Nuthatch [Free Pattern]

So, as promised in my previous post, here is the pattern for my new granny square, named "Nuthatch" in honour of this month's British Birds calender page (an awesome calendar). 

Nuthatch [Free Pattern]

Notes
I used a 4mm hook and DK weight yarn.  The pattern is written using US terms (however if you prefer UK-speak, there is a handy conversion chart here).

Sp = Space
Sl St = Slip stitch
Ch = Chain
Sc = Single crochet
Hdc = Half double crochet
Dc = Double crochet

Round 1
Create a magic loop (I really like this tutorial for the magic loop).  Into this, work 4sc loosely  Join with a sl st

Round 2
Ch1, 2sc into all sts, join with a sl st (8)

Round 3
Ch2 (counts as first dc), dc into same sp, 2dc into each sp around, join with sl st (16)

Round 4

Join a new colour into the same space:

...Ch2 (counts as first dc), 3dc into the same sp, Ch1.  *Skip 1 st, 4dc into next st, Ch1*  Repeat between * 7 times.  Join with sl st into top of initial Ch2

Round 5
Change colour - join new colour into any Ch1 sp.  Ch2 (counts as first dc), 2dc into same sp:

...Ch1, skip next sp, sc, skip next st, 3dc into next Ch1 sp, Ch1:

...Continue working (1sc, ch1, 3dc, ch1) around.  Join with sl st into top of initial ch2:

Round 6
Change colour.  Join new colour into any Ch1 sp which comes immediately after a 3dc cluster:

Do not chain.  Work 2sc into this sp, and 2sc into the next Ch1 sp:

...work 1sc into each of the next two sts:

...3dc into the next Ch1 sp, ch1, then work 3dc into the next Ch1 sp:

...*work 1sc into each of the next two sps, 2sc into each of the next two Ch1 sps, 1sc into each of the next 2 sps, 3dc into next Ch1 sp, Ch1, 3dc into next Ch1 sp*.  Repeat between * until you have 4 corners, 1sc into next 2 sps.  Join with a sl st.

Round 7
Ch1, sc into the next 7 sts, 1hdc into the next st.  *Into the corner Ch1 sp, work (1dc, Ch1, 1dc):

...Into the next sp, work 1hdc, and then 11sc along the row, and 1hdc into the 12th st.*  Repeat between * until all 4 corners are completed, then work 1sc into each of the next 2 sts.  Join with a sl st.

You may like to work in your ends as you go (this is defs much easier and simpler), however I prefer to wait and then sew them all in with a tapestry needle, mainly because I worry about the ends working loose over time.  It is of course entirely up to you which method you choose - I'm probably being over cautious.

And there you have it!  One Nuthatch square finished!  :D  I have a few blocking at the moment - hopefully tomorrow I'll be able to show you how I'm going to use them :)

Hope you enjoy the pattern!  If you want to add to your Ravelry queue, you can do so here.

Much love,
Kim

"I've got a present for you!"

...said the postman this morning.  Oh boy, oh boy!!  A ma-HOO-sive parcel!  With my name on it!!  I'm a fan of this postman - he can clearly recognise a brilliant bit of mail when he sees it...

That's 4130 metres of Stylecraft Special goodness!  I ordered from the lovely folks at Masons a couple of days ago (and ssshh, don't tell anyone I told you, but they have some really amazing offers and discounts this month ;))  Scrumdiddlyumptious!

***

Top Row

*1425 Emperor

*1316 Spring Green

*1082 Bluebell

Second Row
*1435 Bright Pink
*1084 Magenta
*1422 Aspen

*1020 Lemon

Third Row
*1068 Turquise
*1390 Clematis
*1061 Plum

*1246 Lipstick

Bottom Row

*1023 Raspberry

*1081 Saffron

*1065 Meadow

I have PLANS for all this loveliness.  Perhaps a babette, perhaps something like a babette but not quite...  Hmm...  When I say "PLANS", I clearly mean it in the plural!

***

Aaaaand, today I'm happy not just because I received a present, but also because I get to give one too!  And guess what?  It's for YOU!  :D

Here's a sneaky little preview of my new granny square!  I'm off to write up the pattern now, and will share in a new post later today   You can now find the pattern here :)

Much love,

Kim

Blank Canvas

It's another gloomy grey day out in North Wales...  luckily I have my orchid to cheer things up.  Those pink freckles are just so happy-making!

...another thing to be happy about: the granny stripe leftovers have been organised into complementary palettes as above, and been assigned to Specific Projects....

...which is where the blank canvas comes in.  I bought this pillow a few weeks ago in Lidl for just a couple of quid, and have been itching to work on a cover for it ever since.  The Rico and Patons leftovers seem like the ideal choice - I'll have a pillow that compliments, but doesn't match, my granny stripe.  Perfect! :)

And the extra exciting thing about this project is that I've written a new pattern especially to suit the yarn and the squareness of the pillow.  There are just a couple of tweaks to make, and if all goes well with this project, the pattern will be ready to share with you all!  :D

In other news, I'm now well underway with preparations for Blog Week.  This is my first time participating, but I'm very much looking forward to it.  If you'd like more info about what happens in blog week, and how to get involved, you can click on the little poster at the top of this page.

Anyhow, enough waffle from me, time to get back to some hooking!

Kim x

Granny Oblong: Part One

You might remember that last night, I posted about having lots of ideas fluttering around my brain... well this afternoon I sat down and set about bringing a few of them to life.  What happened is perhaps best described as "unexpected"... I'll let the pictures do most of the talking:

Close, but no cigar...

Now we're getting somewhere!

Where've the petals got to?  ...Ribbit ribbit!

Ooh, I'm liking the cut of your jib!

An oblong, eh?  Fair enough.

A granny oblong!  Where did that come from?!  It needs a bit of neatening up, and a bit more tinkering, but hopefully I'll be back sometime next week with a fully written up pattern to share, and maybe even a completed cushion cover. 

What d'you think?  Be gentle with me - it's my first design! ;)

Much love, Kim x