Free Beach bag and accessories patterns

More free patterns, yay!

I know, I know- it seems too good to be true.

This time it's my latest collaboration with Black Sheep Wools. They provided me with a squillion* balls of my absolute mostest favouritest** yarn and asked if I could possibly make a beach bag and a gadget case...

* ok, not a squillion, exactly. More like 37. One of every colour.

** it's Rico Creative Cotton Aran. My favourite because I use it a lot. I like the colours. I like the texture. I like the stitch definition I get when working with it. And I like the price. In fact, I LOVE the price (at around £1.80 a 50g ball, it's an absolute bargain)

And so I set to work. I chose 14 of the most vibrant colours and began making stripes.

I then lined the bag (totally impressed myself there- I am the sort of sewist who can only manage a wonky straight line, if you know what I mean) to give it a bit of strength.

And stitched handles. To give it hold-y-uppy bits.

A very easy project, but effective, I think you'll agree.

Next there was a gadget case. Well, as I still had leftover yarn, it made sense to continue with the same colours. But a different pattern this time.

Wobbly waves.

But then I still had yarn left. What to do....?

Of course. A sunglasses case.

To break from the whole stripes thing, I went for granny squares. On the diagonal.

And I lined this too. To stop the sunglasses getting caught in the holey bits.

And so, dear friends, here is the link to Black Sheep Wools' free pattern page, where you'll find the links for these and lots of other projects, too. Don't forget to share your makes via social media (you can find me at various social hang-outs over there on the right) using the hashtag #bswsummer

And why not use the brillioso discount code 'ANNABOO10'  at Black Sheep Wools to get 10% off Rico Creative Cotton Aran so that you can get making your beach bag right away?! (offer valid until July 13th 2015, not to be used in conjunction with any other offer, blahdy-blah-blah...)

Enjoy the patterns and remember to show us what you've made!

Have a great week,

Sarah x

The one with a clutch bag and a workshop

Ooooo, I've had some lovely projects on the go at the moment.

This is my most recent, and absolute favouritest: 

I had the idea of using a star stitch, something I've been playing around with. It's not a difficult stitch, just a bit fiddly, but the real problem I had was in finding other stitches which could work around it.

You see, the star stitch is greedy. A very greedy little stitch indeed. And boy, does it pull in the yarn. The trouble I had was that everything I tried in the rows after it just didn't work. (There were several sweary moments, let me tell you.)

And then I cracked it. It was a simple case of reducing the number of stitches. Then my rows worked.

After that, it was a cinch.

I'm so pleased with how it looks. And although I love using lots of colours, stripes being a particular favourite of mine, I think reducing the palette really makes the stitches work hard and stand out.

Sooooo, I'm very pleased to be able to offer you the chance to learn how to make one of these gorgeous bags at an exclusive one-day workshop at Black Sheep Wool's Craft Barn on the 17th July in Warrington* AND I'll be there the day before for some fun meet-the-author/ book-signing malarkey. 
The day itself consists of much crochet-y fun; I'll show you how to make the clutch bag and you'll be provided with all the materials and know-how, a delicious buffet lunch and 10% discount to spend that day in the shop!

*Your response will be one of these:

a. Excellent! I live just around the corner.

b. Oh no. I live too far away (I'm in the UK)

c. Oh no. I live too far away (I'm outside the UK)

My answer would be this:

a. Awesome. See you there.

b. Not a problem. Grab a friend who shares your passion for crochet and do an overnighter, staying in one of Warrington's finest hotels. Or one of its worst. Up to you.

b/c. For those of you unable to get time off work, or living impossibly far away, then don't worry, I'll be releasing the pattern for sale after the workshop, so you'll still be able to get yer mitts on it.

To book your place on the workshop, then visit Black Sheep Wools and sign up. Spaces are limited, so get in there early to avoid disappointment.

I can't wait to see you there,

Sarah xx

A BIG Crocheted Christmas tree (Free pattern)

'Could you design us a large, free-standing, crocheted Christmas tree?' the lovely Lesley from Black Sheep Wools asked me.

Yep. 

Sure can.

I used one of my favourite yarns, Rico Creative Cotton Aran, as the colours are bright and it's sturdy stuff.

If you'd like to make yourself a large, free-standing, crocheted Christmas tree, then head on over to Black Sheep Wools, where you'll find the FREE pattern (yes, free- it IS Christmas, after all) AND there's a jolly super 10% discount code to use on Rico Creative Cotton Aran if you use the code 'ABXMAS'. It's valid until the 2nd December, too.

Have fun making and do show me if you make one- I love to see what you've been up to!

Happy Wednesday, everyone.

Sarah xx

Granny stripe cowl

So here's what I was making with that lovely yarn from Black Sheep Wools - a cosy cowl.

Recently, much of what I have made has been posted off in brown boxes, ready for the book, or a magazine commission. 

But not this.

This one's for me.

It can be worn short, or long, too.

Ideal for these chilly mornings we've been having.

Fancy making one?

[This pattern is written in UK terms. US equivalents are given below]

UK double crochet = US single crochet
UK treble crochet = US double crochet

Abbreviations:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
dc = double crochet
tr = treble crochet
sts = stitches
sk sts = skip stitches

Granny Stripe Cowl

Finished size: 68cm (26 3/4 in) x 25cm (9 3/4 in) approx

You will need:

4 mm (US 6/G) hook
1 x 50g ball each of Rico Baby Classic dk in Smokey Rose (39) [A], Smoke Blue (42) [B], Dusky Pink (40) [C], Steel Grey (44) [D]
Tapestry needle

Pattern

Foundation chain: using colour A, ch 288. Sl st into first ch to join round.

Round 1: ch 1, dc 288 (beginning in same st as the ch). Sl st to first dc to join round.

Round 2: (ch 3 (counts as tr), 2tr) in same st, ch 1, *sk 3 sts, 3tr in next st, ch 1* repeat around. Sl st into top of ch-3 to join round, sl st to first ch-1 space. Fasten off yarn and attach new colour.

Round 3: using colour C, (ch 3 (counts as tr), 2tr) in first ch-1 space, *ch 1, 3tr in next ch-1 space* repeat around. Sl st into top of ch-3 to join round, sl st to first ch-1 space. Fasten off yarn and attach new colour.

Rounds 4-30: repeat round 3.

I used the colours in the following order: D, C, D, B, D, C, B, A, C, A, C, B, A, B, D, B, C, A, C, D, A, B, D, A, C, B, D

Round 31: ch 1, dc around. Sl st to join round.
Fasten off.
Weave in ends

And that, as they say, is that.
A nice easy project, too.

Enjoy making!

Sarah x

The one with a yarn review

When the lovely peeps at Black Sheep Wools asked me if I would like to review some yarn for them, I just couldn't say no, especially when this lovely lot was posted though my door:

From top left: Smokey Rose (39), Smoke Blue (42), Dusky Pink (40), Steel Grey (44)

Ooooooooooo 

(said like one of those aliens in Toy Story)

Isn't it lush?

Squishy and squeezy and soft. So soft. 

And those colours are dreamy. Pink grey and blue are timeless.

So....what is it? I hear you ask.

These are some of the new shades of Rico Baby Classic DK. 

But what to make with it?

It would be perfect for so many things- blankets, shrugs, gloves, hats, jumpers, cushions... but I decided on something just for me.

And it involves a bit of granny striping.

The perfect pick-up-and-put-down-kinda-project for when you're as busy as a bee.

I like crocheting with this yarn; I'm using a 4mm (US G/6) hook, which is working out perfectly. I reckon you could use a slightly smaller hook, too. The yarn is smooth and clean to work with and doesn't split (hooray!).

And being a mix of acrylic fibres, it will wear and wash well, too.

It's not finished yet, but as soon as it is, I'll show you.

And you'll get the pattern too.

If you'd like some of this gorgeous yarn for yourself, then pop along to Black Sheep Wools and say hi. They've got loads in stock, along with just about everything else you could ever need for your crochet and knitty projects.

Have a great weekend,
Sarah x

Free Winter Dolls Pattern

Meet Big Pip, Nat and Baby Mo!

These little guys are a quick and easy make (well, you know me by now).

They'd look really sweet sat near the fireplace this winter time.

Big Pip

Nat

Baby Mo

I designed them for the lovely people over at Black Sheep Wools, so head on over there to find the free patterns (and all the lovely yarn you will need to make them, too)

Enjoy making!

Sarah xx