I hope you had a peaceful and happy Chtistmas time. I’ve been a bit quiet on here lately owning to being very busy. I am hoping to be around here a little more often in future if life allows!
I’m looking forward to sharing some posts about the last few months including a fabulous visit back to Gibraltar in autumn in the coming weeks all being well.
Gibraltar in October 2025
Before then though, I wanted to let you know about a very special Making Stitches Podcast episode which is out tomorrow – Episode 100!
Before then though, I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has read my posts, sent me comments and messages, listened to my podcast and joined in with the Making Stitches 2025 CAL this year. You have made it a very special one for me as I celebrated 10 years of this blog (previous Postcard from Gibraltar) and now Making Stitches.
So we are in the midst of December already, and I thought I would share what I did with my Making Stitches 2025 CAL squares. Once I had laid them all out, I realised that 15 squares didn’t make for a great blanket shape. As I had gone to the trouble of designing 3 extra squares this year in addition to the 12 monthly ones, I decided to use them all.
Throughout this CAL I’ve been using my stash of Stylecraft Special DK yarn to make up all of my squares, and this square is no different. In a bid to use some of my brighter coloured yarn, I opted to be inspired by highlighter pens – well this CAL and the people I have ‘met’ through creating it have truly been a highlight of this year for me, so why not?
I have included the names and numbers of the shades I’ve used in case you want to replicate what I have done exactly, but you can use any yarn you like. The only thing you need to do is make sure it’s all the same weight, ie all DK or all Aran or whatever yarn you choose, and if you are making the whole project along with me, make sure all your squares are made using the same weight and the same size of crochet hook to make sure they all measure the same size so they can be joined together easily at the end.
Here’s the pattern for my Bonus 2025 Making Stitches 2025 CAL square!
Bonus 2025 Square
Using Stylecraft Special DK:
(A) Black (1002)
(B) Silver (1203)
(C) Turquoise (1068)
(D) Bright Green (1259)
(E) Jaffa (1256)
(F) Bright Pink (1435)
Size 4mm crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
A small amount of toy filling
Abbreviations (in UK terms): BBL = Bobble Stitch, blo = work in back loop only, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dc2tog = double crochet 2 together, dc3tog = double crochet 3 together, dtr = double treble crochet, fyo = final yarn over, htr = half treble crochet, mc = magic circle / magic ring, rep = repeat, RS = right side, slst = slip stitch, st = stitch, tr = treble crochet.
To make a 5 Tr Bobble: Bobble coloured yarn over hook (eg Red for the first fairy light), insert hook into st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook – repeat this another 4 times so you have 6 loops on your hook and all are worked into the same st. Yarn over with Black yarn (Fairy lights wire colour) and pull through all of the Red loops to close the bobble. Chain 1 to lock the bobble closed. If the bobble is poking through the back of the work, gently poke it back through to the front. [When you come to work the next round, make sure you work into the first st (the one that was pulled through all the loops and leave the 1ch unworked.
To make the square:
Using Yarn A, make a MC. Round 1 Ch2 (not counted as a st throughout), 12 tr into MC. Slst into top of ch2 to close the round. Pull the central yarn tail tight to close MC. (12tr)
Round 2 Ch2, 2tr into each st around. Slst into the top of the ch2. (24tr)
Round 1Round 2Round 3
Round 3 Ch1, (2dc in first st, 1dc in next st), rep around. Slst into top of Ch2 (36dc)
Round 4 Ch2, (2tr in first st, 1tr in next 2 sts) around. Slst into top of ch2. (48tr)
Round 4Round 5Round 6
Round 5 Ch1, (2dc in first st, 1dc into next 3 sts) rep around, slst into the top of the ch1 to close the square. (60 dc)
Round 6 Ch1, (1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 3 sts) rep around. Fasten off and break yarn.
Round 7Round 8Round 9
Round 7 Join Yarn B into any st. Work 1dc into every st around and 1dc ch2 1dc into every corner space. Slst to top of 1ch. Fasten off and break yarn. (72dc)
Round 8 With Yarn A, join into the blo of the final st of one of the sides of the square, 2ch 1htr into every st around working 1htr 2ch 1htr into each corner space. (80 htr)
Round 9 Ch1, 1dc in every st around plus 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into each corner space. Slst into top of first Ch1. (88 dc)
Creating first bobble in Round 10First side of Round 10 completeRound 10 complete
Round 10 Ch1 & 1dc in same st, 1dc 2ch 1dc into corner space and work 1dc into first 3 sts of the next side changing to Yarn C with fyo, make a 5tr BBL into the next st using Yarn C, change to Yarn A with fyo of BBL, with Yarn A, work 1dc into next 4 sts changing to Yarn D with fyo, with Yarn D make a 5tr BBL into next st, change back to Yarn A with fyo of BBL, using Yarn A work 1dc into next 4 sts changing to Yarn E in fyo, with Yarn E make a BBL into next st changing back to Yarn A in fyo of BBL, work 1dc into next 4 sts changing to Yarn F in fyo, with Yarn F make a BBL changing back to Yarn A in fyo of BBL, 1dc in remaining 3 sts of side, 1dc + 2ch +1dc into corner space repeat this process around the remaining 3 sides, slst into top of 1ch to close round. (Total of 80 dc and 16 bobbles).
Round 11Round 12Round 9 complete
Round 11 Continuing with Yarn A, ch1 & 1dc into same st, 1dc into every st around (being careful to only make 1dc into the top of each BBL) plus 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into each corner space. Slst into top of 1ch to close round. (104 dc)
Round 12 Ch1 & 1dc into acme st, 1dc into every st around and 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into each corner space. Slst into top of 1ch to close round. Fasten off and break yarn. (112 dc)
Round 13 Join Yarn B in any st, ch1 and 1dc into that st, work 1dc into every st around and 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into every corner space. Fasten off and break yarn. (120 dc)
To make the numbers:
The numbers!Numbers ready to be sewn onAll done!
Number 2 (Make 2) With Yarn D & Yarn F, Ch 17, 2dc in 2nd ch from hook, 2dc in next 3 ch, 1dc in next 5 ch, dc2tog, dc2tog, 1dc in next 3 ch. Fasten off.
Number 0 (Make 1) With Yarn E, Ch 16, then work into the first chain you made in order to close the loop making sure you don’t twist the chain, 2dc in that first ch, 2dc into the next 4 ch, 1dc into next 3 ch, 2dc into next 5 ch, 1dc into next 3 ch. Slst into top of first dc to close round. Fasten off.
Number 5 (Make 1) With Yarn C, Ch 20, 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc in next 3 ch, dc3tog, 1dc in next 2 ch, dc3tog, 2dc in next 7 ch. Fasten off.
Once you have woven the ends in from your numbers, place them in the centre of your square and once you are happy with their placement, sew them securely onto it.
That’s your Bonus 2025 square finished! Time to join the squares all together.
How I joined my squares:
Once I’d completed all of my square and they had all been blocked, I realised that in order to do a 3tr cluster join-as-you go, I would need a different stitch count to make the joining rows evenly spaced. By adding a 14th round to each square gave me the basis for this particular join-as-you go method.
Round 14 With Yarn B, Ch1, 1dc into every st around (1dc + 2ch + 1dc into corner spaces), slst into top of first st to close round. Fasten off and break yarn. (128 dc)
Once all 16 squares had Round 14 added, it was time to get cracking with the joining. I am not a fan of sewing when it comes to crochet, so if at all possible I will join any pieces I have by crocheting them together. In order to do this, it’s helpful to have a plan of how you are going to do this. Below is my plan for joining the squares. I started at number 1 (highlighted in red) and followed along each side as shown with the arrows.
Join-as-you-go plan (JAYG)
Begin at the bottom left hand side of square number 1, work 3tr cluster in corner square, (miss next 2 sts, and work another 3tr cluster) rep along bottom of square to corner. Work 3tr cluster + 2ch + 3tr cluster into corner space and continue in the same fashion up to to the top of the 2nd side. At this point we need to join to square number 2. Ch1 and then work 3tr cluster into the corner space of square number 2 as shown in 3rd photo below.
Start of JAYGReady to join to square 2First 3tr cluster of square 2
At this stage, take your hook out of the loop and put it through the gap between the last 2 tr clusters on square one. Pull the loop up through that gap, miss the next 2 sts and work a 3tr cluster into the next st. Continue down the side making sure you pull your loop through the gaps on the side of square 1 until you reach the bottom corner. In the corner work a 3tr cluster, ch 2 remove loop from hook and pull it through the corner ch space on square 1 before making a 2nd 3tr cluster in that corner space on square 2 then continue along the bottom of square 2 as shown in the JAYG plan above as arrow 4.
Turn the corner of square 2 as you did on square 1 and work back up to the top before joining square 3 in the same fashion. Repeat the process to join Square 4 but once you have worked along the bottom of square 4 (arrow 10), you need to slst into the top of the first st of the first 3tr cluster, then turn your work to join square 5 along the bottom edge.
Joining square 5 into opposite cornerJoining the 4th corner to opposite corner4 corner join complete
When you reach the end of the top of square 5, in the corner space work 3tr cluster ch 1, take loop off hook and pull it through the opposite corner on square 3, ch1 and work 2nd 3tr cluster in the corner space of square 5 before working back down the side edge of square 5 (arrow 12). Join square 6 and work back up to the top right hand corner of square 6 before joining the final 4th corner to the opposite corner space as shown above.
Continue joining the 6th, 7th & 8th squares as shown in the plan above, then work along the bottom of all 4 squares before embarking on square 9 as detailed in the plan.
Once you have joined all your squares, work back along the bottom edge (arrow 34), up the side (arrow 35), along the top (arrow 36) and back down to where you began on the bottom left corner of square 1 (arrow 37). In the corner space, work 3tr cluster, ch2 and slst into the top of the first st.
Fasten off and weave in all your ends. After this, I worked another 3 rounds of 3tr clusters then changed to a darker grey (Graphite 1063) for a round of 1dc around.
My border
And that truly is it for this Making Stitches 2025 CAL. I’d like to say a huge thank you to everyone who has joined in with this, my first ever CAL. It’s been a real learning experience for me and one which has been such a lot of fun. I’m thrilled that together we have made it through to the finish – there’s nothing more satisfying than having a finished project!
So as this year comes to a close, thank you for keeping me company throughout 2025 with this fun crochet adventure. I am not going to be starting a new CAL in January for next year, I think I need a little break to give my brain room to ponder some ideas I have for future crochet projects, but as soon as I’m ready to share my next crochet adventure with you, I will let you know!
Have a lovely Christmas and I hope 2026 brings you lots of happiness & creativity.
Happy hooking,
Lindsay x
PS If you do decide to make a Bonus 2025 Square, or for that matter, any of the Making Stitches 2025 CAL square, please, if you share it online, I would love it if you could use the hashtag #MakingStitches2025CAL so I can see any squares when they appear!
Well here we are on 1st December! I’m so thrilled to have been able to share this 2025 Crochet Along with you all year. It genuinely doesn’t feel like long ago that I thought, during that time between Christmas and New Year, that I would like to host a monthly crochet along. I wondered whether I’d be able to sustain it, or whether anyone would be interested in and join in. I’m so glad I had a go and didn’t listen to my inner doubts as it’s been a lot of fun and it’s been so lovely to be able to share it with you.
Part 12, follows the same sort of pattern as the 11 preceding monthly squares with a circular pattern at its heart and a border to reflect the time of year. My December centre is a traditional Christmas wreath and my border this time is inspired by Christmas lights – particularly the loud, gaudy coloured ones we had on our tree when I was a child growing up in the late 70s and 80s.
The whole point of this 2025 CAL has been to create a fun way of stash busting to help you get rid of some of your odds and ends of yarn left over from previous projects. I am certainly using it for that purpose!
I have made my squares using my own stash of Stylecraft Special DK yarns and I will include the names and numbers of the shades I’ve used in case you want to replicate what I have done exactly, but you can use any yarn you like. The only thing you need to do is make sure it’s all the same weight, ie all DK or all Aran or whatever yarn you choose, and if you are making the whole project along with me, make sure all your squares are made using the same weight and the same size of crochet hook to make sure they all measure the same size so they can be joined together easily at the end.
In addition to the Stylecraft Special DK I also used some glittery gold coloured yarn from my stash which is called Sparkle by Claire in Glam Gold (003).
Here’s the pattern for my December Making Stitches 2025 CAL square!
December : Christmas Decorations
Using Stylecraft Special DK:
(A) Cypress (1824)
(B) Green (1116)
(C) Poppy (2170)
(D) Gold yarn – Sparkle by Claire in Glam Gold (003)
(E) Black (1002)
(F) Citron (1263)
(G) Aster (1003)
(H) Jaffa (1256)
Size 4mm crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
A small amount of toy filling
Abbreviations (in UK terms): BBL = Bobble Stitch, blo = work in back loop only, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dtr = double treble crochet, fyo = final yarn over, htr = half treble crochet, mc = magic circle / magic ring, rep = repeat, RS = right side, slst = slip stitch, st = stitch, tr = treble crochet.
To make a 5 Tr Bobble: Bobble coloured yarn over hook (eg Red for the first fairy light), insert hook into st, yarn over, pull up loop, yarn over, draw through 2 loops on hook – repeat this another 4 times so you have 6 loops on your hook and all are worked into the same st. Yarn over with Black yarn (Fairy lights wire colour) and pull through all of the Red loops to close the bobble. Chain 1 to lock the bobble closed. If the bobble is poking through the back of the work, gently poke it back through to the front. [When you come to work the next round, make sure you work into the first st (the one that was pulled through all the loops and leave the 1ch unworked.
To make the square:
Using Yarn A, make a MC. Round 1 Ch2 (not counted as a st throughout), 12 tr into MC. Slst into top of ch2 to close the round. Pull the central yarn tail tight to close MC. (12tr)
Round 2 Ch2, 2tr into each st around. Slst into the top of the ch2. Put this stitch onto a stitch marker. (24tr)
Round 2 completeRound 3A completeRound 4A
Round 3A Join Yarn B into flo of first st and working in the flo around this round, ch2, (2tr in first st, 1tr in next st), rep around. Slst into top of Ch2 (36tr)
Round 4A Ch2, (2tr in first st, 1tr in next 2 sts) around. Slst into top of ch2. Fasten off and break yarn. (48tr)
Round 3B Remove the stitch marker at the end of Round 2, ch2 and working into blo of 1st st, ch2, (2htr in first st, 1htr in next st) rep around. Slst into top of ch2. (36 htr)
Round 4B Ch2, (2htr in first st, 1htr in next two sts) rep around. Slst into top of ch2. (48 htr)
Round 5 You will be joining the front wreath section (Round 4A) and background (Round 4B) together in this round, and you can add a small amount of toy filling between the layers to make the ring stand proud if you want to.
Continuing to work with Yarn A, ch1, work 2dc into the first sts of both Round 4A & 4B, then 1dc into next 3 sts, (2dc in first st, 1dc into next 3 sts) rep around, slst into the top of the ch1 to close the square. (60 dc)
Round 6 completeRound 6 completed & bow componentsBow ready to be attached
Round 6 With Yarn A ch1, 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 6 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 3 sts changing to Yarn B in fyo of 3rd st, with Yarn B 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 6 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 st, 1dc in next 3 sts slst into top of ch1 to close round. Fasten off and break yarn.
Make bow: With yarn C, Ch31, 1dc in 2nd ch from hook and work 1dc into the remain chains. (30dc) Turn, ch1 and work 1dc into each st. Fasten off and break yarn. Then ch9, 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1dc along the ch. Turn, ch1 and work 1dc into each st. Fasten off and break yarn. Arrange the longer strip to look like a bow with 2 loops, then wrap the shorter strip around the centre to look like the knot and stitch it into place securely. Then sew the bow to the wreath.
Round 7 completeRound 8
Round 7 Join Yarn D into any st. Work 1dc into every st around and 1dc ch2 1dc into every corner space. Slst to top of 1ch. Fasten off and break yarn. (72dc)
Round 8 With Yarn A, join into the blo of the final st of one of the sides of the square, ch2 & 1tr in the blo of that st, in corner space work 1tr + 2ch + 1tr, then working in the blo around, continue with (1dtr, 1tr, 1htr, 1dc, 1htr, 1tr,) and repeat to penultimate st of each side, work 1tr into final st, and 1tr +2ch +1tr into the corner space. Repeat around and slst into the top of the ch2 at the start of the round. Fasten of and break yarn. (80 sts)
Beginning of Round 9Beginning first bobble6 loops on the hookFirst fairy light madeFirst side of Round 9Round 9 complete
Round 9 With Yarn E, join in the blo of the final st of one of the sides, ch2 & 1dc into that st, 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into corner space, and work 1dc into first st of the next side. Make a 5tr bobble into the next st using Yarn C, change to Yarn E in fyo of BBL and close the bobble (see instructions above if you are unfamiliar with bobbles). Using Yarn E, work 1dc into blo of next 2 sts changing to Yarn F in fyo then work BBL into next st changing back to Yarn E in fyo of BBL, with Yarn E 1dc into blo of next 2 sts changing to Yarn G with fyo, BBL using Yarn G changing back to Yarn E in fyo of BBL, using Yarn E work 1dc into blo of next 2 sts changing to Yarn H in fyo, BBL into next st using Yarn H changing back to Yarn E with fyo. repeat this process across row until you have 7 BBLS of alternating colour and end with 1dc in blo of last st, 1dc + 2ch =1dc into corner space and repeat around following the colour sequence of the BBLs, slst into the top of the first st to close the round. Fasten off and break yarn. (60 dc & 28 bobbles).
Start of Round 10Round 10 complete
Round 10 Join Yarn A into the last st of one of the sides. Ch2 1htr into same st, 1htr + 2ch + 1htr into corner space, 1htr into next st, (1htr in next st, 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next st) rep along that side, 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into the corner space. NB: You will be working the dc and dtr stitches into the top of the BBLs). Rep around, slst into the top of the first st to close the round. (96 dc)
Round 11Round 12Round 13
Round 11 Join Yarn D in any st, ch1 and 1dc into that st, work 1dc into every st around and 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into every corner space. Fasten off and break yarn. (104 dc)
Round 12 Join Yarn A into any st, rep Round 11 but do not fasten off. (112 dc)
Round 13 Ch1, 1dc into every st around (1dc + 2ch + 1dc into corner spaces), slst into top of first st to close round. Fasten off and break yarn. (120 dc)
By the way – I can only apologise for all the ends you will need to sew in after making the multi-coloured fairy lights!
Finally, you can embellish your wreath with French knots made using the golden yarn.
And that is your 12 Making Stitches 2025 CAL squares all finished. But I couldn’t just stop there…. in total I had designed 15 squares including the two July squares, the Bonus Birthday Square and the International Granny Square day bonus square. 15 doesn’t make for a nice shaped blanket though. I thought I’d like to make a blanket using all of my squares so that called out for an extra bonus square and I simply had to have one to mark the year we went on this yarny adventure together! So, the 2025 Bonus Square was born.
I look forward to sharing the Bonus 2025 square pattern with you next weekend along with details of how I have been joining all of my squares together using a sewing free method. I can’t wait to share this final instalment of the Making Stitches 2025 CAL with you next weekend! In the meantime, happy hooking, and I hope you enjoy making your December Christmas Decorations Square.
Lindsay x
PS If you do decide to make an December Christmas Decorations Square, please, if you share it online, I would love it if you could use the hashtag #MakingStitches2025CAL so I can see any squares when they appear!
Hello! Welcome to the penultimate square for the Making Stitches 2025 CAL! It’s the first day of November, and along with fireworks and Bonfire Night, for me, November means Remembrance of the sacrifice made by so many in our armed forces. So this month, your square is the November Remembrance Poppy Square.
At the centre sits the traditional Remembrance Poppy and around the border I chose to use some of the colours which are related to the armed forces, the Army, the Navy & the Royal Air Force. They aren’t exactly the correct shades of the different colours, but the whole point of this CAL is to be a stash buster project, so rather than going out and buying new yarn to make this, I used odds and ends I had in my stash.
I have made my squares using my stash of Stylecraft Special DK yarns and I have included the names and numbers of the shades I’ve used in case you want to replicate what I have done exactly, but you can use any yarn you like. The only thing you need to do is make sure it’s all the same weight, ie all DK or all Aran or whatever yarn you choose, and if you are making the whole project along with me, make sure all your squares are made using the same weight and the same size of crochet hook to make sure they all measure the same size so they can be joined together easily at the end.
Here’s the pattern for my November Remembrance Poppy Making Stitches 2025 CAL square!
November : Remembrance Poppy Square
I used Stylecraft Special DK in:
(A) Black (1002)
(B) Poppy (2170)
(C) Sage (1725)
(D) Parchment (1218)
(E) Mocha (1064)
(F) Lobelia (1825)
(G) Cloud Blue (1019)
Size 4mm crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Abbreviations (in UK terms): blo = work in back loop only, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dtr = double treble crochet, fyo = final yarn over, htr = half treble crochet, mc = magic circle / magic ring, rep = repeat, slst = slip stitch, st = stitch, tr = treble crochet.
To make the Poppy:
Using Yarn A, make a MC. Round 1 Ch3 (doesn’t count as a st), 12 tr into MC. Slst into top of ch2 to close the round. Pull the central yarn tail tight to close MC. (12tr)
Round 2 Ch1, (2dc in the blo of next st) rep around. Slst into the top of the ch1. (24tr)
Round 3 Ch1, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep around. Slst into top of ch2. Fasten off and break yarn. (36 dc)
Round 1Round 2Round 3
1st Petal Rows 1 & 2 Using Yarn B & working into flo, ch2 & 1tr, 2tr in next 7 sts. Turn your work and ch1. Miss 1st st, (2htr in next st, 1htr in next st) rep five times, ch1, miss the next st, slst into last st. Fasten off and break yarn.
2nd Petal Row 1 & 2 Insert your hook into the next unworked front loop of Round 2 and repeat the petal making process as with 1st Petal.
Petal Row 3 (work for both petals) Join Yarn B around first st of Row 1 work 2dc around 2ch, 1dc into the ch1 at the edge of Row 2, then, being careful not to pull your yarn too tightly, work 1dc into every stitch along the top of Row 2, 1dc into the ch1 at the end of Row 2, then work 2dc around the last tr of Row 1 slst into the flo of Round 1 that the final tr is worked into. Fasten off and break yarn. Repeat the who process with 2nd petal.
Round 4 Join Yarn C into a st in Round 3 which is in the centre of one of the petals. Ch2, (2htr in next st, 1htr in next 2 sts) rep around. Slst into top of Ch2. (48 htr)
Round 5 Ch2, (2tr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts) rep around. (60 tr)
Round 6 NOTE: You need to be beginning this round from a st in the centre of one of the poppy petals. If you are not in the correct position, fasten off and rejoin Yarn C in a st at the centre of one of the petals. Ch1 (does not count as a st) (1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr into next 2 sts, 1tr into next 2 sts, dtr + 2ch = dtr into next st, 1tr into next 2 sts, 1htr into next 2 sts, 1dc into next 3 sts) repeat around. Slst into top of 1st dc to close round. Fasten off and cut yarn. You now have a square. (64 sts)
To make the border:
Round 7Round 8Round 9
Round 7 Join Yarn B into any st, ch1 work 1dc into every st around and 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into every corner space. Slst into top of 1st dc to close round. Fasten off and cut yarn. (72 dc)
Round 8 Join Yarn D in final st of one of the sides of Round 7, Ch1 & 1dc in that st, work 1dc 2ch 1dc into the corner chain space. 1dc in the 1st st, (1ch, miss next st, 1dc in next st) rep along the side 1dc 2ch 1dc in corner space. Rep around, slst into to the top of the first ch1. Fasten off and break yarn. (12 dc in each side = 48 dc around)
Round 9 Join Yarn E in last st on one of the sides of Round 8. Ch1 & 1dc in that st, 1dc 2ch 1dc in the corner space, 1dc in first st (ch1, miss next st, 1dc into the ch space in the Round below) rep around making 1dc 2ch 1dc into each corner space. Slst into top of the first ch1. Fasten off and break yarn. (14 dc on each side = 56 dc around)
Round 10Round 11Round 12
Round 10 Using Yarn B, Rep Round 9. (16 dc on each side = 64 dc around)
Round 11 Using Yarn F, Rep Round 9. (18 dc on each side = 72 dc around)
Round 13Round 14
Round 12 Using Yarn G, Rep Round 9. (20 dc on each side = 80 dc around)
Round 13 Using Yarn B, Rep Round 9 but do not break yarn and finish off at the end. (22 dc on each side = 88 dc around)
Round 14 Note: In this Round we need to increase the stitch count for the Round from 88 dc to 120 dc to match the other Making Stitches 2025 CAL Squares. You will need to end up with 30 dc on each side. It is important that you are relaxed with the tension on this round as you won’t be working dcs into all of the chain spaces, but you want the tension to be even so don’t pull your stitches tight. Ch1 1dc in that st, 1dc in next st, 1dc 2ch 1dc in corner space. 1dc (loosely) in next 9 dcs without working any ch spaces between them, (1dc in next ch space, 1dc in next st) 5 times, 1dc in next 9 dcs, 1dc 2ch 1dc in the corner space. Rep around until you are back at the beginning of the Round Slst into top of the first ch1. Fasten off & break yarn. You should, then, have 30 dc on each side and 120 in total.
Then, with Yarn B, neatly sew around the edge of your poppy petals to fix them to the square and stop them from curling up. Weave in all your ends and your October Making Stitches 2025 CAL is complete!
I do hope you enjoy making your November Remembrance Square! If you share your square online, I would love it if you could use the hashtag #MakingStitches2025CAL so I can see any squares when they appear.
I’m sharing this post from Gibraltar! We are visiting for the first time since we left back in 2020. I brought my square with me in case a spotted a photo opportunity. Here it is by the Gibraltar war memorial.
Also in Gibraltar, I was amazed to spot these beautiful displays of knitted and crocheted poppies! How apt. This lovely display knitted & crocheted by members of the Gibraltar community re just lovely and very effective.
Poppies on the Gibraltar City Hall balconyMore poppies adorn the Main Guard, home to Gibraltar Heritage Trust
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Whatever you are up to this month, I hope November will be a good month for you.
Hello there and welcome to Part 10 of the Making Stitches 2025 CAL!
My word, how are we at October and the tenth month already? That’s madness!
I spent quite a while mulling over what to use as the inspiration for my October square and couldn’t resist some autumnal colours – it was really hard to think ‘autumn’, when we were in the midst of some warm sunny September days! I also wanted to give a nod to Halloween, but without going down the spooky black white and orange theme. So here we are with a large pumpkin at the centre of our October square and some autumn leaves in the border.
The whole point of this CAL is to be a stash buster project to help you get rid of some of your odds and ends of yarn left over from previous projects. I am certainly using it for that purpose!
I have made my squares using my own stash of Stylecraft Special DK yarns and I have included the names and numbers of the shades I’ve used in case you want to replicate what I have done exactly, but you can use any yarn you like. The only thing you need to do is make sure it’s all the same weight, ie all DK or all Aran or whatever yarn you choose, and if you are making the whole project along with me, make sure all your squares are made using the same weight and the same size of crochet hook to make sure they all measure the same size so they can be joined together easily at the end.
Here’s the pattern for my October Pumpkin Making Stitches 2025 CAL square!
October : Pumpkin Square
I used Stylecraft Special DK in:
(A) Spice (1711)
(B) Parchment (1218)
(C) Teal (1062)
(D) Meadow (1065)
(E) Copper (1029)
(F) Gold (1709)
Size 4mm crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Abbreviations (in UK terms): blo = work in back loop only, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dtr = double treble crochet, fyo = final yarn over, htr = half treble crochet, mc = magic circle / magic ring, rep = repeat, slst = slip stitch, st = stitch, tr = treble crochet.
To make the square:
Using Yarn A, make a MC. Round 1 Ch3 (counts as a st), 11 tr into MC. Slst into top of ch2 to close the round. Pull the central yarn tail tight to close MC. (12tr)
Round 2 Ch3 1tr in same st, (2tr into next st) rep around. Slst into the top of the ch2. (24tr)
Round 3 Ch1, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep. Slst into top of ch2 changing to Yarn B in fyo. (36 tr)
Round 1Round 2Round 3
Round 4 Work in the blo in this round Using Yarn B & working into blo, ch3, (2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 1dc in next st, 2htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 1htr in next st, 2tr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1tr in next st) rep. Slst into top of Ch3.(48 sts)
Round 5 Ch1, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) rep around. (60 dc)
Round 4Round 5Round 6
Round 6 Ch1 (does not count as a st) (1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr into next 2 sts, 1tr into next 2 sts, dtr + 2ch = dtr into next st, 1tr into next 2 sts, 1htr into next 2 sts, 1dc into next 3 sts) repeat around. Slst into top of 1st dc to close round. Fasten off and cut yarn. You now have a square. (64 sts)
To make the border:
Round 7Work in blo in this round Join C into any st, ch1 work 1dc into every st around and 1dc + 2ch + 1dc into every corner space. Slst into top of 1st dc to close round. Fasten off and cut yarn. (72 dc)
Round 8 Work in blo in this round Join Yarn D in final st of one of the sides of Round 7, Ch4 (counts as 1dtr), work 1dtr 2ch 1dtr into the corner chain space. (1dtr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1dtr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next st, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next st, 1dtr in next st, 1dtr 2ch 1dtr into corner space) rep around following the pattern until you reach the start of the round, slst into to the top of the ch4. (80 sts)
Round 7Beginning of Round 8Round 8
Round 9 (Please note slsts are worked through both loops, other sts are worked in blo in this round) 1slst into next st, 1dc 2ch 1dc in corner space, 1slst into next st changing to yarn E with fyo. With Yarn E and working in the blo, 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next st changing back to Yarn D with fyo. 1slst in next 2 sts changing to Yarn F in fyo of 2nd st. With Yarn F and working in the blo, 1dc in next st, 1htr in next st, 1tr in next 3 sts, 1htr in next st, 1dc in next st changing back to Yarn D with fyo. Repeat this pattern around. No need to slst into the first stlst on this round. (88 sts)
Colour change for first leaf in Round 9First leaf of Round 9First side of Round 9 done
Round 10 Rep Round 9. (96 sts)
Round 9First side of Round 10Round 10
Round 11Rep Round 8. Fasten off and break yarn. (104 sts)
Round 12 Work in the blo on this round. Ch1, 1dc in every st around, 1dc + 2ch +1dc in the corners spaces, slst into the top of ch1, fasten off and break yarn. (112 sts)
Round 11Round 12Round 13
Round 13 Rep Round 12. (120 sts)
Then, with Yarn E, surface crochet around the pumpkin and add its stripes. Then, with Yarn D, surface crochet (or chain embroidery st) the spirally tendril & pumpkin stalk. Weave in all your ends and your October Making Stitches 2025 CAL is complete!
I do hope you enjoy making your October Pumpkin Square!
If you share your square online, I would love it if you could use the hashtag #MakingStitches2025CAL so I can see any squares when they appear!
I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined in with the CAL during September including Annette from @etenamakes & Kristina from @crochet_at_holme, you can see their squares here.
Whatever you are caught up to this month, I hope October is kind to you.
Hello there! Bit late getting this out to you again – it’s been quite a week what with back to school shenanigans and a trip up to Glasgow for a University Open Day. But here we are, well into September now and with everyone in my household back at school or university. Back when I first started this Summer Craft Challenge in 2016, I was staring down the barrel of a 10-week-long school summer break with 3 young children. It was a bit of a marathon keeping everyone entertained back then, but times have changed. My boys only get 6 weeks off now we live back here in England AND they are a lot more independent these days, so the summer school holidays don’t feel quite the same for me.
It was still fun to deliberately seek out some time for creativity (almost) every day during that 6-and-a-bit weeks this year. It was also great fun to be joined in the challenge by even more people as well. Thank you to everyone who joined me this summer, it was so nice to hear that the challenge had inspired some of you to dig out some wips and get them finished or try something new. Thank you for sharing what you have been working on this year!
Here’s a little look back at what I got up to during the sixth and final week (and a bit) of the school summer holidays:
In Week 5 I started making another heart for the North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service but ran out of stuffing! I made a quick trip out to the shops and restocked on my stuffing stash and was able to finish this one off!
On Bank Holiday Monday, I had to make an early morning dash to Snowdonia with son number 2. He needed to gather some evidence for a geography A-Level piece of work. The trip had been scheduled for earlier in the holiday but Storm Floris blew in (not the best conditions for climbing hills) so it was put off, then ill health got in the way so we were left with only one option – to drive to Wales on Bank Holiday Monday – not ideal.
We were up with the lark and he got the work done while I sat on a rock and crocheted!
Not much time for creativity on Day 39 – busy day back at work for me and I was a bit tired in the evening, so only managed one cube on my Hello Hooray Blog embroidery kit.
This Orla Square was made while watching Manchester United get knocked out of the Carabao Cup by Grimsby Town. The dark colour of the flower in my Orla Square was rather appropriate!
Day 41 and I suddenly realised we were hurtling towards the end of August and I still hadn’t completely decided what I was going to do for my September Square for the Making Stiches 2025 CAL – nothing like leaving it until the last minute eh?
Throughout this Summer Craft Challenge, I have been making these really fun Orla Squares. My aim is to create a garment with them, and, as I often do, I have set myself a potentially unrealistic target for finishing it! On Day 42 (Friday 29th), I laid all these beauties out and was trying to decide whether to go random with their colour placement or have some sort of pattern – I simply couldn’t decide!
Fast forward to Tuesday 2nd September. Week Six officially ended on Day 42, and I had planned to keep going every day until both of my younger boys were back at school, but the weekend was exceptionally busy and didn’t allow for any creativity, so as I climbed aboard a train bound for Glasgow on Tuesday afternoon with Son number 2, I was thrilled to have a good chunk of uninterrupted train crochet time!
Sadly, on our return journey from Glasgow on Wednesday 3rd, things didn’t quite go to plan. A damaged power line meant no trains south of Carlisle, so we had a rather stressful journey home, which took about 4 hours longer than it should have done. We arrived home on Thursday morning ready for a full return to school, university and work. I didn’t get any crochet done on the return leg, so just posted this collection of 9 squares I managed on the journey north.
And that’s it for my 2025 Summer Craft Challenge! It has genuinely flown by for me, I cannot quite believe that we are back in the old routine again. School’s back, Eldest has gone back to University and we had our first football match of the season this morning with Youngest. It’s as if it was all a dream, but at least I have lovely memories and a lot more crochet done and it was so lovely to spent my summer with you all.
Huge thanks to everyone who has joined in with the Summer Craft Challenge this time – it has genuinely been so lovely to have company on this challenge. Included below are some of varied Instagram posts I’ve seen including crocheted rainbow fans by Sarah @Sarah.livelovecrochet, a lovely scrappy sock in the making by Kristina @crochet_at_holme, a beautiful festival cardigan modelled by Carol @nanaseamakes, fabulous mountain-top crochet with Zeli @yarnstorms, the final pocket of a cardigan being made by Sarah @sarahsheehangib, stunning felt fungi by Sandra @wilddaffodilwild, the cutest crocheted avocado made by Jothi @Jothiquestcrafts, a lovely crocheted rose brooch by Karen @seasidekaren & utterly stunning Persian Tiles by AnnMarie @crochetscot – Thank you all!
And that’s all for this week and this summer! Thanks again to everyone who’s joined in with the craft challenge to keep me company over the past six and a bit weeks! Anyone up for joining in next year? If so, watch this space!
Hello and welcome to Part 9 of the Making Stitches 2025 CAL!
In my world, at least for the next few years, September means ‘back to school’ and while it’s been a long time since anyone in our house was learning their abcs, I thought it would be fun to revisit those early years of Primary school with an ‘A for apple’ inspired square for September’s Making Stitches 2025 CAL square.
This fun square has an apple at its heart, and it’s surrounded by a blackboard inspired black border (sorry for anyone who hates crocheting with black yarn or anyone who is too young to remember blackboards in school!) and some alphabet and number building blocks.
The whole point of this CAL is to be a stash buster project to help you get rid of some of your odds and ends of yarn left over from previous projects. I am certainly using it for that purpose!
I have made my squares using my own stash of Stylecraft Special DK yarns and I have included the names and numbers of the shades I’ve used in case you want to replicate what I have done exactly, but you can use any yarn you like. The only thing you need to do is make sure it’s all the same weight, ie all DK or all Aran or whatever yarn you choose, and if you are making the whole project along with me, make sure all your squares are made using the same weight and the same size of crochet hook to make sure they all measure the same size so they can be joined together easily at the end.
Here’s the pattern for my September Making Stitches 2025 CAL square!
September : Back to School Square
I used Stylecraft Special DK in:
(A) Cream (1005)
(B) Matador (1010)
(C) Green (1116)
(D) Black (1002)
(E) Citron (1263)
(F) Aster (1003)
(G) Grass Green (1821)
(H) Walnut (1054)
Size 4mm crochet hook
Scissors
Stitch Marker
Yarn Needle
Abbreviations (in UK terms): blo = work in back loop only, ch = chain, dc = double crochet, dtr = double treble crochet, fptr = front post treble, fyo = final yarn over, htr = half treble crochet, mc = magic circle / magic ring, rep = repeat, RS = right side, slst = slip stitch, st = stitch, tr = treble crochet.
To make the square:
Using Yarn A, make a MC. Round 1 Ch3 (counts as a st), 11 tr into MC. Slst into top of ch2 to close the round. Pull the central yarn tail tight to close MC. (12tr)
Round 1Round 2End of Round 3Change to Yarn B in fyo Round 3
Round 2 Ch3 1tr in same st, (2tr into next st) rep around. Slst into the top of the ch2. (24tr)
Round 3 Ch2,(2tr in next st, 1tr in next st) rep around. Change to Yarn B in fyo of last st. (36 tr)
1st fptr Miss next 2 stsMark 13th st on Round 2Ready to make 2nd group of fptr
Round 4 Work in the blo in this round With Yarn B, make 3 fptr around the ch3 of Round 2. Then count up to the 13th st of Round 2 and mark it with a stitch marker – this is where the next group of fptr sts will be worked. [Miss the next 2 sts, 1dc in next st, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) 5 times] make 3 fptr around the st marked with the marker, then repeat the section in [brackets]. Slst into top of ch1. Fasten off and break yarn. (48dc)
Round 5 Work into the blo of this round Join Yarn c into the central st of one of the 3fptr groups. Ch1, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) rep around. (60 dc)
Join Yarn C in middle fptrRound 5 completeRound 6 complete
Round 6 With Yarn D ch1, 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 6 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 3 sts changing to Yarn B in fyo of 3rd st, with Yarn B 1dc in next 3 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1dc in next 6 sts, 1htr in next 2 sts, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1dtr + 2ch + 1dtr in next st, 1tr in next 2 sts, 1htr in next 2 st, 1dc in next 3 sts slst into top of ch1 to close round. Fasten off and break yarn. You now have your main square. (64 sts)
At this point, it is time to make your building blocks – you will need 6 in total, 2 in red, 2 in blue and 2 in yellow.
Turning the first corner at the end of Row 4Block complete
To make a building block:
Using Yarn B, E & F make six blocks.
Row 1 Ch5, 1dc in 2nd ch from hook and back along the chain, turn. (4dc)
Row 2 Ch1, 1dc in next 4 sts, turn. (4dc)
Rows 3 & 4 Rep Row 2. At the end of Row 4, make 2 dc in final st to turn the corner, turn square 90 degrees, work along the side of the square working 1dc into every row end, work 2dc into the corner, turn square 90 degrees, 1dc into each of the foundation chains along the bottom of the square, then turn the corner again and work back up the other side. Slst into the first st of Row 4. Fasten off and break yarn, weave in your ends.
Once you have 6 building blocks made, embroider them in chain st using Yarn D with A,B,C,1,2 & 3.
Border Round 1 complete
To make the border:
Border Round 1Work in the blo in this round. Join Yarn D into any st on one of the sides of the main square (not the top or the bottom). Work 1dc into every st around and 1dc ch2 1dc into every corner space. Slst to top of 1ch. (72dc)
Border Round 2 ch2 & 1htr in every st to the corner, in corner space work 1htr + 2ch + 1htr, then 1htr in the next st.m Take the first building block you need to join (as I started the round on the right hand side of the square, in the case of the picture below it is ‘C’) hold the building block and the main square right sides together and join the building block to the main square working into the blo of the building block’s bottom edge and 1htr into the next st on the main square joining both together. Work 1htr through the remaining sts along the edge of the building block and through the next 3 sts of the main square. Then work 1htr into the next 2 sts on the main square before repeating the join with the next building block (block ‘B’ below), once you have worked 1htr into each of the 4 sts along the base of that block, work 1htr into the next 2 sts and join the next block (block ‘A’ below) the same way, work 1htr in the final st on the main square, 1htr + 2ch + 1htr into the corner space, work 1htr in every st along the side of the main square and repeat the process of joining the blocks (1,2 & 3 below) along the bottom of the main square. Work 1htr + 2ch + 1htr in the corner and 1htr into the remaining unworked sts up the side to the beginning of the round. Slst into the top of the ch2 to close the round. (80 htr)
Border Round 3 Ch2, 1htr in every st around. 1htr + 2ch + 1htr in the corner spaces. Slst into the top of the ch2 to close the round. (22 sts on each side = 88 sts in round)
Border Round 4 Rep Border Round 3 (24 sts on each side = 96 sts in round)
Border Round 5 Rep Border Round 3 (26 sts on each side = 104 sts in round)
Border Round 6 Rep Border Round 3 (28 sts on each side = 112 sts in round)
Border Round 7 Ch1 1dc in every st around, 1dc + 2ch + 1dc in the corner spaces. However, when you reach the top of each of the building blocks, join the top edge by working your dc through the blo of the building block and the border row behind it. Work 1dc into the top of each 4 st along the top of each block and 1dc into the next 2 sts to keep the blocks straight and to mirror what you did in the joining row of Border Row 2. At the end of the round, slst into the top of the ch1, fasten off and break yarn. (30 sts on each side = 120 sts in round).
Then, with yarn C, you can surface crochet around the sts in Border Round 7 to give a green stripe around the edge of the square. When you get to the corner spaces, slst around the corner edge to keep the green embellishment nice and square. Note: be careful not to make your surface crochet too tight, so the square doesn’t get pulled out of shape.
Surface crochetSlst around the edge of the corner space
To make your apple leaf:
With Yarn G, Ch7, 1dc in 2nd ch from hook, 1htr in next ch, 1tr in next ch, 1htr in next ch, 1dc in next ch, slst into final ch. Fasten off and leave yarn tail to sew the apple leaf in place. Sew your leaf onto your apple.
Then, with Yarn H embroider 4 apple pips in the centre of the apple.
Embroidering on an apple pip
So there you have it, your Making Stitches 2025 CAL September Back to School square is completed. I hope you enjoy making one, or maybe even more than one!
I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who joined in with the CAL during August – it was a two square month with the Seaside Holiday Square and the Bonus Granny Square Day Square. It was so lovely to see them appearing on Instagram over the last few weeks! In particular, thanks to Annette from @etenamakes, Kristina from @crochet_at_holme, Judith from @judithlouise21 & Sarah from @sarahsheehangib – you can see their squares here.
Whether you are caught up in the ‘back to school’ chaos or not, I hope September is a good month for you.
Happy hooking!
Lindsay x
PS If you do decide to make a September Back to School square, please, if you share it online, I would love it if you could use the hashtag #MakingStitches2025CAL so I can see any squares when they appear!
Ten years ago this summer, this little blog of mine turned 10 years old. Way back when I first started blogging about my life (which at that time was mainly spent in Gibraltar) under the name of ‘Postcard from Gibraltar’ and as I shared a few of my own crafty makes, the idea that anyone would actually find my posts and read them was a bit mid boggling. I also never imagined I would one day be brave enough to begin designing my own crochet patterns.
Way back in those early days, the main advice I came across for newbie bloggers was to read other people’s blogs and interact with the blogging community. When I did that, I discovered a blog which really appealed to me. It was called Coastal Crochet, and, like mine featured posts about family life (by the sea) and crochet makes. Over time, Coastal Crochet’s creator Eleonora and I would regularly correspond with each other through comments on each other’s posts and through social media.
The first rows of my Seaside Stashbusting Blanket in January 2018My completed Seaside Stashbusting Blanket at Sandy Bay, Gibraltar which had inspired my colour choices in October 2018
Fast forward a few years and, after a relocation back to the UK in 2020, a couple of years later, I met Eleonora in real life for the first time at Yarndale, it was so lovely to actually chat in person after so many years of ‘chatting’ online. Two years later, at Yarndale 2024, we met again and decided we would do something together to mark a decade of both of our blogs. This is it… the ‘Let’s Celebrate Wreath’.
Our first meeting at Yarndale 2022Meeting again at Yarndale 2024
We thought it would be nice to mark our joint celebration with a project which would help others celebrate too.
In our house, we have ‘birthday bunting’ which we bring out every time a birthday is celebrated in the household. Without fail, the bunting goes up in the front window on the morning of the birthday and it remains there along with the birthday cards which have been received for a week. I used our family’s birthday bunting in this photo for my Making Stitches 2025 CAL Bonus Birthday square.
When we chatted our idea through, Eleonora and I thought, perhaps this Let’s Celebrate Wreath could become something like our birthday bunting and be put up whenever a birthday is celebrated – it certainly will be in our house!
As this is a true collaboration between Eleonora and myself, it’s been designed in partnership drawing from things we are both known for; the gingham effect of the Tunisian crochet comes from one of Eleonora’s blanket designs, the ‘Picnic on the Beach blanket’, the tiny string of bunting has also featured in a similar way on one of Eleonora’s previous designs for a Life Ring Wreath.
From my side of things, I have designed a number of amigurumi dolls and other things which I have shared both on this blog and in my Etsy pattern shop so I have created the pattern for the balloons and the birthday cake following the amigurmi technique of crocheting in the round.
Pattern to make the ‘Let’s Celebrate’ balloons Part of the Let’s Celebrate Wreath
By Eleonora Tully & Lindsay Weston
Materials
We used 4-ply yarn, ‘Scheepjes Catona’, as detailed below, but any 4-ply or DK weight yarns, especially cottons, can be used to achieve similar results.
Scheepjes Catona (100% cotton, 50g / 125m), Royal Orange (189), Lemon (280), Emerald Green (515), Powder Blue (384)
2.5mm (US C/2) hook
A small amount of soft toy filling
A stitch marker is useful to mark the first stitch of each round
Tension
Tension is not critical for this project.
Measurements
The finished balloons are approximately 75mm long and 45mm wide.
Pattern notes
The balloons are worked in the round using the amigurumi technique of crochet. It is useful to mark the first stitch of every round with a stitch marker and move it as each round is completed. Once they are all finished, they can be sewn onto the wreath base (the pattern for which can be found at coastalcrochet.com). Please use the photos as a guide for where to position and sew the decorations onto the wreath base.
Abbreviations in UK terms:
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together
mc: Magic Circle/Magic Ring
mm: millimetres
rep: repeat
st(s): stitch(es)
To work:
Using a 2.5mm hook and yarn make a MC
Round 1 Work 6dc into the MC. Pull ring tight. (6dc)
Round 2 2dc in every st around. (12dc)
Round 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep around. (18dc)
Round 4 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (20dc)
Round 5 (1dc in next st, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (22dc)
Round 6 (1dc in next 2 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (24dc)
Round 7 (1dc into next 3 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (26dc)
Rounds 8 & 9 1dc in every st around. (26dc)
Round 10 (1dc in next 4 sts, 2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (28dc)
Rounds 11 & 12 1dc in every st around. (28dc)
Round 13 (1dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (26dc)
Round 14 1dc in every st around. (26dc)
Round 15 (1dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep. (24dc)
Round 16 (1dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog) rep around. (20dc)
Round 17 (1dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog) rep around. (16dc)
Round 18 (1dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog) rep around. (12dc)
At this point, stuff the balloon. Don’t stuff it too firmly though as you want it to be oval rather than round when viewed from the top, so it lies nicely against the wreath when it’s attached.
Round 19 dc2tog around. (6dc)
Round 20 1dc into every st around. (6dc)
Round 21 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep around. (9dc).
Fasten off with a slst and break yarn. Sew in the end.
Make 4 balloons for the wreath, one in each colour.
Round 3 completeRound 9 completeAbout to begin Round 19
Pattern to make the ‘Let’s Celebrate’ birthday cake
Materials
We used 4-ply yarn, ‘Scheepjes Catona’, as detailed below, but any 4-ply or DK weight yarns, especially cottons, can be used to achieve similar results.
Scheepjes Catona (100% cotton, 50g / 125m), Snow White (106), Hot Red (115), Lemon (280), Powder Blue (384), Camel (502)
2.5mm (US C/2) hook
A small amount of soft toy filling
A stitch marker is useful to mark the first stitch of each round
Pattern notes
The cake is worked in the round using the amigurumi technique of crochet. It is useful to mark the first stitch of every round with a stitch marker and move it as each round is completed. You will need to make all the components of the cake (the top, the base, the candle and the flame before joining the cake top to the cake base).
Once it’s complete, it can be sewn onto the wreath base (the pattern for which can be found at coastalcrochet.com). Please use the photos as a guide for where to position and sew the decorations onto the wreath base.
Abbreviations in UK terms:
BBL: This is a 4tr bobble stitch [yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up loop, yo, draw through 2 loops on hook] 4 times (you will then have 5 loops on your hook) yo and draw through all the loops on the hook]
blo: blo
ch: chain
dc: double crochet
dc2tog: double crochet 2 stitches together
flo: front loop only
fyo: final yarn over
mc: Magic Circle/Magic Ring
mm: millimetres
rep: repeat
st(s): stitch(es)
yo: yarn over
To make the cake base:
Using 2.5mm hook and Camel yarn, make a MC
Round 1 Work 6dc into the MC. Pull ring tight. (6dc)
Round 2 2dc in every st around. (12dc)
Round 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep around. (18dc)
Round 4 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) rep around. (24dc)
Round 5 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) rep around. (30dc)
Round 6 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts) rep around. (36dc)
Round 7 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts) rep around. (42dc)
Round 8 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 6 sts) rep around. (48dc)
Round 9 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts) rep around. (54dc)
Round 10 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep around. (60dc)
Round 11 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 9 sts) rep around. (66dc)
Round 12 Working in blo, 1dc in every st around. (66dc)
(From now on the st count for the rounds will remain at 66dc.)
Round 13 1dc in every st around.
Rounds 14 & 15 Rep Round 13 but change to Hot Red in fyo of Round 15
End of Round 11Round 16 in progressCreating the first bobble of cream in Round 17Bobble 1 complete in Round 17Round 17 in progress
Round 16 Working in blo, 1dc in every st around, changing to Snow White in fyo of Round 16.
Round 17 Working in the blo, (1BBL in 1st st, 1ch, miss the next st) rep around (on this occasion slst into the top of the 1st BBL). Change to Camel in fyo of Round 17. (33BBL)
Finishing Round 17Beginning Round 18Round 23 in progressCake base completed at end of Round 27
Round 18 1dc into the top of every BBL & into every 1ch space between the BBLs. (66dc)
Rounds 19 – 24 Rep Rounds 13 to 18.
Rounds 25 – 27 1dc in every st around. Fasten off and break yarn.
To make the cake top:
Making Bobbles in Round 4ARound 4A completed
Using Snow White yarn make a MC
Round 1 Work 6dc into the MC. Pull ring tight. (6dc)
Round 2 2dc in every st around. (12dc)
Round 3 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next st) rep around. (18dc)
Round 4A Working in the flo, (BBL in first st, slst into next st) rep around. (9 BBL)
Working into the blo for Round 4BRound 4B completed
Round 4B Working in the blo, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) rep around. (24dc)
Round 5 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 3 sts) rep around. (30dc)
Round 6 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 4 sts) rep around. (36dc)
Round 7 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 5 sts) rep around. (42dc)
Rounds 8 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 6 sts) rep around. (48dc)
Round 9 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 7 sts) rep around. (54dc)
Round 10 (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 8 sts) rep around. (60dc)
Round 11A Working in the flo, (BBL in first st, slst into next st) rep around. Fasten off and break yarn. (30 BBL)
Round 11B Join Camel yarn and working into the blo, (2dc in 1st st, 1dc in next 9 sts) rep around. (66dc)
Do not break yarn as you will be using it to crochet the top to the base once the candle has been added to the centre of the cake top.
Candle & flameCandle & flame joined and candle stuffedCandle ready to be added to the cake top
To make the candle:
Using Powder Blue yarn, make a MC
Round 1 Work 6dc into the MC. Pull ring tight. (6dc)
Round 2 Working in the blo, (2dc in next st, 1dc in next 2 sts) rep. (8dc)
Rounds 3 – 12 1dc into every st around. Fasten off and break yarn leaving a tail to sew it to the cake top.
To make the candle flame:
Using Lemon yarn, make a MC
Round 1 Work 3dc and 1tr into the MC, then 2ch & slst into the 1st ch to form a picot, work 1tr and 3dc into the MC. Pull the ring tight. Fasten off and break yarn leaving a tail to sew the flame to the top of the candle. (6dc, 2tr & 1 picot).
To assemble the cake:
First of all, sew the flame onto the top of the candle and attach it firmly, weave in the ends of the Lemon yarn. Then stuff the candle firmly with toy filling. This is a bit fiddly but if you have a long thin implement to help force the stuffing in that is helpful (a chopstick is great for this purpose!).
Once the candle is stuffed firmly, sew it securely to the centre of the cake top. Once it is securely in place, it’s time to attach the cake top to the cake base. This can be done by sewing it together, but I prefer to crochet it on working through both the edge of the cake top and top the last round of the cake base, as it’s really neat.
Candle stuffed and attached to cake topCrocheting the cake top onto the cake base (wrong sides together)Finishing the join
Take the cake base and the cake top wrong sides together and put the hook through the first st of Round 11B on the cake top and then one of the sts of the final round on the cake base and work 1dc into it. Then proceed to make 1dc into every st around working through both the cake top and the cake base. Once you are two thirds of the way round, this is a good time to stop and fill the cake with toy filling. You don’t want to over stuff it as that will result in a rounded bottom to your cake, but you need enough stuffing for it to hold its shape. You can always add a bit more just before you close the hole, so if you are usure, carry on crocheting the top onto the base and stop when you still have a few stitches to go and you can still decide to add a bit more filling.
When you are happy with the shape and size of the cake and you have completed the join, fasten off and break your yarn, weaving in the end. Your cake is now complete and ready to be sewn onto your ‘Let’s Celebrate Wreath’!
Once you have completed your cake, balloons and bunting, pin them onto your wreath base. When you are happy with the position of the different elements, sew them firmly in place.
We really hope you enjoy making it and that it brings many years of enjoyment to your home!
The latest episode of the Making Stitches Podcast features a chat between myself and Eleonora about this project and how we have become friends over the past 10 years thanks to our blogs. You can find a link to the episode show notes here.
Isn’t this photo Eleonora has taken beside the sea of our Let’s Celebrate wreath stunning?
If you make a Let’s Celebrate wreath and share it on social media, please tag myself @making_stitches_blog and Eleonora @coastalcrochet in your posts so we can both see yours!
Thank you so much for your interest in our crochet collaboration, I really hope you enjoy making a Let’s Celebrate wreath that you and your loved ones can enjoy for many years to come!
Hello there! Bit late getting this out to you following the Bank Holiday Weekend. It’s thrown me out of routine and I’m only just getting back on track (and knowing what day it is!) today. We started Week Five of this year’s Summer Craft Challenge up in the Lake District visiting some lovely friends of ours. The view behind the pictures above is of Grasmere, where we enjoyed a lovely kayak around on Sunday. We have visited the Lakes many times over the years, and have never seen it in such warm and sunny conditions – we were really lucky.
Here’s what I got up to this week!
Last Saturday, we woke up in the Lakes again and packed a picnic ready for a big climb. We managed to get to top of a mountain! Cat Bells to be precise. When we made it to the top and found a quiet space to sit, those cheese rolls tasted like nectar from the Gods! Bliss! After our picnic lunch, I whipped my hook out and made another Orla Square at the top as a souvenir of our big climb.
Sunday morning was my last Lake District crochet session, we went to Grasmere and got our friends’ inflatable kayak pumped up so the boys could get out on the water. Once they had all had a go paddling around the island in the middle of the lake, my friend and I got in and had a go. While I was waiting for my turn, I sat in the shade and hooked up another Orla square. I wonder if I will remember where I made each one, when I finish the project later on? Maybe not, but they will certainly remind me of this summer.
On Monday, after work, I found myself back at home with the rather boring backdrop of our dining table for my Orla Squares today!
On Day 32, work was incredibly busy and the evening was too, but I managed to find a bit of time before bed to begin another heart for the North Wales and North West Paediatric Transport Service (full details of appeal is here). Unfortunately, once I was committed, I discovered I’d run out of filling to stuff it with, so had to leave it like this! Off to the shops soon…
Wednesday already and as I am planning on using my Orla Squares to make a garment (once I have enough made), I realised that I will probably need some ‘half’ squares to help with the shaping, so I did a bit of experinenting tonight.
Busy day on Day 34, including a really lovely funeral for a very good friend’s Dad, so not much inclination for making when I got home, some mindless sock-knitting rounds was just the ticket.
On Friday, I did a different bit of crafting – I crafted a podcast episode! The first episode of the new series of Making Stitches Podcast is ready to go live on Friday!
And that’s it for Week 5 of my Summer Craft Challenge from my part of the world.
Huge thanks to everyone who has joined in with the Summer Craft Challenge this week, it’s been so lovely to have company on this challenge. Included below are some of varied Instagram posts I’ve seen including a beautiful crocheted sea shell from Sandra @wilddaffodilwild, a beautiful Crochet Sanctuary Christmas blanket and a cardigan in the making from Kristina @crochet_at_holme, a Making Stitches 2025 CAL Bonus Birthday square from Sarah @sarahsheehangib and the cutest Snoopy and Woodstock from Jothi @jothiquestcraft – Thank you all!
And that’s all for this week, thanks again to everyone who’s joined in with the craft challenge to keep me company this week! If you want to join in, you can do at any time, just share what you’re making (any crafts welcome) over on Instagram using the hashtag #SummerCraftChallenge2025 and we can all enjoy each other’s creativity!
Week Four of this year’s Summer Craft Challenge was much like week three – a real mix of things going on. I made a point of trying to have something different each week. Back in the old days when this summer challenge first started, it was completely different – we were living in Gibraltar (where the beach was a 10 minute drive and the sun (almost) always shone, I was a stay at home mum and my kids were a lot smaller. I now work part time, have only 2 young men at home and they are teenagers, so things have needed to be a bit more strategic.
This week was chilled for the lads as I was working 3 days, then we packed up the car and headed north again (not as far as our last holiday to Scotland though) and went to visit our very good friends who live in the Lake District. It was quite hard trying to find time for crochet or anything else in between things on my working days, but after that, it was a different matter.
Here’s what I got up to this week!
Last Saturday was a busy one (every day seems to be busy at the minute) and the first time I had to sit down and get my hook out was in the evening as I watched Guardians of the Galaxy 3 with the boys. That’s another 2 hearts made for the North West and North Wales Paediatric Transport Service. For full details on why I’m making these, check out this post!
Sunday and I revisited my Orla squares. I’m really enjoying making these as they work up so quickly.
On Monday I managed to make a third yellow heart for the North West and North Wales Paediatric Transport Service. That’s a fourth trio of hearts done.
On Day 25 and I took my knitting into work with me in the hope of getting a few rounds done on my sock at lunch time. I was a crazy busy day at work with one thing and another, so no time for lunchtime knitting for me. I enjoyed a sit down late at night and managed a few rounds whilst watcing the finale of Series 3 of The Guilded Age.
Blimey it was really hot on Wednesday (Day 26), and I managed to spend a good chunk of the afternoon sweating it up under a nylon cape at the hairdresser while she made my ‘silver highlights’ a bit less silver. I managed to hook some more squares up while I was in the chair!
Day 27 found us in the Lake District visiting some very dear friends. First night there involved half a pint of local ale and a lovely pub meal. I managed a teeny bit of crochet while we waited for dinner to come.
On Friday, I found myself beside Loughrigg Tarn (after taking a dip on my first ever wild swimming experience). It was a bit cold, but very invigorating and I am so proud of myself for going out of my comfort zone. I also managed to get last night’s square finished by the side of the water too!
And that’s it for Week 4 of my Summer Craft Challenge from my part of the world. This is coming to you a little bit late on Monday rather than Saturday owing to us being away for a few days. Back home safely now and back to ‘normal’ again for the time being.
Huge thanks to everyone who has joined in with the Summer Craft Challenge this week, it’s been so lovely to have company on this challenge. Included below are some of varied Instagram posts I’ve seen including some crocheted sea anemones from Sandra @wilddaffodilwild, a beautiful Merton Abbey Flower Square designed by Janie Crow and made by Kristina @crochet_at_holme, a stunning black crocheted fan comission from Sarah @Sarah.livelovecrochet. A truly lovely cardigan in the making from Carol @nanaseamakes, some dressmaking for the first time this summer from @seaside_karen, a Making Stitches 2025 CAL August square from Sarah @sarahsheehangib, a stunning collection of Granny Squares from Jothi @jothiquestcraft and finally a beautiful photo from Zeli @yarnstorms of her crocheting at the top of Foel Offrym, the Hill of Sacrifice in Wales. Thank you all!
Some of the brilliant Summer Craft Challenge posts shared on Instagram
And that’s all for this week, thanks again to everyone who’s joined in with the craft challenge to keep me company this week! If you want to join in, you can do at any time, just share what you’re making (any crafts welcome) over on Instagram using the hashtag #SummerCraftChallenge2025 and we can all enjoy each other’s creativity!
