2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 43 – Woven Stitch

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Woven Stitch

Ooo half term!! And relax!! A week of no school runs, after school activities, taxi services, alarms… just some serious family snuggles and fun!! Yey! Can’t wait. It does feel very late this year though! Usually it was last week. Well definitely not complaining.

So you may have noticed a little Master Rudolf in the picture above!! Now I know it’s not Christmas yet, but I couldn’t resist putting this little guy on here just in case anyone was tempted by him and wanted to start early. You will find his pattern in the pattern section, if you would like to make him.

My friend has had the most ingenious idea of making Master Rudolf in 3 different sizes. Small, medium and large, one each for her daughter’s! Such a lovely idea. They are all going to have different coloured noses too. She’s using my multi strand idea, so large will be 3 strands of dk, medium is 2 strands and small is 1 strand. But you can always just use Chunky, Aran and DK wool. Can’t wait to see them. Will definitely post a picture when she’s finished.

So how are we all? The weather is definitely changing. I wonder how long I will survive without my big coat. It’s a bit early to snuggle up in it yet, I am sure!! I do think I am one of those that struggle with the cold. Well not exactly struggle with the weather being cold, but I feel the cold more. It definitely doesn’t help with pains and joints. Gloves are a go go and I reckon I might whip up some wrist warmers to wear too. I’ve got loads of ideas for different projects for next year. Can’t wait to share them with you all. Wrist warmers will definitely be on the list to do.

My christmas and birthday to do list is still rather long. I do feel like I am ticking them off though. I’m still on a hat mission for my father-in-law and I nearly forgot, I started my Dad’s socks the other day. This is some magnificent 4ply sock yarn from the wonderful West Yorkshire Spinners. It’s the bird range, think this one is Bluetit. Can’t wait to see how it hooks up with my sock pattern. I’m still a little way off from publishing the pattern, but I promise I will get it on here as soon as possible!!

I had a definitely lucky yarn moment the other day. One of our local yarn shops has moved yarny homes to the Mitchell’s Centre near Sutton. The lovely Knitting Corner. It’s such a magnificent shop with the nicest people in there!! They have lots of knit and natter sessions and even Ginit nights too, which definitely consists of drinking gin and yarny activities!! So they have been posting about the utterly scrummy West Yorkshire Spinner limited edition sock yarn!! It’s called fairy lights and it’s oh so lovely!! I knew it was a must have!! I bought last years candy cane edition, so knew this years was a must! Well I don’t know how I managed it but I got the last one!! Apparently it’s sold out everywhere now!! Can’t believe it!! I feel like a kid with the latest toy craze!! The Knitting Corner have made these fab kits, with the free knitting pattern and a contrast toe and heel colour!! Really can’t wait to get stuck into this one, but trying to decide if I wait for the Christmas holidays to enjoy it. It’s a tricky one? Would be a nice project to start on Boxing Day.

Right so we had better get onto this weeks stitch. It’s  called the Woven Stitch and is made up of double crochet and chain stitches. It’s ever so simple and works up ever so quickly. Lovely in a pale colour so you can really see the stitch layout. In the first row I have reduced the stitch count, as we had a few extra stitches with those extra chain stitches we worked in for the Paired Popcorn stitches.

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.

Supplies –

This week I have used a lovely dusty pale pink from the organic cotton Debbie Bliss Range. Now I know I have only used one other cotton yarn in this blanket, but I just had to make an exception with this one as it is so soft and given to me by my Mum. So as always you will need about 30g of double knit yarn, 4mm crochet hook, some scissors and a blunt ended tapestry needle.

Ok so here we go…

1 – So in this first row, we need to reduce the stitch count again. At the minute we have 233 and it needs to be back down to 200. So to do this we are going to work dc stitches across the row, but missing every other chain stitch. So start by attaching your new yarn on to the wrong side of your blanket and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch and then 1dc in the next 2 stitches. Now miss 1 chain. This is where the arrow is pointing.

Then work 1dc in the next 2 stitches, 1 chain stitch and then 3 stitches. So basically you are working 6 stitches in total. Then once again miss 1 chain stitch. This is where the arrow is pointing.

Now repeat the process across the row. So repeat *work 1dc in the next 6 stitches and then miss 1 chain stitch* to the end of the row.

After the last missed chain stitch, work 1 dc in the next 5 stitches. We have now reduced the stitch count by 33 stitches. (200)

2 – Ok so turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1 dc in the same stitch. Now we are going to chain 1 and then miss a stitch and then work 1dc in the next stitch.

*Now chain 1, miss a stitch and then work 1dc in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** across the row.

In the last 3 stitches of the row, chain 1, miss 1 stitch, work 1dc in the next and last stitch. (200)

3 – Right then so turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. So now you need to chain 1 and miss 1 stitch and then work 1dc in the ch1sp. This is where the arrow is pointing.

So now *chain 1, miss 1 stitch and work 1dc in the ch1sp.* Repeat this ** across the row.

When you get to the end of the row, work 1dc in the last ch1sp and then simply work 1dc in the last stitch. (200)

4 – Ok so final row. Turn your blanket and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the same stitch. Now this row is a repeat of row 3. So *chain 1, miss 1dc and then work 1dc in the ch1sp.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

After the last dc in the ch1sp, work 1dc in the last stitch. And this completes your row. (200)

And there we have the very simple, yet lovely Woven Stitch. With all these wonderful stitches, it amazes me how a slight tweak with positioning of stitches and you have a totally different look and feel!! Don’t you just love crocheting!!

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈Xx

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2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 33 – Extended Half Treble

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Extended Half Treble

Well what do you reckon to this little guy. May I introduce Diego. He was a prize from a competition, run by the wonderful inahurry website owned by my lovely friends. They are a fabulous website which enables you to find great gifts for children and babies, in a hurry. What a brilliant concept. Definitely worth knowing this one. I reckon we’ve all been in that situation when you need something for a little bod in your life and don’t have time to surf the web for hours on end! I know sometimes we have children’s parties that can creep up on us. Well here’s the answer. Welcome to The Busy Parents Club!!

So the reason he is sitting on my blanket, is because my lovely friend asked me to hand embroider the chosen name from the competition winner on his little paw. Rather chuffed with the outcome. Loving the colour combo of Mr Diego, so just had to carry it through to the name tag.

And as a result, I then just had to use this fab colour in this weeks blanket! What do you think? I’m loving it. I reckon the powdery blue works really well with that dark blue and deep red! I wonder if it would be a good colour combo for a boys blanket? Now there’s a thought! Well hope Diego has found his way to his new home and his owner is keeping him safe and happy.

So on to the wonderful world of crocheting. Oooo did everyone have a happy #grannysquareday2018 this week? It crept up on me this year, so it was a quick rummage through the yarn basket and hey presto a rainbow granny square was born. I couldn’t not do a rainbow one now could I!! I used purely Sublime wool, which you all know I just love!! It’s mega soft. It’s currently being used as a rather nice mat on my bedside table for my watch and glasses. Thinking it might just have to stay!!

So once again, another week has passed by of our wonderful 6 week holiday! Can’t quite believe how quick it’s gone!! It seems to have been quite a full week, with one thing or another. But all good. We’ve had some good walks into town, with one trip involving us bumping into 11 people we knew!!! Not bad going for a half an hour town trip!! I only wanted to pick up new school uniform and some toothpaste! Love it!! Wouldn’t have it any other way! I did sneak in a quick trip to the wonderful Melbourne Coffee Bar in Lichfield. They do the most amazing coffee and the lady who runs it is just lovely!! She makes the most amazing turmeric drink! Fab for anyone that suffers with pain – I think she even makes a porridge too! Well she was rather chuffed with my purple reusable cup that gets taken most places with me. So it ended up being famous on her Instagram page!! Yey!!! Happy days!!! Don’t forget to visit if you are next in town!

Love our route into town, we walk past these mega reeds. They are so elegant, with their height and strong colour!! My daughter was fascinated by them. I wonder if you could crochet one! Now that would be a challenge.

This weekend we had a lovely trip to Baddesley Clinton. It’s a beautiful old house surrounded by a moat. The lovely volunteers were ever so nice in there, helping my daughter with her trail. And the gardens are just exceptional!

I had serious rainbow flowers envy!! Look at those colours!!! Just incredible!!

Talking about colours!! So this week I had a peak at all my sock yarn. Couldn’t resist making this little pile of socky yarn loveliness!! I reckon I’ve got enough to keep me going for a while!! Most of these were from one of my fabulous local yarn shops The Knitting Corner – they’ve not only got West Yorkshire Spinners, but Opal and Sirdar. A few of the others are from WoolWarehouse and not forgetting the super wool festival I went to Woolj13 in May! (Can’t wait to go back there again.)

So on to the blanket. Hmm, August seems to be turning into the Half Treble month! So last week we saw the lovely Paired Half Treble stitch. Which was a super textured little stitch and easy to work up. This week I have chosen the Extended Half Treble Stitch. (ExHtr) It’s ever so easy to do, it’s basically your usual Half Treble Stitch with an extra little bit at the beginning. So nothing to worry about. I bet you will whip this up in no time. Hope you like it!

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.

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.

Extended Half Treble (Exhtr) – So to work this stitch, yarn over your hook, insert into the stitch, yarn over your hook again and pull back through the stitch. (3 loops on your hook) Ok so yarn over your hook and pull through the first loop. Now yarn over your hook again and pull through all 3 loops.

Supplies –

So this week I have chosen a wonderful powdery blue from my all time favourite snuggly soft Sublime range. Oh I just love this wool. It’s an incredible mix of a baby cashmere, merino and silk. It’s a fab ‘go to’ double knit wool, that is just mega to work with. You roughly need about 30g/40g of yarn. Don’t forget your scissors, blunt ended tapestry needle and of course your 4mm crochet hook.

Ok so here we go …

1 – Right then, start by attaching your new yarn on the right side of your blanket and chain 3. (This acts as 1htr.) *Now work 1Exhtr in your first stitch. To do this yarn over your hook, insert into the stitch, yarn over your hook again and pull back through the stitch. (3 loops on your hook)

Ok so yarn over your hook and pull through the first loop. (3 loops on your hook)

Now yarn over your hook again and pull through all 3 loops.* And that finishes your first Extended Half Treble stitch.

Now continue along the row with 1Exhtr repeating ** across the row.

Finishing with 1Exhtr in thr last stitch. (200)

2 – Ok so row 2. Start by turning your blanket and chaining 3. (This acts as 1htr.) Now work 1Exhtr in the first stitch.

Right so now work 1Exhtr in each stitch across the row, finishing with 1Exhtr in the last stitch. (200)

3 – For the last row, turn your blanket and chain 3. (This acts as 1htr.) Now work 1Exhtr in the first stitch then 1Exhtr in each stitch across the row, finishing with 1Exhtr in the last stitch. (200)

And there you have the Extended Half Treble Stitch. I do think it’s a handy one to know and gives you a different variation on a well known stitch. Hope you’ve enjoyed this weeks instalment of Year of the Stitches.

Happy hooking everyone!

🌈Xx

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