Baby steps

Create celebration and nature-inspired blocks with these two gorgeous ideas by Kate Eastwood

YOU WILL NEED ■ Any DK yarn in 3 colours ■ A 3mm (US C/2 or D/3) hook ■ 4 buttons, 10mm ■ 2 straight-sided mugs TENSION 5½ spike clusters and 14 rows in spike granny st measure 10x10cm (4x4in) 4 shell

To avoid a jog in the stripes, work to the last stitch of the purl round of each 2-row stripe, Sl 1, lift loop of the stitch below the start of round onto RH needle, slip both sts to LH needle, P2tog

Create a unique decoration to hang on your tree

YOU WILL NEED ■ King Cole Merino Blend DK (100% wool, 100g/230m) Yarn A Silver (036), 2 balls of each: Yarn B Blackcurrant (3394) Yarn D Cream (010) Yarn E Pale Pink (1532) 1 ball of Yarn C Red (009)

Of Caron Simply Soft,1x 170.1 g ball each in White (9701) A, Harvest Red (9763) B, and 4 balls in Autumn Red (9730) C; 5.5 mm crochet hook. This yarn is available from your local Caron stockist or you