Would you like to add some crochet to your crafty repertoire? Why not start small? Crochet stitches are pretty easy to learn, so if you are already a knitter or a novice crocheter this is a perfect place to start.

This button fixation all started when I was visiting Gauge in Austin Texas a few months ago, and was quite taken by a lovely sample sweater that had adorable matching buttons. Imagine my surprise when Melissa told me she had made them… with the yarn left over from the sweater.

WOW! If I can finish a project and have the perfectly matching buttons that are not only kid friendly but washable and essentially FREE… I am completely sold. I do love a good decorative button. I have a stash of them actually and I never ever seem to have the buttons that I need. Making buttons is the ideal answer for me.

I found this quick little YouTube video that gave me all the tips and instruction I needed to make a very basic button. Grab some scrap yarn and any crochet hook you have on hand to give it a try. I do suggest making a big button first, so it is easier to see the steps.

The only stitch you need to be familiar with at this point is a single crochet. It is the only stitch used in this button.

I used three different yarns shown below to make the same button.

You can change the thickness of the finished button based on the number of loops you use to form the base form as well as the number of layers of single crochet stitches you use to cover the base loops. The third way you can change the style of the button is adding a single crochet round to the outside edge of the button. This adds a little ruffle or petal element to the button. ( shown above on the dark and medium blue buttons to the right)

I suppose you could even add some chain stitches and make this into a little flower detail?!

Best of all, when you use the same yarn that constructs the button to stitch it down to your project, there are no visible stitches. All very elegant and well planned!! Give it a try, I would love to hear what you think.

Before I learned to knit, I learned to Crochet. I was a small kid, sitting in my mom’s bed while she was expecting my brother and I needed to keep busy and quiet. She taught me to crochet, starting with the simple chain and with some acrylic yarn. I crocheted chains for what seemed like a long time and long length… and when I lost interest that was exactly where I left it.

10 years later and a few less memorable lessons with my mom and Granny Jane, I had managed to learn to single and double crochet. I made a wrap and maybe crocheted a little blanket for a doll, but that was the end of my time crocheting.

Last Fall, I offered to crochet some swatches for Lindsay at The Fiber Seed and was quite bitten by the crochet bug. It was different and didn’t feel like work. Crochet seemed like a special something that I could do just for fun.

Now fast forward to April, and the kickoff of “Crochet-pril” hosted by my friends at Stix. Watching the Stix instagram feed and that lingering tickle that had persisted after crocheting swatches and I was ready to try my hand at creating a full something in crochet.

I was just getting back into traveling for work, and stopped to visit Carriage House in Kingsport, Tennessee. Terri shared some of the most achievable and approachable projects using fun and affordable yarns like Queensland Perth and Rainbow Beach. I was unbelievably motivated to try to make something that I could share with fellow yarn lovers who just don’t knit.

I dove into my sample yarns and dug through my notions bag to find the spare crochet hooks that hung out for seaming knit sweaters. I had a reasonable combination on hand, so I started on the UBE pattern from Ravelry. This free Double Crochet, half granny triangular shawl would show off the color changing summer yarn Brighton Beach, also from Queensland Collection exceedingly well. And after a few days… I had a brand new shawl. Not the normal week or more for working on a knit shawl. It. Was. Fast.

The crocheting has not slowed down since… spurred along by the glorious Kristy Glass and her “Crochet in May” … I have made 5 shawls, dozens of granny squares that will eventually be assembled into sweaters and even a few buttons. There is so much to share, but each project deserves its own post. So here we go, I declare this the Summer of Crochet. Interspersed with knitting and travel, I will be sharing all my crochet adventures and successes along with a heaping portion of tips and tricks that I have picked up along the way!

The Unexpected Sweater Round Up: Things I learned while knitting a FREE baby sweater.

First of all – everyone should know right away that I am not expecting a baby. I love babies, would gladly take one if God sent one my way. But at this point in my life and after specific worldly intervention it would 100% have to be a Devine Delivery.

Never the less, I cast on a newborn sized baby sweater to add to my work kit. I was inspired to pick a small garment by my friends Tracey and Cameron up at Stix in Bozeman, Montana. They have been using baby sweaters to teach sweater knitting skills. Novel idea! I know how to knit sweaters, and have designed some of my favorite that I wear … but the thought of finishing something cute and quick felt right.

I had this lovely yarn, Ciao by Jody Long that I adore, on hand and in need of attention. I have made a few hats in my Doodle pattern, but I felt like this washable 100% Extra fine merino wool yarn from Italy needed a sweet and simple little pattern that would entice knitters to try a new staple yarn and venture away from the OG stand ins for babies.

I picked the Gidday Baby sweater from Ravelry for two primary reasons. 1) FREE PATTERN 2) SUPER CUTE !!

Like I said earlier, I don’t have an actual baby that I am knitting for. I just wanted something small and sweet. I downloaded the pattern and cast on right away after assessing the color selection that I had on hand. In lue of choosing something creative like the magenta and mint I had my eye on I went with Latte and Navy – very similar to the model pictured in the pattern. The colors are gender neutral and classic. Perfect for a sample garment intended to sell yarn.

Since the two primary requirements were met for my sweater knitting, I cast on and went right to work with the prescribed needle. There is no fancy lace or shaping detail to this sweater, garter stitch yoke and stockinette body. The button band worked in line with the body of the sweater for minimal finishing. This would be the exact recipe for a quick and painless knit. But low and behold… I learned some pretty helpful tips along the way! I have broken them down for you as follows.

Lessons:

1. Using one size smaller needle for the garter stitch yoke keeps the sweater from looking to bulky. The weight of the fabric looks nice with the stockinette.
2. The yarn over (YO) increases make a lovely detail in the yoke of the sweater.
3. Knitting front and back in the stitch just before and after the arm separation keeps those stitches from being pulled and becoming distorted.
4. Slipping one stitch with yarn on the pubic side of the sweater before or just after the garter button band keeps the band balanced in the fabric. It prevents the band from feathering out or additionally looking distorted. This was a big one for me!!
5. Picking up extra stitches at the underarm when beginning the sleeve will prevent those pesky holes that we end up stitching shut. Now, I do this on my own knitting… but have never seen it written into a pattern before!
6. Crochet Buttons… I had so much fun with these that I have a whole post planned. Check back soon!!

This little spur of the moment cast on has been very fulfilling, illuminating and joyful. I had no idea that I would learn so much from such a quick little project. Have you ever been surprised by what you have learned in the process of making?

You can’t really see the slipped stitches next to the garter button band, but they make all the difference in keeping the button band neat and tidy.

Places To Knit: Patio Edition

We recently moved back to Albuquerque, NM. I couldn’t be more excited to be back in the heart of the Southwest. The city is really lovely, full of blending cultures, tastes and sounds.The weather in Albuquerque is fantastic. There is so much sunshine, the winters are never overly harsh, and there are very few rainy days. Being able to enjoy the outdoors is one of the many things that drew our family back to the city. It fills my heart to call Albuquerque “Home!”

Despite the few stumbling blocks that we faces with moving trucks and new homes, the family is now settled. Our home has a great patio space off the living room and master bedroom. There is an ivy covered retaining wall, and some rock details. I knew that the patio would be important to us enjoying the outdoors. When we lived here over a year ago I was not able to make our outdoor space exactly what I wanted. Now with the pandemic, and with limited availability of products as well as the general cost of things increasing I was worried that having a cozy family friendly patio would not be an option this summer. I had watches prices on outdoor furniture and had saved over the early part of the year (after ski season, of course) to be able to invest in something for our home. I had a few requirements that were limiting too:

1. NO PLASTIC!!!
2. Comfortable for all our family, ranging from 4ft 9 year olds to 6ft tall dads.
3. Exceedingly sturdy and classic looking
4. Something that could be added to and recovered. (My parents have had the same outdoor furniture for 30 years and Mom just changes the cushions to keep it fresh and exciting)
5. Perfect for knitting.

AH, yes. Knitting. I wanted to create a space outdoors where my creativity would be sparked, I could enjoy my biggest source of inspiration and still be with my family. I do have a spot in the house where I sit and knit. I love it too… but to be outside, sipping coffee in the morning and enjoying the first few rounds of a project is this side of Heaven in my mind.

I would not only need a comfy spot to sit , but would need some clever table to catch my skeins of yarn. I would need a really good coaster and lots of pillows for just the right elbow support. Here is what I came up with:

The side chair, perhaps my second favorite spot for knitting. These pieces of outdoor furniture solid wooden structure with rope details. Very sturdy… I hope I can get 30 years out of them just like Momo.

The side tables ( of which I picked up two) came from Home Goods.

We also love to dine and do computer work on the patio. So here is how I have repurposed a beloved IKEA table from the old New River Fiber CO. Days…

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For those of you looking for resources for both the Jewel Pullover and my latest Jewel Hat and Scarf pattern here is a quick video showing how to work the jewel stitch.

I have used both the Knit through the front of the stitches and Knit though the back of the stitches in the patterns – so be on the look out for that specific direction in the pattern!

This Video is brought to you with the video assistance of my 11 year old daughter, Jane. Thanks for supporting our fami

I always pick up my needles and knit for the holidays. Always and only in December…usually small things like ornaments and hats. Always thing specifically for gifts and decoration. The exception happen this year when I had the pleasure  of designing in September and publishing in October some holiday knits! I created a few patterns in partnership with Knitting Fever featuring some of the latest  yarns from the Queensland Collection.

I picked up a summer time favorite, Queensland United.  This light sport weight yarn is 55% lambs wool and 45% cotton.  It is not only certified organic it is also a certified non mulesed wool. Queensland United comes in 50g cakes ready to knit from and perfectly sized for projects of all sizes.

I grabbed up some of the plastic craft store clear bulb ornaments as my base and knit right over them using double pointed Lykke needles.  Each ornament takes about an hour to complete if you are also watching tv and talking to your spouse.  I am almost always doing those things when I am knitting. So even if you start today, you could have a few knit before Christmas Day!!

I  wrote up several patterns, many of which are available in print at your local yarn shop or for sale on Ravelry through Knitting Fever.

My gift to you is the free pattern for the first ball shown with the adorable tassel!

But honestly, how are we already here??? This year. This crazy, confusing, ultra challenging year has yielded so much. Some good grit,which has increased my creativity. Some hard times, for certain! But without fail the seasons have changed. Even though we have missed a bunch – here shines the Jewel. The colorful changing of the leaves, the rich oranges and grey greens of the ever fashionable pumpkin as well as the mellow merlot of the maples and decreative corn. All the seasons best accents that begit the color of our favorite jewels.

I always feel like in Fall we begin to look back and bring into focus all that has been good, and will always be good. ( yep… that may be a rift on our pal Rachel Hollis right there, from her latest book Didn’t See That Coming)

Those cozy scarves, tailored blazers, jeans, pumpkin spice everything… some are newer and some are of a certain vintage. But they never cease to please.

Those pleasing vintage feeling are exactly what I wanted to capture in my latest design the Jewel Scarf and Hat. A similar pattern to what was captured earlier in the summer in my Jewel Pullover, a string of seasonal colored jewels dance across a cozy field of garter stitch. The length of the scarf just begs to be artfully draped around your neck.

And what is a cozy scarf without a clever hat to style with it. Enter the Jewel Hat. More of a beanie with a tailored fit and smooth lines, this feminine topper features the same style jewel stitch detail.

A coordinating set would be equally at home hiking through a corn maze (socially distant fun)… or picking apples or pumpkins at the local patch.

For those knitters looking for specific details:

Scarf Gauge: 18 stitches and 20 Rows= 4 inches in garter stitch

Finished Size: 78” by 7.5” laying flat, before adding fringe

Hat Gauge: 18 stitches and 40 rows= 4 inches in garter stitch 

Finished size: Small ( 20”) Large (24”)

The Fiber Seed Sprout Worsted, 90% Washable American Merino 10% Nylon

 250 yds/230m ~ 4.8oz/136g

Color A:  Farmers Market Besprinkled – 2 skeins 

Color C:  Olivine – 1 skein 

Color B:  Ginger – 1 skein 

Color D:  Brambleberry – 1 skein 

From the 5 skeins you can make one scarf and 3 hats in various combinations.

Check out Ravelry for the pattern to make your own, or jump on over to The Fiber Seed and shop for the perfectly matched kit in Sprout Worsted.

Way, way, way back in The Crooked Stitch Quilts and Knits days of my life I hosted a 6 part Sock Club. We had custom designed socks every other month and a kit that club members received. Kits included custom dyed yarns, pattern and a little gift. One month I even made project bags that were modeled after a little tote bag I had made for Jane Elizabeth to take to the strawberry patch. I think we did the whole think for $25 an installment which seems like a steal now…. It had to be at least 10 year ago… Time really does fly.

Anyway, I designed this cute little pumpkin sock way back when for those lovely customers of mine, but when the club was over I never published the pattern. Well after multiple computer crashes, documents lost and years flying by, I finally found myself in the right season at the right time to write the pattern up and knit a new sample with a currently available yarn!!! Thank Heaven!!!

The pumpkin socks design reminds me of the Ferrum College Folk Life Festival that I loved to visit when I lived in Franklin County, Virginia . The festival itself originally connected me to local knitters. It is where I learn what a DPN was thanks to Dorothea Pierce ( The current proprietor of The Crooked Stitch … Now known as Yarn Seasons) It is where I attempted to walk out my first baby who would hold out on her October 28th Due Date for one uniquely her own. I recall the drive through the freshly cut fields on the way to the college grounds. The stacks of pumpkins that were tucked around once we arrived and the rungs of the split rail fences that hold together my memories of that mountain hamlet. I recall the way the westward retiring sun would leave the surrounding valley glowing gold between the leaves of the trees. And how the sky on that one particular October day in 2008 was the clearest, brightest blue. The air had a cool nip as Dad and I leaned against the fence watching the mule turn the grind stone on the sugar cane to make sorghum and Molasses… all things Dad was entranced with, no doubt recounting if not reliving the days of his childhood on the the family South Georgia farm.

I bet you didn’t think that a little pair of seasonal socks could hold so many memories. For me, it certainly does.

I am so pleased to have partnered with Lindsay at The Fiber Seed for this new version of a long private favorite… The pattern is available on Ravelry for instant download! Even though Halloween is 10 days away, there is still plenty of time to knit up a pair and wear them for Thanksgiving all while making new memories of your own for them to hold.

On my last posts I talked about the benefits of knitting your hem band flat.  I also briefly talked about the placement of steek stitches, but only briefly.  If this is your first steeked colorwork sweater I want to give you a little bit of a run down on how this process works and what you are trying to achieve.

The Steek is the section of knitting that is made for the exclusive purpose of cutting.  Typically 6 stitches wide, you will work this section, this column of stitches the length of the garment where you intend to make the incision.  The stitches are cut in between stitch 3 and 4 of the steek. In the case of the Spark Cardigan at the beginning of the round.You may want to place a marker not only at the beginning of the round but also after the first 3 stitches of the round and before the last 3 stitches of the round.  This will allow you to clearly see the continuation of the columns up the front of the sweater.it these stitches just as you would any other in the pattern, the charted color. Nothing else special happens to the steek until the sleeves of the sweater are joined the body of the sweater is complete.