Sunday 23 December 2018

Temperature Blankets - A guide to making them & free crochet pattern...

Inspired by all the amazing photos on Instagram and Pinterest, I had wanted to make a temperature blanket for some time.  So I thought I would share my blanket progress with you, including lots of tips and tricks.  If you would like to make one too, this is how you do it.  



The idea is simple.  Every day, use the local weather stations highest temperature of that day, to choose your crochet colours.  This will result in a gorgeous blanket by the end of the year.  You just allocate which colours you will use for a range of temperatures and crochet 1 row each day corresponding to that days temperature.  I used Stylecraft Special DK for my blanket, but you can use any yarn you like.  Depending on where you live you may need to adjust how many colours and what temperatures you will need...

For my blanket I chose 10 colours to represent the warmer days...


...and 10 colours to represent the cooler days.


It is so exciting to watch your blanket develope.  Many people choose to start on the 1st of January and continue until the end of the year.  You can of course start at any time, so if you miss January 1st, don't worry. Just start your blanket and continue for 365 days.  As of course there are so many days in a year, this could make for one humongous blanket, so I decided to go with a very simple linen stitch pattern. 


Click here to join the CAL group...




Temperature Blanket


 Abbreviations

US Terms
sc - single crochet
sc3tog - single crochet 3 together
sl st - slip stitch
ch - chain
sp - space
sk - skip


Materials

DK yarn in chosen colours
4mm (G) hook
Darning needle
Scissors


Make your foundation chain as wide as you would like your blanket, in multiples of 2.

Row 1 Sc in 2nd ch from hook, [ch1, sk1, sc in next st] repeat to end, turn.




Row 2 Ch2, [sc in next sp, ch1] repeat to last sp, sc in last sp, turn.

Row 3 Repeat row 2 until you have completed 365 days




Changing colours:

Take either the highest or lowest temperature of the day to choose your colour and work 1 row each day.  You may have 2 or more days with the same colour, so you will just turn and start your next row.  If you are changing colour pull the new colour through as you finish the final stitch of previous row.




How to finish off your blanket without weaving in all those ends...


Adding a Fringe

Adding a fringe along the sides of your blanket is a great way to avoid sewing in all those ends.  Simply cut strands of yarn twice the length you would like your fringe.  Fold a strand of yarn in half to make a loop and then using a crochet hook, pull the loop through the end of one of your rows.  Gather any extra ends pulling them through the loop of yarn to make your fringe.  Check out this link to see Olives and Pickles fringed temperature blanket...

Blanket Fringing by Olives & Pickles



Bias Binding border


Another way to avoid the colossal task of weaving in all those ends, is to add a bias binding border.  If you are handy with a sewing machine this is a great option.  Check out the guide below, this is for quilts but the theory is the same for blankets.

Jaybird Quilts Perfect Binding Tutorial



Encapsulated Crochet Border


Another way to avoid all those ends is to crochet an edging that folds over, hiding your tails under the crochet.  This is the method that I will be using.  I have created a Linen Stitch encapsulated edging for this project.


Using chosen border colour, join with sl st to any sp at top or bottom of blanket

Round 1 Continue around your blanket in Linen Stitch, [sc, ch1] in each sp, in corners [sc, ch2, sc, ch1], join with sl st to sc, turn.

Round 2 [sc, ch1] in each sp, in corners [3sc, ch1], join with sl st to sc, turn.

Repeat round 2 until border is desired width.

If you were vigilant in weaving in all your ends as you went along you can fasten off here and weave in those last few ends.  If not then continue as follows...

Round 1 [sc, ch1] in each sp, in corners [sc3tog, ch1], join with sl st, turn.

Repeat round 1 until you have crocheted as many decrease rounds as you did increase rounds, fasten off.  Fold your border in half and trapping all those ends inside, using a darning needle and yarn in your border colour, sew the edging down to the back of the blanket.




Pin it for later...




Why not join my Facebook Group to share your progress.  I would love to see all your lovely pictures, or use the hashtag #lullabylodge on Instagram.  Don't forget to subscribe so you don't miss out on any posts...

Happy hooking...
Catherine
x






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Tuesday 18 December 2018

Moss End Village Christmas Trail & Victorian Fair

Christmas is not Christmas without a trip to a village fair.  This year we went to Moss End Village to see what they had to offer.  The fair was situated on an old farm converted into shop suits, including a garden centre and lot's of craft shops.  


 The children were given a trail card and told to look out for 15 elves that were hiding around the site.  Our first stop was to write a letter to Santa and collect a stamp on the trail card.  The next stop on the trail was inside a glass blowing shop.  The children helped to decorate a glass Christmas tree and collected another stamp on their card.



The next mission on the trail was to feed Santa's reindeer.  The children were given a sprig of lichen, which the deer gobbled up.  I guess they only eat carrots on Christmas Eve...


As we walked around the trail there were lots of stalls, rides and games for the children to enjoy and the smell of roast chestnuts and freshly made donuts filled our nostrils, making us rather hungry...




Little T enjoyed the rides and playing all the games.



After collecting our final stamp it was time to see the big man himself...


We really did have a lovely day out and I hope you all have an amazing Christmas...

Catherine
x

Saturday 8 December 2018

Christmas Crochet Round Up! Decorate your home with these 10 free patterns...

What could be more festive than bedecking your halls with gorgeous handmade decorations.  I have scoured the web and found this selection of my favourite 10 free patterns.





Everyone loves a granny bauble and this Christmas Bauble by Carmen Heffernan is gorgeously bright and cheerful, perfect for any tree...




... and what tree would be complete without some pretty stars?  Why not try these Crochet Stars by One Dog Woof...



Trim your tree with the super cute Santa and Mrs Claus designed by Yarnhild




You can never have enough baubles on your tree and this free pattern from Hello Yellow Yarn is super cute!




Crochet a Christmas Gnome for your home, with this pattern from Simply Crochet Magazine.  




No Christmas is complete without pudding and this Crochet Pudding Decoration by Crafty Cruella is just the thing...




Make these festive Crochet Christmas Tree Ornaments, pattern by Salvabrani.




Santa wouldn't know what to do without his trusty reindeer and this Crochet Rudolph ornament is just adorable.  Pattern by Knots and Thoughts.




We don't always get the white Christmas we are dreaming of so why not make a flurry of Crochet Snowflakes with this simple 2 row pattern.




Finally this gorgeous granny star by my good friend Marjan.  You can find Myriads of Stars on her blog...


I hope you enjoyed my Christmas crochet round up and don't forget to share all your makes over on my Facebook Group page...

Happy Christmas Hooking
Catherine
x





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Tuesday 27 November 2018

Free Pattern - Mini Hottie

Need a last minute Christmas gift for someone?  Then this is the perfect project.  This knitted mini hot water bottle can be finished in just a few of hours...  Would also make a great birthday or Mothers day gift.  



The pattern is suitable for beginners who know the basic stitches and are familiar with working in the round.  The hottie is worked in stocking stitch, with simple decreases and ribbing at the neck.  Cute pom pom ties may be added.  The cover is very stretchy and can be easily removed for washing with no need for any fastenings.  Please read the pattern in its entirety before beginning your project.  You will need the whole 50g ball, please consider this when substituting yarns…

Mini Hottie


You will need...
8mm dpn's or circular needles (using magic loop method).
7mm dpn's or circular needles
1, 50g ball Drops Eskimo or any other yarn with similar gauge (10 x 10 cm = 11sts x 15 rows in stocking stitch
Darning needle
Clover pom pom maker (optional)
500ml hot water bottle

Stitches used
k - knit
k2tog - knit 2 together
ssk - slip, slip, knit
st(s) - stitch(s)
dec - decrease
st st - stocking stitch

Stocking stitch
Knit every round.

2x2 Rib
[k2, p2] repeat to end

With 8 mm needles cast on 32 st’s and join in the round.

Row 1-23 st st,
Row 24 k1, ssk, k10, k2tog, k2, ssk, k10, k2tog, k1 [28 st’s].  Change to 7 mm needles.
Row 25-35 2x2 rib.
Cast off in rib.  Sew bottom closed using whip stitch.

Pom Pom Ties (optional)
Make 2 small pom poms (using smallest size Clover pom pom maker) attaching a 60 cm piece of yarn to both pom poms.  Tie in a bow around the neck of the bottle.


Stopper loop
Thread a short length of yarn through the stopper and knot.


This pattern is also available in a printable format in both my Etsy and Ravelry stores.


For this one I missed out the pom poms and added a few extra rows of ribbing to make a roll neck...




Enjoy!
Catherine
x

© Lullaby Lodge 2018 you may not copy, sell or otherwise distribute this pattern; however, you may sell your finished items.

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Saturday 3 November 2018

Lullaby Lodge Crochet & Fibre Arts Facebook Group

For all my lovely crochet and knitting friends, I have created a Facebook group for us to share all fibre related projects and patterns.  It is a place to socialise and chat about our love of crochet and other fibre arts and to share and find new patterns and blogs etc.  I hope you will all pop over and join, I would love to see what projects you are working on and to share hints and tips etc.



Back soon...

Catherine
x

Sunday 28 October 2018

Half Term Break - Pendine Sands

Wow things have been so busy here over the last few weeks.  I have been inundated with custom orders for baby blankets, dolls blankets, hot water bottles, baby hats and bed spreads; so the half term has come as a welcome break.  Time to get away from it all for a few days.

We travelled straight from school pick up on Friday and headed for South Wales.  I have many fond memories of childhood holidays in Wales and was very excited to be returning with Little T.  It took us around 3 hours to cross the Welsh border and the sun was setting just as we traversed the Seven Bridge, providing stunning views.  A little over an hour later we arrived at the Pendine Sands holiday park.  It was now pitch black and we would have to wait till morning to see the local scenery.

It really was worth the wait.  The next day proved to be a blinder, with gorgeous sunshine and hardly a cloud in the sky.  Just look at the breathtaking Welsh coastline...



 rugged cliffs...


gorgeous sandy beaches...


squelching in the sand...


 catching tiddlers...


family time at the beach.


The accommodation in the park itself was great too, we stayed in a lovely caravan and there is plenty to do if you have little ones.  A family indoor swimming pool, play areas for the kids, restaurants and pubs, a chippy and also the show bar for evening entertainment.  The staff were all great too very friendly and helpful.  I am sure we will be visiting again soon...

I hope you have all enjoyed a last blast of summer too, wherever you are.

Back soon
Catherine
x

Saturday 6 October 2018

The Blanket Stitch - Crochet Tutorial

The crochet blanket stitch is such a versatile pattern and can be used to create many items not just blankets.  You can use this stitch pattern to create hats, scarves, hot water bottle covers anything you can think of, just use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band.  

This is a stitch tutorial only, if you are looking for the Sweet Dreams Baby Blanket pattern you can find it here...





Video Tutorial






The Blanket Stitch



 US terms are used throughout

Abbrieviations
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch
ch - chain
sp - space
sk - skip
st(s) - stitch(s)

Foundation chain loosely make a ch as wide as you would like your project to be, a multiple of 3 +1


Row 1 dc in 4th ch from hook, *sk2, sc in next ch, 2dc in same ch* repeat from *to* until last 3 st's, sk2, sc in last ch.  Turn.


Row 2 ch3, dc in 1st st, *sk2, sc in next st, 2dc in same st* repeat from *to* until last 2 st's, sc in sp between ch3 and dc of last round.  Turn.


Repeat row 2 until piece measures desired length.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

This stitch pattern creates nice neat edges so there is no need for a border, unless you want to add one of course.  You could add a row of simple shells like this baby blanket...


As there has been so much interest in this silver and pink blanket you can now find the full pattern here... or a printable PDF version is also available in my Etsy Store...


The stitch pattern works up great using yarn cakes too.  I made these ones with Caron Cakes.



A printable pattern for the Caron cakes blanket can be found in both my Etsy and Ravelry stores.



I hope you enjoyed the tutorial and please be sure to share your makes on my Facebook page or Instagram using #lullabylodge.

See you soon

Catherine
x
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