Year of the Stitches Week 37 – Sprig Stitch

Sprig Stitch 

Well, we’ve had a week of mice, owls, octopus’s, blankets, conkers, dream jars, swimming, tennis, rainbows, school runs, playgroups, house warming parties and park runs. Phew!!! Oh and a poorly back!! That is one busy week. No wonder our weekend hasn’t been too crazy! It’s been interesting keeping the house in its usual state of kind of tidiness this week! Do you ever get the feeling that you are literally running around doing jobs ten to the dozen, just to get it all done. Where as others seem to always be ship shape and ready to go, without much more than a lift of a finger!! I reckon I run in the house, at least 10 times a day, if not more!! I reckon it’s the only way to get jobs done and keep the little man safe. My daughter will sit and play for hours in one spot, quite happy, where as my boy, is zoom zoom everywhere!! It’s crazy how much he knows as well about how things work in the house! Where he needs to be at certain times of the day and what makes things open! If you say let’s go outside, he automatically grabs his wellies and puts them on, then grabs yours and brings them to you, finished off with standing by the keys saying ‘keys, keys, keys.’ Until you get them and open the door! Love it. He definitely knows the way of the world already!

One activity which we all enjoy in our family is conker hunting. Brings back so many memories of childhood.

We used to bike with my Dad to a particular tree each year. It was on quite a main road, so it was never one kids really went to. So there were loads to choose from. I wonder if it’s still standing?! Think we had better get on our bikes! The tree by my daughter’s school is striped most days by kids. We ended up conker hunting in the rain last weekend and plans for more this week. Couldn’t resist making little Conky here. Just writing up his pattern and will post this week if you fancy making him.

Other little crocheted items have been these little baby rattles. Love making these little creatures, but have got rather a soft spot for the little octopus. Think a little one will love munching on the springy legs, saying that my two are now wanting one of their own.

So this week I have chosen the beautiful, but very simple Sprig Stitch. Now it’s basically double crochet stitches and chain stitches worked together to create an arch which gives quite a firm, dense pattern. It gives a lovely pointed edge, which would work well for a decorative edge. Would be nice on a shawl or scarf. Hoping to design more shawls next year, so that will be one to remember.

Supplies

This week I have once again used the wonderful Toft wool in the lovely deep forest green colour. Think it sits rather well with the lime green from last week and I like the idea that the colour of the yarn matches the stitch – sprig green. You will need about 30g of DK yarn and don’t forget the 4mm hook, scissors and blunt ended tapestry needle to sew all the ends in.

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.

Ok so here we go…

1 – Attach your new yarn into the wrong side of the blanket and work 1ch and then 1dc in the same stitch. Now work 1dc in each stitch and the back loop of each chain stitch across the row. (200)

2 – Ok so turn your work and chain 1 and work 1dc in the same stitch. Now miss a stitch and work 2dc in the next stitch. Then chain 2 stitches and work 2dc in the next stitch. This completes your first sprig stitch.

*Now miss 2 stitches and work 2dc in the next stitch, work 2 chain stitches and then work 2dc in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** across the whole row.

In the last 4 stitches, miss 2 stitches and then work 1dc in each of the last 2 stitches. (49 Sprig Stitches)

3 – Right then so turn your blanket and work 1 chain and then 1dc in the next 2 stitches. *Now work (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in the next 2chsp.* Basically you are working each sprig stitch on top of each other in rows.

Now repeat ** this across the row.

When you get to that last stitch, work 1dc. (49 Sprig Stitches)

4 – This is the last row of sprig stitches now, so once you have turned your blanket, chain 1 and work 1dc in the first stitch. *Now work (2dc, 2ch, 2dc) in the next 2chsp*. Repeat this ** across the row.

When you get to the end work 1dc in the last 2 stitches and then fasten off and sew in your ends. (49 Sprig Stitches)

And there you have the wonderful Sprig Stitch. It’s ever so easy isn’t it and gives a lovely pointy edge. I bet it would be nice for a border on a piece of clothing or a blanket for that matter.

Hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks instalment of Year of the Stitches. How are your blankets going? This is mine so far. It’s terribly snugly when I’m crocheting in the evening. Rather chuffed how it’s coming on.

Anyways, hope you all have good weeks.

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈Xx

Continue Reading

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

Continue Reading