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.
Well the rain and the snow finally stopped for a little while and the sunshine made a cameo appearance last week.
It seems more rain and freezing temperatures are on there way again! But, the sunshine certainly influenced my hooking last week and I took my hook alfresco whenever I could. I have also enjoyed getting back outdoors and walking the dogs now my foot has finally healed.
Of course there were pit stops along the way!
I have also been keeping up to date with the seaside stashbusting CAL…this photo was taken at the trampoline park.
Not much has occurred on the knitting front, in fact it would be fairer to say nothing has happened. I am enjoying my hooking far too much to be slowed down by needles and I have a couple of commissions that I really must finish. One of which I can now show you…
Aren’t they just the sweetest?
I loved making these little baby shorts.
The pattern is by Mon Petit Violon Designs and I will definitely be hooking some more. I used Rico baby cotton soft yarn in a dk weight and a denim blue and finished them off with some little wooden buttons. Rico was a lovely yarn to hook with and has given a beautiful stitch definition to the garment. Of course it is soft enough for babies skin also and machine washable.
Finally, I just wanted to say a BIG thank you to everyone who has given me such encouraging feedback across my social media about the Sunshine Jelly Baby Blanket…
I am so thrilled to be able to introduce the Sunshine Jelly Baby blanket to you.
This delightful crochet blanket is vibrant and fun to hook and the pattern is available, complete with a photo tutorial just below. Made from Drops Muskat cotton, it measures 74cms x 74cms or 29″ x 29″…the perfect pram blanket size, of course you can make the blanket bigger by adding more squares if you wish. You can also check out my latest free baby blanket pattern…The Angelece Baby Blanket by clicking this link. This delicious blanket is made using the Robins Nest square which I designed a few years ago and if you are a regular here you will know that I have recently updated this pattern. When I firstdesigned this square I always intended to make a baby blanket…I guess somethings just take a while to come to pass.
As always I’m using English crochet terminology. Ch – chain Slst – slip stitch dc – double crochet tr – treble crochet
ch3 – counts as a treble unless otherwise stated. I’m using drops muskat cotton.
and I’m using the colours and quantities listed below red – 100g old pink – 80g white – 50g vanilla yellow – 65g dark orange -20g
sky blue – 35g
apple green – 50g
and a 4mm crochet hook and a 3.5mm crochet hook
Each lovely yarny square measures 7″ x 7″ or 18cm x 18cm once blocked.
You will need to make 16 squares to make this blanket arranged
4 x 4…
of course you can make more squares if you wish to make a larger version.
So here goes…
with a 4mmhook ch2, join with ss to form a tiny ring (you could make a magic circle instead if you prefer)
Row 1: ch3,
11tr into ring,
join blue yarn and slst into 3rd ch
(12tr in total).
Row 2: ch3,
1tr in same space, ch1
2tr in next st, ch1
*2tr in next st, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times,
join white yarn and slst into 3rd ch
(12 clusters of 2tr and 12 ch spaces).
Row 3: ch3,
*3tr in next ch space*,
repeat * * x10 times, 2 tr in next ch space,
join with slst in top of ch3 and fasten off.
(12 clusters of 3tr).
Row 4: join green yarn in between any cluster of 3tr of previous round and ch3,
3tr in same sp, ch1
*4tr in between next cluster of 3tr, ch1*,
repeat * * x10 times, join with slst in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 4tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 5: join yellow yarn in any ch space and ch3, 4tr in same sp, ch1
*5tr in next ch space, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times, join with slst in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 5tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 6: join pink yarn to any ch space and ch3, 5tr in same sp, ch1, *6tr in next ch space, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times, join with ss in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 6tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 7: join red yarn in any ch space, ch3, 5tr in same space,
ch3,
6tr in same space (corner made),
*6tr in next ch space, 6tr in next ch space,
6tr in next space, ch3, 6tr in same space* (2nd corner made) repeat * * x2 times
6tr in next space, 6tr in next space, join with slst in beginning ch3. Do not fasten off.
Row 8: ch3,
1tr in next 5sts,
*6tr in ch3 sp, ch2, 6tr in same space (corner made),
*1tr in next 5sts,
dc UNDER next stitch (indicated by the hook)
1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch
1tr in next 6sts, 6tr in ch sp, ch 2, 6tr in same space*
repeat * * x2times
1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5 sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5 sts, dc under next stitch, slst to beginning 3rd ch to finish. Weave in ends.
Blocking:
A word on blocking: Before blocking…
Your square will be wibbly. After blocking…
Your square will lie flat and will look much better. Blocking is really worth the extra effort and isn’t difficult or expensive to do. I just pinned this square to my ironing board so that it measured 7″ by 7″ and hovered my iron just above the square and blasted it with steam. Allow to cool before unpinning and store carefully. Alternatively, you could pin the square to the required measurements to a towel or a pin board, spritz with water and allow to dry.
Joining:
I have used a simple and easy slip stitch to join these squares. I have chosen this join for two reasons. The first reason is that it is secure and does not add anything to the squares, allowing them to showcase themselves.
The second reason is it uses the least amount of yarn and also creates less ends to weave in.
So to join the squares start by placing 2 squares with the right side to the right side…ie/ the wrong side of each square will be facing outwards.
Note that this join requires you to place slip stitches in the top of the stitches along the edge of the square and you should go under both loops of each stitch.
Some stitches will require you to slip stitch in both stitches of each square, these stitches should be the corresponding stitches for each square. Some stitches will require you to slip stitch in the top square only. This is because the squares are only joined to each other at each corner and in the middle of each scallop.
Join yarn in 2nd ch of any corner space and with a 3.5mm hook slst,
in both squares slst in the next 6sts,
in top square only slst in next 6 sts (tr), slst in next st (dc), slst in next st (1st tr of scallop),
*in both squares slst in next 3 sts (2nd, 3rd &4th st of scallop),
in top square only slst in next 3sts (tr,dc,tr)*
repeat * – *
in top square only slst in next 5sts,
in both squares slst in next 6 sts, miss chst, slst into 2nd ch of corner space.
Repeat this process for each side of the square which requires joining. You will not need to cut your yarn at the end of each side joined as you can continue round by adding another square. I started joining in the middle of the blanket. You will have to join in a new corner space for some of the joins, but the process remains the same.
I would love to see your makes and you can share on social media by using the following hashtags
#ayarnyrobin #yarnyrobin @yarnyrobin
This pattern to include the photos are the property of Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin. You can’t modify, resell or share this pattern. You can sell finished items made from it, but please mention that the item is made using AYARNYROBIN pattern.
I have not knitted every day this week; I have done a wee bit though. Most of my yarn time has been given over to a beautiful crochet baby blanket and to getting the pattern and tutorial ready to go out in a couple of days, which actually has been quite time consuming…
It’s a good job I love to do nothing better!
But back to knitting…this is what I have completed.
I have completed 35 rows of stocking stitch.
Told you it wasn’t much…but this is what I have learned. Purl stitch is spelt P.U.R.L… not as I had spelt it in my last post!
I think I can count the rows better if I look at the purl side. I also have been keeping track of which row I am leaving my stitches at by emailing myself…you may laugh but it works for me!
I have also had another little lesson with Mom, no wine involved this time; in which we discussed and she demonstrated increasing and decreasing and I got a little frustrated…!
Mom also gave me an old pattern just to look through and get familiar with the terms and just actually reading a knitting pattern…which got me thinking that making these squares is a bit dull.
Before I knew where I was, it was way past midnight and I had picked out a few easy knit mitts and beanies over on ravelry…this is my favourite just here
Now do you think I should really start something just yet?
I have updated this lovely pattern and have re shot the tutorial photos, so they are clearer. I have also updated this pattern on ravelry too so you can save for later if you want to.
Hope you enjoy!
As always I’m using English crochet terminology. Ch – chain Slst – slip stitch dc – double crochet tr – treble crochet
ch3 – counts as a treble unless otherwise stated. I’m using drops muskat cotton
and I’m using the colours listed below, you will see you only need a very small quantity of yarn. red – 16g old pink – 5g white – 3g vanilla yellow – 4g dark orange -1g
sky blue – 2g apple green – 3g and a 4mm crochet hook.
This lovely yarny square measures 7″ x 7″ or 18cm x 18cm once blocked.
So here goes… ch2, join with ss to form a tiny ring (you could make a magic circle instead if you prefer)
Row 1: ch3,
11tr into ring,
join blue yarn and slst into 3rd ch (12tr in total).
Row 2: ch3,
1tr in same space, ch1
2tr in next st, ch1
*2tr in next st, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times, join white yarn and slst into 3rd ch (12 clusters of 2tr and 12 ch spaces).
Row 3: ch3,
*3tr in next ch space*,
repeat * * x10 times, 2 tr in next ch space,
join with slst in top of ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 3tr). Row 4: join green yarn in between any cluster of 3tr of previous round and ch3, 3tr in same sp, ch1
*4tr in between next cluster of 3tr, ch1*,
repeat * * x10 times, join with slst in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 4tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 5: join yellow yarn in any ch space and ch3, 4tr in same sp, ch1
*5tr in next ch space, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times, join with slst in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 5tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 6: join pink yarn to any ch space and ch3, 5tr in same sp, ch1, *6tr in next ch space, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times, join with ss in ch3 and fasten off. (12 clusters of 6tr and 12 ch spaces)
Row 7: join red yarn in any ch space, ch3, 5tr in same space,
ch3,
6tr in same space (corner made),
*6tr in next ch space, 6tr in next ch space,
6tr in next space, ch3, 6tr in same space* (2nd corner made) repeat * * x2 times
6tr in next space, 6tr in next space, join with slst in beginning ch3. Do not fasten off.
Row 8: ch3,
1tr in next 5sts,
*6tr in ch3 sp, ch2, 6tr in same space (corner made),
*1tr in next 5sts,
dc UNDER next stitch (indicated by the hook)
1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch
1tr in next 6sts, 6tr in ch sp, ch 2, 6tr in same space*
repeat * * x2times
1tr in next 5sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5 sts, dc under next stitch, 1tr in next 5 sts, dc under next stitch, slst to beginning 3rd ch to finish. Weave in ends.
A word on blocking: Before blocking…
Your square will be wibbly. After blocking…
Your square will lie flat and will look much better. Blocking is really worth the extra effort and isn’t difficult or expensive to do. I just pinned this square to my ironing board so that it measured 7″ by 7″ and hovered my iron just above the square and blasted it with steam. Allow to cool before unpinning and store carefully. Alternatively, you could pin square to the required measurements, to a towel or a pin board, spritz with water and allow to dry. A very versatile yarny square.
I thought you might like another little update on the slow CAL (crochet a long) I’m participating in which is being hosted by the lovely Eleanora over at coastal crochet. You can also find lots of other amazing blankets and makers participating in this CAL across social media by searching #seasidestashbustingblanket.
But let me show you weeks 9 – 12. I have enjoyed these weeks so much, hooking out and about in town
The blanket is certainly growing larger and no longer resembles a scarf…in fact it is way past scarf stage now and is handy for keeping my lap warm whilst I hook away.
I think this will be the last close up picture where the whole of the blanket will fit into frame.
I’m still ploughing through my stash too, so this makes me doubly thrilled with this blanket. I find I am really looking forward to every Monday and Friday when the next rows are released. I love the surprise of not knowing what the next set of rows will be.
I have knitted religiously every day this week; just a little bit here and there. I read about the brain having ‘muscle memory’ and the importance of repetition when learning something new. If only knitting practice or crochet for that matter toned the physical muscles…I would be a goddess by now!
So I have knitted more squares using the ‘knit’ stitch and I have sorted out the wibbly edge. I am pleased with my tension and I am not getting a random extra stitch anymore. I can cast on and off all by myself too. I have learnt that this knit stitch is also called garter stitch and that when the fabric is separated you have an umbrella and a v underneath…but to count the stitches is tricky. I am doing 40 rows not 20 like I thought!
This is my weeks work…
On Friday evening my Mom came round with some more wine…(there is a theme here isn’t there?) and taught me how to pearl.
Now as far as I can tell this is just backward knit stitch, but I love it. It gives a flatter fabric which makes my heart flutter a little bit. I thought I would be able to make squares just from pearl stitches but Mom explained that I could not do this and would need to make squares to practice that were made up of a row of knit stitch followed by a row of pearl stitch; repeated…also known as ‘stocking stitch’.
I love that in knitting there is a term like stocking stitch or garter stitch which refers to a pattern repeat…I don’t think crochet does this so well.
Anyway, this is my first attempt at stocking stitch…can you notice the BIG whoops? Yes, I lost track of my rows and must have pearled or knitted two rows together and my flatter pearl rows jumped over to the bumpier knit side! Oh well! It may have been the wine.
I still can’t count the rows…it is so difficult to count the rows.
I have tried before, but it has not ended well. For a while now I have thought about knitting, but then I would recall my previous attempts and squash any thought I had.
But, just the other week I spied the most gorgeous pair of fair isle mitts I ever did see and I thought I must learn to knit. Then I thought of my previous attempts at knitting and instead of squashing that thought…I thought… I SHOULD really learn to knit. Of course, me being me I have set my heart on fair isle. I know it is most complicated and tricky, but it is also absolutely beautiful. And so, here I am documenting part 1 of my yarny knitting adventure.
If you have read my previous post you will know that there is still much crochet going on here at the nest too and that will continue as always.
So, yesterday afternoon after Easter Sunday dinner at my parents house, my Mom fetched her hoard of knitting needles and sorted me a pair of 4mm needles…an odd pair, but a pair non the less.
Mom, then showed me how to cast on and do a knit stitch. 20 stitches per row and set me the task of knitting 20 rows.
I found the knit stitch reassuringly satisfying as the needles made a gentle clicking sound and of course the familiar feel of the yarn in my hands was heart warming. The 21st stitch that appeared from no where was baffling as was the loopy first stitch in every row.
I must also stress the responsibility of holding 20 (sometimes 21) stitches on the needle all at the same time instead of the 1 stitch in crochet required much concentration…which after 3 large glasses of wine was a challenge I must confess. After a good nights sleep I continued with my task until I noticed something didn’t look quite right, see…
Now, I still am not quite sure what had happened here, but I also couldn’t just leave it. So I ripped the rows back
recaptured the 20 little stitches and continued until I could count 19 rows and 20 stitches on the needle. Now I thought do I knit another row to make 20 rows or do the stitches on the needle count as row 20 already??? Cue Mom and another cup of tea and a cast off lesson to!
I am so pleased, but I still have to get this knit stitch nailed.
I still need to be able to cast on and knit on my own, visually recognise the stitch so that I can recognise when the stitch is not right. I need to fix the wibbly edge and cast off on my own too. So I plan on knitting some more knit stitch squares before progressing to pearling.
So, I can no longer say I can’t knit, instead I can now say I am learning to knit.
I have so many projects half done or PHD’s as I like to call them and I am enjoying hooking them all. The problem has been deciding which one to pick up and which one to put down!
I have my Lazy Days broomstick lace blanket which is just divine to hook, but I have to keep count, so this is best hooked when I’m on my own. It has grown considerably since it was snapped here and looks more like this now…
It is so pretty.
I have decorated my bedroom now, so I really must make this a priority to finish.
The next PHD is this beauty…
crochet and coffee
Technically, this is a PHD, but it is also up to date as it is being hooked as a CAL (crochet a long) blanket, so this super #seasidestashbusting blanket has x4rows added to it each week and is growing fast. You can read about it just here.
making stash pretty…
Then, there is this lovely spiked stitch baby blanket, which I don’t think I have introduced you to yet. I will write a post about it soon complete with pattern details I promise. The important detail for now is I’m using up stash…yes, I’m on a mission!
I am still plodding on with my Charming Harbour blanket, although progress is slow as the lure of the brighter colour blankets call louder to me. However, this quiet and unassuming blanket thrills me once it is on my lap, it’s simplicity and beauty seduces me and I feel I should apologise to it for leaving it alone for so long.
Charming Harbour blanket in progress…
So, that’s four blankets on the go. I also have a flower fiesta commission that I should be getting along with. I have made a start…but I also have lots more to get done. Then there is a little baby romper that I need to start and several baby hats too!
You may have noticed some funny business going on here over the last week too…apologies if you have been affected. I have had a little reorganisation of this space and now have some of my patterns featuring at the top of the main page. I have also finally got my own logo which I am super pleased with.
I am also about to launch a new series called
‘My Yarny Knitting Adventure’
I can’t resist any longer and I have set myself the challenge of learning to knit. I am collecting my knitting needles from my Mom tomorrow and I’m going to see what happens, so look out for a lot of dropped stitches and some yarny tangles!
I also have a pattern release due out mid April. It is a free pattern for a beautiful crochet baby blanket, I just need to put the component pieces together…..
Wow, that seems like rather a lot now that I have written it down all in one place…I had better pull my hook out!
Well this is the last yarn a long Sunday in this March series. It feels like ‘blink and you will have missed it!’
Easter has hurtled at us and March is almost through!
Thank you so much for last weeks natter…I loved chatting with you about life’s little motto’s. I found it quite inspirational and have carried them with me through this week…not always successfully, but I have tried.
If you are not quite sure what I’m on about you can check out last weeks comment thread just here.
You can find week 1’s ‘Why do you craft, crochet, knit?’ yarn a long, just here
and week 2’s ‘How to fix a crochet blanket’ just here …
just in caseyou wanted to catch up and of course you can still join in with any of them.
If you are returning then welcome back…and thank you.
Now, as this is our last yarn a long for now, this week’s topic is
xxxxx 
join blue yarn and slst into 3rd ch
Row 2: ch3,
1tr in same space, ch1
2tr in next st, ch1
*2tr in next st, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times,
Row 3: ch3,
*3tr in next ch space*,
repeat * * x10 times, 2 tr in next ch space,
join with slst in top of ch3 and fasten off.
join blue yarn and slst into 3rd ch
Row 2: ch3,
1tr in same space, ch1
2tr in next st, ch1
*2tr in next st, ch1*, repeat * * x10 times,
Row 3: ch3,
*3tr in next ch space*,
repeat * * x10 times, 2 tr in next ch space,
join with slst in top of ch3 and fasten off.
I found the knit stitch reassuringly satisfying as the needles made a gentle clicking sound and of course the familiar feel of the yarn in my hands was heart warming. The 21st stitch that appeared from no where was baffling as was the loopy first stitch in every row.
Crochet blog 