When we think about going to a day spa, we rarely think about crochet. Even when we are creating an at-home spa environment, we never think about involving crochet, unless we are working on a project while we soak our feet. Perhaps, it’s time to get some to create some crochet items that will assist us in having a wonderful day spa or at-home spa experience.

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Have you ever noticed how some of your creations may not look and feel exactly how you imagined they would during or after creating them? Or, have you ever noticed that your creations may not look exactly like the images used in the magazine or crochet article?

Quite often, most crocheters from way back will use the yarn weight they have available to them at the time because it is cost effective and easily accessible. Perhaps, we may not even know about or use all of the yarn weights available, even if the patterns may call for a different yarn weight other than the most popular number four (4).

Here, in this piece, I have decided to compile a very simple guide to the various yarn weights and what each of them can be used for when we’re creating our items this year. This will be excellent for those crocheters who like to create their own patterns. You can start to explore the various types of yarn weights to see what works with your creation.
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Now, I know this seems a little redundant, but it is not because there are so many ways to recycle yarn. There are many ways to get yarn in order to recycle it. I have seen so many people talking online about a variety of ways they recycle yarns. We’re not just talking about the yarn you already have at home like I talked about in previous posts, but other yarn resources.
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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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I love the Autumn season. So naturally, I have my favorite seasonal colors of yarn all ready to make some nice scarves, hats, and decorative things for the home. The air is filled with the energy of harvest time. I am excited about getting started with my crochet projects. I grab a skein of multi-colored earth tone, medium worsted yarn and my favorite J-size crochet hook. I begin to crochet a hat from memory.

It comes out all wrong! I examine this so-called crochet hat wondering where I went wrong. Now, I don’t attribute this mistake to the fact that I haven’t crocheted a hat in two years. Oh no! I just dive right in head first from memory.
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When sewing elastic to fabric, many of us have probably come across instructions that tell us to mark the fabric and stretched elastic, and sew the two together while the elastic is stretched out. It’s a pain, and with crochet fabrics, it may not even be necessary. With thin elastic and the anatomy of your crochet stitches, you can put in some stretch in a way that’s similar to drawing elastic through a casing.
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Out there in Crochet Land there are many ‘special’ stitches that I call ‘YO Stitches’ (the abbreviation for yarn over is yo).  These stitches include the popcorn stitch, the bobble stitch, the puff stitch etc…etc…

My favorite of these type of stitches is the star stitch.   A lot of ‘star stitch’ patterns have you break off at the end of each row…which leaves a lot of ends to weave in upon completion.  The instructions I use and am including below use a turn and a row of hdc instead.

This tutorial is for both right and left handed people. For left handed pictures, roll your mouse over the image and it will change for you. read more »