Working into a Foundation Chain

One of the first things you learn as a new crocheter, unless you start out working in the round, is how to work into a foundation chain. Making chains is the first step to crocheting and then learning to work taller stitches into those chains to make the fabric grow the other direction is theContinue reading “Working into a Foundation Chain”

What is a K/CAL?

KAL is knit a-long and CAL is crochet a-long. When Yahoo groups were a thing this was something that many of the crochet and knitwear designers were doing. My mom and I were part of many “a-longs”. Dishcloths, shawls, even sweaters. It is a great way to learn and have community, usually without ever leavingContinue reading “What is a K/CAL?”

Aloe Wish Hiss

This will be an on-going series in addition to my weekly blog post. The category is “Aloe Wish Hiss” and I will link to it at the beginning of each entry in case you missed something. I am going to design a sweater that is a layering piece. Even though I live in the desertContinue reading “Aloe Wish Hiss”

Carrying Yarn in Rows, Crochet

Some patterns will be more enjoyable, less ends to weave in, if the yarn is carried and not cut. However, you want to do this in a way that doesn’t distract from the beauty of the piece. The easiest way to do that is in a piece that has an edging. It is possible toContinue reading “Carrying Yarn in Rows, Crochet”

Executing a Project Successfully

How many times have you been so excited to start a new project? I know I have. Especially when I just bought a new book, downloaded a pattern or received some great new yarn. That bug hits when I go stash diving for another skein for a current project and I have to exercise someContinue reading “Executing a Project Successfully”

Carrying Yarn in Crochet

Sometimes when working with more than one color in crochet, I’m thinking stripes, it is more practical, and economic, to carry the yarn and not cut it until you are finished with it. Cutting the yarn creates more ends to weave in, very few of us actually enjoy that, and it often uses more yarnContinue reading “Carrying Yarn in Crochet”

Swatch Your Beginning and Ending First

Before starting on your next project, swatch. We all know this, few of us do it but recently I learned a valuable lesson about swatching. I had swatched for this particular project, a lot. I’ve been swatching this thing since June and here it is the end of August, as I write, and I finallyContinue reading “Swatch Your Beginning and Ending First”

Stitching on the Go!

The above title can have more than one meaning. I going to talk about three different situations that you might find yourself in and want to have your stitching along with you. For the best experience a little planning can go a long way. For each of the three scenarios I will share a photoContinue reading “Stitching on the Go!”