• Your feedback matters!

    I’m far from perfect (yes, yes, I know, it’s hard to believe, but it’s true! ☺) Recently, a lot of people have been making my Crocodile Stitch Pixie Hat, and have been nice enough to share their pictures and thoughts on their Ravelry project pages. I LOVE to see comments and particularly pictures of your projects! It lets me know…

  • My friend's baby Harrison

    This is why.

    Sometimes, I try to pull out the end from the center of a skein, and the whole middle comes out in one big blob of yarn barf that I then spend 2 hours untangling. Sometimes, 15 stitches from the end of a massive project, I run out of completely unmatchable yarn. Sometimes, I put down a project for a few…

  • Red Eye Square

    Free Pattern – Red Eye square

    This is the last of four 5 inch squares I made as homework for a crochet retreat. It does have more ends to weave in, but it’s still fun to make and goes quickly. You may be surprised to know, those raised blue lines are NOT post stitches. How do they work then? Read on and find out! This pattern is protected by copyright.…

  • finished edge

    Tutorial – Front Post & Back Post Slip Stitches

    Front post and back post stitches, sometimes called relief stitches or cables, are common in crochet. You’ll most often see front post and back post double crochets or trebles, and sometimes also half double crochets. Front post and back post slip stitches, on the other hand, are much more rare, but they are easy and can be very useful! One…

  • Merry Go Round blanket square

    Free Pattern – Merry-go-round square

    This is the third of four 5 inch squares I made as homework for a crochet retreat. It’s much easier than it looks, with alternating accent rows on top of a background of dc stitches. The accent rows are worked in the front loop, so they stand up on top of the background, creating an interesting texture. Since the color changes with…

  • Unicorn Fibre samples

    Product Review – Unicorn Fibre Wash & Rinse

    My friend Jessie of Jessie at Home had a serious soot problem in her home office / studio a little while ago, and for cleaning it up she recommended Unicorn Fibre products. I was looking for a good product to use for blocking my projects anyway, so I thought I would give it a try. I didn’t know whether I wanted Fibre Wash or…

  • How to Crochet without a slip knot

    How to Crochet Without a Slip Knot

    Most of us learned to start our crochet by making a slip knot. It's so annoying to squish some soft, luxurious, handmade item and feel that hard little bump. But you don't have to! You can start your crochet without a slip knot.

  • Crossed Cables Square

    Free Pattern – Crossed Cables Square

    This is one of four 5 inch squares I made as homework for a crochet retreat. It’s a relatively easy pattern and works up quickly. The cables give it a bit of texture, with one crossed row in the middle just for fun.     This pattern is protected by copyright. Please do not distribute or share this pattern in…

  • CGOA Masters Pin

    Completing the CGOA Masters Program

    When I finally made the decision to go to the Knit and Crochet Show this year, I also decided to take the CGOA Masters of Advanced Stitches & Techniques Program. My goal was to successfully complete the program in time to get my pin at the show, and I did it! I’ve been dying to tell you all about it,…

  • 5 inch squares "homework"

    A weekend retreat

    This weekend, I’m going on a retreat. A crochet retreat, to be specific, just an hour and a half from home. It sort of snuck up on me, and now it’s almost here. 3 days of yarn, friends, and crochet classes – taught by Dora Ohrenstein! Yes, THE Dora Ohrenstein! Exciting, right? It’s all through my local crochet guild chapter. Everyone is bringing snacks…