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  • November 13, 2024

    5 Knitting Patterns for Valentine's Day

    5 Knitting Patterns for Valentine's Day

    February - a month of love and atonement that brings us Valentine’s Day to celebrate relationships, expressions of love, and, of course, romance. What better way to express your love for those closest to you than making them a unique knitted gift, delivered straight from the heart! Invest your love into making decorative items for around the house, or gifts to send to friends and family. Here are five of our favourite Valentine’s Day knitting ideas:

     

    Express your love with this cute knitted heart pattern. They can be made in large or small sizes (or both, if you’re making them for the Grinch), but it’s better for beginners to start with the larger design as it’s easier to knit. Hang these hearts around the house as a garland or create a pin to wear your heart on your sleeve.

    Pattern Designer: Juanamac

    Spruce up your home with this lovely knitted heart pillow case cover. Completing a project like this gives you more than just a fulfilling sense of achievement, you also get to enjoy the results of your work every time you put your feet up! Simply choose two different yarn colours and knit away, you’ll have a unique hand-made item to enjoy (or gift) in no time.

    Pattern Designer: Drops Design

    Keep your loved ones warm inside with a coffee cup cosy, a valuable gift for the coldest months of the year! This cup cosy is very fitting, keeping hot drinks hotter for longer. The heart-shaped pattern shown is made using cable stitch to give the knit an added vibrant dimension. The pattern itself can be completed using plain or variegated yarn using circular needles. Your Valentine’s Day gift is sorted if you have an avid coffee lover in your life!

    Pattern Designer: Thaddeus Nelson

     

    A knitted bookmark is the perfect project for absolute beginners. It’s also a wonderful gift for book lovers, especially a love-themed bookmark like this. The pattern can be knitted into a string of as many hearts as you need, or as a single heart to create a hanging ornament. The intricate detail of the hearts, and the red ribbon that runs through them, makes this a truly exquisite gift.

    Pattern Designer: Judy Gibson

     

    Is Valentine’s Day complete without a beautiful red rose? This pattern is perfect for knitting a single rose or whole bouquet in a variety of colours.

    Pattern Designer: Kristen McDonnell

    If you’ve found this blog helpful and give any of these Valentine’s Day knitting patterns a go, tag Crafty Llama on Instagram so we can see your loving creations too. Check out our Knitting Shop if you need to add any supplies to your project bag and bring these wonderful patterns to life.

     

    Happy knitting!

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  • November 13, 2024

    10 Easy Christmas Decoration Crochet Ideas

    10 Easy Christmas Decoration Crochet Ideas

    Beautiful Christmas music has filled the air since the start of December (if you’re lucky to have escaped it in November, that is) and, by now, you’ve probably finished hanging up your Christmas decorations. But, it’s never too late to add some more ornaments to enhance the Christmas experience!

     

    If you’ve been thinking about looking around for more ornament ideas but can’t find the time, don’t worry, we have you covered! Here are ten simple Christmas decoration ideas for you to crochet, either for yourself or as the perfect seasonal gift with a personal touch. The Christmas decoration ideas below can be used as a single hanging ornament or combined with other decorations to make a garland.

     

    Get your yarn stash and hooks ready because you’ll want to create all ten of these cute Christmas ornaments!

    1. Crochet Christmas Stocking

    Crafty Llama | Christmas stocking crochet pattern by Passionate Crafter
    Christmas stocking crochet

    Christmas stockings not only add to the warmth of Christmas and complete your picturesque fireplace, they’re also the ideal place to put small gifts! This textured stocking will add to the festive spirit and is quick and easy, with simple stitches ideal for a beginner to tackle. If you don't have a fireplace then hang up your crochet stockings on the Christmas tree.

     

    Pattern Designer: Passionate Crafter

     

    2. Candy Cane Covers

    Crafty Llama | Candy cane crochet pattern by Sewrella
    Candy cane crochet

    Candy canes are an essential part of Christmas. Some of us hang these sweet, sugary treats on our Christmas trees or use them as stocking fillers. If you’re using them decoratively, why not dress them up in a delightful crochet cover?

     

    If you like this idea, you’ll love it when we tell you that this pattern is only three rows long, making it quick and easy to make. So, get hold of your yarn, grab some hooks, and start crocheting yourself some pretty little candy cane covers right now!

     

    Pattern Designer: Sewrella

     

    Crafty Llama | Christmas tree crochet pattern by Yarn and Hooks
    Christmas tree crochet

    Who doesn’t love a Christmas tree? What we love about them is how easy it is to create decorative crochet Christmas trees to hang on your actual tree! These cute little trees are a great ornament and can also add a perfect final touch to your festive gift boxes.

     

    You can crochet your own Christmas trees in a single colour or make a multi-coloured set to really show off your yarn collection. Would you prefer to hang these irresistibly cute crocheted trees individually or create a beautiful garland to wrap around your Christmas tree? How about draping them over your mantle piece or front door? Decision, decisions…

     

    Pattern Designer: Yarn and Hooks

     

    Crafty Llama | Christmas mini hats crochet pattern by Yarn and Hooks
    Christmas mini hats crochet

    If you fancy a quick project that can be crocheted in under 30 minutes, check out this gem of a pattern! These crochet mini hats are incredibly cute and can be made in a single colour or a combination. You can use these hats in several different ways: gift card holders, strung up as garland gift toppers, or even as a handy mug cover to keep your hot drinks hot!

     

    Pattern Designer: Yarn and Hooks

     

    5. Decorative Crochet Bell Pattern

    Crafty Llama | Christmas bells crochet pattern by All Craft TV
    Christmas bells crochet

    What sound is most synonymous with Christmas? Jingling bells! This beautiful crochet Christmas bell is simple to make and should only take around 10 minutes, though they won’t make quite the same noise as a regular bell. Crochet a few of these cute bells in a variety of colours and dot them all over your Christmas tree with other ornaments, any guests you might have are sure to admire them!

     

    Pattern Designer: All Craft TV

     

    6. Mini Crochet Wind Spinner Pattern

    Crafty Llama | Mini wind spinners crochet pattern by Tuula Maaria
    Mini wind spinners crochet

    Every year it seems like we’re always looking for more Christmas tree ornaments. Instead of spending money on cheap, plasticky ornaments, why not crochet yourself something a little more unique? Wind spinners have always been a popular decoration and work fantastically if you work in contrasting colours to really make them stand out against the green of your Christmas tree.

     

    Pattern Designer: Tuula Maaria

     

    7. Christmas Mug Rug Pattern

    Crafty Llama | Christmas mug rug crochet pattern by Katie Bug Design
    Christmas mug rug crochet

    Whether you’re having the family round this Christmas or just having a quiet one on your own, we’re certain you’ve thought about plans for the big Christmas Day dinner. If you’re looking around the dinner table and thinking it might need that special festive touch, we think these lovely mug rugs might just do the trick! Use them as coasters for mugs of coffee and tea, or even glasses full of champagne or wine. For more advanced crocheters, expand the size of your project and you have Christmas-themed placemats too!

     

    Pattern Designer: Katie Bug Design

     

    8. Santa Claus Amigurumi

    Crafty Llama | Santa Claus crochet pattern by Zoe Kotsia
    Santa Claus crochet

    Christmas wouldn’t be complete without an appearance from Father Christmas. If you enjoy making amigurumi, this mini Santa Claus ornament could be the ideal addition to your seasonal project list. Or, you could make a young person’s year by gifting them a lucky charm to make sure the big man himself visits them on Christmas Eve.

     

    Pattern Designer: Zoe Kotsia

     

    Crafty Llama | Large Christmas bauble crochet pattern by Annie Design Crochet
    Large Christmas bauble crochet

    Would a Christmas tree be complete if it didn’t have any baubles on it? Make your Christmas tree your own by adding a large crocheted Christmas bauble with an array of bold and vibrant colours to make it stand out from the pack!

     

    Pattern Designer: Annie Design Crochet

     

    10. Crochet Snowflakes Pattern

    Crafty Llama | Snowflakes crochet pattern by Julia Hart
    Snowflakes crochet

    Not everyone is fortunate enough to enjoy a white Christmas. But that shouldn’t stop you from adding some of your own with these beautiful wintry snowflakes. This crochet snowflake pattern is ideal for crafters who like to work with thread and can be added as surprise gifts inside your Christmas cards, as stocking fillers, or add a special final touch to your Christmas decorations.

     

    Pattern Designer: Julia Hart

     

    If you’ve found this blog helpful and give any of these festive patterns a go, tag Crafty Llama on Instagram so we can see your amazing crochet Christmas decorations. Check out our Crochet Shop if you need to add any supplies to your project bag and bring these wonderful patterns to life.

     

    Happy crocheting!

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  • November 13, 2024

    Easy Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

    Easy Tunisian Crochet Dishcloth Pattern

    Take your first steps into Tunisian crochet with this wonderful dishcloth pattern from Staci Perry. As a beginner’s pattern, absolutely no previous experience with Tunisian crochet is needed to get started on this project.

     

    Pattern: Tunisian Shaker Dishcloths by Staci Perry

    Yarn: Any DK yarn

     

    What is Tunisian Crochet?

    Also known as Afghan crochet, Tunisian crochet uses elongated hooks or hooks connected to cables (interchangeable crochet hooks). It creates a dense textured fabric that works up quickly and has the appearance of being woven. As a result, Tunisian crochet is often regarded as being a mixture of knitting and crochet.

     

    Traditional crocheting requires you to work on one stitch at a time, Tunisian crochet combines elements of both knitting and crochet techniques to work an entire row of stitches at one time. The technique is achieved by opening the stitches on the first row and holding them all on your hook, then closing stitches on the return row until just one loop remains.

     

    Unlike traditional knitting and crochet, Tunisian crochet is never turned.

     

    The Tunisian Shaker Dishcloth Pattern

    Memorising the steps for this pattern is really easy, once you’ve completed one section all you need to do is repeat the process until your dishcloth is complete. Aim to make your dishcloth around 20cm across for the ideal size. If you decide to follow the pattern, but make smaller rows, you can also crochet a variety of other items, including face scrubbies, coasters, and placemats. The pattern itself has a section that guides you through changing the size of your project, should you wish to aim for a smaller or larger end result.

    If you’ve found this blog helpful and give Sarah’s pattern a go, tag Crafty Llama on Instagram so we can see your Tunisian crochet dishcloths. All of the tools you need to complete this project are available in our Crochet Shop.

     

    Happy crocheting!

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  • November 13, 2024

    How to Crochet Flower Face Scrubbies

    How to Crochet Flower Face Scrubbies

    Discover how to crochet an amazing flower face scrubby with this free pattern from Sarah Goss. We’ve included some top tips to help you create the perfect crochet face scrubbies. You can also watch on the Crafty Llama YouTube channel for a handy video tutorial.

     

    Pattern: Flower Face Scrubby by Sarah Goss

    Yarn: Paintbox DK Cotton, any cotton or cotton bamboo blend will work

    Other accessories used: darning needle, scissors, and stitch markers

     

    Flower Face Scrubby Crochet Pattern

    These face scrubbies are crocheted in the round which means you will only need to weave in two ends. Starting with a magic ring/circle, you’ll create a cinched starting point and won’t have a hole in the middle of your face scrubby. Our YouTube channel features a video tutorial with three different methods for creating a magic ring.

     

    The flower face scrubby pattern is made out of three simple rounds, using basic crochet stitches to create the flower effect. As the face scrubbies are fairly straight forward in shape, this pattern is an ideal learning project for anyone new to working in the round. Several different types of stitch are used throughout the project; the puff stitch, chain stitches, double crochet, and slip stitch. The puff stitch is the most advanced stitch used, which is essentially a combination of yarn overs and pulling up loops.

    Once you’ve created your very own flower face scrubby (in whatever colour you choose), you can use it as a face-washing scrubby, gently exfoliate your skin, or remove makeup. Each scrubby should only take 15-20 minutes to complete, meaning you can make several in one sitting if required.

     

    As the pattern doesn’t require a specific yarn weight, you can use this project as a convenient stash buster or create delightful gifts for your friends and family.

     

    Tip: If using a face scrubby to remove makeup, use a darker coloured yarn to avoid staining. Lighter colours will begin to look stained after just a couple of uses, even when thoroughly cleaned.

     

    If you’ve found this blog helpful and give Sarah’s pattern a go, tag Crafty Llama on Instagram so we can see your amazing flowery face scrubbies. All of the tools you need to complete this project are available in our Crochet Shop.

     

    Happy crocheting!

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