Knitfest 2021

Wonderful news… Knitfest 2021 is almost here &, all going as planned, looks like being a fabulous weekend of fibre fun for all.

Knitfest 2021 (Sat 3rd & Sun 4th July) is only weeks away. The theme ‘There’s a Dragon in my Garden, will make it a fun couple of days. I hope many of you will come & browse the many trade stalls or even participate in a workshop or two. Check out what’s happening or book a workshop here.

This year my trade stall is No 24 & I’ll have the lovely Robyn Bailey helping me while I’m workshoping. Please, don’t be shy… come & say hello. 

I’ll be doing 2 workshops, both held at Knitfest Central Stage

(1) Off-set Granny Square (Sat 3rd July – 10am – 12pm)

A fabulous little stash-busting pattern. Squares measure approx 18 cm (7”) x 18 cm (7”) and are easily mastered. Create your own cot covers, knee rugs or even a bedspread.

Requirements: Participants must have good basic Crochet skills

Materials: The workshop includes yarn and pattern, in both written and graph (chart) form. Please bring your own hooks 3.5m – 5m

Cost: $45

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(2) Crochet Spirals (Sun 4th July – 2pm – 4pm)

Spirals are beautiful, centred, balanced & harmonious, yet, can be complex. The crochet spiral workshop takes away some of the mystery by taking you through the basics. You can adapt and experiment with spirals, to incorporate them into your crochet repertoire.

Requirements: Participants must have good basic Crochet skills.

Materials: includes yarn and patterns, in both written and graph (chart) form. Please bring your own hooks 3.5m – 5m

Cost: $40

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As well as trade stalls, workshops & competitions there will be coffee & food vans, so bring your friends & make it a destination & an exciting day out…

Looking forward to seeing you there – cheers Renate

Scrap Yarn Crochet to help the lockdown hours

Life, as we knew it, has changed for most of us; social distancing, lockdowns & travel restrictions, to name just a few, have placed limits on what we can & can’t do. Here in Qld, Covid-19 hasn’t impacted our health as it has in other states, so we are luckier than most being able to live somewhat normally.

Nevertheless, I for one only go out when I need to, leaving more unnecessary shopping for another time (which hopefully will be sooner rather than later)… Scrap Yarn Crochet has become my go to consolation.

The Stained Glass Diamond Motif scarp yarn rug (afghan) has proven to be a popular pattern & I thank everyone who has purchased & taken the time to email lovely comments.

I’m guessing there are lots of you who want to reduce that ever-growing yarn stash & what better time than in this turbulent year.

With that in mind, I’ve come up with another 2 scrap yarn crochet projects. Both are suitable for novices & interesting enough for the more experienced. Both are available  in my Online shop

The first, ‘4 Leaf Clover Motif Rug (Afghan),’ is the easiest of the 2 & the one I’d recommend to beginners before trying the others.

 

 

The second, ‘The Lattice Emblem Motif Rug (afghan)’, is also easy to make, taking a little more concentration but not so much that it becomes a chore.

I hope these new scrap yarn patterns bring a little creative joy & distraction in these unpredictable times.

 

Stained Glass Diamond Motif Afghan Rug Crochet Pattern

It’s been a while since my last post. Hopefully the Covid lockdown hasn’t been too stressful for anyone & it’s been a somewhat useful time to get those ‘gunna-do-things’ done… Nevertheless, it’s been a difficult time keeping mojos flowing so, it comes with some relief that restrictions are beginning to ease & we can start planning our lives again & resume some social enjoyments.

For me &, I’m sure for many of you also, the past few months have been rather surreal, as though we are all taking part in a B-grade Si-fi movie; certainly interesting times we won’t forget for some time.

There’s always heaps to keep one busy, gardening, reading, re-organising cupboards, wardrobes, workshops & of course cleaning & more cleaning. But these are not activities that can replace our creative motivations.

Being in the more vulnerable ‘senior’ group (although I prefer the term ‘more mature’ group) I’ve been unable to shop for new yarn & have had to rely on my stash. Not really a bad thing as that certainly need thinning out.

So here’s a dazzling, colourful scrap yarn crochet rug (afghan) pattern  to cheer the senses. Suitable for beginners yet also an interesting project for the more experienced. Each square measures approx 15.5 cm (6”) x 15.5 cm (6”). 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 6 square x 6 square rug (afghan) I used: scrap yarn from my stash for colours & approx 230 grams for edging & border

Hook size 4.00mm (US G) 

Each square measures approx: 15.5 cm (6”) x 15.5 (6”)

Keep in mind, even though I’ve given yarn & hook requirements, this is your project; work with your own preferred colours & appropriate hook

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

The pattern can be purchased from my shop here

 

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern….

little dots rugIt’s been a long while since I’ve posted anything new, 2016 being such a stressful year but I’m determined that 2017 will be a happy, productive & creative time again. This little pattern has been in the pipe-line for ages & I’ve finally put it all together… I hope it’s a pattern that is both interesting to work & practical to boot…

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern:little dots stash

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern is a great, fun pattern for using up all those bits & pieces sitting idle in your yarn stash; those small yarn left-overs that are not enough for large projects but too good to just discard or throw away…

Little Dots Rug (Afghan) Crochet Pattern is suitable for beginners but still interesting enough for the more experienced.

little dots motifYour choice of yarn, back ground colour, & appropriate hook that you favour, will give your project its own unique result. I’m a big fan of rainbows but there’s no reason why you can’t work your rug in mono tones…

The pattern includes:
~ both UK & US terminology
~ pattern diagram (chart)
~ stitch drawings
~ assembly.

Enjoy this fun pattern using up all those neglected yarn bits & pieces in your stash… waste not, want not… is my motto for this project….

Available now in my Etsy Shop

little dots full

CORRECTION: Textured Crochet Lace

Textured Crochet LaceCORRECTION: I have discovered  a major error in my book Textured Crochet Lace… the instructions for Edging Individual Squares  was omitted when published…

My sincere apologies  to everyone who has purchased the book & therefore been confused about the edging & may even have abandoned their project…

I’m mortified! How do these things happen, but they do… even after intense proof-reading & editors checking… goes to show that nothing is perfect….

Hopefully, this post will rectify this major mistake to some degree…

The instructions for edging individual squares are as follows:

Round 1: with right side facing & continuing with working colour, 1 ch, work 3 dc (US: sc) in same st [place marker in middle st, corner made], * work 29 dc (US: sc) evenly spaced to next corner st, dc (US: sc) in corner st, repeat around square, join with ss in first dc (US: sc), do not finish off – 128dc (US: sc)

Round 2: continuing with working colour, 1 ch, dc (US: sc) in same st and in each st across to next corner st, * dc (US: sc) in corner st, dc (US: sc) in each st across to next corner st, repeat from * around, join with ss in first dc (US: sc) , finish off – 136 dc (US: sc)

Please contact me if you have any questions… Renate

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