Here’s a pattern that’s great for both simple and busy colorways. If you’re like me and love the speckled colorways that are popular now, you’ve been looking for the perfect pattern to use it on. Such a busy yarn would swallow anything too complicated, so keep it simple with alternating ridges. The hat has a slightly slouchy fit that can be adjusted by adding to or subtracting from the the height of the plain double crochet section.

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Now that I have a scale that measures small amounts, I can figure out how much yarn I’ve used and how much yarn I have left, and if you have one you can, too. It’s pretty easy, and it will help when it’s time to plan projects using unfinished skeins. It can also help if you’re breaking up a huge skein and winding it into more manageable balls. All you need is a kitchen scale and some basic math.

Kitchen scales can be pretty inexpensive. Even electronic ones can cost less than $10. Mechanical ones are even cheaper.

Well, I recently went to another fiber festival, the 2016 Garden State Sheep and Fiber Festival, which means I went on another search for crochet samples in the vendors’ booths. This go-round, I met with success. Check out these shawls!

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Welcome fall with new crochet accessories? Don’t mind if I do! The cables in this beanie make diamond shapes that taper up to the crown of the hat, making a unisex style with a stretchy fit anyone can appreciate. If you’re comfortable with cables, this makes a great quick project.

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If you are a fan of knitting shawls, the title of this tutorial may seem oddly familiar. That’s because I’m taking the idea of the garter tab and changing it in a few places. First, instead of knit, it will be Tunisian crochet; second, it’s done in a stockinette pattern instead of garter.

If you’re not familiar with garter tabs, the idea is simple enough–You make a thin rectangle then pick up stitches on three sides. The stitches coming off the short sides will keep elongating the thin rectangle and create one edge of the shawl. The stitches coming off the long side will create the body of the shawl.

To work a shawl in this manner you will need a Tunisian/afghan hook with a long, flexible cord. You’ll also need some familiarity with Tunisian crochet, of course.
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This scarf pattern actually came to be after I participated in a knitting mini challenge in which I got to try out the shaping for various types of shawls. I really enjoyed the asymmetrical shape, and knew that I needed to do a crochet project that used the same shaping. Between the eyelet pattern and the simple triangular shaping, the scarf has plenty of visual interest while being easy to work.

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Don’t let the holes fool you. You can be warm and snug with a thick, lacy scarf. The combination of bulky yarn, a thick afghan hook, and Tunisian crochet makes for a scarf that is super squishy. You’ll be ready for winter in no time. This pattern requires familiarity with Tunisian crochet. Click the link for a great list of resources if you’re just learning or even if you just want to learn more.

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I’ve been working on a big project and, at the end of a ball of yarn and needing a break, I decided to try my hand at felting again. This time I added bobbles to see how they’d show up in the finished product. The result is a project you can easily find time to work on and get some hands-on felting experience with (and wool coasters that you can run through the washer and dryer).

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Need a bracelet to accent a summer dress? This dainty choice is lightweight and simple using size 10 thread and 6 of your favorite beads. It’s also easy to work in a variety of sizes and styles. Change the size and shape of the beads or choose something sparkly.

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In the hands of a crocheter, a circle or ring can grow into a lot of different shapes. This pattern uses basic shaping done around a ring to make a neat little star. You can wear it as jewelry (make 2 for earrings), string together a bunch for a fun belt, or use it as a lightweight but eye-catching keychain. Me? I’m keeping mine for my bookmark collection.

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