Crochet stitches for blankets - Treble Cluster

Last week I started a Playlist on my YouTube Channel for some simple stitches to create easy crochet blankets.   

Netting which you can find by clicking HERE.

The V Stitch which you can find by clicking HERE.

Today's sample is 'Treble Clusters' which is another lovely stitch, not quite as repetitive as the previous two samples, but easy to get your head around.

For this piece I used a Clover Amour 4.50mm hook and DK yarn, the pattern is in multiples of 4 and my sample piece is based on 21 chain stitches and measures 12cm (5")  

It's a nice lightweight piece of crochet, but beware of little fingers getting stuck in the holes.  It might be better to go on top of a sheet, or as a pram topper.

You can find the step-by-step video tutorial here....

If you prefer a written pattern you can find it here...

1.   Make a sliding loop and CH 21 stitches, but not too tight or you will have one tight edge on your square.

2.   ROW ONE: TR into the 4th chain from your hook. Work a Treble into the next stitch - you now have a cluster of three trebles.  *** CH 1, SK 1 and work a TR into the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from *** all the way across.  You will have five clusters of 3 TR's with a hole in-between each cluster.

3.   ROW TWO: Turn your work and CH 4  (this counts as 1 TR and 1 CH)  *** SK 1 and work a TR into the next stitch - this is the stitch before the hole on the row below.  Now work a TR into the HOLE and then a TR into the stitch after.  Repeat from *** ending with a single TR in the last stitch.

4.   ROW THREE: Turn your work and CH 3  (this counts as 1 TR)  *** TR into the next 2 stitches.  *** CH 1, SK 1 and work a TR into the next 3 stitches.  Repeat from *** all the way across.

5.   Rows TWO and THREE  form the pattern and need to be repeated. for a total of 10 rows.

 

Stitches explained:

Chain Stitch (CH) - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

Treble Crochet (TR) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (SS)- Put hook through work and pull yarn through both work and stitch on your hook.

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Crochet stitches for blankets - the V Stitch

Last week I started a Playlist on my YouTube Channel for some simple stitches to create easy crochet blankets.   The first one was Netting which you can find by clicking HERE.

Today's sample is 'V Stitch' which is another lovely repetitive stitch that works up quickly and without too much fuss.

For this piece I used a Clover Amour 4.50mm hook and DK yarn, the pattern is in multiples of 3 and my sample piece is based on 25 chain stitches and measures 15cm (6")  

It's a nice lightweight piece of crochet, but beware of little fingers getting stuck in the holes.  It might be better to go on top of a sheet, or as a pram topper.

You can find the step-by-step video tutorial here....

If you prefer a written pattern you can find it here...

1.   Make a sliding loop and CH 25 stitches, but not too tight or you will have one tight edge on your square.

2.   ROW ONE - TR into the 5th chain from your hook. Chain 2, then work another Treble into the SAME STITCH.  This is called a "V" stitch.

3.   Now you are going to SKIP two stitches on the foundation chain and work into the 3rd.

4.   Work a Treble into this stitch then chain 2 and work another Treble into the SAME stitch  (V Stitch)

5.   Work all the way across your foundation chain, skipping two stitches then working a V stitch.  When you get to the end you will find you have one stitch left on your foundation chain.  Work a single Treble into this stitch.

6.   You should have 7 x V stitches with a single treble at the beginning and end.

7.   ROW TWO - Turn then CH 3.   For this row we will be working into the spaces left by the V stitches.  Make sure you do not work into the spaces inbetween the V stitches too, as this can sometimes happen in error.

8.   Work a Treble, 2 chain and another Treble, all into the first 'V' space.

9.   Jump to the next chain space, and again work a Treble, 2 chain and a Treble into that space.

10.    Work all the way across pausing when you have done the last V stitch.  Now,  work a Treble in the turning chain of the row below to give you your last single Treble stitch.

11.    Repeat ROW TWO for eleven rows in total, or until square.  CH 1, cut your yarn and pull of through the loop to form a knot.

 

Stitches explained:

Chain Stitch (CH) - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

Treble Crochet (TR) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (SS)- Put hook through work and pull yarn through both work and stitch on your hook.

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Crochet stitches for blankets - the Netting Stitch

 I often get asked for some simple stitches to make nice baby blankets, often in a hurry.... so something that works up quickly without too much concentration is ideal.

I have decided to start a Playlist on my YouTube Channel for these simple stitches, starting with this one - Netting.

For this sample I used a Clover Amour 4.50mm hook and DK yarn, the pattern is in multiples of 2 and my sample piece is based on 26 chain stitches (11 pattern holes) and measures 14cm (5.5")  

It's a nice lightweight piece of crochet, but beware of little fingers getting stuck in the holes.  It might be better to go on top of a sheet, or as a pram topper.

You can find the step-by-step video tutorial here....

If you prefer a written pattern you can find it here...

1.   Make a sliding loop and pop in your hook before tightening  (do not pull too tight or you will find it hard to get a stitch into it later on).

2.   CH 26 stitches, but not too tight or you will have one tight edge on your square.

3.   TR into the 6th chain from your hook. (this counts as a CH, a TR and a CH)

4.   *** CH 1, Skip (SK) a stitch and TR into the next.  Repeat from *** ending with a TR in the very last stitch.  You should have eleven holes.

5.   CH 4  (this counts as a TR stitch (3) and a CH 1 on the start of your next row) and turn.

6.   Skip the next stitch and TR into the next, which is the top of the TR post from the row below.

7.   *** CH 1,SK a stitch and TR into the next (top of TR from previous row).  Repeat from *** until you get to the last stitch. 

8.   CH 1 then work a TR into the 3rd CH of the turning CH from the row below.

9.   This is your pattern for this square.  Repeat the rows until you have 11 rows in total  (11 holes up and 11 holes across), or until square.  CH 1, cut your yarn and pull of through the loop to form a knot.

 

Stitches explained:

Chain Stitch (CH) - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

Treble Crochet (TR) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Slip Stitch (SS)- Put hook through work and pull yarn through both work and stitch on your hook.

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Crochet Daisy Square Tutorial

 There is something about crocheting flowers into squares to create blankets and cushion covers etc.. maybe it's because you can completely change the look by simply changing the colours of the flowers.

I am often asked if I can give a pattern for a daisy, and I must admit it is one of my favourite flowers - they are just so cute and unassuming!

So this video tutorial is for a Daisy Square, the petals are slightly puffed to give a texture to the square.... and I have gone for the traditional white petals with yellow centre on a denim-blue background, but you can do whatever you wish!  

I used a Clover Amour 4.50mm hook and DK yarn.

You can find the step-by-step video tutorial below...

Or if you prefer a written pattern then here it is...

Row 1. Pink  - Ch4 and SS to join into the first ch to make a ring.

Row 2. Ch3, work 11 x TR's into the ring. SS to join.  (12 stitches)

Row 3. White  - Join yarn inbetween any stitches, make a puff stitch in the same place.  (Make a puff stitch in the next space) 11 times, ss to join(12 puffs)

Row 3. Grey  - Join yarn inbetween any puff stitches and Ch3, work (TRx2, CHx2, TRx3)  in the same space. *** Work HTRx3 into the next two spaces then work (TRx3, CHx2, TRx3) into the next space. Repeat from *** another twice then work HTRx3 into the next two spaces. SS to join to the 3rd ch of the starting ch4.

Row 4. SS into the next two stitches and ss into the corner space, Ch3, work (TRx2, CHx2, TRx3) into the same space. *** Work HTRx3 into the next three spaces then work (TRx3, CHx2, TRx3) into the next space. Repeat from *** another twice then work HTRx3 into the next two spaces. SS to join to the 3rd ch of the starting ch3.

Stitches explained:

CH  = Chain Stitch - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

TR - Treble Crochet - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

HTR - Half Treble Crochet - Yarn around hook (from the back), put hook through work and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 3 loops on hook.

Puff Stitch - {Yarn around hook, put hook through work and draw yarn back through, pulling up higher than usual} 4 times.  yarn around hook, draw through 9 loops on hook, CH 1 to close puff.

SS  = Slip Stitch - Put hook through work, draw yarn back through both loops on your hook.

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Yarn Dolls - made from scraps of yarn

Of all the random things I remember from my childhood during the 70's/80's one of them is making yarn dolls with my mother.

These little dolls were made from scraps - just lengths of yarn tied together and bound to create a shape of a doll.  We just cut lengths by eye and laid them on the table before tying them up and trimming the ends off.

If you fancy having a go then I have created a video tutorial for them....

If you are more of a fan of the written instruction, then you can find that here..

Yarn Doll

·       Cut approx 50 pieces of yarn 30cm long.

·       Tie in the middle with another piece of yarn.

·       Form a head and tie around the neck.

·       Cut approx 25 pieces of yarn 15cm long.

·       Place the arm strands in-between the body strand and tie at the waist.

·       Tie both the arm ends.

·       Separate the legs and tie both leg bottoms.

·       Trim.

 Hope you enjoy this blast from the past, and do let me know if you make one - or if you remember making them many years ago!

Until next time.....

Sooz

Bavarian Crochet Mug Rugs

 I do love a bit of Bavarian Crochet - it actually makes a nice blanket square, but it is one of those stitches that can be a touch tricky to get your head around.  So as a little taster you could just do a couple of rounds and make some funky little Bavarian Crochet mug-rugs - or coasters as they may be more commonly known   :)

I have made them from Acrylic yarn which means I can just chuck them in the washing machine when they get dripped on.

Do them in your favourite colour, or mix it up a bit and go wild!   They make a brilliant stash buster!

I used a Clover Amour 4.00mm hook and DK yarn.

You can find the video here....

Or if you would prefer a written pattern then you can find it here...

Round 1. CH 4, SS into the first CH to join into a ring. CH1, (DC in ring. CH3, TR3tog, CH3) 4 times, ss to join to first DC.

Round 2. CH1, DC in same stitch, ** CH2, (TRx3, CH1, TRx3, CH1, TRx3) into the top of the TR3tog from previous round. CH2, DC in top of DC from previous round. Repeat from ** 3 times. CH2, SS in first DC

SS across to space between first and second TR clusters.

Round 3. (CH3, TR3tog around back posts of previous row, CH3, DC in next CH1 space. CH3, TR6tog around back posts of previous row, CH3, DC in next DC) 4 times. CH3, ss to first DC to join.

Round 4. (TRx3, CH1, TRx3, CH1, TRx3) into top of first TR3tog from previous round, DC in next DC. (Trx3, Ch, TRx3) into next TR6tog cluster, DC in next DC. Repeat from ** 3 times.

Stitches explained:

Chain Stitch (CH) - Yarn around hook (from the back) and pull the new yarn through the loop on your hook.  This is ONE chain.  Repeat as needed.

Slip Stitch (SS)- Put hook through stitch and draw yarn back through both loops on hook.

Double Crochet (DC) - Put hook through stitch and draw yarn back through (2 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook.

Treble Crochet (TR) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through stitch and draw yarn back through (3 loops on hook) yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook (twice).

Treble Three Together (TR3tog) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through stitch and draw yarn back through, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, STOP, repeat in next two stitches. Yarn round and draw through all 4 loops on hook.

Treble Six Together (TR6tog) - Yarn around hook (from the back) put hook through stitch and draw yarn back through, yarn around hook, draw through 2 loops on hook, STOP, repeat in next five stitches. Yarn round and draw through all 7 loops on hook.

Hope you have fun making these cute little coasters, please feel free to tag me on Instagram if you do.  www.instagram.com/soozintheshed

Until next time... HAPPY HOOKING!

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Crochet - The Magic Ring alternative

 Have you ever opened a pattern only to find the starting instruction is to do a Magic Ring and your heart has sank?

Well, worry no more..... after quite a few panicked questions via my Social Media accounts, where I explain that actually you do not need a Magic Ring, I thought I should do a quick video tutorial to explain the alternative method.

A Magic Ring is a tricky technique to master, I have taught crochet for many years and apart from the initial slip knot (trust me, so many people find that hard to master) the Magic Ring must be the second difficult thing to teach.  Recently I saw a photograph of a blanket that a poor lady had created and then washed.... and every single centre of each flower had become unravelled.  So not only is it important to be able to start correctly, you must be able to sew the tails in securely too!

You will see no difference at all with the alternative method that I am going to show you, so do whatever is easiest for you.

Really hope this is helpful for you and you can now create some patterns that you might have been slightly afraid of!

Until next time.... HAPPY HOOKING!

Sooz.

The 70's Vibe Crochet Blanket

 You know when you're just sitting on the sofa, in-between projects.... but its 9.00pm and you cant be bothered to go and find the new stuff for the new planned project?  Well, that was me a couple of weeks ago.

I had just finished the Stained Glass Blanket and had plans to start something new, but in the meantime... and I mean that last hour and a half before heading to bed, I needed something to occupy my hands.  I took my feet off the yarn pouffe that I have in the living room, full of half balls of left over yarn from previous projects, and pulled out three colours that I thought would work well together... I already had a part ball of black beside me from the recently finished piece.

When I put these balls together I thought 'Wow!, that's so 70's'... and from then on this blanket was named the 70's Vibe Blanket.   Now, I needed a pattern to go with the 70's vibe colours, something strong and bold.... and I thought the very first square from my Stained Glass Blanket would work perfectly!  

The colours I used for the 70's Vibe were Stylecraft Special DK in Dandelion, Teal and Apple, along with the black for the line work.  My favourite hook is a Clover Amour and I used 4.50mm.

This is a nice easy square and a good introduction to Mosaic Crochet... if you can crochet a Granny Square you can do this!

I made 36 square in total which creates a lovely lap sized blanket measuring about one meter square.

I did 6 different colourways of squares and joined them so that each one would run diagonally under the one above.

If you fancy having a go at this, the video is here....

The stitch shown in red is the centre stitches of the side.

 

Always work in the BACK LOOP for DC and FRONT LOOP (row below) for TR.

 

Round 1:  Magic Ring, DC 8 into ring, Close and SS to back loop of first st.

Round 2:  BLACK: (3dc in corner), 1dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 3:   (3dc in corner), 3dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 4: BLACK: (3 dc in corner) 2dc, 1tr (reverse & repeat)

Round 5: (3dc in corner), 7dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 6:  (3dc in corner), 9dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 7: BLACK: (3dc in corner), 11dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 8:  (3dc in corner), 13dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 9: BLACK: (3 dc in corner) 1dc, 1tr, 2dc, 1tr, 2dc, 1tr (reverse & repeat)

Round 10:  (3dc in corner), 17dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 11:  (3dc in corner), 19dc  (reverse & repeat)

Round 12: BLACK: (3 dc in corner), 21dc  (reverse & repeat)

 

And you can follow my colourway here...

Make 6 of each colourway

Round 1:  sq1 BLUE / sq2 BLUE / sq3 GREEN / sq4 GREEN / sq5 YELLOW / sq6 YELLOW

Round 2:  BLACK

Round 3 sq1 BLUE / sq2 BLUE / sq3 GREEN / sq4 GREEN / sq5 YELLOW / sq6 YELLOW

Round 4: BLACK

Round 5-6: sq1 GREEN / sq2 YELLOW / sq3 BLUE / sq4 YELLOW / sq5 BLUE / sq6 GREEN

Round 7: BLACK

Round 8: 1 BLUE / 2 BLUE / sq3 GREEN / sq4 GREEN / sq5 YELLOW / sq6 YELLOW

Round 9: BLACK

Round 10-11: sq1 YELLOW / sq2 GREEN / sq3 YELLOW / sq4 BLUE / sq5 GREEN / sq6 BLUE

Round 12: BLACK

If you need a tutorial for joining the squares, I used the invisible seam which you can find here...

For the border I simply worked in rounds with black in-between the colours.

I really hope you enjoy making one of these 70's inspired blankets, please tag me on Instagram and Facebook if you do - Sooz in The Shed.

Until next time.... HAPPY HOOKING!

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

How to make a crochet Piercing Cushion

 Have you ever had a piercing that you couldn't sleep on?  I have certainly had a few, and trust me... they sting!  And they ache all day after laying on them all night. 

I had the genius idea of using a travel pillow, which works in a way, but is a little bit cumbersome on top of your regular pillows.... so I was on the quest to find something a little smaller and flatter, but which still did the job of cushioning around the ear.

Of course, I will make one, I thought to myself..... but out of what?  Then I eyed up the bathroom sponge and though 'aha!'

Obviously... I trotted myself off to the local supermarket and bought a brand new sponge, then with a little snippity snip of the scissors and a little magic with the crochet hook, I made this...

And it cushions the ear perfectly!

So now I can lay on whichever side I like and get comfortable.... I did think about crocheting a band to hold it securely onto my head.....but as I have a stingy piercing in BOTH ears (flat and forward helix) its easier to swap it around as I turn.  Having said that... I might make another and totally rock this style..

Anyway, if you fancy making one for yourself you will need a basic bath sponge  (the covering is made-to-measure so don't worry about getting the exact size or shape), a 4.00mm crochet hook - my favourite is the Clover Amour and some Double Knit (DK) yarn in the colour of your choice.

And you will find the step-by-step video here.....

Hope you have fun making these, please feel free to tag me on Facebook or Instagram, always love to see your work, it's 'Sooz in The Shed' on both!

Until next time..... HAPPY HOOKING!

Oh, and just for transparency, if you buy anything from Amazon using the links I provided I get a small commission. just pennies if I remember rightly, but it doesn't cost you a bean  :)

Crochet Stained Glass Blanket - week 12 / 12

 Hi everyone.... well here we are at the final part of the Stained Glass crochet blanket course.  I really do hope you have found it enjoyable.  I have enjoyed seeing some photos coming through which I will share in due course.

In the meantime here is your final instalment, and it is the edging to give your blanket a nice completed look.

It's quite a simple border, but takes a little time as your blanket is now quite large, so grab a cuppa, get your feet up in front of the telly and just plod away steadily.

The video for the edging is here..

So, that is that from this CAL (Crochet-A-Long)  I have some more in the planning so be sure to check back or sign up to have these posts emailed to you.  Thank you for taking part, if you did, I appreciate you all reading and watching.

Until next time.... HAPPY HOOKING!

Crochet Stained Glass Blanket - week 11 / 12

 Well, hello again!   And here we are having completed all of our squares hopefully and now ready to join them!

Unlike other blankets, this one is rather random sized squares so joining wont be done in strips or lines like you might normally do.  It's really more of a 'pick a couple of pieces up and join them together' kind of technique.

So, the first thing you need will be the layout......

And the next, the 'how to' video which you can find here...

Next time we will  be starting on the edging, so hope to see you for that!   Would love to see your progress to date so feel free to tag me on Instagram or Facebook (or both!!) at Sooz in The Shed.

Until next time... HAPPY HOOKING!