No matter how much you love something, including crochet, there is always something about it that can make you tick. Whether it’s just something that makes you roll your eyes, annoy the heck out of you, or even make you pull your hair out, they are all pet peeves and I want to know about them!

Here are some of my all time crochet pet peeves:

Knots in my skein – I’m pretty good at taking out knots, but just because I’m good at it doesn’t mean I want knots! I’m pretty sure that the whole point of buying skeins of yarn is to avoid having knots in the yarn. But sometimes there’s that surprising knot in the skein that always makes me put down whatever I’m making and untangle it.

Running out of yarn – I’m not talking about running out in the middle of a project, because if I’m that far off in my yarn estimate that’s just my fault. But if I run out of yarn on the last row, that’s qualified as a rip your hair out situation! Who would want to go out and buy an entire skein of yarn just to finish the last row?

Distractions – Sometimes I’m caught in a deep concentration not wanting to lose my place or idea. Then someone comes along and starts chatting with me. I don’t mean to be rude when I ignore them, but they just don’t get it…I’m crocheting here!

Counting – 1…2…3… I can count that, no problem. But when I have to count over and over again and for a very long time, it drives me nuts! Probably because I get bored counting, or my mind wonders elsewhere and then I have to start over again.

Weaving in end – I just wish that the ends of yarn would weave themselves in. It seems so tedious when I finish making something to tuck the ends in nice and neatly.

What are your crochet pet peeves? Come on, you can let it out…

Now that the holidays are approaching and somehow always end up getting here faster than I think, it’s about time to brainstorm ideas for what to make as gifts. Like many of you, I don’t have much time to make a bunch of large gifts for everyone, so quick, easy and still knock your socks off great, is what I’m going for.

Here are some things that I’ve been considering:

Dishcloth – Just about everyone has a kitchen or something to clean, right? Dishcloths are so fast and easy to crochet and can be used for more than just dishes. Crochet Pattern: Dishcloth with Ridges

Wine Bottle Cozy – Wine has to be one of the most given gifts around the holidays. So why not add a touch of crochet to your wine gift? Crochet Pattern: Easy Wine Bottle Cozy

Animal Bookmarks – There are fast and cute to make for kids, or even adults (like me) who just like cute things. Crochet Pattern: Animal Bookmarks

Beanie – Beanies are always a winter classic! Men, women, boys, girls, and babies…everyone can wear a beanie. Plus they are pretty simple to make if you use the right pattern. Crochet Pattern: Family Beanie Set – 6 sizes

Wrist Warmers – These are pretty fast because they are just rectangles sew into the shape of wrist warmers. If you know the person wears wrist warmers, I think having another pair would never hurt. Crochet Pattern: Beginner’s Wrist Warmers with Ridges

Scarf – Only make a scarf if you know he/she wears scarves. If they do, then that’s great, because scarves are pretty fast to make too! Feel free to use my scarf patterns. (I would list them here but there are too many) You can use the search box at the top of the page and type in “scarf” to find all the scarf patterns.

Do you have a quick crochet gift idea that you would like to share?

Decorate with these little Halloween appliques! The set includes 5 patterns: candy corn, ghost, pumpkin, spider, and witch. Place them on goody bags, clothing, or scrapbooks. You can even use them as pins or fridgies (refrigerator magnets).

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

Skill Level:

Finished Size: each applique is approximately 2″ – 3″ tall

Main Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (small amount of each color) Crochet Hook H (5.00 mm)

By purchasing or this pattern (or becoming a Premium Pattern Member), you will be supporting Crochet Spot in purchasing supplies needed to create 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 with crocheting these Halloween appliques, let me know and I’ll be glad to help!

Let’s face it, there are tons of things to crochet. But I’m sure everyone has a favorite, no matter how small or big the item may be. I often describe myself as someone who doesn’t like to crochet something more than once, but even I have a favorite thing to crochet!

My favorite is my dishcloth with ridges! It’s nothing fancy and even a beginner can do it. It’s my all time favorite thing to crochet because it is soooo simple! The repetition of single crochet stitches makes it very soothing and relaxing to crochet, no thinking needed. Plus, the dishcloth is pretty small, so I won’t get bored making it. Now if this was a blanket sized pattern…I would probably go insane doing a bunch single crochets in a row.

What’s your favorite thing to crochet?

Here is a small bag to tote around Halloween treats! Place candy inside or other delectable treats for kids and adults. You can even use this bag to hold a small Halloween surprise for your friends and family. This pattern is designed for beginners but you will need to know how to change colors in crochet. Skill Level: Finished Size: 3 3/4″ diameter, 6″ tall including handle Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (approximately 50 yards each of black and orange) Crochet Hook I (5.50 mm) Yarn needle

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There are a few ways to crochet into your foundation chain. The most common way is to insert your hook under the top loop on the front of the chain. However, you may want to insert your hook in the back ridge of a chain instead. Where is the back ridge?

Here is a picture of the front of several chains.

Here is a picture of the back of the chains. The back ridge is the small “hump” on the back of the chain.

Why crochet into the back ridge?
Symmetry – the beginning of your work will look more like the end of your work. The 2 loops of the chain that look like the front and back loops of a stitch will appear at the beginning of your work.

Do you have a question about the back ridge of a chain stitch? Or do you have info you would like to share? Leave a comment!

This pattern set includes 5 baby toy patterns! Crochet all four animal baby rattles (bunny rabbit, dog, elephant and teddy bear) and the colorful chain ring toy. Some embroidery skills are required. Download this pattern now at the Crochet Spot Store. Free to download for all Premium Pattern Members.

Skill Level:

Finished Size: 2.5” (6.6 cm) diameter of ring, 4” (10 cm) tall rattle

Main Materials: Medium Weight Yarn (small amount of each color) Crochet Hook F (3.75 mm) Polyester fiberfill or other filling Optional: Bells or rattles (more details specified in pattern)

By purchasing this pattern, you will be helping to fund Crochet Spot in making all the tutorials and patterns that you enjoy on this site. Thanks in advance for all your support!! Visit the Crochet Spot Store to purchase or become a Premium Pattern Member.

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

Now that it’s getting cooler outside (at least it is here in PA), it makes me miss the blooming flowers of the summer. This summer I got to visit the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. They have some of the prettiest flowers and the landscape was awesome. The only thing that was missing was my crochet hook and yarn! There were so many benches I could have sat and crocheted on.

Here are a few pictures of the garden that I thought you may enjoy!

My favorite part was the lily pads with the water lilies. I think it was the first time I’ve ever seen them in person! It was a blast looking at all the flowers and as a bonus, visiting the gardens is FREE!! So if you are ever in the NC area, don’t forget to take a trip to the Duke Gardens to see for yourself (and bring your crochet hook and yarn).

So you thought granny squares where just for blankets? Yea, right. Cate Blanchett, an actress you may recognize from hit movies such as The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, Hot Fuzz and The Lord of the Rings, was photographed on the red carpet wearing a crocheted granny square dress!

Although the dress is definitely not my style, I do enjoy seeing crocheted fashioned. The granny squares are nicely colored and give a nice contrast with the black outlining. The dress is made of several granny squares and is bordered by ruffles. And before you ask, I do NOT have the pattern to make this awesome dress. But I do have the granny square crochet pattern: How to Crochet A Granny Square.