Saturday 28 March 2015

CAL Week 9 Crossed Double Trebles

Week 9 Rows 52-58




Row 52 (sea green)

Ch2, 1 htr in same stitch and across in every stitch to end



SPECIAL  STITCH    Crossed Double Treble Stitch - (crossed dbtr)(US Crossed tr)
yo twice, put hook in missed stitch from back to front, yo and pull through back to the front so there are 4 loops left on the hook, yo pull through 2, yo pull through 2, yo pull through last 2 loops. Check out my YOU TUBE TUTORIAL HERE

Row 53 ( turquoise)


Ch4 =1 dbtr , *miss 1 stitch, 1 dbtr in next stitch


1 Crossed dbtr in missed stitch...so YO twice




Insert hook from BACK TO FRONT under missed stitch




YO and pull back through under that missed stitch



So 4 loops left on hook


Yo pull through 2 loops so 3 loops left



Yo pull through 2 loops so 2  loops left on hook



Yo pull though the last 2 loops so one loop left. 1 crossed DBTR worked.


 Repeat from * to end, 1 dbtr in last stitch


Row 54  ( pale blue)

Repeat Row 52 (Ch2, 1 htr in same place then 1htr in every stitch across to end)



Row 55 ( Blue)

Repeat Row 53 (crossed dbtrs)



Row 56 ( plum)

Repeat row 52 (htrs)



Row 57  ( pink)

Repeat row 53 again




Row 58  (sea green)

Repeat row 52



Happy Hooking!  X















Monday 23 March 2015

"It's all about the CAL 'bout the CAL, lots of Trebles..."

News from Barkham





This CAL thingy has really been taking up a lot of my time recently and it makes me realise just how much work goes into pattern and tutorial writing...I take my beanie off to all those bloggers and pattern writers the world over! I just think of all Lucy's patterns on Attic 24 as an example...so many free tutorials with lengthy instructions and beautiful photos...and all for free. Amazing.

Anyway, hooky news from Barkham. I suppose my most exciting news is that I now have a little space in the very lovely Creative Crafts shop in the Harris Arcade in Reading. If you've ever been you'll know what a hidden gem of an arcade it is. Built in 1930 (here's the history if you're interested) it is pretty much unchanged since then with fabulous architecture and features completely hidden from the bustling modern outside world. It really is like stepping back in time.

The Friar Street entrance to Harris arcade in the swinging 60s.

There are over 20 retailers selling a real eclectic mix of things from traditional sweets, bespoke hand- made hats,vintage-inspired clothes, to records, tobacco, fine wines and shoes to name but a few. Well worth a visit!

The Creative Craft Shop is run by a lovely lady called Adriana who is super talented, running workshops in all sorts of things at the weekends as well as working full time during the week. She asked me if I fancied supplying her with a few of my crocheted items to sell in the shop so at the beginning of March I set up my space. How exciting! It's just a shelf, but it's a whole shelf in a real shop and I'm very proud!

Here's the shop from just outside, in the Arcade itself

and here's another view...


Yahoo! My own stuff for sale in a proper grown up shop!

I had to put a few ponchos in...and I've sold 1 already!

I think I was a wee bit excited as most of my photos appear to be slightly shaky!

Apart from making stock for the shop I've been busy making lots of other stuff as well, some for myself like this poncho made from Stylecraft Harlequin using the Simply Crochet Cowl Neck pattern by Simone Francis...

I just LOVE this neck..high enough to keep you warm but not too tight as to make it itchy...

...and this yarn is just so delicious...all my fave colours in one hit.

I had to put pom poms on too...
...just like I did for my Pom Pom Poncho from last year!

I made another one in purple for a friend's birthday and am pretty sure they'll be plenty more over the next few months...maybe one in cotton for the summer perhaps?

I've made a PISTEHEAD hat too for a customer who specifically asked for a Dalek...so here's what  I came up with...

EXTERMINATE...


I finally finished my 200 Blocks Blanket which I had relegated to my WIPS of shame so here it is in all its finished (finally) glory...

I used a mix of Debbie Bliss and Rowan DK and 4ply Cashmerino/Cashsoft which I'd picked up in the sale

and I chose more muted colours than I usually do to give it a vintage vibe

I really do love this blanket but it will be a one-off...

...Far too much work involved to do another one any time soon!


I then had a need to make something small and from one ball so the obvious thing to do was socks! I've always been quite envious of the way that knitters create that gorgeous stripey effect on socks so bought some sock yarn and had a go.

This is Drops Fabel...cheap and lovely to work with

I love my new socks!


...But I think I'm over crocheting them for now as they are quite time-consuming being worked all in DCs and a small hook.  Give me chunky and a size 6 anytime!








Sunday 22 March 2015

CAL WEEK 8 Rows 42-51 Moss/Linen Stitch




As you have probably noticed there are a few more than 5 rows this week but don't panic! They are just simple rows of dcs and chains so nice and easy but very effective. I love this stitch and think it would make a gorgeous cowl...
*****EDITED 5/5/15....This has turned out to be a tight combo so either do it more loosely than you would normally or go up a hook size! **********

Row 42 ( pale blue)

Ch3, 1 tr in next and every stitch along to end

Row 43 ( pink)

Ch1, 1dc in same stitch, *(1ch, miss 1 stitch, 1dc in next stitch  repeat from) * to end


Row 44 ( light blue)

1ch, 1dc in same stitch, *(1dc in next chain space from row 43, 1ch, miss 1 stitch, 1dc in next chain space) repeat from * ending with 1dc in in last stitch



Row 45 ( lavender)

1ch, 1dc in same stitch, *(1ch , miss 1 stitch, 1dc in next chain space), repeat from *, making sure that all your dcs go in the chain spaces and that all your chains go above the dcs from the previous row. 




Rows 46-50

Repeat this pattern for 5 more rows (or as many as you want).

This shows rows 42-48


Row 51 ( pale blue )

Ch3, 1tr in every stitch across to the end.



Happy Hooking everyone...I really LOVE this one so hope you do too as I will be repeating it!





Sunday 15 March 2015

CAL WEEK 7 Rows 36-41 Fans



I have forgotten to draw the second treble and chain at the beginning of row 38 so it should be 4 chains and a treble (=v-stitch) Sorry. Also ROW 41 either do 3 or 4 half trebles at start and finish in chain space depending on your stitch count.

IF YOU DON'T HAVE EXACTLY THE SAME AMOUNT OF FANS OR STITCHES AS ME DON'T PANIC! All our blankets will be slightly different but that's fine. Just put as many repeats in as you can while keeping the ends straight...


Row 36 (Turquoise)

Ch2 , 1 htr in same and every stitch along to end


Row 37  (Dusky pink)

1ch, 1 dc in same stitch  *miss 3 stitches, 9tr in next stitch, miss 3 stitches, 1 dc in next
Repeat from * to the end. Don't worry if you don't have the exact number at the end just try to keep it straight! (famous last words...)



Row 38 ( purple)

Ch4 , 1 tr in same stitch (= v stitch)  * ch5, miss the 9tr group, V Stitch of {1tr 1ch 1tr} into the next dc, repeat from * to end , finishing with a V stitch in last stitch ..

sorry about the bad lighting...


Row 39  ( Dusky Pink)

Ch3 , 4 tr in same stitch (=5 tr), *1dc in 5th tr of the 9tr group from previous row, taking care to enclose the ch5 that lies directly above the group, 9tr in the ch1 space of the V-stitch, repeat from *, ending with 5tr in the turning chain


Row 40 (purple)

Ch1 , 1 dc in same place, ch3, miss 5 tr then do a V-stitch (1tr 1ch 1tr) in the dc between the treble groups (fans), *ch5, v-stitch in next dc space, repeat from * ending with 3ch + 1dc in turning chain. 


Row 41 (turquoise)

Ch2, htr in same place, 3htr or 4htr (see chart and caption) in first ch3 space, * 3htr in  V-stitch SPACE, 2 htr in first part of ch5 SPACE, 1dc in the 5th tr of the 9tr group (as in row 39), 2htr in last part of the  ch5 space, repeat from * ending with 3htr or 4htr in the last chain space plus 1htr in turning chain. 














Sunday 8 March 2015

CAL WEEK 6 SPIKES

 ROWS 29-35 Spikes





Row 29 Pink

Ch 3, 1 treble in every stitch across

 Row 30 Pink

Ch1, 1 dc in same stitch then 1 dc in every stitch to end


Row 31 Green

Ch3 =1tr then 1tr in next stitch, * ch2, miss 2 dc, 1 tr in each of next 2 dc. Repeat from *


Row 32 Green

Ch1, 1 dc in same stitch, 1 dc in next treble,   *ch2 1dc in each of next 2 trebles , repeat from * ending with a dc in the last stitch. 


Row 33 White

Ch1, 1 dc in same stitch and 1 dc in next stitch * 1dbtr (uk double treble= yo TWICE, then continue as for treble but you'll end up pulling through 2 loops 3 times instead of twice) in each of the 2 missed pink dc lying 3 rows below (thsee are the  Spikes) , 1dc in each of the next 2 stitches then repeat from * to end finishing with 1dc in each of last 2 dc. 

yo twice

Put hook into the missed pink dc lying 3 rows below

Pull through so 4 loops on hook

Yo pull through 2 so 3 loops left

Yo pull through 2 so 2 left on hook

Yo pull through last 2 loops; 1 dbtr spike stitch made

Repeat in next pink dc; 2 dbtr spikes made

1dc in each of next 2 dc


Repeat to end finishing with 1 dc in last 2 dcs.


Row 34 Pink

Ch1, 1dc in same place, 1 dc in every stitch to end


Row 35  Pink

Ch3 , 1 tr in every stitch to end