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Friday, January 31, 2025

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 4

Block 7 is Brick Stitch

This is mostly Tss but uses Ttr (US-Tdc) to create the “Brick Wall” effect.

The Ttr is worked in to the same colour 2 rows below and missing the Tss in the row directly below, so that you still have the same number of loops on your hook at the end.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Friday, January 24, 2025

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 3

Block 5 is Tunisian Trebles (US - Tunisian Double Crochet)

This block is a little looser than the most of the other blocks but works up really quickly.

Block 6 is Waves

Another new stitch in this block.

The important thing to remember is that most Tunisian stitches are the same as their regular counterparts but with the last but one loop left on the hook.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Friday, January 17, 2025

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 2

Block 3 is Bamboo

This block builds on the basic Tss with a small twist to create a totally different effect.

Block 3 is Mini Wrap

Again, it builds on what we have already learned with a slightly different twist.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Friday, January 10, 2025

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 1

Block 1 is Tunisian Simple Stitch

This stitch is the Tunisian version of the Double Crochet (dc) in regular crochet or Single Crochet (sc) if you use US terms.

If you have never tried Tunisian before, there is also a photo tutorial included in the download.

Block 2 is Tricolour Tss.

It is just regular Tss but teaches you to change colours.

It is not too late to join the Tunisian Patchwork CAL if you would like to. Full details are on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Saturday, March 11, 2023

A Mad Tea Party

Block 5

“Twinkle, twinkle, little bat!
How I wonder what you're at!”

“You know the song perhaps?”
“I have heard something like it,” said Alice.
“It goes on, you know,” the Hatter continued, “in this way:

“Up above the world you fly,
Like a tea tray in the sky.”

Full information is on the regular CAL page at Rainbow Valley

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Drink me, Eat me!

However, this bottle was not marked `poison,' so Alice ventured to taste it, and finding it very nice, (it had, in fact, a sort of mixed flavour of cherry-tart, custard, pine-apple, roast turkey, toffee, and hot buttered toast), she very soon finished it off.

Soon her eye fell on a little glass box that was lying under the table: she opened it, and found in it a very small cake, on which the words `EAT ME' were beautifully marked in currants.

Full information is on the regular CAL page at Rainbow Valley

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Down the Rabbit Hole

How exciting is this, the very first block of Wonderland CAL has been released.
…but when the Rabbit actually took a watch out of its waistcoat-pocket, and looked at it, and then hurried on, Alice started to her feet, for it flashed across her mind that she had never before seen a rabbit with either a waistcoat-pocket, or a watch to take out of it…

Full information is on the regular CAL page at Rainbow Valley

Sunday, June 03, 2018

The final part of KMQ has just been released - meet Clawdia Crab.

I am really sorry to tell you that KMQ will be the last CAL for a little while.

They take a long time to design and produce, to the detriment of my other designing.

I plan on spending the next few months finishing off WIPs and getting some of the ideas running around my head out on to the hook.

However, I do have ideas for more CALs so there will be some later on.

If you haven't already got this pattern you can find more information on the CAL page on Rainbow Valley.

Monday, February 05, 2018

I am starting a new project - and it is one I can share with you. :D. My nieces are getting married and I wanted to make them something. After lengthy discussions, we have decided on a crocheted version of "Twister". Rather than the traditional 4 rows of 4 colours we are going for 6 rows of 6 colours chosen to compliment their wedding colours and we are going for dice rather than a spinner. If this works out, it may well end up as a new pattern, we just need to think of a name for it.

Friday, December 22, 2017

Kiss Me Quick

Meet "Kiss Me Quick".


The CAL will start in March 2018 and full details will be available in January on
Rainbow Valley


Sunday, March 12, 2017

Mini Flowers

Block 5.
This is actually the first block I designed for the Secret Garden but after discussion with the testers, we decided to go with a different order.

It is made with 9 mini blocks which are joined as you go. As always, please read the instructions carefully and refer back to the notes where necessary.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

Thursday, March 09, 2017

Just a few balls of yarn........

Having chosen the colours for the new CAL and finding out that Stylecraft prices are going up, I decided to get some in ready. I know I haven't started it yet (still working on this *&^%$£* commission) but it just seemed like the best thing to do in current circumstances.
Last Thursday, the delivery arrived. You know some things you imagine are always bigger when you see them in real life?

This delivery was HUGE.

Luckily, Kathryn was here. I gave her the easy job of standing there with the clipboard and checking off the packs as I unpacked and sorted them. Then I had the easy job of making lunch while Kathryn took the yarn upstairs.

When she had finished, she said "You didn't need to get into your spare room did you? I thought she was joking.

The afternoon was spent working on the computer.

That evening I decided to go and organise the spare room. Kathryn had not been joking.

It took me well over an hour to sort and stack the yarn. It is now all stacked neatly against the wall. You can get into the room and use the spare bed. However, if I have more than one visitor, they are going to have a yarn mattress.

The best bit of all of this was my son. He is away in London all week for college.
He came home Friday evening and took something upstairs and put it on the spare bed. On Saturday I asked if he had noticed anything.

"Why, what have you done?"

I didn't tell him. It turns out that he hadn't turned the light on when he had gone into the room. He went into the room Saturday evening, turned on the light, had a look around then said

"Did you buy a new lampshade?"

Sunday, February 26, 2017

You know how much I like to tease?


Partly because I have enjoyed the Secret Garden so much and partly because I am a sucker for punishment, I am planning another CAL - Space Odyssey.

Here are the colours I have chosen.
Saffron, Spice, Copper.
Teal, Aspen, Sage.
Cloud Blue, Aster, Royal.
Silver, Graphite, Black.
White, Lipstick.

More Butterflies

Block 4.
An important thing to be aware of is that it changes from rounds to rows and back to rounds.

You need to use a lot of numbered stitch markers on the butterfly. I suggest you use different coloured yarn and make a list giving each colour a number. The wing tips are attached through the bottom layer only. All other marked stitches are attached through both layers.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

Birthdays, Butterflies and Frogs.

Yesturday was my birthday. It was also the first Yarn Yard open day of 2017.

Benjamin made me some gorgeous Butterfly earrings.

He is studying at the Goldsmiths Centre in London and used some of his work experience time to make them.
Heather made me a cake.

Those of you who crochet will understand the theme perfectly!

The open day went well. I had a few visitors who had come for my birthday rather than the yarn.
It was not as busy as I had hoped but I had some customers I hadn't seen before and gained two new students. That made it quite a successful day as far as I am concerned.

The next one is on April 8th so make sure that you put it in your Diary.

Sunday, February 12, 2017

Following on........

Block 3.
The large flower is made in a sinilar way to the dragonfly which is why I chose this one next.

For more information go to the CAL web page.

Tuesday, January 31, 2017

Lupus and the Secret Garden.

I am donating the DK version of the Secret Garden to Lupus.

I have decided that the best way to raise money from is is with a prize draw via Just Giving. This way people from all over the world can take part and we can get lots of money.

You can join in by visiting my Just Giving page.

There is no minimum donation. For every £5 you donate, you will receive one entry into the prize draw. Please make sure you leave your full name and email address to enter.
The draw will be held on April 28th when the Crochet Along is over. The winner will be published on Facebook and notified by email.

Sunday, January 29, 2017

Block 2 is here.

I decided to release it a day early, mainly because I am at home all day to answer and questions.
This one is a Dragondfly. Again, it is made in all four colour ways

For more information go to the Secret Garden web page.

Monday, January 16, 2017

And we are off!

The long awaited first block of the Secret Garden was released today.

This one is a daisy with four small butterflies dancing around it. Each block is made in four different colour ways.

For more information go to the Secret Garden web page.

Wednesday, August 24, 2016

Cover girl



WooHoo! Great news I made the cover of Inside Crochet issue number 81 and not just a small photo but the main image.

For the lovely yarn I used please go to my online shop below I have made some suggestions of possible colour variations. Dont forget to share pictures of your completed sunrise stole on my facebook page as I would love to see them.