ravelry – Crochet blog

#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

Last minute Easter pattern…

Published on April 6, 2019 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

I thought I’d drop by to let you know all about a really cute pattern I have found. It’s a quick make and the pattern is free (always a bonus!) and it would make a super cute Easter gift or spring gift.

It’s a very sweet little lambs hat, what could be more spring like…apart from a little fluffy yellow chick perhaps!

The pattern is available in all sizes from 0 -3 months right through to big peoples sizes and it is brilliantly written. If your thinking I’m not sure about making those bobbles there is a useful youtube link to help you with that. All in all this pattern would take you a couple of hours to make…that’s plenty of time to hook yourself a little flock.

I just adore how those lamb ears are low set and droop down.

Of course I made a pink one too…

So here are the pattern details…

Pattern by: Sarah Zimmerman

Pattern Name: Lamb’s Hat

Have you found any good patterns worth a shout out recently?

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.

crochet granny squareblanket with bobble edging — 100 patch granny

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

C2C Love…

Published on July 12, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin16 Comments

Just a very short post to share the newest thing on my hook.

I have had this beautiful basket of yarn for a little while now…and although it has been screaming at me to get my hook out everyday since I have had it; I have been patiently waiting for inspiration to fall. You see this yarn is gorgeous and deserves to be hooked into something just as lovely.

I have been wooed by #lemondesucrette’s beautiful heart baby blanket and have admired her progress from afar. I have also had an overwhelming desire to attempt C2C (corner to corner) crochet.

So, I have combined these two desires and am now addicted to hooking my own love heart blanket….

I found the pattern on Ravelry by MA Santos and it’s free! If you have not done C2C before there are some good links to video tutorials within the pattern that are worth a watch.

It’s quite addictive and I am totally smitten!

xxxxx

Free dog collar crochet pattern…

Published on July 2, 2017February 19, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin15 Comments

Isn’t she a sweetie?

I can’t believe she will be 3 years old in August….do you remember her as a tiny pup?

How time flies, and oh how dirty her collar had become, despite washing it!

So of course it seemed sensible to make her a little yarny cover for her collar and this is how I did it!

‘Such a cutie – dog collar’…free pattern:

Pattern uses English terminology (American equivalent in brackets). You will also need a dog collar.

St/ s – stitch / es

ch – chain

htr – half treble (hdc – half double crochet)

I used Paintbox dk cotton yarn

yarn a – washed teal

yarn b – lipstick pink

yarn c – bubblegum pink

Do not cut yarn at the end of each row. Instead, work with 3 balls bringing the selected yarn up the side of the work. This will prevent lots of ends needing to be sewn in!

Row 1: With yarn a, ch 9, 1htr in 2nd chain from hook,

1htr in each st across (8htr).

Row 2: Join yarn b, ch2 (does not count as a st), turn. 1htr in each st across (8htr).

Row 3: Repeat row 2 with yarn c.

Rest of rows: Repeat row 2, colour repeat – Yarn a,b,c to end. Measure against your dogs collar for length.

Sew in the ends and whip stitch around dog collar as shown.

tOP TIP:

To increase or decrease width of collar you could use a larger or smaller hook or increase or decrease the number of starting chains accordingly.

Jess likes her new collar…I hope you do too!

Enjoy the pattern and send me photo’s of your cutie sporting a yarny collar if you make one won’t you?

xxxxx

#HOBCAL

Published on April 23, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin5 Comments

Following on from my epic fail I sought solace in my ironing pile and some of my favourite crochet podcasts.

It was whilst watching one of these podcasts that I stumbled upon the perfect remedy for my misery…a CAL (crochet-a-long)!

So, with much excitement I ordered my yarn and made a start.

The pattern is written so well but is challenging my skills also. The design is amazing; I love how the different elements of this shawl work with one another.

I think this CAL runs until the end of May, so if you are looking for a challenge and want to join in it is not too late.

Here are all the details you need:

Hotel of Bees pattern

CAL hosted by Cherry Heart and Betsymakes

Ravelry group

search #HOBCAL

xxxxx

Newest stash…

Published on February 26, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Day 26 of

#yarnlovechallenge

and we are almost at the end now.

The theme for today is ‘newest stash’.

This is luscious Scheepjes Merino Soft that was delivered just the other day by the fabulous folk over at Woolwarehouse. They have always given a prompt and excellent service and have a fabulous range of yarns.

This lovely collection of yarn is soon to be hooked up into the even lovlier Sunday Shawl.

Community

Published on February 5, 2017February 2, 2017 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin3 Comments

Day 5 of

#yarnlovechallenge

it’s not too late join in.

Community…

The global square exchange on ravelry is a fabulous group of folk to share love of yarn with. This is the result of international swapping….my blanket ‘around the world in 64 squares’.

xxxxx

Very V blanket tutorial

Published on August 30, 2016January 10, 2023 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin20 Comments

Thank you for your lovely comments about my latest blanket off the hook…the ‘Very V’ blanket.

It really is very simple to hook, so I thought I would put together a little tutorial, as I have not done one for a while and because I have some rare time off on my own. The tutorial can be found below. You can also check out my latest free pattern The Angelece baby blanket by clicking on this link.

So, clearly this is not an original pattern. I say that from the offset because of copyright and all of that. Let’s be honest…the humble ‘v stitch’ has been around for years. But this is my tutorial in case you want to have a crack for yourself and you have never done a ‘v stitch’ and you are a visual kinda gal or guy.

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Here we go!

Final measurements: 132cms x 120cms / 52″ x47″

I used Stylecraft special dk , for it’s durability, softness and price! The colorway I used:

Lipstick x 1 ball

Meadow x1 ball

Saffron x 1 ball

Violet x 1 ball

Spice x 1 ball

Lobelia x 1 ball

Storm blue x 1 ball

Cream x 3 balls

You will also need a 4mm hook and a darning needle to weave in those ends!

Of course if you are using different yarn then you may need to use the recommended hook size for your chosen yarn; and of course you can alter the finished size by hooking more or less chains to start.

Your hooking tension (we are all different) may also mean you need more or less chains to start with.

Lets start, are you ready?

Abbreviations used are below and are English terminology.

Ch = chain stitch

Chs = chains

Tr = treble stitch (double crochet in US terminology!)

St = stitch

Slst = slip stitch

Sp = space

Pattern order I used:

Row 1: Cream

Row 2: Lobelia

Row 3: Violet

Row 4: Cream

Row 5: Storm blue

Row 6: Meadow

Row 7: Cream

Row 8: Saffron

Row 9: Spice

Row 10: Cream

Row 11: Lipstick

Row 12: Indigo

Row 13: Cream

Row 14: Violet

Row 15: Storm blue

Row 16: Cream

Row 17: Meadow

Row 18: Saffron

Row 19: Cream

Row 20: Spice

Row 21: Lipstick

Row 22: Cream

NB/ the first and last row form the edging for the top and bottom of the blanket so use the colour you wish to edge the blanket in, for row 1.

Chain 175 in cream

(This gave me about a 1m 15cm /42″ length of Ch. But any odd number of Chs will work to suit the size blanket you are wishing to hook!).

2tr in 5th ch from hook,

miss a ch, 2tr in next ch

miss a ch, 2tr in next ch

miss a ch, 2tr in next ch

Repeat * – * across the row.

Finishing with 1tr in last ch. Change colour. As shown below, I change colour by completing half of the process for the last tr (ie/ leave two loops on the hook). Complete last part of tr in new colour as shown.

I find this makes colour changes more secure. These ends should be tied to secure further. Top tip! leave the ends long (approx. 10cms) so that weaving in is easier.

Turn. Ch3 (counts as 1tr)

2tr in the middle of set of tr’s of previous row

Continue along the row.

finishing with 1tr in top of 3rd ch on previous row.

Change colour. Turn.

And that’s it!

Top Tip!! Weave in the ends every few rows.

Repeat rows 1-22 x5 times.

Then repeat rows 1 – 13 to finish body of blanket. And if you did not adhere to the top tip above…now is the time to weave in those ends!

InstagramCapture_a30fea23-613a-4f2f-8788-4163b29b22dd

I’ve gone all minimalistic for the edging because the blanket itself is simply stunning in this colourway and I did not feel like it needed something fussy to detract from its beauty.

This is what I did.

The first and last row (in cream if you have been following this colourway) form the edging for the top and bottom of this blanket. In cream / your chosen edging colour join in the space at the bottom right of your blanket as shown.

Ch 3 and slst into the top st of the first tr/ch3 of 1st row.

Ch1, 2tr in same sp

2tr in next sp (the sp is the gap between the side of the first sts of each row), 2tr in next sp.

Continue along the edge until you come to the top corner. 2tr in last sp, ch 1, 1tr in same sp.

Then slst into the top st of the first tr/ch3 of last row as shown. Fasten off. Repeat for the other side of the blanket.

Finally, in Lobelia (or your chosen colour) join in any st of edge with a slst.

Slst in each st around edge of blanket. Fasten off and weave in loose ends. And that is it, you should now have one of these to snuggle under…or reluctantly gift.

Well done if you got this far.

I really hope you have found this tutorial easy to follow. I welcome feedback, so let me know how you got on and if you want to share your picture of your finished make you can in the comment section below.

I would love to see what you have made.

xxxxx

A Bobbly Baby Blanket

Published on March 6, 2015 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin8 Comments

This is my latest finish and to be honest it has been uplifting to have a quick win with this one. It has been a a joy to hook and because the yarn was aran weight and I could use a larger hook, it grew at a pace.

warm and soft

chunky and drapes well

a no fuss edge

rows of popcorn stitches

The yarn is of course my trusted Stylecraft Special Aran in cream and I did not get to choose the colour this time, as this is an order… I have really enjoyed working in one tone, and the pattern lends itself beautifully to a block of one colour. I will most certainly be returning to this pattern, details of which can be found below. The really fabulous part of this blanket is that the back looks just as pretty as the front …

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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

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Just a very short post to share the newest thing on my hook.

I have had this beautiful basket of yarn for a little while now…and although it has been screaming at me to get my hook out everyday since I have had it; I have been patiently waiting for inspiration to fall. You see this yarn is gorgeous and deserves to be hooked into something just as lovely.

I have been wooed by #lemondesucrette’s beautiful heart baby blanket and have admired her progress from afar. I have also had an overwhelming desire to attempt C2C (corner to corner) crochet.

So, I have combined these two desires and am now addicted to hooking my own love heart blanket….

I found the pattern on Ravelry by MA Santos and it’s free! If you have not done C2C before there are some good links to video tutorials within the pattern that are worth a watch.

It’s quite addictive and I am totally smitten!

xxxxx

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Like this:

Isn’t she a sweetie?

I can’t believe she will be 3 years old in August….do you remember her as a tiny pup?

How time flies, and oh how dirty her collar had become, despite washing it!

So of course it seemed sensible to make her a little yarny cover for her collar and this is how I did it!

‘Such a cutie – dog collar’…free pattern:

Pattern uses English terminology (American equivalent in brackets). You will also need a dog collar.

St/ s – stitch / es

ch – chain

htr – half treble (hdc – half double crochet)

I used Paintbox dk cotton yarn

yarn a – washed teal

yarn b – lipstick pink

yarn c – bubblegum pink

Do not cut yarn at the end of each row. Instead, work with 3 balls bringing the selected yarn up the side of the work. This will prevent lots of ends needing to be sewn in!

Row 1: With yarn a, ch 9, 1htr in 2nd chain from hook,

1htr in each st across (8htr).

Row 2: Join yarn b, ch2 (does not count as a st), turn. 1htr in each st across (8htr).

Row 3: Repeat row 2 with yarn c.

Rest of rows: Repeat row 2, colour repeat – Yarn a,b,c to end. Measure against your dogs collar for length.

Sew in the ends and whip stitch around dog collar as shown.

tOP TIP:

To increase or decrease width of collar you could use a larger or smaller hook or increase or decrease the number of starting chains accordingly.

Jess likes her new collar…I hope you do too!

Enjoy the pattern and send me photo’s of your cutie sporting a yarny collar if you make one won’t you?

xxxxx

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Following on from my epic fail I sought solace in my ironing pile and some of my favourite crochet podcasts.

It was whilst watching one of these podcasts that I stumbled upon the perfect remedy for my misery…a CAL (crochet-a-long)!

So, with much excitement I ordered my yarn and made a start.

The pattern is written so well but is challenging my skills also. The design is amazing; I love how the different elements of this shawl work with one another.

I think this CAL runs until the end of May, so if you are looking for a challenge and want to join in it is not too late.

Here are all the details you need:

CAL hosted by Cherry Heart and Betsymakes

search #HOBCAL

xxxxx

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Day 26 of

and we are almost at the end now.

The theme for today is ‘newest stash’.

This is luscious Scheepjes Merino Soft that was delivered just the other day by the fabulous folk over at Woolwarehouse. They have always given a prompt and excellent service and have a fabulous range of yarns.

This lovely collection of yarn is soon to be hooked up into the even lovlier Sunday Shawl.

Share this:

Like this:

Day 5 of

it’s not too late join in.