Stylecraft Extra Special

If you are thinking that this delicious bright blanket

 looks familiar, well you are quite right!

Last summer, myself and the other Stylecraft Blogstars,

 were all working with the new Batik yarn.

I made a blanket using the wisteria block by Jan Eaton,

 in all the rainbow shades and it was very popular.

If you missed the original post you can read it

HERE

Stylecraft Batik

In fact it was so popular,

 I received many requests from crocheters,

 asking for an alternative in a non wool yarn

 and a more affordable option.

So here is my response for you!

I have chosen to work with

Stylecraft Extra Special DK.

This is our much loved Stylecraft Special DK

 which comes in 8 shades with a fleck in it.

Of course it has the softness and washability we all love

 and comes in 100g balls at the normal affordable price.

For my squares I have used

 atlantis

 viola

 peony

waterfall

greengage

and

carnation

the pattern I am again using is the

 wisteria block

 from the book

 200 Crochet Blocks by Jan Eaton

These shades are absolutely delightful,

 so bright and remind me of jewels!

I made as many squares as I could from the 6 balls

 and then made the largest blanket possible.

For joining I chose parchment

 from the regular Special DK range

The pattern in the book has 7 rounds,

I stopped after round 5

and used my joining colour for round 6.

(I did not make round 7 at all.)

The squares were then arranged in a random manner.

I like to play crochet sudoku

and try to arrange them so that there is only 1

 of any colour in each row or column!

For joining my squares, I have again used the method of crocheting together

 from the back, using UK dc through both loops.

 This makes a strong join with a ridge on the back.

 You can follow my tutorial for this joining method

 HERE

When joining begins something magic happens

 and flowers appear where the 4 corners meet!

 This was a happy accident that I discovered,

 but please note it only works if you omit round 7 of the pattern!

As you will see the blanket is full of pattern

as the holes in the squares form diagonal lines across the blanket.

Every blanket deserves a border to frame it.

First I made 1 round of trebles around the whole blanket,

then I chose border 27 from the book

Around the Corner by Edie Eckman.

You can buy these books from Amazon,

follow the link on my sidebar to have a look.

I am frequently asked if I block my squares.

My answer is no, I am lucky enough to have flat squares straight off my hook.

 However I always wash my blankets to help settle the joins.

 This has the effect of blocking

 and a certain magic happens when you wash the blankets too!

 I just use my regular soap powder and fabric softener

 and wash at 30 degrees, following the instructions on the ball band, 

then I tumble dry on LOW. 

The result is a beautifully soft flat blanket!

I hope this leaves your fingers twitching and wanting to create!

If you do have a go, dont forget to share photos of your makes,

 either in my Facebook group called Crochet Inspired by The Patchwork Heart

 or on Instagram use the #inspiredbythepatchworkheart

 for a chance to be featured on my Sunday Spot!

wishing you a relaxing hooky time

Heather

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This post was sponsored by Stylecraft Yarns

Wrap Around Cushion Cover Tutorial

How to make a wrap around granny square cushion cover.

This is the easiest, fastest cushion cover,

 that I have ever made and it is such fun!

1. Make a granny square using as many colours as you wish.

Please notice that my square is perfectly square

 and does not have that horrid twist that some people find in their work.

If you would like to find out how I make my granny square

 and learn a useful trick, you can read my tutorial

 HERE

2. Keep making your granny square

 until it is big enough to wrap around your cushion.

 Note that when placed diagonally on the square

 the diagonal of the cushion is the same length as my square.

3. Wrap the square around the cushion,

 noticing that I have a little gap between the edges.

 This is perfect as a little stretch to join the edges,

 will ensure a perfect snug fit on your cushion.

4. Crochet together the 2 edges starting from the corner.

I have used UK dc through both loops for a good strong join.

If this method is new to you, you may like to read a joining tutorial

HERE

5. This makes a ridge on the top. 

Notice how I continued over the centre onto the 2nd half.

6. Join again in the 2nd direction, crocheting over the previous join.

(If preferred you could sew the edges together.)

7. Tadaa! Now you have a cushion cover!

8. You can choose to join using your last colour

 or an alternative colour for a different effect.

9. This really does make a perfectly shaped cushion

 with 90 degree corners and perpendicular sides.

 Its is so easy and addictive, beware you will make many!

Patchwork House is full of cushions!

I will always make more!

 If you have enjoyed my tutorial, please consider making a small donation,

 to support my work here at Patchwork House. 

You will find a PayPal donate button on the sidebar.

 My tutorials are all written for free and I post frequently on

 Facebook

 and

 Instagram

 to bring colour into your days.

Have fun hooking these beauties

Heather

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Quotes to encourage and inspire

Hello my hooky friends

wishing you all a happy Saturday!

Here at Patchwork House my day started in my favourite way,

 with a long sit surrounded by my yummy crochet,

 accompanied by teas and coffees till I felt ready to move!

 I hope that you too are able to find

 that much needed therapeutic hooky time today.

Over the years it has become my trademark

 to post mug shots of my mug matching my crochet.

 When I dared to suggest that I might change my posts 

a few years, ago I was flooded with pleas to continue!

To thank you all for being there,

 (as without your loyal following my work would have no purpose),

this year I have decided to produce for you

a series of quotes, set on these images you love so much.

Quotes to inspire and encourage, that you may use.

Please feel free to save them on your Pinterest or post them on your sites.

It is my aim to encourage others.

I can't work as a school teacher anymore

 but I can post pictures of my crochet to inspire and encourage others!

Many of you will know that the last 2 years have been difficult for me,

 faced with chronic illness and having to take early retirement from a job I loved.

It's a long road of constant blood tests and trying new medication,

dealing daily with pain, exhaustion and fatigue,

 hoping that eventually one day I will find something

 to stabilise my connective tissue disorder,

 which will enable me to have a better quality of life.

In the mean time I've decided, that the only way forward for 2017,

 is to stop grieving for the past and move forward!

 So with my positive pants on,

 I am encouraging myself as much as you, by making these quotes!

So I will indulge myself in colour

beautiful mugs 

and enjoy every moment of what I do.

I am so blessed to be able to crochet full time

and to have you share my journey.

Crochet is such therapy,

 with the concentration needed,

 the constant counting takes my mind off pain

 and provides excellent exercise for my sore swollen hands.

Its not going to be easy

but Ive got a big smile today

and am looking forward to what 2017 has to bring!

I have created a page for these quotes

 which you can access easily

 from the menu at the top right of the blog.

Take a look

 HERE.

So do check back regularly to see new ones added each week.

You can also find these on my Facebook page in an album

HERE

I wish you all a happy weekend.

Don't forget to squeeze in some colourful crochet therapy

with love

Heather

X X X

Living the dream!

Happy New Year!

Good morning my friends,

 here I am popping in to say hello

 and wish you all the very best for 2017. 

Life has been very busy here at Patchwork House

 and I apologise for my absence!

 We moved house on 21st October 2016.

 Then my husband began his new job,

 as Rector of 2 churches in the village of Rossington, Doncaster.

 Christmas came with all the busyness of life in 2 churches 

and the wonderful of arrival of my 3 babies home for the Christmas break!

So now its 2017

 and we can settle down

 and create our new life.

 Many of you will have read my previous bio,

 dreaming of life in a country cottage, growing veggies and flowers,

 keeping hens and my hubbie the vicar of the village church.

 When I was a full time teacher with 3 teenagers at home this seemed so far away!

Now I am so blessed and we are living the dream!

 Dreams really do come true!

I live with my lovely husband in a large rectory next to the church,

 enjoying a wonderful garden with mature tress,

 squirrels, birds and hedgehogs,

 close to the rural area of Nottinghamshire.

 Retired from teaching due to ill heath,

 I am now so blessed to be able to fill my days crocheting

 colourful creations to sell in my Etsy shop.

 I dream and make plans to keep hens, 

develop a kitchen garden and grow flowers to fill our home.

This year my gift to you will be colour recipes,

 which I plan to share with you on a weekly basis.

 My aim here at The Patchwork Heart is to encourage and inspire you! 

1 Peter 4:10

God has given each of you some special abilities, use them to help each other

I am also planning updates to my blog

 and more regular posts so do keep watching!

Best wishes for a happy hooky week!

Heather

X X X