Funky Buttons! Make Your Own to Add Flair to Crochet!

Below I outline how to make the spiral buttons and the flower button.

Spiral Button:

I am on the home stretch of a freeform crochet masterpiece (in my own mind) that I have been working on for ever! It is a hodge, podge mess of flowers and anything else I think of at the time. Made from pure wool and quite heavy to work on.

I started this possibly 18 months or 2 years ago. It has been in and out of the naughty corner quite a bit. I have frogged (unpulled), redone, frogged again, changed my mind multiple times, and I even took to it with the scissors recently. The heading picture is of my coat in progress.

Despite all this frustration, it is now starting to look like a coat, or vest. I am yet to decide if I can tolerate doing sleeves on it.

My mind is now turning to buttons. I need unique buttons for this unique jacket. They must be a statement of epic proportions! Something that reflexs the hours of frustration this coat has brought me. I have looked high and low for these gems but with no success. Nothing has yelled 'these are the ones' at me. I had to find something that I feel is unique enough to do justice to this piece of freeform.

Last night I had a light bulb moment and today I created my own buttons using polymer clay. I want to share this easy way of making your own unique buttons with you:

Materials:

• Polymer clay in two colours (available at most craft outlets).

• A rolling pin

• A wooden kebab skewer (or a darning needle will do)

• Acrylic gloss varnish

• Paint brush

• Knife

Step 1:

Roll your clay out into two thin sausages, no more than 5mm thick.

Step 2:

Put the two pieces together with one length slightly longer to begin the curving. Slowly roll your pieces together. When you are at the size of button you require, cut the clay on an angle.

Step 3:

Gently rub at the ends you cut to work them into the rounded shape you need. Squash the button flat and gently rub to make certain the pieces grab together. I wanted an oval shape so I squashed my circle a little.

Step 4:

Using your wooden kebab skewer or darning needle, push holes into the top of the button. If making more than one button, place the first button with holes on top of any following buttons to find exact placement.

Step 5:

Place your buttons on an oven tray and cover with foil. Bake in a slow oven for approximately 15 minutes. Allow to cool.

Step 6:

Paint with Acrylic Gloss varnish making sure to brush out an bubbles. Allow to dry.

My buttons are roughly 40mm in size. Enjoy your unique handmade buttons!

Flower Button

This little button is for a new Tote bag I am working on 'Field of Flower', which will hopefully be in the testing stage soon.

Like many of my other projects it is a unique bag and the name says it all. I wanted a button that would reflex that. I decided to make a flower this time!

I have mentioned before that I don't have a huge array of tools for specific things. I tend to use what I have at hand. You will see what I mean below with my use of an old lipstick lid.

Materials:

• Polymer clay in two colours (available at most craft outlets).

• A rolling pin

• A wooden kebab skewer (or a darning needle will do)

• Small round object to make petal shapes (I used an old lipstick lid).

• Acrylic gloss varnish

• Paint brush

• Knife

Step 1: With colour 1 of your polymer clay, roll a piece into the a ball about the size of a walnut.

Step 2: Flatten the ball with your rolling pin.

Step 3: Using your lipstick lid, mark the petals by pressing this into the clay.

Step 4: With a sharp knife, gently cut away between the petals.

Step 5: Smooth the edges with your finger.

Step 6: With colour 2 of your polymer clay, roll a piece smaller than your first colour into a ball.

Step 7: Flatten the ball with your rolling pin. Using your lipstick lid, cut a neat circle. Smooth the edges up with your finger.

Step 8: Place the colour 2 circle on top of your flower.

Step 9: Using your wooden kebab skewer or darning needle, push holes into the top of the button. If making more than one button, place the first button with holes on top of any following buttons to find exact placement.

Step 10: Place your buttons on an oven tray and cover with foil. Bake in a slow oven for approximately 15 minutes. Allow to cool.

Step 11: Paint with Acrylic Gloss varnish making sure to brush out an bubbles. Allow to dry.

My Flower button measures approx 50mm

Mended Fences Crochet Shawl

Put your hand up if you think Solomons/Lovers knot looks scary!

Yeah, I bet you considered putting your hand up. Most people do look at the stitch and think that it must be really difficult. It isn't!

I thoroughly enjoyed designing this little shawl. It is comprised of a simple two row repeat. Testers with all levels of ability have made this, with success.

I used Alize Angora Gold for mine, but my testers used various yarns. Light fingering works best and Lion Brand Shawl in a ball works up beautifully.

Amanda Corniello's Mended Fences made using Lion Brand Shawl in a ball

The shawl is worked on a 5mm/H hook and is a simple rectangle shape. It works up quickly, and would be beautiful addition to wear for any special occasion, lightly draped across your shoulders.

The pattern is available in my Auburncraft store on Ravelry.

Please give the pattern some love on Ravelry and pop it in your favourites.

Also please remember that my patterns are copyrighted.

SueStapleton/Auburncraft—Please do not copy/sell pattern as your own work ordistribute without my permission.  Pleaseshare a link to my blog or ravelry, NOT MY PDF.   You may sell finished items but pleasecredit me as the designer.  Read more aboutAustralian copyright laws here: http://copyright.org.au/ACC_Prod/ACC/ 

Filet Crochet. Adding Flowers. So you want to know HOW!

I enjoy a bit of Filet crochet and have done my fair share over the past few years. while Filet crochet is fabulous on its own, it can be so much more than just blocks and spaces.

I have to say I love flowers! Flowers make me happy!

I have a couple of patterns in the design stage that incorporate 3D flowers into the filet or hole spaces of the work. This may look harder than it actually is. In reality it is a simple technique and can be done in two different ways. It does not remain exclusive to just filet crochet, but can be done on any crochet by adding in a filet hole where you want the flower.

The two methods are:

As you go, using the same colour yarn or, after completion of your filet piece and using a different colour.

Here I outline these methods:

Method one: Worked in different colour yarn:

Adding that 3D look to filet work. It's easy!

USA TERMS:

• Step 1: Attach yarn with a slip stitch into the top chain space of your Filet hole. Into this space work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc) one petal made.

• Step 2: Rotate your work to the right. Around the side of your dc filet stitch work

• (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc).

• Step 3: Rotate your work to the right. Around the chain space of the previous row work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc).

• Step 4: Rotate your work to the right. Around the side of your dc filet stitch work

• (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc). Slip stitch to top of first petal sc to close. Fasten off and cut yarn. Sew in any ends.

My latest design 'Field of Flowers'

Method two: Worked as you go, using the same yarn.

• Step 1: Working on a wrong side row, complete your Filet hole. Turn your work so you now have right side facing.

• Step 2: Work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc) into the chain space just created. One petal made.

• Step 3: Rotate your work to the right. Around the side of your dc filet stitch, work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc).

• Step 4: Rotate your work to the right. Around the chain space of the previous row work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc).

• Step 5: Rotate your work to the right. Around the side of your dc filet stitch (last stitch created) work (sc, dc, tr, tr, dc, sc). Slip stitch to top of first petal sc to close. Turn your work and continue on with your project.

3D Flowers. As you go method!

So go on! Now you know how to add a bit of flare or colour to your filet work. Colour the world with Flowers!

A flower doesn't love or hate you, it just exists. Mike White.

Crochet Pattern Free! But What Does it MEAN?

This week has had good and bad. I released a pattern (Billy Thunder Tote) and it made it to number one on ravelry, which is pretty darn awesome. I was dancing around like I had just won the yarn lottery and got free yarn for a year.

Unfortunately, this had a damper put on it due to a copyright issue.

You may be thinking, 'What has this to do with free patterns.' A lot!

I decided to list this pattern for one month free. I did this to try and get interest in the pattern, and it certainly has worked. Did I mention it made number one on ravelry? (Yes I am blatantly bragging.)

To have a pattern get to number one is super fantastic as you never know what designs are going to gel with people. Ones you think will go well, may not and visa versa. So it is a real buzz when it happens.

Number one in whats hot now.

Then we get to the unfortunate side of things!

I discovered simply by accident that one of the Facebook Crochet Groups here in Australia had put my pattern up as a PDF in their group. It was made worse by the fact that an administrators of this group was the person who had put it up.

You may think, 'what does it matter? Its free isn't it'. And yes it was free at the time, but with a clear deadline for the end of this. The group in question has almost 7,000 members. So by putting up my pattern as a PDF in a file on their group, they were basically removing any future sales I may get from it. I was getting absolutely no advertising or credit from this as it was just my PDF, no write up, nothing, not even my name beside the PDF.

Most Designers offer free patterns to:

• Draw attention to their other patterns.
• Attract people to their blogs and web pages etc. Some have affiliate links which reimburse them slightly for the free pattern, by clicks.
• So people can try a pattern and see that it is well written. This leads to sales.

Many people seem to be of the opinion that designers make a fortune out of patterns. They visualise them sitting in a room surrounded by money, throwing it in the air and chuckling over their sales. I wish!

Yeah sure I have some affiliate links on my blog, but you can count in cents the amounts I get out of it, so what I wanted for this pattern was future sales once that month was up. I was not going to get these from the 7,000 people who now had access to this pattern. This is pretty much stealing!!!

Another Designer I have been conversing with put it like this:

A free pattern does not mean that the designer has waved all rights to it, and you can do what you want with it. You must have express permission from the designer to share the pattern as anything other than a link to their own page. Free patterns are still copyright.

This Tote was a lot of work.

From design idea, to completion, is a major process. Getting it to the stage that others can remake it with a legible working pattern is huge. Then it has to find its way through testing.
I have another design in testing at present that has been 3 years from idea to now. I found the receipt for the yarn I purchased for it in 2016. So I will have to think carefully just how I will launch this. I doubt I will put it up for free after this experience!

So, if you see any of my patterns offered as PDF or any other form not linked to my ravelry, etsy, love crochet or blog. Please let me know. And I am sure other designers would appreciate the same. Copyright still applies to patterns, even if they are free! PDF downloads are for PERSONAL USE!

Rant over. You may now go back to your crochet and enjoy and I will go back to my money room, and throw my millions around. (I use the stuff as wallpaper you know). Chuckling all the while of course. NOT!

Footnote:

I am adding a footnote to this post due to things that have transpired in the last few days. The group in question that put my pattern up as a PDF has now blocked many designers who questioned them for having their patterns up as PDFs without their permission. My pattern was not the only one, but there was hundreds of designers patterns, many had clearly on them that they were not to be distributed via PDF (including mine).

They have now also posted a long response to their members (who have no idea of what has gone on.) This explanation of theirs is something out of a fairytale and does not stick to the truth at all. The designers are being painted as a problem and the admin as victims. This is sad in the extreme. The admins are being thanked by the members for keeping them safe, from the evil ones who dare to complain that they are misusing their property. They have also stated publicaly that they may start up offering free patterns again in the future. My only hope is that they see sense and post links only, and not PDF's. Admins of a group this large should know about copyright laws!

An apology to the designers with a promise to respect their intellectual property in future would have gone a long way. I am saddened by the inability for the admins of this group to take responsibility for their mistakes and own them. I guess saying sorry and telling their members what actually happened is too hard.

Billy Thunder Crochet Tote Pattern.

It is always a fabulous feeling when you get to publish a pattern. Months and sometimes more, can go into the making and testing of a design. It becomes a collaboration with the testers making sure it works for everyone (well hopefully, fingers crossed).

I won't go into the story behind the name as you can view that in another of my blog posts (crochet ramblings section).

Now down to business:

This is a functional fun bag. It features beads on both sides.

Beading on both sides. Don't stress it's easy!

The links to the pattern are at the bottom of the page.

It is made from two mandala type pieces worked in the round. The beading is added as you go. If you have never done beading then that is ok. It may look hard but not the way I do it. Pictures are there to help.

The Tote has stiffening in the base and outer edges to help hold the shape.

It is not a lined bag as I have left it more of a market bag style look.

This bag has been tested by a fabulous group of people and some of their bags are shown below. I do feel I need to name them as they were great, five star quality!
Debbie Schell Kirkland
Michelle Rose
Christelle Norrbohm
Jane Wynne
Dulcy Harris

Tension is important with this bag and measurements have been listed with stitch height to ensure success.

There is a wide variety of stitches used: Us terms right/Uk left

Chain 
Slip Stitch 
Treble/Dtr- Double Treble 
Treble 2 together/Double Treble 2 together 
Treble 3 together/Double Treble 3 together 
Treble 4 together/Double Treble 4 together 
Treble 5 together/Double Treble 5 together 
Back Loop Treble/ Back Loop Double Treble 
Linked Double Crochet/ Linked treble crochet 
Back Loop single crochet/ Back loop double crochet 
Reverse double crochet (also known as Crab Stitch).

Now for the bits I just have to add (although boring).

You are purchasing/downloading a pattern only- Instant download of PDF pattern. You will require a PDF viewer to open pattern.

The pattern is available in Uk terms and USA terms

Many hours of work has gone into the designing and producing of this pattern, You are purchasing/downloading this pattern for personal use only. Please do not copy, rewrite, or redistribute this pattern as your own or otherwise. Please do not resell my patterns.

You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer and add a link to purchase my pattern in your sale.

Please note my patterns and my images are copyright protected, please do not use my images to sell your items.

This pattern has been tested by a large group with varying abilities in crochet.

Please do show me your finished bags and if you can add them to ravelry as projects. I love to see your finished work.

Pattern available on Love Crochet

and Ravelry

Crochet/Knitting Rivalry! A tongue in cheek look! →

I have moved over to the dark side and started knitting. Nah! Just kidding! Why would I want to do that? I am just helping my mother out.

My mother wants to knit baby hats to donate to a local hospital, and she has been having trouble getting started. She used to knit a lot when younger but hasn't for a very long time. So I cast on and did the first row to get her started. Mind you I had to think for a minute. It had been a while!

James C Brett Aran

I used to knit a lot an aeon ago, and I would have to say I was okay at it. Fair isle, cables, blackberry stitch, you name it. But then I picked up a crochet hook and found it was my thing.

Don't get me wrong I love knitted items and some of the pieces produced are incredible. I just find crochet makes me happy. Don't know if I can say the same about knitting.

It got me thinking about Knitting vs Crochet and the rivalry that seems to be surrounding it. For those in Australia it is a bit like the rivalry between Melbourne and Sydney. Neither considers the other as good. Get the two groups together, and you have a lot of banter going on!

If you listen to the whispers in forums and social media, many of those who crochet are of the opinion that knitters think they are better. The word 'Snob' has been mentioned a lot. Now don't shoot the messenger as I don't personally think this but who knows!

Then there are the stories that you hear online of the lady who went to buy yarn for her next crochet project and had the salesperson attempt to convert her to knitting. In the salespersons eyes knitting was superior. The avid crocheter has vowed never to go back to that yarn store again. Can't say I blame her!

Or the comments 'Oh, you crochet'. Delivered with the look. Yes, that one, that speaks volumes!

Crocheters are mostly a pretty easy going lot but some things do get their hackles up.

Below are a few things that Crocheters really hate and are sure to get them riled up:

• Yarn with a centre pull that refuses to pull.

• Knots in the middle of a skein.

• Patterns that are wrong.

• Frogging hours of work.

• Being called an old person or granny cos you

• crochet.

But at the very top of that list in very BOLD letters, is:

• Having someone, anyone, refer to their crochet as knitting. ARrrgh!

So if you are interested in having a crochet hook embedded somewhere on your body, call their crochet, knitting.

If you ask a knitter if they think crochet is less, of course, they won't say so to your face (unless they foolishly want that embedded hook). But we all know that underlying tension is there.

Many of the shows for entering your handcrafts have larger sections for knitting (at least in my Country). The prizes are better for winning the knitting, and it just goes on!

I have visions whirling around in my head of the rivalry between the two. Imagine a yarn conference set in a huge hall. The knitters are all huddled on the right and the crocheters to the left. Both sides are scowling at the other. And there in the middle are those who choose to do both. They are not sure where they want or should sit. Should they admit to crocheting as well as knitting and if they do, will they be stoned by both sides. There is a name for them if you listen to the whispers:

'Bistitchual'. Which is defined in the Urban Dictionary as:

The ability to create stitches in two crafts, e.g. knitting and crocheting.

I guess I am Bistitchual as I can do both. I am also Bicraftual as I paint, do resin art and pretty much any other craft that takes my fancy.

But really what does it matter, as long as we are creating and enjoying craft in some form or other. And when that Zombie Apocalypse (yes I am back on that again) eventually happens, both Knitters and Crocheters will be raised above many others. We have the skills necessary!

And if you want to go and buy that squishy ball of pretty yarn just to look at it, then all good. That is a hobby in itself. Just collecting the yarn.

Remember tongue in cheek! Some of my good friends are knitters.

I won't sit with them at yarn conferences but hey they won't sit with me either! Maybe we will pretend we don't know each other!

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Sunburst Crochet Square

This is a little square I designed a while ago. I have had visions of doing something more with it and a modified version of it is in the works (don't hold your breath though as I have a million WIPS on the go).

You can get a printable version here on Ravelry and Love Crochet.

Sunburst Square

AuburncraftDesign

USA Terms

Materials

3mm hook

Bendigo Mill4 Ply Cotton in Latte 887

Finished Size:

6 ¼ “/15.5cm

Abbreviations:

Ch-Chainstitch

Hdc- Halfdouble crochet

Tr – TrebleCrochet

Slst- SlipStitch

Dc-Doublecrochet

Sp- Space

Sc- Singlecrochet

Dc4togcluster- Double Crochet 4 together to form Cluster

Tr4togcluster – Treble Crochet 4 together to form Cluster.

Tog-Together

RS- Rightside

PS- popcornstitch

Notes:

Chains countas a stitch unless otherwise stated.

Popcorn Stitch How To:

1. Work 5 double crochet (dc) stitches in the same stitch.
2.  Remove Hook
3. Insert hook from front to back under the top 2 loops of the firstdouble crochet of the group.
4. Pick up the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through thestitch.

Form a magic circle, or ch 6, sl stto form a ring.

Round 1. Ch 4 as first tr, 23 tr into ring,sl st to top of beginning ch4 to close (24 tr).

Round 2. (Ch3, to form first st of PS) PSinto same st. *Ch2, sk1 tr, PS into next st.* Ch2, slst to top of first PS. (12Ps,12, ch2 sp’s)

Round 3. Slst to the middle st (top) of nextPS, ch4 (counts as sc plus 3 chs) * Slst into space between PS in Round 1, ch3,sc to the top/middle of next PS.* Rep from * to * around. (12sc, 24 ch3’s)

Round 4. Ch1 in place of sc. *Ch4, sc intonext sc* Rep from * to * around. On the last ch4, slst to the starting sc.(12sc, 12 ch4 spaces)

Round 5. Slst into next chsp.  Ch1 which counts as a sc,hdc, dc, tr2, dc, hdc, sc into ch4 sp.  *Sc, hdc, dc, tr2, dc, hdc, sc into ch4 sp.*Rep from * to * around. Close with slst to starting ch1. Fasten off (12 Petals)

Round 6. Slst to between the two trebles, ch1(counts as sc). *Ch6, sc in between next two tr’s. * Rep from * to * aroundomitting last sc and close with a slst to beginning ch. (12sc, 12 ch6 sp’s)

Round 7. Slst into next chsp, ch1 (counts asa sc) sc6 into same chsp.  Sc7 in eachchsp around. Slst to close.  (12 groupsof 7sc).

Round 8. Slst along to 3^rd sc ofthe next 7sc group. Ch1 (counts as a sc). *Sc1 Hdc2.  Tr in between the two tr of rd5. Ch2, tr intosame sp between the trebles of rd5, sk2 st’s on working row, hdc2, sc2, ch7,sk5, sc into next st, ch7, sk5, sc1. * Rep from * to * around four times intotal. Slst to starting sc. Fasten off.

Round 9. Slst along to next Ch2 Sp.  (Ch4, Tr3tog, ch4, tr4tog, ch4, tr4tog).  *Ch4, sk next 4 st’s, sc into ch,ch4, Dc4tog into same ch sp as ch4, ch1, Sk next sc, dc4tog into next chsp,ch4, sc into same chsp as dc4tog, ch4. ^(Tr4tog, ch4, tr4tog, ch4, tr4tog)^*Rep from * to * 3 times in total.  Repfrom ^ to ^ once. Close with slst to top of ch4.  (4 groups of tr4 together with ch4 between, 4groups of dc4tog with ch1 in between, 8 sc with ch4 each side)

Round 10. Slst across to the top of the middletr4tog in any corner. * (Sc, ch10, sc into same sp).  Ch6, sk next ch4 sp and tr4 cluster. (Sc intonext chsp, ch4, sc) into the same chsp. Ch4, sc into next chsp, ch1. (Sc, ch4, sc) in between the dc4tog clusters.Ch1, sc into next chsp. Ch4. (sc, ch4, sc) into next chsp. Ch6, ^ sk nexttr4tog cluster and ch4 sp.  * Rep from *to * four times in total.   Close withslst to sc in top of tr4tog cluster.   Sewin any ends.  Block

Why didn't I use my yarn winder!

I am working on something for myself at the moment. I wasn't going to write the pattern up, but I just could not help myself.

At this stage I am nineteen pages into the pattern and almost finished the design. I am pretty chuffed with how it is turning out, and I have found these super cute buttons to add to it. I can't wait to finish it.

You may be thinking, what is this design? Well at this stage you will just have to wait and see as I am only showing a portion of it. It should be ready to test in the next few weeks.

But back to the issue at hand! You know how it is with a project, when you can see the finish line up ahead and are in a mad rush to finish it. You attempt to work faster, but every little thing seems to stop you.

I am using Ice Magic Light yarn in this design and from past experience I know very well that half way into a ball of yarn, it becomes a tangled mess of yarn barf.

Yarn Barf. If you see an end in there message me!

Sitting over in the corner of the room is my yarn winder. It is glaring at me and chanting 'I told you so. Serves you right'. It probably has a point, although I do wish it would be quiet! I did know it would happen, but I just wanted to keep going. The finish line is just there!

The thing that is really, really annoying, is the ten minutes I have just spent attempting to find the end of the yarn. I know, and you know, that there are two ends in there. But where are they? Have I somehow ended up with an endless part ball of yarn, with no start and finish? Is the yarn taunting me and trying to mess with my mind by hiding its ends?

So here I am with my tangled mess. I could still be here in a months time attempting to find the ends. I will probably be found sitting on the floor, completely tangled in my yarn and muttering 'there are no ends' over and over.

Maybe I should just hire a Detective to find these camouflaged ends and save myself the torment . And can someone please tell the yarn winder in the corner to Shut Up!

Leadlight Afghan the Journey

The leadlight is now in the capable hands of my testers and progressing very well!

Truth is that I have them all locked in a small room with their yarn and I refuse to let them out till they complete the testing of this design. Don't worry, I am feeding them occasionally when they work hard enough!

It is extremely exciting to see the blanket come to life in different colours. Each testers colour choices, has added a unique personal touch to their afghan, and made it their own.

The original design uses Stylecraft Batik (available here) in teals, blues, beige and just a hint of green (I grudgingly used green as I felt it needed it, but green is not often a colour I work with). With the use of Stylecraft Dk black to define the edges of each colour and give that stained glass look.

Original Leadlight Design

Kathy chose to use a very bold yellow, which gives the pattern a huge 'wow' factor. The overall effect will be quite stunning once the black comes into play in the final stages.

Bold Yellow

Carrie has chosen to use the Stylecraft Batik Dk (available here) in pinks and purples. I just love the soft effect this is bringing to the design. I am extremely fortunate to have Carrie on-board as a tester, as she also has the ability to Tech Edit a pattern and pick up any errors I may have made.

A vision in purple and pink

Corlia has selected Autumn tonings for her Afghan and I am excited to see how this is going to look, as it grows. Although purple is my favourite colour, I do have a soft spot for oranges and Autumn colours.

Gorgeous Autumn tones. Corlia's picture also highlights the challenge of this project with multiple bobbins in play.

I am very impressed with all my testers on this project. Their work is so neat, especially their organisation with bobbins. I know I did have a tangled mess at times, and their ability to work in such an ordered way tends to put me to shame.

I am aiming for a June (Maybe earlier if I can force my testers to work faster) launch date for this pattern, on ravelry and Love Crochet. So stay tuned for further progress.

This post may contain affiliate links.

How many W.I.Ps are too many?

I refuse to count how many designs I have in progress at present. Surely a girl CAN'T have too many!

I truly must finish some of them, one day, maybe!

Yesterday I saw a post where someone was asking about all things Holly Hobby. I popped up a picture of a little blanket I did ages ago. A couple of people asked about the pattern and while there is one, I never got around to completing it.

I had only been designing a short time and it got away from me, so I placed it in the 'I must finish one day' basket. There is really not a lot of room left in that basket. It is quite full.

The idea for the design came from a very old doily that I spotted in a Op/Thrift shop one day. I snapped a picture of it and 'Bonnets and Bows' was born.

Today I found myself looking at my yarn stash. I spotted some Bendigo Mill Luxury, and it occurred to me that I could re-work that blanket. Fix the few things that were bugging me. I have the yarn and it is only a smallish blanket! It shouldn't take long!

So keep an eye out for 'Bonnets and Bows' soon.

Crochet Cushions. Stuffing Cheat.

Yes, getting a cushion insert for your newly made crochet cushion is probably the best option. This is especially true if you want the cushion to be easily washable.

This is not always an available option. Maybe this cushion is not your average size or shape, so you just want to add stuffing.

Using stuffing on its own can have its problems. Bits of the stuffing end up popping out through the crochet.

There is a solution to this little issue and I used this method in my, 'Wish Upon a Star' cushion.

Instead of just the usual white fluffy stuffing, purchase some wadding. This is readily available from any fabric store and many craft suppliers. You can usually buy it by the metre/yard.

Cut Wadding to Cushion shape

Most cushions are made in at least two pieces. Prior to joining the piece together, cut wadding to the general shape of your cushion, just slightly smaller. With a darning needle and thread, tack the wadding to the inside of the cushion.

Tack to the back/inside of the cushion piece.

You can then proceed to join your cushion pieces together and stuff as usual.

Join your pieces or sides of the cushion as usual.

The Wadding reduces the amount of stuffing required for the project and prevents any stuffing from popping through the crochet.

Project featured uses Paintbox Simply Chunky yarn. The pattern is available here.

If you appreciate this little cheat, please give my post a like. It is a simple thing but lets me know my efforts are appreciated.

Disclaimer: This post may contain affiliate links.

Beading in Crochet. It's Easy!

My Step Grandfather was one very tough old guy who worked on the railways for part of his life. He had a saying. To be honest he had quite a few sayings, although the one that sticks in my mind the most, probably would not go down too well if said today.

But the saying that comes to mind when I think of beading would be 'There are many ways to skin a cat'. Sure gives a very unpleasant visual if you think about it enough, but he had a point as there are many ways to do the same thing.

Have you ever looked at Beaded Crochet with awe and thought how difficult it looks?

Well that just isn't the case. Beading is easy!

Sure, there are many ways to approach this (like the cat) but I tend to favour using a sewing needle and thread. No, I don't sew them on! I use the needle and thread to place the bead where I want it to go.

Here's How: (Pictures Below)

1. Remove hook from work.

2. Using sewing needle and thread,insert needle through bead.

3. Insert needle with bead through workingloop.

4. Pull enough threadthrough loop to then place needle back through bead.

5. The bead will now be sitting abovethe loop.

6. Gently push the bead onto the loop,while pulling on the needle.

7. Remove needle and thread. Insert hookand continue.

This is a simple method which can be used to add beads to any project.

Photographs have been taken of my latest design coming soon.

Leadlight! Sending the Testers 'Down The Rabbit Hole'

After spending forever on the design process, the Leadlight Afghan is about to begin its journey into the testers hands.

I put out the call for testers about a week ago and had quite a few testers (people crazy enough to put their hands up), respond. I have selected/forced 6 testers through a vigorous selection process. In a kind of ' survivor camp' of crochet, set of tasks to prove their worth. No, not really! They were the only ones silly/brave enough to offer to test!

The first part of the pattern will be sent out on the 28th of this month and then the fun begins. I hope for smooth sailing and happy testers! And if I only allow them out of the locked room I am keeping them in, for short breaks, I am hopeful to have the pattern successfully tested and published mid year 2019

And to my testers I strongly suggest that they use the plastic bobbins that stop the yarn from unravelling. Cos' if you are cheap like me, and only use cardboard, the tangle factor is quite large. The final Colour Work section has 96 Bobbins in play!

Major Tangles

Keep an eye out for my Leadlight Afghan mid year 2019

The Leadlight uses Stylecraft Batik Dk and Stylecraft Special Dk.  It is comprised of simple stitches and some surface slip stitch. It has three colour work sections that require Bobbins worked in the round. This spans 62 inches and looks lovely across a Queen or King Bed.

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Frankie Drake Cloche Crochet Hat Pattern

It has been a good couple of weeks. I finished my Leadlight Afghan which took forever and the Frankie Drake Cloche has made its way through the testing process.

This is a fun hat and if you love the fashion from the 1920's and want to be just like Frankie Drake, then this will appeal for sure!

I have been binge watching Frankie Drake Mysteries Tv Series of late and just loving the 1920’s Fashion, especially the Cloche Hats. I found myself reaching for my hook. So, this is inspired by all the hats on the series. I would like to think that Frankie would be pretty happy with the results!

The pattern is now available on Ravelry.

Materials: 
I used 2 balls of Lincraft Balmy which is approx to an Aran yarn. I have done a gauge swatch to help with yarn choice. 
I also used a small amount of Patons Cotton Blend dk double stranded for the embellishments. 
5mm Hook 
4m/4.3yd x 6mm/.2 inch Ribbon 
This hat is one size only and would fit an adult or teen. Measurements: 
22”/59cm Measurement taken around band. 
A larger or smaller size could be obtained by using thicker or finer yarn and/or going up a hook size or down a hook size. 
Gauge: 16st’s to 4”/10cm. 19 Rows to 4”/10cm.

This is a written pattern with some photos to help along the way.

This hat has been tested and my testers have produced some very beautiful hats.

The pattern is in written form Uk and USA terms.

You are purchasing a pattern only- Instant download of PDF pattern. You will require a PDF viewer to open pattern.

Considerable time has gone into the designing and producing of this pattern, You are purchasing this pattern for personal use only. Please do not copy, rewrite, or redistribute this pattern as your own or otherwise. Please do not resell my patterns. The pattern is comprised of 10 pages to help you make your Very Own Sunflower happen.

You are welcome to sell items made from this pattern, but please credit me as the designer and add a link to purchase my pattern in your sale.

Please note my patterns and my images are copyright protected, please do not use my images to sell your items.

This pattern has been tested by people with varying abilities in crochet. But if something has slipped past testing please let me know

Woo,Hoo! Leadlight Afghan Done!

Excitement plus! It may have taken me a forever from idea to completion, but it is finished.

My Leadlight Afghan is done and I can move on to one of the dozen, other designs I have partly done.

What a feeling of achievement! You know how it is when you can see that finish line looming. You only have a few more stitches to do and a few ends to sew in. You find yourself trying to work faster, and that feeling when you put that last stitch in place!

The border on this gave me some headaches. Being round I felt it had to have increases. I took three goes to get this and each time I frogged it, I considered heaving it off the balcony and pretending it did not exist. My darling husband just looked at me and stated he was amazed at my persistence. By these last few rows, I had almost 900 stitches per round.

I finally came to the realisation that, although this is round, the increases became unnecessary in this section as each bit of colour was over a section that seemed almost straight. Yes, the blanket had become so large. It ended up being 62 inches across.

When I first began this beauty, I had envisioned that it would be around 52 inches across. That was not to be.

The initial idea had sprung to life in my head after looking at Stained Glass mandalas on Pinterest. I saw this one in greens and blues and thought to myself 'This would make a great crochet afghan!'

I spent quite a while mulling around in my head, as to how I could get this idea from my head into a workable crochet blanket.

The Colourwork sections are done with bobbins, but I used cut cardboard. Yes, I am cheap and didn't want to spring for all those bobbins. Each time I did a colour section I was kicking myself for not getting the bobbins. At times I had a tangled mess and even my beloved Stella (dog) was looking at me thinking I was crazy!

Middle section of Colourwork.

I am now in the process of organising my test group. Testing will begin in a couple of weeks, and I have some very keen (or crazy) people signed up for testing.

I hope to have this pattern published by mid year 2019.

This uses Stylecraft Batik yarn (available here) and a 5mm hook.

Become a Crochet Pattern Tester

What is it all about?

Having a Pattern Tested is a huge part of the Design Process. I would like to think I am perfect, but it is certainly not the case. I make mistakes! My longsuffering testers find these and point them out. We then work together to make certain that the pattern is correct, workable and any sizing issues are sorted out.

I want my patterns to be easy to follow, and mistakes free. Those who use my patterns want the same thing.

What do Pattern Testers get out of the process?

Testers get the first look at original designs. They can take their Crochet skills to the next level. They become part of a select group on Facebook there just for the testers of my patterns. On completion they get a copy of the finished pattern to keep.

My pattern test group brings together people from all over the world. I have testers from Mexico, Alaska, Morocco, USA, Australia, Denmark, Finland, Germany and possibly a few other places I forget.

What is Expected of a Tester?

• Are asked to join the Facebook group Auburncraft Crochet. Guidelines are given out and prospective testers are asked to agree to them.
• Communication between testers and myself is very important to keep me informed during the test process, and to map the progress of the test.
• Must know basic crochet stitches and have experience reading patterns.
• Must be able to complete the project by the deadline asked.
• Must add the completed project to their Ravelry account within a week of completion.
• Must provide 2 plus quality photos (photo credit will be given) to be used in places such as social media and in final pattern listings.

Having an eye for detail is an advantage in testing. When a new design is ready for testing, I will put out the call for testers. If selected you will be given the pattern and details necessary for the testing process to begin. I try to take on board all feedback, but at times I can get conflicting feedback from testers and so if your feedback is not used, it is not a slight towards you. So in saying this, having an easy going temperament is also an advantage to a tester.

If interested, go to Auburncraft Crochet on Facebook.

How to Make a Straight Edge for a Crochet Border

You know how sometimes, edges for a blanket are not always perfectly straight! No matter how hard you try, things just end up wonky!

There could be a heap of reasons for this:

Maybe you have joined shapes together and they are a bit in and out in places.

You could be someone just starting out on the crochet journey, and your edges look a bit like a road in Tasmania (if you have ever been there you will get the reference).

Or like me, on this project I am designing, you find that a Single/Double Crochet straight into the other colours or work just looks sloppy.

Whatever the reason, this little cheat can solve the problem and give you a lovely straight edge to work the remainder of your border from.

The first thing you need to know to achieve this, is how to Surface Slip Stitch.

How to complete a Surface Slip Stitch.

1. Attach the yarn at work edge with a slst.

2. Insert hook through face of work

3. Pull up a loop from back of work through to front of work and through loop on hook.

4. Insert hook into next st. Repeat

5. Once you have that sorted, work a Surface Slip Stitch in a straight line, along the edge of your project that you wish to add a border to.

6. Work your next row of stitches into the top loop only,of your Surface Slip Stitch. This is the loop closest to the work edge. It won't matter if you also hook through the main body of your work, as well. This is up to you (I didn't). For the project shown here, I did a row of Single Crochet/USA Terms, Double Crochet/Uk Terms. The result is a lovely, straight transition into your border, without messy stitches just worked into the raw edge.

Main Picture is of my Latest Design which will hopefully be out testing very soon. Round Leadlight Blanket. This measures 61”/155cm Wide. 

Merry Christmas

Put your hand up if you packed your Crochet, to go visit family today! I know my Crochet is on hand, if I can find the time or the need, for it.

We all need a little Christmas Cheer, so with that in mind, I am offering 30% off, on any of my patterns in my Ravelry Store. Use the code 'Christmas' at checkout. https://www.ravelry.com/designers/sue-stapleton

Frankie Drake Crochet Cloche Hat

Do you ever find yourself watching a show and getting inspired to grab your hook?   I do!I have been binge watching Frankie Drake Mysteries of late and just loving the 1920's fashion.  Really lovely trousers and dresses.  But oh, the hats!   I found myself in love with them.  Next thing I knew I had my hook in my hand.I am pretty happy with the results and would like to think that Frankie would rock this hat!The hat is out with my long-suffering testers at present and will be published in the next few weeks.This uses a 5mm hook and an Aran or Chunky Yarn.  Whichever makes gauge.  I made this one with Lincraft Balmy.  The hat is one size only.  Circumference is 22 inches.  Larger or smaller could be achieved using a larger or smaller hook.  Or adjusting the yarn thickness.The embellishments on the hat are made using Surface Slip Stitch and the band is done with a length of Ribbon.Watch this space for an update when published.

Crochet Sizing Chart for Hats, Scarves and Blankets!

A while back I started a sizing chart, just for my own records, so I could reference it at a later date and easily see just what sizes I had used, for things like blankets, scarves and hats.

I decided to put the information from my own crochet experiences, into a reduced smaller chart.

So while some of these sizes may not be exactly what other charts may say, these are what works for me.

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