I have had some fun making something completely different. I made a summer bucket hat for my daughter. Bucket hats seem to be very popular at the moment and there are some lovely crochet versions around too. This is quite quick to make and suitable for intermediate crocheters. The free written pattern and accompanying video tutorial can be found here.
These are beautiful little squares made with Sirdar Happy Cotton – I used the 20g balls from a set of 50 different colours.
Crocheting with cotton yarn in pastel colors is a delightful experience. The softness of the cotton combined with the gentle hues creates a sensation akin to a cool breeze on a warm day. It’s a soothing and therapeutic process that allows you to immerse yourself in creativity and mindfulness. The end result is a collection of beautiful crochet squares that radiate peace and tranquility.
One of the joys of working with crochet squares is the ability to mix and match colors and patterns. With pastel hues, you have a wide palette to choose from, allowing you to create captivating combinations. Consider creating a patchwork blanket with squares in different pastel shades, or experiment with color gradients to achieve a stunning ombre effect. The possibilities for creativity are truly limitless.
Today, I am thrilled to unveil a breathtaking new design that will captivate your imagination and ignite your creative spirit. Introducing “Midnight Garden,” a mesmerizing variation of the traditional Granny Square that combines elegance, intricacy, and a touch of mystery. Get ready to embark on a crochet journey that will transport you to a magical realm of blooming flowers, starlit skies, and moonlit nights.
The Inspiration Behind Midnight Garden: Inspired by the enchanting beauty of nocturnal gardens, Midnight Garden is a crochet masterpiece that captures the essence of moonlit serenity and the secret allure of hidden flora. Imagine wandering through a lush garden bathed in soft moonlight, surrounded by flowers that bloom under the stars. This design aims to bring that sense of wonder and tranquility into your crochet projects.
A Journey Worth Embarking On: Embarking on a Midnight Garden crochet project is more than just a creative endeavor; it’s a journey into a realm of tranquility and imagination. As you crochet each intricate motif, you’ll find yourself immersed in the peaceful ambiance of a moonlit garden, losing track of time and discovering a profound sense of fulfillment in every stitch.
Midnight Garden is a crochet design that marries tradition and innovation, weaving a tale of moonlit enchantment through every stitch. Whether you’re an experienced crocheter or a novice seeking to embark on a new adventure, this design invites you to explore the hidden depths of creativity and indulge in the joy of bringing beauty to life with your own hands. So, gather your yarn and hook, and let Midnight Garden guide you into a world where crochet meets magic. Happy crocheting!
Welcome to a beginner-friendly step-by-step video tutorial on how to crochet a granny square! Whether you’re new to crochet or looking to expand your skills, this video is the perfect starting point. This Granny Square pattern focuses on a multicolour Granny Square with a different colour used for each round.
With our easy-to-follow instructions and helpful tips, you’ll be creating stunning granny squares in no time. Granny Squares are fun to make and versatile, which can be used to make up into a various different projects such as blankets, bags and clothing etc.
Video for the Modern Crochet Rectangle has now been published and available on Youtube – this short video tutorial outlines how to make the Modern Crochet Rectangle, which is a variation of a Granny Rectangle. Easy to make and suitable for beginners, these rectangles can be part of a bigger practical project.
I am not very good at making video tutorials and working hard to improve this, as I know many people like to have a video tutorial. I still do not have the confidence to speak on my videos – hopefully this is something that I will start to overcome. Hopefully some people will find this video helpful.
The photo tutorial for the Modern Crochet Rectangle Blanket can be found here.
I often get asked about what crochet hooks that I like to use. These are the hooks that I love to use – Clover Armour Hook set (note that this is an affiliate link – where I may get a small commission if you purchase from it). You will see from my website and my social media that I actually use these hooks for all of my crochet projects and often include them in my photos.
The hooks can be bought separately, but I bought this set with a range of different size hooks. (Set contains sizes: 2, 2.5, 3, 3.5, 4, 4.5, 5, 5.5 and 6mm.). The set is bright and colourful. The hooks have soft and easy grip handles. The metal hooks are smooth and glide through yarns with ease.
The hook that I most use is the 4mm – my favourite!
I have now completed my stashbuster squares project and I am really pleased with it. In total, I made 70 squares and arranged them in a 7 by 10 formation. I sewed my squares together using a variation of the mattress stitch and I made a blanket/throw. The blanket could be left as it is, but I decided to add a simple white border.
The full details are available here. I have also included a video tutorial.
I have had a lot of requests on social media for the pattern for these squares. To be honest, I have not yet completed the full blanket design yet and was planning to publish the full pattern once I had done this and written it up in full, with a full supporting video tutorial, like I usually do. However, it appears that there are loads of people who cannot wait for this and are ‘demanding’ the pattern for the square NOW!
So, in a break from the usual, the written pattern for the square is detailed below.
This is a stash buster project to use up leftover yarn from other projects. You can use any yarn you want to use. I used leftovers of Stylecraft Special DK – each square used approximately 7-8g of DK yarn (each square measured approximately 11.5cm x 12cm). I used a size 4mm hook. You can purchase Stylecraft Special DK yarn here.
The stitches used in these squares are double crochet (dc) and half treble crochet (htr) (UK terms). The main body of the square is based on a modified lemon peel stitch (the lemon peel stitch alternates between double crochet and treble crochet, but this pattern uses a half treble instead of the treble crochet).
I left a long tails of approximately 30cm, so that I can sew the squares together using these long tails.
Abbreviations/Crochet terminology:
UK terms are used throughout.
st
stitch
dc
double crochet
htr
half treble crochet
ch
chain
*to*
instructions between asterisks will be repeated as specified
Stitch Guide/Conversion Guide
UK term
UK abbreviation
US term
US Abbreviation
Description
Double Crochet
dc
Single Crochet
sc
Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (2 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining two loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Half Treble Crochet
htr
Half Double Crochet
hdc
Yarn over hook. Insert hook into stitch, yarn over hook, pull through stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through remaining three loops to leave 1 loop on the hook
Chain
ch
Chain
ch
Yarn over hook, pull through loop
Written Pattern (UK terms)
Foundation chain – Chain 18
Row 1 – dc in 2nd ch from hook and in each stitch along to the end, turn. [17 stitches]
Row 2 – ch1 (does not count as a stitch), htr in the first stitch, *dc in the next, htr in the next* repeat from *to* to the end, ensuring that the last stitch worked is a htr. Turn.
Row 3 – ch1 (does not count as a stitch), dc in first stitch, *htr in the next stitch, dc in the next stitch*, repeat from *to* to the end ensuring that the last stitch is a dc. NOTE: the dc’s are worked into a htr stitch from the row below and the htr’s are worked into a dc.
Rows 4 -15 – repeat row 2 and row 3
Row 16 – repeat row 2
Row 17 – ch1 (does not count as a stitch), dc in each stitch along to the end. Cut yarn leaving a long tail of approximately 30cm (if you are going to sew your squares together).
Over the past couple of weeks I have been working on the Cosy Rectangle Blanket. It is a wonderfully soft and squishy blanket, thanks to the stitch combination. The pattern is easy to follow but it is worth noting that I adjusted the number of stitches in each round so that the blanket lay flat and the corners were beautifully square. Essentially each round is one of two rounds (either a round 4 or a round 5 repeat). The stripes are made up of two rounds of each colour. The written pattern is available here.
I am currently working on a video tutorial for this Cosy Rectangle Blanket and I am hoping to release this soon
I have finally finished writing up this project, and I am please to say I have managed to also make an accompanying YouTube video to help anyone who fancies having a go at making this. Pattern can be found here.