Old English Creations

Crochet Your Calm and Create with Joy

 

Crochet Pattern Refresh

by Alison Stapleton

We have a reputation for top quality, technically correct original crochet designs and we will not let you down.

We want you to find our patterns to be as relevant in ten years time as they are today and as such we have set in place many desirable features that we think you will appreciate.

There has been much thinking, planning and talking between myself and Lynn that has gone into our new strategy.

To make it easier for you this year we have streamlined the design of our downloadable patterns.


What We Did

Crochet Pattern Layout and Design

Before this year all of our patterns were in landscape orientation and condensed so all the information was printed on two page,s or on both side of the sheet, with a centerfold. In this way the patterns opened out like a book and they were handy and could be taken with you in your crochet bag.

But you have told us that this is not how you use our patterns.

Today you read the patterns from your smartphones and iPads and so we have formatted our patterns in portrait style. We have increased the color (as previously we were thinking of saving your printer ink), image sizes and we have refreshed the images and layout.

Color is a creative medium and we are happier with the clarity that has come to the patterns simply from better layout practices.

Now there is a clearer image on the cover and we have standardized our branding across the media websites and patterns with a fresh color palette and header fonts.

These details are cosmetic and do not in any way change the actual pattern instructions, but they do add value to your purchase of our patterns and the license you have to produce garments and a items from our patterns.

Your Favorite Crochet Patterns

The actual pattern instructions themselves stay the same. If you bought one of our patterns before the instructions are the same. If you buy a pattern now it will be in the new format and easier to use on mobile devices which is where you use them.

These changes are a process which we are working on and they will all be done eventually as we go through all the patterns.

Crochet Pattern Updates Available

If you bought our patterns from Ravelry you will get a new update of the pattern automatically. If you bought one of our patterns from this website, or from Craftsy or our Etsy shop you can email us for an update.

Please use the contact page at the bottom of the page.

You tell us you enjoy our up-to-date and on-trend patterns and we have responded with a new selection in the sections for the coming year.

Pattern Categories and New Yarns

This year we are tightening our niche and doing what we love and do well. This means we have let go of areas that aren’t working for us and focused on a new batch of high detailed pattern selections.

As we change our living style we seek ways to live a happy life with creativity and family and friends nearby.

This way of living can be supported by a lovely home with modern accessories in the kitchen and bathroom (or as our daughters now call it their “spa-rooms”).

So we are preparing to share with you beautiful and stylish items in our kitchen and dining pattern section, and the bath and spa pattern section.

Building on the need for fresh local cooking and rejuvenating soaks in the tub Lynn and I are focusing on our pattern areas as laid out below for 2016.

We will be Offering more Lifestyle Crochet Patterns for:

  • Women’s casual: Shawls, ponchos and wraps
  • Headwear: Ear warmers and headbands
  • Neckwear: Scarves, cowls and snoods
  • Bath and Spa: Candle covers, washcloths, shower balls, vanity mats and baskets
  • Kitchen: Tea towels, wash-up and floor mats
  • Dining: Table runners, placemats and napkin rings (or as we love to call it napery)

Local Sources for Natural Yarns

We will be bringing in more 100% natural yarns like wool from sheep, alpacas and cashmere, and cotton (raw and mercerized), but probably not silk (as there are challenges in the silk manufacturing process), and also yarns that are natural and manmade blends.

We are going to feature more yarns from our local area in Vancouver and British Columbia and surrounds, and using Canadian wools and crochet products more.

We will redefine what it is to be considered a local yarn, and we will evaluate the benefit of imported yarns when they support rural communities in developing countries. This is an area that needs more understanding.

The idea is to use less acrylic and more natural fiber because natural yarns save the environment and are biodegradable. This is a complex process and I will be telling you more on our yarn choices later.

Change is not easy. We are creatures of habit and like to do things the same way as before, but there is a time for change and if we take it one step (or stitch) at a time you are welcome to come along with us.

Alison and Lynn


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Christmas Stockings Crochet and Knitted

Christmas Stockings

Traditionally Christmas stockings are hung on the mantelpiece around a fireplace so Santa can come down the chimney and put gifts in the stockings for everyone. They are also know as Christmas socks.

In days gone by every sock has an orange and a piece of coal in the toe. This symbolized food and warmth for the year. These days we are just as likely to give a Terry’s chocolate orange and we always give chocolate coins or money in envelopes.

Traditionally the Christmas colours are red and green as these are the colours of holly. Holly is the main shrub with red berries and glossy green leaves that grows through the winter months and is available to take into your house for decoration at Christmastime.

Each stocking is embroidered with the person’s name so Santa has no problem working out whose is whose so he gets the gifts right. Well that’s the theory.

There many ways to make Christmas socks and here are the ones I’ve made for my family over the years.

Crochet stockings

Red crochet sock for Mom and striped crochet sock for Dad

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Knitted stockings

Knitted socks for the kids.

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The inspiration for the socks were from two were bought by my mother years ago in Johannesburg from a craft market. They are the inspiration for the other two kids stocking which I knitted when they were born, and that is over twenty years ago now.

I tried to make the second two socks similar to the first two socks because the younger children liked to have the same as the older children.

I am not really a knitter and these are about as fancy I I get with a pair of needles.


How to trim a Christmas tree

We put up  our family Christmas tree on the first Saturday of December every year. We have a “Trim the Tree” party where we order in food (which is actually a treat as we usually cook every meal in our home and don’t get takeout often).

We start at 5pm when the family arrives and it takes the whole evening to get the tree beautiful.

Every year you need to have a new ornament relating the what you did that year. This special ornament often has the year on it.

  • Open all the branches and straighten.
  • Add lights and check them by switching them on. Then switch them off.
  • Add tinsel by draping from one branch to the next like smiles.
  • Ad baubles.
  • Add chocolate ornaments
  • Switch on lights and say, “ohhh… and ahhh…”

Add the Christmas angel to the top. We have a Christmas book and write down each year which child added the angel and whose turn it is this year. The kids love to be the one to add the angel. Take family photos around the tree and it is done.

All that is left is to eat the food and have a drink. Cheers!


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Wyre Wash Cloth Pattern

Wyre Wash Cloth crochet pattern

Part of the “Refreshing Spa Collection”

A wash cloth (or flannel as we used to call them) is a soft cotton cloth for use in the bathroom.

Each person in your household should have their own cloth and you can make them in co-ordinating colours to suit your bathroom decor.

Because we have four children I made a different colour for each child. Our eldest daughter had blue and white, our son brown and white (tip here; brown is a good colour for little boys), second daughter pink and white and the youngest daughter has purple/magenta and white.

Cotton wash cloths can be well – washed in the machine and come back fresh each time.


What you need:

  • Two balls of Bernat Handicrafter Cotton one ball in white and one ball in a contrasting colour this will make two wash cloths as shown in the photo. I have used white and turquoise.
  • 5mm crochet hook.
  • Tapestry sewing needle to sew in the ends.

 

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This pattern is at the beginner’s level.

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You need to know the following crochet stitches:

  • Chain (ch)
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Double crochet (dc)

WYRE WASH CLOTH

Wyre wash cloth pattern 2016 COVER-page-001 (1)

Pattern only $2

Buy Now


Share the love

If you love using our original designed pattern, help us grow and please promote, like and share with photos of your finished garment, using the hash tag #OECpattern.

We would love to see your completed creations.


About Old English Creations original crochet patterns

Original designs

All our patterns are Old English Creations original designs created by our talented designers Alison and Lynn.

Each one is technically correct and uses US crochet terminology and not UK crochet terminology.

You can Buy Patterns

Our patterns are sold as a PDF downloads. This means you get a file sent to your computer and not an actual paper pattern. You have to print it yourself.

You can get Free Patterns

We have a few free pattern available and when you get them you can see the quality of our patterns.

You can print them on paper and you can read them on your iPad or phone.


Copyright

Our original patterns may not be reproduced by photocopy, posted on the web or sold without written permission from Old English Creations.

However, you may sell the finished item you created from this pattern.

Please respect the craft of the designers.

cropped-Rose.png




March Mobius Cowl Pattern

March Mobius Cowl pattern

This cowl is worked from a first row base then the work is twisted to form the Mobius. You continue in the round as it takes you over all the edges you work away from the center first row. Once you get going you can see the twist unfolding.

A Mobius strip is a two-dimensional surface with only one side as this pattern which has only one crocheting edge. Named after August Ferdinand Möbius 1790 – 1868.

This cowl uses the puff stitch.

This pattern is at the intermediate level.

You need to know the following stitches:

  • Chain (ch)
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Double crochet (dc)
  • Puf stitch (ps)

March Mobius Cowl

March Mobius Cowl (1) Cover-page-001

Pattern only $2

[purchase_link id=”2163″ text=”Purchase” style=”button” color=”blue”]

 


Share the love

If you love using our original designed pattern, help us grow and please promote, like and share with photos of your finished garment, using the hash tag #OECpattern.

We would love to see your completed creations.


About Old English Creations original crochet patterns

Original designs

All our patterns are Old English Creations original designs created by our talented designers Alison and Lynn.

Each one is technically correct and uses US crochet terminology and not UK crochet terminology.

You can Buy Patterns

Our patterns are sold as a PDF downloads. This means you get a file sent to your computer and not an actual paper pattern. You have to print it yourself.

You can get Free Patterns

We have a few free pattern available and when you get them you can see the quality of our patterns.

You can print them on paper and you can read them on your iPad or phone.

How to Use our patterns

You can print most of our patterns in Landscape Orientation, double sided and then fold. This makes it easy to take with you.

Copyright

Our original patterns may not be reproduced by photocopy, posted on the web or sold without written permission from Old English Creations.

However, you may sell the finished item you created from this pattern.

Please respect the craft of the designers.

cropped-Rose.png




Poulton Poncho Pattern

Our Poulton Poncho pattern is now available to buy

We call it the Poulton poncho because it is named after the small town of that name in Lancashire. Well the town’s name is really Poulton-le-Fylde but that seemed like a long name for a crochet pattern.

Designed by Alison Stapleton


This pattern uses the clever trellis pattern and is made in two rectangles.

This pattern is at the intermediate level.

You need to know the following stitches:

  • Chain (ch)
  • Single crochet (sc)
  • Double crochet (dc)
  • Triple crochet (tc)

 

Poulton Poncho Pattern Cover-page-001Poulton Poncho

Make this easy two piece poncho as a quick intermediate project.

Pattern only

[purchase_link id=”2149″ style=”” color=”” text=”Download now”]

IMG_2490

 


Share the love

If you love using our original designed pattern, help us grow and please promote, like and share with photos of your finished garment, using the hash tag #OECpattern.

We would love to see your completed creations.


About Old English Creations original crochet patterns

Original designs

All our patterns are Old English Creations original designs created by our talented designers Alison and Lynn.

Each one is technically correct and uses US crochet terminology and not UK crochet terminology.

You can Buy Patterns

Our patterns are sold as a PDF downloads. This means you get a file sent to your computer and not an actual paper pattern. You have to print it yourself.

You can get Free Patterns

We have a few free pattern available and when you get them you can see the quality of our patterns.

You can print them on paper and you can read them on your iPad or phone.

How to use our patterns

You may sell the finished garments you make from our patterns.

Copyright

Our original patterns may not be reproduced by photocopy, posted on the web or sold without written permission from Old English Creations.

However, you may sell the finished item you created from this pattern.

Please respect the craft of the designers.

cropped-Rose.png

 




Trellis Pattern – Crochet Stitches

Trellis Crochet Stitch

Trellis

images-1A trellis is a wooden frame found in a garden on which plants can grow. Typically climbers and roses grow well on a trellis.

it is usually squares turned on their side to look like diamond shapes.

Trellises are also used to separate sections of a garden and to add interest in the ‘garden room’ designs so used nowadays.

Back and forth to make the diamond

The trellis crochet pattern is an interesting stitch combination which is worked back and forth during the row.

 

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This means the work is turned during the creation of each block or diamond.

 

 

IMG_2296 (1)

 

 

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