Pattern - Rainbow Bookmark

Its been a 'rainbowy' kinda year hasn't it? And to that end I just cannot help myself crocheting and designing in lush rainbow brights, they just cheer me up so much! 

So the latest design is these quick and easy little rainbow bookmarks. Or are they shooting stars??

Hook one for your self for all the copius reading we have done during lockdown! 

Or they would make fab Christmas Stocking fillers as we finally close the door on 2020!

Hook - 4mm

Pattern in UK Terminology

Yarn
Cotton DK in Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue and Purple

I used Stylecraft Classique Cotton from my stash, although I am aware some of these colours have been discontinued. You just need the relevant rainbow colours in any DK cotton you like

Measurements

Finished piece measures 18cm long and 3cm wide, before tassels added

Notes

The stars are made separate to the body of the bookmark and then sewn on.

BOOKMARK

With Red Ch33

Row 1 - 1 dc into second ch from hook and each ch along to end, turn (32 sts)

Change to Orange

Row 2 - Ch1 (does not count as a st throughout), 1 dc in each st to end, turn (32 sts)

Change to Yellow

Row 3 - Repeat Row 2

Change to Green

Row 4 - Repeat Row 2

Change to Blue

Row 5 - Repeat Row 2

Change to Purple

Row 6 - Repeat Row 2

Fasten off and weave in ends

STARS

With Yellow, make a magic ring

Round 1 - Ch1, 5 dc in ring, join with a sl st in first dc (5 sts)

Round 2 - *Ch3, sl st in 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc in next ch, join with a sl st in next st, repeat from * 4 more times (5 points)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Make another Star using Blue yarn

MAKING UP

Using the picture as a guide, sew the stars onto the top of the bookmark.

TASSELS

Cut a 10 cm length of each colour and attach to the bottom of the bookmark to its corresponding colour.

To make tassels, hold length of yarn in the centre, insert hook from front to back, hook around the centre of the yarn length, pull through so you have a loop on the hook and then bring the tails of the length of yarn from the back, under the ring and through the loop, pull to secure.

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty 

Pattern - Christmas Snowflake Ornaments

I try to design a new Christmas Decoration every year to adorn my house which is now kind of a tradition at Dotty Towers.

This year I have designed these really cute little Snowflake Ornaments and I would love to share the quick and easy pattern with you!

Hook - 4mm

Pattern in UK Terminology

Yarn
I used Cotton DK from my stash. Any DK yarn will do although I think cotton looks best. This is a great stash buster too!

So for the ornaments in the picture we just need a Red and White yarn, but as always use whatever colours you like! I have some gold and silver lame which I am going to try next!

Materials Required
Yarn Needle

Small amount of Toy Stuffing

Measurements
Finished piece measures 6.5cm x 6.5cm

Abbreviations
Reverse dc (also known as Crab Stitch) - Insert the hook, from front to back, in the next stitch to the right, yrh and draw the yarn through the stitch, yrh and draw the yarn through the 2 loops on the hook.

Notes

The ornament is made in 2 pieces which are embroidered and then both pieces are crocheted together and lightly stuffed.

MAIN BODY - Make 2

With Red make a Magic Ring

Round 1 - Ch1 (does not count as st throughout pattern), 6 dc into ring, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (6 sts)

Round 2 - Ch1, 2 dc into each st, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (12 sts)

Round 3 - Ch1, *1 dc into first st, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (18 sts)

Round 4 - Ch1, *1 dc into first 2 sts, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (24 sts)

Round 5 - Ch1, *1 dc into first 3 sts, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (30 sts)

Round 6 - Ch1, *1 dc into first 4 sts, 2 dc into next st, repeat from * to end, join in a sl st into the first dc of round (36 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends

SNOWFLAKE EMBROIDERY

Using your yarn needle, white yarn and the picture as a guide, embroider a snowflake design onto both pieces of the body.

JOINING

Holding both pieces together with RS facing, join white yarn through any dc st of round 5 of both pieces, joining them together.

Round 7 - Ch1, work 1 reverse dc st in each st around until 5 sts from end, lightly stuff the piece and then work 1 reverse dc in remaining sts, join with a sl st into the first reverse dc of round (36 sts) 

Do not Fasten off

HANGING LOOP

Ch15, join with a sl st into same st as join

Fasten off and weave in ends.

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty 

Tutorial - Easy Make Granny Square Cushion

A few weeks ago I made these lovely granny square cushions from this fab self striping yarn that I got for my birthday. 

This is a really quick and easy method of making effective granny square cushions, so with 'Granny Square Day' coming up next month I thought I would put together an easy tutorial whilst I made them!


Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 5.5mm



Yarn
For the cushion I used a cake of self striping yarn in aran weight that was from Aldi. 
The cake contained 200g of yarn and was just about enough to make the granny square to the required size.

 

For the joining I used a gold yarn from my stash in DK weight. 
You can use either the same yarn as the body or a lovely contrasting or clashing colour which gives it a great finishing effect

You can use any yarn for this project, provided you make it to the recommended size and of course swap up or down the hook size as required.

Other Materials
Cushion insert 
My cushion insert measures 40cm x 40cm (16" x 16")

Construction
For this cushion cover I will be making 1 giant granny square to the required size. The corners are then folded into the centre to create a square shaped cover.

Cushion Body

Make a Magic Ring

Round 1- Ch3 (counts as a st throughout pattern), 2 tr, *ch2, 3 tr, repeat from * twice more, ch2, join with a sl st in the in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (12 sts, 4 ch2 sps) 

Round 2 - Sl st into next 2 sts and then into ch2 sp, (ch3, 2 tr, ch2, 3 tr) into ch2 sp, *skip next 3 sts and (3tr, ch2, 3tr) into next ch2 sp, repeat from * twice more, join with a sl st in the in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (24 sts, 4 ch2 sps) 

Round 3 - Sl st into next 2 sts and then into ch2 sp, (ch3, 2 tr, ch2, 3 tr) into ch 2 sp, *skip next 3 sts and work 3 tr into next sp between the 2 groups of 3 tr sts on previous round, work (3tr, ch2, 3tr) into next ch2 sp, repeat from * twice more, work 3 tr into next sp between the 2 groups of 3 tr sts on previous round, join with a sl st in the in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (36 sts, 4 ch2 sps) 

Round 4 Onwards - Continue to repeat Round 3, adding additional 3 tr groups along the sides, increasing as you go, until your granny square is at its required size.

As a guide your granny square needs to be 50% larger than your cushion, for example my cushion cover was 40cm x 40cm, I worked my square to a total of 20 rounds and this measured 60cm x 60cm and was enough to cover my size cushion.
Therefore, if your cushion is 20cm x 20cm, your granny square needs to be 30cm x 30cm, if your cushion is 30cm x 30cm, your granny square needs to be 45cm x 45cm and so on.

Lay your cushion over to check that it is the right size and that the granny square will wrap around ok

 

Fasten off and weave in ends

Construction
Lay the granny square flat and fold the corners in to meet at the centre. 
Using the photo as a guide and taking one side, join your yarn to the corner you have just made, ensuring you join through both sides of yarn. So for my granny square, as I worked it in 20 round, the join will be 10 round in from the edge.

Work ch1, and then a dc stitch through the top of each st on both sides, joining together

Work the dc sts to the end, working 2 dc in each corner sp, then turn and work down the next side so you have completed one side, as per the picture, giving a letter shape.

Insert the cushion into the cover and then join the remaining edges in the same way, sealing the cover and the cushion in place

Fasten off and weave in ends. Plump the cushions to ensure the correct shape and the insert is well placed

All completed!!!

I would love to see your designs if you have used different types of yarn! If you do make these, please remember to tag me on Instagram!

Happy Hooking!
Kelly@lovedotty

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty 

Pattern - Hanging Rainbow

As my previous post, I made my Rainbow Bunting to display in my window for passers by. I did warn this was just the start! And now I have made some little rainbows to hang along side it. 

I'd love to share the pattern for this quick and easy make and hopefully it will cheer you and any passers by up during this strange isolation period

(if you are reading this after 2020, what a weird year that was!)


Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 3.5mm

Yarn
Cotton 4 ply Weight in rainbow colours - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet with a different colour for joining and edging (I used pink)
I used Scheepjes Catona (this yarn is gorgeous if you have never used before!)

Construction
The rainbow will be made in a circle which will be folded over and the edges crocheted together. This means it can hang in a window and have the same finished look on both sides

With Violet, make a Magic Ring

Round 1 - ch3 (counts as a st throughout pattern), 13 tr into ring, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (14 sts)
Fasten off and change to Indigo

Round 2 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, 2 tr in each st around, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (28 sts)
Fasten off and change to Blue

Round 3 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, *1 tr in next st, 2 tr in next st*, repeat from * until end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (42 sts)
Fasten off and change to Green

Round 4 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, *1 tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st*, repeat from * until end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (56 sts)
Fasten off and change to Yellow

Round 5 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, *1 tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st*, repeat from * until end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (70 sts)
Fasten off and change to Orange

Round 6 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, *1 tr in next 4 sts, 2 tr in next st*, repeat from * until end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (84 sts)
Fasten off and change to Red

Round 7 - ch3, 1 tr in same st, *1 tr in next 5 sts, 2 tr in next st*, repeat from * until end, join with a sl st in 3rd ch of beginning ch3 (98 sts)
Fasten off 

Joining
Folding the piece in half with the RS facing, join the pink yarn at the right hand corner, through sts on both sides of Round 7 joining them together (note - both sts would be next to each other if piece was opened flat). 
All the sts in Round 8 will be worked through the top sts of both sides of the folded piece

Round 8 - ch1 (does not count as st), 1 dc in same st and next 23 sts around, sl st into the next st, ch20, join with a sl st into the same st, 1 dc in next st and next 23 sts around until the end (48 sts)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Happy Hooking
Kelly@lovedotty

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty 

Pattern - Rainbow Granny Bunting

I have joined in the fun in displaying rainbows in my window to cheer passers by in these uncertain times. 

First up was this Rainbow Granny Bunting and would love to share the pattern with you if you fancy hooking a set.







Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 4mm

Yarn
Cotton DK Weight in rainbow colours - red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet with a different colour for joining (I used pink)
I used a mixture of Stylecraft Classique cotton and Drops Muscat from my stash

Granny Triangles
Make 7

Make a magic loop
Round 1 - Ch3 (counts a st throughout pattern), 2 tr, *ch3, 3 tr, repeat from * once more, ch3, join with a sl st in top of beg ch3 (9 sts, 3 ch-3 sps)

Round 2 - Sl st into next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 2 tr, ch3, 3 tr) in ch-3 sp, ch2, *(3 tr, ch3, 3 tr), ch2, repeat from * once more, join with a sl st in top of beg ch3 (18 sts, 3 ch-3 sps, 3 ch-2 sps)

Round 3 - Sl st into next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 2 tr, ch3, 3 tr) in ch-3 sp, ch2, *3 tr in next ch2 sp, ch2, (3 tr, ch3, 3 tr), ch2, repeat from * once more, join with a sl st in top of beg ch3 (27 sts, 3 ch-3 sps, 6 ch-2 sps)

Round 4 - Sl st into next 2 sts, sl st into next ch-3 sp, (ch3, 2 tr, ch3, 3 tr) in ch-3 sp, ch2, *3 tr in next ch2 sp, ch2, 3tr in next ch2 sp, ch2, (3 tr, ch3, 3 tr), ch2, repeat from * once more, join with a sl st in top of beg ch3 (36 sts, 3 ch-3 sps, 9 ch-2 sps)

Fasten off
Join a contrasting colour in any ch3 corner sp

Round 5 - Ch1 (does not count as st), (1 dc, ch1, 1 dc) in corner sp, 1 dc in top of each st and 2 dc in each ch2 sp of previous round, working (1 dc, ch1, 1 dc) in each corner sp, join with a sl st into top of first dc of round (60 sts)

Fasten off a weave in ends

It is good idea to block your triangles before joining. I used the wet block method, pin the triangles flat and then spray with a water and leave to dry. You can use a blocking mat or a towel for example. I use a home-made blocking board made up of polystyrene and duct tape and the pieces held down with kebab skewers!

Joining
With a different coloured yarn (I used pink), ch20, 
With 'violet' triangle on RS, sl st into any ch1 corner sp, the sl st in each dc in the top row of 'violet' triangle, sl into next ch1 corner sp, ch15, sl st into any ch1 corner sp of 'indigo' triangle, work the same as with the previous triangle, repeating for each colour, working ch20 at the end

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty  

Advent Yarn Project!

One of the things I was very excited about in the run up to Christmas 2019 was my advent yarn that I had purchased from Siobhan's Crafts! I've never had anything other than the usual choccy calendar, but I thought I was going to treat myself to something a little bit different! I had bought Siobhan's gorgeous hand dyed yarn before so when I saw she would be doing a 'mermaid and unicorn' themed yarn for this years advent yarn I couldn't wait. This was going to be a proper treat for me and quite frankly I ruddy deserved it!

So the box arrived in October which meant plenty of time to drive me mad while I wait to open them!

All the little packages were so prettily wrapped in their unicorn and mermaid paper so I strung them all up so we could look at them with excited faces until the 1st December.

By 'we', I meant me and the boy, my husband was strangely unexcited! He was even more unimpressed that I ate his chocolate advent calendar, but that is another story for another time! The dog was also excited but only because wrapping paper is currently one of his favourite meals.

So when it came to actually opening the packages, they really didn't disappoint and my son had the genuis idea to pin them back up once opened so we could admire them.

He is a protege in the making that one!

So what was I going to do with the yarn exactly?
For a yarn addict this really isn't important but I had a few ideas. I had originally planned to crochet something with them each day in the run up to Christmas, probably some squares to make into a throw, bunting or Christmas tree skirt. To be honest nothing was decided and I was enjoying just looking at them so that was that.

So then Christmas was over and then I had a plan. I've really been enjoying corner to corner crochet recently. It is such a simple stitch and can show off variegated yarn so beautifully. so I thought the yarn would look perfect crocheted into little C2C squares so I gave one a go..

The yarn was so delicious to work with. although, to be fair, I still had no actual clue what to do at the end but carried on making as I was enjoying it so much, after all isn't that what crochet is all about!

There wasn't enough for a blanket, a tree skirt meant I couldn't use it for another year. Bunting? Hmm, nowhere really big enough in my house to display it all together and it would be a crime to split them up.

So after staring at a blank piece of wall, wondering how dull my house looks with all my lovely Christmas decorations put away I decided I would make the most awesome, bright, clashing and completely mad wall hanging.

So the plan was to make the 24 little C2C squares 8 by 8, then sew them together 8 by 3 which makes quite a sizable wall hanging. 

Here is a selection of the lovely little squares before I sewed them together..

I sent the husband off to look for a wooden dowel, put it all together and here we go!

I absolutely love it and it is such a talking point. I do love how you can create such unique pieces with crochet. And its it not like I ever thought I really need a brightly coloured wall hanging, it was just all organic off the back of 'what the heck can I do with these gorgeous mini skeins!'

So I am now looking forward to next Christmas's advent yarn offering, and in the meantime, I am going to order some skeins in my favourite colours, which at the moment is pretty much all of them!

If you want to view and order some of Siobhan's gorgeous yarns you can, via her website here

Happy Hooking!
Kelly@lovedotty

© All images belong to Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated. Please link to pictures, content or DIY's if used on your own website. Crochet patterns are written by Kelly of lovedotty unless otherwise stated, please link to original post if used on your own website. Feel free to sell the finished product that has been created from the pattern, if sold via a website, please link to lovedotty blogspot. However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty