Try This Stitch: Crochet Cable
The swatch sample shown was worked in 24/7 Cotton yarn using a G/6 (4mm) crochet hook.
Try This Stitch: Classic Cable and Rib
The swatch shown uses New Basic 175 and a size US 8 (5mm) knitting needle. Two repeats of the pattern are worked across the row flanked by 4 garter stitches on each side. The garter stitch border was added for swatching purposes and is not included in the multiple of 16 + 4 required. (Swatch…
Learn to Knit: Lesson 1
Has the question of needing a new hobby crossed your mind? When you walk into your favorite craft store and walked down the yarn isle and wondered how you could create something amazing with all of the colorful options in front of you? If you have answered yes, knitting might be the perfect thing for…
What Is Single Ply Yarn?
A ply is a strand of fiber that makes up a piece of yarn. Most yarns have several plies twisted around each other, however, some have only one. These are called singles or single ply yarns. Single ply yarn adds a distinct aesthetic to knit and crocheted items crafted from it. You might notice a…
Try This Stitch: Rhythmic Crochet Edge
The sample shown in the swatch for this post, as well as the sample in the Lion Brand Stitch Finder, is worked with a multiple of 8 stitches + 1 stitch. This is how the pattern was originally written for publication in 150 Crochet Trims, as you can see in the instructional text below. However,…
Try This Stitch: Fanfare Crochet
Fanfare is a beautiful crochet pattern that’s delicate and elegant without being too difficult. You don’t need to be an expert crocheter to make something like fanfare stitch. You need to know single and double crochet, chain, and how to work into a chain space. If you need help with the basics of crochet, check…
Learn to Crochet: Let’s Wrap Things Up
We’ve reached the end of our Learn to Crochet series, and it’s time to wrap things up. Over the past ten weeks we’ve learned the basic stitches — sc, hdc, dc, trc — as well as how to work in the round, change colors, read patterns and charts, and increase and decrease. We’ve made fingerless…
Try This Stitch: Crystal Chandelier
Crystal Chandelier is a lovely lacy stitch that would work well for a shawl or scarf. This lace would look lovely on many different projects, and the width is extremely adjustable. The pattern is eight stitches wide, with one more cast on for symmetry. So you would cast on 9, 17, 25, 33, and so…
Try this Stitch: Arrowhead Lace
Arrowhead lace is a beautiful stitch that looks intricate without being too complex or difficult. The four-row pattern repeats across 10 stitches, with one extra cast on for symmetry. A single repeat (11 stitches) makes a great headband, or can be incorporated into a larger piece, like a hat or sweater. Two or three repeats…
How to Take Project Photos with Your Phone
You don’t need a high-end digital camera to photograph your finished projects and do it well. Photography is about skill, not equipment. Sure, at a professional level, having the best lenses, filters, and cameras can help, but if you’re looking to shoot your finished projects to share on social media or a blog, how you…
Learn to Crochet With Me in 2017
When we asked about your crafting resolutions earlier this week, I admitted something: I can’t really crochet. So my plan for 2017 was to learn how. When I say I want to learn how to crochet, I don’t mean that I want to just learn a few stitches and never think about it again. I mean…
Start a Temperature Blanket in the New Year
Temperature blankets are a hot trend (no pun intended) in the crafting world, and the start of a new year is the perfect time to begin yours! It’s a fun, year-long project. To make one, work a row for each day in a color that corresponds to that day’s temperature. You can knit or crochet…