Pattern: Rectangular Lace Layered Pillow

Finished Measurements:

12" x 16" pillow

Materials:

Main Color (MC): 1 skein Loops & Threads, Impeccable in Grass
Contrast Color (CC): 2 skeins Lion Brand Wool-Ease, Thick & Quick in Oatmeal
One 12" x 16" rectangular pillow form
Size H (5.0 mm) Crochet Hook
Size K (6.5 mm) Crochet Hook
Large Sewing Needle

Stitches:

Ch = chain
SC = single crochet
DC = double crochet

Instructions:

Front Lace Panel
Using MC and Size K Hook, Ch 41
Row 1: DC in third chain from hook, *Ch 1, Skip next 3 Ch, (cluster 1 DC, 1 Ch, 1 DC in same chain).* Repeat from * to * until last 2 Ch, Ch 1, 2 DC, Ch 1, turn
Row 2: 2 SC, *SC in Ch 1 space, SC in first DC of cluster, Ch 3, SC in second DC of cluster.* Repeat from * to * until last DC, 1 SC, Ch 3, turn
Row 3: Skip first SC, DC in second SC, *Ch 1, (cluster 1 DC, 1 Ch, 1 DC in same Ch 3 space).* Repeat from * to * until last 2 SC, Ch 1, 2 DC, Ch 1, turn

Repeat Rows 2-3 until you have 16 rows total, or until piece measures approx. 13" x 17"

Back Panel
Using MC and Size K Hook, Ch 41
Row 1: DC in third chain from hook, DC in each Ch to the end, Ch 2, turn (39 DC total)
Row 2: DC in each DC across, Ch 2, turn

Repeat Row 2 until you have 16 rows total, or until piece measures approx. 13" x 17"

Interior Contrast Panel

Using CC and Size H Hook, Ch 49
Row 1: SC in second chain from hook, SC in each Ch to the end, Ch 1, turn (48 SC total)
Row 2: SC in each SC across, Ch 1, turn

Repeat Row 2 until you have 68 rows total, or until piece measures approx. 13" x 17"

Construction
Using CC yarn, sew the Interior Contrast Panel to the Front Lace Panel, attaching along the inside edge of the Front Lace Panel so this seam is hidden nicely.

Using MC yarn and with the exterior edges faces each other, sew three sides of the Front Lace Panel to the Back Panel. Turn the work inside out and stuff the pillow form inside. Sew the fourth sides together.

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Lesson: Front Post Double Treble Crochet (FPdtr)

Instructions:

Yarn over hook three (3) times

Insert hook into post of next stitch in the previous row 

Yarn over

Draw yarn through the post (five loops on hook)

Yarn over (six loops on hook)

Draw through two loops on hook (four loops on hook)

Yarn over (five loops on hook)

Draw through two loops on hook (three loops on hook)

Yarn over (four loops on hook)

Draw through two loops on hook (two loops on hook)

Yarn over (three loops on hook)

Draw through two loops on hook (one loop on hook)

That's all there is to it!

Here is a row of 1 FPdtr, 1 dc

Use your new skill and make this plastic bag holder!

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Go Green! Recycled Crinkle Dog Toy

Dogs love empty water bottles. There's just something about that crinkling noise that really gets them going. You can buy them the cutest looking toys, but they'll still go for that empty Poland Spring.

It looks unsightly having a bunch of empty water bottles laying around the house, though. Here's your solution! Crochet this colorful water bottle cover using yarn ends to make the perfect dog toy.

Materials:

Size "H" 5.0 mm crochet hook
Color A - burgundy
Color B - green
Color C - blue
Color D - turquoise
Empty water bottle (Poland Spring works the best - the plastic is thin and there are lots of ridges to make for maximum crinkles)

Stitches:

ch - chain
sc - single crochet
dc - double crochet
sl st - slip stitch

Instructions:

Using Color A, Ch 75
Row 1: sc across, ch 2, turn
Row 2-5: dc across, ch 2, turn
Break yarn

Using Color B, Ch 18
Row 6: sl st in 19th dc from the end of Row 5, sl st in next 37 dc (38 sl st total), ch 19, turn
Row 7: sc across all 74 sts, ch 2, turn
Row 8-10: dc across, ch 2, turn
Row 11: dc across, break yarn

Using Color C, Ch 18
Row 12: sl st in 19th dc from the end of Row 5, sl st in next 37 dc (38 sl st total), ch 19, turn
Row 13: sc across all 74 sts, ch 2, turn
Row 14-16: dc across, ch 2, turn
Row 17: dc across, break yarn

Using Color D, Ch 18
Row 18: sl st in 19th dc from the end of Row 5, sl st in next 37 dc (38 sl st total), ch 19, turn
Row 19: sc across all 74 sts, ch 2, turn
Row 20-23: dc across, ch 2, turn
Row 24: dc across, break yarn

Using Color D, join the edge of Color D Row 24 with the edge of Color A Row 1. Either sew or sl st the edges together, making sure to only attach from st 19 to st 38

NOTE: before inserting the empty water bottle, be sure to remove the cap and any paper or plastic wrapper to avoid doggie choking

Insert the water bottle, centering it in the middle.
Sew a scrap piece of yarn around the top and base of the toy and tighten around to secure the water bottle.

Enjoy and watch your dog go crazy!

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Homespun Vintage

My new book Homespun Vintage is now! Knitting and crochet for the home is really hot right now and there are many designers looking to make their mark on the home interiors market. I have always loved anything to do with interiors and worked in a home decorating store while I was a student - I used to love putting together the paint shade cards and flicking through the wallpaper books!

Designing for the home can be much more fun than designing garments. Cushions, blankets and throws present the chance to design using as many techniques, colours and textures as I fancy - when the design is all about pattern I can get really carried away. Designing garments presents far more restrictions - I have to be careful about over loading a design and getting the balance right, after all most people don't want to walk around looking like Joseph in his Technicolour dream coat!

I know many knitters and crocheters - whilst they enjoy the craft process - are often disappointed by the fit and appearance of completed garments - sometimes they don't work well or the colour or shape is wrong. Making an item for the home is far more reliable and there is less margin for error. Cushions and blankets make wonderful gifts too!

Homespun Vintage is divided into 3 interior stories - there is the Folklore Story - which is still bang on trend. This story has some really lovely projects including the Babushka bedspread and floor and sofa cushions as in the three images above. One of my favourite designs is the 'Birds Of Life' cushion cover which you can see on the bed in the larger image. This features crochet birds and flowers on a knitted background.

The Monchrome story was designed using Coco Chanel as the inspiration. I saw a wonderful film (wonderful in terms of the way it looked anyway) a few years ago about the relationship between Stravinsky and Chanel and this became my inspiration. The scene sets within the film were just lovely and having a monochrome collection in the book also means that knitters and crocheters can make decisions on alternative colour choices more easily than usual.

Time for Tea - is the vintage story. I loved designing this collection as it gave me the chance to re vamp some existing crochet staples such as doilies and small table cloths.

We have plenty of stock of Homespun Vintage here at Janie Crow. If you want a signed copy then you can order one by following this link. If you want a specific dedication please email us before you order the book.

Homespun Vintage is £14.99

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Pattern: Lacy Toe-Up Socks

Finished Measurements:

Size 8 foot
Easily adjusts to any foot size with this toe-up method

Materials:

2 skeins Patons Kroy Sock yarn (one per sock)
         Content: 75% Wool - 25% Nylon
         Put-up: 1.75 oz / 50 g
         Length: 166 yd / 152 m
Size 1 double pointed needles

Gauge:

28 sts and 36 rows = 4" (10 cm)

Stitches:
K - knit
P - purl
Sl - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle
SSK - slip unworked stitch from left needle to right needle knitwise. Slip a second unworked stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise. Slip those two unworked stitches separately back to the left needle purlwise. Knit those two stitches together in the back of the stitches (decrease).
K2tog - knit two stitches together (decrease).
P2tog - purl two stitches together (decrease).
Inc - knit into the front and back of the same stitch (increase).

Instructions:

Toe Shaping
Using provisional cast on method, cast on 8 stitches
Round 1: Knit across
Round 2: Purl across
Round 3: Knit across
Round 4: Purl across

Remove live stitches from scrap yarn and place them on a double pointed needle. You should have 16 sts on two needles. Begin knitting in the round.

Round 5: *K2, Inc, K1 (add a needle) K1, Inc, K2.* Repeat from * to * (20 sts)
Rounds 6-8: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
                  Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
                  Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
                  Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Increase until you have 32 sts total (8 sts per needle)

Round 9: K across
Round 10: Needle 1 - K2, Inc, K across needle
                  Needle 2 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2
                  Needle 3 - K2, Inc, K across needle
                  Needle 4 - K across needle to last 3 sts, Inc, K2

Repeat Round 9 and Round 10 until you have 64 sts total (16 sts per needle)

Foot
Begin working lace pattern on top of foot.

Round 11: Needle 1 - *P1, K5, SSK, yo.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K5, SSK, yo.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 12: Needle 1 - *P1, K4, SSK, yo, K1.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K4, SSK, yo, K1.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 13: Needle 1 - *P1, K3, SSK, yo, K2.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K3, SSK, yo, K2.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 14: Needle 1 - *P1, K2, SSK, yo, K3.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K2, SSK, yo, K3.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 15: Needle 1 - *P1, K1, SSK, yo, K4.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K1, SSK, yo, K4.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 16: Needle 1 - *P1, P1, SSK, yo, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, P1, SSK, yo, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Round 17: Needle 1 - *P1, P1, SSK, yo, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, P1, SSK, yo, K5.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 


Round 18: Needle 1 - *P1, K7.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 2 - *P1, K7.* Repeat from * to * until end of needle
               Needle 3 - K across needle
               Needle 4 - K across needle 

Repeat Rounds 11-18 to work lace pattern until sock is the length from the toe to the bend of your ankle at the top of your foot.

Heel Flap
Work Needles 3 & 4 ONLY (the needles without the lace pattern, 32 sts)
Leave Needles 1 & 2 unworked for the heel flap

Round 19: Sl1, P across, turn
Round 20: Sl 1, K across, turn

Repeat Rounds 19 and Row 20, 22 more times (24 rows total)




The heel flap should look like this:

And this:







Heel Shaping

Round 21: Sl1, P16, P2tog, P1, turn (leave 12 sts unworked)
Round 22: Sl1, K3, K2tog, K1, turn 
Round 23: Sl1, P4, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 24: Sl1, K5, K2tog, K1, turn
Round 25: Sl1, P6, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 26: Sl1, K7, K2tog, K1, turn
Round 27: Sl1, P8, P2tog, P1, turn 
Round 28: Sl1, K9, K2tog, K1, turn
Round 29: Sl1, P10, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 30: Sl1, K11, K2tog, K1, turn
Round 31: Sl1, P12, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 32: Sl1, K13, K2tog, K1, turn
Round 33: Sl1, P14, P2tog, P1, turn
Round 34: Sl1, K15, K2tog, K1, turn

End with 18 sts for the heel shaping

The heel should look like this:

And this:

















Using a spare needle, pick up 14 sts along the length of the heel flap. Knit across.













Work the lace pattern across Needle 1 and Needle 2.






Pick up 14 sts along the other length of the heel flap. Knit across.














Distribute sts along the 4 needles as follows:
Needle 1: 16 sts (keep these as the same sts with the lace pattern)
Needle 2: 16 sts (keep these as the same sts with the lace pattern)
Needle 3: 23 sts
Needle 4: 23 sts

Gusset Shaping (decrease)
Round 35: Needle 1 - work lace pattern
              Needle 2 - work lace pattern
              Needle 3 - K1, SSK, K across until end of needle
              Needle 4 - K across until last 3 sts of needle, SSK, K1

Round 36: Needle 1 - work lace pattern
              Needle 2 - work lace pattern
              Needle 3 - K across
              Needle 4 - K across

Repeat Round 35 and Round 36 until there are 16 sts on each needle (64 sts total)

Leg
Work lace pattern on all needles.
Continue working in the round until there is a small amount of yarn left.
When there is only a small amount of yarn left, K2, P2 across.
Bind off.

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Circles Throw (Crochet)

Finished Measurements:

60 inches X 45 inches

Materials:

Size H crochet hook
Use Loops & Threads Country Loom yarn to make the throw thicker
Color A: 4 skeins cranberry
Color B: 4 skeins blue
Color C: 4 skeins light blue
Color D: 4 skeins brown
Color E: 4 skeins cream (border)

Instructions:

Available here

It's a really warm blanket using the Loops & Threads yarn instead of the Lily Sugar & Cream yarn (which is great for socks, but not a throw). Enjoy!

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