Kōsetsu Shrug and Cosy Delight yarn review

‘Kōsetsu’ is Japanese for ‘snowfall’ and with Sapporo receiving the most snow on the planet (485 cm /191 inches per year!) it seemed an appropriate name for this shrug, which will keep you cosy in the coldest of winters.

When Stylecraft asked me to design something with one of their yarns, I knew I wanted to use Cosy Delight. It's a chunky-weight yarn (my favourite yarn weight), but as the fibres are manufactured using a jet air process, this yarn is as light as air AND toasty warm, too.

Now, sometimes when I've worked with chunky-weight yarns, their weight and bulk means that they're not always suitable for garments, but this yarn is very different and I have to say, I was very impressed when I worked with it.

Firstly, it frogs like a dream, which is particularly important for me as a designer, especially when I need to be trying out a few stitches or rows and have to adjust stitches. Often with fluffy yarns, the fibres stick together and the yarn stretches and breaks when any attempt to rectify mistakes is made (mohair nightmares, anyone?). However, this doesn't happen with Cosy Delight and I could pull back the stitches confidently, without worrying any adverse effects.

Then there's the colour range: simple, stylish and perfect for the winter. I chose the cream because I wanted it to go with everything, but it would look equally lovely in any of the shades. 

Here's the yarn details:

Composition: 76% Acrylic, 24% Polyamide 

Ball Weight: 100g

Yardage/Meterage: 240 yds/ 220 m

Hook Size: 6 - 7 mm

Tension: 14 stitches x 20 rows to 10 cm square

Wash Care: Machine Wash at 30 Degrees C, Cool Tumble Dry, May Dry Clean, Do not Iron 

RRP: around £3.99 

If you join the Stylecraft Make-Along group on Facebook, you'll be able to find a special discount code off the patterns in my shop and you'll be able to share your projects with the team!

Buy the pattern here.

Enjoy making and stay warm!!

Sarah xx

Labour of Love Blanket

Not for a second did I think that my throw-away comment on Instagram would be taken seriously, or replied to by so many people.

You see, I'd started this project waaaaaaaay back a billionty years ago, after a meeting with the Stylecraft gang up at headquarters, when they first unveiled their new yarn; Linen Drape. Oh how me and my fellow Blogstars ooooooed and ahhhhhhed over its lovely colours and of course, its, er, drapey-ness. Perfect for a so many projects, but I fancied a big granny square.

So I started it. 

And I enjoyed adding rounds here and there.

And then it got a bit lost in everything else I was doing and I realised that I just didn't have the time to complete it. So I mentioned this on IG and the comments started coming in ...

... and it wasn't just people admiring the colours (because they ARE gorgeous); there were a few people who genuinely wanted to finish it for me.

I chose Ruth from Labours of Love Crochet (find her Instagram account here) because I've spoken to her (in the social media sense - you know what I mean) several times, and she's always struck me as such a kind, thoughtful and genuine soul; just the person I could trust to do this for me. And that was it - I sent the blanket and yarn and after a few short weeks and messages about colour choices and bordering (I left these to her discretion), Ruth had finished it for me!

And it's PERFECT - honestly - you cannot tell where I started and she has finished (except for a sweet little stitch marker Ruth added) - our tension and stitch formation are exactly the same and her colour choices are gorgeous.

Ruth, here's a BIG THANK YOU from me (and all the free patterns from my shop you'll ever want).

And so, it seems only right that it be called:

The Labour of Love blanket

Here's all the pattern details for anyone who would like to make their own (and no, you may NOT ask Ruth to finish yours!):

You will need:

Stylecraft Linen Drape 1 x ball each of Natural (3901), Lime (3902), Wheat (3903), River (3904), Peacock (3905), Coral (3906), Sangria (3907), Cranberry (3908)

4.5mm hook

Finished size approx 95 x 95 cm (depending on tension)

Tension - using a 4.5mm hook, we made 9 rounds to fit 10 cm / 4 in

Pattern 
The blanket is made using a classic granny square pattern (see below). To prevent the square from twisting, we turned it over every round and worked in the opposite direction.

Make a standard granny square, changing colour every round in the following order:

Cranberry, Peacock, Lime, River, Natural, Lime, Sangria, Coral, Wheat, Cranberry, (10 rounds)
Peacock, Natural, Lime, Cranberry, Coral, Wheat, River, Natural, Peacock, Sangria, (20 rounds)
Coral, Lime, Wheat, Natural, Cranberry, River, Coral, Sangria, Lime, Natural, (30 rounds)
Peacock, Natural, Cranberry, River, Sangria, Coral, Lime, Natural, Sangria, River (40 rounds)
Cranberry, Wheat, Peacock (43 rounds)

Border
This is where you'll play yarn-chicken a bit, depending on tension. Ruth managed to make 8 rounds of linen stitch (pattern below). Make colour changes in the following order:

Sangria, Natural, River, Cranberry, Wheat, Coral, Peacock, Lime (8 rounds)
In Coral make a sl st in every stitch.

Beautiful border of simple, linen stitch

Granny Square Pattern UK Terms

Ch 4, join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: 3ch (counts as first tr), all into ring: 2tr, 2ch, *3tr, 2ch; rep from * twice more, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (12 tr, 8 ch)

Rnd 2: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch [counts as 1tr throughout], 2tr, 2ch, 3tr) in same 2ch-sp, *(3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in next 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (24 tr, 12 ch)

Rnd 3: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch, 2tr, 2ch, 3tr) in same 2ch-sp, *3tr between clusters, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, 3tr between clusters,, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (36 tr, 16 ch)

Rnds 4 onwards: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch, 2tr, 2ch, 3tr) in same 2ch-sp, *3tr between clusters to corner, (3tr, 2ch, 3tr) in 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, 3tr between clusters to corner, join with a sl st to top of 3ch.

Border Pattern UK Terms: 

Rnd 1: In any 2ch-sp, *1dc, 1ch, sk 1 st; repeat from * to next 2ch-sp, (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in 2ch-sp. Repeat from beginning of round 1 around square until final 2ch-sp, 1dc, 2ch, join to first dc with sl st.

Rnds 2 onwards: In any 2ch-sp, 1dc, *1ch, sk 1 st, 1dc in 1ch-sp; repeat from * to next 2ch-sp, (1dc, 2ch, 1dc) in 2ch-sp. Repeat from beginning of round 2 around square until final 2ch-sp, 1dc, 2ch, join to first dc with sl st.

Final round: In coral, make a sl st in every stitch around.

Granny Square Pattern US Terms

Ch 4, join with a sl st to make a ring.

Rnd 1: 3ch (counts as first dc), all into ring: 2dc, 2ch, *3dc, 2ch; rep from * twice more, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (12 dc, 8 ch)

Rnd 2: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch [counts as 1dc throughout], 2dc, 2ch, 3dc) in same 2ch-sp, *(3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in next 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (24 dc, 12 ch)

Rnd 3: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch, 2dc, 2ch, 3dc) in same 2ch-sp, *3dc between clusters (3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, 3dc between clusters, join with a sl st to top of 3ch. (36 dc, 16 ch)

Rnds 4 onwards: sl st across to 2ch-sp, (3ch, 2dc, 2ch, 3dc) in same 2ch-sp, *3dc between clusters to corner, (3dc, 2ch, 3dc) in 2ch-sp; rep from * twice more, 3dc between clusters to corner, join with a sl st to top of 3ch.

Border Pattern US Terms: 

Rnd 1: In any 2ch-sp, *1sc, 1ch, sk 1 st; repeat from * to next 2ch-sp, (1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in 2ch-sp. Repeat from beginning of round 1 around square until final 2ch-sp, 1sc, 2ch, join to first sc with sl st.

Rnds 2 onwards: In any 2ch-sp, 1sc, *1ch, sk 1 st, 1sc in 1ch-sp; repeat from * to next 2ch-sp, (1sc, 2ch, 1sc) in 2ch-sp. Repeat from beginning of round 2 around square until final 2ch-sp, 1sc, 2ch, join to first sc with sl st.

Final round: In coral, make a sl st in every stitch around.

I do hope you enjoy making your own Labour of Love Blanket, Ruth and I certainly did!!

Sarah xx

Colour-Blend c2c cushion - The Stylecraft Blog Tour 2018

It's that time of year!

The Stylecraft Blogstars are on tour again, this time showcasing the FABULOUS Bellissima yarn.

Now, some of you might have worked with Stylecraft's Bambino yarns before - a sweet range of pastel colours with a soft, merino-feel. Bellissima is the same yarn texture, but in some seriously vibrant  colours. For the Blogtour, the Stylecraft team created two colour-packs:

Now I cannot take much credit for the idea behind my design - it was one of my fellow Blogstars, Helen Shrimpton (no relation - well actually, we probably are related somewhere along the line, but that's a whole other story ..) who suggested that I work with two strands of yarn held together and tried blending different colours. So thanks to Helen, that's exactly what I did to make the Colour-Blend c2c Cushion:

Want to make one? (Instructions for c2c are below the pattern)

You'll need:

Autumn Leaves Yarn pack (or 5 x 100g balls Bellissima / Bambino)

6mm hook

Pompom maker (optional)

40cm cushion insert

Side One

1. Working with 2 strands of Ash Rose, make four rows of increasing c2c.

2. Working with 1 strand of Ash Rose and 1 strand of Rio Red, make four rows of increasing c2c.

3. Working with 2 strands of Rio Red make four rows of increasing c2c.

4. Working with 1 strand of Rio Red and 1 strand of Single Cream, make four rows of increasing c2c.

5. Working with 2 strands of Single Cream make three rows of increasing c2c.

6. Working with 2 strands of Single Cream make two rows of decreasing c2c.

7. Working with 1 strand of Single Cream and 1 strand of Sugar Snap, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

8. Working with 2 strands of Sugar Snap make four rows of decreasing c2c.

9. Working with 1 strand of Sugar Snap and 1 strand of Mellow Yellow, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

10. Working with 2 strands of Mellow Yellow, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

Side Two

1. Working with 2 strands of Single Cream, make four rows of increasing c2c.

2. Working with 1 strand of Single Cream and 1 strand of Ash Rose, make four rows of increasing c2c.

3. Working with 2 strands of Ash Rose make four rows of increasing c2c.

4. Working with 1 strand of Ash Rose and 1 strand of Mellow Yellow, make four rows of increasing c2c.

5. Working with 2 strands of Mellow Yellow make three rows of increasing c2c.

6. Working with 2 strands of Mellow Yellow make two rows of decreasing c2c.

7.. Working with 1 strand of Mellow Yellow and 1 strand of Sugar Snap, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

8. Working with 2 strands of Sugar Snap make four rows of decreasing c2c.

9. Working with 1 strand of Sugar Snap and 1 strand of Rio Red, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

10. Working with 2 strands of Rio Red, make four rows of decreasing c2c.

To Join

With WS of cushions facing and working with 2 strands of Sugar Snap, make 1dc around the edges, and 1dc, 2ch, 1dc in each corner.

Fasten off.

Make pompoms with your remaining yarn and attach to the corners!

To make the c2c stitch [increasing] (UK terms - tr = dc in US terms):

Row 1: 6ch, 1tr in 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each of next two ch, turn.

Row 2: 6ch, 1tr in 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each of next two ch, sl st into 3ch, 3ch, 3tr in 3ch-sp, turn.

Row 3: 6ch, 1tr in 4th ch from hook, 1tr in each of next two ch, *sl st into 3ch-sp, 3ch, 3tr in 3ch-sp; rep from * across row, turn. 

Rows 4 onwards: Repeat row 3. 

To make the c2c stitch [decreasing] (UK terms - tr = dc in US terms):

At the end of the row, do not 6ch, but sl st across each of the 3tr you have just made.

3ch, 3tr in 3ch of block just completed, *sl st into 3ch-sp, 3ch, 3tr in 3ch-sp; rep from * across row, turn.

For a brilliant YouTube Tutorial see Bella Coco's here.

Hope you enjoy making the cushion! Find the complete list of blogstars taking part here and make sure you check out Kathryn at Crafternoon Treats' blog tomorrow for her day of the tour.

And of course, here's the link for the giveaway - it's live from 10am GMT today (9th Oct) until 10am tomorrow!! 

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Good Luck! Sarah xx

Swift Knit MEGA scarves

Those of you who have been reading my blog for a while will know that I am a chunky-yarn-lover. 

The bigger the better, in my opinion. 

My good friends at Stylecraft Yarns are no strangers to chunky yarn and recently, I used Swift Knit for my slouchy hat in Supersize Crochet - I just loved the softness and warmth of the yarn and the way the different colours worked together. So when they launched Swift Knit MEGA and asked if any of the Blogstars would like to try it, I knew it would be a winner.

And I wasn't disappoined. It's the same mix of 80% Acrylic 20% Wool, but in a huge 200g ball, with 70m of yarn and a recommended hook/needle of 15mm.

My first experiments were with crochet, where I tried an easy textured stitch and I loved the result. In fact, I adapted this slightly and used the Wedgewood colourway for a super-chunky cowl in Issue 97 of Inside Crochet magazine.

Now, you might have noticed that there has also been a LOT of knitting going on here recently. I am loving the easy-knit projects I've been working on and, as someone who is still a novice in these matters, simplicity is the way forward for me.

And so, when the kids asked for warm scarves, I knew exactly what I'd do with my Swift Knit Mega: knit them in one each in garter stitch.

There are two things I love about garter stitch: 

1) it's just knit stitch on repeat

2) it's SOOOOOOO squishy 

The Swift Knit Mega works beautifully in this pattern - I love the subtle colour changes and the squishiness of the yarn is just perfection. Plus, it only takes one ball to make a good-length scarf.

Here's what you'll need if you want to make one:

1x ball of Stylecraft Swift Knit Mega; my colours were Peony (2143) and Wedgewood (2144)

15mm needles

Cast on 8 stitches

Knit every row until you run out of yarn, leaving enough for cast-off.

Job done.

Happy kids.

If you'd like to read more about the Stylecraft Blogstars and see what they've been up to, then follow the link.

Enjoy your week, and stay warm

Sarah xxx

Batik Swirl Wrap (and a little giveaway)

It's the newest member of the Stylecraft Batik family

and it's perfect for lazy crafters like me who cannot bear sewing in  ALLLLLLL the ends.

Batik Whirl is a yarn-cake of loveliness.

Stylecraft's Batik Yarn has been around for a little while now and I'm a really big fan, I have to say. I recently designed a shawl for Inside Crochet Magazine using the Batik solids range and I enjoyed working with it - the yarn has a nice bounce to it and the stitch definition is great.

The next release was the Batik Elements range. A collection with a different range of shades within a ball, designed to work alongside the Solids. Again, the same quality yarn with the same feel and effect. With this, I designed my Learn to Knit Shawl.

And now there's the Swirl.... it's a big, 200g cake with up to five different colours, which are repeated and at the mo, there are six different colour ways. I chose Purple Mist - a collection of greys and purples and different to any of my other shawls, scarves or wraps.

So I thought I'd make a rectangular sort-of half-blanket that you can wear as a wrap or a scarf. 

(Because let's face it,  I've hardly got any ...)

I designed this to be easy (cos I don't do difficult) but also to be the kind of project you can sit and make in the evenings, whilst watching your favourite thing on the telly-box.







I made mine with two swirls (400g), but you could make a narrower version with just one - instructions are given for both.

You will need:

2 x Batik swirl for wider wrap like mine or 1 x if making a narrower version. - I used Purple Mist (shade 3730)
or around 400g / 1100m (200m / 550m for narrower version) of dk yarn

4.5mm hook

Finished size approx: 47cm x 150 cm (wide version) 22cm x 150 cm (narrow version)

Gauge: approximately 16.5 stitches and 9 rows to 10cm

Chart showing rows 6 - 9:

UK Pattern

Abbreviations:

Stitch(es) st(s)

Chain ch

Treble Crochet tr.

ch 79 (wide version) or 40 (narrower version)

Row 1: beginning in 4th ch from hook, make 1tr in each st across, turn.

Rows 2 - 6: 3ch (counts as tr here and throughout), beginning in 5th ch from hook, 1tr in each st across, turn.

Row 7: 3ch, 3tr in 6th st from hook, sk 2 sts, *3tr in next st, sk 2 sts; repeat from * until 2 sts left, sk 1 st, 1tr in last st, turn.

Row 8: 3ch, 1tr in space before first treble cluster, 3tr in each space between clusters, 1tr in space after last cluster, 1tr in last st.

Row 9: 3ch, 3tr in each space between clusters, 1tr in last st.

Rows 10 - 135: (approx): repeat rows 8 and 9 alternately.

Rows 136 - 140: repeat rows 2 - 6.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

US Pattern

Abbreviations:

Stitch(es) st(s)

Chain ch

Double Crochet dc

ch 79 (wide version) or 40 (narrower version)

Row 1: beginning in 4th ch from hook, make 1dc in each st across, turn.

Rows 2 - 6: 3ch (counts as dc here and throughout), beginning in 5th ch from hook, 1dc in each st across, turn.

Row 7: 3ch, 3dc in 6th st from hook, sk 2 sts, *3dc in next st, sk 2 sts; repeat from *, until 2 sts left, sk 1 st, 1dc in last st, turn.

Row 8: 3ch, 1dc in space before first treble cluster, 3dc in each space between clusters, 1dc in space after last cluster, 1dc in last st.

Row 9: 3ch, 3dc in each space between clusters, 1dc in last st.

Rows 10 - 135: (approx): repeat rows 8 and 9 alternately.

Rows 136 - 140: repeat rows 2 - 6.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

I just love this wrap! It's very soft and with the added wool content, it's really warm, too. Perfect as a chunky scarf to keep out the chills when I'm out and about, or as a wrap-blanket (a wraplet?) to snuggle up with on those draughty evenings on the sofa.
Perfect.

If you'd like to win a cake of the very lovely Batik Swirl in Purple Mist, then simply enter the giveaway below:

a Rafflecopter giveaway


I'll draw it on Thursday 25th Jan 2018. Open worldwide.

Hope you like the pattern and good luck in the giveaway!

Sarah xxx

Stylecraft Blog Tour 2017 - The Learn To Knit Shawl

Hooray! Hooray! 

It's another day of the awesome STYLECRAFT blogstars blog tour and it's my turn.

If you've been keeping track of the tour, then you'll already know that yesterday it was the talented Sandra from Cherry Heart and tomorrow it's the fabulous Lucia from  Lucia’s Fig Tree (I cannot wait to see what she's been up to).

This year's brief was to work with a 10-ball yarn pack, which contains 4 balls of the-new-kid-on-the-block, Batik Elements (a gorgeous variegated yarn) along with 6 coordinating colours from its sister range, Batik.

Lagoon: 4 x Krypton, 1 each of Lupin, Sage, Teal, Storm, Silver and Indigo

There are four colour packs available and I chose Lagoon: I'm always drawn to these kinds of colours.

But what to make?

Now those of you who regularly read my posts will know that something is very wrong here...

... These photos clearly show a knitted thing and I am not really a knitter. 

And you're right, but that's where the Batik came in - because I'd seen an idea for a shawl using a simple combination of garter stitch and stockinette stitch and thought the yarn would be absolutely perfect. 

I had decided THIS would be the shawl that would teach me to knit.

I changed the pattern - the original created an isosceles triangle, with increases on both sides, but I wanted a right-angle, with the increases on just one side and with larger bands of increasing colours, too. 

And do you know what, I love it; Sure enough, my stitches were decidedly dodgy to start off with and my needle hold was awkward, but as I progressed through the shawl, so my tension improved and the yarn fed through my fingers more smoothly and everything neatened out.

 

And the yarn?

It's lovely to work with. I've crocheted a shawl for Inside Crochet Magazine (Issues 92, 93, 94) with it and it's bouncy and soft and warm - (that's the 20% Wool content). And the same can be said for knitting with it; Simply gorgeous.

 

But before we get to the pattern, how would you like to win a Lagoon yarn pack??

Simply enter the competition HERE for your chance to win.

(Giveaway open from 10am GMT 20th October 2017 and closes 10am GMT 21st October 2017. Winner drawn at random and notified by email.)

So let's get to it. The original pattern is called 'Sonnensegel' by Ulrikestrickt and can be found for free HERE.

A note about my pattern:

It is not perfect; It is not meant to be. I forgot to use one of the colours in Part One and I reckon on some of the rows, I forgot to increase, too.

This pattern is easy and forgiving:  Perfect for learning to knit.

The Learn-To-Knit Shawl

 

If you're a beginner knitter, then here's what you'll need to know:

How to cast on

How to knit

How to purl

How to increase (kfb)

How to cast off

Size: 88cms x 145cms (longest edge)

You will need:

The Lagoon yarn pack

Size 4.5mm / 100cm circular needles

Increasing stitches. 

Increasing is carried out (as a Knit Front and Back) on the right-facing side of every knit row in both Garter and Stockinette sections, starting at the first section A*, EXCEPT on every first row where you have changed colour.
To increase: simply K1, increase 1 (kfb), then knit across the rest of the row.

Pattern

Part One:

All sections are 6 rows

The Garter stitch rows (B) will always be in Krypton. 

The Stockinette stitch sections (A) will repeat the same colour twice.

Cast on 3 stitches with Krypton

Knit 6 rows

A*: Change to Teal and knit 1 row, purl 1 row for 6 rows (Stockinette Stitch) *Start the increases

B: Change to Krypton and knit 6 rows (Garter Stitch)

A: Continue in Teal and Stockinette stitch for 6 rows

Work in pattern (Section B, Section A), changing to Indigo, Storm, Lupin, and Silver for 2 sections each, ending with a section of Garter stitch in Krypton

Part 2:

All sections are 8 rows

The Garter stitch rows (B) will always be in Krypton. 

The Stockinette stitch sections (A) will repeat the same colour three times.

Work in pattern (Section A, Section B), changing to Teal, Indigo, Sage, Storm, Lupin, and Silver for 3 sections each, ending with a section of Garter stitch in Krypton.

Cast off loosely and block lightly.

Oh goodness, I hope that makes some degree of sense. If it's your first knitted shawl, then good luck and I hope you enjoy making it. If you're a pro, then please excuse my novice knitter's mistakes and enjoy the pattern, too.

If you'd like to see what my Stylecraft blog pals are up to, then you can find them here:

Crafternoon Treats, The Twisted Yarn, Patchwork Heart, Hand knitted Things, Keep Calm and Crochet on; Catherine’s Crochet Corner,  Zooty Owl, Attic 24, Janie Crow, Crochet Between Worlds, Get Knotted Yarn Craft, and Crochet Between Worlds.

Have a fab weekend,
Sarah xx