A Guest Post by Eve Tallafer-Sison.

“There’s a pot of gold at the end of the rainbow.” I realized the truth in this saying while working on the pattern of the Rainbow Coaster by Rachel at Crochet Spot. At first glance, the attraction has been irresistibly strong because of the design. The color combination allows pairing the coaster with any placemat or tablecloth. Aside from the fact that the instructions are reader-friendly, making it is very easy to follow, crocheting a whole set of it added these precious gems into my treasury:

1. A stitch in time saves nine. Making a single mistake in counting in Round 1 spoils the whole plan. Like for this coaster, the 2 sc in each sc around starting in Round 2 provides the foundation of the hexagonal pattern. Making a mistake in the previous row affects the intended formation. This goes to say that every stitch in a row has a purpose and each single stitch counts in the entire project.
2. Practice makes perfect. An old saying, yes, but while working on each piece of the coaster set, I was able to prove it in the area of changing the color of yarn. While it is true that I learned to crochet at an early age, I worked on all my projects using only one color. I came to practice the art of changing threads recently from online literature and tutorials from YouTube. This coaster was a perfect exercise indeed for me to master the craft as the pattern required changing the color of yarn five times.
3. Rhythmic numeric chants lead to mastery. People usually repeat what they say in order to strike a point. Familiar with the idiom that states, “The key to mastery is frequent repetition?” I realized the same is true in crochet. Using repetitive numeric chants that create a rhythm helps one memorize instructions and master patterns more quickly. Let me show you how.

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Crochet enthusiasts everywhere may have a similar challenge when working on creative projects – tired hands and wrists. This is quite common actually, but we’re never instructed as to how to handle this particular issue.

Crochet, like any other daily activity, can create rigidity and discomfort in the hands and wrists. With this in mind, here are a few easy exercises to rejuvenate and relax both the hands and wrists.
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No, it doesn’t hold your amigurumi octopus. It’s a spiral-constructed amigurumi octopus that holds your stuff. I love doing my nails, and having something small to stuff a few manicures’ worth of cotton balls in is a lot more convenient and cute than letting them hang loose in my bag of supplies. You can stuff yours with tissues, larger beads, or anything else that will fit or you can stuff it with fiberfill and draw the hole closed for a plain old amigurumi.

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If the double treble just isn’t enough for you or your pattern, triple treble (trtr) stitches give you even more height.

To make a a trtr: yo (yarn over) 4 times, insert hook into next st, yo, pull up a loop, (yo, pull through two loops) 5 times.

Here’s the visual breakdown. You can hover over the pictures with your cursor to see the left hand view.

To start your triple treble, yarn over five times. Your work should look like this:

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There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! Designed after the Working Girl Shoulder Bag, this crossbody purse is designed for everyday wear and tear. The bottom is extra thick with a neat ridged texture. The front 2 pockets are convenient for small items such as a cell phone, keys, coins, lipstick, etc. Feel free to line the underside of the strap and the interior of your finished purse for extra protection. You can also add a zipper, snap, or Velcro closure to the top. Click here to see full pattern details!

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.

What we wouldn’t give for a placemat or pot holder to not unravel on us while using it! Getting a thicker texture on some patterns isn’t always easy, even if the crochet hook size is perfect. We can achieve tighter stitches with a simple tug or two after each one is created, but how do we get a thicker texture from time to time?

Drum roll please…the answer is in the yarn. Yes, we can go out and buy some very thick yarn and thus, we will have thicker texture. But what about those of us who are on a tight budget and need to work with the yarn we already have, which is the average thickness?
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Valentine’s Day is soon approaching so, it’s high time to start creating a few projects with this holiday in mind! This week’s project is perfect for winter evenings by the fire, as you think of doing something special for those you love. It is very quick and simple to crochet! It’s also a great project for those who are new to using fingering yarn. Finish it off by making a tiny card to tuck inside for someone special in your life. If you mail Valentine’s to loved ones, this project would be the perfect addition and a sweet handmade surprise for the recipient.

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It’s hot here in sunny Queensland Australia. The travel agents do advertise Queensland as the “Sunshine State”. More Specifically I am in Jimboomba – South East Queensland for any of you with some strange interest and a map.

When I am out in the heat, or anywhere in the house that is not air-conditioned then the whole idea of picking up hook and thread makes my skin prickle with anticipation of a heat rash. However, when I sneak into one of our air-conditioned areas then it’s back to my normal enthusiasm, possibly even more excited. Maybe because I am deprived in the rest of the environment that the air-conditioned hidey holes make crochet seem decadent.
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Linked double crochets are closer together than traditional double crochet stitches. The fabric they create is more dense and stiffer.

If you’re left handed, you can hover over the pictures with your cursor to see the left hand view.

Find the lower horizontal bar of the stitch. It’s actually slightly diagonal (more so if the preceding stitch is a traditional dc), but when you’re done, it will be more level and the resulting stitch will resemble two rows of single crochet.

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There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! This cute owl hat can be crocheted for anyone in the family, from babies to adults! The main hat is designed with ear flaps to keep your ears nice and warm, and to add to the owl’s overall shape. Braided tie strings are used at the ends of the ear flaps, which you can make as long or short as you desire. The owl’s eyes, nose, and ears are then sewn onto the hat. Feel free to choose your favorite 2 colors to crochet this owl hat!

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please log in or create a new account at the Crochet Spot Store to purchase this pattern. Premium Pattern Members may log into the store and download the pattern for free.