Wednesday 13 November 2013

Beaded bangles

Tuesday evening was the monthly Catch up and Crochet evening with the lovely Sam from betsymakes.blogspot.co.uk . Incredibly talented and endlessly patient with beginners and experienced crocheters alike. It was Sam who showed me how to do a magic loop. I don't like to say just how many years it has been since my Nana taught me how to crochet but probably starts with a 4 and is a multiple of 10. In all that time I'd never got the hang of a magic loop now I use them all the time.

Based in the best coffee and cake shop in the whole wide world, Fancy, in Bedford (their famous Chocolate Brownies are to die for). It's lovely to get together with other crocheters, encourage beginners, swap ideas and learn something new. We always do a bit of a bring and share. One lady had made some gorgeous matching hat and scarf sets and Sam showed us her beautiful zebra ripple blanket.

Last night we made these pretty beaded bangles ready for gifts at Christmas.


There'll be more cake, chat and crochet next month. Come and join us. 

Sunday 10 November 2013

Poppies for Remembrance

I was experimenting with the design of these little poppies in my lunch hour at work a couple of weeks ago. The lady behind the till when I bought my sandwich had been wearing a knitted version and I wanted to try it out in crochet. One of my colleagues exclaimed over it so much that I gave it to her, then another colleague wanted one and from there it just grew. To date I've made over 20 of these cute button holes, have orders for next November and made about £40 for the British Legion Poppy appeal.
 
As I struggled to keep up with demand I thought I'd share the pattern so that next year we can all make them. You are free to use this pattern as you like but please consider a donation to http://www.britishlegion.org.uk/get-involved/how-to-give/. Please don't copy this pattern but post a link to www.stitchedinsilver.blogspot.com.
 
I'm  using a DK 100% cotton in bright red. It was in my stash with no label and could be anything up to 27 years old, so I'm afraid I don't know what it was called, and a 2mm crochet hook. I wanted the tension to be tight so that the petals didn't flop.
 
Start with a magic ring or three chain joined into a loop.
12 Double crochet (dc) into the ring and slip stitch (sl) to join.
 
First petal.
Chain (ch) 3, 1 treble crochet (tr) into first dc. 2 tr in each of the next 3 stitches, turn.
Chain 3, 1 tr into first stitch, 2 tr in next 7 stitches, turn.
1 ch, 1dc into first stitch (2ch, 1dc) to end.
 
Sl 3 down the side of the petal to carry the yarn back to the middle of the poppy. Work another petal into the next four stitches in the starting ring. Work a third petal, finish off and weave the ends of the yarn in.
 
Complete your poppy with a black button in the middle and sew a pin to the back.
 
Wear with pride.