Make It Today Crochet Club issue 43

GE TC ROC HETING WITH OUR EASY STITCH GUID ES

35 NEW

patterns TO TRY NOW!

Class Act!s

p Expert Tis & Trick To Get It Right

Create Cute Ruffles with your kit

easy colour changes

CROCHET LIKE A PRO! O T D E E EVERYTHING YOU N £9.99 | Issue 43

dle lue Bun MegayVCa olours & Hook 8 Cand

Crochet & Keep:

of the X2 same yarn

BABY BLANKIE ★ LACY SHAWL ★ GRANNY SQUARE TOP

Sherbet

Vi ol et

S tart Creating Now!

Your Crochet Bundle

ee d

If you’ve got a sweet tooth, you’ll love the exclusive kit that we’ve included with the latest issue of Crochet Club. It contains eight DK yarns in shades inspired by your favourite candies – think aniseed twists, strawberry bonbons, creamy nougat and Parma violets.

Combined with a 3.5mm hook, you’ll have everything you need to get cracking on one of the many projects our designers have been working on overleaf – and if you’d like to add more of these yummy colours to your stash, simply order extra from the address below.

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gat u o N

An

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Everything you need to get started on our projects

y nt i M

Bo n b

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 MAKEITTODAY.CO.UK/MIT43 Priced £6.99 plus £3.99 postage

Be inspired by our creations and start crocheting today! topcrochetpatterns.com

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Hooked GET

Check out our favourite crochet and needlecraft treats this month!

The Heat Is On!

As summer approaches, fashion is having a love affair with crochet, from designers such as Michael Kors and Dolce & Gabbana, to high street brands like Primark with this multi crochet knit dress, £18. Why not take a leaf from their book and make your own stylish garments, such as our summer waistcoat on p46?

Baby Love

Credit: primark.com

Dress up little ones with this pretty Ballet Wrap Baby Crochet Kit from Wool Couture. The set includes three to six balls of their soft Beau Baby DK in a choice of four soft shades, crochet pattern, plus an optional hook. £24.99-£34.99, woolcouturecompany.com

Animal Magic

Meet Pippa the Panda who, along with Monty the Monkey, Leo the Lion, Zack the Zebra, Dexter the Dog, Rupert the Rabbit and Stanley the Sheep, is one of the stars of the Threaders Cute Companions crochet kit collection! From £14.99, crafterscompanion.co.uk

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Eco Friendly

Treat yourself to one or more of these Pony Flair crochet hooks, made from sustainable maple wood and decorated with organic colour. Lightweight and silky smooth, they’re a joy to use! Available in sizes 3mm-10mm, priced from £6.50, email groves@ stockistenquiries.co.uk for stockists.

HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

Top Tip: If making

this doll for a very young child, use safety eyes with washers and attach them before stuffing the head LEG Make two RR Using 3.5mm hook and Violet make 15ch, sl st in first ch to connect. 14 sts RR Rnd 1: 1ch, 1dc in each ch RR Rnds 2-16: 1ch, 1dc in each st RR Fasten off

SHOE Make two RR Using 3.5mm hook and Minty make 8ch RR Rnd 1: 2dc in second ch from hook, 1dc in each of next 5ch, 5dc in last ch, making dc on the other side of ch, 1dc in each of next 5ch, 3dc in last (first starting ch). 20 sts RR Rnd 2: 1ch, 2dc in first st, 1dc, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next five sts, (2dc in next st, 1dc) twice, 2dc in next st, 1dc in each of next five sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in last st. 26 sts RR Rnd 3: working BLO, 1ch, 8dc, 10tr, 8dc RR Rnd 4: 1ch, 8dc, 10tr, 8dc RR Rnd 5: 1ch, 8dc, (tr2tog) five times, 8dc. 21 sts RR Fasten off

TO MAKE UP Sew each of two Ribbon halves at centre. Cup Head with Hair Piece and sew all around. Sew Side Locks and Ribbons either side of Head. Sew on eye beads.

Embroider mouth with two strands of Aniseed. Sew lace ribbon to Skirt hem. Stuff Legs.

Stuff toe of Shoes, insert Legs and sew on Shoes. Sew Legs to Body.

Stuff Arms and sew lace ribbon around top edge. Stuff Sleeves and sew to Arms. Sew Arms to Body, followed by Head. Trim two 1cm diameter circles of pink felt and glue to cheeks

PROJECT DESIGNER

Sachiyo Ishii

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That’s a Wrap 3

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Ensure your crochet projects are perfected to the highest standard Have you ever looked at a completed make and thought that it needs a little something extra to give it that superstar finish? It doesn't necessarily mean a huge change to the pattern or even using more yarn, a classic ribbon or trimming fits the bill wonderfully. Heartfelt sentiments, reels of twine and striking pom-poms are just some of the brilliant options we’ve come up with to give your next project that va-va-voom!

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1 Simplicity Pom-pom Fringe Trimming, £1.79 per metre, minervacrafts.com 2 Red Handmade with Love Satin Ribbon, £3, hobbycraft.co.uk 3 Bertie’s Bows Grosgrain Ribbon With Love, £1.85, hotpinkhaberdashery.com 4 Aqua Blue and White Knot Cord, £3, hobbycraft.co.uk 5 Dovecraft Lost & Found Twine, £1.95, beebaabcraftingsupplies.co.uk 6 Berisfords Linking Heart Ribbon in Pink Azalea, £1.29, minervacrafts.com 7 Berisfords All My Love Ribbon, £4.73, simplyribbons.com 8 Pom-pom Fringe Trimming in Baby Pink, £1.59 per metre, minervacrafts.com

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Beginner

PROJECT DESIGNER

Sarah-Jane Hicks

GO ON, TREAT YOURSELF

Biscuit Selection Crochet a set of yummy cookies that look good enough to eat

It’s a well-known fact that crocheters are fuelled by tea or coffee, plus a sweet treat to keep the energy levels up! This has inspired Sarah-Jane Hicks’ latest project, crocheting a selection box of classic teatime goodies including pink wafers, custard creams, jammie dodgers, chocolate chip cookies and party rings. Which ones are your favourites?

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Essential Kit

YARN: Bonbon, Violet, Minty, Nougat, Sherbet, Aniseed Crochet hook, 3.5mm From your Crochet Club kit PLUS: Yarn: Beige, Brown, Light Pink SIZE: Party Rings/Jammie Dodger/ Cookie: 7cm diameter Custard Cream: 5cm x 7cm Pink Wafer: 3.5cm x 9cm USE YOUR YARN KIT

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PINK WAFER

Make three (two in Bonbon and one in Light Pink) RR Using 3.5mm hook and Bonbon (Light Pink) make 7ch RR Row 1: 1dc in second ch from hook, dc to end, turn. Six sts RR Rows 2-18: 1ch, 6dc, turn RR Fasten off, leaving a long tail

PARTY RINGS

Make four (one in Violet, one in Minty and two in Nougat) RR Work in continuous rounds RR Using 3.5mm hook and Violet (Minty, Nougat) make 12ch, join with sl st to form a ring RR Rnd 1: working in each ch, (1dc, 2dc in next ch) six times. 18 sts RR Rnd 2: (2dc, 2dc in next st) six times. 24 sts RR Rnd 3: (3dc, 2dc in next st) six times. 30 sts RR Rnd 4: (4dc, 2dc in next st) six times. 36 sts RR Fasten off

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

Star letter

We’re Curious

This cushion took me about nine hours to make, over the course of three evenings. I started crocheting in October 2015 – my mother-in-law encouraged me to give it a go, so I tried it and never looked back. The first thing I crocheted was this rattle – my favourite things to crochet are toys! I also enjoy C2C now.

Sam White, via Facebook

Family Ties My mother-in-law would sit at her kitchen table and make potholders, doilies and tablecloths. I fell in love with the craft during that time, but she was left-handed and couldn’t teach me how to crochet easily. So, she gave me a hook and a few of her patterns, and with a little trial and error I was able to teach myself – I even learned to design my own patterns! It’s so important that we keep this craft going. I love Make it Today: Crochet Club magazine because all of the patterns are hip and modern, and will no doubt inspire crocheters-to-be to pick up a hook and get going!

Cherie Durbin, via Facebook

This issue, our Star Letter will receive a day of pampering at a spa – it’s the perfect opportunity to dream up a world of crochet designs! Lunch or afternoon tea is also included, along with treatments for two. Buyagift.co.uk

Worth

Unfortunately, when my son was born six weeks premature, I had to give up my job. As I was unable to go out for a few months, I focused my attention on exploring my creative capabilities. It was not until I had my second child, who was born ten weeks early, that I found a crochet magazine and decided to have a go; it was a challenge. My first project was a unicorn, which took me six months to complete – I’ve been in love ever since!

I have a fab family that supports me and they are always in awe of my designs. Being creative gives me a sense of peace and my customers are delighted when they receive a Send us a message on finished product – they always keep coming Facebook @makeittodaymag back for more. Crochet also helps me to relax, and let us know all about it! and I get to meet like-minded people I would normally shy away from.

Are you part of a crochet club?

Vanessa Rowney, via Facebook 16

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£135

HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

PROJECT DESIGNER

Corinne Bradd

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Relax & Read

Plan a

Crochet

getaway Enjoy a relaxing break with your favourite craft

If the first thing on your packing list is always a crochet bag, why not plan a trip that’s all about hooks and yarn? From countryside retreats to luxury trips abroad, there is so much choice, allowing you to learn new skills alongside like-minded people whilst having a lovely, relaxing time.

We’ve rounded up some of the best destinations that offer crocheting as a main attraction, so if you haven’t booked any holidays yet, now’s your chance!

GRAND FJORDLAND SPLENDOUR CROCHET CRUISE Where? Norway, Shetland & Orkney When? 27th July-8th August 2019 The breathtaking scenery of Norway provides the backdrop for this cruise, which takes in an exclusive yarnrelated excursion in Bergen. You’ll then travel to Shetland for a tour of the Museum & Archive’s textiles collection, and on to Orkney to follow part of the island’s craft trail. In between, you can join expert Emma Leith for two half-day and two full-day workshops, taking you through the Mindful Ripple Wrap from her book Mindful Crochet, plus the art of Entrelac Tunisian Crochet and a decorative flower throw. Prices from £2,195, arenatravel.com

ESCAPE TO THE CROCHET WHERE? MIDDLE STOBSWOOD, NORTHUMBERLAND WHEN? VARIOUS DATES Enjoy a day of crocheting, or make a proper weekend of it at Gillian and David Booth’s cosy B&B on their smallholding in the Northumberland countryside. The fun, informal retreats are suitable for beginners and more experienced alike, with crocheting sessions held by Gillian, plus delicious food cooked

by David. There are four double bedrooms and one twin available, all comfortably appointed with en-suite facilities, and you can also browse the tiny wool shop, well stocked with popular yarn brands. Prices £25 for a day, and from £130 for two days, escapetothecrochet.co.uk

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HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

RR Stuff RR Rnds 14-24: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, weave through rem sts to close

ARM Make two RR Using 3.5mm hook and Black make a magic ring, work 6dc into ring. Six sts RR Rnd 1: 2dc in each st to end.

12 sts RR Rnds 2-4: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 5: (dc2tog) three times, 1dc in each st to end. Nine sts RR Rnds 6-8: 1dc in each st to end RR Change to Bonbon RR Stuff RR Rnds 9-18: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, weave through rem sts to close

PROJECT DESIGNER

Sarah Louise Read

BODY RR Using 3.5mm hook and Aniseed 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 end. 30 sts RR Rnd 5: (4dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 36 sts RR Rnd 6: (5dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 42 sts RR Rnd 7: (6dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 48 sts RR Rnds 8-11: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 12: (6dc, dc2tog) to end.

42 sts RR Rnds 13-14: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 15: (5dc, dc2tog) to end.

36 sts RR Rnd 16: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 17: (4dc, dc2tog) to end.

30 sts RR Rnds 18-19: 1dc in each st to end RR Rnd 20: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

24 sts RR Stuff RR Rnds 21-25: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, leaving a tail

Top Tip:

Embroidering a stitch beside each eye really brings the character to life TAIL RR Using 3.5mm hook and Nougat make a magic ring, work 4dc into ring. Four sts RR Rnd 1: (1dc, 2dc in next st) to end. Six sts RR Rnd 2: 2dc in each st to end.

12 sts RR Rnd 3: (3dc, 2dc in next st) to end. 15 sts RR Change to Aniseed RR Rnd 4 and every evennumbered rnd: 1dc in each st to end

RR Rnd 5: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

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

10 sts RR Lightly stuff RR Rnd 9: (3dc, dc2tog) to end.

Eight sts RR Rnds 10-20: 1dc in each st to end RR Fasten off, leaving a tail

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TO MAKE UP Position Ears on top of Head and sew, then sew Head onto Body.

To sew Arms, work through Body, attaching the Arms on each side – rep several times to secure and rep the process for Legs. Sew Tail on lower half of Body. Use a small amount of Nougat to embroider a st at the side of eyes. Fasten off, leaving a tail

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HEAD TO TOPCROCHET PATTERNS.COM FOR TONS OF FREE PROJECTS

Top Tip:

When you join in the second ball of Aniseed, hold the yarn tails against the work so that when you continue you are securing the ends; this will make weaving in the yarn ends much easier

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Drops Karisma DK shade Lemon 79, from £1.90 per 50g (100m), garnstudio.com Feel the glow with a gorgeous yellow hue to create designs reminiscent of the beautiful sunshine, that’ll also make you the centre of attention

DMC Natura shade N13 Pistache, £3.79 per 50g woolwarehouse.co.uk This bright shade of green is beautiful, classy and sophisticated.

It’s also delicate to touch and will make a great addition to any yarn stash

Scheepjes Catona 4 Ply shade 100 Lemon Chiffon, £1.79 per 50g woolwarehouse.co.uk Dream up creations of citrusy crochet décor with this soft chiffon yarn, bringing a wonderfully fresh and pleasant aura into the home.

LIMON

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TO W IN the m all!

If you’re on a yarn lover’s diet, then you’ll fall right back into your spending habit with this gorgeous selection that’ll make designs look like works of art

DROPS Air 10 ply shade Yellow 22, from £4.20 per 50g (150m) garnstudio.com For a contemporary spin on any creation, this warm-coloured yarn is super soft to the touch and will add a hint of personality

Rico Design Creative Cotton Aran shade Banana, £1.89 per 50g (85m) deramores.com Bright yellow has a natural affinity with nature and instantly suggests florals and trailing patterns. It can bring a sophisticated edge and plenty of character to any crochet project

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Patons Merino Extrafine DK shade Canary 121, £3.79 per 50g (120m) loveknitting.com Embrace the upcoming summer sizzle using a splash of tropical colour. This canary yellow yarn will uplift you, and it is so soft that you’ll hug your projects just that little big tighter

Sirdar Snuggly DK shade Summer Lime 260, from £2.89 per 50g (165m), sirdar.co.uk Whip up items using this bold hue from nature.

Given lime green’s drama and intensity, it’s surprisingly easy to mix and match with many colour palettes

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