Are you ready for the Blanket CAL?

The first motif in the Honeycomb Web Blanket CAL will be published on Saturday 1st February, that’s less than 2 days away.  The introduction to the pattern, which includes details of yarn needed, is available now on Ravelry.  So if you haven’t already got your yarn and hook ready you have a little time to hot foot it to your LYS!

Don’t forget, if you haven’t purchased the pattern yet, the early bird discount of 50% expires at midnight GMT on 31st January – use coupon code EARLY on checkout from Ravelry to obtain the discount.

See you on Saturday (at around noon UK time).

Happy crocheting xxx

 

Two years ago I spent some time designing and testing my perfect shower mitt, which I made of linen.  My ultimate design became the Linen Mitt.

I use these mitts in the shower daily but I also love lots of suds and last year I decided to take a natural sponge and encase it in a linen bag with a hanging loop.  This morning I needed a new one, so as it was a Crochet Club morning I took a sponge and some linen yarn with me to make a new shower sponge.  This is simple and quick to make and was admired, so I decided to share the pattern on here, along with a few photos from this morning!

Materials

I used a natural sponge about 15cm high and 12cm across, this is probably the largest size I like to use (my last one was slightly smaller).  The linen was linen thread by Namolio.  And I used a 3mm crochet hook.

Abbreviations (UK crochet terms)
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
tr = treble
ss = slip stitch
sp(s) = space(s)

The pattern

Start with 4ch and join into a ring with a ss

Round 1: 4ch (counts as 1tr, 1ch), (1tr in ring, 1ch) 8 times, join to 3rd ch from start with a ss

Round 2: ss into 1ch-sp, 5ch (counts as 1tr, 2ch), (1tr, 2ch) in each 1ch-sp around, join to 3rd ch from start with a ss

Round 3: ss into 2ch-sp, 6ch (counts as 1tr, 3ch), (1tr, 3ch) in each 2ch-sp around, join to 3rd ch from start with a ss

At this point I want to start making bigger loops, so rather than work in tr with ch-sps, I use long ch loops and use dc

Round 4: ss into 3ch-sp, 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in same 3ch-sp, *5ch, 1dc in next 3ch-sp; repeat from * until you have done a dc in the last 3ch-sp, 2ch and work 1tr into the first dc of the round (this forms the last 5ch loop and places your hook in the right position to start the next round)

Now carry on increasing the size of your ch loops to about 12 over the next few rounds

So Round 5: ss into 5ch loop, 1ch (does not count as st), 1dc in same 5ch loop, *8ch, 1dc in next 5ch loop; repeat from * until you have done a dc in the last  ch loop, 4ch and work 1tr into the first dc of the round (this forms the last 8ch loop)

Check it against your sponge as you go

I then did 4 more rounds of loops, using 12ch in the loops and checked against the sponge, I found at this point that the linen stretched all around the sponge and I was ready to seal it in.

Now keep your sponge inside the linen ‘bag’ to start sealing it in.

Next round: *1ch, 1dc in next 12ch loop; repeat from * to end of round and ss to 1st ch

Last round: ss in 1st 1ch-sp, *1dc in 1ch-sp, 1ch: repeat from * to end of round, ss to 1st dc

You may wish to repeat the last round, missing out some 1ch-sps to tighten it a bit more

Finally, make about 40ch and ss back to the start of your ch, break yarn, fasten off and sew in all ends.

Voila!  Your new eco shower sponge is ready for use.   These also make perfect gifts with a bar of natural soap.

Happy crocheting xxx

This pattern and photos are copyright.

Breeze is my favourite cowl from my book Cowling Around (available as a printed book from my Etsy shop or an ebook from Ravelry) and features as the cover project.  I am pleased to announce that it is now available as an individual pattern, written in both UK and US terms, priced at £4.   It uses 700m of 4ply, fingering or sport weight yarn.

Until midnight GMT on 31st January 2020 you can purchase the individual pattern at a 25% discount on Ravelry if you use coupon code 25OFF at checkout.

Happy crocheting xxx

Honeycomb Web Blanket is the name of the 2020 Blanket CAL.  The blanket is made up of hexagonal motifs; there are 5 styles of hexagon and one half hexagon.  The CAL starts on 1st February when the first motif of the blanket will be published.  However, the introduction part of the pattern is available now on Ravelry here.  This includes details of yarn used, how many motifs will be made, abbreviations and hints and tips.  If you purchase the pattern before the CAL starts there are some early bird discounts available – use coupon code SUPEREARLY up until midnight GMT tomorrow (19th January) to obtain a 75% discount (that makes the cost only £1), after that using the coupon code EARLY up until midnight GMT on 31st January will give you a 50% discount.

Updates will be made to the pattern from 1st February on a weekly basis, making 7 parts in total (5 full hexagons, one half hexagon and the border).  The blanket is designed for 4ply yarn but can be made in any yarn and estimates for DK yarn are included in the pattern.

The CAL will be hosted in my Ravelry group and on Facebook.

So come and join the fun!

Happy crocheting xxxx

Keep your eyes on the blog this weekend as I plan to publish the introduction to the blanket CAL within 48 hours!  As usual, the pattern will be at a deep discount before the CAL starts (on 1st February) – in fact very deep for 48 hours, then not quite as deep until the start.

Happy crocheting xxx

Information on the 2020 Blanket CAL will be available soon.  It is made of hexagons and has gentle texture.  The pattern will be released in 7 parts, weekly from 1st February.

Details will be available soon when the pattern introduction is published, as usual this will be at a discount for a short period of time.

Meanwhile a reminder of the colours of yarn I used

 

And a sneak peek

The CAL will be hosted on Ravelry and Facebook

Happy crocheting xxx