Pattern Previews for Let’s Crochet
Laine’s special issue, Let’s Crochet!, features seventeen patterns by an international group of designers: Eun Mi Ahn, Alicia Arroyo Blanco, Ana-Maria Babanica, Susan Chin, Anna Eklund, Anna Erlandsson, Carmen Gómez, Sarianna Lehtonen, Veronica Lönnqvist, Julia Madill, Molla Mills, Rosina Northcott, Anne-Michelle Phelan, Linda Skuja, Mariia Sordiia and Jessica Tsung.
Eun Mi Ahn – Roseraie
This drop-shoulder top features three-dimensional rose buds and eyelet stripes. The top is worked in pieces from the bottom up. The eyelet stripes give it a light, airy feel that’s perfect for transitional weather. By using mohair, the fabric has a soft, fluffy texture and is less prone to stretching, helping the garment maintain its shape. When designing, Eun Mi Ahn pictured a garden brimming with roses on the verge of bursting into full bloom. “Roseraie” is French for “rose garden.”
Yarn: Pearl Mohair by Majo Garn.
Alicia Arroyo Blanco – Dune Sand
This timeless, top-down hat was inspired by the desert dunes at sunset — its warm tones and textures evoke the serenity of the landscape. Dune Sand features a textured band that mimics rippling sand dunes. The option to add wire to the brim allows for a customizable shape. The yarn makes the hat lightweight and breathable. For Alicia Arroyo Blanco, its natural texture and warm sunset-inspired tones created a perfect combination of functionality and visual appeal.
Yarn: Rafia by Mondial.
Ana-Maria Babanica – Flip the Script
This roomy top features lovely details, such as a V-neck, faux i-cord finishings and elbow-length sleeves, ensuring comfort and elegance. The straightforward panelled construction allows you to focus on the stitch pattern, making this a relaxing crochet experience. Flip the Script is worked in the interlocking crochet technique, creating a reversible fabric. Even though the fabric is double-layered, the layers are virtually a mesh; this, paired with a fine yarn, ensures that the top is not too thick.
Yarn: Merino Super Sock by La Bien Aimée.
Susan Chin – Hygge Hugs & Hygge Hands
Get cosy with this matching shawl and hand-warmers! The stitch pattern is a fun take on the traditional granny stitch. The alternating rows of different yarn weights add texture, with a touch of mohair for extra fluffiness. The triangular-shaped shawl starts with a long foundation chain, with decreases worked on one side. The wide wingspan allows for several styling options. The hand-warmers use yarn left over from making the shawl, and they are super-quick to crochet.
Yarns: Le Petit Lambswool and Le Petit Silk & Mohair by Biches & Bûches.
Anna Eklund – Rut
The small and graphic Rut bag is worked in single crochet as a wide, checkered rectangle that is then folded and sewn together. The name Rut comes from Swedish word “ruta”, meaning “square” — but it is also a common female name in Sweden. The easy-to-wear bag is crocheted in sturdy and durable jute yarn, making it perfect for long-term use. The natural texture of jute adds a beautiful, rustic quality, and the yarn is available in a wide range of colours.
Yarn: Judy by Hobbii.
Anna Erlandsson – Viggby
This understated, knit-style vest is designed to be a wardrobe staple. Mimicking knitted brioche, the yarnover slip stitch in back loops forms a squishy, elastic, wonderfully textured fabric. The natural white shade makes sure the texture stands out. The vest has a deep V-neck and slightly slanting shoulders for a good fit. The rows run up and down the garment — meaning it is worked sideways. The vest was named after the Stockholm suburb Viggbyholm, where Anna Erlandsson lives.
Yarn: Cascade 220 by Cascade Yarns.
Carmen Gómez – Gabriela
Gabriela is a light, simple and romantic top worked flat in three pieces: a back and two front panels. You can modify the top to your liking – attach buttons to the front or leave them open. The top was named after Carmen Gomez’s daughter and inspired by summer evenings and slow life in the countryside. The samples were worked in different yarns: the off-white in cotton and the brown in a blend of linen and viscose.
Yarn: Algodón L and Lino Flamé 3 Cabos by CasaSol Filicor.
Sarianna Lehtonen – Flora
Sarianna Lehtonen’s design process often starts with basic geometric shapes — as with the wavy surface of her Flora bag. The bag has a sturdy double-layered base, and the sides are crocheted using the tapestry crochet technique. The name Flora derives from the vine-like pattern. The design features several well-thought-out details that give it a polished look. The chosen yarn offers a wide colour range, enabling numerous individual palettes.
Yarn: Catania by Schachenmayr.
Veronica Lönnqvist – Lemon Twist
This cute, lemon-shaped cross-body bag is a fun statement piece. This bag is sturdy due to its double layers and is the perfect size to fit your phone, keys and cards. It features a modern black-and-white striped strap and fun details, such as the chunky knots that hold onto the bulky carabiner hooks and the leaf attached to the zipper. The bag is easy to make and mainly consists of single crochet stitches. Veronica Lönnqvist’s inspiration came from lemon illustrations that she happened to stumble across.
Yarn: Alba by BC Garn.
Julia Madill – Cabanarama
The Cabanarama top is boxy and slightly cropped with a drop-shoulder shape. A contrast band is worked up the centre front and then splits to create a V-neck and fold-over collar. The same stitch is used to create the hem and armhole trims. The pattern was inspired by the mod flower designs of Orla Kiely, and the colour combination is taken from the iconic Maybelline Great Lash mascara package! Collared summer tops are often referred to as “cabana” shirts, and Julia added the “rama” for fun.
Yarn: Cotton Merino by Knitting for Olive.
Molla Mills – Viive
Molla Mills thinks crocheted bags add the perfect pop of colour to any outfit, and her timeless Viive bag suits many styles. Wear the bag over your shoulder with long straps or carry it as a tote bag with shorter handles. Viive is crocheted in a tubular form, and it has an interior pocket made with filet crochet. The project is well-suited for beginners in tapestry crochet. The cotton twine is extremely durable, meaning your bag will last for at least the next ten years!
Yarns: Liina Cotton Twine 18-ply and Molla Cotton Twine 18-ply by Lankava.
Rosina Northcott – Sheila
Sheila is a boxy, laid-back summer shirt with a simple lace pattern. It features a round neck and modified drop shoulders. A keyhole detail at the back of the neck adds a lovely touch to the design. The main body and sleeves are worked from the bottom up, beginning with the waistband and cuffs. Sheila is named after the designer’s Nanna, who always wore lacy knitted tops in the summer. The colour is a more muted tone of the turquoise and green shades that Nanna liked.
Yarn: Summerlite 4ply by Rowan.
Anne-Michelle Phelan – Block
Block is a timeless top that is comfortable yet with a touch of elegance. It is crocheted in an extended block stitch, and the easy, rhythmic pattern repeat works up quickly. The top is worked from the bottom up. It begins with the hem worked sideways, from which the body stitches are picked up. Simple details in the finishing refine the garment. The ribbed edges are worked with a ridge detail for a neat look, and a standing collar adds a touch of effortless elegance.
Yarn: Morning Salutation by Kremke.
Linda Skuja – Mirdza
The Mirdza top combines crochet classics and a modern silhouette. In the stitch pattern, the granny stitch blends seamlessly with the intricate spider stitch. The shoulder drops slightly along the angle of the stitch pattern. Mirdza is a Latvian female name derived from “mirdzēt” (meaning “to shine”). As the pattern features granny stitch diamonds, Linda Skuja thought this name perfectly captured its essence. The top is worked from the top down.
Yarn: Mandarin Petit by Sandnes Garn.
Mariia Sordiia – Vincent
The Vincent top features granny squares joined together with lace rows, creating an intricate and summery look. Wear it as a separate garment or put it over a top to keep your shoulders warm. The length of the body and the sleeves can easily be modified. The colour combination is reminiscent of the shades of a sunflower — with the pattern name a hint via his Sunflowers paintings to Vincent van Gogh. The combed cotton gives the top a nicely rustic look.
Yarn: Vadang by Nakyang Yarn.
Jessica Tsung – Blossom
The Blossom vest draws inspiration from the vibrant beauty of spring. It blends a casual, modern summer top with the timeless charm of granny squares. The shoulder straps are adorned with delicate flower-centred squares in hot pink and bright orange, while the body features geometric lace stitching in a light, neutral hue. The 100% baby yak yarn gives this button-up vest an incredibly light and soft feel, creating a flowing and airy fabric perfect for warmer days.
Yarn: Baby Yak Lace by mYak.
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