Crochet Me Blog

Check out the new Interweave Crochet Accessories

2012-10-22T11:00:00Z

It's here! The new issue of Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012 is in the Crochet Me Shop, and I can't wait to get started. Many of these quick accessories are great introductions to new techniques like broomstick lace and reversible intarsia. I can't decide which project to start first. Many of these projects would make great handmade gifts. Here is Interweave Crochet Editor Marcy Smith to tell us more about this new issue.

Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012

The 2012 Interweave Crochet Accessories is ready for you, and it is just stuffed with projects—more than fifty of them. I hardly know where to start to tell you about them all.

Scarves. OK, scarves are a great place to start. What's great about the selection of scarves here is that you can not only crochet scarves for everyone on your list (including yourself), but you can have a lot of fun doing it!

You know how scarves can be to a seemingly endless swath of do-the-same-thing-over-and-over-until-you-can't-stand-it-anymore? Not so with these scarves.

The cover scarf, Elvis 1973 Scarf by Karen Ratto-Whooley, is a great example of crochet fun. You work from a chart in two colors (any of your two favorite colors), in single crochet working on one side only. It creates its own fringe as you work it. (Elvis 1973? Remember that snowflake jumpsuit?)

Kathy Merrick's Asymmitered Scarf is an oversized scarf made up of Suessian bi-color mitered squares worked in half-double crochet in the back loop only. It's magic to watch the squares winnow down from 49 stitches to just one. The squares are joined as you go, so when you work your last hdc3tog, you just work the border and you're done! Kathy unifies the squares with gently morphing shades of blue, but you can make your own color choices to make it just right for the person who will wear it.

Robyn Chachula's Bearsden Plaid Scarf was designed especially for the guys on your list, but it's a great fashion statement for just about anyone. After crocheting the striped base, you work surface crochet in chain spaces for a smooth finish. For a tween, you might work some of those stripes with a bit of neon!


	Lisa Loo by Brenda K. B. Anderson

I'd love to tell you about the other five scarves, the dozen hats and the seven shawls and wraps. Oh, and the fairy! There's a fairy! And a play mat and a crocodile-stitch crocodile and wee nesting dolls! And the best pom-pom ever!

So much. Click on over and see for yourself. This is an issue you'll reach for again and again.

Happy crocheting!

— Marcy

Whether you want to learn a new technique with a small quick project, add to your collection of accessories, or are looking for the perfect handmade crochet gift, check out this newest issue. You can order Interweave Crochet Accessories in the Crochet Me Shop or download it now and start crocheting today.

Best wishes,

P.S. What new crochet technique would you like to learn?

A Crocodile Stitched Crochet Shawl

2012-06-04T07:44:00Z

Crochet shawls are the perfect year-round accessory, and the ultimate universal-wear garment—one size fits all! They can be worn with everything from blue jeans to evening wear, and are great for cool summer nights, or to have on-hand for an overly air-conditioned room. But perhaps my favorite thing about crocheting shawls is that they present a great opportunity to learn a new stitch or technique.


Icarus Shawl, Tracey McCorkle

One crocheted shawl that continues to garner a lot of interest is the Icarus Shawl by Tracey McCorkle, featured in Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011. This magical shawl is inspired by Faroese designs and the wings of an ancient bird. The "feathers" that run down the middle of the intricate shawl are created using the crocodile stitch. If you haven't yet tried this stitch, you should!

The crocodile stitch, while quite simple, is a beautiful 3D technique that can be incorporated into complicated crochet patterns. Since its rise to fame, I've been asked by many readers to demonstrate again how it's done. So let's look at how the stitch is created.

		The crocodile stitch is worked into a base of V-stitches. I worked several V-stitches on a base of double crochet and separated by single crochet stitches.

		On the next row, work a multiple of double crochet stitches down the first post of the V-stitch. For my "scales," I worked five double crochet.

		After you have worked down the first post of the V-stitch, chain one. Now work the same number of double crochets, in our case five, up the second post of the V-stitch. Single crochet in the next single crochet and repeat the crocodile stitch in the next V-stitch.

		On the next row, work a V-stitch in each V-stitch and a single crochet in each single crochet across. Then repeat the crocodile stitch in each new V-stitch. Voila! The crocodile stitch is demystified.


If you can't wait to try the crocodile stitch and the Icarus shawl, or if you want to learn a different stitch and choose from 100 other beautiful patterns, you'll want to pick up your own copy of the Interweave Crochet 2011 Collection CD. I love that I can tuck a whole year of Interweave Crochet, plus Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011 into my travel bag—as a CD, it's light and compact (and I don't have to worry about rips or tears along the way). No matter where I go, I simply slip the CD into my computer and use the searchable table-of-contents to find my next crochet project or learn another fabulous stitch. Do you love lace borders, geometric motifs, simple blossoms, or the intriguing crocodile stitch? Share your favorite with us below!

Crocheting Red

2012-02-09T15:00:00Z

If February has a color, I would say it is red-from deep burgundy reds to bright candy apple reds. During February we wear red to promote women's heart health, and red is the color most frequently associated with Valentine's Day. Red is a color that gets noticed, and I think that everyone needs a few red garments and crochet accessories in their closet. Here are a few of my favorite red crocheted accessories:

		If you are looking for a quick gift this Valentine's Day, there is still time to whip up a pair of Betty's Button-up Mitts over the weekend. These easy mitts are a great way to use all of the mismatched buttons you have been collecting, and this bright pop of red is perfect with any outfit on a chilly day.
Betty's Button-Up Mitts Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010
		For a little more warmth, check out the Seamed Mittens. These warm winter accessories begin with a long chevron cuff and are worked flat before working the single seam.
Seamed Mittens, Interweave Crochet Fall 2008
		Shawls are another great way to add red to your wardrobe. If you aren't ready to commit to a bright red, I love the deep burgundy of the Dragonfly Shawl. Web like crocheted lace takes its inspiration from the wings of a dragonfly. This elegant shawl would look lovely with that little black dress for a romantic evening out.
Dragonfly Shawl, Interweave Crochet Winter 2008
		The Guinevere wrap is the perfect accessory for a stylish tunic dress or a great pair of jeans. I love the feminine ruffle edging and the beautiful halo of the mohair yarn.
Guinevere, Wrapped in Crochet
		The Crochet Bobble Beret may be classified more as a pink than a red, but these sister colors are closely enough related for me. This chic crochet hat creates texture by crocheting bobbles that form on the wrong side of the fabric as you work the beret.
Crochet Bobble Beret, Knitscene Fall 2009
Add a little red to your wardrobe this February with great accessories. You can, of course, work any of these patterns in a different color, but grab some attention and crochet with red this month. You can find more great accessory patterns in the Crochet Me Shop. Best wishes,

Scarves: The Perfect Accessory

2012-01-16T15:30:00Z

I love scarves! This single accessory can totally transform an outfit, add warmth on a cold morning, and highlight the versatility of stitches and patterns available to crocheters. And with the stunning variety of scarf designs and styles available, I may need another dresser just for my scarves.

I am especially fond of lace scarves. Beautiful swaths of lace showcase the exquisiteness of crochet stitches. Lace also works up quickly and is an economical use of that luxury skein of yarn.

A great lace scarf option is motifs. In her new book, Kristin Omdahl explores new methods of joining motifs as you go that are even more economical. I love the delicate motifs of the Snowflake Scarf, and I would love to work the delicate blossoms of the Blissful Flowers Shawl as a scarf. Seamless Crochet is full of beautiful motif-based projects, each of which could easily be worked as a scarf or shawl. Try them in striking colors to brighten your winter outfits and add some fun to your spring wardrobe.

Scarves are wonderfully warm (whether crocheted in a lace pattern or bulky stitch), and this is an advantage I am especially thankful for in the middle of winter and in early spring. A swath of crocheted draped around your neck provides an ideal way to help your body conserve its heat. Bulky scarves such as the Rapunzel Scarf, worked in superwash merino, work up quickly and pair beautifully with a jacket or sweater. I have been known to wear a scarf around the house on a chilly evening.

With yarn in a brilliant blue, a cheery red, or your color of choice, worked in a bulky textured stitch or a delicate lace, a scarf is the perfect eye-catching accessory. For the perfect lace motif scarf, order Kristin Omdahl's Seamless Crochet today and whip up a closet full of beautiful lace scarves to accent your wardrobe.

Best wishes,

5 Free Shawl Patterns

2012-01-12T07:00:00Z

A shawl is the perfect accessory! With a crocheted shawl, you can add a touch of sophistication, ward off the cold, or let someone know that you care.

In this exciting free eBook, we have compiled five beautiful shawl patterns, including an elegant and lacy shawlette, a cozy wrap, and the perfect capelet. You will find the perfect shawl for any occasion.

Long chains and solo single crochet stitches create the airy Sprout Chains Shawlette by Kristin Omdahl. This sweet little shawl is the perfect accessory for a pretty dress or to wrap around your neck for a fun scarf. Dainty flowers finish off this easily memorized pattern.

The Flowers for Eryn Wrap by Tracy St. John was inspired by traditional Irish lace crochet. Shell-stitch panels and a mesh border frame the vintage roses. The length of this cozy wrap can be easily adjusted by simply working longer or shorter shell-stitch panels.

The Waffle Lattice Shawl by Elin Nybø is created with simple crocheted chains of varying lengths. The chains are felted to create the soft, fuzzy texture.

Chanson en Crochet by Mari Lynn Patrick begins with a simple crocheted chain at the neck edge before falling effortlessly around the shoulders in bands of elegant lace. This vintage capelet is the ideal opportunity to play with different lace patterns. A row of picot stitches around the neck and lower edges add the perfect finishing touch.

Crochet a Hug by Marcy Smith was designed while drawing on the tradition of prayer shawls. The easy wattle-stitch pattern, comprised of three basic stitches, is quickly memorized and wonderfully meditative. Create one for yourself or several as gifts.

Shawls are the go-to project to pair with that little black dress for a special occasion or to give to a friend in need of comfort. Whether you are looking for an eye-catching shawl for yourself or the perfect pattern for a friend, 5 Free Crochet Shawl Patterns: Inspiring Designs for a Lace Shawl, Irish Crochet Shawl, Prayer Shawl, and More has you covered. We would love to see your work; share your pictures in the Crochet Me member gallery.

Best wishes,

P.S. Do you have friends who love crochet shawls? Forward this link to them so they can download their own free copy of 5 Free Crochet Shawl Patterns: Inspiring Designs for a Lace Shawl, Irish Crochet Shawl, Prayer Shawl, and More

Understanding Fiber

2012-01-09T15:00:00Z

When you are choosing the perfect yarn for a project, one of the most important factors is fiber content-is it from a plant or an animal? Yarns made from plant fibers such as cotton and linen can be perfect for summer garments and accessories with their amazing ability to absorb moisture and keep you cool in the heat. Animal fibers from sheep, goats, rabbits, alpacas, dogs, and even silkworms are known for their warmth and memory.

Even within the category of animal fibers, each fiber creates a slightly different yarn, reacts to dye differently, and will create a different finished fabric. What we call wool can actually be separated into three distinct types, wool fibers, hair fibers, and kemp, each with its own distinct qualities. Understanding the structure of the fiber can help you understand why it creates a different fabric after it has been spun into yarn and crocheted. In the Winter 2011 issue of Spin-Off, Judith MacKenzie looks at the composition and qualities of wool, hair, and kemp. Here is an excerpt of her article:

Hair or Wool: What's in a Name?

by Judith Mackenzie

While this fiber continuum is all very fascinating to wool scientists, why should someone creating textiles be interested? Is there information here that would help us make that perfect yarn for the cloth of our dreams? While I definitely have the mind of a crow, fascinated by shiny new bits of information, I do sincerely think that knowing a bit about wool science is a great help to anyone working with textiles.

For instance, the amount and type of crimp in a fiber makes a big difference in how it should be spun, how it can be finished, and how much loft the yarn will have when it is finished. It will determine the weight of the project, how it will wear, and most importantly, whether the cloth . . . will have natural memory. It is natural memory that gives fiber the ability to retain its shape, and the amount of memory is directly related to the crimp structure....

-from Spin-Off magazine

Whether you are spinning your own yarn or just looking for the perfect yarn for a crochet project, a solid understanding of the qualities of individual fibers is invaluable. Subscribe to Spin-Off today and gain a greater appreciation of individual yarn types, discover how to combine fibers for the perfect fabric, and maybe even learn how to spin your own yarn.

Best wishes,

How Much Yarn Will I Need for That?

2012-01-05T16:00:00Z

One of my resolutions this year is to spend more time designing. Like many of you, I have at least a million project ideas in my head, scribbled in notebooks, and dancing tantalizingly around each skein of yarn.

Once you have chosen the type of project you are going to crochet, the next step is to choose the yarn. Sometimes you can work from stash yarn, and sometimes a project just begs to be worked in a fiber, color, or weight that requires a trip to the yarn store.

Whether you are using a yarn from your stash or purchasing new yarn, it can be difficult to gauge how much you will need. If you end up with too much, well, there's always another project, but if you end up with too little, it can be difficult to find the same yarn or dyelot again. I have found a secret weapon: the Crochet Handy app, which helps you determine the amount of yarn needed.

First choose the type of project. You can select from baby sweaters, bags, ponchos, scarves, skirts (both knee-length and calf-length), skull caps, and sleeveless tops. If you are working a top with long sleeves, add 35-40% more yardage.

After you have chosen the type of project you are going to make, specify the size. For bags, there is sizing for purses, clutches, book bags, large totes, and more. For sleeveless tops, choose from bust circumferences of between 28" and 56". Each project type comes with information for multiple sizes.

Don't forget to designate what yarn weight you will be working in. A sweater crocheted out of fingeringweight yarn requires more yardage than one in worsted weight. The type of stitch you are working in also affects the amount of yarn needed, so specify whether you will be working in single, half double, double, or treble crochet.

Determining the amount of yarn you need for an undesigned project will never be an exact science, but the Crochet Handy app will help you make an educated calculation. Download your copy today and create some of your own original designs this year.

Best wishes,

A Year Filled with Amigurumi

2012-01-02T06:00:00Z


Pucker the Goldfish

Happy New Year! The first few weeks of the New Year are always so invigorating. Everything seems fresh and new and anything seems possible. It's in these first few weeks that we create New Year's resolutions. And the best resolutions are, of course, the crochet ones. What will your crochet resolutions be? Will you learn how to Tunisian crochet or finish at least four garments? Maybe you want to crochet more for family and friends?


Ellie the Giraffe

The trick to New Year’s resolutions is to set attainable goals and to write those goals down where you will see them all year long. I like to write them on my calendar. And what better place to plan my crochet resolutions than a crochet calendar?

I am really excited about this year's calendar. The Crochet Me 2012 Amigurumi Calendar features a new inspiring amigurumi photograph each month. This led to my first New Year’s resolution: crocheting these incredibly cute amigurumi.


Polar Lucibear

One of my first goals is to whip up Pucker the Goldfish, a symbol of good luck in the New Year, by the end of January. All of the patterns for the amigurumi featured in the calendar are available in the Crochet Me Presents the 2012 Amigurumi Calendar Projects eBook. I have already started Ellie the Giraffe as a present for my new niece or nephew, due in April. And who can resist the Polar Lucibear's sweet little face? I may just have to make all thirteen.

Before you begin your own amigurumi, let me share a piece of advice from Stacey Trock, who created Frankie the Lobster. "Amigurumi should be fun, not frustrating. Don't get too caught up about positioning the ears 'just right' . . . whatever looks cute to you is right!" So whether you are enjoying the entertaining photographs of the wall calendar or the fun patterns or both, let these little amigurumi bring a smile to your face.

Be sure to check out more tips and advice the designers shared on the Amigurumi topic page. And get started planning your own crochet resolutions with your own amigurumi calendar. You can purchase your copy of the 2012 Amigurumi Calendar today for 50% off!

Best wishes,

For the Love of Hats

2011-12-29T12:00:00Z


Fancywork Cloche, Interweave Crochet Accessories 2011

This holiday season has been magical. The beautiful holiday lights still twinkle in the crisp Colorado air. And the chill lets me indulge in one of my favorite things: crocheted hats.

Crocheted hats provide a perfect excuse for learning something new—and making a fashion statement.

Take the ultra-flattering Fancywork Cloche by Simona Merchant-Dest, for example. A friend started one for herself about a month ago. Her first hat was finished within a week and she was instantly getting compliments right and left. She was hooking her way through a second hat almost immediately, this one as a gift. She had learned a new technique (openwork in the round) while creating the go-to fashion accessory of the season. And the lacy pattern makes this a great year-round hat.

Like the Fancywork Cloche, most hats, regardless of whether they are lacy, cable, or a single crochet fabric, are worked from the top down beginning with a circle that grows in diameter to the desired size. Once you learn the how to work the increases in these circles, Marty Miller provides some great information on working these increases:

Goldilocks Family of Hats, Interweave

Crochet Accessories 2010

1 |The number of stitches in the first round of the circle is the number of stitches you should increase in each subsequent round. So, if you start with six single crochet stitches in the first round, you should increase by six single crochet stitches in each of the following rounds. In Round 2, you would have twelve single crochets. In Round 3, you would have eighteen single crochets. And so on. By Round 10, you'll have sixty stitches.

2 | The taller the stitch, the more stitches there should be in the first round. In most cases you should start with six single crochets in the first round, or eight half double crochets, or twelve double crochets. Sometimes, you'll break this rule. If the yarn is really bulky, use fewer stitches; if it's a fine yarn, use more stitches. But, no matter how many stitches you start with, Rule 1 holds: Increase by the number of stitches you start with.

3 | The front always faces. Don't turn the work. Some hat patterns instruct you to turn, in which case you should. But for this formula, don't turn. For your practice swatch, use light-colored, smooth, worsted-weight yarn.

— Circle in on the Perfect Hat, Marty Miller, Interweave Crochet Accessories 2010.

Once you’ve got the basic concept for crocheting circles down, it’s easy to start adding texture and changing the shapes. One of my favorite hats is Robyn Chachula's Crochet Bobble Beret. From the nubby texture of the heather fabric to the great two-button accent, this classic beret is just my style.

Crochet Bobble Beret

For those of you who also love hats, we just updated the hats topic page on Crochet Me. Now you can find a list of blog posts on hats; information and tips, like that above, on crocheting hats; as well as a collection of links to a variety of hat patterns, DVDs, and books.

Best wishes,

P.S. What is your favorite type of hat? Let us know!

My Great Grandmother's Crochet

2011-12-28T00:00:00Z

When I walked in the door of my parent's home for the holidays this year, I was greeted by several crocheted Santa doorknob covers. My nieces had been decorating and had found a box of old Christmas decorations. They loved adding these antique decorations to my mother's newer pieces.

The Santa doorknob covers were crocheted by my Great Grandma Jones at least 45 years ago. My mother remembers them from her own childhood, and I remember lovingly decorating the doorknobs with them when I was a child.

I immediately pulled one of the doorknob covers from its perch and lovingly fingered the worn stitches. These stitches had been worked before I was even born by my great grandmother, who passed away when I was very little. But now we share a love of crochet.

Crochet pieces, particularly home decor items, passed from family member to family member are a beautiful way to connect crocheters despite the separation of time. Do you have pieces of holiday crochet at your houses that were created by your ancestors?

Best wishes,

Start Today and Finish by January 1st

2011-12-26T12:00:00Z


Seaweed Necklace, Crochet with Wire

I did it! I finished all of my gift-giving crochet projects for this year. The last stitch is worked; the last present unwrapped to resounding approval. Seeing the appreciation of each handworked item made the hours spent crocheting and a few late nights worth every stitch. I know you have felt the same way this season. There is nothing so sweet as the smile on a person's face as they open the gift you so carefully made just for them.

Now there is just one week left until New Year's Eve. And before 2011 wraps up and you begin 2012, there is just enough time to do something for you. Spoil yourself and whip up something to wear as you welcome in the New Year.


Squares Necklace, Crochet with Wire

With a spool of brightly colored wire and a handful of sparkling beads, crocheted wire jewelry adds the perfect twinkle to any New Year's Eve ensemble. Wire crochet is a quick and easy way to add a little bling to your wardrobe. This technique uses simple crochet stitches, such as chains and single crochets, and sometimes beads to create an intricate mesh. The Seaweeds Necklace and Bracelet or Squares Necklace from Crochet with Wire would create a quick and striking addition to your jewelry box.


Crochet Cap and Ruffled Cravat, One Skein

If your New Year's plans involve spending time outdoors, the Crochet Cap and Ruffled Cravat from One Skein work up quickly in a bulky yarn and provide warmth and fashion. The best part is that each requires only one skein. You can crochet both up in a few evenings and start the New Year sporting your yarny passion.

I think the Hex Sipper Bag from Crocheted Gifts would make a fabulous party clutch. These colorful motifs are joined as you go, working up very quickly. I would crochet them with a yarn that had just a touch of sparkle for the occasion.


Hex Zipper Bag, Crocheted Gifts

Give yourself a double gift this week with an instantly downloadable eBook and you're own crocheted gift. Check out the Crochet Me shop for a great selection of eBooks filled with quick projects perfect for your New Year's celebration.

Best wishes,

Cable Before the New Year

2011-12-22T08:11:00Z

Sólás Caomh, Interweave

Crochet Spring 2009

One of the things I love about this time of year is the feeling of new possibilities. Just before the beginning of each new year, I choose a new stitch or technique to learn. This time I am intrigued by cables. After working several simple cable projects this year, I plan to master cables in the new year.

Cables are showing up in a wide variety of crochet projects, from hats and scarves to afghans and sweaters.

Crocheted cables are created with a combination of front post stitches and back post stitches. Post stitches are made just like regular stitches, except instead of inserting the hook through both loops, insert the hook around the post of the stitch. For a front post double-crochet stitch (see figure 1), insert the hook from front to back to front and pull up a loop for the first part of the stitch. For a back post stitch (see figure 2), insert the hook from back to front to back and pull up a loop. Finish the stitch as usual and Ta Da! You have just created a post stitch.

Atomic Hat, Interweave Crochet

Winter 2011

Jodi Euchner’s cabled baby blanket, Sólás Caomh, from Interweave Crochet Spring 2009, and the Atomic Hat by Linda Permann, from Interweave Crochet Winter 2011, are beautiful examples of crocheted cables.

Let's look a little closer at the construction of a cable. Cables are made by alternating rows of crossed stitches and rows of uncrossed stitches; the crossed stitches are a bit taller than the rest of the stitches in the row to keep the fabric from puckering as you create the cables. You work triple crochet cable stitches in a row of double crochet stitches. Got it?

Do you have your hook and yarn ball handy? Work several base stitches (I made 42 double crochets, then on the second row, I worked three regular doubles crochets through both loops). Now let's start the cables:

Skip the next 3 double crochets and work a treble crochet around the front post of the next double crochet. Work a treble crochet around the front post of the next each of the next 2 double crochets (see Figure 3). Next, work a treble crochet in each of the skipped double crochets, beginning with the first skipped double crochet.

All for One Mitts, Interweave

Crochet Accessories 2010

There are a few handy tips to remember when you are working cables. Long stitches, such as treble crochets, worked over skipped stitches can become loose. Pull the loop on your hook tight before yarning over. When working the stitch, hold the yarn overs and original loop close together when yarning over and drawing through the loops. This will minimize unsightly gaps.

Twisting Vines Scarf,

Interweave Crochet Winter 2010

Keep your pattern close at hand. Even advanced crocheters refer to the pattern when working the cable-cross rows of a cable. Sometimes it's hard to remember if you work the second set of stitches over or under the previously worked strand of the cable. With the digital magazines, I keep the pattern on my laptop, which travels with me wherever you go. Digital magazines make great travel companions. Plus the pages never wear out!

And finally, don't let the intricate look of crochet cables intimidate you. Use these tips and jump in. A great introductory cable pattern is the One for All Family of Mitts, from Crochet Accessories 2010.

Frosted Window Pane, Interweave

Crochet Winter 2010

You’ll find more cable patterns with the Twisting Vines Scarf and Frosted Window Page sweater from Interweave Crochet Winter 2010. You will find more great cable patterns and techniques in back issues. All of the back issues are on sale for a limited time, so treat yourself and have fun exploring a new technique.

Best wishes,

Storytelling with Crochet

2011-12-19T12:04:00Z

Crochet is captivating in its beauty. Hundreds of little stitches are combined in millions of possible arrangements to create a final a final work of art, whether it is a lace collar of intricate thread crochet or a simple hat to keeps a child's ears warm.

In our enjoyment of its beauty, it is sometimes easy to forget that each piece of crochet carries with it it own story, and that story can be just as beautiful as the piece itself.

The Fan Edging on this elegant baby pillow (at left) is breathtaking. The intricate thread lace is worked with a size 13 steel crochet hook, and each fan consists of 24 rows of tiny stitches. My mind is spinning with ideas. Wouldn't this be lovely at the edge of a sleeve or the hem of a dress? Luckily inspiration doesn't have to contemplate the hours of crochet needed to create the yards of lace I would need.

Bart Elwells adapted this edging pattern from a pillowcase created by Mary Rebecca Spagnola, who passed away while her children were still young. And it was Mary's needlework and crochet that led her granddaughter Rosemarie on a journey to discover Mary's story including how her gift at crochet had helped to support her family during the 1930s and early 1940s.

Another one of my favorites is the Orenburg Lace Shawl. This motif based project is a stunning work of art. But until I saw this shawl in the page of PieceWork I had no idea about the story of the goats of Orenburg. Orenburg goats, from which cashmere is derived, live near the southern tip of the Ural Mountains. White and gray are the most common fiber colors due to a fashion trend that led to breeding away from the brown that was seen as common. Due to this misguided breeding, brown cashmere is rare, but some Orenburg goats still produce this rare shade.

The story each piece of crochet tells is as beautiful as the project itself. Learn the stories behind crochet with a subscription to PieceWork magazine.

Best wishes,

P. S. We would love to here your crochet stories.

Carry Your Crochet With you Everywhere with a Crocheted Bag

2011-12-15T17:59:00Z

We use them to carry delicacies from the market or to hold our latest crochet projects, as purses or carryalls—well, to tell the truth, we use them for just about everything. I'm talking about crocheted bags. These brilliant accessories are not only fun to crochet but are also the perfect canvas to showcase your crochet skills. And if you haven’t made one yet, let me recommend a few options to you.

		Brenda's Basketweave Bag I love the bright buttons on this classic bag! The basketweave pattern is created with front and back post double crochet stitches. Post stitches are worked around the posts of a previous row, so they create a sturdy fabric that will hold up well as you carry your wallet, lunch, books, or other necessities. The wide shoulder strap distributes the weight across your shoulders as well as across the individual crochet stitches.

		Hialeah Bag Another bag I love is the Hialeah Bag. This join-as-you-go motif fabric is a bit lacy with definite open spaces through which your valuables could escape. This is where a sturdy fabric lining is essential. For those of us who love sewing, this is a fun opportunity to combine the two crafts.

		Spring Market Bag The combination of single crochet stitches and carried colors in the Spring Market Bag reinforce the fabric of this satchel. I love the colorwork designs you can create with tapestry crochet. And the versatile design invites multiple uses.

		Beverly's Felted Tote Felting is also a great way to create a solid bag fabric. The felted motifs of Beverly's Felted Tote create a sturdy 16½ by 18 inch bag perfect for a day at the farmer's market. The straps are also felted and securely stitched in place. If you are crocheting with the intention to felt, use an untreated animal fiber such as wool or alpaca.

There is a crocheted bag perfect for any need, from a small purse for your wallet and keys to a large bag to carry your groceries. These bags are just as fun to make as to carry. Check out more crocheted bags in the Crochet Me Shop and find your perfect carryall. Best wishes,

Crocheted Accessories: Dressing to Match Your Hat

2011-12-12T08:05:00Z

Have you ever chosen one favorite item of clothing and then selected the remainder of your ensemble around that one piece. This past week I dressed to match a collection of crocheted hats and scarves. You see, we just experienced the coldest week so far this winter. Temperatures that barely crept into the double digits sent me scurrying for my woolens, and alpacas, and cashmere, and silks.

It is this time of year, when the temperatures dip so low it steals your breath and an artistic crochet hat or crochet scarf is ideal both inside and outside the office, that I am especially thankful for crocheted accessories.

And if you dislike the cold and are fortunate enough to live in a warmer environment, a beautiful or quirky handmade accessory might be all you need to ward off a bit of winter chill. When searching for the perfect accessory to build your outfit around, there are a couple of tips to keep in mind.

Pick a pattern with that little something extra. The two-tone floral embellishment and fan stitch border of the 1920s inspired Flapper Hat (above left) adds eye-catching appeal. You could wear this dashing cloche year round, perfect for a light dress in the summer or a tailored jacket in the winter.

Or, if the Flapper Hat is too audacious for your style, try a hat with an interesting texture. The Fancywork Cloche (above right) and the Honeysuckle Hat (at left) both use front post stitches to help create intriguing textures. Work them up in your favorite color or a great neutral that will go with any outfit.

Hats and scarves can also make great single skein projects, the perfect excuse to crochet with that delicious skein of cashmere, alpaca, or other luxury yarn. Try out that special-occasion yarn with the Emma Lace Scarf (at right) or Iced Ascot (below). You can enjoy the soft fabric against your neck while staying stylishly warm.

This season, enjoy the chill and dress to match your hats and scarves while showing off the beautiful designs and fabrics you create. Pick up a copy of Simply Crochet: 22 Stylish Designs for Every Day for eye-catching accessories as well as budget-friendly garments.

Best wishes,