Wednesday 29 February 2012

Autumn Leaves Cowl & Ear Warmer Crochet Pattern

 

This cosy cowl can be worn around the neck or head as an ear warmer! Works up quickly and makes a brilliant gift! The pattern incorporates my favourite stitch of the moment, the crocodile stitch, which looks like leaves or petals in this lovely pattern. There is a picture tutorial for the crocodile stitch included with the pattern, which will help those who have never done it before.

Pattern Style: Abbreviated written, all abbreviations noted in the pattern.

Pattern Difficulty: An intermediate crocheter or even a dedicated beginner will master this pattern in no time. This is a fun piece to work that will impress without stress.

Tools needed: 6mm/J crochet hook

Material needed: Approx 100g Bulky/Chunky Weight Yarn - we used James C Brett Chunky Marble MC7.


Pattern is now available to purchase on Ravelry, you don't have to be a member to purchase!  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/autumn-leaves-cowl--neck-warmer-pdf-pattern

Tuesday 21 February 2012

Baby Crocodile Stitch High Top Trainer Style Booties! Coming Soon!



Hello everyone!
This what I have been working on recently...my Crocodile Stitch High Top Trainer Style Booties!
The pattern is currently in the editing phase and coming soon to purchase on Ravelry.
I'd love to hear what you think!
Don't worry though I still intend to post free patterns too!

Saturday 18 February 2012

Free Pattern: Crocodile Stitch Baby Mittens

Proclaiming my love of the crocodile stitch once again!  Here is my pattern for baby mittens with a crocodile stitch cuff - please see the blog post for my pattern for Crocodile Stitch Booties for links to tutorials on the stitch.



Crocodile Stitch Baby Mittens

Size: 0-6 months

Materials per Mitten
·      25g of yarn (I used dk Special by Stylecraft in shades 'Pomegranate' and ‘Cream’)
·      3mm crochet hook

Stitches used:
st(s) – stitch(es)
ch – chain stitch
hdc – half double crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Special stitches used:
v st - work one hdc, ch 1 and hdc again into same st
fphdc – yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the hdc of previous row. Complete as for a regular hdc stitch.

NB. This pattern works from the tip of the fingers towards the wrist.

Ch 4, join to form ring


Rnd 1: Ch 2, work 9 hdc into centre of the ring, join (10hdc)

Rnd 2: Ch 2 work hdc in same st, work 2hdc in each st around, join. (20hdc)

Rnds 3-10: Ch 2, work hdc in each st around, join.  (20hdc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in same st, *ch 1, skip 1 st, sc in next st* . Work * to * around. join to first sc.

Rnd 12: Ch 3, hdc in same stitch,* skip 1 ch, v st in next ch, rep from * around into ch1 space of row below; join with sl st in top of first hdc. – (make sure that you have 10 v sts)

Rnd 13:Ch 2 (counts as a hdc), working from top to bottom around post of first hdc of first V-st, work 3 fphdc, turn work so v st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second hdc of v st, work 4 fphdc , * skip next v st, working from top to bottom work 4 fphdc around post of first hdc of next v st, ch 1, turn work so v st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second hdc of v st, work 4 fphdc, rep from * around; join with sl st in top of first hdc.- (5 scales in total)

Rnd 14:
Ch 3, hdc in same st, yo, insert hook in sp in the centre of the scales below and complete a v st, *v st in next ch 1 sp, yo, insert hook in sp in the centre of the scales below and complete a v st, repeat from * to * around;  join with sl st in top of first hdc - (10 v sts)

Rnd 15: Repeat rnd 13 into alternate v st


Fasten off.



Ties: Hold together cream yarn and pink yarn, ch 50 tightly, weave through ch spaces in row11.

Make another!

I hope you like this pattern! If you have any problems with it please don't hesitate to comment below and I'll see if I can help!

Text and images by L Tegg. This pattern cannot be reproduced or distributed -mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying, without written permission. Finished products created with this pattern may be used for commercial sale.

Friday 17 February 2012

Strawberries & Cream Crocodile Crochet Baby Bonnet



I simply felt inspired to make this bonnet after creating my little booties!

I have no idea who’ll be getting it! Lots of friends are having babies but we don’t know whether they’ll be having baby boys or girls! Therefore the first one to have a little girl gets this delightful wee chapeau, lucky lassy

For now it’s being modelled by the sweet little Icky bear!

Pattern coming soon!

Considering making little matching mittens now!

Wednesday 15 February 2012

The crocodile stitch & my gorgeous little crocodile stitch booties!



I recently discovered the beautiful crocodile stitch! It's makes such beautiful luxurious pieces!

I started with a scarf and have progressed to other items, including the bootie pattern below, again for my future niece/nephew!

Initially it can be difficult to get your head around the crocodile stitch but with the help of a couple of brilliant tutorials (linked to below) you can master it! And once you have you'll find that it's really quite easy and there'll be no stopping you!



What is the crocodile crochet stitch?


The stitch is formed with a two-row repeat, a row of v stitches, followed by a row of scales. The scales are worked in front of the v sitches with clusters of front post half double crochets (fphdcs) from top to bottom, then from bottom to top.


A good video tutorial can be viewed here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lbewLEjax1I - although please note the changes from the pattern used below - i.e. the amount of stitches worked and front post hdc's as opposed to dc's as my pattern is for little people!

A written tutorial on the stitch plus photographs can be found at: http://cats-rockin-crochet.blogspot.com/2011/08/crochet-crocodile-stitch-adult-hat.html - plus another free crocodile crochet pattern for a hat!




FREE PATTERN!!!

Cute Little Crocodile Crochet Booties!


Size: 0-6 months, app. 10 cm foot length.

Materials per bootie:
25g of yarn in one colour (I used dk Special by Stylecraft, shade 1218 'Parchment')
4mm crochet hook

Stitches used:
st(s) – stitch(es)
ch – chain stitch
hdc – half double crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Special stitches used:
v st - work one hdc, ch 1 and hdc again into same st
fphdc – yo and insert hook from the front to the back around the post of the hdc of previous row. Complete as for a regular hdc stitch.

NB. This pattern works the toe of the bootie towards the heel.

Rnd 1: Ch2 (remember the loop you put on the hook is not classed as a ch), join with sl st in first ch to form a circle.

Rnd 2: Ch2 (counts as first hdc), hdc 9 into centre of circle, join with sl st to first st (10 hdc in total)

Rnd 3: Ch2, 1hdc in same st, then 2 hdc in each st around the work, join with sl st to first st (20 hdc in total)

Rnd 4: Ch2, ch1 and hdc in same st *skip next st, then work a v stitch in next st*, repeat from * to * around, join final v st to first with sl st.  This row and rows 5 to 8 form the toe area of the bootie.

Rnd 5 - 8: Repeat row 4 working the v st in each ch 1 space of the row belows v st





Rnd 9: Ch2, ch1, hdc in same st, then work six further v stitches into ch 1 spaces on the row below, turn the work (this row and following two form the side and back of bootie).

Rnds 10 - 12: Ch2, ch1, hdc in same space, then v st into each of the seven v st ch 1 spaces below*



Now pull together both sides of heel and using several sc's connect them, working through all four loops.



Turn the bootie inside out.  Fasten off.

Now for the fun bit!  The Crocodile Crochet Cuff!

To make bootie's cuff you should begin by attaching the yarn in the middle of the heel.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, hdc in same stitch,* skip 1 ch, v st in next ch, rep from * around; join with sl st in top of first hdc. – (make sure that you have 10 v sts)

Rnd 2:
Ch 2 (counts as a hdc), working from top to bottom around post of first hdc of first V-st, work 3 fphdc, turn work so v st is sideways, ch 1, working from bottom to top around post of second hdc of v st, work 4 fphdc , * skip next v st, working from top to bottom work 4 fphdc around post of first hdc of next v st, ch 1, turn work so v st is sideways, working from bottom to top around post of second hdc of v st, work 4 fphdc, rep from * around; join with sl st in top of first hdc.- (5 scales in total)

Rnd 3:
Ch 3, hdc in same st, yo, insert hook in sp in the centre of the scales below and complete a v st, *v st in next ch 1 sp, yo, insert hook in sp in the centre of the scales below and complete a v st, repeat from * to * around;  join with sl st in top of first hdc - (9 v sts)

Rnd 4: Repeat rnd 2 into alternate v st

Rnd 5: Repeat rnd 3

Rnd 6: Repeat rnd 2 into alternate v st

Fasten off!











Make another!


I hope you like this pattern!  If you have any problems with it please don't hesitate to comment below and I'll see if I can help!

Text and images by L Tegg. This pattern cannot be reproduced or distributed -
mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying, without
written permission. Finished products created with this pattern may be used for
commercial sale.

Sunday 12 February 2012

My First Crochet Pattern: Cosy Newborn Cocoon & Little Pixie Hat



Here is my beautiful pattern for a Cosy Newborn Cocoon & Little Pixie Hat.

I designed these for my sister, who is having her first baby in April!  It's so exiting, I can't wait!

They both work up very quickly, brilliant if you're looking for a quick gift to make.

This is my first pattern, so please do not hesitate to let me know if there are any problems or if you need any clarification about it.

General Information

Yarn: One 100g skein double knit Stylecraft in cream for the cocoon,
less than 1/4 skein for the hat

Hook: 5mm

Guage: Not important

Cocoon dimensions:
Circumference = 26cm
Length = 38cm

Hat dimensions:
Circumference = 15cm
Length = 14cm

Terminology: US

Cocoon

Ch 3

Rd 1: 11 hdc in 4th ch from hook, join with slst in top of ch 3 (12hdc)

Rd 2: ch 3 (counts as hdc now and throughout), 2 hdc in each st around , join

Rd 3: ch 3, 1 hdc in same st as joining, *hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st, rep from* until end, join

Rd 4: ch 3, 1 hdc in same st as joining, *hdc in next 2 sts, 2 hdc in next st, rep from* until end, join

Rd 5: ch 3, 1 hdc in same st as joining, *hdc in next 3 sts, 2 hdc in next st, rep from* until end, join

Rd 6: ch 3, 1 hdc in same st as joining, *hdc in next 4 sts, 2 hdc in next st, rep from* until end, join

Rds 7 - 10: ch4, dc in every stitch around, join

Rds 11 - 14: ch3, hdc in every stitch around, join

Repeat pattern from rd 7 to 14 until the piece measures 38 cm.

You could finish the piece off here by chaining 1 and slip stitching all the way around and hiding the ends, but it does look extra cosy and very professional with the...

Chunky Band 

Rds 15 & 16: Ch3, herringbone hdc all the way around (yo, insert hook into stitch, yo, pull through (3 loops on hook), pull first loop through second loop on hook (without another yo), then yo and draw through 2 rem loops on hook), join

Rd 17: Ch4, dc all the way around

Rds 18 & 19: Ch4, then alternate fpdc and bpdc (see below) all the way around, join
fpdc = yo, starting from the front, place hook from front to back to front around the post of st in row below, pull through a loop, complete as a dc
 
 
bpdc = yo, starting from the back, place hook from back to front to back around post of st in row below, pull through a loop, complete as a dc.
Rd 20: Ch1, slst all the way around.
 
Fold down the piece from the herringbone hdc to create the lovely chunky band!

Hide any ends and you’re done!

Little Pixie Hat

Ch3. join to form a ring with a slip stitch


Rd 1 : Ch3 (counts as dc now and throughout), 4 dc into centre of the ring, join to top of ch3 with slst (5 dc)

Rd 2 : Ch3. dc into same stitch. **dc into next stitch, 2 dc into next stitch** Repeat from ** around, join to top of chain 3 with slst

Rds 3 - 6 : Repeat rd 2.

Rd 7 - 11 : Ch3. dc into each stitch around. join to top of chain 3 with a slip stitch

Rd 12: Ch4, then alternate fpdc and bpdc (see above) all the way around, join

Rd 13: Ch1, slst all the way around.
 

Text and images by L Tegg.  This pattern cannot be reproduced or distributed -
mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying, without
written permission.   Finished products created with this pattern may be used for
commercial sale.