Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 10

Week 10 is all about joining the blocks. In a break from tradition, we are going to learn how to join the blocks half way through the CAL instead of at the end. For those who have never used Crab St before, there is a tutorial.

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.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 9

Block 13 is Tunisian Purl Stitch (Tps). Another new stitch which closely resembles purl stitch in knitting.

Block 14 is Basket Weave. This block is made using a combination of Tks and Tps to create a traditional basket weave effect.

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.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 8

Block 12 is Diamond Bobbles This block combines the techniques we learned in “Polish Star” and “Bobbles”. Make sure that you carefully read both picking up the loops and closing them before working each row.

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.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 7

Block 7 is Polish Star This block looks complicated but isn’t! Tss is used to put the loops on and the loops are made on the closing. The hardest part is lacing up the loops 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.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 6

Block 10 is Bobbles Bobbles are made using 3 Tunisian Double Trebles (Tdtr) in the same stitch then all 3 are taken off together.

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.

Tunisian Patchwork CAL,RVCAL2025,CAL,

Tunisian Patchwork CAL - Week 5

Block 8 is Tunisian Knit Stitch (Tks) This block teaches you a new stitch. For those who have not worked with Tunisian before, there is a separate photo tutorial to download.

Block 9 is Fans It uses stitches we have already learned combinined with the hook placement of Tks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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?"

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.