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

Crochet Chevron Pattern… by popular demand…

chev1a

So many of you have written asking me for this crochet chevron pattern… Well.. Yay! I’ve finally written it up & I hope you enjoy this quick & easy sharp corner peak, high ribbed chevron that I incorporate so often in my freeform work.

However, there is no reason why you can’t use it for more conventional things like: cot rugs, afghans or bedspreads – It’s a beaut little pattern for using up those scrap yarns in your stash – Or, you can take it that bit further by embellishing the ribs with embroidery, fancy yarn & treads or buttons & beads. Work in whatever yarn & appropriate hook you favour, each will give you unique results.. so, experiment & have fun with it!

  • The pattern includes:
  • both UK & US terminology
  • pattern diagram (chart)

This pattern is available for sale as instant downloads on Etsy & Ravelry

Rainbow freeform handbagjester hat S1 & S2aztec-2Urban Blues - side 2

Crochet Fan Lace Shawl, Wrap, Scarf Pattern

My newest Crochet Fan Lace Shawl/Scarf/Wrap Pattern is a little different from the norm in that it’s worked from the bottom up, which is fabulous when you have a limited amount of a particular yarn & you’re unsure just how far it will go – just start at the bottom & keep going until you run out of yarn.

The crochet fan lace shawl/scarf/wrap pattern works up quickly & can be worked in your choice of yarn & hook size

I used Scheepjeswol Granada 100% 8 ply cotton for the pattern photo item.

  • The pattern includes:
  • the shawl/scarf pattern
  • both UK & US terminology
  • clear stitch drawings & pattern diagrams (charts)
  • step by step instruction for the Clone Bobble tassel

My Mum gave me 2 x 50 gram balls of this yellow & what I can only  guess to be some kind of acrylic mohair…  demanding I make something…. my first thoughts were ‘eeegads…!!’ Really? It’s so very bright & garish… &, well,.. so yellow…. nevertheless I did as I was told & to my surprise it worked up beautifully &  Mum  is super delighted… so it goes to show… you never know until you have a go….

And then, I simply had to have another go with the crochet fan lace shawl/scarf/wrap pattern this time using 4 ply Mini Mochi by Crystal Palace Yarns. Don’t you just love this yarn? Colour way, texture & workability… all of it, gorgeous…

So there you go folks.. a ‘can do’ for beginners & a quickie for the more experience… have lots of fun with this newbie

You can purchase the Crochet Fan Lace shawl wrap pattern from here or, if you prefer, from Ravely ~ Etsy ~ Zibbet

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