It is really annoying when you crochet and your yarn splits! You end up with only part of the strand of yarn on your hook instead of the entire strand. Here are some tips to help you prevent your yarn from splitting while you crochet:

1. Use a bigger hook – The bigger your hook, the less chance that your hook will split your yarn. Smaller hooks are more pointy and tend to “stab” your yarn in half. While bigger hooks obviously have a larger hook to grab you strand of yarn without splitting it.
2. Take your time – If you take your time, and move extra slow when you crochet, there is no way you can split your yarn. Try working in slow motion for a few stitches and be sure that your yarn is properly under your hook before you pull it. You can speed up, once you get the hang of it.
3. Work with the opposite end of the yarn – Yarn is made with a bunch of plies of yarn twisted together. Sometimes your yarn splits because you are working against the direction that the yarn is twisted in, so you are basically untwisting it. By working with the opposite end of the yarn you can work into the same direction that the yarn is twisted in, so that it doesn’t split.
4. Use a different brand – Different hooks made by different companies are shaped differently. There isn’t one hook that is great for everyone, so try out different types of hooks to see which one works best for you. Be sure to try out different brands of yarn as well.
5. Practice – Practice makes perfect, as the old saying goes, and it is so true. I remember when I first started crocheting, my yarn would split all the time. But now, using the exact same hook and brand of yarn, it doesn’t split anymore because I have practice crocheting. So just be patience and practice, you can do it!

Do you have a tip to prevent yarn from splitting that you would like to share?

If you are looking to spread awareness about breast cancer, here is a very fast and easy ribbon that you can crochet. You can use it as a pin or sew it to clothing or blankets as you desire. Skill Level: Finished Size: 4″ (10 cm) tall Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (small amount) Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm) Gauge: not very important

Crochet Pattern: Ribbon
Row 1: ch 37, dc in the back ridge only in third ch from hook and in each ch across, finish off.
Using the photo as a guide, sew or pin the ribbon together.

If you need help crocheting the breast cancer awareness ribbon, let me know and I’ll be sure to help!

The Easy Adjustable Mittens can be made in every size (toddler, child and adult) using this one pattern, with absolutely no sewing required! This tutorial provides 10 step by step photos to walk you through crocheting the mittens and altering them to the size of your choice. You can download this pattern at the Crochet Spot Store. Also, if you are a Premium Pattern Member, you may download this pattern for free.

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 9” (23 cm) tall, 3 1/2” (9 cm) wide, fits a woman’s small
This pattern can be made to fit any size(s). Instructions include guidelines for taking measurements which are used in the place of conventional sizing guidelines, allowing for the item to be customized for the intended hand size.

Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 200 yards) Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)

By purchasing this pattern, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns you love on this site. Visit the Crochet Spot Store to download this pattern and to check out other patterns that you may enjoy!

If you need help crocheting these mittens, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

I used to think that I only needed one crochet hook of each size. So I started out with one of those sets with about 6 hooks in it. But then I learned my lesson when I:

1. Lost some – Some how things magically disappear, if you know what I mean. It’s a pain when you need a specific hook for a pattern, and you just don’t have it. When I want to crochet something, I want to crochet it then and there, not a day later after I go to the store to get the right hook.
2. Broke one – Argh! I hate this. It’s one thing to not start a project because you don’t have the hook, but it’s another thing to end in the middle of a project because the hook broke!
3. Needed a plastic one to go on the plane – Just to be on the safe side, plastic or wood hooks are preferred on airplanes compared to metals hooks. I sure don’t want my crochet hook confiscated because someone thinks it’s a weapon.

Now I’ve learned to have “back up” hooks. One set of hooks is aluminum, the material I like to crochet with, and the other set is plastic, great for traveling with on a plane. Then there are the tiny hooks I use for thread and the giant hook I use with bulky yarn. To date, I have about 20 crochet hooks.

How many crochet hooks do you have?

The Absolutely Simple Drawstring Bag is great to use as a gift bag! This pattern is fast and super easy to crochet. It’s made with double crochets and a chain that creates the drawstring. You can embellish the bag if you desire. I used the rose bud pattern from my Flower Appliques Crochet Pattern Set. Skill Level: Finished Size: 3 1/2″ (9 cm) in diameter, 5″ (13 cm) tall when flat Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 50 yards) Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm)

Gauge: Rounds 1 – 3 in pattern measure 3 1/2″ in diameter

Crochet Pattern: Drawstring Bag
Round 1: ch 4, 12 dc in forth ch from hook, sl st in beginning ch-3: 12 dc
Round 2: ch 3, 2 dc in each dc around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 24 dc
Round 3: ch 3, (2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc) around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 36 dc
Round 4 – 12: ch 3, dc in each dc around, sl st in beginning ch-3: 36 dc
Finish off.

String
Row 1: ch 50, finish off.

Weave the string between the double crochets in the second to last round of the bag.

Embellish the bag as you desire. The rose bud pattern in the photo can be found in the Flower Appliques Crochet Pattern Set.

If you need help crocheting the drawstring bag, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Just as friendly reminder, if you purchased patterns in the Crochet Spot Store they will not be mailed to you. Instead, you can download them immediately after you purchased them. No waiting needed!

If you paid per pattern, just log into your store account and there will be a “My Purchased Patterns” tab at the top of the page. Click on the tab and it will show you all the patterns that you purchased and links for you to download them. Simple as that!

If you are a Premium Pattern Member, just log into your account and all the patterns in the store will be listed as FREE with links for you to download each one.

You can also learn more about shopping in the store by reading the post: What You Ought to Know About Shopping in the Store

As always, you can ask me for help anytime!

There are many things you can do with your scrap yarn, but if you’re like me, you feel guilty for throwing it out (even if it is just a really small scrap). Here is an idea that I’ve heard lots of people talk about!

Some people put out bird feeders for the birds, but why not put out materials for the birds to build their nests with too? You can create a “bird nest kit”. To do so, use a small netted bag (like the plastic ones you get oranges or onions in), and place your scraps of yarn inside. You can also use other containers that have large enough holes for the birds to peck through. Hang it on a tree so that the birds can take materials as they need it.

Here are some pictures of bird nest kits:

The first 2 pictures are from funinthemaking.net. The last picture is from a seller on Etsy.com: “Maddy & Me”

As you can see, you can get very creative in creating a bird nest kit with your scrap yarn!
I was also wondering if these bird nest kits would be safe for birds and the environment. What do you think and have you tried it?

Using size 10 thread, the Convertible Lace Shrug is designed to be a light and airy cover up for the warmer days. The shrug can also be worn as an elegant, lacy scarf! Crochet this convertible shrug in any size by following the directions within the tutorial.

Download this pattern at the Crochet Spot Store. Free for all Premium Pattern Members.

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 54” (137 cm) wide, 12” (30.5 cm) tall, fits an adult small / medium size
This pattern can be made to fit any size(s). Instructions include guidelines for taking measurements which are used in the place of conventional sizing guidelines, allowing for the item to be customized for the intended body shape or size.

Materials:
Size 10 thread (approximately 1500 yards)
Crochet hook US 0 (2.55 mm)
Sewing needle

By purchasing this pattern or by becoming a Premium Pattern Member, you will be supporting Crochet Spot in creating the tutorials and patterns on this site. Visit the Crochet Spot Store to download this pattern and check out other patterns that you may enjoy.

If you ever need any help with crocheting the Convertible Lace Shrug, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

I’ve heard the excuse that it’s too hot to crochet, but never that it’s too cold. But this week felt like it for me. Although the weather isn’t freezing here in PA, with the heater not working, it sure seems like it.

When I go to pick up my crochet hook, I wished it wasn’t metal, knowing how cold metal is when it’s left sitting in a cold room. Perhaps that’s why plastic hooks can be great. Even as I work with the hook, it does warm up, but my hands don’t! I thought about wearing gloves, but they just get in the way.

Instead of crocheting, I should have ran around the house to keep warm. Or if I’m brave enough, I could have crocheted while running…but I’ll save that challenge for a different day.

Have you ever felt that it was too cold to crochet?