The green hornet

Hello and happy Saturday!Doily crochetSo I found a new project to work on, and since I spent most of the first 15 rounds of it watching the Green Hornet (ludicrous – although in fairness I’m guessing a doily crocheting 40 year old mother of two is hardly the target audience!), I’ve decided that’s a good name for it 🙂

Doily crochet 4It was a bit dull here (late) this afternoon so I wandered around the garden snipping here and there in a bid to brighten my photos up a bit. There were a surprising number of flowers in bloom. Not much I can do about the shadows though.

The doily pattern is called Summer Splendor, its working up easy enough (read not too much concentration required – perfect for trashy tv and and the rugby world cup!). I’m using Milford satin in 2 ply and a 2mm hook. I just hope there is enough cotton left in the ball – I think I’ve got 8 rounds to go. It’s looking like its going to need some serious blocking to get the fans to stand out.Doily crochet 5Thank you to everyone who left such lovely comments about my sketchbook. I find sharing crochet generally very easy (maybe because its the yarn and stitches that are really on show), but sharing what I have drawn is strangely more intimate and I was very nervous about it. I would never show my doodlings to someone who visited me at home for instance. Anyway, thank you for being so sweet – you made me very happy 🙂

J xox

Crochet coaster free pattern

Crochet Coasters Tutorial

Crochet coaster free pattern I’ve had many, many requests for a crochet coaster pattern since I originally posted making coasters because the original pattern seems to have disappeared. If it does pop back up Ill link back to  it, but in the meantime, here’s a quick little tutorial for you to whip up some crochet coasters, for yourself or as a lovely gift!

To make these crochet coasters you will need…

  • DK (8ply) yarn – I like to use a cotton or cotton blend
  • 3mm or 3.5mm crochet hook – use a slightly smaller hook than usual because you want a nice firm fabric.
  • Needle to sew in ends

Crochet coaster free patternFirst up, chain 6 and join to form a ring:Crochet coaster free pattern

Chain 3 (counts as first DC) and DC 19 into the ring (20DC) Join with a SS into the top of the starting chain 3 to complete the round. Crochet coaster free pattern

Chain 3, DC in the next Stitch and Chain 2:Crochet coaster free pattern

DC in the next 2 Stitches, Chain 2 – repeat around. Join with a SS into the top of the starting chain 3 to complete the round:Crochet coaster free pattern

SS into the next Chain 2 space:Crochet coaster free pattern

Chain 3, DC, Chain 3, 2DC into the first chain 2 space:Crochet coaster free pattern

2DC, chain 3, 2DC into each remaining chain 2 space – repeat around. Join with a SS into the top of the starting chain 3 to complete the round:Crochet coaster free pattern

SS to next chain 3 space. Chain 3, 7 DC in space:Crochet coaster free pattern

8 DC into each chain 3 space around. Join with a SS into the top of the starting chain 3 to complete the round:Crochet coaster free pattern

Turn over and sew in the ends…Crochet coaster free pattern

Make just one, or a whole bunch. I love crochet coasters!Crochet coaster free pattern

Especially when accompanied by a cup of tea and a good book!Crochet coaster free pattern

Have a lovely weekend everyone! J xox

Doily Tutorial

Crochet Doily Tutorial

This is a doily with attitude…

Crochet Doily TutorialIts no shrinking violet, stashed away in a dusty corner… oh no, its definitely a doily looking to be the centre of attention!

The best part? Its made with a 4mm hook and 8ply cotton so its quick and easy to make – you just need to choose the colours.

Lets begin…

Crochet Doily Tutorial1. Start with a magic circle, then chain 2 and 7 Double Crochet (DC) into the circle, pull tight and join with a slip stitch (SS). (8DCs)

2. Chain(Ch) 2, DC into the same space. *Chain 1, 2DC into the next space*. Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS. (8 2DC pairs)

3. SS to the first Ch1 space. Chain 2, 2DC into the Ch1 space. *Chain 1, 3DC into next Ch1 space*. Repeat between * and * around (Chain 1) and join with a SS. Fasten off first colour. (8 3DC-1ch groups)

4. Join next colour in a Ch1 space. Chain 3, DC into same space, Chain 3. *DC-Chain1-DC into next chain 1 space, Chain 3*. Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS.

5. Chain 2, 2DC into the next Ch1 space. Chain 1, DC into Ch3 space. *Chain 1, 3DC into next Ch1 space, Chain 1, DC into next Ch3 space, Chain 1*. Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS.

6. *Chain 1, Single Crochet (SC) into next space (in between first 2 DCs on previous round), Chain 2, SC into next space (in between next 2 DCs- 2 and 3 of 3DC group), Chain 1, SC into next Ch1 space, SC into next Ch1 space.* Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS. Fasten off second colour.

7. Join new colour into a 2Ch space. Chain 2, DC into the same space, Chain 1, 2DC into the next CH1 space. Chain2, skip space between 2SCs, *2DC into next Ch1 space,Chain 1, 2DC into next Ch2 space, Chain 1, 2DC into next Ch1 space, Chain 2, skip space between 2SCs*. Repeat between * and * around, Chain 1 and 2DC in last 1Ch space, Chain 1 and join with a SS.

8. Chain 3, SC into space between next 2DC pair, Chain 2, 3 Half Double Crochet (HDC) into next Ch2 space, Chain 2. *SC into next Ch1 space, Chain 2, SC into next Ch1 space, Chain 2, 3HDC into next Ch2 space, Chain 2*. Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS.

9. SS into first Ch2 space. Chain 3, SC into next Ch2 space. * Chain 4, SC into next Ch2 Space, Chain 3, SC into next Ch2 space, Chain 3, SC into next Ch2 space*. Repeat between * and * around, Chain 4, SC into last Ch2 space, Chain 3, and join with a SS into starting chain. Fasten off.

10. Join new colour in the first of the two Ch3 spaces. Chain 3, SC into next Ch3 space, Chain 3, *4DC into next Chain 4 space, Ch3, SC into next Ch3 space, Chain 3, SC into next Ch3 space, Chain 3*. Repeat between * and * around to last Ch4 space, 4DC into space, Chain 3 join with a SS into starting chain.

11. SS into 2Ch space, Chain 2, DC into same space, Chain 3, *HDC into next 3Ch space, Chain 3 put 1 DC into each space between the next 3 DCs (three DCs made), Chain 3, HDC in next 3Ch space, Chain 3, 2 DC in next 3Ch space, Chain 3*. Repeat between * and * 6 more times. HDC in next 3Ch space, Chain 3, 1DC into each space between the next 3 DCs (three DCs made), HDC in next 3Ch space, Chain 3, join with a SS into the top of starting Ch2. Fasten off.

12. Join new colour between a 2DC pair. Chain 2, 2DC into the same space, Chain 2, SC into next 3Ch space, SC into next 3Ch space. *Chain 2, 2DC into first space between next 2DCs, Chain 2, 2DC in space between next 2DCs, Chain 2, SC in next Ch3 space, SC into next Ch3 space, Chain 2, 3DC in between next 2DCs, Chain 2*. Repeat between * and * around, SC in next Ch3 space, SC into last Ch3 space, Chain 2 and join with a SS. Fasten off.

13. Last round! Join new colour between a 2 SC pair next to a 3DC group. *SC in between the two SCs, SC in next Chain 2 space, Chain 3, SC in space between next 2 DCs, Chain 5, sc in space between next 2DCs, chain 3, SC in 2Ch space, SC between next space between SCs, Chain 3, SC in next 2 Ch space, HDC in next space between 2DCs, 4DCs in next 2Ch space, HDC in next space between 2 DCs, Sc in next 2Ch space* Repeat between * and * around and join with a SS to finish the round, fasten off.

Weave in all ends.  If its not sitting as flat as you would like either block it or if you are lazy like me lightly iron on the reverse side (put a hanky or tea towel between the doily and the iron).

That’s it, enjoy…

Crochet Doily TutorialSo bright and cheerful its sure to brighten a needy spot at your place!!

I want to say a huge thank you to three very talented ladies who tested this pattern for me (go and check out their blogs and see what they’ve been up to);

Barbina

Faith

Sonia

Thank you so much for patience with the pattern and giving me your really valuable feedback xx

Bees

That buzzing noise means something. Now, the only reason for making a buzzing noise that I know of is because you are… a bee! And the only reason for being a bee is to make honey. And the only reason for making honey is so I can eat it.

Winnie the Pooh

Flying bee

Bee

BeeBeeBeeThere are a lot of bees in our garden at the moment, its spring and we have so many flowers in bloom. I spent some time this morning just watching them… they really are amazing.

There was a lot of buzzing… it got me thinking about Winnie the Pooh and inspired me to go inside and have a honey sandwich!

Also last week I set up a Facebook page for the Green Dragonfly and Id love to connect with you there. Ive posted a pic of a new project Ive been working on, so head over if you want a preview. Another use for the page will be pattern testing… as I don’t know any crocheters nearby I thought I could send out requests for pattern testers from time to time when Im developing a new pattern too!

Hope you are having a fab week! Lots of love Janette xxx