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Simply Crochet – Cowl Neck Poncho

Welcome to my shiny new blog, thanks for popping by to say hi. I thought I’d start things off with a review of the Cowl Neck Poncho pattern from issue 25 of Simply Crochet.

I fell in love with this pattern the minute I saw it and was extremely keen to hook it up, however I’m always wary of trying new yarns, spending lots of money and then being disappointed so when I saw that Daisy Jones had created one in Stylecraft Chunky I was straight off out to buy some yarn.

I was very grateful to Daisy for saying exactly how much yarn she had used and using her calculations and the fact that I wanted to use my corporate colours I knew I needed 5 balls of Parchment, 2 Pomegranate, 2 meadow and 2 dark brown.

A couple of days later my yarn arrived and I rushed home to make a start. At first I panicked a bit as the pattern calls for a 7mm hook to do the cowl neck and I did not have one of those at home. So with the need to start playing strongly on my mind I took a chance and worked with my trusty Clover Amour 6mm hook instead. My theory was that I have quite a loose tension anyway and working with a chunky yarn would mean that it should hopefully work out ok!

Sitting down with the pattern I read about the front and back post trebles needed to create the rib effect and my mind went blank. The magazine tells you to look at the back of the issue for descriptions but even those were not particularly clear. I know I thought the trusty Lucy from Attic24 has recently made this poncho too, she must talk about how to do these, so off I popped to her post.

Sure enough on her blog post about the same pattern she mentions a wonderful little YouTube tutorial which got her out of the same sticky situation and I have to say it is wonderful:

After a couple of rounds I was off, happily hooking away and by the end of the evening I had finished the cowl and completed my first round of granny stripe in parchment. Two more evenings and one more crochet club at work followed and I had finished all my stripe. I had worked out how many repeats to do based on the number of rows in the pattern and added another 3 to give it slightly more length before finishing with one final row of parchment.

Then it was onto another couple of rows of the rib before adding the tassels. Now that’s a whole other job! 2 entire evenings spent wrapping yarn, cutting lengths and hooking it through it certainly is a task. I can see why Daisy blogged about her poncho before finishing them, they are a chore but I think totally worth it. Of course you don’t have to add tassels if they are not your thing, Lucy didn’t and she has added a nice little scalloped edge to her poncho.

The lovely folk at Simply Crochet have just announced that this pattern is now available to buy from Ravelry for only £2.75 if you missed the November issue.  You can download it HERE.

Whatever you decide to do I’d love to hear about your attempts, you can be sure you will get a lot of comments if you choose to try this pattern. I have just got back from the Waltham Abbey Wool show where I chose to wear mine and I really should have had a sign on my back!

Photography credits to Rebecca Burton Photography ©2015

This post is my submission to the Deramores Craft Blog Competition 2015. Deramores is the UK’s number one online retailer of knitting and crochet supplies. Visit www.deramores.com for more details.

 

Next Post: Pom Pom Crazy!!!! »

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Shipping is flat rate to the UK or you can click and collect from the store. Alternatively, pop down and stroke it in person. BTHQ is open 10 till 4 today.
Today we are delighted to be introducing a new cha Today we are delighted to be introducing a new challenge to you that is free to join in with.  We hope it will encourage you to try something new.

The 'Sew out of your comfort zone challenge' is designed to encourage you to create something that you wouldn't normally try, or to venture into a new sewing territory.

Maybe there is a pattern you think just wont suit you, but you've seen lots of other people making it and are tempted to give it a try.  Maybe there is a new technique you've always wanted to have a go at but have been to scared to try.  You might have been sewing for years but have never tried a particular fabric or method before.

Sandra has always avoided the Tilly & The Buttons Indigo dress as it has soooo much gathering and she thought it would not be all that flattering.  But she's seen me wearing my many versions and has now decided to give it a go.

I have made lots of jumpsuits but have never worked with Scuba before or a Deer and Doe pattern so I'm giving it a go for the first time.

Join us during Februrary and pick something that pushes you out of your comfort zone.  Be sure to post your progress on social media using the hashtag #sewoutofmycomfortzone and we can all hold your hand in the process.
We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I We had an amazing busy day in BTHQ making hats…I mean Closet Core poufs! 😂
We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 to We will be live on our YouTube channel at 12.30 today showing you all of the beautiful fabrics we now have in stock. Link in our stories
Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just h Ooooh have we had a fun day today!! This is just half of our new stock. We can't wait to share it with you in the next couple of days.
Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project Hi it’s Sandra. I’ve finished my first project on my #makenine2023 list. It’s the Atlas Bag by Swoon patterns. It looks so pretty but I don’t like it! I used a vinyl that I realised I didn’t have enough of, so lined the straps in cotton, but don’t like that they are then facing upwards with the lining.
The straps are also ridiculously  long. The bag is much too wide for my shoulders so isn’t comfortable to wear. Never mind, good reason to try another pattern!
We had a great session this morning learning to ma We had a great session this morning learning to make Roman Blinds. Everyone is always amazed at how very simple they are to make and how many super sewing tricks they learn in this class.
We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a We welcomed back our beginner sewers tonight for a new term. More fabulous quilted boxes whizzed up in their 1st session.
We've just had an exciting delivery. All new class We've just had an exciting delivery. All new classroom machines for our workshop. Now you can try before you buy across the range of Janomes computerised machines.
@sew59sandra is very happy today. She's treated h @sew59sandra is very happy today. She's  treated herself to the Atelier 6 sewing machine from Janome. It's currently on special offer until Feb 9th and includes a free quilting kit.
We still have 2 places left on this fabulous cours We still have 2 places left on this fabulous course this Saturday.  Claire will be showing you how to make something wonderful from your scrap fabrics using the Creative Grids Scrap Crazy templates. 

Not only is this a great scrap project you can also create beautiful planned quilts from fabric bought specifically for your own designs.  The templates are so versatile that they can be used to seamlessly create beautiful designs.  Come and enjoy the magic as Claire talks you through lots of different options and leave the class with your own set of templates to play with at home worth £29.99!!
It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettl It may be disgusting outside, but inside the kettle is always on, and there is always room on our couch or craft table for you to pop on for a chat or a bit of knitting or crochet.

There's no need to book. Just come on down. We are open 10 till 4. Free of charge, just pop a donation in the tin for your drinks.
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