Felling Better At Last!

Hello all you lovely people it's so good to be back here again the last couple of weeks have been horrid.  If you can remember I mentioned that I had Laryngitis in my last post at that point I didn't feel so bad but it got worse and worse as the week progressed and it aggravated my sinus problems so I couldn't breathe, let me just say it's been rather nasty, even worse when you have workmen in your house every day, it's so embarrassing when you have a fit of coughing and it won't stop and there are strange men in your house.

The ceilings have been plastered.

The walls have been papered

The walls and ceilings have been painted...but not the skirting boards they don't do wood! I will have to do all of that. 

The floors have been measured but not yet covered, so I'm still living in my bedrooms and trying to clean up a bit of dust and rubble every day and paint a skirting board or banister or door or door frame or two.  Did I tell you I'm fed up!

Anyway up until yesterday I was feeling too ill to come on here and visit you all but I'm looking forward to seeing what you have all been up to.

I haven't felt like Knitting or crocheting but I have made these..

 I did try to post them in time for Valentines day but I was too poorly.

This is week seven for the last dance on the beach blanket a lovely easy square and so handy to have the pattern as you can use these squares as part of any blanket, you can find the pattern here

The only thing I have felt like doing these past couple of weeks is reading I have to recommend this to those of you who haven't read it..

This book has 498 pages and I read it in a day! I couldn't put it down and boy did I suffer, I had a blinding headache and my poor blocked nose just couldn't keep up with the copious tears I shed. It's a lovely bitter sweet thought provoking love story, make sure you have your box of tissues at the ready.

See all the great parties I'll be linking to over in my right side bar.😊 Have a great week everyone.

All In One Preemie Cardie

This is really the only crochet preemie top pattern you will ever need, these little tops are basic quick and very easy to crochet, made in one piece you can easily adapt them for smaller and larger sizes and add your own touches.

There is now a picture Tutorial available for the small size, just substitute the numbers for the larger sizes..

Picture Tutorial

Sizes..

Small Preemie 10 inch chest

Medium Preemie 12 inch chest

Large Preemie 14 inch chest

For the body warmer variations just follow the size you require and omit the sleeves, work a row of dc around armholes to finish off.

Materials

4 mm crochet hook.

3.50 mm crochet hook.

DK yarn in the following approximate quantities..

Small preemie = 20 grams.

Medium preemie = 30 grams.

Large preemie = 40 grams.

Medium body warmer = 20 grams.

THIS PATTERN IS WRITTEN IN UK CROCHET TERMS.

• Made in half treble crochet (htr) and double crochet (dc) for edging.
• US = half double crochet (hdc) and single crochet (sc) for edging.
• Made in one piece bottom up.
• Long sleeved version in brackets.

SMALL PREEMIE

Chain 46

Htr in 3^rd chain and in each chain to end = 44 htr

Work 6 rows htr.

Right front and sleeve

Right side facing working on first 11 sts only

Row 7 – chain 2, dec one st work to end (10 sts) now make a 4 chain for short sleeve or 12 chain for long sleeve.

Row 8 – htr in 3^rd chain of sleeve and htr in each st to end decreasing 1st in last 2 sts, = 13(19)sts  2ch turn

Row 9 – dec 1 st at beg of row htr to end.

Continue like this decreasing one stitch at neck edge till you have 9(15) sts remaining.

Work one row without decreasing and fasten off.

BACK

With right side facing..

Chain 4(10) for right sleeve then htr in next 22 sts, chain 6(12) for left sleeve.

Row 7 – htr in 3^rd ch and each ch for left sleeve, 22 sts for back and 10 ch for right sleeve. = 30(42)sts. 2ch turn..

Row 8 – htr in each htr to end, 2ch turn..

Continue until back measures the same as right front and then fasten off.

LEFT FRONT

Right side facing

Row 7 - Chain 4(10) htr in last 11 sts decreasing one st at neck edge, 2ch turn.

Row 8 – dec 1^st then htr in each htr for left front and each 4 (10) ch for left sleeve..

Continue as right front reversing shaping until left front matches right front and back.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

See below

 MEDIUM PREEMIE

Chain 50

Htr in 3^rd chain and in each chain to end = 48 htr

Work 8 rows htr.

Right front and sleeve

Right side facing working on first 12 sts only

Row 9 – chain 2, dec one st work to end (11 sts) now make an 8 chain for short sleeve or 14 chain for long sleeve.

Row 10 – htr in 3^rd chain of sleeve and htr in each st to end decreasing 1st in last 2 sts, = 16(22)sts, 2ch turn.

Row  11– dec 1 st at beg of row htr to end.

Continue like this decreasing one stitch at neck edge till you have 11(17) sts remaining.

Work one row without decreasing then fasten off.

BACK

With right side facing

Chain 6(12) for right sleeve then htr in next 24sts for back and then chain 8(14) for left sleeve.

Row 9 – htr in 3^rd ch and each ch for left sleeve, 24 sts for back and each ch for right sleeve. = 36(48)sts. 2ch turn..

Row 10 – htr in each htr to end, 2ch turn..

Continue until back measures the same as right front and then fasten off.

LEFT FRONT

Right side facing

Row 9 - Chain 6(12) for left sleeve and then htr in remaining 12 sts decreasing one st at neck edge, 2ch turn.

Row 10 – dec 1^st then htr in each htr for left front and each ch for left sleeve..

Continue as right front reversing shaping until left front matches right front and back.

Fasten off.

FINISHING

See below.

Large Preemie

Chain 58

Htr in 3^rd chain and in each chain to end = 56 htr

Work 10 rows htr.

Right front and sleeve 

Right side facing working on first 14 sts only...

Row 11 – chain 2, dec one st work to end (13 sts) now make a 8 chain for short sleeve or 16 chain for long sleeve.

Row 12 – htr in 3^rd chain of sleeve and htr in each st to end decreasing 1st in last 2 sts, = 18(26)sts, 2ch turn

Row 13 – dec 1 st at beg of row htr to end.

Continue like this decreasing one stitch at neck edge till you have 11(19) sts remaining.

Work one row without decreasing and fasten off.

BACK

With right side facing

Chain 6(14) for right sleeve then htr in next 28 sts, chain 8(16) for left sleeve.

Row 11 – htr in 3^rd ch and each ch for left sleeve, 28 sts for back and each ch for right sleeve. = 40(56)sts. 2ch turn..

Row 12 – htr in each htr to end, 2ch turn..

Continue until back and sleeves measure the same as right front.

LEFT FRONT

Right side facing

Row 11 - Chain 6(14) htr in remaining 14 sts decreasing one st at neck edge, 2ch turn.

Row 12 – dec 1^st then htr in each htr for left front and each ch for left sleeve..

Continue as right front reversing shaping until left front matches right front and back.

Fasten off.

FINISHING for all sizes..

Sew arm seams and weave in loose ends.

Using 3.50 hook.

With right side facing work a row of dc around work making a 3 chain for a buttonhole one row down from the beginning of front shaping.

Optional Heart

Magic ring

3ch, 2tr, 1htr, 1dc, 1ch, 1tr, 1ch, 1dc, 1htr, 2tr, 3ch, ss to centre, pull up tight.

To make the heart bigger just go up a stitch size or use a larger hook.

Have fun :)

Click here for picture tutorial

Copyright © 2016 Linda Solaiman. All Rights Reserved

Find a print friendly version here

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Aimee Baby Jacket

Friday Catch Up and Happy Valentines!

Don't these weeks fly over here we are Friday again already, I would just like thank each and every one of you for all for the kind and supportive comments I received about my health issues  you are all so lovely it makes me feel as if I'm not alone in this, it was great to hear about the experiences of those who have been down this path or have friends or relatives who have experienced it too.  

I'm still waiting for scan appointments every time the postman comes my heart skips a beat could this be it? just wish it was all over and done with, when you are at the hospital they make out that it's urgent and should be dealt with as soon as possible and then you have to wait forever for appointments.

On to sweeter things it's valentines day tomorrow and there's still time to quickly hook up a few of these...

Sweet Lacy Hearts

Sweet Lacy Flowers Hearts

Honestly you can make them very quickly, just click on the name to find the easy pattern.

Mini Rings Progress

This week we worked rounds 26 -29
Using stylecraft special chunky, round 26 - shade 1023 raspberry, round 27 - shade 1061 plum, round 28 shade 1241 fondant, round 29 - shade 1061

It's now measuring 29 inches across. It's looking a bit wobbly but I'm not worried it will flatten out as it progresses.

Round 28 the cross stitch was tricky until I got the hang of it, I have done this stitch before but now I realise I haven't been doing it correctly, once you know the correct technique it's easy so I have made a small picture tutorial here mostly for myself to look back on because I have a terrible memory and if I don't do a thing often I tend to forget it but maybe some of you would like to try it out too it gives a lovely effect.
Using US terms...

miss one stitch and dc in next stitch, pull work forward as in picture 3

yarn over hook and keeping yarn at right side of hook insert hook from front to back into missed stitch and then work a dc as shown.

Easy when you know how.

The mini rings cal is hosted by Kate you can read all about it and see everyones progress here 

The first part of the  Mystery Afghan CAL has been revealed this week and the first clue is very easy granny squares, a whole 20 of them, Some people have expressed disappointment that it's not more challenging but I have a feeling it will get better as it progresses. I love making granny squares myself and I'm itching to take part in this can you tell I'm weakening haha

Last weekend I was glad I was able to catch up a bit and managed to make those cute hats in my previous post and I even made some healthy snack bars

I took some to work, this plate was full to start with, they taste really yummy everyone loved them and you can't feel guilty eating them because every single ingredient is good for you I will be making more.

What are you all up to this weekend? my list is as follows...

Make square number three for the moogly CAL
Finish off my first project from the crochet blocks CAL
Knit at least one hat
Tidy my stash
Make Jamies meatballs and spaghetti come and have some everyone is invited!

Whatever you are doing have a great romantic loving weekend. :) xx

Linking with Planet Penny Happy Friday

Sweet Lacy Flower Heart

I know there are lots of hearts out there at the moment and all of them are beautiful but because I find my sweet lacy hearts familiar and because I know the pattern so well that's the one I tend to make when I need a heart for a special occasion.

This time though as I was playing with my hook I gave the sweet lacy heart a bit of a twist and came up with the sweet lacy flower heart.

 What do you think?

Here is the pattern if you would like to give it a try

English crochet terms
dc double crochet = sc US
htr half treble = hdc US
tr treble = dc US
dtr double treble = tr US
ss = slip stitch

Use any yarn and hook size of your choice.

Magic ring
Round one - 8dc into the ring ss to first dc and ch3, (counts as first tr for next round).
Round two - 1tr into same place as 3ch, 2tr into each dc around, ss into 3ch =16tr
Round Three -  you now have 16 tr  
(each bracket represents a treble)
into 1st tr ( dc)  (dc, htr, tr, dtr) (4dtr)  (3dt ) ( 3tr )  (htr, htr) (htr, dc) (2tr, 1ch) then 1dtr into space before next tr to form the point at the base of the heart, (1ch,2tr) (htr, htr) ( htr, dc) (3tr) (3 dtr) (4dtr) (1dtr, 1tr 1htr, 1dc) (dc) join with ss to 1st tr              
if you want to use the heart as appliqué go straight to **  or...

Make two the same.

make central flower

Tie all ends securely on the wrong side of work, no need to weave them in yay!
Add a small button or bead if you wish.

Place wrong sides together and dc round the heart through the front loops only, leave a space and fill heart with cotton wool, yarn scraps, poly fibre or a lavender sachet, whatever you wish really, then continue around the heart until the space is closed ss to first dc
**  ch4, miss next st then ss into next st, all around making a long chain loop at the top of the heart and fasten off.

So will yours be

Sweet lacy Flower Hearts

or

Sweet Lacy Hearts

or maybe some of each! 


I know it will soon be Valentines Day but the gift of a heart can be given at any time of the year.....

Make some for your friends to show them how much their friendship means to you.

Make one for someone special in your life.

Make one for a new born baby.

Give one to say you're sorry

Give one to a stranger and watch them smile

Give one as a token of thanks

Give one to someone who is feeling ill

Give one as a token of appreciation

Give one as a good luck gesture

Give one to the bereaved 

Make one for yourself you deserve one too!

Make one just because it's fun :)

Sweet lacy Hearts Blanket

A soft cuddly baby blanket adorned with sweet lacy hearts. 

Materials
500g Dk baby yarn 
Hook 4.50 mm
Tension 11 rows and 11 sts to a 4 inch square
Finished measurements 100cms x 83cms
This Blanket can be made to any measurements, using yarn and hook size of your choice.

Abbreviations

Canada/USA	UK/Australia/Europe
sl st - slip stitch	sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet	dc - double crochet
hdc - half double crochet	htr - half treble crochet
dc- double crochet	tr - treble crochet
tr - triple crochet	dtr or dbl tr - double treble

yrh - yarn round hook

Group = work one half treble and one treble in each chain like this...(yrh, insert hook into next st, pull up loop, yrh, pull through first 2 loops, yrh, insert hook into same ch, yrh, pull loop through 1 loop,  yrh, pull through all 4 loops left on hook) 

Pattern
In English Terms.

Chain 118 very loosely,

1st row-1htr in 4th ch from hook, then 1 group in each ch to end 1htr in last ch.

2nd row - 3ch, 1htr in first group, then 1 group in each group ending in 1htr in last st.
Repeat last row until work measures 82 cm or desired length.

Edging 
1st row - Dc evenly around blanket edges working 3dc in each corner.

 2nd row-  (1 dc, 3ch, 1tr) in 1st dc, miss 2 dc, repeat all around blanket.

Make four Lacy hearts and sew one in each corner.
                        

I do hope that you will try this, it's a lovely rhythmic stitch that doesn't need too much thought, it grows very quickly as your hook just glides along almost by itself and before you know it, a new beautiful baby blanket is born. :)                                 

Please let me me know if you have any problems with this pattern and I will try to help and I would love to see yours if you decide to make one.

A perfect stash-buster project!

Find my other free baby blanket patterns below....

Little Treasure Baby Blanket

Three colour Ripple Baby Blanket

                

Sweet Lacy Hearts

Cute little hearts to use up those tiny scraps of yarn that you really don't want to keep but haven't the heart to throw away.

What do you think? do you like them, I know they may be similar to others out there and I apologise if I have copied someone's design but it wasn't intentional, I just played away with my hook and yarn and this is what I came up with.

Instructions are in English terms

Abbreviations

English Terms

Canada/USA	UK/Australia/Europe
sl st - slip stitch	sl st - slip stitch
sc - single crochet	dc - double crochet
hdc - half double crochet	htr - half treble crochet
dc- double crochet	tr - treble crochet
tr - triple crochet	dtr or dbl tr - double treble

Magic ring
1st round Ch3, counts as 1htr +1 ch,  htr, ch1, rep until you have, 8 htr and 8 1ch spaces. ss into 2nd starting ch.

2nd round Ch4 counts as 1tr +1ch, Popcorn St into ch sp, 1ch, 1tr into htr, 1ch, rep until you have 8 popcorns and 8tr, ss into 3rd beg ch

3rd round you now have 16 1ch spaces (each sp in brackets)
into 1st sp ( dc)  (dc, htr, tr, dtr) (4 dtr)  (3dt ) ( 3tr )  (htr, dc) (dc, htr) (2tr, 1ch) then 1dtr into tr of last round to form the point at the base of the heart, (1ch,2tr) (htr, dc) ( dc, htr) (3tr) (3 dtr) (4 dtr) (1dtr, 1tr 1htr, 1dc) (dc) join with ss to 1st dc              

4th round Ch 4, miss 1st, ss in next st, around.

You can use these little hearts for embellishments or join two together like this.

Fill them with lavender or a scented sachet, hang them up as wall art, hang them on your babies cot, make several and make a mobile with them, or just give one as a gift to someone you love.
What would you do with yours?
I will show you what I did with mine in my next post see you soon. xx

Get a Print Friendly copy here

Lacy Heart Galleries

See also....

Sweet Lacy Flower Hearts with Tutorial