About Pia

Hi! I’m Pia, the designer and all-around fiber addict behind Stitches n Scraps.

Pia Thadani from Stitches n Scraps

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Here are some other places you can find me:

Background

So let’s see…what would you like to know about me….

Well, for starters, my mom is the one who got me started in needle crafts. She taught me knitting when I was very young, and then a few years later she taught me to crochet.

Some of my early projects as a child

As a kid, I found crochet easier and faster, so I stuck with that and over time I forgot pretty much everything I knew about knitting. I started re-learning it all in 2013,  and also started designing and writing patterns, which I’ve found out I absolutely love!

I’ve done my fair share of other crafts and fiber arts, such as spinning, weaving, embroidery, and scrapbooking (to name a few). But it always comes back to mostly knitting or crochet.

Memberships

I am a proud member of the Crochet Guild of America, both at the national level and in the Northern Illinois Chapter. If you crochet, whether as a hobby or as a professional, the guild is an invaluable resource. Plus, I’ve made some of my closest friends there. What can I say, these are my people!

photo frame- CGOA Chain Link Conference 2018 - Stitches n Scraps

I’m also a member of AFCI, the Association for Creative Industries. It’s a great way to connect with a wider network of creative professionals.

37 Comments

  • xloz68x

    I have nominated you for a Leibster award

    your questions are:
    1: What is it that you are best at craft wise
    2: When and why did you start to blog
    3: What is your favourite yarn and why
    4: What would be your dream project
    5: where do you see yourself n 5 years
    6: What would be your dream job
    7: How did you learn your craft
    8: Are you a messy crafterโ€ฆtell the truth
    9: What age were you when you started
    10: Who taught you

  • kevin baker

    Dear Pia,
    Thanks so much for putting Tina’s posting up on Raverly with her first pattern. It is really a great job you did and linking our website is another plus.
    Sincerely,
    Kevin.

  • Sheila

    I have a patters for a Pittsburgh Steeler logo surrounded by black, gold and white. I am having trouble putting the lettering on the logo. I made my afghan with two logos and am going to put “Pittsburgh” on one and “Steelers” on the other one. Can you help me with the lettering? I have started about 10 times and taken it out every time. I just can’t get it to look right. My e-mail address is shegreene3@aol.com. I would very much appreciate your help.
    Thank you,
    Sheila

    • Pia Thadani

      Sheila: I’ve found that for complicated lettering tasks, it’s easiest to just embroider it onto the top of the piece at the end. I’m assuming this is a crochet blanket? I like to print my letters onto graph paper, pretending each square on the graph is a space between stitches in my crochet (not a stitch, rather the space between them) and then backstitch it just like i would for a counted crosstitch project. Honestly I just use the chart as a guide and then freehand it a bit. It also helps to start from the center of the word and work your way out on both sides. That helps the spacing to be a bit more even.

      Hope that helps!

  • Peggy

    Hi I am trying to get started on Darkness-a hooded scarf. It’s gorgeous. I am, however, having difficulty understanding the pattern. If I am starting with 70 chains and I am following the pattern, how is it I am only supposed to have 46 stitches after only 1 row is done? When I look at the chart it looks like I am supposed to be increasing each row but after 7 rows I have a rectangle.
    What am I missing?

    • Pia Thadani

      Peggy:

      It sounds like you have 2 separate issues. Regarding the first question, you start with 70 chains but in the first row you skip several stitches (Approximiately every 3rd stitch), so you end up only actually working 46 stitches. The second question you have is about the increases. If you’re having trouble establishing the pattern correctly in the first row, this is probably why you’re not getting increases. If you look at the chart, you will see that extra stitches get worked along the one edge for the first 6 rows, for the hood shaping. I think maybe you are not working those as written, but rather just continuing in the regular stitch pattern.

      I would suggest starting over, and going carefully stitch by stitch through either the instructions or the chart, and you should see the increases work out. Mostly they’re done by adding chain spaces without skipping anything. After row 7, you’re safe to work in the established pattern without paying as close of attention, all the way up to row 32.

      • Peggy

        I was wondering about that because of the skipped stitches, but for every skipped stitch there is a chain added. So sc in first stitch, chain 1, sk 1, sc in next 2. You are skipping but the chain being added replaces it. Should I not be doing the chain in between? The pattern calls for it.

        • Pia Thadani

          yes, but those chains aren’t stitches. You start with 70 chains – one is the turning chain so that doesn’t count. so after row 1 you have 46 stitches and 23 chains….which adds up to 69, which is what you started with.

          • Peggy

            So you do add them for a total. I do have 69 all together when I’m done. As each row progress I have the additional space I should have. When I was looking at the chart there is a definite ‘v’ shape happening that I am not getting though.

  • Leslie Miller

    Help Pia!!
    I read your post about crocheting in the round and the stitches shifting – I understand that it does this but how can I fix it when I am staying with the same color? What I can’t figure out is why the first sock didn’t shift and now I can’t do anymore without the shift?? ANY and all help would be greatly appreciated!
    Thank you!

    • Pia Thadani

      Are you following a pattern? If you’re following a pattern, it should already take that shift into account. With a sock, I imagine the main concern would be the toe and heel shaping – you’d have to shift the increases/decreases to line up correctly. But if the first one turned out fine, then I don’t know why the second one wouldn’t if you do it exactly the same way. Since the first one was ok, I’d just trust what the pattern says and follow it carefully. I’m sure it’s something as simple as a skipped stitch somewhere or your starting count was off by one or something like that ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Amanda Rivett

    HI Pia!
    I am having a hard time finishing the pattern Darkness. I donโ€™t understand where to sew the hood together. Can you help please? Thank you!

  • Carol D

    Hi Pia!
    Merry Christmas!
    I just found your site last night from Lindsey over at TheLindseyLife.com.

    Wondering if you have a mailing list – I didn’t see a way to sign up if you have one. I’d love to be added to the list if possible to receive updates to your blog;

    Thank also for all you share with all of us. This Crochet Community is almost like having a group of friends all over the world! It’s great!

    Thank you again, and Blessed and Merry Christmas to you and your family!

  • Donna Stephens

    Dear Pia
    I have just made you Seahorse teether. I am thrilled with it. The pattern was easy to follow and the results are greater
    Thank you
    Kind regards
    Donna.

    • Pia Thadani

      You’re welcome, I’m so glad you like the pattern! I’d love to see the pictures, have you posted them somewhere? Please consider sharing them in the Scrappy Stitchers Link Party or on the Scrappy Stitchers Facebook group, I’m sure everyone would love to see ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Lee

    Hi Pia,
    I love (and have used) your “Alternate cable cast-on” video and it produces the BEST edge for a seed stitch border. Question: do you have a recommendation for a matching cast-off technique? I have used one in the past (that mirrors your cable cast on), but now can not find it anywhere on the internet. As I recall, it’s not easy to memorize… and I’ve used it before (so I KNOW it exists). But can’t find it now. FRUSTRATING!!
    Thank you so very much for any help you can give.
    best,
    Lee

    • Pia Thadani

      As far as I’ve been able to find, there isn’t an exact matching bind off…but I definitely don’t know all the bind offs out there so if you find one I’d love to know!

      I typically just do a simple bind off in pattern, or maybe do a decrease bind off, or if I’m feeling particularly industrious I might do a sewn / tubular bind off. All are good options ๐Ÿ™‚

  • Crochette Cafe

    CONGRATULATIONS! on your newest appointment as president of
    Crochet Guild of America.
    Looking forward to what you have for your blog moving forward.

  • Rita Champlion

    Hi, you have such a great offering of tutorials and stitch alongs but I had a hard time viewing your website with all the advertising. All the adveritsements made it difficult for me to enjoy your site. I wish you the best and hope you will reconsider having less advertisments.

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