Category: crochet sampler

Tapestry Crochet – 64 Playful Patterns for Children… Book Release….

Tapestry_coverFrontXI’m so happy to announce the release of my latest pattern book ‘Tapestry Crochet, 64 playful patterns for children’, published by Sally Milner Publishing.

This book is another crochet sampler & my aim is to introduce readers to yet another crochet technique & encourage avid experienced crocheters & beginners alike to try something new, expand their repertoire & enjoy themselves with some colourful, fun designs.

Utilising all 64 patterns will result in a rug (afghan) approx 152cm x 152cm (60” x 60”) in size but there is no reason why you can’t choose a selection of favourites (say 30 to 36 squares) for a smaller knee rug (afghan) or, by putting together just 4 squares you’ll have a colourful cushion face.

The patterns are divided into 8 sections:

(1) Figures & letters ~ (2) Signs & symbols ~ (3) Children & toys ~ (4) Transport (5) Fruit & veg ~ (6) Around the house ~ (7) This & that ~ (8) Birds & animals

so you can please yourself which designs suit your project… be it for a boy or girl, baby, young child or teenager… or even work just a few patterned squares alternated with plain coloured squares…

In Tapestry Crochet (as in Intarsia/Jacquard) a chart, graph or grid is used instead of written instructions for coloured patterns. Each square equals a stitch, each line equals a row and each blank square equals the main colour. Follow grids from the bottom and read right-side rows from right to left and wrong-side rows from left to right. All squares are worked in double crochet [dc] (US: single crochet [sc]). And, for reader convenience, I have written the required number of stitches for each colour, with arrows indicating row direction.   tapestry_rug   I’m really pleased to be able to bring you this collection of Tapestry designs & I hope it gives you hours of creative enjoyment – Renate

Textured Crochet Lace…

Textured Crochet Lace: 127 pages

  • ISBN 978-1-86351-430-9
  • ARRP: $39.99 AUD

I know that many of you have been awaiting the release of my new book Textured Crochet Lace, so I’m very happy to be able to say that it’s now available world wide.

I’m particularly proud of this new publication, not only because Sally Milner has, once again, produced a another gorgeous book that showcases my work but many of these patterns are favourites & ones I use all the time…  often incorporating them into my freeform / freestyle / open weave work &, moreover, I’ve made many a scarf, beanie, wrap & shawl to delight family & friends.

Textured Crochet Lace has 64 patterns &, of course, you can complete them all & have a beautiful sampler rug (afghan) that I know you will treasure &, better still, feel the sheer joy of your accomplishment… however, that’s not to say you can’t just choose a couple of favourites & make a smaller rug…. or just choose one & repeat the pattern as many time as you like to make the size that you like.

Skill requirements range from basic beginners to the more experienced & I’m confident that there is something interesting, perhaps even a little challenging, for anyone who enjoys crochet.

Each pattern is in written & diagram (chart) form, with both UK & US terminology & has a clear colour photo – I have given yarn & hook requirements but as with all of my samplers I like to encourage you to work with the yarn, hook & colours that you feel comfortable with – for me, The Sampler is a teaching/learning tool; a practical way the gain confidence & knowledge in a pleasurable way with the added bonus of having a lovely piece to show off to one & all….

I hope you all enjoy this new collection of patterns & it brings many hours of creative pleasure to your crochet journey…. Renate

Textured Crochet Lace is available from Amazon ~ The Book Depository ~ Booktopia (Amazon Australia)

View more Textured Crochet Lace content here

Sunflower Happiness – a crochet rug (afghan) pattern

I was in need of a bright, happy rug for a special gift – something quick & easy & a little different that I would be proud to give.

The original idea came to me as a traditional sunflower, you know, bright yellow/orange petals, chocolate brown centre, surrounded by a lovely creamy white… Hmmm… it looks OK but not really what I was hoping for… I wanted something a lot more cheerful & so, after much fiddling about, this is the result… Yep.., I’m very happy with it…

This is a nice & easy scrap yarn crochet rug (afghan) ideal for the less experienced.

Each square measures approx 16.5 cm (6 ½”) x 16.5 cm (6 ½”) – make as many squares as you need depending on your project – a little cot cover, a medium TV knee rug or a king size bedspread

Requirements: for the 5 square x 6 square rug I used: scrap yarn from my stash for colours & approx 230 grams 8ply cream acrylic (Panda, Magnum soft) for main colour – Hook size 4.00mm (US G)

Although I’ve given yarn & hook requirements, this is your project & you know how I always like to encourage you to work with your own preferred colours & appropriate hook to make the project your own – enjoy!

  • The pattern includes:
  • afghan square pattern
  • joining squares together & border instructions
  • both UK & US terminology
  • clear stitch drawings & pattern diagrams (charts)

The pattern is available from here or, if you prefer, from Ravelry ~ Etsy ~  Zibbet



The Big Flower Afghan – A Crochet Pattern

The Big Flower crochet pattern is one for those of you who love making rugs (afghans). The squares are largish, work up quickly & so your project grows at a satisfying rate.

& remember… you don’t have to follow my colours… work in your own favourite combinations or go through your stash & use up some of those lovely tiddly bits that aren’t enough for complete projects but you’ve never had the heart to discard…

I probably wouldn’t recommend this pattern to an absolute crochet beginner but if you have some basic crochet skills & are willing to try something a little different, I think you’re really going to enjoy this one…

This bright, cheerful BIG FLOWER crochet pattern with squares measuring approx 24 cm (9 ½”) x 24 cm (9 ½”) can be made using scrap yarn from your stash or you can create your own favourite colour combos.

Make as many squares as you need depending on your project: a little cot cover, a medium TV knee rug or a king size bedspread

  •  The pattern includes:
  • afghan square pattern
  • joining squares together & border instructions
  • both UK & US terminology
  • clear stitch drawings & pattern diagrams (charts)

The Big Flower Afghan Crochet Pattern can be purchased from here, or if you prefer from Ravelry, Etsy or Zibbet

Bring Colour To Crochet – 64 multi-coloured squares – New Crochet Book

Introducing my new book ‘Bring Colour To Crochet’, a 64 multi-coloured squares sampler to tempt crochet enthusiasts no matter your skill level. I’m so very excited about this new publication – my hope is that it encourages the novice to expand their crochet horizons, & provides new colour & stitch dimensions for the more experienced.

My aim with this book is to present the reader with 64 interesting & practical stitch patterns that explore the many varied ways of introducing colour & novelty into their work. Bringing colour into a project can be as easy as working rows of surface chain across some plain double crochet, dc (US sc) to more challenging techniques as changing colour within a given pattern. Freeformers too, will discover some novel stitches & interesting ways of bringing colour to their work.

To finally see ‘Bring Colour To Crochet’ in print is a wonderful proud moment for me but it would never have been possible without the guidance of Sally Milner Publications & the fabulous support of my crochet class ladies who constantly spur me forward.

Bring Colour to crochet is available worldwide ~ ISBN: 978-1-86351-414-9

Click here for a preview of what you’ll find inside ~ Happy crocheting…..