StoneGnome

Everyone is asking for patterns for easy and warm hats.

Even if you are a beginner, you might not need a pattern. At least not if you just want something simple. Here is a guide you can follow and make great rounded hats from.

Front Post and Back Post crochet stitches add a nice relief effect to your work.

Among others you can use them to make basket weave stitch patterns, cable-work and ribbed stitch patterns. The ribbed stitch patterns even comes with a little flexibility.

(If you want a very flexible rib, look for The Top Stitch Rib post here).

I would like to celebrate Christmas and the fact that StoneGnomeDesign now has more than 100 lovely followers on Facebook. So I'm offering 10 lucky girls (or guys) a free pattern.

If you want to participate, then head to the StoneGnomeDesign Facebook page and find and LIKE the GIVEAWAY post.

Here is a tutorial that works.

The Loop Stitch is a fun stitch to do and it gives you a great different texture, that can be used with all kinds of items. You decide whether you want the loops as they are, or if you want to cut them, when you are done.

Use the Loop Stitch for a rug, a pillow, amigurumi figures OR what about a Christmas beard?

Oh boy - it is getting cold outside!

So what to wear, when you want something special, fancy and warm - and fur isn't an option?

The Mini-Tube Scarf pattern got released yesterday on LoveCrafts.

Have a closer look there or right below.

Earlier I wrote about how to Start a New Row with a Fake Stitch.
Also called no-chain double crochet/treble crochet or chainless double crochet.

I've gotten more questions about this - especially for other stitches than double crochet.

So here is an elaboration on the subject.

Making a perfect flat circle is not always easy. There are a lot of things to consider. Most blogs only cover a small part of this exercise. Therefor I've collected some good guides and tutorials for you.

With this in hand, you should know the most important things, there is to know about a (perfect) flat circle.

What Inspires You?

I get inspired by a lot of different things. My 3½ year old boy often has great ideas. So do a lot of other crafty people around the world. One of the places, I collect inspiration, is Pinterest.

Feel free to follow me there, if you like.

I have an excellent new ribbing for you!

I've been playing around with the Top Stich and found a very, very neat way to make an awesome ribbing. I haven't seen it anywhere else. So I dare to call this NEW!

• Is extremely flexible 
• It has a very soft structure
• And the stitch pattern looks great

Have a nice weekend :)

What type of scarf do you want? One pattern fits all desires.


My newest pattern works very well for both a warm winter scarf and a light summer scarf. Plus everything in between.

The pattern is perfect for crochet beginners as well as more trained crocheters.

It is available on my designer page at LoveCrafts (in English/Danish/German) as well as in Ravelry.

Use the Perfect Stitch Marker

Once in a while you work on something, were you need to count and count and count. Most of the time you are counting rows and sometimes you need to make sure, you do the increase/decrease or color change in the right place.


FYI: You don't need to count the same rows again and again.

I've always wanted to learn how to crochet with my left hand too. It would definitely give you some advances!

Though - come to think of it. Sometimes it is not necessary. See here how to do a Reversed Tunisian Top Stitch - aka Reversed Bump Stitch.

It is SO easy!

Do you sometimes find that some of your clothes could use something extra?

I have this lovely way-too-big sweater. It is great for a rainy day, when you just want to stay indoor doing crochet. Only thing is; the neck is too open. So my chest gets cold.

Recently a clever girl on Facebook told me, I could use Tunisian Top Stitch as a rib. So I wanted to try that on my sweater.

A little Toy for Your Next Project?

Babies love smiley faces. This is a happy little sun that crackles when squeezed. The sun is loved by my 1½-year old girl as well as my 3-year old toddler. You can make it of leftover yarn.

It is perfect as a present for a baby shower. Make 3 of them and put them on a string and you have a stroller toy, the baby will love!

The Smiley Sun amigurumi pattern is currently available as part of a 3-piece package at LoveCrafts in Danish and English.

Or can be bought individually at Ravelry in both Languages.

I am busy on a project, but I don't know what I'm doing!
I've joined another Mystery Crochet-A-Long.

Deadline for joining now is Tuesday October 11th.
So Hurry Up if you want to join too!

You can find the Facebook group for the CAL here.

Nice looking edges are important, if you want to make a decent work. But sometimes they are teasing. One of the better tricks to know, is how to make the first stitch in a row look good.
For instance: There are different advices of how to start a double crochet row. Some do two chains others do three chains. And - SIGH! - sometimes it feels like 2½ chain would be better.

There is actually an even prettier way to start a new row.

Oh my! My first official pattern as a designer is now uploaded to LoveCrafts.

I am now waiting for approval from their team. I didn't even know they were supposed to approve anything.

Learn to do the Top Stitch - aka Bump Stitch. It is a VERY easy stitch and the stitch is also very fast to work with.

You can easily make beautiful lace-like scarfs with this technique.

I bought this yarn at Magical Yarns (Magiske Garner). It is rolled up on cones. I needed some way for it to turn, when I pull the thread. So it doesn't get twisted.

SO, what to do?!

You've found this little project on the internet you want to try. It is Tunisian Crochet, so... do you need to buy a special Tunisian hook for it? Maybe not.

I went to a Danish yarn exhibition today. There were yarn, yarn, patterns, tools and more yarn on display. And 50 workshops in 3½ days. 500 workshop seats all sold out!

Working in a spiral is one of my favorite ways to work for a flat circle, amigurumi or likewise. The reason is, you don't get ugly looking joints, as if you close each round with a slip stitch. And yes! I do know there are prettier methods for seamless joining than the slip stitch.

What to use for filling? I hear this question a lot from the amigurumi people in the Facebook groups I'm in. First: Make sure it can be washed, if you really need that.

It doesn't feel long ago since I discovered the Tunisian Top Stich - aka Bump Stitch. This certainly is my favorite Tunisian stitch of today.


I've done minor testing on different ways to use it - like for ribbing - and I think the stitch has great potential. Meaning it can unlock new possibilities for Tunisian crochet patterns.

I'm Heidi - designer, crafter and blogger at StoneGnome. I design crochet patterns and - occasionally - other types of crafting.