Innehållsförteckning för Issue 59 från Simply Crochet

I was a little envious that our Art Ed Kim got to spend a glorious day at the beach shooting this month’s main collection! The art team got some incredible snaps of the projects, inspired by the British seaside (p18). That sunshine spreads right through this issue, too, with beachy makes, sea-inspired wall art and my personal favourite, 70s dungaree shorts! I’m always wearing dungas, so it was fab to have Fran Morgan recreate Sirdar’s vintage ones for us, with a modern twist (p34).…

DESIGNER CROCHET ACCESSORIES MELISSA LEAPMAN (£12.99, Creative Publishing) Give your wardrobe a refresh with a collection of 25 new accessories. Take your pick from pretty scarves to hats and mitts, jewellery and bags, all presented with clear photographs and stitch diagrams. At the back of the book there's a handy guide to all the stitches. SOPHIE'S UNIVERSE CROCHET-ALONG DEDRI UYS (£16.95, Scheepjes) After the huge success of the Sophie’s Universe CAL in 2015, the pattern for this square blanket is now available as a beautiful book. Aimed at adventurous beginners, each round is explained in detail, with step-by-step photos and hints, and a guide to techniques and stitches. Time to hook your heirloom! BOHO CHIC CROCHET PONCHOS ( £5.99, Leisure Arts) Rock the festival look with a fun poncho. This…

“When the restlessness kicked in, I signed up to a class.” “It’s a strange process that enables creativity to renew itself.” “In the end, it led back to crochet.” We’ve all been singed by creative burnout along the way. Whether crocheting for fun or professionally, there’s often a ditch waiting on the other side of a big project. Sometimes it’s after the frenzy of a handmade Christmas, or the mind-numbing repetition of making 10,721 items for a market stall, but sometimes even making a blanket can do it. I’ve found myself in ‘the ditch’ many times but most recently, I was there after the completion of my third book in three years. This made me so familiar with it that I began to call it ‘crochet collapse’.…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m) Cold Green (093) See table for quantities and measurements • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • 8 stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Rib – 24 rows of dc in back loop only measure 10cm (4in) length using a 4.5mm hook Filet – 8.5 mesh squares and 9 mesh rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 4.5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Designer Pony McTate says: “Looking for an edgier crochet project? Try this street-inspired top with its cool skull design. It’s a straightforward make even if you’re new to garments or filet crochet. Worked in breezy cotton, it has a loose fit for relaxed summer wear. And…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Classique Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/182m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Peppermint (3691) Yarn B Sunflower (3662) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A sharp darning needle • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Mat edging is 1cm (¼in) deep Coaster edging is 1.5cm (½in) deep ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss to first ch Crab stitch (cs) Work a dc in the opposite direction to usual. Right-handed crocheters work as follows (left-handed crocheters reverse the direction): insert hook into next stitch to the right, yrh, pull up a loop (keeping loops on the right of prev st), yrh, pull through both loops. For a full list, see page 92 Designer Becky Skuse says: “Add a…

ILARIA CALIRI Ilaria’s our go-to gal for adorable amigurumi. Wanna know why? Well, she’s hooked the cutest donkey ever on page 43, and designed a sweet flamingo bag charm on page 64. ‘Nuff said. PONY MCTATE New Zealand-based hookster Pony has a fearless sense of style and a playful attitude to crochet. This issue, she combines the two with an epic filet crochet sweater project. Find it on page 50. LUCY CROFT Lucy is the designer behind the canwork beach accessories. This issue, we’re finding out more about what makes her tick and why she’s so over bobble stitch right now. See page 62. LUCY ATTIC24 Look who it is! Blanket lover and top blogger Lucy is chatting about her favourite yarns and how she chooses colours for her designs…

BREEZY DOES IT Missed our Editor Sara's super-cool slouchy stripes from issue 46? The pattern for this summer jumper is now available in our Etsy store! You can download the PDF for £4.20 at www.immediatemediastore.etsy.com BAGS OF FUN Accessorize have nailed the carefree summer bag vibes with this crocheted raffia cutie – it even has pompoms and tassels. See www. uk.accessorize.com LAST DANCE If you fancy a CAL for the summer, head to www.scheepjes.com  for the Last Dance on the Beach blanket crochet-along – a beautiful tribute to late designer Wink. IN THE HUT This super-cute trio of beach hut shelves would be a glorious way to display amigurumi or your latest yarny purchase. Head to www.tch.net HEADS UP Crocheted…

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 A Bright Red (8414) Yarn B Cyan Blue (8891) Yarn C Deep Lavender (8762) Yarn D Granny Smith Green (8914) Colourway 2 • 1 skein of each: Yarn E Lagoon (7812) Yarn G Cerise (7802) Yarn H California Poppy (7826) Yarn F Azure (8892) MEASUREMENTS Each square meas 20x20cm (8x8in) Finished blanket meas 144x94cm (56½x37in) ABBREVIATIONS V-st (tr, ch2, tr) in designated st For a full list, see page 92 The…

YOU WILL NEED • Phildar Phil Coton 3 (100% cotton, 50g/121m), 2 balls of: Yarn A Mercure Gray (0008) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Piscine (0042) Yarn C Soleil (0045) Yarn D Clematite (0061) Yarn E Faience (0039) Yarn F Cerise (0050) Yarn G Vitamine (0006) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • 1 pair of 9mm safety eyes • Black embroidery yarn • Polyester toy filling • Stitch markers • Tapestry needle For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com MEASUREMENTS 17x22cm (6›x8›in) ABBREVIATIONS Spike st Work a standard dc stitch into the corresponding stitch that is 2 rows below For a full list, see page 92 Fancy a stately trot along the seafront? Pedro’s your guy. Decked out in his full regalia,…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Baby Alpaca Silk (70% alpaca, 30% silk, 50g/167m), Off White (100) Red (3609) Navy Blue (6935) For measurements and yarn quantities see table • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • 11 ( 11 : 14 ) 12mm blue buttons • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 21sts and 37 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet using a 3.5mm hook or size needed to obtain stated tension 24sts and 16 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Stitch Pattern using a 3.5mm hook or size needed to obtain stated tension ABBREVIATIONS Dc3tog (Insert hook into next st, yrh, draw yarn through) 3 times, yrh, draw through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 92…

MADE BY HAND @eleanorandi used handspun yarn for her amazing version of the A Good Vintage cardigan from issue 54. We love all the different shades and the quirky buttons on it. MEGA MANDALA Cats just love to get involved, don’t they? This kitty seems to like @marikorint’s circular blanket as much as we do. It was part of our Bright Blankets collection with issue 33. ON THE HOOK WIP moment – @kate.is.getting. crafty is busy hooking Claude the Octopus from issue 46. It’s the second time she’s made this sea creature and we must say he’s looking rather splendid already.…

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 • DK yarn from your stash, 1 ball of each: Yarn A Green Yarn B Yellow Yarn C Brown Yarn D Pink • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Black thread for eyes • Polyester toy stuffing • Stitch markers TENSION Tension is not critical for this project. You can use any yarn to make this amigurumi. If you use a larger hook and a suitable yarn, the amigurumi will be larger whilst maintaining the same proportions. MEASUREMENTS Round Cactus measures 9x15cm (31/2x6in) using a 3mm hook Tall Cactus measures 9x16cm (31/2x61/2in) using a 3mm hook ABBREVIATIONS Spike st Work a standard dc stitch into the corresponding stitch that is 2 rows below For a full list, see page 92 Succulent trend? Check. Desk plant…

YOU WILL NEED For dungarees • Sirdar Snuggly 4ply (55% nylon, 45% acrylic, 50g/226m), Periwinkle (447) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • 4 buttons, 2cm/¾in (2 of these are false buttons on the Back) • Stitch marker • Elastic, 2cm (¾in) wide, half your waist measurement • 2m (2yds) of cotton webbing, 2cm (¾in) wide (optional) For watermelon motif • Sirdar Snuggly 4 ply (55% nylon, 45% acrylic, 50g/226m), 1 ball of: Yarn A Spicy Pink (350) • Sirdar Country Style 4ply (40% nylon, 30% wool, 30% acrylic, 50g/226m), 1 ball of each: Yarn B Key Lime (641) Yarn C Bramble (646) • Scrap of black wool blend 4ply for seeds • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Motif…

YOU WILL NEED • DyeNinja High Twist Merino Fingering (100% fine merino wool, 100g/365m), 1 skein of Poptart • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact DyeNinja www.dyeninja.com TENSION In pattern, Rows 1-6 measure 10cm (4in) deep from top of shawl to bottom tip. In pattern, Rows 1-3 measures 10cm (4in) across top of shawl. MEASUREMENTS 71x140cm (28x55in) ABBREVIATIONS V-st (tr, ch4, tr) in same place Shell (4tr, ch2, 4tr) in same place 2-tr cl (Yrh, insert hook in st, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) twice, inserting hook in same place each time, yrh and draw through all 3 loops on hook Picot Ch3, ss in third ch from hook For a full list, see page 92…

PENTAGON MOTIF Ch5, ss to first ch to join into a ring. ROUND 1 Ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr into ring, ch2, (3tr into ring, ch2) 4 times, ss to top of beg ch-3. ROUND 2 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr in each tr and (2tr, ch2, 2tr) into each ch-2 sp, working 2 tr into each ch of the ch-sp, ss to top of beg ch-3. FASTEN OFF and weave in ends. KING COLE DISH CLOTH & CRAFT COTTON WEIGHT Chunky CONTENT 100% cotton BALL 100g/150m HOOK 6mm RRP £3.58 The thready texture of this King Cole dishcloth yarn creates a cute, scrappy finished fabric that’ll give you some scrubbing power when it’s time to tackle the dishes. Plus, you’ll find it’s gentle and soft next to the skin,…

FANCY EDGINGS P83 Edgings are a great way to finish any fabric, whether it’s crocheted, knitted or woven. First you need to prepare the fabric – this means weaving in ends and blocking a crochet fabric. With a woven fabric, you need to hem or finish the edges so they won’t fray and work blanket stitches along the edge to create loops that you can crochet into (see image below). We’ve covered this technique in issue 16 of Simply Crochet, or find our tutorial at www.simplycrochetmag.co.uk Next, you need to work a base row of plain crochet stitches before the edging pattern – we used double crochet stitches (see image below) but you can use the same techniques with longer stitches to make the edging wider, if desired. Take a…

YOU WILL NEED • King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 1 ball of each: Glacier (2194) Amber (2200) Grey (2207) Orange (2204) Yellow (2206) Turquoise (2208) • 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 5-dtr cluster (5-dtr cl) (Yrh twice, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, [yrh and draw through 2 loops] twice) 5 times, yrh and draw through all 6 loops on hook For a full list, see page 92 This design is the seventh in our series of mandalas hooked with King Cole’s Giza Cotton 4ply yarn. Share yours on social media using the hashtag #SCmandalas MANDALA Fasten off each colour as you join the…