• playing with details - How a Pattern Happens - StitchesNScraps.com

    How a Pattern Happens – Getting Started

    Have you ever wondered what goes into designing a crochet pattern? It's different for everyone, but I thought it would be fun to share my process with all of you. This is part 1 of a series of behind-the-scenes posts, where you can join me as I work through a new design.

  • Little Frogs crochet pattern - Large worsted weight frog and tiny thread frog

    Crochet Frog Closures – Little Frogs

    These little crochet frog closures are fast and fun to make, and can be added to almost anything! Put them on cardigans, bags, boot cuffs, even tree skirts - anywhere you need a decorative closure. They're a great way to use up scrap yarn too.

  • Changing Colors Tutorial on StitchesNScraps.com

    Tutorial – Changing Colors

    When changing colors, the goal is (usually) to get a nice, clean edge between your color sections. You don’t want to end up with any part of the first color showing in the stitches of the 2nd color. Changing Colors – Photo Tutorial: (scroll down for video tutorial) Here I have a row with a few single crochet, and I’m going to change from green to blue. Take a look at the green working loop that comes out of the last stitch. That loop is going to become the top of the next stitch. If we just start the next stitch with blue, we would end up with the bottom of the stitch…

  • Crochet Shell N Picots Cowl - Crochet For You

    Scrappy Stitchers Link Party #24

    Congrats to Crochet For You for the most clicked link in October! This is the Crochet Shells N Picots Scarf – The way the color changes in the Unforgettable yarn work with this bold stitch pattern is really spectacular!   Now it’s your turn Remember, any fiber related project you’ve made is fine – it does not have to be your own design and you don’t have to have a blog. You can link up your Ravelry project pages or Instagram photos too, so come share your love for fiber! While you’re here, help support each other by clicking on a few of the other entries. If you post about your…

  • Maraschino - a free crochet pattern on StitchesNScraps.com

    Free Pattern – Maraschino

    Vanna’s Glamour yarn from Lion Brand gives this lacy dress a fun bit of sparkle, perfect for holiday parties. It features a figure-flattering empire waist, and subtle shaping to hug your curves in all the right places. The skirt flares out slightly, just enough for a little bit of a twirly bounce. I wore this to the CGOA Conference this past summer, and the picture is from just before the fashion show. This post contains affiliate links (click for more info). If you click one of these links and then make a purchase, I may be compensated. You get the same great prices, and you will be helping to support this site! This is a…

  • Contours - a free crochet pattern on StitchesNScraps.com

    Free Pattern – Contours Square

    There’s very little that’s square about this unique square! It’s made in 4 separate, half-circle pieces that are then joined with an edging and sewn together in the middle. It looks complicated, but the actual crochet is very easy. This square is shown here in 3 colors, but can be made all in 1 color, or in as many as 5 or even 6 (see Notes section for details). This pattern was designed for the Moogly 2016 afghan CAL. If this is the first you’ve heard about it, go check it out! The CAL is nearing the end, but there’s still time to catch up. Also be sure to take a look…

  • The Grape Beyond - A free pattern on StitchesNScraps.com

    Free Pattern – The Grape Beyond

    Get your grape on with this bold, puffy cowl! Cluster stitches “grapes” pop out of a lighter, two-toned background. It’s fast and fun to make, and the size can easily be adjusted. Since it’s worked in the round, the colors can easily be carried from one section to the next, meaning fewer ends to weave in. Try other colors too, and make one for everyone on your gift list! I’m breaking through // I’m bending spoons // I’m keeping flowers in full bloom // I’m looking for answers from the great beyond. (R.E.M. – The Great Beyond) This pattern is protected by copyright. Please do not distribute or share this pattern in any way other…

  • How to Crochet Bobbles - Tutorial on Stitches n Scraps

    How to Crochet Bobbles – Photo and Video Tutorial

    Bobbles, sometimes called clusters, are a wonderful way to add texture to a project. They are more of a technique than a specific stitch, because there are so many ways to make them. Learn how to crochet bobbles, and some of the things you can change to achieve different looks.

  • Mitered Mitts - a free pattern on StitchesNScraps.com

    Free Pattern – Mitered Mitts

    These fun mitts are reversible – wear them one way for a mitered pattern on top, or switch hands for simple stripes. If you make them in a solid color yarn, you won’t get the colorful stripes, but will still see the different designs. They’re so much easier than they look, and work up quickly. This may become one of your go-to patterns for gifting or craft fairs! This pattern is protected by copyright. Please do not distribute or share this pattern in any way other than by sharing a link to this page or to the pattern page on Ravelry. Click here for copyright information. This pattern contains affiliate links…

  • Tutorial – Crochet Mitered Rectangles

    Last week we talked about mitered squares. You can use a similar technique to create mitered rectangles, though it does require a little extra planning up front. Sc Mitered Rectangle: With a mitered rectangle, the first row defines the proportions. So to start, we need to decide what we want those proportions to be. What you’re looking for is the final stitch count that you want on each side (not counting the edging). You can determine this by taking your desired length and height, and multiplying those by your stitch gauge to find out how many stitches you need on each side.  For this tutorial, let’s make a rectangle that is…