Little Doolally

Snowflake Cushion Pattern

Hello! It's been a wee while since I've written a free crochet pattern for you, and I thought why not give you a bit of a early Christmas present. I hope you like it. It's perfect to make for a special gift or to lazily lie on your settee during this festive wintry season :) So, here is the Snowflake Cushion crochet pattern just for you (for Intarsia Crochet tutorial, click here)!

English Version

Materials;
♥ 400g of aran weight yarn. Here DROPS Alaska 100% wool (Yarn A 6 x 50g balls in Off White) and DROPS Big Delight 100% wool (Yarn B 1 x 100g ball in Marina) have been used. You can purchase the yarn here.

♥ 5mm crochet hook
♥ 16” x 16” cushion pad
♥ 4 x 3cm buttons. You can purchase the buttons here.

Stitches used;
slst = slip stitch
ch = chain
dc = double crochet

Abbreviations;
til =until
frm = from
rep = repeat

Gauge;
16 rows x 15 stitches = 10cm x 10cm square using dc

Finished size;
16” x 16 “ or 40cm x 40cm

Using Yarn A, work 60ch plus 1ch for turning.
Work all stitches in dc (plus 1 turning ch at the end of each row) for the whole cushion front following the grid below and starting at '1'.

1 square = 1dc

The back of the front of the cushion should look something like this;

It is very important not to pull too tightly or leave the yarn too loose across the back of the image or your cushion will not lie flat.

Fasten off yarn and weave in ends.

Back of the cushion (worked in two parts);
For the first part;
With Yarn A, work 60ch plus 1ch for turning.

Row 1;
1dc in 2nd ch frm hook, 1dc in each ch across til end, turn.

Row 2 – 34;
1ch, 1dc in each dc across til end, turn.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

For the second part;
With Yarn A, work 60ch plus 1ch for turning.

Row 1;
1dc in 2nd ch frm hook, 1dc in each ch across til end, turn.

Row 2 – 30;
1ch, 1dc in each dc across til end turn.

Row 31;

1ch, 1dc in each of next 12 dc, * 3ch, miss 3dc, 1dc in each of next 8 dc * rpt frm * til end, 1dc in last 4dc. (4 buttonholes made), turn.

Row 32-33;

1ch, 1dc in each stitch across til end, turn.

Row 34;
Work slst in each dc across til end.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

Assembly;
At this point, you may want to steam block all parts of the cushion. To do this, simply pin each part
to your ironing board, set your iron to steam and hover the iron over each part for a few seconds
letting the steam go on to it (it is very important not to let the iron touch any of your work, as the
stitches will loose their texture). Wait for a minute to let it cool down and unpin. All parts of the
cushion should now hold it's shape ready for sewing.

Next place all three pieces of the cushion on top of each other right sides facing, making sure the piece with the buttonholes is the centre layer. Square up the pieces and sew around the outside using a running stitch. Turn inside out and point out your corners. Sew on the buttons under where the buttonholes lie. Finally pop in your cushion pad.

Ta-dah! You have made your very own Snowflake Cushion! Brilliant and cosy for the Wintry weather :)

You can find the English and American versions of this pattern free to download on Ravelry (you will receive both copies with each download).

I do hope you enjoy having a go at making this delightful cushion :) If you fancy trying other Intarsia crochet patterns, check out my Etsy shop here!

Cheerio for now :)

xxx

Intarsia Crochet Tutorial

Hello! Today my lovelies, we are going to be learning about a bit of Intarisa Crochet. I first started using this technique about 10 years go to work small images in to crochet panels and make them in to small bags. Since then, I have gone on to design cushion covers as well as baby blankets. Really, using this wonderful technique, you will feel like your crochet is a blank canvas and you will soon be looking for more Intarsia projects - or even designing your own.

Working the 'Right Side' -

1. With Yarn A, work your dc as normal. When you are about to come up to a square in your chart that is a different colour, do not complete the stitch. Leave two loops on your hook.
2. Make a loose loop with Yarn B and pull the loop through the two loops on your hook. Keep all tails on the wrong side of your work.
3. Continue working your dc along the row, until you need to change the colour back. Again, do not complete the stitch, leave two loops on your hook.
4. Bring Yarn A round the back of your work and loop it round your hook. Pull it through the two loops on your hook completing the stitch.

Working the 'Wrong Side' -

This may look little daunting, but when you get going, it's easy peasy!

1. As with the Right Side, work your dc along the row as normal using Yarn A. When you are about to come up to a square on your chart that is a different colour, do not complete the stitch. Leave two loops on your hook. Pop the tail of Yarn A to the front of your work (on the side facing you) and leave it to the right to keep it out of the way. Bring Yarn B across and up and loop it round your hook.
2. Pull Yarn B through the two loops on your hook and continue working your dc as normal.
3. When you need to change back to Yarn A, again, do not complete the stitch. Leave two loops on your hook, bringing the tail of Yarn B to the front of your work (facing you) and off to the right, out of the way. Again bring Yarn A up and round your hook and pull through the two loops on your hook.
4. Continue with Yarn A as normal.

The Right Side of your work will look something like this -

All of your tails should be on the Wrong Side. Try to keep a good tension when bringing yarn across the Wrong Side or you may get puckering.

It's always a good idea to have a little practice of the technique on a small sample, before starting a larger project.

I hope this tutorial may help, Intarsia Crochet is great and quick to whip up once you get used to it :)

Toodle Pip for now!

xxx

p.s For free Intarsia Crochet patterns, please check out my free patterns page. For other Intarsia Crochet patterns, please check out my Etsy shop :)

Mother's Day Flower Brooch

Hello! With Mothering Sunday not too far away (30th of March for anyone that's forgotten), I thought I'd whip up this super easy Free Crochet Pattern for those who love to give handmade gifts.

So, here for you, is the lovely Flower Brooch...

English Version

Flower Brooch

Materials;

♥ Scraps of Aran weight yarn are ideal for this project. Here DROPS Paris 100% cotton yarn has been used

♥ 4.0mm hook

♥ Small amount of felt for backing

♥ Brooch back

♥ Pretty button or bead

Stitches;

magic circle

slst = slip stitch

ch = chain

dc = double crochet (sc in US terms)

htr = half treble crochet (hdc in US terms)

tr = treble (dc in US terms)

Abbreviations;

frm = from

til = until

rnd = round

For the flower;

Make a magic circle.

Rnd 1;

2ch (counts as 1 tr), 11tr in to the magic ring joining to the 2^nd of the beginning 2ch with a slst. Fasten off.

Rnd 2;

Attach yarn between any two tr from the previous rnd. 2ch (counts as 1 tr), in to same space make a cluster using 4tr as follows;

Yarn round hook, insert hook in to space, yarn round hook and pull through loop.
Yarn round hook and pull through 2 loops on hook (2 loops on hook).
Repeat step 1 and 2 three more times (5 loops on hook), yarn round hook and pull through all 5 loops. To complete the stitch, yarn round hook once more and pull through loop.

Carry on by working 1ch, miss one space, * 1 cluster using 5tr in to next space (rpt steps 1 and 2 above 5 times, yarn round hook and pull through all 5 loops, yarn round hook and pull through loop), 1ch, miss one space, * rpt frm * around, join with slst to the top of the 1^st cluster (6 clusters in total). Fasten off.

At this stage, your flower will look 3 dimensional.

Rnd 3;

Attach yarn to any 1ch space frm the previous rnd. 2Ch. In to same space, work 3tr, 2ch, slst, 1ch. * In to next 1ch space work slst, 2ch, 3tr, 2ch, slst, 1ch * rpt frm * around, join with a slst in to the 1^st 1ch space (6 petals). Fasten off.

To give your flower a bit more shape, you can pull your magic circle tight and pinch the clusters to make them stand out.

For the leaves;

Small leaf;

Rnd 1;

5ch. In 2^nd ch frm hook work 1dc, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in next ch, 2tr in end ch. Working along the other side of the ch, 1tr in 1^st ch, 1tr in next ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in final ch. Join with slst to the beginning 1ch.

Large leaf;

Rnd 1;

7ch. In 2^nd ch frm hook, work 1dc, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in each of the next 3ch. In the last ch work 2tr. Working along the other side of the ch, 1tr in the 1^st ch, 1tr in each of the next 3ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in the last ch. Join with slst to the beginning 1ch.

To make up;

Weave in all ends and sew the leaves on to the underside of the flower. Cut a piece of felt to cover the back of the brooch. Sew this in place together with a pretty button or bead. Finally sew on the brooch back.

Ta-dah! You have made your very own Flower Brooch. Make this for a little treat for yourself or as a very beautiful gift :)

If you would like to download the pattern for free in both English and American terms, you can find it here on Ravelry and Craftsy.

You could even make it together with the Valentines Day Heart Gift Bag for a super special gift :)

Ta-tah for now!

xxx

Valentines Day Gift Bag

For the super romantic occasion that's just on the horizon (that's Valentines Day, February 14th for anyone that's forgotten) I have conjured up a lovely free crochet pattern for you all.

If you've bought your other-half a super special gift and the usual shop-bought wrapping paper just won't do, then why not have a go at making this cute little drawstring bag?...

It's a great little project if you're a beginner to intarsia crochet (the technique used when a picture is a made with in the stitch).

You can download it for free from Ravelry, (both English and American versions) or you can follow the instructions below;

English version

Heart Gift Bag

Materials;

♥ 30g of DK yarn for the main colour of the bag. Small amount of contrasting piece of yarn for the heart. Here, Yeoman Yarn's Panama DK in Haze and Fiesta have been used (you can buy it from here).
♥ 3.5mm hook
♥ Approx 50cm of ribbon. I used East of India 'With Love' ribbon (you can buy it here or from here )

Stitches used;

ch = chain

dc = double crochet (sc in US terms)

tr = treble crochet (dc in US terms)

Abbreviations;

frm = from

til = until

rpt = repeat

Dimensions;

Finished bag size approx 14cm x 10cm (5.5” x 3.5”)

Inside pouch size approx 10cm x 9cm (4” x 3.25”)

With your main colour yarn, work 17ch plus 1ch for turning.

Row 1;

In 2^nd ch frm hook work 1dc, 1dc in each ch til end. Turn.

Row 2;

1ch, 1dc in 1^st dc, 1dc in each dc across til end. Turn.

Row 3-5;

Rpt row 2. Turn.

Row 6;

3ch (represents 1tr, 1ch), miss 1^st dc, * 1tr in next dc, 1ch, miss 1 dc,* rpt frm * til end working last tr in turning ch (9 1ch spaces). Turn.

Row 7;

1ch, 1dc in 1^st 1 ch space, 1dc in each tr and 1 ch space til end working last dc in top of turning ch. Turn (17dc in total).

Row 8-31;

1ch, 1dc in each dc across til end. Turn.

Row 32-41;

Work from graph below, snaking your way up, making sure to work 1ch at the beginning of each row for turning.

1square = 1dc

Changing colours;

Do not finish the last dc before changing colours, leave two loops on your hook. Make a loose loop with your contrasting coloured yarn .
Pull the contrasting colour loop through the 2 loops on your hook. Carry on with the next stitch with the contrasting colour leaving all tails behind the work.
To change back to the previous colour, follow steps 1 and 2 picking up the main colour yarn.

When you have finished your heart motif, you can cut your contrasting coloured yarn, but leave enough of a tail to weave in later.

It is very important to keep a good tension on the yarn that will cross with back of your heart motif, do not pull it tightly, as it will pucker your work and it wont lie flat. However don't leave it too loose as this will make your stitches become loose over time.

Back Front

Row 42-45;

1ch, work 1dc in each stitch across to end, turn.

Row 46;

3ch (represents 1tr, 1ch), miss 1^st dc, * 1tr in next dc, 1ch, miss 1 dc * rpt frm * til end working last tr in turning ch (9 1ch spaces). Turn.

Row 47;

1ch, 1dc in 1^st 1 ch space, 1dc in each tr and 1 ch space til end working last dc in top of turning ch. Turn (17dc in total).

Row 48-51;

1ch, 1dc in each dc across til end. Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Fold your gift bag in half, wrong sides together, and use a simple running stitch down each side with the main colour yarn making sure that the tr rows line up.

Finally using the ribbon of your choice, weave it in and out of your tr row, round the back and then the front.

Ta-dah! You have your very own heart gift bag perfect for giving that special gift for Valentines Day (or Birthday or Christmas or any occasion actually!) :)

If you enjoyed having a go at this intarsia crochet project, I have more of these type of patterns in all of my shops -

Etsy

Ravelry

Craftsy.

Have a great week and see you back here soon!

Ta-ta for now :)

xxx

Winter Woodland Scarf

Hello! This week I have a real treat for you. I thought it's been a while since I wrote a free pattern, so I've done one that's perfect for those winter chills.

It's called the Winter Wonderland Scarf and it's super warm and cosy, and what's best of all - the yarn is such a beautiful colour. It's Drops Big Delight, it's 100% wool and you will need 2 balls to complete the scarf. There is a ton of pretty shades to choose from, but I decided on Autumn Forest. You can buy it here. Yumity yum :)

This patten is perfect for beginners and there is a full tutorial on how to do the main stitch - a half treble crochet - htr (hdc in US terms). So...here's the pattern, you can also download it for free from Ravelry.

Winter Woodland Scarf

Little Doolally

Materials;

♥ 200g of DROPS Big Delight in Autumn Forest,

♥ 4.5mm hook,

♥ darning needle,

♥ scissors,

♥ stiff cardboard

Stitches;

ch = chain

htr = half treble crochet (half double crochet (hdc) in US terms)

How to do a htr;

Yarn round hook.
Insert the hook in to the stitch, yarn round hook again and pull through loop (3 loops on hook).
Yarn round hook and pull through all 3 loops on the hook.
Your stitch is complete!
Ta-dah! Carry on repeating steps 1-4 to complete your scarf.

To start;

Work 32ch.

Row 1; In 3^rd chain from hook, work 1htr, 1htr in each stitch across until the end, turn.

Row 2; 2ch, 1htr in each stitch across until the end, turn.

Repeat row 2 130 times or until your scarf is as long as you require, remembering to leave enough yarn for the tassels.

If you like, you can add tassels on to each end of your scarf. To make a tassel;

Wrap your yarn round the card 15 times.
Cut through the yarn at one end of the cardboard.
Make a loose loop with the yarn.
Insert a thick crochet hook (I used 8mm) in to the edge of the scarf where you want the tassel to be.
Hook the loop of yarn through the scarf.
Pop the ends of the yarn through the loop.
Pull the ends tight.
When you have put 5 tassels on each end, trim them all to the same length.

Ta-dah! You have made your very own Winter Woodland Scarf and you will be envy of all your friends :)

I hope you will have a go and enjoy making it and wearing it. I know I'll be wearing it all autumn, winter and probably spring too knowing the usual English weather!

Byeee for now my lovelies!

xxx

Vintage Bows

I have finally put together a new 'Make Your Own' - crochet Vintage Bows free pattern. I first made them on this post here where I made a pretty picture using them. They're really quite versatile, you can make your own hair bows, bows to sew on to clothing or accessories.

You can also download this pattern here.

Materials;
Small amount of yarn, I used 4 ply 50/50 cotton/acrylic yarn, 3mm hook, vintage lace to decorate.

Stitches;
ch = chain
dc = double crochet (sc in US terms)

To start;
20ch plus 1 for turning.