Quality Yarn at an Amazing Low Price

I use Stylecraft Special DK yarn for many of my craft projects.



Like most people nowadays, I find that money is tight, so at a budget price and in large, 100 gram balls which produce 295 meters of yarn to work with, Stylecraft Special DK works out a very good buy.

And it's a good buy because it's easy work with, soft, machine washable (and can be tumble dried), and you can use it to make a vast range of items, from all sorts of clothing to blankets and bags.

But here's another reason why I use this yarn.
The colours are fantastic!
All the colours of the rainbow and some you hadn't even thought of!

Stylecraft Special DK Colours

One of my crochet makes using Stylecraft Special DK was the Jacaranda Cal.
I wanted to use pretty colours which enhanced the intricate pattern design, and I think I chose well 😀

I used Cream, Cloud Blue, Violet, Clematis, and Parma Violet.
They are colours I would have found difficult to find in many budget yarns, but I knew I could rely on Stylecraft to produce them and for Deramores to stock them.

So why am I writing this post about Stylecraft Special DK right now?
Because I've just discovered that Deramores has special savings on their yarn with lots of savings.

Stylecraft Special DK is part of their Everyday Low Price Collection, plus,if you are looking for particular colours, buying in value packs will save you 10% more, plus for members, you will get rewards for your next purchase.

Now, like many crafters, I may be a yarnaholic, but I'm also very aware of the need to budget on my yarn purchases.
And this looks like a great deal to me.

And when I, an intermediate crocheter, can produce projects like the Jacaranda which look even more intricate because of the colours, then I'm happy! :)

You can find All Stylecraft Special DK colours on the link at Deramores here:
Stylecraft Special DK colours and info

Go on have a look.
I bet you love looking at yarn colours as much as I do! 😀

6 Free Crochet Patterns Which Make Beautiful Baby Blankets

Here are 6 Free Crochet Patterns which have been tried and tested to ensure that they will make beautiful baby blankets.
Where possible, there are also links to the Ravelry project pages for the patterns, so that you can see what other crocheters have achieved with them.

1: Granny Stripe Pattern by Lucy of Attic 24
 Lucy's Attic24 blog is a great go-to place for blankets and the Granny Stripe Pattern is a nice, basic pattern which is ideal for a first baby blanket.
On Lucy's site, you can also find ideas for blanket borders. And you'll enjoy looking at all the lovely ideas she has there.
I'm making my Granny stripe Blanket in different shades of red as it should feel nice and warm for the winter months.

My 'shades of red' Granny stripes blanket in progress

But if you look at the Ravelry page for the pattern here:
Granny Stripes by Lucy of Attic24 - Ravelry Page
You can click the project link on the right of the page and scroll through over 7,000 projects ( 😵!) to find colours that you would prefer.
Or just go for it with colours you have from stash. This pattern is very adaptable.

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In fact, most of the Attic24 patterns would work great as a baby blanket.
And as Lucy makes such fabulous blanket patterns, I must include another of her designs....

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2: This one in particular is a huge success with baby blanket lovers:
Neat Ripple Pattern by Lucy of Attic 24
 In fact, when you go to the Ravelry page for this pattern:
Neat Ripple by Lucy of Attic24 - Ravelry Page
 and click on the projects link on the right hand side, you will see that there are over 9.5k projects made using this pattern! That's quite amazing!
 So do have a scroll through the projects if you want ideas on yarn types and colours to use (and tips about the pattern from other crocheters).
With that many crocheters making this pattern, there must be loads of help within those project pages!
Here is my Neat Ripple Baby Blanket:

My neat ripple baby blanket in progress

As you can see, it's still a 'work in progress', but I love the colours so had to include a picture here 😉.
I think those colours with this pattern will make a beautiful baby blanket!

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3: The next pattern is on my 'to-do list, but will definitely be made soon:
Four Color Baby Blanket  by Crochet n Create
 (When you click the above link, scroll down the page for both US and UK pattern versions).
This is "A Candy stripe baby afghan blanket free crochet pattern, made in worsted weight yarn using soft pastel colours." As described on the Ravelry pattern page.
(although you can of course use dk yarn if you prefer - but perhaps in this case add a number of chains to get the size required - just ensure that you increase in multiples of 6).
This is a very pretty blanket with a puff stitch design.
You can see some projects done using this lovely pattern if you follow the projects link from the Ravelry page for the pattern linked below:
PFC72 Baby Afghan Blanket - Ravelry pattern page
(but a word of advice: don't bother following the link on the Ravelry pattern page - it will just redirect you to the new page at Crochet n Create which I've linked to already above 😉)

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4: Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket by Megan Meyer
Megan has designed a beautiful but relatively easy to make baby blanket.
She designed her pattern for colour changing yarn and it works a treat as you will see in her pictures on the pattern's Ravelry page here:
Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket by Megan Meyer
This lovely baby blanket pattern is a paid pattern on the Ravelry link - and it's worth it because the pdf download contains lots of help and advice (and all the work put in by Megan to get the pattern right) and no adverts.
However, I have listed this as a free pattern, because, at time of typing this post, there is a free version of the pattern here:
Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket at Left In Knots
 My version of the Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket is a 'Bright Rainbow' version, in the picture below. I also used different skeins of yarn for each colour (but that wasn't a huge problem).
I also added a few rows to the end of the pattern, to make a cot blanket.

My Bright Rainbow Version of the Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket

 This is a lovely pattern - an easy stitch sequence, but decorative enough to make a pretty design.
And the border is lovely too.

Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket Border

 This pattern is definitely a keeper!

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5:  Another free baby blanket pattern on my to-do list and it looks very pretty:
One Skein Baby Blanket by Marilyn Losee
 (although the above website page has a checkout, you can download the pdf pattern for free)
This is a fairly easy and quick-to-work pattern which looks beautiful when completed.
And seems to have a lot of fans who have made several of these baby blankets.
You can see hundreds of projects made using this pattern by looking at the Ravelry page for the pattern here:
One Skein Baby Blanket on Ravelry

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6:  You Are My Sunshine Baby Blanket by Christine Bumgarner

My You Are My Sunshine Baby Blanket

I've shown you this one before, but it's an ideal addition to a free baby blanket pattern post.
The pattern is made up from posts from the You are my Sunshine Afghan CAL by Christine Bumgarner
And you can find all 6 parts of the Cal from the links on this page:
You Are My Sunshine, my only Sunshine!

 Or you can click the project page link on the RH side of the Ravelry page for the pattern here:
You are my Sunshine Afghan CAL by Christine Bumgarner

and see the different colours and yarns which others have used to make their baby blanket.

This is mine completed and I love it!

You are my Sunshine Baby blanket

I love the central Sun design and the different stitches throughout.
I would say that this pattern is for an adventurous beginner or intermediate crocheter, but the instructions are very helpful, so you should manage fine with the more decorative stitch patterns.
And the bonus is that this pattern is available in English (US), Hebrew, Swedish and Dutch!
And it makes such a pretty blanket!

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And that's the last of the 6 Free Crochet Patterns Which Make Beautiful Baby Blankets.

But I'm sure there will be more soon.

In the meanitme, I hope you enjoyed this post and have found a good pattern to use to make your next baby blanket.

~ Silvi

Cot Blankets and Mandalas in Our Etsy Shop and More Free Patterns!

Here at Elephant Sun Dog, we craft handmade items of all sizes, from small to fairly large 😀
And I've just added three more handmade items to the Elephant Sun Dog Etsy Shop and these are all ready for the colder months to come.

There are two Baby Blankets:

A pretty 'sunshine' blanket for a cot or pram cover.

Sunshine Cot Blanket for sale on Etsy

This is a unique design using a pattern designed by talented Christine Bumgarner, called You Are My Sunshine.
I think I've done the pattern justice. It certainly was enjoyable.
If you would like to have a go at making this lovely pattern, you can find it here:
CAL Crochet Along You Are My Sunshine

And I would love it if you also went and had a look at more pictures and read about my version of this sweet cot blanket here:
Cot Blanket, Baby Blanket, Sunshine and Pale Turquoise Pretty Design for cot or pram, Baby gift

Then there is a lovely bright rainbow strips cot blanket.

Bright Rainbow Colours Cot Blanket for sale on Etsy

This is a nice, sizeable cot blanket which is large enough for a chid's bed as well as a cot.
I love working in bright rainbow colours, so this one was a real treat to make.
I used a pattern called Unicorn Stripes Baby Blanket designed by talented Megan Meyer.
You can find the pattern here on Ravelry:
Unicorn Strips Baby Blanket Pattern

And to see more of my Bright Rainbow version of this pattern, and read more about it, you can see it here:
Cot Blanket Bright Rainbow Stripes Soft Colourful Crochet Toddler or Baby Blanket Good Size

I have also added a large Mandala Table Cover to the Etsy shop.
This one is in multi colours and will definitely brighten up your living room!

Handmade Crochet Mandala Table Cover for sale on Etsy

Again, I used a pattern, this time designed by the very gifted Anna Nilson.
If you want to have a go yourself at making this lovely Mandala, do go and have a look at Anna's website where she hosted the CAL for this lovely pattern.
You can find all the links to various parts of the pattern here:
Unicorn Mandala CAL

And of course, I mustn't forget to add a link to the Mandala table cloth I made from this pattern (as shown in the picture above).
You can find it here:
Handmade Crochet Mandala Table Cover, Home Decoration, multicoloured circular tablecloth

So there you go.
Three more items added to our Etsy shop and links to some lovely crochet patterns (two of which are free, and the other has a free and paid version).

I hope you enjoy them.
And if not, I'm sure you know someone who would like to see the handmade items I have made from the patterns :)

~ Silvi

The Sweet Pea CAL at Attic 24

This is the first CAL (crochet along) that I am taking part in for 2019. It is the Sweet Pea Blanket CAL published each week at Attic 24.

The pattern is free and Lucy of Attic 24 will be posting parts weekly.

Week 1 began on 4th January and it's certainly not too late to join in. The posts will be staying on Lucy's blog, so no excuses 😄

Here is my Sweet Pea Blanket part 1:

I chose to do the 'posy' version of the pattern because it will go very well with other items, but was very tempted to do the 'colourwash' version or the 'repeat' version (which repeats the colour pattern shown in the original test sample for the pattern - see picture below:).

Lucy is a fabulous designer. Her CALS are always excellent and she goes the extra mile with pictures and instructions to ensure that her patterns are easy to understand by beginners and advanced crocheters alike.

I highly recommend this CAL (in fact, I might do it twice 😀 ).

You can find all the details about the Sweet Pea Blanket CAL here. That post also contains links to the Trellis Stripe Pattern used in the CAL and details of everything you need to know.

Or just go over to Attic 24 and see all of Lucy's lovely patterns.

I guarantee you will spend ages there 😃

~ Silvi

A Very Helpful You Tube Crochet Group

Back in the summer, I was browsing YouTube crochet videos, when I landed upon a video by The Secret Yarnery.
It was a video for a Cal which was going to make the Erigeneia Shawl.

I instantly liked the presenter. She was friendly and helpful and no nonsense too. So I searched for more on The Secret Yarnery, and found that a Facebook Group had been set up for the Cal.
I joined the group, but didn't have time then to make the shawl (which was a shame, as the Cal came with charts and videos which were very easy to understand).

But  Cal With the Secret Yarnery remained in my Facebook groups and over the months they did more Cals and shared more makes and videos. Then a few days ago, I found their October Cal.

The Cal is to make a Polka Dot blanket. It's relatively easy, which is great. And it looks good when finished, which is even better 😀  But more important, the videos for the Cal are so well-explained and easy to understand. Here's the first video for the Cal below:

Again, I am too busy with Christmas makes to make the polka dot blanket right now, but will definitely make it in the New Year. and for the first time ever, I will use the videos as my main source.

I'm usually a crocheter who likes to work with a written pattern first and foremost, but these videos are good and useful!
And I particularly like how the presenter explains why she has chosen a certain stitch placement and even tells us how to 'fudge' things a little if necessary. She's a crocheter after my own heart 😀

But anyway, if you get the time, do have a look at the Secret Yarnery videos, even if, like me, you are someone who prefers written patterns, because I think that there will be something you can learn there and particularly beginners, who will find some of the tips very, very helpful indeed.

As an aside. I have not contacted The Secret Yarnery about this post. It is not posted as a promotion for them. It is just a post made because I was impressed with how helpful the videos are.

~ Silvi

Progress Update from the Havana Cal

On 1st October, I posted that The Havana Cal is underway.
Well, week 2 of the Cal was posted a couple of days ago, and I still hadn't started on my Havana blanket.

The problem is, with so many items for Christmas to make, I really haven't the time right now to make a full blanket, but I really wanted to join the Cal, because mosaic crochet is such a lovely technique and I wanted to learn more.

 So, in the end, I improvised.

I make bags, so why not make a Havana Bag?

All it took was a tiny bit of maths to decide how many starting chains to make and I was good to go.

Here are the results so far:
Part one on the left, made with a starting chain of 51 stitches, rather than 183!

Part 2 on the right, using one set of rows, rather than 3 sets, plus a repeat of part one to top it off.
And here it is, one side of a bag! :)

I am wishing now that I'd made this wider, because although I still have the other side of the bag to make (and can therefore use other week's stitches), my bag would have been much too high to complete all weeks of the pattern! :)

So, if I get the time, I might just make a large cushion cover for this Cal as well, and at least then I get to use more stitches.

I have, however, seen some lovely scarves being made on this Cal, plus baby blankets and other creations.
Have a look at the Pippin Crochet Club group on facebook, projects on Ravelry, or the #havanacal hashtag on instagram, to see just some of the many Havanas being made.

And it's not too late to join in.
You can find the pattern on Ravelry here.
And make your own Havana :)

~ Silvi

Update on The Doily Mini Cal

I've finished making my Daisily Doily for the mini cal run by Inas' Craft Gallery and I'm really pleased with the result.

Silvi's Daisily Doily

All 5 parts of the Cal are posted online now.
You can find them on Ravelry or go straight to Inas' blog to find all about the Cal.

The Cal is fairly easy (I would say 'confident beginner' friendly) and very well-explained with pictures to help.
So it is well worth having a look if you want to have a go at making something interesting and pretty which doesn't take too long to make (so great for making gifts?).

I will definitely be making more daisily doilies in the near future :)

~ Silvi

The Havana Cal Is Underway

Today, October 1st, 2018, is the first day of The Havana Cal.

This is a beautiful cal, with mosaic crochet work designed by Tinna Thorudottir Thorvaldar.

Tinna is a very creative designer who can take odd skeins of yarn and turn them into something unique and beautiful and now she's sharing her design with us, for free!

The Cal will be posted on Ravelry, with a new part each week. The first part has just been posted.

You can also join in with the Cal on the Pippin Crochet Club group on facebook and share your work with other members and with Tina.

I haven't started yet (apart from a swatch and perhaps... choosing yarn from my stash). But I've practiced the opening stitches by making some purses from another pattern designed by Tina: Mosaic Purses.

Here are my little purses below:

And from making Tina's pattern I have found, that although mosaic crochet may look complicated, the way Tina does it is remarkably easy and gets great results!

So do have a look. even if you can't join the Cal right away, it will still be there on Ravelry for when you have the time.

~ Silvi

A Lovely Little Crochet Cal

I am busy designing a pattern for a moses basket at the moment (see previous post), but I think it is always nice to have something fun and enjoyable to make when things get a little pressured. So I decided to join a mini Cal.

This mini crochet along is called the Daisily Doily (Mini Crochet Along) and is being run by Inas' Craft Gallery (@inas.craft on Instagram) on her blog and on Ravelry.


The Cal is in 5 short parts and runs from 29th September, 2018 until 3 October 2018, but if you miss it, it will not be too late to join in as the posts will still be there.

Here's my daisily doily after the first two days:

You can follow my progress on my Ravelry page, or have a look at the #daisilydoily hashtagtag on Instagram to watch all the daisily doilies grow!

 ~ Silvi