Pattern: Crocodile Stitch Pillow

Make this trendy ruffle pillow as an accessory to your couch that also provides great lumbar support. The brighter the color, the better!

Finished Measurements:
Approximately 12" x 16"

Materials:
Two (2) skeins Red Heart Designer Sport yarn in Celadon
Size E crochet hook
12" x 16" pillow form
Sewing needle

Abbreviations:
Ch - chain
Dc - double crochet
St(s) - stitch(es)
Sc - single crochet

Instructions:
Crochet Pillow Front:
Ch 64

Row 1: skip first 3 ch (counts as first dc) 1 dc in fourth ch from hook, *ch 2, skip 2 sts, 2 dc in next st.* Repeat from * to * until the end. Each 2 dc set is referred to as a post. (21 posts).

Row 2: turn, ch 3, 4 dc down one side of the first post, ch 1, 5 dc up the other side of the same post, ch 1, *skip the next post cluster, 5 dc down one side of the next post, ch 1, 5 dc up the other side of the same post, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * until the last post, 1 sc on top of last post.

Row 3: turn, ch 3, 1 dc on top of first sc, ch 2, 2 dc in the first crocodile stitch (in the middle of the post, between the 2 dc's), *ch 2, 2 dc on top of the next post made in Row 1 and including the ch 1 between the crocodile clusters of the previous row, ch 2, 2 dc on top of the next crocodile stitch.* Repeat from * to * until the end.

Row 4: turn, ch 2, sc on top of the first post, ch 1, *5 dc down one side of the next post, ch 1, 5 dc up the other side of the same post, ch 1, skip the next post.* Repeat from * to * until the last post, 1 sc on top of the last skipped post.

Row 5: turn, ch 2, 1 dc into sc of previous row, *ch 2, 2 dc on top of the next crocodile stitch, ch 2, 2 dc on top of the next post made in Row 3 and including the ch 1 between the crocodile clusters of the previous row.* Repeat from * to * until the last sc of the previous row, 2 dc in last sc.

Repeat Rows 2-5 nine (9) more times (ten times total), Repeat Row 2. Piece should measure 12 inches. If you need to do more or less repeats, be sure to end on an even row.

Thanks to Ginger for posting this helpful picture tutorial on the crocodile stitch.

Be sure your piece stays in the same rectangular shape as you work the rows. It can be tricky to keep the piece even as your work the ends of each row, especially when alternating between ending on a crocodile stitch and ending on a skipped post stitch. Just be consistent and the piece will be even in the end.

Crochet Pillow Back:
Ch 58

Row 1: skip first 2 ch, 1 dc in each ch across (56 dc's total).

Row 2: turn, ch 2, 1 dc in each dc across.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 12 inches.

Sewing:
Using a sewing needle and the same color yarn as the pillow and holding the wrong side of the front and back panels together, sew along three of the edges. 

When a crocodile stitch is the last stitch on the end of a row, be sure to sew into the middle of the post so one half of the crocodile stitch hangs off of the end to make frills.

Turn the pillow right side facing out and insert the pillow form, being sure to push the corners all the way in. Sew along the last edge, knot at the end, and hide the yarn end.

 

Find me on Instagram and tag me in your photos! I'd love to see your work. @knitabitcrochetaway

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In Search of the Perfect Crochet Hook Case

I have been searching for the perfect crochet hook case for awhile. One that is durable, easily transportable, and holds the hooks in place but is not too cumbersome when looking to grab a hook quickly.

I made a case off of this pattern a few years ago with acrylic yarn.

It held up nicely but I found the flaps over the top and bottom to be too bulky when the case was rolled up. You can't get rid of them, either, because the hooks are held in only by a row of SC's on top of the case and would easily slip out during transport if the flaps weren't there.

The pattern also uses nicer and thinner yarn than what I used, which might solve my bulky problem, but I need a case made out of acrylic yarn so it is durable over time. Also, the strings didn't hold up as well over time and eventually stretched out the side they were attached to.

Alas, I finally decided to tear out my old case (saving the yarn to upcycle into another project, of course) and make a new case.

Materials:



1 skein Red Heart Designer Sport in Cocoa (3 oz, 85 g, 279 yards)

Size E crochet hook
All the crochet hooks, double pointed needles, and sewing hooks you can store

Instructions:
After much perusing, I finally settled on this pattern and absolutely love it so far. It is easily customizable to any size case you want, whether you have a few hooks or many you want to store for safe travels. I love it so much I decided to add my double pointed needles and sewing needles to the bunch!



It rolls up easily and is not unnecessarily bulky. I used acrylic yarn so it holds the shape without any strings, which inevitably don't hold up well over time because of how thin and often-used they are. The hooks stay in place, too, because of the tight stitch pattern.

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Mini Boutique - Again!

So it seems I just cant keep away from my new mini boutique at Herts Craft Collective! Ive been over there again today to replenish my stock and add a few more bits and bobs.

As you can imagine my studio at home is full of cushions, blankets and throws - some are knitted, others are crochet and many have featured in books or magazines, however, there are quite a few projects that haven't been published as designs so I thought it would be good to de-clutter a little and try to sell some of them.

Pieces that I've put up for sale include a crochet bolster (this featured in Simply Crochet magazine recently) and a knitted fairisle cushion that was an extra design for Homespun Vintage and didn't make it into the book - both these cushions are priced at £39.50 and they include the pads - I think they are bargains!

Also for sale is my prototype design of the 2011 crochet club - it is a little different to the actual crochet club project that was worked through by members in that year and so is a complete 'one off'. Priced at £275.

Also on the stand are some of the Janie Crow project pouches and wraps - these are seconds as they have minor defects and not all of them have crochet flowers - their reduced prices reflect the fact that they are not perfect and prices range from £7 to £12. In the image above you can also see a few of the calico animals that make up the Rico Patchwork family - we have about 8 of the designs including a cat, dog, mouse, rabbit and birds. They are just so lovely and would look great decorated with embroidery, patchwork or a bit of crochet. The Rico web site has lots of lovely ideas as to how you can decorate them and I am just itching to play around with them....

If you fancy a trip out in the countryside this weekend then why not visit the Collective. Its situated in a lovely rural setting within the Battlers Green Shopping Village and there are lots of lovely things to see including a farm shop, a lovely cafe, a Fired Earth store and a great dress shop - take a look at the web site, or, if you want to find out more about the Craft Collective then look here.

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Mini Boutique Update

I tutored what turned out to be another really lovely day workshop at the Herts Craft Collective on Saturday. I had a lovely group of ladies who all wanted to tackle crochet beading and colour work - the results of their efforts were wonderful and it was great to see all the exciting yarn shade and bead combinations that they came up with.

The Rowan range of Cotton Glace is the perfect yarn for crochet and combined with the Debbie Abrahams range of glittery beads you cannot fail but get a great result.

Whilst at the Collective I managed to get a few more shots of my mini boutique and the workshop space - its so ideal and I'm really chuffed to be spending time out at Battlers Green!

We have some of the Holz & Stein knitting needles for sale at a slightly reduced price - these are no longer available on our web site and are exclusive to the Craft Collective.

We fell in love with the Rico range of ribbons and tapes - like everything to do with Rico - they are vibrant and lovely to look at! I think they fit perfectly within the Janie Crow range alongside some of our new stock of buttons.

A couple of the workshop projects are on show - above are the projects for beaded crochet (a glass cover for use as a vase or storage jar and a small fairisle knitted bag

The workshop space is big enough for a maximum of 10 people and it is bright and cheery with lots of natural light. If you fancy coming along to a workshop, the next one is Beaded Crochet on the 5th July, followed by Crochet Colourwork on the 2nd August. for a full list of workshop subjects and dates at Battlers Green in Radlett take a look at the blog post below.

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