Spring walk

Hi,

Spring was in the air over the weekend. Yesterday I went on a lovely walk around Hardwick Park.  The snowdrops were coming through but the lake was still very frozen.

We managed to take lots of photographs of the park and even called for some lunch.

At the moment I am working on a new scarf design which I am currently making in three different yarns. 

Also still printing patterns for the show at the NEC in March...

As we are getting closer to spring, here is a link to last years daffodil crochet pattern.

Alison x

Trip to Thailand

Hello,

I have been away to Thailand for two weeks. We had a lovely time but it was very very hot.

View from the hotel...

This is a picture of downtown Nathon...

 I even managed to find a wool shop...

Sunset view from our balcony...

I did get plenty of time to do some crochet while I was away...

Now I am starting to prepare for the Hobbycraft show in November at the NEC, Birmingham.  I am wanting to start doing some kits of wool and patterns.  Starting with a seasons blanket...this is spring.

I am now starting on the Summer version of the blanket but have also been trying to finish this mandala cushion design for a workshop on friday.

Ava pattern now on Etsy

Hello,

Ava doll has now been tested and her pattern is now on my Etsy store.  She is a slightly smaller doll around 16 cms tall and is worked in cotton.

Pop along to my Etsy store for more patterns...Ali Crafts Designs

I always have a number of projects on the go at the same time.  I have just started a new blanket in these colours....This one is for spring. I love choosing different colour combinations, these are Spring green, wisteria, sherbet and parchment.  I am going to do the blanket design in 4 different colour ways for each season.

For Autumn I uploaded a photo and selected colours based on the photo, it was taken at Falling Foss near Whitby.

These are the colours similar to the photo. My blanket only needs 4 different colours so I have chosen, Parchment, Meadow, Spice and Mocha.

Alison x

Daffodil workshop

We are having a busy morning at my crochet workshop. We have made lots of daffodils. Shame the weather isn't more spring like....

You can find the pattern here Free Patterns the daffodil is on the iPhone case instructions

How to crochet a Spring Flower

This is a tutorial of how to make a simple spring crocheted flower that I designed on the train going to London a few weeks ago.

You will need a 3.50 hook and a few oddments of double knitting in any colour you like.

Just a reminder all my patterns are in UK terminology.

Stitches used and the abbreviations...

ABBREVIATIONS

ch.  =    Chain

dc   =    Double Crochet

htr.   =   Half treble

rep.  =   Repeat

ss.    =   Slip Stitch

st.   =   Stitches

tr.  =    Treble

To begin with make a slip knot and put onto your hook and make 2 chain.

Then 8 dc (Double crochet) into the 2nd chain from hook, ss to join in 1st dc.

To start the next row  2ch.

      Then , 2htr. in same place, *2htr. in next dc., rep. from * to end, ss. to join in 1^st htr.  (You should have 16sts)

      

      This row you work in front loops of sts. for this round, 1ch., 1dc., in front loop of 1^st st., * 3ch., 1dc. in next st., rep. from * ending 3ch., ss. to join in 1^st dc.

      The final row you  work in back loops for this round, 1ch., ss. into back loop of 1^st st. on 2^nd round, 3ch., 3tr. in same place, * 4tr. in next loop, rep. from * in each loop, ss. to join in 3^rd ch., Fasten off

      This is the finished flower. The flower could have lots of different uses such as decorating hats, cards or blankets.