Quick and simple crochet heart bracelet pattern

I adore crocheting little hearts and what better to amalgamate a few into a gorgeous bracelet which would surely delight any crochet jewellery lover out there. It is also a wonderful way to use up some scrap pieces of yarn.

This pattern uses a silky 100% cotton DK yarn (light worsted weight) called Rico Design Essentials Cotton DK which gives a lovely finish for finer projects. Perhaps a little 'strandy' to work with but it is worth sticking with for the results.

So I picked colours Berry and Silver and I used a 2.5mm crochet hook, you can use up to a 3.5mm crochet hook though but bigger hooks will make slightly bigger hearts.

To start you need to make on average about 10 hearts, you may need to crochet more or less hearts depending on your required sizing.

To make the hearts you will be working different stitches into a magic circle which can be tricky so you may prefer to chain 4 stitches to start, slip stitch into your first chain to form a loop and then work these stitches into that loop. Whatever is easiest for you.

Step 1 - Making your hearts
Crochet [4tr, 3dc, 1tr, 3dc, 4tr] into your magic circle, pull to tighten and sl st into the centre of your loop to finish. Leave long tails at the beginning and the end to sew your hearts together.

You can watch my video here on how to make the hearts as well.

Step 2

Now you need to sew your hearts together.

 

Take both your tail ends and using a yarn needle sew them into the bottom stitch of your next heart.

Now thread your ends back into the centre of your previous heart. Repeat this step once more until stitching is firm and hide your tail ends in your work.

Repeat this until you have connected all your hearts.

Then all you need to do is to use the remaining tail ends to tie your bracelet onto your wrist. You may prefer to sew your starting heart's tail ends to the bottom of your heart.

And now you're done!

I hope you enjoyed that quick tutorial. Stay inspired and happy crocheting!

 

How to crochet a small lady bird bug insect

I'm never quite sure what to call these little guys, ladybirds? ladybugs? I grew up calling them ladybirds but they are not really birds are they he he

Anyway, waffle aside. This little creature was inspired by a children's game. If you crochet lots of these little bugs with different amounts of spots they make a wonderful mix and match game and also a counting game for young children.

You will need

3.5 mm crochet hook
DK/Light worsted weight yarn in red and black
Some toy stuffing but you can also use left over scraps of yarn
Scissors and yarn needle

Bug Bottom

Step 1
Using your black yarn, crochet 8sc into a magic circle, pull to tighten, sl st to join - (8)

You can watch my tutorial here on how to do a magic ring if you like:
http://youtu.be/0m0952XQjbA

Step 2
2sc in next st and in ea st around - (16)

Step 3
*1sc in next st, 2sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end - (24) sl st in next st regardless of round to fasten off, tie in all tails.

Bug Top

Step 1
Using your red yarn, crochet 8sc into a magic circle, pull to tighten, sl st to join - (8)

Step 2
2sc in next 4 sts joining your black yarn in the last st, continuing in black crochet 2sc in next 2 sts joining your red yarn in the last st, continuing in red crochet 2sc in last 2 sts - (16)

Step 3

*1sc in next st, 2sc in next st* repeat from * to * three more times joining your black yarn in the last st, continuing in black crochet **1sc in next st, 2sc in next st** repeat from ** to ** once more joining your red yarn in the last st, continuing in red crochet ***1sc in next st, 2sc in next st*** repeat from *** to *** once more - (24)

Step 4

1sc in next 12 sts joining your black yarn in the last st, continuing in black crochet 1sc in next 6 sts joining your red yarn in the last st, continuing in red crochet 1sc in last 6 sts - (24) sl st in next st regardless of round to fasten off, tie in all tails. 

Finishing

Step 1
Take some short lengths of your black yarn and tie 3 knots into the middle of each length. Sew each end of your length pieces into the red part of your bug so the knot stays on the right side and tie on the back. These are your bug dots so do as many or as little as you like.

Step 2

Using your black yarn and your yarn needle and with wrong sides facing each other, stitch your bottom piece to your top piece by stitching through the inside stitch loops only (see photo). Before closing, stuff your little bug with some toy stuffing or yarn scraps and stitch closed. Tie in all your tails.

Tip* A clever way of hiding your tail ends inside your work instead of outside is to thread your yarn into your project and out the another side, it doesn't matter where, then pull your yarn tight, scrunching up your project a little, cut your yarn and then allow your project to spring back into place, the tail end of your yarn should end up inside your project, hidden away!

And now you're done!

Happy crocheting everyone. For more free patterns visit www.happyberry.co.uk or www.youtube.com/happyberrycrochet

Free crochet pattern - Cheeky peas in a pod

This quick and easy pattern was inspired by Toy Story funny enough because my daughter just loves the film and especially the adorable little cheeky peas in a pod!

So here is my take on the traditional peas in a pod.








You will need

Some green yarn
Some short scraps of black yarn
Small amount of toy stuffing
3.0 mm crochet hook or any hook that is appropriate for the yarn you are using

Pea (make 3)

Step 1
Using your green yarn crochet 5sc into a magic circle, pull to tighten, sl st to join - (5)

Step 2
2sc in next st and in ea st around - (10)

Step 3
*1sc in next st, 2sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end - (15)

Step 4 - 6
1sc in ea st around - (15)

Step 7
*1sc in next st, sc2tog* repeat from * to * until end - (10)

Pause your work here and using your black yarn stitch some eyes and a small mouth, stuff your pea and continue;

Step 8
*sc2tog* repeat from * to * until end - (5)

Step 9
Stitch remaining gap closed and hide your tails. Repeat steps 1 to 9 for two more peas.

Pod

Step 1
Using your green yarn ch13, 2sc in 2nd st from hook, 1sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in last st - (14)

Step 2
Turning your work clockwise and crocheting into your foundation sts, crochet 2sc in 1st foundation st, 1sc in next 10 sts, 2sc in last st - (28 total sts from steps 1 and 2)

Step 3
1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, 1sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in next st, 1sc in next st, 2sc in next st, 1sc in next 11 sts, 2sc in last st - (32)

Step 4
1sc in next st, ch1 (count as first dc), 1dc in next st and in ea st around, sl st in ch1 to join round - (32)

Step 5 - 6
Ch2, 1dc in next st and in ea st around, sl st in top of 2ch to join round - (32)

Step 7
Sc2tog twice, 1sc in next 10 sts, *sc2tog* repeat from * to * twice more, 1sc in next 10 sts, sc2tog, fasten off and tie in all tails - (26)

Pop in your peas and now you're done!

Happy crocheting everyone.

Lovers' Knot Shrug Crochet Pattern - Inside Crochet Magazine Issue 41

Wedding season is most definitely in the air and I have already received my first invitation to a friend's wedding so I was delighted to have the opportunity to design a crochet pattern for Inside Crochet magazine's special wedding May issue that comes out today. 

I decided on an ornate, light and airy shrug to compliment either a wedding dress or just simply for that special outfit.

I also selected the Lover's Knot stitch which is very similar to the Solomon Knot stitch, also known as the Half Knot stitch. I thought that stitch would be appropriate for such a romantic occasion as well as give the shrug the drape I was looking for.

This pretty shrug is inspired by Spring's warming sun, fresh colours and romantic feelings and is complimented with finer detailing of a picot edge and flowers, all made with Sublime Egyptian Cotton DK yarn which gives the shrug its beautiful drape.

As you can imagine I was also very excited to see the photographs of the modelling session and honoured to discover I had two beautiful models model my shrug for the magazine of which both made the shrug look stunning.

I was also delighted to discover my Lovers' Knot Shrug pattern made the front cover! As you can imagine I have become a very delighted crochet designer and I hope you enjoy crocheting this shrug as much as I have enjoyed designing it.

Issue 41 also has lots of other beautiful designs too for your own home-made wedding such as Tracey Shears Wedding Dress and Claire Montgomerie's Wildflower Buttonholes as well as lots of other inspiring ideas for your special day.

Issue 41 of Inside Crochet is on sale today, 26th April 2013 in local stores such as WHSmiths. 

Inside Crochet magazine is also available in various US stores and as a digital subscription. 

For more information please visit www.insidecrochet.co.uk

Happy crocheting everyone and thank you Inside Crochet! (^-^)