Scarves make great gifts.  They tend to work up quickly, don’t take too much yarn, and are a great way to experiment with new stitches and color palettes.  I often feel I can splurge on a single skein of luxurious … Read More...

I think that treasure bags make great gifts, quick and well suited to all ages and genders.  If you pick the right pattern (free) and the right colors, you can create a nifty little project in no time.  Great for … Read More...

After my walk today, I remembered that my husband needed a can of jalapeno peppers, so I stopped at a tiny Mexican market that was on my way home, Maye’s Market at 15270 Manchester Road in Ballwin, MO.  WOW!  This … Read More...

Sadly, annoyingly, this topic has been on my mind lately.  I’ve started wearing a splint at night for sleep and it’s helping.  I DO NOT want to get into advice giving here.  A crochet blog is not the place for … Read More...

I’ve found another batch of books from my stash that I want to GIVE AWAY.  Hot Diggity!  Another contest is born.

This is Annie’s Pattern Club #43.  In this batch, there are 5 other Annie’s Pattern Club books and a … Read More...

Remember how to make Plarn?  Here’s the tutorial:

How to make Plarn . 

You can also purchase plarn ready made here via Etsy.

This clothespin bag is made from ‘plarn’ :

http://tipnut.com/crochet-a-recycled-clothes-pin-bag-free-pattern/

I can think of plenty of other ideas … Read More...

Upcycling, repurposing, recycling – these are all no lose ideas.  Anything we can reuse for a creative or practical purpose is a good thing.  Here are some ideas I’ve run across recently.

Can you tell these were knitted caps?  While … Read More...

Making decisions about color can be overwhelming.  As artists/crafters, we are compelled to make decisions regarding color, often on an hourly basis.  At the very least, we must make these decisions each time we select yarn for a project.  In … Read More...

Wish I’d thought to combine self-striping yarn with modular construction.  This combination creates a really interesting but simple to create effect.  The babyghan shown is knit, but check out the diagram to figure out an easy way to convert this … Read More...

Here’s a new book by Sys Fredens.  Contemporary Crochet , I was not familiar with this designer/author, but I sure do like her designs!  I am currently working on one of the pullovers in this book for my daughter.  Not … Read More...

“Contemplative Crochet” is a different kind of book for my library.  This quote caught my attention:

‘Craft, spirituality, and vocation all require a certian reaching out,a seeking of inspiration, a search for wisdom.’

‘……..staying curious, open to possibilities….’

This book … Read More...

“Afghans and Throws” is an inviting new book by Luise Roberts.  It contains both knit and crochet patterns, and, unlike most mixed books, this one gives equal space to crochet.  While there are only six project patterns in … Read More...

Want to learn more crochet or improve your skills?  Here are just a couple of sites to help you.  However, one of the best ways to improve your skills is just to CROCHET!  Pick a simple pattern or one that … Read More...

Starting at the beginning with a slipstitch, how do we (did we) learn to crochet?  If you’re lucky, someone in your family or a dear friend or teacher taught you this wonderful craft.  If you’re not so lucky and you … Read More...

Here’s what the back of one of Carla’s completed, hand-tied afghan quilts looks like.  This is exactly the same technique used by ‘conventional’ quilters to make hand-tied quilts.  The quilt is always a ‘sandwich’ consisting of the pieced (in this … Read More...

Carla learned to crochet during her years in France while on holiday.  Her right handed mother taught left handed Carla to crochet, so Carla feels that she crochets “the wrong way around”.  Now, this makes one wonder what the ‘right … Read More...

A lot of us complain about crochet projects which require us to join a lot of motifs together.  I’m probably the loudest complainer.  You’ve read before where I have stated that I dismiss any pattern that begins with wording like … Read More...

I ran across this the other day and had to share!  Pretty cool.  I’m not built for this kind of jewelry – no neck – but I certainly admire the design and workmanship.

This is Turkoman jewelry which is beaded, … Read More...

http://www.redheart.com/FreePatterns/tabid/118/Default.aspx?tabid=118&patternid=WR1841.pdf

I just received the free pattern info on the beautiful capelet shown here while I was browsing the net for a sheer Summer shoulderette which would be well suited to the transition from hot, muggy days to damp, chilly … Read More...

I used to be a quilter.  Occasionally, I still get the ‘itch’ to pull out my fabric, scissors, and needle and whip one up.  Last time I did that, I spent the entire day at it and ended up with … Read More...