Socks are one of my favorite things to knit. I love making them from start to finish. A sock is small enough to fit conveniently in my bag and travel with me wherever I go. Although sock knitting k…
Attaching amigurumi pieces is one of the most complicated things for beginners. In this tutorial I am showing two different ways to sew parts together.
Amigurumi is a special subset of crochet that requires its own skills. Even the most experienced crocheters can be startled when they pick up their first amigurumi pattern and discover it's full of new terms and techniques! In this post, I'll cover all the essentials you'll need t ...
As I shared in last week’s KnitBits, I sometimes like to shape the shoulders of a sweater using short rows, rather than binding off the shoulders over several rows. This prevents the “s…
I am sort-of joining in with Rachell’s Crochet Along (CAL) which started at the weekend. I say sort of because she has a theme (Cottage Garden) for everyone to take inspiration from, but I am…
Step-by-step tutorial on knitting blocking, depending on the nature of the yarn: natural fibers, artificial fibers and mixed yarn.
Eucalan is a natural concentrate which helps to refill wool (and other natural yarns) with Lanolin. Review and test by Lilla Bjorn Crochetilla
Learn this great way to join yarn in knitting or crochet. It's secure and another way to avoid having to weave in ends.
Add the perfect finish to your toe-up socks, top-down hats and ribbed sweater neckbands with a tubular bind-off.
Barbara Breiter goes over the different way to do selvages.
Use a crochet hook to do a provisional cast-on directly on your knitting needle.
Probably I'm not the only one who has few projects sitting in the back of my closet I'm not going to finish. There are many reasons why some projects were abandoned. Perhaps you've lost interest in or your taste in color has changed. Maybe you have old knit/crochet sweaters or shawls you don't wear anymore. As a designer,
“How can I sell my crochet work? Can I make money with my crochet projects? How did you get started?” I get these questions in my inbox about once a week! And I totally get it! I feel incredibly blessed to have a “job” where I can say I crochet for a living. The big...
When knitting in the round, we are in fact working spiral rows and a disgraceful jog appears at color changes. It can be avoided by working a jogless join. There are different methods but this one can be used in every round. At the end of the rnd (the red loop is my EOR -end [...]
A step-by-step tutorial on how to knit German Short Rows for beginners by a locals. Perfect for heels or colorful shawls.
In this post I present an easy way to remembering M1R and M1L increases. The trick is to always pick up the strand from back to front with the needle that points in the direction you want the increase to lean into. I also propose handedness-neutral terms for M1 increases.
I'm reblogging a picture because I have a question for you... What yarns do you like to use that are close to accurate skin tones? This has been an ongoing search for me, and I'd like to post about yarns...
Let's say that you've finally found the perfect pattern that you want to try to create. But there's a problem: the pattern is for knitting and you crochet. If this sounds like a problem you've had, don't worry. We've done the research to explain how to convert a knitting pattern to crochet. Follow these steps […]
1 this method produces subtle color variations reminiscent of tie dye you will need some dye (i used a powdered Dylon dye left over from a previous project) cotton kitchen string (2 balls for $1 @ the bargain shop)--not the...
Dear Friends, Ready to learn a new crochet technique? There‘s a idiom in German „aus dem Nähkästchen plaudern“. One could translate it as „telling tales out of school“ or „spilling the beans“ o
Have you ever used a stitch diagram when crocheting? I used one for the first time when I made my friend’s baby blanket. The pattern came with written instructions as well but I wanted to try…
I've get questions about yarn weights and thicknesses all the time - and with readers from around the world, I know not every yarn label follows the same system! So I put together a handy printable and Pinterest ready chart for your reference! To download this chart or print a copy, just CLICK HERE to open just the graphic! I've kept the graphic itself quite simple, so you can print it in color or black and white, without using all your ink! I did a lot of research, checking several sources to give you the most accurate and up to date
We're talking about magic today folks! That's right. You heard me. Magic. This is a magic knot. If you knit or crochet and haven't had a chance to use this knot to join your yarn, I'm about to become your new best friend. If you're a crafter that has any project that requires you to join thread, yar
Learn how to successfully fit an armhole by using a muslin. Adjust the bust, back, and shoulder—and your armhole almost takes care of itself.
Don't know about your area but here in VaBch/Norfolk Friday was July Sew Day. It wasn't just another sew day this one had a little spice. Our local PBS Station, WHRO, was filming and interviewing for a piece they are doing on the work Elaine and I do for and about QOV. It is apparently a new segment on events and people around our area that support our active military and veterans. To be chosen as the first story is quite an honor. We will post and link what we can when it becomes available. They will be making another trip to the home/studio for some more footage and interviewing this coming week. Are we excited...ask your 7 year old on Christmas Morning before you hand him/her their first present. Duh!!! To say we are lucky when it comes to space would be very true. The Ocean View Senior Center Norfolk allows us access to the gym area. Our guild also holds our Day Chapter meeting s here. They have been very generous and gracious hosts. Above, the WHRO camera operator, Shannon, takes some shots as Laurie explains the photos of her family she has on her cup. Elaine and I had the honor of awarding QOV's to her parents. WWII Veterans who meet when her dad was wounded and the treating nurse was...you guessed it...her mom. Above, left to right Nancy B. Nancy Z. and Anne H. share stories and experiences with the WHRO Reporter, Michelle B. (standing) Michelle is a 26 year veteran from the U.S. Air Force. She was also one very surprised recipient of a Quilt of Valor that we presented. We will post some photos at first opportunity. Shannon videoed and took some stills of the Award Presentation. Nancy Z's name will come up again here in a few minutes. Above Susan P. and Nancy F. (I know a lot of Nancy's) were working on bindings. While Davis M. (below) was doing some cutting. He was working on some blocks for future QOV's. Davis has been quilting since February 2013 and has already ribboned. A former engineer he took to quilting and sewing like, as they say, a fish to water. I think I've seen at least a dozen of his finished projects...at least...oh did I say finished. One month he brings a couple of tops to Show and Tell and next month he brings the completed quilts. My guess is the life expectancy of a UFO is very short around Davis. We displayed a couple of finished quilts and there was an area where we had quilts to be bound, bordered, and labeled. Everyone had plenty to do. There was one quilt that wasn't there. It was in the Longarm Room attached to the machine waiting for someone to get home and apply some thread. You'll recall I mentioned Nancy Z. would be heard from again. Well here she is. Elaine and I were graciously invited to attend this years Region 8 Retreat. While there it was announced by Betsy that a company that makes the blue star fields for flags has a very strict and rigid quality control system. If there is a flaw, any flaw, the smallest of flaws detected as the field comes off the machine the field is removed from further production and prior to Betsy, discarded. The fields are never part of an American Flag. Well long story short Betsy took delivery of apparently a pallet full of blue fields of different sized stars that didn't get past quality control. So of the 90 individuals that attended the retreat we all got some blue fields. You may have seen some postings of what others have done with those blue fields. Well here is Nancy Z's. I got to quilt it and more than likely will get to award it down the road. This truly is one of those times when the picture doesn't do justice. This is one fabulous quilt. My goal as a longarmer, whether a QOV, a Project Linus, someone's baby quilt or one of Elaine's custom T Shirt quilts, regardless, is to compliment the quilter's work. I haven't seen Nancy yet so I'm kind of on pins and needles but I hope I was successful. Her work is always beautiful and meticulous. Picking the pattern and putting down the first few stitches was more nerve racking than flying into a combat zone under fire. At the time I was used to that, it was the routine. Complimenting the work of quilters is a tad bit more challenging. If I get it wrong a lot more dangerous. I'll leave you with this...by the time I get the quilt all of this has been figured out...thank goodness! I have to admit I'm a littler concerned in regards to the size of the lap as indicated above. I'm gonna have to talk with Elaine. Apparently I'm gonna need a "nap quilt." I'm certain I qualify. Quilt till you wilt...we do.
This is the stitch I use when sewing two pieces of fabric together, like side seams on a bodice or stripes or anything that I later fold and finish the seam. Run the needle 2-3 times, with about 5 …
Long Tail CO creates a neat edge but you are often left with too much tail or run out before you have enough stitches. When a pattern requires you to CO 200 stitches, how do you estimate how long a tail to leave? You don’t.
Hello everyone! Welcome back, I'm glad you're here. Today I'd like to get real with you for just a minute. I haven't talked much about this, but I'm a
Yarn under single crochet gives you tighter and neater looking stitches. Single crochet that looks like cross stitches or X stitches.
An abbreviation is a shortened form of a word or phrase. In written English, we use abbreviations to shorten common sentences to save time. This post will explain most commonly used abbreviations that are used in a business setting.
Easy crochet video tutorial on how to make a straight hdc seam when you are working in the round. Two easy tricks will do the job!
Learn how to knit a yarn over between both knit stitches and purl stitches with these step by step photo and video tutorials!
Discover crochet tips and find inspiration on Your Crochet's free patterns blog. Read our post, 'The Correct Way To Join Yarn: Ultimate Video Tutorial'.
Wet blocking is a foreign concept to most knitters and crocheters. In all honestly, you can go your whole maker life without blocking any of your projects. But, just like weaving in ends, blocking is a crucial finishing step to take your projects to the next level. Watch this video and see how to block […]
Tidy Finishing on a Circular Bind-Off - VeryPink offers knitting patterns and video tutorials from Staci Perry. Short technique videos and longer pattern tutorials to take your knitting skills to the next level.
Quick guide all about yarn weight and its different categories that includes a Free Printable Yarn Conversion Chart from Crafting Happiness.
