Crochet – Page 3 – Emma Varnam’s blog

Forget-me-not top and Me-made May

It has been a while now since I made some clothes for me. When I say this – what I really mean is finishing clothes that I started knitting. Back in February you might remember I wrote a blog post about two cardigans I was making. One that was a complicated pink fairisle which was actually not that difficult, but requires concentration. Another a pretty blue cardigan, which is actually not that difficult – but I couldn’t get my head round the German short row shaping for the sleeve.

blue-cardigan-aileas-emma-varnam-forget-me-not-blue

Well after many commissions and secret designing I have finally come back to my cardigan. I have used the Aileas pattern by Isabell Kraemer. It is very very popular and if you search for it on Ravelry you will find lots of pretty version. Because I was unsure of how it would work out I chose to make my first version in an inexpensive yarn – I bought King Cole Subtle Drifter in Ice Blue. It’s got a nice cotton-ish finish with a little bit of a slub texture.

When I bought it I was thinking about cold weather. There is something quite festive about the soft pastel shades in the dark days of winter. But it has taken me so long to finish – that it will be a good transitional piece for Spring.

My good friend Christine from the Winwick Mum blog put me onto a great short row shaping tutorial and I was able to finish off the project. I love the ‘fake’ cable detail. Especially under the arm. Honestly I think I would make one size up if I made it again. I am not sure if this yarn will pill – so we will see. If I make a second, I will invest in a slightly more expensive yarn. But then I should really finish the pretty pink fairisle cardigan I began last year before I embark on another project.

I thought I would also share a little crochet cotton tank that I have made for summer. When it was really hot in April I was inspired to make this little T-shirt that would go over a vest top. It didn’t take long to make and I know it will go with quite a few skirts and shorts in the summer. It will either look quite cool and be very useful, or look very frumpy and I won’t wear it that much. We will see. By the way…crocheting summer clothes is so much faster than knitting. But then you will want your cotton crochet to be light and lacy.

When I finished the top it go me thinking…could I make it into a lovely beach dress? Something to throw over a swimming costume? Yes probably. So this is the project currently on the hook. I am making it in black…which is not very photogenic, but when I finished it I will share a photo. My plan is to add colourful embroidery to each square, that will make it look very tropical and summery.

I really enjoy making my own clothes. Always these days knitted or crocheted. But I don’t have the hutzpah to make for anyone else. Today is a little bit chilly in Britain and when I go out this morning I think I will wear my new cardi. We will see how it feels. I would be fascinated to know if you crochet items of clothing for yourself in the summer? Or do you keep your garment making just to shawls and scarves?

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Lovely Jubbly Cakes

When my friends at Stylecraft had an idea of running a celebration for the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee – a virtual Garden Party – I knew immediately what I was going to make. It had to be crochet cake! I am so delighted that all my blogging friends are collaborating together to create a festival of garden party patterns.

Amigurumi cakes were some of the very first things I made when I first learnt to crochet. The first things I made were granny squares, I then tried to get lines of double crochet straight. Not that easy. Then, very quickly the whimsical and fun makes drew me in and I began crocheting in the round. I still am.

In the early days our son, Little B…(not so little now) enjoyed playing with the creations I made. Pretend food, little monsters and of course small cuddly penguins. With those days gone I still enjoy making pretty cakes and biscuits to play with or as a table decoration.

There are two types of cupcake – a chocolate and lemon. Each can be removed from their cup-cake case. The chocolate cake has piped frosting and a strawberry decoration. The lemon drizzle cake also uses a creamy frosting and a slice of lemon.

In true British afternoon tea style I have made a few fondant fancies – these are so much fun and you will have enough yarn to make lemon, strawberry and chocolate.

Finally I have made my own Jammy biscuit – all of the delight, none of the calories. They are so easy to make and I think it might be fun to disguise a couple of these in amongst your other biscuits. All three patterns can be used as a base to make other flavours and add on your favourite toppings. Why not add beads for sprinkles or even a little bit of glitter.

The yarn I have used is Stylecraft Naturals Organic Cotton DK in: Coffee Bearn, Wood, Flax, Gypsum, Poppy, Leaf, Buttermilk, Bone and Blush. This pattern will be available to download for FREE until the end of May from my SHOP.

One lucky Stylecraft fan and their friend has the chance to win the yarn to make this project. Checkout the link to Stylecrafts Instagram account here to find out more.

All the patterns for the Blogstars Garden Party are so pretty and there so many decorative projects you can choose from. The patterns are available throughout May and I am delighted that the next pattern is out on 20th May by my friend Helen Kurtz – you can check out her blog post here

if you do make some lovely cakes or biscuits I would love to see them and do tag me in either on Instagram or the Facebook page and I will share your beautiful makes x

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Hop into Spring

It must have be a certain Mr Peter Rabbit that captured my imagination as a child…but for as long as I can remember a bunny or rabbit is one of my favourite animals to draw, paint and more recently make as a toy.

I was thinking only this week, ‘how many bunny patterns have I made?’. Lots and lots and all different forms and sizes. Of course when the calendar swings round towards Easter then my making focuses on bunnies again.

I thought perhaps if you were looking for a little Egg Hunt companion I would collect some of my patterns together in one post. First up is my downloadable PDF – Bobby Bunny. This is available in my shop and I have a few kits still in stock if you want me to send you all the equipment you need. I made a cute little jacket for this one and he makes a rather neat little Peter.

You might also want to look at a lovely little pattern I designed for my friend Debbie Bliss. One of the highlights of last year was creating this little matching bunny and outfit combo. I love the long legs of these bunnies and who doesn’t want a smart pea-coat for their best long eared friend. The downloadable PDF is available on the Love Knitting website and you will be able to purchase the yarn directly from them. I always love using Debbie’s yarns it is such a pleasure to work with the classic Baby Cashmerino.

If you are looking for a larger bunny then Ruby Rabbit in my book Cute Crocheted Woodland Animals is a very cute friend. Very sweet in her dungarees, you can also make any of the other clothes in the book and they will fit her. The very tiny bunny who is a little cuddly friend for Benji Bear also features in this book.

Jack Rabbit and his friend Emily from my first Cute Crocheted Animals book will always be a classic – I love seeing so many of these bunnies across the world, all wearing their gorgeous outfits. The very best photos are ones where a bunny is firmly pinned under the arm of their young owner…off on an adventure.

But then if you are new to crochet I have two projects which will help you get started in working in the round. They also make great gifts for the Easter Table. The little bunny in my book How to Crochet is one of my go-to beginners projects for amigurumi. Really easy to make and also popular with little hands.

Finally the very first book I wrote was Crocheted Keyrings and Charms – I have been revisiting it recently and it has some cracking patterns in there. They not only make great charms for a hand bag but also little table decorations or party gifts. There is a cute bunny pattern in that book. I return to it every once in a while to use for a gift. I have a few signed copies still available in the shop.

Finally do tell me if you have a bunny or spring pattern idea you would like me to develop. As the bulbs start pushing through in the garden and the sun comes out – then the creative ideas start flowing. Its always a good time to get making.

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Bags…when is 1 more too many?

How do you feel about bags? I think I have a ‘love-guilt’ relationship with them. I love them. I am attracted to them. I am always in pursuit of the perfect one, which in itself is a ridiculous crusade. There are so many options, so many uses and the prevalence of choice is really a luxury. If I never bought, was given or made a new bag…I would still have more than I need. But oh… I love them…they can be like art, they are an expression of how we feel, they hold hidden treasure…rubbish and valuables in equal measure.

In many countries a large piece of cloth or a basket will suffice for many carrying needs. A good pocket will also make a small bag redundant. As people use their phones as their wallet, I see fewer and fewer bags being used. But the crafty still need their project bag.

For crochet I have range of bags. Some bought, some made, some gifted.

At home I have two baskets, one next to the sofa, another next to the armchair. They are both static but they seem to keep the current projects or yarn that I am noodling with in place. They usually keep spare needles, wire and stuffing also.

Full disclosure – this is not the location of the ‘STASH’ that is very much hidden away…lurking in wardrobes and under beds.

I then have a number of project bags. They are different sizes and have different fastenings, pocket and handles. Event though I have quite a range – the same few get used more often than not. Firstly the pretty drawstring bag in yellow. This is ideal for small projects; socks, toys and perhaps the sleeve of a garment. Being yellow it is easy to find and it is the most useful for throwing into a handbag for travel.

I have a lovely calico bag with a leather handle. This is a post crafters bag and it is almost like a statement piece – ‘if you know you know’. It has a flat bottom and a wide opening. This seems to me to be the very essence of use-ability. It does have a rivet in the inside pocket. I think the purpose is the thread yarn through… have you ever used this? It seems like a pfaff to me and will annoyingly snag your yarn. I have never used it. Please…if you have a better understanding of how to use a yarn rivet or hole in a craft bag…you just have to tell me.

Lots and lots of you who have a knitting and crochet habit will be shouting at this blog and say; ‘YOU ARE FORGETTING THE GAUZE BAG!’. You are correct of course. Since Covid, and due to our online yarn buying habit more and more of us use the gauze bags that our yarn is packaged in to keep our projects in order. I can’t deny they are a great storage solution. You can spot the yarn straight away and keep all you yarn neatly packaged. I always use mine for my toy stuffing!

But I have two current favourite project bags. One made and the other gifted. A lovely friend, Judy from the yarn group I visit in Skipton gave me this glorious bag just before Christmas. It is just about perfect. A flat bottom for stability, long useful handles and in the prettiest blue which means I am happy to have it sitting almost permanently in the living room.

My next favourite for large project is a version of the Granny Square basket I designed for Inside Crochet Magazine. The Dorothy basket is a classic idea and so simple to make – it is ideal as a weekend project. I have lined mine with some cardboard for a stable base and put a fabric inner within for durability. A few years on this bag is still going strong and there have been a few visits to the beach and to the park to challenge its durability.

Inside Crochet have just re-released this pattern in this month’s magazine. Do seek a copy out. It is a gem. But also please do tell me about your favourite project bag and why. I always like to know and you never know I might just add to my guilty collection.

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Noodling about and the issue of what to pack

Packing for a journey has always been a bit of conundrum and at worst a tad stressful. I would adore to be one of those people who just throws 6 things into a hold-all and magics out 14 different outfits using a sarong and well chosen jewellery. ‘Oh yes, hiking in a downpour followed by a surprise cocktail party… I have just the thing!’.

I am not that person.

I have evolved into being a lighter packer and I might even suggest that I am the lightest packer in our household. There are several reasons for this:

a) Age – I think I am less hung up about what is right or wrong sartorially.

b) I chose one colour to wear when away from home.

c) I need more space for yarn.

(c) is the biggest driver for this evolution.

On our recent trip away for the half term holiday I took 2 substantial bags dedicated to knitting and crochet. ‘This is a ridiculous amount woman!’ I hear your cry.

No my friend, no! It is mostly because I need yarn variety and all spice it can throw at me. The projects I took split into three.

I took a fairisle cardigan knitting project and additional yarn. Just in case.

(Top packing tip – I photocopied the pattern instead of taking the pattern book).

I also took enough yarn to start sampling my dolly pattern – various colours and types. I had edited the colour selection but in some cases I took two balls of a colour. This also meant I needed to take toy stuffing. Also in the bag is the obligatory note book, tape measure, various sizes of tapestry needles, various sizes of crochet hooks, small scissors, buttons… Ok the full notion bag.

That’s quite a lot of stuff isn’t it? Two hobbies, knitting and crochet. This enables me to switch from one project to another as the mood takes me. Having spare yarn also enables me to start dreaming an inventing new designs. This week I had a desire to revisit old cupcake patterns (there is a reason). Oh my word. I had so much fun – new cakes kept popping in to my mind.

That is where the real rest and relaxation resides for me. Moments of whimsy and hilarity. Silly noodling about with yarn – because time and headspace allows.

For that reason alone it is worth making space in the suitcase. I am not sure how other hobbyists fare. I imagine that for embroidery, patchwork, drawing… its all fairly containable. I have known people take guitars on their holiday. Plus we all know that avid readers are delighted by the invention of the Kindle which allows that to take a full library with them on their travels. But what about more cumbersome distractions. Pottery for example…woodturning…? Well if you have any top tips or stories of sacrificial packing I would love to hear.

For my next trip away from home I am wondering if a jumpsuit and a toothbrush will suffice? Oh and a bin bag of DK yarn.

If you enjoy reading my ramblings – can you help me with a little thought – if I blog regularly would you prefer the post being uploaded at a regular time each week – and which day would suit you better – a Friday, Saturday or Sunday morning? Your thoughts and suggestions would be appreciated – please comment below.

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Catching up

So let’s get the formalities out of the way – sorry. I have been away from this little blog for a while. Not a huge ‘I’m giving up’ amount of time, but much longer than I would have liked. The absolute ‘LAW’ of blogging is to be consistent. Blog monthly – weekly – daily if you must, but at the same time, on the same day and with regularity. Yeah… well that ship has sailed. However with all the mea culpa done and dusted – here I am.

Honestly, any absence from this little space is mostly due to busyness in other areas. Work has been…let’s say…busy. Christmas is always a time where preparations and family are a priority. But in the background I have been writing and designing my next book. I am very excited about it and I apologise in advance that I cannot do any show and tell.

With any large design project there has to be trial and error, mostly error. Some ripping back, starting again. Some walking away from a pile of abandoned yarn. The first few designs flew off hook, my theory was to design the ‘easy’ projects to get my eye in. But like an errant student the later pieces got harder and harder. Any exponent of modern ‘to-do’ list philosophy will tell you to tick of the most difficult projects first and then the rest of your list will become a dream. All well and good – hurrah for you and all that but that’s not how it works is it? Why then would we have so many books on time-keeping and to-do lists?

So like a very pedestrian and cosy suspense movie the clock clicked towards the deadline. Luckily I got all my homework in on time. There are very few people I can celebrate that milestone with. No ‘whoop whoop’ on social media here. My yarn blogging pals are happy to accept a random picture. They are very patient.

I do wonder about what our son will say in years to come…’It was rare to see my mother without yarn and hook in her hand and I do remember that most of my childhood she would thrust a cactus/rabbit/campervan in my face and say…’Look! What do you think? Do you love it?’….it was best to say ‘Yes its wonderful!’ – in the hope she would stop obscuring the telly’. Poor lad.

Almost immediately after finishing the book project list I had an urge to make a auricula. I can’t say why. I love their graphic look and I have a few plants potted up in our garden. It was a bit of design whimsy that just had to be pursued. Then back to the commissions – a rather gorgeous soft blanket which is now being blocked before the final finishing.

But when all the designing and pattern writing is completed – what then? Well I usually have some guilty WIP’s (works in progress). First a glorious fairisle cardigan in 2ply jumper weight – and then another cardigan in a soft aran. Both are for me – one dominates in its pink tones and another in light blue. These are both colours I enjoy wearing in my silver years.

I have fallen out with both these projects – we are not speaking to each other. Lets talk about the light blue aran first – the top of the sleeves have short row shaping. Using a the German method. If you are a knitter you might know what I am talking about – this is not a natural technique for me and I need to do more research to embed the process in my head. If you NOT a knitter reading this and you are thinking – wow that sounds complex… I’ll skip over that….YES YOU ARE CORRECT! AND YES… THAT’S WHY THE CARDIGAN IS ABANDONED.

We are still not speaking.

I have however picked the first project back up. This is a fairisle project using the glorious Wiola design by Kristin Wiola Odegard. It is so so pretty, but taxing for me. The knitting is pleasurable, but you need to keep you eye on the ball.

The main body flew off the needle. It is knitted in the round and will be steeked to create the cardigan. I began the sleeves, but combining the increases with the pattern really was a little challenging – plus I really do need a smaller circular needle – say 25mm. Annoyingly I packed this project for our half-term get-away and the lack of a good circular needle has made the progress frustrating.

We are friends again and my head is in the game. I determined that this garment will be completed for next autumn. Forward planning if ever there was.

I have also been designing a new toy project. If you follow me on Instagram you will know that I have been playing around with a doll design. At this stage we are in the prototype phase. I am trying out limb length, yarn weight and colour range.

My thinking so far is that this will be a downloadable pattern for the basic doll with one outfit – but then I would add clothes and accessories. If you would like to get involved and suggest items I should add, please do. The comments are always welcome.

So there you go – a few knitting projects and a crochet experiment. Now were are my circular needles…. and shhhh…I’m counting.

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English Spring Garden Hexagon Blanket

It’s finished! Beautifully finished. Not until just now – tracking back through my photos have I realised that I started this pretty hexagon blanket in May. In my mind, it has been on the hook for much longer. You can read my previous blog post at the beginning of the project here.

I began learning to crochet to whittle down my stash of yarn…well that worked out well! Yarn continues to bulge out of wardrobes and from storage boxes. All those years ago I had in my mind that I would make endless mixed coloured blankets – not caring of the colour combination and slowly all the errant balls of wool would become fab vintage style bedcovers.

Ha!….lovely idea, what happens in reality is that I might start using yarn in my stash and then…oh I need another ball of cream….wouldn’t it be nice to chuck a duck-egg blue in here. The stash remains the same.

Some balls of yarn are so pretty, so expensive that they almost take up squatting rights in the stash collection. Eventually they begin to speak to me and I lose patience. I determine that really that ball needs to be used and that is how the English Spring Garden Hexagon Blanket began.

Many years ago my husband bought me a ball of sock yarn, hand-dyed by a very upmarket producer. The base is a pretty rose pink, with highlights of a shocking cerise and flecks of green, yellow and blue. I want to call it ‘Tutti Fruitti’.

Instead of making a pair of socks with it, which might eventually wear out, it occurred to me that it would make a really pretty centre for a granny square or hexagon. The shades reminded me of the faded pastel prettiness of an English paper piece quilt…and that is how the design evolved. If I had the time I would make a hand-stitched patchwork quilt, that is not going to happen. Instead I reached into my stash to grab all the spare balls of Stylecraft Bellissma and Bambino and set about building the first rows.

In essence every centre uses the pink sock yarn. The next row on is Clotted Cream Bellissima. Row 3 was a coloured Bellissima and then the final row is the cream again. The seasoned crocheter will now be shouting at the screen….’Hang on Lady! You are mixing your yarn weights!!’ – Yes my friend, yes I am… does it matter too much?…no not really. But what I will say. A word to the wise – the sock yarn is a slippery little sucker. The centre seems to easily unravel. This is an event that could make any crocheter burst into tears. I have secured the centre of each hexagon with judicious weaving in. I have taken time and care to do it. Over the past year – this blanket has been a slow burn. I have started and completed another blanket since. I knew though, that this blanket would be coverlet for the base of a bed. I knew all along that the blanket would belong to me.

If you were thinking of making similar,

You could use Stylecraft Head over Heels in Red Potts, or perhaps West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Pink Flamingo.

I have used Stylecraft Bellissima: Precious Posy, Sugar Snap, Denim Dungarees, Mellow Yellow.

Stylecraft Bambino: Clotted Cream, Vintage Pink, Soft Pink, Vintage Blue, Little Boy Blue, Heather and Sage,

I joined each hexagon by double crocheting the edges together and I edged the whole blanket with 4 rows of half treble.

Do I love it? Yes…

Is it soft and cosy? Yes….It makes me smile – in some ways this is blanket is probably me, yarn form, full of the hope of Spring.

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Getting Festive

Every year I put together a few little lists of great gifts I have spotted for crafty friends. Sometimes I message their partners and helpfully hint that I might have solved their gift dilemmas – all they need to do is read my blog.

This year I have loved expanding my online shop and pattern range. I don’t think it is too indulgent to point you in the direction of the gifts I have put together for my blog readers and lovely customers.

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Firstly lets talk kits – my favourite kind of gift. The sort of present that illicit ‘ooo’s’ and ‘ahhh’s’ from crafty people. The sort of present that is perfect to start on boxing day curled up in front of the fire with a festive movie. I put together a Beginners Crochet set – all the things you need to get going with this wonderful hobby. The set includes a signed copy of my book – How To Crochet and the yarn, stuffing and toy eyes to complete the amigurumi bunny pattern inside. You also get two splendid balls of cotton yarn and my favourite 3.5mm Clover Soft Touch crochet hook. With this yarn, beginners can start having a go at granny squares and practicing their stitches.

If you really want to spoil someone, why not purchase the Premium set which includes all those items and a gorgeous craft bag and beautiful needlework scissors. I cannot think of anything nicer.

For the seasoned crafter, then the beautiful hand-turned pin cushion is just the thing. Made by my friend Joel – I have just a few bespoke pincushions in my shop. I always need my tapestry needles and pins to hand that I have almost a pincushion in every room. The base is hand-turned in oak and the centre has sustainable cork to keep pins and needles firmly in place. A thing of beauty, I am sure this pincushion will become an heirloom.

If you are not crafty but love to give handmade items as gifts, then I might be able to help you out. These are the items that I love to give. A jaunty handmade crochet cactus. Sat amongst other houseplants it always amuses visitors to our house – is it real….is it woolly?

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Every year I make a few knitted Christmas Pudding hats for the small people in my life. My son and nephew still wear theirs in the run up to Christmas. I wonder how they still fit! But there is nothing more delightful to keep your ears warm in December.

Finally for the tea drinker in your life. Why not put a handmade tea-cosy in your basket. Very practical, but also very heart warming to see on the kitchen table. Surely there is nothing nicer than a handmade gift!

For my followers I have added a new downloadable pattern and kit. I made the ‘Driving Home for Christmas Car’ as a tree ornament as a gift for my son. But finally…finally after much nagging I have written up the pattern. You can buy this either as a downloadable pattern or buy the kit with all the bits and pieces included. I do hope you like it.

So there you go – a few little items to add to your list. Do pop into the shop to see what you can find. There are of course the signed books, postcards and my best-selling toy kits. I just love seeing what you make!

Happy Festive Preparations!

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Soft Summer Blanket Yarn Giveaway

I am so thrilled that so many of you said lovely things about my Soft Summer Blanket. Many of you have already begun to make the blanket. That makes me so happy.

I am thrilled that my lovely friends at Stylecraft have been willing to sponsor a Giveaway. They have generously given us 2 balls of each colour – so that is a stupendous 14 balls of yarn. You will also get a beautiful shade card for this blanket from Simply Shade Cards.

So if you would like to enter you can either leave a comment/like & tag a friend on my instagram account. Or you can leave a comment at the end of this blog post. I would really lovely to know who you would like to make the blanket for.

The blanket pattern recipe is available for free in this blog post.

I would like the yarn to go a good home and someone who will be thrilled to make the blanket. If you haven’t caught my Instagram Live September series – then do pop over to Instagram and have a look in my IGTV and there are a series of hints and tips.

The Giveaway finishes for entry at 6am British Summer Time on 24.09.21 – Good Luck!

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