Vanna’s’ Choice or similar [4] weight yarn, similar to double knitting yarn (DK).
One ball in colourway beige – 123 (cream) or another colour of your choice. One 100g ball will make three headbands.
Crochet hook 4.25mm.
Your label (optional).
Crochet Terminology
As we are based in Canada, this pattern uses USA or Canadian crochet stitch notation and not the UK or South African terminology.
Double Crochet (dc)
This means that a double crochet (dc) is made as follows: Yarn over, and insert the hook into the stitch, or gap, pull through (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops on your hook (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook. Only one loop remains on your hook and the double crochet stitch is complete.
Measurements
Headband measures, width 8 cm (3 inches) x folded length 24 cm (9½ inches).
Gauge / Tension
14 stitches and 7 rows to 8 cm (3 inches) x 8 cm (3 inches).
Four balls; one ball each in topstitch (gold), stonewash (light blue), classic (mid blue) and brand new (dark blue).
Crochet hook H (5.25 mm).
Measurements
78 inches x 13 inches (114cm x 33cm).
close up
Stitches Used
Chain
Single Crochet
Double Crochet
US/Canadian Crochet Terminology
This pattern uses USA or Canadian crochet stitch notation and not the UK or South African terminology.
This means that a double crochet (dc) is made as follows:
Yarn over, and insert the hook into the stitch or gap, pull through (three loops on hook),
yarn over, and pull through two loops on your hook (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through the last two loops on your hook.
Only one loop remains on your hook and the double crochet stitch is complete.
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Terms of Use
We would love to see your completed creations.
You may sell the finished items you create from this pattern.
By purchasing (or being gifted) any Old English Creations patterns, you are not just buying (or receiving) a copy of a pattern; you are buying far more: a perpetual single-user licence for the pattern.
Your single-user licence entitles you to:
Unlimited customer support from the pattern designer (that’s us Alison and Lynn).
You may make as many items from the pattern as you wish.
Do whatever you wish with items you create from the pattern. If you do choose to sell your finished products, please give us credit as the pattern designers.
Single User Licence
Your licence is non-transferable. Old English Creations patterns may not be shared, passed on to others, re-sold, or redistributed in any other way.
If your friend needs one of our patterns they can download their own copy.
This original pattern may not be reproduced by photocopy, posted on the web or sold without written permission from Old English Creations.
It is mid-December and I want to share with you the progress on my 2018 Temperature blanket.
I make one square every day of the year. The color I use each day depends on the high temperature here in Vancouver.
Each row is 18 squares wide and will end up at 21 squares long. There will be a couple of odd fill in squares as 365 does not fit neatly into a rectangle.
If you would like to share your crochet story with us drop us a line and send your story or yarn to us.
Your story may be featured here on the blog as part of our collection of crochet stories.
What to Write
We accept all crochet stories and pieces on your journey to learn how to crochet.
You can write on how crochet has changed your life either by the money you earned from crocheting, the new friends you made or the healing properties of crochet.
We love uplifting stories and those yarns that can help our readers. We also love humour and writing to lighten our and your day.
File Formats
Write your story with a minimum of 500 words and use a Word document so we can read it.
Add your optional fifty-word mini bio in the third person showcasing your crochet life.
You can send an image or illustration as a JPG if you like.
Acceptance
When you send your story you accept publication on the Old English Creations blog and give one-time publishing rights for Old English Creations Media for possible future publication.
You always retain the rights to your work.
You work may be lightly edited.
If you have any questions please use the contact form below and we will get back to you shortly.
The war between knitters and crocheters continues unabated.
If you are not a knitter or a crocheter you may not be aware of the subtle war that rages on in parlours and coffee shops across the land.
I was chatting with my friend Nicole at Canadian Frost Apparel the other day about this very issue.
Like most wars, there is a pointless tension between the knitters and the crocheters. No one knows when the animosity began, but it crept in and is seemingly here to stay.
Let’s get straight to the point.
Knitters
Knitters use two needles with points. They may use a circular needle with points at both ends and a wire joining them, or, just to get tricky, they could use four double pointed needles for socks and tube-like things.
They have many stitches on their needles at once and sometimes hundreds for a large piece.
If they drop a stitch and it runs, it takes serious effort to retrieve it. Yes, knitted stitches will run away from their mistresses.
Knitters often feel superior to crocheters as though to knit is to be better in some way. Crocheters never look down on knitters but they see them as their crafty cousins. Both use the same yarns and buy their supplies at the same store.
You can have a “knitting bag” but who has heard of a “crocheting bag” I mean really.
Crocheters
Crocheters use one hook and yarn. The hook can have a thicker handle to aid tired hands and make the act of crocheting easier for extended periods of crafting. This feature on hooks makes crocheters calmer and relaxed.
Crocheters have one stitch on the go at once.
Crocheters can easily make a circle, square or any three-dimensional shape. In fact, crocheting has been used to demonstrate the Möbius strip-like in the March Möbius cowl, hyperbolic crochet and other spatial concepts.
If you can knit and crochet be careful in which camp you pitch you tent.
Myths surrounding Crocheters and Knitters
Knitters are better looking than crocheters. False
Crocheters only use one hand. False
All knitters can crochet but not all crocheters can knit. False
All crocheter are old ladies and that’s why they have “granny” squares. False
All knitters are young and hip. False
Craft Groups
I once joined a knitting and crochet meetup group. When I arrived the eight women there were all knitting. As I took out my crocheting there were gasps of horror from the assembly.
Who was this woman? What was she doing here, and with a hook?
One pleasant looking woman turned and said to me, “Oh, can’t you knit?”
I replied, “Yes I can knit, but not tonight. I’m enjoying my crocheting time.” Gulp.
I can knit and crochet. But, these days I prefer crocheting. It is easy and quick. I can do small squares everywhere I go and take them home to create a beautiful blanket or lapghan.
Out and About
I can crochet in the car or trapped in an aeroplane seat at 35000 feet. Here I have to use bamboo hooks as they get twitchy these days. But you can’t knit in a plane even with bamboo needles. It’s the point of the needle that annoys the authorities.
In the end you have to do what you like. Don’t be knitting because your mother did. If you prefer crocheting then forsake knitting for a while.
If you prefer the rhythm of knitting and can do it without looking then let that be your therapy.
Do what you love and love what you do.It will permeate into your items and the love will shine through your completed items whether you used a hook or needles. 💛
Wraps are rectangles and shawls are triangles. This is the general consensus. You can get semi-circle wraps as well. But in this post I’m discussing the structure of crocheted triangles.
Triangles
A triangle has three sides and three corners. Typically there is one long side and two shorter sides both the same length. This is known as a scalene triangle and is the most popular shape for triangle shawls.
Crochet Designs for Triangle Shawls
If you are making a shawl in a solid piece as opposed to granny squares or other motive shapes then it will be made in one piece.
The starting point sets the stage for the design and there are only a few ways to construct a triangle shawl in crochet.
Any type of stripe or pattern stitch can be used but the way the shawl grows will be the same.
Point Up – Horizontal
This is a popular method where you work from the bottom point and go up in rows which increase each row. In this design you can stop or keep going once the size is suitable.
In this design the full-width of the top side is set, typically as a chain length, and cannot be adjusted later. Here you work rows down towards the point. Each row is shorter than the previous as you decrease at the start and end of each row.
Here you work rows down towards the point. Each row is shorter than the previous as you decrease at the start and end of each row.
Center Top to Sides – Both Diagonal
In this design you start at the center top and make a triangle immediately. This can be seen in the half granny style. Each row adds to the sides and the point grows downwards.
The center top to sides design can be adjusted when the size is reached or you can continue to add more rows.
In this design you start at the left side and work vertical rows towards the right side. Which increases on one side only and the top side remains the same. At the
At the point you start to decrease on the lower side again and the rows get shorter.
The image below is the first half of the shawl as the rows grow vertically towards the point. When I’ve finished it I’ll get the completed image in here for you.
Centre to Sides – Vertical
Here the base chain is from the top center to the point. You work first the left side to the side point and then the right side to the side point. Care needs to be taken to get both sides the same.
Each row is vertically from the center chain and reduces at the bottom whilst keeping the top edge straight.
In this design the depth of the shawl is determined at the start but you can make the width wider if you do a shallower decrease.
Your Choice
All shawl designs have their pros and cons. Personally, I like the point up and the center top to side methods as the triangle shape it set from the start.
It is a personal choice and the stitch pattern and the colour choices used will help determine the type of design you should choose.
I’ve had an iPad for several years now and I’ve been frustrated with the big bulky and clunky hard cases sold in the Apple Store. They are not neat and they make the whole item seem bigger than it is.
If the iPad designers made such a sleek and smooth piece of kit why would you want to hide it all in a nasty plastic flap thingy?
You are probably like me and you need the information and connectivity the Ipad gives without the bulk of junky covers.
I take my iPad with me most days and slip it into my bag. In fact these days I don’t buy a handbag or tote that will not fit my IPad.
I had worked on several prototype designs made in crochet for my IPad cover but they all had the same problem that the sleek pad would just slip right out.
This was not good.
Carleton Nip and Tuck iPad Cover
This new design is based on the simple pillow case method where the case is snug (nip) and then you ease the inner flap (tuck) over the end so the iPad will not slide out.
Our Carleton iPad Crochet Cover has no external flaps or buttons to catch on other things.
No matter who you are or how you crochet you will likely have an iPad. If you are a crocheter you can make this easy breezy iPad cover in less than three hours.
And if you don’t have an iPad I bet your grandkids do.
Size 5.25mm crochet hook or the hook required to match the gauge.
Your label (optional)
Yarn needle to sew in ends.
Stitch marker.
Gauge
15 stitches and 12 rows to 4″ x 4″ (10cm x 10cm).
Measurements
Width 17cm, height 23cm.
Note: When resting and by that I mean when the iPad is not in the cover, the cover is slightly smaller than the actual iPad.
Pattern Notes
This cover is worked in the round and after the first row the work spirals up and is not round by round. There is no seam.
The fit is a snug fit to grip the iPad the cover will stretch a little as you insert the iPad this is normal.
Colour choices
The pattern here is for the black/pink version but I am also showing you the gold/cream colourway. When you use colour in crochet it changes the feel of the item.
The black/pink is vibrant and businesslike and the gold/cream is lighter and has more whimsey.
Please note: This pattern will be free for just over a week and then be available as a PDF download for a nominal fee.
Body
Foundation chain: With black ch 24.
Rnd 1: Ch 1 (as 1st st), 1 sc in every chain to end (24 sts), 2 sc into same st (as side corner), 1 sc into every st up the other side, 2 sc into same st, (52 sts). Do not join with sl st. Place a stitch marker into next st.
Rnd 2: Immediately make the next st into the first st of rnd 1 and continue in a spiral from here.
Work until completed 12 rnds and end at stitch marker side. Leave black (do not cut),
Join pink, work 1 sl st into next 2 sts then continue in sc, complete one rnd, leave pink, pick up black and work 1 sc into each of the sl sts from the rnd below and then continue.
From this point you will have two spirals (one pink and one black) with two thread in use. Continue until you have five pink and five black rnds completed. End at the stitch marker side. With black make 1 sl st into the next 2 sts. Cut black and fasten off.
With pink continue and work every st and go over the 2 black sl sts with sc all the way round. Continue spiral in pink for twelve more rnds. End at stitch marker side. Turn.
Inner flap
Row 1: 1 ch (as 1st st), 1 sc into next 24 sts, turn (25 sts).
Row 2-8: Repeat row 1. Fasten off.
Finishing
Turn item inside out. Fold flap down and neatly sew down both sides making sure not to go through to the front. Weave in ends. Turn right side out.
Sew on your label at the right hand side bottom 1cm in from the corner (optional).
Crochet bags are fun and easy to make. There are many types of bags and most can be made in crochet. The beauty of these designs is that they usually can be made in a day or two.
Start now and have a new bag each season (that’s four this year) or go ahead and craft yourself one for each month.
Crochet bags do not last forever and depending on the yarns you use they can get worn, fluff or pill easily.
Take care to choose natural fibres like cotton or wool or select tough acrylics.
Where to put your crochet bags when out and about
Never chuck a crochet bag (or any bag for that matter) onto the floor. Rather leave it hanging on the back of your chair
In a restaurant or coffee shop
Tuck your bag behind your back on the chair in a restaurant or coffee shop.
Only place spectacular evening bags on the dining table.
You can get a handy dandy portable handbag hook and dangle your bag stylishly from the table edge.
On the bus, train or subway
Always have your bag on your knee. Don’t leave it on the seat next to you (this attracts grab-and-runs). Not on the floor.
If your commute is very dirty put you crochet bag into a see-though plastic bag for travelling in busy public places.
In the cloakroom
Hang it on the hook or knob behind the door. Never place your crochet bag on top of the cistern. Really?
Never ever on the floor. Tuck it under your arm as you hover.
At the basin, if you have to put it on the counter, place some paper towels down first.
You never know what lurks in public places.
Care for your crochet bag
You have spent many hours making your crochet bag so you need to care for it to extend its longevity.
When bags like this get dirty or stained it is hard to clean them so the best way is to protect them beforehand.
Any bag you make and use says something about you. You want you crochet bags to be beautiful for a long time so take care and enjoy using your hand crafted bags.
Bag patterns coming soon
These bag patterns will be coming soon. I will add them as soon as I can.
The patterns are free for a few days and then cost $2 for a PDF download. Check back often to pick up your free bag patterns.
Your niche is the special segment in your industry that you know well and where you are skilled.
In the large world of craft, crochet is a section of craft. Hats are a section of crochet in crafts. Baby hats are a section within hats in crochet and in crafts, and writing patterns for baby hats, in hats, in crochet, in crafts is a niche.
Your niche is the place where you are good and can do, whatever it is. You could call it a passion and if you can – then you know.
Millions of people craft and thousands of them crochet. Many individuals make hats, some folks make baby hats and a few of them write patterns for baby crochet hats.
Maybe you make crochet baby booties and that is your niche. Perhaps you create amigurumi animals and that is your niche. Or you produce cotton bohemian tops and that is your niche.
Your niche is not only the actual item it can be the type of crochet
You may be a specialist in tunisian crochet, Irish crochet or filet crochet. Perhaps you only work on freeform crochet like hyperbolic crochet and the Mobius. These are examples of techniques that could be your niche and you may make various items within these segments.
Your niche is the thin area within your main industry where you excel.
How to find your niche
Look at your stash
Do you have many yarns? What thickness of wool and cottons do you have? Only thin or only chunky yarns? Only natural fibres or some acrylics?
What is your colour palette? Do you mainly have brights, darks or pastels. Or maybe only neutrals? Which colours appeal to you? Are you a fan of variegated yarns?
My stash is very different to your stash and your stash will be different again to the next woman. Individuality is shown by the type of yarn and colour combinations in your stash.
What do you usually make when you crochet?
Blankets, scarves, doilies, kids stuff, bags or what?
What about size? Is your work often in little projects that can be finished in a day or big afghans that take a month to complete or are they something in between?
How about the methods you use. Do you work top-down so you never have to sew seams? Do you do circles and work in-the-round, or squares like granny squares or log cabin? Are you likely to create projects with tonal stripes like light blue, mid blue and dark blue or color blocks? Do you love intricate stitch patterns or plain repetitive stitches?
By a simple consideration of what you normally buy in yarns (as shown by your stash) and what you usually make (in item) and the techniques your employ all suggest the direction of your niche.
Your niche
If you can say “I make baby hats in natural cotton which I market online,” or “I specialize in lacy wedding shawls which I sell to local bridal boutiques,” then that is your niche.
Bear in mind that you niche may be wide for example, if you crochet kids fun clothing in primary acrylics, then that is your niche..
Your niche does not have to be narrow but it typically becomes so. Over the years you may slip into making a certain thing in a particular yarn with the same hook for a definite market.
Embrace your style and hone your skills to become the best within your niche.
