gift – Crochet blog

Crochet Rainbow Pattern…

Published on May 14, 2020May 14, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Hi, I just wanted to drop by to share with you this fabulous and free crochet sampler rainbow pattern by the amazing Sharon from The Stitch Foundary

It’s a quick make and looks fabulous hung up in the window to show support to all of our key workers at this unbelievable time and to add some cheer and unite in community spirit.

From a crochet point of view, the pattern is free, easy to follow and has several different stitches which give the rainbow some lovely textures. There is no gauge to worry about and you can make it from scraps…what’s not to love!

I did alter mine slightly…sorry Sharon!

I used 5 stitches to complete my popcorns in the orange row, instead of the recommended 3 stitches…just because it made my popcorns fatter and I like nice fat popcorns! Then on the last row of red I chained 5 and missed a stitch, instead of chain 3 between each stitch…just because it made the row less ruffled and more arched and I preferred the more simple finish.

Anyway, it’s a fabulous pattern and will make you smile if you hook it!

xxxxx

Oops April…

Published on May 10, 2020May 10, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

Apparently April 2020 has been and gone, it has seemingly slipped by silently…drowned out by the roar of Covid-19, and all without as much as a blog post from me. My sincerest apologies, the NHS has been a crazy place to be employed of late and I have found it difficult to transition from there and slip into the rather relaxed mode at home…it feels like I am straddling two time zones!

I have been productive however, and I have a few things to show you and some good patterns I have found to share with you. The first of which is from one of my all time favourite designers…Mon petit violon. I have a brand-new niece scheduled to arrive in this world at any moment and I fell in love with the ruffle romper by Mon Petit Violon. So just before we were locked down I ordered 2 balls of Rico cotton soft in saffron. As soon as they arrived through the letter box I got my hook out and, well pretty much got lost in the beautiful stitches and shape of this romper. I oohed and aahhed as I hooked (no, I really did…out loud!). The pattern is a wonderful hook, it is clearly written and comes in two size options 0 – 6 months and 6 -12 months. I am hooking the 0 – 6 months as baby is due any day now.

There are plenty of helpful pictures included in the pattern too and although the stitches used are simple, I would suggest you would need some previous knowledge and experience of crochet and reading patterns so as not to be overwhelmed. Oh and of course it is very important to test swatch your gauge to begin with!

So there I was oohing and aahhing and hooking away merrily and what I should have done was read the partof the pattern which suggested amounts of yarn, because just as I got to the ruffle part…I ran out of yarn!

I should have ordered 3 balls! No problem! I thought and hit the button to order more…but an ‘out of stock’ message appeared! No problem! I thought as I checked the box that said ‘send email when back in stock’.

Three weeks passed and no email…a frantic search online found my heart sinking as shop after shop did not have any balls of saffron left. In desperation last week I put an appeal out on Instagram to see if any lovely hooker, anywhere in the world had some in their stash to sell to me… and my wonderful #sidekicksistas came to the rescue. The beautiful Karen alerted me to 3 balls that were available at Laughing Hens! Now I had never come across this beautiful gem of shop before…but I hit the order button and am now just waiting for my yarn to arrive, so I can get that ruffle hooked hopefully before my niece arrives!

Talking of patterns I just wanted to say a HUGE thank you for the support you have given to me with my recent pattern release.

You have really blessed me!

I promise I won’t leave it as long before I next drop by.

Stay safe.

xxxxx

#Sidekicksistas…

Published on January 21, 2020 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I wanted to stop by and show a beautiful shawl I made as a Secret Santa swap for one of my #sidekicksistas.

If you don’t know I am wonderfully blessed to be a part of a fabulous group of crafties that meets once a month. I met them online way back when I had my foot operation and I started the #seasidestashbustingblanket in 2018, and they kindly invited me along. They really are just the most supportive and creative women and we all share the same crafty kindred spirit. Even though I don’t make the monthly meets and only get to about three a year, I just love these women so much. The highlight is always our Christmas dinner in December where we all chip in and cook something for the table…here we are look…

This year for the secret Santa swap, I decided I was going to make a shawl and after a long trawl through ravelry, I set my heart on the Dragon Belly Shawl by Johanna Lindahl of Mijo Crochet. It is a free pattern and has a simple 2 row repeat, which means it is the perfect pattern to hook up whilst indulging in a box set. Perfect relaxing crochet. The pattern is well written and I will definitely be making this again.

I decided to treat my recipient to a Scheepjes whirl to hook this shawl in…well to treat myself really as I had never hooked with this yarn before and I had wanted to for ages. I chose the Blueberry Bambam which was my second choice. I had originally chosen the Jaffa Pop colourway…but it was out of stock everywhere, and I mean everywhere and was not due to be re-stocked until after Christmas. So Blueberry Bambam it was.

The yarn was a beauty to hook with. It is a beautifully soft cotton blend 4ply yarn which has a long gentle gradient. I used the whole 200g (1000m) and it made a great sized shawl. The whirl was worth every penny, as it produced a really lovely quality fabric which drapes amazingly. I love the raised rows of this shawl and it is aptly named the Dragon Belly for this reason. So, if your looking for a fabulous make which won’t tax your brain; but will certainly scratch that creative itch and give you a real sense of hooky satisfaction…this is the pattern to go for.

xxxxx

My Charming Harbour Blanket is finally finished!

Published on August 6, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

Wow…I have a finished blanket to show you! You may want to take a seat at this point as it has probably come as quite a shock to you. It may be even more shocking when I reveal that it has taken me over 18 months to get this stunner finished.

You can read the original post I wrote way back, when I initially put it on my hook just here. It has been neglected and unloved for much of that time, which is crazy because I have thoroughly enjoyed hooking every last stitch. The new owner of this handsome blanket now has it in his possession and I am so thrilled as he always was the intended heritor of this creation. I am also thrilled that I finished hooking the main body and border of this blanket in and around Brixham Harbour which seemed so fitting as I had named it the Charming Harbour Blanket.

I couldn’t resist adding four enormous pom poms to each corner. Mr R did not approve…but inside I squealed with delight at those fat poms!

I love this blanket and I love that it is certain to have more seaside adventures in a happy little camper van…because every camper van needs a little (lot) of crochet!

Now I’m pretty certain that a finished item equals buying more yarn…right?

xxxxx

Panda beanies…

Published on June 22, 2019June 20, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

One of my lovely crafty friends is having twins…very, very soon.

I knew I wanted to make her something handmade for the little ones and I knew I wanted to make something panda…ery!

I searched lots of sites for panda hats but, I just couldn’t find what I was looking for…surprise, surprise! There was nothing else I could do but come up with my own version of a panda hat…

and now I am so pleased I did because this is what I came up with

Just look at those panda eyes…

I’m not sure if I should write the pattern up or not. I would need to make a small charge as it would take me some time to work out all the sizes…What do you think?

Should I write up the pattern or not?

Let me know by casting your vote below.

xxxxx

A little crafty…

Published on May 26, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

Hello lovelies, I thought you may like to see what I have been up to lately. I have been busy crafting and hooking and I have also been busy ignoring my PHD projects in the hope I can convince myself it is ok to start more projects!

I have had this beautiful mustard coloured yarn for a little while and I knew I wanted to make a sweet little beanie for a little head. I still need to pop on a pom pom to finish it off, I just cant decide whether it should be black or white!

Any thoughts?

I even had enough left over to make a sweet little headband too…

I also made a large beanie for Papa’s birthday, Mr R made him some domino’s; so his birthday present was a real homemade affair this year.

The pattern for both the mustard beanie and Papa’s is my own, I just haven’t written it up yet. I have also done some more embroidery hoop art…this is my favourite one so far…

I also have some very exciting crochet news…but I can’t share that with you just yet, I promise I will do as soon as I am allowed. So you see I have been quite crafty. This afternoon though I am just deciding whether I really need this gorgeous shawl in my life and if so what colour yarns I should choose!

It’s a long weekend here in the UK, so I can spend some time crafting later and tomorrow too…Have a great week whatever you have planned.

xxxxx

Off Piste…

Published on May 11, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I said I would pop in and write about some recent makes…so here I am, I hope you are well. My makes of late have been a little off piste, in that they are not yarny at all!

Over Easter I had a little time away from work which was just delightful. The weather was sunny and spring was most definitely flourishing. The boys were off school too, so our days were lazy and quite carefree. Amongst the laid back ways, I still had chores and it was whilst ironing of all things that I was overwhelmed with an urge to embroider.

The urge just fell so heavy upon me whilst ironing an old but beloved blouse of mine. The material had become thinned in areas and I sadly decided the blouse could no longer be worn. I loved that blouse and some of the material was still good and this is what sparked my embroidery urge.

Having never done any embroidery before I happily abandoned the ironing pile and exchanged it for a pinterest exploration and I was gone for several hours. I gathered supplies and with a fabric sewing pen I sketched out my design. Between consulting youtube clips and pinterest I ventured on my maiden embroidery voyage. I loved it, it scratched that creative itch so well, I felt so deeply satisfied.

I can only show you a little of this make as it is a gift and is still to be gifted.

I embroidered at every opportunity, I just couldn’t put it down.

I made a second hoop which I can show you, as this has already been gifted.

Oh, how I adore French knots and satin stitching. What do you think?

xxxxx

Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy…Free Crochet Pattern and Tutorial.

Published on February 23, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

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.

I used less than 50g of Stylecraft special dk yarn in gold and scraps of apricot.

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.

crochet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial — 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

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!

THE Grandma Kathy Tea Cosy IS part of the Grandma Collection ©2018 designed by Nicola Florence @ayarnyrobin

The Grandma Florence Tea Cosy

Published on January 16, 2018January 16, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

In my haste to release the fourth gorgeous tea cosy of the Grandma Collection…The Grandma Florence tea cosy; I realised that I hadn’t posted the formal introduction. So here it is…

Dedicated to my lovely Momma…Florence.

My Mom: the woman who raised me and who has quietly influenced me throughout my life.

I followed in her duty shoes and trained as a nurse, inspired by memories of her putting on her nurses hat and cape…of course that style of uniform has long since gone…but I wanted to help people just like her.

My Mom has been such a creative influence in my life too, for as long as I can remember she has made stuff. Clothes, flower arrangements, knitting, patchwork quilts…no wonder I have the desire to create and craft.

My Momma has also taught me how to be a Momma to my boys…and if I do half as good as her then I’ll do alright by them! But most of all she is always there and she is kind and that is just what I want to be.

So this is the Grandma Florence tea cosy, a pretty cosy woven with bright ribbons to represent the encouragement, love and inspiration that my Momma has woven throughout my life… Thanks Mom!

xxxxx

So that is the Grandma Florence tea cosy in all of her glory, here is the pattern linky thing which is free and has a photo tutorial also.

xxxxx

Crchet tea cosy free pattern and tutorial

Grandma Florence Tea Cosy…Free Pattern and Tutorial.

Published on January 9, 2018May 1, 2018 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin12 Comments

This is the fourth tea cosy in the Grandma collection, and is sure to charm. The crochet mesh design means this pattern makes for a very quick hook up. Ideal for beginners using just a half treble crochet stitch, this cosy is abidingly delightful and will trim any tea pot with joy.

Dedicated to the inspiration that is ‘Nanna Florence’ otherwise known as my Mom!

The pattern makes a tea cosy that fits a standard 6 cup teapot.

I used less than 50g of Stylecraft special dk yarn in cream. Please note that I have used a different colour yarn in the beginning of the photo tutorial below.

You will also need a darning needle, a selection of 5mm wide ribbon, a 50cm length of fluff, a button, a pair of scissors and x4 stitch markers (or small safety pins or scraps of different colour yarn). The use of a hot glue gun is optional, ribbons can either be glued into position or stitched.