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.

Christmas Tree Pine Fresh Granny Tutorial

I know it’s a bit early but if you’re thinking of making something festive and woolly to put under the Christmas tree you’ll need to leave loads of time.  With that in mind I’ve designed a Christmas tree granny square which can easily be incorporated into a  regular granny blanket.  Now this does look a little complicated on paper, but I promise you it is not – I’m just not great at writing patterns! It uses two colours in much the same way as Matilda, the granny square with heart, and it uses the same basic technique, so if you’ve enjoyed that you’ll hopefully enjoy this too.  I’ve included as many photos as possible to make it clearer. Please allow me to apologise for the light in these pics. It’s all over the place because I took them over two the course of two different sessions. Anyway enjoy – if you do attempt this square please do leave a comment and a link in the box. I love seeing your work!!!

You will need: 1 crochet hook size 4.0mm, 2 contrasting colours of DK yarn.

Abbreviations: Ch: chain, ss: slip stitch, dc: double crochet, c1: colour 1, c2: colour 2, gp: group, sp: space

Pattern

Round 1: With colour 1 (c1) make 3 chain stitches (ch), join with slip stitch (ss) to form a ring.

Round 2: Chain 2, make 2 double crochets (dc) in ring, ch2,* 3dc in ring, ch2*. Repeat this step three times. Join w/ ss in 2nd turning chain to form a round.

Round 3: Chain 2, make 2dc in same space, ch2, 3dc in same space, ch1, *(in corner space 3dc, ch2, 3dc), ch1* Repeat this step three times. Join w/ ss in 2^nd turning chain to form a round.

Round 4: To make first corner chain 2, make 2dc in same space, ch2, 3dc in same space. Ch1, 3dc in next ch1 space between 2 groups of 3dcs. Ch1 then make second corner with *3dc,ch2,3dc* in next space, ch1, 3dc in next ch1 space between 2 groups of 3dcs, ch1, make third corner with *3dc, ch2, 3dc* in next space, ch1, 3 dc in next space between 2 groups of 3dcs. Ch1 then make fourth corner with *3dc, ch2, 3dc* in next space, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 groups of 3dcs, ch1 and join w/ss in 2^nd turning chain to form a round.

Round 5: Join with colour 1 (c1) in top right hand corner. Ch2, make 2dc in same space, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 groups of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 groups of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in corner space, ch1, JOIN COLOUR 2 (C2), ch1, 3dc in same corner space. With C1 ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 groups of 3dcs. With C2 ch1, 3dc in next space between 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next sp between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in space as before, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner. With C2 ch1, 3dc in next  sp between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 3dc in next sp between 2 gps of 3dcs,  ch1, With C2, 3dc in corner space, ch2,  join with ss in top of 2^nd ch to form a round.

Round 6: Join c1 in first ch1 space after top right corner.  Ch2,  2dc in same space, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 3dc in next space between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner. With C2 ch1, 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 3dc bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2,3dc* to form corner, ch1. Join w/ ss in top of ch2 to form round.

Round 7: Join c1 in the space top right of centre, ch2, 2dc in same space, ch1, 3dc in next space between 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 3dc in next space between 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in sp bet 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in sp bet 2 gps of 3dcs , ch1, 3dc in sp bet 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in sp bet 2 gps of 3dcs , ch1 *3dc,ch2,3dc* to form a corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet2 gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1*3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form a corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs,  ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1,  3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 join w/ ss at top of ch2 to form round.

Round 8: Join C1 in top centre, ch2, 2dc in same space, ch1. With C2, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C1 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1. With C2 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1,3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 , join with ss at top of ch2 to form round.

Round 9: Last one! Join in top right corner with C2, *ch2, 2dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1 *3dc, ch2, 3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs. With C1 ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3 dcs. With C2 ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, *3dc,ch2,3dc* to form corner, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, 3dc in next space bet 2gps of 3dcs, ch1, join w/ ss in top of ch2 to form a round, then pour yourself a large drink and have a lie down in a darkened room.

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.