased to announce that it didn't take as long as I thought it would. I am not going to post loads of picture here but if you click on the link above, it will take you my site where you can see more.

About that Clematis.............

After being featured in Issue 26 of Inside Crochet, I have had lots of requests for the Clematis pattern. So I thought I had better get on and write it. It isn't a quick project as it will include the frame, stems, leaves, fluffy heads, six different flowers and three differnt buds. Well, if you are going to do something, best do it properly.

The original one was quite large and has attracted a lot of interest. The new one I am making for the pattern will be a lot smaller, the bamboo poles are about 40cm long. I have also crocheted the stems rather than luceted them as it is meant to be a crochet pattern.

I have also changed the colour of the leaves. I thought the new colour would look better but until I see them with the flowers, I am not so sure. I am hoping to have the pattern finished and up for sale by the end of the month. In the meantime, I will keep you updated on my progress.