Innehållsförteckning för 73 från Simply Crochet

That welcome sunshine has got you all taking your WIPs outside, it seems (that little birdie Instagram told us!). The sunlight and fresh air are certainly good for the soul and we have plenty of summery patterns for you this issue – our collection takes you out for a picnic, complete with rug and parasol. Just add jam sandwiches and lemonade! We hope you enjoy our beautiful shawl booklet, too – and don’t forget to browse through our UK Yarn Shop Guide, especially if you’re staycationing in the UK this summer. So much to inspire your crochet – enjoy!…

TOFT’s latest Quarterly magazine has got us in the mood for long, hot summer days at the beach. It features a fabulous collection of six summery crochet patterns. Top of our list is the super-stylish Riprap scarf – perfect for wrapping up in the sea breeze. We’re also digging the Boardwalk Blanket, and amigurumi fans will adore Olivia the Seal. There are five knitting patterns included in the book too. TOFT Quarterly costs £8, and if you buy a one year subscription you get free postage on your following three issues, plus a free bonus mini digi magazine with every issue. Head on over to www.toftuk.com…

Five fab shawl pins for the perfect finish FELTED FANCY What better gift for yourself or a fellow yarn lover, than a handmade pin made in wet needle felted hand dyed yarn? Handmade in Scotland by Aileen Clarke, visit www.aileenclarkecrafts.com PIN UP Keep your shawl in place with a rather delicate, pretty feather pin made from Tibetan silver. Buy from CraftyCatKnittyBits on www.etsy.com FLOWER POWER Treat yourself to a leather orchid and copper spiral scarf pin, handmade by Jo Hassan. From Tanglefrost at www.notonthehighstreet.com SIMPLE THINGS Handmade from off-cuts of beech or cherry wood, these pins will stand out from your shawl. From Windy Hill Woodwork on www.etsy.com BRASS BEAUTY Grab an animal head shawl stick as a cute way to keep…

YOU WILL NEED • Red Heart It’s a Wrap Rainbow (55% acrylic, 45% cotton, 570m/150g), 1 or 2 balls of Rainbow (9351) The shrug can be made with 1 ball, but if you want to achieve the colour effect as shown, you will need 2 • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 21 sts and 7 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) ABBREVIATIONS Ftr (foundation treble) Ch3, *yrh, insert hook into first ch, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, draw through one loop on the hook (this loop will sit at the base of the st), (yrh, draw through two loops on the hook) twice. Repeat from * the required number of times but insert the hook into the first loop at…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Creative Sport DK (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 50g/145m), Yellow (003) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3.25mm (US D/3) hook • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 3.75mm (US F/5) hook For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.co.uk TENSION 3 stitch patt repeats measure 11.5cm (4½in) and 8.5 rows measure 10cm (4in) (or 17 rows measure 20cm (8in)) over st patt using a 3.75mm hook, or size needed to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS 3-tr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in sp/st indicated, yrh and pull up loop) 3 times, inserting the hook in the same sp /st each time, yrh and draw through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 92 For lazy summer days and evenings, a…

A tetrad scheme takes two pairs of complementary colours and places them together. For my starry blanket pattern opposite, I have paired a blue-violet (Amethyst) and a yellow-orange (Sunflower) with a red-orange (Peach) and blue-green (Green Ice). Using pastel, muted tones for everything apart from Amethyst enables this enchanting shade to become the dominant colour of the blanket.…

YOU WILL NEED • Katia Washi (70% polyester, 30% viscose, 100g/100m), 5 balls of Green (125) 1 ball of Fuchsia (111) • An 8mm (US L/11) hook • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact Katia Yarns www.katia.com TENSION 10 sts and 6 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over tr st MEASUREMENTS The finished cushion measures 52x44cm (20½ x 17¼in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Samanta’s home décor book is available in Italy and features more projects made with super-chunky yarn. Published by Il Castello. Italian designer Samanta is living out her cactus obsession with this super-chunky cushion. The original pattern features in her home décor book, published in Italy, and we’ve got the English-language version exclusively for you. MAIN CUSHION PANEL (MAKE 2) Using Green, ch33.…

1 Pin your pieces together with RS facing, lining up the two edges you want to join. Thread the needle with yarn and insert it into the front of both layers of the fabric, into the hole that’s one stitch in from both fabric edges (or the place where you wish to start the seam). To join a side edge, insert the needle one stitch up from the bottom edge and one stitch in from the right-hand edge. 2 Take the needle around the bottom edge of the fabric and reinsert it into the same hole as before, from front to back – this will secure the end of the seam. Don’t pull too tight or the fabric will pucker – aim for a firm but even tension. 3 Bring…

PEACE SYMBOL SHAPE ROUND 1 Ch11, (dtr in first ch, ch3) repeat 3 times, ch4, join with ss in 4th ch of starting ch-11. ROUND 2 Ch1 (does not count as st), (dc in next 3sts, 2dc in next st) repeat 6 times, ss to first dc to join. FASTEN OFF and weave in end. NATURAL KNITS ROMNEY/SHETLAND ARAN WEIGHT Aran CONTENT 100% wool SKEIN 100g/148m HOOK 5mm RRP £12.95 You know a wool is all natural when you can still smell the sheep on it! The latest aran yarn from the Natural Knits range is a blend of British Romney and Shetland breed wool, and hooks up beautifully. It’s undyed, but the blend of the two different fleeces gives it a lovely subtle, mottled effect. The yarn has a…

@baylorgrad Colour catches my eye first. 132 votes COMPETITION RULES By Promoter: Immediate Media Company Bristol Limited (“Promoter”). By taking part in one of our Competitions, you agree to be bound by these Competition Rules. Late or incomplete entries will be disqualified. No responsibility accepted for lost, delayed, ineligible or fraudulent entries. Proof of posting (if relevant) shall not be deemed proof of delivery. Entries must be submitted by an individual (not via any agency or similar) and, unless otherwise stated, are limited to one per household. The Promoter reserves the right in its sole discretion to substitute any prize with cash or a prize of comparable value. Unless otherwise stated, the Competition is open to all UK residents of 18 years and over, except employees of the Promoter and…

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 sixth pattern in our gorgeous Hook ‘n’ Learn blanket crochet-along, which we’re 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. This issue, it’s Lucy’s Granny Stripe stitch. Choose between the beautiful soft shades of Stone Washed XL, or the bright tones of Colour Crafter (or go mad and make both!). Please note: if you’re making the Colour Crafter version you’ll need to make two Granny Stripe Blocks. STONE WASHED XL Make one Granny Stripe Block • Scheepjes Stone Washed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m), 1 ball of each: Coral (856), Turquoise (864) • A 5.5mm (US I/9) hook For…

In Barcelona, Chrissie found a gorgeous yarn shop, All You Knit Is Love, tucked down a side street in the city’s Gothic Quarter. A placard outside read ‘Rethink your souvenir!’– which Chrissie took to heart, leaving the shop with a smile on her face and a bag full of locally produced linen and wool yarns! Back home in the UK, Chrissie got to thinking about all the lovely local yarn shops dotted across the country, and all the wonderful yarny souvenirs they could offer travelling knitters and crocheters. And voilà, the UK Yarn Shop Guide was born!…

Knit One… Maes Gwyn, Cader Road, Dolgellau, Gwynedd LL40 1RB 01341 422194 www.knitonedolgellau.com Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Local yarns from Llanfachreth and Abersoch will give visitors to Knit One a proper Welsh yarn keepsake! In addition to local producers, the shop offers Rowan, Erika Knight, Sirdar, Hayfield, Sublime, Katia, James C. Brett, Stylecraft, Wendy, Adriafil, Baa Ram Ewe and West Yorkshire Spinners. The shop is situated in the historic wool town of Dolgellau, nestled in the foothills of Cader Idris. The Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty surrounding the town is a popular walking and outdoor pursuits destination. Nearby is Coed y Brenin forest and Visitor Centre, for family activities and mountain biking. Rosemary’s Wool Shop Birmingham House, 22 Alban Square, Aberaeron, Ceredigion SA46 0AH 01545 905051 www.rosemaryswoolshop.co.uk Mon-Sat 9:30am-5pm Walking along the…

With a British summer in mind and its varied weather, we wanted to create a contemporary collection of beautiful shawls and wraps to take us through from morning to night. The results are on display here, from a creative and talented team of designers, inspired by geometry, colour and beautiful motifs, and using a selection of superb British yarns from West Yorkshire Spinners. You’re sure to find something to inspire your crochet this summer, as well as keeping the sun off or the wind away...…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Bluefaced Leicester DK (100% wool, 50g/112m), 4 balls of Yarn A Burnt Orange (250) 5 balls of Yarn B Honey (289) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com MEASUREMENTS 190x49cm (75x19›in) after blocking ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss into first of those ch Joining picot Ch1, ss into joining ch-sp, ch1, ss into first ch RS repeat 6dc in first ch-4 sp, ch4, 2tr in next ch-1 sp, ch1, 2tr in next ch-4 sp, (ch4, dc in next ch-sp) twice, ch4 WS patt row Ch2, dc in first ch-4 sp, ch4, dc in next ch-4 sp, ch4, 2tr in next ch-4 sp, ch1, 2tr in next ch-1 sp, ch4, ss in next ch-4…

1 If your yarn is wool or a wool blend, it will benefit from wet blocking. Dry or steam block acrylic. To wet block, soak the item before pinning. For dry and steam blocking, pin out when dry; lay the item flat on a towel over a blanket. 2 Using long, rust-proof pins or blocking wires, pin out to the measurements in your pattern (check the schematic for garments). Start at the corners, then move evenly around the edges. You can reposition pins if needed. 3 Place pins inside the last row or round of stitches, not in the actual stitches or you risk distorting them. Insert the pin’s point towards the centre of the fabric, away from the edge, to balance out the forces involved. 4 For wet blocking,…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite Lace (80% Falkland wool, 20% mulberry silk, 100g/800m), 1 skein of Belgravia (585) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION First 15 rows of the pattern measure 14x20cm (5½x7¾in) after blocking MEASUREMENTS Finished Shawl measures 90x150cm (35½x59in) wide after blocking ABBREVIATIONS BR (Beginning of row) Ch3 (counts as tr), tr in next st, ch3 ER (End of row) Tr in last 2 sts, turn V-st (2tr, ch2, 2tr, ch3) in next ch-2 sp Inc V-st (2tr, ch2, 2tr, ch2, 2tr, ch3) in next ch-2 sp Diamond inc 2tr in next tr, tr in each st to last tr before ch-sp, 2tr in next st, ch3 Diamond dec Tr2tog…

SAMANTA FORNINO Hanging out on Insta as @followthecrochet, Italy-based Samanta enjoys designing cute baby things and home décor. Your love for her makes will spike at her cactus cushion on page 59. MARY’S AMILAND Italian designer Mary is the clever crocheter behind Mary’s Amiland. Her makes are inspired by nature. Turn to page 32 to meet her sweet teddy bear (and his fish!) named Johnny. ANNE EGAN A committed crafter, Anne works with glass, metal and clay as well as textiles and yarn. She’s designed for the magazine since issue two! Try her beaded glass covers on page 24. KATE ALINARI Kate is another of our designers who hails from Italy and she’s the brains behind our lacy summer shrug this issue, inspired by picnics in the park. See her…

Every month, three subscribers win a prize as a thank you for their loyalty. This month, the winners (below) will each receive this Sugar ‘n Cream Everyday Tote Bag Kit, including 7 balls of yarn to make a fab beach bag! Ms Marie Man, Bristol Janet Upward, Fleet Kathy Lye, Caerphilly Immediate Media Company, publishers of Simply Crochet, Subs Stars giveaway Terms and Conditions: Prizes were dispatched before the on sale date of this issue. There are no cash alternatives. Three winning entries will be chosen at random from all current subscribers. The draw is final and no correspondence will be entered into.…

AUG2-5 Countryfile Live, £32.25, Blenheim Palace, Oxfordshire www.countryfilelive.com AUG 4 YarnFolk Wool Festival, £7, Whitehead, County Antrim, NI www.yarnfolkwoolfest.co.uk AUG10-11 The British Wool Show, £7, York Auction Centre, Murton, York, www.britishwool.net, 07790 391142 AUG16 Crochet Flowers with a Granny Square twist, £25, Bridport Yarn, Bridport www.bridportyarn.co.uk, 01308 455669 SEPT1 The Great London Yarn Crawl, £20, Various venues, London www.yarninthecity.com…

“Making with a sheep on my lap has become remarkably normal these days.” When we first laid eyes on our farm at the edge of the Highlands in Scotland, I composed a list of things in my head that I wanted for the space: One – chickens, two – dogs, three – to run workshops. The first two items were sorted almost immediately, followed by ducks, geese, peacocks, goats and, most recently, sheep. But the final item – running workshops – was slower to get going. The designated studio space sat unused for years, becoming a dumping ground for the detritus of farm life. Rather than the full house of people learning to make things, I would sit alone, crocheting on my sofa – comfortable, but aware that it wasn’t…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Special DK, (100% acrylic, 100g/295m), 4 balls of Yarn A Cream (1005) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Saffron (1081) Yarn C Cloud Blue (1019) Yarn D Fondant (1241) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Polyester stuffing For yarn stockists contact StylecraftYarns 01484 848435 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION 17 sts and 12 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc/tr pattern repeat MEASUREMENTS Finished Blanket measures 70x70cm (28x28 in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 This baby blanket isn’t just any old blanket – it’s got the cutest of unicorn features on the hood and a tasselled fringe in pastel rainbow colours around the edges. Babies will look as cute as can be, as well as…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Essential Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/135m), 2 balls of each: Yarn A Banana (63) Yarn B Fuchsia (14) 1 ball of Yarn C Turquoise (33) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A stitch marker For yarn stockists contact Rico Design www.rico-design.co.uk TENSION 31 sts over 20 rows will measure 10x10cm (4x4in) MEASUREMENTS Width across Base measures 20.5cm (8in), height without strap measures 22cm (8½in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Originally made by the Arhuaco people of Colombia, mochila bags feature beautiful geometric patterns in earthy shades. Designer Elisabeth has made hers with kite shapes and intertwining lines in vibrant colours for some summer fun! NOTES The main body of the Bag is worked in the amigurumi method, working in…

YOU WILL NEED • Yarn and Colors Must-Have (100% cotton, 50g/125m), 5 balls of each: Amethyst (058) Sunflower (014) Peach (042) Green Ice (075) 4 balls of Cream (002) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Yarn and Colors www.yarnandcolors.com TENSION Each Star Motif should measure 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in) MEASUREMENTS The finished Blanket should measure 110x125cm (43¼x49¼in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Paler pastels make the purple pop in this light, airy blanket. Dark violet teams beautifully with peaches and cream, plus a dash of ice. It’s a soft and stylish make. NOTES The Blanket is made up of 90 Square Motifs (10 Motifs over 9 rows). Each Square is made up of two colours, referred to as Yarn A and Yarn B.…

Helen McLean “I wanted to design a simple, strong and stylish bag for popping to the shops or market and carrying bits and pieces in. The simplicity and strength come from being made in one piece, and the soothing pattern repeat means it’s relaxing to hook. The King Cole yarn was a dream to work with and I just love the fact that as well as using a recycled yarn, the end result also gives an environmentally-friendly and reusable bag for life. That’s a win-win in my eyes!” Helen’s blog is at www.sewsewbaby.co.uk Becky Skuse “I’ve been vegan for 10 years, so I love fruit and veg. Most of my food shopping revolves around buying fresh food, but this creates a shocking amount of plastic waste. So, I…

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.…

Last summer, I made a freeform crochet jacket to wear to the CGOA (Crochet Guild of America) conference, which was held in Chicago in July. I think that, to date, this is my favourite crochet piece that I’ve created, and I’ve made a huge number of pieces over the years. I teach freeform crochet, so designing and making something in freeform was something I really wanted to do for the conference – plus, I wanted to wear something new that no one had seen before! It’s pretty special to me because I love butterflies, for a lot of personal reasons. So, I created this jacket and called it ‘Butterfly Garden’. The yarn I chose is a fine, lace weight yarn with black as the base colour for the main pieces…

SOUTH EAST Chang Crafted 27 Station Road, Birchington, Kent CT7 9DJ 01843 210105 www.changcrafted.co.uk Tues-Sat 9.30am-4pm Chang Crafted is a creative hub where people come to source craft supplies and exchange ideas and inspiration. Knitters and crocheters can choose from a range of classes and workshops, and loom knitting is a featured attraction. Stocked yarns include Bergère de France, West Yorkshire Spinners and Rowan, as well as owner Fiona Chang’s indie-dyed yarns. With a tea and coffee counter and a seaside feel to the area (near Margate), Chang Crafted is an ideal travel destination for yarn aficionados! Damaris Crafts Unit 3, Spire Ridge, Midgham, Berkshire RG7 5XB 0118 971 2151 www.damariscrafts.co.uk Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Damaris Crafts features yarns from Debbie Bliss, Ella Rae and Mondial, among other ranges. Visitors can also…

The Knitting Room 99 Malahide Road, Donnycarney, Dublin D03 DY27 01 831 4464 www.theknittingroom.ie Tues-Sat 10am-5pm Visitors taking in the sites of Dublin should not miss The Knitting Room to add some craft-related memories to the holiday! The Knitting Room prides itself on being ‘not just a wool shop, but a community of crafters’, with knitting and crochet classes for all levels, and a kids’ club as well. Yarns include Debbie Bliss, Rico, Stylecraft, Noro, King Cole, Rosarios4 and Mondial. Located on the road from Dublin city to the beautiful coastal village of Malahide, the shop is also near the historic William Chambers house and Casino Marino. Row by Roe 28 Main Street, Limavady, Co Londonderry›BT49 0FJ 028 7727 7396 www.rowbyroe.co.uk Tues-Fri 9.30am-5pm, Sat 10am-5pm Row by Roe is a…

9-NIGHT KNITTING TOURS Explore Southern Ireland and the Aran Islands, Donegal and Causeway Coast, or Scotland, including the Highlands. Quality accommodation, meals and visits are included, as well as workshops with local and experienced instructors. South of Ireland with the Aran Islands 12 Aug, 23 Sep Scotland with the Highlands 17 Sep Donegal and Causeway Coast 7 Oct 7-NIGHT KNITTING TOURS Choose Donegal and Galway or Kerry and Kilkenny. See Ireland’s stunning scenery and craft locations and take part in great knitting workshops with experienced local instructors. Quality accommodation, meals and visits included. North West and West Ireland with Donegal and Galway 11 Aug, 8 Sep Kerry and Kilkenny 19 Aug 6-NIGHT LUXURY RETREATS Featuring Donegal in the North West of Ireland or Kerry in the South West; with six…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/400m), 1 ball of each: Milk Bottle (010) Liquorice (099) Spearmint (309) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION 22 sts and 10 rows to measure 10x10cm over tr using 3.5mm hook; measures based on washed swatch MEASUREMENTS 157x68cm (61¾x26¾in) ABBREVIATIONS FPtr (Front Post treble) Yrh, starting from the front, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of st in row below, complete as a treble st. BPtr (Back Post treble) Yrh, starting from the back, insert hook from back to front to back around the post of st in row below, complete as a treble st. For…

Cara lives in Bristol, UK with her husband and two children. She’s been contributing to Simply Crochet magazine since it launched and makes and sells her own patterns on Ravelry. When her hands aren’t busy with hooks, she loves to spend time with her family and share food with friends. What inspired your shawl for this collection? I’ve always had a thing about India, and love the colours and patterns in Indian textiles. I like a challenge too, and hadn’t come across a good paisley crochet motif, so I thought I’d create one. What are your go-to yarns for making shawls? Anything luxurious! Shawls are great projects for indulging a bit, to get something that will drape well and show off a stitch pattern to its best advantage. I’d usually…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Exquisite Lace (80% Falkland wool, 20% mulberry silk, 100g/800m) 1 skein of each: Yarn A Savoy (371) Yarn B Viscount (337) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com MEASUREMENTS 200x50cm (78¾x19½in) after blocking ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch6, ss in the first of those ch For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet magazine Change your style up for lazy afternoons with a wrap. The blue shades give this one a coastal vibe, but contrasting colours would work, too. It’s warm when al fresco afternoons turn into evenings, and light enough to slip into your weekend bag. NOTES The centre rectangle of the Wrap is worked first in rows back and forth.…

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.…

12 MONTHS OF CROCHET WITH REDAGAPE MANDY O’SULLIVAN (£14.25, Meteoor Books) The crochet designer and blogger behind RedAgape, Mandy O’Sullivan, has brought out this scrumptious book bursting with colourful designs to inspire you all year long. Our favourites include the fun summer kiwi cushion and the cosy autumn spiked rib stitch blanket. There’s also a handy guide to choosing colours for your projects. ANIMAL PLANET SAFARI CROCHET KATI GALUSZ (£18.79, Thunder Bay Press) Go on an amigurumi safari adventure with this fun book, which includes the materials to make the lion and warthog. You’ll also find patterns for ten other animals, including an elephant, crocodile, giraffe, rhinoceros and hippopotamus. The projects come with clear photos and step-by-step instructions. PARTY CROCHET SUE WHITING (£12.99, IMM Lifestyle Books Darling, you shall go…

YOU WILL NEED • DMC Natura Just Cotton (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 2 balls of Yarn A Linen (78) 1 ball of Yarn B Jade (20) Small quantities of: Yarn C Ibiza (01) Yarn D Noir (11) Yarn E Siena (41) Yarn F Light Green (12) Yarn G Prussian (64) Yarn H Avessac (17) Yarn I Golden Lemon (43) Yarn J Star Light (27) Yarn K Amber (04) • A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook • Toy stuffing • Two buttons • A piece of felt measuring approx 12x12cm (4¾x4¾in) • A stitch marker For yarn stockists contact DMC 01924 231669 www.dmc.com MEASUREMENTS The finished Bear measures 26cm (10¼in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 We’re loving this cute cuddly bear’s smiley expression – he…

If there was a colour that married science with spirituality, it would be violet – the popping hue between purple and blue. From alchemy and rainbows to chemistry and the colour spectrum, it’s transformed the world in both how we see it and how it’s seen. And this is where some hard-hitting questions need to be asked: what was an ancient Phoenician doing to a sea snail that harkened the discovery of Tyrian purple, a rather costly dye? And in 1856, was William Henry Perkin just looking to improve his afternoon gin when he accidentally created the world’s first synthetic dye, mauveine, in an attempt to synthesise quinine? ENCHANTMENT For me, violet falls firmly on the side of alchemy and represents the quiet enchantment of making posies as a little…

All the projects in our 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 • Rowan Softyak (76% cotton, 15% yak, 9% nylon 50g/135m) in Taupe (245) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A decorative pin or brooch For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 21 sts and 10 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern, 22 sts and 21 rows measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc fabric, both using 3.5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 You’ll find this lovely project and more in Rowan Magazine 63, featuring designs for Spring/Summer 2018.See www.knitrowan.com for stockists. For summer cool and elegant style, you can’t go wrong with a short-sleeved, boxy cardigan. This one features an openwork stitch pattern and is hooked in Rowan Softyak yarn, which…

We’ve been double tapping on Instagram and admiring your makes. Tag us @simplycrochetmag and use the hashtag #SCtreblemaker. WHAT A STAR You loved our super-star cushion from issue 71! reader @made_ with_yarn hooked up this treasure in red as an “I’m sorry...” present, but now it’s just got us thinking... “What for?“ THUMBS UP @notthatkind ofhooker picked this stripy number as her first ever garment. She says, “thanks to @simplycrochet mag for the super-easy-to-follow pattern.“ CUTE CASE This geometric delight from issue 69 popped up on our feed. @downby therabbithole18 says, “I don’t have a tablet, but I loved the pattern so much I had to make it. It’ll make a perfect gift!”…

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.…

Summer holidays and family staycations are the perfect time to seek out a yarn shop or two – there are bound to be many independent yarn shops you haven’t visited yet! Here is our guide to local havens for knitters and hooksters, from the South Downs of England to the Scottish Highlands, and all the favourite tourist spots in between. After the sightseeing, long walks and museum visits, steal a few moments to get yourself a woolly souvenir! If visiting a few shops isn’t enough to sate your yarny desires, take a look at the wonderful breaks from KnittingTours.com and the Irish Tourism Group over on page 26, and go for an entirely yarn-focused holiday next time. Spoil yourself, you know you want to!…

The Border Tart Cheviot House, Chesters, Hawick, Scottish Borders TD9 8TH 07900 522651 thebordertart@gmail.com www.tartsart.co.uk Fri-Sun 10am-4.30pm Lindsay Roberts is behind The Border Tart brand. She offers indigo-dyed yarn and fibre for knitting, crochet and weaving. Fibres include British wools, merino, linen, silk, alpaca and yak. Her workspace is in the small village of Chesters, five miles from the border with England. A holiday cottage nearby entices visitors to stay. Craic’n’Yarn 15A Main Street, Drymen, Stirlingshire G63 0BQ 01360 661476 www.craicnyarn.com Mon 2-5pm, Tues, Thurs, Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Craic’n’Yarn loves British/Scottish fibres and natural yarns – yarns with a story are a favourite! This is the place to get an extra-special memento of natural yarn, such as local, hand-dyed yarn from Strathearn Fleece and Fibre, Kate Davies Buachaille, The Knitting Goddess,…

Artisan Alley UK www.artisanalleyuk.com Find all your favourite yarn brands, including Scheepjes, Stylecraft, Three Bears and West Yorkshire Spinners. Cambrian Mountains Wool www.cambrianmountainswool.org www.cambrianwool.co.uk Cambrian Mountains Wool has rekindled the historic links between local sheep farmers, wool processors, designers, makers and retailers, and sells a range of original wool products from fleece farmed in Wales. Gorgeous Yarns www.gorgeousyarns.co.uk Specialists in natural fibres, hand-dyed, luxury yarns that are gorgeous to knit or crochet with, and to wear. Hawkshaw Sheep Tweedsmuir, Biggar ML12 6QS 01899 636983 www.hawkshaw-sheep-yarn.co.uk The majority of yarns, fleece and tweed cloth stocked are produced with fleeces from their hill farm’s sheep, as well as alpaca. Go to www.hawkshaw-sheep-yarn.co.uk/news to find out where you can meet them at shows. Hilda Haarhoff Knitwear Design 0782 888 0195 www.hildaknitwear.co.uk Hilda offers…

£5 OFF! IDA’S HOUSE SOUTH EAST 27 High Street, Caterham on the Hill, Surrey CR3 5UE 01883 345220 www.idashouse.co.uk Mon-Tues, Thurs-Sat 10am-5pm Social Club Tues & Thurs 7-9pm OFFER DETAILS: £5 off when you spend a minimum of £50 in store. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offers. Voucher expires on 31 August 2018. 10% OFF! LOOP LONDON 15 Camden Passage, Islington, London N1 8EA 020 7288 1160 www.loopknitting.com Tues-Sat 11am-6pm, Late Opening Thurs 7.30pm Sun 12-5pm OFFER DETAILS: 10% off items purchased in London shop. One use only. Not to be used in conjunction with any other offer or loyalty scheme. Voucher expires on 31 August 2018. 10% OFF! YARNFEST SOUTH EAST The Old Telephone Exchange, Long Lane, Hermitage, Thatcham, Berkshire RG18 9QS 01635 201660 www.yarnfest.co.uk…

Italian crafter Ilaria lives in London, in the space left between balls of yarn, fabric, biscuits, chocolate and ice cream. Her adorable amigurumi creatures are just as sweet as her tooth. She just can’t live without her yellow diary, or give a gift without wrapping it in extravagant fashion, using fabric, yarn and more. What inspired your shawl for this collection? I like playing with colours and shapes and a shawl is a perfect accessory for experimentation. I wanted to combine colour blocks and geometry, but of course, when I design something for a pattern rather than a personal item, I always think about how the work flows and the variety of techniques I can use to keep the motivation going. Making sections using different stitches and changing colours make…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/400m) 2 balls of Yarn A Dusty Miller (129) 1 ball of Yarn B Cornflower (325) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • A stitch marker For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION The first 9 rows will measure 10cm (4in) from bottom point of the body MEASUREMENTS The bottom point of the Shawl to the top measures 110cm (43›in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 of Simply Crochet magazine Grab yourself some boho style with this barely-there shawl – ideal for festivals, summer picnics or a trip to the beach. It’s easy to hook up (great for a first shawl), and you can keep on rocking with the…