Category: Autumn

Free Pumpkin crochet pattern

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

It’s my favourite time of the year and to celebrate I’m sharing my crochet pattern for my Twiddly Pumpkins. I just love the Autumn, when the nights draw in and home becomes my sanctuary. There is nothing like drawing the curtains, lighting the candles and settling down in your comfies to watch some good television and crochet the evening away. I love the crisp, cold but sunny mornings and the chill in the air that creeps in, the deeper into Autumn we travel. The renewal of the hot chocolate station in the kitchen and of course lots of lovely celebrations…Harvest, Bonfire night and Christmas. There is just so much sparkle to Autumn…It really is my happy place.

Home decoration really takes on a new meaning in Autumn and can be ramped up without being over the top. These twiddly pumpkins are a cute way to decorate your space and welcome Autumn into you home. Why not adorn your fireside mantle or create a centre table display.

They are a great stash buster and are quick to make. Which makes them ideal to gift or sell as they will cost you pennies to make! You can make them from any weight yarn in varying sizes and the pattern can easily be adapted in terms of size and stitch. 

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You will need to gather some supplies before you start. I recommend having a hunt through your stash to see what you’ve forgotten about and start there. You will also need a hook suitable for the yarn you have selected.

You will also need a pair of scissors, a darning needle, some polyester toy filling (fire safety satndard / EN71), some cinnamon sticks, a hot glue gun and some twiddly bits!

Twiddly bits are anything that you wish to decorate your pumpkin with. I used artificial leaves and berries, but you could use twine, ribbon or what ever else you fancy. Be creative and use what you already have. The cinnamon sticks make whimsical pumpkin stalks and they smell delicious too! Alternative stalks can be made from twigs from the garden to create a more rustic vibe.

This pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and the stitch abbreviations can be found below.

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Gauge is not important for this project.  You will find instructions for a small, medium and large pumpkin.

This pattern can easily be adapted to make smaller or larger pumpkins by adding or decreasing the number of chains in the starting chain. You can even change the stitch for a different textured pumpkin

Stitch Abbreviations:

Ch- chain                          

St – stitch

Slst – slip stitch

Dc – double crochet

Htr – half treble

BLO – back loop only

Dc: Insert hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 2 loops on hook, yarn over again and pull through both loops on hook.

Htr: Yarn over before inserting hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, insert hook, yarn over and pull through so there are 3 loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.

BLO: Work stitch as stated, but in back loop of stitch only.

working in blo tutorial

click the link above for a short video of working in the back loop

Small Pumpkin

Leave long tail, Ch17

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and each st along, turn (16dc)

Row 2 -19: in BLO, ch1, htr in next st and in each st along, turn (16htr)

Row 20: Ch1, dc in next st, and each st along (16dc) Fasten off leaving a long tail

Medium Pumpkin

Leave long tail, Ch22

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and each st along, turn (21dc)

Row 2 -24: in BLO, ch1, htr in next st and in each st along, turn (21htr)

Row 25: Ch1,dc in next st, and each st along (21dc) Fasten off leaving a long tail

Large Pumpkin

Leave long tail, Ch27

Row 1: dc into 2nd ch from hook and each st along, turn (26dc)

Row 2 -29: in BLO, ch1, htr in next st and in each st along, turn (26htr)

Row 30: Ch1,dc in next st, and each st along (26dc) Fasten off leaving a long tail

To assemble.

With ribs running vertically fold edges of pumpkin together and sew edges together using a simple running stitch or whip stitch to create a tube.

With darning needle, weave long tail in and out, around bottom of pumpkin (it does not matter which end this is)

 Once completed pull long tail tightly to gather pumpkin and sew across middle in a zig zag to close neatly.

Fill pumpkin generously with toy stuffing.

Now with second long tail weave in and out along top edge and pull tight to gather top of pumpkin. Insert cinnamon stick towards the end of this process and pull the tail tightly. Wrap yarn a couple of times around base of cinnamon stick, take needle through the pumpkin and exit centrally at the bottom of pumpkin. Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.

To create the indentations in the side of the pumpkin you will take yarn through the middle of the pumpkin from top to bottom or vice versa.  Always insert needle centrally at the top or the bottom of the pumpkin as indicated.

With new yarn, inset needle into bottom of pumpkin, leaving a tail at the bottom of the pumpkin and pull up through the middle of the pumpkin, so that your needle exits the top of the pumpkin, centrally.  Take the yarn on the outside of the pumpkin and insert needle into the bottom of the pumpkin, back through the centre of the pumpkin and exit again at the top of the pumpkin and pull tight to create indentation in the side of the pumpkin.

Repeat this process taking the yarn on the opposite side of the 1st indentation to create a second indentation.  Repeat around the pumpkin to create equal indentations all around. As a guide, segment the pumpkin into quarters and then in between each quarter.

Weave in any loose ends

Twiddly Bits

Now with a glue gun add your twiddly bits. If you do not have a glue gun consider tying or sewing twiddly bits into position.

When you make this project don’t forget to tag me in your social media as I would love to see your pumpkin creations Tag me using @yarnyrobin using #twiddlypumpkins

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children's crochet pixie bonnet crochet pattern

Crochet children’s pixie bonnet pattern…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Another brand new pattern just off my hook and just in time for the Autumn. I must give a huge shout to @jenevs1981 on Instagram for this adorable photo above.

Bonnets are just perfect for little ones as the weather gets cooler as they stay on their little heads much better I find. This bonnet is the October Bonnet and has a traditional pixie point which gives the bonnet that instant adorable shape. Coupled with a soft ribbed brim and an oversized flower adding some cuteness and sass for the final look. This bonnet would be perfect to wear this Autumn / fall and ideal for photoshoots at the pumpkin patch or in the woods don’t you think?

This bonnet is easy and quick to hook up and comes in sizes

Newborn
0 – 3 months
3 – 6 months
6 – 12 months
1 – 2 years
2 – 4 years

The pattern uses a pretty little V-cluster stitch which is easy to learn and creates a pretty textured bonnet. I have made a video tutorial of the stitch in case you want to check it out first and you can find that just here.

I chose Stylecraft Special Aran yarn to make my bonnet as they have an amazing colour range at affordable prices. However, the bonnet can also be made from any worsted / aran weight yarn of your choosing…just check your gauge is correct as per pattern instructions and your good to go!

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So, there we have the October Bonnet. I think this pattern would make a lovely baby gift or a new-born photo prop too. It would also be ideal if you are a finished piece crochet seller or of course if you just fancy making it for that special little person in your life.

Look out for my easy peasy pumpkin pattern…I will post it here in the next few days as a FREE pattern or you can get it FREE (Sept 23 only) by joining my email list as it is featured in this months email. I also have a fun Panda Beanie which I still have to tell you about, but if you can’t wait for that pop over to my Instagram and you will find it there. So do pop back won’t you, I love having you here and don’t forget to come and say hi over on Instagram @yarnyrobin or on facebook @baby yarnyrobin…I would love to see what’s on your hook at the moment!

October Bonnet

Baby Fox Bonnet

Hey Foxy!

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

This is my latest pattern fresh of my hook and just in time for the Autumn. I must give a huge shout to @mamma_o_85 on Instagram for this adorable photo above. You can imagine how it made my heart sing when I was tagged into it and then given permission to share as well.

Baby Fox Pattern

Bonnets are just so timeless and they are one of my favourite patterns to design…I have a few more ideas sketched out, but it takes a lot of time to write them up and edit them, but I will work through them one by one.

This Baby Fox Bonnet was really fun to design and the pattern has been fully pattern tested to. You will find it is easy and quick to hook up and comes in sizes

Newborn
0 – 3 months
3 – 6 months
6 – 9 months
9 – 12 months
1 – 2 years
2 – 4 years

I chose Brushed Alpaca Silk yarn by Drops in pale rust, rainforest dew and grey for my baby fox bonnet; as it has a slight fuzz, is incredibly lightweight and is soooo soft. However, the bonnet can also be made from any worsted / aran weight yarn of your choosing…just check your gauge is correct as per pattern instructions.

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So, there we have the Baby Fox Bonnet. I think this pattern would make a lovely baby gift or a new-born photo prop. It would also be ideal if you are a finished piece crochet seller or of course if you just fancy making it for that special little person in your life.

I promise I will pop a post for the yarny little bumble bee here as a free pattern, hopefully before the end of August!! I also have plans for pumpkins in the pipe line as well as a beautiful Panda hat too! So do pop back won’t you, I love having you here and don’t forget to come and say hi over on Instagram @yarnyrobin or on facebook @baby yarnyrobin…I would love to see what’s on your hook at the moment!

Crochet hat pattern, bear hat

Baby Bear Crochet Hat Pattern…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

It’s been a little while since I dropped by, but I have been busy pattern writing. I hope you are all well and being creative; and if you’re not then I’m sending you lots of love.

Baby Bear Beanie Crochet Pattern

This beautiful Baby Bear Beanie, was actually one of the first hat patterns I ever scribbled down and I have made lots over the last few years. So it feels right that it is finally written up properly!

This pattern is a top down construction and has instructions for 2 different ways to finish the brim. Option 1 – features a ‘knit look’ ribbed crochet brim which is not bulky, unlike most crochet hats. I have provided a link within the pattern to a video tutorial on how to crochet the brim.

Option 2 is a chunky ribbed brim which uses front treble and back treble post stitches.

This beautiful pattern is quick to hook up, so just perfect if you need to whip one up quickly and it comes in sizes

Newborn
0 – 3 months
3 – 6 months
6 – 12 months
1 – 3 years
3 – 5 years

Materials you will need:
Aran / worsted weight yarn – pattern recommends Stylecraft special, but any aran/ worsted acryllic yarn may be used
(5.0mm) crochet hook or hook needed to acquire correct gauge
Tapestry needle
Tape measure
Pins
stitch marker (optional)

A perfect little pattern to keep precious heads warm this Autumn.

Baby Bear Beanie Crochet Pattern

Baby Bear Bonnet Crochet Pattern

crochet blanket, charming harbour blanket

Autumn Love…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Here are just two little reasons that I love Autumn…

AYARNYROBIN DOES AUTUMN
                                                               I think my flask needs a snug little blanket….

                                                                                        pyjamas on…crochet out

Simple pleasures.

xxxxx

Sunday…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

 

But, it is Tuesday I hear you say!

A beautiful Tuesday too, a happy day off for me catching up with family, drinking lots of coffee and I must confess a little nap before the school run instead of crochet. 

British countryside in the Autumn
a blustery Sunday walk in the countryside

So, I thought I would post the pictures of our lovely blustery Sunday countryside walk this weekend.

a British adder snake
a British adder snake

We were all thrilled to find this adder snake slithering across the path.  I have never seen an adder before, they are a rare sight.  They are also our only poisonous snake in Britain, so we got the dogs back on their leads quickly and let Mr adder go on his way.

british countryside in autumn

We continued our walk,  chatting and planning and breathing in the crisp air and generally being amazed by the beautiful British countryside.

Once home I curled up with my hook and began a new pattern which has been long overdue. 

A new tea cosy for the Grandma Collection.  I am almost done with it, so I will release it here  very soon I promise.

xxxxx

 

 

all photographs in this post are provided by Mr Little Brother…

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging

Happy Tuesday…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

crochet by the fireside.
my happy hooky space
mmmm….
no calorie donuts
100 patch granny
bliss x
Grandma Mary tea cosy
Vintage roses
crochet and coffee
Happy Tuesday
At the skate park…

Today has been a coffee and crochet kind of a day…except I forgot to take any photo’s ! 

So here are some photo’s of previous coffee (and tea) and crochet combo’s…just to give you the flavour of my day! 

Happy Tuesday.

xxxxx

C2C crochet blanket, afghan, corner to corner technique,crochet love heart squares, totally smitten

My Yarny Autumn Blanket Round up…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

With Autumn sneaking in…well here in the UK anyway, I thought I would take a little look back at some of my favourite blankets that I have hooked over the years. 

I rather think there is nothing as good to hook as a blanket, the process is satisfying and restful and of course it always involves that lovely stage of playing with colour and almost always buying new yarn!

Here is my yarny autumn blanket round – up…pattern details can be found in the links below or on my Ravelry page just here.

Granny square camping blanket
already a firm favourite!

This is my favourite camping granny square blanket.  Strictly speaking I did not hook this one as the squares were made for me from all around the world.  In return I sent squares all across the world too.  You can read more about this blanket here .

crochet blanket
design by Katherine Eng

This beautiful apartment lapghan in  this stunning alpine colourway, was a fabulous hook.  It challenged me at the time with the starting chain in the middle of the blanket !  I finished hooking this in the sunshine and I was thrilled with the end result…a perfect gift.

granny square blanket
Using up scraps!

I loved the alpine colourway so much that I used the scraps from the lapghan to make this simple granny square blanket.  I love to hook a traditional granny square  and always return to this pattern every now and then! I couldn’t resist a fringed edge for this one and it didn’t disappoint.

ripple crochet blanket
ripple so far…Attic 24 pattern

This happy ripple was another perfect gift…and just had to have a happy bobble edging to crown it.   This was a very, very happy hook…and I wished I could have kept it for myself!!!

crochet blanket, basket weave
basket weave baby blanket

Gorgeously cushy and in chilli pepper red. This basket weave baby blanket nearly tipped me over the edge, to read why click here.   I’m glad I have done basket weave, but it is my least favourite stitch and I think you get very similar results and much more joy from a C2C (corner to corner) technique. I did not follow a pattern as such, I followed a you tube clip on basket weave stitch (I cant remember which one!) but  my ravelry page for this blanket is just here, it might give an idea of amount of yarn used etc

Cosycattage blanket, ayarnyrobin, crochet blankets
Cosy Cottage Blanket by Attic 24

Another Lucy blanket and a dash to the finish line.  A simple hook but a mammoth project.  I love this blanket and still get to snuggle under it even though it was a gift…as I gave it to my Mom!

Pattern details just here

crochet baby blanket, popcorn stitch
rows of popcorn stitches

Once I had the pattern repeat in my head, I was able to hook this beautifully understated baby blanket on auto pilot.  I adore the popcorn stitches, and the alternating texture of this blanket.  This blanket draped well, felt soft and squishy and I remember thinking any baby would feel cherished snuggled in this blanket.   For pattern details click here.

crochet blanket, traditional giant granny square

Another great stash buster and great for crocheting whilst watching a box set…A giant granny square blanket.  Going back to my roots with this blanket as it was one of the first patterns I taught myself to hook…so the pattern is in my head…but youtube traditional granny square and you will be certain to find a tutorial for sure.

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging
100 patch granny

I kept this 100 patch mini granny square blanket after learning sometimes smaller is better!  I couldn’t resist another bobble edge again, but this time in duck egg.  I joined the squares using a double crochet technique which frames each square beautifully. Pattern details are here.

crochet v stitch blanket, rainbow blanket
Very V blanket

A rainbow lovely. 

This  simple v stitch blanket proved to be nothing but joyous from the moment the yarn arrived in its lovely balls all bagged up together.  Hooking this merry delight was rhythmically therapeutic and soothed me whenever I picked it up…needless to say I couldn’t put it down! 

Pattern details just here.

crochet baby blanket

An interlocking stitch on this Baby Wilmer blanket, gave a dense squishy feel and a reversible fabric, ideal for putting in the pram.  Using just 3 colours also meant I could work the yarn threads up the sides of the blanket without getting in a tangle; meaning colour changes were a doddle and  the number of ends to be woven in at the end were reduced by a gazillion!

C2C crochet blanket, afghan, corner to corner technique,crochet love heart squares, totally smitten
C2C Totally Smitten blanket

And finally, the blanket on my hook at the moment, a real stunner and a keeper…this C2C heart blanket which I am smitten with.  Pattern details just here and yes… it is still awaiting a border. 

So, there you have it; my yarny autumn roundup of blankets I have made over the years.  I will never tire of hooking such beauties and I still have so many on my to do list. 

I hope if you have the blanket bug this may help in your happy, hooky deliberating. 

If you have got this far and read all of this and you don’t have the blanket bug, just know that you may well have caught it by now…look out for symptoms over the coming week!

xxxxx

 

 

 

crochet blanket, charming harbour blanket

Velo BIRMINGHAM 2017

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

15000 riders came past the bottom of our street yesterday, on a 100 mile ride on closed roads.  I made a coffee and took the very short walk in the early morning sunshine with the boys.

velo Birmingham 2017

I sat with my neighbours as we watched all sorts of people from all walks of life zoom past.

They rode so fast it made me a little dizzy, but they were so inspiring.  I guess all of them having different motives to complete the challenge.  

A lot of folk had been moaning about the extensive road closures…but I was excited, a few hours of something completely different and a rare chance for our community to come together and drink coffee on the pavement together and chat. 

I can’t tell you what 15000 riders looked like, I just know that for hours they poured down our hill, determined and pumped and probably a little exhausted, but exhilarated and achieving. 

I returned home, empty mug in hand

Velo Birmingham

I made a fresh coffee and settled down with new yarn and began to hook my newest project

crochet blanket, a new blanket…

a masculine and handsome edition to the blankets I have hooked in the past.  I’m 13 rows in and  loving it!

xxxxx

 

crochet barefeet sandals designed by yarnyrobin Aug 2017

Chased Home by the Rain…

Published on by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

The profit of a non working day is, I have a little crochet to show you. 

I can’t tell you of the glorious simplicity that being at home has afforded; even if it is just for one day in the working week. 

I just know that Tuesday is going to be my favourite day of the week from now on. 

I took Little Robin to school…Oh how I have missed doing that!  Then,  I headed straight for my crochet hook and finished off my barefoot sandals.

crochet barefoot sandals - Corfu designed by ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com, summer feet

Which I am super thrilled with. 

Shame it was too cold to wear them!!! 

Instead, Mr R and I headed out on a little bike ride

Which took us around our local paths where Autumn is beginning to creep; kissing the leaves  with it’s colour.

The leaves are just beginning to turn Autumn yellow in places

Our ride took us over the golf course,

 and by the old church.

To the café at the park, where we stopped for a bit of fruity refreshment.

Before being chased home by a very large rain storm. 

We made it home without getting wet, stopping briefly by little Robin’s school to hear the children playing in the yard (and to get my breath back!).  Happy sounds of children’s chatter and laughter which made me smile inside very much.  We also stopped at a badger carcass in the woodland, well it was the smell which stopped us…hundreds upon hundreds of maggots feasting upon dead badger! 

I did not take a photo of either the school yard for fear of being arrested; or the dead badger as I could not stomach the stench long enough… and besides I couldn’t decide on the badgers best angle!

crochet yarn bombwhich has stood the test of time

I did get a snap of this though on the last stretch home!

My gate yarnbomb over on the field. 

It is still there after all this time, well worn and stretched by the rain now; with holes where the birds have pecked at it. But, still there…well loved it would appear…which made me smile inside all the more. 

I really hope you had a good kinda day too!

xxxxx