Well hello my lovely ones. How are we all? Is everyone enjoying the delights of Easter? I love this time of year. Particularly looking forward to the bluebells. They definitely are my favourite. Well that and daffodils too! And of course blossom! Well of it really!!
Has everyone had a good Easter break? We had a lovely time in Cornwall, slightly crazy weather though. One minute bright blue skies and the next crazy wind and rain.
We made the most of it though, it kept us on our toes. The little cottage has a rather wonderful log burner, which went down a treat with all of us, particularly the pup. I reckoned she would have stayed there all night, if I let her.
I managed some rather scrumptious knitting on holiday. Since being a member of Knit School, I seem to be doing more and more knitting. I have learnt so much from the wonderful Michelle. She is a wonderful teacher and Knit School really brings out the best in your knitting. I have been creating a 5 stitch blanket with my Geodes and Gem Club from For the Love of Yarn. It’s such a wonderful club. I opted for the DK Yak base. Yak is such a rich and indulgent base of yarn. As the base is quite dark before it is dyed, it really does give a sumptuous colour. Lisa’s colours are always so delightful, so this really is going to be a gorgeous project to create. As the yarn is from Lisa’s club, it comes as a surprise every month and is based on a gem or geode.
Love opening those parcels and finding out what colours are inside. Such a treat. Currently working on the green which is Amazonite. So far we have had Amethyst and Aquamarine. I wonder what April will be.
The blanket is based on 5 different knit stitches, which repeat for each month. A lovely lady has already asked for the pattern, so I will be adding it to the blog in due course. It will be a little KAL throughout the year which will be fun. Once you have the start and the first 5 stitches, you can just knit away.
Now don’t panic, all you lovely crocheters. I’ve have been working on a little spring crocheting as well. Now this little chap is very shy, so quite hard to find in house. He seems to find some great places to hide, particularly in the Easter egg pile.
Little pickle. I am hoping, if I can track him down, that I can bring you his little pattern by the end of the week. I was supposed to share it with you at easter, but the little tinker went walkabouts. Finally found him all snuggled up in a pile of cleaning washing. What a monkey. Anyways, I hope you like him.
Right, I had better get the washing done. It definitely wont get done by itself.
Happy hooking all, oh and a spot of happy stitching too!
Hello lovelies, how are we all? It’s been ever so cold here. Winter woollies at the ready. I’ve been keeping warm of an evening with my crocheting and knitting. I find it keeps my hands warm and if you are making a blanket, I love when it is big enough to sit on your lap. Extra snuggly warmth! So how are we all doing with your Advent Wrapdigans? I am so excited to bring you then final part of the wrap. I really hope you have enjoyed this CAL as much as I have. I will be publishing both the DK and 4ply patterns in due course. If any of you haven’t been able to start the project yet, then all the parts to the wrap will remain on here and both PDF Downloadables will also be available here too.
Right now down to business..
Level – Medium (There are a few new stitches and techniques)
Yarn – 600g 4ply Advent Yarn (24 colours) with 1 x 100g skein of grey yarn.
I have used Abby’s gorgeous 2022 4ply Advent Yarn. Here’s the link to her website.
Scissors, darning needle for ends, set of weighing scales, blocking tiles and pins
Finished size –
Wingspan – 100cm
Centre spine depth – 90cm
Abbreviations –
mr – Magic Ring
ch – Chain
chsp – Chain Space
dc – Double Crochet
sk – Slip Knot
htr – Half Treble Crochet
blhtr – Back Loop Half Treble Crochet
tr – Treble Crochet
bltr –Back Loop Treble Crochet
dtr – Double treble Crochet
pf – Puff Stitch – [Yrh, insert hook where required, draw through a loop] repeat 4 times in the same place. You now have nine loops on the hook. Yrh and pull through all the loops on the hook.
rp – Rope Stitch – Crochet 1tr, 1ch, 1tr in same chsp or stitch.
dtr – Double Treble Crochet
bpdc – Back Post Double Crochet
dcsp – Double Crochet Spike Stitch
Changing colours tips –
Half treble change – yarn over your hook, insert in the stitch and pull through (3 loops on your hook.) Yarn over your hook and then place your new yarn over the hook as well and pull both through the 3 loops to finish the htr stitch. Then with your next stitch, just use your new yarn.
Treble Stitch change – yarn over your hook, insert in the stitch and pull through (3 loops on your hook.) Yarn over your hook and pull through 2 loops, then yarn over your hook and place your new yarn over the hook as well and pull both through the last 2 loops to finish the tr stitch. Then with your next stitch, just use your new yarn.
FinalBorder –
Round 50 – For the last part, I have only used the grey yarn, but you are welcome to use any coloured yarn you would prefer.
So attach your grey yarn into the top right 3chsp corner and 4ch (acts as 1dtr.)
[Now work 1dtr in each stitch in the row and in the 3chsp work 1dtr, 3ch, 1dtr.] Repeat this 3 times. Then on the last side, work 1dtr in each stitch and then in the last 3chsp work 1dtr and 3ch then Ss into first 4ch and fasten off.
Left Side – Carrying on with your grey yarn and the right side facing you, insert your hook in the top left hand 3chsp and ch4. Now work 1dtr in each stitch in the row, then 1dtr in the 3chsp. Turn your work & 4ch. Then work 1dtr in each stitch in the row and fasten off.
Right Side – Now do the same in the opposite side. So with the right side facing you, with your grey yarn, insert your hook into the bottom right hand 3chsp and 4ch. Now work 1dtr in each stitch in the row, then 1dtr in the ch3sp. Then turn your work & ch4. Then work 1dtr in each stitch in the row.
Round 51 – As you have now finished in the bottom right hand corner, we are going to complete the border. So turn your work and 1ch, then work 1dc in the first stitch. Then work 1dc in each stitch. At the end of the row work 1dc, 1ch 1dc in the last stitch (to create a corner.)
Now work 3dc in the side of the 3ch and then 3dc in the dtr stitch. Work 1dc in the 3chsp. Now work 1dc in each stitch in the row. When you come to the 3chsp, work 1dc, then work 3dc in the side of the 4ch and then 3dc in the side of the 1dtr. Work 1dc, 1ch 1dc in the first stitch down the next side of the wrap. Followed by 1dc in each stitch.
In the last stitch work 1dc, 1ch, 1dc, followed by 3dc in the side of the 3ch and then 3dc in the dtr stitch. Work 1dc in the 3chsp. Now work 1dc in each stitch in the row. When you come to the 3chsp, work 1dc, then work 3dc in the side of the 4ch and then 3dc in the side of the 1dtr.
Turn your wrap, 1ch and work 1dc first and each stitch in the row and at the end of the row work 1dc in the last stitch and fasten off. This last row will just give the bottom of the wrap a little more shape.
Now it is time to sew in all your ends with your needle. A little tip with the rainbow border, where you have chained to start a new round, there maybe a little space between each. Here I tend to use my ends to slightly sew up the little holes, making the border just that little bit neater.
Finishing off –
Finally, make your Advent Wrapdigan. Start by having the right side facing upwards and in a horizontal position, so that one the longest sides is near you. Fold in both left hand corners so that they meet, so that you have the two corners on the wrong side facing you.
Using your crochet hook and the grey yarn, insert your hook into both sides of the 1ch in the corners of your wrap and 1ch. Work 1dc in both stitches. Now align the stitches up and work 1dc in each stitch until you are halfway along (roughly 30cm) leaving a 25cm gap for the arm hole and fasten off.
Repeat this same method with the right hand corners and sew in your ends. And there you have it. One Advent Wrapdigan to be snuggled up in. Really hope you have enjoyed this pattern.
Now, as with all my patterns, they are all here for you to enjoy. And in exchange for these patterns, I would be very grateful if you could give, however little, a donation to our chosen charity Child Bereavement UK. This is an incredible Charity, that was been close to our hearts for a few years now. I cannot imagine how important the work they do is to the families that need them. So if you can, however small, donate to the charity, in exchange for my pattern, then I would be so grateful. Thank you. Here’s the link to the Just Giving Page.
Anyways, until next time. Don’t forget to shout if you have any questions. I will definitely post both the DK and the 4ply in due course. So you will be able to download it and use at your leisure.
Happy hooking.
Xx
As always, these patterns are brought to you, in the hope that they are all correct and easy to follow. It is only for personal use and not to be copied or reused. Thank you so much.
