Crochet ‘macrame’ footstool pattern for Knitcraft

Crochet ‘macrame’ footstool pattern for Knitcraft

If there’s one thing I love, it’s trying to make crochet look like something else - knitting, weaving, macrame..! I don’t know why, partly it’s because I love texture and unusual stitches, and partly because I love the challenge! So when Knitcraft, the yarn arm of crafty superstore Hobbycraft, asked me to create a crochet footstool that looked like macrame, I jumped at the chance.

Their new yarn, Return of the Mac, is a lovely cotton cord ideal for macrame, but also well suited to more hardwearing and structural crochet items (think rugs, stools, wallhangings). I also used a 9mm hook to make this, so it works up really quickly!

(I was paid to create this pattern but not to promote it as it’s being published under the Knitcraft label, rather than my own, I’m just keen to share the pictures I took and a bit more about my design process! ☺️)

You can find a digital copy of the pattern here on the Hobbycraft website.

I’d love to know what you think of the pattern, and do let me know if you make it by tagging me as @lottieandalbert and #lottieandalbert on Instagram 😘

Raffia Bunny Baskets - Free Crochet Tutorial

Raffia Bunny Baskets - Free Crochet Tutorial

When I was contacted by the lovely people at Creative Rox to create a crochet tutorial for Easter I jumped at the chance! These cute bunny baskets are perfect for storing Easter treats or even your crafting essentials. Crochet them in just a couple of hours using raffia for a sturdy and quick make! The baskets also nestle inside each other when they aren't full of treats 🐰🍫

I was paid to create this tutorial, but the concept and what I made it from were left completely up to me ☺️

Scroll down to find the free tutorial. Please do tag me as @lottieandalbert if you make the baskets, I'd love to see them! Lindsey x

You will need

Raffia - I used the following from Creative Rox

1 x pink

2 x cream

2 x blue

8mm crochet hook

scissors

yarn needle

Basket pattern

You can find the tutorial for the bunny baskets on the Creative Rox website by clicking here.

Errata

I've spotted that there's a section missing at the start of the small basket, so here's what's missing:

Create a magic loop and chain 1 to start

Round 1:          6dc into magic loop, pull loop closed. (6 sts)

Round 2:          2dc into each stitch around. (12 sts)

Round 3:          *1 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of Round. (18 sts)

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial! Lindsey x

You can find me as @lottieandalbert on Instagram, Etsy, Ravelry and YouTube, see you there!

Easy Potato Print Scandi Playtent Tutorial

Potato print Scandi playtent tutorial

Ahh the mighty potato, father of chips, crisps, vodka and ... potato printing! I set myself the challenge of personalising this play tent from Hobbycraft using fabric paint and a potato, and I love the result!

This quick and easy update could also be made with older children for a great holiday make, and then endless hours keeping them entertained playing inside.

Scroll down for the easy tutorial and to see how to make your own.

{The play tent and fabric paint was kindly gifted to me by Hobbycraft, although I was under no obligation to create this post.}

You will need

A large baking potato
Sharp knife
Ready to decorate playtent
Tulip Matte fabric paint in black (I didn't use the white pictured in the end)
Tulip fabric markers
Large ruler

Step 1

Cut your large potato in half and mark out a large half moon shape, approx 2in, on one side and a small half moon, approx 1in, on the other side.

Step 2

Score carefully around the half moon shape with your knife, cutting down about 2cm. Then holding the knife horizontally, cut into the potato removing the top 2cm of flesh around the half moon shape. Repeat for both sides. 

Step 3

Cut your potato into a rectangle around the half moon shape - this will help you to see where you are placing the shape when it comes to printing. Set your potato stamp aside to dry a little.

Step 4

Unfold your tent and, on the front side of all panels, mark out a grid pattern using your ruler and fabric pen. I created a grid in 4in squares for a Scandi look.

Step 5

Turn your tent inside out, ready for the printing stage!

Step 6

Using the two half moon shapes, print shapes on the inside of the two front panels. This way, when you fold the panels back when the tent is set up, the pattern will peep out!
Squirt the black fabric paint into a shallow dish, and dip the shapes gently into it to pick up the paint.
Following the fabric maker horizontal lines (you should just about be able to see them through the fabric), push firmly down on the tent surface to transfer the paint. Don't worry if the paint looks a little patchy or uneven - this all adds to the look. If there are any large patches that haven't been covered at then end, you could always fill them in with a paint brush.

Step 7

Once your paint is dry, you are ready to turn the fabric back the right way, contract your tent following the instructions, and enjoy!

I hope you have enjoyed this tutorial, please do follow me on Instagram at @lottieandalbert to keep up to date with future tutorials! The pattern for the half moon crochet bunting is soon to follow!

Lindsey x