Dotti Cushion - FREE Pattern and Tutorial!

Good evening! Let's make a cushion!!!

Dotti is a cushion made from motif that's a circle within a square. It's all joined together using a join as you go technique. It looks complicated and tricky...but it's not. I've put together some step by step photos for you to follow. There are no complicated stitches used....just basic ones. I think an adventurous beginner could quite easily manage to make Dotti.  The yarn I've used is Scheepjes Metropolis. It's a fingering weight yarn that comes in a lovely array of colours so you can have fun choosing a colour palette to suit. The yarn is a super snuggly 75% extra fine merino with 25% nylon to give some added strength. It's machine washable at 40°c. On each 50g ball you get 200m of yarny goodness! This yarn is seriously scrumptious!!!! I love that it smells like wool too..... I'm a yarn sniffer!  Ok let's get on with it! Ingredients You will need: Yarn A Scheepjes Metropolis 078 Lyon x 2 balls Yarn B Scheepjes Metropolis 069 Miami x 2 balls Yarn C Scheepjes Metropolis 019 Marseille x 1 ball  Yarn D Scheepjes Metropolis 076 Sevilla x 1 ball Yarn E Scheepjes Metropolis 018 Suwon x 1 ball 18" Cushion Pad 3mm Crochet Hook Scissors Needle for weaving in ends Blocking materials How to: The pattern is written in UK English terms.

Using Yarn B chain 4 and join with a slip stitch to form a ring Round 1. Chain 3 (counts as first treble crochet) and then work 11 more treble crochets into the ring. Join with a slip stitch in the 3rd chain. (12 treble crochets) Round 2. Chain 3 (counts as first treble) and work a treble crochet into the first stitch. Work 2 treble crochets into the next stitch and repeat a further 10 times. Join with a slip stitch in the 3rd chain and fasten off. (24 treble crochets) Now make a heap of 2 round circles!!! You will need 162 in total. Don't faint! They're very quick to make and great for doing whilst watching telly 😊 In my version of Dotti I made 134 in Yarn B, 9 in Yarn C, 10 in yarn D and 9 in yarn E. I added them randomly when joining. If you prefer, you could lay them all out and take a snap to refer back to. 

Join in Yarn A in any stitch of the circle.

Round 3. Chain 1 and work a double crochet into the same stitch. Double crochet in the next stitch. Half treble crochet and treble crochet in the next stitch. Chain 2 (to form the corner) and treble crochet and half treble crochet into the next stitch, double crochet into the next 2 stitches and chain 1. Repeat 3 more times around the circle and join with a slip in the first stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

YOU WILL ONLY WORK A FULL 3RD ROUND FOR THIS FIRST SQUARE. 

This is where we will start to join as we go!

With Yarn A join in any stitch and work as before, making a chain and a double crochet in the first stitch. Work a double crochet in the next stitch and then a chain. Work a half treble and a treble into the next stitch then chain 2 to make the corner. Work a treble and a half treble into the next stitch and then a double into the next 2 stitches. Make a chain (this is where we are going to make the first join!) and with the 2 motifs side by side slide your hook under the side chain space of the finished square, wrap the yarn around your hook and pull through both loops on your hook to join the squares. Work 2 doubles in the next 2 stitches then a half treble and a treble in the next one. Chain 1, slip your hook into the corner chains of the finished square and join as before, work another chain. Continue around the square in pattern and join with a slip stitch. Fasten off and weave in ends. 

As you can see from the photo we are leaving the bottom corners free. This is so we can join diagonally to make neat joins where all of the 4 corners meet!

Continue to join all of your squares in the first row as before. You will need to join 9 squares.

When we come to start a new row, we work as before, but now we are going starting making some diagonal joins as the picture shows. NB Ignore the line at the top....that's there in error as we've already made that join! Also, I'm left handed. You might be working in a different joining direction! It's all good 😉

This next step is where you need to start concentrating on your joining points. It's easy to miss one out! You will also see that we are joining where we have previously made a corner join. This time we are joining the corners that aren't already joined. It's made in exactly the same way only this time we sliding our hook under the previous join and catching in the corners we need to join now. It's a bit fiddly to start with but you will soon get the hang of it! 

When all 4 corners are joined you get a nice neat finish!

Continue joining your squares in this manner. Each row has 9 squares and you will need to work 9 rows.  I really advise weaving in your ends after you've joined each square. It doesn't take a minute and will save you the despair of having a gazillion ends to weave in before you block your pieces!!!

You need to make 2 pieces like this!

Now give them a block. 

NB! This is a superwashed yarn, and as such, it will grow when wet. It actually grows a fair bit! I gave mine a nice soak in some Eucalan, gently squeezed out the excess water and then placed the squares in towels which I rolled up to get rid of as much moisture as possible. I then placed them on my blocking mats and measured 18" square and shaped them to that size. This yarn really changes texture when blocked. It becomes even more soft if that's possible!

To join your squares place the 2 cushion pieces together with wrong sides touching and using Yarn B join together by working a double crochet into each stitch. At the corners I worked 3 double crochets into the corner chain spaces. 

Now I'm a bit of a lazy mare and can't be bothered (most of the time) to add buttons etc to make openings. I just joined 3 sides, popped the cushion pad in and crocheted the final side together! 

It would be very easy to add in a neat opening. Just work the double crochet along one side, not joining, and on the other side join in either yarn A or B and work a few rows of double crochet so you have enough to sew your buttons on... line them up with motif joins to give you ready made button holes!

Ok I hope that was useful for you all 😁

If you get stuck just drop me an email....I try to answer them as quick as I can!

I'll leave you with some more Dotti photos.

I look forward to seeing your Dotti creations! Til next time x

Introducing Dotti

Evening! Sorry for the delay in getting this introduction to you all....life has been a little crazy of late and I've struggled to keep the plates a spinning! Last time I showed you progress on my latest project. A cushion made using the gorgeous new yarn by Scheepjes Metropolis is a fingering weight merino/nylon blend that comes in a mind boggling array of colours.  A 50g ball has 200m and it is machine washable. 

If you remember back, I chose these colours to make my cushion with. 

I love that they a bit of a retro vibe going on!

I decided to make a cushion as these colours work perfectly with the decor in my living room and knew it would work well on my reading chair!

The pattern is join as you go (jaygo) and is very simple. Perfect for an adventurous beginner and it can easily be adapted to any size cushion. 

And here we have it! The finished cushion!

I've called it Dotti. 

As per usual there will be a free pattern for Dotti 😊

I'm really pleased with how it turned out....and I love the photos I took of it at Hume Castle. 

I shall try and get the pattern published by the end of next week....fingers crossed everything stays calm and quiet!!!!

Til then x

Summer Crochet Wrap Tutorial

Hello fellow hooky friends :-) As promised, this time I'm going to try and talk you through making the Summer Crochet Wrap. It's a join as you go (JAYGO) project. If you're comfortable doing this just skip the photos and head right down to the written pattern instructions. If not, I'm going to try and explain with photos and text. If you get stuck, just add a comment and I'll try to help! Ok lets get started...

I've made my wrap with the gorgeous Scheepjes Sunkissed yarn.

It's 100% cotton sport weight that seriously does not split. 

As with their Cotton 8 the more this yarn is handled the softer it gets!

It's machine washable and comes in 50g balls. 

THE DETAILS

The finished wrap measures approximately 22"x69.5" (56x178cm)

It weighs 385g and is made up of 114 motifs in total (6x19)

YOU WILL NEED

Sunkissed shade 3 x 150g

Sunkissed shade 6 x 150g

Sunkissed shade 7 x 150g

Crochet Hook  - recommended hook size is 3-3.5mm although I've used a size 4mm as I'm a tight hooker!

Scissors

Darning Needle to weave ends in

Blocking mat and stainless steel blocking pins

THE PATTERN

I've used this pattern. If you scroll down the linked page, you will find it.

Click on it and it takes you to the motif chart.

I won't publish the motif here as I don't want to infringe any copyright rules :-)

However at the end of the tutorial you will find that I've written out the pattern for all non chart readers.

TIPS!

My instructions and pattern are written in UK English crochet terms

Gauge is not really crucial for this wrap. What is more important is that your finished motif feels nice and soft. I suggest you work a motif in the recommended hook size and see what it feels like. If it feels stiff, try going up a hook size. Likewise, if it starts to resemble a string vest you might want to try a smaller hook! Sometimes it takes a few tries to find the right hook size.  

I am left handed! This means my rounds are worked in reverse to right handers and the same for joining. For those right handers out there.....just flip the joining directions.  I would suggest weaving in your ends as you go, otherwise like me, you'll have way over a hundred to weave in at the end!!! Ok. All set?

Chain 6 and join with a slip stitch in the first chain made.

Round 1. Chain 4 (this counts as 1 treble and a chain stitch), treble crochet into ring, chain 1. Repeat this 14 further times. Slip stitch into 3rd chain of first stitch. You will now have 16 treble crochets and 16 chain spaces. 

Round 2.  Slip stitch into next chain space. Now we are going to make some treble clusters! The first is slightly different to the rest. To make the first cluster chain 3 (this makes a treble) now yarn around hook, insert hook into chain space, yarn around hook and pull through (2 loops on hook), yarn around hook, insert hook into same chain space, yarn around hook and pull through 2 loops. You should now have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn around hook and pull through all 3 loops. Chain 3. The following clusters are made as follows: yarn around hook, insert into next chain space, yarn around hook and pull through 2 loops, repeat this 2 more times. You should have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn around hook and pull through all 4 loops. Chain 3. 

Repeat until you have worked clusters into all 16 chain spaces. Join with a slip stitch into the 3rd chain of first stitch. You should have 16 clusters and 16 chains of 3.

To get to the starting position for round 3, slip stitch into the next 2 stitches (marked below by arrows) and then slip stitch into a chain 3 space. 

Round 3.  Now we are going to make some corners and turn these circles into squares! * Double crochet into the 3 chain space, chain 5 and double crochet into the next 3 chain space. Repeat this once more. Into the next 3 chain space you need to make 5 treble crochets, chain 5 and then another 5 treble crochets. Repeat from * and finish by joining with a slip stitch into the first double crochet. 

First corner made!

Your finished motif will look something like this!

This join as you go wrap starts with one completed motif. The rest of the motifs are joined on round 3. 

 Work you next motif to round 3 then work the first 2 5-chains and a corner ending with a double crochet in the next chain-3 space. 

To join the motifs, chain 2 and then slip into the 5-chain space of the first motif. Chain a further 2 stitches and then double crochet into the next 3-chain space. Repeat this once more. Now you are ready to join the corners. Work your next 5 trebles into the next 3-chain space, chain 2 and slip stitch into the corner of the first motif. Chain a further 2 stitches and then 5 trebles into the same space. Double crochet in the next 3-chain space. Continue to work the rest of round 3. 

NOTE!

We are always going to leave the bottom corner not joined. This is because we'll be joining opposite corners on the next row.

Work along your first row of joins. My wrap is 6 motifs wide with 19 rows of motifs.

The first motif of the second row is joined at the top as marked. Please note that the corner is joined diagonally with the one to the top right. This is so that the joins are nice neat.

The second motif is joined as above. 

For the corner join you need to insert your hook UNDER the previously joined corner and into the corner chain space, yarn around hook, pull through both loops. You are effectively making a double crochet over the join. This is the neatest way I've seen of joining the corners. Continue to join as before. 

At the end of each row ensure that the top end corners are joined to the one above.  Continue to join your motifs. On your very last row (YAY!!!!) make sure that the bottom edge motifs are all joined together. Once you have finished your wrap it's time to block it! 

I have some kids play mats that I use to block larger items. I pin it out and then give it a good drenching with a spray gun. Alternatively you can soak it first and then pin it out. 

Because the yarn is made from cotton, it holds its shape beautifully once blocked and has a wonderful drape. Blocking is an onerous task but it really is worth it for the finished result!

Go on, grit your teeth and get blocking ;-)

WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS Abbreviations st - stitch ch - chain sl st - slip stitch ch sp - chain space yrh - yarn round hook tr - treble crochet dc - double crochet

beg3trcl – ch3, yrh insert hook into ch sp, yrh and pull up loop, yrh insert hook into same ch sp, yrh and pull up loop,  [3 loops on hook], yrh and pull through 3 loops.

 3trcl – yrh insert hook into ch sp , yrh and pull up loop, yrh and insert into same ch sp, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and insert into same ch sp, yrh and pull up loop,  [4 loops on hook] yrh and pull through 4 loops.

Ch 6, join with sl st in first ch.  Round 1. Ch 4 (counts as first Tr, ch 1).* Into circle (1 tr, ch 1) Rpt from * 14 further times. Join with a  sl st into 3rd ch of 1st st. (16 tr, 16 1-ch) Round 2. Sl st into next ch sp. Beg3trcl, ch 3. * (3trcl, ch-3) Rpt from * 14 times. Join with sl st into 3rd ch of 1st st.  (16 3trcl, 16 3-ch) Round 3. Sl st in next 2 st. Sl st into ch-3 space. * Dc, ch 5, dc in next 3-ch sp, ch 5, dc in next ch-3 sp,  to make corner - 5tr in next 3-ch sp, ch 5, 5tr in same ch sp. Rpt from * for rest of round. Join with a sl st in first dc. I really do hope these instructions are clear! Happy hooking everyone x

Summer Crochet Wrap Reveal

Ok ok.....so I know that we are waving goodbye to Summer and welcoming Autumn but hey!....just think of it as a nice project for over the Winter months that'll be ready to go come Springtime ;-)
Actually I wear mine all of the time so maybe I should rename it to "Not Just for Summer Crochet Wrap"!!!!!
Ok without further ado......here is the finished wrap!

I'm completely in love with it :-) Being made from cotton it is so soft and the drape is beautiful.
So just to remind you, I used Sunkissed yarn by Scheepjeswol in the following colours: 3,6 and 7. It was a join as you go (JAYGO) project using this pattern motif.
Next time (Wednesday!!!) I will be talking you through the making of this wrap step by step. So if you have never tried a JAYGO project before, why not join me? I'll try to make it as simple as possible with lots and lots of photos ;-) I have also have written the pattern out for those of you that struggle with reading crochet charts.
Ok I shall leave you with some more photos of the completed wrap.

It rolls up fantastically and can be used a scarf for the colder days

Or use a shawl pin to drape it gracefully

Or maybe just fling an end over your shoulder!!!!

Hope to see you next time

Til then.... x

Progress Report - Summer Crochet Wrap!

Hi Folks! Just a quick update on progress ;-) If you remember, I started making a summer wrap with the beautiful Sunkissed yarn by Scheepjes.
On account of it being a join as you go (JAYGO) project, it was just perfect to pop into my hand luggage. This meant hooky on the train was possible and the wrap grew very quickly!

Lots of early morning hooky with a cup of tea!

And as usual.....lots of ends to weave in! Did you spot THOSE SCISSORS???!!!!! Oh my! I am in love with these scissors!

Aren't they beautiful? And you know the best bit? They are fabulously sharp and make the satisfying snip snip sound!!!

I've found a shop in Holland that I *think* ships abroad and accepts PayPal if you want to treat yourself ;-) You can visit the site HERE!

It's not very often that I rave about scissors but these are seriously good! They *almost* make the task of weaving in ends fun!!!

Ok so ends all woven in and onto the blocking board!!!

I can't stress enough how much blocking transforms your project! I used KnitPro blocking wires and T pins and some kids play mats that I picked up from Amazon to pin out my wrap as it was blocking. It didn't take long and the end result is worth it!
Join me at the weekend for the grand reveal ;-) Til then x