Innholdsfortegnelse for 75 i Simply Crochet

There’s nothing like new accessories to cheer you up as autumn approaches, and I loved designing the scarf in our travel-inspired collection. Mini motifs lend themselves to being turned into practically anything, as you’ll see on page 14 – they’re such good projects to do a bit on every time you get a minute, while you’re waiting for trains, buses, kids… Our festive booklet of decorations are great for making on the move, too – every year we say we’ll start our Christmas crafting earlier – and now we are. Go get hooking!…

No one does winter quite like the Scandinavians, so we’re looking to Denmark to keep us warm and decorate our homes this autumn. For your next crochet challenge, take a look at the to-die-for kits from Kit Couture in Copenhagen. The 70s-inspired Utö Top is ideal for pulling over a vest while the sun is still shining or over long-sleeved layers as the evenings draw in. The kit is priced at €70 and includes their Shiny Cotton yarn in a choice of six colour combos. It’s not just garments on offer, though – choose from baby toys, cushions and blankets, too. Check out the Helnæs cushion kit, to be worked up in Tunisian crochet with Merino yarn. See www.kitcouture.eu and find them on Instagram at @kitcouturecph.…

YOU WILL NEED • Ricorumi DK (100% cotton, 25g/57m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Light Brown (052) Yarn B Beige (055) Yarn C Beige (055) A small amount of: Yarn D Black (060) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Stitch marker • 8x8cm piece of brown felt • 38mm brooch bar (available at www.the-beadshop.co.uk) For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.co.uk MEASUREMENTS The Brooch measures 4x7cm (1½x2¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Sloths are everywhere right now. They’re the Instagram motif of the moment, so you’ll be bang on trend. They may just hang around and cause trouble very slowly, but they’re super quick to hook! NOTES The Sloth Brooch is made by working in the amigurumi method unless otherwise directed. Work in…

“They asked if I could dream up some food-themed bikini tops for kids.” Oh, yes! I’m so excited that fall is coming! The leaves on the trees don’t really change colour in amazing displays around here in the San Francisco Bay Area, but all the decorations in the craft stores start filling with warm orange hues and spicy, cinnamon scents – plus, it’s exactly the time to start crocheting my most favourite and signature projects of all: SCARVES! More on that later. This summer, I had the pleasure of collaborating on a fun, warm-weather collection with one of my favourite indie children’s clothing brands, Tiny Bangs (tinybangs.com), based in Los Angeles. They asked if I could dream up some food-themed bikini tops for five-to-nine-year-olds. I’d never worked on any bikini…

YOU WILL NEED • Schoppel Zauberball Crazy (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/420m), 2 balls of Malerwinkel (2334) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION A single Motif measures 8cm (3¼in) in diameter MEASUREMENTS The Shawl measures 135x55cm (53¼x21¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 You’re never too old to be a flower girl with this fabulous motif shawl. Hooked up in Schoppel’s multi-coloured yarn, Zauberball Crazy, the motifs link into each other in an unusual way, and it’ll be fun to hook. It’s light enough to fold down in your handbag or pop into a backpack for festival weekends, too. NOTES The Shawl is made up of 77 individual Motifs which are joined as you go. Starting…

HOOK to HOOK Vicky Gorry “This challenge really took me out of my comfort zone! I don’t usually use such fine yarn and this was my first adventure in jewellery design, but I was really excited to be trying something new. Inspired by the beautiful, pastel colours, I started with a few delicate little flowers, then played with shapes to create a sweet, romantic design that I love and is easier to make than you might think.” Follow Vicky’s creative adventures on Instagram @veraandbess. Sara Scales “As soon as I saw the yarn was 3ply cotton and the theme was jewellery, my mind started working overtime – so many ideas all at once! I realised that simple was the way to go and the faithful granny square won the day…

When Matt, the designer and blogger behind A Boy and Bunting, started crocheting eight years ago, he was looking for a new hobby that suited his busy lifestyle. “I was working as a dancer on a show and wanted a hobby to keep me busy between scenes. A friend of mine was already crocheting, so I asked him to teach me the basics. It’s a great hobby to get stuck into without breaking the bank.” As can often be the case, mastering tension was a learning curve. “I would end up with really tight stitches, then really loose stitches. There was no consistency to my work, so it took me a little moment to figure that out.” But conquering this brought new opportunities. “I went on to focus more on…

Designer Emma creates beautiful, super-soft mother and baby items for her brand, Stitching Me Softy. Motherhood was the catalyst for her crochet journey. “I’ve always been a creative person and after having children I needed something that was easy to put down and pick up. Once I got over my initial frustration of not being instantly perfect, I began to really enjoy the structure and uniformity of the stitch patterns.” It was while pregnant with her third daughter that Emma’s hobby evolved into something more. “I wanted to make a geometric Aztec-inspired baby blanket and I discovered intarsia crochet. I love how you can create something that looks really complicated, but in reality it’s still just simple rows of the same stitch. It ultimately gave me the push to set…

HUE, SHADE, TONE AND TINT ‘Hue’ means a colour, and ‘shade’, ‘tone’ and ‘tint’ apply to variations on that colour, adding black, grey or white to achieve specific effects. This info will help you find the right colours and make decisions on choosing colours for projects. SHADE Adding black to the original hue will give a rich, intense appearance. TONE Add grey to the original hue for subtle, sophisticated results. TINT Adding white to the original hue will make a softer, pastel palette. Made in association with Yarn and Colors. For stockist information see www.yarnandcolors.com…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 3 balls of each: Peony Pink (086), Forest (088) 2 balls of Amazon (087) 1 ball of Green Beryl (077) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For stockists contact Yarn and Colors www.yarnandcolors.com TENSION 19 sts over 20 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over st pattern MEASUREMENTS Bag measures 34x42cm (13½x16½in) ABBREVIATIONS FPdtr/FPttr Yrh 2/3 times, insert hook behind post from R to L, yrh, bring hook back, (yrh, pull through first 2 loops on hook) 3/4 times Once you’ve hooked up this on-trend tote, you’ll be heading to the shops just to show it off. Kate’s rich foliage really pops off the pink background. Jungle chic, baby. NOTES The Tote is made up of a front…

ARROW MOTIF ROW 1 Ch2, dc in 2nd ch from hook, turn. ROW 2 Ch1 (does not count as st), 2dc, turn. ROWS 3-9 Ch1, dc in each st to last st, 2dc in last st, turn. ROW 10 Ss in first 4 sts, ch1, dc in same place as last ss and in next 2 sts, leave remaining 3 sts unworked. ROWS 11-18 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each st across, turn. FASTEN OFF and weave in ends. BERGERE DE FRANCE CAPRICE WEIGHT Chunky CONTENT 75% acrylic, 15% wool, 10% polyester BALL 50g/80m HOOK 6.5mm RRP £5.99 Bergère’s new Caprice ticks several boxes when it comes to unique features. To start with, the 10% wool content in the blend gives it a nice fuzzy halo. It…

THE LOWDOWN It’s simple to be in with a chance of winning one of three great hooky prizes in a future issue! Show us your Simply Crochet makes on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or via email or post by 14 September 2018. For all terms and conditions, and more information, visit www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk/competitionrules COMPETITION RULES By Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited (“Promoter”). By taking part in one of our Competitions, you agree to be bound by these Competition Rules. Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified. No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. Proof of posting (if relevant) shall not be deemed proof of delivery. Entries must be submitted by an individual (not via any agency or similar) and, unless otherwise stated, are limited to one per household.…

1 When you’re hooking with a magic ball, you might need to be careful about where the knots end up, even though they’re quite small. For neatness, you ideally want the knots to sit at the back of the work. There’s a handy trick you can use to do this – just undo three or four stitches and rework them just a little bit tighter or looser to alter the position of the knot so it sits in a better place. 2 You can use a rainbow or ombre magic ball in so many different ways, or create a magic ball with random colours. Try combining any one of these with a large ball of a neutral-coloured yarn between each colour change to create interesting stripe effects. 3 The possibilities…

Most crochet patterns state the tension required, in rows and stitches of a specific type. Make a swatch at least 15cm square and check that your tension matches. Place a ruler across the swatch and insert two pins, 10cm apart. Then place the ruler along a column of stitches and insert two pins 10cm apart. Count the stitches and rows between the pins – if you have less than the pattern, your tension is too loose so you need to use a smaller hook, but if you have too many, use a larger hook. It’s usually better to match the stitches than rows, because you can always work more or fewer rows.…

YOU WILL NEED To make all decorations shown: • King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool, 50g/104m), 1 ball of each: Gold (55) Fuchsia (787) Cranberry (703) Bayleaf (3088) Chestnut (3089) • A 3.5mm (US G/6) hook • Stitch marker • Small amount of toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION Tension is not critical for these projects MEASUREMENTS Star 9cm (3½in) across Bell 5cm (2in) high Bauble 6cm (2¼in) across Cinnamon stick 8cm (3¼in) long Tree 12cm (4¾in) high Candle 7cm (2¾in) high Present 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in) square ABBREVIATIONS See individual projects for special abbreviations For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet magazine ABBREVIATIONS Trtr Yrh 3 times, insert hook in stitch, yrh and pull up loop, (yrh and draw…

NOTES The Cinnamon Stick is worked in a continuous spiral without closing off the round with a ss. It may help to use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. CINNAMON STICKS (MAKE 5) Using Chestnut, ch4, ss to first ch to join into a loop. Round 1 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the loop. [6 sts] Rounds 2-20 Dc in each st around. Round 21 Dc2tog 3 times. [3 sts] Fasten off. BOW AND HANGER Using Cranberry or Bayleaf, ch20, ss to first ch to join into a ring. Round 1 Ch1 (does not count as st), dc in each ch around, ss to first st to join. [20 sts] Round 2 *Ch8, ss into st…

NOTES Two Present pieces are made and then joined together to give a firmer finish. PRESENT (MAKE 2) Using Bayleaf, Fuchsia or Cranberry, ch12. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook and each ch to end, turn. [11 sts] Rows 2-11 Ch1, dc in each st, turn. Fasten off. Repeat Rows 1-11 to make the second Present but do not fasten off. TO MAKE UP Place pieces on top of each other with WS facing, continue with main colour. Round 1 (Work through stitches on both motifs) *dc in each row end or st to corner, 3dc in corner; repeat from * 3 more times. Fasten off. BOW AND HANGER Join Fuchsia, Gold or Bayleaf (refer to picture) into the centre st on one side, surface crochet chains…

ERINNA LEE You might recognise Erinna’s sweet amigurumi from her @littleaquagirl Instagram account. This issue she’s introducing us to Bettie the super-cute badger, on page 38. SHARNA MOORE Textiles graduate Sharna has a penchant for designing lovely things and this issue she delights us again. Switch up a plain tote with her pretty mandala design on page 66. SUE PINNER Sue’s crochet designs stretch back decades and she never fails to inspire. Her luxurious blanket is just the thing for when autumn creeps in – see it on page 59. VICKI ROBERTS Vicki loves to hook ponchos (among many other things), so making a brooch to pin on one seemed like a great idea. We agree. Find her divine little sloth brooch on page 27. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Annelise Brant, Kate…

Every month, three subscribers win a prize as a thank you for their loyalty. This month, the winners (below) will each receive this great book, Hook, Stitch & Give by designer Kat Goldin. Jaime Foster, Peterlee Laura Beaton, Lisburn Rachel Bowling, York Immediate Media Company, publishers of Simply Crochet, Subs Stars giveaway Terms and Conditions: Prizes were dispatched before the on-sale date of this issue. There are no cash alternatives. Three winning entries will be chosen at random from all current subscribers. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into.…

1 FALLING LEAVES Even in the summer there’s always a bit of us that can’t wait for all that gorgeous autumn colour. Enjoy it all year round with this fab Falling Leaves wallhanging from our issue 36. You can find the pattern on www.ravelry.com 2 LEAF MARKERS Where have all those leaves gone from the trees? Onto our crochet, that’s where! Find these stitch markers on Etsy from TheWoollyTangle. 3 FOXY FRIEND Meet Henry J Fox, a dapper fellow who enjoys showing off his fashionable red suit in the autumn. Henry was in issue 35 – find the pattern on www.ravelry.com 4 ACORNS ARE CUTE From tiny acorns grow mighty oaks… be careful where you put these beauties, then! Find them on Etsy from CuddlingaCactus. 5…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Linen Drape (70% viscose, 30% linen), 100g/186m) Natural (3901) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A 3.75mm (US F/5) hook For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION 17 sts and 8 rows measures 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 3.75 mm hook over stitch pattern ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 It’s not too late to hook up a lacy top, and this hearty beauty works just as well over a little vest top on warm autumn days as over a long-sleeved tee when the clouds come in. You don’t need a chart for this nifty number – enjoy the two-stitch pattern and working with this versatile linen yarn. It’s a…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 100g/295m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Black (1002) Yarn B White (1001) Yarn C Pale Rose (1080) Yarn D Aster (1003) Yarn E Spring Green (1316) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • Toy stuffing • A pair of 7mm black safety eyes • Black stranded cotton • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Badger measures 18cm (7in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 It’s all about the flowers this month. Whether Bettie is dressed up for a flower show or simply a trip to Anthropologie (she’ll fit right in), she’s a very cute character. Making her for wedding gifts? Change her colours to match the theme. NOTES…

YOU WILL NEED • James C Brett Northern Lights (95% acrylic, 5% viscose, 150g/450m), 4 balls of: Yarn A (NL3) • WYS Signature 4ply (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/400m), 2 balls of: Yarn B Blue Lagoon (831) 1 ball of each: Yarn C Sherbert Fizz (847) Yarn D Tequila Sunrise (856) Yarn E Rum Paradise (822) • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For James C Brett stockists contact your usual retailer For yarn stockists for West Yorkshire Spinners contact 01535 664500 www.wys.com TENSION 5½ v-sts and 7 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) with a strand of Northern Lights and Signature 4ply held together MEASUREMENTS Blanket measures 165x138cm (65x54¼in) from corner to corner ABBREVIATIONS v-st A v-st is made up of a pair of tr. When instructed to work into…

For designer Eleonora, from Coastal Crochet, the craft has always been a part of life. “My mother crocheted her own wedding dress in 1974 and I was wrapped in a hand-stitched blankets soon after I was born.” Little wonder Eleonora has been picking up her hooks since she was a teenager. “I adore the portability of crochet. It’s a craft you can take anywhere with you and I really do!” It was the use of charts for designing and colourwork, as well as for use in filet crochet designs, that really marked a turning point for Eleonora. “I started by using basic graph paper and pencils to create patterns which I could then use in my designs. Then I discovered online tools, such as Stitch Fiddle, which have enabled me…

Bryony was introduced to granny squares at a making session at a friend’s house five years ago. “I loved the small-scale nature of making the squares. I could do one in an evening and see I was making progress.” As well as designing for Simply Crochet, Bryony works on lots of personal creative projects. “I like to make up my own designs, and I’m inspired by social media. A while ago I had a picture in my mind of a jumper I wanted to make – it was going to be chunky with a good drape, but which stitch to use? I have a stitch dictionary, but nothing jumped out at me. On Instagram, I saw that Hannah Cross had posted some really nice moss stitch, so I checked Pinterest…

My first word was hello and my second, green. It leapfrogged into my vocabulary early, little me sitting in my highchair as Mum painted the kitchen so boldly, the word passing between us like a ball. It was a bright green, moored by pale wood and large windows. A botanical harmony that I’ve chased ever since, painting stairs and cupboards and bedrooms. Looking back I can now see where my love (or let’s admit it, greediness) for colour began. Green is a colour that sweeps through nature from the delicate shades of pea, grass and moss to the emerald depths of the jungle and the dark heart of a forest. It is the one family where the majority of its hues are named for the natural world, and the colour…

All the projects in our new Crochet Colour Class series are made using the Yarn and Colors Must-Have range, one of eight ranges the brand now carries. (We love the matching 10g Must-Have minis!) Owner Koen says, “With lots of love and care we have created a colour range of 100 different shades, forming the foundation of Yarn and Colors. All our ranges are based on this colour palette, creating an assortment where not only can colours easily be combined but the different yarns can be effortlessly mixed, too.”…

Like your gadgets? Download the latest issue of Simply Crochet for FREE right away and enjoy the next issue for FREE too, with our no obligation trial offer. We’ll bring you all our usual inspiring features and fresh ideas straight to your device – a great solution for crafters on thex go, or if you can’t always find a physical copy in stores near you. * In the App Store search ‘simply crochet’ also available on Google and Nook iPad is a trademark of Apple Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. App Store is a service mark of Apple Inc. NOOK is a registered trademark of Barnes & Noble, Inc. NOOK Tablet is a trademark of Barnes & Noble, Inc *Free trial not available on…

Complete the final stitch, then cut the yarn about 15cm from the work. Pull it through the last loop on the hook and pull to close the loop. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and weave into the back of the work. Most crochet items don’t need a lot of blocking, but cotton lace work usually does. To do this, carefully pin out the item with rust-proof pins, mist with a water spray and leave to dry naturally.…

As a rule, in my crochet life, I’m always looking to try a new technique or style, most of which I post to my blog to inspire others. Recently, I’d set myself the project of redecorating my new craft room and I chose a beautiful, blue Moroccan-style wallpaper. It coordinated with a Moroccan lantern I’d been given as a gift and I became really interested in North African and Islamic designs. I started to look around Pinterest to get an idea of the shapes and geometry of Arabic art and invested in two books that would inspire my crochet adventures: Islamic Geometric Patterns and Islamic Design Workbook, both by Eric Broug. My chosen treasure to share is my Torus Scarf that I made recently and showed on my blog. A…

ABBREVIATIONS Bobble Leave the loop of Bayleaf on the hook and continue in the next st using Fuchsia (yrh, insert hook into st, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 4 times (there should now be 1 loop in Bayleaf and 4 loops in Gold on the hook), using Bayleaf, yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook (bobble made) NOTES The Bauble is made working in a continuous spiral without closing off the round with a ss. It may help to use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. BAUBLE Using Gold, ch4, ss to first ch to join into a loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the…

ABBREVIATIONS Bobble Leave the loop of Chestnut/Bayleaf on the hook, continue in next st using the yarn indicated, (yrh, insert hook into st, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 4 times (there should now be 1 loop in Chestnut/Bayleaf and 4 loops in the alternate colour on the hook), using Chestnut/ Bayleaf, yrh, draw through all 5 loops on hook GINGERBREAD TREE (MAKE 2) Using Chestnut, ch2. (Replace Chestnut with Bayleaf for the green tree) Row 1 (RS) 3dc in second ch from hook, turn. [3 sts] Row 2 Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in next 2 sts, turn. [4 sts] Rows 3-6 Ch1, 2dc in first st, dc in each st to end, turn. [8 sts] Row 7 Ch1, 2dc in first…

DELICIOUS CROCHET SHAWLS LISA COOK (£14.95, Tuva Publishing) Wrap up in style this season with this fabulous collection of shawls, all designed to inspire the senses and evoke the scent of fruits, from raspberry ripple to gooseberry fool. The patterns are designed for crafters of all skill levels, using a range of different crochet stitches. CROCHET WITH STRING JEMIMA SCHLEE (£5.99, GMC ) This mini book has the aim of putting that long-forgotten ball of string hiding out at the back of the drawer to good use. Even garden twine gets the creative touch, with projects such as candle holders, pouffes, purses, trivets and coasters. ANIMAL BACKPACKS KRISTI SIMPSON (£11.99, Leisure Arts) Given the choice, wouldn’t you have wanted an animal backpack to carry your lunch and books to school?…

1 To work a treble crochet, start by winding yrh and then insert the hook under the top two loops of the stitch on the previous row. 2 Wrap the yarn around the hook (yrh), and pull the yarn through the stitch only. 3 You will now have 3 loops on the hook. Yrh again, and draw the yarn through the first 2 loops on the hook. 4 You will now have 2 loops on the hook. Yrh again, and draw the yarn through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. Your treble crochet will be complete.…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Belle (53% cotton, 33% viscose, 14% linen, 50g/120m), Dark Violet (19) Violet (18), Silver (06) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 23 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern using a 4mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Width a: 57.5 (62.5: 68: 73)cm 22½ (24½: 26¾: 28¾)in Length b: 61 (62: 64: 66)cm 24 (24½: 25¼: 25¾)in Sleeve Length c: 42cm 16¼in What’s not to love about this casual jumper with a cosmic feel? Designer Bryony Hitchcock says, “this is worked in moss or seed stitch, which is fast to hook,…

YOU WILL NEED • Hoooked Spesso Chunky Cotton (100% cotton, 500g/127m) 2 balls of each: Pine, Lagoon 1 ball of each: Spring, Gris • A 10mm (US N/15) hook • Stranded cotton in matching colours Yarn available from www.hoooked.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project MEASUREMENTS Each Motif measures approx 12cm (4¾in) in diameter Finished Rug measures approx 108cm (42½in) in diameter ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Turning circles into hexies – who’d have thought? This soft, sturdy beauty is made up of chunky cotton circle motifs in complementary shades, individually hooked, then sewn together. Esme Crick’s simple rug will look great in the lounge or even as a bath mat. NOTES The Rug is made up of 61 Motifs which are sewn…

With a career spanning more than 30 years, New York designer and author Margaret has written many knitting and crochet books, plus she regularly teaches at yarn shops, retreats and events. “I learned to knit as a child, but didn’t learn crochet until the age of 19. Early on, I always wanted to experiment, changing conventional stitches, adding my own touches.” This didn’t always translate easily to commercial designing. “I’m afraid I drove tech editors a little mad, because I didn’t follow the ‘norm’. I eventually learned to write instructions to fit publications’ formats and learned that my way actually had a name. They call it ‘freeform’.” Margaret has been an innovator. “I have figured out a way to write instructions for freeform garments. Some critcis will say that it…

YOU WILL NEED • Lily Sugar ’n Cream (100% cotton, 71g/109m) 1 ball of each: Hot Green (1712) Hot Purple (1317) Ecru (0004) Rose Pink (0046) Blueberry (1725) Dazzle Blue (1131) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • A plain tote bag 40x38cm (15¾x15in) (available at Hobbycraft, www.hobbycraft.co.uk) For yarn stockists contact Readicut 01162 713 759 www.readicut.co.uk TENSION The first 3 rounds of the Mandala measure 7.5cm (3in) in diameter MEASUREMENTS Mandala measures 26cm (10¼in) in diameter ABBREVIATIONS Spiked dc Insert hook into st specified, yrh and pull up a loop to the height of the current round, yrh, pull through the two loops on the hook For a full list, see page 92 We love a good upcycling project and your plain canvas totes will be utterly…

A complementary colour scheme takes two colours sitting opposite each on the colour wheel. This arrangement provides the strongest possible contrast between two colours, however, it can pay to tread cautiously as the combination can be jarring. A simple way to make this work is by playing with tints, which is when white is added. In this case, I have used Peony Pink for the tropical leaf bag.…

YOU WILL NEED • Bergère de France Coton Fifty (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 50g/140m), 1 ball of each: Ficelle (23906) (beige) Petrolier (23956) (deep blue) Perle (21976) (grey) Turquoise (24420) Cytise (23132) (yellow) Nectarine (24419) Gingembre (42653) (orange) Bleuet (29307) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Cardboard, small piece • Polyester stuffing For yarn stockists contact Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but try to maintain a firm tension so the stuffing isn’t visible between your stitches MEASUREMENTS Draught Excluder measures approx 85x13cm (33½x5in) before stuffing ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Keep your home cosy and chic with this ethnic-inspired draught excluder. Give tapestry crochet a try while you’re at it. NOTES The Draught Excluder sleeve…

SUMMER TEE @alicecloseknit made a fantastic job of hooking up this cute sleeveless top from our issue 70. We’re loving the gorgeous colour of yarn Alice chose too. She used Knitcraft Cotton Blend in Coral. Very summery! MANDALA MAKE It was great to spot issue 73’s mandala on @craftoyarn’s feed. She said, “I changed the colours to give a more sunny look. Now the question is: should I use it as a doily or a wall hanging?” SNUGGLE UP @pangolin_at_home made issue 25’s poncho and said, “What possessed me to make this poncho in the sweltering heat I don’t know…” Ha! We hate to say it, but we’re sure you’ll be glad of it soon……

For any crocheter with a stash of yummy yarn, there’s always a problem: what to do with all those little odds and ends of yarn, often left over from old projects. Well, we have the perfect idea for using up those random little balls and creating some unique, colourful projects: tie them together! The easiest way to do this is with a ‘magic knot’, and in this workshop we’ll show you how to do it. CLEVER JOIN The magic knot is a way to join together two pieces of yarn with a super-strong knot that won’t come undone and that doesn’t leave any ends to weave in – result! You can use this knot to join together as many random little balls as you like, in whatever colour theme or…

HOLDING THE HOOK Try these methods and see which works best. PENCIL METHOD Hold the hook like a pencil, in your right hand (if you’re right-handed), about 3-5cm from the hooked end. If your hook has a flat area, you’ll find it comfortable to hold it here. KNIFE METHOD Hold the hook between your thumb and forefinger, about 3-5cm from the hooked end, resting the end of the hook against your palm. This will give you lots of control. HOLDING THE YARN Even tension results in even stitches. METHOD ONE Pass the ball end of the yarn between the little finger and third fingers of your left hand (if you are right-handed), then behind the third and middle fingers, over your index finger. METHOD TWO Loop the ball end of…

Made in association with Scheepjes. For stockists visit www.scheepjes.com This is the eighth pattern in our Hook ‘n’ Learn blanket crochet-along, which we’re running over the year. Perfect for beginners and fun for more experienced stitchers, you’ll learn how to do 12 attractive stitches, then we’ll show you how to put it all together in the last issue. This issue, try Lucy’s textured Puff stitch. Choose between the beautiful soft shades of Stone Washed XL, or the bright tones of Colour Crafter (or go mad and make both!). Please note: if you’re making the Colour Crafter version you’ll need to make two Puff Stitch Blocks. STONE WASHED XL Make one Puff Stitch Block • Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m), 1 ball of Morganite (874) • A…

Just five balls of King Cole’s super soft Merino Blend DK yarn are all you need to make this sweet set of decorations. Add your own 3.5mm hook, a stitch marker and a little bit of toy stuffing and it’ll be Christmas in no time. We have 12 bundles of King Cole Merino Blend DK up for grabs, each including the five balls of yarn needed to make our festive beauties! Enter today at http://competition.immediate.co.uk/scm75xmas Closing date 26 October 2018. Open to UK residents only. See www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk for full terms and conditions.…

NOTES The Candle is made working in a continuous spiral without closing off the round with a ss. It may help to use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. CANDLE Using Bayleaf or Fuchsia, ch4, ss to first ch to join into a loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 Dc in bl of each st around. Rounds 4-20 Dc in each st around. Round 21 Repeat Round 3. Gently fill candle with toy stuffing. Round 22 Dc2tog 6 times, draw yarn through remaining 6 sts to close. Fasten off and pull ends down through the centre of the Candle…

NOTES The Bell is made working in a continuous spiral without closing off the round with a ss. It may help to use a stitch marker in the last stitch of each round, moving it up as you work. BELL Using Gold, ch4, ss to first ch to form a loop. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 6dc into the loop. [6 sts] Round 2 2dc in each st around. [12 sts] Round 3 (Dc in next st, 2dc in next st) 6 times. [18 sts] Round 4 (2dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts) 6 times. [24 sts] Rounds 5-11 Dc in each st around. Round 12 Change to Fuchsia, repeat Round 5. Round 13 Change to Gold, repeat Round 5. Round 14 (2dc…