To those familiar with the craft—and those who can at least spot a doily on grandma’s loveseat—crochet doesn’t typically evoke visions of immodesty, subversion, or the struggles of women in the workplace. There was a time in history, however, when the act of crocheting became bound up with the entrepreneurial dreams of impoverished women, as … Continue reading The “wanton-eyed” crocheter: from Irish lace to pussy hats
Upcycling is fun, en vogue, and arguably a good practice for the planet. The popularity of this form of creative reuse has exploded over the past decade, even making its way into luxury brands. It's got a little problem, though—we can't seem to agree on what it actually is, and which items qualify as "upcycled" … Continue reading Upcycling vs. creative reuse: what’s the difference?
String bags and mesh shopping bags are popping up everywhere, which probably feels like déjà vu for people who grew up in a time or place where they were the norm. For those who enjoy the occasional nugget of history, you might be surprised to know that Wikipedia actually has an entire (albeit brief) page … Continue reading Color Block Market Bag Pattern
Sometimes, the simplest things end up being so satisfying. I've crocheted complicated garments before and felt pleased with the results. It's always been simple, classic designs, however, that make me happiest and produce clothes that I wear over and over again. The added bonus? They are easy to make, easy to modify, and even beginners … Continue reading Cedar Top Crochet Pattern
This year I am phasing out my stash of acrylic yarn, and here's why: our oceans are becoming polluted with tiny synthetic microfibers, and it's bad news for marine life. I don't enjoy being a Debbie Downer, so I promise you that I will end this on a positive note. Here's the gist of the problem, … Continue reading What can knitters and crocheters do about synthetic fiber pollution?
Making your own home goods, clothing, and accessories can be even more satisfying when you know it's reducing your footprint on the Earth. What makes a something "eco-friendly"? It's a rather broad term, and is probably applied in places where it shouldn't be. There's no universal definition. I tend to think of eco-friendly crochet patterns as ones that … Continue reading 7 eco-friendly crochet patterns
I've been on a Fair Isle crochet kick lately, and I decided to try something more muted and a little bit....spooky. A friend of mine is a lover of bats, creepy things, magical things, and creatures of the night. She also prefers neutrals and darker colors. So, the Nocturnal Creatures Bag was born! It's the … Continue reading Nocturnal Creatures Tote Bag Pattern
Fair Isle patterns aren't just for cold weather anymore. As the tiniest hints of spring were showing this month, I was scurrying like a chipmunk to finish this cozy, bright, and colorful pillow pattern. It's created with one of my favorite knit-look crochet techniques: waistcoat stitch and tapestry-style colorwork. And it's easier than you probably think it is! You … Continue reading Cheery Fair Isle Pillow Pattern
We're not always vocal about it, but some crocheters and knitters believe that their yarn craft is superior to the other. It's usually a good-natured feud, resulting in the concession that we've just grown accustomed to doing one or the other and we're probably not going to change. Although I'm firmly in the camp of crochet, I admire the … Continue reading A Quick Guide to Knit-Look Crochet Stitches
Maybe I've been inspired by the freakishly warm weather we've had off and on for the past week, or maybe I'm disturbed by the way it reminds me of impending climate disaster and I need something cheery to distract me. Whatever it is, I am deep into happy, bubble-gum-and-candy colors and adorable spring motifs for … Continue reading Happy Spring Pouch Pattern
