Author Archive

Finish in ’15 First Quarter Contest Winner!

Posted in Fun Ramblings on April 4th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 8 Comments

Hey, guess what! We have a winner of the first prize in our Finish in ’15 Challenge! Crochet Spotter Crystal Wall entered the contest and was chosen at random to receive a free pattern from the Crochet Spot Store! Here are Crystal’s WIP pictures!

Finish in Fifteen Winner Crystal Wall
read more »

Stash Busting Tip: Double-Stranded Crochet!

Posted in Fun Ramblings on March 31st, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 6 Comments

I am very excited to share a technique I recently rediscovered while working on my newest crocheted shawl for spring. The technique is called “double stranding.” It is actually quite simple and it can really come in handy when you’re trying to stash down (as I still am doing!)

Double Stranded Crochet, Stash Busting Tip by Caissa McClinton for Crochet Spot @artlikebread
read more »

How to Host a Crochet Giving Circle

Posted in Tutorials and Help on March 25th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 1 Comment

The concept for this tutorial came from a wonderfully fun event a funky college friend of mine used to host. The event was called a “sister circle” and it was based on the idea that one woman’s junk is another woman’s treasure.

A group of us would gather our extra clothes, shoes, and accessories and bring them into her dorm room. My friend would set the mood with great music and refreshments. We’d artfully arrange everything and swap to our heart’s content!

It was so much fun to see the cool stuff that everyone brought but no longer needed. And to think that any one of us could have it – for free! Everyone would leave feeling lighter. We’d all gotten rid of some stuff, chosen some cool stuff, and had a great time with friends!

More recently my local crafting group has did something similar but much yarnier! You betcha. It was a sister circle with yarn! I’m going to give you a step-by-step about how you can host your own Crochet Giving Circle.

Image modified from photos by TheKarenD, Kristin Roach, librarykyle, and splityarn, all via flickr.  Links to licenses.

Image modified from photos by TheKarenD, Kristin Roach, librarykyle, and splityarn, all via flickr. Links to licenses.


read more »

Make Your Spring Cleaning More Fun with Crochet

Posted in Fun Ramblings on March 17th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 2 Comments

Hey there, Crochet Spotters! How’s the weather by you? I know there are lots of us living in the Northern part of North America, and I understand that winter’s in full swing up there. But I’m here to tell you that warmer weather is on the way! By the time that rolls around, you want to be ready to rush out and enjoy it, right? You don’t want to be stuck in the house doing your spring cleaning. According to the calendar, we’re just a few weeks away from Passover and Easter, the harbingers of the new season, so it’s time to plan and get moving! Why not incorporate crochet into your spring cleaning?

Image via flickr modified from Chiot's Run license

Image via flickr modified from Chiot’s Run license


read more »

Warm Up Your Cubicle with Crochet

Posted in Fun Ramblings on March 10th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 2 Comments

Do you work in cube world? It’s that greyish-taupey-colored land with neutral carpeting and ever-flattering flourescent lights glowing from drop ceilings. Inside each identical, semi-private cubby hole you’ll see a work surface, computer, and soft (padded?) but very short walls. This is the world that was created for productivity, as evidenced by the constant clicking of computer keys and shuffling of file folders. It’s a world you may live in for at least 40 hours a week. Does this place sound familiar? Here’s a picture in case you can’t see it in your mind’s eye.

Image by Steve via flickr link to license

Image by Steve via flickr link to license


read more »

Your Favorite Crochet Project!

Posted in Fun Ramblings on March 7th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 6 Comments

Admit it. You crochet a lot, don’t you? I bet you have many projects in your history by now. From afghans & sweaters to totes & toys, crochet has it all. We can crochet just about anything we can imagine. There is a certain magic when a crochet project comes together. Whether it is carefully planned or a happy accident, it is amazing to see the final sewn seam, the ends made invisible by careful weaving, and the beauty of the finished product.

Erin once did a round-up of her favorite patterns, and Rachel has asked us about our favorite things to crochet, but we’ve never discussed our personal favorites here at Crochet Spot. So allow me to ask, whether it was carefully planned and executed, or just “off the top of your hook,” what was your absolute favorite crochet project of all time? This could be a tough question because so many of us just crochet to gift, sell, or donate to charity. I am certain that I can’t even remember all of my previous projects. (Truthfully, some of them I don’t want to remember!) But I did begin to think about what my absolute favorite project of all time was, and it wasn’t that easy to find the answer.

It's pretty, but this isn't it! image by artlikebread

It’s pretty, but this isn’t it! image by artlikebread


read more »

Finish in ’15 Crochet WIP/UFO Contest Update!

Posted in Fun Ramblings on February 24th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 3 Comments

Hello, hello! You may remember these little details from my original Finish in ’15 contest post.

And happy happiness, we’ve already got some entries right there on the thread. Since this will be an ongoing thing, Rachel and I have decided to introduce a quick and easy entry form. It’s really easy to use and has only four fields. You can see what it looks like in the picture below.

Crochet Spot Finish In 15 Form

To fill out the form, all you need to do is click on this link, which will redirect you to a google form. In case you want to share it, the web address of the link is http://goo.gl/forms/ijoLLXiokp.
read more »

Let Your Yarn Do the Crochet Colorwork for You!

Posted in Fun Ramblings on February 18th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 7 Comments

I know I don’t have to convince you how wonderful it is to experiment with color in your crochet. The popularity of color changing is evident by just looking at all of the patterns with colorwork here on Crochet Spot, for example Amy’s newest baby bib pattern (check out the one in the middle!) Color enriches our lives and adds excitement to our projects. Previously I never thought of crocheting in variegated yarn as “colorwork” but that was before I really dug into the topic.

Be fresh & colorful. Pin this.

Be fresh & colorful. Pin this.


read more »

How to Crochet Around Flat Cards or Paper Scrapbook Embellishments

Posted in Tutorials and Help on February 10th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 3 Comments

I have been so excited and inspired by art journaling and mixed media techniques! Crochet is not the only craft in my life, but I always want to incorporate it into my artwork. My major influences in art journaling and mixed media are Christine Urias, Traci Bautista, and Kathy Cano-Murillo. Aren’t we lucky to have so many wondeful artists at our fingertips through the magic of the internet?

During this tutorial, I will show you how to add texture to your flat cards or scrapbook embellishments by crocheting around them. By the end of the step-by-step tutorial you will have a finished embellishment.

I would look great on your Pinterest board.

I would look great on your Pinterest board.


read more »

Five Fine Reasons to Frog Your Crochet

Posted in Fun Ramblings on February 4th, 2015 by Caissa "Cami" McClinton – 29 Comments

Well, hello again! Every day we have more interest in this year-long challenge. The Ravelry thread is pretty lonely. I’ll try to drum up some business there, but go ahead and link over, too.

Today we’re going to talk about the other side of WIPs and UFOs: calling it quits and getting your yarn back! Just need to let you know – this is a completely valid solution. If you have a WIP or UFO you’re just done with, by all means, frog it and enter the challenge! This froggy talk was inspired by the fabulous JodieBodie who asked “What criteria do you use when deciding to frog a project?”

artlikebread crochetspot caissa Mcclinton five fine reasons to frog your crochet
read more »