Look at this awesome Matilda hat!

Oh how I wish I’d thought of this first.

See. This is what’s so brilliant and inspiring about the online craft community. It’s so easy for someone you’ve never met to stumble across your idea and do something clever and different with it.  This hat is by MellowMeCreations and combines two Ravelry patterns; my Matilda pattern and this granny square hat pattern. It’s like a big woolly cut ‘n’ shut, but in a good way. If you’re a member of Ravelry (and if you aren’t, then why the hell not?) click on the image and it’ll take you straight to the page in question. I am definitely going to have a go at this. GENIUS.

Have you done something innovative with one of my patterns? If you have pleeeeeease get in touch. I’d love to have a look, and share.

Welcome to the Universe Alphabetti Crochetti

You know when you’re really into an idea but everyone around you seems to think it’s a bit rubbish, and even if they don’t actually say so out loud, you can see in their eyes that they think you’re on to a losing wicket and that you should really just give up and go back to crocheting hearts and stuff?  I feel that way about my new project (and about most other things, for that matter, but mostly this). For a while now I have been trying to develop a way of writing with granny squares. Mainly so I can combine the two things I love most – crocheting (obvs) and sharing my innermost thoughts in a variety of inappropriate and shouty ways. This project seemed to be something of a natural progression from the heart, skull and Christmas tree squares I’ve designed in the past, allowing me to really personalise the blankets and banners I make for friends. Maybe, just maybe, I might start taking commissions from people who want messages crocheted for people, like – I LOVE YOU IAN FROM WORK, MARRY ME CAROL COLLINGTON or DON’T FORGET TO PUT THE MILK BACK IN THE FRIDGE AFTER YOU’VE USED IT YOU FILTHY ANIMAL – that kind of thing.  Now, my alphabetti crochetti font is far from perfect – and I’m sure some of the letters need a bit more development, but I thought I’d give you a sneak peek to whet your appetite, so here are some pics.

This one is autobiographical

Gimme an ‘A’.

Gimme an ‘R’

Gimme an ‘S’

Gimme a ‘G’

Gimme an ‘H’

And what does it spell? …. ARSGH. Oh.

Tutorial: Matilda (the granny square with heart)

I am constantly crocheting stuff. More often than not the idea for said ‘stuff’ comes straight out of my imagination, but I have never actually attempted to write a crochet pattern. I may scribble some notes down here and there but I tend to find, when I return to them, they usually don’t make much sense to me, let alone anyone else. Recently one or two people have asked me to produce tutorials to accompany my bits and pieces. So I have decided to give it a go, beginning with the easiest pattern I can think of; the granny square with heart, which we’ll call Matilda (because I like giving my makes human names – it’s fun)

So, here’s the pattern. I would absolutely LOVE it if one or two of you crocheteers could test this out for me to see if it works. Let me know what happens in the comment box below and who knows, maybe I’ll do a give away. Ooh my first give away! Exciting!

Pattern: Matilda (granny square with heart)

You will need: chunky wool in 3 colours and 1, 5.50mm hook.

Round 1: Ch3 and connect to make a ring.

Round 2: Ch2, 2dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1, 3dc in ring, ch1 and ss in top of first dc to create a round.

Round 3: Turn work, Ch2, 2dc in space, ch1, 3 dc in same space, *ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3 dc in next corner space)*. Repeat x2 from (*), ss in top of first dc to create a round.  Cast off.

Round 4: Join 1^st colour in bottom centre space, ch2, 2dc in same space, join 2^nd colour (move 1^st colour to the back), ch1, (3dc,1ch,3dc) in corner, bring 1^st colour forward, ch1, 3dc in next space, ch1, (3dc,1ch,3dc) in next corner space, bring 2^nd colour forward, ch1, 3dc in top centre space, bring 1^st colour forward, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in next corner space, ch1, 3dc in next space, bring 2^nd colour forward, ch1, (3dc, 1ch, 3dc) in corner, ss in first dc to create round. Cast off.

Round 5: Join 2^nd colour in any space, work a plain round.

Round 6: Join 3^rd colour in any space, work a plain round. Cast off. Hide ends with bodkin.

A Blanket for Sarah and Ben

If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a hundred times. There is nothing more satisfying than making a gift for someone you love. I give away most of the things I make. That’s why this blog is so handy, because it serves to remind me of all the things I’ve made over a long period of time. This way I can still enjoy giving them away to people who’ll treasure them. If I kept all my bits and pieces I know I’d quickly cease to enjoy them. For me the kick is in making stuff, not in owning it. After a while I would see only the flaws, the things I could have done better had I given it just a little bit more time, or tried just a little bit harder.

I crocheted this blanket for my friends Ben and Sarah, who got married in September. It took me ages, so I’d only recommend making this for someone you really, really love. The overall look is quite girly, and I have to admit it’s not really the sort of thing I’d usually go for. I included the hearts and flowers because it was a wedding present, and because they are more interesting to make than simple granny squares. I’ll post a tutorial for both in the next week or so. In the meantime, I hope you like the pics.

Top edge of Sarah and Ben's blanket