Innehållsförteckning för Issue 39 från Simply Crochet

Isn’t it chilly? This is when we crocheters reach for the warmest fibres and really come into our own! Whether you fancy cosying up with chunky makes or super snuggly yarns, we’ve got you covered this issue. Our gorgeous Winter Lace collection was inspired by delicate snowflakes; while some patterns use a 4ply, we used a scrumptious baby alpaca silk yarn to keep things feeling toasty. Wrap up, find a cosy spot and settle in for a dose of 2016 crochet inspiration.…

EDWARD’S MENAGERIE BIRDS Kerry Lord (£15.99, David & Charles) Fancy hooking a flock of feathered friends? Kerry Lord’s second Edward’s Menagerie book has fun amigurumi patterns to suit most abilities. Each bird has an entertaining back story, such as Tricia the aerobics-mad hen. GRANNY SQUARES & SHAPES Susan pinner (£14.99, GMC) Get to grips with granny squares and motifs, and be inspired by this book. There are 20 simple and stylish projects to make, including accessories and treats for the home, plus an illustrated techniques section at the front. ONE BALL OF WOOL (£9.99, DK) Bust through your stash with this collection of easy accessory patterns, in both crochet and knitting. Not a knitter? The book has all the how-to info you need to get started, with clear step-by-step images.…

YOU WILL NEED • Debbie Bliss Donegal Luxury Tweed Aran (90% wool, 10% angora, 50g/88m), 1 ball of each: Denim (09), Silver (10) • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • Three bangles • Tapestry needle For yarn stockists, contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com MEASUREMENTS To fit bangles with 8.5cm (3›in) diameter SPECIAL ABBREVIATIONS 3-tr colour cluster Change to Denim on final yrh of previous stitch; (yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) three times, inserting the hook into the same space/st each time, yrh in Silver and draw through all loops on hook. Continue in Silver. ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . THIN BANGLE Using Silver, ch7 or length required to fit around…

YOU WILL NEED • DMC Natura Just Cotton (100% cotton, 50g/155m), 1 ball of each:Yarn A Gardenia (36)Yarn B Aguamarina (25)Yarn C Malva (31)Yarn D Ivory (02)Yarn E Prussian (64)Yarn F Safran (47)Yarn G Cerise (62) • A 2.5mm (US B/1) hook • Safety eyes, approx 8mm diameter • Pipe cleaners (optional) • Recycled plastic sheet (optional) • Wooden crochet hook or skewer carved into a hook shape, for doll to hold (optional) • Stitch marker • Toy stuffing For yarn stockists, contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmccreative.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Finished doll is 25cm (9¾in) tall ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . Say hello to Miss January. You might recognise this delightful redhead from the pages of our 2016 calendar and she’s the cover star,…

YOU WILL NEED • Rowan Thick ’n’ Thin (100% wool, 50g/50m), 4 balls of Pyrite (960) • An 8mm (US L/11) hook • Tapestry needle • Pompom maker, 10cm (4in) diameter, or pieces of card For yarn stockists, contact Rowan 01484 681881 www.knitrowan.com TENSION 12 sts and 11 rows to measure 10x10cm (4x4in) over stitch pattern using an 8mm hook or size required to achieve tension MEASUREMENTS Mitts measure 16x10cm (6½x4in) Hat measures 24cm (9½in) tall and 48cm (19in) circumference, and will fit head circumference of 50-60cm (19½-24in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . Get to grips with chunky yarn and make a cosy hat and mitts set that you won’t want to take off. There’s no shaping involved in either of these projects…

Turn your back for one minute and you know these cheeky fellas will be causing utter chaos. With their round bellies and shining eyes, the three amigurumi penguins love nothing better than racing each other through the snow and settling down to a good fish supper. If you’re new to amigurumi, this would be a brilliant project to start with. There are no fancy stitches or super-fiddly bits to contend with, just double crochet worked in spirals and some stuffing and sewing up. We know we shouldn’t have favourites, but the tiny penguin has stolen our hearts. YOU WILL NEED • Rowan Handknit Cotton (100% cotton, 50g/85m), 1 ball of each: Atlantic (346), Florence (350), Ecru (251) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Small amount of toy stuffing •…

This season, there seems to be a burgeoning trend for jumbo yarns. We’re not talking about your garden variety chunky types either. These woolly wonders are super-sized, XXL, put-your-back-out-merely-lifting-a-skein kind of yarns – the Godzillas of the fibre world, if you will. We got our most ginormous crochet hooks into some of these beasts to find out why big is so darn beautiful this winter. Jumbo yarn is by no means an entirely new idea, but it’s never been quite such a big deal. DMC’s Hoooked Zpagetti T-shirt yarn was the first of its kind to catch our eye a few years ago, and now we’re spoilt for choice with similar XXL jersey yarns available from brands such as Boodles, Tek-Tek and Wool and The Gang in all kinds of…

YOU WILL NEED • Marriner Sparkle DK (97% acrylic, 3% lurex, 100g/300m), 1 ball of C-045 Black (purse uses approx 20g of this yarn) • A 3.5mm (US E/4) hook • Inner lining fabric, approx 42x14cm (16½x5½in) (we used a grey and white print) • Outer lining fabric, approx 42x14cm (16½x5½in) (we used a red cotton) • Zip, approx 18cm (7in) long (excluding tape ends) • Piece of paper For yarn stockists, contact Marriner 02920 837 613 www.marrineryarns.com TENSION Not vital for this project, although if your finished purse is smaller or larger than finished measurements, you may need more yarn and more fabric. Instructions include how to create a lining to fit your purse, whatever its size. MEASUREMENTS Finished purse measures approx 20x12cm (7¾x4¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a…

Most crochet designs don’t require a stiff drink in a darkened room, but when you’ve turned up in the same skirt and shiny lavender blouse as someone else, what’s a girl to do? Talk about Star Wars . Joking aside (although how can you ignore this bonkers styling – loafers, amber beads and is that lady wearing a turban or a wig?), we’re actually rather fond of these pretty star motif skirts. The final row of stars along the lower edge leaves the skirts with fun, spiky hems. This is a Coats crochet pattern from 1970 that can be made in mini or ‘hostess’ lengths. The mini looks like the more wearable of the two skirts. It’s lovely in red, but we’d go for a dark grey or silver glitter…

BECKI SCHOOLEY Designer and yarn lover Becki has created arguably the cutest trio of amigurumi penguins the world has ever seen. Seriously. Flick ahead to page 66 and make sure you have a hook to hand. “CROCHET DESIGN IS LIKE DRAWING WITH A HOOK.” RACHEL WHITECHURCH Rachel’s a designer and keen tweeter who loves the countryside. She’s made a wonderful wrap for us this issue, which would be perfect for winter walks. Turn to page 56 to hook it. “I LOVE THE ENDLESS POTENTIAL THAT A BALL OF YARN HOLDS.” EMMA POTTER Emma’s passionate about crochet and the colour yellow. She’s the blogger behind Potter & Bloom and has designed some beautiful baby projects. Find her sweet blanket on page 54. “I LIKE TO WORK ON PROJECTS THAT ARE USEFUL…

SUPERB SEQUINS Ooze mirror ball chic with East’s Disco Sequin Cardigan. And yes, it’s crocheted. Head to www.east.co.uk BE ADORNED  www.elizajoan.co.uk is the place to go for crochet neckpieces and brooches. We like the shiny ones best. HELLO TWINKLE Moderation is key, except where glitter is concerned. Pick up this glitzy star bag at www.newlook.com LUXE HOOKERY Sparkle as you stitch with Addi’s plastic glitter crochet hooks. You can find them at www.deramores.com TAKE NOTE Guarantee a bright start to the new year by scribbling your plans in a golden book. See www.sainsburys.co.uk…

What’s on your New Year’s resolutions list? Starting a crochet business, perhaps? Despite working full-time as a designer for the last four years, it still catches me a bit by surprise that this is what I do for a living. I remember the day I realised that my crochet design was more than just a flash in the pan for me, to get through some hard times. I’d started selling crocheted hats a few months earlier. I’d been made redundant and we couldn’t afford to buy groceries. After hearing friends say over and over, “You should sell your work”, I finally caved as a means to put food on the table. Initially, it was just that. I was designing and making things as a temporary measure. I assumed, once we…

YOU WILL NEED • DMC Woolly (100% merino wool, 50g/125m), 1 ball of Yarn A shade 73 2 balls of each: Yarn B shade 72, Yarn C shade 77 3 balls of Yarn D shade 54 • A 5mm (H/8) hook For yarn stockists, contact DMC 0116 275 4000 www.dmccreative.co.uk MEASUREMENTS One square motif measures approx 14x14cm (5½x 5½in) Finished scarf measures approx 14x210cm (5½x47in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92. The humble granny square scarf is something of a rite of passage for any would-be crocheter. But whether you’re new to the game or well acquainted with the simple pleasure of granny squares, this straightforward design is charming nonetheless. It’s worked in a handful of bright, punchy shades that match our little craft doll’s…

YOU WILL NEED • Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK (75% wool, 20% silk, 5% cashmere, 116m/50g), 5 balls of Yarn A Vanilla (003) 1 ball of each: Yarn B Buttercream (437) Yarn C Little Duck Egg (436) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook For yarn stockists, contact Sublime 01924 369666 www.sublimeyarns.com MEASUREMENTS 60x45cm (23½x17¾in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . Crochet designer Emma Potter describes this lovely creation of hers as: “An heirloom newborn baby blanket, made using a stretchy, staggered shell stitch and super-soft luxury yarn for a happy, snuggly baby.” What more could you want in a baby blanket? The simple stitch pattern repeat makes it ideal for beginners, or if you need to whip something up for baby in double-quick…

YOU WILL NEED • DROPS Eskimo (100% wool, 50g/50m), 6 balls of each: Light Grey (53) Medium Grey (46) 2 balls of Dark Yellow Tweed (74) • A 10mm (US N/15) hook • 2 cushion pads, 45cm (18in) square • 6 buttons, 3cm (1in) diameter For yarn stockists, contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Approx 45cm (18in) square after blocking and with border added ABBREVIATIONS Puff stitch (Yrh, insert hook into stitch, yrh, pull loop back through stitch) 3 times, yrh, pull through all 7 loops on hook Popcorn stitch (pc) Work 5tr into next st, remove hook from final loop and insert into top loops of first st of 5-tr from right to left. Grab the loose loop from the fifth tr and pull tightly through…

CIRCLE MOTIF Ch4, ss to first ch to form a ring. Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr), 9tr into ring, ss to top of beg ch-3. Fasten off and weave in ends. ROWAN BIG WOOL SILK WEIGHT Super-chunky CONTENT 70% wool, 30% silk BALL 100g/80m HOOK 10mm RRP £11.95 If you’re after a super-chunky yarn with a bit of a sheen, then Rowan’s Big Wool Silk is the one to go for. What it might lack in stitch definition, it more than makes up for in warm, strokable fibre and a high-quality finish. It’s a thick, squashy plied yarn that is a pleasure to stitch with. We would use Big Wool Silk to make a luxurious beanie hat or a pair of wristwarmers. The yarn comes in six beautifully…

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…

A GOOD SPREAD A crochet bedspread worked in 4ply is a commitment, certainly, but when the outcome is this beautiful it really is worth putting the time in. Butter-soft alpaca silk yarn ensures this project feels every bit as luxurious as it looks. VERY ILLUMINATING Ultra-fine cotton is what you’ll need for whipping up this set of delicate cosies. Wrap them around empty jam jars to create fancy-looking candle holders or vases for small posies. We finished ours off with velvety ribbon in soft grey. SITTING PRETTY Square or round? It’s not just a consideration for the nail salon. Decide whether your home’s in need of a dainty motif cushion, or a round one with a doily effect. The only complication is that they look so lovely together. So, both?…

YOU WILL NEED • Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine (40% wool, 40% alpaca, 20% silk, 100g/180m), Cotton Candy (10) See table for yarn quantities and measurements • A 5mm (US H/8) hook • Stitch markers For yarn stockists, contact Intercontinental Yarns 01535 664222 www. intercontinentalyarns.co.uk TENSION 4 stitch patt repeats to 12cm (4¾in) and 9.5 rows to 10cm (4in) worked over Basic Pattern using a 5mm hook or size needed to obtain correct tension ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . Wow, aren’t these stitches beautiful? This brilliant seamless cardigan (hooray for minimal sewing up) is worked from the top down in a lovely lacy stitch pattern. The solid double crochet front edging and matching belt add a bit of structure, resulting in a…

YOU WILL NEED • Cascade Ultra Pima (100% pima cotton, 100g/200m), 1 skein of Deep Coral (3767) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • Any plain top For yarn stockists, contact Wool Warehouse 01926 882818 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk MEASUREMENTS Large motif 13.5cm (5¼in) diameter Small motif 8cm (3in) diameter Edging 1.5cm (½in) wide by length required (see pattern) ABBREVIATIONS 3-tr cluster (Yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 3 times, inserting the hook in the same space/st each time, yrh and draw through all loops on hook For a full list, see page 92 . Take a plain top from boring to brilliant with Louise Smith’s pretty motifs and edging. When sewn on as shown, the different crocheted elements…

YOU WILL NEED • Louisa Harding Grace (50% silk, 50% merino wool 50g/100m), 5 balls of Willow (35) • A 4mm (US G/6) hook • 3 buttons, 35mm in diameter We used River Shell Buttons from Textile Garden www.textilegarden.com For yarn stockists, contact Designer Yarns 01535 664222 www.designeryarns.uk.com TENSION Overall tension is not critical but will affect finished size and yarn quantities. To achieve the measurements stated, work 15sts to 10cm (4in) over double crochet using a 4mm hook or size needed to obtain this tension. MEASUREMENTS 48x28cm (19x11in) ABBREVIATIONS For a full list, see page 92 . Rachel Whitechurch’s silky wrap is a really versatile make. Wear it up around your neck as a cosy cowl, or pull it down over your shoulders for a stylish…

WHEN WOULD I NEED TO ADD ZIPS OR LININGS? Want to create makes that are practical and pretty? We’ll show you how… From purses and bags to garments and cushions, lining fabrics can add a fantastic extra design dimension to your makes, while zips are a great fastening option. Both are surprisingly simple to insert and we’ll show you just how to do it. With a bit of practice, you’ll be able to line any make and then you can use lacy stitch patterns on any project. Once you’ve mastered the technique, use your new skills to make our sparkly clutch purse on page 83. It’s pretty straightforward to add a zip to your makes, especially if your crochet fabric is made up of dense stitches, such as double crochet.…