The Last Cowl

Ok. So I know I have been a BIT obsessed with cowls and scarves and wraps and all things shawl-y recently, but I PROMISE this is the last scarf pattern for a while, especially as Spring is supposedly just around the corner.

But as we are due some verrrry cold weather here in the UK, I couldn't resist making a gorgeously soft and cosy cowl with some super-chunky and super-gorgeous yarn. And it will be my last one for now. 

I promise.

This is the stuff:

Isn't is lush?
Bet you wish you had squish-o-vision ...

It's called Naturalia by Borgo de Pazzi and you can find it at Woolly Mahoosive. (AND you can receive 10% off this yarn with the code Annaboos)

And so I made a loooooong cowl. The sort you can wrap around twice for extra-cosiness.

The pattern is extremely difficult * very easy and very quick.

*I'd love to actually write that on one of my patterns, but no. Simple all the way

You need 1 x 200g / 120m hank of Naturalia by Borgo De Pazzi (or similar)
and a 15mm hook

UK Pattern: (US below)

ch 13
Row 1: 1tr in 4th ch from hook and each st, turn. (11 sts)
Rows 2 - 3: 3ch (counts as tr throughout), 1tr in each st, turn.
Row 4: 3ch, 4tr, 1ch, sk st, 5tr, turn.
Row 5: 3ch, 2tr, 1ch, sk st, 1tr, 1tr in 1ch-sp, 1tr, 1ch, sk st, 3tr, turn.
Row 6: 4ch (counts as 1tr + 1ch), sk st, 1tr, 1tr in 1ch-sp, 3tr, 1tr in 1ch-sp, 1tr, 1ch, sk st, 1tr, turn.
Row 7: Repeat row 5
Rows 8 - 36: repeat rows 4-7
Rows 37 - 38: Repeat rows 2-3
Do not fasten off - slip stitch the top and bottom edges together.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

US Pattern:

ch 13
Row 1: 1dc in 4th ch from hook and each st, turn. (11 sts)
Rows 2 - 3: 3ch (counts as dc throughout), 1dc in each st, turn.
Row 4: 3ch, 4dc, 1ch, sk st, 5dc, turn.
Row 5: 3ch, 2dc, 1ch, sk st, 1dc, 1dc in 1ch-sp, 1dc, 1ch, sk st, 3dc, turn.
Row 6: 4ch (counts as 1dc + 1ch), sk st, 1dc, 1dc in 1ch-sp, 3dc, 1dc in 1ch-sp, 1dc, 1ch, sk st, 1dc, turn.
Row 7: Repeat row 5
Rows 8 - 36: repeat rows 4-7
Rows 37 - 38: Repeat rows 2-3
Do not fasten off - slip stitch the top and bottom edges together.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

So there you are.
I intend to wear this for the entirety of next week, whilst the Siberian winter takes it grip.

Keep cosy!

Sarah xxxx

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

Season of Gold: A cowl pattern

I absolutley do not need any more scarves, cowls or wraps.

I have loads, I really do.

But when I found this GORGEOUS yarn in a local yarn shop, I fell in love and knew I wanted to wear it around my neck. 
  

You see, it's baby llama and it truly is the most beautifully soft yarn I have ever squidged in my entire life. 

And it's the most perfect Autumnal gold colour, too.

AND it was on sale....

...So I grabbed the last three skeins and ran out of the shop (after paying, obvs), laughing with glee.

I knew exactly what I wanted and found my crochet hook.

And I'm not taking it off.
Ever.

If you'd like to make one (to add to your 'I-do-not-need-any-more-scarves pile'), then here's the pattern (UK first, US below). 

You can use any yarn in any weight with any hook - just make sure you go up a hook size or two to create a lovely, soft drape; simply adjust the foundation chain to suit, making sure it's an even number and you're good to go ...

Enjoy!

Sarah xx

I used:

3 x 50g / 100m balls of Mirasol Llama Una in Mustard (shade 8204)

5mm hook.

Yarn alternative:

Any dk or aran yarn and hook to match

UK Pattern

ch 88, sl st into 1^st ch to join round.

Row 1: 1ch (doesn’t count as a stitch here and throughout), (1htr, 1tr) in next st, sk 1 st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk 1 st; repeat from * around, 1dc in last st. Sl st into 1ch to join round, turn.

Row 2: 1ch, (1htr , 1tr ) in 3^rd st from hook,  sk 1 st, *(1dc, 1tr) in next st, sk 1 st; repeat from*, 1dc in last st. Sl st into 1ch to join round, turn.

Rows 3 – until yarn runs out: Repeat row 2

Fasten off and weave in ends.

US Pattern

ch 88, sl st into 1^st ch to join round.

Row 1: 1ch (doesn’t count as a stitch here and throughout), (1hdc, 1dc) in next st, sk 1 st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk 1 st; repeat from * around, 1sc in last st. Sl st into 1ch to join round, turn.

Row 2: 1ch, (1hdc, 1dc ) in 3^rd st from hook,  sk 1 st, *(1sc, 1dc) in next st, sk 1 st; repeat from*, 1sc in last st. Sl st into 1ch to join round, turn.

Rows 3 – until yarn runs out: Repeat row 2

Fasten off and weave in ends.

*******

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

My new WIP and some Pea Green

Just a couple of things to share.
Firstly, some quick pics of my current crochet project in progress. (I am loving this one)
The gorgeous Blooming Flower Cushion from Lucy at Attic24.



Lovely from the back too.



And a finished project, too.
A little pea green .... er.. what shall I call it? infinity scarf? cowl? loop scarf?
(you get the idea)



Not a mighty achievement, really. It was actually pretty quick to hook up, it's just one of those kind of projects which is always side-stepped for something new.

I used one skein of King Cole Bamboo.
(you know me by now- it was £1 in the bargain bucket and the only one of its colour)
But actually, I'm pretty pleased -



I used the magic chainless foundation stitch (my goodness, Miss Molly, it's marvellous) until I reached about 50 inches/ 127cms and then joined with a slip stitch to make a loop. I then alternated rows of double crochet US (treble UK) and half double US (half treble UK).
It ended up about 5 inches/ 13cms wide.

Actually, it could do with being a teeny bit wider, but I love it. And it's all mine.
Perfect for this slightly Autumnal change in the weather, methinks.

Happy weekend to you all.
Xx