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Feather & Fan Crochet Blanket

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This Feather & Fan Crochet Blanket uses the “feather & fan” stitch, click here for video tutorial of the stitch.

This blanket was inspired by the beautiful, hand-dyed yarn of Almas, who has an Etsy store under the name of Witchcraftylady. I used some of her Falkland Corriedale mini skein sets and one full 100g skein of 4ply, a total of 300g to make a blanket that measures 90cm x 90cm (approx 35 x 35 inches).

You could easily make this blanket larger or even turn it into a wrap – I give approximate yardage. If you fancy using a thicker yarn, such as DK, bear in mind that using thicker yarn will make larger “holes” in the lacey sections which may then not be suitable for babies’.

Note : the pattern only gives approximate yardage for 4ply/fingering with a 3.5mm/E hook but please feel free to use whichever hook gives you your preferred fabric, e.g. if you’re making a blanket you don’t want it to be too stiff and tight so you might opt for a slightly larger hook than usual and remember changing hook size and/or yarn will result in a different yardage requirement.

Feather & Fan Crochet Blanket

Tools & Materials

3.5mm/E Hook (my favourite are Clover Amour)

1,200 meters (1,312 yards) 4ply/fingering yarn in 6 colours – 400 meters (437 yards) in main colour, 5 x 80 meters (87 yards) in contrast colours.

This stitch pattern really comes to life after it’s been washed and blocked – the “feather” element opens up beautifully. Natural fibers with good stitch memory work best with this pattern. So wool & cotton blends are a good example. Synthetic yarns such as acrylic may not give the desired result.

I used 100g Hand Dyed Poldale Sock & 10 x 20g Hand Dyed Corriedale 4ply from WitchCraftyLady.

lacey ripple stitch crochet blanket in cheerful colours

Feather & Fan Crochet Blanket Instructions

You can download a .pdf pattern : click here.
Add to your Ravelry library : click here.

Video tutorial for stitch pattern:

Video tutorial for changing colours at the end of rows and minimizing the amount of sewing in required when complete:

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Chipstead Mitts – A Slip Stitch Crochet Pattern

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crochet slip stitch mittensAt the beginning of the year, I taught my class about Slip Stitch Crochet and these mittens are what they made to master the technique.

Slip stitch crochet to creates a dense and warm fabric – perfect for mittens.
Working in a spiral, the hand and cuff are made first followed by the fingers and mitten tip. The yarn is re-joined to make the thumb and thumb tip. The cuff is made last and is worked flat and then sewn on with a simple whip stitch.

As previously mentioned, I originally developed this pattern for my crochet group, “The Riverhouse Hookers” to learn about slip stitch or Bosnian crochet – working in the round and flat. I have incorporated some of the class notes into the 9 page pattern so it includes additional information, photos and tips, as well as the pattern instructions for making the mittens.

 

Available in three sizes, with finished hand circumferences:

Size 1 : 15.5cm, Size 2 : 18cm, Size 3 : 21cm

These mittens are best worn with positive ease so choose the nearest size that is wider than your hand.
Materials:

Thick Aran (sample shown uses Artesano Aran in Nightfall).pattern_spread
2 x 100g (288 yards / 264 meters) is enough for all sizes.
5mm & 6mm hook (see note about hooks below).
Tapestry/Wool Needle.
Thin thread for marking the gusset increases (optional).
4 locking stitch markers.

Hooks:
For slip stitch crochet it’s best to use a pjoning or sked krok hook (these are generally one size).
You can use a normal crochet hook. Either choose one with a sharp tip or you can carefully modify the head of a cheap bamboo hook with a Stanley knife/craft knife and smooth with a nail file/emery paper to make the tip smaller.
Hooks with blunt heads or very rounded heads are not suitable as you will struggle to get the hook through the stitches.

My Chipstead Mitts Pattern is available from Ravelry.

Owl Door Stop – Riverhouse Hookers 5 Week Crochet Project for Second Term 2014

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mezzamay_2owls
We are now into the 3rd week of our latest project – the Amigurumi Owl Door Stop.
This is a project I have specially designed for my students to build on the skills they acquired in their first 10 week course. From being complete beginners they are now able to tackle a relatively complex project such as this! I am really proud of them!

Do you have basic crochet skills? Would you like to join the Riverhouse Hookers and take part in guided courses and projects such as this? Get in touch! [email protected]
Alternatively, for complete beginners we’re hoping to run a second crochet class on a weekday evening at the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre in Walton, Surrey, United Kingdom starting in September. Please contact me as above.

Don’t live nearby and would like to make this owl? This pattern is now available for purchase, in both British & US crochet terminology. I will be donating a portion of the sales to the Riverhouse Barn Arts Centre.