The fun of crocheting isn’t just in the finished project but the whole process: choosing the project, buying the material, beginning and completing it, and finally, showing it off. Unfortunately, there is one small but significant element that causes most of us some apprehension. And I’m sure you’ve already guessed what I’m going to say: weaving in ends.

No matter how we may want to get around it, hiding those unsightly yarn tails is a must. You can look for magical ways to avoid this step but as far as the world knows now, you cannot eliminate it. So let’s take a look at some of the most common methods.
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This tutorial actually springs form a happy accident. I wasn’t paying attention where I was placing my hook and almost made the mistake of working into the stitch I had just made, which led to some swatching and the birth of climbing stitches.

At first, I thought these would turn out like foundation stitches, but instead of simply adding width, they also add height. Freeform crocheters, especially, may have a lot of fun incorporating stitches like this into their work.
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Crochet is hands down one of the best ways to relax on a sunny or a rainy day. With yarn and hook in hand, the only thing that matters is the pattern you wish to make a reality. This is crochet at its best.

If you think about some of your favorite crochet creations, you’ll probably find that many of them tinkle your fancy because of the pattern, but also because of the colors you chose to use. The color of the creation is just as important as the creation itself. But how can we take color choice to another level with our crochet creations?
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This is the last installment of this series on transforming your crochet mistakes. In truth, some of the mishaps that occur in our crochet projects aren’t always mistakes. I say it that way because we tend to look at things that way. Crochet is a fun activity, a relaxing hobby, yet it doesn’t go without its frustrating moments

In addition, it may not be a mistake, but a coincidence that can turn into a creative treasure. The key factor to handling a crochet mistake is to tap into one’s own creativity. In part 2 of this series, I shared ideas on creative ways to use leftover afghan squares. In this last installment of the series, I will share some fun ideas on what to do with spare yarn (i.e., small amounts of yarn leftover). You’ll see what I mean, check it out.
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This is the second part in a three-part series for transforming possible crochet mistakes. This time I am exploring extra pieces to a crochet project. Specifically, I have found myself having several extra afghan squares that I didn’t use for an afghan, either because I didn’t finish the project or had made a few too many.

This is where our creativity can kick in. It’s always fun trying to figure out what to do with the extra pieces. So, I came up with a few ideas listed below. I hope you enjoy them and they spark even more ideas for you.
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According to the National Foundation for the Blind, in 2012, there are over 6 million people (men, women, and children) in the U.S. who have a vision disability. I, too, am considered visually-impaired or legally blind.

However, I have found that this does not mean that you stop living and stop enjoying favorite activities. Quite the contrary! It is still possible to be visually-impaired and still get your crochet on!

Through this life-changing event, you can still find joy in creating crocheted items for yourself and others. Have no fear! Below I am going to share three great tips that can help anyone who is visually-challenged to be able to continue one of their favorite activities: crochet.
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If you want to add lovely, serpentine cables to a Tunisian project, then crossing stitches will be a useful technique. Unlike front crossed stitches, back crossed stitches will give you stitches that lean to the right (to the left for left-handed crocheters). Play around using different types of stitches to make subtle cables or ones that pop.
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Crossing stitches can add visual interest to an otherwise simple project, and it’s actually pretty easy to do in Tunisian crochet. Front crossed stitches will give you stitches that lean to the left (to the right for left-handed crocheters). Once you get the hang of it, mixing crossed stitches with different relief stitches gives you defined cables.
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Adding beads to crochet produces beautiful pieces, but the usual way of adding beads has its limitations. With beads only showing up on one side of the stitch, you can only add beads in every other row of a flat piece. When this technique is combined with the usual one, you can add beads to every row for a more densely beaded project. The key here is to single crochet behind the bead.
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When making a flat circle, my preferred method is the adjustable ring–an alternative to the traditional method often given in crochet patterns. However, some people may wish to use an alternative to the ring, and when the ring is the method given in the pattern, it’s good to know what the traditional method is.

This way of starting a project in the round is simple, but it can take some trial and error to get the center you want. Working your chains too tightly or too loosely can lead to ripping your first round back several times at the start of a project, so it may take some practice to get it right each time.
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