A Guest Post by Merry.

Twirls are a simple crochet construction. They can be quick to make and can be used in a variety of different ways.

• As a decoration: in white, twirls can represent icicles which can be used for seasonal decorating. Made with green yarn, twirls easily stand in for foliage and fronds.
• As a scarf: worked with mohair or a similar textured yarn, just 3 – 4 rounds result in a fantastically light weight scarf, adding lots of flair to any winter outfit.
• As a bag strap: when made with double knit/worsted yarn, twirls are a stylish way to add straps to a bag.

But first let me take you through twirl-making, so that you can get crocheting wonderful twirls in all lengths and widths to use in any of the ways suggested above. So, if you’re in the mood to try out some twirls, grab yourself a hook and some yarn and twirl through the following steps:
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This little bee would be a great addition to a baby shower basket, a toy for a child or even a home decoration. Personalize your bee with different colors, a little embroidered face or maybe fun decorative buttons.

When I met my husband in 1986 I already had a reasonable supply of wool. My stash was all wool, as I have a thing for natural yarns. I made him a jumper and he thought I was the most talented person in the universe, mind you when you are first in love these things happen. On our honeymoon some 14 months later he took me to a yarn shop and we purchased some lovely mohair, I had never had anything so expensive before. As the years went on more yarn was purchased. Soon I was pregnant with our first child – excellent excuse for more wool. Mind you I probably needed to have sextuplets to justify it all. I wanted another child so the quantity was OK I reasoned. However I purchased more during the second pregnancy.
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This useful item combines three of my favorite things in crochet: texture, miter squares and tawashis (hence its very straightforward name). If you haven’t done a mitered square before, then you’re in for a treat. I love how it is worked back and forth in rows, and end up looking like a perfectly symmetrical square at the end of each row. So, if you’re not satisfied with the size you have, it’s easy to adjust the size–just stop whenever you feel it’s done!

So even if this pattern is for a tawashi, it’s easy to change into a dishcloth, potholder, or kitchen towel of the size you want–just add or decrease rows.
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This easy stitch is perfect for an afghan or blanket. It is just sets of 3 stitches, one single crochet and two doubles. Once you get into the hang of it, you can do it in your sleep! Use it for a baby blanket in a pretty pink or blue or for a regular afghan with bright colors! You can change colors after a few rows for a multicolored effect.

The photo above is a baby blanket I am working on for charity. I am using a J-hook for this with worsted yarn. Decide how wide you want your blanket to be and chain the proper number in multiples of 3. I chained 108 for this blanket and it is about 31 inches wide. For more blanket patterns using similar stitches, click here. Oh, and by the way, feel free to try this stitch on a scarf if you want! Experiment!
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New in the Crochet Spot Store, this fun pattern is for a flower pot, and all of the flowers and leaves that adorn the top. Mix and match flower colors or the color of the flower pot to fit your home decor. Fill the pot with your favorite potpourri to make it smell just as good as it looks! Please visit the Potpourri Flower Pot page for more information on this pattern! Need help while crocheting? Please do not hesitate to ask for help with this flower pot!

All purchases help to support Crochet Spot and are greatly appreciated! Please login 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.

Crochet hooks multiply! Well in my house they do and I have heard other people are in my position. So why do they?

There are many reasons why mine multiply and these are in no particular order. Hooks, or sets of hooks on sale, if they are a good price I tend to buy them – I don’t really know why, I just do. Heading out to somewhere that I have an hour or two to crochet and I’ve forgotten to bring something to do so I purchase even more yarn and a suitable hook so I can make a scarf or square or something, I should probably just read, a magazine would be cheaper. Finding I have my crochet yarn and pattern with me and no hook, it probably slipped out of my bag and is in the car somewhere. When I actually get to cleaning my car out or vacuum under the cushion on the sofa I tend to find wayward hooks, it’s like being reunited with an old friend. None of these things are really a reason to purchase new hooks but I am guilty anyhow.
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The tawashi has gained much popularity over the years. Originally from Japan, today knitters and crocheters all around the world have joined in the fun. And who wouldn’t like the idea of making their own scrubbers, made of 100% acrylic (read:ridiculously cheap) yarn, and save the environment all at the same time? It can be used with or without detergent, too, so it not just helps save the environment, but gives your everyday budget a break, too.

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 5.5″ across (excluding strap)

Materials: 100% Acrylic Medium Weight Yarn in Main Color (blue) and Contrast Color (pink) Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)

Gauge: Not important.

Need help understanding the abbreviations and symbols? Check out the crochet abbreviation chart!
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This lacy stitch is a open crochet stitch made with loops of chains. It is very easy to crochet. You just need to know the single crochet stitch. Here is a refresher on that stitch, see the single crochet tutorial. Use this stitch to make an interesting scarf, a pretty table runner, or even a poncho. The photo at the right is a poncho that I made with this stitch using ribbon yarn. You can also use this stitch for a market bag using cotton yarn!

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Do you like crocheting items for babies and toddlers? If so, you might be interested in Little Crochet: Modern Designs for Babies and Toddlers by Linda Permann! In this review I’ll let you know what I personally think of the book (the good and the not so good), to help you figure out if this book is right for you. First Impression After doing a quick flip through the pages I can tell you that this is a pretty and really well made book! Don’t let the plain cover fool you. There’s a bunch of patterns that I had to “ouuu” and “ahhhh” at. The pictures really give you the “I want to make that” feeling. Kudos to the photographer (Heather Weston)! Okay, let’s get onto the nitty gritty…

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