Inside Crochet

back issues 1Iss4u1e Plus Sweet soft toy pattern collection LOOKING FOR THAT PERFECT PROJECT? SEARCH WWW.INSIDECROCHET.CO.UK FOR ALL OUR PAST DESIGNS AND THEN CALL 01202 586848 OR VISIT WWW.SELECTMAGAZINES.CO.UK TO BUY THE ISSUE! 1Is3su5eBIGGEST ISSUE! 116 PAGES OF FRESH, ON-TREND IDEAS FLORAL MANDALA! INSPIRING PROJECTS for Creative Crocheters i id cr ch .c . k 25 LEARN NEW CONTEMPORARY SKILLS! PATTERNS MANDALA GARLAND Mindful makes Pretty doily motifs Soothing stitches and MASTERCLASS beautiful designs TUTORIAL to cherish SEA TILES BLANKET Brioche crochet squares EASY TO HOOK SERENE MIRROR Quick, thrifty homewares COTTON & Plus LINEN YARNS COMFY CUSHIONS Stitch Markers Every issue is also Stunning on-trend designs & ExtraTASSELS & BOBBLES! available as a handy XXXXX STUNNING digital download TEXTURED SHAWL That’s on average more CUTE BEADED BAG than 20 stunning patterns Handmade summer style for at least £1 less than the PatternEMBROIDERED JUMPER ❤ BLOSSOM WALLHANGING ❤ ZEN CAT £7.99 ISSUE 135 print version! Visit 1Is2su8e www.pocketmags.com to find out more Plus Faux Leather Tags for your crochet

➻ M A K E I T Pattern instructions 102 Inside Crochet

MATERIALS COLUMN 1 ● Stylecraft Special DK, START SQUARES 100% acrylic, With two strands of 100g/295m/322yds Yarn A: Empire 1829 yarn A (refer to schematic), make x 2 balls 21ch. Yarn B: Pomegranate 1083 Row 1: 1tr in fourth ch from x 2 balls hook, 1tr in each ch across, turn Yarn C: Kelly Green 1826 – 19tr. x 2 balls Row 2: 3ch (counts as first tr Yarn D: Spice 1711 x 2 balls here and throughout), 1tr in Yarn E: Lobelia 1825 x 2 balls space between next 2 tr to end, Yarn F: Fuchsia Purple 1827 working last tr in top of 3ch (ie x 2 balls not between last tr and 3ch at Yarn G: Grass Green 1821 start), turn – 19tr. x 2 balls Rows 3–12: As Row 2. Yarn H: Dandelion 2571 Cut yarn A leaving approximately x 2 balls 40cm/16in tail for sewing. Yarn I: Plum 1061 x 2 balls Join yarn B and rep Row 2, 12 ● 5mm hook times. ● Yarn needle Cut yarn B leaving approximately 40cm/16in tail. YARN ALTERNATIVES Cont in this way, joining each Use two strands of any DK-weight yarn in sequence C, D, E, F, G, acrylic yarn or one strand of any H and I, and working Row 2, 12 aran-weight acrylic yarn to achieve times for each yarn. a similar effect. One column of nine squares completed. Co lo u r TENSION COLUMN 2 Blo ck Exact tension is not critical for Th row this pattern. RECTANGLES Starting with two strands of BY JANE CZAJA MEASUREMENTS yarn D (refer to schematic), make Blanket: Approximately 15ch. Put your brightest stash yarns 163 x 137cm/64 x 54in. Row 1: (RS) 1tr in fourth ch from to work and create this glorious Square: Approximately hook, 1tr in each ch across, turn colourful throw. 15 x 15cm/6 x 6in. – 13tr. Rectangle: Approximately Row 2: 3ch (counts as first tr 10 x 15cm/4 x 6in. here and throughout), 1tr in space between next 2 tr to end, DESIGNER BIOGRAPHY working last tr in top of 3ch (ie Jane has worked with crochet, not between last tr and 3ch at knitting and fabric since start) – 13tr. childhood. She now combines Rows 3–12: As Row 2. freelance crochet technical editing Cut yarn D leaving approximately and designing with running 40cm/16in tail. crochet workshops so others can Join yarn E and rep Row 2, learn and be inspired. Find her 12 times. online at www.janescrochet.com Cut yarn E leaving approximately and find her crochet patterns and 40cm/16in tail. videos at www.justhands-on.tv. Cont in this way, joining each yarn in sequence F, G, H, I, A, B PATTERN NOTES and C and working Row 2, 12 Stitches are worked in spaces times for each yarn. between treble posts throughout One column of nine rectangles unless otherwise instructed. completed. If you are using yarn from your COLUMNS 3–13 stash to make the blanket, allow 17g for each large square and Each column has a different 13g for each small rectangle. colour sequence. Make five more Change colour on last pull columns of large squares and six through of last st worked in more columns of small squares previous colour. referring to Chart for colour changes and correct placement of columns. Remember to number last square/rectangle www.insidecrochet.co.uk 103

➻ M A K E I T Pattern instructions 163cm/ 64in 137cm/ 54in Yarn A: Empire Yarn B: Pomegranate FIG 1 Yarn C: Kelly Green Yarn D: Spice Yarn E: Lobelia Yarn F: Fuchsia Purple Yarn G: Grass Green Yarn H: Dandelion Yarn I : Plum “mirror” those of the colour Join next two squares of 2 tr across top edge to next changes of squares/rectangles. Columns 1 & 2 together using Arrange columns in correct next yarn tail. corner, 4tr in corner sp, (2tr numerical order referring to Cont in this way until all squares schematic. of Columns 1 & 2 are joined. around tr post of next row end, Take care arranging columns Now join Column 3 to Column 2 correctly before you start joining in the same way. 1tr around tr post of next row them together. There should be Rep this process until all columns only one 40cm/16in yarn tail of are joined. end) down first side of blanket relevant colour “waiting” to join each pair of squares. BORDER to next corner, 4tr in corner sp, With RS together, join first two With RS facing, join yarn H to FIG 2 squares of Columns 1 & 2 using top right-hand corner treble 1tr in each sp between next yarn tail of one of the colours by space of column 13 of blanket worked of each column as you stitching treble posts together (Fig 2), 3ch, 3tr in same corner 2 tr across bottom edge to next go, RS facing, according to (Fig 1). Fasten off tail. sp, 1tr in each sp between next schematic. corner, 4tr in corner sp, (2tr JOINING COLUMNS around tr post of next row end, The seams joining the columns are intended to be visible to 1tr around tr post of next row end) up second side of blanket to last corner, join with sl st in top of 3ch at start. Fasten off and sew END in all ends. 104 Inside Crochet

Yarn Market SARAH MORAN, COMMISSIONING EDITOR, WRITES: “We are big fans of independent yarn shops. Whether it’s the local yarn store in town With lockdowns behind us, hopefully, it is more important than ever to give small, local where you can pop in for a browse and some help with your latest project, or an online retailers a boost as they get back to ‘business as usual’. Happily, most bricks and mortar shop with gorgeously curated wools and accessories, the care and personal service stores in the UK have reopened their doors again, so if you haven’t been to your local you get is second-to-none. Our favourite independent yarn shops – some local, some shop lately, now’s the perfect time to pop in and show your support. Alternatively, you online – are all packed with a great choice of yarns, hooks and notions perfect for your can also support many local yarn shops by ordering via their website or by telephone. next project. Yarn shops are also great places to meet fellow crocheters and build on your skills, whether it’s a ‘crochet and chatter’ social group or a workshop led by a local e last couple of years have been challenging for all of us and independent shops still designer, all brought to you by staff with a real passion for yarn and a love of our craft. need our support. We all know what a lifeline our crafting has been to us over the past two years!” Friendly yarn shop near Evesham Stockists of King Cole, Stylecraft and others Workshops, accessories, lessons Free Crochet & Chat twice a week Free parking Crochet Cottage, Cadbury Courtyard, Blackminster Business Park, WR11 7RE 07450 794505 www.yarnstyle.co.uk Handmade by Maryport Situated on the edge of the Lake District we stock a wide range of Quilting fabric, sewing machines, yarns including Stylecraft, Rico, King Cole, Sirdar and many more with wool and haberdashery knitting and crochet accessories and patterns available too. 1 Biddicks Court, Saint Austell, Cornwall PL25 5EW Tel: 01726 75385 Email: [email protected] Telephone: 07501 541961 Email: [email protected] / HandmadeByMaryport www.hookandeyeonline.com USE CODE HELLO10 FOR 10% OFF HookandEyeOnline hookandeye3  “Exc e lle nt se rvic e , m y ne w ‘g o to ’ ya rn se lle r!” Lynn fro m Truro , C o rnwa ll www.Se c re tYa rnSta sh.c o .uk Sew n nd Cr ft Shop n C mbr d e Our range of crafts include yarns, threads, haberdashery, www sew n tcr ft co u gifts and much more. We really do offer a one stop shop for both 01223 350691 Dancers and Crafters. AN OFFICIAL STYLECRAFT STOCKIST 3 Crown Street, St Ives, Cambridgeshire PE27 5EB Call us on 01480 716014 Email: [email protected] www.stardancewear.co.uk

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➻ HOW TO CROCHET CrHowoto chet I have always believed that anyone can learn to crochet, so long as you follow one simple rule: don’t try to run before you can chain! The chain is the most simple of stitches and therefore ideal for practising the all-important hold, which helps create the perfect tension for forming all the following stitches. When my mother taught me to crochet, she followed her grandmother’s lead and helped me to hook metre upon metre of chain before I was shown any further stitches. It was a fantastic foundation for learning the more difficult techniques. Once your chains are looking even and feel comfortable to create, then progressing on to the stitches becomes much easier. If at any point you feel as if you have lost your hold, simply go back to those comforting lengths of chain until your confidence returns. My biggest tip is to remember that this wonderful craft is well known for being relaxing and fun, so find a comfy chair, some free time and just enjoy it! Happy crocheting… This soothing TEACH Inner Peace Cardigan YOURSELF by Annelies Baes (issue 135) combines a simple How to hold the work, silhouette with a delicate chains, double lace repeat to create & treble crochet, slip stitch a cover-up perfect for warmer weather. TURN THE PAGE FOR ALL YOU NEED TO GET STARTED www.insidecrochet.co.uk 107

THE BASICS GETTING STARTED To crochet smoothly and efficiently, you must hold the hook SLIPKNOT CHAIN and yarn in a relaxed, comfortable and consistent fashion. This will also ensure that your tension is even and accurate. There A slipknot creates the first Most crochet projects begin are two main ways of holding the hook and two main ways loop on the hook. with a length of chain. This is to tension the yarn. You can choose whichever combination the perfect stitch to practise feels more natural for you, or a variation on these. your hold and tension with. HOLDING THE HOOK KNIFE GRIP PENCIL GRIP 1 Make a loop in the yarn 1 Holding just the hook with around 10–20cm/4–8in from point up in your dominant Hold the hook in your Hold the hook in your the end. Insert hook through hand, and the yarn in the dominant hand as you dominant hand as you loop, catch the back strand other, grip the slipknot would a knife. would a pencil. of yarn and pull it through to with the yarn holding hand. the front. Work a yarn round hook (yrh or yoh) by passing the HOLDING THE YARN hook in front of the yarn, under and around it. FOREFINGER MIDDLE-FINGER 2 Pull the ends of the yarn to METHOD METHOD secure the knot around the hook, but not too tightly or Wrap the ball end of the yarn Wrap the ball end of the it will be hard to pull the first around the little finger of yarn around the little finger loop of chain through. your opposite hand, under of your opposite hand and the next two fingers and over over the other fingers. Hold 2 Roll the hook round in the forefinger. Hold the work the work steady with your your fingers towards you steady with your middle forefinger and thumb, then to catch the yarn and pull finger and thumb, then raise your middle finger through loop on hook. raise your forefinger when while you are crocheting to One chain made. working to create tension. create tension. To cr -h n e , ptaebshIrvitteormeiidfotnniuecongsheagsgshesilnlosfoii’notutgtrteahtmlnaltetadlonflytioatentotocevsiiwhreesgah;nihie.rfyttvdoyeoeusnroausairroen The action of working o stitches causes a im ly do eh . constant rolling of the 3 Ensuring the stitches ri -h n hook in your fingers; are even – not too loose H ny hold the hook pointing or tight – repeat to make p mi u guide to up when performing a length of chain. ur i h the yrh, then roll it see how to work. round towards you to point down when pulling through the loops so that you don’t catch the hook in the stitches. 108 Inside Crochet