Knitting & Crochet Ideas

Lesson: Front Post Double Treble Crochet (FPdtr)

By JOKO January 21, 2013

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!

Go Green! Recycled Crinkle Dog Toy

By JOKO January 14, 2013

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!

Homespun Vintage

By JOKO January 14, 2013

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

Pattern: Lacy Toe-Up Socks

By JOKO January 10, 2013

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.

Circles Throw (Crochet)

By JOKO January 06, 2013

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!

Looking Forward

By JOKO January 05, 2013

So here we are suddenly in 2013! I am really excited by the prospect of the forthcoming year. 2012 was not a great year for me – there was a lot of stress, strains and anxiety involved across the whole year and it is lovely to now look forward to all that the New Year may have in store.

I have done the typical New Year things: I have set myself the usual ‘loose weight’ ‘Get Fit’ resolutions, I have had a good clear out in the bedroom and am planning to dismantle the Christmas Tree and put all the decorations away over the course of the weekend. All the mince pies have been eaten, the remaining piece of Christmas cake won’t be far behind them and I have thrown away the jug of brandy sauce left over from Christmas day that I found lurking at the back of the fridge this morning.

I always find the turn of the New Year a really positive period – it’s a time when I feel optimistic about all the things on the horizon and, whilst most of those things inevitably involve lots of hard work, sitting down with a mug of tea and planning the year ahead is really cathartic for me. I wrote this time last year about Janus, the mythical King of early Rome, who was the God of beginnings and transitions and thus gates, doorways, endings and time. Janus had two faces; one looked forwards, the other looked back and to the Romans he represented the importance of looking forward to the future whilst also taking the time to reflect on the past. Last year taught me a lot of valuable lessons and, whilst it was not a year that I will remember fondly, it was a year when many important decisions and transitions were made and the foundations were laid for what I hope will be many exciting things that will see fruition in 2013.

The Calendar for 2013 is filling up – there are lots of workshops and trips to look forward to and a couple of books on the horizon!

January sees the publication of my long awaited knit and crochet book ‘Homespun Vintage’ which is now available through our web site. There are some images of a few of the projects and the front cover below. Despite the agonizing wait for this title to finally appear on the market I think it’s a really beautiful book to look though and I am still really proud of the projects within it. Knit Now magazine have published an online interview with me about the book so you might want to take a look by clicking here

January also sees the launch of SimplyCrochet magazine. I think the first issue has arrived on some people’s doorstep this morning, but alas I have not seen my copy yet! I will be writing a monthly piece in the magazine and have also been asked to submit some designs – a simple crochet collar being the first design to feature in this month’s magazine. If you follow the link above you can take a preview flick through the magazine - it looks really fab and I just cant wait to take a peek too!

Towards the end of January I will be tutoring a crochet reminder workshop at Herts Crafts Collective in Radlett – I have the project to design over the next week, so I will post some images once I have finalised the design. I am really looking forward to these workshops – the surroundings of the Collective are so inspiring and a great place to pick up a vintage bargain – I bought Mr C this cast iron shop sign letter which now takes pride of place with the plates in the kitchen.

There are always unusual one off pieces to look at and some lovely ‘crafty’ things to purchase, including hand made jewellery and beautiful patchwork. Suzanne – who runs the collective – is really helpful and has a great eye for fab things so why not have a little trip out and take a look at what she has to offer?

February has exciting things in store too – with the new event Stitchtopia being the highlight of the month. If you’re serious about your knit, crochet and stitching and haven’t yet taken a look at the itinerary for this and read up on all the info you would be crazy to stay ‘in the dark’ and might be kicking yourself later on that you missed it or couldn’t book the workshops you wanted to attend.

Kaffe Fassett and Brandon Mably will both be there along with a team of Rowan consultants (including myself and the lovely Debbie Abrahams) alongside stitchers such as Karin Hellaby and Charlotte Liddle.

I will do my best to blog again this week - I have so much I want to share - just need more hours in the day and more days in the week! I have made 'update the blog more often' one of my many New Year's resolutions - my hope is to find the time to blog at least once a week so please keep an eye on me!

Happy New Year!

Jane x