9 Months to Crochet by Maaike van Koert 9 Months to Crochet is a fabulous little book inspired by new mom's waiting over a 9 month period for their precious young one to be born. The colourful and adorable book has the book separated by trimesters for goals to achieve while waiting. The projects aren't...
Archives for 2024
The Crochet Kaleidoscope Blanket Pattern
Crochet Kaleidoscope Blanket The Crochet Kaleidoscope Blanket is really a visually mind-blowing example of crochet. Made of strategic motifs for the ultimate show stopper. I just saw this come across social media and donuts to dollars, I would have thought this was a quilt, no crochet. I'm a bit bias as a crocheter but in...
Understanding Knitting Gauge
Understanding How to Find Knit Gauges Gauge and Tension are both related to each other. Those instructions can be found in two places depending on the yarn brand you have selected. Most of the major yarn makers provide this information on the ball band. Though many people gloss over when they turn over the ball band...
Travelling with Crochet Amigurumi
Have you Ever Made A Crochet Amigurumi Doll for Travel? If you would have asked me earlier this year if I have ever travelled with a Crochet Doll, I would have asked you if you were serious! Talk about judgemental queen eh! The Crochet Cruises, I made a pirate parrot a couple of years back....
Knitting Slip Knots
How to Make Slip Knots To start a knitting project, you have to start with the first slip knot that is slid onto your knitting needles. A knot is needed to prevent the yarn from unravelling from the start of the project. When you think knitting or crochet, you are making loops that link to...
Knitting Yarn Placement Tips
Yarn Placement Tips Yarn placement is a really important key tip for ease and speed of knitting. If you are already a crocheter, you have to think opposite to where your yarn should rest when feeding into your hand. Most people knit or crochet with their dominant hand. There are a few people who are...
Introduction to Knitting
Knitting with Mikey In recent conversations with our sponsor, Yarnspirations, the term knitting came up. The Crochet Crowd and knitting seem polar opposites. For me, the word knitting means high-end yarn, fancy, hard, impossible, difficult and much more that aren't truly inspirational words. If you want me to lie, "It's all fabulous!", there you go....
Knitting Pinch Throw Yarn
How to Hold Yarn - Pinch & Throw The Pinch and Throw Method is the way my mother taught me as a child. There are many ways in which to knit and this is used by many people. I couldn't help but think of crochet when learning. The exaggerated motion of a crochet hook can...
Knitting Hold Yarn with Throw
How to Hold Yarn with Woven & Throw Style This is the method of holding yarn that I am teaching myself going forward with knitting. To save hand motion and control my tension better, I am practicing with this method. The term 'throw' is referred to as wrapping the yarn around the needle. Unlike the...
Knitting Between Loops Cast On
Cast On Between Loops When it comes to knitting, there are many methods to casting on. Casting on means to start a new strand of yarn. This is the very beginning of the project where you have to create the loops on the knitting needle to be the foundation. In this method, you start off...
Knitting Long Tail Cast On
Cast On using Long Tail Method Casting on with a Long Tail requires you to not start your slip knot close to the end of the strand. It will require you to use two strands that intertwine with each other. This technique takes a bit of getting used to and isn't very difficult. With your...
Knitting Cast Off
How to Cast Off Are you ready to finish off your project? Casting off isn't too complicated but there are a few things you can watch out for. In the example, you can see I refer to casting off in the garter stitch because that's what the sample is. When casting off and having your...
Knitting Tools and Gadgets
Knitting Tools and Gadgets So you've decided to learn to knit. You've now committed to the learning process. Where do you start? I can offer you some advice based on my finding. My biggest obstacle is looking at the knitting implements, aka tools, walls at the store. I gloss over with a deer in headlights...
Crochet C2C Gingerbread House Pattern
Crochet C2C Gingerbread House Advent Calendar Sarah, founder and awe-inspiring host of Repeat Crafter Me does it again with her new free Crochet C2C Gingerbread House Advent Calendar Pattern. It's so sweet, it makes my teeth hurt! This generous size advent calendar is 21 inches wide by 45 inches tall. It's completed with 'Corner to...
9 Crochet Smiley Patterns
Let's Make it a Crochet a Smiley Day! So this morning, Facebook told me that today is World Smile Day. Well, that just made me smile. 😀 World Smile Day website actually crashed this morning, so the link may not work. In the meantime, check out the Facebook page for World Smile Day here. I...
Crochet Pencil Case... Cutest Ever
Crochet Pencil Case This is one of the cutest crochet pencil cases I have ever seen. It holds your crochet hooks and is just so darn cute! Whoopsy, I said that already. The simplicity, the concept, the coolness of this project. It's just visual crochet eye candy for me. Today, I use pencils more than...
Easy Crochet Wool Scarf Pattern + Tutorial
Easy Crochet Wool Blend Scarf Enjoy a version of the Open Work Crochet Scarf by Diva Dan. Yes, he crocheted this sample using Patons Denim-y. Daniel followed the original pattern but substituted using Patons Denim-y. Patons Denim-y is a wool blend yarn that appears to be dyed like jeans. There are many version of which...
Crochet Vintage Fan Ripple Scarf Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Vintage Fan Ripple Scarf Learn how to crochet this exquisite vintage stitch called the Vintage Fan Ripple Stitch. I crocheted a scarf using this same technique for stitches. I also have a diagram and more to show you how to do it. The scarf has 3 sets of stitches. In the instructions below, I...
Crochet Multiple Yarn Strands + Tutorial
Crocheting with Multiple Strands Doubling or more yarn strands can significantly change your crochet for a number of positive features. Let me share some interesting facts about this particular crochet topic. Adding More Yarn Strands with Thicken Project. It will make the project heavier in weight. It will make the project bigger because the yarn...
C2C Graph Maker for Afghans
Customized Corner to Corner Pictorial Afghans and Scarves Introducing a graphghan maker, Kim Latshaw, of C2C Graphs. From the concept of a graph to reality of an afghan or scarf. Kim has a vast library of different ideas. Ranging from traditional to whimsical. You can stop counting those little boxes as C2C Graphs has it...
Crochet Flower Flip Flops Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Flower Flip Flops Learn how to make Crochet Daisy Flowers. If you want to personalize your flip flops, you can consider these easy daisy flowers to attach to the top of them with glue. As you may know, cotton yarn is the best for this type of project. It can get wet and is...
Crochet Pinwheel Flower Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Pinwheel Flower Learn how to adapt the easy flower to make it appear like a Crochet Pinwheel Flower. You could use these for accessorizing wreaths, hats and much more. These were originally designed to be glued onto the tops of flip flops as a beach accessory. In this tutorial, I took the Flip Flop...
Crochet Easy Flower Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Easy Flower Learn how to crochet an Easy Flower that will take you just a few minutes to make. These are quick and simple. Flowers are a great way to kick up any item to add a personalized touch and get more likes and loves on Facebook and Pinterest. It's the icing on the...
Crochet Flip Flop Flowers Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Flip Flop Flowers Learn how to make flowers to accessorize your flip flops. The pattern is simply called Flip Flop Flowers by Yarnspirations. The flowers are made and then glued to the top of the flip flops to personalize your footwear. The pattern is so simple that it will just take you about 10...
Crochet Multi Layer Flower Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Multi Layer Flower Learn how to crochet a Multi-Layered Flower using an existing pattern from the Shower Flowers. Flowers are really high in demand for accessorizing items such as hats, bags and so much more. Some crocheters love to do bouquets and wreaths too. This pattern has 3 layers that will lend itself well...
Crochet Pansy Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Pansy Bouquet If you are looking to cheer up your home or office space, you may want to consider a vase of crochet pansies. Even for those in long term facilities and more, you can add things like this to decorate without worry that someone may not have time to water or lacks the...
Chemo Cap Guidelines
Crochet For Cancer A fan of The Crochet Crowd has turned me onto a free tutorial on Chemo Cap Donation Guidelines hosted by Crochet for Cancer. I found the video helpful with tips I never considered while making a Chemo Cap. If you are looking to donate to a charity that asks for Chemo Caps,...
You Are My Sunshine Crochet Afghan Pattern
You are My Sunshine Afghan Ripping through the crochet community right now is the You are My Sunshine Afghan by Jody Pyott. We have seen this happen with Jody's designs before and another pattern of Crochet Horse Scarves. For unexpected reasons, patterns like this come out of nowhere and the crochet community is rocked off...
Garden Arch Bridge
Garden Arch Bridge The Garden Arch Bridge is another summer project for the garden. Arching over a dry river bed where the runoff from the property travels. This part of my summer 2020 journey of adventuring into woodworking as a side hobby when time allows. Daniel said he needs a bridge to go over the...
Crochet Star Cluster Scarf Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Star Cluster Scarf Crochet this amazing Star Cluster Stitch Scarf. This stitch is the cat's meow and it's really interesting to look at. Once you master how to do this stitch, it's pretty straight forward. In the tutorial provided, I share how to change the size of your project so you can use this...
Crochet Turn the Page Slipper Boots Pattern + Tutorial
The Crochet Turn the Page Slipper Boots are for lounging around the house. Made with Red Heart Hygge which is designed for softness and comfort. These are easy levels and they truly are. You will notice in the tutorial that it's broken down and I explain the sizes as there are three sizes for adults....
History of Crochet
History of Crochet Crochet is one of those hobbies where the starting point is unknown. It's a morphing of hobbies clashing together such as knitting, tapestry, rug hooking and weaving techniques. Croche is the Middle French word hook. While the word most likely originates from the French and English speakers have picked it up to...
Crochet Quick and Easy Scarf Pattern + Tutorial
Crochet Quick & Easy Scarf Using the Crochet Chain Reaction Scarf by Yarnspirations.com, I crocheted myself a quick accessory scarf using the discontinued yarn called Bernat Mosaic with the Optimistic Colour. Bernat Mosaic was one of my most favourite yarns and I have just a few balls left and treat it like gold. I'm being...
Difference of Being Authentic
I was thinking about the role of social media host and their responsibility to call things for what they are. Labelling content with authenticity. Indulge me in some free form thinking. Social media hosts can get into hot water if they are using statements that may not be accurate to define a situation, skill or...
Stitch Paleeze! Rebranding Ahead
Ever seen people who bitch about things not changing but don't change themselves to create the change? While negativity is easy to generate, a positive change is so much harder but who's responsibility is that? Look in the mirror, that's who. Canadian YouTube Creators, big fish, like me, have been assigned a YouTube Representative to...
Crochet Persuasion Patch Scrap Throw Pattern
DOWNLOAD PATCH THROW FREE PATTERN The Crochet Patched Persuasion Throw is a fantastic scrap yarn throw. There are several types of squares to try. One of the squares intrigued me with the light green and pink center. I haven't seen anything like that before. Some of the squares are modern granny, and I also like...
Crochet Awesomely Easy Textured Rectangle Granny Afghan
DOWNLOAD FREE RECTANGLE PATTERN Crochet Textured Rectangle Granny Afghan The Crochet Textured Rectangle Granny Afghan is the sister to the square version, Textured Granny Baby Blanket. This project is a granny square-styled blanket that has smaller holes than your typical crochet granny project, with just a bit extra texture. I used Red Heart® With Love™...
Mission To Change Cheerleading in The Yarn Arts
The unwritten divide in the yarn arts between crocheters and knitters baffles me. Yes, I get it; people have a preference for hobbies and material choices. Why is there a wall between the hobbies? You can leave me a comment at the bottom of this blog. I don't understand this need to be exclusive when,...
Authentically Broken with A New Plan
I have just returned from my yearly break. I was counting down the days, unlike any other year. My trip was almost cancelled a few days before I left due to circumstances beyond my control. I realized that if I don't break and get out of the house, I will not be able to reset...
10 Best Short Form Videos of 2022
This year, I tasked myself to learn how to make videos under 60 seconds. I hired a contractor to show me the tricks to the trade plus did many trials to see what crocheters would enjoy. The shorts require a bit of personality with a quick story that is relatable. Here are the top performer...