This pattern is fast and simple and can be used when you want an open flower as an accent. It also makes a good addition to the wrapping on your handmade gifts. Feel free to make a bunch of these flower in multiple colors!

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Creating an inverse stitch isn’t very complicated, and those who like to experiment should not have too hard a time incorporating them into their tinkering. Since they are mostly used in slip stitch crochet, this tutorial will demonstrate the technique using the slip stitch.
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There are no small parts, only small actors-and in this case the actors are all costumed fingers. This bunny finger puppet is made for little hands to keep them busy. With some scrap yarn and a little spare time, you can work up several plays’ worth of bunnies and put on a really good show.

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If you’re a fan of starting your rows or rounds without a turning chain, you may want to try using the technique when you have to start a row off with a decrease. This is not a beginner technique, so it is suggested you learn the double crochet decrease and the chainless initial double crochet before trying this.

As a side note, if your pattern says the turning chain counts as a dc, you should simply make the chainless dc then work the decrease to maintain the proper stitch count. This technique is for chains that do not count as a dc.

Lengthen your first ch to the height of a dc; holding the loop still, wrap the loop around the hook, yo, pull through two loops; (yo, insert hook into next stitch, yo, pull up a loop, yo, pull through two loops) for as many stitches as you need to decrease, yo pull through all loops.
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Treble three together (tr3tog) is a decrease you can see used in the Cat Scrubbie pattern. Like other decreases, it’s performed by working each stitch up to its second to last step an then pulling through all remaining loops.

To complete a tr3tog: *yo twice, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, draw through 2 loops) twice, repeat from * two more times, yo, draw through all loops on hook.
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A while back, I became a big nail polish aficionado. At this point, I have over thirty bottles–not counting minis–and I still can’t get enough. It was only a matter of time before it bled into my other hobbies, and here it is–a crocheted bottle of nail polish.

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Usually twirls and ruffles are crocheted along their length. This can be an uncertain process, especially if you’re making twirls by decreasing each row, but if you want to have a little more control of the final product, it can help to make them width-wise by varying stitch heights.

As an example, you can progress from a single crochet up to a treble crochet across the row, then turn and go from a tr to a sc, repeating the process until you have the length you want without the guesswork.
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For the amphibian fans, here is another motif to add to your collection, straight from the pond. This lily pad motif can be used as an applique, a coaster, or just another addition to frog or pond themed decor.

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You can start a row of linked stitches with a normal stitch, but if you’d rather avoid a gap between your turning chain and tour first stitch, you can link the stitch with the chain. Here’s how to do it with a linked double crochet (Ldc):

You can hover over the pictures to get a left-handed view.

At the beginning of the row, ch 3 as usual. Insert your hook into the second ch from the hook.

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Here’s a headband that uses post stitches and chains for a simple yet interesting accessory. This headband has a bit of natural stretch to it. For smaller heads or a tighter fit, you can attach elastic to the inside to make it nice and snug.

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