Innehållsförteckning för 70 från Simply Crochet

Love is in the air this month as, with Harry and Meghan’s big day on 19 May, we have the perfect excuse to get unashamedly romantic. Emma Leith’s royal cushion (p43) is a splendid way to mark the occasion. And if you’re planning a wedding or other special occasion, take inspiration from our cool blue ideas on p14 or send a handmade greeting with this issue’s free gift. We’re also getting ready for warmer weather with plenty of cool knits this issue. We love Matt’s colourful hat (p51); we might even make it essential Simply Crochet attire – squad goal!…

CUTEST CROCHET CREATIONS ALISON NORTH (£15.73, Tuva Publishing) The clue is in the title with this book from Alison North, as you’ll find heaps of the most adorable characters to make inside, including a fox, bird, dog, sheep, bunny and many more. You can also personalise your cute creations with the little extra designs such as flower crowns and dresses. Sweet! CROCHET LACY SHAWLS ROHN STRONG (£17.88, Stackpole Books) Sock designer extraordinaire and author of Step Into Crochet, Rohn Strong, has turned his hook to shawl making in this inspiring book packed with 27 patterns. The projects are divided by skill level so you can start in the beginner section with a basic pi shawl, triangle, stole or poncho and work up to the more complicated patterns. MINI CROCHET CREATURES…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Safran (100% cotton, 50g/160m) Yarn A Lime (31) Yarn B Raspberry (13) Yarn C Turquoise (30) Yarn D Strong Yellow (11) Yarn E Dark Heather (15) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A 3.5mm (US E /4) hook • 5 small buttons For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 19 sts and 7.5 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 3.5mm hook over Chevron Stitch Pattern 20sts and 12 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 3.5mm hook over Sleeve Stitch Pattern ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Width a: 47.5 (53.5: 60: 66.5)cm 18½ (21: 43½: 11½)in Sleeve Length b: 44cm 17¾in Length c: 27 (27.5: 28.5: 29)cm 10¾…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A White (001) Yarn B Anthracite (099) • Yarn and Colors Must Have Minis (100% cotton, 10g/25m), 1 ball of each: Yarn C Mustard (015) Yarn D Lettuce (081) Yarn E Peony Leaf (86) • Stranded cotton, pink • A 2.5 mm (US B/1 or C/2) crochet hook • 2 safety eyes or black beads approx 6mm diameter • Stitch markers • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Yarn Plaza www.yarnplaza.com MEASUREMENTS Panda measures approx 18cm › (7in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Ever wondered how a chap would carry his bamboo snacks when he’s going about his important panda business? Well, Ilaria Caliri’s friendly little bear…

Kate Rowell “The inspiration for my bunting came from my love of granny clusters, they are my go-to crochet stitch! The mercerised DK cotton felt really delicate to work with, so I designed some bunting which would suit it. I usually work with bright pinks and rainbow colours so these primary colours made a pleasant change and really inspired me to use more red in my crochet designs.”You can find Kate’s crochet designs on Instagram @jellybean_junction or on her website www.jellybeanjunction.co.uk Rebecca Armstrong “Balloons say ‘party’, to me, and these days we know we really need to cut down on waste – and so the idea of eco-friendly, reusable balloon bunting was born. I set to experimenting with different increases and decreases and soon came up with a…

YOU WILL NEED • Bergère de France Merinos 2.5 (100% Merino wool, 50g/225m), 2 balls of Rose Bebe (20038) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Elastic (optional) For yarn stockists contact Bergère de France www.bergeredefrance.co.uk TENSION 30sts and 14 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over alternating rows of back and front treble crochet using a 3mm hook MEASUREMENTS Small Cuff measures 24cm (9½in) circumference at rib and 25cm (10in) in length ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss in 3rd ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 The expanding pineapple lace is what gives these sleeves their distinctive bell shape. Big sleeves are still having a moment, which makes these crochet accessories such a trendy touch. Stitch them to the cuffs of a top or…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 12 balls of Papaya (17), 3 balls of each: Mustard (15), Salmon (39) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact Yarn and Colors www.yarnandcolors.com LoveCrochet www.lovecrochet.com MEASUREMENTS Each square motif measures approx 14x14cm (5½x5½in) Blanket measures approx 100x100cm (39x39in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Kate has designed a richly coloured blanket using the colour orange as a base and mixing it with analogous red-based colours. We’re loving the cheerful vibrancy of the geometric shapes – just like a brilliant sunrise. NOTES The Blanket is made up of 40 square motifs and 20 triangles crocheted together in a diamond pattern. SQUARE Using Mustard, make a magic ring. Row 1…

Complete the final stitch, then cut the yarn about 15cm from the work. Pull it through the last loop on the hook and pull to close the loop. Thread the yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and weave into the back of the work. Most crochet items don’t need a lot of blocking, but cotton lace work usually does. To do this, carefully pin out the item with rust-proof pins, mist with a water spray and leave to dry naturally.…

MATTHEW SPIERS Matthew aka One Man Crochet is a crochet addict and a total colour fiend – whatever he designs, it’s sure to feature some eye-popping shades. Check out his rude boy cap on p51. ELISABETH DAVIS DE HERRAIZ Elisabeth stumbled upon crochet by accident a decade ago and has never looked back – she says a day without crochet isn’t a full day! She’s designed a beautiful shawl for us on p78. ILARIA CALIRI Queen of amigurumi, Ilaria is the blogger behind Airali Design. She loves to draw quirky characters and turn them into cute crocheted toys, like the adorable panda on p38. PAT STRONG Pat loves yarn so much she opened a yarn shop. She believes that simple shapes are the key to success when designing in knitwear.…

THE CROWN JEWELS The perfect accessory for your own little prince or princess, this beaded crochet baby crown comes in various sizes from 0-3 to 12-18 months. Just don’t go putting it on the cat! Go to Tuttolv on etsy.com TIME TO SHINE Go all-out glamour with this statement crochet necklace which features ceramic and pearl beads. Find it at AyamCraft on etsy.com . Yes please… TOTO-LLY FAB We think the Queen herself would rather like to have one of these cute amigurumi corgis! Head over to www.snacksies.com to find the Toto the Corgi pattern. ROYAL BABY Perfect for a christening, this baby’s shawl and pillowcase set has a hand-crocheted crown edging. Go to PetiteNPrecious on etsy.com ON THE BUTTON…

YOU WILL NEED Use your free gift or oddments of yarn to make the flower • 2m of Yarn A White • 4m of Yarn B Green • 3m of Yarn C Lime • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Card and envelope MEASUREMENTS Flower measures 9cm diameter 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 3-tr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, inserting the hook in the same st each time, yrh and draw through all 4 loops on hook Picot Ch3, ss to…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Creative Reflection Print (46% wool, 46% acrylic, 8% polyester, 50g/240m), 1 ball of Candy (001), used doubled • Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran (100% wool, 50g/100m), 1 ball of Black (090) • Rico Creative Lamé (62% polyester, 38% polyamide, 25g/135m), 1 ball of Gold (002) • Rico Fashion Light Luxury (74% alpaca, 22% wool, 4% polyamide, 50g/130m), 2 balls of Neon Fuchsia (022) • Rico Ricorumi DK (100% cotton, 25g/58m), 2 balls of White (001), 1 ball of each: Black (036), Pale Pink (011), Yellow (006), Orange (026), Deep Red (029), Pale Blue (033), Pale Green (046) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • A 6mm (US J/10) hook • Heart-shaped cushion pad, 40cm (16in) (available from www.cushionwarehouse.co.uk) For…

1 Make a foundation ring (see p89) and work the t-ch (1ch for dc). Now work 12 dc stitches into the ring, but do not join the last stitch and first stitch of this first round with a slip stitch. 2 Instead, work the first dc stitch of the second round into the first stitch of the first round. To do this, insert the hook into the stitch, yrh, pull yarn through, yrh and pull the yarn through both loops. 3 You’ll now be working in a spiral. Continue to work more rounds of dc stitches in a spiral, according to your pattern instructions. 4 On the last round, after you’ve worked the last dc stitch, you’ll need to finish off the spiral with a slip stitch for a neat…

YOU WILL NEED • Wendy Love It (100% acrylic, 100g/220m) in Navy (5012) See table for yarn amounts and measurements • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact TB Ramsdens 01943 872264 www.tbramsden.co.uk TENSION 3 pattern repeats measure 11cm (4¼in) wide by 7cm (2¾in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Width a: 43 (45.5/46.5: 51: 53.5/56)cm 17 (18/19: 20: 21/22)in Length b: 50.5 (50.5: 51.5: 52.5)cm 20 (20: 20¼: 20¾)in Cool in every sense of the word, this top will go with just about anything. It has a relaxed feel, making it ideal to pullover a tee or under a cardi on breezy evenings. Wendy Love It is great value – you can make the biggest size for under £15! BACK Using a…

All the projects in our new Crochet Colour Class series are made using the Yarn and Colors Must-Have range, one of eight ranges the brand now carries. (We love the matching 10g Must-Have minis!) Owner Koen says, “With lots of love and care we have created a colour range of 100 different shades, forming the foundation of Yarn and Colors. All our ranges are based on this colour palette, creating an assortment where not only colours can easily be combined but the different yarns can be effortlessly mixed, too.”…

YOU WILL NEED • Manos del Uruguay Marina, (100% Merino wool, 100g/800m), 1 skein of Sangre (6422) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Tangled Yarn www.tangled-yarn.co.uk TENSION 12 rows and 15 sts to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) MEASUREMENTS Shawl measure approx 180x63cm (71x25in) 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. 2-tr cluster shell (2-tr cluster, ch1, 2-tr cluster) in same st Picot Ch3, ss in 3rd ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 The treble stitch panels give a floaty feel. Take the…

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…

This is the third pattern in our gorgeous Hook ‘n’ Learn blanket crochet-along, which we’ll be running over the year. Perfect for beginners and fun for more experienced stitchers, you’ll learn how to do 12 attractive stitches, then we’ll show you how to put it all together in the last issue. Choose between the beautiful soft shades of Stone Washed XL, or the bright tones of Colour Crafter (or go mad and make both!). This issue, have a go at Lucy’s striking Shell stitch. Please note: you’ll need to make two shell blocks if you are making the Colour Crafter version. STONE WASHED XL Make one Shell Block • Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m), 1 ball of each: Malachite (865), Peridot (867) • A 5.5mm (US…

When we moved from London to Manchester, my sister made me this beautiful crocheted throw as a generous housewarming gift. Not only was it the pattern I loved (from www.thepatchworkheart.co.uk/2015/05/the-story-of-grey-blanket.html), but she chose an Orla Kiely-type colour palette for it, too. She knows me very well! Being a new crocheter and starting to understand the mechanics of it all, I can see that it really was a huge undertaking for her to make it in time, even though it’s just a treble and three rounds. It also renewed my determination to learn to crochet. My little sister Shirley has been a crafter for many years and used to cross stitch. Coming from a family of knitters, she then finally picked up two needles, but discovered crochet about six or so…

“I have had the pleasure of working with some genuinely delightful people.” Today I want to celebrate everyone who makes up this incredible community. I’ve been a cro-pro for three years now, and my biggest concern when I decided to leave the comfortable, corporate world of government planning was “who am I going to hang out with all day?” (well that and “will we be able to eat?”). Initially I was very happy sitting with all the yarn, under a blanket, watching box sets. Who wouldn’t be? But I knew I’d need to find a daily network of people to connect with, otherwise I’d end up shopping in my pyjamas and talking to myself. SOCIAL NETWORK I’m quite an anxious sort, but I’m blessed with a misplaced, fearless ability to…

YOU WILL NEED • WYS Bo Peep Luxury Baby 4ply (52% Falkland wool, 48% nylon, 50g/112m), Tooth Fairy (11), Tin Man (305) See table for yarn amounts and measurements • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Elastic, 4.5mm wide, approx 50cm (20in) for trousers • Stitch markers • 3 buttons, 6mm diam For yarn stockists contact WY Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION 25 sts and 19 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over htr using a 3mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Jacket Width a: 24 (26: 28)cm 9½ (10¼: 10½)in Jacket Length b: 20 (22: 23.5)cm 7¾ (8¾: 9¼)in Trouser Length c: 22 (25: 28)cm 8¾ (10: 11)in Trouser Width d: 25 (27: 28.5)cm 10 (10¾: 11¼)in The right jacket and trouser…

1 To work a treble crochet, start by winding yrh and then insert the hook under the top two loops of the stitch on the previous row. 2 Wrap the yarn around the hook (yrh), and pull the yarn through the stitch only. 3 You will now have 3 loops on the hook. Yrh again, and draw the yarn through the first 2 loops on the hook. 4 You will now have 2 loops on the hook. Yrh again, and draw the yarn through the remaining 2 loops on the hook. Your treble crochet will be complete.…

The most edible segment on the colour wheel, orange shines vividly. Golden light, vitamin C, glorious free-range eggs, sweet potato, pumpkin, carrots, it’s the signature colour of vitality. While, these days, I’m a pushover for orange cardigans and kitchen utensils, it hasn’t always been so. Perhaps its presence during my 1970s childhood – a time when (and this hurts to write) brown and orange were often paired together – may have had more than a little to do with it. Even back then I knew it was not OK! Orange can be a wonderful and colourful friend. Even though it has an ability to dominate the conversation, it’s equally happy to step back and a take supporting role in a colour scheme. This very reason is why I chose an…

SASSY SUNBURST Ch4, join with ss to first ch to join into a ring. ROUND 1 Ch3 (counts as treble), 11tr in ring, join with ss in top of beg ch-3 to join. [12tr] ROUND 2 *Ss in next st, ch5, dc in second ch from hook, (ch3, dc in second ch of 3ch), tr in 3rd ch of 5ch, htr in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in same place as previous ss, ss in next st* repeat 6 times. FASTEN OFF and weave in ends. SCHEEPJES SOFTFUN WEIGHT DK CONTENT 60% cotton, 40% acrylic BALL 50g/140m HOOK 4mm RRP £3.09 With such a descriptive name, you won’t be surprised to hear that this yarn is soft... and fun! Whereas lots of cotton yarns can create quite firm…

Most crochet patterns state the tension required, in rows and stitches of a specific type. Make a swatch at least 15cm square and check that your tension matches. Place a ruler across the swatch and insert two pins, 10cm apart. Then place the ruler along a column of stitches and insert two pins 10cm apart. Count the stitches and rows between the pins – if you have less than the pattern, your tension is too loose so you need to use a smaller hook, but if you have too many, use a larger hook. It’s usually better to match the stitches than rows, because you can always work more or fewer rows.…