Saturday 30 January 2016

Thick, Quick Reversible Cowl

Oh yes, indeedy.

The front

This pattern features two of my favourite words when it comes to crochet projects. I may add reversible to that list, too after making this.
I've been trying out lots of things with this lovely, squishy yarn lately. This project just happened to be a happy accident.

The reverse side with ridges

It couldn't be simpler. 

I used about 3 balls of Drops Polaris in white and a 15mm hook. You could use any hook and yarn you fancy. If you have thinner yarn, then simply increase the number of chains in your foundation row (your cowl should measure around 12 inches/30cms wide) and add more rows until the desired height is reached.

Chain 37. Join with a sl st to the first ch.
Round 1: ch3, 1 treble stitch (US double crochet) in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch3.
Rounds 2 - 9: ch2, 1 front post treble stitch (US FP dc) in each stitch around. Join with a sl st to the top of the ch2.

Never made a front post stitch before? Don't worry. It's super-easy.
Yarn over hook, as you would for a normal UK treble (US dc)


Rather than working into the top of the stitch, insert your hook around the post of the stitch below, from the front to the back and to the front again.


Now finish off your stitch as usual (yarn over, pull a loop through, yarn over, pull yarn through all loops).





 
Enjoy making and don't forget to share your makes with me- I love to see what you do. You can find me at all the regular social media haunts. Just tap on the links to the side of the page.

Have a great weekend,

Sarah xx

Saturday 16 January 2016

Little Box of Crochet

Have you heard of the Little Box of Crochet?

It's the brilliant brain-child of Amanda Bloom. A monthly subscription of crochet loveliness; you receive an exclusive pattern, along with all the goodies required to complete the project, contained within a beautiful box and delivered right to your door.

Previous talented designers include Kate from Greedy For Colourwho designed these wonderful fungi...

These gorgeous hand-warmers by Heather from Pink Milk...

The cutest bobbly head-warmer from Kate from Just Pootling...

And I am very proud to be Little Box of Crochet's February designer!
Yay! 
I hope you all enjoy my sweet little design for the month of love! Here's a sneaky peek...
Want to know more? Here's Amanda's amazing story:

My name is Amanda Bloom, lover of all things creative and cute. I live in Cheshire with my beautiful daughter Jenny.
In 2013 Jenny was diagnosed with an aggressive brain tumour. She was 15 at the time. I closed my hairdressing salon and focused on caring for my darling girl.
I had always loved making things and had a blog called Amanda Makes where I shared my creative life with many other fabulous makers around the world. When Jenny got sick, creativity became our comfort blanket and therapy. The thing I enjoyed most was crochet. What had been a pleasant hobby became a passion.
One day, whilst on holiday with Jenny, I came across the website of a Subscription Beauty Box. I had never heard of the concept of monthly subscription boxes. ( I must have been asleep because there are LOADS of them!) I loved the idea of receiving a sweet box of surprises every month! A wee gift to yourself! Not being big on beauty products, I started searching for a company doing creative boxes. I couldn’t find a crochet one that I liked so I decided that there was a gap and pressing need for a delicious monthly box of crochet. I knew that I’d stumbled across my ‘thing’.
I hope from the bottom of my heart that you will have the same enjoyment from the moment your Little Box of Crochet arrives each month. I would love to hear from you and see your makes. You can use the hashtag #littleboxofcrochet on Instagram; follow our page @littleboxofcrochetor like our page on Facebook …Little Box of Crochet.
Big hugs to all of you!
Amanda x
For more information about LBC, including details of how to subscribe (worldwide shipping available) please visit the website.
Wishing you all a wonderful week,
Sarah xx