Old English Creations

Author: Alison - Updated: March 2025 B&G: Blankies and Grannies The Joy of Crochet B&G? B&G is like the fun code I use for the main things which I create in crochet. Don't get me wrong, I can do all types of crocheting, but when it comes down to it, my...

Crochet Techniques – Chain-less Cast-On Method

Basics

Chainless Cast On Base Chain Foundation Typically the pattern will call for a chain of say, 40 or 100 chains, and the first row is built on the base chain. In the chain-less cast-on method there is no chain. I have also heard of this being called the chain less...

The Ultimate Guide to Crocheting a Temperature Blanket

Author: Alison Heathcote - Latest revision: January 2025 What is a Temperature Blanket? Practical Significance A crochet temperature blanket is a beautiful and creative way to capture the changing temperatures throughout a specific year and location. Imagine, you...

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.

This pattern is at the beginner’s level.

You need to know the following crochet stitches:

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

WYRE WASH CLOTH

Pattern only $2

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.

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

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.

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

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

Pattern only

[purchase_link id=”2149″ style=”” color=”” text=”Download 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.

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.

All About Crochet Ponchos

by Alison | Stories and Yarns

Ponchos

All About Ponchos

Poncho design (2 piece)

An easy poncho design is made by crafting two identical oblongs. In this design the the length is twice the width.

For example if the short side is 40cm then the long side should be 80cm. This would fit most women. For infants kids you can start with a 20cm to 30cm short side.

Then you sew them together offset and fold on the dotted line to join at the back as shown in the diagram below.

If you add a crochet border at the neck it will provide a better fit.

You can also create a polo neck to this ponch for cooler weather. If you don’t want so much fabric at the shoulder area you can add a drawstring that will make the whole garment adjustable.

poncho diagram 1-page-001

The two piece poncho design works well with stripes going lengthways. This draws the eye down towards the point thus elongating the look of elegance.

If the stripes go on the short side it makes the garment seem bulkier to the eye.

Any crochet pattern or striped stitches can be used to make the two simple rectangles and the possibilities are endless.

You can use granny squares as well.

How to Wear a Poncho

Ponchos are great for kids and women.

You can easily ride a bike in a poncho.

Wearing a poncho at an evening bar-b-que is a good option to a pashmina which you always seem to need to hold.

A poncho is easy to wear as it does not have to ‘fit’ the body well.

Your poncho should be snug but have some room.

Ponchos are good for travelling on the bus or plane as they are light and comfortable to wear.

A poncho is a casual garment at best.

This item is not part of your business, work wardrobe but will form part of your weekend easy-going clothes.

I like to have a new poncho every autumn and I will usually crochet one in the fall colours that season.

I sometimes make my daughters one each as well although they don’t always want one, that doesn’t stop me. 🙂

If you keep a poncho too long it can look ratty and tatty.

When it gets old give it to the dog as a blanket.

Poncho Size and Trim

Be careful of ponchos that hang too low in front.

You don’t want it flapping around you knees so you look like Clint Eastwood in a western movie.

The front point should lie at the same level (horizontally) as your finger tips when your hands are by your side.

Many ponchos have fringes which can be either all around the edge, are only tassels at the points, or only on two sides (left or right when facing front and back) of the point.

Poncho Colours

Watch out for garish colours and too many colour combinations in one poncho.

They look best with one, two or three colours only.

When you use colour in crochet you need to understand what works best.

If the darker colour is at the bottom and the lighter colours are at the top the garment is visually pleasing because the darker colours ‘ground’, or add visual gravitas, to the poncho at the widest part (the edge).

Crochet Poncho Patterns

I like making ponchos almost as much as I love crafting shawls and wraps. You can see my easy Poulton Poncho pattern and Preston Poncho pattern (details coming soon).

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote, a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger, combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.

With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.

Christmas Crochet Bunting Garland

Patterns

You will love to create this gorgeous Merry Christmas decoration for your home.

Repetitive Actions and Crochet

Self-care

Author: Alison - Updated: February 2025 Repetitive Actions and the Comfort They Bring The Power of Repetition It Begins Repetition is a fundamental part of our human experience. From an early age, we find solace in familiar patterns. As children, we beg to hear the...

5 Steps to Your Prosperous Crochet Business

Your Crochet Biz

Author: Alison Heathcote - Published: February 2013 - Revised: January 2024 5 Steps These are five of the most important steps you can take to begin your prosperous crochet business. As you transition from being a hobbyist crocheter, and you are on the road...

Trellis Pattern – Crochet Stitches

by Alison | Basics, Patterns

Trellis Crochet Stitch

Trellis

A 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.

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

IMG_2296 (1)

B&G: Blankies and Grannies

Author: Alison - Updated: March 2025 B&G: Blankies and Grannies The Joy of Crochet B&G? B&G is like the fun code I use for the main things which I create in crochet. Don't get me wrong, I can do all types of crocheting, but when it comes down to it, my...

Trellis Pattern – Crochet Stitches

Basics, Patterns

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

Own Your Niche

Your Crochet Biz

Discover your crochet niche which is the special segment in the crochet industry that you know well and where you are skilled.

Crochet Granny Jacket Update #3

Update number 3 on the Granny Jacket

You can catch up on the basic granny square, and updates number 1 and update number 2 so you know where we are at.

Finished jacket

Here is the finished jacket with a border of five rows single crochet on both sleeves and the front and bottom edge.

There is a square folded into a triangle for the arm gusset which gives it a bit more room.

Buttons or Toggles

This week I was at my local yarn store (LYS) and looked for suitable buttons for the jacket.

i want to have something a bit chunky and I was really looking for a natural wood or toggle type button.

I still haven’t decided just how many buttons I’ll need maybe three or five. I always choose an odd number it is somehow more visually satisfying to have a non even number.

Final thoughts

This jacket has worked out well. It is slightly heavier than I had imagined and it will be really good on colder days, which is fine as winter draws on.

I like the granny square look and will probably do another one without sleeves in the taupe colour and lighter accent colours for the spring.

The pocket is a good feature and I’m even thinking of making an inside pocket higher up for my phone, you know.

5 Steps to Your Prosperous Crochet Business

by Alison | Your Crochet Biz

Author: Alison Heathcote – Published: February 2013 – Revised: January 2024

5 Steps

These are five of the most important steps you can take to begin your prosperous crochet business. As you transition from being a hobbyist crocheter, and you are on the road towards having a prosperous crochet business, your approach to your craft and money will change.

The day you sell your first hand crafted item to a stranger (not your Mom or Granny) that is the day you become a micro business owner. Here are the five steps that will guide you towards building your prosperous crochet business.

Step 1. Make your First Sale

The first step is the hardest and that is to make your first sale. Whether it is your first pair of baby booties or your first scarf, the important things is to make the sale and to be in business. Sell your first item. Make your first sale. Take the cash and bank it.

Do not buy wine or new shoes to “celebrate” your first sale. The money that comes in from your first sale goes into the business and can be used for more supplies (wool and hooks), or it goes towards the purchase of stationery for your business cards, website support, or sheets of tissue to keep your garments clean.

Step 2. Know Who is Your Dream Customer

Know who your customer is. Is he or she in your neighborhood or nationwide? If you are offering goods that you ship, you have to approach your sales to a broader audience.

If you are making baby goods pitch that way, if you are doing women’s accessories like scarves and hats pitch that way.

You are not selling crochet but dreams. You are selling possibilities of how good someone will look after they have worn your items.

You are selling hope for your customer to feed a need in them to look good, tren
dy or sexy. You are not selling crochet.

Step 3. Own Your Niche

Your niche is the little spot where your goods lie in the general crochet market.

There are people making all sorts of crochet items but you will make one type of items and become the best there is in that area. This is your niche, a slim section of the broader market.

If you can crochet to a quality level that you can sell, and by that I mean it is good work technically, with a steady tension, and quality yarns, and your finishing is excellent with no hanging threads or knots, then that is quality crochet.

You may make amigurumi and this is your niche. You may craft hats and this is your niche. Your niche does not have to be a particular item although it often is. Your niche can be that you work in Irish crochet or using only fingerling. So the item is not the niche but the yarn or technique is your niche.

Step 4. Love Your Art

Crocheting is art. You have to love what you are doing. Some women will only crochet with top quality yarns because they believe “life is too short to use cheap wool.” Maybe so, but you have to love what you make. You have to love the texture, the color, the way the item drapes and the end result. As you make each hat or bag you are putting something of yourself into each piece. You have to love it. This makes a difference to the finished item. Believe me.

People shop on emotional impulses. They purchase things that speak to them either by the colour, texture or the item evokes a feeling of nostalgia and reminds them of what their granny used to give them years ago. Whatever the reason you have a better chance of selling goods that you craft if you love them from start to finish.

If you imbue love into your products the person who buys it will love it too, in fact you want her to love it and then want it.

Shopping is an emotional investment not just a cash exchange. Know that your potential customers have to fall in love with your hats or scarves before they will hand over the cash. In this way they feel better about buying from you and they don’t feel bad about the purchase when they get home.

Only make things you love and with yarns you love in colors and textures you love and others will love them too.

If you love your work you can talk about it and sell with passion and pride, and it becomes easier to sell. You have to believe that it is your best work and know you are being true to you art. Love your art.

Step 5. Be Generous of Spirit

You could spend one whole day making a hat and sell it for $10. So the hourly rate is weak at about $1 per hour. But that is not the point. Ignore the hourly rate and focus on the craft. If you buy your wool all at once and have a decent stash of good yarns you can plan your production of hats.

Every $10 you make has to go somewhere. Some goes back into the business to buy more supplies, some goes to tax (yes it does), some will come to you as your ‘pay’ and some can go to your giving program.

Your giving program is simply the plan you have to give to others. Those of us lucky enough to earn money can give something back to those less fortunate. It does not have to be much perhaps 10c on your $10 but it is important to be generous of spirit.

I give a percentage of my profits to local charities. I don’t do this every day or every week but towards December I have a sum that I give to people and causes I like to support to help them over their year end.

You need to have a giving plan otherwise you could be giving too much away if someone catches you for a donation in the shopping center car park. You may think you can afford to give $5 because yesterday you sold two hats but this will be an emotional give (and we all do it me perhaps more than most) not a planned give. Make a plan to be generous of spirit.

All businesses and big businesses do give to others. Look at the big companies and you can see their giving donations and the types of places they choose to support. You can’t help everyone so choose a sector in your community that appeals to you and make a giving plan that suits your income and your interest.

These are the first 5 steps to a prosperous crochet business. They can be used for any micro-business start-up. People all over the world have little businesses going on in their basements and backyards making things that they love and sharing their art with the world, and you can too.

Author Bio

Alison Heathcote is a passionate crochet enthusiast and dedicated business blogger. She combines her love for crafting and entrepreneurship to inspire and connect with others.

With a knack for transforming yarn into beautiful creations and a flair for sharing valuable insights about running a successful crochet business, Alison embodies the perfect blend of creativity and practicality.

Read more about Alison’s crochet journey.

Crochet Basics

Basics

Author: Alison - Updated: November 2024 Crochet Basics Getting Started About Crochet Crochet is a vast subject. and you really need to know a few of the basics before you can really get into it. This post is just to go over a few of the basic points and in crochet...

B&G: Blankies and Grannies

Author: Alison - Updated: March 2025 B&G: Blankies and Grannies The Joy of Crochet B&G? B&G is like the fun code I use for the main things which I create in crochet. Don't get me wrong, I can do all types of crocheting, but when it comes down to it, my...