Inside Crochet issue 38

I'm thrilled to bits , my design  called "Concrete Scarf " is on the front cover of this month's  Inside Crochet magazine.I am always amazed how wonderful the styling makes my work  look. I love the close ups it really shows the detail off perfectly.

This scarf was inspired by the contrasts of great splodges of grey concrete in London, with occasional splashes of colour from flower beds – nature and architecture in harmony.

It is made with two balls of wonderfully soft alpaca,from Garnstudio Drops which also happens to be inexpensive and it is just as luxurious as  more expensive brands. I really recommend it.The flowers are made in cotton , they would look  great in any yarn really but I do love the stitch definition that you get with cotton.You can use those odds and ends from your yarn stash.


More of my designs can be viewed on my designer page here .
Magazine is available in most newsagents and most supermarkets, it can also be purchased here.


 

Inside Crochet issue 37

 

 

 

My latest pattern has been published in Inside crochet issue 37.It is for  baby booties.They are so easy to make.They are a simple T shape that is folded  and sewn in a way that resembles a booty. I added bows . ribbon , buttons.use any thing you like.Made in Sublime 4ply cashmere,merino, silk yarn , a deliciously soft yarn perfect for wee ones feel.  This pattern is easy to adapt to make larger ones. I have made them for all my family including my brother who has size 13 uk feet. They don't look quite so cute in that size but they make your feet very happy.!!!

 

I m loving the new style of inside crochet , it feels and looks very stylish.I really like the photography,the booties look so pretty all lined up in a row.Well done team Inside crochet!!! 

 

I'm toying with the idea of getting my magazines as a ditigal subscription.I'm rather sad to do this as I am a great lover of books and i love to actually hold books,I love the smell of the paper.I love a new book with no creases,a spine that has not been forced flat and more recently I love the thrill of opening the magazines and book that has my pattern in it. A while back his highness bought me  a kindle something I thought Id hate but I now love it with a passion.However, once you start with electronic reading devices they bring out some other feature that you must have at present I want the kindle to have white paper.

 

However, I am really running out of space for more books.I have six floor to ceiling book cases filled with books I cant tell you the last time i hoovered the dust off them. I remember visiting someones house years ago and they had so many books but they were covered in thick layers of dust. i can remember being shocked that someone would do that to  books, alas,I ashamed to say I have become the same person. I don't know about you but time seems to be flying by, one day rolls into the next. Things that were once so very important now sit on the back burner all I want to do is find more time to design ,cook, read and crochetttttttttt all day long.

Feasting

We have arrived back safe from two amazing weeks in Florida.I have taken far too many photos but my priority has been to cook some healthy tasty food. Two weeks away from my cooker and I'm desperate to cook .

Two ways with mackerel.

picture 1.

Terrayaki mackerel with wilted garlic greens served on a bed of jasmine rice

This to me is pure comfort in a bowl, it always make me feel at home.

Fillet the 4 mackerel and marinate with 6 tbsp terrakayi sauce for two hrs.In a frying pan add sunflower oil and fry the fillets until cooked, turn over and add the marninade and cook until it has reduced and becomes syrupy.

The spinach is simply wilted with a crushed clove of garlic and a big knob of butter. Serve on the rice.

Dish two.

Fillet of grilled mackerel with a herb and olive dressing.

1 red onion diced, 2 sprigs thyme chopped, 2tbsp olive oil, 1 crushed garlic, add 4 fillets and marinate set aside for at least an hour.

In another bowl add 3tbsp chopped parsley, 2tbsp chopped chives, 15 kalamata black olives chopped ,50ml red wine vinegar, 1tsp sugar, 4tbsp olive oil, 2chopped green chillies. 1 punnet of cbaby plum toms, salt and pepper, for more sauce add a little more oil.

Add fillets to a pan and grill the fillets skin side up until charred and browned.

To serve take some salad leaves and spoon some dressing in a bowl add a fillet and spoon over more dressing serve with plain rice or with crusty bread and a large glass of wine.

For pudding I made some chocolate brownies with a great big handful of brazil, macadamia and almonds. Totally Lush.I am restored and happy to be back home .I will be sharing my pictures shortly have a lovely weekend.

Bro's scarf

For as long as I can remember I called my brother 'Bro' I love giving him a scarf a one off design .This pattern emerged from no where I juststarted playing around with my stitches. I enjoy making it fun quick and has a lovely texture .I wanted to share it with you. Looks really effective with random dyed yarn.

I always seem to forget to take a photo of the finished article. He seemed really pleased and he loved the colourway. Enjoy!!!

Materials; 4.5mm needles.

3 skein of , The wool boutique alpaca and merino yarn.

Gauge; as ever my scarves have no gauge use any needle size you like for the yarn .

Pattern;

Cast on 24 sts.

Row 1; k2tbl ,p2, rep to end

Row 2; p2tbl,k2, rep to end

Row 3; p2,k2tbl, rep to end

Row 4; k2, p2tbl, rep to end.

Continue until desired length.

Easy Buttons

I have a large selection of buttons. I ve been collecting them for years and yet I often cant find that perfect one. A friend said why not make one to match. I did and this is the result. Very quick and very easy.I love it so much I wanted to share .

You will need; Small amount of yarn, aubergine one is manos, I love this yarn. The green one is rowan romance,white one is nameless.

A crochet hook, any size it depends on the yarn you are using.Sewing needle (large enough for the yarn to be threaded through).

Method

Make 5ch,join with slip stitch.

Round 1; 3ch, 12tr in the ring, join with a slipstitch in the 3ch .

Round 2; 1ch, 1dc in each of the tr, join with slip stitch.

Round 3: as round 2.

Leave a long end, about 10inches ,( you need this amount so that you can then attach button to the item).Using a needle thread through the stitches. Cut some of the same wool off the ball and fill the centre of the button ,really stuff it in. Draw the yarn that you have threaded through as tightly as you can . You are aiming to make a firm button that wont contort when putting it through the buttonhole. This closes the stuffing and you should have a button. Fasten off and use the same yarn to attach the button to your item.

Hope this makes sense, if you find any errors please let me know.

Enjoy.