Innholdsfortegnelse for 110 i Simply Crochet

The Magic Carpet Throw CAL has landed! Rosina Plane has designed our beautiful throw using the intricate yet easy mosaic crochet technique, so take a look on page 71. Get all the WYS yarn to hook it FREE when you subscribe – see page 36. Or, if too much yarn is your problem, then our stashbusting collection on page 14 is for you. And don’t miss the summery poncho on page 50 to get you in the mood for sunshine. Please share your makes on Instagram tagged #sctreblemaker, or on our Facebook group Simply Crochet SCtreblemakers, as we love seeing them!…

MODERN GUIDE TO TEXTURED CROCHET LEE SARTORI (£14.99,SearchPress) Learn how to create tactile, textured crochet for making wonderful items for the home and wardrobe with this collection of 40 versatile stitches. Expand your crochet know-how as you move from basic techniques, through an array of fascinating new stitches designed to introduce inspiring dimensional effects into your crochet work. 150 FAVORITE CROCHET MOTIFS YOKO HATTA (£14.99, Tuttle Publishing) Popular knitwear designer Yoko Hatta shows you creative ways to use yarn scraps and your own sense of design. You’ll find really simple to deliciously intricate motifs all waiting to be incorporated into your latest crochet projects. There’s plenty of ideas for using colour, from offbeat mono-and duo-chromatic arrangements to splashy, multicoloured pieces. CUDDLE BUDDIES SHARON COMPTON (£3.60 aprox, Leisure Arts) The little…

BLANKET Use Emma Leith’s design as an excuse to let loose on those bright yarns you’ve not got around to using yet Approx400gofanywhite DK Approx 600g of any DK in multiple colours A 4mm (US G/6) hook TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Large Squares measure 15x15cm (6x6in) Medium Squares measure 10x10cm (4x4in) Small Squares measure 5x5cm (2x2in) Blanket measures approx 120x120cm (47¼x 47¼in) NOTES Blanket is made up of Square motifs, which are joined as you go (JAYG). Beginning with the central section, make and join 36 Large Squares. Edging is worked around this section before making and joining 80 Small Squares. Edging is worked again before making and joining Medium Squares. It’s vital that the Squares…

YOU WILL NEED DebbieBlissCottonDK(100% cotton, 50g/84m) 2 balls of Ecru (02) 1 ball of Putty (19) A small amount of any DK cotton yarn in yellow, pink, green, purple Black stranded cotton A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact LoveCrafts 01409 404010 www.lovecrafts.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Lamb measures approx 25cm (9¾in) long ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 It’s the time of year that you’ll see lambs gambolling in fields if you’re lucky enough to live near a sheep farm. If not, hook up this sleeping one who has just tired itself out. NOTES Pattern is worked in the amigurumi…

1 Sewing with a tapestry needle is the regular and neat way to join seams. Place pieces of crochet WS together and oversew them as above, using a tapestry or yarn needle. 2 To slip stitch a seam, place the crochet pieces RS together. *Insert hook through both edge stitches, yrh, pull through to complete 1 slip stitch; rep from *, keeping the work fairly loose. 3 For a dc seam, place the crochet pieces RS together, or WS together for a visible seam. Work as for slip stitch seam, using double crochet instead of slip stitch. 4 A useful variation on the dc seam, the dc and chain seam is used when you need less bulk and/or greater flexibility in the seam. Work as for the dc seam, but…

1 Wrap yarn round hook (yrh), insert hook into stitch indicated, yrh and pull through a loop of yarn. Bring the loop up to the same height as a treble stitch. 2 Repeat from * in step 1 twice more (or as instructed in the pattern). You will now have 7 loops on the hook. Work yrh and carefully pull this through all the loops on the hook. 3 You will have formed a puff stitch with 3 repeats. Vary the number of repeats from * to create a puff stitch with 4 or 5 repeats – the more repeats you work, the larger the puff stitch will look. 4 To secure and complete the puff stitch, chain 1 (yrh and pull through 1 loop). On the next row, the…

1 Use a pin to mark the position of the button, lining up with the buttonhole. Secure yarn on WS of fabric and thread onto tapestry needle. Bring needle out at pin mark and through button. 2 Push the needle back through the button and the fabric, pulling the yarn firmly. Bring the needle out through the fabric and button, and back down again. 3 Take yarn to the front of the fabric, but under button and NOT through button. Wrap yarn round twice, pull yarn tight (to create a shank and prevent fraying). 4 Take the yarn to the back of the fabric and weave in end to secure.…

Win a digital copy of the next Simply Cochet issue! Enter by voting for your favourite on Instagram #hooktohook @simplycrochetmag HOOK TO HOOK Miranda Nippert “When I got a chance to be a part of the Hook to Hook challenge I knew I wanted to make something versatile and simple. I love incorporating my style with the ease and use of basic crochet stitches. I also got to try out a yarn I hadn’t before. Wool and the Gang’s Ra Ra Raffia yarn was surprisingly fun and glided right off my hook! This bag is absolutely perfect for any beach or lake trips.” Find Miranda on Instagram at @Crazy4CrochetMomma Sy Peddleston “When I think of the beach, I immediately picture the waves. I wanted to create a design that moves…

YOU WILL NEED Materials are for the whole Throw WestYorkshireSpinnersColourLab DK (100% wool, 100g/225m) 5 balls of ArcticWhite011 2 balls of DeepTeal716 2 balls of BottleGreen363 2 balls of ElectricBlue364 3 balls of CoralCrush361 A 3.25mm (US D/3) hook for border in Part 7 only A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION Inset Mosaic Pattern 1: 18 sts and 23 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 3.5mm hook or size needed to obtain tension Overlay Mosaic Pattern 1: 18 sts and 9 rows to measure 10x5cm (4x2in) over pattern using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain tension You may need to adjust your hook sizes to get the same number of…

Rachael of Cat and Sparrow has been dyeing fibre for a while, with the siren call of yarn always there in the back of her mind. She’d done a little dyeing of yarn when she first started weaving, but really got into it in 2016. It took a while for her to understand how different it is to dyeing fibre! FREEDOM OF EXPERIMENTATION Rachael draws her colour ideas from all sorts of things. “I do love food photography – some of the colours are so rich and intense. Sometimes I’ll be asked to dye something inspired by a specific set of colours or a theme. I like to layer colours to see what effects I can produce. Other times I’ll just go into the studio and try things out without…

Make and measure a swatch to check your tension 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 WestYorkshireSpinnersBoPeep Pure (100% wool, 50g/112m) 1 skein of Dandelion (446) West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Luxury Baby (52% wool, 48% nylon, 50g/112m) 1 ball of Sailboat (144) West Yorkshire Spinners Illustrious DK (70% wool 30% alpaca, 100g/225m) A small amount of Antique Gold (203) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook 2 safety eyes, 9mm diameter Black stranded cotton Pipe cleaner Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Tom Kitten measures approx 16cm (6½in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 of Simply Crochet magazine The trouble with playing outdoors in your Sunday best is that you’ll do them some damage. Tom Kitten…

YOU WILL NEED WestYorkshireSpinnersIllustriousDK (70% wool, 30% alpaca, 100g/225m) 1 skein of each: Fern (344) Claret (508) A small amount of Old Lace (010) West Yorkshire Spinners Colour Lab (100% wool, 100g/225m) A small amount of Pear Green (186) West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Luxury Baby (52% wool, 48% nylon, 50g/112m) A small amount of each: Carousel (836) Incy Wincy (099) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook 2 safety eyes, 12mm 2 pipe cleaners (optional) Black stranded cotton Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Mr. Jeremy Fisher measures approx 26cm (10¼in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 of Simply Crochet magazine This fishing…

SIMPLE STEPS HOW TO WORK A MAGIC LOOP 1 To start a magic loop, don’t make a slipknot. Instead, make a loop with the yarn, leaving a tail around 10cm long. Make sure the tail end is under the working yarn. 2 Insert your hook into the loop, from front to back. Wrap the working yarn round the hook anticlockwise and pull the yarn through the loop. 3 Make a t-ch for the sts you want to work (above, we made 1 t-ch for dc). Now work the sts into the magic loop, making sure you work over both the loop and the tail end (so, 2 yarn strands). 4 Once you’ve worked all the stitches you need, pull the tail end of the yarn to close the ring.…

ROSINA PLANE Rosina started crochet designing in 2018. She uses many techniques, but her absolute favourite is mosaic crochet. Find part one of her mosaic crochet throw CAL on page 71. LISA STURMEY Lisa is the designer behind Ellie’s Craft Boutique and loves all things amigurumi. Once she went from knitting toys to crocheting them, she never looked back. See her lamb on page 33. FRAN MORGAN Not only does Fran have an enviable eye for colour, but she’s also a dab hand at inventing brand new stitches. Check out her striped jumper for men on page 46. CASSIE WARD Cassie loves to design garments, inspired by a love of fashion and desire to be different. Crochet is good therapy for her anxious mind. Find her long-line waistcoat on page…

14–16 MAY Indie Untangled Everywhere £5.10 approx, virtual www.indieuntangled.com/everywhere 21–23 MAY Unravel festival (in-person and virtual) Prices vary, Farnham Maltings, Surrey www.unravelfestival.com 29 MAY Virtual Yorkshire Yarn Fest www.yorkshireyarnfest.com 19 JUNE Tunisian crochet for beginners £30, virtual bit.ly/TunisianCrochetBeg Listen to the Yarndale 2020 talks from crochet designers Christina Hadderingh, Kwannie Cheng and more at www.yarndale.co.uk/talks-2020…

YOU WILL NEED JamesCBrettTop Value DK (100% acrylic, 100g/290m) White28 Black30See table for measurements and yarn quantities We used 1 ball of DK stash yarn in the following 16 colours: mustard lightyellow orange lightpink green pastelgreen bluegreen lightblue lightturquoise turquoise darkpurple lilac purple neonlightpink red neonpink A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact James C. Brett www.jamescbrett.co.uk TENSION Motif measures 10 (11: 12: 13)cm 4 (4¼: 4¾: 5¼)in square using a 4.5mm hook or size required to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 Bust width a: 50 (55: 60: 65)cm, 19¾ (21½: 23½: 25½)in Length b: 112 (123: 122: 119)cm, 44 (48½: 48: 46¾)in Armhole depth c: 20 (22: 24: 26)cm, 7¾ (8½: 9½: 10¼)in Waistcoats are one of the hottest looks for…

YOU WILL NEED DebbieBlissCottonDenimDK (100% cotton, 100g/200m) Milk06 NewDenim02 TrueBlue03 See table for measurements and yarn quantities A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook A 4mm (US G/6) hook A stitch marker For yarn stockists contact LoveCrafts 01409 404010 www.lovecrafts.com For a 15% off code go page 34 TENSION 16 sts and 10 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over patt using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 Chest width a: 52.5 (55: 57.5: 60: 62.5: 65: 67.5)cm, 20½ (21½: 22½: 23½: 24½: 25½: 26½)in Length b: 66 (67: 68: 69: 70: 71: 72)cm, 26 (26½: 26¾: 27: 27½: 28: 28¼)in Sleeve length c: 49 (50: 50: 52: 52: 52: 52)cm, 19¼ (19¾: 19¾: 20½: 20½: 20½: 20½)in Making…

YOU WILL NEED KingColeCottonTopDK (78% acrylic, 22% cotton, 100g/260m) 6 balls of Cream (4217) 1 ball of each: Blue (4218) Rose (4220) Teal (4224) Lilac (4225) A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION Each square measures 9x9cm (3½x3½in) MEASUREMENTS Throw measures approx 85x95cm (33½x37½in) ABBREVIATIONS pc (popcorn) 4tr in the same sp, remove live loop from hook, insert hook in first tr, place live loop back on hook and pull through st, ch1 to secure beg pc Ch3 (counts as first tr), 3tr in same sp, work as pc inserting hook in top of beg ch-3 For a full list, see page 94 An easy yet stunning homewares project to work on – make a couple of squares a day and…

Our high street has been a tough environment for retailers for many years, even before the coronavirus pandemic hit us. Local yarn shops, just like all other ‘non-essential’ stores, have faced local and national restrictions. Owners have been forced to change how they work, and then close completely, switching to online and postal sales in order to survive. In short, it’s been an extremely difficult year for everyone involved. But thankfully things are starting to change and here’s a reminder of what you can find when you visit a yarn shop near you. FANTASTIC RESOURCE Juliet Bernard from UK Hand Knitting says that now, more than ever, we need to support our local yarn shops as they offer so much more to us crocheters than online-only retailers. “Yarn shops and…

YOU WILL NEED PhildarPhilCoton3(100% cotton, 50g/121m) 1 ball of each: Pastèque (2460) Soleil (0045) Gold (0073) Berlingot (0076) Violet (0038) Golf (0044) Phildar Phil Coton 2 (100% cotton, 50g/177m) 4 balls of Blanc (1225) A 2.5mm (US C/1 or D/2) hook 3 buttons, 1cm diameter Cushion pad, 45x45cm For yarn stockists contact LoveCrafts 01409 404010 www.lovecrafts.com TENSION 18 sts and 16 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over half treble crochet using a 2.5mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS To fit cushion pad measuring 45x45cm (17¾x17¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 Refreshing your space and can’t decide on the accent colour? Why not accommodate them all in a combination of two crochet trends. The brightness of the rainbow stripes are contained within the…

YOU WILL NEED CatandSparrowHandDyed Oh So Fine Lace (55% Bluefaced Leicester wool, 45% silk, 100g/600m) 1 skein of The Undersea World of Jacques Cousteau A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook 1 hoop, 15cm diameter 2 hoops, 20cm diameter 1 hoop, 30cm diameter 32 beads, size 10 Beading needle For yarn stockists contact www.catandsparrow.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Lantern measures approx 55cm (21¾in) long ABBREVIATIONS picot (Dc, ch3, dc) in same st beaded picot Ch2, bring bead up to hook, ch1, ss in last ch from hook For a full list, see page 94 A decorative lantern will certainly be an intriguing and original homeware edition indoors or outdoors. The beauty of a hanging ornament is…

SUNGLASSES MOTIF Ch17. ROW 1 Dc in second ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [16 dc] ROW 2 Ch1, dc in first 3 sts, ch8, skip 4 sts, dc in next 2 sts, ch8, skip 4 sts, dc in next 3 sts, turn. [8 dc, 2 ch-8 sps] ROW 3 Ss in first st, skip next st, ss in next st, 16dc in ch-8 sp, ss in next 2 sts, 16dc in 8ch-sp, ss in next st, skip next st, ss in final st. FASTEN OFF and weave in ends. RICO DESIGN ESSENTIALS CROCHET WEIGHT Lace CONTENT 100% cotton BALL 50g/280m HOOK 1.75mm RRP £1.99 This lace yarn is expertly designed for all your crochet shawls and intricate projects, like lace edgings, jewellery and delicate accessories. There’s plenty…

Many years ago, my father-in-law Donald Smith was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. It broke our hearts, but we tried to make the best of a very upsetting situation. As the illness progressed, we learned that the senses played an important part in brain stimulation. We thought about combining sensory stimulation and the cosiness of a jumper to make a gift, so I designed a textured lap blanket that could be personalised. Choosing the yarn was easy. Don was a British farm worker and loved sheep or “woolly backs” as he called them, so I knew he would appreciate some British wool which has that sheep smell. I bought natural undyed yarn to dye it myself. I sat with my family and we discussed colours that reminded us of Don, or Pops…

YOU WILL NEED WestYorkshireSpinnersIllustriousDK (70% wool, 30% alpaca, 100g/225m) 1 skein of Antique Gold (203) A small amount of Old Lace (010)) West Yorkshire Spinners The Croft DK (100% wool, 100g/225m) 1 skein of Sandvoe (135) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook 2 safety eyes, 9mm diameter Black stranded cotton Toy stuffing Nail brush (optional) For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Squirrel Nutkin measures approx 16cm (6½in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 of Simply Crochet magazine Squirrel Nutkin has permission to take nuts from Owl Island from Old Brown, but silly Nutkin decides to tease the owl instead and ends up losing part of…

YOU WILL NEED WestYorkshireSpinnersBoPeep Pure (100% wool, 50g/112m) A small amount of Blush (287) West Yorkshire Spinners Bo Peep Luxury Baby (52% wool, 48% nylon, 50g/112m) 1 ball of each: Buttercup (442) Treehouse (431) A small amount of Incy Wincy (099) West Yorkshire Spinners Colour Lab DK (100% wool, 100g/225m), A small amount of Pear Green (186) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook 4 buttons, 5mm diameter 2 safety eyes, 9mm diameter Black stranded cotton Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Samuel Whiskers measures approx 15cm (6in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 of Simply Crochet magazine Samuel Whiskers and his wife live…

A SLICE OFF THE OLD BLOCK Go large and get a slice on the side! This matching Pizza Pie Sweater for two will bring a cheesy grin to their faces. This pattern includes instructions for both sweaters. Grab yours from www.crojennifer.com for £4.49. WINNING MOVE For competitive dads hook up this portable Draughts Set and bond over a round or two of real old school gaming. Make a set with the free pattern at www. ailsa crochet.com COFFEE CRUSADER If he needs caffeine to revive his special powers then the Super Dad Mug Cosy is the project for you. Go to www.bit. ly/SuperDadCosy for the free pattern by Hooked On Patterns. GREEN TEAM Are you and your dad like two peas in a pod, or is he a big fan of the…

1 Also known as ladder stitch or whip stitch. With WS together, thread needle with yarn and insert into the back loops only of the corner stitches on both pieces. Leave a fairly long tail. 2 *Insert needle from bottom to top into the back loops of the next 2 sts. Repeat from * along the motif edges, sewing together the inner loops of corresponding stitches. 3 When you reach the next corner, you could fasten off. Or carry on with the next 2 motifs for a continuous seam that forms a strong join on blankets and means there are fewer ends to weave in. 4 Once you’ve oversewn all the rows in one direction, repeat the process in the other direction. Cross over the seam you previously created for…

YOU WILL NEED ScheepjesMaxiSweetTreat(100% cotton, 25g/140m) 1 ball of each: Tangerine281 CorneliaRose256 Lemon280 DarkTeal401 A 2mm (US B/1) hook Metal headband with a smooth finish (no ‘teeth’) 22-gauge floristry wire, 20 lengths each measuring 25cm Wire cutters Small pliers 4 goose biots (available from: Glue gun For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Each Ribbon measures 4cm (1½in) wide ABBREVIATIONS wc (waistcoat stitch) Insert hook through centre of post of st below, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and pull through both loops on hook For a full list, see page 94 NOTES Fascinator is made up of nine Ribbons. Each Ribbon is worked in rows. The Ribbons have wire threaded through…

YOU WILL NEED RicoCreativeCottonDegradePrint (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 200g/800m) 1 cake of Blue-Green (003) A 6mm (US J/10) hook For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.com TENSION 29 sts and 12 rows to measure 20x20cm (8x8in) over pattern using a 6mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS puff (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop to height of current row) 4 times, yrh and draw through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 94 NOTES Poncho is worked in rows in one piece. The Poncho is joined together over 4 row-ends across one edge. The pattern is written in one size. To alter the length of the Poncho, work a foundation chain that’s a multiple of 4+2. To alter…

YOU WILL NEED WestYorkshireSpinnersColourLab (100% wool, 100g/225m) Prism Brights (894) See table for measurements and yarn quantities A 6mm (US J/10) hook 8 buttons, 1.5cm diameter Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION 17 sts and 26 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over slip stitch using a 6mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS ss2tog Insert hook in next st, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull loop through both sts For a full list, see page 94 Width a: 20 (21: 22.5: 24)cm, 7¾ (8¼: 8¾: 9½)in Length b: 29 (30: 31.5: 32.5)cm, 11½ (11¾: 12½: 12¾)in NOTES Front Bib and shaped Gusset are made in one piece top down. The Gusset is folded at the narrowest point and…

1 Begin working a treble as usual: yrh, insert hook under top 2 loops of next stitch on prev row, yrh, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yrh and pull through first 2 loops (2 loops on hook). 2 Without finishing the first tr, begin the next tr, working yrh, insert hook in next stitch on prev row. Again, work yrh and pull loop through, yrh and pull through first 2 loops (3 loops on hook). 3 Now complete both the treble stitches together by working yrh and pull this loop through all 3 loops on hook. 4 This is how the completed tr2tog should look. You will have neatly decreased 1 tr stitch. On subsequent rows, you can simply work a stitch into the top of the tr2tog…

YOU WILL NEED RicoCreativeCottonAran(100% cotton, 50g/85m) 1 ball of each: Salmon (03) Ice Blue (33) Green (49) Light Yellow (63) Candy Pink (64) A 4.5mm (US 7) hook Rico triangle frame, 24cm (available here: Tassel maker For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.com TENSION 15 sts and 17 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet using a 4.5mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS Wall Hanging measures approx 22x26cm (8¾x10¼in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 What’s your favourite flavour? Mint choc chip, raspberry ripple, vanilla… we can’t wait for our first post-lockdown trip to the ice cream parlour for a taste of the sweet treat. Hook a pretty pastel version while you wait. NOTES Wall Hanging is worked in rows throughout.…

1 Check the yarn’s ball band for advice on whether to dry, wet or steam block your item. To wet block, wash the item before pinning. For dry and steam blocking, pin out when dry. To pin out, lay the item flat on a towel over a blanket. 2 Using long, rust-proof pins or blocking wires, pin out to the measurements in the pattern (check the schematic for garments). Start at the corners, then move evenly around the edges. You can reposition pins if needed. 3 Place pins inside the last row or round of stitches, not in the actual stitches or you risk distorting them. Insert the pin’s point towards the centre of the fabric, away from the edge, to balance out the forces involved. 4 For wet blocking,…

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…

Did you like hooking up our Peter Rabbit and Friends toys from last year? Well, have we got a treat for you! Ilaria Caliri has again used her amigurumi design talent to bring you four more characters from Beatrix Potter’s famous and enduring children’s books. Recreate classic tales with the lively Tom Kitten, cheeky Squirrel Nutkin, Mr. Jeremy Fisher the unlucky frog and the naughty rat Samuel Whiskers. The animals are made with soft DK yarns from British company West Yorkshire Spinners to give you a cuddly toy to cherish. So, if you want a trip down memory lane, or are introducing these well-loved characters to little ones in your life, you’re going to love getting to know Peter Rabbit’s friends all over again.…