Enrichment
There’s a particular moment in crochet when a piece stops feeling like it’s in progress and starts feeling complete. Nothing dramatic changes; the project simply settles and the design makes sense. That moment has very little to do with technique and almost everything to do with unity and harmony.
Contrast is the principle of design that creates a conversation between differences in the design: light against dark, bold against subtle, simple against complex. It is often the first thing the eye notices, whether we planned it or not. And yes, contrast can absolutely be loud, but it can also be gentle, thoughtful, and beautifully restrained. Like most things in design (and life), it’s not about how much—it’s about why.
There are some crochet stitch patterns that just make you fall in love with them at first sight, and chances are it’s because rhythm and repetition were doing their quiet work in the background. Rhythm and repetition are two closely related principles of design. They help guide the eye, create a sense of movement, and bring order to what could otherwise feel like visual chaos. In crochet—where we build fabric stitch by stitch—these principles are especially powerful.
Whether you’re designing a granny square, a shawl, or a full blanket, the design principle that turns a fabric of stitches into a clear visual statement is that of emphasis. Without it, either everything competes for attention or nothing does. Emphasis answers one simple design question: “Where should the eye land?”
If you have crocheted anything from a pattern, you have likely had to think about gauge, hook size, and how a finished wearable fits someone. But have you thought about size as a design choice? That’s what we’re unpacking today: proportion and scale — two core design principles that help turn a design into something that feels right.
If you’ve ever tried freehanding a crochet project and thought, “Hmm…something about this feels off,” you may have been sensing balance—or rather, the lack thereof. In textile design, balance is about how visual weight is distributed in your work. Understanding balance will help to take your freeform crochet from “hoping for the best” to “intentionally designed,” exponentially expanding the possibilities of what you can make.
Welcome to the 12 Days of Hats Design Challenge! Now I know what you’re thinking–there is already so much to do around the holidays, and I want you to do what now?! But think of it this way: this is your chance to make gifts for 12 lucky individuals (or make them for charity!) while stretching your skills as a hat designer! We’ll start with one basic hat pattern—one that only takes about an hour to whip up—and over 12 days we will show you how to expand on that basic design to make endless variations of hats. This is…
https://youtu.be/7-cTZthfO8A Today we are diving into the charming history of amigurumi, that sweet little world of crocheted characters that have stolen the hearts of crocheters everywhere. In this video, we will learn how amigurumi began in mid-20th-century Japan: how the name came about and how it’s deeply rooted in Japan’s post-war crafting traditions. We will also touch on how kawaii (cute) culture played a big role in shaping amigurumi’s look — with its chibi proportions, simple geometry, and emotionally resonant design. Then we follow amigurumi’s big leap into the global crafting world: how early blogs and online communities, plus handmade…
Are you ready to break free from patterns and design your own amigurumi? Join me as we walk through my creative process of amigurumi design without ever needing to write out a formal pattern. Think of this tutorial as a go-to recipe for your own original creatures and characters. This method works best for crocheters who already have a comfortable rhythm with spiraled single crochet and want to stretch creatively.
If you’ve been working from Woobles kits and are wondering how to level up your skills, this video is for you! In this episode, we’ll talk about how to choose yarn when you’re ready to branch out from guided kits and start exploring the world of crochet on your own. Learn what makes a yarn beginner-friendly and why I think Lazy Days by Lion Brand is a great next step for growing your skills.
The notion of “women’s work” doesn’t seem to garner much respect these days, but once upon a time what we now call think of as “women’s work” were the typical jobs that were available to women to be able to contribute to the livelihood of their families. Is this a notion that should be demonized then, or should we rethink the concept of “women’s work” as tool that has through the ages empowered women to secure an income for themselves?
As we look back and remember the thousands of people who made the first lunar landing possible, I would like to turn our attention to a small group of ladies who could have been one of us back in 1969: The Little Old Lady core rope memory weavers.
The yarn world can start to seem overwhelming in options. How can one possibly narrow down all the available options to the particular project in mind?
There are many crocheters out there who start selling a project here and there to make a little cash on the side. Where is the line between hobby and business? With this article I hope to give some tips on starting your own crochet business.
Blending yarns gives you greater control over the final look and texture of your crochet projects.
I am here to preach the importance of gauge swatches and why you really should be doing them, especially if you’re making something wearable in which size matters.
This chart was assembled from numerous resources online dealing with average hand and arm sizes for men, women, and children. And now for your designing pleasure, they are all available here in a handy reference chart.
Have you ever worked a gauge swatch only to find that the stitch count is correct, but the rows are too short or too high? Why is that? Shouldn’t you be able to make both stitch and row gauge with the same hook size? The answer lies in the Golden Loop.
These measurements will give you a rough idea of how big to make your hats in various sizes.
I have a suggestion for a quick and dirty gift tag you can attach to your crochet goodies.
Autumn is the time when we all start thinking about cozy hats and scarves and all the wonderful things we might crochet for loved ones for the holidays. And since we’re all thinking about cuddling up with a nice warm ball of yarn, I thought now would be a good time to post a lesson on wool.
As you begin to dabble in the world of crocheted garments, you may hear the word “ease” thrown around. Ease in this context does not refer to the difficulty of the project, but rather the difference between your body measurements and the measurements of a given garment.
With a growing little girl, I have been inundated with design inspiration for children’s crochet projects, but I wanted to be able to make my designs available to everyone, not just those with children who happen to be the same size as Little Lovely at the time of designing.
Fiber is a matter of personal preference and there are many reasons why a designer might choose one fiber over another, so I thought it would be fun to go in-depth on the pros and cons of different fibers. Today’s fiber: cotton.
Designing is a lot of work, but the really hard part is making the design available to all sizes. That’s why I wanted to compile all of my standard size measurements in one handy place that fellow crochet designers could reference.
Not every crochet project will benefit from blocking or even killing, but there are several reasons why you might want to consider taking this extra step to finish your project.
How do you keep your current projects organized? I’d like to offer an amazing solution to all your WIP progress woes.
Socks crocheted from the toe down can be tried on as you go, and as long as you have a person’s measurements, don’t require much guesswork if you’re making them as a gift. The two most difficult parts in any crochet sock pattern are the toe and the heel; master these two parts, and you’ll be a sock making machine!
Crochet cables were inspired by the look of knitted cables–those twisted, rope-like designs seen in so many sweaters and hats. In crochet, they are created with the use of front-post and back-post stitches that cross over each other to impart that rope-like look.
This looks an awful lot like knitting, doesn’t it? This is what I like to call Crochet Stockinette. Unlike other techniques, the method does not involve Tunisian crochet or knooking. It uses only stitches you already know. Any crocheter — even a beginner — can do this technique.
Some time ago, I happened across a style of crochet I had never heard of before called Bavarian crochet. Legend has it that a mother and daughter of Bavarian descent created it, but no one knows for sure. In any case, it is a lovely textured stitch pattern. My example shows it worked in rows, but traditionally it is worked in the round. The resulting fabric is textured and thick, yet still drapes really well. It’s perfect for all your fall projects!
Why would you want to crochet over flip flops? It’s a good way to jazz up an old pair of flip flops that have become boring to you, and it’s a great way to take a cheap pair of flip flops and make them look upscale and unique for just a few extra dollars.
This fabric segment features a plaid design, yet it is entirely crocheted. I used woven crochet techniques to create the design. Here’s the how-to. Don’t worry — it’s easy!
Tapestry crochet is the technique of using more than color of yarn to create pictures and patterns in a crocheted piece. It is essentially the crochet equivalent of knitted intarsia. If you know how to single crochet (or half-double crochet in some patterns), you can do tapestry crochet.
It’s important for all crocheters to know how to keep their kitties safe around their craft. Here are my tips on how to do so.
Crochet is a timeless art that has brought joy to millions, yet no one can say for sure who first created it. Perhaps it is a divine gift, for what other household art can claim to have saved an entire nation from starvation?
