crochet addiction – PipsRainbow

PipsRainbow is 7 Years Old!

October 5, 2024 No Comments

Well as my friend rightly pointed out, it’s not the 7 year itch, but the 7 year stitch. Haha!! Well it made us chuckle. 7 years of PipsRainbow. Crazy. When I started this little rainbow journey, I wasn’t really sure where it would go. At the time, I just wanted to teach others how to crochet. I wanted to share the love of crocheting far and wide and help others to have something in their life, that they could create something wonderful for themselves or others with. It is a hobby/craft/skill/passion, whichever you want to call it, something that can bring them happiness and a sense of achievement. I started crocheting because I wanted to create toys for my daughter at the time. I had been taught to knit by my Grannie when I was a little girl, so I could knit well enough, mainly her famous slipper socks, which the family still enjoy wearing. But when I saw crocheted toys, I realised that that was the way forward. I’d also seen some crocheted mandalas in our local sewing shop. And every time I went in there, I would marvel at their beauty. They were on this big old counter at the cash desk. They sang with their different colours and circular pattern of rainbow, definitely called to me. It also used to call to my daughter, as her little hand would come out from inside her pram to touch them. So it was definitely from there that the love of crocheting began. But it wasn’t until later before I realised I wanted to teach others. And that is when PipsRainbow was created.

It was the ability to be able to create my own patterns as well. And sharing them with others. I firstly did them all for free, but then I soon realised that I wanted to crochet for Charity. My body is definitely not designed anymore for marathons, but it can crochet for Charity! So that’s when I started creating Just Giving pages for the charities that were dear to us & others around me. My main one so far is crocheting for Child Bereavement UK. And incredible Charity, that’s gives and supports so much to the families that need them. My newest pattern for them will drop next week, as one of my creations will be going in their yearly silent auction at the quiz. I wonder what it will make this year.

I think I can safely say, that sometimes PipsRainbow is extremely busy and lots going on, but then there are times where it is a little quiet and takes the back step in our busy lives. I think when this happens I seem to get a little behind with it all. And then my confidence seems to take a dip. I call it my PipsRainbow Mojo. But then when I do grab the reins again and produce and publish a pattern, I have such a sense of achievement & it’s so lovely to see others create and produce their very own. I hope this next coming year, I can keep the PipsRainbow mojo going, as I have got so many patterns to share with you. Can’t wait!

So for this year’s birthday pattern, I couldn’t resist sharing this little beauty. It’s like the ones I remember from the sewing shop. I love how you can use different scarps of yarn, to create such a beautiful thing.

Enjoy.

Supplies – I have used 12 different 4ply yarn, scissors, a blunt ended tapestry needle and a 4mm crochet hook. Mandalas are a great way to use up all this little ends of yarn from other projects.

Level – Easy

Stitches –

Magic Ring (mr) – For a magic ring, make a loop with the yarn, leaving a tail. (Make sure the tail is under the working yarn.) Now insert your hook into the loop, from the front to the back. Wrap the working yarn around your hook and pull the yarn through and pull tight to create a ring.

Slip stitch (ss) – This is where there is no height to the stitch. It’s usually used to join rounds. So insert the hook into the front of the stitch you are joining to. This is usually the first stitch you made in that round/row. So yarn over hook and pull through that first stitch then also through the loop on your hook.

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

Double Crochet (dc) – To make a double crochet, insert hook through your stitch/space, yarn over hook and pull through the stitch. You should have 2 loops on your hook, now yarn over hook and pull through both loops 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.

Half treble (htr) – A half treble crochet is basically one less movement than a treble. So yarn over hook, insert through space/stitch, yarn over hook, pull back through space/stitch. There should be 3 loops on your hook. Then yarn over hook and pull through all 3 loops.

Double treble (dtr) – A double treble is quite a tall stitch. So yarn over hook twice, insert hook through the stitch/space and then yarn over hook again. Now pull the yarn through the stitch. There will now be 4 loops on the hook. Now place the yarn over the hook and pull through the first 2 loops. Then yarn over the hook again and pull through the next two loops. Haha, now place the yarn over the 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.

Here we go…

1 – Magic ring, ch3 into the magic ring and work 7tr. Pull your tail and create your first round. Slip stitch to the first ch3 and fasten off. (8 tr)

2 – Attach the new yarn into any stitches and ch5. (This acts as 1tr & ch2.) *Work 1tr and ch2 into each stitch* Repeat ** all the way around. Slip stitch in the first ch4 and fasten off. (8tr & ch2)

3 – Attach your new yarn into ch2sp and ch3. Work 2tr into same ch2sp. *Work 3tr in each ch2sp* Repeat ** all the way around. Slip stitch in the first 3ch and fasten off. (24tr)

4 – Attach new yarn into a stitch and then ch2. Then work 1htr in the same stitch. (This acts as 2htr.) *Work 2htr in each stitch.* Repeat ** all the way around. Slip stitch into the first ch2 and fasten off. (48 htr)

5 – Attach new yarn into a stitch and then ch3, miss a stitch & work 1dc into the next stitch. (This acts as 1dc, ch2, 1dc.) Work *1dc, ch2, miss a stitch and 1dc into next stitch.* Now repeat ** all the way around. (16 ch2sp & 32dc)

6 – Attach new yarn into a ch2sp and ch4. (This will give the height for a dtr.) Then 1dtr into same space and ch2. * In the next ch2sp, work 2dtr and then ch2*. Repeat ** all the way around. Then slip stitch into first 4 chains and fasten off. (16 x 2dtr spools)

7 – Attach the new yarn into a ch2sp & ch3, then work 4tr into the same ch2sp. *Work 5tr into each ch2sp.* Repeat all the way around. Slip stitch into first ch3 and fasten off. (16 spaces x 5trs)

8 – This round is a little bit different as it includes 3 different types of stitches – half trebles, trebles and double trebles. Firstly ch2 into one of the first stitches of a set of 5 trebles. (This acts as your first htr), then tr, dtr, tr, htr. This is the first set of 5 stitches. Now *htr, tr, dtr, tr, htr in the next 5 stitches.* Repeat ** all the way around the mandala. Slip stitch to the first ch2 and fasten off. (80 stitches)

9 – Attach yarn into one of your htr stitches and ch6. Miss 3 stitches then work 1dc into the next stitch. This completes your first loop. Now *1dc into the next stitch, ch5, miss 3 stitches, then 1dc in next stitch.* Repeat ** all the way around. Slip stitch into first ch6 and fasten off. (16 x 5 chain loops)

10 – Attach yarn into a ch5sp and ch3. Now work 4tr into the same ch5sp, then ch2. Work *5tr into ch5sp & ch2*. Repeat ** all the way around the mandala. Then slip stitch into first ch4 and fasten off. (16 chain 2 spaces & 16 x 5 trebles)

11 – Attach yarn into a ch2sp and ch9, work 1dc into the next ch1sp. Now *ch7, then 1dc into the next ch2sp*. Repeat ** all the way around the mandala. Slip stitch into first ch2sp and fasten off. (16 spaces x 6 trs)

12 – Attach yarn into a ch7sp and ch3. (This acts as 1tr.) Work 8tr into the same ch7sp. Now work *9tr into the next ch7sp*. Repeat ** all the way around. Then slip stitch into first ch3 and fasten off. Woohoo you are finished.

And there you have it. All you need to do now is sew in all your ends and block your work. It’s important to block your work to ensure that the yarn relaxes & settles.

Well here’s to another year of PipsRainbow! I wonder what year 8 will bring.

Happy hooking.
🌈Xx

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 help. 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

(Don’t forget that this pattern is brought to you from PipsRainbow, it has not been tech edited, but all attempts have been made to ensure it is correct and easy to follow. It is only to be used for personnel use only and not to be shared or used to create items for profit. Thank you.)

Advent Patterns, Blogs, Patterns

Advent Wrapdigan – Part 3

January 22, 2023 No Comments

Well hello my lovely ones. How are we all? Good week? Usual bonkerness here, but all good. Seem to have got back into the swing of things now and found our feet again with all the comings and goings of family life. Took us a while, after all the Christmas jolliness! I’ve been loving seeing the Advent Wrapdigans grow. The colour difference between my two are mega. I can see myself and my daughter swopping between the two! DK on the left and 4ply on the right.

Right, so onto the pattern. Now that we have finished the main mandala. It is time to make the 4 triangular corners and attach them onto the main mandala. This will be the centre of the Wrapdigan complete then. And it will be time to move onto the little mandala squares.

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. Especially at this time of year. 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.

https://www.justgiving.com/page/pippa-morris-1666714185876

#crochetforcharity

Right now down to business..

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.

Home

Hook

4mm crochet hook

Notions –

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.

Triangular Corners – Make 4

Use a different colour for each row.

Row 1: Make a mr, 3ch, then work 3tr into the ring, then 2ch & work 4tr stitches into the ring. Then pull the tail tight and fasten off. (I tend to make a little knot here, to keep the mr closed.)

Row 2: Turn your work, attach new yarn into first tr stitch and 3ch. Then work 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each tr stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, 2ch, 1tr in the 2chsp. Work 1tr in each stitch in the row, finally working 2tr in the top of the 3ch from the previous row and fasten off.

Rows 3 – 9: In each row, turn your work, attach new yarn in first stitch, 3ch, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, 2ch, 1tr in the 2chsp. Work 1tr in each stitch in the row. Finally work 2tr in the top of the 3ch from the previous row and fasten off.

Row 10: Turn your work, attach the grey yarn in first tr stitch and 3ch, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, 2ch, 1tr in the 2chsp. Work 1tr in each stitch in the row. Work 2tr in the top of the 3ch from the previous row. Now work 2dc in the side of your last 1tr stitch in the previous row. [Then work 2dc in each side of your tr stitches.] Repeat 8 times. Then work 2dc in the mr, followed by [work 2dc in each side of your tr stitches.] Repeat 8 times, then ss into the first 3ch and fasten off.

Don’t forget to sew in all your ends, so you are all ready to attach your triangular corners onto your mandala.

Assembly Part 1 – Attaching your triangular corners onto the main mandala.

Round 28 – With your grey yarn, attach your triangular pieces to your main mandala, by placing one and the main mandala, right sides together, lining up the main mandala dtr stitches and the triangular corners dc stitches. Attach your grey yarn through both main mandala and triangular corner stitch by [working 1ch, then 1dc stitch through both stitches.]

Repeat this – working 1dc through both main mandala and triangular corner stitches to attach your triangular corner onto the main mandala. This is 38dc stitches in total. Now work 1tr in the next 33 stitches. Attach next triangular corner in the same way (Place one of your corner pieces and the main mandala, right sides together, in line with the next dtr stitch on the mandala. Work 1dc stitch through both the corner piece dc stitch and the mandala tr stitch. Repeat this to attach your corner. (38dc stitches in total) then work 1tr in next 26 stitches, then attach next corner in the same way and work 33tr stitches, then finally add last corner and work 26tr stitches and ss into first tr stitch on the first triangular corner piece you attached.

Round 29 – (Still working in the grey yarn) 2ch and work 1htr in the same stitch, then work 1htr in next tr stitch. Now work 23dc stitches, in 3chsp work 2dc, 1ch, 2dc. Then 25dc, finally working 1htr in last 2 stitches on the triangular corner and then work 1tr in next 2 stitches on the main mandala. Work 27dc, then 2dctog followed by 1tr in the last 2 stitches in the row. Now work 1htr in next 2tr stitches on the triangular corner, followed by 23dc, then in 3chsp work 2dc, 1ch, 2dc stitches. Then work 25dc, finally working 1htr in last 2 stitches on triangular corner piece. Then work 1tr in next 2 stitches on the main mandala followed by 20dc, then 2dctog. Then 1tr in the last 2 stitches on the mandala. Followed by 1htr in next 2 stitches on the triangular corner, then 23dc stitches and in 3chsp work 2dc, 1ch, 2dc stitches. Then 25dc and then 1htr in last 2 stitches on the triangular corner and then work 1tr in next 2 stitches on the mandala followed by 27dc, then 2dctog and 1tr in the last 2 stitches in the row. Followed by 1htr in next 2 stitches on the corner. Now work 23dc stitches, in 3chsp work 2dc, 1ch, 2dc stitches. Then 25dc, finally working 1htr in last 2 stitches on corner and then 1tr in next 2 stitches on the main mandala followed by 20dc then 2dctog stitches. Then 1tr in the last 2 stitches in the mandala then ss into the 2ch and fasten off.

Round 30 – Continuing with your grey yarn, attach into next 1chsp on the mandala and 1ch. Work 1dc in first stitch after 1chsp and then work 9dc then 2dc in next stitch. Now work [10dc, then 2dc in next stitch] repeat 7 times. Miss 1chsp, 2ch, then work 1dc in first stitch, then work 7dc then 2dc in the next stitch. Now work [8dc, 2dc in next stitch] Repeat 8 times. Then miss 1chsp and 2ch. Now work [1dc in the first stitch (after the 1chsp) then work 9dc, then 2dc in next stitch. Then [work 10dc, then 2dc in next stitch] repeat 7 times. Miss 1chsp and 2ch. Now work 1dc in next stitch and then 7dc, then 2dc in next stitch. Now work [8dc, then 2dc in next stitch] repeat 8 times. Miss 1chsp and 1ch and ss into first 1ch.

Round 31 – Now 1ch and work 1dc in first stitch, then 22dc, followed by 2dc in the next stitch then [23dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] Repeat 3 times. Now miss 2chsp, 2ch, then work 1dc in first dc stitch in the row, then work 7dc, then 2dc in next stitch. Now work [8dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] Repeat 9 times and miss 2chsp and 2ch. Now work 1dc in first stitch, then 22dc followed by 2dc in next stitch, [23dc, then 2dc in next stitch] Repeat 3 times. Now miss 2chsp then 2ch, then work 1dc in first dc stitch in the row, then work 7dc, then 2dc in next stitch. Now [8dc, then 2dc in next stitch.] Repeat 9 times and then miss 2chsp, work 2ch and finally ss into 1ch and fasten off.

You should now have 100 stitches on each side of your now square mandala. This is a good time to sew in all your ends. In Part 4 we will be making all of the mini square mandalas and as there are 24, this make take a few weeks.

Hope you all have a great week. Don’t forget to give me a shout with any queries.

Happy hooking all.
🌈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.

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