Monthly Make 2012 - January

As January draws to a close I thought it was a good time to blog about my 'Monthly Make', an online monthly craft challenge that has been organised by Annie The Felt Fairy.

I've tackled quite a few projects this month, but i've decided that my monthly make should really be something that i've 'thought up' or designed.

This month i've made a crochet cuff using a mini skein of yarn I received in the 'Yummy Yarns' Secret Santa on Ravelry. The yarn was spun by Kerry from DyeSpinKnit using pink merino plied with black Welsh. I've got another mini skein that she sent me, and I think i'm going to design a knitted cuff with that one!

This is a quick project - obviously i've used a hand-spun yarn of varying thickness, but i'm sure you could make this cuff using a space-dyed Aran yarn ... here's how I made it ...

Crochet Cuff

You will need :-

• hand-spun/fancy yarn or space-dyed ran yarn
• a 5.5mm crochet hook
• a fancy button that matches/contrasts with your yarn - I ended up sewing on three!!
• embroidery thread that matched your yarn
• a tapestry needle
• a tape measure
• scissors

Method:-

Remember these instructions use UK crochet terms.

Make 5 chain.

Row 1 - Miss the first chain nearest the hook, then DC (double crochet) into four remaining chain stitches.
Row 2 - Make 1 chain then DC into each stitch on the previous row.

Repeat Row 2 until  the work can be fitted comfortably around your wrist plus 2cm overlap.

Now to make the button hole ...

Make 1 chain, DC into the first stitch from the previous row, 2ch, then miss the next 2 stitches, 1DC into the last stitch on the previous row.

Make 1 chain, DC into the first stitch, then DC into each of the chain stitches made on the previous row, 1DC into last stitch on previous row.

Make one chain, then 1DC into each stitch.
Repeat this row one more time then fasten off and weave in any ends.

Press the strip of crochet to flatten out any 'twists' caused by the hand-spun nature of the yarn. Wrap the cuff around your wrist and use a pin to mark where the button will need to go in relation to the button hole.

Sew on the button using embroidery yarn and a tapestry needle. You may want to add other buttons for decorative purposes like in the photograph above.