Crochet In No Time: 50 scarves, wraps, jumpers and more to make on the move

Introduction

This book is about crochet in a modern context. With a stunning collection of more than 50 things to make, you have the choice of creating items for your home, for yourself, or for your family and friends.

My mother taught me to crochet when I was about five years old. I can still remember how easy it was to make the stitches and how exciting it was to see the work grow. But it’s only in the last few years that I’ve extended my knowledge and experience as a hand-knit designer to creating garments using those basic crochet stitches learned so long ago.

Crochet is so simple and so versatile. All you need to get started is a hook and some yarn. The action of catching and looping the yarn soon builds up into stitches, making crochet one of the fastest ways of creating a fabric. And the feel of the fabric can vary enormously, depending on the combination of hook size, yarn type, and stitch pattern; crochet can be firm, floppy, lacy, textured, soft, crisp, flat, or three-dimensional.

With these designs, I’ve tried to find new ways of exploring and exploiting simple crochet stitches and techniques. Sometimes this means breaking the rules and substituting a single crochet and two chain for the more usual three turning chain to give a neater edge, or choosing a fancy fashion yarn rather than the classic smooth yarns usually associated with crochet. And wherever possible, I’ve tried to make the stitch patterns simpler to do—for instance, working into spaces rather than into chain to make it easier to see where to place the hook for fine lacework or when working with heavily textured yarns.

If you’ve never tried crochet before, the techniques section will provide you with everything you need to know to get started. And the nicest thing about crochet is that once you’ve grasped the basics, you can make anything. Each project indicates the time it took to crochet the item, as well as tips to help you decide if a project is right for you and your lifestyle.

There are projects worked in the round, projects worked in rows, projects that took less than an hour to make, scrap-yarn projects, heirloom projects, projects for beginners, and projects that require more determination. There are unusual motifs and original ideas—everything from simple scarves and wraps to toys, shapely garments, lacy trims, and heirloom baby clothes. With so many to choose from, you’re sure to find some that are irresistible.

Enjoy creating with crochet!

Scarves, Wraps,

Hats & Gloves

Simple Shell Scarf

This versatile design shows what a difference the yarn makes. Whether you create a country effect or choose a more sophisticated style, all you need to know for the one-row pattern used for this beautiful scarf is how to do chain and double crochet. The pretty stitch has rows of shells with spaces between, so it’s easy to see exactly where you are in the pattern, and because each row measures almost an inch, it grows quickly too.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

Each row of shell pattern took about 3 minutes. Total time taken for the shorter scarf 4 hours; for the longer scarf 6 hours.

ABOUT THESE YARNS

Debbie Bliss Soho is a 100 percent pure wool hand-spun yarn that’s dyed to give a rich multicolor effect. It has 70 yd. (65 m) to a 50-g ball. Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran is a mix of 55 percent merino wool, 33 percent microfiber, and 12 percent cashmere. It has 98 yd. (90 m) to a 50-g ball.

SIZES

Multicolor scarf width 6¼ in. (16 cm); length 51 in. (130 cm); pink scarf width 5½ in. (14 cm); length 79 in. (200 cm)

YOU WILL NEED FOR THE MULTICOLOR SCARF

■ 4 x 50-g balls of Debbie Bliss Soho in shade 09

■ E/4 (3.50-mm) crochet hook

FOR THE PINK SCARF

■ 5 x 50-g balls of Debbie Bliss Cashmerino Aran in shade 616

■ H/8 (5.00-mm) crochet hook

GAUGE

multicolor scarf: Four shell patts measure 6⅜ in. (16 cm), 6 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over shell patt using E/4 (3.50-mm) hook. pink scarf: Four shell patts measure 5½ in. (14 cm), 7 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over shell patt using H/8 (5.00-mm) hook. Change hook size if necessary to obtain these gauges.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain; dc = double crochet; patt(s) = pattern(s); [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed.

TIPS

■ The scarf is worked in two halves from the center so that the shell pattern will run in the same direction on both sides when the ends of the scarf hang down.

■ Make the starting chain loosely; if necessary, use a larger size hook.

■ There is no right or wrong side to the pattern, which makes the scarf fully reversible.

■ Each half of the scarf in Soho takes two balls of yarn, so you can keep working until you run out. If you want to count the rows, there should be 39 rows in each half.

■ The scarf in Cashmerino Aran takes just over two balls for each half, so you could make it longer if you prefer. If you want to count the rows, there should be 70 rows in each half.

■ If you prefer a wider scarf, add six chains for each extra shell and repeat the instructions in square brackets one more time for each extra shell. If you make the scarf wider, remember to buy extra yarn or your scarf won’t be as long as in the pictures.

SCARF

First half Make 27ch.

Row 1 5dc in 6th ch from hook, [skip 2ch, 1dc in next ch, skip 2ch, 5dc in next ch] 3 times, skip 2ch, 1dc in last ch.

Row 2 3ch, skip first dc, [skip next 2dc, 5dc in next dc, skip next 2dc, 1dc in next dc] 4 times, working last dc in top ch.

The 2nd row forms the shell patt.

For the multicolor scarf Work until the scarf measures 25½ in. (65 cm) from starting chain. Fasten off.

For the pink scarf Work until the scarf measures 39½ in. (100 cm) from starting chain. Fasten off.

Both scarves. Second half Join yarn in first ch of first row. Working into chain on first row, complete as first half. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

Choose richly colored hand-spun wool or a mix of smooth, vibrant cashmere yarn to make this easy scarf.

Pansy-Motif Scarf

This pretty scarf is a scrap-yarn project. The naturalistic effect of the pansy motif is enhanced by working it in shades of purple and pink with a flash of yellow at the center. Different height stitches make lifelike petals, with chain gaps in the last round to flute the edges and give a convenient place to join the motifs. The rows of pansies are sewn on a simple mesh scarf that’s really quick to work.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

Each pansy took 20 minutes; complete scarf 9 hours.

ABOUT THIS YARN

The yarn used for the pansies and the scarf is a smooth, pure wool sport-weight yarn with approximately 120 yd. (110 m) to a 50-g ball.

SIZE

Width 6¼ in. (16 cm); length 48 in. (122 cm)

YOU WILL NEED

For the pansies

■ 1 x 50-g ball in shades of yellow (A), 1 x 50-g ball in black, wine, or eggplant (B), and 1 x 50-g ball in lilac, purple, or pink (C), all in pure wool sport-weight yarn

For the scarf

■ 70 g pure wool sport-weight yarn in soft green (D)

For both

■ E/4 (3.50-mm) crochet hook

GAUGE

Each pansy motif measures 2½ in. (6.5 cm) wide and 2¾ in. (7 cm) high, 5 spaces and 8 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over mesh patt, when pressed, using E/4 (3.50-mm) hook. Change hook size if necessary to obtain this size motif and this gauge.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain; cont = continue; dc = double crochet; dtr = double triple; hdc = half-double crochet; RS = right side; sc = single crochet; sp(s) = spaces; ss = slip stitch; tr = triple; WS = wrong side; [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed.

TIPS

■ Yarn amounts are approximate and may vary according to the brand and fiber content of the sport-weight yarn you use.

■ To work the long sc stitches. insert the hook in 2ch sp of first round as directed and pull the loop up to the height of the 4th round, tension the strands to lie flat on the motif between the two dc stitches of the 2nd round, then complete the dc.

■ Changing the colors you use for A, B, and C adds to the flowery effect.

■ Finish your motifs quickly and neatly by working over the ends and snipping them off; then you’ll only need to darn in the last end.

■ Different brands of sport-weight yarn may be slightly different in thickness, so the size of the pansy motifs could vary slightly.

■ If you prefer, instead of joining the pansies in rows, just scatter them at random all over the scarf.

PANSY MOTIF

Using A, make 4ch, ss in first ch to form a ring. Cont in A.

Round 1 (RS) 1ch, [1sc, 2ch] 6 times in ring, ss in first sc. Fasten off.

Join B in a 2ch sp.

Round 2 (RS) 1ch, 1sc in same sp as join, [2ch, 2sc in next sp] 5 times, 2ch, 1sc in first sp, ss in first sc.

Round 3 Ss in next sp, [1ch, 1hdc, ss] in same sp as first ss, [ss, 3ch, 4dc, 3ch, ss] in each of next 2 sps, [ss, 1hdc, ss] in foll sp, [ss, 1ch, 3sc, 1ch, ss] in each of next 2 sps, ss in first sp. Fasten off.

Join C to the right of the first large petal.

Round 4 1ch, inserting hook in 2ch sp of first round below, work 1 long sc, continue working behind petals made on 2nd and 3rd rounds, [5ch, 1 long sc in next sp of first round] twice, 3ch, [1 long sc in next sp of first round, 4ch] twice, 1 long sc in last sp of first round, 3ch, ss in first sc.

Round 5 [1sc, 1hdc, 1dc, 1ch, 1dc, 3tr, 1ch, 3tr, 1dc, 1ch, 1dc, 1hdc, 1sc] in each 5ch sp, [1sc, 1dc, 1ch, 1dc, ss] in 3ch sp, [ss, 1hdc, 1dc, 1ch, 3dc, 1ch, 1dc, 1hdc, ss] in each 4ch sp, [ss, 1dc, 1ch, 1dc, 1sc] in 3ch sp, ss in first sc. Fasten off.

Make 18 motifs, joining in rows of 3 by working 1sc instead of 1ch in corresponding 1ch sp of large and small petals.

SCARF

First side Using D, make 34ch.

Row 1 (RS) 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, [6ch, skip 3ch, 1sc in next ch] 8 times.

Row 2 8ch, 1sc in first 6ch sp, [6ch, 1sc in next 6ch sp] 7 times, 3ch, 1dtr in last sc.

Row 3 1sc in dtr, [6ch, 1sc in next 6ch sp] 7 times, 6ch, 1sc in 5th ch.

Rows 2 and 3 form the mesh pattern. Work 43 more rows. Fasten off.

2nd side Work as first side, do not fasten off.

Joining row With WS together and 2nd side facing, work 1sc in 5th ch of first side, [4ch, 1sc in next 6ch sp of both sides together] 7 times, 4ch, 1sc in 5th ch of 2nd side and dtr of first side together. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

TO FINISH

Press scarf to open out the mesh. With short ends of scarf level with center of first row of pansies, sew three rows of three pansies on each end of the scarf.

These pretty pansies grow very quickly and bloom all year long.

Scarf with Pockets

Superchunky yarn and simple stitches on a huge hook make this a quick-to-finish project. Tuck your hands into the patch pockets or use them to hold small items.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

The scarf took 2 hours.

ABOUT THIS YARN

Rowan Big Wool is a very thick yarn with two soft strands lightly twisted together. It’s 100 percent merino wool with approximately 87 yd. (80 m) to a 100-g ball.

SIZE

Width 8¼ in. (21 cm); length 65½ in. (166.5 cm)

YOU WILL NEED

■ 3 x 100-g balls of Rowan Big Wool in Pistachio, shade 029 (A)

■ 1 x 100-g ball same in Whoosh, shade 014 (B)

■ P/16 (12.00-mm) crochet hook

GAUGE

6 sts and 8 rows to 4 in. (10 cm) over single crochet using P/16 (12.00-mm) hook. Change hook size if necessary to obtain this gauge.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain; cont = continue; RS = right side; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); WS = wrong side; [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed.

TIPS

■ Work the starting chain very loosely. Each chain loop should be almost ⅞ in. (2 cm) long.

■ When working the last row of sc, tension the loop at the top of each stitch to match the starting chain.

■ The pockets in the picture are left open at the top. If you prefer, you could leave them open at the sides.

■ For an even quicker and simpler scarf, simply leave off the pockets.

SCARF

Using A, make 101ch.

Row 1 (WS) Working into back loop each time, 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, [1sc in each ch] to end. 100 sts.

Row 2 1ch, [1sc in each sc] to end.

The 2nd row forms single crochet.

Cont in sc, work 15 more rows. Fasten off.

Pockets (Make 2) Using B, make 9ch.

Work first row as given for scarf. 8 sts.

Work 9 rows sc. Fasten off. Darn in ends.

TO FINISH

Press according to ball band. Pin pockets in place on RS at each end of scarf. Using A, work surface chain around three sides of each pocket. Sew pocket edges under surface chain and remove pins.

Keep your hands warm too when you wrap up in this cozy multipurpose scarf.

Shaded Fluted Scarf

Increasing along one edge makes a deep ruffle that automatically curls around to give a soft fluted effect. The scarf is worked in double crochet on a chain and single crochet base.

ESTIMATED TIME TO COMPLETE

The scarf took 6½ hours.

ABOUT THIS YARN

Rowan Kid Silk Haze is an ultra-fine yarn that’s a mix of 70 percent super-kid mohair and 30 percent silk. It has approximately 229 yd. (210 m) to a 25-g ball.

SIZE

Width 3½ in. (8 cm); length (along shorter edge) 56¼ in. (143 cm)

YOU WILL NEED

■ 1 x 25-g ball of Rowan Kid Silk Haze in each of Liqueur, shade 595 (A); Candy Girl, shade 606 (B); and Grace, shade 580 (C)

■ I/9 (5.50-mm) crochet hook

GAUGE

13 sts in single crochet and 6 rows in patt to 3⅛ in. (8 cm) using I/9 (5.50-mm) hook. Change hook size if necessary to obtain this gauge.

ABBREVIATIONS

ch = chain; dc = double; foll = following; patt = pattern; sc = single crochet; st(s) = stitch(es); [ ] = work instructions in brackets as directed.

NOTE

The hook size given is larger than would usually be used with this yarn to give a very soft, open fabric.

TIP

If you want to make the scarf all in one color, you’ll need just two balls of Rowan Kid Silk Haze yarn.

SCARF

Using A, make 198ch.

Row 1 1sc in 2nd ch from hook, [1sc in each ch] to end. 197 sts.

Row 2 1sc in first sc, 2ch, [1dc in each sc] to end.

Row 3 1sc in first dc, 2ch, [2dc in next dc, 1dc in foll dc] to last 2 sts, 2dc in next dc, 1dc in 2nd ch. 295 sts.

Change to B.

Row 4 1sc in first dc, 2ch, [2dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc in foll dc] to last 3 sts, 2dc in each of next 2dc, 1dc in 2nd ch. 491 sts.

Row 5 1sc in first dc, 2ch, [2dc in each of next 4dc, 1dc in foll dc] to end, placing last dc in 2nd ch. 883 sts.

Change to C.

Row 6 1sc in first dc, [1dc in next dc, 2dc in each of next 6dc, 1dc in each of foll 2dc] to end, placing last dc in 2nd ch. 1471 sts. Fasten off. Darn in ends.