Innehållsförteckning för Issue 61 från Simply Crochet

When I’m planning projects for Simply Crochet, I’m usually led by colour. For this issue it was especially true – it’s a real celebration of all the different ways you can use your favourite shades. Whether you’re dipping your toe into colourwork with our pop art accessories (p14), hooking stripes, or embracing ombre with a gradient poncho (p28), this month is a great time to play with colour. And make sure you don’t miss our round-up of nine crocheters you need to know about – you might spot some familiar faces and hopefully a few new ones to inspire you!…

LITERARY YARNS CINDY WANG (£11.99, Quirk Books) Pay hooky homage to 16 of your favourite characters from novels and plays in amigurumi. Meet Hamlet holding a skull, Captain Ahab with Moby Dick, Sherlock Holmes in his deerstalker hat and the White Rabbit with his pocket watch. With a guide to the basics, step-by-step instructions and fun photos, this is an unmissable collection for literature buffs. BOHO BABY CROCHET DEDRI UYS (£12.99, Apple Press) If you’re looking for modern, colourful ideas for baby, top blogger Dedri Uys’ book is for you. She's rounded up fellow designers and together they've created 30 fresh, achievable patterns for baby clothes, toys, accessories, nursery decorations and glorious technicolour blankets. There's plenty of how-to infomation, too, if you're new to the craft. CROCHETED BEARS & OTHER…

YOU WILL NEED • Hoooked Natural Jute (100% jute, approx 45m/bobbin), 1 bobbin of each: Yarn A Lush Petrol Yarn B Cinnamon Taupe Yarn C Tea Rose Yarn D Grey Mist Yarn E Serenity Mint Yarn F Vanilla Cream • A 15mm (US P/19) hook For yarn stockists contact Hoooked www.hoooked.co.uk TENSION 4 V-sts measure 22cm and 4 rows measure 15cm over V-st using a 15mm hook MEASUREMENTS Rug measures 70x62cm (27›x24›in) excluding tassels ABBREVIATIONS S-tr Place a slip knot on the hook, yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, (yrh and pull through 2 loops) twice V-st (tr, ch1, tr) in st indicated For a full list, see page 92 Hoooked’s Natural Jute is an eco-friendly fibre – it’s produced sustainably in Brazil.…

YOU WILL NEED • Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 100g/200m), 2 balls of Grey (8509) • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com 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 up of 12 vibrant squares in total, each worked in two different colourways. In this final part of the project, you’ll find all the joining and border details you’ll need to complete your blanket. Don’t forget to share your progress and finished projects with us on Twitter and Instagram using the hashtag #picknmixCAL – we love to see your makes from the magazine. Subscribers will receive any of the crochet-along…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Wensleydale Gems DK (100% British wool, 100g/225m) Yarn A Amethyst (776) Yarn B Aquamarine (321) Yarn C Peridot (487) Yarn D Tourmaline (515) Yarn E Fire Opal (427) For measurements and yarn quantities see table • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 4.5mm (US 7) • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • 4 buttons, 1.5cm (›in diameter) For yarn stockists contact WYS 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION 16 sts and 19 rows in pattern st to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 As cosy crochet cardigans go, this is the real deal – soft British wool, in-your-face colour and cute corsage details. The shape is really flattering, too. We never believed what…

YOU WILL NEED • Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, 170g/288m), 2 balls of each: Yarn A Off White (9702) Yarn B Bone (9703) 1 ball of each: Yarn C Harvest Red (9763) Yarn D Green (9779) Yarn E Pumpkin (9765) Yarn F Chartreuse (9771) Yarn G Watermelon (9604) Yarn H Berry Blue (9609) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • A 60x60cm (24x24in) cushion pad • 4 decorative buttons • 4 sew-on snap fasteners For yarn stockists contact Hobbycraft 0330 026 1400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk TENSION 17 sts x 21 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc using a 4.5mm hook MEASUREMENTS 62x55cm (24½x21¾in) excluding tassels ABBREVIATIONS Bobble (Yrh with Bobble colour leaving a 10cm tail, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through…

Looking for some innovative crochet designers and creatives to inspire your next project? We’ve found a whole galaxy of fresh hooky talent to motivate and amaze you! Here are the ones to watch. 1 ALL-SEASON SHAWLS Who: Sandra Paul What: British crochet blogger You should know: Her first foray into crochet was far from smooth, but she stuck with it. “After a little practice, I mastered a granny square and started making my first blanket, and by then I was well and truly smitten,” she says. She soon recognised that she was having ideas for crochet patterns she wanted to make that didn’t already exist in the world. “At first, I’d try to modify existing patterns but it wasn’t long before I realised that it was usually much easier to…

PSST Win the yarn to make this! YOU WILL NEED • King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/158m), 1 ball of each: Glacier (2194) Red (2202) Orange (2204) Pebble (2195) Green (2203) Argent (2249) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook For yarn stockists, contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com MEASUREMENTS 16.5cm (6½in) diameter ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss to third ch from hook qtr Yrh 4 times, insert hook into st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, (yrh and draw through 2 sts) 5 times For a full list, see page 92 This design is the ninth in our series of mandalas for 2017, hooked with King Cole’s Giza Cotton 4ply yarn. The pattern matches the September illustration in your Simply Crochet…

PSST Mix flower motifs with draping mesh YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Cotton Merino (50% cotton, 50% wool, 50g/110m), 4 balls of Powder (28), 1 ball of each: Pistachio (10), Coral (13), Cerise (14), Turquoise (24), Storm Blue (26), and Sea Green (29) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 54x193cm (21¼x76in) after blocking TENSION Each flower motif measures 11cm (4›in) 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 Picot Ch2, ss in second ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet A…

STACEY TROCK Stacey’s known for her super-cute amigurumi designs, but did she pick a toy as her most precious project? Nope. Turn to page 98 to see the amazing rainbow make that stole her heart. CÉCILE BALLADINO French designer Cécile has dreamt up a glorious ombre poncho for us this issue, using purple gradient yarn (so hot right now). It has tassels and everything! Find it on page 28. RUBY MCGRATH Mama and all-round crochet boss Ruby chats to us about how her Frank&Olive business got started, and some exciting new hooky adventures she’s got coming up. Page 58. STEPHANIE LAU On page 38, All About Ami blogger Stephanie is sharing her latest crochet crush – practical makes! Using crochet creations every day could be much easier than you’d think.…

1 BACKPACK FOR GOOD Ostensibly it's for one of the kids, but we have a sneaking suspicion we'll be using this cool crochet rucksack, thank you very much. Make one with a Jackson Backpack kit from www.woolandthegang.com 2 SWAN ABOUT Move over fluffy pens, here dawns the age of the swan pencil. These ones even have positive slogans on. N'aww. Find them at www. sistersguild.co.uk 3 STROKE OF GENIUS Can you think of a more apt receptacle for pens and pencils (ahem, crochet hooks)? This is a Happy Jackson design from www. cuckooland.com 4 ON THE PULLOVER Tasked with whipping up a new school jumper? Sirdar's Nº1 yarn could be your answer – an acrylic blend in 100g balls.…

PSST The tassels add swishy movement! YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes Whirl (60% cotton, 40% acrylic, 220g/1000m), 2 cakes of Lavenderlicious (758) These yarn quantities apply to all three sizes For measurements see table • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com TENSION 1 square when blocked measures 13 ( 14 : 15 )cm or 5 ( 5› : 6 )in square ABBREVIATIONS 2-tr cluster (2-tr cl) (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/sp each time, yrh and draw through all 5 loops on hook 3-tr cluster (3-tr cl) As above, working () 3 times For a full list, see page 92 Width a: 52 (…

“I've been inspired to make some more cute animal home décor items!” Lots of us were searching for a practical hobby when we stumbled across the wonderful world of crochet, and what a hobby we found! Not only is crocheting therapeutic with its rhythmic movements, but we also create a finished product that we can use, wear or gift. Works of art can be appreciated for their beauty as they evoke some sort of emotional response – they do not need to serve any practical function. However, with crochet, we create works of art that often do serve a practical function that can be used in everyday life – isn't that amazing? WRAP UP AND TIDY UP I've designed a multitude of crocheted wearable items, from sweaters and hats to…

Emma Wright This cosy design is built around an old favourite. Yorkshire-based crochet designer Emma told us: "Granny squares really are my crochet go-to, they are so reliable. They look beautiful, they work well with all colours and I love playing with scale, which is where the idea of my four-patch granny squares came from. The blanket looks great when sewn together into a full-sized square!" You can see more yarny goodness from Emma at www.emmaknitted. co.uk . She's @emmaknitted on Instagram. Emma Leith Artist and yarn bomber Emma says: "The inspiration for this blanket came from the look and feel of the yarn. I wanted to ease us into the autumn evenings with a restful project, which I hope this is. I usually go…

YOU WILL NEED • DMC Natura Just Cotton (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 4 balls of Yarn A Cerise (62) 2 balls of Yarn B Nacar (35) 1 ball of Yarn C Green Smoke (54) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmc.com MEASUREMENTS To fit average 8-10 year old child Length down mid-front 53cm (21in) Width across at widest point 72cm (28½in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Designer Marianne says: “My very first piece of crochet was a poncho in pink, green and off-white, which I made when I was nine years old. Both my mum and I vividly remember me crocheting it, as well as the poncho itself – even though it’s been missing for many years (and…

1 Cut a piece of cardboard that’s about 5cm wide and as long as you’d like your tassel to be. Make a 1cm cut in one short end of the card. Tie a knot in one end of your yarn and secure it around the slot. 2 Wrap the yarn around the length of the card to the thickness you require. If you want to use more colours, knot the yarns together at the base of the card and carry on wrapping around. 3 Cut a small piece of yarn, thread under the yarn wraps at the top of the card and knot the two ends. Cut through the bottom wraps of the tassel and snip off the starting knot(s). 4 Cut another piece of yarn and wrap it around…

This rainbow ripple blanket that I made for my daughter, Maddie, is my favourite crocheted item. I finished crocheting it just a week before she arrived! I love rainbows and colours, so it makes me happy just looking at the blanket. But it’s taken on so much more meaning now that it’s become my daughter’s favourite, too. It has covered her since she was the tiniest baby (it was -5F (-20C) the day we left the hospital, so she needed a blanket!) and she sleeps with it every night now that she’s a two-year-old. Maddie is such a sweetheart. She loves playing outside, dancing, reading books and art projects. We travel a lot (she went on 30 flights before her first birthday), so it’s really lovely that she has a…

PSST Create a pretty pansy with simple cross stitch! YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Cotton Merino (50% cotton, 50% wool, 50g/110m), 3 balls of Powder (28), small amounts of each: Pistachio (10), Coral (13), Cerise (14), Turquoise (24), Storm Blue (26) and Sea Green (29) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Blunt ended cross stitch needle • Yarn needle • Cotton fabric for bag lining (optional) • Magnetic bag clasp (optional) • Needle and thread For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 22x24cm (8¾x9½in) Strap measures 96cm (38in) TENSION Yarn used crochets as DK to this tension: 19 dc and 22 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) ABBREVIATIONS Front Post double crochet (FPdc) Insert the hook from front to back to front around the post…

YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes Catona, (100% mercerized cotton, 50g/125m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Hazelnut (503) Yarn B Root beer (157) Yarn C Linen (505) Yarn D Powder blue (384) Yarn E Petrol blue (400) Yarn F Bridal white (105) • A 2.5 mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • A pair of 6mm safety eyes • An oval safety nose • Black embroidery thread • Stitch markers • Tapestry needle • Toy stuffing • Pipe cleaners (optional) For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com MEASUREMENTS Sloth measures 26cm (10in) tall ABBREVIATIONS Bl back loop only Fl front loop only For a full list, see page 92 This beady-eyed chap’s never more than a few moments away from nodding off, so he keeps his stripy nightcap on…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Essentials Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m), 4 balls of Yarn A Banana (63) 2 balls of Yarn B Turquoise (33) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Rico www.rico-design.co.uk TENSION 3 Eyes measure 17.5cm (6›in), 4 Eye Rows including 4 joining rows measure 13cm (5in) MEASUREMENTS 110x64cm (43x25in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 We’re getting serious Egyptian eye vibes from this striking shawl design. Look closely and you’ll see that the wavy stitch pattern is packed full of peepers, often used as a symbol of protection. NOTES The Shawl is worked by joining the Circles together into rows following the steps below, increasing the numbers of ‘Eyes’ in each row by 1…

1 Also known as ladder stitch or whip stitch. With wrong sides together, thread needle with yarn and insert into the back loops only of the corner stitches on both pieces. Leave a fairly long tail. 2 *Insert needle from bottom to top into the back loops of the next two stitches. Repeat from * along the motif edges, sewing together the inner loops of corresponding stitches. 3 When you reach the next corner, you could fasten off. Or carry on with the next two motifs for a continuous seam that forms a strong join on blankets and means there are fewer ends to weave in. 4 Once you’ve oversewn all the rows in one direction, repeat the process in the other direction. Cross over the seam you previously created…

BASIC WAFFLE STITCH PATTERN Ch33, or a multiple of 3 sts. Row 1 (WS) Tr in 4th ch from hook and each ch across, turn. [31 sts] Row 2 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr throughout), *tr in each of the next 2 sts, FPtr around the next st; repeat from * to the last 3 sts, tr in each of the last 3 sts, turn. Row 3 Ch3, *FPtr around each of next 2 sts, tr in next st; repeat from * to end, turn. Repeat Rows 2-3 until work is desired length. Fasten off and weave in ends. CHAIR CUSHION COVER Make a seat pad for your desk chair with a cushion pad and this chunky textured cover design. Waffle stitch is so squashy and comfy, your buns will…

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 • DROPS Cotton Merino (50% cotton, 50% wool, 50g/110m), 8 balls of Yarn A Storm blue (26), 1 ball of each: Yarn B Pistachio (10), Yarn C Coral (13), Yarn D Cerise (14), Yarn E Turquoise (24), Yarn F Powder (28) and Yarn G Sea Green (29) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 231x34cm (91x13in) TENSION 18 sts and 9 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over treble crochet using a 4.5mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet Lightweight and snuggly, we’ve got your it-might-get-a-bit chilly dilemma sorted. Beautiful bright flowers, popcorn and cluster stitch borders, mouthwatering colours – this is one scarf…