StoneGnome

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

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.

Have you ever wanted to put your own photo or image on a pillow or an afghan? You could also make a corner-to-corner (c2c) blanket or use the same technique for a filét chart or a sweater.


What you need is:

• an image
• a crocheted stitch sample
• a computer
• time

Fluffy yarn, fuzzy yarn, fur yarn or eyelash yarn. All of these long-fibered yarn types aren't always easy to crochet with. But, they look so fluffy and soft and kitten-like...


Here are a couple of tips for you, so you are prepared next time you find a fluffy or furry yarn.

This border is bold and flexible and can be used with all kinds of projects. It is also the 4th and final part of the StoneGnome Infinity Scarf.

I promised to show you the border today, but don't despair if you are still working on the flames stitch patterns.

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).

It must be Father's Day month as most of the world celebrates Father's Day sometime during June. 

To honor all Fathers, there is a special offer for you - for a limited time only.  

All the StoneGnome patterns made of little crocheted hearts - aka waistcoat stitches - are free or available with a 30% discount.

What to Choose

You can make a pillow from the mandala pattern or crochet something for your father to wear that can keep him warm during winter. Gloves, ear warmer, a beanie, or a cowl. 

The musician Brian Margell recently crocheted an infinity scarf for his wife. See his photos on Instagram @margellmusic 

The Patterns

All waistcoat stitch patterns can be found from the menu Themes > Waistcoat Stitch LOVE.

Paid patterns can be purchased from Ravelry or at the StoneGnome shop.

Use the code DAD2023 to get the discount.
(At Ravelry or at the Stonegnome shop only).

The code expires on June 14th (UTC).

The Heart Chart

Never tried a Crochet Chart before?

Just to let you know how easy it is, here is a written version of the beginning - BUT, please read additional notes further below before you do anything but a swatch:

1. Work 1 single crochet stitch into each chain. (I prefer turning the chain over to insert my hook into the back bumps.). This is line 1 on the chart.
   
   
2. Do not turn - instead, join into a ring by making a waistcoat stitch in the first stitch of your first line. Continue working in the round. As you follow the chart, work each stitch in the color shown for that rectangle.
   
   
3. Continue working in the round and remember to change color right before every colored rectangle - see color change tip at the bottom of the page.

Tips n Tricks

Keep the Waistcoat Stitches Straight

Tension & Sizing

• The chart is designed for a gauge of 20 stitches × 28 rows per 10×10 cm (4″×4″).
• I used a 4mm hook (US: G6) and Scheepjes Organicon, a very soft cotton yarn.
• The final size of my work will be around 10cm (4") wide and 8 cm (3.1") tall. - Remember I added 8 sts to the chart for a full round.
  

I crocheted quite tight, so you can likely achieve the same gauge with maybe a 3mm hook (US:~D3) and a looser tension.

The hearts should still look great even if your gauge isn’t exact, but if size matters, be sure to make a swatch first.

Tapestry or Not?

This is my first time felting anything in the washing machine. - At least on purpose.

So, I'm clearly not an expert, BUT! - If you are like me, you would think, this was time consuming and difficult.

It was a piece of cake and amusing too!
I am definitely going to try this again soon.

This is how it works...

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.

Make a nice decoration for your bottle of water. Use it as nice touch or for more practical reasons.


Everybody brings a bottle of water at the fitness center or at a field trip. Some of the bottles look very much alike, and occasionally it can be difficult to find the right one.

Here is a pattern for a bottle decoration, that makes your bottle unique.

I have a video to show you. Please notice, it is NOT a full tutorial :)


See, what just happened?

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

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.

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.

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

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.

I've started to collect plastic bottles. I save those that have been used for vinegar. I found out, they are pretty easy to cut into different shapes - and they can be washed.


So hubby, please bear with me!