Author Archives: yogaonup

Lately, I’ve become obsessed with making cowls. I made a lot of these for gifts last Christmas, and I finally found the time to write up the pattern. A really simply idea, Tunisian Honeycomb stitch in the round, and an opportunity to use up some of those novelty yarns at the back of the cupboard. Pattern is free on Ravelry

Pattern release – this is the Gelila Poncho made with two Scheepjes Whirls and a Whirlette. It’s been a while since I’ve designed with a Whirl, and the colours here just seemed perfect for summer. In many ways, a poncho is much easier to wear than a wrap, as you never have to re-drape it.

A beautiful, functional wrap to explore a range of Tunisian crochet stitches. I really enjoyed designing and making this one. Pattern is available now.

New pattern release – I learned Tunisian Crochet, and then I discovered Tunisian Crochet in the Round (TITR) – there is no going back.  I love the technique of picking out a pattern using a Tunisian Reverse stitch, so that some concentration is needed on the forward pass, followed by the pleasure of the return pass in a contrast colour.  This blanket starts in the centre, as a circle worked with a standard crochet hook, and then changes to the Tunisian hook with an extension cable. 

Just in time for spring, a boho bag with lots of texture and interest.

Getting ready for winter, I’ve used some beautiful aran yarn to create a scarf and cowl. The weight and texture on these is lovely – you can’t beat aran yarn for snuggling into as the weather gets cooler. The Cachina Scarf and Cowl and now available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my Etsy store.

I’m delighted with my latest Tunisian crochet design, the Delaney Wrap. It is worked in Lattice Stitch, so it has a lovely drape and weight. The colours are striking, and it is finished with pompoms, because why not. Pattern is available on Ravelry, LoveCrafts and in my Etsy store.

I had acquired quite a lot of Scheepjes Cahlista (for two projects that didn’t work out), and decided to use what I had to have a go at a tapestry crochet cot blanket. This appealed to me because I find messing about on a sheet of graph paper quite relaxing. I moved to an Excel spreadsheet for the final adjustments to the pattern. Working with the aran yarn gave the blanket a lovely weight – double what you would expect because you carry a yarn in every row. The edging is not an easy thing to tame, but worth persevering with as the envelope fold hides all of the cut ends. Overall, a very satisfying project.

I finally finished the Cockleshell Wrap. I decided to call it that because the clusters remind me so much of the cockleshells that I used to find on the local beach as a child. This was a very selfish project – two whole Whirls, but a relatively simply repeating pattern. I’d been so busy lately, writing patterns for magazines with very different ‘house styles’, and I just wanted to do something for me that didn’t requrie a great deal of effort, but that would be enjoyable to make. The making was easy – as always, writing up my scrappy notes into a form that anyone could understand takes longer than you think it will. I also chose to include a chart, so the cluster placement was clear – not everyone likes to read off a chart, but alongside the written instructions it probably helps to clear up any confusion.

I’ve been juggling magazine commissions, Christmas decorations and new designs for what seems like months – it’s been such a pleasure to be handling so much yarn. Had the latest wrap blocking under the Christmas lights, which was rather lovely. I took it outside today for a little photoshoot – the colours looked fabulous against the winter foliage. I will be uploading the pattern soon – just a simple wrap with enough challenge to keep it interesting, but still a relaxing make.