Resolutions

 

I am probably giving myself too many resolutions to achieve this year, but one I really want to try to keep is to take time out to read more. Reading used to be my biggest passion and how I unwound. Knitting and crochet became my go-to relaxation activity many years ago now and I want to redress the balance somewhat. Therefore, one of my newest designs for Inside Crochet - a bookmark - is hopefully going to be put to good use! It is in issue 73, out now in all good newsagents with a glorious granny cluster cardigan by Catherine Waterfield on the front cover, that I hope I eventually get the time to make for myself! 

If you don't usually read Inside Crochet, do go and search out this issue - I love so many of the projects inside this month, the colours and textures are beautiful, so it's well worth a flick through.

Bookmark images by Leanne Jade Photography

Ava sweater

Ava Sweater Inside Crochet Issue 62, image by Lucy Williams

The latest Inside Crochet, issue 62, is out now and contains a rather cosy little number by yours truly. It is an easy, boxy sweater made from simple graphic square motifs with circles inlaid into them to create a striking geometric pattern. The yarn is Louisa Harding Susurro. As soon as I used this yarn for a sample in the review pages of Inside Crochet, I knew I had to make something in it, and so I hooked up a quick hat for myself in tweed stitch. (The pattern - below - will be available on the Inside Crochet website soon, will let you know when!) 

Tweed Stitch Beanie, image by Emma Gutteridge

After that I was hooked (pardon the pun!) and decided to make a sweater, too, as it is so smooth and beautiful to work with, warm against the skin and has a lovely soft drape. Ava was the result, and I must say, I rather like her! Hope you do too.

crochet colourwork hat

 The latest issue of Inside Crochet came out on Friday, which has a very autumnal theme and so the weather has been quite appropriate for some of the projects inside it. I am rather proud of the lovely little hat I designed for it. I wanted to recreate some of the beautiful scalloped colourwork patterns I have been noticing in knitwear recently, but without the faffing of doing any Fair Isle or Tapestry crochet, so I utilised the scallop stitch, comprising of shells, with some block stripes of colour to create the pattern. Here's the result!

All images by the talented Britt Spring Photography

tapestry crochet blanket

I have just received my early copies of the latest issue of Inside Crochet and had to share the blanket I have designed inside. I have been meaning to master tapestry crochet - the art of colourwork patterning within crochet - for a while and have been toying with the idea of a geometric triangle pattern. Triangles are everywhere in homewares at the moment and I thought it would be perfect in a blanket for my littlun. So here it is! 
Using Sublime Merino DK, which is beautiful and comes in an array of gorgeous colours, this is my new favourite project, it was a joy to make and snuggly to use - I have to say I have used it more than the littlun! If you haven't had a go at tapestry crochet before, do not fear, the Polygon Blanket is published alongside a straightforward how to guide. If you aren't a subscriber, the issue is on sale in all good newsagents and supermarkets from the 23rd April.

hexagon motif cushion

The September issue of Inside Crochet is out this week, the inspiration for the issue is the humble granny square, and my contribution is this hexagon motif cushion based loosely on my favourite shape for granny motifs. 

The patches use puffs and popcorns instead of some of the traditional three treble groups so familiar in regular granny motifs. It is simple, quick and fun to hook and is easily adaptable for throws, chair covers and other interior uses, so hopefully it inspires you to pick up the hook! 

Issue 45 is out on Friday and includes a range of patterns inspired by the traditional granny square, as well as the regular collection of fashion, kids and homeware.

fashion crochet shoot

 My latest book, Fashion Crochet is out now, and I have been a bit slow in telling you about it. I am still waiting for my copy so to give you a little taster, here are some shots from one of the photoshoots I managed to get to. Millie was only a few months old when they were shooting for the book, so it was lovely to go along for a couple of hours worth of adult conversation, which mainly revolved around how tired I looked...
One of my favourite projects from the book is the granny skirt, below, and it looked stunning on this model. Will give you a look inside the book once I get my copy!

crocheted rag doll

Just thought I would share with you another project from Crochet for Children, as I just love how this little rag doll turned out!

crochet granny square blanket

My new book, Knitting for Children turned out so well that I have been asked to do the same thing for crochet. This will be my first crochet book - hard to believe as I have designed so much crochet throughout the years. I think somebody has finally twigged that crochet is being left behind in the lovely book stakes, knitting and many other crafts have many beautiful books to choose from, whereas crochet is only just beginning to bloom. Hopefully that is all about to change and we shall see a burst in crochet books in the near future. For now, here is a half finished granny square blanket I was trying to complete in between lessons at West Dean last month...

tales from the sock drawer exhibition

Some lovely little shots have come through from the final pieces entered into the Tales From the Sock Drawerexhibition, which I was madly making for last year, like these aliens,and birdies

It is so interesting how each designer has taken a totally different spin on the drawers set up, and I of course love Abigail Brown's unusual and fun display as I have mentioned before that I am a big fan of her work.

I also liked Kate Toms' creative drawers, which were opened up at the back so we could have an insight into a tiny secret world. It did make me wonder whether I should have thought a little bit more outside the box (or drawer) but as you know, I am a simple kinda gal and liked the way my simple tale fitted the drawers and display...more of that tomorrow!

crochet cables

Here's another from Inside Crochet 15! This time, cabled. This issue has a bit of a cable theme, and I had lots of fun working these out - the J C Rennie yarn was also a dream to create crochet cables out of. It is a bit fiddly, but well worth it I think!

hairpin dress

Wow, February is a short month - it is nearly time for the next issue, 16, of Inside Crochet to come out, and I haven't told you of a new pattern in the current issue of 15. This issue has a slightly retro air so my starting point was a link to this stunning dress placed onto the Inside Crochet group on Ravelry after my last hairpin piece in the magazine.

Fern Cowl

Issue 14 of Inside Crochet is out now and has a pattern of my own in - the Fern Cowl. I ripped out this cowl so many times trying to get the pattern just right, but now I love it, and hope it is still cold enough to wear it myself when I get it back.

In other exciting IC news, the website should be up any day - yay!

dmc patterns

Earlier this year I was asked to design some patterns for a lovely new yarn by that well known threads company DMC. The yarn I was given to use was a new range specifically for crochet called Petra, which has all the fabulous crochet-friendly properties of a traditional crochet cotton, but with a fabulously bright and modern colour palette.

So, here are the final patterns which are out in all good yarn shops now! I designed the fashion based ones, but there are a range of interiors products too, so go check em out.

sneak preview

...of a massive book project. These were the first products finished, but now I have thankfully finally finished all projects, even with yarn going missing in the post, knitters disappearing and a near mental breakdown threatening to conquer me! Now just to finish writing the patterns...wish me luck!

Inside, Inside Crochet

Thought I should probably put up some pictures of the hairpin lace crocheted top I designed for the first issue of Inside Crochet that I edited. I love this top, inspiration came from Pringle's Spring/Summer collection.

shooting the book

...sneak peek of the gorgeous kids and lovely yarn from the shoot of my new book which will be for teaching children how to knit!

Inside Crochet

After two long and veryveryveryveryvery busy months the launch of the now monthly, re-designed Inside Crochet is here! And for those of you who don't know, I am the new editor!

Fancy that, eh? L'il ol me, editing a magazine. I am very excited! And over the next few months, I shall be adding to the new look of the magazine, developing the new website which is coming very soon, working on styling, getting in new designers to fill all the projects we shall need now we are monthly and basically getting very little sleep indeed!

Oh well, things could be worse, I could hate getting up for work in the morning!

If you are a crocheter, do let me know what you would like to see featured in the magazine, if you want to talk anything crochet, you can find me at clairem@kalmedia.co.uk

better late than never

At long last, I have managed to write up the cropped aran sweater pattern I showcased on here months ago. It is the last of the Spring/Summer collection of patterns to be published, so in the next few days I will make sure I get the whole lot onto Ravelry to buy as a set. In the meantime, if you just want the cropped sweater, get yourself onto the wonderful Ravelry to purchase it.

knitting class in france

I am very happy to say that I have just booked another class at the beautiful, sunny, idyllic Les Soeurs Anglaises in the South of France. The lovely Katie has been working hard on her new website, so hop on over and take a look.

My class this time is going to be about designing your own knitted items, looking at swatching, yarn choices and substitution, altering and designing patterns. We have booked the 14th-17th of May as the dates, but are thinking of lengthening the class to include finishing a small accessory then beginning to design a larger garment, with a break of a day in the middle for touring the area looking for yarn shops and markets. Let me know what you think of that idea.

If anyone is yet to book their summer hols and wants to combine knitting and the sun for a perfect craft break in France, this is the perfect choice for you. The food and company are sublime, the scenery fantastic and I cannot begin to describe the superb wine selection....I can't wait!