Innehållsförteckning för Issue 50 från Simply Crochet

JENNY KING Aussie designer Jenny is new to Simply Crochet, but has been designing gorgeous crochet for yonks. Her Get Squared sizing method focuses the perfect t. Find her jumper on page 38. SARAH ZIMMERMAN Sarah’s the stitcher behind the Repeat Crafter Me blog. This issue, she’s dreamed up the wonderfully wintry corner-to-corner blanket for us on page 71. It’s ideal for chart rst-timers. SARAH JAYNE FRAGOLA There’s nothing Sarah-Jayne loves more than sharing her love of crochet online through her Bella Coco blog and YouTube channel. She’s sharing crochet blogging secrets on page 60. SUSIE JOHNS Craft author and designer Susie has written about everything from papier-mâché to cross stitch. She whipped up the ripple stitch scarf on page 57. It has multiple pompoms. Enough said. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Ilaria…

1 GOOD ENOUGH TO EAT Cacti and pineapples aren't just for the summer. Tropical kitsch is very much in for Christmas 2016 – hooray for playful colours. Check out this array of gaudy-yet-glam decorations at www.oliverbonas.com 2 COLOUR CLASH These oh-so hip wooden danglers remind us of those card decorations we made as kids. The grown-up version is a lot prettier. Shop at www.tch.net 3 THINK PINK Robins and doves? I think you mean flamingos, my friend. Yep, the bird of the moment is sticking around for the holidays. He's from www.johnlewis.com 4 SHINE A LIGHT Neon candles will ensure your home is merry and bright for the season. Find inspiration and sparkly candles at www. papermash.co.uk 5 MAGICAL FOREST…

YOU WILL NEED Quantites of yarn given are enough to complete the entire blanket. You will need both colourways and borders as listed below. • Cascade 220 (100% Peruvian Highland wool, 100g/200m), see below for details • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com Colourway 1 • 1 skein of each: Yarn A Bright Red (8414) Yarn C Deep Lavender (8762) Yarn E Lagoon (7812) Yarn G Cerise (7802) Colourway 2 • 1 skein of each: Yarn D Granny Smith Green (8914) Yarn F Azure (8892) Yarn H California Poppy 7826 Yarn B Cyan Blue (8891 Border • 2 skeins of Yarn K Grey (8501) MEASUREMENTS Each square meas 20x20cm (8x8in) Finished blanket meas 144x94cm (56½x37in) ABBREVIATIONS 4-tr bobble (yrh, insert…

YOU WILL NEED • DMC Natura Just Cotton (50g/155m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Canelle (37) Yarn B Siena (41) Yarn C Chartreuse (48) Yarn D Bamboo (76) Yarn E Prussian (64) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • A pair of 5mm safety eyes • A 10mm plastic nose • Small pompom or pompom maker • Black embroidery thread • Pipe cleaners • Stitch markers • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmccreative.co.uk TENSION To make this toy it is not necessary to use the same yarn and hook. Using a larger crochet hook and a suitable yarn, the toy will be larger but with the same proportions MEASUREMENTS Finished toy measures 24cm (9½in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list,…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Special DK (100% acrylic, 100g/295m), Yarn A Dark Brown (1004) Yarn B Camel (1420) Yarn C Cream (1005) Yarn D Tomato (1723) Yarn E Burgundy (1035) Yarn F Lipstick (1246) Yarn G Claret (1123), Yarn H Stone (1710) See table for quantities of Yarn A and measurements See Notes for quantities of all other shades • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk TENSION Each 14st Ripple measures 7.5cm (3in) using a 3.5mm hook or size required to obtain gauge 7.5 rows in Ripple pattern measures 10cm (4in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Fun to hook and seriously Seventies, Fran Morgan’s zigzag coat isn’t for wallflowers. If you love retro style but aren’t so…

STAR MOTIF Make a magic loop. ROUND 1 (RS) Ch4 (counts as tr), 14tr into loop, ss to top of beg ch-3. [15 sts] ROUND 2 *Ch6, dc in third ch from hook, htr in next ch, tr in next ch, dtr in next ch, skip 2tr from Round 1, ss to next tr; rep from * 4 more times. Fasten off and weave in ends. STOFF & STIL TIMELESS METALLIC MIX WEIGHT Aran CONTENT 62% acrylic, 22% polyester, 16% nylon BALL 50g/105m HOOK 4.5-5mm RRP £2.25 A fairly new brand to the UK, Stoff & Stil began life in Denmark in the 1980s and is popular in Europe. Now crocheters in the UK can buy their gorgeous Scandi yarns, like this Timeless Metallic Mix where one metallic chainette length…

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 rather kitsch wreath that I designed for Simply Crochet issue 24 is my favourite Christmas make. From the moment the commission came to me, I knew exactly what I wanted to hook. Inspired by Lucy of Attic 24’s wreaths, I had grand ideas of colour and texture, and it was one of those serendipitous occasions when I already had everything in my stash – a polystyrene ring, perfect pastel yarn and shiny mini baubles, and plenty of ribbon for adorning the wreath with bows. Immediately I began swatching the stripe sequence and putting together colours: pastel pink, red, white and turquoise with evergreen accents. Then I designed the candy cane, bow and mistletoe – and they came out exactly as I’d imagined, looking perfect against the soft stripes of…

FAB FREE PATTERNS To accompany their colourful yarns, Paintbox Yarns also have a collection of super-cute amigurumi patterns available for free! That snail is our favourite. Open up the paintbox Colour lovers, there's a brand new yarn brand on the block. Paintbox Yarns, available exclusively at www.lovecrochet.com, puts the emphasis on playing with colour and so far they've launched acrylic yarn in DK, aran and chunky weights, each available in 60 vibrant shades. What we're most excited about is their DK Cotton yarn, which comes in 56 inspiring shades. Prepare for your yarn stash to get a whole lot bigger, pronto. YARNIVERSITY Guys, our YouTube channel's just had an almighty spruce up and you need to check it out. Crafty lady Lou Barnes (she's a riot) of www.yarntistry.com…

“If there was one way to describe those days, it would be a juggle.” The last few weeks have been pretty significant ones, as my business as a crochet designer has crossed some rather momentous, to my mind at least, milestones. In the same week as the business marked its fifth anniversary, my baby started primary school. That youngest child was just six months old when the redundancy from my previous job ran out and I started selling crochet hats as a way of supporting my family. My other two children were 18 months and four years old, with limited day care time. Working time was all the time and none of it – making orders here and there while I kept the children fed, entertained and alive. The moment…

YOU WILL NEED • Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran (55% wool, 33% acrylic, 12% cashmere, 50g/90m), Yarn A White (25) Yarn B Kingfisher (62) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com MEASUREMENTS Hood measures 33x23cm (13x9in) when laid flat Mittens measure 26cm (10¼in) in length and 10cm (4in) across the base of the fingers TENSION 20sts and 20 rows over dc and 16sts and 9 rows over V st pattern to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) using a 4mm hook or size required to obtain tensions ABBREVIATIONS V st 2tr in st indicated. On the following row, work a V st into a previous V st by working 2 tr between the tr sts of the…

YOU WILL NEED • Cascade 128 Superwash (100% wool, 100g/117m), 5 skeins of Really Red (809) • A 6mm (US J/10) hook For yarn stockists contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS 38cm (15in) wide and 130cm (51in) long TENSION 14 sts and 5 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern using a 6mm hook, or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS Tr3tog (yrh, insert hook in next st, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) three times, yrh and draw through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 92 Designer Susie says: “Is this a scarf or is it a wrap? Well, it depends how you wear it. This adaptable accessory – wide and soft, with a fun pompom…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Essentials Cotton DK (100% cotton, 50g/130m), 1 ball of each: Yarn A Dark Teal (40) Yarn B Cobalt Blue (32) Yarn C Curry (61) Yarn D Royal (36) • DMC Mouliné Stranded Cotton Embroidery Thread (8m), 2 skeins of Golden Brown (976) • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • 25cm (10in) diameter flat wire copper wreath ring • Fabric glue • Toy stuffing • 4 x 1cm black felt circles or same diameter as base of balloon • Small metal ring approx 3-5cm diameter, to attach mobile to ceiling • Needle and black sewing thread • Tapestry needle • Stitch marker For yarn stockists contact your local Rico Design retailer or online stockist For thread stockists contact DMC 0116 275 4000…

POTHOLDERS & DISHCLOTHS RITA WEISS (£5.99, Leisure Arts) Make kitchen chores more fun with the 15 delightful projects in this book. Imagine washing up with a starfish dishcloth, checking on your roast using a panda oven mitt or owl potholder, or holding your saucepan with a corn-on-the-cob handle cover. Any of these playful projects would make brilliant gifts for cookery lovers. FAIR ISLE TUNISIAN CROCHET BRENDA BOURG (£15.99 , Search Press) Is there nothing crochet can’t do? This colourful book demonstrates that you can use Tunisian crochet to create pieces with the same look as knitted Fair Isle. There’s a good instructions section with plenty of how-to guides, plus 16 projects to get your teeth into, including sweaters, afghans and accessories. 'TIS THE SEASON TO BE FELTY KATHY SHELDON (£10.99,…

YOU WILL NEED • 4ply silver yarn • 2.5mm (US B/1 or C/2) hook MEASUREMENTS Approx 7cm (21/4in) diameter ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 SNOWFLAKE Make a magic loop. Round 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 6dc into loop, ss to first dc to join. Round 2 Ch1, 2dc in each dc around, ss to first dc to join. [12 dc] Round 3 Ch1, dc in same st, dc in next st, *ch4, dc in next 2 dc; repeat from * 4 more times, ch4, ss in first dc to join. [24 dc and 6 ch-4 sps] Round 4 Ch5, ss into the 3rd ch from hook, tr into the next dc. *3dc into the next ch-4 sp, ch5, ss into 3rd ch from hook,…

YOU WILL NEED • Lana Grossa Silkhair (70% mohair, 30% silk, 25g/210m), Rohweiss (52) For yarn quantities and measurements see table • A 6mm (US J/10) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact LoveCrochet 0845 544 2196 www.lovecrochet.com TENSION 3.5 Shells and 5.5 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over Shell Pattern using a 6mm hook or size needed to obtain tension ABBREVIATIONS Shell (3tr, ch1) in st indicated Corner Shell (3tr, ch1, 3tr, ch1) in st indicated For a full list, see page 92 The amazing qualities of this jumper are no accident. Designer Jenny King has worked magic with silk and mohair laceweight yarn. Using a 6mm hook, even humble granny trebles are transformed into something exquisite. The result is luxurious drape and gossamer lightness. NOTES…

YOU WILL NEED • Stylecraft Special Aran (100% acrylic, 100g/196m), 5 balls of each: Yarn A Aspen (1422) Yarn B White (1001) 1 ball of each: Yarn C Silver (1203) Yarn D Lipstick (1246) Yarn E Black (1002) • A 5mm (US H/8) hook For yarn stockists contact Stylecraft 01535 609798 www.stylecraft-yarns.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Finished blanket measures 112x84cm (44x33in) TENSION 5 blocks x 5 blocks measures approx 10x10cm (4x4in) over pattern ABBREVIATIONS Border Star Work all of the following sts in the ch-sp indicated: Ss, dc, ch2, ss to second ch from hook, dc, ch3, ss to second ch from hook and next ch, dc, ch2, ss to second ch from hook, dc, ss For a full list, see page 92 Journey to the Arctic when you crochet this…

SUPER SHAWL Well done to keen stitcher @eliseberwick on finishing this rainbow-tastic shawl from the issue 47 Summer Shawls collection. The colours that you’ve chosen are cracking and it has lovely drape. LITTLE SLICES How adorable is this? @regina. fillange hooked the watermelon dress from issue 47 for her little one Harlow, then made a tiny matching version for Hollie the bunny. So sweet. BONE TO PICK @franloveswool has been busy hooking up this stack of cute bone charms from issue 48. We love how she’s jazzed them up with ribbon and buttons. Dapper dogs, form a queue.…

1 Work to where you want to your puff stitch. Now work *yrh, insert hook into the next stitch on the row below, yrh and pull through a loop of yarn. Bring the loop up to the same height as a treble stitch. 2 Repeat from * in Step 1 twice more (or as instructed in your pattern). You will now have 7 loops on the hook. Work one more yrh and carefully pull this through all the loops on the hook. 3 You will have formed a puff stitch with 3 repeats. Vary the number of repeats from * to create a puff stitch with 4 or 5 repeats – the more repeats you work, the larger your puff stitch will look. 4 To secure and complete the puff…