Posts

LoveCrafts

Pattern Testing - Gingham and Daisies Baby Blanket

Image
Hello everyone, I have a new pattern ready for testing.  It is a cute baby blanket featuring a lovely gingham pattern dotted with daisies.  What new baby wouldn't look gorgeous wrapped up in this?   If you would be interested in helping to test this blanket you can sign up  here  on my Facebook page or head on over to  The Testing Pool  on Ravelry.  All testers will receive a free pattern chosen from my store as compensation.  You don't need to be an experienced tester as long as you have some crochet experience I can help you with anything else you need to know... Look forward to hearing from you Catherine x This pattern can be found in my Etsy Store...

Lullaby Lodge Kitchen Garden - June

Image
With this gorgeous weather we have been having recently, things seem to be finally taking off at the allotment.  What with the really cold winter and late start to spring and also the pesky birds and slugs, we haven't had much growing this year so far.  We have had a few strawberries but everything else has been playing catch up...  Even though we have not had any great harvest, it is lovely just to sit in the kitchen garden and enjoy the sunshine.  Living in a small flat really makes me appreciate the space we have at our allotment. Last year (our first year of growing) was a constant battle with the weeds.  One which I cannot say we won...  So this year we are trying things a little differently and keeping the majority of the ground covered in black plastic.  We have a lot of perennial weeds to tend with including bindweed and nettles.  Also the previous tenant was growing horseradish which has spread over most of the plot.  It puts out really deep tap roots and is impossibl

Cute Bobble Edging - Crochet Tutorial

Image
If you are looking for an edging that is both perfectly pretty and super simple, then this is the one for you.  It's great for those blankets that you want something a little less girly around the edge.  This is one of my favourite go to borders and is so, so simple, making it perfect for beginners. Abbreviations US Terms dc - double crochet sc - single crochet sl st - slip stitch This border requires an even number of stitches around your blanket.  If you have an odd number, simple increase or decrease 1 stitch on the first round.  Or if you are like me just fudge it (it's only 1 stitch). Attach your yarn anywhere on you blanket with a sc Work sc's into every stitch along each side and 3 sc into each corner stitch continue in this way around your blanket and join with a sl st to the first sc Now turn your blanket over and work from the wrong side, dc in the first stitch and... sl st in the next stitch Repeat these

Pattern Testing - Knitted One Ball Shawl

Image
Hello lovely people!  This is just a quick post to share with you a new pattern that I have been working on.  It is designed for beginner knitters and uses the popular yarn cakes which come in a variety of gorgeous colours.  The shawl is knitted in garter stitch making is very easy for newbie knitters.  It features an asymmetric shape with cute sewn in tassels and a shawlette style.  A larger shawl may be maid simply by using 2 balls instead of 1.  The shawl can be worn in many different ways, around the shoulders or as a cowl.  Caron Cakes is recommended for this project, however any similar yarn may be substituted... The pattern is currently undergoing testing over on my Facebook page and if you are interested, I have space for a couple more testers.  Testing is very easy, you simply follow the pattern and report back with your views on ease of understanding, clarity etc and check for any mistakes.  As compensation for all your hard work you will be gifted a finished copy

How to add a simple shell border to a granny square baby blanket - Crochet Tutorial

Image
A pretty shell border is the perfect way to finish off a crochet project.  You can use it to edge a blanket, a hat or even the cuff of a sleeve... Simple Shell Edging Abbreviations US Terms dc - double crochet sc - single crochet sl st - slip stitch ch - chain sp - space Adding your border to a granny square... Starting on any odd numbered round, join your yarn with a sc, 3 spaces to the right of any corner, then work 7 dc into the next sp... ...and sc in the next sp. Now working into the corner sp.  Into this and every corner make 9 dc... ...and then a sc into the next sp. Continue in this fashion around your granny square until you get back to the beginning.  Join with a sl st to you starting sc. A row of simple shells makes a great edging for a baby blanket... ...and I'm sure you can thing of many other uses for this pretty stitch. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. See you soon Cat

The Granny Flower Square - Crochet Tutorial

Image
The Granny Flower Square is probably the most simple flower motif out there and can be used to make almost anything your imagination can think of.  Of course my most favourite thing to make has always been blankets and I have made many in the past using this motif. The Granny Flower Square This pattern now has a video tutorial (new for 2021)... Abbreviations dc - double crochet tr - treble crochet sl st - slip stitch  ch - chain  sp - space Instructions in parenthesis [  ] are repeated the required number of times.  Join new colours with a sl st.  Start each round with a ch 3 or chain less dc unless otherwise stated.  US terms are used throughout. Foundation Ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring Round 1 work 12 dc into the ring. Round 2 work 2 dc into each space between the stitches from the previous round. Round 3 work 3 dc into the spaces between each pair of stitches from the previous round. Round 4 starting in any sp ch 4, 2 tr, ch 2, 3 tr in the same sp (corner made), [3

The Granny Stripe - Crochet Tutorial

Image
Who doesn't love a granny stripe?  The granny stripe blanket is in my opinion, the most quintessential crochet blanket of them all...  They have been around for decades and the basic pattern is so easy to master.  You only need to know a few basic stitches and in no time at all, you can create a gorgeous, squishy, stripy, colourful blanket, perfect for snuggles on the sofa. The Granny Stripe US terms are used throughout. Abbreviations  sc Single crochet   dc Double crochet   sl st Slip stitch   ch Chain   sp Space    sk skip  Notes:  You can use any yarn weight you like with this stitch, just use the hook size recommended on your yarn ball band. Foundation Chain    a multiple of 3 + 1 (keep chaining until you reach the required width of your blanket). Row 1 dc in the 4th chain from hook, *sk 2 chains, 3 dc in the next chain* repeat from * to * until the last 3 chains, sk 2 chains and 2 dc in the last chain. Turn. We will now be w