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

Summertime Mandala Cushion

Summertime ...

Strawberries and cream, Wimbledon on the telly, ice-creams, suncream, picnics and ...

... tempestuous rain, floods and turning on the heating.

Yes, if you live in the UK then you'll know that we're not really experiencing the summer of dreams, but a rather cold, wet version, which no-one is very keen on. So in an attempt to banish all miserable thoughts of our dreadful summer so far, here's a rather lovely (if I say so myself) colour palette using Stylecraft cotton (I've blogged about before here) which will give you ALL the summery feels.

Now, if truth be told I love a Mandala, but I'm never exactly sure what to do with it once I've made it - I've seen some lovely versions attached to hoops and hung on the wall, but I fancied something a bit different. And as I have practically NO cushions in my house (same goes for blankets and shawls, in case you're wondering) I thought I'd make a new one, and combine the two. Especially as I found a plain cushion cover in Hobbycraft for a total steal at £2 (find it here). 

Summertime Mandala (UK Terms)

Pattern Notes: 

Most rounds begins with a treble stitch, so make the first stitch of yours a chain of 2 or 3, depending on which you prefer. Some rounds begin with a tr2tog or tr3tog cluster. For the treble two together (tr2tog), make a chain of 2 and a treble stitch, for the treble three together (tr3tog), make a chain of 2 and then a standard tr2tog.

For rounds beginning with a double crochet stitch, make a standing double crochet, or chain 1, (doesn't count as stitch) and make 1dc in the same space.

At the end of each round, slip stitch to the first st of the round to join.

You'll need: 

40cm x 40cm plain cushion cover
Stylecraft Classique Cotton DK in Ivory (3665), Shrimp (3674), Peppermint (3691) and Apricot (3962)
4mm hook
Needle and thread in matching colour.

Rnd 1: In Ivory, 10tr in magic ring or ch4 (counts as 1ch + 1tr), 9tr in 4th ch from hook. (10 tr)
Rnd 2: In Apricot, 2tr in each st around. (20 tr)
Rnd 3: In Peppermint, 4tr between each 2tr cluster around. (40 tr)
Rnd 4: In Shrimp, *2tr between 4tr cluster, sk 2 sts, 2tr between stitches; rep from * around.
Rnd 5: In Apricot, 3tr between each 2tr cluster around. (60 tr)

Rnds 1 - 9

Rnd 6: In Ivory, 1dc, 3ch between each 3tr cluster around. (20 dc, 60 ch)
Rnd 7: 4tr in each 3ch-sp around. (80 tr)
Rnd 8: In Peppermint, *2tr between 4tr cluster, sk 2 sts, 2tr between stitches; rep from * around.
Rnd 9: In Apricot, 2tr between each 2tr cluster around.
Rnd 10: In Shrimp, 1dc, 2ch between each 3tr cluster around. (40 dc, 80 ch)
Rnd 11: 3tr in each 2ch-sp around. (120 tr)
Rnd 12: In Ivory, *1tr between 3tr cluster, sk 1 st, (1tr, 1ch, 1tr) in next st, sk 1 st; rep from * around. (120 tr, 40 ch)
Rnd 13: In Apricot, (tr2tog, 2ch, tr2tog) in each 1ch-sp around. (80 tr2tog, 80 ch)
Rnd 14: In Peppermint, (tr3tog, 2ch, tr3tog) in each 2ch-sp around. (80 tr3tog, 80 ch)
Rnd 15: In Ivory, *1dc in 2ch-sp, (4tr, picot, 4tr) in next 2ch-sp. (160 tr, 20 picot, 20 dc)

Rnds 8 - 15

Fasten off and weave in ends. Stitch to middle of cushion and enjoy!!

That's it - it couldn't be easier! And you don't have to make a cushion - you could use your mandala to decorate a plain tote bag, t-shirt, the back of a denim jacket... or it could just lie on a table, looking pretty.

Look what happens when I say 'Biscuits' ..

[Do note the sun was actually shining for the photos today - but we all know it's going to pee down tomorrow ...]

Enjoy,
Sarah x

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

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

Stylecraft Visit 2017 (Part 2)

Yarn... Lovely, new yarn.

All crocheters and knitters love the stuff and it's always exciting when a favourite manufacturer releases additional colours, or a new range. On my recent visit to the Stylecraft Mill as one of their Blogstars (read Part 1 here) it was with great anticipation that we watched the Autumn/Winter presentation to see the new yarns.

This has to be my favourite image from the presentation - just look at this stunning crocheted blanket and cushion, designed by the clever Annelies Baes. It's made with some of the new colours in the Life DK range and is just a beauty.

Here's some of my new faves:

First up, it's a new yarn called Tweedy. (100g / 260m) This is a really bright and cheery double-knit yarn, made from 74% premium acrylic and 26% cotton. Just four shades available at the mo - love the subtle mix of colours.

Next, there's colour additions to the already super-popular Head over Heels sock yarn, as well as a variation called Boho, which includes funky stripes of black and white.

The Batik yarns (my current yarn-crush - see below) have also enjoyed some colour additions, and also a whole new range:

 

The Batik Elements - a variagated blend of colours in the same 50g /138m 80% Acrylic /20% Wool blend as the solids.

Here's a little peek of something I'm working on with this amazing green 'Kryptonite'..

 

AND in super-exciting news, my latest CAL (crochet-a-long) design for Inside Crochet magazine uses the Batik solids, too. I chose four complemetary shades to create a gorgeously cosy shawl, which will be perfect for the Autumn. 

The Batik yarn was such a good choice for this project - it's soft and bouncy and the stitch definition is superb. I think it would work in any combination of colours you fancied.

Photo Credits to Mavric Photography / Inside Crochet Issue 92

Find the pattern for the first part of the mystery shawl in Issue 92. Sections 2 and 3 will be in the following issues of the magazine.

I'm tempted to make another version using some of the Batik Elements, or perhaps the Tweedy, but I really must get on with all my other projects, first... (more on those in my next post)

Find out more about the Stylecraft Yarns Blogstars here.

Wishing you a great week,

Sarah xx