The mighty Prism Blanket - crochet tutorial

 Hello happy hookers, hope this blog post finds you all well and happily hooking away.

This is a blanket pattern that I have returned to over the years, you know those times where you just want something to work on in front of the TV which doesn't take up too much brain space?   Yeah, that!

So this is the Prism Blanket, so called because it radiates out from the centre, messing with you eyes a little bit.  I have always made it previously in scrap colours to use up stash that collects from other projects, but I thought this time I would consciously use a monochromatic colour range to make it blend and pop.

All yarn is Stylecraft Special DK - because it is my favourite yarn to work with and provides such a fabulous colour range.... the shades I have used here are White, Silver, Grey, Charcoal and Black - and I used just short of 2 x 100g balls of each, and 3 of the black as I used that for the edging too.

As always, I have used my trusty Clover Amour crochet hook - 4.00mm. 

If you can crochet a Granny Square you should easily be able to make this as it is just clusters of Treble Crochets (UK Terminology).

As I mentioned I usually make smaller ones of these as stash-busters, here is an example.

As long as you follow the same rules you can make them any size you like!  All you have to do is work out what measurement you want (rectangle) half the short size and make your first square to match that.  Follow the video for the rest of the instructions.

As I was making it my Mum decided she fancied doing one too, she's great at pattern testing for me, and she asked me to choose her colours.  I thought, let's go bright and beautiful and chose shades of yellow and orange for her. 

She still has the border to finish, but looking mighty bright and cheerful so far!

So, you can find the video here if you fancy having a go yourself....

I really hope you enjoy making this funky blanket, and please do tag me on Instagram or Facebook @soozintheshed

Unitl  next time then... 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 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  :)