WoolnHook

Magic Ring Tutorial

2013-05-22T11:59:00.001+01:00

I use the Magic Ring for a lot of my designs because it makes a nice tight and neat center for blocks and motifs. Its easy too - here's how to make it...

Begin with the yarn tail to the left and the working yarn to the right.

Make a loop like this...

Insert your hook through the loop, from front to back, catch the working yarn and pull a loop through to the front.

Chain 1.

Ta Da, now you are ready to work the first round. Work over the yarn tail as you go.

When the first round is complete, tug on the yarn tail to pull the loop closed.

When you've finished your motif, make sure to sew the yarn tail in securely to stop the Magic Loop from loosening up.

Happy Hooking!
Leonie

I'm excited!!

2013-05-20T21:52:00.001+01:00

Oh boy, I'm so excited I can't sit still. My Man has offered to make me a wool storage unit!!!

~swoon~

We have a pile of ply board with no use which has been threatened with a trip to the skip. After some thought, I announced it would be perfect for my dream cupboard. A pigeon hole type structure, with plenty of space for future wool purchases and enough for my current wool stash. I measured the space in my Room of Wonder (which isn't very wonderful yet, buy slowly getting there) and declared what was needed. MM said it could be done but wouldn't look very nice being made of ply board. 'Fear not,' I said. He then took up a pen and sketched a plan...

Yippee!!! I can't wait. I'll have 60 pigeon holes, each big enough to hold 9 balls of 100g or 18 balls of 50g, at a squeeze. I have plans to make it look gorgeous with either paint, wallpaper, fabrics, or all three. I'm going to sit and sip my tea, dreaming of my wool unit and calming down.

Oh, I'm so excited!!!

Saturday morning - heavy drizzle

2013-05-11T10:57:00.001+01:00

I'm desperate to go out and walk in the woods, the bluebells are out and the trees are decked in new, bright green leaves. The weather this morning is rubbish (heavy drizzle) so I'm doing a bit of crochet in the hopes that it will be brighter later. I'm not sure what I'm making. Is it a baby blanket or what?

I've made little squares in baby colors and then stuffed them with a clump of poly stuffing. Now, I'm joining the puff squares together, so we'll see what it becomes.

Sunshine

2013-04-30T12:20:00.001+01:00

Yes, gorgeous sunshine! I was alarmed to see a big yellow thing sat in the sky this morning. Where are the slate grey, rain clouds? I ventured out to take a closer look and, gradually, a little memory of sunshine tickled the back of my mind. The memory grew until I could recall days in the seemingly distant past that had the big yellow thing in the sky. The warmth from it, while disconcerting at first, soon eased my concerns that the sky might fall. Yes, it isn't the end of the world, I told myself. It's the sun.

Not wanting to miss a second of the gorgeous sunshine, I gathered my work basket and picked a seat in the sun. Ooo, the bliss of warm sun!! Its certainly set off the designing section of my brain - its whirring and clicking away and my hands are forming new crochet patterns. Crochet doilies - yippee!

Starburst Ripple

2013-04-12T16:12:00.000+01:00

Hope you all had a lovely Easter and plenty of chocolate eggs. I didn't get one this year, not one :( Probably for the best though, as crocheting all day makes certain body areas spread alarmingly.

I've made another starburst blanket for Cumbrian Country Crafts. I love the colours in this one, really pretty!

One day I'll make one for myself in these colours!

Have a great weekend and Happy Hooking!
Leonie x

Guest Blog Post

2013-04-01T16:48:00.001+01:00

Pop over to SMP Crafts to read my guest blog post about choosing color combinations. There's also a giveaway of my crochet book and some gorgeous yarn open to folks in the US and Canada.

A Granny Blanket

2013-03-26T08:53:00.000Z

Even though I've been knitting the Monster Blanket, I've done some crocheting too. Here's one I've just finished...

Its a twin (single) sized blanket, edged and joined in olive. Made for Cumbrian Country Crafts.

Oh, crochet is so much quicker than knitting!

A Bit of Knitting

2013-03-23T14:04:00.001Z

When I say a bit, I mean a lot. An awful lot. Enough to keep me busy since November! Now, this blanket is a commissioned one so I didn't get to choose the colour. If I ever see Wendy mode in cypress again I might just scream! Oh, the browness of it. Its been a heap of brown bulging out of my work basket for months!

Its an enormous blanket - 160 x 260 cm. Yes, enormous. So big that I haven't been able to take a decent photograph of it, so, here are some close ups...

The pattern is one I found on Ravelry, Erin Afgan by Lion Brand. The pattern is really good. I've made a few changes to it in order to avoid the dreaded moss stitch bits. Moss stitch looks pretty but I always make a pigs ear of it.

I thought this blanket would never end and I'm so glad its finished! I can get back to some crochet now. :) Yippeee!!!!

UK Book Release

2013-02-20T13:49:00.001Z

I can't quite believe its finally happened - my book is alive. The UK version of 100 Bright & Colourful Granny Squares to Mix and Match is out!!!! Yippee!

It's come out of the press, it's wedged into boxes housed in big warehouses, its squeezed onto shelves in cosy bookshops gossiping with the other crochet books, it's traveling in the mail to people's doors and, finally, finding a new home where it can divulge all of its colourful designs and watch as its new owner gets the hook and yarn out.

I must confess, I'm very nervous but bubbling with over-excitement too. I can't wait to see what people make with the designs in the book, what colours they use and what yarn. And, I can't wait for the American version to come out next month either. It's all far too exciting for me to handle, I'm bouncing about like Tigger, so I've booked a day off tomorrow to indulge in some artwork and relax!

If you see it in the shops, sat there looking bored and lonely, do give it a good home. I designed the patterns for you!

Happy Hooking!
x

January

2013-02-04T12:36:00.001Z

Well, January is done and dusted already! Time flies doesn't it? I've been fairly busy this January. I've made a few things, designed a few things, enjoyed the snow and started redecorating my craft room.

Here is a round-up of my January...

At the start of the year I completed my Stella Cushion design which is available on Ravelry, Etsy, Craftsy and Folksy.

Stella Cushion

Square Designs

I began working on a 10" afghan block. Its not finished yet, I need to do a bit of uhming and ahing first.

10 inch block

I also designed a 4" block which also needs a bit of tweaking. Here are my rough drafts so far.

4 inch block

New Crochet Throw Idea

I had a brainwave and rustled up this test swatch. Pretty little flowers joined as you go. All I need to do with this pattern is write it up and work out the yardage needed for a throw. Oh, and make a throw of course!

New Flower Throw Idea

Close up of a flower

Entrelac Gloves
Remember these? Cor, its been at least two years since I worked on the first glove. I have, of course, lost my notes and I've used up the yarn for another project so have begun again with different yarn. I'm using Cascade 220 Superwash and am in the middle of writing up the pattern. I must hurry before Spring gets here!

Entrelac Glove - Pattern Progress

Snow

Yes! We had a whole week of proper snow. Not a light dusting, or a sleety mess, REAL snow. It was great for the first day and then I realised it was a bit of a pain. I was expecting two parcels of yarn and the postman didn't show up all week. I must confess, I was a little despairing. Nothing should get between a woman and her wool. I consoled myself with sledging and building a mighty fine snowman.

The Snow. See? Real snow!!!

Eventually, snow was replaced by Welsh rain. Welsh rain doesn't mess about, it pours and keeps on pouring. The beautiful snow disappeared and, wonder of wonders, the postman arrived.

After the snow came yarn

Commissions

I've made a few commissioned blankets too, you can order them at Cumbrian Country Crafts.

Starburst Toddler Blanket

Starburst Single (Twin) Blanket - In Progress

And that's about it for January. I'll show you before and after photos of my craft room soon too. I moaned about the mess I was working in ages ago and now I'm on the verge of having a proper Room of Wonder!!! All to myself! Eeee!

Stella Cushion Pattern

2013-01-08T10:41:00.002Z

Happy New Year everyone! Hope you all had a wonderful Christmas too.

Here is my first pattern of the New Year. Woo Hoo!!! I designed it to go in my sitting room and it will look great in there once I pluck up the courage to scrape off the anaglypta and decorate. The cushion is made of 18 4 inch squares.

Stella Cushion

The pattern is available in US and UK crochet terminology on Ravelry.

In US crochet terminology on Craftsy and Etsy.

And, in UK crochet terminology on Folksy.

Happy Hooking!

Moving and Ripples

2012-11-20T14:24:00.000Z

I've moved house, but enough about that. Here's what I've been up to when I wasn't packing boxes and calming cats...

Five little ripple blankets using a made up pattern that turns out to be exactly the same as Lucy's Neat Ripple Pattern.

Right, more unpacking.
Happy hooking!

Bright Blooms Flower Scarf - TA DA!!

2012-10-18T08:49:00.000+01:00

I've finished my Autumn Scarf #2 and renamed it Bright Blooms. I'm so thrilled with it! Its so bright and cheery that I can't help but smile when I see it. Its the perfect accessory for an otherwise gloomy day.

Here it is in progress....

Bright Blooms Flower Scarf

Bright Blooms Flower Scarf in progress

And, Ta Da! Here it is finished....

Bright Blooms - TA DA!!!

Bright Blooms Flower Scarf :-)

The pattern is available on Ravelry for £2.00.

Skill Level: Intermediate
Measurment: 85cm x 18cm
Yarn: Worsted weight in lots of colours.

Right, just need a vague reason to go out and about so I can flaunt my scarf at the world

Happy Hooking!
Leonie

Autumn Scarf #2

2012-10-14T18:58:00.000+01:00

I finished my Dexter scarf, BUT, I haven't plucked up the courage to sew in all the ends. Here it is waiting patiently for me to get the sewing needle out and tidy it all up...

Dexter Scarf - Oh the ends!

Thanks for all your lovely comments about it, I'll get it finished soon - promise!

Since April, I've been working on a book of crochet patterns! Eeeee!!! I've been so excited about it and have absolutely loved designing all the squares. I can't wait for it to be in print. Here is the US version and here is the UK version. I decided to use Cascade 220 yarn for the patterns in the book and can't thank the Cascade folks enough for their support.

When I'm designing, there tends to be a lot of unravelling and remaking so I ended up with a bucket full of little tiny hanks of yarn that I wanted to do something with.

Little Tiny Hanks of Yarn

More tiny hanks of yarn

I did a bit of umming and ahhing before starting Autumn Scarf #2 using the little tiny hanks. Here it is so far...

Autumn Scarf #2 in progress

Zoomed in on Autumn Scarf #2

Zoomed out on Autumn Scarf #2

I'm so excited about this scarf and the little flowers are easy to make. It's going to be absolutely delicious! There will be lots of sewing in of ends but, definitely worth it. Will keep you posted on how it progresses.

Happy Hooking!
Leonie

Water Lily Hexagon - Crochet Pattern

2012-10-04T20:14:00.004+01:00

I've put my autumn scarves down for a few hours to rustle up this...

Its my new crochet pattern for a hexagon and is available to purchase on Ravelry.

The hexagon will measure approximately 8" (20cm) from edge to edge when using a 5mm crochet hook and worsted weight yarn. I've used my favourite - Cascade 220.

Hope you enjoy it and Happy Hooking!

Ripple WIP

2012-09-11T09:23:00.000+01:00

Thank you for your nice comments on my Dexter scarf. I haven't stopped working on it. It's slowly getting bigger and bigger but isn't finished yet. I had hoped to traipse around on the weekend, wearing it jauntily but I got distracted. It's because I've started on this...

A new ripple pattern! Can't wait to finish it and get back to my Dexter scarf :-)

Dexter Scarf

2012-09-03T15:17:00.002+01:00

Hi Folks,

I can smell Autumn in the air. The mornings and evenings are cooler and the leaves are just starting to turn a sickly green colour which means Autumn is on the doorstep. That can mean only one thing...Scarves!! Yes, I've started planning a load of new scarves for myself beginning with an easy, peasy knitted one.

I needed to have a project to keep my hands busy while I catch up on series 5 of Dexter. My eyes are firmly gripped to the screen to see what mess my favourite Blood Analyst / Serial Killer gets up to and out of. Therefore, I began Autumn Scarf # 1. A very simple garter stitch scarf in soft wool, I'm using Patons Fairytale DK and size 3.75mm needles.

Autumn Scarf #1

I'm making colour changes randomly and am hoping that the uneven stitches will even out nicely when I block it.

I'm about half way through so hope to have it finished by next weekend when I can wrap up snuggly in it and go to feed the geese at the lake before they fly home.

On my desk...July and August

2012-08-12T20:34:00.001+01:00

Well, I've been away for ages again. I've been wandering through the countryside on lovely walks, searching the coast for fossils and avidly watching the Olympics with my hook in hand. Here's a snapshot of what has been on my desk for the last month. Lots of things in progress!

Hope you've been having a great summer and lots of hooky fun!

Liebster Blog Award - YAY!

2012-06-09T18:12:00.000+01:00

In my inbox this morning I found an email from Lisa at My World of Crochet saying she's given me a Liebster Blog Award! What a wonderful start to the day! I'm absolutely delighted. Thank you, Lisa! :)

Here it is look....

To accept the award I must :

1. Link back to the person who gave it and thank them for thinking of you

2. Post the award to your blog

3. Give the award to five (5) bloggers with less than 200 followers

4. Leave a comment on the blogs of the five people you have chosen to let them know .

With my first cuppa of the morning, and a big smile, I sat down to think about who I could pass on the award to. Here is my list...

1: Tea at Weasle's

2: Baban Cat

3: Lutje Kaakt

4: ...litt til

5: Violet White

Happy blogging!

Wool Delivery

2012-05-06T18:51:00.003+01:00

This week, I busied myself finishing off a lovely granny square blanket for Cumbrian Country Crafts.

Granny Squares

Sewing in the ends :(

Then, one evening, my parcel arrived!!! Eeeek! A Box of Wonder! I couldn't wait to plunge in and pull out all the wool. It felt just like Christmas morning! Inside, were balls and skeins of gorgeous, colourful Cascade 220. Oooooo!!!! Thank you Cascade Yarns! Yummy yarn :)

Pulling out wool from the Box of Wonder

A glimpse inside the Box of Wonder

Treasure from the Box of Wonder

More treasure

A few days earlier the postman brought a new yarn winder to my door. Woo Hoo!!

My new yarn winder

So, with my new yarn winder and trusty swift, I spent a good few hours making skeins into cakes. Happy days!

Scrumptious Yarn Cakes!!

What am I going to do with all this wonderful yarn? I'm going to design things :) Yes, at my tiny, itty, bitty desk, I settled down to work on designing squares. I'm sooo happy in my creative mess working with such gorgeous yarn.

My desk in all its mess

I'm spending this weekend playing with my fabulous yarn, thinking up new designs and popping out for short walks when the sun shines.

Hope you are all having a wonderful weekend too.
Me x

I'm still alive - honest!

2012-04-22T18:51:00.000+01:00

Well, I've been away for ages again! I haven't been idly twiddling my thumbs though.

I've had a week in the Peak District...

View towards Mam Tor

Mam Tor

Add caption

Plus, I finished the mammoth cable knit throw! Phew! It took me ages to finish, here's a blurry photo...

Celtic Twine Throw

And, I haven't missed out on crochet. I've rustled up some patterns that are in my To Do basket which I hope to finish soon and I've been playing with some old patterns in new colours.

Hope you are all having lots of hooky fun!

Knitting, knitting, knitting

2012-03-06T20:22:00.002Z

Well, I've put my hook down. Yes, I am getting the shakes but not too badly because I've picked up needles. Yes, WoolnHook has turned to knitting for a while. I'm working on a commissioned throw in a scrumptious brown which my camera refuses to photograph correctly. Its my own design so there will be a pattern available in the near-ish future. I'm still enjoying knitting it at the moment but I can forsee boredom will set in soon. I'm starting to miss the quickness of crochet. Here are some Progress So Far pictures. Please note the colour is much nicer in real life and my camera is in the Dog House.

I've got a long way to go yet so I'd better get knitting!

St David's Day - Free Daffodil Hexagon Pattern!!!

2012-03-01T19:25:00.000Z

It's St David's Day! Yay!!! Whoo Hooo. I love, love, love this day more than all the other festivals and events in the year - except maybe Christmas day if my presents are good.

For me, its an opportunity to revel in the fact that I am Welsh. That my land is beautiful, my flag is cool, my national anthem is heart-rippingly good and my people are wonderful. Oh, and also that the Welsh rugby team is awesome. Its also a chance to wear a daffodil and eat cawl.

So, in celebration of all things Welsh I have designed a Daffodil Hexagon to share with the world. Think of Wales when you make it!

Leonie x

Hexagon Daffodil

Yarn: Light Worsted / DK weight yarn in:

Colour A – Dark Yellow

Colour B – Light Yellow

Colour C - Green

Hook: 5mm / H Crochet Hook. When using heavier or lighter weight yarn use an appropriate hook size.

This pattern uses US crochet terminology.

Stitches: Cluster

[yo, pull up loop in next dc, yo, pull through two loops on hook]. Rep in next two dc (4 loops on hook). yo and pull through all loops on hook.

Daffodil Hexagon:

With Colour A make a Magic Ring.

R 1 – ch1 and work 6 sc in the ring. Join by sl st to first sc made. - 6 sc made.

R 2 - Working in the Front Loop only, ch3 in same place (counts as 1 dc). Work 1 dc in Front Loop of each sc around. Join by sl st in 3^rd ch of initial ch3. - 6 dc made.

R 3 – ch1 and sc in same place, ch1. In each st work sc, ch1. Join by sl st to first sc made. End Colour A. - 6sc and 6 ch1sps made.

R 4 - You will now be working in the back loop which you didn't work into on Round 2.

Join Colour B in any back loop of stitch on R 2. ch3 (counts as 1 dc), 2dc in same, ch2. In back loop of next stitch work 3dc, ch2. Rep * to * three times. In next stitch work 3dc. Join in 3^rd ch of initial ch3 by working a hdc.

R 5 - * ch3, Cluster, ch3, sl st in ch2 *. Rep * to * five times. End Colour B. - 6 petals made.

R 6 - Join Colour C in top of any petal. Ch1. * sc in top of petal. In ch2sp of Round 4 work 2dc, tr, 2dc *. Rep * to * five times. Join by sl st to first sc made.

R 7 - ch3 (counts as 1 dc). Dc in next three sts. * In tr work (dc, tr, dc). Dc in each stitch to next tr *. Rep * to * four times. In next tr work (dc, tr, dc). Dc in each st to start of round. End Colour C.

Weave in ends.

Rectangle Granny Throw - Free Pattern!

2012-02-22T09:47:00.000Z

Hi Folks!

Well, I've been dreadfully quiet in blog land lately. Its because I've been super busy with lots of crochet projects. :) I've managed to write up a FREE pattern which has been on my To Do List for ages. Its for my Rectangle Granny Throw. You can download it from my Ravelry store...here.

Hope you enjoy it!

Christmas Bauble Pattern

2011-12-03T20:32:00.001Z

Hi Folks,

Just a quick blog post to show you my latest pattern. Its for a Christmas bauble and is available for purchase in my Ravelry store.

You just need scraps of yarn to make it. Hope you enjoy!