Yarn Review- Peter Pan Precious Chunky

Fur yarn, you either love it or you hate it (bit like marmite)

I have to say this is a new type of fur yarn for me.

First of all the technical stuff

First it is chunky yarn and they suggest using UK-6.5mm, USA-K crochet hook or UK-6.5mm, USA-10.5 knitting needles

It is 80% Nylon 20% Polyester and comes in 6 shades

It is 50g or  75m (82yds) per ball, skein

Tension 14 stitches, 20 rows to 10cm /4″

It feels soooo fur like, you wanna pet it!!

PRO’s

• Gorgeous feel
• looks like fur when knitted/ crocheted up
• can be used for double knitting projects
• If you want a pet, this is a cheaper alternative, yes it really does feel that nice and soft

CON’s

• not cheap at £3.10 per 50g
• if you drop a stitch in knitting it is neigh on impossible to pick it up
• has to be treated as delicate,  30C wash, no ironing- not exactly ideal for parents

 

Until next time

Fiona x

Throwback Thursday Pattern 100

This weeks throwback crochet pattern is no. 100. It originally came out in 2008, 10 years ago, wow that passed fast.  They do say time flies when you are having fun 😀

i remember when mum designed it, I was so impressed. It is made in 4ply / fingering yarn so there will be some work involved, but i totally think it is worth it.

You may think that with all the layers it would be heavy, but it isn’t and I love the picot edging around the neck and the bottom of the yoke

It really frames the face lovely

The pattern is in 5 sizes preemie, 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12 months

Wish I had, had the time to make it for Sarah when she was smaller

I think for a 10 year old pattern it is faring well lol

You can find the pattern here

Until next time

Fiona

x

Yarn Review- Sprightly Yarn Acrylic Worsted

(pewter)

I had never heard of Sprightly yarns before, not surprising since they are exclusive to Craftsy which is a company based in the USA.

So when I agreed to design a pattern for a Craftsy kit, I was delighted when this lovely yarn was shipped to me.

First of all you can get it shipped to the UK (and a lot more countries) and I checked out their shipping rates. Up to 42 balls of this yarn is at standard shipping rate of £11.33

Now the yarn is on sale at the moment at £2.19 (pretty much a bargain if you ask me) the normal price being £3.64. So if you decided to club together with friends (or hoard it all to yourself as I would) at the sale price with postage it works out at £2.49 a ball, which is still very reasonable.

Ok, so down to the yarn.

First it is aran (worsted) yarn and they suggest using UK-6mm, USA-J crochet hook or UK-5mm, USA-8 knitting needles

It is 100% acrylic and comes in 32 shades

It is 100g or  201 yards per ball, skein

Looking at the yarn in the ball, it has a soft even feel

Forest Green, Pewter Scarlet, Suede White , Black

PRO’s

• Cheaply priced
• Doesn’t tangle
• Soft yet sturdy feeling
• even thickness throughout
• works up lovely- even after frogging lol
• lots and lots of colours
• machine wash and tumble dry- mean it is good for parents (must try some cardigans for Sarah)

CON’s

• has to be shipped, so if you run out….arggg
• not everyone likes acrylic yarns

I have decided to use the pewter in my newest design and i may have to get some shipped for future projects as it really is a lovely yarn to use

If you wish to purchase some you can get it here

or please check our facebook page on the 24th March 2018 for our weekly giveaway, which features Sprightly yarns this week 🙂

Until next time

Fiona x

*there are affiliate links on this page

Throwback Thursday Pattern 18

It has been a bit since I last posted on the blog. Will be adding more later this week.

This weeks throwback crochet pattern is no. 18. It originally came out in 2005, the year we started ShiFio’s Patterns.  I am not sure what my inspiration was for this set, I wish I could remember.

I can’t believe that we have been self publishing patterns for 13 years!!!!!

The photos have been redone a few times, don’t think we still have the original 2005 ones.

This throwback photo is from 2007.

It is called the Twin Bobble Pattern#18. At the time, if we had a pattern with a girls and boys version on it, I usually called it “twin” something

To fit 0-3 months,  it requires UK double knitting, USA light worsted (3), AU 8ply

 There is 6 years between the throwback photo and the new ones. What a difference it makes, maybe I should make a new set and take considering it has been 5 years since the “new” ones were taken lol

You can find the pattern  here

Crab Stitch How To

I love the crab st, I do not use it enough. It is especially handy on boys outfits, where you want to finish it off but don’t want too fancy an edging

So here is my how to guide— here for free pdf

You start the row/ round of with a 1ch / ch1 and normal dc/sc

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Then put your hook through previous st

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Turn hook to left

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Put the hook over yarn and catch it, pull it through stitch

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Yarn over hook and pull through 2 loops

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Pull tight

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Crab st made

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Hope you like our wee how to guide

If you want to download the pdf file- do so here  *

Until next time

Fiona x

 

 

Invisible 3ch /ch3 tutorial

I am writing this tutorial to help make a neater edge for our matinee jackets or any row really where you need to start with a 3ch (UK) / ch3 (USA)

If you wish to download a pdf version to keep pleaseclick here *

1. The first photo shows the original 3ch /ch3 and how it looks at the start of the row, it is out of place, leaves a gap and when you want to add on an edging or band to it, it is difficult to put your hook through.

2.The second photo shows the “invisible ” version, which as you can see is much neater and allows you to put your hook through for bands etc

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I started with a base row of dc/ sc for this example

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Make 1ch/ch1 and pull it tight, if you don’t it will cause a slight bulge

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Make 1dc / 1sc by hook through st, yarn over hook and pull through to make 2 loops

yarn over hook and pull through to complete dc/ sc

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The put the hook in between the two loops- i have take 3 photos to show you where

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Yarn over the hook and pull through

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I always think of this as 2 dc’s/ sc’s stacked on top of one another

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Yarn over hook and pull through to finish

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“invisible” 3ch / ch3 made 🙂

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This is where you put the hook through to work down the side of the row- for example when you are adding and edging or button bands

I do hope my little tutorial helps

If you wish to download a pdf version to keep please clickhere *

Until next time

Fiona x

*this is an affiliate link to craftsy

****Throwback Thursday****

This weeks throwback Thursday is crochet pattern #154 

It is slightly different as it has been revised twice!

it comes in 3 sizes Preemie, 0-3mths, 3-6mths

and it is made in UK-DK, USA-Light Worsted (3), AU-8ply

This was the original version back in 2010, I was going for an 80’s styling with the black contrast

Not sure what I was thinking, the ribbed cardigan looks a bit strange in this colouring!!

This was the first revision in 2012, i removed the shoulder ruffles, the second bottom ruffle and added flowers to the little girls one and changed the colour of the boys. I think it is much better

When Sarah came along we decided to redo it and get clearer photos

Doesn’t our wee model look gorgeous in it ? I may be biased though lol

As always this pattern will be £1 for a week

Until next time

Fiona x

View the pattern here

****Throwback Thursday****

Hello everyone,

I did say I would be adding more post and I am glad that I have managed it so far!!

My 2 little munchkins have been sick and so everything gets put aside for comfort and cuddles.

Now they are on the mend here is this weeks throwback Thursday (our third)

This week I want to highlight another one of mum’s knitting patterns.

A matching hat and blanket pattern which has been made in UK-Aran, USA- Worsted and perfect for the cold weather we are having just now

I cannot believe this pattern was originally published in 2010 !! It certainly does not seem that long ago.

Designed in 4 sizes 0-3, 3-6, 6-9, 9-12, 12-24 months which could be made in complementing colours to match little jackets or a pram / buggy

mmmm so warm and cosy 🙂

until next time

Fiona x

View the pattern here

Yarn Review- Knitcraft Cotton Blend Plain

I picked out this yarn to remake pattern 87 and I thought I would do a review on it

Knitcraft Cotton Blend Plain by hobbycraft

(light pink)

First it is double knitting (light worsted) yarn and they suggest using UK-5mm, USA-H crochet hook or UK-4mm, USA-6 knitting needles

It is 50% acrylic 50% cotton and comes in 16 shades- 2 are mixes

At £3.30 for a 100g ball it is fairly cheap.

Looking at the yarn in the ball it look lovely and even and soft

PRO’s

• Fairly cheaply priced
• Doesnt seem to tangle
• Soft yet sturdy feeling

CON’s

• Feels thicker than I would expect from a double knitting yarn, I would not normally use a 5mm hook for a DK yarn
• Hand wash, no tumble dry and cool iron, do not make it a parents friend
• I am a very tight even crocheter, but I could not get this even. Even when I get to the end of a row and think it went well there will still be some pulled stitches (please see photo below)
• Splits when crocheting which can be very annoying

In conclusion I have to say I am not a huge fan of this yarn. If it wasn’t for the splitting and weird stitches (see above) it would be quite good for amigurami or toys, possibly good for scrubbing cloths /potholders as it feels quite thick and sturdy. I won’t be picking this up to use again.

Until next time

Fiona x

Free Baby Mittens Knitting Pattern

With having 3 children myself, 3 grandchildren and more on the way, i know how useful mittens are so I decided to create this simple little knitting pattern for baby mitts
It is made in UK- DK, USA- light worsted, AU-8ply and is for 0-3 months

PDF version to download– http://shrsl.com/rvm2

0-3mths

Requirements

20g/3/4 oz

UK Double knitting, USA light worsted (3), AU 8ply

Knitting needles

UK 3.25mm, USA 3

40” (101cm) of ¼” (0.5cm) ribbon

Or

4mm/F crochet hook if making a cord

Tension/gauge; using above yarn and needles, 12sts x 16 rows over st st = 2” (2.5cm) square

Abbreviations: k-knit, p-purl, k2tog-knit 2 stitches together, k2togtbl-knit 2 stitches together through back loop, st st-stocking/stockinette stitch

Mitts

Using main cast on 32sts

Row 1: * k1, p1, rep from * to end

Rep first row 10 more times

Ribbon row: k2, * yon, k2tog, k3, rep from * to end

Work 17 rows st st starting with a purl row

Next row: k1, k2togtbl, k10, k2tog, k2, k2togtbl, k10, k2tog, k1 (28sts)

Next row: purl

Next row:k1, k2togtbl, k8, k2tog, k2, k2togtbl, k8, k2tog, k1 (24sts)

Next row: purl

Cast/bind off

To make cord if not using ribbon

Ch 90, fasten of yarn

I sewed the ends into the chain

Make up/complete

Sew up seams, sew in all threads, cut the 40” (101cm) of ¼” (0.5cm) ribbon in half and thread through each mitt, make sure to secure it in place with a few stitches

PDF version to download– http://shrsl.com/rvm2

Until next time

Shirley x

*there is an affiliate link on this page