Innehållsförteckning för 84 från Simply Crochet

Safari from your armchair with our electric jungle collection! Flashes of yellow and white cut through luscious greens and blues to create wild critters and eye-catching botanicals. Spot them from page 14 – we can’t wait to see your creations. This issue we’ve gone over and above to show the versatility of our craft. Proving you can do just about anything in crochet, our raffia hat on page 45 is a perfect warm-weather make, and how about hooking up your own jewelled watch strap? We show you how to get to grips with crocheting with wire on page 83.…

LOOK WHO’S TOUCAN If you haven’t got this beady-eyed toucan cushion in your interior, then you’re one beak short of a real good recline. Pair it with the leaf cushion to really work that tropics vibe. PUT THE PETAL TO THE METAL Wire meets crochet to make this set of structured blooms. A fantastic statement piece for the home. In this case, the statement is ‘Yowzers!’ NECKS LEVEL APPEAL A ‘splash’ of colour? Please. Soak your home in high-saturation hues with this corner-to-corner throw. Hang it up for show – strewn casually over a sofa, at first pass visitors might miss the giraffe motif hidden within these bright stripes. GOING APE You’ll be an eyelash yarn expert after hooking up this swing king. What makes our amigurumi orangutan extra appealing…

As 2018 turned into 2019 I went through something of a shift in perspective. Over the last six months I had undergone a huge life change, moving back to England after more than ten years’ absence and settling back into London life, albeit with new work, a new apartment, and new friends. It’s all been rather ‘up in the air’, which has meant a lot of change. This phase has been a real balancing act for me, and honestly, while exciting, there have been moments when it’s all felt a little too much. Normally at these times of ‘too much’ I would dive into my crochet work, throwing myself into a project. But without my realising, my crochet work had become exactly that, work. It felt like something else that…

YOU WILL NEED Wool and the Gang Ra-Ra Raffia (100% wood, 100g/250m), 2 balls of Desert Palm A 5.5mm (I/9) hook Stitch markers 2m wire For yarn stockists contact Wool and the Gang www.woolandthegang.com TENSION First 6 rounds to measure 10cm (4in) in diameter MEASUREMENTS To fit head measuring 52-56cm (20½in) in circumference ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Protective gear is rarely this stylish – enjoy the sun but swerve the UV nasties in our cute hat. Check your stitch markers before you begin as they may not be large enough to accommodate double-stranded raffia – large safety pins would work in a snap. NOTES Use 2 strands of raffia held together as 1 throughout. The Hat is worked in a continuous spiral, without closing each round…

YOU WILL NEED Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m) 1 ball of each: Gold26 Banana63 Black90 White80 A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Small amount of toy stuffing Safety eyes, 7mm Glass jar For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 21 sts over 28 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc st using a 3mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS To fit jar measuring 22cm (8¾in) in circumference and 12cm (4½in) tall NOTES The Bee is worked in turned rows, with the underside left open. This is then filled with stuffing before being joined to the Jar Cover. ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Our easy-as-pie upcycling project turns a jar into a pen pot in the flap…

EMMA LEITH WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? London and Norfolk. WHERE DO YOU LIVE NOW? In a village just outside Bath with my long-suffering partner, two miniature dachshunds and three enormous cats! WHEN DID YOU START CROCHETING? My nan was the very first person to get me knitting and crocheting, but I only really got going 15 years ago when I decided I wanted to have a large granny square blanket for my daughter’s bedroom. HOW DID YOU START CROCHETING PROFESSIONALLY? Three years ago, I was treated for breast cancer and spent much of my recovery time exploring crochet. The work I produced attracted the attention of Rico Design, who loved what I was doing with their cottons. They got behind me, sent me lots of yarn and encouraged me…

YOU WILL NEED Scheepjes Maxi Sugar Rush 2ply (100% cotton, 50g/280m) 1 ball of each: Green Yellow (245) Sweet Orange (411) Poppy Rose (390) Electric Blue (201) Cherry (413) A 1.25mm (US 9/4 steel) hook A 1mm (US 12/6 steel) hook A 2mm (US 4 steel) hook 3 beads, 30mm diameter 4 beads, 25mm diameter 11 beads, 20mm diameter 2 beads, 15mm diameter 0.6mm Chinese waxed cotton, 3m 2 sieve ear studs, 14mm Jewellery findings/clasps (available from Needle and thread For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION 38 dc over 34 rounds measures 10x10cm (4x4in) MEASUREMENTS Necklace measures approx 43cm (17in) in diameter Bracelet measures approx 10cm (4in) in diameter ABBREVIATIONS inv dec Insert hook in the fl of the first st indicated, insert hook in the fl of…

WILD THING Over on Instagram, Lacey from @monalacey has gone wild making this purrrfect two-tone cardigan from issue 79. All the animal print style, with none of the animal cruelty. Looking cosy Lacey – and now it’s summer it won’t get hidden under your coat! Plus side note – we’re loving the phone case! BOOTIEFUL Natalie from @littlebitofcrochet has blown us away with her stitch-perfect hat and booties set! Using the pattern from issue 79, she’s opted for the same colours as our designer Susan Walsh, but switched it up with a set of embellished buttons for the centrepiece to the floral motifs. We love the finished result – if only they fit us! GONE WITH THE WIND We fell in love with issue 82’s navy blue dandelion cushion as…

We crocheters love yarn, of course, but have you tried crocheting with wire? It’s so easy and it’ll open up a new world of creative possibilities. You can use your crochet skills to hook wire into all sorts of shapes – and even add beads – to create one-of-a-kind accessories to suit any outfit. EASY PEASY Hooking with wire is much easier than you might think and it’s not expensive (a reel of coloured copper wire costs around £2). There are a few differences between yarn and wire, though, which you might need some help with – so we’ve put this guide together to explain everything you need to know to get going. With just a little bit of practice, you’ll be able to make all sorts of amazing pieces,…

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…

Rupert The Owl is one of my favourite crochet projects, even though he is nearly ten years old. I remember very clearly when the thought for Rupert popped into my head. We were on the tube, heading home after going to see a travelling circus, I was scribbling in my sketchbook and drew a round textured ball with a triangle top and some grumpy owl eyes – Rupert was born. The next day I made him up out of the yarns I had at hand. At the time I didn’t really think about the fibre content or what I used, and everything was hooked up with a tiny 2.5mm hook. The very first Rupert was a mishmash of cottons, wools and acrylics in bright harlequin colours, but the idea worked!…

EMMA BASSEY Emma has been crocheting for a few years now and enjoys creating items for herself and her three daughters. She likes her designs to be easy to make, like the leaf cushion on p20. LISA RICHARDSON With a background in tailoring and homewares, Lisa’s designs showcase interesting stitch details, unique garment structure and techniques which are classic yet understated. See her top on p38. DONNA WILKINS Donna has a passion for amigurumi, crochet puppets and the health benefits of crochet. She loves to help others on their crochet journey. Buzz to p53 for her bee design. DEB SEDA-TESTUT Deb’s 60+ years of crocheting eventually led her to designing. She is always looking for designs that appear complicated but are actually deceptively simple, like her jumper on p54.…

200 MORE CROCHET STITCHES TRACEY TODHUNTER (£14.99, Search Press) Level up your stitch game with 200 versatile stitch techniques from crochet designer and teacher Tracey. From classic techniques to intricate Tunisian stitches, this collection is a superb reference library for crocheters looking for creation inspiration. COLOURFUL WAYUU BAGS TO CROCHET RIANNE DE GRAAF (£9.99, Search Press) Discover the striking world of tapestry crochet, with these 10 designs for beautiful, eccentric wayuu bags. Taking inspiration from Colombian fashion, the book guides readers through the simple techniques required, from the crocheted bags to the braided straps and drawstrings. CROCHET EVERY WAY STITCH DICTIONARY DORA OHRENSTEIN (£19.99, Abrams) A great encyclopedia for crocheters, with detailed step-by-step instructions on crochet across the spectrum. Featuring 125 instructive stitch patterns plus a focus on the ins…

YOU WILL NEED ScheepjesSpirit56 cotton, 44% acrylic, 50g/210m) 2 balls of Flamingo3101 ball of each: Grasshopper307 Lion304 Butterfly311 BlueJay306 Dragonfly312 A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook Stitch markers (optional) For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION Diamond Motif measures 5x3.5cm (2x1½in) MEASUREMENTS Shawl measures 124x66cm (49x26in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 NOTES The Diamond Motifs are joined as you work. All Motifs other than the initial one made will begin in a ch-3 loop from the previous layout row. Row 7 on each Motif is the join as you go row where you will join to ch-3 loops on adjacent Motifs. With RS facing, work across from right to left on the Shawl. If you have trouble finding where to place your hook in the ch-3 loops,…

YOU WILL NEED Rowan Summerlite 4ply (100% cotton, 50g/175m) Seashell437 TouchofGold439) GreenBay445 VintageClaret443 Langoustino440See table for measurements and yarn quantities A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 668200 www.knitrowan.com TENSION 27 sts and 16 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 3mm hook ABBREVIATIONS tr3tog Yrh, insert hook into 1st st/sp indicated, yrh, pull up a loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops on hook, *yrh, insert hook into next st/sp, yrh, pull up loop, yrh, pull through 2 loops on hook; rep from * once more, yrh , pull through all loops on hook beg tr2tog Ch3, skip sts to first ch-sp, tr in ch-sp (counts as tr2tog) rev dc (reverse dc) Work as standard dc, but from left to…

YOU WILL NEED Knitcraft Cotton Blend Plain (50% cotton, 50% acrylic, 100g/215m) 1 ball of each: Green (BR-2366-7) Red (BR–2366-2) A small amount of white stranded cotton A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook A plain tote (available from For yarn stockists contact Hobbycraft 03300 261400 www.hobbycraft.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical but may affect yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Each Motif measures 6x6cm (2¼x2¼in) across widest points ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 These cherries are so delightful, and you can polish off a bowlful in an afternoon – much like their real-world counterparts! NOTES Make as many Motifs as you like to decorate your bag. We made 12 Motifs in total. CHERRY MOTIF CHERRIES (MAKE 2) Using Red, make a magic loop. Round 1 Ch3 (counts as tr),…

YOU WILL NEED King Cole Bamboo Cotton (50% bamboo, 50% cotton, 100g/230m) Vanilla (3051) See table for measurements and yarn quantities A 3.75mm (US F/5) hook For yarn stockists contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com TENSION 18 sts over 8 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over treble crochet using a 3.75mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension 3 shell st repeats to measure 14cm (5½in) across using a 3.75mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Sometimes it’s all about a meditative make. With its simple and repetitive pattern this pullover is a bliss-out creation that suits all levels – while appearing highly advanced! NOTES The Jumper is made up of two pieces, which are worked in a T-shape…

YOU WILL NEED DROPS Lima (65% wool, 35% alpaca, 50g/100m) 1 ball of LightBeigeMix0206) A small amount of: Brown5610 RustMix0707 DROPS Alpaca Bouclé (80% alpaca, 15% wool, 5% polyamide, 50g/140m) 1 ball of each: LightBeigeMix2020) BrownMix0602 A 4mm (US G/6) hook A 2.75mm (US C/2) hook 2 safety eyes, 10mm Toy stuffing Stitch markers For stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Hedgehog measures 18cm (7in) tall ABBREVIATIONS loop st Wrap yarn from front to back over the index finger of hand holding yarn, insert hook into st indicated, pick up yarn with hook from behind your index finger, draw it through the st, with the loop still on your finger, yrh using…

YOU WILL NEED Novita Nalle (75% wool, 25% polyamide, 100g/260m) Saffron (285) See table for measurements and yarn quantities 5 buttons, 12mm diameter A 4mm (US G/6) hook Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Love Crochet 01409 404010 www.lovecrochet.com TENSION 20 sts and 12.5 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over half treble using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain stated tension ABBREVIATIONS puff st (Yrh, insert hook into st, pull up a loop to height of a half treble stitch) 3 times, yrh and pull hook through all 7 loops, ch1 to close st For a full list, see page 92 Flex your hooky muscles with this charming pinafore dress. Turn the TV off while you tackle the multi-tier lacy yoke and hemline, buttonholes and button band. We…

TREETOPIA Sara of @inkypink68 is making fantastic headway with the geometric treetops throw featured in issue 82. Now to make that thicket into a forest Sara! CHIC CHICK Claire from @clairebullion got cracking on our egg cosies from issue 82’s supplement, and has two adorable new friends to share her breakfast table with! COAT ME ON THAT One from the vaults this – a coat from all the way back from issue 36, hooked by@yarnandblarney. “I’m so pleased you like it,” says Sarah. We really do! RING RING Jennifer from @jrkinyak says she “worked feverishly” on these two spring wreaths from issue 78. This pretty pair shows hard work really does pay off!…

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.…

YOU WILL NEED Scheepjes Colour Crafter (100% acrylic, 100g/300m) 2 balls of each: Urk (1034), Middelburg (1003), Delft (1117), Eelde (1422), Almelo (1316), Terneuzen (1821), Franeker (1826) 1 ball of each: Den Bosch (1241), Luik (2006), Apeldoorn (1435), Leek (1132), Ede (1002), Weert (1001), Gent (2002), Eindhoven (1114), Maastricht (1246) Scheepjes River Washed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m), 1 ball of each: Danube (911), Congo (994) Scheepjes Twinkle (75% cotton, 25% polyester, 50g/130m) 1 ball of each: Gold (938), Red (924) Scheepjes Spirit (56% cotton, 44% acrylic, 50g/210m) 1 ball of Flamingo (310) A 2.5mm (US B1 or C/2) hook A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook A 4mm (US G/6) hook A 5mm (US H/8) hook A 8mm (US L/11) hook Stitch markers Small amount of toy stuffing For yarn…

SLUGS NOT HUGS This sluglike cutie is set to delight and disgust in kids of all ages in equal measure. If you’re looking for a unique make, this googly-eyed creation should be your go-to. From JuliHMtoys on www.etsy.com CLAWS OUT Keep feet warm and cheery in these colourful monster claw slippers, available in sizes for both children and adults. From KnitsForLife on www.etsy.com CAN YOU BEAR IT? Zombie + teddy bear: deady bear? With overspilling brains bolted into place, kids with a strong stomach will love this macabre toy from Krawka on www.etsy.com PICK ‘N’ STITCH Proving crochet falling apart at the seams isn’t necessarily always a bad thing, this mad-eyed mummy is available from LexInStitches on www.etsy.com BEDTIME MONSTER Feed this monster with pyjamas to keep it happy –…

1 After working the last stitch, you’ll have one loop left on your hook. Cut the yarn leaving a 15cm-long tail. Work yrh and pull the yarn right through the stitch. 2 Now remove the hook and pull the yarn tail through the last stitch to tighten it up and make sure your hard work doesn’t unravel. 3 Thread the tail end onto a tapestry needle. On the wrong side, weave the needle up and down, in and out of the back of the stitches to secure the tail end. 4 Make sure you weave the yarn tail in two different directions to prevent it from being pulled out. Also check that the tail end of yarn is not visible from the right side.…

Faye Lamb “For this project, the real challenge came when I measured each mini skein and had to shrink my idea. When making the craft room pockets I used combinations of dc and spike stitches to create the designs. Tension is vital when making storage items to give them structure, and especially important with this project because a tighter tension meant the yarn went far enough to make three full pockets.” Find Faye on Instagram @unravel_unwind or on her website www.unravelandunwind.co.uk Natasha Butler “I understand the need for craft room accessories that also look stylish. My inspiration came from my daughter, Kayleigh, who is very artistic and needs places to store her supplies. She has numerous jars with cosies on them that she created herself, which I call…

In this pattern, you’ll work the stitches in spiral rounds. If you’ve never done this before, don’t worry, it’s easy! At the end of a round, don’t join the first and last stitches with a slip stitch. Instead, just work the first stitch of a new round into the top of the first stitch on the previous round. Using stitch markers will help you to keep track of spiral rounds. Our step-by-step guide (right) will show you how to do this. 1 Work the first stitch of a round and place a stitch marker in this first stitch. 2 Work a spiral round of double crochet stitches until you’ve worked the last stitch of the round. The next stitch you’ll want to work into will have the stitch marker in…

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