Twists On Crochet Traditions
The new and the old combined...
Letter From Jodie Morgan: Founding Editor
Lisa Doherty’s dispatch features beautiful projects blending knitted sections with freeform crochet. She lets inspiration guide her, creating amazing fiber art!
Ana Torradinhas never ceases to amaze me with her uses for overlay crochet.
If you enjoy Halloween crafting, this ghost walking a dog from The Cheerio Club would be great! Seasonal decorations are such fun.
I’m always drawn to yarns in beautiful blue shades and the Kelpie hand-dyed colorway by Melissa Renfrey looks gorgeous!
I love the look of Lili Leaser’s latest finished project: the Summer Rafia Clutch Bag by Ana Ushakova.
JoAnna from KnitSpinFarm is an indie dyer and has some lovely colorways leftover from her monthly yarn club! The superbloom sock yarn caught my eye.
Anne Vally is also reopening her hand-dyed yarn subscription club to new people! It’s open until Sep 15, so get in while you can.
Featured Article — Crochet Confidential: The Fascinating Origins Of The Craft
“Crochet has shaped fashion, challenged norms, and even played a role in wartime espionage. Intrigued? Let's explore its extraordinary history.”
Useful Tip — What To Do If Your Circle Looks More Like A Hexagon
“I was always creating a hexagonal shape when creating a circle in my crochet. Until I came across this clever method of staggering increase rounds. By doing so, you form a circle rather than a hexagon.
You work only some of the single crochet (SC) before your first increase, then continue around in the pattern and end with the remaining SC.
This way, you’re just shifting the increases over a few spaces. You don’t have to stagger every increase row, just when it looks hexagonal.”
— Excerpt from the Crochet Habits Success Manual
Worth A Read — The Crochet Answer Book By Edie Eckman
“A perfect reference book for almost every problem you might encounter on your crocheting journey. Edie Eckman is a teacher, designer, and author of several helpful crochet books and others on other crafts.”
— Sourced from my recommended books for your crochet library.
Editor’s Note: This issue may get cut off halfway! Click here to read it in full.
Last Week’s Most Popular Design: The Beija Flor Top
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What’s Inside This Issue
Crochet Designs You Can't Miss…
Hexagonal harmony, delightful stripes, spiral into creativity, cozy stripes for chilly nights, add a sunshine burst to your wardrobe, and bring the 90s back.
Customizable cardigan comfort, a chic summer twist on granny squares, crochet stargazing, fall coziness, and tiny trendy sneakers.
Insider Crochet Inspiration…
The squid’s textured depths, consistently even stitches, bring spring in, a heart-shaped helper, unraveling with care, and the art of diagonal textures.
Light up Halloween, split clusters, spot the difference, beaded flair, you’ll wish you knew this counting tip earlier, and aligned lotus elegance.
(Disclosure: Any purchases made through links may earn me a commission.)
Crochet Designs You Can't Miss…
Hexagonal Harmony With A Modern Twist
Transform the art of Tunisian crochet into something special. With just two hexagons, you can create a seamless, size-inclusive hexagon cardigan!
It feels fresh while paying homage to the time-honored granny stitch.
Arunima recommends using Brava Worsted with an 8 mm (US L) size hook. I find my Furls Streamline resin hook works well with that yarn.
Delightful Stripes
I'm taken by Banda, a charming tee using Catherine's Wheel stitch. The design is seasonally versatile thanks to its open stitches, and the tiered color options enhance customizability, making it yours!
The designer made it for Expression Fiber Arts, and the suggested yarn is their Crema Sock (70% Superwash Merino Wool, 30% Silk, fingering weight) with a 4mm mm (US G) size hook. It’d also work beautifully in Gloss Fingering.
Spiral Into Creativity
Isn't it delightful when simple things like washcloths become an opportunity for creativity and learning? The Spiral Washcloth from HonouringMECrochet caught my eye for its dual charm—practicality and beauty.
The designer provides thorough instructions, making it manageable even for those new to crafting in the round.
Regarding yarn, Seona says:
“I use and recommend 100% cotton for all washcloths. My yarn of choice is KnitPicks Dishie.”
Use Dishie Worsted with US I or K hooks (5.5 mm or 6.5 mm) for best results.
Cozy Stripes For Chilly Nights
The Nest Blanket by Melissa Fisher is a wonderful introduction for any crochet novice, and a delightful quick project for the seasoned crocheter. Using bulky yarn, it promises rapid results and a chunky texture.
The recommended yarn is Lion Brand Hue + Me (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool, bulky weight.) I always use my Furls Streamline resin hook with wool blends.
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Add A Burst Of Sunshine To Your Wardrobe
The Sungazer Top by Sara Dudek’s lacy design in light cotton is perfect for when it's hot, and the fancy details in lace weight yarn add a delicate and classy touch.
She suggests using Curio #3 (100% cotton,) Comfy Fingering (75% Cotton, 25% Acrylic,) Lindy Chain (70% Linen, 30% Cotton,) or Stroll (75% Merino, 25% Nylon.)
Any of which would work beautifully!
Bring The 90s Back With A Daisy Delight
There's something charming about the granny square daisy cross body bag Arterey has designed. It's a nostalgic nod to the past with a trendy, floral twist.
I always appreciate clear instructions, especially with pictures, and this one gets it right! Including links to basic stitches is a thoughtful touch for beginners.
For best results, use a sturdy yarn, like Patons 100% Cotton DK with a smooth metal crochet hook, like the metallic versions of the Furls Streamline.
Customizable Comfort In A Cardigan
The Whimsy Willow Cardigan by Rachel Misner is a delightful project for a custom fit with multiple sizes and a flexible construction.
The picot stitches throughout add a whimsical touch.
She uses Truboo yarn (100% bamboo, DK weight), noted for its silky texture and luxurious feel, with a US G-6 crochet hook (4mm.)
A Chic Summer Twist On Granny Squares
I'm always on the lookout for summer accessories that differ from the norm, and this Granny Square Summer Bucket Hat suits!
Integrating granny squares into a hat is clever, perfect for sunny escapes. Also, the designer Gilly includes UK and US terminologies, making it more accessible.
I would suggest using a sturdy cotton yarn for these hats, like Dishie Worsted. They'll last through many summers!
Stargazing With Your Crochet Hooks
I love the look of Alexandra Tavel’s Stargazer Throw. The design sprinkles pops of vibrant colors against a cozy backdrop, like a clear, starry night.
She suggests Lion Brand Hue + Me (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool, bulky weight.) I use my Furls Streamline resin hook when crocheting wool blends.
Embrace The Coziness Of Autumn
MoodyGoose offers a delightful Easy Crochet Cardigan that's perfect for beginners with a comfy, oversized look.
Try it and wrap yourself in warmth in fall!
Use Aran weight yarn to create this piece. It's lovely and enjoyable to work with. You can’t go wrong with Malabrigo Rios (100% Merino Wool) with all its colors!
Create A Cozy Corner
The Pondering Pillow by Quayln Stark invites you to add handmade charm to your home. It uses an intricate yet surprisingly simple mosaic design.
The recommended Hawthorne Fingering yarn (80% Highland Superwash Wool, 20% Nylon) is perfect for the project with its softness and durability.
Tiny Trendy Sneakers
Who can resist these adorable "Federation" Runners sneaker booties from Inventorium? Crocheting baby shoes might seem daunting, but these come with clear instructions that make the process enjoyable.
Available in single and dual color versions, and sizes from newborn to 18 months. These cute baby sneakers are wonderful gifts!
For baby items (unless the little one is sensitive to wool), I usually go with an acrylic/wool or acrylic/cotton blend. I’d suggest Comfy Sport for these booties!
Insider Crochet Inspiration…
The Squid Stitch’s Textured Depths
You can crochet a hidden underwater treasure with this tutorial by Nordic Hook. It has step-by-step photos, which is invaluable for visual learners like me. Don't miss giving this distinctive stitch a go. The results are beautifully intricate!
The Golden Loop For Consistently Even Stitches
Deb from Skein Sisters introduces a clever crochet technique known as the "golden loop" in this tutorial. This little trick improves gauge, tension, and the uniformity of your stitches. I'm excited to see how it can refine my projects.
Bring Spring In With Daffodils
I came across this charming daffodil crocheting tutorial by Lynda from Greenwich Libraries, perfect for brightening up your days!
Crochet A Heart-Shaped Helper For Your Home
Jayda InStitches introduces a charming, practical crochet project: heart-shaped scrubbers! In her tutorial, Jayda shares how to craft these cute and useful items that’ll make cleaning less of a chore. 😉
Unraveling Knots With Caution & Care
The struggle of untangling yarn can turn a relaxing crochet session into a frustrating ordeal! Janne Kleivset's tips about using the right tools and techniques to avoid damaging the yarn are essential!
The emphasis on not pulling too hard on the yarn is important. It's a common mistake that can easily turn fixable tangles into permanent damage.
Master The Art Of Diagonal Textures
Mama In A Stitch offers a fantastic tutorial on creating a diagonal basket weave blanket in this video. Using chunky yarn and a simple two-row repeat, it promises a cozy and stylish project.
Light Up Halloween With A Glow-In-The-Dark Twist
I was excited to discover the return of Red Heart Super Glow Yarn! The yarn, available in captivating colors like Lunar White and Glow Worm Green, glows after being charged by light. It’ll be fantastic for Halloween crafts like the ideas from Sarah at Repeat Crafter Me.
The Split Clusters Stitch
Janne Kleivset's tutorial on the split clusters stitch is a fabulous for add lace-like texture to crochet projects. What impresses me most is the blend of photo and video tutorials that make learning this intermediate stitch approachable.
Bobble, Puff & Popcorn Stitches
I appreciate the distinctions drawn among puff, bobble, and popcorn stitches in this tutorial, each with its unique texture and method. Especially helpful are the visual close-ups and step-by-step instructions that make it easy to follow along.
Add Flair To Your Crochet With Beading Techniques
Bobbleclubhouse’s video offers a delightful peek into the world of beaded crochet with their "How-To Crochet With Beads" tutorial. It’s a fantastic resource if you're looking to add some sparkle and texture to your work.
A Great Chain Counting Tip!
Nicki of Nicki's Homemade Crafts has just unveiled a truly transformative crochet tip to make counting your chains easier. It's the advice that makes you wonder why it wasn't part of your crocheting repertoire earlier!
The Elegance Of The Aligned Lotus
Nordic Hook's aligned lotus stitch tutorial (combining basic crochet techniques with puff stitches for added flair) introduces a delicate texture, perfect for light yet appealing fabrics for summer projects.
Hope this issue has inspired your next crochet project!
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Thank you Jodie! You’ve opened up a whole world to me. I’ve returned to crochet after many many years and I’m loving all your knowledge and the beautiful work you share. I’m learning so much
Thank you, Jodie, I appreciate the share! You always find so many goodies.