10 Days of Hearts

Leading up to Valentine's Day I thought it would be nice to do a new mini feature. Each day for the first 10 days of February I will post a different heart themed craft. Not all will be crochet, but most will be simple, as I think Valentine's day should be about the sentiment and not about giving huge gifts. Unless that's your thing. I won't object :)

Some will be some old favourites, some new and some projects from other sites!

So stay tuned, and if you complete a project, why not share it on my Facebook page, or hashtag it on twitter or instagram with #10daysofcrochetaheart and we can all share the love :)

Woollies for Tassie - part 2

I've been really enjoying crocheting for a purpose, other than the usual purpose of having fun! I have been making 8" squares to send to Tasmania (see this previous post)

I've made a few of the traditional granny squares, but wanted to make a few extra fancier ones.

You might remember last year (well, a couple of months ago!) I made this:

I absolutely love this pattern, and had a few circles left over, perfect to use! but they do need to be bigger!

The pattern is called Flowers in the Snow by Solveig. You will need to visit her page to get the first three rounds. 

Round 4: in any chain space: 3 ch, 3dc (UK tr), 1 ch, *4 dc in next chain space, 1 ch. Repeat from *10 more times and sl st into 3rd chain from beginning  

{4dc in each space, separated by a chain}

Round 5: in any chain space: 3 ch, 1dc, 1 ch, 2dc, 2ch. *2dc into next chain space 1 chain and 2dc (into same chain space) 2 chains. Repeat from * 10 more times and sl st into 3rd chain from beginning. 

{2dc, 1ch, 2dc into each space, separated by 2 chains}

Round 6: into large chain space (space made by 2 chains) 3ch 3dc 1ch, 1dc into small chain space, 1ch, *4 dc into next large chain space, 1 ch, 1dc into nect small chain space. repeat from * 10 more times and sl st into 3rd chain from beginning

{4dc into large space, 1dc into each small space, each separated by 1ch}

Round 7: starting the corner

Starting in any space to the right  of the single dc

4ch and 1tr, 5ch and into next space; 2 tr.

3ch, *2dcinto next space, 1ch, 2dc into next space 3ch, 2dcinto next space, 1ch, 2dc into next space 3ch

+ 2tr into next space 5ch 2tr into next sp 3ch 

Repeat from * two times, and then repeat from * a third time and finish at +. Sl st to join.

Round: 8:
Starting in the corner space, 3ch and 2dc, 3ch, 3dc
*1 ch, 4dc into next sp, 3ch, 4dc into next space, 3chain, 4dc into next space, 3ch, 4dc into next sp, 1ch
+3dc, 3ch, 3dc in next space, repeat from * two times, and then repeat from * a third time and finish at +. Sl st to join.

Round 9:
Starting in the corner space, 3ch and 2dc, 3ch, 3dc
*2ch, 2dc into next sp, 3ch, 5dc into next sp, 3ch, 5dc into next sp, 3ch, 2dc into nect sp, 2ch
+3dc 3ch 3dc into next space. repeat from * two times, and then repeat from * a third time and finish at +. Sl st to join.

I have used a 4mm hook with 8ply yarn. If you are going to send to Woollies for Tassie, they are asking for 8ply yarn, either wool or acrylic but please label it. For more info, please go to the Craft Hive

I've linked up with:

Woolies for Tassie - granny squares

You may have heard of the devastating fires in Tasmania. The Craft Hive has set up a drive to get knitted and crocheted square together to make blankets for the families that have lost everything.

If you are unable to participate, maybe you can spread the word to someone who can.  

They are after 8 inch squares in 8 ply yarn. Acrylic, wool, or blended, but please label them. 

for more information, click here: The Craft Hive 

I'm going to be sending some granny squares, here is a pattern for an 8 inch square if you need it: (using US terms) I've posted other Granny Square tutorials, but this is now my favourite method. (note, you don't need to use this pattern, if you are sending them off, any 8inch square will do)
(US dc = UK tr) 

I'm using the aforementioned 8 ply yarn with a 4 mm hook.

Start with either a magic loop or chain 4 and join with sl st in first chain, (using the red yarn.)

1st round: chain 6 (counts as 1 dc and 3 chains-pictured above) 

*3 dc into centre and 3 chains. repeat from * two more times

2dc into centre and slip stich into top of third chain from beginning.

1st Round Complete

2nd round: 6 chains, and into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains {this square has a 2 space gap between each 3 dc cluster and a 3 chain gap in each corner}
*3 dc, 3 chains, 3dc, 2 chains into next corner space. repeat from * two more times
2dc into first corner space and sl st into 3rd chain. Fasten off.


3rd round (using brown yarn): 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains
*3dc into next space, 2 chains
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain. fasten off

3rd Round Complete

4th round (using red yarn): 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains (pictured below)

Corner Detail. Start each round off like this to avoid a bulky join. 

*3dc into next space, 2 chains, 3dc into next space, 2 chains.
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain.


5th round: 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains
*3dc into next space, 2 chains. 3dc into next space, 2 chains. 3dc into next space, 2 chains.
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain. Fasten off.

5th Round Complete

6th round: (using brown yarn) 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains
*3dc into next space, 2 chains. repeat 3 more times
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain. Fasten off

7th round: (using red yarn) 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains
*3dc into next space, 2 chains. repeat 4 more times
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain.

8th round: 6 chains, then into same corner space 3dc and 2 chains
*3dc into next space, 2 chains. repeat 5 more times
3dc into next corner space, 3 chains, 3dc into same corner space, 2 chains. Repeat from * 2 more times
2dc into first corner space, sl st into 3rd chain. Fasten off

8 Rounds Complete

 Make a square in just one colour, or change at each row. Play around and you will end up with quite a few squares to donate.

Here is my other post on Granny Squares, but note this method uses a 3 chain gap between each 3 dc cluster. It does have a more detailed explanation of starting the first round. There is no right or wrong way to make a Granny Square, but you may need to adjust tension or add/subtract rows to get to an 8" square. As I said before, I now prefer the method in today's post.


Thanks for reading,
Emma

Oh Hi!

Hello friends! Just wanted to share this sneak peek of a tutorial I've had in the works.. forever! I actually posted this picture a few months back, but then got busy with other stuff, and now it is time to finish it off.

I hope everyone is enjoying their January. Mine is HOT, but not humid, so I'm pretty happy with that!

I have made another resolution this year, in addition to the last post.. To save money. I used to be pretty good at putting a bit aside.. and then I had children. So I would like to share a few tips with you over the year, even if it has not much to do with crochet.

The first thing I am doing was suggested to me by my friend, The TV Mom. She saw a graphic that showed the balance of a bank account if you put in $1 on the first week of 2013, $2 on the second, all the way to $52 on the last week. You will end up with a total of $1378. She had the idea to do it backwards. Deposit $52 the first week, $51 the second and so on. I like this idea, because it gets easier as the year progresses, and you don't need to find an extra $50 to deposit around Christmas, and the added benefit of having interest calculated on a high amount. I've already started with the first deposit of $52.

In other news my Etsy shop is stocked with crochet hooks as they seem to be very popular. I am trying out something new through my Facebook page, which will give fans a 15% coupon code if they follow the links from the 'My Etsy Shop' App, and share the photo when prompted. Become a fan if you are interested :)

That's all for now, enjoy your week!
Emma