Love to crochet
As a calming and creative way to work with yarn, crochet offers up so many cute and fun projects. In this five-page section we have three fabulous makes for you to try
Crochet the bard to mark a 400-year anniversary
‘Crochet is kindness,’ says author of Colourful Baby Crochet Laura Strutt. ‘First, to yourself for taking time to create something, and then as a second joy when you share your makes. I really enjoyed crocheting for my children when they were small babies, and I’ve always loved to give handmade items to celebrate new arrivals. The colourful projects in this book are fantastic for using up yarns from your stash, or for taking with you to work on-the-go, as they are small and portable. This not only makes it easier to fit some crochet into our busy lives, but also means these projects are ideal for beginners.’
HEART MOBILE
This sweet heart mobile features large and small plush hearts. These are worked quickly in the round and, because they only use a small amount of yarn, they make a great stash-buster project.
✳ Sirdar Happy Cotton (100% cotton) DK (light worsted) weight yarn, approx. 43m per 20g ball. 1 ball each of:
Bubbly 785 (turquoise) (A).
Angel 796 (pale blue) (B).
Juicy 792 (orange) (C).
Sundae 787 (pale yellow) (D).
Laundry 782 (green) (E).
Squeaky 783 (pale green) (F).
Bubblegum 799 (bright pink) (G).
Piggy 764 (pink) (H).
✳ Assortment of wooden beads†.
✳ Wooden mobile frame.
✳ Child-safe toy stuffing (fiberfill).
✳ Twine.
✳ 4mm hook.
✳ Stitch marker.
✳ Yarn needle.
Large heart: 5cm.
Small heart: 4cm.
Not applicable for this project; crochet to create a firm fabric.
Create stripes or ombre hearts by working with both the light and dark shades of each colour on a single heart.
†Make sure beads are securely fastened. Never leave children unattended within reach of mobile
(Make 8 – 1 in each colour)
FIRST HALF
Using any colour, make a magic ring.
Round 1: 6dc into ring. (6 sts). Work in a continuous spiral, placing marker for start of round.
Round 2: 2dc in each st around. (12 sts).
Round 3: * 1dc in next 3 sts, 2dc in next st; rep from* to end. (15 sts).
Round 4: 1dc in each st to end.
Fasten off.
SECOND HALF
Rep Rounds 1-4 to make second half. Do not fasten off.
Weave in ends from magic rings and tail on first half.
Place 2 halves next to each other.
Round 5: With 2 halves together, RS facing, work 1dc in next 2 sts, working through both pieces to join them.
Place marker for start of round (on first 1dc after joining sts), 1dc in each st to end. (28 st
