Innehållsförteckning för Issue 66 från Simply Crochet

This issue we’re taking to the slopes with some beautiful accessories you’ll want to snuggle up in, ski bunny or not. If outdoors is your style, you’ll find it all on page 14 from a chic hooded jumper to the perfect pair of mitts. For those of us who are more comfortable getting cosy by the fireside, we can’t wait to get started on Aniqua’s gorgeous Aisha doll (page 40). Then turn to page 54 to find out more about Fran Morgan – the designer behind our phenomenally popular A Good Vintage Granny Cardigan. Have you made yours yet?…

POCKET AMIGURUMI SABRINA SOMERS (£9.99, Search Press) Get ready for a new obsession. The mini monsters in this fun collection are so quick to crochet you’ll find yourself wanting to make them all. From a spiky wolf guardian to a springy mouse, there are 20 cute designs, each one just 10cm high. Suitable for crocheters of all abilities, they’re easy to make and make great gifts for all ages. THE LEARN TO CROCHET PROJECT JOANNE SCRACE AND KAT GOLDIN (PDF £10, Print £12, The Crochet Project) The gals behind The Crochet Project say this is the book they wish they could have learned to crochet from. They wanted the book to give the same feeling as being in one of their classes, so they’ve structured it like a course to…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Air (70% alpaca, 23% polyamide, 7% wool, 50g/150m), Yarn A Off White (01) Yarn B Ruby Red (07) Yarn C Rose (20), Yarn D Light pink (08) Yarn E Light Grey Green (18) Yarn F Medium Grey (04) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • 2 wooden toggles, 2.5cm (1in) For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 16 sts and 8 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over tr using a 4mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 You don’t have to be off to the slopes to crochet this sweater. The yarn is mostly alpaca, so it’ll keep you cosy all winter. (Make it…

“I've come to realise how important my creativity is for me.” Being creative is rather like constantly riding a whopping great big roller coaster of emotions. A ton of ups, downs, and a bag full of loop-the-loops! What I mean is that my creative mojo can not only be rather turbulent, but it’s also fairly unpredictable. When my mojo is high, that is to say, when I’m feeling in the mood, there’s no stopping me. I’m riding that creative big dipper with my arms in the air, hook in one hand and ball of yarn in the other, yelling with excitement! But then when I’m not in the mood, it’s like I’ve reached the end of the ride and it was all some big anticlimax. THE IMPORTANCE OF CREATIVITY OK…so…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Essentials Soft Merino (100% merino wool, 50g/100m), 2 balls of Yarn A Navy (37) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Sun Yellow (67) Yarn C Candy Pink (16) Yarn D Yellow (68) Yarn E Emerald (51) Yarn F Azure (27) • A 5mm (H/8) hook • 55x55cm (21¾x21¾in) cushion pad • 60x120cm (23¾x47¼in) backing fabric For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.de/en TENSION Each motif measures 10.5x10.5cm (4¼x4¼in) from straight edge to straight edge using 5mm hook MEASUREMENTS Cushion measures 50x50cm (19¾x19¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 A series of hexagons fit together very nicely into a fun cosmic pattern on this cushion. A ‘shooting’ six-pointed star is followed by a trail of rainbow-coloured stripes on a darkly contrasted background…

YOU WILL NEED • Lion Brand Yarns Wow! (70% acrylic, 30% wool, 250g/19.2m), 9 balls of The Fuchsia is Bright (146) • A 30mm hook For yarn stockists contact Lion Brand www.lionbrand.com TENSION Tension is not vital for this project MEASUREMENTS 114x74cm (45x29in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 This fabulous jumbo yarn is perfect for projects like throws and cushions. It’s available in eight colours from muted to bright – so you’ll find one to match your room. Go big, and go home! NOTES When changing to a new ball of yarn leave a tail of approx 25cm (10in). You can weave the ends in by hand or with a smaller hook. Have a lint roller to hand to collect any shed fibres once finished.…

YOU WILL NEED • King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% merino, 50g/140m), 7 balls of Yarn A Snowy Sky (2626) 3 balls of each: Yarn B Candy Apple (2613) Yarn C Mustard (2624) Yarn D Hyacinth (2628) Yarn E Sage (2618) Yarn F Lapis (2630) Yarn G Caribbean Blue (2615) Yarn H Dusky Pink (2616) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Simply Crochet blocking board set (or you can block motifs on an ironing board/blocking board with pins) For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION A single hexagon motif measures 8.5x10cm (3¼x4in) using a 4mm hook MEASUREMENTS Blanket measures 118x92cm (46½x36in) ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss to 3rd ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet Heather’s hexie blanket is…

BRYONY HITCHCOCK Bryony’s latest pattern is for the amazing moccasins on page 21, part of our cosy après ski collection. Perfect for relaxing after a day on the slopes, or simply at home on the sofa! ANIQUA WILKERSON Aniqua designed the beautiful Aisha doll on page 40. “Aisha was created to celebrate crochet dolls of colour. I wanted to add some colourful diversity to the world of crochet dolls!” BECKY SKUSE Becky has created our brilliant easy-to-follow workshop on interlocking stitches on page 78, followed by the design for the fab pot holder on page 81. CLAIRE GUY Claire is an ardent crocheter based in Galway, who takes inspiration from the beautiful Irish landscape (and weather!). We love Claire’s bonny bobble hat in grey and blush on page 29. OTHER…

HEART TO HEART Psst… Don’t show everyone, but put your palms together in these crochet mittens, then reveal the secret embroidered heart to your loved ones. Sweet… Made by Eka, find them at www.noths.com SMALL WONDER With ultra-soft merino wool, whoever you give this hanging heart to will love you forever. Find the kit at www.lauren astondesigns.com WE HEART CATS Let the world know who’s really stolen your heart with this fab little patch – purrrfect to jazz up a bag or jacket. www. how-store.com SWEET TREAT Hooksters need to look after their hands, so this Mono Hearts handcream should probably be on prescription, right? Go to www. cathkidston.com COSY UP We’re like something out of…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Design Creative Twist Super Chunky (80% acrylic, 20% alpaca, 100g/75m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Salmon (021) Yarn B Silver Grey (016) • A 12mm (US E/4) hook • A large pompom maker For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS To fit an average to large size woman’s head, 57-59cm (22½-23¼in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 The chunky rib stitch is so on trend, and you can finish things off with a two-tone giant pompom – you know you want to. NOTES Hat is worked flat (in rows) and stitched together at the end. Change colour in the last yrh of the stitch indicated, keeping unused yarn at the back of work. BODY OF HAT Using…

YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes Softfun (60% cotton, 40% acrylic, 50g/140m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Brown (2624) Yarn B Black (2408) Yarn C White (2426) Yarn D Bright pink (2495) Yarn E Yellow (2518) Yarn F Orange (2427) • A 2.75mm (US C/2) hook • A 3.25mm (US D/3) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) • A pair of safety eyes, 15mm (½in) diameter • A pair of white felt circles, 2cm (¾in) • 1 fuchsia button, 2cm (¾in) diameter • 2 orange buttons, 3cm (1¼in) diameter • 3 yellow buttons, 2cm (¾in) diameter • A wooden dowel, 23.5cm (9¼in) long x 0.8cm (1/3in)wide • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en MEASUREMENTS Doll measures approx 48cm (19in) ABBREVIATIONS Bobble (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated,…

BASIC STITCH Ch a multiple of 7 sts plus 2. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, ch1, skip 1 ch, *dc in next ch, ch4, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, ch3, skip 3 ch; repeat from * to last 6 ch, dc in next ch, ch4, skip 2 ch, dc in next ch, ch1, skip 1 ch, dc in last ch, turn. Row 2 (WS) Ch1 (does not count as first st throughout), dc in first dc, *9tr in next ch-4 sp, spike dc over next ch-3 sp; repeat from * to last ch-4 sp, 9tr in last ch-4 sp, dc in last dc, turn. Row 3 Ch6 (counts as trtr and ch1), skip 2 tr, dc in next tr, ch3, skip 3 tr, *dc…

My favourite crochet item is the humble crochet hat: they remind me of my journey of discovery in crochet. I taught myself to crochet when I was pregnant with my daughter, after seeing a beautiful cushion in Zara Home and thinking to myself “it can’t be that hard!“ – and I soon fell in love with a new craft. I started browsing Pinterest and I was mesmerised by the images of babies in stunning crochet creations. I decided that a crochet owl hat would be my first ever project, and made it straight away. By the time my daughter was born I had designed a menagerie of animal hats for her to wear. Frogs, monkeys, dinosaurs, reindeer and lots of owls quickly followed one after the other, and started a…

YOU WILL NEED • King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% merino, 50g/140m), 5 balls of Yarn A Snowy Sky (2626) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Candy Apple (2613) Yarn C Mustard (2624) Yarn D Hyacinth (2628) Yarn E Sage (2618) Yarn F Lapis (2630) Yarn G Caribbean Blue (2615) Yarn H Dusky Pink (2616) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Simply Crochet blocking board set (or you can block motifs on an ironing board/blocking board with pins) • Large circular bamboo bag handles (22cm) For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION A single square motif measures 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 4mm hook MEASUREMENTS Bag measures 50x40cm (20x16in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet Winter florals? Check. (Those 3D…

GETTING IT IN THE NECK There are at least three brilliant things about this cowl. One, it’s a super warm, cosy thing to snuggle up in right now. Two, you can hook it up in an evening (and have fun doing it). Three, it looks ace, right? GIRL IN THE HOOD The Scandi chic thing shows no signs of abating. Climb aboard the Hygge train with your own dash of Scandinavian style, in this awesome sweater (hood strictly optional). KEEPING AHEAD Cosy ears without the dreaded hat hair? Count us in. This pretty headband ticks all the boxes and is űber flattering at the same time. Super soft yarn makes it an irresistible winter staple. SWEET TREAT The perfect way to test your tension while protecting your precious paws from…

YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes Whirl (60% cotton, 40% acrylic, 220g, 1000m), 1 ball of Strawberries and Scream (757) • A 3mm ( US C/2 or D/3) hook For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION 21 sts and 10 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over tr using a 3mm hook MEASUREMENTS Shawl measures 153x38cm (60x15in) at widest point ABBREVIATIONS Crossed treble Skip next st, tr in next st, tr in skipped st For a full list, see page 92 You can’t go wrong with this stunning ombré lace shawl with pineapple trim. Editor Sara says: “I designed the shawl to work with the colour changes in the yarn, so that the colour flows from light to dark.” The ever-expanding Whirl range has 22 shades – we’re spoiling you.…

PSST Change the look with some bold buttons YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Life Aran (75% acrylic, 25% wool, 100g/198m), Denim (2322) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • 1 button, 2cm (¾in) diameter (not visible when worn) • 3 buttons for the shoulder fastening, 2cm (¾in) diameter • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION 6 ‘blocks’ and 12 rows to measure 9.2x10cm (3¾x4in) over Grit st patt ABBREVIATIONS Loop st Working on the WS of the fabric, insert hook in stitch indicated, holding back a loop of yarn approx 15cm long, yrh and complete as for dc For a full list, see page 92 This heavyweight wraparound coat, with its intriguing textured stitch pattern, is…

Melissa Masterson “In our busy world, the simple act of hanging out washing on a sunny morning, smelling the fresh air and feeling the breeze, makes a chore a pleasure. My old peg bag was actually a school textiles class project (for those of an age to remember such things!), and after many years of service it had come to its end. So, I wrote a pattern for a new crochet version! The yarn has a lovely silky finish that gives great stitch definition and the colours are gorgeous.” Melissa is online at www.rubyandcustard.com Veronika Cromwell “I started designing my own patterns after we found out we were expecting our baby boy, Jacob. Inspiration can come from anywhere, whether it’s a napkin in a restaurant or a poster…

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 • King Cole Luxury Merino DK (100% merino, 50g/140m), 2 balls of Yarn A Snowy Sky (2626) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Candy Apple (2613) Yarn C Mustard (2624) Yarn D Hyacinth (2628) Yarn E Sage (2618) Yarn F Lapis (2630) Yarn G Caribbean Blue (2615) Yarn H Dusky Pink (2616) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Simply Crochet blocking board set (or you can block motifs on an ironing board/blocking board with pins) • 63 x 12mm glass beads, 9 of each colour to match Yarns B-H For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION A single triangle motif measures 9x9x9cm (3½x3½x3½in) using a 4mm hook MEASUREMENTS 320cm (126in) long ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 of Simply…