Merry-Go-Round: 1 Motif – 2 Ways

Posted on April 30, 2016 by poppyandbliss

merrygoround_group_logo

You may remember me showing you this pattern that I was working on way back here.

Well that was January and now it’s almost the end of April! Once again time has flown out the door and this almost finished pattern has sat glaring at me ever since. Mainly because I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do with it …. hexi or square …. cushion or blanket … this or that …

So enough with the muddled over-thinking! I give it to you as is and you can choose what you would like to make. Hexi or Square it’s up to you (or you could even make just the circle and use it as a pretty little embellishment or even a garland…)

OK let’s make stuff!

Merry_Go_Round_logo

Merry-Go-Round Pattern:

I’ve written out the patterns in both US terms and UK/AUS terms. Find the version you’re familiar with and lets get hookin…

Also – I haven’t had this pattern tested externally so please do let me know if you spot any errors. Edit – 3/5/16: there was a small error in round 2 which has now been fixed.

Size: 9 cm

What You’ll Need:

4mm hook
8ply/DK yarn: I’ve used Cascade Ultra Pima cotton in Sunshine, Honeysuckle, China Pink and Cool Mint but any yarn will do.

Colour Combinations:

With just 4 colours you can get at least 24 different colour combinations. I’ve used the same colour in Rounds 1 & 6 giving you even more (don’t ask me to do the math – too hard! 😉 . Check out this site for a great formula for creating unique colour combo’s.

Abbreviations:

US Terms used (UK in brackets)

ch chain

dc (tr) double crochet (treble crochet)

sc (dc) single crochet (double crochet)

sl st slip stitch

sp/s space/s

yo yarn over

Special Stitches:

US Terms / (UK/AUS in brackets)

2-dc (tr) Cluster stitch: Work first half of a dc (tr) as normal but before the last yo (2 loops on hook), yo and insert back into same st, yo, pull loop through (4 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through all 3 loops (stitch made)

Note : the first cluster st in a round will be worked differently. Instructions are given within the pattern for this first st then follow the above instructions for all subsequent stitches

Long DC (tr): Worked the same as a regular dc (tr) but into a stitch further down in the previous round. Keep your tension on the looser side and draw the stitch up so that it is even with the rest of the stitches in current round.

Popcorn: Work 3 dc (tr) into same stitch, drop the loop off your hook and re-insert hook under the top 2 loops of the first dc (tr) in the group, grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull back through the stitch, ch 1 to secure.

tute_collage

Pattern – US TERMS:

SQUARE

Start: Make a magic circle or ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring

Round 1: Using Colour A, ch 3 (counts as first dc), 11 dc into ring. Join with a sl st and into top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off (12 dc)

Round 2: Join Colour B, ch 2 (counts as 1^st partial dc), yo and insert hook back into same st, yo, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (first 2-dc Cluster stitch made), ch 1, * 2-dc cluster, ch 1. Repeat from * into each st to end. Join with a sl st into top of first cluster and fasten off (12 x 2-dc clusters)

Round 3: Join Colour C into top of first cluster st of previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, make a long dc into the base of the same cluster st, *sc into top of next cluster st, long dc into base of same cluster st . Repeat from * to end Join with a sl st into top of first sc and fasten off.

Round 4: Join Colour D into top of first long dc from previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, make a popcorn in the next st , * sc in next st, popcorn in next st. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first sc and fasten off.

Round 5: Join Colour A into the first sc between popcorns of previous round, ch 1, sc into same st, ch 3, * sc into next st between popcorns, ch 3. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first sc. Don’t break off yarn. * if you’re making a hexi scroll down to Hexi instructions for Round 6.

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc, ch 2, 3 dc] into same sp, 3 dc into next two spaces, * [3 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into next sp, 3 dc into next two spaces. Repeat from * to end (4 corners & 2 sets of 3 dc between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

Round 7: Join White into any corner sp, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 1 dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into same sp, dc into next 12 sts, * [2dc, ch 1, 2 dc] into corner sp, dc into next 12 sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

HEXI:

Rounds 1 – 5: Work as for square

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first dc), 2 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into same sp, 3 dc into next sp, * [3 dc, ch 2 , 3 dc] into next sp, 3 dc into next sp. Repeat from * to end (6 corners & 1 set of 3 dc between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

– – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – – –

Pattern – UK/AUS TERMS:

SQUARE

Start: Make a magic circle or ch 4 and join with a sl st to form a ring

Round 1: Using Colour A, ch 3 (counts as first tr), 11 tr into ring. Join with a sl st and into top of beginning ch-3. Fasten off (12 tr)

Round 2: Join Colour B, ch 2 (counts as 1^st partial tr), yo and insert hook back into same st, yo, pull loop through (3 loops on hook), yo, pull through first 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook), yo, pull through 2 loops (first 2-tr Cluster stitch made), ch 1, * 2-tr cluster, ch 1. Repeat from * into each st to end. Join with a sl st into top of first cluster and fasten off (12 x 2-tr clusters)

Round 3: Join Colour C into top of first cluster st of previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, make a long tr into the base of the same cluster st, * dc into top of next cluster st, long tr into base of same cluster st . Repeat from * to end Join with a sl st into top of first dc and fasten off.

Round 4: Join Colour D into top of first long tr from previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, make a popcorn in the next st , * dc in next st, popcorn in next st. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first dc and fasten off.

Round 5: Join Colour A into the first dc between popcorns of previous round, ch 1, dc into same st, ch 3, * dc into next st between popcorns, ch 3. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into first dc. Don’t break off yarn.* if you’re making a hexi scroll down to Hexi instructions for Round 6.

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into same sp, 3 tr into next two spaces, * [3 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into next sp, 3 tr into next two spaces. Repeat from * to end (4 corners & 2 sets of 3 tr between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

Round 7: Join White into any corner sp, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 1 tr, ch 1, 2 tr] into same sp, tr into next 12 sts, * [2tr, ch 1, 2 tr] into corner sp, tr into next 12 sts. Repeat from * to end. Join with a sl st into beginning ch-3. Fasten off and weave in ends.

merrygoround_squares_side_logo

HEXI:

Rounds 1 – 5: Work as for square

Round 6: Sl st into first ch space, [ch 3 (counts as first tr), 2 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into same sp, 3 tr into next sp, * [3 tr, ch 2 , 3 tr] into next sp, 3 tr into next sp. Repeat from * to end (6 corners & 1 set of 3 tr between). Join with a sl st into top of beginning ch-3 and fasten off.

merrygoround_hexi_side_logo

I hope you’ll enjoy making these sweet motifs.

Until next time

Michelle x

Crochet Ribbon Christmas Tree Pattern

Posted on November 17, 2015 by poppyandbliss

ChristmasTree_New Hello friends 🙂

Can you believe it’s nearly Christmas !? Nope. Me either! My head is still firmly stuck way back in June somewhere and I’m not at all ready to start thinking about Turduckens or Christmas cheer.

Despite my un-christmasy mood, I’ve put together a quick and easy pattern for you to deck your halls (or tree).

So without further ado here ’tis…

Crochet Ribbon Christmas Tree

Edit: You can now get an ad free, print friendly version here on: Ravelry | Etsy |Love Crochet

Finished size: 13 cm

What you’ll need:

3 mm hook
Small amounts 8 ply/DK cotton yarn. I’ve used various brands from my stash but a stiffer cotton works better than a soft cotton for these.
Aprox 13g for the tree
Aprox 3 g each in 6 different colours for the baubles
Yarn needle

Tip: You can use any weight yarn for these but they will turn out a different size. Use a hook smaller than you normally would for your yarn so that your work is nice and firm.

US Terms Used (UK/Aus terms in brackets)

Abbreviations:

ch – chain

sc (dc) – single crochet (double crochet)

hdc (htr) – half double crochet (half treble)

ss – slip stitch

Pattern

Tree – Make 1

Foundation row: Ch 182

Row 1: Hdc (htr) into 3rd ch from hook, hdc (htr) up to last ch, 5 hdc (htr) into last ch

Row 2: Turn work upside down and work into bottom loop of ch, hdc (htr) up to last st, 4 hdc (htr) into last st. Join with a ss into top of beginning ch-2. Fasten off and weave ends in.

Baubles – make 6

Worked in spiral rounds

Start: Leaving a long tail (about an arms length) to be used for stuffing later, make a magic circle

Round 1: working into ring, ch 1 (not counted as a st), 6 sc (dc)

Round 2: 2 sc (dc) into each st (12 sc/dc)

Round 3: 12 sc (dc)

Round 4: * skip one st, sc (dc) into next st. Repeat from * 5 more times, stopping half way to insert stuffing (roll long yarn tail into a rough ball shape and squish into half closed ball. Use the blunt end of your hook to help push it all in before you finish closing). Join with a ss.

Fasten off and bury yarn end back up through centre of ball. Clip closely.

Assembly:

tree_1

Step 1: Lay your tree piece out on a flat surface and fold end back aprox 8.5 cm

tree_2

Step 2: Keep folding up, making each fold slightly shorter than the last until it looks something like this

tree_3

Step 3: Place your first bauble at the base of your tree and continue up, placing baubles between 2 layers of each fold (see pic). You’ll probably have to fiddle a bit to get your folds looking right (and will need to fiddle even more when you start sewing in a minute)

When you’re happy with your tree shape, thread your needle with a length of yarn aprox 40 cm, using the colour of your choice (this will also become the hanging loop)

tree_4

Step 4: Starting with the bottom bauble, secure your thread with a couple of small stitches in the centre top of the bauble (you won’t see this as this side will rest up against the bottom of the tree)

tree_5

Step 5: Take your needle up through the first layers, pick up your next bauble and run needle up through the centre and then through the next set of layers.

Continue joining together this way until all baubles are attached. tree_6

Step 6: Give the tail end a little tug to tighten (don’t pull too hard or you’ll squish your baubles out of shape).

tree_7

Step 7: Make a hanging loop with the remaining yarn by going back down through the centre of the top bauble and make a few small stitches into the bottom of the bauble and the top layer of the tree to secure.

Give your tree a little ‘foof’ and hang for everyone to admire.

christmastreebypoppyandbliss_1

Until next time

Michelle x

Festiva pattern and a creative challenge

Posted on October 22, 2015 by poppyandbliss

Hi there

As promised last week, I’m back with a creative challenge and a ‘pattern of sorts’, or as I prefer to think of it, a ‘recipe’. I’m calling it a recipe rather than a new pattern as it’s nothing new, just a standard solid granny square to which I’ve added other elements (also nothing new) to give it a little twist.

Here’s where the creative challenge comes in; I’ve written out the instructions for just the square but I want to encourage you to then make it your own by adding your own special touches.

Let your imagination run wild with this. Use up all your scraps, play with colours, make it a riot of colour or monochromatic, make it smaller or bigger, try out a new border, use your favourite joining method to make a blanket, a bag, a cushion, a coat or even a thingy-ma-jig.

This is not a competition but a fun exercise to get your creative juices flowing. Let go of all expectations, try something you normally wouldn’t and see where it takes you. Sometimes the most pleasant surprises come from not overthinking a project, not worrying about using exactly the same yarn as the designer or not fussing about colour placement.

I’ve deliberately not thought too much about mine and the whole point of starting my project was to use up all my scrappy bits of yarn (didn’t work btw – I seem to have just as many, if not more now :). I didn’t worry about colours going together but just used whatever I happened to pick up next. Admittedly, I’m not fond of some of the colour combo’s but in the whole scheme of things it all just works so I’m letting go of my usual fussiness here.

Ok, let’s get started!

What you’ll need (for one square) :

Small amounts of yarn in 4-5 different colours. It doesn’t matter what type of yarn you use as long as it’s all the same weight. I’ve used 8ply/Dk for mine
Yarn for main colour. I’ve used off-white
4mm hook (or size suitable for your yarn)

Abbreviations – US Terms Used (UK/AUS terms in brackets)

ch: Chain

dc (tr): Double crochet (treble crochet)

sc (dc): Single crochet (double crochet)

sl st: Slip stitch

sp: Space

Instructions:

Start: Using Colour 1, make a magic circle or ch 3 and join with a sl st to form a circle

Round 1: Ch 5 (counts as first dc (tr) + 2 ch throughout). [3 dc (tr) into ring, ch 2] 3 times. 2 dc (tr) into ring, join with a sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch. Break off yarn.

Round 2: Join Colour 2 into any corner sp with a sl st. Ch 5, 2 dc (tr) into same sp. *Dc (tr) into next 3 sts, [2 dc (tr), ch 2, 2 dc (tr)] into corner sp. Repeat from * twice, dc (tr) into next 3 sts, 1 dc (tr) into first sp. Join with a sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch. Break off yarn.

Round 3: Join Colour 3 into any corner sp with a sl st. Ch 5, 2 dc (tr) into same sp. *Dc (tr) into next 7 sts, [2 dc (tr), ch 2, 2 dc (tr)] into corner sp. Repeat from * twice, dc (tr) into next 7 sts, 1 dc (tr) into first sp. Join with a sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch. Break off yarn.

Round 4: Join Colour 4 into any corner sp with a sl st Ch 5, 2 dc (tr) into same sp. *Dc (tr) into next 11 sts, [2 dc (tr), ch 2, 2 dc (tr)] into corner sp. Repeat from * twice, dc (tr) into next 11 sts, 1 dc(tr) into first sp. Join with a sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch. Break off yarn.

Round 5: Join new colour (can be a new colour or one already used ) into any corner sp. [1 sc (dc), ch 3, 1 sc (dc)] into same space, *ch 2, skip one st, sc (dc) into next st. Repeat from * to next corner sp, [1 sc (dc), ch 3, 1 sc (dc)] into corner sp. Repeat this sequence to end. Join with a sl st into top of first sc (dc). Break off yarn.

Round 6: Join Main colour into any corner loop, Ch 5, 2 dc (tr) into same sp * 2 dc (tr) into each loop space up to next corner, [2 dc (tr), ch 2, 2 dc (tr)] into corner sp. Repeat from * twice, 2 dc (tr) into each loop space up to starting corner (first sp), 1 dc (tr) into first sp. Join with a sl st into 3rd ch of starting ch. Break off yarn.

** On a side note, although they are perfectly fine for this square, I don’t use Ch3 as my first st or sl st at the end, but replace these with a faux st or invisible join. I’ll be back soon with a tute for both of these techniques.

Now let the fun times roll, here’s where you get to put your special touch to this square. Use your favourite joining method and border to make it your own.

I’ve joined mine with the join-as-you-go method for my blanket but I’m making some more squares for a cushion and will be joining them with different coloured rows of sc (dc).

and carried on the block st pattern (rounds 5 & 6) in the border and added a picot edge. I’m very tempted to add pom poms too!

and because it’s impossible to take a good photo on this dark and dreary day today, here’s a crap photo of my finished Festiva blanket trying to look casually styled on the couch …

I hope you enjoy making Festiva. I’d love to see your fab creations so be sure to tag them with #festivasquare on instagram or pop a pic up in my Ravelry group if you prefer. I’d love to see them!

Until next time

Michelle x

Crochet Basket DIY

Posted on April 27, 2015 by poppyandbliss

Hello friends

It’s been awhile since I was last here … once again, life and work have got in the way of all my good blogging intentions.

A few weeks ago my yarn basket snuck into a few of my pics over on instagram and fb and requests for the pattern were made. I nearly didn’t post this as there are so many fab crochet basket patterns out there already but here is my version. Enjoy!

What you’ll need:

Hook: 5mm

Yarn: Worsted weight cotton – 2 strands held together

I’ve used one ball each of Drops Paris: Medium Pink, Shocking Pink, Light Mint Green, Opal Green, Light Purple, Medium Purple, Light Turquoise, Dark Turquoise, Orange

And 2 balls of Strong Yellow which was also used for the base

Size: 20 cm diameter x 26cm height

(You can make this basket any size you want by stopping when you are happy with the size then continuing on to the next set of directions and adjusting the stitch count to suit)

Abbreviations:

US Terms used (if you prefer UK/AUS terms just replace the sc with a dc throughout)

blo back loop only

ch chain

pm place marker

sc (dc) single crochet (double crochet)

ss slip stitch

st/s stitch/es

Special techniques and stitches:

Standing sc (tutorial can be found in my post over here )
Invisible join
Crab st
Crochet ends in

1. Cut yarn and pull through last stitch

2. Insert your hook front to back under both loops of next st (first st of round), tail end over hook and pull through st

3. Working from back to front, insert hook through the centre of the previous stitch (last st of round),

4. tail end over hook and pull through st

To secure the join, crochet the tail end in working in the opposite direction you have just been. Your tail end will be locked in after you have woven them in this way and then crochet over them in the next round.

Okey dokey, now we’ve got all that sorted let’s start making!

Base:

Worked in a spiral i.e. don’t join with a ss at end of each row, but continue on with a sc into next st and place a marker in this st

Note: to keep your circle nice and round, the increases are staggered in alternate rows

Base Round: Using 2 strands of Strong Yellow, make a magic circle (or ch 3 and join with a ss)

Round 1: 6 sc into ring.

Round 2: 2 sc into each st to end (12 sc)

Round 3: *1 sc, 2 sc into next st. Repeat from * to end (18 sc)

Round 4: 1 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 2 sc. Repeat from * to last st, 1 sc (24 sc)

Round 5: *3 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (30 sc)

Round 6: 2 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 4 sc. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, 2 sc (36 sc)

Round 7: *5 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (42 sc)

Round 8: 3 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 6 sc. Repeat from * to last 3 sts, 3 sc (48 sc)

Round 9: *7 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (54 sc)

Round 10: 4 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 8 sc. Repeat from * to last 4 sts, 4 sc (60 sc)

Round 11: *9 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (66 sc)

Round 12: 5 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 10 sc. Repeat from * to last 5 sts, 5 sc (72 sc)

Round 13: *11 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (78 sc)

Round 14: 6 sc, * 2 sc into next st, 12 sc. Repeat from * to last 6 sts, 6 sc (84 sc)

Round 15: *13 sc, 2 sc into next st.. Repeat from * to end (90 sc). Finish with invisible join. Fasten off.

Sides:

Note: All colour change rounds are worked into the back loop only (blo) and the second row of the same colour is worked into both loops as normal.

I’ve used the following colour sequence (bottom to top):

Once you’ve used all your colours, repeat the sequence (almost) once again … I’ve stopped at Dark Turquoise the second time around and continued on in this colour to complete the handles

Round 1: Join Medium Pink with a standing sc , working into the blo, sc 90

Round 2: PM in first st, sc 90. Cut yarn, finish with invisible join and crochet ends in.

Rounds 3–36: Repeat Rounds 1 & 2, changing colour every 3^rd round.

Round 37: PM in first st, sc 15, ch 15, skip next 15 sts, sc 30, ch 15, skip next 15 sts, sc 15

Round 38: PM in first st, sc 15, sc 15 over chain handles, sc 30, sc 15 over chain handles, sc 15

Round 39: PM sc 90. Cut yarn, join with invisible join and weave ends in.

Round 40: Using only one strand, rejoin yarn in either the same colour or a contrast colour if you prefer. Work in Crab Stitch to end (see below for instructions)

How to: Crab Stitch (Reverse Single Crochet)

This stitch is worked the same as a single crochet but is worked from left to right instead.

Chain 1 for the start of the row
Insert hook in first stitch on the right
Yarn over hook
Pull through stitch (2 loops on hook)
Yarn over and pull through both loops
Insert hook in next stitch on the right and continue from step 3 onwards

My original version of the basket. This one is shorter and wider than the above pattern. It was also made using only one strand of yarn so it’s floppier than the new and improved version.

Until next time, happy hooking!

Michelle x

Tunisian Crochet Washcloth

Posted on October 22, 2014 by poppyandbliss

Hi there bloggy friends

Can anyone tell me where this past month has gone? Time is whizzing by this year isn’t it! Despite all good intentions no blog posts have been written or many goals achieved yet I’ve been busy, busy, busy but with nothing much to show for all my busy-ness.

Here is one thing I’ve been working on though; a free tutorial to make a Tunisian Crochet Washcloth, it’s now up over at My Poppet. Have you tried Tunisian Crochet yet? It’s a fun new addiction to add to your bag of crochet tricks.

This is a quick and easy project combining Tunisian crochet to make the washer then finished off with a crochet border.

With Christmas just around the corner these would make a great stocking stuffer wrapped around a nice smelly soap.

And just when you thought you won’t see me again for another month complaining about how fast time is flying, I’ll be back in a couple of days with a feature story, a book review and a giveaway.

See you then

Michelle x