Daisies Make Me Smile Wall Hanging and Table Centre

"Roses are the majestic beauties of the flower family, but daisies make me smile."

This pattern has two uses. It can be made into a Wall Hanging or used as a Table Centre.

This pattern combines flowers and shapes to create an interesting piece suitable for a wall hanging or table centre.

Additional instructions for attaching the piece to a mandala ring are included.

19 small daisies are combined to create the central hexagon shape. Larger daisies form square shapes that attach to the hexagon. Groups of 3 small daisies make up the triangles that sit in between the squares. This is all designed to fit neatly together to create this lovely piece.

Triple Bypass Heart Scarf

This is a heart stoppingly gorgeous pattern!

Now I am not saying I am a mastermind of superior intelligence, but… this new stitch I have created is Mar-vel-ous!

I took the simple front post/ back post stitch and made it fully reversible. The pattern is exactly the same on both sides!

So you can judge if Auburncraft Design needs to be inducted into the league of brillant minds for this innovation.

All jokes aside. I love this stitch and will no doubt be using it for future designs. It is my stitch. I did it and I am very prepared to share it (for a price). Designing patterns is hard work!

The Triple Bypass Heart Scarf uses three colours with the colours not being carried across rows.

I used Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury 4ply for this. It is just soooooo soft!

For further details on materials click here




coming soon

Coming soon

Vintage Dragonfly Masquerade Blanket

My new design Vintage Dragonfly Masquerade Blanket, is of a confident intermediate level, with some high-end intermediate components in some parts.

I never run out of ideas and ways to combine my signature dragonflies into new designs, and I love creating designs using them. I did need to modify the dragonflies slightly in order to fit three on each side of the hexagon shapes. I wanted to make this design special and unique, and so the cables in the corners form the corner increases to add a bit of texture and interest.

I was still not completely convinced this was unique enough, but then I moved on to joining the shapes. What way could this be done to make it unique, different?

I tried a few different ideas, and then the thought of using a jacobs ladder combined with a flat seam joining stitch popped into my head. I have never seen this done before, so I will claim this idea as unique to Auburncraft Crochet Design. I have named this new join a Jacobs Ladder Flat Seam Join.

Videos are not my thing—well, usually they are not—but I finally dipped my toes into the murky waters of video work with my feeble attempts at showing off this new joining stitch.

I am going to try and do more video work in the future if these are received well. What you won’t see in my videos are perfectly manicured hands and a smooth, dulcet voice. But I can crochet,  and hopefully that will be enough.

Please support my small effort in videos by subscribing to my YouTube channel.

But back to the blanket!

I used quality Bendigo Woollen Mills 8-ply cotton for this beauty. The colours are limited edition Cotton Crush in Peach and Dove Grey, and while these are not being run at the moment, they have many gorgeous colours to choose from. Please take a look. BWM have been fabulous to myself as well as other independent designers.

I hope you like my new blanket, Vintage Dragonfly Masquerade, and will give it some love!

Being a Crochet Designer

Before I sat to write this, I decided I would give AI a chance to state what it is like to be a crochet designer and see if they were right.

This is what I got back:

Being a crochet designer requires creativity, patience, and attention to detail. Start by mastering basic stitches and techniques, then experiment with different yarns and patterns to develop your own unique style. Practice regularly to hone your skills and don’t be afraid to frog projects that aren’t working out. Remember to take breaks to prevent burnout and stay inspired by following other designers and trends in the crochet community. Lastly, believe in yourself and your abilities – confidence is key to succeeding as a crochet designer.

—————————————————————————————————-

I guess most of the above is true, and I do agree that patience is very much key to being or having a chance to be a successful designer. Having the strength to be unique is also very important, at least to me.

I am constantly in touch with other designers, but I would rather be me and not worry about what others are producing. I am never on trend and don’t intend to be.

I was asked recently about tips for being a designer, and below are my top eleven:

  1. Know your own pattern.

    You need to know what you are talking about. Your pattern could have been published a month ago, a year ago, or several years ago, and you will have customers who don’t understand an aspect of it. You need to be able to help these people, and the only way you can do that is if you know what you are talking about.

  2. Stitch counts and clear instructions really do matter.

    If I am crocheting just for me, I can easily fudge something and make a count work by adding a stitch or decreasing. But if you are expecting others to create the same item, they expect that your pattern makes sense and that all counts work. Every stitch must be accounted for. Just because one customer understands a section doesn’t mean all will, and this is where pattern testing is important.

  3. Yes, pattern testing is important.

    Having brilliant pattern testers is a must. I put my testers through the ringer to get a pattern ready to publish. I have one particular tester who claims that they talk Auburncraft. Meaning they can figure out what I mean even when I am not sure myself. I can look at something forever and not see the glaring mistake right in front of me. Thankfully, my testers are very prepared to keep at me till I get it right.

  4. Listening.

    It is important to listen to those on your team who are trying to help get your pattern out into the world. I am not saying they are always right, but when one of my team members states I have something that needs attending to, and I am thinking, Nuh! I am right, most of the time I am not. Their opinions are important!

  5. Have very broad shoulders, and check your ego at the door.

    I used to find it upsetting that I could not get everything perfect right away. I am now very used to feeling like a dill for making an error. I have learned not to rush to a corner and cry if someone posts a review that is not five stars, as there is just no way to please everyone.

  6. Social media is a necessary evil.

    You need to be out there and show off what you have, as otherwise you will be overlooked.

  7. Being available.

    The world is a small place, and being a crochet designer means that questions come in from all corners of the world. These need to be answered within a reasonable time frame. People do not like to wait!

  8. Great photographs are necessary.

    I am not a photographer, and I most certainly cannot afford to pay a photographer to photograph every stage of my work, including final photographs for marketing. I do try to get the best photographs that I can with what I have. The more engaging the picture, the greater the likelihood that your pattern will pique interest.

  9. Copyright and trademarks are real things.

    As a designer, I take the stance of not creating anything that I am aware has a trademark attached. Large companies such as Disney, Hello Kitty, and many others take copyright and trademarks very seriously and will track you down if you choose to use any of their copyrighted or trademarked characters. It is not smart.

  10. Your own copyright

    As for your own copyright, it is important to add copyright information to your own patterns and be prepared to lodge takedown notices if someone does infringe your rights, but in saying that, sometimes it is pointless. You have to know when to turn a blind eye and walk away and which battles you can win. It is not if someone steals your pattern or photographs; it is when.

  11. Do YOU!

    It is very important to be creating what you feel. Sounds a bit deep and yeah I guess it is! I have at times been asked if I will create something specific for someone and generally the answer is no. I create what I feel at the time and if I have to start creating things that I don’t like or are not me, then it is time to stop designing.


    These are my own views, and I am sure many other designers have a different idea of what is important, but these are mine!



Below: Just a sample of some of my blanket designs. Click here for the blankets webpage.

Perfection is Overrated

So you think my crochet looks okay?

Ah, but you don’t see what’s behind the curtain!

When I first began designing, I wondered if I was good enough to even attempt to do so.

Would people even like my designs? Was I clever enough, unique enough to even try?

A number of years down the track and over 140 designs later, I try not to question myself further on this topic. I design what appeals to me and give it my best efforts, and that is all one can ever do.

I know a lot of people worry that what they produce, whether it be of their own design or from a pattern, is not good enough. Well, I say who cares!

No one is perfect, unless of course we are referring to Auburncraft's CEO, Stella. Stella consistently tells me she is! I tend to agree with her assessment mostly.

Although I do not for a minute believe that it was Mr. Billy Thunder (the cat) that pulled the bag of rubbish from the bin and all over the floor. She insists this is the truth!

But, back to the crochet. I know my crochet is certainly not perfect, and to be honest, I do have some ability (almost perfection, one may say) in fixing boo-boos (what I call my errors).

I have become very good at hiding an error a row or round back, by adding a missing stitch in as I go or doing a maneuver that I like to call a cut and paste.

When you have 800 plus stitches per round of a project, the last thing you want to do is frog the whole round. I simply cut and patch, then continue. The end result looks perfect, but it isn’t.


He Loves Me He Loves Me Knot Blanket CAL. Part 1 will be release tomorrow. Give it a go! The pattern is available on Ravelry.

Perfection is really overrated in my opinion!

I prefer to let the creative side of my mind loose, and often this can produce some interesting results. I have been known to get partway through a design and realize that I did something completely different from what I intended.

The design turns out miles away from what I first thought of.

But it’s all good!

Don’t be afraid to give things a go. If it turns out different than what you intended, who is going to know?

Some of the best artwork comes about by mistake!

He Loves Me He Loves Me Knot Blanket CAL 2024. Part 1 will be released tomorrow! The pattern is for sale on Ravelry!

Winters Blush Scarf

Who doesn’t love a little but of luxury!

When I first set out to design this scarf I was thinking it needed to be front post stitches. But then the issue with using this stitch is the front of the work looks amazing, but the back of the scarf, not so much and pretty darn boring.

I solved this little dilemma by creating a new stitch.

Winters Blush Scarf is fully reversible and quite decadent. The pattern appears on both sides of the scarf taking this simple design to a new level.

The end result is a scarf that you can be sure will keep you warm, no matter how cold it is.

I have to say I was very pleased with the finished product and do feel the need to brag a bit (quite a lot) actually about it.

This new stitch is also amazingly easy (once you get into the swing of it). I know I will be producing a blanket using the same technique, very soon.

I love working in Bendigo Woollen Mills Luxury yarns. It is just soooooo soft.

For further details on materials extra click here



Crochet Trends 2024

Well, the new year has begun. I am finding many, MANY posts about trends for the year!

  1. What will they be?

  2. How can I start a trend?

  3. How can I cash in on a trend?

Number 3 of the above is probably the most relevant to these posts. Most who are marketing this idea of trends should probably just pop a sign above their head stating ‘look to me, I am all knowing’.

Do they know what is really going to be a trend? Well, I can tell you that nearly every designer would have made a pig in a blanket FIRST, if they really thought that it would go crazy! Those little piggies were everywhere.

Mabel the chicken was another one that you would have seen designers rushing to the front of the queue to be THE ONE, if they had of known!

Maybe others have a secret crystal ball that they peer into. Well, I sure don’t!

I have never really been one to follow trends. And in all honestly, more likely to do the opposite just to be able to tell myself that I did!

So what can you expect from Auburncraft Design this year?

  1. You can expect that there will be crochet.

  2. There is a reasonable chance of dragonflies at some point, simply cos I can!

  3. There will be a CAL (crochet-a-long).

  4. The majority of my designs will be paid patterns. I like to eat and money is kind of a necessity to enable that! Stella (auburncrafts CEO) also has expensive taste in food).

  5. I probably won’t do a collaboration with other designers. I don’t play well with others!

  6. Patterns will most likely be of an intermediate level. I prefer this type of crochet. I need to enjoy what I am doing.

  7. All my designs will be pattern tested. (The pattern test basement is already full of testers working away on the upcoming CAL).

I choose to be my own trend and shall create my own reality! You do you! And I will be ME!

Crochet to enjoy!

I have a follower of 1. Her name is Stella. She truly does follow me everywhere! Probably as it is nearly walkies time, but hey, when you’ve got it, you’ve got it!


But do subscribe to my webpage to keep up with the latest ‘TRENDS’, or not!

I predict that there will be crochet, with a slight chance of more crochet!

Cos, basically I really don’t have a clue!





Stella

Thank You For Supporting Auburncraft Crochet Design 2023

2 Free designs until Christmas Day

Both patterns will be available only in my Facebook group until Christmas Day. You will find them in the files section of the group.

Have you been Naughty or Nice this year?

I have been nice most of the year, with intermittent bouts of naughty added in, just to keep things interesting!

Introducing: Christmas Naughty List Coal Bag

  • Works up fast.

  • A great Secret Santa gift

  • Comes with a bonus Chocolate Truffle recipe.

And: Christmas Hope Ornament

For many 2023 has been a tough year. I know mine has!

This ornament is designed to be a wish of hope for a better year to come.

  • Works up fast.

  • Make one for someone who needs a better 2024

  • Make a dozen for your tree

Thank you to everyone who has supported my design business this year. 2024 will be full of new crochet designs. A CAL will also run early in the new year. This will be comprised of 12 parts. Subcribe to my webpage and join my facebook group to stay informed. You can also follow me on instagram.




String of Flowers Scarf

If you like things that are just a bit different and a tad quirky, then this scarf will appeal to you.

This is a super fast project and perfect for last minute gift ideas.

Thick to thin, bouccle style yarns work great with this. I used Alize Maxi Flower yarn in black. This has tiny flowers every few centimetres.

It is also a great project for using up that ball of yarn. Yes, you know the one! You just had to have it!

So unique and pretty that it just forced you to purchase it. But it’s not enough to make anything huge with. These types of yarn sit in the stash drawer and only see daylight when you feel the urge to give them a squeeze, every now and then.

Odd, quirky and unique yarns work very well here.

The main body of the scarf uses approximately 80 metres in total. The flowers are made with randome balls of aran yarn, that I had in the yarn stash.


My pattern testers produced some amazing scarves. Each one is very unique to them. To view these click on the webpage button below.

The pattern can be purchased on Etsy, Ravelry and Lovecrafts, via the links below.

Coming soon

24 Dragonflies

Many year ago, my very first crochet design (at least the one I decided to write down) was a very simple dragonfly blanket. This was based loosely on the format that Cal the Midwife blanket uses.

I wrote a very basic pattern and found that people wanted it. Others saw this simple idea and ran with it. The same pattern began to appear being used by other designers and now you will find similar blankets free everywhere. I was however the first to do this.

Since that humble beginning, I developed my own stitch combination for my dragonflies that in my opinion, is far superior.

I now have 24 designs featuring dragonflies.

Of course I design other non-dragonfly items, but generally my dragonflies are my best sellers. I wander back to my beginnings and my dragonflies often.

The list is quite extensive when it is all together. I am rather proud of them!

The picture collage shows them in no particular order. Links can be found to all my selling platforms via the buttons below.




  1. The Secret of the Dragonfly Blanket.

  2. Apricot Blossom Dragonflies Blanket.

  3. Rainforest Dragonflies Shawl.

  4. Dragonflies on Parade Blanket.

  5. Dragonflies for Dee Mandala.

  6. Dragonflies on My Mind Headwarmer.

  7. March of the Dragonflies Blanket

  8. Dragonflies n Ivy Mandala.

  9. How to Catch a Dragonfly Blanket

  10. Dragonflies n Ladders Blanket

  11. One, Two, Three Dragonflies Cushion

  12. Become a Dragonfly Cindee Rose Blanket

  13. Dragonfly Labyrinth Blanket

  14. Lost in the Dragonfly Labyrinth Shawl

  15. Six Wishes for a Dragonfly Blanket

  16. Cover Me in Dragonflies n Flowers Shawl

  17. Dragonfly Hide n Seek Shawl

  18. On The Wings of a Dragonfly Shawl

  19. Flight of the Dragonfly Blanket

  20. Dragonfly Diamonds Patch

  21. Dragonfly Patch Blanket

  22. Dragonflies in Spring Blanket

  23. For the Love of Dragonflies Blanket

  24. Dragonfly Blanket



So Ask Yourself, Have You Been Good?

About this time of year one begins to reflect on things in general. The usual questions are being thrown around. Questions one sometimes does not want to answer. One in particular springs to mind!

Have you been naughty or nice?

I have to admit that I am usually on the naughty list. What can I say. Being naughty does have its advantages, but I am trying to be good.

I thought that if I created a Christmas based crochet item, and offered it as a free version on my webpage, surely that has to tip the balance just a bit towards making that nice list.

No guarantee for sure, but I have to try!

So here it is, the Christmas Goodie Sack!

This works up fast, and is fun to make, (or so my pattern testers tell me. Totally of their own free will. Really, truly).

Mmmm, that reminds me. I really must remember to release the pattern testers from the pattern test command centre (the basement), at least before Christmas. Ah, well. I am sure they will be alright!

But back to the Christmas Goodie Sack.

Linked stitches are used to create a densely stitched bag, large enough to hide some really decent Christmas Booty within.

No sneaky eyes peeking here!

Surface slip stitch is used to add a Christmas scene to the front of the bag. Snowflakes are added for that extra special Christmas look. A draw string completes the sack, ensuring no Christmas Goodies fall out.

Please visit my webpage for the free US version of the pattern.

Ad free PDF versions are available on Ravelry and Etsy in both US and UK Terminology.

Help a girl out by heading to Ravelry and popping this pattern into your favourites.

You, know who, may be watching and every little bit of praise helps. Apparently (or so I have heard), he has a list. He checks it twice. I really must be on that nice list this year!

Apricot Blossom Dragonflies Blanket

There is something rather special about Spring. Australia, around mid October, when the trees are almost collapsing from the weight of their blossom, the dragonflies appear.

I think they know Spring is just about as perfect as it is going to get. The flowers are all set to welcome them. Trees with blossom in a variety of colours, are a treat to see. From brilliant reds, to soft pinks and apricots. I love them all, but I do think the Jacaranda is my favourite.

I had the beauty of Spring and blossom in my mind when I put pen to paper and begin the initial idea for this design. I wanted it to be as soft and delicate as I could. with an almost vintage style to it.

The Bendigo Woollen Mill Luxury 4ply in Soft Blush was the perfect choice for this. Once I got into the rhythm of the pattern, the name for design simply popped into my head. It seemed right.

This pattern is comprised mainly with basic stitches. It does have a couple of special stitches of a more intermediate level. The filet crochet technique is used to bring this blanket to life.

It has a delicate edging top and bottom.

This is a stroller or crib sized blanket but can easily be sized up. You own calculations for this are required

The pattern links can be found on my webpage.

2023 Yarn Related Advent Calendars

Do you love a good advent calendar, stitch calendar/club etc. You know. That little treat leading up to Christmas that is just for you!

I decided to compile a list of what is available for this year, 2023.

Most are just links. I have added a couple with a feature picture. All links lead to each advent calendar or stitch calendar. If you have an add blocker this may prevent the link. Some have affiliate links, some don’t.

I have not included pictures with each link, as this would have been too time consuming.

Mignon Crochet Advent Calendar Pattern

Flo’s Crafty Crochet Stitch Marker Club

Bellemae Yarns Ultimate Lola Advent Calendar