Innehållsförteckning för Issue 57 från Simply Crochet

After last month’s colour-drenched issue, we thought we’d go back to basics for our main collection. Using just one beautiful shade of yarn to create home accessories makes the bobble stitches the star of the show (p16). And the fresh inspiration doesn’t stop there. I’ve been able to indulge my love of vintage crochet patterns with one of our new projects. There are so many amazing vintage resources out there and with modern yarns and bit of imagination, they can really come to life again. See Fran Morgan’s up-to-date take on an 80s Sirdar jumper on p46.…

BABY SHOES TO CROCHET LUCIA FÖRTHMAN (£7.99, Search Press) A cute collection of 16 designs for tiny feet, including peep-toe and ballet styles, lace-ups and a variety of boots. There’s plenty for boys as well as girls and each pattern is sized for three ages: 0-3 months, 3-6 months and 6-9 months. There’s a how-to section at the front plus adorable illustrations. So sweet. WHEN BAD THINGS HAPPEN TO GOOD CROCHETERS BETH WOLFENSBERGER SINGER (£17.99, GMC) There are revelations on every page of this guide about keeping a project bag well stocked, stitch anatomy, deciphering patterns and charts, making neater turning chains, fastening off tricks and fixing mistakes.There are six patterns included and it's all delivered in a friendly tone. CROCHET YOURSELF CALM CARMEN HEFFERNAN (£10.99, Search Press) This book…

“I'm a superhero and my talent is making things from yarn!” “If crochet isn’t a superpower, then I don’t know what is!” “You are also a crochet superhero!” Ever since I was a child, I’ve been mad about superheroes. I just love them! People with skills unknown to the average person, magical powers used to protect the greater good and feats accomplished that are so lavish, they can inspire a nation. I wanted to be a superhero so badly. When anybody asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up, naturally I replied “I’m going to be a superhero.” Only one small obstacle seemed to stand in my way – just a teeny tiny problem. I didn’t actually possess any real super powers… Like all…

“Feeling the moment drives a lot of the work that I do.” Life for Olek is never still for more than a moment. “Last week I wrote a book proposal,” she says when we FaceTime between New York and Bristol. “I’m also crocheting right now, which is why I’m not always directly looking at you.” Indeed, throughout our chat, Olek is busy crocheting flowers for a new installation. The book proposal is fairly hush-hush at present, but Olek says it will offer insights into the stories behind her projects. “I have a lot of stories to tell. For instance, with ‘Our Pink House’, people see it’s beautiful and they might know how difficult it was to make, but they won’t know the story behind it, and these stories are important…

LACY WRAP P83 A wonderfully versatile stitch, Solomon’s knot is simple enough even for complete crochet beginners and creates a pretty, lacy fabric that’s perfect for shawls, throws and a host of other accessories and homewares. Usually abbreviated in patterns as ‘SK’, this vintage stitch is also sometimes called lover’s knot, hail stone, knot stitch and crochet love knot. Each Solomon’s knot stitch has two parts: an elongated loop of yarn, and a ‘knot’ at the end of the loop that’s similar to a double crochet stitch. The loop part can be whatever length you like, although a pattern should always tell you how long to work the loop. The knot section secures the loop at the length you’ve made it and provides a solid stitch that you can work…

YOU WILL NEED • King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 1 ball of each: Cream (2191) Coral (2196) Rosehip (2197) Bluebell (2198) Brown (2205) Yellow (2206) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook For yarn stockists, contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com MEASUREMENTS 20cm (7›in) diameter ABBREVIATIONS Dtr3tog (Yrh twice, insert hook in next stitch, yrh and pull up loop, [yrh and draw through 2 loops] twice) 3 times, yrh and draw through all loops on hook . Picot Ch3, ss in third ch from hook 3-tr cluster *Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops; repeat from * twice more, inserting hook in the same st each time, yrh and draw through all 4 loops…

YOU WILL NEED • Spud and Chloe Sweater (55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton, 100g/146m), 1 skein of each: Yarn A Ice Cream (7500) Yarn B Watermelon (7512) Yarn C Pollen (7508) Yarn D Firefly (7505) For yarn stockists contact Love Crochet www.lovecrochet.com • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • Tapestry needle • 40cm (16in) square cushion pad • Fabric for backing, or an existing cushion cover TENSION 13 sts and 6.5 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over treble crochet using a 4.5mm hook or size needed to obtain tension MEASUREMENTS 40cm (16in) square, excluding borders ABBREVIATIONS 3-htr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh and pull up loop) 3 times, inserting the hook in the same space/st each time, yrh and draw through all loops on hook. For…

DEDRI UYS Dedri is the designer behind the hugely popular Sophie’s Universe crochet-along. Flip to page 52 to find her chatting about how she got into the craft and what she’ll be making next. OLEK New York-based artist Olek uses crochet on a showstopping scale and she’s not afraid to highlight social issues in her work. We’re bowled over by her colourful creations. See page 68. SARAH SHRIMPTON You’ll recognise Sarah from her Annaboo’s House crochet blog. This issue, she’s telling us all about her favourite project over on page 98. Spoiler: it’s totally adorable. PERNILLE CORDES Pernille is a Danish designer who, as well as having her own beautiful yarn brand, has a real knack for Tunisian crochet. Find her stripy Tunisian pencil case project on page 73. OTHER…

LIKE A DIAMOND Crejjtion blogger Maaike von Koert has teamed understated stripes with bobble texture in diamond shapes and the result is one heck of a baby blanket. Find the Diamanti Blanket crochet pattern at www.crejjtion.com ON THE WALL MiaFleur are all about accessories and it's their yarny Blush Textile Wall Hanging that we've fallen for. Check out that ombre effect. www.miafleur.com CHEVRON CHIC Less is more – pop a single bloom in this chevron vase from www.mandco.com  for easy-peasy minimal style. Oh, and it'll only set you back a tenner. HAVE A HYGGE With its bobbles and cross stitch, Kirsten Ballering's Hygge shawl CAL for Scheepjes is texture-tastic. Head to www. scheepjes.com GEO COOL The geometric detail on this glorious…

YOU WILL NEED • Cascade Ultra Pima (100% pima cotton, 100g/200m), Buttercup (3748) See table and yarn quantities for measurements • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Large tapestry needle For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Initial Pattern Repeat (up to Row 19 of pattern) measures 9x8cm (3½x3¼in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Mrs Moon designers Susan and Karen say: “This pretty, lacy top is a great way to try out pineapple lace, which is something every crocheter – in our personal opinion, of course – should try! Pineapple lace is traditionally viewed as rather old-fashioned and associated with doilies or antimacassars, but it is a beautiful stitch and can be used to wonderful effect in the modern world. This sun…

YOU WILL NEED • Patons 100% Cotton DK (100% cotton, 100g/210m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Limestone (2716) Yarn B Denim (2697) Yarn C Pale Blue (2173) Small amount of: Yarn D Navy (2124) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Stitch markers • Toy filling • A pair of 7mm safety eyes for each dog • A 1cm (¼in) pale blue button for each dog • A 1cm (¼in) denim blue button for each dog • 15cm (6in) length of 1cm (¼in) wide beige ribbon • 1.5cm (½in) patch of contrasting fabric For yarn stockists contact Mez Crafts 01484 950630 www.mezcrafts.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Archie measures 21cm (8¼in) from head to foot Boris measures 25cm (9¾in) from head to foot ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see…

YOU WILL NEED • Sirdar Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 100g/335m), Yarn A Guava (534) Yarn B Vanilla (502) Yarn C Sheer Coral (525) For measurements and yarn quantities see table • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.co.uk TENSION 6.5 pattern repeats and 12 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 3mm hook or size needed to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS 2-tr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) twice, inserting the hook in the same st each time, yrh and draw through all 3 loops on hook For a full list, see page 92 Good design…

YOU WILL NEED • Englegarn Merino (100% merino, 50g/175m), 1 skein of each (10g of each shade required): White (01), Anthracite (04), Sienna (09), Heather (10), Khaki (14) We suggest Cascade 220 as an alternative yarn from a UK stockist • A 4.5mm (US 7) Tunisian crochet hook • Zip 20cm (7¾in) long • Lining fabric (optional) 1cm larger than crocheted piece on all sides • Small piece of leather cord and bead for zip pull TENSION 20 sts and 20 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Tunisian Simple Stitch using a 4.5mm hook or size needed to obtain tension MEASUREMENTS Finished case: 22x14.5cm (8½x5¾in) Crocheted piece: 25x30cm (9¾x15¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 This stripy case is a fab project to start with if you’re new…

When I was reading the Pippi Longstocking stories to my daughter, Annabelle, these timeless tales gave me the inspiration to design her a big doll of her own. So meet Astrid. Her hair is based on Pippi’s beautiful red plaits, and who better to name the toy after than the author of the books, Astrid Lindgren? Designing the doll took a few weeks. I made initial sketches and drawings to work out the proportions first before choosing the yarn. Designing a pattern takes some time, as there’s always some frogging or ripping back when the shapes don’t work, but luckily Astrid didn’t present me with too many difficulties. When making toys, I always favour the amigurumi method of working in continuous rounds of double crochet stitches. This provides a strong…

YOU WILL NEED • Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland wool, 100g/200m), 1 skein of each: Yarn A Galaxy (4006) Yarn B Christmas Red (8895) Yarn C Nectarine (2451) Yarn D Fogg Hatt (2442) For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • Tapestry needle • Two 35x35cm (14x14in) cushion pads TENSION Stripe Pattern 1 15 sts and 10 rows to 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 4.5mm hook Stripe Pattern 2 15 sts and 9 rows to 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 4.5mm hook MEASUREMENTS Cushion cover measures 35x35cm (14x14in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet Treble stripes and long triple treble stitches create the unique texture and brickwork effects on this pair of stylish wool cushions.…

YOU WILL NEED • Small amount of DK yarn • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A small button MEASUREMENTS Purse measures 6.5cm (2½in) wide by 7cm (2¾in) high when closed ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 How about a handmade pouch for storing crafty notions in while you’re on the go? Yep, you’ll thank us. Buttons and stitch markers do seem to have a habit of getting themselves lost in project bags. NOTES The Purse is worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. You may find it helpful to place a marker in the first st of each round and move it up as you work. The flap is worked in Rows. PURSE…

YOU WILL NEED Quantities of yarn given are enough to complete the entire blanket. You will need both colourways as listed below. • Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland wool, 100g/200m), see below for details • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com Colourway 1 • 1 skein of each: Yarn E Cerise (7802) Yarn F California Poppy (7826) Yarn H Azure (8892) Yarn G Lagoon (7812) Colourway 2 • 1 skein of each: Yarn D Granny Smith Green (8914) Yarn C Deep Lavender (8762) Yarn B Cyan Blue (8891) Yarn A Bright Red (8414) MEASUREMENTS Each square meas 20x20cm (8x8in) Finished blanket meas 144x94cm (56½x37in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 The Pick ‘n’ Mix crochet-along blanket is made…

YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes Sunkissed (100% cotton, 50g/170m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Poolside (04) Yarn B Lavender Ice (10) Yarn C Beach Hut Pink (20) Yarn D Beach Hut Orange (12) Yarn E Noonday Sun (15) Yarn F Spearmint Green (14) • Small amount of off-white DK cotton yarn • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A 1.5cm diameter blue button For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com TENSION 2¼ pattern repeats and 11 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 3mm hook MEASUREMENTS For Skirt see table Rainbow and Cloud Motif measures 13x8cm (5x3in) ABBREVIATIONS tr3tog (Yrh, insert hook in next stitch, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, yrh and draw through all loops on hook tr4tog…

1 After working the foundation row, have the RS facing you. Skip the vertical strand on the outside edge of the work and *insert the hook from right to left under the second vertical strand of yarn on the row below. 2 Yrh and pull a loop of yarn through the vertical strand and onto the hook. 3 You will now have 2 loops on the hook. Repeat from * in step 1, inserting hook under the next vertical strand across the row, except for the last strand on the outside edge of the work. 4 On the last stitch of the row, insert hook under front and back of outside loop. Yrh and pull through as before, to create a firm edge. Now work the standard return pass to…

A BIT OF MAGIC Stitcher @nome chompskicrochet hooked this amazing pair of issue 54 rainbow unicorn slippers for a friend. Lucky friend, we say! The details are fantastic – look at those lashes. CROCHET GEMS Not only did @sweetnstitches make a lovely purple version of the bunting necklace from issue 55, she went one better and created a pair of earrings to match. We love these. BRIGHT STRIPES Creative reader @dlil is almost there with her A Good Vintage granny treble cardigan from issue 54 – just the yarn ends to sew in! We can’t wait to see the finished cardi in action.…

HOLDING THE HOOK Try these methods and see which works best. PENCIL METHOD Hold the hook like a pencil, in your right hand (if you’re right-handed), about 3-5cm from the hooked end. If your hook has a flat area, you’ll find it comfortable to hold it here. KNIFE METHOD Hold the hook between your thumb and forefinger, about 3-5cm from the hooked end, resting the end of the hook against your palm. This will give you lots of control. HOLDING THE YARN Even tension results in even stitches. METHOD ONE Pass the ball end of the yarn between the little finger and third fingers of your left hand (if you are right-handed), then behind the third and middle fingers, over your index finger. METHOD TWO Loop the ball end of…

YOU WILL NEED • Cotton DK (50g) 8 balls of Yarn A Cream 2 balls of Yarn B Black • Crochet cotton #5, small amounts of red, white, dark blue, pale grey and black • A 2mm (US B/1 hook) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • 2 white felt rectangles 3x2cm (1¼x¾in) • Cushion pad 60x30cm (24x12in) • 8 buttons 3cm (1¼in) TENSION 12 sts and 12 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 5mm hook MEASUREMENTS Cushion measures 60x30cm (24x12in) ABBREVIATIONS Ninetr Yrh 9 times, insert hook into st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, (yrh and draw through 2 loops) 10 times Picot Ch3, ss in third ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet Bring…