Simply Crochet 91

The festive season has really hit its stride now and if you’re anything like us, you’ll be worrying about what you’ve forgotten to worry about. Luckily, if it’s gifts keeping you up at night, a brand new present is just a crochet away – check out our quick-hook gifts collection on page 14 – eight fun makes that will please everyone from your great-aunt in-law to your dad. And if (like me) you’re a sucker for an alpaca, don’t miss the bouclé beauty on page 30. Elsewhere in the mag, read up on the brand new BIPOC in Fiber website and their important mission to promote diversity in craft. Happy hooking!…

MAGALI POUMEYROL Magali’s grandmothers introduced her to the joy of crochet 35 years ago. Then, in 2012 she discovered amigurumi – now she can’t help but deisgn them! Find her bear toy on page 16. ELEONORA TULLY For Eleonora, sharing her crochet passion with others through designs, workshops and social media is a huge part of her life! Check out her craft case on page 19. KELLY GROVES Kelly designs with beginners in mind, wanting to learn new crochet techniques and stitches. With just a hook and yarn the possibilities are endless! Find her poncho on page 26. LISA STURMEY Lisa started crocheting just three years ago and hasn’t stopped since! She loves designing cute toys and gets lots of ideas from her 13 year old daughter Ellie. Find her alpaca on page 30. OTHER CONTRIBUTORS Hannah Cross, Daisy…

Conscientious crafting Paintbox Yarns have released a brand new collection of four recycled yarns, plus free patterns to create a four-piece homewares collection. Created from materials rescued from landfill, Be Botanical is a chunky yarn perfect for chunky cabled cushions, baskets, rugs and even crafts such as macramé. Eco-excellent! Get both the yarn and patterns from www.lovecrafts.com FIBRE DINER Foodie hookster Kate Jenkins has created a knitted and crocheted bespoke bagel bar for London’s Panzer’s Deli. Part of the deli’s 75th birthday celebrations held on November 12, customers of ‘Kate’s Bagel Bar’ selected from a range of ingredients to order their own custom yarn bagel, which was then framed and signed. Previous exhibits have included a fishmonger’s counter and bakery. Keep up to date via Kate’s Instagram: @kjcardigan FLASH YOUR STASH W TOFT have released…

JAPANESE WONDER CROCHET NIHON VOGUE (£9.35, Tuttle) You’ll be familiar with the stitches (bullion, crocodile, waffle…), but not with the way they’re ingeniously put together to create delights for your wardrobe and your home. Translated from Japanese, this is Eastern style pure and simple. The 25 projects include beautiful bags and purses, a shawl, jewellery, potholders, coasters and a throw. YARN TEA ROOM SCHEEPJES (£7.95, Scheepjes) Scheepjes’ eagerly anticipated bi-annual pattern book contains 16 projects for yarnies (knit as well as crochet). The garments, accessories and soft furnishings have all been created by Scheepjes’ team of designers using Scheepjes’ yummy yarn. The theme is ‘tea’, so look out for some tasty, soothing treats. NEEDLE-FELTED ANIMALS MIA UNDERWOOD (£9.35, CICO) Mia’s book is filled with 35 of the cutest ever animals needle-felted into existence. Find woodland creatures, birds, pets…

WADDLING WONDER Nestling in the palm of your hand, these adorable little feathered angels are surely descended from the North Pole heavens. Pdf pattern for two penguins, so they each have a friend. Search for Etsy shop RNata. COOL CUP Scalding hot drinks and sensitive fingers don’t mix – so keep them apart with this cup cosy, perfect for stockings. Pattern from Etsy shop DeesCozyCreations. BIG HEAD This penguin’s got a real head for finances – although admittedly mainly coins. P-p-p-pick up the 10-page pdf pattern from Etsy search for shop – LauLovesCrochet. CHICK -A-DEE If anyone doesn’t fall for this amigurumi cutey pie, then their heart must be as cold as the South Pole. Pdf pattern from Etsy – search for shop PatchworkMoose. RAGTAG DUO One for you, and one for your little pup, this pastel grey pair…

HOT WATER BOTTLE A charming, travel-size hot water bottle with a retro feel. Designed by Hannah Cross DROPS Cotton Merino Uni Colour (50% wool, 50% cotton 50g/110m), 1 ball of each: Forest Green (11), Red (06), Powder Pink (05), Mustard Yellow (15), A 4mm (US G/6) hook A 500ml hot water bottle TENSION Tension is not critical for this project but may affect yarn quantities required MEASUREMENTS To fit a 500ml hot water bottle that is 13x22cm (5x8¾in) NOTES Construct a matching Front and Back for the Cover, join as instructed, then add the Cuff. Change colour on the last yrh of the previous stitch. This project uses approx 25g of each colour. HOTTIE COVER FRONT/BACK (MAKE 2) Using Forest Green, ch22. Row 1 (RS) Dc in second ch from hook, dc in each ch to end, turn. [21 sts] Row 2…