Daisy Chain Blanket - the crochet version

Did you see yesterday’s Daisy Chain Blanket – the knit version? Well it’s got a friend, the crochet version!

Are you looking for a baby gift that is bright and bold, and can be finished in just a few days? The Crochet Daisy Chain Blanket is just the thing! The blanket uses mini-corner-to-corner crochet, which is really easy to learn and gives a satisfyingly speedy finish.

The pattern is written for the smallest size (a good car seat or Moses basket blanket size), if you want to make a larger blanket, you can make multiple panels, seam them and add the border at the end. This blanket isn’t just for babies, and could also be made as a throw or lap blanket. The blanket is crocheted in machine washable, aran weight yarn, making it quick to work up and easy to care for.

This pattern contains both a chart and written instructions for the multi-colour section (mostly because I hate reading charts diagonally, and I may as well do the hard work so you don’t have to!).

This pattern is written using US terms. Where applicable, UK terms are given in square brackets: US [UK]. Full photo tutorials for both the mini-corner-to-corner crochet technique and border, making this pattern suitable for advanced beginners.

If the Daisy Chain Blanket – the crochet version looks like your sort of thing, head to my Ravelry* and PayHip stores now. Fancy a discount? Use the code DAISY to get 15% off. Code expires 11.59pm BST, Thursday 12th August 2021.

If knitting is more your thing, you can find the knit version here.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity; proceed with caution.

Just Checking In Socks - your perfect summer knit!

Looking for a new project for the summer holidays? Look no further! The Just Checking In Socks are here!

The Just Checking In Socks might look fancy, but they are actually really simple! The socks use a simple method involving a little bit of surface crochet or chain-stitch embroidery that requires minimal effort for maximum effect. Hate sewing and crochet? I’ve also included instructions on how to add the stripes using a simple intarsia technique.

The pattern is written for seven sizes, with finished circumferences ranging from 13 cm (5.25 in) to 28 cm (11.25 in). The socks should be worn with approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) of negative ease.

The socks are knitted from the cuff down, starting with a 1 x 1 ribbed cuff, and have a familiar heel flap and gusset construction, with a slipped stitch heel flap for reinforcement. The foot length of the socks is adjustable to fit, and the socks are finished with a Kitchener-free toe (perfect if you’re like me and can’t concentrate on Kitchener stitch if there’s too much background noise!).

The horizontal stripes are created as the sock is knitted, with purl columns. Once you’ve finished knitting the sock, you use surface crochet or embroidery to add the vertical stripes. If you prefer, you can add the vertical stripes as you knit using basic intarsia.

The pattern is written to be needle-neutral and can be knitted using either the magic-loop technique, short circulars or DPNs, depending on your individual preference. The pattern also features helpful hints for beginners.

What colour will your first pair be?

Ready to cast on now? You can get the pattern on Ravelry* or PayHip, and if you use the code STRIPE you’ll get 15% off (valid until 11.59pm BST, Thursday 5^th August 2021).

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity; proceed with caution

All you need is love! 'love' Cushion, available now!

Are you looking for something new to brighten up your living space? Maybe you want the perfect gift for a loved one for Valentine's Day? Or you might possibly be thinking ahead to Mother's Day, and fancy knitting her a gift this year? The 'love' Cushion might be just the thing you're looking for!

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? It’s available now on Ravelry* and PayHip, and you can get 20% off with the code LOVE until 11.59pm GMT, Thursday 4th February 2021.

The 'love' Cushion is a bright and bold addition to your living space, featuring the slogan 'love' across the middle. This pattern is perfect for Valentine's Day, or just for adding a cute touch to your sofa - after many months at home, it can't just be me who thinks their living room could do with a few extra colourful additions? 

The 'love' Cushion is knitted using the intarsia technique, which give a great finish without the bulk of stranded colourwork. I've been really nerdy about the buttonhole placement on this design, spacing the buttonholes perfectly long a custom rib for an amazing finish.

The pillow is knitted in a single strip, starting with a ribbed section, then some stocking stitch for the back, the front is knitted in stocking stitch with the word 'love' incorporated using intarsia. The back is then knitted, finishing with a ribbed section featuring buttonholes to fasten the pillow cover. The side seams are joined using mattress stitch. The cushion cover is the perfect size for a standard IKEA long cushion [65 cm x 40 cm (25.5 in x 16 in)].

Not a fan of charts? The intarsia portion of the pattern is provided as both a chart and written out in full, so this pattern is perfect for you whether you like charts or written instructions!

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? It’s available now on Ravelry* and PayHip, and you can get 20% off with the code LOVE until 11.59pm GMT, Thursday 4th February 2021.

Want the technical details on the 'love' Cushion? You can find them here.

The pattern is also available on LoveCrafts.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity. Proceed with caution.

Looking for a Christmas Eve cast-on? Tangles Socks are live!

 

Available now on:

Ravelry

PayHip

LoveCrafts

From now until 11.59pm GMT, Thursday 24^th December 2020, you can get 20% off with the code TANGLES (Ravelry and PayHip only).

Have you come across the concept of a Christmas Eve cast-on? Essentially, you choose a project that you cast on for you on Christmas Eve once all the presents are wrapped and under the tree and you finally get a chance to relax: a gift-knitting free zone! Every year I plan a Christmas Eve cast-on, getting excited about choosing some special yarn from my stash and a beautiful pattern to work from, but I am usually wrapping until the last minute, so for me, a Boxing Day cast-on is a better prospect (Boxing Day is the day after Christmas – it’s a Bank Holiday in the UK)! Whether you want to cast on on Christmas Eve or Boxing Day, I might have just the thing for you: the Tangles Socks!

The Tangles Socks were an organic project for me: I made a few swatches in this yarn before it became these lovely ribbed and cabled socks: each time I tried something new, the yarn steered me in the direction of twisted cables, and squishy rib. The sock told me it wanted to an organic heel that grew out of the ribbing. I’m delighted with the direction the yarn steered me in, and I hope you can find a yarn to make this pattern in that is similarly particular! Maybe you have something really special in your stash that you haven’t assigned to a project yet?

The socks are knitted from the top-down with an all-over 2 x 2 rib and a cable panel to give a comfortable and flexible fit. The socks have a modified-Strong heel that appears to grow out of the ribbing – a bonus of the Strong heel is that you don’t have to pick up any stitches. The toe is created with shaping down each side and is gathered at the end – no need for any pesky Kitchener stitch!

I know that one size doesn’t fit all when it comes to socks, so the Tangles Socks come in lots of sizes, from tiddly to tremendous, so once you’ve made yourself a pair, you can make some for everyone you know!

The pattern is needle-neutral, so you can knit these socks on your choice of DPNs, short circulars or magic loop.

Want to get your hands on a copy of the pattern? It’s available now in my Ravelry and PayHip stores, and from now until 11.59pm GMT, Thursday 24^th December 2020, you can get 20% off with the code TANGLES

The pattern is also available on LoveCrafts.

Want the technical details on the Tangles Socks? You can find them here.

A treat for your feet! Jolly Holly Socks - available now!

Are you looking forward to a cosy Christmas? Maybe one wrapped up warm by the fireside? Do you fancy a new pair of socks to keep your toes extra warm while the snow falls outside? The Jolly Holly Socks are just what you need

I LOVE Christmas socks and wear them as soon as I see the first Christmas decorations in the shops. These festive Jolly Holly Socks are made using aran weight sock yarn, making them perfect for pottering around the house as you’re wrapping your Christmas presents. Are you a gift-knitter? The Jolly Holly Socks would also make a great gift – if you don’t have any aran weight yarn to hand you can use sock-weight yarn held double – as they’re nice and quick, and come in load of sizes!

The Jolly Holly Socks are knitted from the cuff down with a heel flap and gusset construction. The contrast cuff is knitted, then a short colourwork section is worked to transition into the striped leg. The rest of the sock is knitted in a simple stripe-pattern, until just before the toe, when a second colourwork section is added; the sock is finished with a contrast heel and toe. The toe is Kitchener-free, finished by gathering the final few stitches. The foot length of the socks is adjustable to fit.

The pattern is written to be needle-neutral and can be knitted using either the magic-loop technique, short circulars or DPNs, depending on your individual preference. The pattern also features helpful hints for beginners.

Want to get your hands on the pattern? It’s available now on Ravelry* and PayHip, and if you use the code HOLLY you can have 20% off (ends 11.59pm GMT, Monday 14th December 2020).

The pattern will also be available on LoveCrafts very soon.

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Here’s everything you need to know…

Sizes

A (B, C, D, E, F, G)

Finished sock circumferences: 11 (13.5, 16.5, 19, 22, 24.5, 27.5) cm [4.25 (5.5, 6.5, 7.75, 8.75, 9.75, 11) in]; for the best fit, choose a size that is approximately 2.5 cm [1 in] smaller than your foot circumference.

Leg length to heel: 7.5 (10, 12.5, 15, 18, 20.5, 23) cm [3 (4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9) in].

Foot length is adjustable.

 

Tension

22 sts and 32 rnds = 10 cm [4 in] in stocking stitch and worked in the rnd on 4 mm (US 6) needle(s) after wet blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

 

Yarn

Aran-weight yarn in the following colours and amounts:

·        55 (85, 120, 165, 215, 265, 335) m [65 (95, 135, 185, 240, 290, 370) yds] C1 (red)

·        5 (10, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30) m [10 (15, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35) yds] C2 (green)

·        15 (25, 35, 45, 60, 70, 90) m [20 (30, 40, 50, 70, 80, 100) yds] C3 (cream)

Amounts are approximate as the amount of yarn used will depend on the length of the foot, which is adjustable.

I would recommend using a dedicated sock yarn that is tightly plied wool and has some nylon content for durability.

You can also knit these socks in 4-ply sock yarn held double. If you do this, you will need double the yardages listed.

 

Needles

·        3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6) DPNs, 15 cm [6 in], set of 5, or

·        3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6) circular needle, at least 80 cm [32 in] in length to work magic loop, or

·        3.5 mm (US 4) and 4 mm (US 6) circular needle, 22.5 cm [9 in] in length

 

Notions

·        Stitch markers x 5

 

Pattern notes

The instructions are for the smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses: A (B, C, D, E, F, G).

The sample details are as follows: Novita 7 Veljestä (7 Brothers) (aran, 200 m per 100 g ball, 75% wool, 25% nylon) in 549 Christmas (C1), 366 Nettle (C2) and 010 Off-White (C3). Knitted in size E, to fit a UK women’s size 10 [foot length 27.5 cm (10.75 in)].

Pattern edited by Jo Torr.

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Want to get your hands on the pattern? It’s available now on Ravelry* and PayHip, and if you use the code HOLLY you can have 20% off (ends 11.59pm GMT, Monday 14th December 2020).

*Ravelry link. May causes issues for people with photosensitivity, proceed with caution.

 

Fancy a new stocking for Christmas 2020?

Last week I shared a tutorial on how to work Ladderback Jacquard. Once you've mastered Ladderback Jacquard, you might want a new project to try it out on, and you're in luck, because I've just released my latest pattern: Fireside Stocking!*

T’was the night before Christmas, and all through the house, nothing was stirring, except for… two children attempting to set a Santa trap, some last minute present wrapping, and an argument about whether the turkey will fit in the oven. Christmas doesn’t always run smoothly, but when I go to bed, I love the excitement in my children’s eyes when they hang out their stockings, even if they’re a little sceptical about whether Santa will actually have delivered any presents in the morning.

No matter how chaotic your Christmas Eve is, there’s still space for a traditional Christmas stocking, either hung over the fireplace, or on the bedstead.  The Fireside Stocking* is knitted from the top down in the round, with stripes of traditional festive colourwork motifs: trees, stars, hearts and reindeer. The stocking is a good size, with plenty of space for all those gifts that Santa will deliver on Christmas Eve. So your beautiful colourwork doesn’t get caught while Santa is filling the stocking, I’ve included tips on how to take control of your floats.

The top of the stocking has plenty of space to embroider a name, which solves any later arguments about whose stocking is whose! Adding a name also makes the Fireside Stocking a perfect gift. A tutorial is included on how to embroider the name if you’re new to embroidery.

Want to buy the pattern now?

You can get the pattern on Ravelry* and PayHip – use the code STOCKING to get 20% off until 11.59pm GMT, Monday 7^th 2020. Don’t forget to add the pattern to your favourites while you’re there!

The pattern is also available on LoveCrafts.

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Sizes
One size:

• Circumference: 37 cm (14.75 in)
• Leg length to heel: 37.5 cm (15 in)
• Foot length from heel to tip of toe: 28.5 cm (11.5 in)

Tension
19 sts and 26 rnds = 10 cm (4 in) in stocking stitch worked in the round on 4.5 mm (US 7) needles after wet blocking, or size needed to obtain correct tension.

You may find that you need to use a different needle size for the colourwork sections to maintain the same gauge throughout.

Yarn
Aran-weight yarn in the following colours and amounts:

• A (red): 185 m (200 yds)
• B (cream): 165 m (180 yds)
• C (green): 80 m (90 yds)

Needles

• 4.5 mm (US 7) circular needle 40 cm (16 in) in length and DPNs
• 4 mm (US 6) circular needle 40 cm (16 in) in length

Notions

• Stitch markers x 3
• Chart row marker
• Scissors for cutting paper
• Sewing pins
• Tapestry needle
• Sewing thread (optional)

Pattern notes
The sample is knitted in Drops Alaska (aran, 70 m per 50 g ball, 100% wool) in Dark Red 11 (A), Off White 02 (B) and Light Olive 45 (C).

Links to the following resources are given at the end of the pattern:

• Wrap and turn
• Yarn dominance
• Catching long floats
• Ladderback jacquard

This pattern was tech edited by Jo Torr.

*Ravelry link. May cause issues for people with photosensitivity. Proceed with caution.

#showoffyourwoollysocks2020 Days 8-14

Have you heard of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020? Over on Instagram, I’m showing off my woolly socks every day in November, and I’d love you to join in too! Simply take a photo of the handknitted socks you're wearing every day in November and tell me all about them! Use the hashtag #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 and tag me (@vikkibirddesigns) so I can see them. I cannot wait to have a little tour through your sock drawer!

This year, I'm hosting a knitalong, so that over the course of November, we can all knit a new pair of socks together and wear them on November 30th! The KAL is taking place on Instagram using the hashtag #SOYWSKAL2020, and works in progress will also be allowed if that increases your chances of having a finished pair of socks by November 30th.

Not on Instagram? I’m sharing a summary of my woolly socks once a week on my blog (vikkibirddesigns.com), and I'll have two threads open in my Ravelry group (Ravelry link - may cause issues for users with photosensitivity; proceed with caution): one for the KAL and one for you to show off your socks of the day.

Week 2: Days 8-14

Day 8: My socks for Day 8 are a relatively new addition to my sock drawer as I knitted them for #marathonsockkal2020 They’re knitted in Knit Picks Felici in the colourway Playhouse. I love Felici yarn, and before it was available in the UK, it was something of a mythical sock yarn - soft, stripey, affordable. It definitely lives up to the hype, and I now have quite a collection of Felici sock yarn, and socks made from it!

 

 

Day 9: This pair of socks is made from more Knit Picks Felici, this time in the colourway Captain Nero. I’ve shared these quite a few times and they always get a good reception. These socks were a little Heath Robinson: I was adding a heel while out and about, and failed to take scissors or a sewing needle out with me. I somehow got by doing Kitchener stitch with my needles, and using a fork to saw through the yarn end. What’s your most creative knitting improvisation?

Day 10: The socks for day 10 of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 are gorgeously festive, and yes, I do wear them all year 😊 They’re knitted toe up with a heel flap and gusset, with a contrast heel. The yarn was West Yorkshire Spinners first Christmas special yarn and I love it. I wasn’t sure about it in the ball, but they are some of my favourite socks! I accidentally knitted the second sock on a different size needle to the first, and only noticed somewhere near the heel, so had to start again. It happens - fortunately you can always unravel and start again. Would you have unwound and reknitted, or just shrugged and had a second sock that wasn’t quite the same? I’m more likely to leave a mistake in now than 5 years ago - mistakes add character!

Day 11: Day 11’s socks were bright socks for a gloomy morning. These socks are knitted in an Easter sock set from Cuddlebums Yarn. I love how the yarn knitted as micro-stripes. This pair is another with a Fish Lips Kiss heel, which is a great choice if you’re a bit short on yarn - I knitted these toe-up two at a time to maximise yarn usage - there’s nothing worse than running out of yarn halfway through the second toe! I keep going back to Cuddlebums Yarn - I love her rainbows and general bright colour sense. Do you have a dyer you keep going back to?

Day 12: My socks for Day 12 of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 is one of my designs! These are the Effie socks, inspired by midnight feasts in vintage boarding school books – I wore them all day with the frills peeping over the tops of my boots. You can find the pattern for these (and many other socks!) on PayHip, Ravelry and LoveCrafts. 

Day 13: Friday was stripes and spots day at school, so for day 13 of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020, I opted for some stripey socks. These socks were knitted in the spring, in some yarn that I was saving for the season - the colourway is called 'Daoffodils', and I think the colours are perfect.⁠ The yarn is by Strawberry Fields Yarns, and the contrast is some ancient yarn from Artesano.

Day 14: These socks are my advent socks from a few years ago. Every day in the run up to Christmas, I opened a little package of yarn and added another stripe to my socks. I will confess that I was very selective about which yarns I added, because I don’t personally like crazy clashing socks. I’m glad I was selective because I love these and wear them a lot. I chose West Yorkshire Spinners Signature 4ply in Milk Bottle for the main colour, which is a great neutral.

#showoffyourwoollysocks2020 Days 1-7

Have you heard of #showoffyourwoollysocks2020? Over on Instagram, I’m showing off my woolly socks every day in November, and I’d love you to join in too! Simply take a photo of the handknitted socks you're wearing every day in November and tell me all about them! Use the hashtag #showoffyourwoollysocks2020 and tag me (@vikkibirddesigns) so I can see them. I cannot wait to have a little tour through your sock drawer!

This year, I'm hosting a knitalong, so that over the course of November, we can all knit a new pair of socks together and wear them on November 30th! The KAL is taking place on Instagram using the hashtag #SOYWSKAL2020, and works in progress will also be allowed if that increases your chances of having a finished pair of socks by November 30th.

Not on Instagram? I’m sharing a summary of my woolly socks once a week on my blog (vikkibirddesigns.com), and I'll have two threads open in my Ravelry group (Ravelry link - may cause issues for users with photosensitivity; proceed with caution): one for the KAL and one for you to show off your socks of the day.

Week 1: Days 1-7

Day 1: The first pair of socks for #showoffyourwoollysocks are knitted in Knit Picks Felici in the colourway Countess, which I hoarded for ages as purple is my favourite colour. They’re a straightforward top-down vanilla sock with a heel flap and gusset, which is my favourite type of top-down construction.

Day 2: These are a fine example of Christmas socks for everyday wear! The yarn is by Unbelievawool and was from a Christmas yarn club box. The colours are pretty muted (but may well have been brighter when I knitted them), but have a festive air. I cast these on on an October 1st for a #festivesockalong, but got distracted and finished them in the January! This happens a lot! The socks have a Fish Lips Kiss, which is a nice neat short row heel. It’s a good heel to choose if you’re tight on yarn, but isn’t so good if you have very high insteps. The yarn isn’t self-striping, it has micro stripes caused by the repeat length of the variegated yarn - a short row type heel helps preserve that.

 

Day 3: Day 3’s socks are accidentally inspired by Liquorice Allsorts! I knitted them as a sock tube and planned to add pink heels, toes and cuffs, but then happened to be eating the sweets while working on the tube and realised that Liquorice Allsorts colours would be much more fun! The main yarn is by Paintbox Yarns (gifted - if you want some, it’s Paintbox Yarns Socks*); the heels, toes and cuffs are miscellaneous scraps.

 

Day 4: My socks for Day 4 are lovely cheerful ones that make me think of cake. I knitted them using Kate Atherley’s free Basic Ribbed Socks pattern during #lotsofsockskal a couple of years ago. They’re knitted in King Cole Zig Zag, which is one of my favourite basic sock yarns - it’s cheap and cheerful and wears really well. It also feels nice and plump. The yarn was gifted to me by my friend Rachel for a knitting secret Santa (clearly not a very secret one!). So many connections in one little pair of socks.

 

Day 5: The fifth pair of socks for the month is my Siren Song Socks. These are one of my designs, and that little slipped stitch cable shows up so well against any yarn background. The yarn is by Phileas Yarns, and I bought it Joeli’s yarn retreat in Manchester a few years ago, where I met lots of fabulous knitting friends. If you want to knit your own pair, you can find the pattern in my Ravelry and PayHip stores.

 

Day 6: My socks for Day 6 are possibly one of my favourite pairs: they are knitted in Opal with glitter. I love how sparkly they are! I bought the yarn at the British Wool Show and knitted it while on my way to EYF in 2018. I knitted further than I planned, and had to do afterthought heels as it was that or pull the knitting back!

 

Day 7: These beauties were a prototype for my Siren Song Socks - they’re knitted in yarn from Unbelievawool and it contains cashmere, so is super cosy. The yarn was very much a ‘golden skein’ - one I kept hold of for ages before knitting it up because I was afraid I wouldn’t do it justice. I love these socks, so I think I did!

*Affiliate link.