How to Crochet Granny Squares for Beginners

Welcome to your beginner guide for how to crochet granny squares. How to Crochet Granny Squares for Beginners takes you from true novice to expert in no time flat.

Granny Squares are the comfort food of the crafting world. And right about now we could all use a little comfort. I’m thinking ooey gooey mac and cheese and piping hot blackberry cobbler. Yummmmmmm!

My entire journey into the creative world began through a granny square portal. When my eyes first laid upon a gorgeous baby blanket made from a crocheted starburst pattern, I was hooked…literally. Since that moment I have had yarn in my hands more days than not.

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How to Design Knitted Colorwork Charts

How to Design Knitted Colorwork Charts is a guide to creating your very own fair isle designs. The process couldn’t be easier and the best part is that it’s completely free.

I’m about to blow your mind. In the best way possible, that is. Designing your own knitted colorwork charts is so simple and So. Much. Fun. And not only that, it’s completely free! I mean, come on! There’s nothing better than fun and free!

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Stranded Knitting for Beginners

Stranded knitting for beginners is a true guide for the novice. If you can cast on, knit and purl, then you can create gorgeous colorwork knits. I will share a little rhyme I created and teach you how to read colorwork charts. You’ll be knitting fair isle sweaters in no time!

If you have never tried stranded knitting before, you are in for a treat, dear friend. This technique looks incredibly complicated, but I assure you it is not. It takes time to become comfortable with colorwork, but once you are the possibilities are endless. And stay tuned for next week when I share how you can design your own colorwork patterns for free!

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10 Ways to Stop Pain from Crocheting and Knitting

Pain from crocheting and knitting is more common that I ever knew. Neglecting to address the problem doesn’t help, but I have actionable steps that will. From icing, to dry needling, to CBD oil, I’ve combined all the tricks that have helped me heal from serious tendinitis into one post.

I tried ignoring the pain for months. Pretending it wasn’t a big deal and wishing it would go away weren’t working for me anymore. When I finally walked through the door to my orthopedic doctor’s office I was in constant pain. I was so afraid that he would tell me I needed to stop crocheting and knitting. Thankfully he didn’t and I’m going to share the strategies he gave me (and a few of my own) that helped me to heal.

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Amigurumi Mistakes: Part 2

In Amigurumi Mistakes: Part 1 we dove headfirst into fascinating topics such as embroidering faces, counting stitching and stuffing body parts. If you missed that post you can check it out here. In Part 2 we are going to dive just as deep and focus on tension, yarn weight, color and seaming.

Amigurumi mistakes happen. Most can be corrected by practicing and perfecting techniques such as tension and seaming. Others are just a matter of personal choice like yarn weight and color preference.

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Amigurumi Mistakes: Part 1

Amigurumi is the art of knitting and crocheting toys. In order to make the best stuffed animals and dolls, you need patience and a little skill. But there are amigurumi mistakes you will want to avoid so that your pieces are as cute as the hours you put into creating them.

It’s no secret that I adore amigurumi. It doesn’t matter if they are knitted or crocheted, I love making them. My journey began in December of 2017 with a Youtube tutorial from Wooly Wonders Crochet. From the moment I finished that awkward and technically troublesome bunny, I’ve been hooked.

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Knitting on the Faroe Islands

For this American, learning about knitting on the Faroe Islands has been absolutely fascinating. Their beautiful shawls and unique colorwork are as unique as the islands are remote.

Geography has never been my strong suit. In school, latitude and longitude lines swirled in my head and made little sense. I have been told I’m directionally challenged more than once by my dear husband. Probably because on more than one occasion I’ve lost my van in a parking lot because I couldn’t remember my way back.

When I met Leigh on Instagram last year I literally had never heard of the Faroe Islands. I had no idea that such a place existed with a rich culture and strong knitting heritage. According to Vogue Knitting the islands are equidistant to Norway, Iceland and northern Scotland. Basically in the middle of the North Atlantic. Brrrrrr.

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Action Plan for Knitters & Crocheters

Planning is a tool makers can use to become more productive, stay motivated and feel less stressed. This new action plan for knitters & crocheters has helped me organize what needs to be done and how to do it.

My love for planning began in middle school. I had this cute little calendar from the Hallmark store and I wrote in it every single day. Without fail, I detailed all my important appointments like getting on the school bus and making friendship bracelets with my best friend, Katie. I even began documenting my crushes and the outfits I wore each day.

As I matured I continued using a planner throughout high school, college and into life as a wife and momma. I found that planning made my tasks seem less overwhelming and a little more manageable.

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How to Knit Cables for Beginners

Learning how to knit cables has been one of the highlights of my knitting experience. Cables are a detail that look complicated but when broken down into bite sized pieces are not only manageable, but downright fun.

My latest bunny is wearing a gorgeous ruby colored cable knit sweater designed by Julie Williams of Little Cotton Rabbits. I think there’s something incredibly charming about a toy wearing clothing that I would love to own myself. The rich color and the intricate details create a look that is sophisticated and adorable all at the same time. Who says you can’t be classy AND cute?

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Knitting a Vintage Nurse Bunny

Nursing is one of the MOST under appreciated professions. Knitting a vintage nurse bunny makes such a unique gift or a wonderful addition to your own handmade toy collection. This is my interpretation of the original idea from the talented Suzanne from Suzy Marie Knits and with her permission I’m showing you how I made mine.

Have you ever stumbled upon a project and knew in that instant that you HAD to make it and exactly who it would be for? That’s exactly what happened when I saw Suzy Marie Knit‘s vintage nurse bunny on her Instagram account. If you haven’t seen her amazing work you definitely need to check her out. She has a gift for creativity and whimsy that regularly inspires me by her beautiful creations.

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