Lorraine Pugh Designs

Tuesday, 13 December 2016

Episode 10

We're nearing the end of 2016... With my November and December designs up in my etsy shop, I'm now enjoying some slow-paced crochet, including my current stripy, beaded design-in-progress as well as a lovely wip by a fellow designer, inspired by bees!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aMudb7CxJXM&t=46s

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesigns
You can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

Episode 10 Show Notes

Ann's Lovely Shawl
Pattern is called 'Aranuir' by Morben Designs, link here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aranuir
FYI the designer's name is Jasmin Räsänen
Worked in a very fine natural cotton

'Festive Jester' designed by me!
Pattern link here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/festive-jester
Yarns used are 'Colour Theory' Yak Sock, by Hand Dyed by Kate, link here: http://www.handdyedbykate.com/
'Overripe Raspberry' by Dye For Wool in their Merino/Silk Base, shop link here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dyeforwool
Beads used are 'Golden' from 'Maya Honey' on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MayaHoney

Blackcurrant-style Stitch Markers in notions pouch by Debs of Crafty Cat Knitty Bits on etsy, linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

'Big Eye Needle' that I cut in half is by Trimits

Current Design-In-Progress
Yarns used:
Red: 'Overripe Raspberry' by Dye For Wool in their Merino/Silk Base, shop linked above
Brown: Dyed by myself, on a gold stellina sock base
Green: Araucania Botany Lace, colourway PT1794. You'll need to do a google search to find your local stockists
Teal: 'Dragonfly Flying Too High' by Dye For Wool in their Merino/Silk Base, shop linked above
Navy: 'Deep In The Cold Night' by Dye For Wool in their Merino/Silk Base, shop linked above
Purple: 'Blackberry' by Lanitium Ex Machina on their glitter sock base (gold stellina), shop link here: www.etsy.com/shop/lanitiumexmachina
Blackcurrant-style Stitch Markers by Debs of Crafty Cat Knitty Bits on etsy, linked here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits
Beads used are 'Golden' from 'Maya Honey' on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MayaHoney

Crochet WIP
'Hotel Of Bees' Crochet Shawl Pattern by Christia Hadderingh aka 'A Spoonful Of Yarn' pattern linked here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hotel-of-bees-shawl
Yarns purchased for this project are Dye For Wool's Merino Sport Weight in the following colour ways:
'Too Hard Butter Cookie', 'Burnt Cinnamon Roll' and 'Boiling Cacao Beans'

Get Your Yarn Wishes Granted:
The lovely Madeleine granted my wish and sent me a skein of eco-friendly, traditional Romanian wool, by 'moeke yarns' www.moeke-yarn.com

Other Mentions:
Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes, she has a blog and a podcast, as well as an Instagram account - well worth the follow!
YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Instagram: @lisapinenotes

Amy of Stranded Dyeworks shop on etsy: www.etsy.com/shop/StrandedDyeworks
She is an indie dyer who also has a podcast: https://www.youtube.com/user/amyflorence14
Instagram: @amyflorence

Thursday, 8 December 2016

Freedom In The Air

Thursday 8^th December 2016 21:30

I had an amazing day yesterday…

It was Wednesday, 7^th December 2017. It started after a night of stormy winds and heavy rain. From my apartment balcony I could see the coastline. It was clearing, so I decided that I would take my 2-year-old to the beach. I invited my Mum and after a 5 minute drive, by 10am we were beneath a beaming sun on the damp sands of Coral Bay beach.

This all sounds beautiful enough as it is, but there was also a huge sense of ‘freedom’ in the air.

Let me take it back a bit…

I am daughter to a nature-loving Dad and a very creative Mum… a combination which I must say I am very proud to have inherited. So naturally, I grew up with a passion for all things outdoorsy, wild but also from the comfort of a very ‘arts & crafts’ home, as well as a good-time spent in my mother’s craft & embroidery shop in the beautiful county of Sussex, England.

In my late teens, my parents emigrated to retire in Cyprus, a beautiful island in the Mediterranean Sea. Initially I stayed in England, intending to secure a future there, however I had a bit of a realisation one day at my job at a security company. In a nutshell, money overruled the security of the public. As I walked home from work that day, I looked around me. Emotionless faces hurriedly getting from A to B. The same posh cars parked in the same reserved spots at the office building. Somehow I’d got lost; not literally, but I had a deep, plummeting feeling of ‘I don’t belong here’.

I sent this message to my Mum:

“What do I need to do in order to live in Cyprus?”

Within a few months, I was calling Cyprus my home.

That was 11 years ago.

Although my Mum hadn’t intended to work after relocating, it only seemed natural for her to reopen a shop. That shop grew from a tiny unit filled with cross-stitch kits, silks and petite glass beads, to a large double-unit with haberdashery, sewing equipment, but mostly dedicated to knitting and crochet yarn and notions. It got so busy, I was lucky enough to work there with Mum and some other lovely ladies. It was there I learned to crochet. We ran clubs, workshops and helped whoever we could, if we had a spare moment between serving people at the till. Really busy…

It sounds like I’m approaching the peak of the story doesn’t it? But the truth of it is, we had become so engrossed in supplying the demand, focusing on ‘business’, that we had lost sight of the real reason for opening the shop in the first place. As we started to become aware of this, it seemed to point towards Mum turning over a new leaf and retiring… and I had a choice to make…

*stay tuned*

Lorraine xXx

Friday, 25 November 2016

Episode 9

Today I show off my completed design, "The Undefined" as well as a design-in-progress, "Festive Jester" (watch to din out how you can receive this pattern for free!). I am also rounding up the projects I have shown since the start of these videos. Have fun watching! Xx

https://youtu.be/4qeZbbGSHjk

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesignsYou can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

'The Undefined' Design
Pattern available here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/the-undefined
Yarns used are 'Kelpie' and 'Burke & Hare', both 100% Merino Sock Yarn by my Mama Knits (shop owner is Sunshine) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/mymamaknits
Sunshine is also on Instagram: @sunshine_stewart
'Black Hole' Fingering weight Merino/Silk by Dye For Wool, link here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dyeforwool

'Festive Jester' design-in-progress
Yarns used are 'Colour Theory' Yak Sock, by Hand Dyed by Kate, link here: http://www.handdyedbykate.com/
'Overripe Raspberry' by Dye For Wool in their Merino/Silk Base
Beads used are from 'Maya Honey' on etsy: https://www.etsy.com/shop/MayaHoney

Crochet Hardware Heaven Steampunk Corset by Sarah Jane Designs, pattern on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hardware-heaven---steampunk-corset
Yarn is DMC Petra Cotton No.3 in Shade 5646 Khaki Green

Freestyle Sweater/Hoodie Crochet WIP
Yarns used are:
'Squid On The Beach' 100% Merino DK by My Mama Knits (shop owner is Sunshine) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/mymamaknits
Sunshine is also on Instagram: @sunshine_stewart
Yarn used is 'Rainbow In The Puddle' 100% Merino DK by Monika from Comeragh Yarns (formerly known as 'Red Heart Knits') on etsy -
www.etsy.com/shop/ComeraghYarns
Monika is also on Instagram: @comeraghgirl
Other Yarn (in multiple colours) is James.C.Brett Pure Merino DK

Knitting WIP info:

Jaclyn Salem of the Brooklyn Knitfolk podcast, as linked below,
Hosting the #elementalong
She is @jaclynsalem on Instagram
Check out the group chat on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brooklyn-knitfolk
As part of this KAL I am making the:
'Authenticity Shawl' by 'Softsweater Knits' a paid pattern available on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/authenticity
Yarn used for Authenticity shawl is Merino Twin base in fingering weight, 250g, and is the colour way 'Curry and Saffron' by Wollelfe (shop owner Katrin) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/wollelfe
Katrin is also on Instagram: @wollelfe.yarn

Stitch Markers are from Deb's etsy shop, 'Crafty Cat Knitty Bits', linked here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

'Hotel Of Bees' Crochet Shawl Pattern by Christia Hadderingh aka 'A Spoonful Of Yarn' pattern linked here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hotel-of-bees-shawl
Yarns purchased for this project are Dye For Wool's Merino Sport Weight in the following colour ways:
'Too Hard Butter Cookie', 'Burnt Cinnamon Roll' and 'Boiling Cacao Beans'

Book Recommendation: 'A New Earth' by Eckhart Tolle

Crochet Podcasters Mentioned:

Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Lisa is also on Instagram as @lisapinenotes

Ali of Little Drops of Wonderful podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWQfl7WmeumzOYfKZwhT0g
She is also on Instagram as @starryeyesali

Amber from the Yarn Junkie Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/user/crochetjunkie6
She is also on Instagram @_yarnjunkie

Knitting Podcasters Mentioned:

Jaclyn Salem of The Brooklyn Knitfolk Podcast:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCl_o_ptXlmrnhUR4J0f2aWQ

Lilli of Nordic Stitches Podcast
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5xdmIVCC0SIW0TerwT8ckQ
She is also on Instagram @nordicstitches

Saturday, 12 November 2016

Episode 8

Today I show my current Design-In-Progress, 'The Undefined', some lovely yarns and beads, plus other acquisitions including a weaving loom! I also chat about the more spiritual aspect of crochet and the design process, which includes a book recommendation. I hope you enjoy it, Xx

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JaJlF7lFYOY

Thursday, 27 October 2016

Episode 7

Episode 7 is here!
https://youtu.be/Nf16IrcQxIE
See my progress in joining my Crozy Memories Blanket Squares, including a special new-to-me joining method.
I have a more spur-of-the-moment, freestyle crochet Hoodie wip that I talk about, as well as a new design-in-the-making!

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesigns
You can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

My Crozy Memories Blanket Square Pattern
If you make this square (or more, a blanket would make my year!) and you're on Instagram, then please hashtag it so I can see! #crozymemoriesblanket
Link to free pattern on blog:
http://lorrainepughdesigns.blogspot.com.cy/2016/09/crozy-memories-blanket-square-free.html
Link to print-friendly PDF via ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crozy-memories-blanket-square
I am using the following yarns for my Crozy Memories Blanket:
Yarnfair Stripes Double Knitting in colour way 'Red Grey Brown'
Sirdar Crofter DK in colour ways 'Thatcher' and 'Seagrass'
Joining the squares with Sirdar Snuggly in a brown colour way which I can't be sure of, but possibly 'Soft Brown' 428.

The anti-tilt Zipper join can be found via 2 ways;
1. By joining the Facebook Group 'Scheeples CAL - International', then searching for 'Margaret Evans tilt'. The first search result is Margaret's mini-tutorial on her 'Joining Tweak' which includes a lovely infographic.
OR
2. Clicking this link to my blog post where (with Margaret's permission) I have shared her guide: http://lorrainepughdesigns.blogspot.com.cy/2016/10/the-anti-tilt-zipper-join-by-margaret.html

Freestyle Sweater/Hoodie Crochet WIP
Yarns used are:
'Squid On The Beach' 100% Merino DK by My Mama Knits (shop owner is Sunshine) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/mymamaknits
Sunshine is also on Instagram: @sunshine_stewart
Yarn used is 'Rainbow In The Puddle' 100% Merino DK by Monika from Comeragh Yarns (formerly known as 'Red Heart Knits') on etsy -
www.etsy.com/shop/ComeraghYarns
Monika is also on Instagram: @comeraghgirl
Other Yarn (in multiple colours) is James.C.Brett Pure Merino DK

Crochet Design-In-Progress that I'm a bit vague about:
1st WIP:
Yarns used are 'Kelpie' and 'Burke & Hare', both 100% Merino Sock Yarn by my Mama Knits as linked above
'Black Hole' Fingering weight Merino/Silk by Dye For Wool, link here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/Dyeforwool
2nd WIP:
Yarns used are 'Colour Theory' Yak Sock, by Hand Dyed by Kate, link here: http://www.handdyedbykate.com/
'Tanzanite' Merino Nylon Gold Stellina Sock by Lanitium Ex Machina, link here: https://www.etsy.com/shop/lanitiumexmachina

Crochet Podcasters Mentioned:

Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Lisa is also on Instagram as @lisapinenotes

Ali of Little Drops of Wonderful podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWQfl7WmeumzOYfKZwhT0g
She is also on Instagram as @starryeyesali

Amber from the Yarn Junkie Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/user/crochetjunkie6

Knitting Podcasters Mentioned:

Mina Phillip of The Knitting Expat Podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCx__O_6VbDNlrHB1hmfCVhw

Jaclyn Salem of The Brooklyn Knitfolk Podcast:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCl_o_ptXlmrnhUR4J0f2aWQ

Knitting WIP info:

Jaclyn Salem of the Brooklyn Knitfolk podcast, as linked above,
Hosting the #elementalong
She is @jaclynsalem on Instagram
Check out the group chat on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brooklyn-knitfolk
As part of this KAL I am making the:
'Authenticity Shawl' by 'Softsweater Knits' a paid pattern available on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/authenticity
Yarn used for Authenticity shawl is Merino Twin base in fingering weight, 250g, and is the colour way 'Curry and Saffron' by Wollelfe (shop owner Katrin) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/wollelfe
Katrin is also on Instagram: @wollelfe.yarn

Stitch Markers are from Deb's etsy shop, 'Crafty Cat Knitty Bits', linked here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

The 'Anti-Tilt' Zipper Join by Margaret Evans

During the Scheepjes 'The Last Dance on The Beach' CAL - in memory of Wink - some people found their stitches 'tilted' to one side when they made the Zipper Join method. A lovely girl called Margaret Evans came up with an innovative way to avoid this 'tilting'. She described it best, so I will share her words and infographic below, but before I do, I would also like to let you all know that Esther who is mentioned by Margaret has a lovely blog where you can find a lot more information regarding The Last Dance On The Beach CAL and I will link her site at the end of this blog post. Now then, here is Margaret's 'Anti-Tilt' Zipper Joining 'Tweak':

"A few people have asked if I would mind putting up some photos of how I tweaked my join. Here they are. The steps are as follows:
1) Watch Esther's video. She is amazing and the zipper join is such a cool, classy join. So many people followed her steps and got perfect flat joins. If that's you - fantastic. Move along, you don't need to read further 😄.
However, if like me, following it perfectly still left your join with a little 'tilt' which showed some of the colour underneath AND you are unhappy with that, then read on 😊
A. Same as Esther - Make sure your working yarn is behind your work
B. Different to Esther. In the 1st square instead of putting your hook in the inner loop from the front to the back, do it the other way around. Put your hook from the back to the front (so your hook pokes up through the centre of the stitch)
C. Same as Esther - put your hook through the inner loop of the 2nd square from front to back.
D. Same as Esther - yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on your hook in a slip stitch.
For me, this resulted in a perfectly flat join with no tilt and no visible colour underneath. I personally was unhappy with my original join and for some reason I thought I would try this and it worked!! Surprised the heck out of me but I am so happy as this now looks how I imagined it would.
I am no designer, I am just a CAL participant who is happy to share. As has been explained loads of times, we all have different tensions and hold our hooks differently so this can sometimes affect the result. No-one has to do this but it might be handy to know. I appreciate all the work the designers have put into this and do not wish to take away from that at all <3. I am on my horizontal joins now. Have to get my focus on so I am done before Wednesday's border pattern is released. Happy hooking all x" - Margaret Evans

picture courtesy of Margaret Evans

Although she says she is not a crochet designer, I think she should be, don't you agree?! Thank you Margaret, you really helped me and so many others!

Linked below is Esther's Blog:

https://itsallinanutshell.com/2016/07/13/joining-last-dance-on-the-beach-squares/

Episode 6

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jivHUNhDSm0

In this episode I show my latest wips and as I learned how to edit video there is a mini-tutorial in here too, lol you'll see what I mean. I also show you where I live. Enjoy everyone! Xx

I am on Instagram @lorrainepughdesigns
You can find me on ravelry as lorrainepugh
There is also a group on ravelry, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/lorrainepughdesigns
And a Facebook Page:
https://www.facebook.com/lorrainepughdesigns/
Plus, a Facebook Group where you can share your makes and chatter with like-minded makers:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1707181802870447/

Birdie Decoration, Pattern by Lucy of attic24:
http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/birdie-decoration.html
Granny Sweet Heart, Pattern by Nancy Drew, link to pattern on her blog: http://www.nancydrewdesigns.net/2014/01/granny-sweet-heart-pattern.html
Link to her pattern via ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/granny-sweet-heart
In both decorations I am using 100% cotton 'Filati Cervinia - Sicilia' although I don't have specific colour ways, I am using a muted green, dark green, red and cream.

My Crozy Memories Blanket Square Pattern
If you make this square (or more, a blanket would make my year!) and you're on Instagram, then please hashtag it so I can see! #crozymemoriesblanket
Link to free pattern on blog:
http://lorrainepughdesigns.blogspot.com.cy/2016/09/crozy-memories-blanket-square-free.html
Link to print-friendly PDF via ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crozy-memories-blanket-square
I am using the following yarns for my Crozy Memories Blanket:
Yarnfair Stripes Double Knitting in colour way 'Red Grey Brown'
Sirdar Crofter DK in colour ways 'Thatcher' and 'Seagrass'
Thinking to join the squares with Sirdar Snuggly in a brown colour way which I can't be sure of, but possibly 'Soft Brown' 428.

In my stack of autumnal knits/wovens etc:

Starlight Women's Slippers, pattern link:
http://www.myhobbyiscrochet.com/2014/11/starlight-women-slippers-free-crochet.html
I made mine using James. C. Brett Rustic, an aran weight yarn, composed of acrylic, wool and viscose in shade 'DAT16' a dark red colour way.

Flame 'thing' which will become an infinity scarf was made using the hand-drawn chart in the following link:
http://www.knittingparadise.com/t-183657-1.html
I made mine using Stranded Dyeworks 'Bonfire Night' and 'Glowing Embers'on Amy's 'Paradise' MCN base, and I also showed her 'Russet' colour way. Her shop is linked here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/StrandedDyeworks
Amy is also on Instagram as @amyflorence
She has a podcast, 'Stranded Podcast'

Valentines Day Heart Pattern by Miss Dolkapots Krafties, linked here:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/valentines-day-heart
I made mine using leftover yarn, Stranded Dyework's 'Bonfire Night' on Amy's Paradise MCN base.

Knitting WIP info:

Jaclyn Salem of the Brooklyn Knitfolk podcast, link here:
https://m.youtube.com/channel/UCl_o_ptXlmrnhUR4J0f2aWQ
Hosting the #elementalong
She is @jaclynsalem on Instagram
Check out the group chat on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/brooklyn-knitfolk
As part of this KAL I am making the:
'Authenticity Shawl' by 'Softsweater Knits' a paid pattern available on ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/authenticity
Yarn used for Authenticity shawl is Merino Twin base in fingering weight, 250g, and is the colour way 'Curry and Saffron' by Wollelfe (shop owner Katrin) on etsy - www.etsy.com/shop/wollelfe
Katrin is also on Instagram: @wollelfe.yarn

Stitch Markers are from Deb's etsy shop, 'Crafty Cat Knitty Bits', linked here:
https://www.etsy.com/shop/CraftyCatKnittyBits

Petrie Knitting WIP
Yarn used is 'Rainbow In The Puddle' by Monika from Comeragh Yarns (formerly known as 'Red Heart Knits') on etsy -
www.etsy.com/shop/ComeraghYarns
Monika is also on Instagram: @comeraghgirl
Pattern is called 'Petrie' by Beatia Dew, free on ravelry -
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/petrie

Crochet Podcasters

Jan of Urban Gypsy Crochet on Facebook and YouTube!:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCunw2bpCg2TJqrxIL1z3mSg

Lisa of Lisa's Pine Notes on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_AGhDDT1tEJqa6uzSaVqkQ
Lisa is also on Instagram as @lisapinenotes

Ali of Little Drops of Wonderful podcast:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXWQfl7WmeumzOYfKZwhT0g
She is also on Instagram as @starryeyesali

Emma of 'Potter & Bloom' podcast, linked below:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_N9czUb0fkmOuVt7-PMXFw
She is on Instagram, too: @potterandbloom

Knitting Podcaster mentioned is:
Eva, host of 'The Charm Of It':
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCZJXOCyN9wFz1mGaCMXpgWw
Also on Instagram: @thecharmofit