Mostly enjoying this busy, beautiful life with lots of yarn and a hook! I'm hooked on God, my 3 boys, Mr R and if your reading this then you'll know I'm hooked on crochet too!!
By day I am a full time nurse working in the community in children's health, but by night I am a maker of cute baby things. Pop over to my Etsy shop by clicking the tab at the top of this page or message me if you would like me to make you a custom order.
I also love to blog and Instagram my creative journey and design my own crochet patterns; you can find me by clicking the links below.
So thanks for stopping by...feel free to have a good old poke around...and I hope you enjoy your time spent with me because you are very welcome here xx
I hope you are all ok? I thought I would just drop in to show you my latest make and to thank you for all the kind feedback I have received regarding my free baby blanket pattern…The Angelece Baby Blanket
I have really enjoyed playing around with something a bit different to usual, and this is what I came up with. Of course, it had to have a bit of crochet somewhere and these little flowers were just perfect.
I am not the worlds greatest when it comes to sewing, but I do find it quite soothing, if the embroidery floss doesn’t get in a tangle. I did order some cheap embroidery floss to start with…this was a BIG mistake as it split and tangled so easily. Suffice to say the more expensive thread was of a much better quality and made the embroidery a pleasure.
The leaves and flowers are hooked from scraps of cotton and I glued them into position with a hot glue gun, and finished the centres with a tiny white bead.
Finally, I finished my hoop with a circle of mustard felt, which I also glued into position, just to give a tidy finish. It is a small piece of happiness.
I may just make some more, but I think I will keep each one completely unique…I have some other Mama sayings that I would like to stitch.
Thank you for the lovely feedback I have received on my free baby blanket pattern; if you missed it you can find it by clicking on the link.
I had a lovely little hooking session yesterday evening, and this is what came off my hook. I am so in love with these sweet hats and I love the colours too!
I am very pleased to share with you my pattern for this beautiful baby blanket; it has been sitting half written in my documents for a couple of years now…so, it’s about time it saw the light of day!
I made mine from a cotton mix, which means it has a scrumptious drape and I’ve finished it with cute little tassels on each corner. A beginner’s introduction to filet crochet, this pattern uses chain, double crochet and treble stitches. On trend in pretty mint, (but you can make yours in whatever colour you choose) the blanket measures approx. 60cms x 66cms, ideal pram blanket size. Details of how to up-size the blanket can be found in the pattern details below.
If you would prefer to download an ad free version of the pattern, you can purchase just here for less than a cup of coffee! So, lets talk yarn. I used Women’s Institute Home Cotton – Aran weight in Light Blue 100g and I used 3 balls. A good alternative to this is Lion Brand Prima Cotton. But, any aran weight yarn would also be suitable, however a cotton blend lends itself to a beautiful drape and lighter weather conditions, which hopefully will be here with us very soon.
You will also need
5mm hook
Scissors
Darning needle
Card to make tassels – an old cereal box will do!
The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and the stitch abbreviations can be found below. I have included US terminology in blue if you wish to convert. You may wish to use a stitch marker to indicate the last stitch of each row. Turning chain counts as a stitch throughout the pattern unless otherwise stated. Repeats are marked by asterisks *.
Dc: Insert hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 2 loops on the hook, yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.
Tr: Yarn over hook, insert hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 3 loops on hook, yarn over again and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops on hook.
Gauge is not so important for this project, although I have given you a gauge guide below. To make this blanket larger or smaller, adjust your starting chain by multiples of 12 to desired width and hook more or less rows to desired length. Remember increasing the size of the blanket will require more yarn than stated in this pattern.
11tr x 5 rows = 3.5” (8.5cms) x 3” (7.5cms)
Photo by Anete Lusina
So, lets get started shall we? To begin ch84
Row 1: 1tr in 2nd ch from hook, 1tr in next 10sts, *ch1, miss next st, 1tr in next 11sts* repeat from * – * to end, ch2 (counts as 1tr) turn
Row 2: 1tr in next 10sts, *ch1, miss next st, 1tr in next 11sts,* repeat from * – * to end, ch2 (counts as 1tr) turn.
Row 3 – 4: repeat row 2
Row 5: repeat row 2 but at end of row ch3 (counts as 1tr + ch space) turn.
Row 6: miss next st, *1tr, ch, miss next st* repeat * – * to end of row, finishing with a tr stitch, ch2 (counts as 1tr) turn.
Rows 7: 1tr in next 10sts (ch space counts as st), *ch1, miss ch space, 1tr in next 11sts* repeat from * – * to end, ch2 (counts as 1tr) turn.
Rows 8 – 10: repeat row 2
Row 11: repeat row 5
Row 12: repeat row 6
Rows 13: repeat row 7
Rows 14 – 16: repeat row 2
Row 17: repeat row 5
Row 18: repeat row 6
Row 19: repeat row 7
Rows 20 – 22: repeat row 2
Row 23: repeat row 5
Row 24: repeat row 6
Row 25: repeat row 7
Rows 26 – 28: repeat row 2
Row 29: repeat row 5
Row 30: repeat row 6
Row 31: repeat row 7
Rows 32 – 34: repeat row 2
Row 35: repeat row 5
Row 36: repeat row 6
Row 37: repeat row 7
Row: 38 – 40: repeat row 2
Row 41: repeat row 5
Row 42: repeat row 6
Row 43: repeat row 7
Rows 44 – 46: repeat row 2
Row 47: repeat row 2, ch 1, turn, do not fasten off.
Now to add the border
Along the horizontal edges of the blanket you will dc into st as normal. Along the vertical edges of the blanket you will have to make a dc around the post of each tr at the end of each row.
1dc in each stitch to end, ch2, dc in same st (corner made). You will now be making dc stitches along the vertical edge of the blanket. 2dc per post to next corner, ch2 dc in same st (2nd corner made). 1dc in each st to end, ch2, dc in same st (3rd corner made), repeat 2dc per post on final vertical edge, placing last dc in same space as ch1 at end of row 47, ch2 and slip stitch and fasten off to finish.
Make 4 chunky tasssels and sew securely to each corner. If you are not sure how to make tassels here is a great youtube tutorial to get you started…they are easy to make and will finish your blanket with style.
This pattern including all photos are the property of Nicola Florence at ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com. Please do not modify, resell, publish in part or in full, or share this pattern or photo’s as your own. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, I hope it becomes a hot item for you; but please credit, with a link, that the item is made using @yarnyrobin pattern.
I hope you enjoy making this blanket. I would love to see your makes; the easiest way to do this is to share them on your social media by tagging me, it will honestly make me do a happy dance!
You can also follow me on Instagram as @baby_yarnyrobin or @yarnyrobin and on facebook as Baby_yarnyrobin for discounts and latest updates.
Once you try this brim…you wont go back to chunky front post, back post brims!
Yes, that;s right…I love this crochet brim for my hats because it is less chunky, has a ‘knit look’ finish and makes my beanies have a lovely snug and comfortable fit and I will show you how to make your own ribbed brim for top down construction hats right here.
Now, if you have been with me a while you will know that a video tutorial is a first for me, so I would appreciate your feedback as it has taken forever to put together!
The pattern for ‘My Best Beanie’ has also taken me a long time to write and edit, and is now available just here. I have made this a pattern for all the family as it is written for sizes newborn right through to large adult. If you prefer a more traditional bonnet, I have a pattern for those too…just here.
photo credit @luandlo_x on instagram
Let me know what you think? Should I do other free crochet tutorials and if so what would you like tutorials on?
I just wanted to share with you this very sweet and quick make, that I hooked up a couple of weeks ago now, for little Jess. I did want to make it in navy with rainbow stripes to match Mr R’s hat…but Mr R was not the least bit impressed by this at all!!
The pattern details can be found at the end of this post. It’s a lovely little free pattern, which gives directions to make a bespoke dog sweater based on measurements for your dog…so you can make any size you need to!
Jess, was rather proud with the finished item and was happy to pose. I love the ribbed collar and waist band and because it is bespoke just for Jess, I was able to make the leg holes just for her, so it fits comfortably and allows for natural movement.
I finished the sweater off with one of my cork labels.
I think I will still make one with navy with rainbow stripes to match Mr R…
Yes, that’s how long it has been since I last dropped by…and my, how the landscape of the world has changed; internationally, nationally and personally!
I write because it makes me feel like someone is listening. – Or I am finally listening to myself!
I wasn’t too sure if I wanted to carry on writing here; I felt like I had lost my way a little and didn’t know how too move this space forward. Opening my little Etsy shop has been so much fun, but it also kind of took all my spare time. I have also changed jobs…well same job, different Trust and different Team…that has been life changing for me! I am now part of a team that nurtures and cares instead of tears apart and destroys; so I feel like I have gained a lot of head space back. Anyway, I’m sure we are all going through our own trials right now, so I’m not going to dump mine here for you to absorb. I just wanted to let you know, I’m planning to be around these parts a bit more often…but for now, I will just leave you with some pictures of some recent hooking exploits.
If you have read my previous posts you will know we are awaiting the birth of a precious niece any day soon. Little did we plan the birth of someone so longed for and precious in the middle of a global pandemic and a national lockdown!
However, the rainbows that adorn the windows of homes all across the country and that have become the symbol of communities united and a sign of thanks and of hope over the last 8 weeks or so, have inspired me to hook something for babies born in lockdown.
You probably could have guessed it would be a bonnet…they have become my favourite things to make!
What do you think?
These are available to buy in my shop…just click the picture and you will be magically transported there. Or if you fancy hooking your own, you can purchase the pattern from my shop too…the pattern is for the basic bonnet so you would just have to change your yarn to the rainbow colours in the last 6 rows (the last row been the main colour of the bonnet). The ears are optional! Of course if your not sure just pop me a message.
I have had a lot of love for these and have just sold one to a lovely Mama who is expecting a rainbow baby (a baby born after pregnancy or child loss) and one to a Mama to be who wants to use it as part of her pregnancy announcement.
I really do feel so privileged to make bonnets and hats and to help create special memories for parents and carers.
Hi, I just wanted to drop by to share with you this fabulous and free crochet sampler rainbow pattern by the amazing Sharon from The Stitch Foundary
It’s a quick make and looks fabulous hung up in the window to show support to all of our key workers at this unbelievable time and to add some cheer and unite in community spirit.
From a crochet point of view, the pattern is free, easy to follow and has several different stitches which give the rainbow some lovely textures. There is no gauge to worry about and you can make it from scraps…what’s not to love!
I did alter mine slightly…sorry Sharon!
I used 5 stitches to complete my popcorns in the orange row, instead of the recommended 3 stitches…just because it made my popcorns fatter and I like nice fat popcorns! Then on the last row of red I chained 5 and missed a stitch, instead of chain 3 between each stitch…just because it made the row less ruffled and more arched and I preferred the more simple finish.
Anyway, it’s a fabulous pattern and will make you smile if you hook it!
Apparently April 2020 has been and gone, it has seemingly slipped by silently…drowned out by the roar of Covid-19, and all without as much as a blog post from me. My sincerest apologies, the NHS has been a crazy place to be employed of late and I have found it difficult to transition from there and slip into the rather relaxed mode at home…it feels like I am straddling two time zones!
I have been productive however, and I have a few things to show you and some good patterns I have found to share with you. The first of which is from one of my all time favourite designers…Mon petit violon. I have a brand-new niece scheduled to arrive in this world at any moment and I fell in love with the ruffle romper by Mon Petit Violon. So just before we were locked down I ordered 2 balls of Rico cotton soft in saffron. As soon as they arrived through the letter box I got my hook out and, well pretty much got lost in the beautiful stitches and shape of this romper. I oohed and aahhed as I hooked (no, I really did…out loud!). The pattern is a wonderful hook, it is clearly written and comes in two size options 0 – 6 months and 6 -12 months. I am hooking the 0 – 6 months as baby is due any day now.
There are plenty of helpful pictures included in the pattern too and although the stitches used are simple, I would suggest you would need some previous knowledge and experience of crochet and reading patterns so as not to be overwhelmed. Oh and of course it is very important to test swatch your gauge to begin with!
So there I was oohing and aahhing and hooking away merrily and what I should have done was read the partof the pattern which suggested amounts of yarn, because just as I got to the ruffle part…I ran out of yarn!
I should have ordered 3 balls! No problem! I thought and hit the button to order more…but an ‘out of stock’ message appeared! No problem! I thought as I checked the box that said ‘send email when back in stock’.
Three weeks passed and no email…a frantic search online found my heart sinking as shop after shop did not have any balls of saffron left. In desperation last week I put an appeal out on Instagram to see if any lovely hooker, anywhere in the world had some in their stash to sell to me… and my wonderful #sidekicksistas came to the rescue. The beautiful Karen alerted me to 3 balls that were available at Laughing Hens! Now I had never come across this beautiful gem of shop before…but I hit the order button and am now just waiting for my yarn to arrive, so I can get that ruffle hooked hopefully before my niece arrives!
Talking of patterns I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the support you have given to me with my recent pattern release.
You have really blessed me!
I promise I won’t leave it as long before I next drop by.
Oh my days…I hope everyone is well and staying safe…what strange and frightening times we are living in! I am still having to work, but the rest of the Robins are tucked up tight at home with Mr R for safe keeping.
Photo credit: with thanks to @homeandangelmum on instagram
In between my shifts for the last 4 weeks I have been trying to distract myself by pattern writing…and today I have been able to release my offering of this adorable baby bonnet. It has taken me 4 weeks to write, get pattern tested, product tested and edited, so it has kept me well distracted from the worry in this world.
(If you want to skip the rest of this post, you will find a 20% off coupon code at the bottom of this post!)
Photo credit: with thanks to @kyliesianmed on instagram
This beautiful baby bear bonnet is sure to make a perfect baby shower gift for a precious little one. Or indeed this cute little bonnet would make a sweet photo prop to take along to a newborn photoshoot. Of course, it would also be great for dress up and everyday wear too!
What do you think?
Photo credit: with thanks to @mrslozmiller on instagram
Fancy hooking your own beautiful baby bear bonnet? This beautiful pattern is easy and quick to hook up and comes in sizes
Materials you will need:
Aran / worsted weight yarn – pattern recommends Stylecraft special, but any aran/ worsted yarn may be used (5.0mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Tape measure
stitch marker (optional)
The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and has a handy conversion of stitches into US terminology provided in the pattern notes.
You are welcome to sell what you make using my patterns – I hope this bonnet sells well for you! Please do include a link or reference to my shop for the pattern. This pattern including photographs are copyright protected and you are not permitted to reproduce, redistribute, copy, share or re-sell.
Previously Boys and Chickens, I have created a new blog to share my sewing adventure as 2018 is they year I plan to teach myself to sew! There will also be bits of crochet and cooking too.
