Introducing the ‘Grandma Dot’ tea cosy…the third in the Grandma Collection
Dedicated to my husband’s Nanna Dot who was a truly formidable woman.
Nanna Dot was a tiny woman in stature but a mighty woman non the less.
Strong, brave and wise with the most beautiful smile. No matter what was going on or how much hell was breaking loose round about; Nanna Dot would make a cuppa tea or something a wee bit stronger and in a way that I still do not really understand, she would put things into perspective with a gentle reassurance.
I wish I had known Nanna Dot for longer. I especially loved her love of family and Christmas. Family were so important to her. When my first son was born, we counted from Nanna Dot and Grandad Ernie that our son was number 50….a BIG family indeed!
So this cosy is covered in ‘dotty little flowers’
A meadow of ‘dotty little flowers’ to represent the growth and legacy of her family, which at last count is upwards of 60!
So that is the Grandma Dot tea cosy in all of its glory, here is the pattern linky thing which is free and has a photo tutorial also.
As promised Ginny, here is my pattern for these cute Corfu barefoot sandals.
You will need approx. 7m of yarn for each sandal, I used Paintbox dk cotton in cream and a 4mm hook.
You will also need x5 beads for each sandal, I used beads from a cheap bracelet. Just make sure the threading hole in the bead is large enough for your yarn.
Other useful items you will need are a pair of scissors and a darning needle to weave in the ends.
This pattern uses English terminology and the following abbreviations:
Ch – chain stitch
st- stitch
slst – slip stitch
dc – double crochet
htr- half treble
tr – treble crochet
dtr – double treble crochet
By adjusting the number of chains in the ties, you can make them longer or shorter to suit. Additionally adjusting the number of chains in the toe loop for comfort may be required.
To skip photo tutorial, head to the end of the post for written pattern without photo’s.
So, assuming you have gathered your supplies cut at least 7m of yarn from the ball, knot one end and thread X5 beads on. The X2 beads nearest the knot will be located at the end of the ties of the sandal, the following X2 beads will be located, just before the tie chain starts, and the last bead you thread will be the bead nearest the toes (I used a different bead which was larger and sparkly for this)…the darker bead in the photo.
move the beads to the end of the yarn for later…
Now, starting at the other end of the yarn to the beads, leave a long length, approx. 50cms. You will use this at the end to make the toe loop. Make a loop
Chain 6 and bring first bead down
Join with a slip stitch into 1st chain – catching / incorporating the bead in the centre
Ch4 (counts as a dtr) As you make the next stitches around the bead be careful not to weave in the long tail that you are saving for your toe loop.
2dtr into loop (this can be a bit fiddly getting the hook in next to the bead)
Continue working in the loop around the bead as follows
2tr, 2htr, 2dc, 2htr, 2tr, 2dtr
and join with slst in top of beginning ch4 (feather made).
Now ch6,
in 2nd ch from hook *dc, 2tr,dc* (1st cluster)
miss a st and repeat *—* (2nd cluster), slst into top of feather.
Turn work so feather is on the your right hand side
The next set of stitches will be made in the base of the 1st cluster st, (see photo). But first, bring the second bead down and rest it on top of cluster, now slst in base of cluster st to secure.
*Dc,2tr,dc* in same space.
Bring down third bead and repeat *—* in second cluster.
To finish cluster slst in 1st ch at the start of 1st cluster (see photo above).
*Ch55, bring down 4th bead, slst into 4th ch from hook and pull tight to secure bead.
Dc in each ch back to cluster, slst into top of cluster* (tie made) repeat *—* to make second tie. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Returning to length of yarn left at start, weave end to bottom of feather
insert hook into top st of central dtr and pull up a loop
Ch12 and slst into top of central dtr which you started ch from. Tie off and weave in ends.
Now to make another!
I really hope you have enjoyed making these barefoot sandals, I would love to see some pictures if you have.
xxxxx
Written pattern without photo’s.
Corfu Barefoot sandal by ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com
cut at least 7m of yarn from the ball, knot one end and thread X5 beads on. The X2 beads nearest the knot will be located at the end of the ties of the sandal, the following X2 beads will be located, just before the tie chain starts, and the last bead you thread will be the bead nearest the toes
Now, starting at the other end of the yarn to the beads, leave a long length, approx. 50cms. You will use this at the end to make the toe loop.
Make a loop, Ch6 and bring first bead down, join with a slip stitch into 1st chain – catching / incorporating the bead in the centre.
Ch4 (counts as a dtr) As you make the next stitches around the bead be careful not to weave in the long tail that you are saving for your toe loop. 2dtr into loop (this can be a bit fiddly getting the hook in next to the bead).
Continue working in the loop around the bead as follows 2tr, 2htr, 2dc, 2htr, 2tr, 2dtr and join with slst in top of beginning ch4 (feather made).
Ch6, in 2ch from hook *dc, 2tr,dc* (1st cluster) miss a st and repeat *—* (2nd cluster), slst into top of feather.
Turn work so feather is on the your right hand side.
The next set of stitches will be made in the base of the 1st cluster st. But first, bring the second bead down and rest it on top of cluster, now slst in base of cluster st to secure. *Dc,2tr,dc* in same space.
Bring down third bead and repeat *—* in second cluster.
To finish cluster slst in 1st ch at the start of 1st cluster. *Ch55, bring down 4th bead, slst into 4th ch from hook and pull tight to secure bead.
Dc in each ch back to cluster, slst into top of cluster* (tie made), repeat *—* to make second tie. Fasten off and weave in ends.
Returning to length of yarn left at start, weave end to bottom of feather, insert hook into top st of central dtr and pull up a loop, Ch12 and slst into top of central dtr which you started ch from. Tie off and weave in ends.
The negatives… well it is lashing down with rain and I mean…LASHING!
The positives…the boys are chilled, they’re at home and we are counting down the days towards our Summer holiday. Mr R is properly on the mend and I’ve got an interview coming up.
Just a very short post to share the newest thing on my hook.
Paintbox dk cotton
I have had this beautiful basket of yarn for a little while now…and although it has been screaming at me to get my hook out everyday since I have had it; I have been patiently waiting for inspiration to fall. You see this yarn is gorgeous and deserves to be hooked into something just as lovely.
I have been wooed by #lemondesucrette’s beautiful heart baby blanket and have admired her progress from afar. I have also had an overwhelming desire to attempt C2C (corner to corner) crochet.
So, I have combined these two desires and am now addicted to hooking my own love heart blanket….
c2c beginningsfree pattern by MA Santos
I found the pattern on Ravelry by MA Santos and it’s free! If you have not done C2C before there are some good links to video tutorials within the pattern that are worth a watch.
Do not cut yarn at the end of each row. Instead, work with 3 balls bringing the selected yarn up the side of the work. This will prevent lots of ends needing to be sewn in!
Row 1: With yarn a, ch 9, 1htr in 2nd chain from hook,
1htr in each st across (8htr).
Row 1
Row 2: Join yarn b, ch2 (does not count as a st), turn. 1htr in each st across (8htr).
Row 3: Repeat row 2 with yarn c.
Juggling 3 balls will reduce the number of ends to be sewn in at the end!
Rest of rows: Repeat row 2, colour repeat – Yarn a,b,c to end. Measure against your dogs collar for length.
sew in ends…
Sew in the ends and whip stitch around dog collar as shown.
Sew a seam with a simple whip stitch.
tOP TIP:
To increase or decrease width of collar you could use a larger or smaller hook or increase or decrease the number of starting chains accordingly.
Voila…all done.
Jess likes her new collar…I hope you do too!
Enjoy the pattern and send me photo’s of your cutie sporting a yarny collar if you make one won’t you?
We are not used to a long spell of hot weather here in the UK, but this week has seen our temperatures soar way above 30 degrees.
Heavenly blue skies
And oh how lovely it has been, it has meant an exodus into the outdoors, picnics and walks and a lot of sunscreen!
But, I found myself unprepared in the crochet stakes…it was just too hot to be sitting under a half made blanket or to be half draped in a shawl; sweltering under a wool blend.
So, I have compiled my yarny list of the top 5 things to crochet when the temperature starts rising.
Small, picnic portable, quick to hook… and you will have a lovely pair of mitts ready for when the sun disappears and the colder weather brings a chill.
Hook one, or two, or three or more..you can always join them in the autumn when the warm weather is a distant memory…and between you and me…what’s another PHD!
Top 5 things to crochet when it’s hot…#3
A splendid little tea cosy…the perfect finishing touch to a sunny afternoon tea…. al fresco of course.
So, whether you are currently in the middle of a scorcher or if it has been a while since the sun shone down on you, I hope I have inspired you to grab your hook and get outside.
A simple but stunning item that you can make if you are new to crochet, or have an odd 50g ball of chunky yarn that your not sure what to do with, or if you need to hand make a present emergency style!
Yep, this beauty takes about an hour to make at most and the pattern (if you can call it that!) is just below.
You will need 50g of chunky yarn and a large hook. I used
and a 6mm hook.
So you have probably guessed it….begin making chains and don’t stop until you have about 50cms of yarn left.
Randomly tie the first part of a bow to form a loose knot in your chains at random sections down its length.
Chain reaction necklace scarf
Now join with a slip stitch into the very first chain to make an enormous loop.
It may be a good idea to secure the stitch with a stitch marker or safety pin so that your chains do not unravel during the next part.
Now find something to put your enormous loop of chains around… I used the stair post at the bottom of the stairs.
Start to make the loop smaller by crossing over the chains and hooking back over the post…or whatever you are using. Repeat the process until you have a handful of loops; that when placed around your neck fall just at the top of your tummy.
Next, you need to secure your loops together. To do this
remove the stitch marker / safety pin and reinsert your hook.
Pull the loop onto your hook to make the yarn looser. Now complete a giant double crochet (single crochet – American terms)… to do this take your hook under the handful of looped chains, yarn round hook and pull through, yarn round hook and pull through 2 loops on hook. Repeat x 9 more times. Fasten off and weave in any loose ends.
Introducing the ‘Grandma Dot’ tea cosy…the third in the Grandma Collection
Crochet blog 