blankets

blankets

Wednesday 2 December 2015

Lauren Fingerless Gloves

Hello my lovelies, winter is coming and your head will be warm if you made a Lauren Bobble hat but what about your hands?  Here is a pattern to remedy cold hand and it matches your hat, what's not to like!

Again, this pattern is in both UK and US terms, for convenience.

UK term

Materials:

Aran wool
DK wool
5.5mm hook
Darning/wool needle


Notes

* fptr = front post treble crochet
* bptc = back post treble crochet
*If you would like the gloves to cover more of your fingers just repeat the last row to the desired length
* If you would like the glove to cover more of your wrist/arm then increase the number of ribbing rows to desired length

Pattern:

Using DK chain to size of wrist in multiples of 6. Ss to 1st ch to form a circle.

1) Ch3 (counts as 1 tr now and throughout the pattern) Put 1 tr in each ch to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

2) Ch3, *fptc in next stitch, bptr in next stitch* Repeat between * * to end, ss to the top of the initial ch3 to join.

3-4) Repeat row 2

5) Repeat row 2, bind off and sew in ends

Change to aran wool

6) Join to any stitch, ch3, tr, ch2, 2tr into same stitch, *skip 5 stitches, 2tr, ch2, 2tr into next stitch* Repeat between * * to end, skip last 5 stitches, ss to top of initial ch3 to join

7) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr into ch2 space, * 2tr, ch2, 2tr into next ch2 space, 3tr ch2, 3tr * Repeat between * * to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

8) Repeat row 7

9) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr in same space, 3tr, ch2, 3tr into next ch2 space, ^ch2, 3tr, ch3, 3tr into next ch2 pace, ch2, ss around the ch2 before the previous shell cluster (marked with a ^),  * 3tr, ch2, 3tr in next ch2 space* Repeat between * * to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

10) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr into same space, 3tr, ch2, 3tr into next ch2 space, skip thumb, 3tr, ch2, 3tr into next ch2 space, ss to join to 3rd ch of beginning ch3, bind off and sew in ends.



US terms

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn
Light worsted weight yarn
I hook
darning needle


Notes

* fpdr = front post double crochet
* bpdc = back post double crochet
*If you would like the gloves to cover more of your fingers just repeat the last row to the desired length
* If you would like the glove to cover more of your wrist/arm then increase the number of ribbing rows to desired length

Pattern:

Using light worsted yarn chain to size of wrist in multiples of 6. Ss to 1st ch to form a circle.

1) Ch3 (counts as 1 dc now and throughout the pattern) Put 1 dc in each ch to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

2) Ch3, *fpdc in next stitch, bpdc in next stitch* Repeat between * * to end, ss to the top of the initial ch3 to join.

3-4) Repeat row 2

5) Repeat row 2, bind off and sew in ends

Change to worsted weight yarn

6) Join to any stitch, ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc into same stitch, *skip 5 stitches, 2dc, ch2, 2dc into next stitch* Repeat between * * to end, skip last 5 stitches, ss to top of initial ch3 to join

7) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc into ch2 space, * 2dc, ch2, 2dc into next ch2 space, 3dc ch2, 3dc * Repeat between * * to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

8) Repeat row 7

9) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc in same space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc into next ch2 space, ^ch2, 3dc, ch3, 3dc into next ch2 pace, ch2, ss around the ch2 before the previous shell cluster (marked with a ^),  * 3dc, ch2, 3dc in next ch2 space* Repeat between * * to end, ss to top of initial ch3 to join.

10) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc into same space, 3dc, ch2, 3dc into next ch2 space, skip thumb, 3dc, ch2, 3dc into next ch2 space, ss to join to 3rd ch of beginning ch3, bind off and sew in ends.







Sunday 8 November 2015

Introducing The Lauren Bobble Hat!


This hat was designed for my daughter as she wanted a bobble hat but likes to be different. She has named it The Lauren Bobble Hat and I am designing fingerless gloves to match. It should fit a teenager/young adult. My daughter is almost eight and it is a little slouchy on her. I have a small head and it fits me perfectly. The pattern below is my own design. I will write two patterns, one in UK terms which will appear first, then one in US terms which I will put below. If you prefer to follow US terms scroll down. I hope you like this hat as much as my daughter does!

front view

She tried it on but didn't want to take it off
 
UK Terms

Notes:

* fptc = front post treble crochet
*bptr = back post treble crochet
*I folded the ribbing in half, as is the traditional style of a bobble hat. I sewed the ribbing into place so for easy of wear. This is personal preference and not necessary.
* to make this hat for a bigger head increase by 2 tr per shell (6tr, ch2, 6tr) on row 6 and repeat row 6 for row 7 and ch4 instead of ch3 for row 8
*to make the hat smaller stop increasing on the shells sooner and do less chains between stitches on row 8

Materials:

Aran wool for the main body of the hat
DK wool for the ribbing and pompom
A 5.5mm Hook
Darning/wool needle
Pompom maker or cardboard template

1) Make a magic ring, ch5 (acts as 1tr, ch2) * tr, ch2, * repeat between ** 9 times, ss to 3rd ch  of beginning ch3 to join ( 10 tr, 10 ch2 spaces)

2) Ch3, tr, ch2, 2tr into ch2 space, * 2tr, ch2, 2tr into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

3) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2tr, ch2, 3tr into the same space, * 3tr, ch2, 3tr into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

4) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 3tr, ch2, 4tr into ch2 space, * 4tr, ch2, 4tr into next ch2 sp * repeat between ** to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

5) Ss intoch2 space, ch3, 4tr, ch2, 5tr into ch2 space, * 5tr, ch2, 5tr into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

6-7) Repeat row 5

8) Ch7 (acts as 1dtr, ch3) , dc into next ch2 space,  ch3,  * dtr into the space between the shells (the space where they join), ch3, dc into ch2 space, ch3 * repeat to end, ss into 4th ch of beginning ch7, bind off.

9) With DK join wool, ch1, dc in same stitch, dc in each dc, ch space and dtr around, ss to 1st dc to join.

10) Ch3, tr in next dc and in each dc to end. ss to 3rd ch in beginning ch3 to join.

11-21) Ch3, * fptc in next stich, bptr in next stitch * repeat to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join.

Make a Pompom to the required size and attach to the hat to complete.


Life size Barbie modelling for me
 

side shot


 
US terms

Notes:

* fpdc = front post double crochet
*bpdc = back post double crochet
*I folded the ribbing in half, as is the traditional style of a bobble hat. I sewed the ribbing into place so for easy of wear. This is personal preference and not necessary.
* to make this hat for a bigger head increase by 2 dc per shell (6dc, ch2, 6dc) on row 6 and repeat row 6 for row 7 and ch4 instead of ch3 for row 8
*to make the hat smaller stop increasing on the shells sooner and do less chains between stitches on row 8

Materials:

worsted weight yarn for the main body of the hat
DK yarn for the ribbing and pompom
I Hook
Darning/wool needle
Pompom maker or cardboard template

1) Make a magic ring, ch5 (acts as 1dc, ch2) * dc, ch2, * repeat between ** 9 times, ss to 3rd ch  of beginning ch3 to join ( 10 dc, 10 ch2 spaces)

2) Ch3, dc, ch2, 2dc into ch2 space, * 2dc, ch2, 2dc into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

3) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc into the same space, * 3dc, ch2, 3dc into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

4) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 3dc, ch2, 4dc into ch2 space, * 4dc, ch2, 4tr into next ch2 sp * repeat between ** to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

5) Ss into ch2 space, ch3, 4dc, ch2, 5dc into ch2 space, * 5dc, ch2, 5dc into next ch2 space * repeat between ** to end, ss to 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join

6-7) Repeat row 5

8) Ch7 (acts as 1tr, ch3) , sc into next ch2 space,  ch3,  * tr into the space between the shells (the space where they join), ch3, sc into ch2 space, ch3 * repeat to end, ss into 4th ch of beginning ch7, bind off.

9) With DK join wool, ch1, dc in same stitch, dc in each dc, ch space and dtr around, ss to 1st dc to join.

10) Ch3, dc in next sc and in each sc to end. ss to 3rd ch in beginning ch3 to join.

11-21) Ch3, * fpdc in next stich, bpdr in next stitch * repeat to end, ss into 3rd ch of beginning ch3 to join.

Make a Pompom to the required size and attach to the hat to complete.

Hope you enjoy making the Lauren Bobble Hat,  please post pics of your  Lauren bobble hat on Ravelry, I would love to see them. Cx



Saturday 7 November 2015

Fireworks!

November the fifth has come and gone
but thoughts of it still linger
I held a banger in my hand.
Has anyone seen my finger?
 
 
I am not sure who wrote that poem but it is one that has stuck in my head since I was a child. Got to love Bonfire night with all the loud noises and pretty fireworks displays. This year I took my kiddies to the display at my local rugby club and as usual it was fabulous. We drank tea, got rained on and did plenty of oohing and ahhing at the lovely colours that appeared in the night sky. Then went home for hot chocolate and snacks.

While we were there we saw a few people wearing bobble hats, they are the height of fashion this season so my 7 year old daughter tells me. And of cause she wants one. After much discussion and debate she settled on yellow for her bobble hat, after another discussion on shades of yellow I managed to persuade her that vintage gold would be the best option, with the bobble and band done in black sparkle.

Thursday night I stayed up until 2am googling stitch patterns and working out how to turn them into the shape and size that I wanted. And I am pleased to say today I finally finished her bobble hat. She loves it thankfully and has announced that she might even wear it to bed. So why did it take to long to make a simple hat?  I have an ear infection and that virus is still here too, so antibiotics, paracetamol, fluids and a fuzzy head have been the order of the day around here. Fun! I cannot wear my hearing aids so am having to lip read BUT I am having headaches which affect my sight. Much hilarity has ensued from this situation as you can imagine. I does mean that it takes me a lot longer to get things done though.

I have taken some rather iffy pics  so far but I will wait for daylight to try and take some better ones, I will then post the pattern. It is to be called the "Lauren bobble hat" so my daughter tells me. I hope you all like it as much as she does. Cx

Sunday 1 November 2015

Hello my lovelies,

I haven't been around for a few days due to illness, adventures and pattern writing. On Friday I dropped a 100 year old Singer sewing machine onto my knee while moving it, resulting in not one but two bruises on my knee and a small but annoying gash. Leaving me hobbling around with a limp for the next two days, oops. So, I did what any sane person would do and took my kids to the Doctor Who Experience in Cardiff, obviously.


I cannot recommend it enough! We all had a fab time and were all tardised out by the time we got home but had somehow managed to not get exterminated. I had been before when the experience was designed around Matt Smith's Doctor but for the kiddie winks, this was the first time. And they loved it.  Don't blink............



And here is the man himself


What has that got to do with crochet you may ask. Well, not a lot, but I did work up a new pattern while on the train. It looked like it would be as I wanted it once blocked but when I tried to stretch it out I had underestimated the amount of give I would need, epic fail! So that got frogged back. By this point my throat felt like I had swallowed a couple of packs of razor blades and I had a headache two paracetamol didn't even touch, ouch.
News flash! I have a viral infection. Lovely, not! So with no energy and feeling like I had been run over with a steam roller and still hobbling, not my best look, I had a duvet day yesterday and worked on the pattern that I had frogged. Attempt three is blocking right now. As soon as it is dry and finished I will post a pattern and pics. Cx

Wednesday 28 October 2015

Blankets!

The first blog post is always the scariest, so please be gentle with me my lovelies. The first post of my first blog, EVER! Scary stuff! I have so much to show you and so many stories to tell about my crazy life that it is hard to know where to begin. But telling you about my crazy life and my adventures in crochet is what I want this blog to be about. I hope to share my crochet (and sometimes non crochet) makes with you, my own designs and possibly the odd video tutorial.

Soooo, what to show you for my first post.

Well, I am sat here on a cold but surprisingly dry Wednesday in October having survived the first half of half term, with a cup of coffee and a blanket over my knees and it struck me. Why not start with blankets. I LOVE blankets, both making them and snuggling under them. They take me forever to make as I get bored easily, so they really are a labour of love.

Below are some of the blankets that I have made (except for the granny square blanket on the end, my Nan made that one about a million years ago). Most of the blankets are made from well known crochet stitches done in the length and colours that I wanted them to be rather than from a pattern.


 From left to right they are, Granny square blanket, Flowers in a Row blanket, Chevron Blanket, Basket weave blanket, Larks foot blanket and another Basket weave blanket.
Here is the link for the Flowers in a Row Blanket http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/flowers-in-a-row



The blue basket weave blanket was made from a selection of blue vintage wool that I got from my Nan, I added the cream from my stash to break it up a bit. This was soon claimed by my son and my daughter wanted one too, so a pink, purple and cream basket weave blanket was needed.

The Chevron blanket was made of DK wool in colours to match my living room as a lightweight sofa throw. My dog loves pulling this blanket off the sofa and making a nest with it.

The larks foot blanket was made for my son, he picked the colours and colour change repeats. It is very soft and vey snuggly.

The Flowers in a Row blanket was originally going to be made to fit my double bed however, my daughter fell in love with the pattern and asked that it be for her, so this is single bed size.

I have also made 12 pointed star blankets using this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rainbow-ripple-baby-blanket 
Here is two of them

A Rainbow star for my son





A 12 pointed star for my daughter using the left over wool I bought to make the Flowers in a Row blanket


I hope you have enjoyed seeing my blankety makes and that it has inspired you to make your own little squishy peace of heaven to snuggle up with this Winter.  Cx