Finally I can show you a square that I made some weeks ago.
In August I had the pleasure to test another one of Pam’s lovely designs: Tied Up with a Bow. She now released the pattern and it’s available on Ravelry and in all her other shops.
In case you don‘t know Pam yet: Pam Knighton-Haener is an American designer and the person behind A Yarn of Serendipity. Most of the beautiful Afghan squares you can find here on my blog are designed by here.
The original pattern is made with Aran / worsted weight yarn. The final size will be 11 or 12 inch, depending on the hook size you use. The skill level is mid intermediate.
As with all of Pam’s designs, many different stitches are used. Of course everything is explained in detail and there are clear pictures for each round! And of course the final size and the final number of stitches per side match all the other squares Pam has designed.
Talking about the pictures: Especially for the modified star stitch I found them very helpful! For this special stitch, it was much easier for me to work from the pictures than from the written instructions. However, that may be just personal.
My test version
During the test I made a version with Drops Safran, a sport weight yarn that has a yardage of 160 m / 50 g. Usually I use a 2,75 mm hook when working with this yarn, but this time I didn’t feel comfortable and switched to a 3 mm hook.
I had actually chosen 5 colours for this design. For some reason I couldn’t find a matching spot for two shades of green I had chosen, so in the end I only used 3 of my colours
71 – Marzipan 22 – Light Brown 28 – Orange
Can you see the little bows?
My colour placement
My finished square measures about 22 cm / 8 1/2 inch. I have to admit that using a 3 mm hook made it a bit loose.
My second version
After testing, I just had to make a second version. I lately fell in love with the colour Lincoln from Stylecraft Special DK. I have had two balls in my stash for ages but have never used them. Inspired by Pam’s single coloured version, I thought that the Tied Up with a Bow square would certainly look nice in this colour too. I didn‘t get disappointed …
For this version I used Stylecraft Special DK in the colour 1834 – Lincoln. Only round 11 is made with colour 1822 – Pistachio.
I used a 4 mm hook and the final square is about 26 cm / 10 inch. I am absolutely happy with the result!
About three weeks ago (3 weeks already??) I told you about my experiment with random colour placement.
Originally, I had no particular purpose in mind when I started this journey. I had read about random colour placement and wanted to give it a try – that’s all.
But to be honest, I had my doubts. I had put together 15 colours. They all matched somehow, but there were still colours among them that I personally wouldn’t place next to each other. Raspberry, Duck Egg and Meadow for example is a combination that I would never have chosen myself. So, looking at the colour combinations the random generator gave me, I couldn’t imagine to get nice results. But after I had finished the first three or four circles, I was so amazed at the result that I really wanted to try out all the combinations. In the end I had 25 colourful circles. I turned them into small squares because I wanted to make something out of them.
In case you missed my previous post, you can read about it here. There you will also find details about the Numbers spreadsheet I am talking about below, the colours and randomizer I used, and so on.
I finally decided to make a small wall hanging out of the squares. I plan to arrange them in a 5 x 5 layout. Each square is about 10 x 10 cm, so that will make a panel of about 50 x 50 cm.
In the last few weeks, however, I have not been as fit as I would have liked to be. I have a pretty persistent cold that gets better from time to time but doesn’t quite go away. So, besides testing a beautiful square for Pam and checking and translating the final patterns for Ana’s Fall Sweet Fall Cal I didn’t have much time and energy to work any further on the hanging. But at least I’ve managed to decided on a layout!
What about a Random Layout?
When I tried to arrange my squares in my 5 x 5 grid I didn’t really know where and how to start.
I usually have difficulties with such things. I’m hardly able to make it look random. I orientate myself far too much on what I think looks good together. So I end up with areas that look absolutely great, but also a rest that doesn’t fit together at all. Do you know what I mean?
That’s why I wondered if something like the random colour placement would also work for a layout. Could it work to arrange the squares in a random order instead of following some kind of „pattern”? It was at least worth a try!
So, again I tried the list randomizer from random.org and had a final layout in just a few steps:
1. Numbering my squares
Firstly, I assigned each square a number from 1 – 25. This was just to make the entries in the randomizer a little easier. I didn’t have to type in all the colour combinations but only numbers.
I simply used my Numbers spreadsheet for this. I had created this table when listing the colour combinations. It therefore had no particular order, but was listed in the order in which the results came from the random generator. I have simply numbered these entries from 1-25.
2. Drawing a layout grid
Secondly I created a grid showing my 5 x 5 layout and numbered the boxes from 1 to 25 as well. This served to clearly identify the location of my squares later on. My grid is shown in the picture above.
You can just draw something like this on a sheet of paper. Or, if you are – more like me – the No-Paper-Type you can use Excel or Numbers. If you want to have square boxes, simply reduce the column width a little and increase the row height.
3. Randomisation
Afterwards I entered my numbers from 1-25 into the list randomizer. If you use random.org, you can either make your entries directly on their website or copy them from an existing list in Excel, Numbers, Word, Pages, etc.
Then just hit the button „Randomize”. Wait a moment. Copy the result back to your Excel, Numbers, Word, Pages or whatever. That’s all!
As I have seen, there are also other tools that have a random generator. These, of course, may work differently.
4. Arranging the squares
The result the randomizer gave me was – surprise – a list of the 25 numbers in random order: 19, 7, 13, 24, 4, 12 …
I arranged my squares exactly in this order.
I picked square #19 (from my list I knew it had the colour combination Storm Blue, Vintage Peach, Sage) and, following my layout grid, put it on place #1. Square # 7 (Pale Rose, Raspberry, Buttermilk) moved on place # 2, and so on …
Here is the result:
Random Layout
Left side the layout grid with the numbers in the order the randomizer gave me. And right side the corresponding squares.
Not bad, is it?
5. Changes
I only made 3 changes by switching some of the squares to make the colour arrangement a bit more balanced. And voilà …
Changes and final layout grid
Left side the changes I made and right side the final layout grid.
My final Layout
My final layout
Colour Details
For all those who are interested, I have listed all the colour combinations and the corresponding layout:
All colours are from Stylecraft Special DK. For squaring the circles I used the colour Graphit.
My Conclusion
Even though I initially had my doubts, a colour combination created with a random generator works surprisingly well.
It is definitely a great way to arrange colours in simpler shapes, such as Granny squares, Triangles, Hexagons. Shapes, which you want to highlight the colours more than the stitches.
Presumably this method cannot be used for every design. I could imagine that it might not work so well with detailed and structured patterns. Afghan squares or blankets where the colours serve to highlight the design. However, I haven’t tried it yet.
And random placement of different squares etc. works great as well. At least it gives you a good basis on which you can continue to work.
And, the best thing is, if you really don’t like something, you don’t have to use it. And you can make changes at any time.
In any case, the randomizer helped me a lot and was a great support. I will definitely use it again!
The only thing I would perhaps change: For a layout, I wouldn’t number my squares (only) in an Excel or Numbers table. I would simply pin small pieces of paper (in this case: yes!) with the corresponding numbers on them. That probably makes the subsequent sorting a lot easier. Unfortunately, I only came up with this idea afterwards. My snuffy head was probably to blame :).
See you soon, hopefully with some further progress on my wall hanging 💕
Experimenting with Random Colour Combinations in Crochet
Lately I’ve been having incredible difficulties putting together the colours for a project. Ok, that’s never really been easy for me. But I’ve never found it as difficult as at the moment. I thought about making a new Gretchen but I am not even able to find two colours that would work together ant that I like. It feels like I’ve already used every colour combination before – I can’t think of anything new. Maybe I just need to step out of my comfort zone and opt for colours I don’t normally use? Yes, maybe, but that’s really difficult!
Anyway, this gave me the idea to experiment a bit with colours and try something I’ve wanted to try for a long time
Random colour placement
I’ve read about it several times, but I’ve never gone into it in depth.
If you crochet simple shapes – such as grannies, circles or triangles and so on – and work with a lot of colours, there are countless ways to arrange these colours. And – you have probably noticed that too – you can achieve different effects with the arrangement of the colours. In my eyes a colourful granny blanket, for instance, looks best, when the colours are randomly put together. But how to achieve this?
To obtain random colour combinations, you can of course first list all possible combinations of the colours you are going to use. The easiest and best way to do this is probably with an Excel, Numbers, or Google spreadsheet. But I am afraid this can also get complicated. For instance: assuming you make a motif with 3 rounds, each round in a different colour (which should only appear once), and you use 5 colours, then there are already 60 possible colour combinations. The more colours and/or rounds, the more complicated the list becomes.
I haven’t tried this yet, so it’s just theory. But beyond that, I wonder what would happen if I couldn’t use all the colour combinations for my project. I would probably choose the ones I like best. Would that influence the overall impression?
However, I wanted to try something different for a random colour combination. I had read about a website that has a random number generator: random.org. They offer different services, including a list randomizer.
For my colour experiment I had thought about crocheting circles. Each circle with 3 rounds in different colours.
My colours and the random outcome
I picked up some of my little balls of leftover yarns and added some colours from my stash that I had never used so far, such as Stone, Camel, Lincoln and Violet. In the end I had these 15 colours that I thought might look good together.
All colours Stylecraft Special DK
I listed all colours in a Numbers spreadsheet (shown in the picture below, first column). Then I copied this list to the list randomizer in random.org.
After hitting the button ‘Randomize’ I had the first result in no time – all my colours listed in a random order. I copied this result back to my Numbers sheet, filling the column for Round 1 (see picture below).
Hitting the button ‘Again!’ in the randomizer and gave me another random list of my 15 colours. I copied this result back to my Numbers table filling the column for round 2.
Then I repeated this step once more to get the colours for round 3.
This way I got 15 unique colour combinations.
Unfortunately I had to realise that, based on the result, some colours would appear twice in one motif. Since I didn’t want this to happen, I repeated the steps described above a fourth time and entered the result in the ‘Substitution’ column. Now I was able to replace the duplicate colour with the substitution colour. For example: instead of Storm Blue, Violet, Violet I used Storm Blue, Violet, Raspberry.
My Numbers Spreadsheet
When crocheting, I strictly followed my list and this is the surprising result:
To be honest, I was VERY surprised at the result. There are colour combinations that I would never have put together myself. Nevertheless, I think every single one looks absolutely beautiful!
Afterwards I repeated my random selection – same steps as described above – and crocheted another 10 circles. You can see the result in the cover photo above. Here, too, I was not disappointed by a single one!!
My 25 circles are meanwhile all turned into squares. I used Stylecraft Special DK in Graphit as I thought a dark colour would showcase the colourful circles best.
Yep – a lot of tails to work away, but all done! My squares could do with a bit of blocking though. But so far I am very happy with my experiment!
Now I will have to think about the best way to join them AND what to do with them once they are joined. I can imagine either a wall hanging or a cushion cover. I’m not sure yet …
Anyway, I will let you know. And of course I will provide some information on how I made the circles / squares and what my layout looks like!
Some days ago, on Wednesday, it was Granny Square Day. Em …, I can’t believe it, but I missed it completely!
Blame it on the heat, or the summer flu I’m suffering from at the moment and that is making me very tired, or whatever … I don’t know!
However. Lately I’ve been experimenting a bit with colours and colour combinations using circles and Granny Squares. In this process, I also created a little Granny. So, to honour Granny Square Day, too late or not, I thought I’d share the pattern with you.
Nothing big, but quite nice, I think.
Just a Granny
“Just a Granny” is a four round Granny Square and measures about 10 cm / 4 inch- if made with a #3 (DK / worsted weight) yarn.
I made my version using only two colours as I think it shows the pattern best. Of course you can also use more colours or a different yarn. Using a different yarn though might affect the size of the square.
The Granny requires only a small amount of yarn and I used some leftovers from my stash. For both I used Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/6. It is 100 % Cotton and has a yardage of 105 m / 50 g. I find it best to work with a 3,75 mm hook.
I made two colour variants. The first one is made with
# 49 – Peach
# 47 – Dark Old Rose
… and the second one uses
# 65 – Apricot
# 12 – Volcano Gray
Apricot and Volcano Gray is one of my favourite colour combinations. Unfortunately it looks like #65 Apricot is discontinued, at least in the 8/6 quality.
The Pattern
Like a regular granny, the pattern mostly uses double crochet, but also includes extended treble crochet, double treble crochet, and shallow back post double crochet (all US terms). Due to these special stitches I have categorised the pattern as „beginning intermediate”. But since it is only a few stitches and rows, I think that even an adventurous beginner can do it. Of course, the placement of the stitches is explained in the pattern. And if you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
In case you’ve never heard about a shallow back post double crochet: it is more or less worked in the same way as a normal bpdc. Only the placement of the stitch is a bit different which makes it a bit less textured. The pattern includes a link to a helpful video on how to do this stitch (made not by me but by Tamara Kelly from Moogly).
Finally I managed to write down the two missing patterns for my Tunisian phone cozies. Yes, I know, it took some time…
But all are ready now!
I created these little bags while experimenting with different Tunisian crochet techniques. If you’ve just started Tunisian crochet, they are great for practising new techniques and/or stitches. Or perhaps they will inspire you to create something beautiful with Tunisian crochet yourself.
The bags are designed for an iPhone 14 Pro and measure approximately 9.5 x 17 cm. However, the size of all 4 patterns can be easily adjusted.
Each cosy, including the flap, is worked in one piece and then sewn together.
I used Stylecraft Special DK in various colours and a 4.5 mm Tunisian crochet hook. Each bag requires approximately 20 to 25 g of yarn, making the patterns ideal for using up leftover yarn.
If you need help or want to refresh your knowledge of the basics of Tunisian crochet, please have a look at these tutorials
The special stitches used are explained in the corresponding patterns.
Please note: The patterns are not tested yet. So, if you find any mistakes or have any question, please don‘t hesitate to contact me.
How I define skill levels in my Tunisian crochet patterns
There is no official, universally agreed system for skill levels in Tunisian crochet. What is considered easy or advanced can vary depending on personal experience and familiarity with certain techniques.
For my patterns, I define the skill level based on a combination of the stitches used, the techniques involved, and the amount of shaping or pattern complexity.
Beginner / Easy patterns use basic Tunisian stitches and simple, repetitive row structures with little to no shaping.
Intermediate patterns combine different stitches and may include colour changes or simple shaping techniques.
Advanced patterns introduce more specialised Tunisian stitches, multiple techniques within one project, and/or more complex construction.
Each cozy below includes a short overview of the required stitches and techniques, so you can easily decide if it matches your current skill level.
Phone Cozy #1
A simple and easy pattern to practise the Tunisian simple stitch.
The cozy is decorated afterwards by weaving in some colourful threads.
Techniques used: only basic techniques such as foundation, forward-, and return pass
Phone Cozy #2
This design uses the Tunisian brick stitch. The pattern is good to practise colour changes and a stitch that also can be used in Tunisian mosaic crochet.
Stitches used: extended Tunisian simple stitch, Tunisian slip stitch
Techniques used: basic techniques, colour changes on the right-hand side, and decreases on the right-hand side
Additional notes
The stitching of a button and a corresponding closure is optional for the cosies. Therefore, I did not go into more detail with the individual patterns, except for #2.
For the loops I simply crocheted a small chain to form a little eyelets.
The size and position of the eyelet naturally will depend on the size and position of the button.
Here some pictures of what I did:
But there are, of course, other ways to close the bags, such as small straps or press studs for instance. It is also possible to dispense with a fastener altogether and simply leave the pouches open.
I hope you found some inspiration for your next Tunisian crochet project. Happy hooking!
I’ve finally written down the pattern for my second Tunisian crochet phone pouch.
This pattern is slightly more challenging than Cozy #1 because it uses two colours. Nevertheless, it is a simple pattern that even beginners can easily master.
Pattern details
The cozy is designed for an iPhone 14 Pro and measures approximately 9.5 x 17 cm.
Stitch pattern
The pattern is based on a common Tunisian stitch pattern known as Brick stitch or Grid stitch.
It is usually worked in two colours to enhance the visual effect, but it can also be made in a single colour, which really highlights the structure.
The pattern uses a combination of Tunisian simple stitch and Tunisian front post double crochet stitch. The Tunisian front post double crochet stitch is worked similarly to a front post stitch in regular crochet and is also used in Tunisian mosaic crochet.
Both, the Tunisian front post double crochet stitch and the colour change are explained in the PDF-pattern.
Sizing
The pattern has a four-row repeat and works in multiples of 4 stitches plus 1. The size can be easily adjusted by adding or subtracting stitches or repeats as needed.
Shaping
The cozy is worked in one piece, including the flap. So, there’ s only minimal sewing required.
cutaway diagram
Only the bottom and sides need to be joined.
Of course, it is also possible to work the pouch without the flap. In that case, simply continue working the instructions for binding off (row 23 in the PDF-pattern) until the end of the row.
Finishing
After binding off, the flap of my cozy rolled up a little. Smoothing it with my fingers and adding a small border solved this issue.
To close the flap, I sewed on two buttons. This is optional, but I think it adds a nice finishing touch.
Yarn and colours
I used Stylecraft Special DK yarn and a 4.5 mm Tunisian crochet hook.
In total, I used just over 20 g of yarn. The pattern is therefore perfect for using up leftovers!
My colours are Grey and Buttermilk. I love the way they go together! They even remind me a little of honeycombs when combined with this stitch pattern.
Other colour combinations or yarn types work just as well. Just make sure to use somewhat contrasting colours, and remember that different yarn weights will affect the size of your cozy..
As you may know, I’ve been experimenting a bit with Tunisian crochet lately.
I have mastered the basic stitches in Tunisian crochet for a long time and years ago I have also crocheted several patterns. But I never worked Tunisian crochet using two different colours or tried Tunisian mosaic crochet. I have also never looked into the possibilities of decorating a finished piece with cross stitch or weaving. And, besides a kind of ‚join as you go‘-method, I‘ve never joined pieces made with Tunisian crochet. So really time for me to experiment a bit!
The results are 4 different mobile phone covers for my iPhone that I would like to show you here. I will write down the patterns one by one, so that you can make one for yourself if you like.
In case you have never done Tunisian crochet before (or need a refresher), you can find the basics of this technique here.
Tunisian Mobile Cozy I
The first one is a really simple one and absolutely beginner friendly. It is more or less just made from a rectangle made with Tunisian Simple Stitch. No changing colors, no decreases, just some basics. So it’s a great starter piece!
My cozy – made for an iPhone 14 Pro – measures about 9,5 x 16 cm. If you need a different size, the pattern is easy to adjust.
If you are new to Tunisian crochet, please take a look at the detailed explanations first:
Small amount of Stylecraft Special DK, colour 1005 Cream
some leftover yarns in different colours
4,5 mm Tunisian crochet hook
scissors
yarn needle
If you decide to use a different yarn or if you want your phone cover to be a different size, you will have to make a few adjustments:
you will probably have to adjust the number of chains you cast on. My phone is 7, 2 cm wide and 0,8 cm heigh. I made my chain about 9,5 cm long which is equal to: 1 times the width of my phone plus 2 times the height plus 0,5 cm (7,2 + 1,6 + 0,5 cm). The 0,5 cm are just to give it a bit ‚room‘ for joining.
you will probably also have to adjust the number of rows you work. You can easily measure this while working, your crochet piece should have twice the length of your phone. Just wrap it around your phone from time to time and you will know when you have to stop.
Stitches / Abbreviations
FwP
Forward Pass
RtP
Return Pass
TSS
Tunisian Simple Stitch Insert hook from right to left under front vertical bar of the next stitch, pull up a loop and keep it on the hook
yo
yarn over
Pattern
Foundation / Row 1
Cast on 16 chains loosely
FwP: Start in the 2nd chain from hook and pick up a loop from the back bar of every chain – 16 loops on hook
RtP: don’t turn your work, just work from left to right now yo and pull through the 1st loop on the hook, *yo and pull through the next 2 loops on hook, repeat from * until there is only 1 loop on hook
Row 2
FwP: working from right to left, skip first vertical bar, 14 TSS, work end stitch (16 loops on hook)
RtP: work Standard Return Pass like explained above
Row 3 – 43
repeat row 2
Bind off
My rectangle measured about 9,5 cm in width and 32 cm in length.
Decorating
Now you can start decorating your cozy by „weaving“ different yarns under the vertical bars of the Tunisian Simple Stitches. If you like to do it similar to mine, here is what I’ve done:
I used some left over yarns from King Cole Comfort DK in the colour 1729, Glacier and Stylecraft Special DK in 1390, Clematis and 1064, Mocha.
I started in row 23, counted bottom up. (If you are unsure how to count the rows, this picture will help.)
Thread a needle and bring the yarn up under the horizontal bar of the last stitch (end stitch) on the left side (pic 1). Weave the yarn under the front vertical bar of the next stitch in the same row. Then go up a diagonal line, always going one stitch to the right and one row to the top (pic 2) until you reach the right edge (pic 3). Continue doing the same with the next thread, starting in the same row but one stitch to the right (pic 4). Gently sew away the loose yarn ends on the back.
Finishing
I simply joined the edges with a row of slip stitches. I used my main colour, so my stitches are nearly invisible. But it also can be a nice effect to use a contrasting colour. Just fold the rectangle to the half. If you did 43 rows the middle will be row 22. Grab both loops of the first / last stitch of rows 21 and 23 and start with your first slip stitch. (Row 22 stays unworked.) . Go up the edge until the last stitches are joined. Finish off and work away the tails. Do the same on the other side. Finished!
I don’t know where the time is. This year just seems to be flying past me … We’ve just been on holiday, got a new car, celebrated Easter and now it’s already May – my birthday month …
To be honest, I haven’t done that much crochet recently. At least not much I am able to show right now. I am still playing around with Tunisian crochet. So far I have never worked with two colours in Tunisian crochet. So I am just practicing different techniques and I’m curious to see what effects you can achieve with it.
Besides, I am currently working on a shawl in Tunisian crochet, designed by Rachel Henri.
Comme un Air de Printemps
means Spring is in the Air in English and is available on Ravelry.
I love the construction of this shawl! It is more ore less worked in strips that are connected as you go. Therefore you even don‘t need a Tunisian crochet hook. A normal hook is absolutely sufficient as long as it is long enough to carry 12 stitches or so.
I am using a 4-ply sock yarn with 76% Cotton. The colours are a soft mixture of grey, pink and lilac. Unfortunately they do not show so well in my picture.
And I was also able to do two small tests.
Easy Come Easy Go
is the new pattern by Pam Knighton-Haener from A Yarn of Serendipity that was just released. Her the link to Ravelry, but it’s also available her other platforms.
I was happy to test this pattern a few days ago and am very pleased with the result.
My version is made Stylecraft Special DK and a 4 mm hook. I followed colourway 1 – Pam offers two different ones in her pattern – and replaced the colours as follows
Colour A – 1067 Grape
Colour B – 1026 Apricot
Colour C – 1240 Soft Peach
Colour D – 1832 Mushroom
First I was a bit unsure about this colour combination but I think it worked quite well. However, I am sure this square will also look great in just one colour.
The finished square has 39 stitches per side. Of course the final size will depend on the yarn you use. Mine measures about 26 cm / 10 inch.
At the moment I’m thinking about making a wall hanging from different afghan squares. This one would be a good start. Let’s see….
Dream, Sparkle, Shine
I also helped testing a new pattern designed by Ana. Her lovely Dream, Sparkle, Shine. Ana had chosen a great colour combination from Hobbii Mocktail yarn.
I had no suitable colour changing yarn in my stash so I had to experiment a bit with my Stylecraft Special DK.
Photo credit: Ana Morais Soares / One Skein of Love
This turned out to be more tricky than I thought and I was not quite able to achieve the effect I had in mind. That‘s why I made only a smaller piece over a few repeats.
I used Cream as background colour and always used the 5 contrasting colours in the same order. I love the colour combination! (Although I didn’t get the desired effect and although a bit more contrast might be better for mosaic crochet.)
Background – 1005 Cream
Colour A – 1064 Mocha
Colour B – 1844 Toy
Colour C – 1832 Mushroom
Colour D – 1218 Parchment
Colour E – 1240 Soft Peach
Originally I wanted to make a cushion out of it, but then I had another idea. I had a simple cotton bag, a promotional gift from a pharmacy, with logo on one side. My patch had the perfect size to fit on the front side. So I made a small border – just one round of single crochet – and sewed it on. Voila – a new project bag.
And that’s all there is for today! Have a lovely time 💕
I recently had the opportunity to test a new design from Pam Knighton-Haener / A Yarn of Serendipity: The Pinwheel Square.
The pattern was just released and is available on Ravelry. The skill level of the pattern is categorised as mid-intermediate. As always, the written instructions are very clear and accompanied by detailed photos for each round. Made with Aran / Worsted Weight yarn (#4) the final size of the square will be 11 or 12 inch / 28 or 30,5 cm – depending on the size of the crochet hook used. And of course, the final stitch count matches all the others from Pam’s squares.
My yarn and colours
As you may know, I often use a light weight (#2) cotton yarn for these tests. Something like Schachenmayr Catania or Hobbii Rainbow Cotton 8/4. The reason is just that I have accumulated a lot of these yarns by crocheting amigurumi and can go with my stash. Besides they have a great colour range and a good stitch definition.
Somehow this time I decided to go with my stash of Stylecraft Special DK.
I have just used a similar colour combination for another test in overlay mosaic. Just all in neutrals. I loved the result and was curious how it would look in regular crochet.
Well, I am more than happy with the result!
I used a 4 mm hook and the final size of my square is 26 cm – about 10 1/4 inch. If you are interested in my colour way, here my notes.
Em … to be honest, I had no idea what kind of bird a snowbird is as we don’t have them in Europe. I had to ask Google and the answer was that nowadays many different birds in Canada are called snowbirds and indeed, Google showed me a lot of different pictures. But originally “Snowbird” was the name for a Junko. Do you know them?
However, I would like to introduce you to my new flatmate: little Snowbird.
This cute snowbird is part of the pattern Winter Birds 2 from @natura_crochet. I spotted it on Instagram last year. It was sometime before Christmas, so I got it myself as a present. The pdf is more like a booklet than a single pattern. It is beautifully designed and contains patterns for three different birds: Kingfisher, Waxwing and a Chickadee – plus the Snowbird as a bonus pattern. All birds are very colourful and wintery styled with hat and scarf.
I used Schachenmayr Catania and Wenco DIY (a German brand) with a 2,25 mm hook. Both are 100% Cotton sport weight (#2) yarn with a yardage of 125 m / 50 g.
On my desk: ready to assemble
My colours are:
429 – Anthrazit / Catania
434 -Nebel / Catania
258 – Erdbeere / Catania
206 – Honig / Catania
51, blau / DIY
Head – Anthrazit
Body – Nebel, Erdbeere
Wings – Blau, Nebel, Anthrazit
Tail – Blau, Nebel, Anthrazit
Legs – Anthrazit, Honig, Erdbeere
Beak – Anthrazit
Hat / Scarf – Honig
I made some small adjustments to the hat and the scarf. I made the scarf a little shorter and narrower and the hat a little wider – it just worked better with my yarn.
I have to confess, I was a little hesitant about sewing the parts together. I don’t have much experience in assembling such small parts. So they So they have been lying in my basket for days (weeks?). But the placement etc. is well explained in the pattern and all went well!
I am absolutely happy with the result. Just started the Waxwing …
Hooked on Häkelmaschen 