Cosy crochet slipper tutorial

I've been wanting to crochet a pair of slippers for absolutely YONKS. I tried and failed at making the beautiful slippers in my Japanese crochet book, and didn't fancy making thick, chunky boots. Just something simple to slip over bare feet or tights, in economical DK yarn. 

I spotted the ever-so-lovely Paula (@polly_pet) on Instagram had made her own pair inspired by some she had seen on Pinterest, and she kindly advised me on how she made hers. I just couldn't get them to work like that, either. Either too long, or too tight, or too wide. My feet are quite wide, you see. So after an evening or two of trial and error I finally came up with a workable design, and here it is. Hook them up to your heart's content! They'll make lovely (sorry) Christmas presents! 

They're ladies sizes, and crocheted in DK yarn so ideal if you have stash that needs using up. 

The pattern is worked in rounds until the piece measures the ideal length until you hit your ankle. I've written the pattern in three sizes- SMALL (size 36/37), MEDIUM (size 38/39) and LARGE (size 40/41). Size medium and large are in the brackets. If you need to adjust the length, just add extra rows or stop as you get to your ankle, basically. The the remaining piece is worked back and forth.

All terms are UK, if you're in the US please note this is all worked in hdc and sc :) 

You will need:

• 100g DK Yarn (I used 2 x 50g balls of Drops Karisma bought at a bargain price from the shop where I teach), plus extra contrasting yarn for pom poms

• 4mm hook

• 2 stitch markers (free gift with issue 24 of Simply Crochet! more on that later...)

• Some spare time (lucky you!)

• A good film (I recommend I Capture the Castle, which is what I watched while I hooked these up)

To begin, Ch4, join with ss into ring.

1. Ch2 (counts as htr), 11htr into ring, join with as into ch-2. [12 sts]
2. Ch2 (counts as htr), 2htr into each st around, 1htr into last st. Join with ss into ch-2. [24 sts]
3. Ch2 (counts as htr), *2htr into next st, 1htr into next, repeat from * to last st, 2htr into last st, join with ss into ch-2. [36 sts]
4. Ch2 (counts as htr), 1htr into each st around, join with ss to ch-2. [36 sts]
5. Repeat round 4 17 (19, 21 times more). Fasten off.                                                

Positioning the joining seam so that it sits at the sole of the slipper, place two stitch markers 7 sts apart at the top of the work, to indicate the 9 st space for the foot opening. Rejoin the yarn in the st next to the marker,

Heel: 

1. Ch 2 (does not count as htr), 1htr into  same st as ch-2, work 1htr into each of the next 26 sts. Turn.
2. Repeat as above 9 times. 

Assembly: With right sides facing place ends of slipper together and slip stitch to join together. Fasten off.

To finish: 

Rejoin yarn at seam and dc around edge, working 1dc into each row end and 1dc into each front st. Fasten off.

Make up 2 x 30mm Pom Poms in whichever manner your prefer (I use the clever Clover Pom Pom makers- so quick!) and attach. Weave in any remaining ends. Pop on feet and enjoy. 

        

Apologies for the rubbish pictures, I thought I ought to quickly snap what I was doing but the light was poor and my lens is still scratched. 

But I sure do love these slippers! And so will you. Happy feet all around. 

TTFN 

xxx

Free pattern Friday: Baby and Toddler hat

Hello! Welcome to a new 'strand' on my blog- free pattern Friday! I've been promising this free crochet baby hat pattern for a couple of weeks now, so here it is! It's a super simple, quick project, perfect for a baby stocking filler or gift for a niece or nephew, grandson, god daughter...

NOTE: I've amended the pattern to include a different hook size! My children and nephews have large heads so please be aware that these hat sizes are approximate. 

I've sized up to aged 3, though obviously every child's head is different so go for whichever size you think will be best for the poppet who will be modelling it. I've used a 3.5mm hook and double knit yarn, you shouldn't need more than a 50g ball for a baby so use something soft and washable. Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino is perfect. I would recommend using wool or acrylic (or a mix) for this hat; cotton just isn't stretchy enough and you want this hat to be snug with some stretch in it for warming cold little heads over the coming months. 

You will need:-
1 x 50g ball of DK-weight yarn (yarn A), such as Annell Rapido in Ochre (Ages 0-6 months, 6-12 months)
2 x 50g ball of DK-weight yarn (ages 1-2 years, 2-3 years)
a small amount of contrasting DK-weight yarn for trim and pom pom (yarn B)
3.5mm or 4mm hook
Pom pom maker or two cardboard discs
Scissors and Tapestry needle

I have used UK crochet terminology throughout.

ch= Chain
tr= Treble crochet
Sl st = Slip stitch
dc= double crochet
RS= Right side (front)
st= Stitch
tr2tog=

Baby 0-6 Months
To begin: With yarn A 4 ch, sl st to form a ring
Round 1: 3 ch (counts as 1 tr), 11 tr into ring. Join with sl st to 3 ch. (12 sts)
Round 2: 2 ch (counts a 1 tr), 1tr into first st , *2 tr into next st. Repeat from * around, join with sl st into 2 ch.  (24 sts)
Round 3: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next st, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last st, join with sl st into 2 ch.

Round 4: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 2 sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 2 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.
Round 5: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 3sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 3 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.
Round 6: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 4 sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 4 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.
Round 7- 17: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into each st around. Join with ss to 2 ch. Fasten off yarn on final round.

For earflaps: With RS facing, locate the centre 13 stitches of the side of the hat (where the ears usually are on the head!).
Join in yarn A. 2 ch, 1 tr into each of the next 12 sts. Turn
2 ch, miss 1, 1 tr into next 9 sts. tr2tog into last 2 sts. Turn.
2ch, miss 1, 1 tr into next 7 sts, tr2tog into last 2 sts. Turn.
2 ch, miss 1, 1 tr into next 5 sts, tr2tog into last 2 sts. Turn.
2 ch, miss 1, 1 tr into next 3 sts, tr2tog into last 2 sts. Fasten off yarn A.

For trim: Join yarn B at back of hat, ch 1, 1 dc into each st around. Make pom pom in yarn B and stitch securely to top of hat.

Baby 6-12 months
Rounds 1-6: as 0-6 months 
Round 7: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 5 sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 5 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.

Rounds 8-19: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into each st around. Join with ss to 2 ch. Fasten off yarn on final round.

Work earflaps as before, working with 15 stitches to begin, and decreasing at the start and end of each row. Work trim as before

Toddler 1-2 years
Rounds 1-7: As 6-12 months
Round 8: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 6 sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 6 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.
Rounds 9-21: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into each st around. Join with ss to 2 ch. Fasten off yarn on final round.
Work earflaps as 6-12 months.

Toddler 2-3 years
Rounds 1-8: As 1-2 years
Round 9: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into next 7 sts, 2 tr into next. Repeat from * around. 1 tr into last 7 sts, join with sl st into 2 ch.
Rounds 10-22: 2 ch (counts as 1 tr), 1 tr into each st around. Join with ss to 2 ch. Fasten off yarn on final round.
Work earflaps as before, beginning with 17 sts.

Here's George modelling his very own bobble hat! He is small, so he is wearing the 0-6 month size. You could add some little felt ears, instead of a pom pom if you like...or perhaps add a braid to the ear flaps for a little trapper hat vibe (I didn't add braids to George's as it could potentially be a safety issue for small babies). 

Happy hooking y'all! 

xxx

Chunky Rib Cowl tutorial

Brrrrrrrrr it sure is cold outside! But it's warm inside. And that's because I've been making lots of these fantastic cowls! This pattern is super simple, even a beginner could do it. It's also perfect for making last-minute gifts as it only takes a couple of hours to whip one up! Wanna see what I'm talking about? Ok then...

Isn't it luuuurrrverly? So toasty and soft too. So here's how you make one. 

You will need:-
8mm Hook
Around 150g Super Chunky yarn, such as Rowan Big Wool (shown above in Burnt Orange) or Stylecraft Life Super Chunky (shown below in Sage)
Scissors and Darning needle

Crochet is in UK terminology. You'll need to know how to chain (Ch), slip stitch (ss) and treble crochet (tr).

Foundation: Make a slip knot on your chunky hook, and chain 24 to begin

Row 1: work 1tr in to the fourth ch from your hook, as shown:

Work 1 tr into each ch to the end. You should have 22 stitches, as the ch 3 at the beginning counts as your first treble crochet. Turn your work so that you're working from right to left.

Row 2: Chain 3 (counts as 1tr). Skip the very first st of the row. Work 1tr into the BACK LOOP of the next stitch below. If you look at the work from above, you'll see a series of 'V's. Just insert the hook into back loop, rather than both at once. See below, where my finger is pointing is the correct place to insert the hook, and you can see that I've begun working my treble into the back loop:

work 1tr into each stitch (back loops only) all the way across.

Once you get to the end, work the last stitch into the top of the ch3 of the row below. This is your turning chain. Again, work the stitch into the back loop as below:

 Turn your work.

Row 3- 36: Work as row 2! Skipping the first stitch and working the last tr into the turning chain will ensure you have very straight, neat edge. Work the pattern for 36 rows.

Row 37: To join the two short ends together seamlessly, you'll work your final row slightly differently. Line up the two short ends so the stitches match. There should be 22 stitches at the beginning, and 22 stitches in the 36th row. Ch 3, then insert the hook into the bottom of the first stitch of the first row you made. Remember you'll have started with a chain, so you'll be working the stitches into the ch sts. Pull a loop through- slip stitch made! Work 1tr into next st. Insert hook into next stitch of first row- as below:

Continue along to the end. You should have a ridged join that vaguely resembles a pretty plait, which doesn't look too different to the other ribs! Et voila...

Take your darning needle and weave in the ends on the reverse, pulling the ends in tightly to neaten the edges and make sure they don't work loose.

Now slip on over your head and feel the cosiness! Or, wrap it up and give it a present, up to you. I have made three for presents and can't help wearing them...

Happy hooking!

December

This month, like the rest of the year, has flown by. A riot of colour, food, friends, familiy and of course Christmas has kept me from my laptop, but I just wanted to share some moments from the last month with you all.

I will be sad to take the decorations down, all the twinkly lights and carol singing faded away for another year.

We tried as much as possible to have a 'handmade' Christmas this year, making chutneys, gingerbread and peppermint creams alongside all the usual star-topped mince pies, Christmas ham and knitted and crocheted goodies I made. We hosted Christmas day, so even the Christmas dinner was home-made! Nigella's juicy turkey recipe, red cabbage, parsnips, roasties, devils and angels on horseback, stuffing, gravy, carrots and of course the dreaded sprout! It was a triumph, though totally exhausting.

And of course there were the hand-made gifts. And what a lot of goodies I made!

And even more than that...chilli chutney, ear warmers for friends, wrist warmers for my sister-in-law, slippers, a necklace for my nan and a tea cosy for my ma, and finally a cowl and matching wrist warmers for my dear sister. By Christmas Eve I had RSI...so I've eased off the old crafting for a few days.

Soon I'll share the past year in Crochet with you all...and my new year's resolutions...

Until then, wishing all my blogging buddies a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR! See you on the flipside.

Catching up

Having resolved various creative issue from last week, I'm back on track and feeling that excitement that happens on the cusp of advent! Only a month until Christmas...am I allowed to say that now?

I have been holding off getting excited about Christmas until now really, waiting and biding my time before I release the full squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! As families do, we have carved our own Christmas traditions the past three Christmasses. On the first weekend, we'll watch Christmassy movies and put up the decorations, then schedule in chutney making (for gifts) and of course Christmas baking.

I have already started making gifts, and finished my sister's chunky cowl and knitted wristwarmers (which I previewed last week). I plan to make another of those lovely cowls (for whom I do not know, but I have some lovely green chunky yarn just right for it), plus various tea cosies, purses and children's toys to make. In the meantime, I had purse mishap last week, so I made myself a new one.

I just used the crochet purse pattern from Cute and Easy Crochet, then lined it with some fabric I got at the Knitting and Stitching show. I think it is called something like 'antique treasures', and the teal and orange looks fab with the mustard yarn I crocheted the purse with. I made the sloppy-looking button hole by hand with some embroidery floss, then used an East of India ribbon to decorate, rather than the flowers in the book. The button is a vintage number, and the yarn is the Rico Aran I bought at Loop that didn't match my dress WIP.

I love it!

Also, I was distracted yesterday by my small stash of Sublime Baby Cashmere/Silk/Merino DK, picked up from Loop and The Cheap Shop.

How could I not be distracted? It has become the beginnings of a ripply masterpiece, perfect for a baby that is due in January. It was a tricky little blighter to start- with a precise foundation chain and first few rows needing concentration. But now I'm on a roll! The baby shower is in two weeks, but I doubt the ripply blanket will be ready by then, so it will be a present for the actual birth. Can't wait to show it to my friend's bump later and see what it thinks! As usual, I've been thinking ahead and buying more wool for a project I have been saving for a long time. I am going to wait until the new year to begin a ripply odyssey- a Rowan Cashsoft Chunky Ripple Blanket. I have managed to find three new colours that I have introduced the already bulging bag...the blanket will be epic!

However, there are christmas and baby makes to think about.

Speaking of Christmas makes, there are a few things I have been meaning to share with you all week...

Yes it's magazine time again! These four are my favourites of the year, and I was pleased to see that Lucy over at Attic24 has also been showing us some magazine loving. Shall we begin?

Ahhhh my favourite magazine of the year. It is just the perfect Mollie Makes issue, and the ultimate Christmas craft inspriation. Tilda toys, Scandinavian delights and plenty of fabulous styling- I loved Happy Harris's Christmas shoot! Maximalist, retro style perfect for good ol' blighty.

Embroidery, felties, stockings, dolls...it has everything.

As does this little beauty! Prima Christmas Makes. What a find! Some fab knitting patterns, styling ideas (from Selina Lake whom I love) and of course loads of gifts ideas and makes...

 Sadly, the light in my house is terrible, so I have used the 'Instant' function on the CameraBag app to take this. I love the retro filter the app gives, and strangely enough they accurately convey the tones of the yarn I have been using this week. Really, I shouldn't be so lazy and just use my regular camera. Although, to be honest I have fallen out with my camera. It just doesn't live up to its price tag, and I find it difficult to manually set up the shots, and rarely get the results I want. Grrrr. I'd love a proper camera, or even a decent digital every day camera, but there is physically nothing wrong with mine, so it'd be impossible to justify buying a new one. I will just have to learn how to get along with it.

Anyway, here are the cover of the other two mags I am loving....

In fact, I think I will retreat with a cuppa and get stuck into them properly right now...it is, after all, only a month until the big day...

Christmas in glorious Technicolour

It's been a drab, dull grey day today in this corner of the world. Yep, we've had it all- bitingingly cold winds, thick, grey cloud, drizzle, rain turning into sleet and finally wet, cold snow. So I decided to look at these nice colurful photos I took earlier in the week when the sun was shining through the bay window into Inverleith. The morning light really brightens up the place, don't you think? So here are some of my Christmas decorations taken with my proper camera. I need to learn how to use it properly really, I haven't worked out how to get the best colours and stuff yet, but I'll sit down one day with the laptop open and take pictures and upload them to check on my results. Anyway, here is the Christmas twig decoration inspired by a lovely idea in December's Country Living magazine. The purple blob behind the deer is Jesus. Yes, my own personal Jesus (ha). He is purple and glittery and makes me happy. I feel I should have the glittery Mary to match though.


Here is the tree in the daytime. The sunlight has rather bleached out the colours on offer here. It's mainly red and green with some straw wicker decorations (quite Scandinavian, don't you think?) and some little wooden folk I bought YEARS ago in (can you believe it?) Poundland! I love the shadow on the wall behind the tree. And my beyoootiful bass guitar D bought for me last Christmas.

Here is the scene above the fireplace. I have strewn some Habitat 'Millenium' lights around the mirror, and hung my snowflake garland across, which is just lovely in the evening with the lights twinkling behind it. The gold NOEL letters were from Tesco.

Here is my Christmas 'welcome table'. For me, Christmas should be a time of abundance and indulgence, so I love to welcome people into my home with food and home-made treats. As you can see by the empty cake stand the mince pies went down well! I stacked a load of Habitat baubles from Christmasses past into the wire cake stand and bought some little battery-operated lights from Paperchase, and the whole thing looks very cool when lit. The colourful tealights are from Paperchase in Habitat glass tealight holders.

Oh, and here is what I have been up to this week....hooky time! Here is a little Christmas adornment in production...

And here is the finished article...a little Robin Red Breast! Thanks Lucy at Attic24 for yet another wonderful tutorial. I plan to go on and donate to her yarn fund as I use so many of her patterns around my home. I really think Attic24 brightens my day, every day. Little Robin here was worked up in Bonus DK yarn-cheap and cheerful. The beak was actually made from Sirdar Luxury Soft Cotton, and the buttons were purchased from a vintage fair.

MMMMMMmmmmm colours! They're mouth-watering, aren't they? More acrylic yarn here- Stylecraft Special DK and a couple of Bonus DK. Here's my current project- a scarf for a Christmas gift. I wonder who will be the lucky recipient?

And here are some other lovely Christmas gifties! A gorgeous afternoon crochet project. I *heart* these so much- some scrumptious wrist warmers. I made up the pattern from various blogland inspirations, and came up with the kind of sloppy scallop edging. I always manage to invent some edging when I make a blanket and never bother to write it down. Perhaps I'll post a tutorial for these when I make another pair for my sister-in-law's Christmas present.

And here they are in progress. Poking out from behind my knee is Albie's cheeky face! The little dude has been decidedly off-colour today. Poor little man. He has been very quiet, sleepy and has lost his appetite completely, not like him at all. He has steadily got snottier, coughier and the eyes have got redder, head has got hotter...you get the idea. His first cold! The magic power of breastmilk has kept him sparkly and healthy until now so it's worrying when he gets sick. We dosed him up with Calpol to bring down the fever, cough syrup for his throat and vapour rub before bed. He promptly threw up after the application of vapour rub but he had a milk refill and has gone to bed with some trepidation. We're looking forward to a long, long night of waking up and comforting him a lot.

So, you likeee? Me likeee. VERY much. So much that I feel very sad about giving these away as gifts. Once I have completed my pre-Christmas crochet-a-thon I will make some for myself in these very colours to match the granny square scarf. The colours for these, the granny square scarf and the vintage stripe scarf are as follows (from top):-

Stylecraft Special DK 1218 Parchment

Bonus DK Shade 829

Stylecraft Special DK 1061 Plum

Stylecraft Special DK 1023 Raspberry

Stylecraft Special DK 1302 Denim

Stylecraft Special DK 1065 Meadow

Bonus DK shade 891

Bonus DK shade 884

(back to the teal Bonus DK 829 then...)

Stylecraft Special DK 1029 Copper.

I do like the Stylecraft Special DK. The Bonus DK is a little bit cheaper but you can tell the difference for sure. It's slightly coarser than the Stylecraft yarn. Stylecraft Special is great for an acrylic yarn. And BARGAINOUS too. I can't always afford posh natural fibres. I took a trip to the new Hobbycraft store last Thursday. My oh my, a wall of wool awaited me! I stood, agasp at the choice. Can't wait to get stuck in there I can tell you now. Last week was also great as on Friday night I got up to some of my pre-baby shenanigans; namely DJing with my lovely friend Amy. Every month we put on a band night at the pub with local bands and us girlies on the desk, all for a local magazine called Panic. I used to be the editor of Panic, but gave it up when I was pregnant. It sure took up a lot of time. Instead now I get to discover new bands and enjoy them once a month while forcing everyone in the pub to listen to my music and prove how much cooler (ahem) I am than them... But Amy and I are totally freaking awesome on the decks and got a real dancefloor happening on Friday night. Yip! Also, it was her birthday so I got her this book, as she taught me how to crochet. I love this book. I want it for myself. Me me me. As my other half would say, there's a certain Christmas coming up...

Christmas is a-comin...

Now that it's December I'm now officially 'allowed' to be Christmassy! I have almost completed my Christmas shopping, but to be honest getting into and around town is a real nightmare, and will be for weeks- it's just so busy. So once again, the internet has been my friend. And like the past few years, my friends and family will be getting a few homemade gifts too. I like to get into the festive spirit by making all manner of preserves and edible gifts. Every year I make chutney and my famous lemon curd, as well as spiced peaches, Spanish olives and gingerbread or fiery ginger nuts. This year my crochet has improved enough to enable me to give some more handmade gifts: scarves, handwarmers, corsages and little gadget cases too. I'll post the results of my crochet craze when all my handmade gifts are complete.

On Sunday we had a full-on festive day here at Inverleith. I began by putting on Christmas music and cleaning the house top-to-bottom to prepare for the glittering decorations. My favourite CD is Christmas Crooners, great for getting me into the Christmas spirit. Then we popped on The Nighmare Before Christmas while we got out the tree and began to decorate! Horace was very interested in the tree. Of course she spent the first night pulling off the lower baubles once we had gone to bed! The cheeky madam.



She also made light work of pulling down my lovely little twigs decoration. I bought some 'snow twigs' from Sainsbury's then popped them in this Ikea jug and hung some decorations from Paperchase for a little hearth-side colour. The stag and bambi are also from Paperchase. Shank of Egg, I love that shop! It's like crack for me. I can't go in there without buying something.

Albie was in on the act too! Here he is in his lovely snuggly winter romper. So cosy and cuddly! He is on the verge of crawling and thankfully hasn't noticed the Christmas tree yet. I will wrap some presents today and use them as a barrier around the tree.

After watching the Muppet Christmas Carol I disappeared into the kitchen for a little baking. Every year I make the same Nigel Slater mince pie recipe from a torn-out magazine page. It's now splattered in goodness knows what, and is all crispy and sticky. I love recipes that way- used! It's just a rich shortcrust pastry with orange zest, which emits a gorgeous fug when the pies are baking. That orange-scented warmth means that it's Christmas. I made two batches and froze one raw for next week.

I used my iPhone for the images as the dull grey winter light meant my pictures were pretty rubbish. The sun is shining today, all the snow has been banished and the blue sky is rather glorius. However, it is bitingly cold and my car door was frozen shut! The festive day was topped off by more cooking, in the form of a tasty festive chesnut tart. Yum! I made it slightly differently as I don't have a pan you can put on the hob and in the oven, so instead I caramelised some shallot and red onion with butter, soft brown sugar, balsamic vinegar and the chesnuts, then I just cut the pastry into individual tart bases, spread on the mixture then baked until the pastry was crisp. Then I scattered over fresh thyme and some lovely creamy Somerset goat's cheese. Delish!

My Christmassy extravaganza was completed yesterday when I had my friend Jo over for the day. Gingerbread latte preceded a little cocktail I made up called a Fiery Jo- Morgan's spiced rum, lime cordial and ginger beer with nutmeg grated on top. Yum! Then I made her a Christmas dinner- turkey, roasties, chipolatas wrapped in bacon, sprouts with chestnuts, maple roast parsnips and vichy carrots. NOM! She is going travelling tomorrow and will Christmas in the UK. Not anymore! Christmas dinner followed by Christmas pudding. Perfick!