Innehållsförteckning för 71 från Simply Crochet

Wimbledon is just around the corner, and we’re feeling the sporty vibe this month. Check out Simone Francis’ stylish sporty tee on page 28 – it’s an easy top to make and a grand first garment to have a go at. If raising a glass of Pimms at the same time as juggling your strawberries and cream is more your workout style, however, we have plenty of other makes to get you in the mood for summer. Eleonora’s Tunisian trims are über-cool (page 69), and Heather Gibbs’ diamond blanket is perfect for summer picnics. Go flat out.…

WHIMSICAL STITCHES LAUREN ESPY (£16.50, Paige Tate & Co) Amigurumi fans are in for a treat with 30 colourful designs in this nicely presented book. The characters are fun and quirky, from doughnuts and macarons to cacti and a jellyfish, with themes including In the Garden, Down on the Farm and At the Bakery. The patterns are clear with useful step-by-step photographs. CAREFREE CROCHET MAY BRITT BJELLA ZAMORI (£17.88, Trafalgar Square Books) Norwegian designer May has filled this book with 50 stylish projects, designed to make you feel good both crocheting the designs and wearing them. You’ll find ideas for summer and winter wear, including scarves, sweaters and dresses, plus home accessories, cushions and blankets. Projects cover a range of sizes and skill levels. ZOOMIGURUMI 7 AMIGURUMIPATTERNS.NET  (£12.50, Meteoor Books)…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Ricorumi (100% cotton, 25g/57.5m): 3 balls of Yarn B White (001) 2 balls of each: Yarn A Light Beige (022) Yarn C Black (060) Yarn D Blue (035) Yarn G Beige (051) 1 ball of each: Yarn E Dark Orange (025) Yarn F Green (042) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • 2 pairs of safety eyes, 6 mm diameter • 1 pair of eyelash extensions (optional) • 2 tiny blue buttons • Pipe cleaner (optional; not suitable for children under 3) • Stitch markers • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Each finished doll measures 25cm (10in) tall ABBREVIATIONS 3-tr bobble *Yrh, insert hook into stitch indicated, yrh and pull through loop, yrh and draw yarn…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Baby Merino, (100% merino wool, 50g/175m), 3 balls of each: Light Pink (05) White (01) 1 ball of each: Lime (09) Light Yellow (03) • A 3mm (C/2 or D/3) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 18 sts and 9 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over tr using a 3mm hook MEASUREMENTS Finished Blanket measures 100cmx75cm (39x29½in) ABBREVIATIONS v-st (Tr, ch1, tr) in same st 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 shell 5tr in same st For a full list, see page 92 Snuggle up…

1 Start working the last stitch of the last row of the old colour, but stop before you work the final yrh of the stitch. Cut off the old yarn, leaving a tail about 7cm long. 2 Now loop your new yarn colour around the hook, leaving a long tail of yarn (about 7cm long). 3 Pull the new yarn loop through the remaining two loops to finish off the stitch. Pull the old and new yarn ends to tighten the loop on the hook. 4 Now you can work the turning chain of the new row in the new colour (for example, 3ch for treble, or 2ch for half treble). Then work the stitches of the new row in the new yarn colour.…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Safran (100% cotton, 50g/160m), 1 ball of each: Medium Grey (07) Dark Heather (15) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 23 sts and 6 rows to measure 10x3cm (4x1¼in) using a 3mm hook MEASUREMENTS Each Trim measures 39x5cm (15½x2in) ABBREVIATIONS Crab st Working from left to right, insert hook into next st to the right, yrh and pull though loop, yrh, pull through two loops on the hook For a full list, see page 92 These edgings are worked using the tapestry crochet method, which gives a sturdy fabric – perfect for matching with denim. The shells at the bottom create a pretty effect against the straight edge of the leg…

WHAT A FRILL! We’re loving the bright summery colours @rk_crochet chose to make Ilaria Caliri’s frilly shawl from issue 68. She’s very happy with it, and rightly so! If you fancy getting in on some ruffle action, issue 68 has frilly socks, a headband, necklace and more. Go to page 86 for a back issue. FUNKY TRUNK W Jacqui Tyler emailed us this pic of her completed elephant head from issue 69. She says, “My daughter absolutely loved the image I showed her in the magazine so I had to make it for her.” We think it’s ele-phantastic! HOOKY HOLIDAY Cleo Burt must be proud as a peacock of the super job she made of this fancy fella from issue 69. She says, “I decided to crochet the gorgeous peacock…

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…

HEATHER C GIBBS Aside from amigurumi, blankets are Heather’s favourite projects to design and crochet. Go to page 72 for her stunning diamond blanket in warm, earthy shades. ELEONORA TULLY Lucky Eleonora lives by the seaside where fresh sea air and ever-changing colours are constant sources of inspiration. She’s designed our jeans edging embellishment on page 69. SIMONE FRANCIS Simone is influenced by fashion, art and nature and strives to design patterns that are interesting to make and follow. She’s definitely achieved that with her sporty tee on page 28. MILLIE MASTERSON The design genius behind Ruby and Custard, Millie loves to crochet with bright cotton colours. She’s designed the amazing circus-inspired ‘Love’ cushion on page 46. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Kate Alinari, Kate Bruning, Ilaria Caliri, Esme Crick, Lucy Croft, Hannah…

CRAZY FOR EWE Who could resist this roly-poly Luxury Bobble Sheep kit from Warm Pixie DIY? It’s made in luxury soft lambswool and the kit includes everything you need to complete your sheep. Go to www.warmpixie.com BABY STEPS Start the alpaca love early with Born Bespoke’s cute baby shoes. You can have the soles personalised too. Go to www.bornbespoke.com FLOCK YEAH! We’ve fallen in love with this colourful flock of sheep bag from Mary Kilvert. It’s just crying out to be filled with wonderful yarns. Find it at www.marykilvert.com SEW LOVELY Fancy having a go at a new craft? This alpaca embroidery kit has pre-printed fabric so you can just get stitching. www.hawthornhandmade.com EWE BEAUTY Fresh Fleeces have a fantastic flock of…

YOU WILL NEED • Sirdar Cotton 4ply (100% cotton, 100g/335m) Yarn A White (501) Yarn B Laguna (536) Yarn C Hot Pink (511) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.co.uk TENSION 21 sts x 16 rows in htr to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 3mm hook ABBREVIATIONS Fdc (foundation dc) *Insert hook in ch as indicated, yrh and pull through, ch1, yrh and pull through 2 loops; repeat from * working each fdc into the ch-1 from previous fdc, until you have the number of dc stated** For a full list, see page 92 Width a: 43.5 (45.5: 48.25: 50.25: 56: 59)cm 17…

YOU WILL NEED • Paintbox Yarns Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/125m) 3 balls of Yarn A Paper White (401) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Pillar Red (415) Yarn C Candyfloss Pink (450) Yarn D Daffodil Yellow (422) Yarn E Vintage Pink (456) Yarn F Sky Blue (439) Yarn G Dusty Lilac (447) Yarn H Bubblegum Pink (451) Yarn J Lime Green (429) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook • A 40x30cm cushion pad For yarn stockists contact Paintbox Yarns www.paintboxyarns.com or Love Crochet www.lovecrochet.com TENSION 15 sts and 14 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 4.5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 If you can’t run away to the circus, we have the next…

Hook to Hook Samantha Osmond I’m very lucky to live by the coast. For me, warm sunny days are a time for walks on the beach, sand squishing between my toes and salty water lapping at bare feet. When designing this scarf I was inspired by my childhood spent exploring rock pools and watching boats bobbing up and down on the water. The colours of the yarn reminded me of these wonderful memories and I wanted to design a scarf that reflected this. Samantha can be found online at Instagram @travelling_ava and www.travellingava.com Ruth Haydock “The inspiration for this design came from a trip to Lyme Regis, in Dorset, one breezy summer’s day. I was so excited to visit the Fossil Museum and then do some fossil-hunting on…

The satin bowerbird has a cunning plan to attract females, one that has proven irresistible. He adorns his bower with an array of blues, using everyday detritus such as old pens, bottle tops and clothes pegs to create a dazzling home. I suspect I’m part bowerbird. I love the thrill of finding a piece of cobalt sea glass, harvesting blueberries and finding the perfect sky blue yarn. I’m not alone in this, as blue has been consistently voted as the world’s most popular colour. So it’s surprising that western culture didn’t fully embrace blue until the Middle Ages. Where the Egyptians were hip to it and the Celts ran wild with it, the difficulty (and expense) of reproducing blue limited its use. According to Kassia St Clair in her book,…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 100g/295m), 2 balls of Yarn A White (1001) 3 balls of each: Yarn B Midnight (1011) Yarn C Tomato (1723) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Stitch marker (optional) For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Each Diamond Motif measures 20cm (7¾in) wide x 15cm (6in) high Finished Blanket measures 114x114cm (45x45in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 With its striking geometric design and bold colours made in granny diamonds, Heather Gibbs’ blanket looks like a souvenir from a pueblo in a hot, dry land. Clint Eastwood never had it so good. NOTES The ch3 at beginning of a round counts as a tr throughout. Work through back loops only. For both of the…

Braiding lengths of crochet is a fantastic way to introduce a fresh, textured element to your hooking. A braid is just a fancy way of interweaving different strands to make one larger length. Braids have huge creative potential and are a great way to create stylish scarves, trendy belts, sturdy straps, interesting edgings, and even interesting hairstyles for amigurumi toys. You can also translate braiding patterns into crochet cable patterns. While the finished braids can look impressively complex, they’re actually really easy (promise!). For any braid, you need at least three strands, but you can use as many as 12 strands. There are lots of different braiding patterns, but we’ll show you how to work three different braids: a simple three-strand plait and two different five-strand braids. You can use…

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.…

This is the fourth 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 spike stitch. Please note: you’ll need to make two Spike blocks if you are making the Colour Crafter version. STONE WASHED XL Make one Spike Block • Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m), 1 ball of each: Morganite (874), Tourmaline (876) • A 5.5mm (US…

YOU WILL NEED Use your free gift or oddments of yarn to make the cover • Yarn A Beige • Yarn B Red • A 3mm (C/2 or D/3) hook • Round retractable tape measure (approx 5cm diameter) • Stitch markers MEASUREMENTS To fit a round retractable tape measure ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 A tape measure is an essential tool for crochet, so why not have one that’s super fun to work with? And what could be more fun than Ilaria Caliri’s fabulous famous biscuit? Just don’t get confused with the real thing and dip it in your tea! NOTES All pieces are made using the amigurumi method. Work continuously in a spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch. It may help to…

My knees were soaking, my back was aching, I was crawling around a chairless bell tent on bare, wet grass, a deafeningly loud band was playing five metres away and 14 people were squatting in a circle, desperately trying to learn the first steps of crochet. That was the day I questioned what I was doing with my life! FESTIVAL FUN A month earlier, I had agreed to run a crochet workshop at a friend’s festival. We thought ten participants would be cosy, provided they all had basic crochet skills (something I always specify). However, along the way, something went awry... The lesson quickly changed from learning new stitches, to wrapping yarn around fingers. In the end (and in the most intense 45 minutes of my life), they had learned…

YOU WILL NEED • Scheepjes River Washed (78% cotton, 22% acrylic, 50g/130m), 1 ball of Steenbras (942) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • 8 wooden beads, 1cm diameter (6 for necklace, 2 for bracelet) • 4 wooden beads, 2cm diameter (2 for necklace, 2 for bracelet) • A selection of buttons of your choice, 1-2.5cm diameter (approx 32 for necklace, 20 for bracelet) • Leather cord, 1mm diameter, approx 1.2m (for necklace) • Clear beading elastic, approx 30cm (for bracelet) • Toy stuffing • Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en MEASUREMENTS Bead measures approx 2.5cm (1in) ABBREVIATIONS Inv dec Insert hook under fl of next st, then under fl only of next st, yrh, draw hook through first 2 loops on hook, yrh,…

PSST Works worn off either shoulder! YOU WILL NEED • Yarn Stories Fine Merino DK (100% wool, 50g/120m) Yarn A Dove (2506) Yarn B Primrose (2513) See table for yarn amounts and measurements • Stitch markers • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact Yarn Stories 01484 848431 www.yarnstories.com TENSION 24 sts and 9 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over patt using a 4.5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Don’t let on how simple the construction of this poncho is – a rectangle seamed in a clever way. Instead, let everyone believe you’re a textile architectural genius and keep your crafty secret close to your chest. NOTES The main part of the Poncho is made as a straight rectangle, then seamed together…

YOU WILL NEED • Schachenmayr Bravo Big (100% acrylic, 200g/120m), 2 balls of Gold (00122) • Small amounts of acrylic DK yarn in red and white • An 8mm (US L/11) hook • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Schachenmayr www.schachenmayr.com TENSION Rounds 1-4 measure 10cm (4in) in diameter MEASUREMENTS Approx 50cm (19½in) in diameter ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 We’re all loving this cute cushion with its crossed eyes and cheeky grin. Worked in double crochet throughout, it’s a quick project to make to brighten up a child’s bedroom or toddler’s playroom. NOTES The Star is worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral without closing off each round with a slip stitch, unless stated. You may find it helpful to place…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 15 balls Petrol Blue (069), 2 balls of each: Cotton Candy (037), Golden Glow (011) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact Yarn and Colors www.yarnandcolors.com LoveCrochet www.lovecrochet.com MEASUREMENTS Each hexagon measures approx 12cm (4¾in) wide ABBREVIATIONS Puff st (Yrh, insert hook through st, yrh, bring hook back through) 4 times, yrh, draw through all 9 loops For a full list, see page 92 Kate has chosen triadic shades to mix with blue in her wrap, which she’s made of hexagon-shaped motifs joined together. Triadic shades are trios of colour that are equidistant on the colour wheel – the hot pink and bright yellow really…

SHEEP SHAPE Ch6. ROUND 1 4tr in 4th ch from hook, tr in next ch, 4tr in next ch, (ch4, ss in last tr made), 5tr in same ch as last 4tr (place marker in 4th tr), working on underside of chains tr in next ch, 4tr in next ch (place marker in 2nd tr), ss in top of unworked 3ch to join, do not turn. ROUND 2 Ch3, 3tr in 3rd ch from hook, ss into next st of Round 1, extend loop on hook so it is approx the size of an ear, hold loop in place and sew a knot on back of work so loop stays in place. TO FINISH In each of the markers of Round 1, join yarn with ss, ch2 and fasten off.…

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.…

This blanket is a treasure in the making. In January I decided to crochet something with the DK yarns scattered around our home. But I had other projects and design commissions on the go and didn’t feel I could commit to a new blanket design. So, what if I crocheted only four rows per week? Then the blanket would grow without too much commitment. I put the idea out on my blog and Instagram and asked if anyone wanted to crochet along with me. I was completely overwhelmed by the response! I post the rows each week online – I’ve also set up a Facebook group – and I’ve lost count of how many people are joining in, from experienced crocheters to beginners, from over 20 countries. It’s so special…