I’ve been bursting to share this with you for weeks and weeks (in case my instagram posts didn’t give it away), this one is absolutely beautiful!
The colours, the texture, all of it. I love it.
Get the Yarn
There are five different Softfun colour packs to choose from including Pastel (which I have), Jewel, Rich, Rainbow and Cloud. There are a full list of stockists on the Scheepjes website, but you can also find the packs at your favourite LYS or online retailer including: Wool Warehouse* (global) Caro’s Atelier* (NL and Europe) Black Sheep Wools* (UK) Dot’s Yarn Den (US) Belle Mae Yarns (AU)
You’ll need one colour pack in the colours you like best, plus 6 balls of Softfun in a complementary colourway. I chose 2622 Latte.
I’ve used the same yarn under technique to make the Rainbow Ridge blanket that I used in Reti the Koala Lovey from a few months ago, with a moss (linen) stitch double border.
The softfun colour pack coupled with a few 50g balls of softfun make the perfect baby/cot sized blanket. The cotton blend makes it great for warmer months, and the weight of the blanket thanks to the ridge texture means that it’s also snuggly. The durability of the acrylic means that you can wash and wash and wash this one and it will keep looking beautiful.
Of course the dog couldn’t be left out, she inserted herself into most of the photos!
I’m getting ready to convert the pattern from UK to US terms so I can upload it within the next week. Stay tuned!
I already shared my love for the Scheepjes Softfun colour packs, and if you follow me on Instagram (please do if you don’t, I share a bit more often there), you’ll have seen my progress pics already.
There are five different Softfun colour packs to choose from including Pastel (which I have), Jewel, Rich, Rainbow and Cloud. There are a full list of stockists on the Scheepjes website, but you can also find the packs at your favourite LYS or online retailer including: Wool Warehouse* (global) Caro’s Atelier* (NL and Europe) Black Sheep Wools* (UK) Dot’s Yarn Den (US) Belle Mae Yarns (AU)
You’ll need one colour pack in the colours you like best, plus 6 balls of Softfun in a complementary colourway. I chose 2622 Latte.
I’m working the YUDC stitch that I used in my Reti Koala pattern, so these two projects together might almost be called a collection!
After the release of my free baby pattern for Reti Koala, I’m on a baby kick! No, there’s still nothing to announce in that department, but now that my kid is a tween, I had forgotten just how much I love making baby projects, so this probably won’t be the last one I make…
Get the Yarn
There are five different Softfun colour packs to choose from including Pastel (which I have), Jewel, Rich, Rainbow and Cloud. There are a full list of stockists on the Scheepjes website, but you can also find the packs at your favourite LYS or online retailer including: Wool Warehouse* (global) Caro’s Atelier* (NL and Europe) Black Sheep Wools* (UK) Dot’s Yarn Den (US) Belle Mae Yarns (AU)
I shared a little IGTV video sharing my love for this yarn, I’m a huge fan. It has the durability of acrylic and the softness of cotton and makes a fantastic blanket!
Scheepjes Cahlista is an aran weight yarn, made with 100% cotton. I’m using two balls of colour 074 Mercury, and you will also need a single ball of the complementary colour. Have a look at the Scheepjes Website for colour inspiration and stockists, there are more than 100 colours to choose from!
You can order the yarn online from my local yarn store Caro’s Atelier*.
Note: this version of the pattern uses UK terms. If you would like to access US terms or printable PDFs in both UK and US terms, you can purchase the patterns from either Ravelry or Lovecrafts.com for a small fee.
Please share your projects using #KoalaLovey in the socials and tag me everywhere!
Let’s go!
Materials
MC: Scheepjes Cahlista in 074 Mercury – 2 balls (100% cotton, aran weight, 50g, 85m) CC: Scheepjes Cahlista in your choice – 1 ball (100% cotton, aran weight, 50g, 85m) Scrap black, preferably Scheepjes Cahlista – about 2 metres I used 385 Chrystalline and 256 Cornelia Rose in my samples. 4mm hook (amigurumi parts) 6mm hook (mini-blanket) 5mm hook (border of mini-blanket) Toy filling (or you can stuff the head with scrap yarn or anything you have at home that will be a bit squishy)
Tension
Mini-blanket: 16 rows and 17sts over 10 cm in YUdc
Head: not important, but stitches should be tight, so use at least a hook size down from what the yarn recommends.
Measurements
Mini-blanket – 30 x 30cm blocked
Abbreviations
(UK terms) Ch chain MR magic ring Ss slip stitch St(s) stitch(es) Ch chain Dc double crochet DcInc double crochet increase (2 sts increased in 1 st) Dec double crochet decrease (1 st worked decreased over 2 sts) HtrInc half treble crochet increase (2 sts increased in 1 st) Tr treble crochet YUdc yarn under double crochet MC main colour CC contrast colour. Rep repeat Pm place marker Rm remove marker Flo front loop only Blo back loop only
Pattern Notes
This pattern is worked both amigurumi style in continuous rounds (with no joining) and sewn together to make the koala’s head, and also back and forth in rows using the yarn under colourwork technique to make the mini-blanket.
Work instructions inside parentheses (…) the indicated number of times.
Special Abbreviation
YUdc (yarn under double crochet) is a colourwork technique using two strands of working yarn. To work the stitch insert hook with mc, yoh, pull up a loop, with cc yoh from front to back (keeping cc in front of mc), with mc yoh, pull through 3 loops.
Round 1 6dc in MR (mark first st and move marker up each round to keep track of starting point) (6) Round 2 6dcinc (12) Round 3 (inc, dc) six times (18) Round 4 (inc, 2dc) six times (24) Round 5 (inc, 3dc) six times (30) Round 6 (inc, 4dc) six times (36) Round 7-17 36dc (36) Round 18 dec twice, pm second dec, 14dc, dec twice, pm second dec, 13dc, dec, rm. (32) Round 19 dec, pm, 12dc, dec twice, rm, pm second dec, 11dc, dec, ss. (28)
Cut yarn, leave tail long enough to sew top shut when assembling.
Ear
(make 2) Working in rounds, with MC and 4mm hook
Round 1 6dc in MR (6) Round 2 6dcinc (12) Round 3 (inc, dc) six times (18) Round 4 inc, pm in second st of inc, 8dc, inc, pm in second st of inc, 9dc (20) (starting point is moved by 1st ) Round 5 20dc Round 6 inc, pm in second st of inc, 9dc, inc, pm in second st of inc, 10dc (22) (starting point is moved by 1 st) Round 7-10 22dc. Ss (22)
Cut yarn and leave tail to sew to head when assembling.
Nose
Working in rounds, with black and 4mm hook
Round 1 6dc in MR (6) Round 2 6dcinc (12) Round 3 (3htrinc, 3dc) twice, ss to join (18)
Cut yarn, leave long tail to sew to head and make eyes.
Mini Blanket
Working back and forth in rows using both MC and CC, 6mm hook
Row 1 MC, ch42 Row 2 YUdc in third loop and each ch across to end (40) Row 3 ch1 (does not count as a st), YUDC to end (40) Row 4-42 rep row 3 (40)
Cut MC and continue working the border in CC.
Border
Working in rounds 5 and 6mm hooks
Round 1 turn, with 6mm hook, work 40ss loosely across to corner, ch1, 40ss across the rows (note, there are two more rows than border sts, so you will need to “lose” two sts). Continue around to end and ch1 and ss to 1st st of the round. Round 2 change to 5mm hook, ch2, working into the ss, [tr to corner ch (tr, ch1 tr) in flo of corner ch], rep around to end, ss to join. Cut yarn. Round 3 flip your work so the back is facing you, ss to join at a corner, ch2, tr in the back of the ss from round 1, rep round 2. Round 4 now we’ll join the two rounds. Ch1, dc in the flo of round 3 sts and the corresponding blo from round 2 sts to join the two rounds together. Rep to corner, 3dc in the corner ch, then rep all the way round to end. Ss to join, cut yarn, weave in ends and block.
Assembly
Position nose 7 rounds below opening at mid-point between markers, sew to head. Make eyes 1 st to the side of the nose, 3 sts wide and slightly angled (1 round) upwards at the outer side. Fasten the eye loop on row below to fix it in place.
Stuff the head with toy filling and sew shut. Attach ears to side of head on an angle, 3 sts in from the sides of the sewn shut head.
Sew the head to the middle of the blanket, either using the leftover yarn tails, or a new length of yarn, using round 3 of the head as your guide.
Scheepjes Cahlista is an aran weight yarn, made with 100% cotton. I’m using two balls of colour 074 Mercury, and you will also need a single ball of the complementary colour. Have a look at the Scheepjes Website for colour inspiration and stockists, there are more than 100 colours to choose from!
You can order the yarn online from my local yarn store Caro’s Atelier*.
As I mentioned in my previous posts, I’ve used Scheepjes Cahlista for this design, and it’s really the perfect yarn for baby things. The brushed cotton is soft and because it’s an aran weight it works up fast!
I’ve loved creating this smooshy little lovey. I mean, a sleepy koala, who’d have thought? They only sleep about 20 hours per day!
I came across the technique to create the two colour blanket on Instagram, and it’s called “yarn under.” In my pattern (which will go live soon) I’ve abbreviated the stich to YUDC, or yarn under (UK terms) double crochet.
The pattern is almost ready, the colours look amazing. I can’t wait to share it with you!
Last week I told you about the baby project that I’m working on and I’m making great progress!
My little Koala Lovey is really starting to take shape!
There are almost as many stitch markers as pieces!
Right now it’s a bit like a jigsaw puzzle, everything is there, it all just needs to find the perfect placement so it all fits together, just so.
If you don’t know what a lovey is, I think it’s a very technical term for a stuffed animal head attached to a little square of fabric that babi’s absolutely love to snuggle with and munch on. I remember how much my daughter enjoyed hers, it was adorable! I made a bunch in the past, it was like a mini production line there for a while as babies seemed to be popping out all over the place!
GET THE YARN
Scheepjes Cahlista is an aran weight yarn, made with 100% cotton. I’m using two balls of colour 074 Mercury, and you will also need a single ball of the complementary colour. Have a look at the Scheepjes Website for colour inspiration and stockists, there are more than 100 colours to choose from!
You can order the yarn online from my local yarn store Caro’s Atelier*.
The sun is shining today after what feels like an eternity of grey and wind. Spring is around the corner, I’ve started seeing the daffs poking through and that gives me hope for longer, warmer days!
Plus, there’s a new baby in our family! No, not mine. That shop is long shut. But there’s a baby and I get to see her soon!
The thought of finally having a new baby around has made me want to make all the baby things again, so I’m making a gift for her which is a load of fun.
I’m using a bit of a combination of these perfect “Nerissa” colours in Scheepjes Cahlista. I’m using the grey as a base, and still deciding which of these to use as the contrasting yet complementary colour.
Get the Yarn
Scheepjes Cahlista is an aran weight yarn, made with 100% cotton. I’m using colour 074 Mercury, and you will also need a single ball of the complementary colour. Have a look at the Scheepjes Website for colour inspiration and stockists, there are more than 100 colours to choose from!
You can order the yarn online from my local yarn store Caro’s Atelier*.
Today I’m sharing the pattern for The Carolyn hat, a warm hat that will attract many “Where can I get one of those?” comments, speaking from experience over the last couple of weeks out and about!
GET THE YARN
You’ll need two skeins of River Washed and one skein of River Washed XL (or Stone Washed, choose your favourite).
Scheepjes has a complete list of stockists on their website. Most of their retailers stock Stone Washed and River Washed, but if not, don’t be afraid to ask them to get it in!
Here in the Netherlands, Caro’s Atelier* has River Washed and River Washed XL, plus they’re my LYS (and awesome).
In the US check out DotsYarnDen who also stocks River Washed, plus a bunch of other Scheepjes yarns.
In Australia Little Woollie also stocks Stone Washed and Stone Washed XL.
Below you can find the pattern using UK crochet terms. You can also find a printer/kindle friendly version at Ravelry and LoveCrafts with both UK and US terminology for a small fee.
24sts and 15 rows to measure 10cm over htr3lo using a 3.5mm hook.
Measurements
Will fit an adult head
Abbreviations
(UK terms) Ch chain Ss slip stitch Hss half slip stitch (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, pull directly through all loops) St(s) stitch(es) Ch chain Fhtr foundation half treble crochet (yarn over, insert hook, pull up a loop, pull through one loop, yarn over, pull through all loops) Htr half treble crochet Htrblo half treble crochet in the back loop only Htr3lo half treble crochet in the third loop only Htr3loInc half treble crochet in the third loop only increase (two htr3lo in one stitch) Htr3lo2tog half treble crochet in the third loop only decrease (two htr3lo decreased into one stitch) Htr2tog half treble crochet decrease (two htr decreased into one stitch) Puff-st puff stitch (yarn over, insert hook, yarn over and pull up loop) 3 times, yarn over and pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 Miss miss indicated number of stitches Rep repeat
Pattern Notes
This project is made in two stages. First we make the brim of the hat back and forth in rows, using the River Washed and then we join the River Washed XL and work in decreasing rounds. When working in rows the third loop is found at the front. When working in the round the third loop is found at the back. Starting chain does not count as stitch. If you haven’t matched tension and find yourself running out of XL yarn in the crown, you can use the leftovers from the brim double stranded. The discrepancy will not be noticeable.
Head to my Instagram to see a bunch of handy short tutorial videos for each section.
Instructions
With colour 1 and a 3.5 mm hook Row 1 30fhtr, turn (30sts) Row 2 ch2, htrblo to end, turn (30sts) Row 3 ch2, htr3lo to end, turn (30sts) Row 4 ch2, htr3loInc, htr3lo to last st, htr3loInc in last st, turn (32sts) Row 5-6 rep row 3 (32sts) Row 7 rep row 4 (34sts) Row 8-9 rep row 3 (34sts) Row 10 rep row 4 (36sts) Row 11-12 rep row 3 (36sts) Row 13 rep row 4 (38sts) Row 14-15 rep row 3 (38sts) Row 16 rep row 4 (40sts) Row 17-18 rep row 3 (40sts) Row 19 rep row 4 (42sts) Row 20-21 rep row 3 (42sts) Row 22 rep row 4 (44sts) Row 23-24 rep row 3 (44sts) Row 25 rep row 4 (46sts) Row 26-27 rep row 3 (46sts) Row 28 rep row 4 (48sts) Row 29-30 rep row 3 (48sts) Row 31 rep row 4 (50sts) Row 32-33 rep row 3 (50sts) Row 34 rep row 4 (52sts) Row 35-36 rep row 3 (52sts) Row 37 rep row 4 (54sts) Row 38-43 rep row 3 (54sts) Row 44 htr3lo2tog, htr3lo to second last st, htr3lo2tog over last two sts, turn (52sts) Row 45-46 rep row 3 (52sts) Row 47 rep row 44 (50sts) Row 48-49 rep row 3 (50sts) Row 50 rep row 44 (48sts) Row 51-52 rep row 3 (48sts) Row 53 rep row 44 (46sts) Row 54-55 rep row 3 (46sts) Row 56 rep row 44 (44sts) Row 57-58 rep row 3 (44sts) Row 59 rep row 44 (42sts) Row 60-61 rep row 3 (42sts) Row 62 rep row 44 (40sts) Row 63-64 rep row 3 (40sts) Row 65 rep row 44 (38sts) Row 66-67 rep row 3 (38sts) Row 68 rep row 44 (36sts) Row 69-70 rep row 3 (36sts) Row 71 rep row 44 (34sts) Row 72-73 rep row 3 (34sts) Row 74 rep row 44 (32sts) Row 75-76 rep row 3 (32sts) Row 77 rep row 44 (30sts) Row 78-79 rep row 3 (30sts) Row 80 Turn. Now we will join the working end to the foundation end. Fold in half, holding the foundation row behind with what will now become the right sides facing one another. Ch2, htr3lo in row 80 and also through both loops of the corresponding ftr st. Rep to end.
We will start working in rounds going forward. Round 1 Open up the brim you’ve just joined and now fold the brim in half with the wrong sides facing, lengthways. You will have a double-thickness brim with a slanted edge. We will work all the way around, through both edges to close the brim and create the foundation for the body of the hat. Ch1, work 80hss through both edges. (it works out to be a st in each peak and trough, plus 1 extra st). Cut yarn. Change to colour 2 and 5 mm hook Round 2 join colour 2 to where you completed round 1, ch1, htr in each hss around, ss to the third loop of the first st to join (80sts) Round 3 ch1 htr3lo in each st around, ss to 3lo to join (80sts) Round 4 ch2, (puff-st in 3lo, miss 1) around, ss to last puff-st to join (80sts) Round 5 ch2, (htr2tog, 6htr) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (70sts) For round 5 (and subsequent rounds that follow on from a puff st round) the htr stitches are made into the puff sts and the ch sts. Round 6 ch1, 70htr3lo, ss to 3lo to join (70sts) Round 7 rep row 4 (70sts) Round 8 ch1, (htr2tog, 5htr) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (60sts) Round 9 ch1, (htr3lo2tog, 4htr) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (50sts) Round 10 rep round 4 (50sts) Round 11 ch1, (htr2tog, 3htr) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (40sts) Round 12 ch1, (htr3lo2tog, 2htr3lo) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (30sts) Round 13 ch1, (htr3lo2tog, htr3lo) 10 times, ss to 3lo to join (20sts) Round 14 ch1, 10htr3lo2tog (10sts) Round 15 ch1, 5htr3lo2tog (5sts)
Introducing The Carolyn – a celebration of Autumn.
GET THE YARN
You’ll need two skeins of River Washed and one skein of River Washed XL (or Stone Washed, choose your favourite).
Scheepjes has a complete list of stockists on their website. Most of their retailers stock Stone Washed and River Washed, but if not, don’t be afraid to ask them to get it in!
Here in the Netherlands, Caro’s Atelier* has River Washed and River Washed XL, plus they’re my LYS (and awesome).
In the US check out DotsYarnDen who also stocks River Washed, plus a bunch of other Scheepjes yarns.
In Australia Little Woollie also stocks Stone Washed and Stone Washed XL.
The Carolyn is a completely different design and construction to most usual hats.
We have a double brim for warmth, which is also shaped in a way so that the crown sits perfectly on your head and snuggles into the back of your neck and keeps your ears covered.
We make the brim first, and then work upwards, decreasing as we go. The puff stitches add a textural dimension and interest, without losing warmth.
The River Washed is warm enough to wear all through the winter, but still breathes so you can wear it on days when there is just a bit of a chill in the air.
Can you sense that I’m a bit obsessed with warmth? Seriously, before I moved to Northern Europe I didn’t even own a proper winter coat, let alone a scarf or hat! Now these three items make up half my wardrobe.
But why Carolyn?
Well. Carolyn is a good friend of mine. She’s a north American who LOVES Autumn and she was the inspiration for the shape of this hat. I like to choose the names of people who are dear to me to name my designs, and Carolyn was the obvious choice. We walk our dogs together and I love her excitement when October rolls around. She’s always extolling her love of this time of year while I’m too busy complaining about the cold 😀
The pattern has been tested, and I’m adding the finishing touches. I plan to launch it in the coming days, so do get your yarn order in. This will make a fantastic Christmas gift for that one person in your life who complains about the cold as much as I do!
It’s WIP Wednesday! I don’t know about you, but every day is WIP Wednesday around here. I literally don’t remember the last time I didn’t have a crochet project on the go, even if it was shoved in the naughty corner.
A project that’s nowhere NEAR the naughty corner however, is my new Autumn hat project!
Just look at that colour! The orange is just glorious. It glows like it’s on fire, I cannot get enough of it.
What you see growing here is the brim of the hat. I’m working it in an opposite way to how you would usually crochet a hat, from the bottom up!
GET THE YARN
Scheepjes has a complete list of stockists on their website. Most of their retailers stock Stone Washed and River Washed, but if not, don’t be afraid to ask them to get it in!
Here in the Netherlands, Caro’s Atelier* has River Washed and River Washed XL, plus they’re my LYS (and awesome).
In the US we have a new stockist! You can check out DotsYarnDen who also stocks River Washed, plus a bunch of other Scheepjes yarns.
In Australia Little Woollie also stocks Stone Washed and Stone Washed XL
Now for a little video! To make the brim, we’re working back and forth in rows, in the third loop. This creates that gorgeous knitted rib look that adds snuggle and stretch. I filmed it once, then flipped it so we have a left handed and a right handed version. Aren’t I clever?
Right-handed
Left-handed
Keep an eye on my insta for more WIP photos and videos as I seem to have gone a bit video mad 😀
Next week I’ll have some reveal photos. I need to recruit my resident photographer (my daughter) to take photos of me. She has a great eye, considering she’s 8!
MissNeriss 