Innehållsförteckning för Issue 46 från Simply Crochet

The temperature is rising and so is my stack of WIPs! This issue won’t help matters either, as it’s full of tempting summery projects. Lucy Croft’s incredible denim jacket makeover (p49) is one of my favourites – the flower motifs look just like embroidery. And then there’s our super nautical collection (p16) featuring Claude the octopus and my own slouchy jumper design. Your summer hooking is sorted. Oh, and turn to p9 for some exciting news!…

1 PACK YOUR PATTERN Take a snap of the pattern on your tablet or phone – easy. 2 AND READ IT TWICE Make sure you have all the yarn and notions you need. 3 TRAVEL LIGHT Put away that chunky wool and pack cool fibres such as cotton, linen and silk. 4 TRY MOTIFS AND BLOCKS You can join up the smaller sections when you get home. 5 DO THE RIGHT THING Not sure if hooks are permitted? Check with your airline before you fly. SWEET TREATS Whip up a cone in your fave flavour with a DIY Crochet Kit Ice Cream by Hoooked. The set includes the pattern, hook and Eco Barbante yarn. £7.78 at www.hoooked.co.uk…

UNDER COVER Cover-ups should be fun, right? Our fringed Coast to Coast beach dress is now on Ravelry at http://bit.ly/46rav CROCHET TO GO Where others see a wash bag, we see a project pouch. Just right for your holiday WIP. www.oak roomshop.co.uk PROJECT CRAFT Did you know Paperchase runs craft workshops? Fab for a rainy day. Visit www.paperchase.co.uk to find a class. TOP IT OFF Seek the shade in style with White Stuff’s super crochet sun hat. www.whitestuff.com BESIDE THE TEA We’re officially loving Cath Kidston’s summer collection. Grab this Beach Huts mug from www.daisypark.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED DMC Natura Just Cotton (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Lobelia (82) Yarn B Chartreuse (48) Yarn C Ibiza (01) Yarn D Malva (31) Yarn E Safran (47) Yarn F Passion (23) Yarn G Giroflée (85) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Black beads (5mm diameter, approx) Black embroidery thread Stitch markers Toy stuffing For yarn stockists, contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmccreative.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 15cm (6in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Forget about those beach body hang-ups. All you need to enjoy the seaside is a towel, a rubber ring and a bucket and spade. This little chop knows it. He’s hamazing. NOTES The pattern is worked using the amigurumi method. Work in a continuous spiral…

YOU WILL NEED King Cole Bamboo Cotton (50% bamboo viscose, 50% cotton, 100g/230m), 4 balls of Oyster (543) 1 ball of each: Peacock (531), Crimson (634), Old Gold (625), Violet (537), Lawn (635), Fuchsia (536), Bluebell (644), Pink (516), King Cole Vogue (100% cotton, 50g/140m), 1 ball of each: Orange Peel (2115), Egg Blue (2119), Rich Lilac (2118), Pale Taupe (2116), Carnation (2110), Guppie Green (2114), Cotton Candy (2112), Pale Denim (2120) A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists, contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com MEASUREMENTS Each square measures approx 12.5cm (5in) and the finished blanket measures approx 113x113cm (45x45in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Kath Webber’s psychedelic spirals will send you down the rabbit hole. This fantastical blanket is made up of…

YOU WILL NEED Hoooked Milano Eco Barbante (85% recycled cotton, 15% other recycled fibres, 200g), 2 spools of Spring and 1 spool of Lotus OR 3 spools of Blossom A 4mm (US G/6) hook Fabric for lining (optional) For yarn stockists, contact Hoooked www.hoooked.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 40x35cm (15¾x13¾in) Handles: 60cm (23½in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Use eco-friendly yarn in perfect pastels to make the ultimate summer bag. Pick a contrasting shade for the base and handles to really show off that gorgeous lace panel. Not confident with lace? Don’t worry, there’s a stitch chart on the next page to help. NOTES Make the whole bag in Blossom, or make the Base, Upper Bag and Handles in Spring and the Lace Pattern in Lotus. BASE…

Freeform crochet is art in action – the crocheter is the artist, sculpting with yarn. The only rule is that there are no rules – you don’t have to follow a pattern and you don’t have to follow convention. You can do anything you like and make it up as you go along. We’ll explain some of the freeform methods you could use, but you get to choose which ones to use to make your own flower cowl using our motif patterns on page 83. WHAT SORT OF PROJECTS COULD I MAKE? The world is your oyster when it comes to freeform crochet. FREEFORM COWL The ‘free’ part of freeform crochet highlights how you are the designer and you are free to decide how your piece looks. You can use…

SARAH ZIMMERMAN Repeat Crafter Me blogger Sarah is known for her cute and colourful crochet and exciting corner-to-corner designs. This issue, we’re having a nose at her yarn storage on page 68. RUTH MADDOCK This issue, author and crochet designer Ruth is spilling the beans about her personal crochet heroes and some exciting new changes she’s making. Read all about it on page 58. ESME CRICK Esme describes herself as equal parts crochet designer, teacher and mum and she’s never far from her hook. This issue, she designed the delightful daisy chain necklace for us on page 63. LISA RICHARDSON Top-notch designer Lisa often works with Rowan. She’s hooked a stunning hot pink top for us in Rowan’s exquisite Fine Lace yarn. Love lacy stitch patterns? You’ll nd it on…

CUTE & EASY CROCHETED COSIES Nicki Trench (£12.99, Search Press) Top designer Nicki Trench’s new book is a collection of 35 simple cosies in her trademark pretty-yet-practical style. Think beads, trims and floral embellishments. They’re all great gift ideas, but we love the tea cosies. 101 STITCHES FOR AFGHANS Jean Leinhauser (£14.99, Annie’s Crochet) This comprehensive stitch guide is ideal for blanket lovers. Work your way through the vibrant library of stitches to introduce lace and texture into your makes. Each pattern has a clear stitch diagram. SWEET & SIMPLE GRANNY SQUARES Beth Wolfensburger (£5.99, Taunton Press) It’s amazing what you can do with the humble granny square. Here are seven basic crochet projects using scrummy treble clusters. There are cute things for your home and things to wear. POMPOMANIA…

SHIP SHAPE Oh buoy, this slouchy striped sweater’s going straight to the top of our to-hook list. It’s worked with an 8mm crochet hook for an extra loose drape. FIND YOUR FEET If mermaids did have feet, we’re pretty sure they’d wear these. It’s so easy to primp a pair of flip-flops with cotton stripes and simple starfish motifs. Just add sea and sand. WHAT A CATCH Make this breezy drawstring beauty the one you grab for trips to the beach. It’s roomy enough for all your essentials and a WIP. And those striking mesh sections have a hint of lobster pot about them, don’t you think? TAKE THE WHEEL It doesn’t take Captain Hook to realise this mat project is a real treasure. The bold ship’s wheel shape is…

YOU WILL NEED DROPS Paris (100% cotton, 50g/75m), Off White (17), Strong Blue (09) See table for yarn quantities and measurements An 8mm (US L/11) hook For yarn stockists, contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk TENSION 10 sts and 7 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over half treble using an 8mm hook or size needed to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 The relaxed fit and classic stripes of this slouchy jumper ought to earn it a place in your holiday wardrobe pronto. Comfy, casual and effortlessly chic – it’s the kind of top you can throw on over almost anything. The jumper’s hooked in cotton, keeping things breezy, but it’ll see you through cooler evenings as well. That mesh-like loose drape is…

For almost three years now we’ve been renovating our house, but we are finally getting there. I find the most frustrating part of it is packing up each room and putting it into another room and then back again all the time. I recently did this with our bedrooms and discovered that I have quite a lot of yarn.OK, so ‘quite a lot’ might be a bit of an understatement. I have boxes and boxes that I have sneakily squirrelled away so that my husband doesn’t find them and now I can’t get away with hiding anymore. So I decided I really needed a new project to make a dent into my yarn stash. After I’d given up on untangling the bottom of the boxes and categorising it all into…

YOU WILL NEED Rowan Fine Lace (80% baby alpaca, 20% merino wool, 50g/400m), Precious (945) See table for yarn quantities and measurements A 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook For yarn stockists contact Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com TENSION 3 patt reps to 10.5cm and 16 rows to 10cm, measured over patt using 2.5mm hook or size required to achieve stated tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Wanna sharpen up your skills with lace? Challenge yourself to hook Lisa Richardson’s stunning top in delicate laceweight yarn. The statement colour keeps things looking contemporary. On page 94, there are stitch charts to help you. You can wear this versatile garment in two ways – with a chic bateau neckline at the front and elegant scoop at…

YOU WILL NEED Rico Essentials Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Curry (61) Yarn B White (80) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Buttons: 10 small white, 10 small yellow (do not need to match) 5 wooden beads, 10mm diam Leather jewellery cord, 1 metre Strong craft glue For yarn stockists, contact Rico www.rico-design.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Each flower measures 3.5cm (1 in) diameter Finished necklace measures approx 94cm (37in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 FLOWERS (MAKE 8) Using Yarn A, ch5, ss to the first ch to join into a ring. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 10dc into the ring, ss to the first dc to join. [10 sts] Round 2 *Ch3, skip next dc,…

YOU WILL NEED Rico Essentials Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m), Yarn A Banana (63), 1 ball of each: Yarn B White (80), Yarn C Candy Pink (12), Yarn D Fuchsia (14). See table for quantities of Yarn A and measurements A 5mm (US H/8) hook 7-10 buttons, approx 1.5-2cm diameter Stitch marker TENSION 17 sts to meas 10cm (4in) over dc using a 5mm hook or size needed to achieve stated tension 16 sts to meas 10cm (4in) over stitch patt using a 5mm hook 1 row patt rep (Rows 9-14) to meas 3.5cm (1¼in) using a 5mm hook ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 NOTES Worked from the top down, with ruffles, straps and flowers added afterwards. BODY With Yarn A, ch99 (103: 107: 111: 115:…

YOU WILL NEED SublimeEgyptianCottonDK(100% cotton, 50g/105m), 3 balls of Yarn G Freya 328 (green), 1 ball each of:Yarn A Hope 352 (yellow)Yarn B Alessandra 325 (purple)Yarn C Bud Pink 323 (light pink)Yarn D Peony 326 (dark pink)Yarn E Safflower 327 (red)Yarn F Orange Blossom 330 (orange) A 4mm (US G/6) hook Stitch markers For yarn stockists, contact Sublime 01924 369666 www.sublimeyarns.com MEASUREMENTS Finished cowl measures 28cm (11in) high and 80cm (31in) circumference ABBREVIATIONS Ch-3 picot Ch3, ss in stitch at base of ch For a full list, see page 92 Freeform crochet will open up the way you approach your stitches and get you thinking creatively. Use these colourful flower motifs as the starting point for your cowl project, then catch part two inside next month’s…

JULY 9 Beginners Crochet, £25, Norfolk Yarn, Pottergate, Norwich, 01603 927034 www.norfolkyarn.co.uk JULY 10 Reading Crochet Patterns, £25, Knit Nottingham, Nottingham, 0115 947 4239 www.knitnottingham.co.uk JULY 16 Tunisian Crochet Workshop, £49.95, Black Sheep Wools, Culcheth, Warrington, 01925 764231 www.blacksheepwools.com JULY 16-17 Yarningham, £5, Stirchley Baths, Birmingham, www.stitchesandhos.co.uk JULY 20 Experimental Crochet Workshop, £35, Jane Bowler Studio, Stratford, www.janebowler.co.uk JULY 30-31 Fibre-East, £8, Ampthill, Bedfordshire, www.fibre-east.co.uk…

YOU WILL NEED Oddments of DK yarn in the following shades: Yarn A Light Blue Yarn B Turquoise Yarn C Blue Yarn D Orange A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook Felt circle, 2cm diameter Fabric glue Magnet MEASUREMENTS Wingspan 6.5cm (2½in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 BUTTERFLY Using Yarn A, ch6, ss in 6th ch from hook to form a ring. Rnd 1 Ch3 (counts as tr), 15 tr into ring, ss to top of ch-3 changing to Yarn B on yrh of the ss. [16 sts] Rnd 2 Using Yarn B, ch3 (counts as tr), tr in space between 2 sts from Rnd 1, ch2, 2tr into same sp, skip 2 tr, working in the sp between tr sts work: *2tr, ch2, 2tr into same sp,…

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 King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply (100% giza mercerised cotton, 158m/50g), 1 ball of each: Cream (2191), Glacier (2194), Turquoise (2208), Coral (2196), Rosehip (2197), Amber (2200), Green (2203) A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook Sewing needle and thread For yarn stockists, contact King Cole 01756 703670 www.kingcole.com MEASUREMENTS Flowers meas 6-9cm diameter ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss to 3rd ch from hook Tr4tog (yrh, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 4 times, yrh and draw through all loops on hook Spike St Work a dc into a st on a row below, as indicated For a full list, see page 92 Wow – this embellishment project is one of our faves to date. Customise…

BASIC GINGHAM STITCH PATTERN Note Carry the unused yarn colour behind the stitches on the WS of the work. Using Yarn A and 3.5mm hook, chain a multiple of 3 plus an extra 5 ch – we chained 47 for this sample. Row 1 (RS) Tr in 4th ch from hook and in each of next 2 ch, using Yarn B tr into each of next 3 ch, tr in each ch to end alternating between Yarns A and B every 3 sts, turn. Fasten off Yarn B. Row 2 Ch3 (counts as tr throughout), tr in each st across, working with Yarn A into all the Yarn B sts of the previous row, and Yarn C into all the Yarn A sts. Turn. Fasten off Yarn C. Row 3…

1 Use a pin to mark position of your button, lining up with the buttonhole. Secure yarn on wrong side of fabric and thread onto tapestry needle. Bring needle out at pin mark and through button. 2 Push the needle back through the button and the fabric, pulling the yarn firmly. Bring the needle out through the fabric and button, and back down again. 3 Take yarn to the front of the fabric, but under button and NOT through button. Wrap yarn around twice, pull yarn tight (to create a shank and prevent fraying). 4 Take the yarn to the back of the fabric and weave in end to secure.…

RIGHT ROUND @burialshroud is getting stuck into our Mega Mandala. It’s looking good! The pattern is now available on Ravelry for just £2.75. BUTTON IT @cosymonkey_ crochet hooked the dungarees from issue 40 and we’re in love. The blue surface crochet detail looks fantastic, right? DO THE TWIST Keen crocheter @elliervine used a bit of sparkle for her version of the wrapover top from Simply Crochet issue 41. It’s very glam indeed.…

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 amigurumi toy was one of the first crochet items I ever designed. If I had to choose a favourite project, one which makes me happy and inspires me to continue designing crochet patterns, it would have to be Sartù the Lemur. When I took my first steps in designing my own crochet toys, I didn’t know if I was able to design interesting characters, write patterns, or take good enough pictures. However, when I saw Sartù’s yellow eyes, I convinced myself I could try! To me, he looked as cute as some amigurumi by other designers, but in his own way he was also pretty weird and I loved that. I realised I was actually able to transform my drawings into crochet! Sartù gave me the confidence to try…