HERE COMES SUMMER!

Crochet Projects perfect for alfresco living.

As the days and the evenings get warmer it is easy to feel less enthusiastic about working with wool. The outdoor beckons and we all feel less inclined to snuggle up on the sofa with a cosy merino yarn.

But the on-set of the balmy evenings doesn’t mean you have to disassociate yourself with yarn completely. Crochet and cotton is a perfect combination for the summer months. I have a long list of crochet projects which make my summer complete.

Emma Varnam Crochet Granny Square Blanket

For outdoor living there is nothing better that grabbing a vintage style blanket to keep your knees warm by the fire-pit. One of my favourite designs is this classic Granny Square pattern from my book How to Crochet. I chose vintage colours and then gave the edge a colour pop with an acid yellow, bringing the whole design up to date.

How to Crochet by Emma Varnam

The book also has some simple patterns for customising tablecloths and napkins. If you use a superfine cotton you can edge a very plain table cloth bought from the supermarket to create a set of bespoke table linen.

Summer tablecloth with crochet edging.

For years I meant to make tablecloth weights. Seriously for as long as I can remember this has been on my crochet ‘to-do’ list. Last year I finally I got my act together. I bought a bag of stones from the garden centre and then just started a basic amigurumi shape working in the round. I then attached a basic curtain clip to the stone and hey-presto a pretty addition to the garden table.

Summer tablecoth weights

I will also be getting out my napkin weight this year. A large flint encased by cotton crochet. Simple and effective and throughout summer almost in daily use for outdoor suppers.

Crochet napkin weight.

An absolute must for evenings in the garden or on the beach are decorated jam jars for tea-lights. Last year I tore through my yarn-stash to decorate a fair number of these tea-lights and they make perfect gifts for friends and are a pretty addition to summer living.

Crochet tea lights by Emma Varnam.

If I was choosing from Debbie’s range of yarns I constantly go back to Cotton DK – the range of colours just fits the bill and the pure cotton yarn is very durable for outdoor wear and tear. I will also be making a few cotton accessories this year using the vibrant Delphi tape yarn, which make fab crochet bread baskets and table mats to decorate my outdoor garden table. Bring on the sunshine!

This crocheted Sunshine Mandala pattern by Emma Varnam is now available as a free pattern download.

Emma has been designing stylish knitting and crochet patterns for nearly a decade. On her award-winning blog www.emmavarnam.co.uk she features many of her free patterns and discusses the inspiration behind them. Find her on also on Twitter @EmmaVarnamUK and facebook fan page Emma Varnam Designs. She has published several books including Crochet Keyrings and Charms and How to Crochet was published by GMC Publications.