crochet | Sewchet

January 7, 2015
by sewchet 63 Comments

Finished! Greengate Style Crochet Blanket (With FREE pattern!)

Yippee! Picture me dancing a jig around the room with a smile of glee painted on my very smug face. Why? I have finally finished my Greengate style blanket that I started way back in July……and I LOVE it!

Row after row of Drops Paris Cotton loveliness that feels so substantial and luxurious it was well worth the effort and time.

It is HUGE.

Pictured above on the bed in one of our spare bedrooms which is 5’6″ wide, it makes a decent throw but it completely covers a single bed!

The original article and pattern (found here) are in Swedish and the Google translation was a little confusing but, with some crochet experience, I managed to come up with a workable version of the pattern in English which I can now share with you – just click on the link at the bottom of the page to download it!

I particularly love the lettuce-leaf edging – time-consuming but it adds a beautiful texture to it, I think.

Would you like to see some more photos?

Whilst it may look complicated and rather daunting, the main body of the blanket actually consists of nothing other than treble crochet (US double) in plain rows and granny stripe. It’s the winning combination of colours that make it so successful.

If you would like to make your own blanket, I have included a pattern for you to download and print off. It is my own interpretation of the google translation (in the Swedish edition of Homes & Gardens) and may not be perfect but worked well for me!

Click on the link below to download: –

Greengate Style Crochet Blanket Pattern PDF

Now, onto my next blanket…..

January 5, 2015
by sewchet 24 Comments

Sunday Sevens #17

This week, my #sundaysevens post is a day late (again) with good reason – I was at The Ritz in London having afternoon tea and didn’t get back until nine o’clock:)

Shall we start with that then?

Hubby and me quaffing champagne…

…with two of our very good friends.

Cousins-In-Law modelling the crochet headbands I made them for Christmas….

….and the cake she made for our New Year Supper! (Check out her FB page!).

Teaching a willing student to crochet.

I made Salmon en Croute for lunch one day.

A frosty walk with the dogs.

Thanks to Natalie at Threads and Bobbins for encouraging us to keep blogging!

November 27, 2014
by sewchet 26 Comments

2nd Prize In Crochet Competition!

Remember this mystery WIP from last week that I entered into a competition?

Well I won second prize!

For those of you who were intrigued as to what it might be (Caren), I can now reveal that is is a….

…..CLOCK!

Based on a design by Matt, I made it much simpler as my clock hands were too large to include many flowers which would obstruct the movement.

I crocheted the butterfly instead of using a wooden one and used a wire tie to create the antennae. I also glued on felt numerals instead of wooden ones.

Various sizes of brightly coloured flowers adorn the perimeter.

The centre of each flower features a different button from my stash.

Eight little ladybird buttons mark the hour.

Some of the ladybirds are peeking out from amongst the flowers!

The best part for me is the rainbow – I just love all those bright colours!

The plywood we had lying about was too thick for the clock movement so I used some mounting card which was substantial enough for the job.

And here’s my prize….

…..vouchers for Ottery Garden Centre which I have already spent part of on……………………………………………………………………………………………….

……………………you guessed it, another Santa!

Have you won any crafting competitions?

November 19, 2014
by sewchet 23 Comments

Handmade Christmas Presents – Light At The End Of A Very Long Tunnel!

Phew! (Mops sweat from brow before it drips onto freshly laid out pile of FINISHED Christmas pressies). Yep, you heard me – finished!

Well, obviously not the ones I haven’t started yet but, taking a leaf out of Tajana’s book, I gathered together all the recently completed ~~works of art~~ gifts and was pleasantly surprised at my progress.

D’you want to see?

OK then………………………….TADAH!

First we have a Granny square hot water bottle cover – I’ve been itching to find someone to make one for since being inspired by the multitude of colourful hotties on Pinterest. So, if you’re reading this and think it might be for you, ssshhhh, it’s a surprise!

The buttoned flap makes the cover removable for washing after you’ve spilt your cocoa all over it, because you know you just want to snuggle up with a hot milky drink (or whisky) now, don’t you?

I’ve blogged about these cowls and beanie here, but these free printables from Kym at Cobberson & Company are a lovely way to present them.

You may remember the four Egyptian cotton pillowcases in this post that I bought from a charity shop for 50p each; I used one of them to make two napkins which I then (rather painstakingly) embroidered with the initials of the recipients. They don’t read the blog otherwise it would be a bit of a giveaway really:)

This blanket was requested specially – I hope they like it because it took over two months to make!

It’s based on the Sweet Ocean Breeze Baby Blanket by Little Monkey’s Crochet only I made it twice the size to fit a single bed or across the bottom of a double.

The stitch pattern is a joy to crochet and the pale colours made it easy to work on in the evenings whilst watching re-runs of “Morse” and “Lewis”.

I embroidered a label on a piece of satin ribbon to personalize it and make it a bit more special.

The scarf was blogged about in this post and, to be honest, it was so long ago I’d completely forgotten I’d made it!

Similarly, the poncho I made was finished a while ago but it can be added to the growing box of presents that are ready to wrap! You can find the free pattern in the original post here.

There are also jars of homemade jam and a headband that I haven’t blogged about, but they’ve got their fifteen seconds of fame in this post!

There is one Christmas present that is ready to show you but I entered it into a competition today and didn’t have time to take any photos beforehand. Anyway, here is a photo I snapped quickly yesterday as a little tease although I promise to show you the finished article when I’ve collected it. Not my design but I’ve put my own stamp on it. Any ideas as to what it might be?

I’ve also finished making presents and gathering little treasures together for my #sewingsanta recipient which I’m quite excited about! I’ve managed to get an awful lot for the ten pound spending limit and, by making a couple of things with fabric from my stash and some unbelievable ‘as new’ charity shop finds, this girl is in for a treat!

My giftee is someone with a young family who reads my blog, but that is all I am saying apart from the fact that I’ve squeezed in a little something for the children too:)

Happy Crafting!

October 22, 2014
by sewchet 14 Comments

Crochet cowls and beanie

Just a quick post today to show you a few finished Christmas presents. I don’t think any of the intended recipients read the blog, so as long as I don’t put them on my Facebook page it shouldn’t spoil any surprises:)

First, another chunky cowl in purple fleck….

….and another in black fleck;

The free pattern and tutorial can be found here.

Finally, here is the crocheted beanie in a fab ribbed design;

Personally speaking, I would have loved it in lime green like in the original pattern which can be found over at Hopeful Honey, but most people have more conservative tastes than mine:)

Next, onto the monogrammed napkins – now they really are a challenge!

How are you getting on with your handmade Christmas gifts?

October 18, 2014
by sewchet 128 Comments

Tutorial: Crochet Poncho

This last week has been pretty miserable weather-wise in South Somerset. I have managed to walk the dogs on several days but mostly they put one paw on the doorstep, feel the rain and high-tail it back indoors. They’re most definitely fair-weather walkers which is a shame because I quite like walking in the rain.

On the plus side, being cosied up in front of a roaring fire has had its advantages in that I’ve been finishing some WIPs (and starting some others…) and I actually have one ready to show you complete with a tutorial!

This one was relatively straightforward – I wrote the pattern as I went and got it right first time…with no unpicking at all! Or should I say “frogging”. That’s a lovely word that I’ve only just come across but I think I’ll use it in future:)

Anyway, drum roll please…..

…………………………Tadah!

Most of the poncho patterns out there seem to be decorative rather than functional and I wanted one that could replace a coat and scarf, so I designed this one with a toasty cowl neck that can be rolled up around my face if it gets windy.

Two rows of granny stripe in blue were added at the bottom edge for a bit more interest.

Impossible to get a decent selfie but this gives you an idea of what it looks like on;

I love it!

It crochets up really quickly and could be finished in two or three evenings so why not have a go? Here are the instructions: –

CROCHET PONCHO

You will need: 5 x 100g super chunky yarn in Red and 1 x 100g in Blue (I used “Life Super Chunky” by Stylecraft with 25%wool)

10mm crochet hook

Tension: 6 rows and 9tr in 10x10cm

Cowl

In Red, Ch50, sl st in first chain to join round

*Ch3, 1tr in each st to end. Join with a sl st into ch3* Repeat ** until your work measures 8″ (20cm) then continue on to work the Poncho

Poncho

Ch3, 1tr, ch1, 2tr all into next stitch (centre back), 1tr into next 26 stitches, 2tr, ch1, 2tr all into next stitch (centre front), 1tr in each stitch to end.

Subsequent rows are all treble crochet, increasing at centre back and front as follows: 2tr, ch1, 2tr

Repeat until your arm length measures 20″ (50cm)

Change to Blue in the sl st to join the last round.

Ch3, 2tr,*sk 2, 3tr* Repeat ** to end increasing at centre back and front as before. Join with a sl st.

Repeat last row.

For the final row, work 1dc into each stitch to end. Fasten off and weave in ends.

And there you have it! A lovely warm crocheted poncho to see you through Autumn:)

October 13, 2014
by sewchet 15 Comments

Tutorial: – How To Make A Crochet Cowl In Three Hours!!

Last week I bought two skeins of Debbie Bliss “Roma” with a particular project in mind – a cosy cowl for myself.

As this only takes two skeins, I splashed out on this luxury yarn which is a beautifully soft mix of Merino and superfine Alpaca in a gorgeous shade, Duck Egg. At £8.95 per 100g ball it costs just under £18.00 to make which is well worth it considering the quality of the wool.

Even though I was writing the pattern as I went, I had the finished cowl around my neck within just three hours of hooking my first stitch. Not bad for an evening’s work, though I say so myself!

This was made possible by the use of super chunky yarn and a super sized crochet hook, the combination of which creates a loose textured cowl which drapes softly.

There are lots of patterns out there but I had a go at designing my own as I went, combining several elements into one design and tailoring it to fit me exactly.

I decided to use exclusively treble crochet (US double) to keep it simple and let the wonderful yarn take centre stage.

I also decided to make it wider at the bottom so that it would drape lower and keep my chest warm, but make it narrower at the neck for a snug fit to keep the wind out.

Apologies for the slightly scary stare – that’s what happens when I take selfies!!! Anyway, you get the idea – a really cosy cowl to keep you warm on a cold day. So, without further ado….

COSY COWL PATTERN

You will need: –

2 skeins of any super chunky yarn (I used Debbie Bliss “Roma” in Duck Egg – £8.95 each from the Wool Warehouse)

12mm crochet hook

Tension: 7 stitches and 5 rows to 10 x 10cm

Instructions: –

Ch50 and join with a slip stitch into your first chain to continue working in the round.

Round 1. Ch3, 1tr in each ch to end. Join with a sl st into your first ch3 (50 st)

Rounds 2-4. Repeat Round 1 three more times (50 st)

Round 5. Start decreasing for the neck; Ch3, 1tr into next 12 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr into next 24 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr in each st to end. Join with a sl st (48 st)

Round 6. Ch3, 1tr into next 11 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr into next 23 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr in each st to end. join with a sl st (46 st)

Round 7. Ch3, 1tr into next 10 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr into next 22 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr in each st to end. join with a sl st (44 st)

Round 8. Ch3, 1tr into next 9 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr into next 21 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr in each st to end. join with a sl st (42 st)

Round 9. Ch3, 1tr into next 8 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr into next 20 stitches, tr2tog, 1tr in each st to end. join with a sl st (40 st)

Rounds 10-16. Ch3, 1tr into each st to end. join with a sl st (40 st)

Round 17. Ch2, 1dc into each st to end. Fasten off and weave in loose ends.

Such a simple, quick pattern with only 17 rows of crochet – I think this cowl is definitely going to be made in various different shades for Christmas presents….!

October 7, 2014
by sewchet 14 Comments

A “Fruitful” Walk and How To Make Sloe Gin

It was such a perfect Autumn morning that I decided to take the dogs on The Road Walk instead of The Field Walk, with the added benefit that the road acts as a nail file thereby negating the need to get the dreaded nail clippers out (for the dogs, not me).

I use the word ‘road’ very loosely because, although they have been acquainted with tarmac at some point, the lanes between my village and the neighbouring ones rarely see a car. The total combined population of all three villages adds up to less than 400! In fact this morning we met neither vehicle nor human on a two and a half hour walk. Just the way I like it:)

I took a few snaps on my iPhone just to give you an idea.

After about a mile we took a footpath to Blackford (population 70). Look at that blue sky!

Back onto the lane and a pretty little corner in Maperton (population 100) caught my eye. I usually walk straight past but I thought I’d photograph it today to show you; the shady end of the cottage has been planted with vibrant orange flowers which smell heavenly as you drift by.

View from the top of the lane;

Back into my village, North Cheriton (population 208) and the way back takes us through a wooded lane….

…and past Wisteria cottage…..

…to a Blackthorn Tree! Look at those lovely sloes;

Folklore tells us not to pick the sloes until after the first frost and, as we had the first frost at the weekend, those spare dog poo bags that I always carry came in handy:)

This is my recipe for sloe gin;

Put 1lb sloes, pricked several times with a pin, into a clean jar.

Add 4oz sugar and a bottle of gin;

Shake well and put in a cool, dark place for at least two months. We store ours in the understairs cupboard.

It’s that simple.

Important things to note are: –

1. You need to shake the mixture every morning for about a week until the sugar has dissolved

2. To keep the colour a deep, dark maroon, cover with a tea-towel to stop any light getting in, otherwise it will fade to an insipid pink

My daughter gave me this lovely book of Cath Kidston stickers for Christmas one year so I used some to label the jars with a date.

Our first fire of the season was lit much to the dogs’ delight;

I pulled up an armchair and they curled up on the floor beside me whilst I did a spot of crocheting;

This one is for me….a chunky poncho in ‘berry red’;

I plan on putting a row of blue near the bottom for a bit of interest and I’m writing it up as I go so the poncho pattern will be on the blog when I’ve finished:)

September 30, 2014
by sewchet 11 Comments

Yarndale (and a chat with Lucy!)

What a fabulous, yarntastic weekend!

Yarndale 2014 was all it promised to be – and more.

Conceived and organized by a group of five yarnaholics (including the very popular Lucy of Attic24), Yarndale’s inaugural festival of 2013 was followed up with an equally successful event this year.

Three friends and I endured the 250 mile car journey north to Skipton, Yorkshire, which took a mammoth seven hours from South Somerset due to a typically busy Friday night’s traffic. We enjoyed real five star hospitality in luxury surroundings from Pam Gregory at Cononley Hall – these were our two rooms: –

We really couldn’t fault it at all – the perfect place to relax and unwind after a full day on our feet (our heads were buzzing from inspiration overload!).

We set off Saturday morning after an amazing full English; just a five minute stroll to the station (which turned into a sprint as we saw our train on the platform from halfway up the road!) followed by one stop on the train to Skipton. There were two (free) buses put on this year to ferry passengers to and from the station and they set the tone for the whole weekend….

….yes, even the double-deckers had been yarn-bombed both inside and out!

We were at the front of the queue so managed to snap a couple of photos – this was pretty much the only man amongst 6,000 crochet-mad women in the entire place!!

The event was held in Skipton Auction Mart which, when we viewed the site from the hill, was enormous! Can you see just how vast the covered area is? I’ve circled it in red below: –

The approach through the park (for those walking) was well signposted with crocheted signs in various styles….

Local schools joined in with unique interpretations on bicycle yarn-bombing;

The walk took you past the picturesque canal…

…until you arrived at the site…

…which marked your wooly destination with yarn-bombed trees!

Apologies for the poor quality of the photos (and me, a professional photographer too!) but I left the camera at home and went with the iPhone. They’re not great but, hopefully, you get an idea of the atmosphere surrounding the event and the amount of thought and effort that went into organizing such a huge project:)

Once inside, a colourful gallery of all 1,182 mandalas sent to Lucy greeted you, stretching the entire width of the venue;

The Yarndale Hub (centre of operations!) was, again, strung wall-to-wall with last year’s contributions of 6,212 bunting triangles sent in from all over the world. Here we are, the only photograph of the four of us taken over all four days!

Can you guess where this is?

Of course you can – it’s the Knit & Natter lounge hosted by our favourite Lucy!

This creative lady sums up the yarn obsession shared by everyone at the show!

I think that’s more than enough for one post but do come back again when I have details of a little plan that we discussed briefly with Lucy and photos of some of the many stalls that were so beautifully displaying their wares.

September 25, 2014
by sewchet 19 Comments

Yarndale, Crochet Scarf & Designer Curtains

Wahay, we’re off to Skipton tomorrow – Yarndale, here we come!

Three girly days filled with yarn-related happiness and three nights ~~of drinking wine~~ away from home. Us four ladies having bought our tickets for the much awaited yarnfest four long months ago, thought it wise to book some decent accommodation at the same time while there was still some choice. Long gone are the days where I’m happy to sleep anywhere as long as it’s spotlessly clean. Oh no, nowadays I want somewhere at least as nice, if not better, than the home I’ve left behind. £39 a night Travelodge will NOT do.

Luckily, Cononley Hall was available and £90 a night for B+B in 5* luxury is a bit more up our street!

So, rooms booked, tickets at the ready, now for the FIVE HOUR drive up from Somerset……

Looking on the bright side, when did you last get to sit down and crochet for five hours flat??

Talking of which, I have finished another WIP. It’s a Christmas present for a male in the family and I’m hoping it’s masculine enough. I’m basing my choice of colours on my husband’s taste but he is rather brave on the colour front to say the least!!

Today’s Challenge: How to take an interesting photograph of a scarf (without a model)!

I’ve also finished with the designer fabric I bought in the charity shop. There was enough to make a pair of full-length curtains for our dining room which I am absolutely thrilled about. I can’t show you pictures of them in situ yet as the room still needs to be painted, but here they are all neatly folded waiting to be hung.

So, until next week (post-Yarndale) toodle-oo!

Sewchet

Sewing, crochet, crafts, accessories, baking, tutorials,

Tag Archives: crochet

Finished! Greengate Style Crochet Blanket (With FREE pattern!)

Sunday Sevens #17

2nd Prize In Crochet Competition!

Handmade Christmas Presents – Light At The End Of A Very Long Tunnel!

Crochet cowls and beanie

Tutorial: Crochet Poncho

Tutorial: – How To Make A Crochet Cowl In Three Hours!!

A “Fruitful” Walk and How To Make Sloe Gin

Yarndale (and a chat with Lucy!)

Yarndale, Crochet Scarf & Designer Curtains

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