Innehållsförteckning för Issue 51 från Simply Crochet

There’s still plenty of time to get hooking for the festive season, crafty peeps! We’ve packed this issue with extra special mini makes from some top designers you’ll recognise and lots of stocking filler inspiration. There are a few lovely things I want to make as presents for myself, too! The peacock colourwork jumper (p28) is a real beauty and how about Vanessa Mooncie’s showstopping Rudolf trophy head (p67)? He’s just amazing. Wishing you all a wonderfully creative Christmas.…

BASKETS FOR ALL ANNIE’S CROCHET (£6.99, Annie’s) Freshen up your décor with these 14 brilliant basket designs. They’re not just handy storage items, they’re also a way to flex your creative muscle – try chevron stripes, lacy edgings, spike stitch texture, woven effects and even a sweet owl basket. The patterns use US terms but there are plenty of charts to help you. 25 COZY CROCHETED SLIPPERS KRISTI SIMPSON (£14.99, Search Press) A treat for the feet and for the eyes, this book boasts 25 fun slipper patterns for women, men and children, with everything from stripes and cables to cute animal designs. It's ideal if you're making gifts for the family. There is also a detailed how to crochet section at the back. 100 LITTLE CROCHET GIFTS TO MAKE…

YOU WILL NEED • Louisa Harding Noema (75% cotton, 20% acrylic, 5% polyamide, 50g/120m), 2 balls of Party • Louisa Harding Cassia (75% wool, 25% nylon, 50g/133m), 1 ball of Prince (112) • A 4mm (US G/6 hook) For yarn stockists contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com MEASUREMENTS Approx 18x12cm (7x4›in) when drawn up with ties ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Designer Emma Potter says: “ This bag is the perfect size for your phone, keys and purse, with pompoms and a star stitch pattern.” A fun, speedy accessory to hook. BAG Using Party, ch22. Round 1 (RS) Htr in the 3rd ch from hook, htr in next 18ch, 5htr in last ch. Rotate and work along other side of foundation ch, htr in next…

YOU WILL NEED • Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK (100% merino wool, 50g/116m), Yarn A Indigo (363) See table for Yarn A quantities and measurements 1 ball of Yarn B Alabaster (003) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • 4 co-ordinating buttons approx 1.5cm (½in) in diameter • Tapestry needle For yarn stockists contact Sublime 01924 369666 www.sublimeyarns.com TENSION 15 sts and 12 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over htr using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain stated tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Button shoulder fastenings make this jumper a practical choice for little ones, but it’s the charming appliqué and embroidery details that have stolen our hearts. Do you know any little stars? NOTES The…

Few things are more exciting than a Christmas stocking filled with gifts, especially if they’re crocheted, and some last-minute ideas can add a lovely handmade touch to your Christmas offerings. We got in touch with the savvy designers who contributed designs to our main collection this issue ( p14 ) to find out their tricks for keeping Christmas crochet stress-free, fun and gorgeous. FEW OR MANY? We all love a well-stuffed stocking, but that doesn’t necessarily mean that every item in it needs to be crocheted. “I’d rather make just one, really special handmade gift for each recipient,’ says Sarah Shrimpton of www.annabooshouse.blogspot.co.uk. “That way, it will be treasured above all the other gifts.” J.A. Poolvos of www.littlebearcrochets.com agrees. “It depends on the time I have left, but I personally…

TEDDY MOTIF Ch4, ss into first ch to make a ring. ROUND 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr), 9tr into ring. [10 tr] ROUND 2 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr in st at base of ch, 2tr in each of next 9 tr, ss to top of beg ch-3 to join. [20 tr] ROUND 3 Skip first st, 6tr in next st, ss into next 5 sts, 6tr into next st. FASTEN OFF and weave in ends. WENDY CHIC WEIGHT Chunky CONTENT 60% nylon, 30% polyester, 10% metallised polyester BALL 50g/80m HOOK 4.5mm RRP £2.45 The most vibrant yarn in this month’s selection, Wendy’s Chic is a riot of colour and texture. The wisps are surprisingly soft, with a muted base shade that’s the perfect background for random flashes of…

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…

YOU WILL NEED • TOFT DK (100% wool, 100g/225m), 1 skein of Yarn A Steel • TOFT DK (100% wool, 25g/60m), 1 ball each of: Yarn B Yellow Yarn C Lime Yarn D Orange Yarn E Pink Yarn F Blue • Oddments of Cream and Black DK yarn for the eyes • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists contact TOFT 01788 810626 www.toftuk.com MEASUREMENTS 35cm (13›in) from the top of the top knot to the bottom of the feet ABBREVIATIONS Loop Stitch Insert the hook as for a dc stitch, wrap the working yarn from front to back around the thumb of the hand not holding the hook, yrh, picking up the working yarn behind the loop, complete as for a…

TWINKIE CHAN Sweet-toothed Twinkie is one of our crochet heroes – we love her playful attitude to the craft. This issue, she designed the cupcake pencil topper in our stocking filler collection on p14. VANESSA MOONCIE Author Vanessa has a knack for enchanting amigurumi. Find her cute brooches on p21, her incredible Rudolph trophy head on p67 and then read more about what inspires her on p48. SARAH SHRIMPTON Sarah is the designer and crochet author behind the Annaboo’s House blog. She dreamt up the colourful mug hugs on p24 and is sharing festive hooking advice on p62. EMMA POTTER Potter & Bloom designer Emma is also a YouTuber and #crochetgirlgang encourager. This issue, she whipped up the adorable bucket bag on p26 – a fab gift idea for a…

1 IT'S A SNIP Upgrade your go-to scissors with a terribly fancy leather case from Beyond Measure ( www.shopbeyondmeasure.co.uk ). It's an ideal gift for the crafter who has everything. Different sizes and colours available. 2 MEASURE UP A snazzy tape measure with gold foil details to spur you on? Yes, please. Visit www.oakroom  shop.co.uk to get yours in pink, green or blue. Sew lovely. 3 WHAT A MUG For keen scribblers and tea-quaffers everywhere, what better gift than a Doodle your own Mug? Head to www. thepresentfinder. co.uk  to grab one. 4 BONBON VOYAGE Go on a lace weight crochet adventure with the new Maxi Bonbon yarn from Scheepjes. Pick from 87 lovely shades at www.…

YOU WILL NEED • West Yorkshire Spinners Aire Valley DK (75% wool, 25% nylon, 100g/230m), Yarn A Grey (043), 1 ball of each: Yarn B Purple (753) Yarn C Red (549) Yarn D Cream (010) Yarn E Pink (522) See table for Yarn A quantities and measurements • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook For yarn stockists contact West Yorkshire Spinners 01535 664500 www.wyspinners.com TENSION 16 sts and 19 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over dc st using a 4.5mm hook, working in the round ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Use a cosy wool-blend DK to stitch this stylish colourwork jumper. The rather impressive tapestry crochet design was inspired by peacock feathers. Gorgeous. NOTES The sweater is worked bottom up…

Fancy getting some serious crochet time in? We do! What could be better than sharing a holiday with like-minded souls, taking time to stitch, seeing some gorgeous sights, and learning some new skills along the way? This year, we are very excited to be working with Arena Travel on several holidays. Our next very special trip will be a reader cruise in Germany, exploring the famous Christmas Markets in Cologne, Koblenz, Boppard and Rudesheim. Why not bring a friend? It’ll be great fun for you both and you’ll save on single supplements, too! Come and join us – book your place on our Christmas markets cruise today! READER CRUISE CHRISTMAS MARKETS INCLUDES ALL THIS… • Travel dates 28 November-1 December • Return flights London Heathrow to Cologne/ Dusseldorf • 3…

“Choose an uncomplicated pattern and take care over the finishing touches.” Vanessa Mooncie, www.vanessamooncie.com “I like including a cute tag with my handmade gifts that details why I chose to make this particular item for this particular person. Linking a shared memory or story to your gift will give your offering a little extra magic.” Twinkie Chan, www.twinkiechan.com “Include some variety in the items that you’re making so that you don’t get bored in the process!” Sandra Eng, www.mobiusgirldesign.weebly.com “Make a huge stocking and fill it with sweets as well as something special that the receiver actually needs.” Molla Mills, www.mollamills.com “Go for the types of crochet patterns that you are familiar with already to save yourself extra worry and speed up the whole process.” J.A. Poolvos, www.littlebearcrochets.com “If you…

The creative possibilities of braided crochet are huge, so here are just a few ideas: • You don’t have to work loops in the same place on each row – try varying the position to create a braid that moves through the fabric. • Experiment by using other stitches for the base fabric, varying the size of the chain loops and the number of rows that you work in between the chain loop rows. • Try working stitches into a chain loop on the next row to make them chunkier and create a bulkier braid. • If you’re working a horizontal braid on a round of stitches, try securing the final loop with a button – sew a button on top of the first stitch and then loop the final…

YOU WILL NEED • Rico Essentials Merino DK (100% wool, 120m/50g), 1 ball of Purple (03) • A 4.5mm (US 7) hook Contact your local Rico Design retailer or online stockist ABBREVIATIONS Picot Ch3, ss to 3rd ch from hook For a full list, see page 92 Raid your stash for a smooth and springy merino DK to whip up Lucy Croft’s frosty flakes. They’ll look fantastic hung on the tree, or joined together make a lacy and oh-so festive table covering. Very pretty. PINWHEEL MOTIF Ch6, ss to first ch to join into a ring. Round 1 (RS) Ch1 (does not count as st), 12dc into loop, ss to first dc to join. [12 sts] Round 2 Ch4 (counts as tr, ch1), *(tr, ch1) in next dc; repeat from…

We are thrilled to present Simply Crochet’s latest calendar! We love a relaxing crochet mandala project but we thought we’d put a fresh spin on it and get you experimenting. This exciting collection of mandalas was drawn by illustrator Laurie Stansfield (www.lauriestansfield.co.uk), just for you. Play with colour and shade them in, then you’ll be able to create the real deal with our exclusive crochet patterns throughout the year. Why not take inspiration from the gorgeous range of shades in King Cole Giza Cotton 4ply to colour in your monthly mandalas? You’ll have fun, relax, and get some crochet inspiration all at the same time! We’ve suggested some colour combos to get you started, but it’s entirely up to you – have a go at creating your own pretty palettes…

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 C Violet (7809) Yarn D Granny Smith Green (8914) Yarn F Azure (8892) Yarn G Cerise (7802) Colourway 2 • 1 skein of each: Yarn E Lagoon (7812) Yarn B Cyan Blue (8891) Yarn A Bright Red (8414) Yarn H California Poppy (7826) Border • 2 skeins of Yarn K Grey (8501) MEASUREMENTS Each square meas 20x20cm (8x8in) Finished blanket meas 144x94cm (56½x37in) ABBREVIATIONS 3-tr cluster (yrh, insert hook…

YOU WILL NEED • Debbie Bliss Rialto DK (100% merino wool, 50g/105m), Yarn A Apple (009) Yarn B White (001) Yarn C Scarlet (012) For yarn quantities, see table • A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook • Tapestry needle • 80cm (32in) of 5mm wide Red Ribbon for Mittens • 110cm (44in) of 5mm wide Red Ribbon for Muffler • 14cm (5½in) of wide (15mm wide) ribbon to make a holding loop on the Muffler For yarn stockists contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com MEASUREMENTS Each Mitten measures 20cm (8in) long and 12cm (4¾in) across the widest part of the wrist The Muffler measures 60cm (23½in) long x 15cm (6in) wide ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 Cosy candy cane stripes, ruffles and bows –…

YOU WILL NEED • Lana Gatto Sugar (100% viscose sugar cane, 50g/125m), 3 balls of each: Yarn A Aqua (7663) Yarn B Turquoise (7664) Yarn C Ocean (7665) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists contact Yeoman Yarns 0116 240 4464 www.yeoman-yarns.co.uk TENSION 4 pattern repeats measure 12cm (4¾in) and 7 rows measure 10cm (4in) using a 3.5mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension MEASUREMENTS 228cm (90in) wide x 103cm (40½in) deep ABBREVIATIONS V-st (Tr, ch2, tr) in same st Shell 5tr in same st For a full list, see page 92 We’re getting some serious Queen Elsa vibes from this gorgeously frosty shawl. How beautiful are those ombre blues? It’s hooked with Lana Gatto’s new Sugar yarn, made from silky…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Alaska (100% wool, 50g/70m), 4 balls of Yarn A Brown (23), 2 balls of Yarn B Light Brown Mix (49), 1 ball of Yarn C Dark Brown Mix (50) • DROPS Cotton Viscose (54% cotton, 46% viscose, 50g/110m), 1 ball of Yarn D Red (05) • DROPS Bomull-Lin (53% cotton, 47% linen, 50g/85m), 3 balls of Yarn E Brown (05) • Oddment of DK yarn in Yarn F Mid Brown and Yarn G black • A 2.5mm (US B/1) hook • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Stitch markers • Toy stuffing • Mount board: 2 circles, each measuring 21cm (8¼in) in diameter for the base; 2 circles, each measuring 4.5cm (1¾in) in diameter, for the antler bases; 2 pieces, each measuring 3.5x9cm (1¼x3½in) for…

PRETTY PETALS This fabulously floral cushion was one of our faves from issue 44. We love the vibrant shades @maggie maycrochet has used to make her own version – it looks right at home on her sofa. SIMPLE STRIPES We love seeing your WIP shots. @ailyhooks is using DROPS cotton yarn to make a grey and yellow colour pop version of the slouchy jumper from issue 46. So far so good! MADE TO ROAR The charmingly named @bippity _boppity_hook has stitched playful rainbow spikes on her cheery amigurumi dinosaur. What a brilliant idea! She used Stylecraft yarn and our issue 21 dino pattern.…

The Christmas Character Afghan has to be my favourite festive crochet design. After putting so much time and care into it, I can’t help but feel proud of this project, and I’m so pleased with how it turned out. It’s made up of nine squares featuring different Christmas characters and images, designed using the corner-to-corner technique (C2C). If you’re not familiar with C2C, it’s a wonderful way to crochet impressive graph patterns with ease and speed. Each small pixel square is made up of the simplest stitches: just chains and double crochets (trebles in the UK). It’s an incredibly easy technique to master! The afghan is a big piece – 165x127cm – and it took a lot of planning and additional graphic design work to come up with the final…