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 :)
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!
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 :)
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!
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!
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 :)
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!
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 / sq5YELLOW / sq6 YELLOW
Round 2:BLACK
Round 3 sq1 BLUE / sq2 BLUE / sq3 GREEN / sq4 GREEN / sq5YELLOW / sq6 YELLOW
Round 4:BLACK
Round 5-6: sq1 GREEN / sq2YELLOW / sq3 BLUE /sq4YELLOW / sq5 BLUE / sq6 GREEN
Round 7:BLACK
Round 8: 1 BLUE /2 BLUE / sq3 GREEN / sq4 GREEN /sq5YELLOW /sq6YELLOW
Round 9:BLACK
Round 10-11: sq1YELLOW / sq2 GREEN / sq3YELLOW / 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 :)
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 :)
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.
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.
Hi there Happy Hookers, hope this blog post finds you all well and happily crocheting away on projects!
I am going through some of my older designs that I used to teach in my workshop, the time has come to make them all again and create videos for you to enjoy and make yourself.
One of the designs I had totally forgotten about was my crochet bunting..... I originally made this in different colours of cottons to decorate the home at Easter, but I thought why not do a nice colourful strip for the garden?
I am using 100% acrylic yarn, which will be absolutely fine hung up in the garden, getting wet from the rain and blow dried again from the wind. It might fade a little over time in the sunshine, but then you can make some more!
Of course, you can make it as long or as short as you like.... I have used Stylecraft's 'Merry-go-Round' yarn in Rainbow for this tutorial, and one 100g ball makes 12 flags. I have also used a purple out of my yarn stash to do the edges and the chain to hold them all together, but you can use your scraps for this also... in fact a whole length of different coloured flags would look amazing.
I work in UK crochet terminology, with a 4.50mm crochet hook - my favourite is Clover Amour. (amazon affiliated link)
You can access the video here......
If you would prefer a written pattern, then here you go.
FLAGS
Row 1: Start
with a slip knot then CH 3. Your next stitch will be worked into the 3rd CH
from the hook.Work 2 x TR into this stitch.(3 stitches)
Row 2: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the base of the CH
as shown in the photo. SK a stitch and work 3 x TR into the last stitch
Row 3: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the base of the CH
as shown in the photo., now work 3 x TR into the space in-between the clusters from the row
below, then 3 x TR into the last stitch.You will now have 3 clusters of 3 trebles.
Row 4: Turn, CH 3, then * jump to the next space in-between
clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for the nextspace, then work a single TR into the last
stitch.
Row 5: Turn, CH 3, then work 3 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the nextspace, then work a single TR
into the last stitch.
Row 6: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 2 spaces, then work 2 x TR into the last space and a single TR into
the last stitch.
Row 7: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the base of the CH,
* jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 2 spaces, then work 3 x TR into the last stitch.
Row 8: Turn, CH 3, then * jump to the next space in-between
clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for the next3 spaces, then work a single TR into the last
stitch.
Row 9: Turn, CH 3, then work 3 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 3 spaces, then work a single TR into the last stitch.
Row 10: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 3 spaces, then work 2 x TR into the last space and a single TR into
the last stitch.
Row 11: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the base of the
CH, * jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from *
for the next 4 spaces, then work 3 x TR into the last stitch.
Row 12: Turn, CH 3, then * jump to the next space in-between
clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for the next5 spaces, then work a single TR into the last
stitch.
Row 13: Turn, CH 3, then work 3 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 5 spaces, then work a single TR into the last stitch.
Row 14: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the first space, *
jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from * for
the next 5 spaces, then work 2 x TR into the last space and a single TR into
the last stitch.
Row 15: Turn, CH 3, then work 2 x TR into the base of the
CH, * jump to the next space in-between clusters and work 3 x TR, repeat from *
for the next 6 spaces, then work 3 x TR into the last stitch.
Make a single CH stitch and pull
through yarn to form a knot.
EDGING
Join a different colour to the
left hand corner (facing)and work a row of evenly spaced DC's down the side of
the flag , work 3 x
DC into the bottom stitch before working evenly up the other side.
TASSLE
Using a different colour again,
cut 6 lengths of yarn measuring 15cm long.
Fold the yarn lengths in half
and pull them halfway through the bottom stitch on your edging from the front
to the back. pull the ends through the loop just created
and give them a little tug to tighten.
JOINING
Row 1:
Leaving a good length of yarn, start with a slip knot then CH 50, then take
your first flag and work a DC into each stitch across the top.**CH 5 then take the next
flag and work a DC into each stitch across.Repeat from ** for as many flags as you have. When
you have attached all your flags, CH 52 and turn.
Row 2: DC
into the 2nd CH from the hook and DC right across all the chains and flags.
Finish off yarn but
leave a long tail for sewing.
FINISHING
Turn the end of the chain over to form a loop and sew into
place.
Would love to see photos of finished bunting and what you do with it, be sure to tag me on Instagram and Facebook - both are 'Sooz in The Shed'. Until next time... HAPPY HOOKING !
WOW! It's Week 10 of the Stained Glass Blanket CAL - and this is the last week of making motifs before starting to join.
Our two last squares are large ones like last week, and are a continuation of the small squares we have made previously. We are going to make two this week - the red one and the purple one.
If you haven't started this CAL already and would like to, you can find the first blog post about it HERE.
This weeks squares look something like this....
You will only need 1 of each large square.
First off, the red square (or the third colour you used).
So, you need to return to the small red square video and do rounds 1-11 ..... you can find the written pattern to accompany it HERE if you need it.
https://youtu.be/Cz-p1oKA3qk
Once you have done those 11 rounds then continue to make a large square, you can find the video for that here...
https://youtu.be/1F1Zx63ad8o
The written pattern to accompany this square is at the bottom of this page.
And now for the large purple square..
Like before you need to return to the small purple square video and do rounds 1-12..... you can find the written pattern to accompany it HERE if you need it.
https://youtu.be/Cz-p1oKA3qk
Once you have done those 12 rounds then continue to make a large square, you can find the video for that here...
This is a simplified pattern to stand side-by-side with my videos – only stating the stitches used along ONE side (including corners). The stitch shown in RED is the centre stitch of each side.This needs to be reversed then repeated for the other sides. I work in UK Crochet Terminology. If you would like a stitch convertor chart then you can find one HERE.
Always work in the BACK LOOP for DC and FRONT LOOP (row below) for TR. (see video for more details).
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.
Double Crochet (DC) - Put hook through work 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 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, draw yarn back through work and the stitch on your hook.
Hope you enjoyed working a different shape this week don't forget to tag me in your photos @SoozinTheShed both on Facebook and Instagram, until next time.... HAPPY HOOKING!
.png)
.jpg)
