Make It Today Crochet Club issue 40

GE T IN SPIRE D WITH YOUR 68-PAGE MA G

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8-BALL

BUNDLE

& 4MM HOOK

65+

new feel-good ideas!

Amigurumi Pup to create in an evening £9.99 | Issue 40

ONE-HOUR MAKES

ASY STEPS E N I S CROCHET WITH U JOIN OUR CROCHET-ALONG Look Inside!

CROCHET GROUPS READER STORIES FREEBIES & PRIZES NEW SPRING YARNS

SPECIAL PROJECTS FOR SHARING

LEARN

SOMETHING NEW TO TRY WITH OUR CROCHET EXPERTS

3you’ll love

Bonus Makes

YOUR EIGHT-BALL CROCHET KIT

Get Started Today!

Discover what you can do with your exclusive set

Welcome to your very first Crochet Club kit! We’ll be providing you with a brand new one with every issue, containing everything you need to get started on your crochet adventure. This will include high-quality DK yarns in on-trend shades, plus a hook and accessories. And if you need more to complete some of the larger makes overleaf, order 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/MIT40 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 craft-based treats!

By The Sea

Serve up something special with Kerry Lord’s Gourmet Crochet Collection from TOFT. There are six amigurumi kits packaged in stylish tins including prawns, snails, sardines, mackerel, scallops and mussels (shown with Joanna the Bright Lobster kit, £25). £16, toftuk.com

Take a Seat

Give a nursery seat a fun makeover with Rico Designs’ latest pattern book, Stool Covers. There are six fun designs to make including a poodle, Afghan hound and beagle, plus a cat, lion and even a unicorn! Visit rico-design.de/en

Meet the Deramores Team!

Deramores have added several new members to their talented team recently, to provide you with gorgeous yarns, hooks and more! Say hello to Greg Compton, Buying and Merchandising Assistant, Jade Skeels, Customer Service and Marketing Assistant, and Emelia Drew, Marketing and Customer Service Assistant. All three are very excited to be working at Deramores and can’t wait to help you – visit deramores.com 6

topcrochetpatterns.com

Colours of the Rainbow

Imagine a beautiful jumper or scarf made from the gorgeous colours featured in Cygnet Yarns’ new Prism DK collection! These variegated premium acrylic yarns feature a gentle gradient that subtly change shade when crocheted or knitted up. Visit cygnetyarns.com

Oh Baby!

Fall in love with Deramores’ latest addition to their award winning Studio Range – Deramores Studio Baby DK. Available in 15 luscious shades, including a limited edition colour, this 100% acrylic yarn is beautifully soft. Find it, along with a selection of free crochet and knitting pattern downloads, at deramores.com

Make Your Mark

Add a personal touch to your makes with a tag stamped with this fun ‘Crocheted by’ stamp – just add your name underneath. Available in 1” and 2” sizes, 50% from each sale will be donated to the Rainbow Trust. £4-£8, englishstamp.com

Sitting Pretty

Big up your crocheting with the Jupiter Footstool kit from Wool Couture! Made from their Epic Extreme yarn in a choice of 36 gorgeous colours, plus an optional beanbag, this pouffe will brighten up any room. £77.99-£107.99, woolcouturecompany.com

Animal Magic

You’ll love making the cute characters in the Knitty Critter Crochet Kits range, including a rabbit, unicorn, dinosaur, giraffe, teddy and elephant. Containing super-soft Bernat Blanket yarns, hook and stuffing, you’ll be finished in no time! £20 each, johnlewis.com

In The Wash

Give your crocheted garments the TLC they deserve with the Soak laundry care range. Designed to be gentle, they come in delicious Yuzu, Pineapple Grove, Fig, Lacey and Celebration fragrances, as well as unscented. Visit soakwash.com for stockists.

Stitch To Stardom!

Dressmaker of the Year returns for 2019 with a stellar line-up of judges, including Strictly’s Vicky Gill and Doctor Who costume designer Ray Holman. There are five categories to enter – send in photos of your finished garments by 11th March 2019 to sewmag.co.uk/dressmakeroftheyear for the chance to win fabulous prizes! topcrochetpatterns.com

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Back to Basics Everything you need for your first steps into the world of crochet Learning a new craft can always seem a little daunting to begin with, but with the right tools and supplies, you’ll be able to achieve anything.

Crochet Club is here to stock you up with the ultimate stash must-haves that are super practical and stylish – we’ve got you covered!

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1. Yarnistry Pattern Reminder Crochet Stitch Markers, £6 for eight, woolwarehouse.co.uk 2. Hard Fabric Crochet Hook Case Chevron Print, £5.99, woolwarehouse.co.uk 3. Beginner’s Guide to Crochet

by Sarah Shrimpton, £14.99, hobbycraft.co.uk 4. Ceramic Yarn Bowl, £5, hobbycraft.co.uk 5. KnitPro Waves Crochet Hook Set, £29 for nine, lovecrochet.com 6. Hemline Victorian Style Embroidery Scissors Purple, £5.99, minervacrafts.com 7. Rico Design Ricorumi DK, 98p per 25g (57.5m), deramores.com

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Beginner

BRIGHT AND EASY

HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

Essential Kit

YARN: Rosy, Snow, Mint, Pansy Crochet hook, 4mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Yarn: blue, yellow Stitch markers Tapestry needle SIZE: Width: 11cm USE YOUR YARN KIT

Mandala Coasters Set your table with these dainty retro pretties

Design Sarah Hicks’ candy-coloured coasters using yarn from the kit and some additional colours from your stash for a variation. Creating a simple coaster is an ideal introduction to crochet and using a selection of easy stitches you'll soon be making a dozen in all the colours of the rainbow. The finished coasters are perfect for gifts, just stack together, fastened with a length of ribbon and tied in a bow.

COASTERS

Make six (one in each colour) RR Using 4mm hook and chosen yarn, make 2ch RR Rnd 1: 6dc in second ch from hook, join with sl st to first st.

Six sts RR Rnd 2: [4ch, (counts as 1tr, 1ch), 1tr] in next st, 1ch, (1tr, 1ch, 1tr) in each st to end, join with a sl st to third of first 4ch. 12 sts RR Rnd 3: sl st to next 1ch sp, 2ch, yoh, insert hook through 1ch sp, yoh, pull through, yoh, pull through first two loops. Two loops on hook. Yoh, pull through both loops, 2ch, (tr2tog in next 1ch sp, 2ch) to end, join with a sl st to top of first st RR Rnd 4: sl st to next 2ch sp, [5ch, (counts as 1tr, 2ch), 1tr] in same 2ch sp, (1tr, 2ch, 1tr) in each 2ch sp to end, join with a sl st to third of first 5ch. 24 sts RR Rnd 5: sl st to next 2ch sp, 1ch, (1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 1htr, 1dc) in each 2ch sp to end, join with a sl st to first dc. 72 sts RR Fasten off, weave in ends

Top Tip: When working into a

chain space, insert your hook into the gap under the chain and finish stitch as normal topcrochetpatterns.com

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Beginner

MAKE A NEW FRIEND!

Parker the Pony Crochet our lovely horse in an afternoon If you ever dreamed of having a pony as a child, or know a little girl who wants one, grab your hook and crochet Heather Gibbs' handsome Parker. With his fabulous flowing mane, saddle and bridle, he's all set to go on imaginary rides across the countryside in search of adventure!

PROJECT DESIGNER

Heather Gibbs

Essential Kit

YARN: Mocha, Snow, Coal, Chocolate, Rosy Crochet hook, 4mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Yarn, yellow Stitch markers Yarn needle Toy stuffing Black safety eyes, 9mm USE YOUR YARN KIT

PARKER THE PONY HEAD

RR Using 4mm hook and Snow, make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 2dc in each st to end.

12sts RR Rnd 2: (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 18sts RR Rnd 3: (2dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 24sts RR Rnds 4-7: 1dc in each st to end RR Change to Mocha RR Rnd 8-10: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 11: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 30sts RR Insert safety eyes between Rnds 8-9 approx six sts apart RR Rnd 12: (4dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 36sts RR Rnds 13-14: 1dc in each st RR Note: stuff as you work RR Rnd 15: (4dc, dc2tog) to end.

30sts RR Rnd 16: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

24sts RR Rnd 17: (2dc, dc2tog) to end.

18sts RR Rnd 18: (1dc, dc2tog) to end.

12sts RR Rnd 19: (dc2tog) to end. Six sts RR Fasten off, sew up rem six sts

NECK RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha, leaving a long tail, make 28ch, 14

join with a sl st to form a ring RR Rnd 1: 1dc in each ch to end.

28sts RR Rnds 2-3: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

EAR Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha make 3ch RR Row 1: 2htr in third ch from hook, turn. Three sts RR Row 2: 2ch (counts as 1tr), 2htr in next st, 1htr, turn. Four sts RR Row 3: 2ch (counts as 1tr), htr2tog, 1htr, turn. Three sts RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

BODY RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 2dc in each st to end.

12sts RR Rnd 2: (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 18sts RR Rnd 3: (2dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 24sts RR Rnd 4: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 30sts RR Rnds 5-7: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 8: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

24sts RR Rnds 9-15: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 16: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 30sts RR Rnds 17-19: 1dc in each st

topcrochetpatterns.com

to end RR Rnd 20: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

24sts RR Rnd 21: (2dc, dc2tog) to end.

18sts RR Note: stuff as you work RR Rnd 22: (1dc, dc2tog) to end.

12sts RR Rnd 23: (dc2tog) to end. Six sts RR Fasten off, sew up rem six sts, weave in ends

LEGS Make four RR Using 4mm hook and Coal make a magic ring, work 8dc into ring. Eight sts RR Note: stuff as you work RR Rnd 1: working in back loops only, 1dc in each st to end RR Change to Snow RR Rnds 2-3: 1dc in each st to end RR Change to Mocha RR Rnd 4-9: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

SADDLE RR Using 4mm hook and Rosy, make 6ch RR Rnd 1: 3dc in second ch from hook, 3dc, 3dc in next st, work along opposite side of ch as folls: 3dc. 12sts RR Rnd 2: 2dc in next st, 1dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc, 2dc in next st, 3dc. 16sts RR Rnd 3: 1dc, 2dc in next st, 2dc,

CLE

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lat es tm ake s, pi cs and news

C

SOCIAL

r u o y l al e ar The h s perfect place to

Worth

£60

This issue, our Star Letter will receive the gift of blooms again and again (and again!) with 3 months of flowers from Bloom & Wild, the UK’s top-rated flower delivery service! bloomandwild.com

Star letter I first learned to crochet as a child when my grandmother taught me both how to do that and knit. I didn’t keep up with either for many years but then I decided a few years ago to knit daffodils in order to raise money for Marie Curie. It was so successful that I then took on the challenge of knitting poppies for the British Legion and again this was very well received.

The following year I changed things up a little and designed my own poppy with felt and buttons.

I then carried on with my charity crafting by making jumpers, hats and blanket squares for babies in

Share The Love I set up a craft club in our small village in south-west Scotland as I wanted to share my passion for crafting. One of the first events we held was a ‘Learn To Crochet’ night. I had never tried this before and I loved it! When I started to experiment, I found that I loved using the recycled t-shirt yarn. First I made a few items for myself and started wearing them. Then people started commenting and I thought why not make this into a business?

Sarah Redman, via Facebook 18

Are you part of a crochet club?

Send us a message on Facebook @makeittodaymag and let us know all about it!

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Africa as well as tiny little hats for Innocent’s Big Knit!

After this, I was hooked on crochet! Naturally, I decided first to make a throw from granny squares. Buying a book to learn a few new stitches was the next step and that’s how I came to make my flower wreath, as it was completely different to anything I have done before.

I’ve also crocheted lots of bunting and designed and hooked two bags and a mobile phone cover! Catherine Alysia, via Facebook

Craft Journal T H E CO U T U R E

Hannah Read-Baldrey gives us a peek into her crafty life and shares all the things she’s loving right now

H

ello and such a warm welcome, I’m delighted to be hosting this very gorgeous column for Crochet Club! Every month I’ll be sharing what I’m up to and all the things I love – highlighting my favourite crochet designers, fashion and home. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m a stylist for magazines, bestselling craft author and ‘how to & style’ presenter.

At the beginning of the month, you may have caught me styling a Christmas craft spread in Good Housekeeping. We got to shoot at the most gorgeous Edwardian dream house, near me in South-East London, which is called the White House as every room inside is painted that colour. I created a range of handmade Christmas projects including wreaths, stockings and much more, all using Hobbycraft products.

It was wonderful working with watch brand Olivia Burton, creating a bespoke papercraft cutting bow for their Covent Garden store launch. The brand, like me, is obsessed with everything floral so it seemed only fitting to create an elegant pastel coloured design teeming with flowers. They loved it so much, it didn’t get cut!

I’ve also been presenting my latest series of videos for Hobbycraft looking at faux foliage, soap making and fluid pouring. I adore presenting – years ago I used to host a comedy night in London which I loved until I tried to go solo! I totally froze in front of about 100 people… so presenting is much easier as you get to stop and start! I create my videos from home unless I’m working for a studio, which is actually really great as I have

GETTING CREATIV FOR CHRISTMAS E 20

everything I need on hand. My videographer comes over to an unusually tidy house (especially as I have a four-year-old) and we shoot and gossip and eat and shoot. Perfect!

So, as we move into the New Year there is always the opportunity to create some sort of new beginning. Last year for me came with its own set of rules so I’m hoping for a far more even keel this year. Although the unexpected may always happen, it’s a positive start to the year to think of goals and achievements, big or small. This year I’m all about self-care and wellbeing and I believe creativity can really help with this.

Did you know there are proven studies that show knitting, crochet and craft in general are a fantastic way to relax the brain?

Apparently, the repetitive nature creates a meditative state. So why not take up a new skill or expand the skill level you have? Taking classes or workshops is a great way to do this as there is also a huge benefit to socialising with other like-minded people.

Living in London there are lots of amazing creative workshop venues at my fingertips.

Plus, there is a great website called obby.co.uk that has comprehensive listings!

If you live in a smaller town or village, you could contact the local council to see if they have a list of locations or check out craftcourses.com. If you are a total crochet addict you’re probably there already!

As a creative person, I also think it’s important to be out in the world gaining inspiration so every month I’ll create a list of what inspires me.

Whatever your New Year’s resolutions, make at least one creative!

W FOR A FLORAL BOON OLIVIA BURT

HANNAH ON SET

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Catch up with Ha on Instagram @coutnnachraft ure My Crochet Crush I am in love with Lottie and Albert, a video podcast hosted by the talented Lindsay Newns.

She had such a fresh, modern and stylish approach to crochet, and a colour palette to die for!

I’m Making Since it seems to be getting cooler and cooler, I am going to be making a lovely new hat for the season. The Miskunn Beanie Hat pattern is just gorgeous and is available on etsy.com

On My Lust List Everything from the Anthropologie sale!

Taking A Break The beautiful Elan Café recently opened its doors at Selfridges London – a delicious floral feast for the senses.

Beginner

THEY’RE A HOOT!

Adorable Owls Make just the pair or an entire parliament

Essential Kit

YARN: Rosy, Snow, Chocolate, Pansy, Mocha, Mint Crochet hook, 4mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Safety eyes, 9mm Stitch markers Toy stuffing Tapestry needle SIZE: 12cm height USE YOUR YARN KIT

If you’re anything like us then merely the sight of these big-eyed birds will have you reaching for a crochet hook. Heather Gibbs’ rather sweet owls are an incredibly simple make which you can get started with straight away, using just yarns from your exclusive kit.

You’ll be flying through the pattern in no time at all!

end. 30 sts RR Rnd 5: (4dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 36 sts RR Change to Snow RR Rnds 6-12: 1dc in each st to end RR Change to Pansy (Rosy) RR Rnds 13-24: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

OWL

BODY AND HEAD

WING

Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Mint, make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 2dc in each st to end.

12 sts RR Rnd 2: (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 18 sts RR Rnd 3: (2dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 24 sts RR Rnd 4: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to

Make four RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: (2dc, 2dc in next st) to end. Eight sts RR Rnd 2: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. Ten sts RR Rnd 3: (4dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 12 sts RR Rnd 4: (5dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 14 sts RR Rnd 5: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 6: (5dc, dc2tog) to end.

12 sts RR Rnd 7: (4dc, dc2tog) to end.

Ten sts RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

EYE

Make four RR Using 4mm hook and Mint make a magic ring, work 8dc into ring leaving a space in centre of ring for safety eyes to fit through. Eight sts RR Change to Snow RR Rnd 1: working in back loops only 2dc in each st to end. 16 sts RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

PROJECT DESIGNER

Heather Gibbs

FLOWER Make two RR Using a 4mm hook and Rosy (Pansy) make a magic ring, (one sl st,2ch, 1tr, 1htr, one sl st) into ring five times. Five petals made RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

TO MAKE UP Using Pansy (Rosy) embroider lines for feathers on Snow section of Body. Using Chocolate embroider a beak. Insert safety eyes through centre of Eyes then sew Eyes to face, approx three sts apart. Stuff Body and Head.

Working through both front and back layers, sl st top closed.

Oversew top of Wings tog and fasten off, leaving a long tail. Sew Wings to either side of Body. Sew Flower to top right-hand side of Head 28

topcrochetpatterns.com

Beginner

STEP OUT IN STYLE

Twinkle Toes

Welcome baby with a pair of bespoke bootees Nothing is more charming than creating a special pair of bootees for a new arrival in the family.

Using the yarns in your kit, you can get started straight away, plus with a few subtle tweaks, Sarah Hicks’ pattern can be easily adapted to suit a girl or a boy. The Rosy bootees are perfect for a newborn’s tootsies, whilst the Mint pair will last until they start to toddle about!

PROJECT DESIGNER

Sarah-Jane Hicks

Essential Kit

YARN: Mocha, Rosy, Snow, Mint, Pansy Crochet hook, 4mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Stitch markers Tapestry needle SIZE: Rosy Bootees: 0-6 months - sole length 9cm Mint Bootees: 6-12 months - sole length 10cm USE YOUR YARN KIT

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BOOTEES

ROSY BOOTEES Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha make 10ch RR Rnd 1: 2htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in each of next six ch, 5htr in next ch, work along opposite side of ch as folls: 1htr in each of next six ch, 3htr in next ch, join with a sl st to first st. 22 sts RR Rnd 2: (2ch, 2htr) in next st, 2htr in next st, 6htr, 2htr in each of next five sts, 6htr, 2htr in each of next three sts, join with a sl st to first htr. 32 sts RR Rnd 3: 1ch, (1dc, 2dc in next st) twice, 6dc, (1dc, 2dc in next st) five times, 6dc, (1dc, 2dc in next st) three times, join with a sl st

to first dc. 42 sts RR Change to Rosy RR Rnd 4: 1ch, working in back loops only 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first dc RR Rnd 5: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first dc RR Rnd 6: 1ch, 10dc, 2htr, (1htr, htr2tog) six times, 2htr, 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first dc. 36 sts RR Rnd 7: 1ch, 10dc, 2htr, (htr2tog) six times, 2htr, 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first dc.

30 sts RR Rnd 8: 1ch, 10dc, (htr2tog) five times, 1dc in each st to end, join with a sl st to first st. 25 sts RR Change to Snow RR Rnd 9: rep Rnd 5 Fasten off, weave in ends

topcrochetpatterns.com

FLOWER Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Snow, make 3ch RR Rnd 1: (tr2tog, 2ch, one sl st) in third ch from hook, (2ch, tr2tog, 2ch, one sl st) in same ch four times. Five petals made RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

TO MAKE UP RR Use tail to sew Flower to Bootee. Using Mint embroider a French knot in centre of Flower

MINT BOOTEES Make two RR Using 4mm hook and Mocha make 12ch RR Rnd 1: 2htr in third ch from hook, 1htr in each of next eight

Beginner

WASH AND GO HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

Essential Kit Crochet hook, 4mm Yarn, cotton dk

DISHCLOTH

RR Using 4mm hook make 26ch, turn RR Row 1: starting in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in each st to end, turn.

25 sts RR Rows 2-16: 2ch, 1tr in each st to end, turn RR Row 17: 1ch, 1dc in each st to end, turn. 25 st RR Row 18 (edging): (4ch, one sl st into every other st) around edge RR Fasten off

Eco Dishcloths Ditch the sponge and crochet your own cloths instead Corinne Bradd’s simple make is perfect if you’re looking to prettify your kitchen. Dig through your yarn collection to find something that matches and away you go. Plus, the crocheted cloths can be easily washed and re-used so, as it turns out, it doesn’t take too much effort to make your crafty home an eco-friendly one too!

“Allow your tension to remain fairly loose while you crochet to prevent aching hands and tightly meshed fabric that can’t bend around your washing up! If you struggle, try switching to a slightly larger hook” CORINNE BRADD, DESIGNER

Crochet shop Rico Creative Bubble (designed specifically for cloths and sponges), 50g, shade fuschia, £2.69, loveknitting.com Wendy Wash Knit, 100g, shade 561 Splosh, £2.85, knitwell.co.uk King Cole Big Value Dishcloth Craft Cotton, shade 2312 Shrimp, £2.49, wool warehouse.co.uk topcrochetpatterns.com

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