StoneGnome

Wow. One year. A whole year with crocheting!


To celebrate the 1st anniversary of StoneGnome, the next pattern will be FREE for a couple of days. It should be released later this week. (Jfyi, it is not the heart shown here).

There are many ways to crochet a cord or strap. With or without an eye. And more or less elegant, when it comes to hide and weave in the loose ends.


I like a method, where both yarn ends are easy to hide afterwards. Here is a tutorial of how to do that.

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.

Splitting yarn is no big deal, if it is just a minor piece. However, one day you might need to split more and need to know, how to avoid a big messy tangled ball of yarn.


Some DIY pages have omitted a few details about splitting yarn. I've added these points to this guide.

Bymami has this exquisite pattern package with 5 different succulents. I wanted to try one with variegated yarn, and then I made a tuft of (sea)grass as well to create a sea theme. This might be a good way of spending leftover yarn.


Get links and patterns here.

There are more ways to do slip stitch increases and decreases. I have found a few on the internet, but had to invent some of my own too, to cover my needs.


I'm sharing my preferred methods for each of the basic slip stitch types with you. They are almost invisible on both sides of the work.

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?