Spring is upon us, although I’m bracing for the Spring showers, which seem to have started early here! Whether you’re looking for a quick Easter make, for that last minute gift or Easter basket filler, I’ve got some patterns to tempt you…and most of them are FREE… Hurrah!
How about this as a sweet Easter basket filler for baby. Using Oeko Tex standard 100 approved 100% cotton in a 4ply; these lovey’s are soft to snuggle and safe to chew on…and are sure to become baby’s best friend.
This luxurious set of reusable soft textured facecloths and squishy scrubbies would make the perfect Easter gift for baby, Mom’s-to-be, or just that special girl in your life. They are quick and easy to make, so are perfect to add that handmade touch to gift baskets.
Why not hook this beautiful baby blanket, ideal for the spring / summer. A beginner’s introduction to filet crochet, the pattern is free and gives instructions on how to size up for a bigger blanket too!
The simplicity and sweetness of this beautiful Spring tea cosy, makes it quick to make. Suitable for a beginner with a little experience of working in the round, this tea cosy is sure to keep your Easter cup of tea as warm as your freshly toasted hot cross bun!
Don’t forget to pop over to my socials to say hi…I would love to see what’s on your hook. @yarnyrobin
Happy Hooking!
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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.
Why not join us at The Nest and get a monthly newsletter straight to your inbox, full of crochet goodness, early access to free patterns and exclusive discount codes.
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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.
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.
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
Spring is upon us, although I’m bracing for the April showers, which seem to have started early here! Whether you’re looking for a quick Easter make, for that last minute gift or Easter basket filler, I’ve got some patterns to tempt you…and most of them are FREE… Hurrah!
How about this as a sweet Easter basket filler for baby. Using Oeko Tex standard 100 approved 100% cotton in a 4ply; these lovey’s are soft to snuggle and safe to chew on…and are sure to become baby’s best friend.
This luxurious set of reusable soft textured facecloths and squishy scrubbies would make the perfect Easter gift for baby, Mom’s-to-be, or just that special girl in your life. They are quick and easy to make, so are perfect to add that handmade touch to gift baskets.
FREE crochet Spring Printable PDF
For the month of April 2023 only, if you sign up to my email list, you will receive a pdf for these beautiful spring printable mini tags and postcards, perfect for printing on your choice of card stock (I recommend business card stock) and attaching to your hand-made gifts this Spring / Easter. Please allow 24 hours for your email to update.
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Why not hook this beautiful baby blanket, ideal for the spring / summer. A beginner’s introduction to filet crochet, the pattern is free and gives instructions on how to size up for a bigger blanket too!
The simplicity and sweetness of this beautiful Spring tea cosy, makes it quick to make. Suitable for a beginner with a little experience of working in the round, this tea cosy is sure to keep your Easter cup of tea as warm as your freshly toasted hot cross bun!
Don’t forget to pop over to my socials to say hi…I would love to see what’s on your hook. @yarnyrobin
With Her Majesty’s Platinum Jubilee just around the corner I thought I’d share my progress on my Jubilee decorations and share the pattern with you. After all what good is a garden party or afternoon tea without a bit of bunting?
To make the bunting flags please see my previous post just here They are simple to make and the lace trim gives a pretty, vintage vibe. What’s more if you tie your embellishments to the flags rather than sew them on, the bunting can be recycled and dressed up again for the next occasion / holiday season in your calendar…clever eh!
I wanted my Jubilee bunting to be traditional in colour , so of course it had to be red, white and blue, but I wanted it to look pretty and almost understated, so you won’t find any navy or lipstick red here! instead I chose a more muted red tone and coupled it with a mid blue. I also wanted to incorporate the Union Jack and found these gorgeous little buttons, which again are more subtle in tone.
This pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and the stitch abbreviations can be found below. I have included US terminology in brackets if you wish to convert.
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.
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.
Large Jubilee Rose
In cherry
Leave a long tail, ch 50
Tr in 2nd ch from hook, tr in each ch along, dc in last ch
Ch3, turn
2tr in same space, 3tr in each st a long, dc in last st. Fasten off leaving a long tail
Small Jubilee Rose
In denim blue
Leave a long tail, ch 33
Tr in 2nd ch from hook, tr in each ch along, dc in last ch
Ch3, turn
2tr in same space, 3tr in each st a long, dc in last st. Fasten off leaving a long tail
To assemble
Spiral flower in an anti-clockwise direction with one long tail at the front of the rose and one long tail at the back of the rose. With a darning needle take the front tail through to the back of the rose to secure centre petal. Now make several passes of the needle at back of the rose making sure you catch all the layers of the rose. With other tail, thread darning needle and make several more passes at the back of the rose. Tie tails together in a knot to secure. Attach to bunting by passing both tails with a darning needle through to back of flag and tie neatly so tails tuck neatly behind flag and can be easily removed when you wish to re-dress your bunting. Add buttons to string in between flags with hot glue / glue gun.
If you like this pattern and would like me to continue to share my patterns please give me a clap and follow me on instagram
I would love to see your Jubilee Roses, so please tag me in your makes on social media and I will share your lovely makes.
Hey lovely people, I wanted to share this crochet pattern for this beautiful, understated bunting, which has a distinct vintage vibe. I’ve called it ‘dress me up bunting’ because the whole idea behind this bunting is that you can dress it up for different celebrations with add-on decorations and then re-dress it all over again…think crochet flowers, faux flowers, ribbons, buttons etc.
I didn’t want to have to make bunting over and over again to fit themes and colour schemes, so I thought I’d make some pretty bunting flags which look great on their own and then I can dress the flags accordingly and temporarily, making them just about as versatile as they can be.
I think this bunting looks so pretty and I have had fun trying it out around the nest. I have strung them for now on some hessian garden twine by simply pulling the twine through a few stitches at the back of each flag.
I really wanted to share the pattern with you, so keep reading if you are itching to make your own. The pattern is quick to make and would make a lovely gift for a crafty friend. The pattern is simple and ideal for beginners, using half treble crochet (UK) or half double crochet (US) and some decrease stitches.
I already have plans to dress this bunting for the Queens Platinum Jubilee celebrations which are just a few weeks away now…so watch this space as I am currently hooking some Jubilee roses.
You will need to gather some simple supplies if you want to hook up your own ‘dress me up bunting’.
I used Drops Safran cotton yarn in off white. I made 7 flags from 50g and by keeping short tails.
A 3.5mm hook, scissors and darning needle
I chose a simple white lace with a depth of 4cms. I used 22cms per flag, so just over a 1m 50cms for the 7 flags I made.
I also used a glue gun to attach the lace, but you could also sew this on if you prefer.
You will also need some ribbon or twine to string your flags with.
Don’t forget to tag me with your bunting makes using #dressmeupbunting @yarnyrobin I would love to share your lovely makes!
Stitches Used.
Ch: chain st
st: stitch
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.
Htr-dec: 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 2 loops, yarn over, insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull through so there are 4 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all 4 loops on hook.
The pattern is worked in rows and you will need to turn your work at the end of each row. Turning ch1 does not count as a st
Ch 31
R1: htr in 2nd ch from hook, htr in each ch along, ch1 turn (30htr)
R2 – 4: htr in each st along, ch1 turn (30htr)
R5: htr-dec, htr in next 26sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (28htr)
R6: htr-dec, htr in next 24sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (26htr)
R7: htr-dec, htr in next 22sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (24htr)
R8: htr-dec, htr in next 20sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (22htr)
R9: htr-dec, htr in next 18sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (20htr)
R10: htr-dec, htr in next 16sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (18htr)
R11: htr-dec, htr in next 14sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (16htr)
R12: htr-dec, htr in next 12sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (14htr)
R13: htr-dec, htr in next 10sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (12htr)
R14: htr-dec, htr in next 8sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (10htr)
R15: htr-dec, htr in next 6sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (8htr)
R16: htr-dec, htr in next 4sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (6htr)
R17: htr-dec, htr in next 2sts, htr-dec, ch1 turn (4htr)
R18: htr-dec, htr-dec, ch1 turn (2htr)
R19: htr-dec, (1htr) fasten off and weave in ends.
Use glue gun to attach lace across the top of the flag, making sure to secure a small overlap of lace at the back of the flag to give a neat edge. Alternatively, you could sew the lace in place with a needle and thread.
Make as many flags as you desire and simply string with ribbon or twine by hooking it through a few stitches at the back of the flag, behind the lace.
To make the flags hang nicely I hooked the twine through at 3 points on each flag, on the left, the right and in the centre.
You can now dress your bunting up with whatever you choose. In order to dress this bunting up and down attach any accessories so that they can easily be removed, that way your bunting can be dressed and re-dressed to your hearts content.
Don’t forget to tag me with your bunting makes using #dressmeupbunting @yarnyrobin I would love to share your lovely makes!
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!
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!!
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.
The ‘Florence cosy’ will add a large dose of fun to your teapot with a fluffy oversized pompom and woven ribbons.
and the ‘Kathy cosy’ offers understated off the shoulder glamour in traditional granny stitch style.
Each patterns is free and comes with a photo tutorial. They are easy to hook and make great weekend projects; which makes them the perfect gift for tea lovers.
Which one is your favourite?
I hope you will have fun hooking these great tea cosies.
This is the fifth tea cosy in the Grandma collection, and is quite simply delightful. The use of traditional granny stitches means that this pattern can be hooked within an evening. Ideal for that last minute handmade present. This cosy is sweetly uncomplicated and will cloak any tea pot with elegance.
Dedicated to the inspiration that is ‘Nanna Kathy’
The pattern makes a tea cosy that fits a standard 6 cup teapot.
You will also need a darning needle, pin or stitch marker and a pair of scissors.
Stitches used in this pattern refer to English terminology, however a conversion to US terminology is provided in brackets below.
Ch – chain stitch
slst – slip stitch
dc – double crochet (single crochet)
htr– half treble crochet (half double crochet)
tr – treble crochet (double crochet)
dtr – double treble crochet (treble crochet)
You will also need:
a 5mm crochet hook for main body of teapot and a
4mm hook to complete picot edging trim.
Ok, here we go…
Using the gold yarn and 5mm hook, Ch 20
To adjust cosy size, the starting chain should be equivalent to the height from the base of teapot to the top of the body of the teapot or to put it another way, to the start of lid. If adjusting the starting chain it must be a multiple of 3+2.
*********************
Row 1: dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each st along, ch3, turn (ch3 counts as tr) (19dc in total).
Row 2: 2tr in same space as ch3, *miss 2 sts, 3tr in next st (granny cluster)*
repeat * – * til end of row, ch3 (counts as tr) turn.
(x7 granny clusters / x6 spaces).
Row 3: miss 1st granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster, *miss granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster* Repeat * – * to last space, miss 2 sts, 1tr in last st of row, Ch3 (counts as tr), turn.
(20sts = x6 granny clusters / 7 spaces / 1tr on each end of row).
Rows 4: 2tr in same space as ch 3, *miss granny cluster, 3tr in space before next granny cluster* Repeat * – * to end. Ch3 (counts as tr), turn. ( 21sts = x7 granny clusters / x6 spaces).
Row 5: – 17: Repeat rows 3 and 4, but omit turning ch on row 17.
Row 18: turn, ch1 (does not count as st)dc in same space, dc in each st across, ch3 (counts as tr), turn.
(20sts).
Now to make the spout hole!
Row 19: 2tr in same space as ch 3, miss 2sts, 3tr in next st, ch 10, miss next x5 granny clusters / x4 spaces, 3tr in last st.
(20sts).
Row 20: ch1 (does not count as dc), dc into same space, dc in next 2sts, dc in next 10 chain sts, dc in next 6sts, ch3 (counts as tr), turn. (19dc).
Row 21: Repeat Row 2.
Row 22 – 32: Repeat rows 3 and 4 but omit turning ch on row 32.
If adjusting cosy size make sure to finish this section on a row that is the same as row 3 in the pattern ie/ starts and finishes with 1tr.
*********************
Row 33: ch1 (does not count as dc), dc in same space, dc in each st along and fasten off and weave in ends
(20dc).
nb/ top and bottom – x1 granny cluster underneath spout
Noting top and bottom correctly, attach gold yarn to top right side.
Now to complete the petals.
Row 34:ch1 (does not count as dc), dc in same space, dc in each st across – ( the term sts here is used loosely as they are actually the side posts of the trebles and double crochet sts of the previous rounds. It may look a bit ambiguous, but we are aiming to get 36dc across this top edge), turn.
try to space these sts as evenly as you can… its just a case of getting them in!
Row 35: ch1, *miss 2 sts, in next st place dc, htr, tr, 2dtr, in next st place 2dtr, tr, htr, dc*
Repeat * – * to end of row
slst to beginning ch1 to join cosy in a circle.
Side Seam: Place cosy on teapot and mark with a pin across top of handle, slst from top of cosy down to this point (approx. 1.5cms).
Return cosy to the teapot and repeat process, this time marking below the handle. Remove cosy leaving marker in place, continue to slst along one edge (not both) until you reach marker for the bottom of the handle. Now slst both edges together to bottom of cosy, fasten off and weave in all loose ends.
Picot trim: Finally, attach apricot yarn in any beginning dc of petal (ie. dc to the right hand side of petal).
With a 4mm hook, ch1 (counts as dc), dc in next 3sts, dc in next st, ch3, slst into 1st ch (picot made),
dc into same space as previous dc, dc in next 4sts…1st petal edged.
For next petal and for all petals around, dc in next 4sts, dc in next st, ch3, slst into 1st ch, dc in same space as previous dc, dc in next 4sts.
NB/ do not crochet in this space by mistake
Do not crochet in this space by mistake else your picot will not be central!
To finish slst to beginning ch of trim, fasten off and weave in ends.
Now I think it’s time for a brew…don’t you?
xxxxx
I REALLY HOPE YOU HAVE ENJOYED MAKING THIS PATTERN AS MUCH AS I HAVE ENJOYED CREATING IT FOR YOU. IF YOU ARE NOT SURE ABOUT SOMETHING OR NOTICE ANY ERRORS PLEASE SHOUT UP. EQUALLY PLEASE FEEL FREE TO SHARE YOUR Grandma Kathy Tea cosy CREATIONS IN THE COMMENTS BELOW or with the #THEGRANDMACOLLECTION #AYARNYROBIN ON SOCIAL MEDIA…I WOULD LOVE TO SEE THEM!
There is a brand new tea cosy on the kitchen counter. Another brand new addition to the tea cosy series that is called the Grandma Collection and this one’s called ‘Kathy’.
The free pattern and tutorial will be available here on Friday.
Would you like a sneak peek?…
This photo was snapped last week, but it shows you some glorious gold granny stitches.
I can’t wait to share it with you all this Friday.
This is the fifth tea cosy in the 
Crochet blog 