Archives for October 2020

The other night I went into Lidl to get stuff for breakfast and I found these boxes with 3 balls of “Crochet & Craft Yarn” with a pattern for potholders included. There was also a QR code on the box which gave an additional 2 patterns.

That same night I set about making the pot holders featured on the box. The pattern however was not very well written and evidently not even tech edited because there is a mistake in the first round. I also didn’t like the way the pot holders spin, so I decided to make my own version of the pot holder which you can find written instructions for below and also a YouTube video. This is not the same as pattern included in the box with the yarn, if you want the original pattern, you can find it by clicking here.

Crelando “Crochet & Craft Yarn” Review

This yarn is really nice to work with. Although it is mercerized, the sheen is quite subtle and though I might not use it for garments, it’s certainly a good, robust yarn for something like a pot holder. I also think this yarn would be great for small amigurumi projects.

Yarn Alternatives

I realize not everyone will be able to get hold of the Lidl yarn so I am giving you some ideas for other options. Because this is a single layer potholder, you’ll need a yarn that will create a nice dense fabric. Mercerized cotton crochet thread is perfect because it’s a tightly plied, firm yarn with virtually no elasticity.
If you want to try another type of yarn that has a looser ply and more spring, I would recommend adjusting your hook size DOWN to get a tighter stitch… as a result, you may need to add a few rounds to the pattern to get an adequately sized pad.
I would not recommend acrylic yarns as they melt when hot and can be quite dangerous.
Here are some suggested yarns that would be a suitable alternative.

DMC Petra Perle Cotton 3 Count Thread

Yarn & Colors Mini Must Haves

How much yarn?

I used about 30g/75m/82yds of yarn.

Hook Size

The pattern recommends 2.5mm-3.5mm hook size. Unless you crochet very tightly, I think it’s best to stick to 2.5mm-3mm because you really don’t want a lose fabric – your fingers could poke through and burn on your hot kitchen equipment.

I used a 2.75mm hook & Tulip Etimo crochet hooks are my favourite!

Lidl Crochet & Craft Yarn Potholder Pattern – Instructions

You can download the written instructions here: PDF potholder pattern

Video tutorial (best used in conjunction with the pattern) is here:

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Affiliate Links

I use affiliate links for yarns, hooks and some other products. If you purchase anything via one of my links I may earn a small amount of commission.

This is a Quick & Easy Crochet Dishcloth Pattern that I made for the Yarndale 2021 Creative Project. This easy pattern is available in two versions and works up pretty quickly (a tad over half an hour). You can also adjust the size if you like, so you could make it bigger for a face cloth or flannel. One version is corner to corner and the other version is crocheted from the bottom up.

These have been preoccupying me on and off over the last few months. Once I get an idea in my head, even for something as humble as a dish cloth, I can’t let it go. The question to myself was – can I make a quick and easy crochet dishcloth that only uses 25g of cotton Aran/worsted yarn so that I can get 2 cloths out of each ball? Then, what’s the quickest, simplest AND most suitable stitch?… single crochet (uk double) is too slow, double crochet (uk treble) is too “open”… so half double (uk half treble) it is. Can I make it from corner to corner to give more flexibility with size? I.e. keep going until it’s the desired size rather than having a fixed size defined by the chains to start. This took a bit of experimenting because it’s not as simple as increasing the same number of stitches each row due to the height of the stitch. How about a bit of texture to add some visual interest without complicating things with fancy stitches? … ok, let’s work through the back loops. Then finish off with a simple yet quick border that doesn’t require too much stress along the edges of the work trying to decipher “what’s what” – solution : quick & dirty single crochet & chain 1 border. 10 dishcloths later and I’ve cracked the formula. Each one takes about 30 minutes. All of them will be donated to the Yarndale Worldwide Creative Community Project to raise funds for Martin House.

Tools & Materials

Aran or Worsted weight cotton (un-mercerized works best).
Approximately 25g/38m/41yds.
Hook – 4.5mm / G or H.

Supplies

Here are some suggested yarns:

Yarn & Colors Epic
Lily Sugar ‘n Cream Solids
DMC Natura Medium 

Quick & Easy Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

Features 2 Versions
1. Bottom Up
2. Corner to Corner

Download pdf here. (opens in new tab)

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Transparency

I use affiliate links for yarns, hooks and some other products. If you purchase anything via one of my links I may make a small amount of commission.

I’m a big fan of washable crochet makeup remover pads – especially when made with organic cotton. They are really effective at removing makeup and grime and they can be washed and reused time, after time. As a bonus, because the crochet stitches are quite textured, you also get a gentle exfoliation at the same time as cleaning your skin!

There are so many of these patterns out there, it barely seems worth making another…however, I was asked to produce an IGTV tutorial by Folly Fairs as an addition to the virtual craft fair that’s running on Instagram on Sunday 4th October, starting at 11am. I thought a crochet scrubbie would be a quick and easy tutorial, which would produce a very useful finished item.

About Folly Fairs

Folly Fairs, run by Amy, support local crafters in the Surrey & Berkshire areas by running craft fairs where makers can sell and showcase their products. Additionally, Folly Fairs have showcased and promoted small crafting businesses during COVID lockdown, by running free Virtual Craft Fairs on Instagram & Facebook.

If you don’t crochet, but do like to use plastic free and sustainable products in your beauty regime, I thought it would be nice for you to see the handiwork that goes into making these popular products…perhaps you could be tempted into supporting a small scale crafter by purchasing some of their handmade face pads?

Giveaway!

As an additional treat, there is also a giveaway running in conjunction with the Folly Fairs virtual craft fair. I have 4 x 4 sets of hand crocheted scrubbies (made by my own fair hands in organic cotton) to give away. You can win a set by:

1. Following Folly Fairs & Mezzamay on Instagram
2. Liking the giveaway post on each account.
3. Commenting on each post and tagging someone who you think might like to learn more about local craft fairs and crafting.

So keep an eye out on our posts on Sunday 4th October!

Terms and conditions will be stated in the relevant Instagram post.

Washable Crochet Makeup Remover Pads – How to Make

These scrubbies are a slightly larger size than the ones you can typically buy – I prefer them bigger! I’m offering three sets of instructions – IGTV quick tutorial (great for crocheters with experience), YouTube video (best for crocheters that need some extra guidance) & Written instructions in a PDF format (perfect as a stand alone instructions or to use in conjunction with the videos).

IGTV Crochet Face Scrubbies Tutorial

You can find the link to the quick tutorial here:

If you prefer a more indepth tutorial, you can find that here, on my YoutTube channel:

Washable Crochet Makeup Remover Pads – Written Pattern

You can also find the written pattern below. For a downloadable version, with step by step photos, click here.

Tools & Materials

Aran/Worsted weight yarn in cotton (un-mercerised works best).
Per scrubbie : 15.0 meters (16.4 yards), 10 grams.
4mm / G hook.

or, for a smaller pad you can try DK or Sport weight with a 3.5mm / E or 3mm / D hook.

Key

beg – beginning
ch – chain
dc – double crochet
prev – previous
sk – skip
rnd(s) – round(s)
sc(s) – single crochet(s)
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
tr – treble crochet

Special stitches:

fpdc – front post double crochet – instead of crocheting into the top of the stitch, you crochet around the post of the stitch below.
mini picot – ch1 loosely, sl st into the back ridge of the ch just made.

Instructions

Ch4, join to form a ring.

Round 1 : ch3, 20 dc in the ring (keep moving the stitches to the right every now and then to make sure you have enough room to fit them all in); join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch3. (20sts)

Round 2 : ch1, turn the work, working on the wrong side, 1sc into the sl st made from joining prev rnd, then 1sc into each of the next 19sts (Make sure you have 20sts – don’t worry if it seems like there is an empty stitch at the end of the round); join with a sl st into the 1^st sc made.(20sts)

NOTE : All fpdc are worked around the dc stitches from Round 1.

Round 3 : ch3, turn work, working on the right side, sk the ch3 from Rnd1 and 1fpdc around the next dc; sk the sl st join from prev rnd; [1dc into each of next 2 sc stitches (the first stitch lies behind the fpdc just made); sk the next dc from Rnd1 and 1fpdc around the next dc] 9 times; 1dc into next  sc stitch (the stitch lies behind the last fpdc made – again don’t worry if it seems like there is an empty stitch at the end of the round – just make sure you have 30 sts in total) ; join with sl st in 3^rd ch of beg ch3. (20dc & 10 fpdc).

Round 4 : ch1, turn the work, working on the wrong side, 1sc into the sl st made from joining prev rnd, then 1sc into the next st; [2sc in next (the fpdc); 1sc into each of the next 2sts] 9 times; 2sc into the last fpdc. (40sts)

Round 5 : ch3, turn work, working on the right side, sk the sl st join from prev rnd, 1dc into next st;  [1fpdc around fpdc from Rnd 3; make a mini picot as follows: ch1 loosely, sl st in back ridge of ch just made – this lies to the left; 1dc into each of the next 4 sc (the first stitch lies behind the fpdc just made)] 9 times; 1dc into each of the next 2sts (again don’t worry if it seems like there is an empty stitch at the end of the round again don’t worry if it seems like there is an empty stitch at the end of the round – just make sure you have 50 sts in total) ; join with a sewn bind off. (40dc & 10 fpdc).

Notice

I sometimes use affiliate links to Lovecrafts.com & Amazon.co.uk from which I may receive a small commission should you purchase anything.

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