snuggle wrap noro
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12 Jan
Crochet

Baby Snuggle wrap re-discovered

snuggle wrap noro backMany years ago I saw a knitted baby wrap in an Ashford magazine. It was perfect for little “wee” babies to keep their arms wrapped up and cozy warm. I used to sell my crocheted version of that pattern in my first yarn store near Buderim at least 12 years ago.

I finally had a chance to see if the design actually worked with our first little grandbaby who was conveniently born before winter this year, and it did. Since  I made the first couple of Snuggle Wraps I had made one in Noro Taiyo. It had been hiding in “THAT PILE” and it was just a waiting for the buttons to be sewn on. You may know “THAT PILE” ;the please finish me and don’t start something new yet, until I’m finished pile.

It is finished now and I went to add the new photos to update the old pattern onto my web site only to realise that the Baby Snuggle Wrap has never been an  online pattern and none of you would have ever seen it.Baby Snuggle Wrap – Jenny King Designs

Our first little darling is too big for this one in Noro now that the buttons are finally on, but there may be more coming later???? Fingers crossed.

So, if you have a little precious due in Winter then you may like to make one for them. Noro – Taiyo yarn – at KnittingFever.com

This discovery does make me wonder how many patterns have been hiding like this one and will reveal themselves to me over time. Perhaps we will discover this together. I promise I’ll show you.

Here is  our first  beautiful grandbaby sound asleep in her Snuggle Wrap. snuggle wrap Emma

biggan jacket kit
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06 Jan
Crochet, Events

I Can’t Resist Making My Own

biggan 1 biggan 9colour explosion jacket Subrosa123 When I first saw these jackets made in Bosnia and Herzegovina I went bananas. I just love the colour combinations. They made my heart sing. Every single one I saw I wanted. I loved each one more than the last one. Please go buy one from this lady if you love them like I do.  I realised that I wanted a jacket for next winter that is as bright and gorgeous and as bold as these are. It will certainly chase off the winter chills. Being that I live in Tropical Queensland the need for a jacket is not that imperative so I think I just wanted to create in the colours.  Here is the link to purchase a jacket subrosa123 | Etsy

I grabbed out the Biggan 4 ply that I couldn’t resist buying at the conference and I’ve designed 2 squares. One in mesh and one using 8 shades. These are not the same as the ones from Bulgaria but they are bold, colourful, brave and exotic. So, I am over the moon excited. I WILL make a jacket.

To me it was obvious that the yarn needed to do this should be Biggan designs 4 ply. She is the only one that has the colours I crave. And I’ve used her yarn before and it washes and wears like a dream. I just did Lily the Pink in her 4 ply and I was reminded how much of a pleasure it was to have in my hands.

Now if any of you would like to join me, diving head first into colour, I will hold a 2-day workshop at Studio 61 (near Noosa) beginning this month. These will be 2 full day classes 3-4 weeks apart. The kits will be provided and I will visit Biggan next week to pack them for you. Each kit will be unique. No 2 will be the same.

If this sounds like something you can’t possibly resist then please book online. I called it the Colour Explosion Jacket

You will be working small squares and Studio 61 is airconditioned.

jeanette in Noro
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04 Jan
Crochet

Jeanette

It has been an Aunty Jan type of week. I named this scarf for her.  My Auntly Jan’s real name was Jeanette. She was the one that stockpiled knitted baby jackets and blankets to be given out whenever there was a new bub arriving and I mentioned her in my first post of the year. She was my Dad’s baby sister and had a zest for life, living, laughter and family that was uplifting. I would love a little dose of her right now.

Sorry, now back to my story; I thought I would write an E- book called Necks Generation using the wonderful Noro yarns with scarves, shawls and anything else you could wrap, tie or attach to your neck. And one simple book turned into turned into 36 patterns. So instead of one E-book I ended up doing 6 books with 6 designs in each. Some were old designs that were great. My definition of great is if people commented on them when I wore them, if they immediately wanted the pattern to make one themselves or if they were my first choice when I wanted to feel special. When they become a favourite then they are GREAT.

Also Noro’s colour ways get to me. They talk to me and I love what they have to say.

So, if I may, let me introduce you to Jeanette, in Necks Generation book 5 where I put all the designs that I called Quirky. It is a rectangle that is joined weirdly and is immediately transformed into a statement piece. And I love the colour of it.  It matches my eyes, he he.  Super simple stitching with an 8mm hook  gives instant flair. It uses 4 balls of Noro Silk Garden

P.S. about Aunty Jan

She actually dared to make a Canberra Raiders blanket in opposition to our football team when it was Mum who showed her how to do it. That was more than a bit cheeky we thought! And seemed to throw down the gauntlet.  So, I had to make one for the Broncos team. This  friendly duel initiated the self-publishing my first book The Footy Rug Book (translated as stadium blankets for those of you in USA) which was printed in 1997.

bakers dozen in wren
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03 Jan
Crochet, Get Squared, Top News

Jenny Wren- Get Squared in all its new Glory

While on official Australian Crochet Guild business I saw a yarn so colourful and enticing that I just had to go and get  it. I bought 1  ball  in 6 colours  home with me and laid it on the table.  I was hoping that it would tell me what it wanted to be.

I  just couldn’t wait for it  to talk to me. The vibrancy of the hues were so inviting. I decided that all those colours look great on me so I chose to make it a  Get Squared /Baker’s Dozen sampler top.

I’ve only just worn it once but I felt FABULOUS, and that is every girls’ dream HUH?

I started with the original Get Squared stitch until the first ball ran out.  With each ball I changed  to another stitch from the Bakers Dozen e-book. Not in order as that is not how this brain works. Most  stitches were interchangeable. I used the 6mm (J) hook throughout.

The only problem I had was that the mock moss stitch was a bit firm on the bust, as it is the nature of the stitch, as it is a bit more dense, so I added 4 chains when joining the underarm.

I will post up later the colours I selected.

The Wren is 100% cotton is not  mercerized and has a stringy look.  “Stringy “may not be the best word to describe it. Perhaps natural, organic and  rustic would be better as it is really soft to work with. The yarn is Fiddlesticks Wren 100%cotton with 125m/50gm ball. I used 2 balls of most of the 6 colours as I needed it in Jenny size and long enough to reach my crotch.

I thought I would share my fun incase this makes you feel like experimenting with all the lovely colours in your stash and with both the magic and confidence of the fit that is Get Squared and  then add to that all the possibilities of the Bakers Dozen if you have them both. I had an absolute ball doing this and I hope you will too! If you are in the cold you know you could make it long sleeved in bright winter chasing wool either.

As a youngster I was called JennyWren so this seemed an  appropriate  name for this design. I hope you Love, Love, Love the concept as much as I do.

 Disclaimer : I purchased this yarn at full retail price and all opinions I have for it are my own. I liked it so much I used the last 2 extra balls for a Fairy Floss baby cardigan for  Little baby Emma and I  bought the Cement colour for another Get Squared  cardigan variation for Me. When it is done I’ll show you I promise.

kids squared barry (6)
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02 Jan
Crochet, Kids Squared

Simple Satisfaction

Little baby Emma needed a jacket in a hurry and  the first design that came into my head was “Fairy Floss”  from the Kids squared range from 2017. Fairy floss or cotton candy for those of you in USA is the junior version of a Get Squared garment. I got the  pattern out  to begin and I wished that I had Symbols to save me reading the words.I hate reading crochet patterns, even the ones I have written. So today I grabbed out Jasmin Jones “Crochet Cypher” and started to draw them. Now Lily Chin, and I’m names dropping here, told me that I could do this on the computer and  she is right, but please  don’t tell her I said so . For  me it was quicker to use the Cypher. So today I took out my trusty, well brand new pens that I bought  on New Years Eve , ready to start the new year drawing symbols. I did my first attempt  in the hope that next time I follow this pattern I will be able to SEE what I’m doing instead of Reading what I am supposed to do.It is not perfect, but it is pretty. I used  lots of colours.

The Fairy Floss cardigan can be made with 1 ball of Scheepjes Organicon for a 12 month old.  This ticks all the new Mum boxes; soft , natural, organic and ever so cute.

For me it is going to be my no brainer & perfect  carry along project because it fits  neatly in my handbag and I can get it done in no time.  Sometimes I just need to feel the satisfaction and sense of control I get with rhythmic crochet that is not too boring and not too overwhelming. and the quick results are wonderful.  I think I will stockpile these like my Aunty Jan did for whenever a baby gift is needed.

I wonder will this make me a fairy floss machine?

publicity
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05 Mar
Crochet, Events, Top News

My First Time

My first time happened over 20 years ago now when our daughters were only 9 and 11, Australian Crochet magazine came to interview me.

publicity blog (1)Here is my very first  2 page write up in a magazine.

 

 

It is the best  photo of my wedding gown that I crocheted and wore 37 years ago.publicity blog (5) I have it stashed here at home with a few other boxes that have  had to be labelled historical crochet as I have been creating  for so long. One day I can have a” Historical review of Crochet as captured by Jenny King” as have so many pieces that I couldn’t ever part with. Tpublicity blog (4)he only thing I don’t seem to have kept is the first poncho I made when I was 10.  Featured in this article were my delicate beaded bags and some of the garments featured in my book Summer Collection. The top Anthea is wearing could be reworked and worn today.  But she would need the grown up version NOW!publicity blog (6)

I took this magazine when I first travelled to USA for the CGOA conference in Seattle ,Washington.

This year is CGOA’s silver anniversary and I will be teaching every class allocation possible.  I’ve come a long way since the first newspaper article and magazine article and I thought I would take a walk down memory lane over the next few weeks with your permission. publicity blog (2)

 

Baby 01
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14 Feb
Crochet, Top News

2018 has Arrived

2018 is a new year and a time for new beginnings. It has a great feel to it don’t you think? I’ve taken over what once was the family room in our house as my new sewing, craft room, office. Sorry kids it is all mine. Our son has a new job, our daughter has just settled into her brand new unit and my husband is retiring so we finally went to Tamworth Country Music Festival in our new caravan and that was brilliant.  Life is good. Happy Valentine ’s Day to you. I hope you have a wonderful day on the 14th and everyday this year.

And finally I can draw breath about Kids Squared. I know I launched it on you just before Christmas when everything was a hectic blur, but now, like me, you may have a chance to take a look at the preview.  I made my first top down matinee jacket 34 years ago when I was expecting my first bub.

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JKD Kids Squared collage
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06 Oct
Crochet, Get Squared, Top News

New Get Squared designs coming – and they are just for Kids!

Do you have a little one coming into your life either as your brand new baby, grandbaby or a friend’s baby then I have the most exciting news. Or do you want to make some simple yet trendy garments for you older children? If so I have the solution. I have used the ease of the Get Squared ® technique to create a children’s range of crochet garments that require no seams, are worked from the top down, and like Get Squared ® require you only to know the age of the child or their chest measurement to complete the garment. Simple repetitive stitching, no wordy patterns, no seams and quick easy garments are a promise.

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
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09 Mar
Crochet, Top News

Some of my Favourite designers

I am running a competition about your favourite designs, and I tried to entice you to share them by offering you FREE yarn! It occurred to me that perhaps I should lead the way and share some of my favourite designers and their designs. Funny, most of them are knitted.  Please remember that I don’t knit but I have tried to emulate many of their designs and translate their sense of style into crochet patterns so that we crocheters would not feel left out. Some of these designs I’ve been able to secure the permission of the knit designers to try my hand at the crochet version, and some I have finished and some are in progress. And if ever there is a 10-day week I may get them all done. So here are some of my favourites. and I’m still want to know yours so please share them with me by posting to my

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embellish
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02 Feb
Crochet, Top News

Jenny’s Got Yarn

I’m back in the yarn business again. I wasn’t going to, I know, but I just couldn’t help myself. I love beautiful yarns. I can’t in all honesty say it was against my will. When I was given the opportunity to design them to my very own specifications in the colours I desire I was like a moth to a flame.

I’ve always been in the search for the perfect yarn, aren’t we all?  Normally my first choice would be wool and there are many wools that I love but let’s face it I live in Queensland, Australia and there are only 6 weeks a year I can wear it, and even then I  would have to stand outside,  on the football field, after the sun goes down to wear it.

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