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Crochet Blog – update #9

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Welcome to my Crochet blog – update #9. It has been such a long time since I posted an update. I have been working on a number of projects but life and the day job took over. It is difficult to find time to get the patterns together and tested. I am trying to ring fence time to work on my crochet projects, for the sake of my mental health if nothing else!

I have been trying to organise this blog better, updating menus and links. Building my Pinterest profile has been a focus and reviewing all the beautiful work that my fellow crochet designers are producing. I have set up a Tailwind tribe to collect and promote inspiring crochet block and crochet blanket patterns.

Join my new Tailwind tribe here!

Project updates

Hearts and Spots blanket

Now onto the projects I have been busy with. Firstly I am close to finishing a couple of long standing projects. My Hearts and Spots blanket which started life as a Christmas present from my husband. The present was one ball of every colour of Drops Paris cotton yarn. The only thing I have left to do is to finish stitching in the ends. There are a lot of ends!! The design is made up of squares that I designed and have already shared as free patterns. I have added the links to these patterns below the picture.

Hears and spots blanket

Open heart square

Sample square

Cosy Knitted blanket

I branched out into knitting for a short time and will be putting the pattern for this lovely cosy blanket up on my blog as soon as I can get it written. Not to make excuses for the delay but I am actually waiting for my husband to draft the chart 🙂

Cosy knitted blanket

Hearts and Stripes blanket

My latest project is a 4th of July inspired Hearts and Stripes blanket. I designed a solid block based on my heart motif and put it with a simple striped square to produce this blanket. The free patterns for the two squares you need to make this project are already posted. I will post the full pattern for the blanket next – just finishing the pattern test! Here is a picture of the finished project. I hope you like it. Below the picture are the links to the patterns for the two squares.

Hearts and stripes blanket

Full Heart crochet block

Striped square

Finally I have been working on yarn recycling. We (Mum and I) put together quite a stash of salvaged yarn and it has been nagging at me from bags in my stash room….. YES… I am so lucky – I have a whole room for my stash. Admittedly the room is only about four foot square so I suppose it is more of a cupboard than a room … but it is stash dedicated space 🙂 Anyway these bags of recycled yarn have been on my mind so you can expect to see an update on that project in the coming days. I think that is it for now – Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂

Full Heart Crochet Block

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This pattern builds on a heart motif. The basic pattern for my crochet heart can be found here. This pattern uses a slightly adapted version and then puts that heart into the centre of a crochet block. You can use the crochet block to make blankets or cushion covers in any design you like!

The pattern is shown below in both UK and US versions.

Heart Motif

UK terms

First round – Make a magic loop, chain 3. Working into the magic loop, 3 dtr, 3tr, chain 1, 1dtr, chain 1, 3tr, 3dtr, chain 2. Slip stitch into magic loop and pull the thread to close the centre of the heart.

Second round – 2 sl stitch into the gap behind the three chain from the first round.  Work 3dc into the next stitch (top of the left side of the heart). Work 3 dc into the next stitch and 2 dc into the following stitch.   Work 4 dc to take you to the bottom loop of the heart.  Work 3dc into the bottom stitch of the heart then 4 dc up the right side of the heart. Work 2dc, 3dc, 2dc into the next three stitches then 2 sl stitches. Work one final slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

Third round – Work 2 slip stitches then 2dc into the next four stitches. Work 7 dc down the left side of the heart then 3dc into the bottom stitch of the heart. Work 6dc up the right hand side of the heart then 2dc into the next four stitches. Work 2 slip stitches and finish off to complete the heart.

US terms

First round – Make a magic loop then chain 3. Working into the magic loop, 3TRC, 3DC, chain 1, 1TRC, chain 1, 3DC, 3TRC. Chain 2 and slip stitch into magic loop and pull the thread to close the centre of the heart.

Second round – 2 sl stitch into the gap behind the three chain from the first round.  Work 3SC into the next stitch (top of the left side of the heart). Work 3 SC into the next stitch and 2SC into the following stitch.   Work 4SC to take you to the bottom loop of the heart.  Work 3SC into the bottom stitch of the heart then 4SC up the right side of the heart. Work 2SC, 3SC, 2SC into the next three stitches. Work 2 sl stitches and one final slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

Third round – Work 2 slip stitches then 2SC into each of the next four stitches. Work 7 SC, then 3SC into the bottom stitch of the heart. Work 6SC up the right side of the heart then 2SC into each of the next four stitches. Work 2 slip stitches and finish off to complete the heart.

Now you should have a heart motif ready to be placed in the centre of a block.

Putting the Heart into a Crochet Block

The instructions below start with the heart motif and a second yarn colour. The block is more open at the top to show the heart shape better. This picture shows the ‘touch points’ of the outer square on the heart at the top.

UK Terms

First round – counting the bottom DC as 1, count stitches up the right hand side of the heart. Join yarn in to stitch 10 and work 2CH, 1DC into next stitch then 4CH. Miss the next three stitches and work 2DC into the top of the right hand side of the heart. Work 4CH and 2DC into the top of the let hand side of the heart. Work 4CH. Miss the next three stitches and work 3DC into the left hand side of the heart. Complete the round as follows: 2HTR, 2TR, 1DTR, 1TR, 1HTR. Work 3DC into the stitch at the bottom of the heart, 1HTR, 1TR, 1DTR, 2TR, 2HTR, 1DC and join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

Second round – CH2, 1DC then working into corner chain 2DC, 2CH, 2DC. Work 2DC into the stitches joined to top of right side of the heart. Work 3 DC into the chain at the top of the heart. Work 2DC into the stitches at the top of the left side of the heart. Working into the corner chain 2DC, 2CH, 2DC. Work down the left side of the heart, 4DC, 2HTR, 1TR. Into the next stitch work 1TR, 2CH, 1TR. Carry on round the bottom of the heart as follows: 2HTR, 3DC, 2HTR. Into the next stitch work 1TR, 2CH, 1TR. Complete the round as follows, 1TR, 2HTR, 2DC. Join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

Third round – CH2 work DC into each stitch as follows; 3DC to first corner. Work 1DC, 2CH, 1DC into the corner then 11DC across the top of the block. Work 1DC, 2CH, 1DC into the second corner. Work 10 DC down the side of the block then work 2DC, 2CH, 2DC into the bottom corner. Work 9 DC across the bottom of the block. Work 2DC, 2CH, 2DC into the final corner then 6DC up the last side. Join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

US Terms

First round – counting the bottom SC as 1, count stitches up the right hand side of the heart. Join yarn in to stitch 10 and work 2CH, 1SC into next stitch then 4CH. Miss the next three stitches and work 2SC into the top of the right hand side of the heart. Work 4CH and 2SC into the top of the let hand side of the heart. Work 4CH. Miss the next three stitches and work 3SC into the left hand side of the heart. Complete the round as follows: 2HDC, 2DC, 1TR, 1DC, 1HDC. Work 3SC into the stitch at the bottom of the heart. Work 1HDC, 1DC 1TR, 2DC, 2HDC, 1SC up the right side of the heat. Join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

Second round – CH2, 1SC then working into corner chain 2SC, 2CH, 2SC. Work SC into the two stitches at the top of right side of the heart. Work 3 SC into the chain at the top of the heart. Work SC into the two stitches at the top of the left side of the heart . Work
2SC, 2CH, 2SC into the corner chain. Work down the left side of the heart, 4SC, 2HDC, 1DC. Into the next stitch work 1DC, 2CH, 1DC. Carry on round the bottom of the heart as follows: 2HDC, 3SC, 2HDC. Into the next stitch work 1DC, 2CH, 1DC. Complete the round as follows, 1DC, 2HDC, 2SC. Join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

Third round – CH2 work SC into each stitch as follows; 3SC to first corner Work 1SC, 2CH, 1SC into the corner. Work 11SC across the top of the block and 1SC, 2CH, 1SC into the second corner. Work 10 SC down the side of the block then work 2SC, 2CH, 2SC into the bottom corner. Work 9 SC across the bottom of the block. Work 2SC, 2CH, 2SC into the final corner then 6SC up the last side. Join with a slip stitch to the 2CH at the start of the round.

And there you have the Full Heart Block. I hope you like it! You are welcome to use it free of charge but not to resell the pattern without explicit permission. Please share photos of any projects you make using this design. If you post anything online please share a link back to this page.

Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂

Daisy block

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Here is the pattern for my latest block design.   I have worked up a few examples, playing with colours and yarn types.   I plan to add a row of these to my spring flowers blanket.   This is the block worked up in those colours using Stylecraft DK yarn and a 4mm hook.

I love playing with an ombré effect.   Here is the block using shades of pink radiating from a white centre.   The white can only be seen from the back!   The yarn here is Drops Paris worked on a 5mm hook.

Here are a couple of the blocks in Drops Muskat, back on a 4mm hook.  One has a coloured flower against a white background.   I really like the sheen on this yarn.   I will put a proper review into my next blog update.   I think a baby blanket with coloured flowers against white would be sweet.   The photo also shows the reverse with white flowers on blue.   You can see I became quite attached to this design quite quickly!

Here is the pattern 

Daisy block – UK terms

Foundation round 1 – Make a magic loop, chain 2, 11 DC into the loop, pull closed and join with a slip stitch

Round 2 – (chain 6, slip stitch into the root of the chain to form a loop, slip stitch into the next 2 stitches) x 5, chain 6, slip stitch into the root of the chain to form a loop, slip stitch into the base of the first chain loop. You should have a circle with six loops.

Round 3 – (7 DC into the first six chain loop, slip stitch into the stitch between loops) x 6, slip stitch to join to start point. You should have six petals.

Round 4 – (chain three, slip stitch into the stitch between the petals) x 6, slip stitch to join to the start point. Tip – These chains need to sit behind the petals but will probably be in front as you work them. Don’t worry, you can pull the petals back through at the end of the round.

Round 5 – (work 3 DC into the three chain loop, 1CH) x 6, slip stitch to join to start point.

Round 6 – chain 3, 2 Tr, (2Tr into the chain space, 3 Tr) x 2, 1Tr into the chain space, (3Tr, 2Tr into the chain space) x 2, 3Tr, 1Tr into the chain space. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting 3 chains.

Round 7 – chain 4, (Tr, chain 1) x 27, join with a slip stitch to the third chain in the 4 chains that started the round.

Round 8 – this is where we square the circle! Ch2, DC into the first chain space. Complete the round by working two stitches into each chain space as follows: (DC HTr, HTr Tr, Tr DTr, 2 chain, DTr Tr, Tr HTr, HTr DC, 2DC) x 3, DC HTr, HTr Tr, Tr DTr, 2 chain, DTr Tr, Tr HTr, HTr DC, slip stitch to join to the top of the two chains the started the round.

Round 9 – 2ch, work DC into each stitch. At the corners work 2DC, 2ch, 2DC into the two chain space. At the end of the round join with a slip stitch to the top of the two chains the started the round. And you are done! Sit back and admire or plan the project you are going to make with this lovely little block!

Daisy block – US terms

Foundation round 1 – Make a magic loop, chain 2, 11 SC into the loop, pull closed and join with a slip stitch

Round 2 – (chain 6, slip stitch into the root of the chain to form a loop, slip stitch into the next 2 stitches) x 5, chain 6, slip stitch into the root of the chain to form a loop, slip stitch into the base of the first chain loop. You should have a circle with six loops.

Round 3 – (7 SC into the first six chain loop, slip stitch into the stitch between loops) x 6, slip stitch to join to start point. You should have six petals.

Round 4 – (chain three, slip stitch into the stitch between the petals) x 6, slip stitch to join to the start point. Tip – These chains need to sit behind the petals but will probably be in front as you work them. Don’t worry, you can pull the petals back through at the end of the round.

Round 5 – (work 3 SC into the three chain loop, 1CH) x 6, slip stitch to join to start point.

Round 6 – chain 3, 2 DC (2DC into the chain space, 3 DC) x 2, 1DC into the chain space, (3DC, 2DC into the chain space) x 2, 3DC, 1DC into the chain space. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting 3 chains.

Round 7 – chain 4, (DC, chain 1) x 27, join with a slip stitch to the third chain in the 4 chains that started the round.

Round 8 – this is where we square the circle! Ch2, SC into the first chain space. Complete the round by working two stitches into each chain space as follows: (SC HDC, HDC DC, DC TR, 2 chain, TR DC, DC HDC, HDC SC, 2SC) x 3, SC HDC, HDC DC, DC TR, 2 chain, TR DC, DC HDC, HDC SC, slip stitch to join to the top of the two chains the started the round.

Round 9 – 2ch, work SC into each stitch. At the corners work 2SC, 2ch, 2SC into the two chain space. At the end of the round join with a slip stitch to the top of the two chains the started the round. And you are done!

I hope you enjoy this pattern as much as I enjoyed creating it.   Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂

Hearts

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I looked for a heart motif online and couldn’t find one that was quite right so I made my own!    It is very quick to make up and you can stop before the last row if you need a slightly smaller version.

I am addicted to making them now! These hearts are great for stash busting if, like me, you keep every single scrap of spare yarn and have lots of tiny oddments.   You could use the finished hearts as table decorations, charms or motifs for applique.   Made up in heavier yarn they could even be used as coasters but might need a few more rows adding to make them large enough.

Here is the pattern:

UK terms

Make a magic loop, chain 3 and working into the magic loop, 3 dtr, 3tr, chain 1, 1dtr, chain 1, 3tr, 3dtr, chain 2, slip stitch into magic loop and pull the thread to close the centre of the heart.

second round – 2 sl stitch into the gap behind the three chain from the first round.  3dc into the next stitch (top of the left side of the heart), 3 dc into the next stitch and 2 dc into the following stitch.   Work 4 dc to take you to the bottom loop of the heart.  3dc into the bottom stitch of the heart, 4 dc, work 2dc, 3dc, 3dc into the next three stitches, 2 sl stitches and one final slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

third round – 2 slip stitches then 2dc into the next five stitches (around the top of the left side of the heart) 7 dc, 3dc into the bottom stitch of the heart, 7dc, 2dc into the next five stitches, 2 slip stitches and finish off to complete the heart.

US terms

Make a magic loop, chain 3 and working into the magic loop, 3TRC, 3DC, chain 1, 1TRC, chain 1, 3DC, 3TRC, chain 2, slip stitch into magic loop and pull the thread to close the centre of the heart.

second round – 2 sl stitch into the gap behind the three chain from the first round.  3SC into the next stitch (top of the left side of the heart), 3 SC into the next stitch and 2SC into the following stitch.   Work 4SC to take you to the bottom loop of the heart.  3SC into the bottom stitch of the heart, 4SC, work 2SC, 3SC, 3SC into the next three stitches, 2 sl stitches and one final slip stitch into the centre of the heart.

third round – 2 slip stitches then 2SC into the next five stitches (around the top of the left side of the heart) 7 SC, 3SC into the bottom stitch of the heart, 7SC, 2SC into the next five stitches, 2 slip stitches and finish off to complete the heart.

Hope you like this pattern.  Happy crocheting!

Annie 🙂