Author Archives: Pearson Handmade

It’s been a productive summer this year – I’ve finished lots of projects and started many more. Two companies have given my yarn support, which makes a huge difference to what I can design and make, so my thanks to King Cole Yarn and Cascade Yarns. I rarely design ‘in advance’ of a season or theme – don’t look to me for creating anything in July for a Christmas gift, for example. However, this year, I have been working with aran yarn to create some really warm projects – nothing quite like working with a large wool aran draped over your knees on the hottest day of the year so far. It does mean that, for the first time, I can release a ‘winter’ project in September. Introducing the Ivelisse Ruana, a Tunisian crochet pattern, now available in Etsy, LoveCrafts and in Ravelry

I published my very first design in December 2020, so now seems a good time to revisit some of those early projects. The Aspatria Slouch Hat was the first hat pattern that I published. This month I followed my own pattern in a different colour, and realised a few things. Firstly, the texture in the pattern is great, and the variegated yarn specified works really well. I’m as pleased with the pattern now as I was all those years ago. Secondly, the formatting I use now looks much more professional than the one I used when I started out, so I’ve refreshed that in this new version (and ironed out a couple of small typos from the original). Finally, the photos I took in 2020 were terrible! I’ve learned as I’ve gone along about photographing my work. There is still a lot to learn, but I’ve definitely improved, so I’ve updated all the images in my shops. The updated pattern can be found in Etsy, LoveCrafts and on Ravelry where it is currently included in the Autumn sale of hats, scarves and cowls.

New Pattern Release: this is my first written pattern for an inset mosaic crochet throw. I was inspired by the coleus leaves on the plants in my garden last year. This one has taken a lot of sampling, unravelling and testing. Charting and making the design once I’d settled on the layout of the leaves was very straight-forward. Writing the pattern out row by row was less of a pleasure, if I’m honest, and there were times when I consigned the whole project to the naughty step. However, I’m thrilled with the final result. The pattern is available on Etsy, LoveCrafts and Ravelry

As you know, currently I’m obsessed with working in the round. I had a lonely Scheepjes Whirl at the back of my cupboard – it was Frosted, and I had been waiting for inspiration. Inspired by my recent cowls, I decided to use this Whirl and a standard crochet hook. It needed to be a large enough cowl to show off the colour changes, and when the weather turns colder to be able to wrap it around to keep cosy. I’m really pleased with how it turned out. Available on Etsy, Ravelry and LoveCrafts, introducing the Hadlee Cowl.

I’ve been busy with cowls for a while now. I know it’s too early to mention Christmas, but I do like to give cowls as gifts in the winter months – a bit like giving a virtual hug. This latest pattern release uses Tunisian crochet to create a mosaic pattern. I used up one of those lovely skeins of hand-dyed yarn that I bought on impulse because I loved the colours. Pattern is available on Etsy, LoveCrafts and on Ravelry https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/harlyn-cowl

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.