afghan / blanket – Crochet blog

New Crochet Patterns Available…

Published on March 19, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

The Waiting for You baby blanket crochet pattern is now available in my Etsy store and comes in 2 sizes. You can purchase as a bundle and get the blanket and bonnet pattern for a discounted price, or you can buy them separately if you prefer. I have added a little bonus pattern for free too, which will be available to download with your purchase.

Although the bonnet pattern is written for aran weight yarn and the blanket suggests DK weight yarn, I suggest you hold two strands of DK together when making the bonnet if you want the blanket and bonnet made in the same yarn. That is what I did for the one in the picture above and it worked really well.

I would love to see your makes so don’t forget to tag me on your social media @yarnyrobin or use the #waitingforyoublanket

XXXXX

Waiting For You Baby Blanket

Published on February 17, 2022February 17, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

I am so pleased this baby blanket is off my hook, because I can’t wait to get another one on my hook but in a different colour. This beautiful vintage peach one is stroller size (33″ x 30″) and I would really like to make a slightly bigger version, so I’m not going to release the pattern just yet. I do have one pattern tester slot left for this blanket, so do get in touch with me if you fancy hooking this. If you have never pattern tested before that’s ok…it’s quite a simple process and I would be really grateful. You will get the edited pattern and another pattern of your choice for free as a thank you.

I have loved making this blanket, I love how the chunky rib border has those beautiful rounded edges and how those accent dots line up politely. The simplicity of this blanket is its charm and I have called it The Waiting for You blanket; because it is the perfect thing to make whilst you are waiting for a special arrival.

Incidentally, today happens to be random act of kindness day. I don’t think we should have a day dedicated to random kindness, I think that should be just a part of every day business. However, in the spirit of #randomactofkindnessday if you pop over to my instagram page (@yarnyrobin) you will find my pattern giveaway competition…but hurry as I will be drawing it on 18th Februaryy 2022 at 12noon GMT…that’s tomorrow!

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Baby Blanket pattern Testers Wanted…

Published on February 4, 2022February 4, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

So, I have a new blanket on my hooks. It has been a long time since I made anything bigger than a hat, so I am really enjoying the hooking and process of writing the pattern…even if I did have to frog an enormous amount…see here for the proof!

I am also on the hunt for a handful of pattern testers, so if you are interested here are the deets… there will be 2 sizes of blanket

baby blanket and stroller blanket

You need to provide your own yarn – dk weight (approx 400g in main colour and 100g in accent colour…I think…I’m still not done making the original!

Time – I need you to be able to complete the test within 4 weeks of receiving the pattern and i’m hoping to release in March.

Spot any typo’s, pattern mistakes or make suggestions if you have any.

Finally, be able to share with me a clear well lit shot…think insta worthy!

In return I will send you the full edited pattern and also another pattern of your choice from my designs and I will love you forever. So, if you are up for testing then dm me, leave a message or contact me via insta and let’s become hooky buddies.

XXXXX

A New Blanket for Jess…

Published on April 2, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

As it is the Easter Bank Holiday, I have a new project on my hook. Little Jess is in great need of some pretty blankets to sleep on and so I didn’t have to look far for some inspiration. I have a lot of crochet pins on my pintrest boards and I have a wish list that could go around the world at least once!

So, I grabbed my hook, some aran weight yarn and my favourite Campfire Coffee…(you really should try it!) and started to hook up these beautiful Sunburst granny squares by crochet325knittoo

It wasn’t too long before I knew this was the perfect choice…you just know when your project is going to work! I mean just take a look at those squares.

It has been so long since I have done any hooking like this and my heart felt full. So full, it wasn’t too long before I found I had dozed off!

But, so had Old Alf, so I found I was in good company!

Anyway, the snooze has done me good and I plan on hooking the evening away now with a little gin and tonic or three…you can bet I will be nodding off on the sofa again before long!!

xxxxx

Embroidery Hoop art

Published on February 27, 2021February 27, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

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.

xxxxx

Seasidestashbusting blanket weeks 29 – 32

Published on October 2, 2018December 29, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

Here’s the penultimate update on the gorgeous

#seasidestashbustingblanket …

These rows were finished a little while ago and I am onto the border now…but, I wanted to show you my progress in chronological order.

I didn’t think this blanket would match any décor in the nest, since it is just made up of stash I had hiding under Little Robin’s bed, but it is looking fine on my bed…

and in the lounge…but to be honest it is so flipping lovely it would look amazing anywhere.

So, I’m off to finish the border and I will be back soon with the final post for this beautiful blanket.

xxxxx

Seasidestashbusting blanket weeks 25 – 28

Published on August 21, 2018October 2, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

I am still behind on my

#seasidestashbustingblanket …

I have just completed week 29 and I think the CAL is now up to week 31, so I really want to push on and catch up with this as the CAL is almost done. I think there may be a couple more weeks of rows before it is time to border and finish. So I am going to make this one of this week’s hooky priorities; especially since it has cooled down a lot around here. These weeks pictured contained some more filet crochet, bobbles and some more basket weave!

I am loving these colours there are 11 in total which I had in stash and they are stylecraft special dk. I did have to go a buy a ball of yarn yesterday as I was short and didn’t want to introduce a new colour so late into the blanket and I really felt that it should feature in some of the last rows. Other than that I am just picking from these yarn balls randomly, and I like the surprise of that.

I have been hooking some other little makes and have found some wonderful patterns and I will share those with you soon.

xxxxx

Seasidestashbustingblanket weeks 20 – 24

Published on July 9, 2018July 9, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin10 Comments

Here’s just a little update on the lovely

#seasidestashbustingblanket …

I confess I have fallen a week behind with this CAL. I am laying the total blame for this at the feet of Gareth Southgate and the England world cup team for smashing history and those penalties…apologies if you are reading this in Columbia.

I am also totally going to blame the UK heatwave…the hottest and driest summer since 1976…which was also before I was born! It is glorious but it makes hooking blankets hot work. If you look closely at week 24’s photo you will see just what I have been hooking instead… but I will write a separate post all about that next time.

xxxxx

Yarn a long Sunday #8

Published on June 24, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

Well this is the last yarn a long Sunday in this June series. Apologies for this last session being a bit late…It has everything to do with a manic weekend, a 16 mile charity walk and a wedding in a field! It is still Sunday in the UK…so only a bit late eh!

I now have a little collection of cute summer projects and if you follow me on Instagram you will know what has captured my heart…but I will post about that separately in the week.

This week’s topic is

‘Ask me a question…yes you can ask me anything!’

Go on don’t be shy!

xxxxx

Gorgeous Glamping…

Published on June 19, 2018June 19, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin15 Comments

Just a couple of weekends ago, I abandoned work early, gathered my brood and made a little journey to a truly magical place. We only travelled 30 minutes away but we found ourselves in a different world.

We went glamping…that is camping in style!

And let me tell you it was absolutely luxurious. Running hot water, flushing toilet, the most comfortable bed in the world (honestly I felt like I was sleeping in a cloud) and a roll top bath with a gorgeous and very private view.

The boys happily shunned their screens and devices and spent hours splashing in the hot tub

and lighting fires

We cooked contently on the dutch oven (although there was a large wood burning stove inside our abode)

And we cycled the short distance into Arley where the great Severn Valley Railway passes through.

In the evenings we lit another fire and made use of the blankets provided for us;

and we chatted and laughed and breathed in and out deeply inhaling as much of the tranquillity as we could whilst toasting marsh mallows and drinking bubbles.

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Here’s the penultimate update on the gorgeous

These rows were finished a little while ago and I am onto the border now…but, I wanted to show you my progress in chronological order.

I didn’t think this blanket would match any décor in the nest, since it is just made up of stash I had hiding under Little Robin’s bed, but it is looking fine on my bed…

and in the lounge…but to be honest it is so flipping lovely it would look amazing anywhere.

So, I’m off to finish the border and I will be back soon with the final post for this beautiful blanket.

xxxxx

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I am still behind on my

I have been hooking some other little makes and have found some wonderful patterns and I will share those with you soon.

xxxxx

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Here’s just a little update on the lovely

I confess I have fallen a week behind with this CAL. I am laying the total blame for this at the feet of Gareth Southgate and the England world cup team for smashing history and those penalties…apologies if you are reading this in Columbia.

xxxxx

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Well this is the last yarn a long Sunday in this June series. Apologies for this last session being a bit late…It has everything to do with a manic weekend, a 16 mile charity walk and a wedding in a field! It is still Sunday in the UK…so only a bit late eh!

I now have a little collection of cute summer projects and if you follow me on Instagram you will know what has captured my heart…but I will post about that separately in the week.

This week’s topic is

‘Ask me a question…yes you can ask me anything!’

Go on don’t be shy!

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Like this:

Just a couple of weekends ago, I abandoned work early, gathered my brood and made a little journey to a truly magical place. We only travelled 30 minutes away but we found ourselves in a different world.

We went glamping…that is camping in style!

And let me tell you it was absolutely luxurious. Running hot water, flushing toilet, the most comfortable bed in the world (honestly I felt like I was sleeping in a cloud) and a roll top bath with a gorgeous and very private view.

The boys happily shunned their screens and devices and spent hours splashing in the hot tub

and lighting fires

We cooked contently on the dutch oven (although there was a large wood burning stove inside our abode)

And we cycled the short distance into Arley where the great Severn Valley Railway passes through.

In the evenings we lit another fire and made use of the blankets provided for us;

and we chatted and laughed and breathed in and out deeply inhaling as much of the tranquillity as we could whilst toasting marsh mallows and drinking bubbles.

Of course I took my own blankets and they looked so pretty out on the decking…which has fairy lights at night.

(Yes, that is a candelabra you can see on the dining table! )

There was also plenty of time to crochet

and knit

This place is a true gem…and look what I found in the dresser…

a happy piece of yarn!!!!

So thank you Mark and Sonja for all of the fairy dust you sprinkled for our stay with you….we loved it!

xxxxx

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