crocheted decoration – PipsRainbow

A Little Rainbow Love

April 11, 2020 No Comments

A rainbow… A sign of hope. A sky bridge of colour. A sign of a new beginnings. A time of change. A bridge that connects from one side of the earth to the other. A sign of love and togetherness. A symbol of being able to move from one place to another. From one situation to the other. Or just, a beautiful array of colours that make you smile.

Whatever a rainbow is to you, at the moment it is a sign that we are all in this together. We are all trying our best to get through it in the best way we can. And we are all as one, fighting, surviving and above all, hoping.

#staysafe #stayhome

With all this rainbow love in everyone’s window, I couldn’t resist coming up with this little rainbow mobile.

One that some little or big people for that matter, can spot in your window & make them smile. You could also make any of the rainbows individually and hang them up too. Can’t wait to see all your creations. The little one might look great on an Easter tree.

If anyone is just starting out in the world of crocheting, then here are some links to my beginner video tutorials.

Right then, so let’s look at the pattern.

Level – Easy

Supplies –

So these little rainbows, I have used a 3mm hook with about 20g of double knit yarn altogether. So you don’t need much of each colour. Great way to use up any little bits of yarn. I have used red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple and pink. You will also need some scissors, blunt ended needle, a little twig from the garden and some thin sewing thread.

Pips Tip –

Changing colour. When you need to change a colour you work your new yarn into the last stitch of the last round. So here I am changing colour from pink to purple.

I have worked the second to last stitch in the pink round and also I have worked the first part of the last stitch. So I am basically working the purple yarn through the last yarn over and pull through two loops in the double crochet stitch. You can see I have looped the purple yarn over the hook and then you need to pull both the pink and purple yarn through the last 2 loops.

Ok, so now that you have finished the pink yarn round, you can now fasten that off and just use the purple yarn. So now I need to work the slip stitch in the next round with my purple yarn, so to do this yarn over your hook.

Then pull through the loop.

And there you have it, you are now ready to carry on working your first 1dc and then work the next round.

Stitches –

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

Magic Ring – Fold over the yarn to make the loop. Insert your hook through the loop and grab the working yarn (long piece) and pull through the loop. Hold the tail and the working yarn and pull so that the knot tightens, but you still have a loop. This has created a magic ring.

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…

So for each rainbow I have used the same amount of colours, but the amount of rounds vary. So the large rainbow has 3 rounds of each colour, the medium rainbow has 2 rounds and the small has one.

Large Rainbow – 3 rounds of each colour

1 – Pink yarn – Make a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dc into the ring.

Then pull the tail tight. (3)

2 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6)

3 – Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

4 – Purple yarn. Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12)

5 – Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15)

6 – Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

7 – Blue yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

8 – Turn, ch1 then *6dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (24)

9 – Turn, ch1 then *7dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (27) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

10 – Green yarn. Turn, ch1 then *8dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (30)

11 – Turn, ch1 then *9dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (33)

12 – Turn, ch1 then *10dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (36) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

13 – Yellow yarn. Turn, ch1 then *11dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (39)

14 – Turn, ch1 then *12dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (41)

15 – Turn, ch1 then *13dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (44) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

16 – Orange yarn Turn, ch1 then *14dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (47)

17 – Turn, ch1 then *15dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (50)

18 – Turn, ch1 then *16dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (53) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

19 – Red yarn Turn, ch1 then *17dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (56)

7 – Turn, ch1 then *18dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (59)

7 – Turn, ch1 then *19dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (62)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends. Remember that you weave your ends through your work and then fasten off.

Medium – 2 rounds of each colour

1 – Pink yarn. Make a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dcc into the ring. Then pull the tail tight. (3)

2 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

3 – Purple yarn. Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9)

4 – Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

5 – Blue yarn. Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15)

6 – Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

7 – Green yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

8 – Turn, ch1 then *6dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (24) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

9 – Yellow yarn. Turn, ch1 then *7dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (27)

10 – Turn, ch1 then *8dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (30) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

11 – Orange yarn. Turn, ch1 then *9dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (33)

12 – Turn, ch1 then *10dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (36) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

13 – Red yarn. Turn, ch1 then *11dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (39)

14 – Turn, ch1 then *12dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (41)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends.

Small – 1 round of each colour.

1 – With your Pink yarn, maje a magic ring, ch1, then work 3dc into the ring. Then pull the tail tight. (3) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your purple yarn.

2 – Purple yarn Turn, ch1 then *2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (6) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your blue yarn.

3 – Blue yarn Turn, ch1 then *1dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (9) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your green yarn.

4 – Green yarn Turn, ch1 then *2dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (12) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your yellow yarn.

5 – Yellow yarn Turn, ch1 then *3dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (15) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your orange yarn.

6 – Orange yarn Turn, ch1 then *4dc, then 2dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (18) In the last stitch, finish the stitch (so the last yarn over and pull through) with your red yarn.

7 – Red yarn. Turn, ch1 then *5dc into each stitch.* Work ** 3 times. (21)

Now it’s time to fasten off your yarn and sew in all of your ends.

And there you have 3 little rainbows.

Ok so let’s talk blocking. Some of you may have never blocked any of your crochet work before, particularly if you mainly make crocheted toys. So blocking is a method which basically results in a smarter end product. It sets the wool in place. Which with a little project like ours, definitely needs doing. The photo below is my little rainbow before it was been blocked. Can you see how it’s curling up at the edges.

So all you need to do is wet your project using a bit of warm water and then using your hands, spread the rainbow out flat onto your little spongy mat and pin it in place.

This gives you the option to mould the rainbow into the exact shape you want.

So as it dries it will set the yarn, giving you a rather smart little rainbow once it’s dried. Takes a day or so.

All you need to do now is assemble the mobile. So to do this I used a little twig from the garden and some sewing thread. Now you could use anything as the twig bit, a lolly pop stick maybe, it’s totally up to you. Using your sewing thread, attach your thread to the top of the medium sized rainbow and then to the bottom left of the large rainbow. Then do the same with the little rainbow to the right side.

For mine I just did a little knot at either end, so that it was secure and then sew in the ends, so that it’s hard to see. Now for the large rainbow, you need to do the same, but attach 2 ends at either side of the top of the arch and then secure it to the twig/stick.

Then you just need a little loop at the top.

It’s a little fiddly this stage, but once you’ve managed it, you will have a beautiful rainbow mobile for your window. Happy days.

As always, if there are any questions or queries, please do not hesitate to ask. Can’t wait to see all of your creations. Don’t forget to share them.

Stay safe everyone. Stay home.

Happy hooking.
🌈Xx

(Free pattern designed and brought to you by PipsRainbow. Thank you for not copying or recreating it. ☺️Xx)

Patterns

Christmas Tree Decoration Pattern

December 7, 2017 No Comments

A little something extra for Christmas

It’s not long now chaps!! Can’t believe how quick it’s come round this year!! It’s crazy! We literally have a couple of weeks till the big day and less till the little elves in our lives break up from school too!! I actually thought I was quite organised this year! My shopping list has been getting relatively smaller over the past few weeks. I had quite a big blast in October just before our two little one’s birthdays. I think because their birthdays are only two days apart and kind of near to Christmas, I had a big splurge on getting everything. But the to do list of making, still seems to be rather large! I’m not sure how, but recently things have been added which wasn’t the plan at all!! So starting to get a little bit panicky about it all! I know I will get it all finished in the end, but my time to finish things is getting smaller and smaller. There is definitely a need to prioritise now! Do I get things finished first that will be quick or do I finish the big jobs first?!? It’s a tough one! This is when I wish I had started everything a lot earlier in the year! I say it every year, but I never do. It always seems to catch me out for some reason!

So thinking about presents and things, I realised I needed to make some decorations to give to people. I love giving presents and especially crocheted ones. But it’s also nice to add a little crocheted present onto something else.

Now I’ve seen lots of different crocheted christmas tree decorations in my time. Some fat ones, some tall ones and some with lots of layers. But not really one that was flat & used simple treble stitches. So I had a little play and this is what I came up with. It’s so much fun making up a new pattern. My only problem is how messy my scribbles are, when writing down the pattern. I wish I was neater, but I’m usually frantically scribbling it down, before I forget or trying to change what I’ve written as the pattern hasn’t worked!

Now as this is a little bit of a long winded pattern, with quite a few stitches, I haven’t included a photo for each part. As I think it would be a little bit crazy to follow and I’m sure you guys would get sick of the same thing!! So I’ve just included photos for each stage. Now if you do find you get stuck, please don’t hesitate to shout and I can show you what I mean.

Stitches –

(Don’t forget that all the stitches on pipsrainbow are using the UK crocheting terminology. If you need help translating them to American, then just let me know.)

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 into 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.

Using multiply strands of yarn – when I use more than one ball of yarn together I literally just grab the two or three ends of each ball and place them together in between my fingers. Then start crocheting as if they are one. The photo below is showing you 2 strands of dk yarn in a magic ring.

Supplies –

My little tree shown above is made with multi strands of yarn. So it uses a ball of cotton dk and a ball of wool dk in the colours of yellow, green and brown. So you will need a 7mm crochet hook, blunt ended tapestry needles and some scissors.

You can also make my little tree smaller, by just using one strand of dk wool. So again you will just need wool or cotton dk yarn in yellow, green and brown and you can use a 4mm hook. (The pattern below is using one strand of dk wool.)

So here we go 😁…

The tree itself.

1 – Make a magic ring and chain 3 into the ring. Now treble (tr) x 2, chain 3, tr x 3, chain 3, tr x 3 and then slip stitch (ss) into the original chain and pull the non working yarn to pull the ring together.

2 – Now for the next round chain 1, tr x 3 into the space, chain 3, tr x 3 into the same space, chain 1, tr x 3 into the next space, chain 3, tr x 3 into same space, chain 1, tr x 3 into the next space, chain 3, tr x 3 into same space, chain 1 then ss into the original chain.

3 – This is the start of the last round. So chain 2, ss into next space, chain 2, tr, dtr x 2, chain 3, dtr x 2, tr, chain 2 and slip stitch into the same space.

4 – Now chain 2 and work tr x 4 into the next space, then ss into the same space.

5 – Ok so now chain 2 and work tr x 3 into the next space, chain 3, tr x 3 into the same space, then ss into the same space.

6 – Now for the base of the tree chain 2, then work htr x 3 into the next space, then chain 2. Now ss into the next space.

7 – This is the other side of the tree now, so work tr x 3 into next space, chain 3, tr x 3 into the same space. Then chain 2 and ss into next space.

8 – For the last space work tr x 4, then ss into same space, then ss into the original chain, fasten off and weave in the two ends.

And there you have it. The branches of a little Christmas tree.

Now for the trunk.

Turn your tree so that the top of the tree faces down and locate the 4 centre stitches of the base you previously created. Now make a slip knot on your hook with the new brown yarn and take the yarn off your hook. Now push your hook through the first of the 4 stitches, place the slip knot back onto your hook, pull the non working yarn tight, then pull back through the stitch.

Now chain 5 which will give you the height for the next stitches.

Now in the next stitch, dtr, then dtr again in the next stitch. Now finish the trunk by working chain 5 and ss into the next stitch, fasten off and weave in ends.

Now every tree needs a star.

Magic ring, *chain 1, htr, chain 3, htr and slip stitch into the ring*. Repeat ** 4 more times then fasten off.

To finish off, pull the non working yarn tail tight to pull the ring closes and creates the star.

Don’t forget to use the ends to attach the star to the top of the tree by using a blunt ended tapestry needle then weave them in. And there you have it!

I hope you enjoy making these as much as I have. They are so quick and easy to make and lovely to add that little bit of something extra to someone’s Christmas.

Wishing everyone the best of luck for the next weeks finishing, crocheting, buying, decorating, writing & posting duties. It’ll all be worth it on the 25th!!

Don’t forget I am always here if you need any help with anything.

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈 xx