Simply Crochet 98

Hello Hooksters! Waking up to sunlight, bees buzzing, the call of ice lollies… summer is here, regardless of the pandemic. Take inspiration from the great outdoors – even if you haven’t been outside for months – and choose one of our summery projects. A blooming collection of homely makes includes a floral wallhanging on page 17, or the most chilled lion you’ll ever meet on page 16. If a T-shirt refresh is in order, hook up the stunning mandala embellishment on page 41. Whatever you pick, share your pictures on Instagram tagged #sctreblemaker, or on our Facebook group Simply Crochet SCtreblemakers, as we really enjoy seeing them!…

SAMANTHA FLETCHER Sammyjo specialises in all things rainbow – everything is bright and cheerful. Rainbow projects are the perfect way to pass a rainy day. See her child’s tunic on page 55. MARTINE DE REGT Martine is Dutch, lives in the UK and is mum to two boys. She loves amigurumi and crocheting little projects in bright colours. Find her pen toppers on page 21. SANITA BRENSONE Sanita lives in Latvia and is a stay-at-home mom for three rascals. She’s a colour-loving blanket designer and crochet is her way to find peace in everyday chaos. Find her blanket on page 67. SHARI WHITE Shari finds inspiration all around her. She sketches a design when it pops into her head and brings it to life with crochet on her commute to…

Making memories Hook something they’ll treasure forever – a gorgeous blanket using super-soft Rowan Selects Mako Cotton Baby, presented in a beautifully simple keepsake box. Mako Cotton Baby is a very fine cotton spun from extra-long staple Egyptian fibre, which is blended with a natural plant fibre source to create a modern yarn that is very soft on the skin. Available in green, blue or pink. Find your nearest stockist at www.knitrowan.com EXTRA SOFT Scheepjes Softfun is now available in 32 new colours (there are 89 in total across the range). The colours now included are a selection of pastels, brights, neons and a few shade surprises! Scheepjes Softfun is a marvellous all-rounder yarn made from a super-soft cotton and acrylic blend in DK weight. This makes it suitable for…

HOW TO CROCHET KRISTI SIMPSON (£15.95,SearchPress) Babies are adorable, and their crocheted swag should be, too! Blankets, sweaters, booties, hats, toys, and so much more make this book of 40 easy and oh-so-cute baby essentials the only one you’ll need for crocheting for the babies in your life. Sizes from newborn to 12 months will keep baby in style for their first year, and toys and blankets will continue to bring joy for years to come! CROCHET BLANKETS TO SNUGGLE UNDER ANA MORAIS SOARES (£14.99, Tuva) Designer Ana Morais Soares has a great passion for colour and blankets. In this book she presents 15 colourful projects, using different crochet techniques and styles, from simple blankets to more elaborate designs. The blankets are crocheted using gorgeous yarns – linen, wool, cotton,…

LIGHTEN UP Add colour and light to your outdoor space with these stripy lanterns. Include an appliqué alpaca for a bit of fun! Follow the detailed PDF tutorial to make Elealinda Design’s pattern – buy on Etsy for £4.36. CACTUS COASTERS Grab your sunglasses, rest your margarita on a cactus coaster and pretend you’re in Mexico! Available for £12.52 from Etsy store DaoDazzling Creations. WATER FIGHT! Crocheted water balloons – is there anything we can’t hook? £8.00 from BlossomKnitsGB’s Etsy store. Use the exclusive code SIMPLY10 for a 10% discount. SITTING ON SUNSHINE Careful, you might burn yourself – this seat looks hot! Get the pattern for this double thickness cushion by OlgaAndrew Design on Etsy for £2.40. GREEN WITH IVY A hand-sculpted polymer clay hook to remind you of…

FLOWER CUSHION Rest your head on a patchwork of flower motifs. By Emma Leith ■ Caron Simply Soft (100% acrylic, 170.1g/288m), 1 ball of each: Chartreuse (9771), Grape (9610), Fuchsia (9764), Blue Mint (9608), Persimmon (9754), Dark Country Blue (9711) ■ A 5mm (US H/8) hook ■ Cushion pad, 30x30cm TENSION Single Motif measures 6.5cm (2½in) in diameter MEASUREMENTS Cushion cover measures 30x30cm (11¾x11¾in) ABBREVIATIONS 4-dtr cl *Yrh twice, insert hook into st indicated, (yrh and pull through 2 loops) twice; rep from * 3 times more, yrh and pull through all loops on hook, ch1 to close For a full list, see page 88 NOTES Cushion is made up of 60 Motifs, which are joined together at the end. Each Motif is worked in rounds with RS facing throughout.…