Getting Hooked...

Caroline Bawn is the owner of online yarn store, Gorgeous Yarns. She made a new year’s resolution to learn to crochet, and we’re documenting her journey in the magazine and here on the website.

I’m making progress! My first three-star pattern and my first crochet garment! I have made the Lace Peplum Top by Simone Francis (right) from issue 42, using Nurturing Fibres Eco Cotton, [http://gorgeousyarns.co.uk/product/eco-cotton-100-organic-cotton-dk], perfect for a summer top. The pattern uses half trebles and trebles, the shaping was easy, and fits beautifully. The cotton gives the fabric a gentle drape and a cool feel, and the yarn is ethically produced and hand-dyed which makes it extra special.

“I have adapted the peplum a bit, (as I’m a bit ‘hippy’) and used the first round of the peplum for the whole of the peplum section, and then finished off with a nice edge of two rows of half trebles. I’m so proud I can talk crochet, and can adapt a pattern a bit to suit my taste and shape better! Adapting the pattern was very easy, and means the garment is individual; I think crochet is much more adaptable than knitting in this respect. The top now flares gently as you can see, and I can’t wait to wear it on our holiday next week.

“And that’s the next big question… what shall I make next? Shall I do another three-star pattern and keep extending my skills, or shall I do a simpler two-star pattern that I can take travelling and is easy to pick up and put down? I’d love to have a go at the Malabar Shawl (from issue 63) but I also love the Vintage Lace Blanket (issue 66). The Bold Batwing Dress (issue 67) would make a great summer to autumn garment, or maybe the Wrap Cardigan (issue 68)… Find out next month what I decide to do!”

Left to right: Malabar Shawl by Stylecraft Yarns, Vintage Lace Blanket by Terry Kimbrough, Bold Batwing Dress by Ruby McGrath, Wrap Cardigan by Elly Doyle