2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 27 – Trinity Stitch

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Trinity Stitch

Yippeeee!!! Gooooo England!!! 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿 Can’t quite believe it!! It’s so exciting isn’t it! I reckon even if you are not a football fan, you can’t not get excited with the World Cup. It seems to consume everyone and grab hold of us all in a strange and magical way. Grown men crying and hugging each other! Just brilliant. Like, when would that ever happen normally!!! I couldn’t even concentrate on my crocheting!! Dare I say the words ‘Coming Home’? Yikes!! Maybe I will say it quietly!! Just in case!!

So, hope you have all had good weeks and are able to keep cool with all this hot weather. It seems to have hit a whole new level this week hasn’t it. Crikey!! Everything seems to be melting around me!! I love how everyone has their own take on the weather. There seems to be different levels of sun lovers. I reckon everyone has their own little category that they fit into. I think I can catergorise them. Ok so there’s the blockers, who definitely do not like the sun and will find any which way to hide from it. There’s the heat haters, who really struggle with the heat and just want to keep cool. Then there’s the middlies that quite like a bit of sun, but not too much and not a great fan of when it gets too hot. Then there’s the sitters, that could happily sit in it for quite a long time, but will all of a sudden be way too hot and will have had enough. And then we’ve got left the sun lovers, that just adore the sun, the hotter the better and love being out in it. I wonder which one you are? I reckon I’m on the edge of the middlies. I definitely like a bit of sun, but not when it’s too hot and burning! For me, the perfect position would be head out of the sun, legs in the sun and a crochet hook in my hand! Now that does sound good. Hmmmm, just imagining that. One thing I do love doing is sitting on our bed in the evening with all the windows open, the kids are asleep and there’s a seriously lovely breeze flowing through the house. Now that’s time for a snuggle under my Year of the Stitches blanket and a cuppa with my man by my side. Heaven.

On a totally different note, I think I’ve found a car for PipsRainbow!!! 😂 Look at those rainbow stripes!! I definitely think I could pull this off!! I wonder if you could adapt the back so it opens up into a mobile crocheting and cuppa station. Or, if I ever get going with it a hand dyed yarn stand. Or it could be a transportable classroom for me to teach crocheting in! Spread the love!! Haha! Now that does sound good. Oh the possibilities. One day. You never know…

This week I have had the real pleasure of making and giving this little guy to a rather special friend of my daughter’s. She is a huge lover of unicorns, so it was an absolute must that I made her one for her birthday. I have always wanted to create my own design, as I know my daughter is a big fan. So here she is.

I managed to find a little space for new PipsRainbow labels.

Rather chuffed with the mane. Ever so easy, I made a chain of stitches and then crocheted back along the chain, towards the head, crocheting double crochet stitches in every other stitch. Seems to give it a rather gentle curl. Hope you like it.

My daughter has persuaded me to make her one now, so will get the pattern written up and pop it on the blog as quick as I can.

Right had we better get onto the blanket. So this weeks stitch is called the Trinity Stitch. It’s basically made up of a chain stitch and a dc3tog stitch. The word trinity, has a very interesting feel to it doesn’t it. It means a group of three people or objects/things, or in our case – stitches. The number three in itself is a rather magical number. To me it seems like a rather strong unit. (This is where I could go off on a whole different tangent about magical numbers and Harry Potter – but I won’t! 😂) I don’t think I have ever mentioned my Harry Potter obsession have I. Right, well, yeah, serious Harry Potter fan right here. Sorry chaps … Anyways, so this weeks stitch is called the Trinity Stitch because of the dc3tog stitch. I suppose in a way it’s 3 stitches together to create one. It’s definitely a fab stitch and definitely one to remember. It’s really easy to work up and gives a super subtle yet effective texture. It has a lovely feel to it too, I reckon it would be nice in some clothing of some description.

Supplies –

So this weeks yarn I picked up a while ago at the wonderful Junction13 Wool Festival. It’s from the fabulous In the Wool Shed company and it’s their Lucy colour, which is a wonderful dusty pink colour. It’s a stunning double knit Blueface Leicester Wool, so lovely and soft and excellent to work with. I will definitely be looking up these guys and ordering some more.

So 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.

Double Crochet (dc) – Insert the hook through the stitch, front to back, then yarn over hook and pull back through stitch. You will have two loops on your hook. Then yarn over your hook and pull through both loops.

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.

Double Crochet 3 Together (dc3tog) – work your dc3tog by inserting your hook into the previous stitch, yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops.

Trinity Stitch – Ok so to start this stitch, work your dc3tog by inserting your hook into the previous stitch, yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops. Now to finish the Trinity stitch work a chain 1 stitch.

Ok so here we go …

1 – So start off by attaching your new yarn into the first stitch on the wrong side of your blanket. Now start by chaining 1 and working 1dc in the same stitch.

Follow on by working 1dc in each stitch. (200)

2 – Ok so turn your blanket and chain 1. And once again work 1dc in the same stitch. Now you are going to work your first dc3tog stitch. So this stitch is where you are working 3 double crochets into 1 stitch. So to do this insert your hook into the dc stitch you have just worked, yarn over and then pull through. Now insert your hook into the next stitch (so the second stitch in the row) yarn over and pull through and finally insert your stitch into the next stitch (so the third stitch in the row) yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops on your hook.

Right so now to finish your stitch, all you need to do is yarn over your hook and pull through all 4 loops. And there you have your first dc3tog.

Right so now you need to chain 1. This completes your Trinity stitch.

Ok so now it’s time to repeat the Trinity stitch across the row. So *work your dc3tog by inserting your hook into the previous stitch (so the last stitch of the previous dc3tog), yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and then in the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops. Now to finish the Trinity stitch, chain 1.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. In the last stitch in the row work 1dc. (200)

3 – Right then, row 3. So start off by turning your blanket and as always chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch and 1dc in the next stitch.

Ok so it’s time to work your first Trinity stitch. *So work your dc3tog by inserting your hook into the previous stitch (so the second dc Stitch), yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and then the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops. Now to finish the Trinity stitch, work a chain 1 stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the whole row.

At the end of the row, work the last Trinity stitch and complete with the usual chain 1 stitch and then work 1dc in the last stitch. (200)

4 – So in this row we are going to start off with the usual chain 1 and then work 1dc in the same stitch. Now work 1dc in the next stitch. *Ok so now it’s time to work your first dc3tog. So insert your hook into the previous stitch, yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and then insert your hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops. Now to finish the Trinity stitch, chain 1.*

Repeat this ** across the whole row. After the last Trinity stitch which is worked in the last few stitches, work your usual chain 1 at the end of the Trinity stitch and then work 1dc in the last stitch. (200)

5 – So we’re now working the last row. So, turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. And once again start working your Trinity stitches. *So work your dc3tog by inserting your hook into the previous stitch, yarn over and pull through, then inserting it into the next stitch, yarn over and pull through and next stitch, yarn over and pull through. This will give you 4 loops, then yarn over again and pull through all loops. Now to finish the Trinity stitch, chain 1.*

Now repeat this ** across the row.

At the end of this last row, work your usual Trinity stitch and work the usual chain 1 and finally work 1dc in the last stitch. (200)

And there you have the wonderful Trinity stitch. It’s a wonderfully easy stitch to work and definitely one I will be using again. Hope you have enjoyed this weeks instalment of Year of the Stitches. Give us a shout if you need any help.

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈Xx

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2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 25 – Rope Stitch

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Rope Stitch 

Well, a week of football, wind, sun, BBQ’s, suncream, swims, walks, Mexican meals, yarn shopping, crocheting and above all, family time. Phew!!! Oh and I forgot, a rather yummy Chocolate Mousse Cake!! Which got nobbled before I could take a picture.

A busy but fun week. Is it really sunday evening again. Blimey.

The World Cup seems to be going along smoothly. I decided many moons ago that every time I watch England play – they loose! So last Monday night, Hubby went off to a friend’s to watch the big game and I watched the Final of the Great British Chef and low and behold – England win!! Today, it was on in the room with some of our friends watching, I could hear it but couldn’t watch it as I was busy sorting lunch and yet again they won. So yep – I am sticking to that rule! You never know, it might work!!

It always amazes me the commeradery of football. How our little island seems to go absolutely nuts for it at certain events. Love how these big events coincide with BBQ and sunshine – what’s not to like!! And even people that don’t tend to watch football, seem to get stuck in to the World Cup. We’ve had friends over for a BBQ today to watch the match. And there was definitely a few cheers from the neighbours houses when goals were scored!!  There was definitely a discussion as to when we were eating! Do you quickly eat before it starts or wait for half time!!! We planned for half time. It worked pretty well. So yeah, a good weekend all round.

We had a lovely little crochet/knitting group again this week. I feel like it’ll soon be time to open it up to others. It seems to be working well with little man’s naps. So that’s good. Finally thought of a name. It’s called The Rainbow Stitchers. Thought that was rather apt as it linked to crochet and knitting through the stitches, rainbow colours because of all the different colours and yarns we use and obviously a little rainbowness linking to PipsRainbow. So all in all a rather good name me thinks. I’ve also started talking to a few of the Mum’s at the school gate as to meeting up at the local pub for a get together with crochet hooks. There are quite a few that would like to learn, so might be a fun way to teach them and have a giggle too!!

I’ve been working on quite a few projects this week. It seems to be that time of year, where everything needs to be finished!

I did squeeze in a little bag for myself. It’s purely made in the oh so amazing, Sublime Yarn. I think I may have found my favourite range of rainbow colours. They do have a red colour that I didn’t use, but I reckon it would go quite well at the start of the rainbow. Can’t wait to do this range in a cushion!! It’s so soft!! My hooky friend said she saw me stroking my bag the other day!!! Haha!! Well it is soft!!!

It just fits my phone and keys in so will be great for following round the little man. I’ve also made a little elephant friend for a rather lovely little girl. She saw  my daughter’s, so was desperate for one. I couldn’t not, could I.

I love how my two little people are getting involved in the world of crocheting and yarn. A certain little boy grabbed not only my ball of wool but the hook too the other morning!!! It was a little lazy Saturday morning in our household, we didn’t need to be ready till 9am, so cuppa in bed was required!! And well, of course a little crocheting if the little man is snuggling in bed. But yeah, that didn’t happen now did it!! Ball was grabbed. Hook was grabbed. Bless. He tries to do it.

Now on the other hand. My daughter came with me to one of our local yarn shops, the lovely Knitting Corner. We zoomed there after school one day, as they shut around 4ish, so we didn’t have long. The only reason I was going was for the little elephant yarn that I was making for someone’s daughter. Well guess who bought more yarn than me and even got given her very own loyalty card!!! Yup, you’ve guessed, one little rainbow girl, aka my daughter. She’s decided to make herself a snuggle blanket. I’m thinking it’s not going to be a quick thing, but she is ever so excited about it. It’s all about starting them young!!! Oh I hope she enjoys it!!

Right so I think it must be blanket time. It’s a nice and easy stitch again this week. It’s called the Rope Stitch. Hope you like it.

Supplies –

So this week I have used a lovely ocean blue merino yarn from the fab Wendy range. I bought it at the lovely Knitique shop in Lichfield. It’s a lovely colour and definitely a yarn that’s fab to work with. So 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.

Chain 1 Space – Otherwise known as ch1sp.

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.

Rope Stitch – So for this stitch, your work 1 Treble Crochet, 1 chain stitch and then 1 Treble Crochet in the chain 1 space in the row below.

Ok so here we go …

Ok so the Rope Stitch is quite similar to the treble V stitch, but it has a chain inbetween the V stitch, thus meaning more of the stitches are missed. It’s a nice and simple stitch, great for a drape of some kind. So Rope Stitch is basically 1 Treble Crochet, 1 Chain Stitch then 1 Treble Stitch, all worked in 1 stitch. So nothing too crazy.

1 – So start off on the right hand side of the blanket, attach your new yarn and chain 3. Then work 1tr in the first stitch.

Now chain 1 and work 1tr in the second stitch.

Now *miss 1 stitch and work 1tr, chain 1, 1tr in the next stitch.* Then repeat this ** across the row.

So after the last Rope Stitch (1tr, 1ch, 1tr.) Miss 1 Stitch and then work 2tr stitches in the last stitch. (200)

2 – Right then, so first things first, turn your work and chain 3. Then work 1tr inbetween the 2tr stitches in the row below.

Now start your Rope Stitch. So work 1tr, 1ch and 1tr in the first 1 chain space in the row below.

Ok so now repeat *1tr, 1ch, 1tr in the next ch1sp* across the row.

After the last Rope Stitch, work 1 tr at the top of the chain 3 stitches from the row below. (200)

3 – Ok so turn your work and chain 3. Then work 1tr in between the 1tr and Rope Stitch in the row below. *Now work 1tr, 1ch & 1tr in the next ch1sp.*

Repeat this ** across the row, working the Rope Stitch in each of the ch1sp.

At the end of the row work 1tr Stitch in the top of the chain 3 space from the row below. (200)

4 – So basically we are going to repeat row 3, so start by turning your work and then chain 3. Now work 1tr in between the 1tr and the Rope Stitch from the row below.

*Now repeat *1tr, 1ch 1tr in the next ch1sp* across the row.

At the end of the row work 1tr in the last stitch. And there it is. Now fasten off and sew in your ends!! Hope that’s all made sense.

It’s a lovely stitch isn’t it. Feels like it has such movement. Nice one for a little bod to learn, after they have mastered the Grannie Stitch.

As always, any problems give me a shout. Thank you ever so much for following me and having a go at the Year of the Stitches CAL!! Next week we are half way!!! Week 26!! Blimey!!! Now that is something isn’t it!!! Happy days.

Happy hooking everyone!!

🌈Xx

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