winter warmer – Crochet blog

Free Snowflake Coffee Cup Cosy…

Published on December 24, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

It’s been a while since I gave you a free pattern and I really wanted to share something with you in time for Christmas…I’m not sure I’ve entirely reached my goal as it is already Christmas Eve! Anyway better late than never and the really good news is this takes under an hour to make, so if your stuck for that last minute gift, this is perfect

This striking, seasonal cup cosy features textured popcorn stitches and embroidered snowflake finished with a little bit of sparkle.

You will need:

a small amount of chunky yarn. I used Stylecraft Softies stone washed in Denim and cream.

5mm hook,

darning needle to weave in the ends.

Beads x 17

Glue gun to attach beads or you could sew them into position.

Pattern Notes:

Abbreviations used UK terminology (American terminology in brackets)

At the end of each round join with a slst and ch1. Ch 1 does not count as a st throughout pattern

Repeats are marked by *

To prevent your starting chain from twisting ch 5, remove hook from active loop and insert through 1^st ch made

Stitches:

st – stitch

slst – slip stitch

ch – chain

dc – double crochet (sc -single crochet)

Dc2tog – decrease / Sc2tog – decrease (US)

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.

PC: Popcorn st –5dc in same st, pull up active loop on your hook and remove hook, insert hook in 1^st dc (just count back 5dc), catch the active loop of the 5^th dc, draw the active loop through 1^st dc

Dc2tog – decrease st worked over 2 stitches: insert hook under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 2 loops on your hook, insert hook into next st, yarn over and pull through so there are 3 loops on your hook, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.

Let’s go!

Ch30 (or adjust chain to fit your cup, just keep ch a multiple of 2)

Join with a slst to form a ring

Round 1: dc in 1^st st and in each st around (30dc)

Round 2: dc in 1^st st and in each st around (30dc)

Round 3: repeat round 2

Round 4: dc in the next 10sts, *PC, dc* to end of row

Round 5: dc in 1^st st and in each st around (30dc)

Round 6, 8 & 10: repeat Round 4

Round 7, 9 & 11: repeat Round 5

Round 12: repeat Round 5

Round 13: dc2tog, dc in each st around (29dc)

Round 14: dc2tog, dc in each st around (28dc)

Round 15: dc in 1^st st and in each st around (28dc)

Weave in any loose ends.

In accent colour yarn, hand embroider a simple snowflake. Embroider a simple cross and then add a diagonal cross. Now add a ‘v’ to the end of each point. Weave in any loose ends. Add a bead to each point around the snowflake and one in the centre. Beads can be hand sewn for security or glued into position with a hot glue gun!

Happy Christmas!

XXXXX

Get 10% off new pattern…

Published on January 28, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

As promised my Toasty Earflap hat pattern is now available to purchase over in my etsy shop. Available in sizes newborn – large adult it really is a pattern suitable for the whole family. Grab 10% off all my patterns until Sunday 30th Jan 2022 using code HAPPY10

XXXXX

Free Galentines Coffee Cup Cosy…

Published on January 25, 2022January 5, 2023 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

It’s been a while since I gave you a free pattern and I really wanted to share something with you to celebrate Galentines Day, which is only a couple or so weeks away now. What’s more I’ve teamed up with my favourite coffee brand at Campfire Coffee, so you can grab 15% off some seriously awesome premium craft coffee to gift with your cosy or to sup yourself. Just use code

YARNYROBIN15

(campfire coffee offer entitles you to 15% off your order, one use per person and not valid on subscription orders)

I recommend the coffee bags for great coffee on the go!

This cute coffee cup cosy has a cute ribbed top brim and a chic lacy body made from clusters of v stitches, before nipping in at the base with a band of double crochet stitches and being finished with a yarny little heart.

The pattern is simple and quick to hook up and can be made from stash… just perfect for gifting and treating your best friends with or of course yourself!

You will need:

a small amount baby / sport weight yarn. I used Scheepjes stone washed in Moon Stone and Red Jasper. Pattern does share how to make cosy smaller or larger, so dk yarn will work also.

3.5mm hook,

darning needle to weave in the ends.

Abbreviations used UK terminology (American terminology in brackets)

st – stitch

slst – slip stitch

ch – chain

dc – double crochet (sc -single crochet)

htr – half treble crochet (hdc – half double crochet)

tr – treble crochet (dc – double crochet)

dtr – double treble (tr – treble crochet)

Turning ch does not count as a st unless otherwise stated

V cluster st – in same st, 2tr, ch1, 2tr (in same st 2dc, ch1, 2dc)

We will start by making the ribbed brim.

Ch5

Row 1: Dc in second ch from hook and in each st along (4dc), ch1 turn,

IN BACK LOOPS ONLY

Row 2: Dc in each st along, ch1 turn (4dc)

Rows 3 – 33: repeat row 2 (increase or decrease rows in rib to fit around your cup. Rib number of rows must however be a multiple of 3, remember the cosy will stretch) join rib ends with a slst to form a circle, ch1

Round 1: work 33 dc into top of rib, ch2 (or dc the equivalent number to rows in your rib eg/ 30 rows in rib then 30dc in row 4)

Round 2: * v cluster in 1^st st, miss 2sts,* repeat * – * to end of round, join with a slst in top of ch2 (11 v clusters)

Round 3: ch2, *v cluster in ch 1 of previous round* see picture below. Repeat * – * all around, slst in top of ch2

Round 4 – 6: repeat round 3

Round 7: ch1, dc in first st, *miss a st, dc in next st* repeat all around, slst in top of ch1 (29dc)

Round 8 – 10: ch1, dc in each st around, slst in top of ch1 (29dc) fasten off at end of round 10.

In accent colour make heart. If you would like more of a photo tutorial for this click here otherwise follow the instructions below.

Ch2

Round 1: 10dc into 2nd ch from hook, slst in to top of 1^st dc form a circle

Round 2: Ch 1, 2dc into each st around (20dc)

Round 3: Ch4 (counts as a dtr), 1dtr in the next 3 sts, 1tr in next 4sts, 1htr in next st, dc in next st, ch3, slst into same space (this creates a picot), dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next 4 sts, 1dtr in next 4 sts, slst in to ch1 of beginning ch4.

Round 4: ch4 (counts as a dtr), 3dtr into next 3sts, (these are actually the chains from previous round) 1tr in next 3 sts, 1htr into the next st, 1dc in next 4sts, slst in picot space, ch3, slst in to same space (picot made), 1dc in next 4 sts,1htr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts, 1dtr in next 4sts,

slst in to the cleft of the heart to finish. Fasten off leaving a long tail and sew to cosy, weaving in any loose ends.

Now, just make as many cosy’s as you have best friends and don’t forget to grab 15% off some awesome coffee to complete your gift by using code

YARNYROBIN15

over at Campfire Coffee while you can!

campfire coffee offer entitles you to 15% off your order, one use per person and not valid on subscription orders

XXXXX

Just in time for Christmas…

Published on December 23, 2017December 23, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin14 Comments

I just wanted to bob in and out quickly to let you know I did it…I got the hat done and this time it fits!

What do you think?

I am really pleased with it!

I used Stylecraft Special Chunky in Midnight and King Cole Tonal Chunky in Misty Teal this time and this seems to have made all the difference in terms of size and stretch. It still needs to stretch a bit…it is an only just fit, but I am hoping it will stretch a little more as it gets worn. The hats I have made previously have always stretched a bit when worn.

If you are interested in the pattern details the links to such can be found in this post. I modified the brim slightly by adding a row of double crochet to the bottom of the brim once I had taken it off the loom. I found the edge curled outwards otherwise and didn’t lie flat. I think this may have something to do with my cast on technique and being a novice loom knitter!

So there it is… just in time for Christmas!

I would recommend this pattern if you are still outstanding a hand made gift for Christmas…4 hours and I had this knocked out, so there is still time!

Talking of which if you do celebrate this festive season then I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas. If you are not celebrating then I wish you a happy and crafty weekend. I will try and pop by before the new year, I’m sure I will feel the need to escape the madness at some point.

xxxxx

Hats life!

Published on December 9, 2017December 9, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

Thank you so much for your hat suggestions, I have really enjoyed looking at them and reading your thoughts about them. In the end I went with a loom knitted hat, inspired in part by a post I read by Kagibari ami unravelled and a forgotten find in the back of a wardrobe.

Do you remember this?

No!

Well if I am honest, I had forgotten about it too and seemingly abandoned it in the back of a wardrobe.

This was my first dabble with loom knitting and on closer inspection, it was a bit holey and I could not remember what pattern I was using or where I had got up to. So after falling into the abyss of you tube and loosing myself for almost a whole day, I set my beating heart upon this pattern

bicolour brioche stitch hat by Tuteate.

I unravelled the yarn from my loom, and began again… only this time I was making a beanie hat for Mr. R.

Oh! how I loved knitting and purling, even if I did have to rip it back 3 times…yes 3 times!!!! to start over and make an emergency dash to the habadashery shop when I snapped my loom pick as my tension was too tight!

When I saw those knitted stripes in perfect formation I didn’t care that my fingers hurt a little or that I had ceased all work on my Charming Harbour Blanket for my new love.

I soldiered on until the end, enjoying every knit stitch and every purl stitch until I cast off and realised…

this beautiful beanie would not be gracing the fair head of Mr R at all because it was just too small…

but it did fit my little birthday Robin and doesn’t he look dandy in it?

and just in time for the snow!

xxxxx

Charming Harbour crochet blanket for him by ayarnyrobin

The Charming Harbour Blanket…

Published on November 20, 2017November 18, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin13 Comments

After a slow start I am finally making steady progress on my Charming Harbour blanket.

crochet blanket, charming harbour blanket — In the beginning…

I have found myself flitting from one project to the next lately, but I am getting at least a couple of rows hooked each evening now; which is reassuringly comforting as the pattern is so familiar.

Charming Harbour Blanket, crochet blanket, mens blanket — Charming Harbour Blanket in the making

I am enjoying the simplicity of the colourway also. A trio of sober colours, which formally stand to attention and which make this blanket so wonderfully handsome and so beautifully striking.

The yarn has also proven to be a joy to hook with. The yarn is from the Women’s Institute…you can read my review of it just here.

I am totally thrilled with this blanket’s reversibility which was entirely serendipitous. The right side is darker

and the back (I can’t call it the wrong side…because it is not wrong at all!) is lighter altogether.

I have not been disciplined in weaving in the ends as I go, so I must make more effort else I will have a mammoth task at the end!

Yes, this Charming Harbour blanket is just that…

charming!

xxxxx

Autumn Love…

Published on November 2, 2017 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….

Simple pleasures.

xxxxx

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging

Happy Tuesday…

Published on October 3, 2017 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

C2C crochet baby blanket, crochet heart squares in paintbox cotton yarn

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 September 30, 2017September 30, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

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

Chain Reaction Necklace Scarf…

Published on March 1, 2017March 1, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Here is a quick pattern for a necklace scarf.

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.

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.

Happy Christmas!

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I just wanted to bob in and out quickly to let you know I did it…I got the hat done and this time it fits!

What do you think?

I am really pleased with it!

So there it is… just in time for Christmas!

I would recommend this pattern if you are still outstanding a hand made gift for Christmas…4 hours and I had this knocked out, so there is still time!

Talking of which if you do celebrate this festive season then I wish you a peaceful and very happy Christmas. If you are not celebrating then I wish you a happy and crafty weekend. I will try and pop by before the new year, I’m sure I will feel the need to escape the madness at some point.

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

Thank you so much for your hat suggestions, I have really enjoyed looking at them and reading your thoughts about them. In the end I went with a loom knitted hat, inspired in part by a post I read by Kagibari ami unravelled and a forgotten find in the back of a wardrobe.

Do you remember this?

No!

Well if I am honest, I had forgotten about it too and seemingly abandoned it in the back of a wardrobe.

This was my first dabble with loom knitting and on closer inspection, it was a bit holey and I could not remember what pattern I was using or where I had got up to. So after falling into the abyss of you tube and loosing myself for almost a whole day, I set my beating heart upon this pattern

bicolour brioche stitch hat by Tuteate.

I unravelled the yarn from my loom, and began again… only this time I was making a beanie hat for Mr. R.

Oh! how I loved knitting and purling, even if I did have to rip it back 3 times…yes 3 times!!!! to start over and make an emergency dash to the habadashery shop when I snapped my loom pick as my tension was too tight!

When I saw those knitted stripes in perfect formation I didn’t care that my fingers hurt a little or that I had ceased all work on my Charming Harbour Blanket for my new love.

I soldiered on until the end, enjoying every knit stitch and every purl stitch until I cast off and realised…

this beautiful beanie would not be gracing the fair head of Mr R at all because it was just too small…

but it did fit my little birthday Robin and doesn’t he look dandy in it?

and just in time for the snow!

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

After a slow start I am finally making steady progress on my Charming Harbour blanket.

I have found myself flitting from one project to the next lately, but I am getting at least a couple of rows hooked each evening now; which is reassuringly comforting as the pattern is so familiar.

I am enjoying the simplicity of the colourway also. A trio of sober colours, which formally stand to attention and which make this blanket so wonderfully handsome and so beautifully striking.

The yarn has also proven to be a joy to hook with. The yarn is from the Women’s Institute…you can read my review of it just here.

I am totally thrilled with this blanket’s reversibility which was entirely serendipitous. The right side is darker

and the back (I can’t call it the wrong side…because it is not wrong at all!) is lighter altogether.

I have not been disciplined in weaving in the ends as I go, so I must make more effort else I will have a mammoth task at the end!

Yes, this Charming Harbour blanket is just that…

charming!

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

Here are just two little reasons that I love Autumn…

Simple pleasures.

xxxxx

Share this:

Like this:

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

Share this:

Like this:

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.

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 .

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.

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.

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!!!

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

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.

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.

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

Share this:

Like this:

Here is a quick pattern for a necklace scarf.

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.