Innehållsförteckning för 94 från Simply Crochet

The New Year is firmly in our rear-view mirror now, fading from sight alongside so many well-meant resolutions. But if you’ve still got the energy for a fresh ambition, why not try out Tunisian crochet? Our included accessories supplement and bonus Tunisian hook means you’re a ball of yarn away from mastering the basics of this swift and satisfying yarn craft style. We love seeing your finished pieces – share them on Instagram tagged #sctreblemaker, or on our Facebook group Simply Crochet SCtreblemakers. Also, make sure not to miss the stunning cable jumper on page 44, and if you’re looking for a gorgeous way to display your crochet blooms our framed flowers project on page 55 is just the ticket.…

CIRCUS CIRCUS RICO DESIGN (£3.35, Rico Design) If you like your crochet served with a hefty ladelful of whimsy, this booklet of adorable amigurumi makes crochet as much fun as a day at the circus. The makes include full instructions for hooking up a clown, lion, ringmaster, monkey and trapeze artist (complete with aerial hoop). This is the latest in several amigurumi booklets from Rico Design, with recent titles including Crazy Cute Family and Wild Wild Animals. FAIR ISLE CROCHET WORKSHOP NATASJA VREESWIJK (£15.99, Search Press) Fall in love with fair isle all over again with this book of 15 home accessory projects, including blankets, pillows, baby blanket and hip plant baskets. The selection of projects are all made in designer Natasja’s signature vintage style, and the use of black…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Novita 7 Veljestä (100g/200m, 75% wool, 25% polyamide) Yarn A Stone (043) Yarn B Off White (010) See table for measurements and yarn quantities ■ Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola (100g/200m, 75% wool, 25% polyamide) Yarn C Sisu (055) Yarn D Inspiration (050) Yarn E Serene (017) See table for measurements and yarn quantities ■ A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact Novita www.novitaknits.com TENSION 15.5 sts and 8 rows to measure 10x10cm (4 x 4in) over treble crochet using a 4.5mm hook or size required to achieve tension; alternatively, you can take the stitch tension as: 31 sts to measure 20cm (8in) 16 rows to measure 10cm (4in) over double crochet Rib using a 4.5mm hook MEASUREMENTS Motifs for sizes 8-14 measure 8.5x8.5cm (3¼x3¼in)…

Having written the Simply Crochet yarn reviews for the last two years, I’ve been lucky enough to get my hooks into almost every type of yarn available – from headline releases to some really quirky fibres. Along the way I’ve learned some important lessons about matching the right yarn to your project, and the surprising impact yarn fibres and strand style will have on your completed work. Here are some of my top tips! FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU “Working two strands of different yarns together can create really interesting results” If you’ve got the crochet bug, then you’re probably already amassing a fair-sized yarn stash. But every stash includes a few balls or skeins of ‘special’ yarns – those one-off impulse buys from the yarn store where you fell…

1 For Front Post (FP) sts: Work the stitch indicated (in this case a treble), inserting the hook from front to back to front of the fabric, around the post of the next stitch. 2 The completed stitch is raised up, compared to the rest of the fabric. The next stitch is worked around the post, or into the top, of the next stitch as directed. 3 For Back Post (BP) sts: Work the stitch indicated (in this case a treble), inserting the hook from back to front to back of the fabric, around the post of the next stitch. 4 The completed stitch is set back, compared to the rest of the fabric. The next stitch is worked around the post, or into the top, of the next stitch…

YOU WILL NEED ■ DMC Petra Size 5 (100% cotton, 100g/400m) 1 ball of each: Shade 5905 (medium green) Shade 5907 (lime green) Shade 5666 (red) Shade 5742 (yellow) Shade 54460 (white) Shade 53803 (plumb red) Shade 53805 (bright pink) Shade v (pale pink) ■ A 2mm (US 4 steel) hook ■ Frame, 28x36cm, available from Oliver Bonas ■ Clear nail vanish (optional) ■ Glue For yarn stockists contact DMC 01924 231669 www.dmc.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities it requires MEASUREMENTS Pointed Leaf measures approx 3.5x3cm (1½x1¼in) Pointed Flower measures approx 5cm (2in) wide Daisy measures approx 3.5cm (1½in) wide Posy measures approx 2.5cm (1in) wide ABBREVIATIONS leaf Ch3, 2dtr in fourth ch from hook, ch3, ss in third ch…

YOU WILL NEED ¦ Scheepjes Stonewashed XL (70% cotton, 30% acrylic, 50g/75m) 7 balls of Yarn A Malachite (865) 2 balls of Yarn B Smokey Quartz (842) 1 ball of each: Yarn C Moonstone (841) Yarn D Deep Amethyst (851) Yarn E Amazonite (853) Yarn F Forsterite (866) Yarn G Lemon Quartz (852) Yarn H Rhodochrosite (875) Yarn I Carnelian (863) Yarn J Black Onyx (843) ¦ A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Rug measures approx 80x85cm (31½x33½in) ABBREVIATIONS tr3tog *Yrh, insert hook into next st, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and pull through 2 loops; rep from * another 2 times, yrh and pull through…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Malabrigo Rios (100g/192m), 2 skeins of Ivy (138) ■ A 5mm (US H/8) hook ■ A 5.5mm (US I/9) hook For yarn stockists contact LoveCrafts 01409 404010 www.lovecrafts.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Cowl measures 68cm (26¾in) in circumference ABBREVIATIONS FPdc Insert hook from the front around post of st indicated, yrh and pull up a loop, yrh and pull through two loops on hook ttrL Work standard ttr, working in st 3 rows below and 3 sts to the left ttrR Work as standard ttr working in st 3 rows below and 3 sts to the right For a full list, see page 94 A perfect marriage of yarn and pattern, this cowl…

1 Draw two rings onto card, 1cm larger in diameter than you want your finished pompom to be. Make a big hole in the centre for a dense pompom. Cut out the rings. Wind your yarn into tiny balls. 2 Hold the two cardboard rings together and wrap your yarn around them, threading each ball through the centre hole and around the card rings until they’re covered by several layers of yarn. 3 Once covered, insert a pair of scissors between the two rings of card and carefully cut the yarn around the edge of the rings. Make sure none of the yarn slips out of position as you do this. 4 Cut a new length of yarn and knot it tightly around the middle of the bundle of yarn…

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.…

Welcome to the world of Tunisian crochet. This versatile branch of crochet has been rising in popularity over the last couple of years, with more and more hooksters giving it a go. If you’ve yet to try your hand at it, now’s your chance, using this beginner-friendly accessory supplement and your bonus hook. Tunisian crochet yields a thick, warm fabric that’s perfectly suited to winter warmers like these, either for yourself or as a gift. We’ve used gorgeous Cygnet Yarns exclusively throughout – find your nearest local stockist or store by checking their website www.cygnetyarns.com, or track down the yarn on Wool Warehouse at www.woolwarehouse.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Cygnet DK (100% acrylic, 100g/298m) 1 ball of each: Heather (150) Bluebell (149) ■ An 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian cabled hook ■ A 6mm (J/10) hook For yarn stockists find your nearest local store via Cygnet Yarns’ website www.cygnetyarns.com; or go to Cygnet’s recommended online retailer www.woolwarehouse. com TENSION 13 sts and 13 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern, using an 8mm hook MEASUREMENTS Cowl measures 56cm (22in) in circumference ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 23 Add a pleasing pop of colour to your winter garb with this feminine two-tone cowl. As well as banishing chills, the cowl also offers a great chance to progress onto Tunisian front post stitches – a handy stitch to master to achieve heavy texture and a…

MARIANNE RAWLINS Marianne has been practically glued to her hook for the past five years. An avid intarsia fan, she loves to cook up trend-led designs for her quirky crochet creations. Find her hat on page 14. TERI HAMILTON Specialising in the unusual and always open to new ideas, Teri loves to share her knowledge and passion for all things crochet. Find her rhino on page 31. STEFFI GLAVES Steffi is a teacher and jewellery designer who loves to create flowers, rainbows and granny squares in micro-crochet. Check out her charming framed flower picture on page 55. EMMA LEITH Emma is a self-crocheter, practising and teaching from her studio just outside Bath. You can always recognise her hyper-cheerful designs. Check out her boot toppers on page 19. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Oriana…

1 A BLOOM FOR YOUR ROOM Polish up your crochet colourwork skills with a sweet cushion that will last many seasons. The pdf download features both written instructions and a chart, and costs £2.88 from Etsy store BrianaKdesigns. 2 PET(AL) PROJECT This moth orchid pdf features over 100 images along with detailed instructions to help you create the perfect plant. £4.88 from PippaPatterns Crochet on Etsy. 3 BULBED BEAUTY The happy bulb face is the focus of this darling hyacinth, but look at that head of flowers! Get the pdf for this sweetie for £4.80 – Etsy store HappyCoridon. 4 FLOWER CHILD If whimsical amigurumi and step-by-step colour instructions are your thing, the 'Flower Gal and Bee' pdf from Etsy store TinyCurlShop is £2.40 well spent! 5 PERFECT PICK! Savvy…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Sirdar Hayfield Bonus (100% acrylic, 100g/280m) 1 ball of: Light Grey Mix (814) or Silver Grey (838) ■ A small amount of black acrylic yarn from your stash ■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook ■ Toy stuffing ■ Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Sirdar 01924 231682 www.sirdar.co.uk TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Rhino measures approx 22x22cm (8¾x8¾in) across widest points ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 An inventive melding of three of crochet’s most popular trends, this handsome grey playmate will keep you on your crochet toes as you incorporate granny squares with hexagonal shaping and amigurumi. NOTES Body is worked in two pieces. Each piece is a Hexagon…

Irene Strange “I loved the challenge of working all these bright happy colours into an amigurumi project. There were so many shade combinations to choose from that I was quite in my element! A chirpy colourful bird feels like the perfect fit for the spring theme, and if you’re already making one, why not make a pretty pair? I’m really pleased with how they turned out.” You can find more from Irene on her Instagram @irenestrange, or check out her website www.irenestrange.co.uk Mike and Jordon “We’ve just passed the season for New Year’s resolutions. After what some may argue was an overindulgent Christmas, our focus has been fitness. What better to represent getting back in to the swing of things than an adorable gym bunny! Using these beautifully coloured cotton…

1 To make a double treble crochet stitch, yrh twice and insert the hook under the top two loops of the next stitch on the previous row. Yrh and draw through the stitch only (4 loops on hook). 2 Yrh and pull the yarn through the first 2 loops only (3 loops on hook). 3 Yrh and pull the yarn through the first 2 loops only (2 loops on hook). 4 Yrh and pull the yarn through the remaining 2 loops. There’s your double treble made and you’ll have one loop left on your hook ready to do the next stitch.…

1 To make a triple treble stitch, yrh three times and insert the hook into the next stitch on the previous row, or into the 6th chain from the hook if you’re working into the foundation chain. Yrh. 2 Pull the yarn through the chain loop (5 loops on hook). *Yrh and pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook (4 loops on hook). Repeat from * (3 loops on hook). Yrh again. 3 Pull the yarn through the first two loops on the hook only (2 loops on hook). Yrh and gently pull the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook to finish the stitch. 4 Your finished triple treble stitch should look like this. You’ll have one loop left on your hook ready to…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Stylecraft Special Aran (100% acrylic, 100g/196m) 2 balls of Spice (1711) 1 ball of each: Graphite (1063) Cream (1005) Pale Rose (1080) Black (1002) ■ Stylecraft Eskimo DK (100% polyester, 50g/90m) 1 ball of Natural (5211) ■ A 6.5mm (US K/10½) Tunisian hook ■ A 4.5mm (US 7) hook ■ Stitch markers ■ Cushion pad, 40x40cm For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01484 848435 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION 15 sts and 14 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Tunisian simple stitch using a 6.5mm Tunisian hook MEASUREMENTS Cover measures approx 38x38cm (15x15in) ABBREVIATIONS tss (Tunisian simple stitch) Loop on hook counts as first st, do not work into the vertical bar on edge of work, *with yarn at back, insert hook from side to side behind next vertical bar,…

across to end of the row approx approximate(ly) beg beginning bl insert hook under back loop only BPtr Back Post treble: yrh, starting from the back, insert hook from back to front to back around post of st in row below, complete as treble st ch(s) chain/chain stitch(es) ch-sp(s) chain space(s) ch-refers to ch made previously, eg. ch-3 cl(s) clusters 2-tr cl (yrh, insert hook in sp/ st, yrh & pull up loop, yrh & draw through 2 loops) twice, inserting hook in same sp/st, yrh & draw through all loops on hook cont continue dc double crochet dc2tog (insert hook in next st, yrh and draw a loop through) twice, yrh and draw through all 3 loops on hook dec decrease dtr double treble crochet dtr2tog work 2dtr together…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Cygnet DK (100% acrylic, 100g/298m) 1 ball of Linen (234) ■ An 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian cabled hook For yarn stockists find your nearest local store via Cygnet Yarns’ website www.cygnetyarns.com; or go to Cygnet’s recommended online retailer www.woolwarehouse. com TENSION 15 sts and 15 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern MEASUREMENTS Cowl measures approx 56cm (22in) in circumference ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, please see page 23 Although this is a short pattern there are a couple of different stitches to master, making this project a quick-but-satisfying challenge. Extend the number of rows and don’t join for a thick scarf alternative. NOTES Cowl is worked in long rows as a flat piece. The short edges are joined together, then edging is worked around…

YOU WILL NEED ¦ Cygnet Boho Spirit Solids (100% acrylic, 100g/240m) 1 ball of each: Pure (6208) Amber (6909) ■ An 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian cabled hook ■ A 6mm (J/10) hook For yarn stockists find your nearest local store via Cygnet Yarns’ website www.cygnetyarns.com; or go to Cygnet’s recommended online retailer www.woolwarehouse. com TENSION 13 sts and 14 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Tunisian simple stitch using an 8mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS Hat measures approx 48cm (19in) in circumference Brim to Crown measures approx 28cm (11in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 23 If there was ever a time for hats, this is it. This slouchie beanie has the advantage of suiting most face shapes. White and amber colours are a…

SIMPLE STEPS HOW TO WORK A TUNISIAN FOUNDATION ROW 1 Work a foundation chain as usual, with the same number of chains as stitches you want (so ch15 for 15 stitches). To begin the ‘forward pass’ of your foundation row, *insert the hook into the second chain from the hook. 2 Work yrh and pull a loop of yarn through the chain and onto the hook. Leave the loop on the hook. 3 You will now have 2 loops on your hook. Repeat the same action from * in step 1 for each chain along the row. Place one stitch onto the hook for each chain – do not work into the slipknot at the end. 4 When you’ve finished the forward pass, you should have one loop on…

BOBBLE HAT A fun weekend make, by Marianne Rawlins ■ Novita 7 Veljestä (75% wool, 25% polyamide, 100g/200m), 1 ball of each: Stone (043), Off White (010) ■ Novita 7 Veljestä Pohjola (75% wool, 25% polyamide, 100g/200m), 1 ball of each: Sisu (055), Inspiration (050), Serene (017) ■ A 4mm (US G/6) hook ■ Extra-large pompom maker TENSION 20sts and 20 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over double crochet in the round, using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS Hat measures approx 57cm (22½in) in diameter NOTES Hat is worked top down in rounds with RS facing throughout. Change colour on the final yrh of previous stitch and carry unused yarn across the WS. Be careful not to pull the carried yarn too tightly as…

1 Sewing with a tapestry needle is the regular and neat way to join seams. Place two pieces of crochet wrong sides together and oversew them as shown above, using a tapestry or yarn needle. 2 To slip stitch a seam, place the crochet pieces right sides together. *Insert hk through both edge stitches, yrh, pull through to complete 1 slip stitch; rep from *, keeping your work fairly loose. 3 For a dc seam, place the crochet pieces right sides together, or wrong sides together for a visible seam. Work as for slip stitch seam, using double crochet instead of slip stitch. 4 A useful variation on the dc seam, the dc and chain seam is used when you need less bulk and/or greater flexibility in your seam. Work…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Scheepjes Stone Washed (78% cotton, 22% acrylic, 50g/130m) Yarn A Corundum Ruby (808) Yarn B Garnet (810) See table for measurements and yarn quantities ■ A 4.5mm (US 7) hook ■ A 5mm (US H/8) hook ■ Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Scheepjes www.scheepjes.com/en TENSION 16 sts and 13 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) of Main Fabric Patt using 5mm hook, or size needed to achieve correct tension, after blocking ABBREVIATIONS fdc (foundation double crochet) Ch2, dc in second ch from hook, adding ch1 before last yrh of dc, *(dc in ch-1 of previous st, adding ch1 before last yrh of dc) repeat from * until you have the number of dc stated f3l and b3l – see Note on Working into htr sts For…

Like the idea of combining crochet with another of your favourite crafts in a single project? We speak to three expert designer-makers who do exactly this, to discover where they get their inspiration from and why they love mixing mediums… GET INSPIRED So, you want to start mixing in other crafting techniques with your crocheting, but aren’t quite sure where to start or what will work well? As with many tasks, thorough research will provide a good grounding for success, so don’t be afraid to seek out inspiration! Becky Skuse, a freelance craft designer (find her shop at www.etsy.com/uk/shop/ MakeMeDo), has a passion for combining fabric-based crafts such as sewing and embroidery with crochet. “For me, it’s a match made in heaven,” she says. Using Pinterest, Instagram and various blogs…

You won’t get far in crochet without some yarn, but what’s the best way to hold that yarn? We’ll show you two different options, but remember that every crocheter you watch will hold the yarn slightly differently, so whatever way works for you is fine as long as you can control the yarn and make stitches. Whether you’re brand new to crochet or you’ve been trebling for years, it’s worth trying a different way to hold your yarn – you might discover a more comfortable method that speeds up your hookery, or works better with another crochet style. We’ll also show you how to make a slipknot, which creates the first loop that every other stitch in crochet will come from. WHAT’S A SLIPKNOT? To start off any crochet fabric,…

YOU WILL NEED ■ Paintbox Simply Chunky (100% acrylic, 100g/136m) 3 balls of: Yarn A Champagne White (302) Yarn B Blush Pink (353) Yarn C Washed Teal (332) Yarn D Vanilla Cream (307) 4 balls of: Yarn E Buttercup Yellow (322) 5 balls of: Yarn F Duck Egg Blue (335) ■ A 6mm (US J/10) hook ■ Pompom maker, 5cm ■ Stitch markers For yarn contact Love Crafts 01409 404 010 www.lovecrochet.com TENSION Tension is not critical for this project, but it may affect the yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS Blanket measures 162cm (63¾in) in diameter ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 94 Clean simplicity and flat pastels create a ‘why didn’t I think of that’ design that’s an instant room brightener. Once you’ve learned the pattern you can hook…

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…

My gran taught me how to knit and crochet as a very small child, and with her encouragement I started to make toys and clothing out of any old bits of wool or cloth that she kept in an old chest in her bedroom. It was from her that I learnt my love of all things crafting. When she died a few years ago, I lost heart and for a long time didn’t have it in me to pick up my needles. Fast forward to 2014 and I was recovering from a long-term illness, and looking for ways to motivate myself to get out of the house. I decided to join a local knit and crochet group – which turned out to be the best decision I could have made.…

YOU WILL NEED ¦ Cygnet Pure Wool Superwash DK (100% wool, 50g/104m) 1 ball of each: Cream (2195) Peppermint (4212) Stone (4199 ■ An 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian cabled hook For yarn stockists find your nearest local store via Cygnet Yarns’ website www.cygnetyarns.com; or go to Cygnet’s recommended online retailer www.woolwarehouse. com TENSION 12 sts and 11 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Tunisian double stitch MEASUREMENTS Mitts measure 25cm (9¾in) long and 24cm (9½in) in circumference ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 23 We think it’s a safe bet that ice shades will ride out the full winter firmly on-trend, so make these cosy mitts and be at one with the fash pack. Brush up on the Tunisian basics with our Simply Crochet YouTube channel. NOTES Mitts are…

YOU WILL NEED ¦ Cygnet Cottony DK (46% cotton, 46% acrylic, 8% viscose, 50g/111m) 2 balls of Yarn A Oatmeal (544) 3 balls of each: Yarn B Vanilla (848)* Yarn C Poppy (200)* ■ An 8mm (US L/11) Tunisian cabled hook ■ A 6mm (US J/10) hook ■ Stitch markers For yarn stockists find your nearest local store via Cygnet Yarns’ website www.cygnetyarns.com; or go to Cygnet’s recommended online retailer www.woolwarehouse. com TENSION 15 sts and 13 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Tunisian simple stitch using an 8mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS Shawl measures 133x64cm (25¼x52¼in) across widest points ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 23 You’ll be well prepared for the blustery winds with this triangular scarf, which tucks neatly in to…

BPhtr Back Post treble: Yrh, insert hook around post of st below working from the back, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and pull through all loops on hook FPhtr Front Post treble: Yrh, insert hook around post of st below working from the front, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and pull through all loops on hook RetP Return Pass: Yrh and draw through first loop on hook, *yrh and draw through 2 loops on hook; repeat from * until 1 loop remains on hook reverse dc As standard double crochet but working in the opposite direction, left to right if right-handed or right to left if left-handed slip st slip stitch (Tunisian): Insert hook through post of st, leave post on hook (counts as st) surface ss Position…