Year of the Stitches Week 36 – Offset Filet Net

Offset Filet Net 

Hello lovelies, hope you are all well and coping with the change of weather. It’s definitely a little chillier here isn’t it. The boots even came out this week. It’s definitely slipper sock weather too! It’s time to start making them again. My daughter just ordered another pair for her birthday!

Don’t forget to have a peak on my blog for the pattern if you’d like to make some. These are all made from the wonderful West Yorkshire Spinner Aran range and are beautifully modelled by lovely family, might I add.

My little lady went back to school this week. The house has been ever so quiet without her little laugh around. My little man has missed her so much! Unfortunately it’s been a bit of a funny week with a delightful sicky bug wiping us all out! It’s been crazy! No idea where we all caught this one from, but it’s definitely taken it’s toll. Thankfully though we are all back to normal, though be a little lighter! (Never a bad thing I suppose!) So my crocheting has been on the slim side this week. Just not been up to it at all. My husband knows when I’m not feeling great, if my crocheting hook isn’t going ten to the dozen! So not much to show you i’m afraid.

The one thing we did manage, though I have no idea how – was the Lichfield 2km Fun Run. Well me and the kids did the Fun Run and my husband very bravely completed the 10km. After a week of a rather nasty tummy bug, I wasn’t sure if we’d be there! But we got round. Phew!! Those of you who know me, know that I am not a runner – not in any means. I am a swimmer, through and through!! Get me in a pool any day! But when a little lady in my life asked me to run with her last year, I just couldn’t say no. And now I’m guessing it’s a bit of a tradition. My little man is in the pram and luckily this year, my dear sister-in-law ran with us too. My brother-in-law ran the 10k with my husband, so they were with the big boys. So a proper family affair!

Right then onto the blanket. Really chuffed with how it’s turning out. Hope yours are going well. Think mjne needs to be blocked again soon, it’s getting a little wobbly.

 

Supplies

Oooo, so this week I have used this lovely lime green yarm. It’s from the wonderful Toft range and it’s lovely and soft and keeps a super shape. Just right for this weeks stitch. I used this Toft yarn for a Dippy Dinosaur that I made for my son for his first Christmas. It’s a lovely pattern if you fancy making one. You can buy it from the Toft website.

Couldn’t resist using a grassy green colour with all our lovely lawns springing back into action!! Much better than the strawy yellow ones we had all summer!! Once again you will need about 30-40g of double knit yarn and not forgetting your 4mm crochet hook, scissors and blunt ended tapestry needle to sew in the ends.

Stitches

Chain (ch) – To make a chain, place the yarn over the hook then pull it through the loop on your hook.

Treble (tr) – To make a treble crochet, firstly yarn over your hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over your hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should now be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through the first two loops, yarn over hook and pull through the last two loops.

So this weeks stitch is the super Offset Filet Stitch. Yup, it’s a rather odd name isn’t it!! Basically there is a Filet Stitch, but with this one as you can see, sits at a slant. Definitely a fab stitch and ever so easy to work. Really hope you like it.

Ok so here we go …

1 – Start by attaching your new yarn into the top of chain 6 stitches from the row below.

Now work 1ch (Acts as 1dc), then 1dc in the same stitch.

Now work 1dc in each stitch across the row. (200)

2 – Right so now turn your work and chain 4. (This acts as 1tr and 1ch.)

Now work 1tr in the next stitch. *Now chain 1, miss 1 stitch and work 1tr in the next stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row. Then work 1tr in the last stitch. (200)

3 – Right then so turn your work and chain 4. (This acts as 1tr and 1ch.)  Now miss the first stitch and work 1tr in the first chain 1 space. (ch1sp)

*Now work 1ch, miss 1 stitch and work 1tr in the next ch1sp.* Repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of the row, your last tr stitch can be worked in the top of the chain 4 stitches from the row below. (200)

4 – Right then so turn your work and chain 4. (This acts as 1tr and 1ch.)  Now miss the first stitch and work 1tr in the first chain 1 space. (ch1sp) *Now work 1ch, miss 1 stitch and work 1tr in the next ch1sp.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of the row, your last tr stitch can be worked in the top of the chain 4 stitches from the row below. (200)

Well what did you think? It’s a good one isn’t it and ever so easy!!! Reckon you could use it with all sorts of projects!!

Don’t forget if you need help with anything, just give us a shout!

Happy hooking everyone!

🌈Xx

(On a serious note, just to say this is a free pattern brought to you from www.pipsrainbow.com and isn’t to be copied or reproduced. Thank you for your understanding.) (Sorry, serious bit over with!)

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Year of the Stitches Week 35 – Little Pyramid

Little Pyramid 

Well I knew it was coming, but it’s still sad that it’s here – the end of the summer holidays with my gorgeous girlie. Two days left. I can’t quite get over how quick it’s gone. Such precious times with my little ones together. They have become so close and play so well together now. They have always got on, but now I’ve noticed that they seem to follow each other around the house. I don’t think they realise they are doing it, but they always seem to be playing in the same room. So cute! I don’t reckon you can beat sibling love! So precious. My daughter loved painting the Smiles Stones this summer, but I didn’t quite realise how much they would play with them together in the garden. Great hide and seek game that seems to keep them happy for ages!! Think we need to make some more!!

Today was my son’s first ride on a carousel. He was so excited! He stood and watched for well over 10 minutes in ore of it!! My daughter loves them, so he’s seen a fair few in his time!! This one was at Blists Hill in Ironbridge! Can’t quite beat the Britishness of it can you!!

So this week it was the 1st Birthday of the Bore Street Bakery in Lichfield, owned by the wonderful Nathan. It’s the most incredible little haven of yummy bread and scrummy delights. The range of artisan breads on offer is mega, I don’t think I could name them all. I remember the first time I walked past this splendid window. I literally double took! It was like, hang on a minute, did I just see what I thought I did. Little man’s pram made a speedy U turn and we were hooked the minute we walked in. They make the most mind blowing Custard Tarts. Need to get a pic of one next time I’m in town. Soooooo delicious! I swear Nathan makes them with cream – must ask him. Nom nom! You guys totally need to go there. Cuppa tea, crochet hook, ball of wool and a custard tart from Bore Street Bakery – I’ve decided that’s all you need in life!! Well, all you need when you have a peaceful moment!!! Happy 1st Birthday Bore Street Bakery!!!! Lichfield would not be the same without you!!!

Hmmm, I have a funny feeling that Autumn is very much on her way. Look at those sneaky little leaves turning. Chilly days are on their way chaps. Cold, crisp mornings with colourful surroundings and chilly days are definitely a foot. It can only mean one thing – sock crocheting!! Haha, well I’ve always said I am a little crochet sock lover!!!

So onto this weeks stitch. So I decided on the lovely Little Pyramid Stitch. It’s a mega stitch, which is built up of little stitches to create a little pyramid. Hope you enjoy this one.

Supplies

So this week I have chosen the wonderful wool yarn from Toft. It’s a mega dk wool, which is mega to work with. Now I have a rather large soft spot for Toft, as it was the real reason why I got into crocheting. I will never forget that first moment at the Knit and Stitch Show many moons ago, at the NEC, when I first came across the wonderful Toft World. I saw all these incredible little crocheted creatures hanging around this little stall and the lovely Kerry Lord in the middle of them all. She sold me my first Edwards Menagerie Book, wool and a hook. And I have never looked back. My little Benedict was born.

The one and only Benedict the Monkey. This was my very first crocheted toy and crochet project!! He’s rather a firm favourite in our house! So it’s only apt that I use some of their incredible double knit yarn in my blanket. So you will need about 30g of dk yarn, a 4mm crochet hook, scissors and a blunt ended tapestry hook.

Stitches

Chain (ch) – To make a chain stitch, make a slip knot on your hook and then place the yarn over your hook and pull through the loop. Repeat this action to make a row of stitches.

Triple Treble Crochet (ttr) – A Triple treble is quite a tall stitch. So yarn over hook three, insert hook through the stitch and then yarn over hook again. Now pull the yarn through the stitch. There will now be 5 loops on the hook. Now place the yarn over the hook and pull through the first 2 loops. (4 loops on your hook.) Then yarn over the hook again and pull through the next two loops. (3 loops on your hook.) Haha, now place the yarn over the hook again and pull through the next 2 loops. (2 loops on your hook.) Then yarn over your hook again and pull through the last 2 loops. Phew! It’s a bit of a long process, but a lovely stitch with the height that it gives.

Little Pyramid –  Chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. Now work 1tr into the next 3 stitches. Now miss 3 stitches on your row and work 1dc in the next stitch. (This will anchor your pyramid stitch down and completes the stitch.)

Ok so here we go …

1 – Ok so first things first. Attach your new yarn and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. Now it’s time to start your first pyramid stitch. So chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. (This is where my needle is pointing.)

You can see here that it creates the top of the pyramid shape.

Now work 1tr into the next 3 chains. Ok so now it’s time to miss 3 stitches in your row and work 1dc in the next stitch. (This is where the needle is pointing.)

The dc stitch will anchor your pyramid stitch down and completes the stitch.

Now work pyramid stitches across the row. *So chain 6 and then work 1dc into the third chain from the hook. Now work 1tr into the next 3 chains. Now miss 3 stitches on your row and work 1dc in the next stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

Finishing with 1dc in the last stitch. (50 pyramid stitches)

2 – Now turn you work and chain 6. (This acts as your first stitch.) Now work 1dc in the top chain stitch of the pyramid. This is where the needle is pointing. You are basically missing 4 stitches up the side of the pyramid.

*Now chain 3 and work 1dc in the next chain stitch on top of the next pyramid stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of the row, work your last 1dc in the top of the last pyramid stitch then work 1ttr in the last stitch of the row. (Check the stitch information above if you can’t remember from last week how to work a Triple Treble Stitch (ttr). (200)

And there you have the wonderful Little Pyramid stitch. I hope you have enjoyed having a go with it!! Please give us a shout if you are unsure!! Always happy to help!!

Happy hooking everyone!

🌈Xx

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