CrochetZine

CrochetZine

It's brand new, shiny, online magazine about all things CROCHET - and I'm super-proud to be part of the creative team behind it. 

So what is this exactly? 

It's a magazine with just 12 pages. In each monthly issue, we plan to feature two free patterns, articles about designers, makers and current topics, some funny stuff and a brilliant giveaway. The idea is that it's just about long enough for you to read in your tea-break. And feedback from our readers so far, has been amazing.

CrochetZine is the brain child of Sharna Moore (one of my crochet besties) and I was thrilled to be asked if I'd like to be part of the team, along with Chrissie Asbridge (my other crochet bestie). Now, you'll need to read the mag to find out how it all got started, but we've discovered that we're a bit of a dream team, which is so important when you're beginning a new venture, isn't it?

Find the pattern for these coasters in Issue One

Here's how it works: 

Sharna is the really arty, crafty one. She's beautifully creative, has a bazillion original ideas in her head and is a throughly nice person.

Chrissie, apart from also being amazingly talented at crochet and embroidery and having a very successful YouTube Channel, has a background as an Editor and is also a thoroughly nice person.

Me? I'm a designer, maker and author and can write and check patterns and, with being a teacher, am quite the organiser.

And so you see, it all works rather well.

If you'd like to have a read, and see what all the fuss is about, then read CrochetZine here.

CrochetZine is the first Instagram crochet magazine; 12 squares of crochet goodness delivered to your IG feed every month.

Join us for the ride as we’ll be featuring patterns you REALLY want to make, features and articles you REALLY want to read and some of the newest and coolest designers and makers on the block you REALLY want to meet.

I hope you enjoy it!!

Sarah xx

Caught By The Sea Shawl Kit Preview

Just recently, I was asked by Veronika Cromwell of The Blue Star Crochet Company whether I'd like another a shawl for my shawlf (my shawl-shelf).

If you're a regular reader, then you'll know that my shawlf is pretty jam-packed with all the shawls, cowls, wraps and various neck-attire you could possibly imagine because I just love to make them and so obviously, I couldn't say no.

Veronika is the designer behind The Blue Star Crochet Company and a quick peek at her Etsy shop reveals a plethora of beautiful patterns for accessories and garments. Now, the next big thing Veronika is launching is not just a pattern for her gorgeous Caught By The Sea Shawl, but the whole kit - everything you need to make it and a a few little extras, too.

Have eaten biscuit and drunk tea already, obvs

Here's what the kit contains:

• 1 x 100g hand-dyed skein of 100% Falkland Merino British wool, with two colour ways to choose from, both dyed by Sheena Proudlock of The Mermaid's Purse and exclusive to this kit.

I chose the colour 'Dolphin Shore' 

• Pattern leaflet, with code for Ravelry download, too (also exclusive to the kit and which also contains further support codes and charts)
• 5mm crochet hook

Gah, I'm a sucker for a cute stitch-marker

• 2 x stitch markers
• Sweet treat and tea
• further discount codes for 15% off Blue Star Crochet Company patterns and The Mermaid's Purse Yarns

The kit is available to pre-order from the 1st April 2018 (and all for just £21.99, plus postage).

AND I have a discount code for you - just use the code ANNABOO1418 to receive 10% when you order your kit!

This yarn is DREAMY soft and gorgeous

And so I'd like to say a big well done to Veronika - I think the kit is really superb and great quality and the pattern looks just lovely- it would make the perfect present for someone else, or special gift to yourself.

*If you'd like to see the unboxing of this shawl kit, then check out my stories on Instagram*

I cannot wait to make a start on mine - that yarn is HEAVENLY.

Wishing you all Happy Easter weekend,

Sarah xx

The one with the tadpoles

Yes, you did read that correctly.

TADPOLES

You see, a couple of weeks ago, we (not me, I hasten to add - this was something the Mister and kids are responsible for) picked up a teeny little bit of frogspawn from a muddy puddle in a field.

And now we have tadpoles.

Eleventy-billion of them, to be precise.

(For anyone who hasn't seen tadpoles before, they are the aquatic lavae of amphibians - in this case, frogs. Find out more about them here.)

We are feeding them all sorts of stuff (so far, raw minced meat has been their favourite) and are enjoying watching them change and grow. And grow.. And grow...

I'm even documenting their daily progress on my Instagram Stories (it's Day 28 of #frogwatch, if you're interested) which is proving very popular with my followers and I receive lots of comments from people telling me how much they enjoy tuning in each day to see how the tadpoles are getting on.

And so it seemed appropriate to crochet one. In fact, I'd like to make a whole set for every stage of their development, but we'll see.

If you fancy making a crocheted tadpole (I cannot think of a single reason why you wouldn't) then here's the pattern in UK terms (US below):

Tadpole Pattern (UK)

Pattern notes:

The tadpole is crocheted in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round. Stuff as you go.

You will need:

A small amount of yarn in black and grey and a hook to match. 

I used Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Black and Mouse Grey and a 3.5mm hook 

Toy Stuffing

2 x 9mm safety eyes

Head and tail

Rnd 1: using Black, 6dc in magic ring, or 2ch, 6dc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts)

Rnd 2: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 3: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 4: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 5: (1dc, 2dc in next st) around. (18 sts)

Rnds 6 - 9: 1dc in each st around.

Insert eyes between rnds 4 - 5; 6 sts apart.

Rnd 10: (1dc, dc2tog) around. (12 sts)

Rnd 11: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 12: dc2tog around (6 sts)

Rnds 13 - 25: 1dc in each st around.

Rnd 26: dc2tog around (3 sts)

Rnd 27: 2dc, leaving 1st unworked.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Tail Fins (make 2)

Using Grey, 15ch.

Along the length of the chain, make one of each st in each of the chain stitches:

1sl st, 2dc, 2htr, 5tr, 2htr, 2dc, 1sl st.

Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing to tail.

Using the yarn ends, stitch the tail fins in place.

Tadpole Pattern (US)

Pattern notes:

The tadpole is crocheted in continuous rounds. Use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round. Stuff as you go.

You will need:

A small amount of yarn in black and grey and a hook to match. 

I used Rico Creative Cotton Aran in Black and Mouse Grey and a 3.5mm hook 

Toy Stuffing

2 x 9mm safety eyes

Head and tail

Rnd 1: using Black, 6sc in magic ring, or 2ch, 6sc in 2nd ch from hook (6 sts)

Rnd 2: 1sc in each st around.

Rnd 3: 2sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 4: 1sc in each st around.

Rnd 5: (1sc, 2sc in next st) around. (18 sts)

Rnds 6 - 9: 1sc in each st around.

Insert eyes between rnds 4 - 5; 6 sts apart.

Rnd 10: (1sc, sc2tog) around. (12 sts)

Rnd 11: 1sc in each st around.

Rnd 12: sc2tog around (6 sts)

Rnds 13 - 25: 1sc in each st around.

Rnd 26: sc2tog around (3 sts)

Rnd 27: 2sc, leaving 1st unworked.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

Tail Fins (make 2)

Using Grey, 15ch.

Along the length of the chain, make one of each st in each of the chain stitches:

1sl st, 2sc, 2hdc, 5dc, 2hdc, 2sc, 1sl st.

Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing to tail.

Using the yarn ends, stitch the tail fins in place.

The plan, of course is to watch them grow into froglets and release them back where they were found ... (before they take over the house like a Biblical plague).

Enjoy!

Sarah xx

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

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