2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 30 – Ridged String Network

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Ridged String Network

Holibobs!!! Well what a week. We have been on what I can probably call – our yearly trip to Cornwall. And oh have we had fun. It’s been such a fun, family filled holiday. It’s one of those, when the main aim of the holiday is to chill, yet you cram in as much adventure as possible. We did chill, but only as much as you can with two little bods in tow!

We spent the week in Talland Bay, which is terribly picturesque! It has a little beach, with a wonderful Beach Cafe and lots of little coves and rock pools that need exploring.

One of the days, we headed out on the coastal path to Polperro, which is a quaint little coastal town. We first came across it in February last year, when we stayed in the area. It has a lovely little cafe at the top of the harbour. Couldn’t resist a croissant/cappuccino stop here, after a rather long walk.

It’s definitely worth a visit, if you are in the area.

Have you ever been crabbing? My daughter was so excited when we went. She managed to catch a whopping 13 crabs, but apparently my sister has caught 24!! So we have some catching up to do!

So this week, I have been concentrating on my 4ply sock pattern. Think it’s coming along. The first sock, wasn’t so good. It seemed rather long and the heel was a little weird, but this second one seems better. So hope I can get it published for you guys as soon as possible. I am really hoping to make them for birthday pressies and Christmas pressies. But we shall see. (Note the very sandy crocheting picture below – goodness sand gets everywhere, doesn’t it!)

Think I need to get an order in with HeyJayYarn, so I can make some more super soft sock yarn.

A certain little Uni Unicorn had her first adventure this week. She definitely had quite a few trips to the beach. Makes me so happy when a little PipsRainbow creation is loved and cherished so much. Apparently, another little Uni Unicorn went on their holibobs the other day too. Love how they are finding their way in the world.

Now, just look at that window. This was in our local Beach Cafe in Talland Bay. It definitely stopped me for six!!

I mean, what a view. I walked in and there it was!!! A place to sit, drink tea, eat a few cream teas and above all, crochet!!! I mean, there was even a vase of crocheted flowers in the corner – what could be more perfect!

It just screamed sit down and crochet!

As a family of four, we sat down and shared a bowl of ice cream. My daughter was in her element, slurping and licking yummy ice cream and my son, well, he knows what ice cream is now and was trying every which way to try and sample this creamy delight. Oh and did I mention that he was trying to escape out the window at the same time as well. Haha! What is he like – my little explorer. It was at this moment, when another family of four walked past. Two boys, a dad and his wife. The two kids were screaming for ice cream, the dad was laden down with all sorts of beach fanalia and all the mum wanted was a family photo!! Haha – the dad looked across into the window and caught my eye – within a split second, he had made a facial expression to me of what can only be described as – ‘REALLY – she wants to capture this moment!!!’ Haha, bless him. He was not impressed and seemed to realise that I knew how he felt!! Funny. Amazing how a simple look can communicate something to a complete stranger. I looked back and gave him that knowing smile!!! She took her photo, with all 3 of them being grumpy and off they went!! She was happy, at least.

Well in that moment, I looked at my happy little family, sharing their ice cream and giggling. I looked out of the window at the view and I was so utterly utterly thank you of them and my family holiday. There was definitely no grumpiness here. It was in this moment – I vowed to myself, I would come back and sit in this window one day with my latest project and crochet hook. Whether it be on a family holiday, with the kids in the water, splashing away happily or one of them is sitting beside me or even just with my most dearest, most wonderfullest husband in the world, sitting beside me. I will come back here to crocheted. Promise made – July 2018.

Another little place we visited was a little harbour called Mevagissey. It was a quaint little place.

Loving the little boats and all the different colours and boat names. Some people have some funny ideas about boat names. One was called Girl Rachel. I mean, surely everyone knows that Rachel is a girls name!!! Funny!!! I reckon PipsRainbow would be a good name for a boat, wouldn’t it!!!

Does anyone else have a project that just keeps on going? I can’t seem to finish this one. It’s my Seaside Shawl. I’ve realised that I only seem to work on it, when I’m near the sea. I reckon I should keep it that way. It will truly be my Seaside Shawl then. This week, it found its way out on to Harlyn Bay. Now, I say it made its way out – it was literally minutes!!! It was pouring down and the wind was about 25mph! Luckily on shore! When I took this picture the ball of wool kept falling over, it was that windy!!! But yeah I managed a couple of stitches, whilst a little lady and her daddy were catching waves and my little man was having fun pretending to drive his Daddy’s car!! Maybe, the next beach this little Seaside Shawl sees, I might have chance to crochet a few rows instead of stitches!!

So, think we had better get onto the blanket.

Supplies –

So once again I have used wool from the lovely Rowan range. It’s a stunning deep red colour. I was hoping it would represent my feelings and love and luckiness that we have had a super family holiday together. It’s so very precious isn’t it. I think so many people I know seem to take family holidays for granted or think it’s their right to go on holiday!! Well I for one, feel extremely lucky to have had this week, with just us 4. We have chilled, enjoyed each other’s company and had some super adventures!!! Just what a summer holiday should be about!! Happy days.

So once again you will need about 30-40g of double knit yarn and not forgetting your 4mm crochet hook, scissors and blunt ended tapestry needle to sew in the ends.

Stitches –

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

Back Loop Double Crochet – So basically to work a back loop double crochet, you need to insert your hook into the back loop only of the next stitch, then yarn over, as usual, pull through and the yarn over and pull the 2 loops. (So basically it’s a double crochet stitch, but workin th first part of the stitch in th from part only.)

Ridged String Network – This stitch is a very simple stitch. So basically you chain 3, miss 3 stitches and then work 1dc in the back loop of the next stitch. It’s as simple as that.

Ok so here we go …

1 – Attach your yarn and chain 1 onto the right side of your blanket. Work 1dc in the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the 1tr stitch in the row below.*

Repeat ** across the row.

Work 1dc in the last tr stitch in the row. (200)

2 – Turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch.

*Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this **across the whole row.

Finishing by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

3 – Repeat row 2. So turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. Finish by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

4 – Repeat row 2. So turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. Finish by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

5 – Repeat row 2. So turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. Finish by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

6 – Repeat row 2. So turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. Finish by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

7 – Repeat row 2. So turn your work and chain 1. Then work 1dc in the back loop of the same stitch. *Now chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1dc in the back loop of the dc stitch from the row below.* Repeat this ** across the whole row. Finish by working 1dc in the back loop of the last dc stitch in the row below. (200)

And there you have the lovely Ridged String Network stitch. Hope you have enjoyed this one. I reckon it would bea great stitch fro a shopping bag of some description – hmmm, now that needs thinking about …

Happy hooping everyone.

🌈Xx

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2018 CAL - Year of the Stitches Blanket

Year of the Stitches Week 29 – Bar & Lattice Stitch

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Bar and Lattice Stitch

Summer holidays!!!! Woooohooooo!!!! 6 whole weeks with my little girl at home with me! Yay!!! Her brother is going to love having a play mate around. They get on ever so well, considering there is quite a gap between them. I think it’s probably down to my daughter’s unwavering patience and kindness. She really is fantastic with him and I can see why he follows her around and wants to do whatever she is doing!! Bless them.

So this summer, for me, I am hoping to perfect my 4ply sock pattern. There are some gorgeous 4ply knitting sock yarn around now and not really many patterns for crocheting them. Not sure why – guessing it’s because most people revert to knitting for socks, well challenge set and accepted! And I think I am doing well so far. It’s coming along nicely. The yarn I am using is from the most incredible HeyJayYarn. I’ve said it before and I will say it again – it’s some of the best sock yarn I have ever come across!! Maybe even the best!!! It’s so soft and just beautiful to work with. I have promised my Dad some already. Better get ordering some hadn’t I.

What do you think – just need to do the leg and the cuff at the top. This is the pair that I keep trying on my barefoot when I am out in public and get all sorts of funny looks! My problem will be when I need to design for different sizes – hoping my husband will be obliging with his foot! I’m sure Dad wouldn’t mind either. The skeleton of the pattern is from my slipper sock design, so hopefully any of you that has made those, will find this pattern quite easy. Well – that’s the plan anyway! So fingers crossed I can get this pattern perfected and written up for you guys. I know I’m wanting this one for Christmas pressies!

So this week my daughter finished another year at school. Another milestone in her little life. There was definitely a few parents feeling rather emotional about it all. They are only little for such a brief time and I know she will be flying off on her own adventures and spreading those wings of hers in the not so distant future. But by golly I am going to cherish every minute that she is under my wing before then.

As a thank you to the teachers that had her this year, I made them both Smiles Mini Monster. I think I showed you those last week. But when I spoke to her teacher, apparently her own children had been rather upset that Smiles was going back into school next year! Well, on hearing this, my daughter straight away was tugging on my sleeve, informing me that we needed to go home quickly so that I could make 2 more Smiles for the teacher’s children!!! Bless her! A heart of gold that one – but nothing like being put to work by her!! Haha! So here they are. Rather chuffed with the lilac coloured hair addition for the little girl.

Oh and what do you reckon to my PipsRainbow labels!! Looking quite good me thinks!!

On a totally different teaching/education note, these little toasty numbers we’re given to my old Head teacher who retired on Friday. She was such an incredible Headteacher. She always seemed to know, what to say and what to do. I will never forget her saying ‘If you were the parent – how would this make you feel?’ She was so right. It’s so different being on the other side of the fence. Definitely taking me a while to get used to going parent evening appointments, instead of giving them! Well anyway, here’s to a super retirement and some toasty toes on all your adventures.

Hope you have all had good weeks or in our case, last week of the school year!! Did you all enjoy last weeks Iris stitch? It was good, wasn’t it. Hope you enjoy this week – it’s an offer week this week! Well it’s 2 for the price of one stitch. These 2 go hand in hand with each other, so seemed daft not to introduce them together. They are called the Bar and Lattice Stitches. You’ll see why when you work them up.

Supplies –

Oooo, I have used one seriously deep, forestry green yarn this week. It’s from the wonderful Rowan range and it’s lovely and soft and keeps a super shape. Just right for this weeks Bar and Lattice stitches. Once again you will need about 30-40g of double knit yarn and not forgetting your 4mm crochet hook, scissors and blunt ended tapestry needle to sew in the ends.

Stitches –

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

Bar Stitch – The Bar stitch is a very simple stitch. So basically you chain 3, miss 3 stitches and then work 1tr in the next stitch. It’s as simple as that. (And basically it looks like a bar!!!!)

Lattice Stitch – Start by chaining 2, miss 1 chain/stitch, work 1dc in the next chain/stitch. Right so now chain 2, miss 1 chain/stitch, then work 1tr in the next tr stitch.

Ok so here we go …

1 – Right then, so start on the wrong side of your blanket and attach your yarn in the top of the chain 3 stitches from the row below. Now work 1dc in the same stitch. Followed by 1dc in the next 3 stitches. Now we are going to miss the chain stitch in the row below, this is where the arrow is pointing. (This is because these chain stitches would add 50 more stitches to our count.)

Now work *1dc in the next 4 stitches and then once again miss the chain stitch.*

Repeat this **across the row. After the last chain stitch, work 1dc in the remaining 4 stitches. (200)

2 – So turn your blanket, chain 3 and work 1tr in the same stitch, then chain 3, miss 3 stitches and work 1tr in the next stitch. This is your first Bar stitch.

Ok so now *miss 3 stitches and chain 3, then work 1tr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** across the row until you come to the end when you will be left with 3 stitches. So here we need to chain 2, miss 2 stitches and then work 1tr in the last stitch. (200)

3 – Now we can start the Lattice stitch. Once you have turned your blanket, start by chaining 5. (This acts as 1tr and 2 chain stitches.) Now miss this first stitch and work 1dc in the next chain. This is where the arrow in pointing.

Now chain 2, miss 1 chain, now work 1tr in the next tr stitch.

*Now chain 2, miss 1 chain, work 1dc in the next chain stitch. (This is where the arrow is pointing.) Right so now chain 2, miss 1 chain stitch, then work 1tr in the next tr stitch.*

Repeat this ** across the row.

You will be finishing with the last tr in the last stitch. (50 Lattice Stitches)

4 – So we are now going to work the next row with bar stitches. Start by turning your blanket and chain 3. Then work 1tr in the same stitch. Ok so now chain 3 and miss these stitches (2ch, 1dc, 2ch.) Now work 1tr in the next tr stitch. (This is where the arrow is pointing.)

*Ok so now chain 3, miss these stitches (2ch, 1dc, 2ch) and then work 1tr in the next stitch.* Repeat this ** across the row.

You should end with 1tr in the last stitch. (200)

And there we have the wonderful and rather funky Bar and Lattice stitches. I like how the two stitches work well together, to create this lovely Lacey effect. Ooo, I am going to have to do some thinking as to what Stitch will accompany this one for next week. Hope you have enjoyed it as much as I have. And also my 2 for the price of one stitch! Haha, I will have to think of some other double whammy stitches!!

Happy hooking everyone.

🌈Xx

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