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 😘

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

Love Heart Belly Basket - Free Valentine's crochet pattern

Love Heart Belly Basket, a free tutorial 💕

This chunky belly basket is worked in the round and uses six strands of yarn held together, for a fun and quick make. Finished with heart-shaped pompoms! Scroll down for step by step pictures, instructions and stitch descriptions. 

Please do tag me with #lottieandalbert or @lottieandalbert to show me what you've made on social media! 💕

This project was originally created for the Knitcraft blog, the post can be found here. The yarn for the project was kindly gifted to me by Hobbycraft.

Materials

Knitcraft Cotton Blend 100g in Pink, Red, White

8mm hook

5cm pompom maker

Abbreviations - written in UK terminology

blo       back loop only

ch        chain

dc        double crochet (US single crochet)

rep       repeat

rnd       round

slst      slip stitch

st(s)     stitch(es)

inc       increase (two double crochet in one stitch)

dc2tog double crochet two stitches together

Stitch descriptions

Slip Stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, pull new loop through first loop on hook

Double Crochet: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through both loops

Double Crochet Two Together: Insert hook into stitch, without yarning over insert hook in next stich along from front to back, yarn over and pull up a loop through both stitches, yarn over and pull though both loops

Preparing the yarn

Taking your three balls of yarn, hold the three strands in your hand, and slowly wind them into a ball of three strands. Continue until you have wound around half of the yarn, or until the new ball weighs around 150g. Now cut your yarn, and hold the three strands of what’s left of your balls, plus the three strands of the yarn ball you just wound, and wind all six strands into a ball. You will now have a six-strand yarn ball to make the blanket with.

Work all six yarns together and treat them as one thread.

Basket Pattern

Rnd 1   Create a magic loop and make 6 dc into the loop, pull loop closed (6)

Rnd 2   2 dc in each stitch around (12)

Rnd 3   *1 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (18)

Rnd 4   *2 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (24)

Rnd 5   *3 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (30)

Rnd 6   *4 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (36)

Rnd 7   dc in back loop only of each stitch around (36)

Rnd 8   *5 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (42)

Rnd 9   *6 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (48)

Rnd 10 *7 dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (54)

Rnd 11 *2dc, inc. Rep from * until end of rnd (72)

Rnd 12 In BLO *2dctog, 2dc. Rep from * until end of rnd (54)

Rnd 13 *7dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd (48)

Rnd 14 *6dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd (42)

Rnd 15 *5dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd (36)

Rnd 16 *4dc, 2dctog. Rep from * until end of rnd (30)

Rvd 17 *5 ss, ch 10 and skip 5 sts, 5 ss. Rep from * once more (30)

Fasten off and weave in ends

Pom Pom Hearts

To make the pompom hearts, use just one strand of yarn at once.

Taking your pompom maker and one colour, wrap the pompom maker and create a round pompom as normal. Holding the pompom by the strings at the top, start to shape the bottom of the heart into a pointed cone shape.

Now cut a sharp V in the top of the pomp om, being careful not to cut the strings.

This will give you the basic heart shape, but will probably look very fluffy! Continue to trim, fluffing and turning the pompom regularly to refine the heart shape.

Attach your pompoms to your basket in between the handles and rounds 15 and 16.

I hope you have enjoyed this free pattern from Lindsey of Lottie and Albert. Find me on Instagram, Etsy, Ravelry and YouTube as @lottieandalbert, and find more free patterns on lottieandalbert.blogspot.com

Giant Granny Square Wallhanging - free crochet pattern

Granny Square Wallhanging 

Turn the humble granny square into a statement wallhanging in an evening! Super chunky yarn and tassels and plaits make this beginner’s project look much more complicated than it is and, bonus, it’s super fast to make!

 

This pattern is written in UK terms (with US conversions given below).

Materials

2 balls of Bernat Maker Big, 250g/70m, in the colour Blue Skies Varg 

15mm crochet hook (I used Clover)

Length of wooden dowel or stick approx. 65cm x 3cm

Finished wallhanging size

Including plaits and tassels: 55cm x 90cm

Granny square only: 45cm x 45cm

Gauge

Gauge is not essential for this project, but if your granny square is too loose it may sag when hung.

Abbreviations

ch        chain

tc         treble crochet (US double crochet)

ss         slip stitch

Stitch descriptions

Slip stitch: Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, pull this loop through first loop on hook

Treble crochet: Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over again and pull though remaining two loops.

Pattern starts

Using Bernat Maker Big and 15mm hook, make a 6-round granny square:

Round 1:

1.     Attach your yarn to your hook using a slip knot, and chain 6 stitches.

2.     Turn your chain into a circle by slip stitching into the first chain on your hook.

3.     Chain 3 (counts as first treble crochet) then work two treble crochets into the middle of the circle you have made. This counts as spoke 1 out of 4 on your first round.

4.     Chain 2 to turn the corner, then work three treble crochets into the centre of the circle. Repeat this step two more times. You should now have four sets of spokes and four corners on your granny square. Slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 from step 3 to join your first round. 

Round 2:

1.     Chain 5 (counts as a treble crochet and a 2-chain space), and make 3 treble crochets into the corner of the round below. Chain 2 to turn the corner, and make 3 more trebles into the same corner you just worked into.

2.     Chain 2, then make 3 trebles, 2 chains, and another 3 trebles into the next corner. 

3.     Repeat step 2 two more times: on the last corner, you have already made the very last treble, and so after you have turned the corner you only need to make 2 trebles. Join to the 3rd chain in your chain 5 from step 1 to join. 

Round 3:

1.     Chain 3 (counts as a treble crochet), and make 2 trebles in the chain-2 space immediately to the left.

2.     Chain 2 then make 3 trebles, 2 chains, and another 3 trebles into the corner. Chain 2, and make three trebles in the chain-2 space.

3.     Continue in this way until you reach the final corner. Chain 2 more stitches, then slip stitch into the top of the chain 3 you made in step 1.

Round 4:

1.     Begin the round by chaining 5 (counts as a treble crochet and a 2 chain space), and working round the square making 3 trebles in each space, and 3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles in the corners. Each group of trebles should be separated by 2 chains. Finish the round in the same way you finished round 2.

Round 5:

1.     Begin the round by chaining 3 (counts as a treble crochet), and making 2 trebles in the chain 2 space immediately to the left. Work round the square making 3 trebles in each space, and 3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles in the corners. Each group of trebles should be separated by 2 chains. Finish the round in the same way you finished round 3.

Round 6:

1.     Begin the round by chaining 5 (counts as a treble crochet and a 2 chain space), and working round the square making 3 trebles in each space, and 3 trebles, chain 2, 3 trebles in the corners. Each group of trebles should be separated by 2 chains. Finish the round in the same way you finished round 2. Cut and fasten off yarn.

At the end of round 6, weave in any ends.

To make the tassels:

Cut the following lengths of yarn

4 strands at 40cm

4 strands at 45cm

4 strands at 50cm

4 strands at 55cm

4 strands at 60cm

4 strands at 65cm

4 strands at 70cm

4 strands at 75cm

Each tassel is 2 made of strands of yarn, so separate each group of 4 stands out into 2 strands.

Taking one tassel (2 strands), fold in half, the insert in the bottom stitches of your granny square, making a lark’s head knot by passing the ends of the tassel through the middle of the folded tassel, and pulling to secure. 

Space out your tassels in every other stitch along the bottom of one side of your granny square, stating at the edge with the 40cm, then placing a longer tassel each time until you have a 75cm tassel in the middle. Now work along the square placing shorter and shorter tassels until you reach the other side. 

To attach to stick or dowel:

Cut one length of yarn approx. 65 cm long, and tie to one end of your dowel or stick, now tightly wrap around dowel and through each chain 2 space on the top edge of your granny square, until you reach the other side. Tie tightly to dowel. 

To make the plaits:

With the remaining yarn on your ball, separate out into 6 equal long lengths of yarn. Fold in half, then cut at half way point. You should now have two sets, both 6 strands each, to form your plaits.

Taking one set of 6, fold in half again, placing the halfway point over the top of your stick to the side of your granny square. This will give you 12 lengths of yarn hanging down to plait with. Form a plait, with the three parts of the plait each being 4 strands worked together. Repeat this on the other side of the stick. Tie your plaits to close them.

Trim any tassels or plaits to suit, and enjoy!

I hope you enjoyed this pattern! Find Lindsey and more free Lottie and Albert patterns at @lottieandalbert and www.lottieandalbert.blogspot.com