Autumn Jewels Free Pattern

Hello and welcome!

As promised, tonight I'm going to share the free pattern for my Autumn Jewels blanket

The blanket was made using Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn and is beginner friendly. The only tricky bits are joining as you go but I've found a lovely You Tube tutorial that should guide you through! I haven't written a step by step tutorial for this pattern as time has sadly been on my side lately....where on earth do these hours go???!!!! 

Ok, ready to make a blanket????

Let's go!

Ingredients

Scheepjes Our Tribe (70% Merino Superwash, 30% Polyamide, 100g/420m)

Yarn A: 984 Old Bewick x 6 balls

Yarn B: 987 Excitement x 1 ball

Yarn C: 989 Optimism x 1 ball

Yarn D: 986 Energise x 1 ball

Size 3mm crochet hook

Scissors

Needle to weave in ends

Blocking materials

Gauge/Tension

Each square will measure 3" after blocking

Finished blanket size after blocking: 44" (112cm) x 56" (142cm)

There are no special stitches in the pattern and it is written in UK crochet terms.

Before we start I just want to say a few things about this yarn. Because it is a single ply construction it may have areas where the yarn is slightly irregular. It isn't a fault, just the nature of the yarn! So if you get some thinner or thicker bits just embrace it, smile, and carry on! This is also what I call "sticky" yarn!!! If you make a mistake and need to rip back a bit be gentle.... slow and careful easing apart is much more successful with this yarn than firmly pulling.

How To

With either Yarn B, C, or D ch4, join with ss to 4th ch from hook

Round 1 Ch4 (counts as tr and ch), into ring (tr, ch1) 11 times, join with ss to 3rd chef first st. [12sts, 12 ch-sps]

Round 2 Ch3 (counts as tr), tr in same st, ch1, (2tr in next st, ch1) rep 10 more times, join with ss to 3rd chain of first st. [24sts, 12 ch-sps]

Round 3 Ss into next st, ss into ch-sp. ch3 (counts as tr), 2tr into ch-sp, ch1, (3tr into next ch-sp, ch1) rep 10 more times, join with ss to 3rd ch of first st, fasten off yarn. [36sts, 12 ch-sps]

Round 4 With yarn A join in any ch-sp and dc, ch3, dc into next ch-sp, ch3, dc into next ch-sp, ch5 (corner), rep 3 more times, join with ss to first dc. [12 dc, 8 3-chs, 4 5-chs]

Round 5 Ss into ch-sp, ch2 (counts as htr), 3htr in same ch-sp, ch1, 4htr in next ch-sp, ch1, (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in corner 5ch-sp. Rep working 4htr in 3ch-sps and (3tr, ch3, 3tr) in corner ch-sps working a ch between each group of sts, join with ss to second chain on first st, fasten off. Weave in ends.

Block squares to 3". You will need to make 154 squares in total using Yarns B, C and D.

Just in case you were undecided whether to block or not...

Just look at the difference blocking makes to this yarn!!!

Joining

Lay your blocked squares out on the floor until you are happy with the placement - 11 squares wide and 14 squares long. I opted to go random! I just picked up squares and placed them. Then I took a photograph and changed it to greyscale so I could check that there was an even distribution of light and dark values....I actually only ended up swapping a couple of squares! 

Using a join as you go technique for granny squares, join the motifs together. Bella Coco has a fabulous You Tube tutorial on this technique HERE.

It looks way more tricky than it actually is and once you get the hang of it you'll be done in no time and ready for the border. 

*If you really don't want to join as you go, you can simply add another round of 3tr into ch-sps and (3tr, ch3, 3tr) into the corners to the squares and join with your favourite joining technique*

Border

Round 1 Using Yarn A, join in first st of any side, ch3 (counts as tr) and work a tr into every st. Corners are made by working (3tr, ch3, 3tr) into the corner ch-sps, join with a ss to 3rd ch of first st. 

Round 2 Ch4 (counts as tr and 1ch), sk st, *tr, ch1, sk st rep from * to corner. Work (tr, ch3, tr) in each corner (ensure you begin each side with a tr), join with ss to 3rd ch on first st.

Round 3 Ch3 (counts as tr), work tr in every st and ch-sp along sides and work (2tr, ch3, 2tr) into corners. Join with ss to 3rd ch of first st.

Round 4 Ch1, dc into same st, ch5, sk 2 sts, dc, ch 5, sk 2 sts. rep to corner aiming to work a dc on the last st of each edge and beginning of next edge so that you have a ch 5 over each corner. You may have to fudge this a little depending on your st count! Join with ss to first dc. 

Round 5 Ss into ch-sp, ch 3 (counts as tr) 2tr, ch2, 3tr.  Continue to work (3tr, ch2, 3tr) into each ch-sp around the blanket, join with ss to 3rd ch of first st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Now block your blanket! This yarn really responds well to blocking and it gives great stitch definition and a beautiful drape!!!

I hope you enjoy making your version of Autumn Jewels! 

And as promised, here's the photo of the lichen clad stone on Old Bewick that inspired this colour way...

I'll leave with some more blanket pics.....

Til next time.... I have a new project in the making!!!! x

Introducing Autumn Jewels Blanket

Hello everyone!

I've got a blanket reveal to share with you...

It even has a name.

I prefer to see the finished article before naming a project

So if you remember from my last couple of blog posts (HERE and HERE), I decided on Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn to make my blanket. 

There were couple of reasons for this...it's stunning yarn and also I wanted to showcase the Old Bewick colour way as I chose the colours!!! I was inspired by lichen on a stone and was completely mesmerised by the array of yellows and lime greens. I'll share a photo of the stone next time as I want this post to be full of finished blanket wonderness!!!!

So here it is.....

Autumn Jewels.

I found some great locations to take the photos. This one is at Gs workshop. He's an artist blacksmith (and hedge layer!) and has his workshop in a converted steading on a country estate just outside Kelso. The peeling painted door was a perfect backdrop!

I love how the yellow pops against the paintwork... but not content with a couple of photos we ventured on in search of more locations....

As we were out and about the light kept changing.... and likewise so did the yellows!

Depending on the lighting this blanket changes from golden to more lime coloured, but the jewel like centres stay true. 

I love the colours against the changing autumn leaves and the stone. 

Gotta love some blowing in the wind....

action shots....

it was VERY windy!

We found a delightful Church in Stitchill to take the final shots....

How's this for a perfectly positioned gate? Just blanket hanging ready!!!

I'll leave you with this close up of the simple but effect border.... this blanket is very much a beginner friendly project. Next week I'll share the FREE PATTERN! 

I hope you all like my Autumn Jewels blanket. I think it's one of my favourites!

Til next time x

Making Progress...

Hello again!

I'm making progress on my latest blanket so thought I'd quickly pop in and share some WIP photos!

If you remember from THIS POST I had chosen some lovely yarn to start a blanket. I chose Scheepjes Our Tribe in new colours, one of which I chose the colour scheme for 😊

I started by making a simple circle motif in the contrasting coloured yarns...

I always set up a bit of a production line and make lots and lots of circular motifs whilst watching TV. 

I tended to make 15 circles from each of the three yarns before adding in a border.

Next I added a pretty yellow frame to the circle!

I know I always bang on about blocking your squares, but just look at the difference between the two!!!! No need to ask which one hasn't been blocked is there?!

Now I've got lots and lots of squares just waiting to be assembled into a blanket

I love how the colours play together. That's the beauty of variegated yarn...you just drift from colour to colour. It's really quite addictive... waiting to see what the next one is going to look like! 

I'm using a join as you go technique again....I think its the year of JAYG in this house!!!

Hopefully I'll have a finished blanket to share with you next week and then a FREE pattern to share the following week. I can't wait to see this all joined together!

Til next time x

It's Making a New Blanket Season!!!!

Well hello! Brrr....isn't it starting to get chilly? The leaves are changing colour, the nights are drawing in and there's a definite chill in the air! Autumn, I think, is upon us.... and that means it's time to get hooking up something warm and cosy to snuggle up under. Any excuse to get some new yarn... hehe!
I thought I'd make something else with Our Tribe by Scheepjes 
1. Because it's gorgeous yarn 2. There are some new colours (I chose one of them) 3. The yardage is great making it quite economical and 4.... erm....because why not?!!!

Scheepjes launched 6 new colours earlier in the year. There's now a beautiful range of 38 colours including variegated and solids. 

I chose this colour way and it was inspired by lichen on a stone. The shades of yellow were breathtaking. Nature is truly miraculous! 

It's called Old Bewick as that's the hill (it felt like a mountain when climbing up it!) where the stone I saw was called. It's in Northumberland....you should check it out if you're in the region some day. The view from up there is lovely!
Ok onto the yarn. Our Tribe is a blend of 70% Superwash Merino and 30% Polyamide which makes it machine washable at 40 degrees. 100g gives you 420m. It's described as a sport weight but I think it's more a fingering weight. Recommended hook/needle size is 2.5 - 3mm.
I had fun choosing colours to accompany the Old Bewick colour.

I finally settled on this combination - Energise, Excitement and Optimism!

Aren't they great names?

Join me next week to catch up on my progress!

Til then...

Ziggy Ziggy... the FREE pattern!

Evening! As promised, tonight I'm going to share the pattern for my Ziggy Ziggy scarf.

It's a pattern that can be adjusted according to your preferred sizing. It's also very suitable for a novice hooker. More experienced hookers will find it a lovely relaxing TV project.  Ingredients Scheepjes Our Tribe yarn - 2 colours of your choice (for the blue and green scarf I have used 974 The Curio Crafts Room and 970 Cypress Textiles - 2 of each colour way and for the red and blue scarf I've used 971 Jellina Creations and 969 Lilla Bjorn - 1 ball of each) Size 4.5mm crochet hook Scissors Darning Needle to weave in ends Blocking materials How To Written in UK English Terms Starting chain is worked in multiples of 13 + 2 For the narrower scarf A I have started with a chain of 80 and scarf, which is a third wider, a starting chain of 119 It is entirely your choice! Make your starting chain using the first of your 2 chosen colours Starting Row (Still using first colour) In second chain from hook 1dc *5dc, 3dc in next st, 5dc, skip 2 st. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn. Pattern Row 1ch (counts as 1 dc throughout) 1dc *5dc, 3dc in next st, 5dc, skip 2 st. Repeat from * to last 2 sts, dc2tog. Turn. Join in your second colour after 2 rows have been worked. You will change colour every 2 rows.  DO NOT BREAK THE YARN! Simply carry it loosely up the side of your work.

You can see on this photo how the yarn looks when carried up the side. I always bring the yarn I'm about to work with to the front and keep the yarn I've just finished with to the back. That way I won't forget and it'll keep everything nice and neat! Continue working the pattern row and changing colours until your scarf is the desired length.  Fasten off yarns, weave in ends and wet block!
Finished Sizes: My blue scarf measures 158cm x 35cm and took approx. 1.5 balls of each colour. The red scarf measures 148cm x 27cm and took a ball of each colour.  Your scarf is finished and ready to wear! NB Due to the nature of the zig zag pattern, it will concertina in a little. Tis all fine! 

I hope you all have a wonderful, happy and peaceful New Year.

Join me in 2019 for more hooky adventures!

Introducing... Ziggy Ziggy!

Evening! I found a little time in this crazy month to take some photos of the finished scarves.... we went out and about on a country estate and snapped like crazy! Thankfully the weather was on our side.... no up a mountain shots this time but I do love the photos we managed to get.

Soooo.... as I mentioned in the last post, I made up the scarf in 2 colour ways.

Both using Scheepjes Our Tribe.

Each scarf uses 2 different colour ways... the one on the left is made with Jellina Creations and Lilla Bjorn....and the one on the right is made with Cypress Textiles and The Curio Crafts Room.

I'll share the free pattern tomorrow, but it's very easy to adjust the width and length of both scarves. Ok let's have a little look at each one more closely....

These 2 colour ways work beautifully together and give a nice subtle effect.....

For something a little more bold the second scarf packs a little more punch!

The photo above was taken as the light was more golden....hence the warmer effect!

Join me tomorrow when I'll share the free pattern!  Til then x

Getting ziggy with it....

Hey! Welcome back for a little WIP update! My Scheepjes Our Tribe project... Let's just crack on and look at some photos eh?

I decided on a zig zag design....alternating yarns to give this lovely striped effect.

Stripy zig zags!!!

I love how the colours play with each other....

It's a very relaxing project... perfect for snuggling up in front of the TV with.

The colour changes keep the interest going..... 

Before I knew it, I had a lovely finished scarf....

Pinned out on the blocking board you can really appreciate how the two colours work together!

Next time I'll share pics of both the finished scarves together!

They've already done a good job of keeping us warm in the chilly weather.

Til next time x