Make It Today issue 42

GE

TH OOKE D ON CROCHET WITH U S!

45 + patterns WITH YOUR YARN KIT Amigurumi Magic

Go Large!

SUPERSIZE the yarns in t h spotlig

Teddy to Treasure

Adorable Projects

for Tiny Tots S TO CROCHET NOW A E D I BRIGHT & EASY SPRING Best Kit Ever!

£9.99 | Issue 42

Techniques to Master:

YARN BUNDLE & POM-POM MAKER

COLOUR WORK ★ SLIP STITCH ★ MAGIC RINGS

S tart Creating Now!

Your Crochet Bundle

Everything you need to get started on our projects With this issue of Crochet Club, we’re providing another exclusive kit that will really set you up to make some lovely goodies. Not only does it have seven DK yarns in a selection of pretty shades, we’ve also included a 4mm hook PLUS a mini pom-pom maker to whip up cute fluffy balls to finish off your creations.

We also have plenty of projects to crochet with your set – and if you need more yarn to finish off the bigger ones, simply order another from the address below.

Love

YO U R C R O C H E T K I T ?

G R A B YO U R S E L F A N E X T R A O N E AT CRAFTSTOREUK.COM/MIT42 Priced £6.99 plus £3.99 postage

Get hooked on crochet today with our gorgeous ideas topcrochetpatterns.com

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Hooked GET

Check out our favourite crochet and needlecraft treats!

Plastic Fantastic!

Wool and the Gang’s New Wave is perfect for eco conscious crocheters and knitters, as 47% of it is made from recycled plastic bottles! Available in 12 gorgeous colours, the collection also includes nine kits and two free patterns. woolandthegang.com

All Heart

We love this sunny babies’ cardigan, in sizes 0-2 years, with its pretty heart motif! Knitted using Deramores Studio Baby DK in Buttercup (002), you can purchase the pattern and yarn together for just £3.88 (or download the pattern for free) at deramores.com

Stitch In Time

Want to brush up your embroidery skills?

The Manor House Hotel, situated on the picturesque foothills of Dartmoor, Devon, offers courses teaching you how to operate Brother’s new embroidery machines.

There’ll be more than 100 designs and an outstanding choice of items to embroider on, starting from just £4.50.

Book now at crafty-breaks.co.uk

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topcrochetpatterns.com

Get Ready For Yarn Shop Day!

Yarn Shop Day returns on 27th April to celebrate bricks and mortar stores around the UK! Organised by our sister title Let’s Knit, expect in-store celebrations and exclusive mascot patterns – Bubbles the Crocheted Whale by Sarah-Jane Hicks, the Tiny Turtle Knitted Family by Sachiyo Ishii, plus Sammy the Sausage Dog. letsknit.co.uk/yarnshopday

Spring Into Action

Perfect Cuppa

Inspired by cafe meet-ups, Coffeehouse Knits by Kerry Bogart features 20 lovely patterns evoking our favourite drinks. From the Fudge Swirls Scarf and Chai Latte Cowl, to a Frothy Pullover, you’ll want to make them all!

Available from 31st March, £20.83, sewandso.co.uk

Head to Alexandra Palace, London on 28th-31st March for an inspiring day out at the Country Living Spring Fair. In addition to handmade items

by British craftspeople, you can enjoy talks and workshops on various crafts.

Tickets from £17.60, at alexandrapalace.com

It’s official – Hobbycraft has crochet tipped to be the top technique of 2019! Katherine Paterson, Customer Director, comments, “This age-old craft is seeing a resurgence, mainly thanks to fashion where we’ve recently seen lots of crocheted pieces on the catwalk, such as Michael Kors’ 2019 spring summer collection.” hobbycraft.co.uk

MICHAEL KORS SPRING SUMMER COLLECTION

FashionStock.com / Shutterstock.com

Fashion Forward

Spring Flowers

If you enjoy combining crochet with fabrics, you’ll love the new Apple Butter collection from Tilda. It features vintage-chic florals in spring shades of pink, blue and yellow, and is sure to inspire! groves@stockistenquiries.co.uk

Cuddly Cutie

Meet the latest addition to the Knitty Critters Collection, Chow the Elephant! The kit to make this multi-coloured sweetheart has everything you need, including Bernat Baby Blanket yarn, two hooks, stuffing and a detailed pattern. £24.99, createandcraft.com topcrochetpatterns.com

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HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

RR Rnds 4-7: 1ch, 1dc in each st RR Rnd 8: 1ch, (3dc, dc2tog) twice.

Eight sts RR Rnd 9: 1ch, 1dc in each st RR Fasten off

CUPCAKE BASE Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Daffodil make a magic ring, work six sts into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 1ch, 2dc in each st. 12 sts RR Rnd 2: 1ch, (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 18 sts RR Rnd 3: 1ch, (2dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 24 sts RR Rnd 4: 1ch, (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 30 sts

RR Rnd 5: 1ch, (4dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 36 sts RR Rnd 6: 1ch, (5dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 42 sts RR Rnds 7-12: 1ch, 1dc in each st RR Fasten off

ICING Make one in each colour RR Using 4mm hook and Blossom (Clematis) work as for Base to Rnd 10. 42 sts RR Rnd 11 (edge): 3ch, 2tr in first st (same place as ch), sl st in each of next 2st (5tr in next st, sl st in each of next 2 st) to end, 2tr in first st, sl st in third ch RR Fasten off

CHERRY Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Red DK make a magic ring, 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 1ch, 2dc in each st to end. 12 sts RR Rnds 2-3: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end RR Stuff RR Rnd 4: 1ch, dc2tog to end.

Six sts RR Fasten off

TO MAKE UP Weave through last rnd of Head and close. With same yarn, work a gathering thread around neck

topcrochetpatterns.com

and draw tightly. Seam Skirt and attach around Body. Stuff Arms and sew to Body. Lightly stuff Cupcake Base and sew to Head.

Sew Icing to Cupcake Base and Cherry on top. Sew bead eyes.

With Dark Brown 4-ply, embroider mouth. Glue small circles of pink felt to cheeks

Top tip: If you are

using safety eyes with washers, insert them before stuffing the head 9

Go Supersize!

SWITCH IT UP

Giant crochet

1. Rico Creative Pom shade Light Blue, £9.99 per 200g (20m), woolwarehouse.co.uk 2. Lana Grossa Weekend Color shade 107, £11.50 per 100g (35m), loveknitting.com 3. Phildar Phil Big Wool shade Petale, £10.55 per 100g (50m), loveknitting.com 4. Robin Super Chunky Prints Mirage, £2.49 per 100g (80m), woolwarehouse.co.uk 5. Jumbo Clothes Peg, £1, hobbycraft.co.uk

has officially taken over

6. Giant Wooden Crochet Hook 25mm, £9.99, woolcouturecompany.com 7. Clover Jumbo Locking Stitch Markers, £4.25, loveknitting.com 8. Lion Brand Plastic Crochet Hook 19mm, £4.99, woolwarehouse.co.uk 9. Supersize Crochet by Sarah Shrimpton, £14.99, hobbycraft.co.uk 10. Large Heart Buttons, £2.49 for four, woolcouturecompany.com

Chunky blankets, cushions, scarves and cushions have been all the rage over the past year with High Street stores even jumping on the bandwagon. Save yourself a few pennies and keep cosy in the process by crocheting your very own jumbo masterpieces with our fantastic starter kit below…

1

4

3 2 5 7 8

6 10

9 topcrochetpatterns.com

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HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

RR Rnds 2-3: 12dc RR Change to White RR Rnds 4-8: 12dc RR Rnd 9: (1dc, dc2tog) to end.

Eight sts RR Rnds 10-16: 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first st RR Fasten off

Thank you to Linda Mays Browning’s daughter who helped name Sprinkles on Facebook

LEGS Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Clematis make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 2dc in each st. 12 sts RR Rnd 2: (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 18 sts RR Rnd 3: 18dc RR Change to White RR Rnds 4-8: 18dc RR Rnd 9: (4dc, dc2tog) to end.

15 sts RR Rnds 10-16: 15dc RR Rnd 17: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

12sts RR Rnds 18-22: 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first st RR Fasten off

TO MAKE UP Stuff Body, Horn, Legs and Arms.

Sew Ears and Horn onto Head.

Sew Head onto Body. Sew Arms and Legs onto Body. Cut nine, 23cm lengths of each colour for hair. Working along hairline, fold each strand in half, insert hook around a st, pull loop end through insert loose ends and pull to secure onto Head. After outlining hairline, fill in the rest evenly. Make a tassel and sew onto bottom for a tail.

SHARE YOUR

Don’t be shy, we’d love to see your makes facebook.com /makeittodaymag instagram.com /makeittodaymag twitter.com /makeittodaymag

Top tip: Why not add a plait

or a flower to the hair for an extra girly touch? topcrochetpatterns.com

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How

Relax & Read

changed

my life

We hear the real-life stories about our favourite pastime becoming more than a hobby for many women WORDS BY MELISSA HYLAND

How important is crochet to you? You may just dip into it now and again, or have a project on the go at all times. But for many women, creating things with yarn isn’t just a bit of fun – it’s had a life-changing effect for the better.

T

ake Libby Humphris, a member of Whitchurch WI in Cardiff, who was forced to give up work two years ago due to ill health. “I became depressed due to being isolated at home as I was not well enough to join a regular evening course,” she tells Make It Today. “For my 30th birthday, I treated myself to a morning workshop at Queen of Crochet, Cardiff in 2017. I learned how to make a basic granny square – it was such a mood boost!”

Since then, crocheting has become a great way for Libby to unwind and it distracts from the chronic pain she suffers, to the point where she is often able to reduce her

topcrochetpatterns.com

medication. She still goes to Queen of Crochet for weekly drop-in sessions, and has graduated to more advanced projects.

“These meet-ups are a lifeline to me, not just for crochet but also to socialise with some lovely people,” she explains. “I’ve made a bunch of great friends and learned so much.

I also love that this is a transportable hobby and can often be found crocheting in a hospital waiting room.”

Coming Together Another fan is Gemma Dawson, who discovered crochet while pregnant with her

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Making is Sharing...

Take yourself along to a crochet group and meet fellow yarn lovers

The Creative Coffee Hub, Birmingham W HEN ? 4TH AND 11TH APRIL Know the crochet basics and looking to learn more? Come and join CalicoClair at the fabulous coffee hub and add to your existing skills or learn new techniques. Run over two consecutive Thursdays, they’re suitable for those who understand basic crochet stitches. calicoclair.co.uk

I made my first granny square at Calicoclair and I love going! Clair is a great teacher as she is really kind and patient. I never thought I’d be able to do it but she’s really built up my confidence ATTENDEE, LISA

Cass Art, Manchester WH EN ? 7TH APRIL Ready to take the next step on your crochet journey?

Then this is the workshop for you. Based at The Art Space at Cass Art Manchester, create your own amigurumi creature and master reading patterns in the process.

Working in the round, learn to increase and decrease stitches, and change yarn colour. You’ll leave with a super cute animal and all the skills to create a crochet menagerie at home! ministryofcraft.co.uk

The Fibreworks, Oxfordshire W H E N ? 6TH APRIL AND 4TH MAY The Fibreworks Learn to Crochet workshop t​ eaches you the basics, starting with the super-useful granny Do you square. Your own booklet and hook to keep will attend a crochet be supplied, together with the yarn you need group that you’d love on the day. If you’re after something a little more advanced, try the Improvers Crochet to tell us about? Email class. As well as learning new stitches, they’ll elena.thompson@aceville.co.uk also show you how to read patterns and and you could see it tackle some more complex designs. thefibreworks.co.uk featured in the mag! topcrochetpatterns.com

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TEATIME FAVOURITE!

Floral Coasters These simple mats won’t take long to create, but the compliments will be pouring in for ages

If you really want to make the most of your Crochet Club kit, this project is a great place to start. Experienced crocheters will be able to whip up these bright and playful coasters in no time at all and creating your first one won’t take much longer for newbies. Pick out your favourite colours to make a flower which suits the room where you craft – what better spot to rest your drink while you’re busy hooking?

Essential Kit

YARN: Clematis, Cloud, Dove, Daffodil, Bluebell Crochet hook, 4mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Tapestry needle SIZE: 10cm diameter USE YOUR YARN KIT

PROJECT DESIGNER

Lucinda Ganderton

RR Join Dove to any sp between 2tr RR Rnd 3: 3ch, 2tr in same sp, *(1tr, 1ch, 1tr) in next sp, 3tr in next sp.

Rep from * four more times, (1tr, 1ch, 1tr) in next sp, join with 1 sl st in third ch, fasten off RR Join Clematis to centre tr of any 3tr group.

RR Rnd 4: one sl st in same tr, *(3tr, 1dtr, 1ch, 1dtr, 3tr) in next 1ch sp, one sl st in centre tr of next 3tr group. Rep from * five more times, ending with 1 sl st in first tr, fasten off. Sew in ends NOTE: make additional coasters in different colourways, beginning and ending with same shade

Crochet Shop

COASTER

RR Using 4mm hook and Clematis, make 6ch, join with one sl st in first ch RR Rnd 1: 1ch, 12dc in ring, join with 1 sl st in first dc, fasten off RR Join Cloud to any dc.

RR Rnd 2: 3ch, 1tr in same dc, 2tr in each of next 11dc, join with a sl st in third ch, fasten off

Make up these coasters in on-trend natural tones using Lang Yarns Yak. Plus, this fibre is slightly waterproof so your coasters will be better protected from little spills. £8.89, loveknitting.com

Top tip: If you make seven coasters, you could join them together to create a floral table centre – just place six around a central coaster and stitch together at the tips of the petals

topcrochetpatterns.com

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HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

Top tip: Hand tack the squares to the bias binding before stitching; this will hold the stretchy crochet in place whilst machine stitching

topcrochetpatterns.com

Granny square cushion.indd 59

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21/02/2019 15:04

Beginner

Swatch Club Get to grips with even more stitches in Corinne Bradd’s essential guide

If you’ve enjoyed our projects in this issue and want to try something new, check out Corinne Bradd’s latest swatches in part two of our crochet stitch library. From combining two colours with treble stitches, to lacy and ribbed effects, these techniques would look stunning made up into garments and other projects once you’ve mastered them.

Top tip: Work the crossed treble behind the first one to ensure your yarn doesn’t get looped around it

Top tip: To ensure the correct colour, work double crochets into the same colour on the right side and trebles into the opposite colour on the wrong side

BI-COLOURED TREBLES

CROSSED TREBLES

NOTE: Keep yarn on the wrong side of the work at all times RR Using 4mm hook and Raindrop, make a ch in multiples of two sts RR Row 1 (right side): using Raindrop 1ch, 1dc in second ch from hook, join Daffodil and *1dc in Daffodil, 1dc Raindrop, rep from * to end, finishing on Daffodil RR Row 2 (wrong side): 3ch in Raindrop, *1tr in Daffodil, 1tr in Raindrop, rep from * to end, finishing on Daffodil R Rep rows 1 and 2 until work meas desired length

RR Using 4mm hook and Clematis, make a ch in multiples of two sts RR Row 1: 1ch, work 1dc into each st to end RR Row 2: 3ch, *miss a st, work 1tr in next st, work 1tr in the missed st, rep from * to penultimate st, 1tr in last st R Rep rows 1 and 2 until work meas desired length

Top tip: This stitch will give your project a natural curl; flatten the completed piece by dampening and pinning to a blocking board to dry topcrochetpatterns.com

HORIZONTAL RIB RR Using 4mm hook and Bluebell, make a ch in any number of sts RR Row 1(wrong side): 1ch, work 1dc into every st to end RR Row 2 (right side): 1ch, work 1dc into the back loop of every st to end RR Row 3 (wrong side): 1ch, work 1dc into front loop of every st to end R Rep rows 2 and 3 until work meas desired length 61