Love Crochet Spring 2018

L VE

CRAFT series

SMALL & SWEET MAKES FOR EVERY SKILL LEVEL

Love

Spring 2018 £5.99

Spring

SPECIAL! Crochet a cute

Easter Fresh Patterns bunny ■ Gorgeous mandala blanket ■ Butterfy cushion & more

Perfect makes for the new season Beautiful lightweigh t vest-top

Pretty purs

Delightful daffs Daiy duffe

Retro fashion

Easy home make

Stylish & simple

Adorable sleping cat dorstop!

GET TO GRIPS WITH FILET CROCHET!

Crochet Love

Cotnts 13

30 18

PROJECTS 13 BONNIE THE BUNNY

26 TRUE COLOURS

39 EMERALD BEAUTY

This pastel-hued amigurumi rabbit by Lucy Pollock is as sweet as candy

Spread your wings with this Tunisian crochet butterfy cushion cover

Wrap up in this beautiful cardigan

18 FRESH AS A DAISY

30 BLOOMING LOVELY These everlasting daffodils will get you in the mood for spring

Gorgeous, ombre blanket for spring

Turn simple granny squares into a pretty shopper with spring motifs

45 RAINBOW MANDALA 48 FLOWER POWER Got 10 minutes? Make this brooch!

21 BREAKFAST BUDDIES

32 PRETTY KITTY

Keep your morning eggs warm with these adorable sheep cosies

Stop the draughts with this fun and furry feline doorstop

49 LITTLE GEMS

24 STEP INTO SPRING

35 PINK PEONY

55 BRIGHT & BEAUTIFUL

This cheerful bunting with bright bobbles will refresh your space

Think forals, think hexagons and you have this quickfre project in one

This eggy pot holder is quick and cute – perfect for an Easter table!

4 LOV E C R O C H E T

Go bo-ho with these hoop earrings

63

56

80 24

74 70

58 49

60 56 AN APPLE A DAY

72 STEP INTO SPRING

Appliqué a crochet apple t-shirt

Update your kitchen with bunting

60 PURSE PERFECTION

74 PRETTY PANSY

An easy and stylish fashion update

These sweet napkin rings will bring a handmade touch to al fresco dining

63 COLOUR BLOCK Turn heads with this shoulder bag

66 PINK LADY

76 BUNNY PAWS An oven glove for Easter baking!

This cotton vest is all about the detail – a lovely addition to any wardrobe

78 BEADED JAR COVER

70 SLEEPY BUNNY

80 WASH DAY WINNER

A cute brooch with a pop of pink

Hook up a stylish but sturdy peg bag

Perfect for keeping bugs at bay!

39 PLUS SOME GREAT READS 7 ASK THE EXPERT 10 NEWS, BOOKS AND EVENTS 36 TUTORIAL: FILET STITCH 42 DISCOVER THE WORLD OF DESIGNER BECKY GARRETT 44 BACK ISSUES 82 KIT REVIEWS 84 HOW TO CROCHET 91 NEXT ISSUE

LOV E C R O C H E T 5

Daisy bag

Top tip Add buttons to the joins on the strap for a country-chic look

Fresh as a daiy

Perfect for walks in the sunshine, Liz Ward’s pretty foral bag will put a spring in your step!

18 LOV E C R O C H E T

Daisy bag

Yo wil ned

■ James C Brett Cotton On DK, 2 balls in Green (CO12) 1 ball each in: White (CO2) Yellow (CO30) ■ 4mm (US G/6, UK 8) crochet hook ■ Wool needle

Measurements ■ Bag: 35x28cm Straps: 60cm long

Tension ■ Tension is not important for this project

Abbreviations

■ Dtc (double treble cluster) Yarn over twice, insert hook in stitch, yarn over, draw loop through stitch, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on the hook, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on the hook) repeat twice more, yarn over, draw through all 4 loops on hook ■ For standard abbreviations see page 90

About this yarn

James C Brett Cotton On DK 50% cotton, 50% acrylic 145m per 50g Machine wash at 30˚C £1.89 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk

W

e’re always amazed by what you can create from a few Granny squares, and Liz Ward’s super-stylish shopping bag is a great example. Made from strong cotton yarn, each square features a bright and beautiful daisy with a green edging, so when the squares are sewn together you get a lovely grassy background effect, with pops of colour from the fowers. If you’ve got lots of odds and ends in your yarn stash, try making the fowers in all different colours for a fun look!

SPRING BAG

Adapt the length of the straps to suit you

Flower square (make 13) Starting in yellow: Round 1 Ch3 (counts as frst tr), work eleven tr sts into third ch from hook, ss to join. (12 sts) Change to white yarn.

Round 2 Ch3 (dtc, ch1 in next st); repeat to end, ss to join. (12 clusters, 12 ch-spaces) Change to green yarn.

Round 3 Ss to next ch-space, ch3 (counts as frst tr), 2tr, ch2, 3tr in same ch-space, *(ch1, 3tr in next ch-sp, ch1, 3tr in next ch-sp, ch1, [3tr, ch2, 3tr] in next ch st); repeat from * twice, ch1, 3tr in next ch-sp, ch1, 3tr in last ch-sp. (48 sts, 16 ch-spaces) Round 4 Ss to next 3ch-sp, ch3 counts as frst tr, 2tr, ch3, 3tr in the same ch-sp, *(ch1, [3 tr, ch1] in each 1ch-space, [3tr, ch3, 3tr] in next 3ch corner space); repeat from * twice, ch, (3tr, ch1) in each 1ch-space, ss to join. (72 sts, 20

These daisy squares are fun to make, and start to take shape quickly

ch-spaces) Fasten off.

Block squares if required.

Sew together as follows: Fold the centre square in half diagonally. Fold any sticking out side squares around to make the bag shape. Sew together.

Weave in any loose ends.

Straps (make 2) Using green yarn, ch6.

Row 1 Dc in 2nd ch from hook, dc in each st to end. (5 sts) Row 2 Ch1, turn, dc in each st to the end. 5sts Repeat row 2 until strap measures 60cm (23¾in). Fasten off. Sew straps to the top corners of the bag.

More info To fnd out more about Liz’s work and for more great patterns, visit www.liz wardcrochet.com

LOV E C R O C H E T 19

Spring bunting

Stp into spring Val Pierce’s bunting is perfect for parties, or simply to add a fnishing touch to your home!

Top tip Try embroidering letters on your triangles to spell out a name or greeting

24 LOV E C R O C H E T

Spring bunting

Yo wil ned

■ James C Brett Supreme Baby DK, 1 ball each in: Pink (SNG3) Green (SNG7) Blue (SNG13) Yellow (SNG20) ■ 3mm (UK 11) and 3.5mm (US E/4, UK 9) crochet hook ■ Very small amount of stuffng

Measurements ■ Each triangle will measure 14x15cm

U

sing very basic crochet stitches, you can create this pretty length of bunting to brighten up your home for spring. As the triangles are sewn together in pairs, they hang really well, and the addition of pretty bobbles just fnishes them off a treat! Celebrate the season by using fresh spring colours as shown, or have fun choosing your own shades. You can even add a stripy fnish to alternate triangles if you wish – simply work 2 rows of double crochet in each shade.

SPRING BUNTING

Tension

Triangle

■ Tension is not important for this project

(You will need 2 triangles for each piece of bunting) Using appropriate colour and 3mm hook, make 2ch, 2dc into 2nd ch from hook, turn. (2 sts) Row 1 1ch, 2dc into next dc, dc in last dc, turn. (3 sts) Row 2 1ch, 2dc in frst dc, 1dc in next dc, 2dc in last dc, turn. (5 sts) Row 3 1ch, 1dc into each dc to end, turn. (5 sts) Row 4 1ch, 2dc into frst dc, dc to last dc, 2dc in last dc, turn. (7 sts) Row 5 1ch, 1dc into each dc to end, turn. (7 sts) Repeat rows 4 and 5 until you have 27dc in total.

Work 4 rows in dc and fasten off.

Abbreviations ■ For standard abbreviations see page 90

Yo cold us a pompom instad of th bal if yo prefer

Ball for edging (Make 1 for each triangle ) Using appropriate colour and 3mm hook, make 3ch, work 11tr into 3rd ch from hook, join with a ss to top of 3ch at beg of round.

Next round 1dc into each tr all around, join with a ss.

Repeat last round once more, fasten off, leaving a length of yarn.

About this yarn

James C Brett Supreme Baby DK 30% polyamide, 70% acrylic 310m per 100g Machine wash at 30˚C £2.99 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk

Thread the yarn onto a blunt ended needle, add a tiny bit of stuffng into the cup shape, now thread the yarn in and out of each dc, draw up frmly to make a neat ball, secure and leave end of yarn hanging.

The triangles are attached with crochet chain along the top

To assemble Place two triangles together. Using 3mm hook and colour of your choice, crochet the two pieces together as follows: Begin at top left-hand corner and work 1dc into each row end to point, work 3dc into point and then continue up right side of triangle, working through both thicknesses as you do, matching row for row. Leave the top section open.

Repeat these instructions until you have made all the bunting triangles you need.

Now take two strands of yarn and join the bunting together as follows: Using 3.5mm hook, work 10ch, now work in dc across top edge of triangle, working through both thicknesses, make 8ch, now work across next triangle in the same way, continue working across all triangles, with 8ch in between each one. When you have joined them all, fnish with 10ch, fasten off. To complete, sew a crochet ball to the top of each triangle.

LOV E C R O C H E T 25

Mandala blanket

Rainbow madala

Make Hannah Cross’s stunning blanket in rounds of dizzying, graduated colour

Top tip You can stop the pattern after any round to create a smaller version of this blanket

50 LOV E C R O C H E T

Mandala blanket

Yo wil ned

■ Stylecraft Special DK, 1 ball of each: Clematis (1390) Pale Rose (1080) Grape (1067) Violet (1277) Wisteria (1432) Parma Violet (1724) Lavender (1188) Bluebell (1082) Aster (1003) Cloud Blue (1019) Sherbert (1034) Aspen (1422) Sage (1725) ■ 5mm (US H/8, UK 6) crochet hook

Measurements ■ The fnished blanket measures 180cm (70¾in) diameter when blocked

Tension ■ First 4 rounds of the blanket measure 10cm (4in) diameter

Abbreviations ■ 3-tr cluster: (Yrh, insert hook in space/st indicated, yrh and pull up loop, yrh and draw through 2 loops) 3 times (inserting the hook in the same space/st each time), yrh and draw through all loops on the hook ■ For standard abbreviations see page 90

About this yarn

Stylecraft Special DK 100% acrylic 295m per 100g Machine wash at 40˚C £1.85 www.woolwarehouse.co.uk

I

f you love the mindful, meditative nature of crochet, then you’ll adore this project – a gigantic, lacy mandala of mesmerising rainbow circles! Graduating from soft pink through to violet, bluebell and sage, it uses 13 stunning shades of Stylecraft Special DK, each overlapping its neighbour to create a sea of gentle stripes. No two rounds are the same in this pattern, and with plenty of increases and a variety of crochet stitches to work, there’s so much to keep you busy. The fnished blanket is generous enough to drape over a king-size bed, but we’d rather keep it in a room where everyone can admire its beauty!

Notes The stitch count for each round is the same as the previous round, unless otherwise stated.

BLANKET Using Clematis, ch5, ss in frst ch to make a ring.

Round 1 (RS) Ch3 (counts as tr throughout), 11tr into ring, ss in top of beg ch-3. (12 sts) Round 2 Ss in between next 2 sts, ch1 (does not count as st), 2htr in space at base of ch, 2htr between each st around, ss in top of frst htr. (24 sts) Round 3 Ch3, tr in st at base of ch, ch1, skip 1 st, (2tr in next st, ch1, skip 1 st) around, ss in top of beg ch-3. (36 sts) Round 4 Ss into frst ch-sp, *ch6, skip 2 sts, ss in ch-sp; repeat from * around, ss in frst ch, change to Pale Rose.

(12 ch-6 sps) Round 5 Ss into frst ch-6 sp, ch3, 2tr in sp at base of ch, ch2, *3tr in next ch-6 sp, ch2; repeat from * around, ss in top of beg ch-3. (60 sts) Round 6 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), dc in each st and ch around, ss in frst dc, change to Clematis.

Round 7 Ch1, *2htr in next st, htr in each of next 4 sts; repeat from * around, ss in frst htr, change to Pale Rose. (72 sts) Round 8 Ch1, dc in frst st, *tr in next st of Round 5, skip 1 st of Round 7,

dc in each of next 2 sts of Round 7; repeat from * to last 2 sts, tr in next st of Round 5, dc in last st, ss in frst dc, change to Clematis. (72 sts) Round 9 Working in back loops only: ch1, *2dc in next st, dc in each of next 5 sts; repeat from * around, ss in frst dc, change to Pale Rose. (84 sts) Round 10 *Ch6, skip 1 st, ss in next st; repeat from * around, ss in frst ch.

(42 ch-6 sps) Round 11 Ss into ch-6 sp, ch1, (dc, ch1) into each ch-6 sp around, ss to frst dc.

(84 sts) Round 12 Ch1, (dc in dc, 3-tr cluster in ch-sp) around, ss to frst dc.

Round 13 Ch3, tr in st at base of ch, tr in each of next 6 sts, *2tr in next st, tr in each of next 6 sts; repeat from * around, ss in top of beg ch-3. (96 sts) Round 14 Ch4 (counts as tr and ch1), tr in st at base of ch, skip 1 st, *(tr, ch, tr) in next st, skip 1 st; repeat from * around, ss in third ch of beg ch-4, change to Grape. (144 sts) Round 15 Ss in frst ch-sp, 5tr in frst chsp, dc in next ch-sp, *5tr in next ch-sp, dc in next ch-sp; repeat from * around, ss in frst tr.

Round 16 Ch1, dc in back loop only of each st around, change to Pale Rose.

Round 17 Ch1, *dc in back loop only of next 5 sts of Round 16, tr in next st of Round 14, skip 1 st of Round 16; repeat from * around, ss in frst dc.

Round 18 Ch1, *2htr in next st, htr in each of next 11 sts; repeat from * LOV E C R O C H E T 51

Xxxxxx xxxxxx

Top tip Use a smaller hook to create a small apple, suitable for embellishing a pocket

An apple a da Give someone a fruity treat with this cute appliquĂŠ top 56 LOV E C R O C H E T

Apple appliqué

Yo wil ned

■ Wendy SupremeCotton DK, 1 ball each in: Cream (1851) – Yarn A Poppy Red (1949) – Yarn B ■ Patons 100% Cotton 4ply, 1 ball in Cream (1692) – Yarn C ■ Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, 1 ball in Chocolate (011) – Yarn D ■ 2mm (US B/1, UK 14) hook ■ 4mm (US G/6, UK 8) hook ■ Tapestry needle

Measurements ■ 12x11cm (4¾x4¼in)

Tension ■ Tension is not important for this project

Abbreviations ■ For standard abbreviations see page 90

N

o bad apples here, just a cute appliqué patch, complete with a friendly worm – let's call it one of your fve-a-day!

This motif uses double crochet, half trebles and trebles, with some embroidery for the worm and pips. Use it to add a cute touch to dresses, tees and dungarees for the apple of your eye!

APPLE APPLIQUÉ

Apple

Using a 4mm hook and Yarn A, make a magic loop.

Round 1 (RS) Ch2 (counts as htr), 7htr into loop, ss in top of beg ch-2 to join.

(8 sts) Round 2 Ch2 (counts as htr), htr in st at base of ch, (2htr in next st) 7 times, ss in top of beg ch-2. (16 sts) Round 3 Ch2 (counts as htr), htr in st at base of ch, htr (2htr in next st, htr) 7 times, ss in top of beg ch-2 (centre top of apple). (24 sts) Round 4 Ch1 (does not count as frst st throughout), skip beg ch-2, 1dc in next st, (2htr in next st, 2htr) 3 times, 2htr in next st, htr (last st worked is centre bottom), (2htr in next st, 2htr) 3 times, 2htr in next st, dc, ss into centre top. (31 sts) Round 5 Ch1, 1dc in dc, htr, (2tr in next st, tr) twice, 2htr in next st, 6htr, 2tr in next st, htr, ss in centre bottom st, htr, 2tr in next st, 6htr, 2htr in next st, (tr, 2tr in next st) twice, htr, dc, ss into centre top. (39 sts including bottom ss) Round 6 Ch1, dc, (dc, htr) in next st, (htr, tr) in next st, (2tr in next st, tr) twice, (tr,

Top Tip About this yarn Wendy Supreme Cotton DK

100% cotton 201m per 100g Machine wash at 30˚C £3.05 www.loveknitting.com

Doble-sided fusible intrfacing alows yo to iro o yor patch if yo're not cofdent at swing

htr) in next st, htr, 2htr in next st, 5htr, (2htr in next st) twice, 2tr in next st, htr, ss in centre bottom st, htr, 2tr in next st, (2htr in next st) twice, 5htr, 2htr in next st, htr, (htr, tr) in next st, (tr, 2tr in next st) twice, (tr, htr) in next st, (htr, dc) in next st, dc, ss into centre top. (57 sts including bottom ss) Change to Yarn B. Round 7 Ch1, 7dc, (2dc) in next st, dc, (2dc in next st) twice, 13dc, (2dc in next st) twice, 2dc, dc in centre bottom st, 2dc, (2dc in next st) twice, 13dc, (2dc in next st) twice, dc, 2dc in next st, 7dc, dc into centre top. (67 sts) Fasten off.

Using Yarn D, embroider pips to centre front of apple.

Worm Using 2mm hook and Yarn C, make a magic loop, leaving a long tail.

Round 1 (RS) (Head) Ch1, 8dc into loop, ss to frst dc to join. (8 sts) Fasten off.

Round 2 Change to Yarn D, leaving a long tail. Ch3 (counts as tr), tr in st at base of ch, (2tr in next st) 3 times, 2htr in next st, (2dc in next st) twice, 2htr in next st, ss to top of beg ch-3. (16 sts) Round 3 (Tail) Ch20, dc in 2nd ch from hook, 17dc, leave last ch unworked, skip frst 2 sts of Round 2, ss in next st.

Fasten off.

To create face, pull tail of brown yarn to centre front and make a pupil with a French knot. Pull through tail of cream yarn to front and embroider a smile

To make up Sew apple patch and worm onto your chosen garment.

LOV E C R O C H E T 57

Pink vest top

Top tip If you don’t have any stitch markers to hand, use hair grips or paperclips instead

Pink lady

Get set for spring with this cotton vest top featuring flet crochet detail. By Annelies Baes

66 LOV E C R O C H E T

Pink vest top

Yo wil ned

■ Scheepjes Cotton 8, 5 (5: 6: 7) balls in Pink (719) ■ 3mm (US C/2 or D/3, UK 11) hook ■ Stitch marker

Measurements ■ See sizing guide

Tension ■ 20 sts and 11 rows to 10x10cm (4x4in) over treble crochet using a 3mm hook

Abbreviations ■ For standard abbreviations see page 90

G

ive your style a retro makeover with this chic vest top, sporting a unique cut-out detail at the neckline and a deep flet crochet hem. Hooked in cool cotton, it’s perfect for sunny days and can be paired with jeans or slim trousers to complete the look. We love the reverse dc edging, otherwise known as crab stitch – make this stitch by working from left to right instead of right to left, creating a slightly twisted, rounded edge.

Notes Back and Front are worked separately from the bottom up, with neckline detail on the Front piece. The side and shoulder seams of the Front and Back are joined before working the deep bottom edging in the round from the foundation chain of the top piece. The garment is fnished with an edging around the neckline and armholes.

There is a ch2 turning chain at the beg of every row – this does not count as a st throughout.

VEST TOP

Back

Ch89 (101: 111: 121).

Row 1 (WS) Tr in third ch from hook and each following ch to end, turn.

(87 [99: 109: 119] sts) Rows 2-31 Ch2, tr in each st across, turn.

Armhole shaping Row 32 (RS) Ss into each of frst 9 (11: 13: 13) sts, ch2, tr in same st as last ss, tr in each st to last 8 (10: 12: 12) sts, turn leaving rem sts unworked.

(71 [79: 85: 95] sts) Small and Medium size only Row 33 Ch2, skip frst st, tr in each following st to last 2 sts, tr2tog, turn.

(69 [77: -: -] sts)

About this yarn

Scheepjes Cotton 8 100% cotton 170m per 50g Machine wash at 40˚C £1.99 www.deramores.com

Large and Extra Large size only Row 33 Ch2, skip frst st, tr2tog over next two sts, tr in each st to last 4 sts, (tr2tog) twice, turn.

(- [-: 81: 91] sts)

Sizing guide Sizes & measurements

Back - front

59 (61: 63: 65)cm 23¼ (24: 24¾: 25½)in

S (8-10)

M (12-14)

L (16-18)

XL (20-22)

To ft bust

cm

81-86

91-97

102-107

112-117

in

32-34

36-38

40-42

44-46

Actual bust

cm

86

98

108

118

33¼

38½

42½

46½

59

61

63

65

23½

24

24½

25½

5

5

6

7

Length Yarn quantities

in cm in 50g

43 (49: 54: 59)cm 17 (19¼: 21¼: 23¼)in

LOV E C R O C H E T 67

IS NE SU W E! BUNNY BROOCH

SPRINGTIME HOME

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BIRDIE CUSHION

EVERGREEN CARDIE

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In the latest jam-packed issue of Love Crochet, we have stacks of gorgeous projects to get you in the mood for spring. PLUS, we’re giving you a BONUS 32-page book of ideas perfect for beginners! From simple, sweet socks and cute, tiny ted, to stunning daffodil wreath and adorable pom-pom egg cosies; we'll walk you through everything, every step of the way… Don’t miss out – order your copy today!

AT JUST £5.99 THIS ISSUE INCLUDES: ■ Makes perfect for spring & Easter ■ Simple & stylish homeware ■ BONUS 32-PAGE BOOK Plus! We have all the latest news, kit reviews easy-to-follow step by steps with every project, and pages of gorgeous shopping inspiration to get you in crochet frame of mind!

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