StoneGnome

I see a lot of questions these days about how to get circles like Rozeta* - but also squares - to lay flat and avoid the wonky look.

There are more things you can do to avoid wavy edges.

Don't you think a big and a smaller pillow looks good together? The bonus-pages for the Heart on Fire is ready now. This means the pattern now includes a smaller heart too.

Tomorrow it is Valentines Day and everyone deserves at least one heart. Here is one for you. 


The pattern is free for a while. See the details below.

The waistcoat stitch is a lovely little thingy and you can make beautiful yet easy and fast worked stitch patterns with this. Let me show you.

Here is a new stitch pattern. The Double Honeycomb Mesh pattern. Use it for a triangular summer shawl or for a scarf.

We took a break the other day and went to the beach. I grabbed one of my older ideas on the way out and got this little beauty for you.

You really don't need that little knot in the beginning of your next crochet project. Here is a video showing how to avoid it.

It works with regular crochet as well as Tunisian and it doesn't matter how you like to hook into your starting chain.

Working with 3 strands at once is fast and gives you a different and softer look than a bulkier yarn does - and you might save yarn too.


See here how to do it without getting into a big mess and get some tips about yarn usage, hook size etc.

We love new stitches. And being an experienced crocheter, you might sometimes think, you have seen it all.


Then a new stitch pops up and makes everyone excited.

Here is a nice and easy-to-do Tunisian stitch pattern for you. It is one of my favorites and I rarely see other using it, which is a shame. Try it, you might love it too.


I also have a little workaround for you, that helps you close gaps in the left side of your work

Ever thought about using (video) cassette tape for a crochet project? It is smooth and soft and got a distinct metallic color. Apparently, it isn't such a good idea though.

Have you noticed too, that your double crochet patterns, sometimes do NOT look as straight and ordered as you dreamed of? They are skewed/slanted.


The solution to this is really simple and easy to remember. And it works for all higher stitches - not just double crochet.

Short 'n long rows. This is special techniques to use with slip stitches. It can be used as increase/decrease or it can be used to make slopes.

Learn about slip stitch foundation row, different slip stitches, stitch markers plus links to patterns.


Last week I wrote about the Forgotten Crochet Stitch - aka the very versatile slip stitch. Since then, I've spent hours chatting about it and got requests for tutorials too - especially for video tutorials. So I've got a lot coming up about slip stitches, that will hopefully be helpful.

Most of us use it frequently. Just a little here and there. Some consider it more of a technique than a stitch. But it IS a stitch.


We tend to forget that this stitch is very versatile and can be used for much more. It can give your work a dense - though soft and drapable - fabric, you can use it for decoration, and it can be used for a stretchy ribbing.

Have you figured out by now, what stitch I'm referring to?

Here is a yarn bowl, that doesn't break, if it drops off the table. And you can make it yourself in whatever color you want :)


The yarn bowl has three slits at the top, which keeps your yarn in place. The bowl can be carried as a little bag and you can easily remove any yarn from the bowl without cutting the yarn. Due to it being felted, it is relatively heavy for its size, which helps it stay, where you want it.

The pattern can be purchased from LoveCrochet and Ravelry and includes:

Did you ever think about how many different crocheted ribbings there exist? I think most of us just do whatever a pattern tells us - or you find a page telling you 'how to crochet a ribbing'. As in one ribbing.

Being conscious about the different kinds of ribbing is an advantage, if you want to be able to change an existing pattern or make your own design.

Latvian Twist - or Twisted Stitch Edge - is a knitting technique for creating a lovely border. I have seen knitters doing it, but never a crocheter. So I tried it, and you can use it, when you crochet.


It takes advantage of the natural curling of a crocheted work and it will also help you prevent the rolling of the rest of your work.

This might be the tiniest advice ever, but wouldn't you like to get rid of the knot you get, when you start a new project?


You probably start with a slip knot and pull it tight. Then you have a little hard knot in the corner of your work. It doesn't add anything good to your work and can be difficult to hide - even if making a border - as it is always trying to run away and stick out.

The back of the Tunisian Top Stitch has similarities to a chain mail - at least when using a large hook. I made a chain mail costume for our boy. I'll show you how to make one too.

The project is fast and it doesn't matter, if you make a little mistake here and there. So feel free to try even if you just learned to do the Tunisian Top Stitch.

This is a detailed guide, not a make-it-in-5-different-sizes pattern. Grab your yarn, measure tape, a shirt of approximately the right size and your creativity.

A very easy way to make a hat is making it sideways. You simply crochet a long rectangle and sew the ends and the top. And there you have a hat.


I'll show you how to do that and how to figure out the right sizes.

You have already made the base of your hat. Now you want a ribbed brim.

And when your hat is done, you want the hat to look smooth and soft without those edgy corners from your increases. Or maybe you want a little decoration?

This post gives you:

1. Nice tips for doing a ribbed brim
2. Guidelines for blocking
3. Tips for making ears

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).

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?

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

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


My newest pattern on 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 from LoveCrochet as well as Ravelry.

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!

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.