Pages

Tuesday 8 February 2011

How to Crochet Sea Pennies

Hello.


Today I'm going to share a short tutorial with you on how to crochet Sea Pennies!


I'm using Rico Creative Cotton and a Number 4 hook for mine, but you can use any wool and hook to get different sized Pennies (which is a nice idea for a chunky winter scarf methinks!).
The Pennies are really quite easy and created here using 12 Double Crochet stitches (US) and I'm sure some of you have already worked out how to do this, but anyway - here goes!


Let's get started.


Make a loop with the yarn as shown above in the picture.  We are going to be creating a Magic Circle so that there is no hole in the centre of our Pennies.  
Leave a tail end of yarn about 4-6 inches long.



From the ball of yarn side, wind and secure the yarn as normal around your fingers, then take hold of the loop between your thumb and middle finger.



Take your hook and push it through the centre of the loop, pulling back a loop from which you will crochet 3 chain stitches.


So - recap - hook through the centre of the loop, pull through a loop then chain 3.



Then, into the centre of the loop, DC 11.


*Make sure you keep hold of the tail end of yarn with the loop bit of yarn when crocheting your stitches, don't leave it flapping about in the breeze or you won't be able to tighten the ring at the end to make the hole disappear.  Look carefully at the photograph below to see that the tail end of yarn is together with the loop part within the stitch.  (I do hope this makes sense).



Pull the tail very slowly to close the hole, then slip stitch to join the circle together.  You should have 12 stitches around your penny now. 
Finish off by sewing the tail end into the underside of the penny.  You will need to do this to each individual penny to avoid being left with a whole heap of hanging tails :)

Below is a guide for joining your first row of pennies together, and then how to continue with the rows you create beyond this.


So, first row of pennies:  Make your next penny in the same way as described above, but when you get to the 6th DC in the loop, you will need to join the new penny to the previously completed one.

To join as you go you will need to complete the 6th stitch on your current penny and then insert your hook underneath the 6th stitch of the first penny:
Pull the yarn through the stitch (2 loops on hook)
Pull the second loop through the 1st loop to secure, like a slip stitch.
Continue with the rest of your DC into the loop as described for the first sea penny until you have 12 DC in your loop.  Pull the tail gently to close the loop, finish off and sew in the ends.

You will carry on in this way until you have a first row of Pennies from which to start building your work.  The photographic instructions that follow are for Row 2 and beyond, where you have to join several sides of each Penny to the other existing Pennies.



 

Second Row of Pennies: How to join the the pennies.

First of all, you will make a magic circle (as describe above) and do 10DC stitches into the centre.

Next..

To join your newest Penny to the first row (to begin to create your second row), you need to take the first two joined Pennies on the first row (the light blue Penny and dark Teal Penny in photograph above), and count around 3 stitches around on the light blue Penny from where it joins the dark teal *see where hook is inserted, that is the the third counted stitch which is the first place to join your new penny).


Push your hook down under the stitch to make a slip stitch.




Pull the yarn up through the stitch - bit fiddly but do-able.
(2 loops on hook)
Pull the second loop through the first loop on your hook (as a slip stitch) to secure:



Next, do ONE DC into the middle of the Penny loop:




You are now ready to join the new Penny to the dark teal Penny of the first row.  Again, count three stitches around from where it originally joined to it's pale blue neighbour on the right and push your hook down through the stitch as before (see photograph below):



Pull the yarn up and through the stitch (2 loops on hook) and pull the second loop through the first loop on your hook (as a Slip Stitch) to secure.



Then do 1 DC into the centre (12 stitches total) of the new Penny.
Take the tail end of yarn and now gently pull it until the hole closes up tight like shown here:



Close the circle by gently pulling the tail end.
Join the circle by slip stitching into the first chain.
Finish off and sew in the ends.




If you are making a triangle shape like I am for a shawl, you will need to repeat these instructions exactly to put a penny on the corner here:




When you need to start joining 3 sides of your new Penny to 3 existing Pennies like so...




...you will do it more or less the same again, except for the very last part - there will not be a DC to do after your final Join As You Go stitch, as you will have already completed this:


First Join As You Go stitch onto bright blue Penny, followed by a DC into centre (11 stitches)
Second Join As You Go stitch onto light blue Penny, followed by a DC into centre (12 stitches)
Third Join As You Go stitch onto turquoise Penny, followed by tightening the centre of the circle up, and SS to finish in 3rd Chain of first Chain. 


It's absolutely fine to do it like this and won't make any difference to your Pennies.  After your last Join stitch, pull the circle closed and then join the circle together with a Slip Stitch as described above.


______________________________________________

So - are you with me so far?  Does it make sense?  I do hope so, I've read through it all several times and fingers crossed I've got it right, but as usual do get in touch if you are struggling please!


Enjoy making your Pennies, and please share links to any crochet work you create using them won't you, I'd love to see what you have made.




Sending Crochet Love out to you today!
Julia x

63 comments:

  1. Your shawl is looking really beautiful and very effective xox Thanks for sharing your tutorial, I daren't start another project quite yet but if I do make a sea pennies shawl I'll be sure to let you know xox

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hi Julia! This is going to be sooooo adorable! Thank you for showing how you make it! I think I could make this also with my thin yarn because pennies are small!
    Have a lovely time! xxx Teje

    ReplyDelete
  3. Thank you for a most comprehensive post about the delights of Sea Pennies. However, this pupil must be a dud as I. STILL. DON'T. UNDERSTAND. Sorry. But they are beautiful pennies and I do indeed love the seafoam colours and wait in anticipation for the finished article to appear on your blog. And we want it modelled by its creator please. Ax

    ReplyDelete
  4. these are very pretty, thanks for showing the how-to! I think I may try them, I have an idea that's been floating in my head & I haven't found the right pattern to use, this hopefully will be it!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Lovely sea pennies! You're so creative and so clever! xx

    ReplyDelete
  6. Lovely! Thanks for the tutorial!

    ReplyDelete
  7. Really, really pretty! Thanks for sharing!

    ReplyDelete
  8. Hi Julia

    Thanks for sharing this tutorial. It looks like a really interesting technique - I'll need to give it a go

    Fiona x

    ReplyDelete
  9. beautiful - thank you - I hoped you would reveal how to do the sea pennies, guess what I will be doing next :)

    ReplyDelete
  10. Wow very clever and such a clear tutorial. I have not crocheted for many years but I could follow that! Mind you I'm not sure I have time to start yet another craft beside my card making,jewellery,and and ...!! and oh nearly forgot.... going to work!LOL.
    Thanks for a lovely post.
    Jane x

    ReplyDelete
  11. I only found your site a few days ago, courtesy of Lucy at Attic24. Your Sea Pennies are just stunning, I love the random effect. Keep the posts coming, I can't wait to see it finished!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Julia,

    I just wanted to let you know that I found your blog through a friend's blog "Places Where Grace is." She told us about the heart bunting. I'm a fairly new crocheter, but I have about ten hearts made. I LOVE YOUR WORK! I cannot wait to try to make the sea pennies. I just love it. I'm so glad to meet you! Cindy Bee

    ReplyDelete
  13. You make it look so easy. I can crochet granny squares with no idea of the technical names so do not for the life of me have a scooby what patterns mean.
    YET I am determined to learn!!!
    Ahh Rico cotton.....you chose lovely colours.
    xx

    ReplyDelete
  14. Thank you so much for this tutorial! I love it, and it's so simple when you get stuck into it. I adapted it slightly to make a cushion cover: http://creativechaosart.blogspot.com/2011/04/sea-pennies-crochet-cushion-cover.html
    Thanks again,
    Helen

    ReplyDelete
  15. I accidentally saw a photograph of your Pennies and I LOVE IT! Thank you for sharing the tutorial, I want to make them once myself.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Love this! Is it on Ravelry?

    ReplyDelete
  17. Hi Julia, I just found your blog through Pinterest. I can make the sea pennies fine but, I'm having a hard time getting the first row started. I can't read patterns but I can follow your picture tutorial. Could you please show me how to get started. Thank you, Olga

    ReplyDelete
  18. I just love this idea since a can't stand seaming. This is lovely. Do you have it on Ravelry?

    ReplyDelete
  19. This is sooooo pretty!!! Thanks for the great tutorial.

    ReplyDelete
  20. Great idea and tutorial! i love it, thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  21. Hi Julia,
    I am new to crocheting and have been dying to try this! I am able to make the first penny, but wasn't sure how to start the next one. Is it connected to the first or do I need to make a separate (2nd) one and then join as described in the directions?

    Thanks so much!
    xo,
    Elizabeth

    ReplyDelete
  22. What a lovely crochet pattern :) i'm currently working on a similar design, only with tiny squares/diamonds instead of circles. i love the patchy effect and the way something big grows out of each tiny little piece. Your colour scheme is lovely too - very serene. I just discovered you from another blog (Here's looking at me kid) and I'm going to enjoy looking around at your other projects x

    ReplyDelete
  23. I'm going to use this idea with a light weight yard or thread to make placemats for my table.

    ReplyDelete
  24. I just started working on this, but I have no clue what to do with the string that you use to tighten the penny... it's just hanging there! I don't want to cut it because I'll will unravel. Please let me know! (k.mundinger@hotmail.com)

    Thanks!

    ReplyDelete
  25. I am new to crocheting and I don't know how to start the next penny to the first one. Can you give me some direction...I really want to make this as a blanket, I have a new niece/nephew on the way and would love to give this as a gift

    ReplyDelete
  26. I understood your instructions for making the sea pennies. Thanks. I was wondering is you could post a picture of what it looks like when you join the first two pennies. For some reason I am getting a little hole in the first penny. I am not sure what I am doing wrong.thanks

    ReplyDelete
  27. Please, Please, Please put this on UTube, so we can see you do it. I really want to make this for my future grandchild :)
    Thanks, Cindi

    ReplyDelete
  28. PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE put this on UTube so we can see you doing this. I realy want to make this for my future my grandchild :) Also how would you modify it to make the shape round?
    Thanks, Cindi

    ReplyDelete
  29. I'm in the same place other people are. I can make the first sea penny but do not know how to continue. Please post something so we can continue. Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  30. These are adorable--thanks so much for sharing them! One quick question--with a chain 3 and 10 DC, that only makes 11 stitches on the ring, not 12...where does the last one come in? Thanks again!

    ReplyDelete
  31. Hi Julia,
    These Sea Pennies are beautiful! Thanks very much!! :) :)
    _______
    Lee Ann
    My blog: Crochet...Gotta Love It!

    Crochet...Gotta Love It!

    *********
    My website: Crochet...Gotta Love It!
    Crochet...Gotta Love It!
    *********

    ReplyDelete
  32. I am new as well at crocheting. Have you been able to answer the question as to whether or not the first penny is disconnected and then attached to the second one? I am slightly confused. Thanks for any help!

    ReplyDelete
  33. Wonderful ideas!Thanks
    Please visit my page:
    http://rira-art.hpage.com
    Best regards, Rita

    ReplyDelete
  34. Your website is beautiful with nice ideas!
    please visit my page:
    http://rita-art.hpage.com

    Thank you for visiting my page, Rita

    ReplyDelete
  35. I have searched everywhere trying to figure out what to do with the string you use to close up the circles, but I can't figure it out :) I'm new to crocheting so any advice would be GREATLY appreciated!
    Great tutorial! Understood it and found it very simple!
    Thanks!!

    ReplyDelete
  36. Gorgeous! I'm thinking of doing this in white and off white . .wait, would that make them "snow pennies" then . .???

    ReplyDelete
  37. Hi Julia, just found your blog and am so inspired ! Thank you......
    I am following you now !!
    love and hugs
    chris richards
    xxxxxxxxxxx

    http://ellascraftcreations.blogspot.co.uk/

    ReplyDelete
  38. To News For Brenda: You weave in all the tails including the ones used to close up the circles.

    ReplyDelete
  39. So glad I came upon the link to your blog on Facebook today! Love the tutorial, too...I will be trying this technique. Thanks.

    ReplyDelete
  40. Hi Julia! This is such a gorgeous project. The colors you used are amazing. I would like to feature it on AllFreeCrochetAfghanPatterns.com. Let me know if you might be interseted.
    Thanks! ~Bridget

    ReplyDelete
  41. Beautiful pattern. But like a lot of ppl, I'm not getting this join as u go thing. How would it look if I sew them piece by piece instead?

    ReplyDelete
  42. Hi Julia i love this idea, i can't wait to have a go at it, brilliant so beautiful x

    ReplyDelete
  43. Marcia Summers21 May 2013 at 22:44

    Julia, I stumbled upon your Sea Pennies and I love them. This pattern reminds me of a quilt pattern my grandmother made and it was beautiful as well. Thanks for posting it from Marcia, in Nashville, TN, USA

    ReplyDelete
  44. What do you do with the tail after you slip stitch the penny together? Do you cut the yarn before starting a new penny and adding it?

    ReplyDelete
  45. I love the look of it and thank you for sharing.....unfortunately I'm like several others on here, can't figure out after the first one.....do we make separate ones and join them like that? Would appreciate any help you can give. I'm sure it's something simple that I'm just not getting.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there, Im sorry you've encountered a bit of confusion - if you go to the paragraph that starts "So, first row of pennies" it will tell you how to join your subsequent pennies as you go along the first row and then how to join from row 3 onwards which will involve joining more than one side to the pennies (ie, the tops and sides).
      I hope this helps,
      Julia x

      Delete
  46. I think i will try this as an afghan it is a lovely pattern

    ReplyDelete
  47. This is such a wonderful pattern! Thanks so much!

    ReplyDelete
  48. this is beautiful. But I too am confused as how to attach it right from the beginning. And ,how about making this pattern as an afghan instead of a shawl? Please.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Im sure you could make an afghan with it Snow Owl, but maybe with a chunkier yarn? I can't really think of another way to explain how to join the circles, other than the pictures and descriptions above - I'm sorry if this isn't clear, sometimes I need to read through things a couple of times before they make sense, hopefully you might try this? Good luck with your project xxx

      Delete
  49. Okay. So I made one sea penny but now what do I do? Do I cut it away from my ball of yarn now? How does one keep this from coming apart? What about the tail end that's still there from when I pulled the circle tight. How do you tuck that away? Ahh! I really wanted to make this into a baby blanket for my little one due in July but I am a complete beginner. I had too use youtube videos to learn to DC and was successful in making my first penny but now I am just at a loss and have my first penny still hanging on my hook. Help would be appreciated!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Nicole,

      Yes, you need to fasten off in your usual way and cut the penny away from your ball of yarn. You also need to sew in any ends.

      J xx

      Delete
  50. I just have 3 comments. First, lovely colors and idea to use dcs to make the circles! I don't know that I'd leave such lung tasks but that's just me. Thanks for the tutorial! 2: you write that you make one dc to start the circle then make 10 more dcs into the magic circle to end up with 12 dcs total. Someone's math is off. Just saying. If it's mine pls lemme know why? & 3, and I might be confused here but in joining the "pennies", just to clarify, the first row is joined by bringing the hook up from the back of the rounds' edge but the 2 row and the following ones through the top? Or is it better to alternate top and bottom? And, ok, maybe just one more comment, and it's for those that want to create something with straight sides instead of decreasing ones. What about joining the rounds at every 4th stitch on 3 sides (except the first row where you would join the sane as the tutorial). This would give you joins at every 90° (like the clock's 3, 6, 9 & 12) except the edge where you would need only joins at 3, 6 & 9 o'clock. The respective stitches would be the 1st one (or the closing skip stitch), 3rd, 6th & 9th Just an idea.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi,

      Thanks for pointing out the typo with the number of DC's, now amended.

      You can join the pennies either way, whichever you find easier.

      If you wish to create a square blanket for example, then yes - your joining method would be spot on! Thanks very much for sharing.

      J xxx

      Delete
  51. I just started crocheting and I love these sea pennies! I am trying to make a sea pennies hat/swim cap type thing :) How would you suggest doing that? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  52. Thank you for the sea penny pattern. It is already too late for this Christmas. But I will start making afghans for next year using your pattern. I will use a favorite color of the person I"m making it for and enough pennies to make their name in a contrasting color.

    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
  53. This pattern looks so lovely! super excited to make this with my cousin :)

    ReplyDelete
  54. Wow ive never "gotten" how to do a magic circle til this!!! Thank you thank you sooo much!

    ReplyDelete
  55. I really wish you'd have done a video on this pattern, I do not understand...

    ReplyDelete
  56. Great tutorial, the finished result is so beautiful and I love the name!

    ReplyDelete
  57. Hi Julia, I love the Sea Pennies, I was wondering how many Sea Pennies do I need to make for a baby afghan? I have a grandchild due in April. I was wanting to get started as soon as possible. I would like to make it big enough for a toddler bed. That way he/she could have it when he/she gets older. Thanks for the Pattern. I love to crochet.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi, thanks for your message - I think it depends on the thickness of wool you are using - a thicker wool will make a bigger penny and so on. The wool I used was a standard DK, and the pennies measured approximately 5cm in diameter, which means you would need quite a few to make a baby afghan. Good luck with your project, I'm sure it will look incredible!
      Best wishes, Julia x

      Delete

Hello, and thank you for visiting my Blog today. If you would like to leave a comment, I'd be delighted to hear from you.