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Crochet can talk.

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Yeah ok, so I know that seems a little weird and you are probably thinking that I am a little bonkers. But it is totally true. Ok, let me explain.

Many of you know that I love a good waiting room crochet. I can’t help it. I am in a waiting room, everyone else is on their phones surfing the net and what do I do, I crochet. (Well, knit now too, mainly socks! Love knitting socks!) But yeah, I am usually crocheting. For me it is a little moment in time, where I can’t do any washing or put the dinner on or any work – just crochet! So every opportunity I have, I take.

Now, my latest waiting room moment, was for a new set of tyres for my car. Not the kind of place that you would find many fellow crocheters, but alas, I was there and I had half an hour to spare. There was only me, my crochet hook, Abby’s gorgeous advent yarn and the guy behind the desk. So a few moments went by of crocheting heaven & all of a sudden the guy behind the desk asks if I am knitting. I reply that it is crocheting and that it is a little different to knitting. Well that was it, he was off, asking all sorts of questions about how I did it, did I sell my work, how long does it take. Crazy! He found PipsRainbow on his computer and was rather impressed. Couldn’t believe it really. I was so taken a back. I have had a few people talk to me about it before and how their grannie used to crochet or such like. But never someone who was so intrigued by PipsRainbow itself. He then started telling me about the NFTs and how they worked. Now I can safely say that I have never heard of this term before. So as always, wiki to the rescue:

Non-fungible token

A non-fungible token (NFT) is a non-interchangeable unit of data stored on a blockchain, a form of digital ledger, that can be sold and traded.[1] Types of NFT data units may be associated with digital files such as photos, videos, and audio. Because each token is uniquely identifiable, NFTs differ from blockchain cryptocurrencies, such as Bitcoin.

Apparently this is something that I really should look into. I’m still rather confused by what it all means, but I can safely say that I am looking into it. Bless the guy, he wrote it all down for me and explained who to follow. So I am to report back, next time the truck needs new tyres as to how I am getting on. Haha, it’s like having homework.

Tell you what though, it really made me realise, how we can pass people in streets, sit next to them in waiting rooms and never speak or even make eye contact. Yet we get out a ball of wool and a crochet hook and we can have a half an hour conversation with a complete stranger, who proceeds to give you advice for your website and creations. Wow. It really took me by surprise. What a genuine human being he was. He made me feel like PipsRainbow really mattered. Interesting that a guy that I haven’t met before, can give me a bit of a much needed boost of confidence and belief in what I do. And at the end of the day, when we are striped back to our basics as humans, all we really need and want, is to just have a little chat with someone. It totally made my day! So moral of my little story is:

1 – Crochet can totally talk! See, it obviously sent intrigiuing signals to the guy at the garage.

2 – Totally put down your phone every once in a while and just have a chat with a complete stranger. You never know, you might make their day too!

And on that note, it’s time to walk my little pup.

Happy Hooking Chaps.

Have a great weekend.

🌈Xx

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Free Downloadable Patterns

Anyone for an Advent Pattern?

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Well chaps, I have been drooling over this year’s advent calendar from Abby at Orchidean Luxury Yarn and wondering what to create. So couldn’t resist sharing last years creation with you. I have worn this little lady, for most of this year. Yep, sun and snow, wind and rain, it seems to have been with me.

Soot the rainbow blanket on the beach..

Possibly has become my comfort blanket, but let’s not get into that! Haha.

This year’s colours are so incredible. They are rich and vibrant and I am sure will create a mega shawl for me daughter. She is so excited. I wrapped up Abby’s advent under the tree.

She couldn’t believe her eyes on Christmas Day that she will be getting a rainbow shawl. Just need to let the creating cogs get going on that one. (And finish a pair of advent socks, before hand.) Here’s the link for Abby’s next years advent. You can clink the link to notify you when it’s up for preorder.

https://luxuryyarns.co.uk/product-category/special-offers/seasonal/

I will be creating & writing up a pattern for this year’s advent soon, but until then, here is the pattern and then as a printable download too.

The pattern follows an 8 row repeat, creating a beautiful & elegant shawl. 

Now I have used Abby’s advent from last year for this one, but you can use any advent yarn that you have or even use some of your own yarn stash. It would be a great shawl to use up odds & ends with. Ooo, think of the possibilities. Exciting.

Right, here we go.

Level â€“ Medium

Yarn â€“ 450g of 4ply yarn. You can use any colour way that you like. I decided to create mine into a rainbow effect using my advent yarn, but you can work it up in any colour way that you like. (It even goes well in one variegated colour.)

Hook

4mm crochet hook

Notions –

Scissors, darning needle for sewing in ends.

Finished size –

Wingspan – 280cm  Centre spine depth – 120cm

It uses 13 times 8 row repeats plus border. (You can create this scarf in any size you like. Just adapt the pattern by using increasing or decreasing the number of 8 row repeats.) 

Free Printable Downloadable –

Advent Shawl

Fasten off – slip stitch into the last stitch you have worked, pull through & cut yarn.

Attach yarn â€“ Insert hook into the stitch, new yarn over hook & pull through the stitch. 

Abbreviations – 

mr – Magic Ring 

ch – Chain 

ch2sp – Chain 2 Space 

dc – Double Crochet 

htr – Half Treble Crochet

blhtr – Back Loop Half Treble Crochet

tr – Treble Crochet

bltr –Back Loop Treble Crochet 

Pattern – 

1 – Make a mr, ch3, then work 3tr into the ring, then ch2 & work 4tr stitches into the ring. Then pull the tail tight. (I tend to make a little knot here, to keep the mr closed.)

2 – Turn your work, ch3, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each tr stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Work 1tr in each stitch in the row, finally working 2tr in the top of the ch3 from the previous row.

3 – Turn your work, ch3, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Work 1tr in each stitch in the row. Finally work 2tr in the top of the ch3 from the previous row.

4 – 7 (4 rows) *Turn your work, ch3, 2bltr in the first stitch, then 1bltr each stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Work 1bltr in each stitch. Finally work 2bltr in the top of the ch3 from the previous row.* Work ** four times.

8 – Turn your work, ch3, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each stitch in the row. Then work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Now work 1tr in each stitch in the row. Finally work 2tr in the top of the ch3 from the previous row.

9 – Turn your work, ch3, work 2tr in the first stitch. *Now ch1, miss 1 stitch & work 1tr in the next stitch.* Work ** across the row. Then work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Now work 1tr in the first stitch. *Now ch1, miss 1 stitch & work 1tr in the next stitch.* Work ** across the row. Work 2tr in the top of the ch3 from the previous row.  

10 – Turn your work & ch3.  Now work 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in the next 2 stitches. Work 1tr in the first ch1sp. *Now work 1tr in the next stitch & in the next ch1sp.* Work ** across the row. Finish the row with 1tr in the last 2 stitches. Work 1tr, ch2, 1tr in the ch2sp. Then work 1tr in the first stitch in the row. *Now work 1tr in the next stitch, then 1tr in the next ch1sp.* Work ** across the row. Finish the row by working 1tr in the last 2 stitches, then 2tr in the top of ch3 from the previous row. 

Now it’s time to repeat the last 8 rows. So repeat rows 3 – 10, 12 more times.

Border – 

1 – 2 (2 rows) *Turn your work, ch3, 2tr in the first stitch, then 1tr in each stitch. Then in the ch2sp work 1tr, ch2, 1tr. Now work 1tr in each stitch in the row. Finally work 2tr in the top of the chain 3 from the previous row.* Work ** twice. 

3 – Now turn your work, ch1, 2dc in the first stitch, then 1dc in each stitch. Work 1dc, ch2, 1dc in the ch2sp. Now work 1dc in each stitch in the row. Finally work 2dc in the top of the chain 3 from the previous row.

4 – This is your final row. Turn your work, ch2 & work 2blhtr in the first stitch, then work 1blhtr in each stitch in the row. Work 1htr, ch2, 1htr in the ch2sp. Now work 1blhtr into each stitch in the row, finally working 2blhtr in the top of the chain 1 from the previous row.

Finishing off –

Now it’s time to sew in your ends using a darning needle & block your finished shawl. I tend to use sponge floor tiles and long headed/T pins for this. 

I really hope you have enjoyed this pattern. My Advent Shawl comes everywhere with me. It has been used as a shawl, scarf, a blanket to keep little ones warm & even in a rescue mission with a dog lead once! Don’t ask!! Haha, you can safely say that I love it & will be treasured forever. 

Care – When washing, ensure you follow the instructions on the label of the yarn you are using & be as gentle as you can. Once gently washed, I will always reshape mine back into place. 

Don’t forget to share any pics with us of your fabulous shawl on the good old fashioned net. Tag us in on Instagram, Facebook, You Tube & Twitter @pipsrainbow & #pipsrainbow.    

Happy hooking. Xx 

(Please note this pattern has been test crocheted, but not tech edited. But every attempt has been made for it to be easy to follow and free from mistake. It is for personal use only. Any questions, happy to help.)

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