Lovedotty Crochet

Sunday, 28 February 2016

Operation stash-bust!

So I am currently working on busting my stash of yarn so that I can clear some space (ahem......who am I kidding, it is so I can buy more obvs!) Currently my yarn is stuffed into a cupboard and to give you an idea of how much there is, you have to properly lean against the door and slam it shut. My husband made the comparison to a scene from The Shining, the one where the lift doors open and blood spills out, except in my case it is yarn. I can kinda reluctantly see his point.

The key to stash busting, when you have a lot of yarn like I do to get through, is quick and easy wins so my current idea was this gorgeous technicolour dream blanket of many colours:-

So this is 2 pieces of double knit yarn crocheted together to make a giant granny square with a lovely chunky 7mm hook, changing the yarn as you go. I decided my colour changes would be completely random and so far I am absolutely loving the colour
journey. It is keeping my interest as I look forward to the next colour combination. I am already planning my next one!

I hope you like it, I will post a completed picture when I am done!

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 However please do not publish patterns in full or as your own, unless agreed by Kelly of lovedotty

Thursday, 11 February 2016

Pattern - Mini Valentine Hearts

Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 3.5mm

Yarn - Any 4ply or DK weight Yarn,
I used Scheepjes Catona, 4ply 100% cotton yarn

Make a magic ring

Round 1 - Ch3 (counts as 1 tr), 11 tr into ring, join with a ss in top of beginning ch-3 (12 sts)

Round 2 - 1 ch (does not count as st), (1 dc, 1 htr) into same st, 2 ch, 1 htr, 1 dc) into next st, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc, 1 htr) into next st, (1 htr, 1 tr) into next st, (1 tr, 1 dtr) into next st, 3 dtr into next st, 2 ch, ss into same st, ss into next st, 2 ch, 3 dtr into same st, (1 dtr, 1 tr) into next st, (1 tr, 1 htr) into next st, (1 htr, 1 dc) into next st, 2 dc into next st, join with a ss in top of first dc.

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

Wednesday, 27 January 2016

Pattern - Rainbow Wheels Baby Blanket

Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 4.5mm

Measures 68cm x 68cm or 28.5in x 28.5in

Yarn A - Hayfield Bonus Buzz in Whiz,
Yarn B - Stylecraft Special DK in Aster
Yarn C - Stylecraft Special DK in Citron
Yarn D - Stylecraft Special DK in Shrimp
Plus Stylecraft Special DK in Raspberry, Bluebell and Turquoise,

Squares
Make 36 square patches for a 6 x 6 blanket: -

2 in Raspberry,
4 in Bluebell,
6 in Turquoise,
6 in Aster,
8 in Shrimp,
10 in Citron.

With Yarn A, make a magic loop
Round 1 - 3 ch (counts as 1 tr throughout pattern), 11 tr into loop, join with a sl st in top of starting 3 ch (12 sts)
Round 2 - 3 ch, 1 tr into same st, 2tr into next st, repeat to end, join with a sl st in top of starting 3 ch (24 sts)
Round 3 - 3 ch, 1 tr into same st, *1 tr into next st, 2tr into next st*, repeat from * to * until end, join with a sl st in top of starting 3 ch (36 sts)
Change yarn
Round 4 - 3 ch, 1tr, 2 ch, 2 tr into same st, *1tr into next st, 1 htr into next 2 sts, 1 dc into next 2 sts, 1 htr into next 2sts, 1 tr into next st, 2 tr, 2 ch, 2 tr into next st*, repeat from * to * 2 more times, 1tr into next st, 1 htr into next 2 sts, 1 dc into next 2 sts, 1 htr into next 2sts, 1 tr into next st, join with a sl st into top of starting 3 ch
Round 5 - 3 ch, work 1 tr into the top of every st from previous round, working 2tr, 2 ch, 2 tr into each 2 ch sp.
Fasten off

Joining
Sew patches together from the back using a yarn needle and the following chart as a colour guide: -

Edging
Join Yarn A into any 2 ch corner sp
Round 1 - 1 ch (does not count as st throughout pattern), 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc into corner sp, work 1 dc into each st of previous round, working 2 dc, 2 ch, 2 dc into each corner sp, join with a sl st into first dc, fasten off
Join Yarn B into any 2 ch corner sp
Round 2 - 3 ch, 1 tr, 2 ch, 2 tr into corner sp, work 1 tr into each st of previous round, working 2 tr, 2 ch, 2 tr into each corner sp, join with a sl st into first tr
Round 3 - Repeat Round 2, fasten off
Join Yarn C into any 2 ch corner sp
Round 4 to 5 - Repeat Round 2, fasten off

Join Yarn D into any 2 ch corner sp

Round 6 - 1 ch, 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc into corner sp, miss 2 st, 5 tr in next st, miss 2 st, 1 dc in next st, continue this pattern until end working 1 dc, 2 ch, 1 dc in each corner sp and adjusting to fit where required, join with a sl st into first dc.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Although not essential, the blanket would benefit from blocking. Either wet block, with a water spray and leave to dry in a warm place or use a steam iron on a cool setting, hold the iron 1 inch above the blanket and steam leaving the blanket out flat overnight to dry.

Saturday, 16 January 2016

New Year Resolutions

So I don't normally make new year resolutions, well not ones I have any intention of sticking to, but this year I really want to be more organised, so I have done some which are crochet based only and thought I would share: -

1) Try something new
Last year I attempted Tunisian Crochet and to be honest I didn't find it as enjoyable as normal crochet but glad I had a go and added that string to my bow. So this year I want to do the same again. At the moment I am thinking either Broomstick Crochet or Hairpin Lace (I already have the loom) or 'what the heck' both of them!

2) Use up yarn scraps before investing in new
This is one resolution I make with great reluctance as I love nothing more than buying new yarn, even when I have absolutley no idea what to use it for I just think it looks pretty (sorry husband). However, my yarn stash is overflowing to the point where my husband is convinced he is going to come home one day and find me trapped under it. So now I need to plan some projects to use it up. I have already started making some hot water bottle covers

and some patches to sew togther for baby blankets

I have some more ideas up my sleeve too, just not enough hours in the day!

3) Do more craft fairs
This was a plan for 2015 but never happened but I did rent a shelf in a local shop so almost there. I have already booked up a fair at Easter time, so hopefully more to follow. They are great fun just to be a part of even if you don't sell much

4) Blog more
I will try to blog at least once a month, promise!

5) Publish more patterns
The one thing I love most about crochet is planning my own projects and publishing the pattern. The icing on that cake is just one person making it and getting joy from my idea so I am definitely going to try and do that more this year. I have loads bubbling around in my head and written on scraps of paper so must try and get them typed up

There we go, 5 is enough isn't it? Better get hooking then.....

...oh hang on, just one more......

No brainer!!

Happy hooking
Kelly@lovedotty

Wednesday, 6 January 2016

2015 Crochet Review

2015 was my first full year of blogging, so thought I would have a review back over my makes during that time. I am only mentioning the things I have actually finished, there are a few WIP's that are lingering in a cupboard but my resolution this year is to get them finished also!

January

I started the year with a challenge, I wanted to make something I have never done before. I have tried filet crochet on a small scale but never a big project. I made this gorgeous runner in DMC Petra and it is still one of my most favourite pieces. I am very proud of it!

I was starting to get the coaster bug so made some sets of these lovely Leaf Coasters (pattern from Inside Crochet Magazine) to sell in my Etsy shop. I have made some sets as Christmas 2014 presents and really enjoyed how quick and easy they were to hook. Made in Stylecraft Cotton DK

February

The Coaster bug continued into February and I designed my first set of coasters in a cupcake design

This is the first coaster pattern I wrote up on my blog and have enjoyed hooking these in lots of different colour palette's. These went for sale on my Etsy page and are made in Stylecraft Cotton DK.

Another coaster pattern then followed, this time in a vintage doily design, again in Stylecraft Cotton DK. These are a real pleasure to hook

March

More coasters, this time I designed a simple doily design but then used the colour pallet's of my favourite flowers to create several different designs. Again pattern for free on my blog and hooked in Stylecraft Cotton DK

In March I hired a shelf in the Norwich Gift Emporium so this month was busy making products to sell. First up were these daisy pin cushions which I used a pattern by Nikki Trench and hooked in (yes, you guessed it) Stylecraft Cotton DK.

As it was Easter, I whipped up these Egg Cosies, another pattern from Nikki Trench. I must say they were very popular so must make some more for this year. Hooked in Stylecraft Special DK

I also made some Tablet Cases using star stitch in Stylecraft Special DK. I have been meaning to write the pattern up on my blog so must get round to that this year!

In addition to tHings to sell, I did make a couple of things for the home this month, firstly my Sunny Cushion Cover in Stylecraft Special DK which is now living in my son's bedroom

And a lovely Mandala for my kitchen table for my vases of daffodils, made in Cotton DK

May

Myself and my mum bought new mobile phones, so I made us matching phone cases to keep them in. This is another pattern I will hopefully write up for my blog. Hooked in Stylecraft Special DK and Cotton DK

June

June saw the creation of this lovely little fella. Made for my son from a pattern in Kintting & Crochet magazine in Stylecraft Special DK, I think he is scrummy which is why he has found himself to be my Facebook profile picture!

I never shared a photo of this completed tea cosy which I started this month, but here it is and looking lovely on my teapot shelf. Pattern from Inside Crochet magazine, hooked in Stylecraft Cotton DK

July

In July came my Flower Wreath, I had wanted to do a Summer wreath for some time and was really pleased with the result. I was going to take it down in Winter but it is still on my wall. You will find the tutorial for the wreath on my blog.

My neice / goddaughter turned 3 this month and I made her this lovely little pony as she is obsessed with horses! Pattern was from Knitting & Crochet magazine, was for a unicorn so I adapted to suit. Made in Stylecraft Special DK

August

My Rainbow Baby blanket was completed this month. It was started several months previously and then stashed as a WIP when I got bored. So glad I finished it as it looks lovely. It was made for my little boy in beautiful star stitch using Stylecraft Special DK

September

This month I completed my biggest project of the year which was my Granny Square Patch Blanket

I had started this several months previously and planned the colours to match my living room. It took a lot of time to make and is absolutely huge! I was really pleased with the finished result but might be a while before I attempt another large project again!

This month I also made these slippers for my mum. Pattern from Simply Crochet magazine and hooked using Women's Institute chunky yarn

October

I was mega organised this year and in October I started planning my Christmas presents. First came the Stripy Hot Water Bottle Cosy

You will find the free patten for this on my blog and is one of the larger patterns I have written. Hooked in Stylecraft Special DK. Several water bottles followed this one!

November

I made these sparkly bauble coaster for my shelf in the NGE. Hooked in Sirdar Ella which is a lovely cotton mix. The pattern is here for free on my blog

Also for my shelf, I made these macaron and Strawberry keyring / bag charms, which were hooked in Stylecraft Cotton DK. These sold out so must make some more!

December

I had started these blankets a few months earlier but finally finished them off in December. They were hooked using the corner to corner method and are baby blanket sized. Not sure what to do with them, I just enjoyed putting the colours together! Hooked in Stylecraft Special DK

Another Christmas presents were these hot water bottles I made for a couple of my friends with their names on. I used the letter pattern from my baby blocks. Hooked in Stylecraft Special DK

Obviously Christmas decorations were on the to-do list also! I made this Bell Bunting for my kitchen shelf. Hooked in Stylecraft Cotton DK, pattern from Simply Crochet magazine

And lastly I made this holly heart wreath for my mum, I bought a cheap heart wreath and then hooked berries in Sirdar Ella and leaves in Stylecraft Cotton DK with a bit of gingham to finish it off!

I hoped you enjoyed following my projects in 2015, loads more to come in 2016. Happy New Year everyone!
© 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

Friday, 27 November 2015

Lovedotty's Handy Stitch & Abbreviation Guide

Please see a handy stitch and abbreviation guide to help you get your head around those crafty Crochet patterns!

All in UK terminology with references to US where different.

blo - Back Loop Only
Working into the back loop only of the stitch in the previous row/round

ch(s) - Chain(s)
With a loop on the hook, yarn over hook, draw yarn through loop on hook (1 loop on hook). Continue as required

ch-sp(s) - Chain Space(s)
The space made when working a chain or chains between stitches

dc - Double Crochet (US - sc Single Crochet)
Hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (2 loops on hook),yarn over hook, pull yarn through both loops on hook

dc2tog - Double Crochet 2 Together (US - sc2tog Single Crochet 2 Together)
Hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (2 loops on hook), hook into next stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through all loops on hook

dc-spike - Spike Stitch using dc
Working the st into rows below the current row being worked (as defined by pattern), hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (2 loops on hook),yarn over hook, pull yarn through both loops on hook.

dtr - Double Treble Crochet (US - tr Treble Crochet)
Yarn over hook twice, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook, pull yarn through next 2 loops on yarn, yarn over hook, pull yarn through remaining 2 loops on hook.

dtr2tog - Double Treble 2 Together (US - tr2tog Treble 2 Together)
Yarn over hook twice, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (4 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook, pull yarn through next 2 loops on yarn, yarn over hook twice, hook into next stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (5 loops on hook) yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops on hook, yarn over hook, pull yarn through next 2 loops, yarn over hook and pull through the remaining stitches on hook

flo - Front Loops only
Working into the front loop only of the stitch in the previous row/round

htr - Half Treble Crochet (US - hdc Half Double Crochet)
Yarn over hook, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull through all 3 loops on hook.

htr2tog - Half Treble 2 Together (US - hdc2tog Half Double 2 Together)
Yarn over hook, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, hook into next stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (5 loops on hook), pull through all loops on hook.

pc - Popcorn Stitch
Work required number (pattern usually specifies) of stitches into stitch below, remove hook and insert into the top of the first stitch of the group, insert hook into top of last stitch of group, yarn over hook, pull yarn through both stitches.

pf - Puff Stitch
Yarn over hook, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through stitch (3 loops on hook), repeat procedure into the same stitch for the required number of times, when complete, yarn over hook and pull through all loops on hook

RS - Right Side
Work with the front side of your project facing you

sl - Slip Stitch
Hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (2 loops on hook), draw last loop through first loop

sp(s) - Space(s)
The gap between stitches, whether directly between or made up of chains

st(s) - Stitch(es)
All variations of crochet are referred to as stitches

tr - Treble Crochet (US - dc Double Crochet)
Yarn over hook, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook, pull yarn through remaining 2 loops on hook

tr2tog - Treble 2 Together (US - dc2tog Double Crochet 2 Together)
Yarn over hook, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (3 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook, hook into next stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (4 loops on hook), pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook and pull yarn through remaining loops on hook

trtr - Triple Treble Crochet

Yarn over hook three times, hook into stitch, yarn over hook, draw hook back through the stitch (5 loops on hook), yarn over hook, pull yarn through first 2 loops, yarn over hook, pull yarn through next 2 loops on yarn, yarn over hook, pull yarn through next 2 loops on hook, yarn over hook, pull yarn through remaining loops on hook

WS - Wrong Side
Work with the back side of your project facing you

Pattern - Mini Christmas Stars

Pattern in UK Terminology

Hook - 3mm

Yarn - DK Weight. I used Sirdar Ella, a lovely sparkly cotton blend yarn

Make a magic ring
Round 1 - 1 ch (does not count as st), 10 dc into round, join with a sl st into first dc (10 sts)
Round 2 - 4 ch, 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 htr into next chain, 1 tr into next ch, skip 1 st, sl st into next st (1 arm of star formed), repeat until end and you should have 5 arms, join with a sl st into first st of previous round
Fasten off and sew in ends.

Saturday, 21 November 2015

Feeling Festive

Anyone who knows me, knows how excited I get about Christmas. Because I get so excited you would think with over 25 years crochet experience I would have oodles of Christmassy crochet goodies adorning my home. Sadly I do not, again, anyone who knows me, knows how seriously disorganised I am! I spend most Christmasses in a state of crochet panic, with about 50 ideas swirling around my head and can never quite organise myself to get them done. I must start a different make everyday and then get distracted by another pattern idea. Just when I start to get my flow I remember all the gifts I had planned to make and the fact that I 'have' to make them otherwise we will have nothing to hand over when we see certain friend or relative the next day (or in the next hour)!

This doesn't mean I don't have anything, I have the odd make that was lucky enough to get finished, and a few are them are here, snowflake garland, stockings, table mat and my beautiful wreath which I love!

So for Christmas 2015 I am really trying to get more organised. For starters, I managed to make the majority of my gifts back in October, way before I felt too Christmassy to get swept away. I think this is a good tip for anyone like me! Also as I have a shelf this year in the Norwich Gift Emporium so the incentive was there to get some makes finished, otherwise I would have nothing to sell!

When planning what to make to sell, obviously decorations are always the first thing to think of, but I wanted to do something different, so thought if I buy some large plain gift tags I could decorate with motif's, and so my Christmas Tree Gift Labels were created!

I have had a few compliments about these and I absolutely love them!
The trees are made from Stylecraft Special Cotton DK and the stars from Sirdar Ella (cotton DK weight)

I found the pattern for the tree on Pinterest (http://theroyalsisters.blogspot.com.au/2009/11/grandma-tree-tutorial.html), and it was really easy to hook. It was quite refreshing to find a pattern that actually worked up well and didn't need blocking. Using the cotton yarn, meant it was easy to stretch into shape and stay there.

The star pattern was really quick and easy, as follows: -
Using 3mm hook, make a magic ring
Round 1 - 1 ch (does not count as st), 10 dc into round, join with a sl st into first dc (10 sts)
Round 2 - 4 ch, 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 htr into next chain, 1 tr into next ch, skip 1 st, sl st into next st (1 arm of star formed), repeat until end and you should have 5 arms, join with a sl st into first st of previous round
Fasten off and sew in ends.

These little stars are fab, you can make them into anything, a garland, decorate a wreath, make Christmas cards or even just as they are, tie a gingham ribbon to them and hang them on the tree!

Another Christmas make of mine was these Christmas Bauble coasters (yes, it is me, always a coaster on the go!). Again really quick and easy to make and you will find the pattern here on my blog.

I made 2 types, some sparkly sets hooked in Sirdar Ella

And then some bold designs in Stylecraft Special Cotton DK.

As they are cotton, the are machine washable and should hold their shape. Perfect for coasters!

So, a week on Sunday I will be sending the husband up to the loft to get the decorations down ready to put up! So no doubt it will spark some more Christmas madness for me and once again the disorganisation will start. Thank god I started early!

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.

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