LADY BETTY GRANNY SQUARE

 I feel as though I must apologise for my long absence here and I really do not have a good excuse, except for the time it takes to write up a new pattern has been funnelled into designing and testing for other designers. 

But now, I finally have a new pattern to share.

This one was specially designed for Granny Square Day 2022, in honour of my grandmother, Elizabeth "Betty" Campbell. She would have loved to see where I have taken our shared love of crochet.

I have worked this one using cotton yarn, in a few different colour-ways - not only to give you some inspiration, but also to get me out of my colour comfort zone! 

I hope you enjoy making this....and don't forget to tag me on Instagram @MuchAdoAboutCrochet #LadyBettyGrannySquare.

Find the free pattern in my new Ribblr shop:  Ribblr link

 

 

Bobble Bear - FREE Graph

 

I have recently become addicted to creating what I call 'bobble graph panels' and have started a collection of animals, that will most likely end up in some kind of patchwork blanket design, or maybe even a doona cover design...(but more on that later!). I have really loved creating these on my old school graph paper, as I find sketching them is quite relaxing, especially as we in Victoria find ourselves in lockdown 5.0!

 

I have included my very first bobble panel graph, the bobble bear, for you here below. Simply put, each square represents two stitches. The white squares are 2 single crochet (sc) stitches each (FYI - I use US terms) and the grey squares are a 5dc-bobble stitch followed by a sc. The bobble rounds are worked from the back (wrong side facing), with a return row of single crochet, working with the right side facing, making up each row of squares on the graph.

 

Please let me know what you think of the bobble bear and don't forget to tag me in on your makes @MuchAdoAboutCrochet (#muchadoaboutcrochet) on Instagram or Facebook. 

I would really love to see what you make 💕 

 

 Basic Instructions
 

• The FC is 86 chains +1 turning chain (which does not count as a stitch). Each row will always contain 86 stitches with a turning chain.
• The first two rows are worked in sc to establish a base, with each subsequent even row also being 86 sc, working with right side facing.
  
• Bobble stitch - worked with wrong side facing in uneven rows from row 3:
  
  1. Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yo and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through two loops (first part of double crochet stitch) leaving 2 loops on hook.
  2. Repeat (1.) until you have 6 loops on your hook.
  3. Yo and pull through all 6 loops to complete the bobble.
• Depending on the yarn used, you may be able to carry your yarn along the project, to minimise the number of ends to weave in.

 

Feel free to experiment with this design. I have also used this graph to make a C2C bear and thought that even a fillet crochet version would work too.

 

 FREE PATTERN - Hexi Mat (Part 2 - Half Hexagons)

As promised, I'm back with Part 2 and this time I've moved out of my comfort zone in terms of colour, and have gone with a rainbow palette as well as my favourite blues. I've also gone for a slightly different design look by keeping each hexagon a consistent theme in my colour choices for my rainbow design. I loved that these were so quick to work up and helped eat away at my yarn stash!

By now, you should already have made 11 hexagons (see Part 1) and are ready to start on the last two parts to the mat.

I've designed this half hexagon with the view to being able to join all parts together easily and not have to worry about a border row, but feel free to do one if you wish.

Half hexagon measurements: from left point to right point = 20 cm; top to bottom = 9 cm.

Don't worry if your half hexagon is larger or smaller than mine. You can either go with the flow, or adjust the hook size used to achieve the desired size.

MATERIALS

Yarn:    Cotton yarn in 8ply/10 ply (medium weight 3/4), worked double stranded, in various colours

(Number of balls needed will depend on number of colours used and tension)

You can use any yarn that you wish, but I personally feel that cotton is the best choice when it comes to "wet area" items such as this mat.

Hook:    5 - 6.5 mm (There is no right or wrong choice, so chose the hook that suits your yarn)

Darning needle

Scissors

 

KEY (This pattern is written in US terms)  

MR - Magic ring

ch - Chain  

sc - Single crochet (UK double crochet)

hdc - Half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)

dc - Double crochet  (UK treble crochet)   

sl st - Slip stitch 

beg - Beginning

 

I prefer to begin with standing stitches and have done so in this pattern You may substitute a standing stitch for a slip stitch join and chains. 

    - Standing sc = sl st join, ch1 

    - Standing dc = sl st join, ch 3.

 

INSTRUCTIONS

Work all rows with right side facing you

Rnd 1	In MR, ch 3 (counts as dc). Repeat [2dc, ch 2] x2, 3dc. Sl st join to top of beg ch-3. Tighten MR, fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 2	Join new colour with standing dc in top of 3rd ch from beg ch-3 last rnd and dc in same st. Repeat [ch 1, skip 2 sts, then in ch-2 space (dc, ch 2, dc)] x2, ch 1, skip 2, 2dc in last st. Fasten off.
Rnd 3	Join same colour with standing dc and 2dc in same st. Repeat [skip 1, sc in ch-1 space, skip 1, in ch-2 space (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc)] x2, skip 1, sc in ch-1 space, skip 1, 3dc in last st. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 4	Join new colour with standing dc and 2dc in same st. Dc in next st. Repeat [skip 1, sc, skip 1, dc, in ch-2 space (3dc, ch 3, 3dc), dc] x2, skip 1, sc, skip 1, dc, 3dc in last st. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 5	Join new colour with standing dc and 2dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Repeat [skip 1, sc, skip 1, dc in next 3 sts, in ch-3 space (3dc, ch 3, 3dc), dc in next 3 sts] x2, skip 1, sc, skip 1, dc in next 2 sts, 3dc in last st. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 6	Join new colour with standing sc and sc in same st. Repeat [hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, skip 1 (previous rnd sc), dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, sc in next 2 sts, in ch-3 space (sl st, ch 1, sl st), sc in next 2 sts] x2, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, skip 1, dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, 2sc in last st. Working along final side of half hexagon: Ch 1, work 24sc evenly spaced (do not work in MR closed centre) to end, ch 1 and sl st join to beg standing sc. {TIP: Place st markers at each ¼ point on final side & ensure 6 sc are evenly worked in each section} Weave in all ends and block hexagons & half hexagons.

FINISHING

 

Once all parts have been blocked and you have decided on your layout, join all hexagons together with your preferred joining method, matching up corners and sts on each side.

I have used slip stitches to join my blue mat below, and will do the same for my rainbow one.

The half hexagons will go on either end of your mat layout (seen in the above picture at the top and bottom in peach). 

Safety Tip: Use a rubber non-slip mat under the Hexi Mat to prevent sliding.

Now you're all done!

I hope you enjoyed making the Hexi Mat as much as I did. Please tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your wonderful creations @MuchAdoAboutCrochet. I would love to see what design & colour choices you make!

FREE PATTERN - Hexi Mat (Part 1 - Hexagons)

 

I'm back! Long time no speak. I cannot believe that it has been so long since I last wrote my blog. Where has the time gone?

You would think working from home would free me up to type patterns and post them, right? Wrong. If anything, I find I spend more time working in front of my computer at home than I do when I am actually in the office! But today, I am righting that wrong 😁

I came up with the idea for this pattern out of a need to fill a gap. That gap being a mat needed for the base of my bathroom sink, in colours to match some of my "good towels". 

My original mat was made using 11 hexagons, but feel free to customise this pattern to your preferred size. It would even make a beautiful blanket - maybe that can be added to my to-do list... 

I recommend working up one hexagon to determine the best hook size to use for your tension and to work out how many hexagons you need to achieve the mat size you want. I used a 5.5 mm hook and a mixture of Patons Cotton Blend & Bendigo Woollen Mills 8 ply (DK) cotton yarns in 8 different colours. At a guess, equivalent to 50g of each colour and 150g of the white was used for the whole project, but as I was stash busting, I cannot guarantee this is accurate. 

Hexagon measurements: from left point to right point = 20 cm & top to bottom = 18 cm.

Don't worry if your hexagon is larger or smaller than mine. You can either go with the flow, adjust the hook size used or add more (or less) hexagons to achieve the desired mat size!

MATERIALS

Yarn:    Cotton yarn in 8ply/10 ply (medium weight 3/4), worked double stranded, in various  colours

(Number of balls needed will depend on number of colours used and tension)

Hook:    5 - 6.5 mm (There is no right or wrong choice)

Darning needle

Scissors

 

KEY (This pattern is written in US terms)  

MR - Magic ring

ch - Chain  

sc - Single crochet (UK double crochet)

hdc - Half double crochet (UK half treble crochet)

dc - Double crochet  (UK treble crochet)   

sl st - Slip stitch 

beg - Beginning

 

 INSTRUCTIONS

Rnd 1	In MR, ch 3 (counts as dc), dc, ch 2. Repeat [2dc, ch 2] x5. Sl st to join to top of beg ch-3. Tighten MR, fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 2	Sl st join new colour in any ch-2 space and ch 5 (dc + ch 2 - or work standing dc, ch 2) and dc in same ch-2 space. Ch 1. In each of next 5 ch-2 spaces repeat [dc, ch 2, dc, ch 1]. Sl st join to 3rd ch of beg ch-5 (or standing dc).
Rnd 3	Ch 1. Sc in same ch-1 space. Repeat [in next ch-2 space (2dc, ch 2, 2 dc), sc in next ch-1 space] x5, omitting last sc. Sl st join to beg sc. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 4	Sl st join to any sc from previous rnd, ch 1 and sc in same st (or standing sc). Repeat [Skip next st (previous rnd dc) and dc in next st before ch-2 space. In ch-2 space (3dc, ch 3, 3dc), dc in next st, skip st, sc in next st (previous rnd sc)] x6, omitting last sc. Sl st join to beg sc. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 5	Sl st join to any sc from previous rnd, ch 1 and sc in same st (or standing sc). Repeat [Skip next st (previous rnd dc) and dc in next 3 sts. In ch-2 space (3dc, ch 3, 3dc), dc in next 3 sts, skip st, sc in next st (previous rnd sc)] x6, omitting last sc. Sl st join to beg sc. Fasten off and change colour.
Rnd 6	Sl st join in any ch-3 space, ch and sl st in same space. Repeat [sc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, dc in next 2 sts, skip st (previous rnd sc), dc in next 2 sts, hdc in next 2 sts, (sl st, ch 1, sl st) in ch-3 space] x6, omitting last (sl st, ch 1, sl st). Sl st join to beg sl st and fasten off. Weave in all ends.

 

Make as many hexagons as you need and don't forget to block them. This is important for maintaining a consistent shape for your project. 

Adjust any of the colour changes as you like. Have fun with creating your own style.

Part 1 is done, but I will see you back here for Part 2 soon! 

I hope you enjoyed making these as much as I did. Please tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your wonderful creations @MuchAdoAboutCrochet. I would love to see what design & colour choices you make!

 

 

Crochet crazy - no more room left at the inn!

I have decided that I am sorely in need of a craft room! 

As I look around the lounge room, I notice a distinct lack of sitting and eating space, thanks to my many crochet projects on the go,which I again need to somehow tidy up. My mum would be horrified by the mess (don't read this mum!) and my two son's have already complained about the limited couch space...but what is the solution? 

I have already made a few storage options; the obligatory crocheted basket, which sits on the floor taking up valuable floor space and a crocheted bag or two, literally hanging around. Oh, and I have also purchased those wonderful plastic tubs, which are so large that you can't fit them anywhere that isn't unsightly or sticking out from the shelf, and you knock them every time you walk by! So, I have resorted to filling my camphor chest with as much yarn as it can hold and leaving my current crochet projects 'on display' - and there are several current projects at the moment.

Which leads me to wonder, as an aside, how many projects does everyone else have on the go at any given time? I tend to need variety. Especially when it takes me a while to be satisfied with a design I am working on, that just doesn't seem to gel in reality with what I have envisioned in my mind. But I digress. Back to my storage dilemma.

Now, I know my mum would say (and has said in the past), "Stop buying yarn!", but she just doesn't understand the pull of a newly released, gorgeous yarn, or the delights of online yarn shopping during COVID-19 lock down, where you definitely spend more money than you should on potential projects to keep you busy, whilst you stay at home. I just have so many ideas floating around in my head, that I get a little carried away with the advance yarn purchases. And the worst thing I did was subscribe to several American craft stores' e-newsletters. Whilst our own Australia Post in Victoria has been struggling with package deliveries, I often get my yarn order from the USA in less time. So who wouldn't go a little crazy?

To add to this are my many crochet subscription boxes, that are yet to find a shelf to call home. They are strategically decorating some floor space at the moment, waiting for a temporarily-forever home, as many of the projects are yet to be completed. Despite the boxes being absolutely gorgeous in design, once the projects are complete, they are re-purposed as gift boxes to limit the household clutter.

Yep, I am definitely in need of storage help (notice that I am avoiding the elephant in the room, which is my recent excessive yarn buying?).

Which has led me to consider my immediate options. Namely, the need for a big, house-wide clean out to free up cupboard space! And yes, that also includes ripping the band aid off and donating some of the yarn in my stash that comes from my late grandmother, and which I am unlikely to use. (Sad sigh). As everyone knows, you have to make a mess to clean a mess, so I think I am going to be quite busy in the next couple of weeks going from cupboard to cupboard to free up some space. However, I still haven't changed my mind on one thing...

I really need a craft room!

FREE PATTERN - Chandelier Christmas Bauble

 Chandelier Christmas Bauble

(Adventurous Beginner to Intermediate)

A companion pattern to my Fancy Christmas Bauble. Mix and match at it's finest!

KEY

MR - magic ring

ch(s) - chain(s)

sc - single crochet (UK - double crochet)

dc - double crochet (UK - treble crochet)

rnd - round

st(s) - stitch(es)

sl st - slip stitch 

beg - beginning

pm - place stitch marker

2tog - 2 together

pc - popcorn stitch 

 

Popcorn stitch: 5 dc in same st, remove hook & place in top of 1st dc & last dc loop. Yarn over (yo) & pull through both loops. In new round - ch 3 & 4 dc in same st. Place hook in 3rd ch of beg ch-3 and last dc loop. Yo & pull through both loops to complete pc.

Dimensions

Dimensions will vary depending on the yarn, hook size, tension and amount of stuffing used.

Here are my measurements (I have tight-normal tension):

8ply:        Approx. 21 cm circumference & 20cm high

 

I hope you enjoy making these as much as I did. Please tag me on Instagram or Facebook with your wonderful creations @MuchAdoAboutCrochet. I would love to see what design & colour choices you make!

Instructions

Rnd 1	WORK IN ROUND for Rnds 1 – 4 & pm in first st of each rnd, if required.In MR, work 6 sc. (or ch 2, 5 sc in first ch)  (6 sc)
Rnd 2	(Increase every st). 2 sc in each st.  (12 sc)
Rnd 3	(Increase every 2nd st). Repeat: sc, 2 sc, sc, 2 sc to end of rnd.  (18 sc)
Rnd 4	18 sc.  Sl st join to next st. Tighten beginning yarn tail and weave in to close hole.  (18 sc)
Rnd 5	Ch 3 (dc), 4 dc in same stitch (beg pc) & complete first pc. Ch 1 loosely. Skip next st. Repeat: pc, ch 1, skip 1 to end of rnd & sl st join to beg pc.  (9 pc, 9 ch)
Rnd 6	Beg pc. Ch 1. Pc in next ch-1. Ch 1. Repeat: pc, ch 1 to end. Sl st join to next ch-1.  (18 pc, 18 ch)
Rnd 7	Beg pc & ch 1. Repeat: pc, ch 1 in each ch-1 from Rnd 6. Sl st join to beg ch-1.  (18 pc, 18 ch)
Rnd 8	Working in each ch-1 from Rnd 7, sc 2 tog & ch 1 to end. Sl st join to beg sc 2tog.  (9 sc, 9ch)
Rnd 9	Sc in each st.  (18sc)
Rnd 10	Beg pc & ch 1. Skip st. Repeat: pc, ch 1, skip 1 to end. Sl st join to top of beg pc.  (9 pc, 9 ch)
Rnd 11	WORK IN ROUND from Rnds 11 – 24 & pm in first st of each rnd, if required. STUFF. Ch 1 (sc). Sc in each ch-1 & pc from Rnd 10.  (18 sc)
Rnd 12	18 sc.  (18 sc)
Rnd 13	(Decrease every 2nd st). Repeat: sc, sc 2tog to end. STUFF.  (12 sc)
Rnd 14	(Decrease every st). Sc 2tog and sl st to next st in rnd.  (6 sc).
Rnd 15-24	6 sc.  (6 sc)
Finishing	Sl st to next st and ch 20 or more (or use alternative, such as ribbon) to create hanger. Sl st join to sc on opposite side, fasten off and weave in tail to close top hole.

 

Tips

1.     Leave any yarn tails from colour changes unwoven. They help as stuffing.

2.     For eliminating yarn tangles with multiple colour changes & uncut yarn (e.g. alternating colours for each popcorn), carry the yarn with your work and pick up as you work your stitches. You may only need to pick up the yarn strands in one stitch to help keep it along the outside of your bauble and avoid any bulking.

3.     When working beads into the body of the bauble, thread them onto your yarn before starting. You need to have an idea of how many you wish to use and in what colour order for multiple coloured beads. Keep them on the working strand side until required, then slot in place at desired point and continue with your next crochet stitch. It is better to have more beads on your yarn than less! Unused beads can easily be removed after yarn is cut.

4.     If you wish to invert your bauble, attach the hanging cord before closing the beginning hole, tie securely and weave in ends. Play around with extra rows of popcorns or sc to change the look and shape of your baubles.

5.     For a round finish, see Fancy Christmas bauble free pattern.