Sleep.....

Being half-term it's given me a bit of extra time to work on this blanket for a friend:

With the second word 'sleep' now finished I'm really pleased with the outcome, time to move on to the third word!

A pink flower.....

A very simple flower in the centre of a basic square:

The central part of this pattern can be found here:
http://www.rukodelie.by/content/?id=6260
I then added a few rounds of treble crochets until it was the right size.

Ice cream.....

At some point it will warm up enough for ice cream, until then I'll have to satisfy myself with the crochet version:

This square was made as follows:
1. Chain 4, treble crochet 12 times in the fourth chain from the hook, slip stitch in the first treble crochet.
2. Work 1 half treble, 2 trebles and 1 half treble in the top of the next stitch, double crochet in the next stitch, repeat twice more and finish off. This creates the ice cream (pink).
3. Chain 4, treble crochet in fourth chain from the hook, chain three, treble crochet in the stitch from the previous row and treble crochet in the top chain stitch from previous row. Repeat this process increasing the width of the row by one stitch each row - ending on the fifth row. This creates the cone (brown).
4. Stitch the two parts together to create the finished ice cream cone.
I then created the square by using one of the stitches on the back of the cone as the centre of a basic granny square and picking up stitches in the back of the ice cream and cone at appropriate points to tack them together, however you may find it easier to create a basic square and then sew the ice cream cone on later.

A square of two halves......

After a very wet wild camping experience in Wales it was welcome relief to return to a warm sofa and curl up with my crochet hook. This square worked in two colours split on the diagonal was about all my tired brain could cope with:

The pattern can be found here:
http://signedwithanowl.blogspot.co.uk/2012/10/granny-arrows-tutorial-part-2-on-diag.html

Back to a combination of the basics.....

This square uses a combination of the basic granny square and the rounds of treble crochets to good effect:

The pattern for this simple mix of two squares can be found here:
http://ninasatmyhouse.blogspot.co.uk/2012/07/dianes-dishcloth.html

Windmill.....

This square has been worked in rounds and rows, I think before I join it to others it will need a round of double crochets to make it more square:

The pattern for this square can be found here:
https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXA9sI6DOfsZXXgsQJs9rUYu16janpdqVs5h85Kilv_53W5dvzFEnNJ7wcBo50J13n4KSAs99inP33XEO9gyOK0wGOW1b3XGUmNcX3P5GhcbXuPVp3AYL9nodYb-XS8p4II_rnK622k4KI/s1600/060.jpg

A sunny afternoon's work.....

A sunny afternoon sat in my new chair hammock yielded this pretty square using the back post triple crochet stitch:

The original pattern can be found here:

http://www.mooglyblog.com/sweetest-baby-blanket/

And repeat.....

For the past few weeks I have been working on designing a pattern for a baby blanket for a friend and I've finally got to the stage that you can now read the first of the words I've crocheted into it:

There's just the top of the t to finish off on this word, I really like how the letters are joined up and make it look like handwriting! It has been worked in double crochets (British terms) and I've carried the grey yarn through the stitches rather than having lots of ends to weave in once I've finished - although the bottom of the p uses a small ball as it is completely separate and it would've been difficult to get it all the way over to the start of the word. Eventually it will be approx 150 rows by 150 stitches (or as near to that to make it square) and I'll then put a border round it. I'll post another picture once I've done a bit more.....

Hearts.....

Today's square is a cut down version of a blanket I'd seen on Pinterest (link to pattern below), made in double and treble crochets with some appropriately placed chains:

The best bit about this pattern is that it gives you the repeat stitch multiplier incase you don't want to make it the same size as them (which I didn't!), frustratingly I found myself cutting the yarn at the end of each section as I couldn't work out how to carry it up the side without it being seen - so lots of annoying ends to weave in.
http://english.charami.com/2012/08/03/pattern-hearts-blanket/

More cupcakes.....

It amazes me how different colours and the addition of a few simple stitches can create such different effects. Today's square takes a simple pattern that I have done made times before and adds icing!

The link to the original pattern can be found here:
http://hooksandyarns.blogspot.co.uk/2011/07/4-heart-square.html

Clever corners......

Today's square has taken a simple pattern and added a cool chain stitch effect to each corner:

To create this effect instead of working two or three chains at each corner I worked five chains and then used these to 'chain' out from the centre. The outermost pink round was worked in treble crochets, with five double crochets worked in the white chain loop created at each corner, a round of double crochets in green then finished it off. It didn't sit flat initially and I think there are some modifications to be made - either more treble crochets on each edge, more chains in each corner or maybe even both......
The inspiration for this square came from this blog:
http://knutsel-dekentje.blogspot.nl/2012/06/13-juni.html
There is no pattern but a very clear picture of the square created.

Bits and pieces.....

Another basic granny square to use up all the little pieces of yarn I simply couldn't bring myself to throw away:

I really like the randomness of this one.

A trip to Wembley.....

Today finds me on a train to Wembley for the league one playoff final, so in honour of this I have created a green and white granny square:

Most of the supporters on the train have identified their team by wearing a footie top - I don't see anyone else crocheting with their teams colours!!!

UPDATE - you'll be pleased to hear my team won - Yeovil Town in the championship, who'd've thought it.......

Cupcakes......

An afternoon of supporting my students in the regional chess final definitely required a cupcake - these crocheted ones are slightly kinder on the hips!

The pattern for these can be found here:
http://m.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Afghans/Cupcake-Afghan

Pastel tulips......

This square follows the same pattern as post 135, I have included the three rows of double crochets between the tulips this time however:

I really like the colours of this square, the yarn came from a new local haberdashery which has only been open for three weeks. I made my first visit this morning (it definitely won't be my last!) and was amazed by just how reasonably priced the yarn was.

Purple petals.....

Today I have made another of the squares using the charity pattern from day 127:

Very usefully I managed to use up a load of scraps in making this.

Tulips from Birm-ing-ham.....

Well just outside!!
Today's square comprises rows of tulips in honour of the fact that they have finally come into bloom in my back garden:

The pattern can be found here:
http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Crochet/Projects/AfghansThrows/LM0227+Tulip+Throw.htm
Although I made a few modifications as I didn't want loads of ends to weave in when I'd finished. So I only worked one row of single crochets between the tulips and carried the yarn up the edge, hence the round of double crochets to finish it off!

Bobbly circle.....

Work has been rather busy for the past few days and once again I find myself behind with my posts! However now the exam classes have gone on study leave I hope I can get back on track. Today's square uses the double crochet - double treble crochet combination to good effect to create rounds of bobbles:

The pattern for this square can be found here:
http://web.archive.org/web/20010816061829/members.aol.com/lffunt/circlefriends.htm

Puffy flower.....

Unfortunately I ran out of noro before I could finish today's square, the pattern in the black section is not as defined as I'd like:

The pattern for this square can be found here:
http://www.crochetville.com/community/topic/111167-flower-and-trebles-square-8inches/#entry2000341

Teddy Bear Square......

This sweet little square uses a clever combination of rows and rounds to create the bear, the background is then worked in rounds attached to the bear - the 'claws' are made by working through the stitches of the bears arms and legs:

The pattern for this cute square can be found here:
http://www.crochetville.com/community/topic/116181-square-bear-square-8h-x-8w-inches-3-images/

Writing......

I have been trying to work out what to do for a friend who is expecting her fourth, and deliberately didn't look at the scan when they could have found out if it was a girl or boy!
I've come up with a blanket idea that involves neutral colours and some writing, having never crocheted writing before I thought I'd better practice:

In order create the effect I was after I used a 25x25 grid created in excel and overlaid the letter in the font and size I wanted, any square on the grid that was over half filled was then coloured in. This created my chart to work from, with each little square being a double crochet.

"Easy granny squares".......

Today I was tempted by a site I found called 24 easy granny squares, this square was the one called pistachio square:

The link to this pattern cam be found here:
http://www.allfreecrochetafghanpatterns.com/Individual-Squares/Pistachio-Square/

Many blocks......

The inspiration for today's square came from the following blog:
http://www.crochetbug.com/ta-done/
The author created the most amazing blanket, and whilst my square is no where near as large as this I still like it!

Charity Square 2......

Today I decided I would make my charity square to send in for the project:

This is rather larger than my normal square but I'm really pleased with the outcome, now to find the time to get it in the post!

Charity square....

Today's square is made by following a pattern from Krochet Krystal - http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.co.uk/2006/09/daisy-flower-crochet-charity-square.html - the idea behind this square is that you are able to use the pattern for your own charity purposes but that you also make one to contribute towards the main blanket project.
I'm really pleased with how the square has turned out, however because I was using up scraps I wasn't able to complete it exactly as required by the pattern - I'll have to make another one to send in to the project......

Crochet slippers....

Today's piece of crochet is a pair of slippers, with a double thickness sole they're really comfy:

I had to buy the pattern for these, but having made one pair (and it's really not that difficult, the only slightly annoying part I found was the second round of the main body where you have to work through both the sole and the slip stitches) I can see these cropping up in birthday presents over the coming months!
The pattern can be purchased here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/80051350/crochet-pattern-for-violet-womens-house?ref=sr_gallery_1&ga_search_submit=&ga_ref=auto&ga_search_query=crochet+patterns&ga_order=most_relevant&ga_ship_to=US&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_type=supplies&ga_facet=supplies

A belated gift......

Today's "square" is a belated Mother's Day gift:

Worked in a gorgeous silk blend this was lovely to make - simple rows of double crochets worked in the back loops only to give it a slightly striped effect, the last few rows were slightly shorter to create the tab and buttonhole. It was then finished off with a round of double crochets to neaten the edge.

A bobbly spiral.....

I've been admiring this pattern for a while but imagined it would be quite complicated and time consuming, so what better to do on a sunny bank holiday Saturday than give it a go! Aside from the four strands of wool getting a bit twisted it was actually surprisingly simple and I'm really pleased with the outcome:

A step by step photo tutorial can be found here:
http://colourinasimplelife.blogspot.co.uk/2012/06/granny-bobble-spiral.html

Crochet-a-long day 3.......

I'd never have guessed it was going to be a fish!

The final pattern can be found here:
http://www.mooglyblog.com/moogly-mystery-crochet-a-long/

Crochet-a-long day 2.......

I'm pleased to report that my day one item looked like the one posted by the author today, so I've gone ahead with day two of this project:

I still have no idea what this is going to be however. Tomorrow is day three and the final day of the project so I guess we wait and see......
The crochet-a-long pattern can be found here:
http://www.mooglyblog.com/moogly-mystery-crochet-a-long/

Crochet-a-long.......

I've never participated in a crochet-a-long before, however when I saw this one advertised on the moogly blog Facebook page I thought I'd give it a go. Today's rounds have turned out like this:

I have no idea what this is going to be, I'll add to it tomorrow and post another picture then!
The pattern can be found here:
http://www.mooglyblog.com/moogly-mystery-crochet-a-long/