Category: how to crochet

2 new crochet patterns to play with…

Hello & welcome to 2011….

I thought it might be appropriate to begin the year with 2 new crochet patterns & trust they will be useful additions to your crochet repertoire – The crochet bag purse pattern is for sale & a basic foundation for embellishments – let your imagination go wild by adding your own ideas to make this your very own creation… The button pattern is a free download & a handy little item when that special button is required but is often so difficult to find – enjoy!

(1) Easy Basic Crochet Bag/Purse Pattern

This basic crochet bag/purse pattern is worked on size not number of stitches & can be used as a foundation for embellishments by adding crochet/knit flowers/motifs ~ beading ~ lace overlays ~ freeform scrumples ~ or anything your imagination & heart desires ~ your choice of yarn & hook size will determine the look & feel of your purse/bag – experiment with yarns, hooks & width/depth of your bag/purse & have fun creating your own individual design

Pattern includes:

  • basic purse/bag pattern instructions
  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

Requirements: to create the purse in the photo I used:

Yarn Bee (Down to Earth) 70% Bamboo, 30% Cotton – 150 grms ~ hook size 4.50 (US: G) ~ satin lining ~ shade cloth for bag base ~ simple crochet button

* Please note: flower embellishments are not included in this pattern

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(2) Simple Crochet Button pattern – free Download

This simple button pattern will come in handy when nothing else suits or is available – experiment with yarns, threads & hook sizes – work pattern in back loops of stitch only – play with multi colours by changing colour on every round or use variegated yarn/thread – thread beads onto your yarn/thread & bring them into your work as desired – stuff with wadding for a firm button or cover old buttons Pattern includes:

  • simple crochet button & button loop instructions
  • US & UK terminology
  • stitch diagrams (charts) & stitch drawings
  • clear colour photos

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…..

Granny Square Update… Diagonal Granny Square

The Diagonal Granny Square:

Here’s another addition the ever popular Granny Square for those of you who would like to work with 2 colours on the diagonal ~ I came up with this method after searching high & low for easy to read diagonal granny square patterns, I’m sure there are more patterns out there, I just couldn’t find them…

The written pattern for this Diagonal Granny Square is quite wordy ~ hopefully the stitch diagrams will help guide you through – the pattern is given in both UK & US terminology, with colour diagrams (chart), photos & abbreviations

This one is for you, Peggy…… enjoy!

Granny Squares by Halves

In answer to the many requests… here it is, finally… ‘The Half Granny Square’

Free PDF download nowFor granny square lovers who also enjoy utilising this nifty little gem into clothing like vests, jumpers (pullovers) & skirts, to name a few, but don’t like the boxy & unflattering finish that so often result. The half granny square may be just the answer – an easy way to shape armholes, neck & hem lines or used it anyway you like….

I hope you will find the patterns for multi & single coloured granny squares easy to follow & the beginning of a new Granny Square adventure…. Enjoy!!

Something a bit different from me…

Like most crafters, I love craft magazines. My bookshelf is overflowing with an array of different issues, everything from: crochet, knitting, beading, paper, you name it… I’ll have a mag about it somewhere. They are such a wealth of information for what’s happening in the craft world, new ideas & where suppliers hideout & can be found. However, & only due to lack of time, I don’t usually contribute to them.

So, when I was asked if I could come up with some ideas to revamp clothes for little girls for the new Embellish Magazine, I was at quite a loss as to what to do – after all, it’s rather ‘left field’ for me…. nevertheless, always up for a challenge, I came up with these simple patterns that I feel sure will prolong the life of that favourite skirt/dress for the little miss in your life.

Embellish is published by ArtWear Publications & also the home of Yarn & Felt & Magazines. If you haven’t done so already, check out these great magazines, you’ll be pleasantly surprised… enjoy