I love everything about daisy chains except for the fact that they wilt. So I crocheted these flower chains that will stay fresh forever. They’re made freeform crochet style – I have guidelines on how to make the leaves and flowers, but the order and frequency is up to you. You could make a vine with entirely leaves, entirely flowers, or a mix of both like I’ve done. They can be worn in your hair, turned into jewelry, used as bookmarks, and anything you decide. Wearing them in my hair makes me smile and I’ve gotten a surprising amount of compliments, which just goes to show that the world needs more bright and cheery flowers.

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The good thing about the rainy springtime season is that it increases your chances of spotting a rainbow! I’ve always loved seeing them and imagining what’s at the end of a rainbow…a pot of gold, an entrance to fairyland, or maybe even a bucket full of yarn. I was inspired to crochet this bright, smiling amigurumi version so it’s easy to experience the magic of a rainbow anytime. It would look super cute hanging from a mobile or decorating a shelf.

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I’ve seem some really cute travel tissue covers for those mini packs of tissues. All of the patterns have been for sewing, though, so I wanted to try adapting it to crochet. And I’m pleased with the finished result! These travel tissue packs are useful for carrying in a purse or backpack, especially for those of us who have springtime allergies (those pretty flowers are worth it though). This was a quick and easy project that offers lots of opportunities for customization.

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I absolutely love watching pigeons and I’ve wanted to crochet one for what seems like forever. But the colorwork is tricky, so I went with a solid color to start, and the finished bird ended up looking like a dove. While researching for this pattern, I learned that doves and pigeons are both part of the Columbidae family, which explains why they look so similar. So this pattern is really a two-in-one, depending on the colors you choose. The bird can stand on its own and is about the size of a real dove or pigeon, but much more cuddly. I hope you have as much fun with this pattern as I did designing it.

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A few months ago my dad asked if I could crochet juggling balls, and I was happy to oblige. They were easy and fun to make especially with this colorful sock yarn I had in my stash. I filled them with rice to make them heavy enough for juggling balls. Since juggling balls are easy to misplace I made a mesh bag to keep track of them. My dad was delighted with his Christmas present, which now lives on his desk at work much to the amusement of his coworkers, who sometimes stop by to juggle. Why not make a set for someone you know who could use a new hobby?

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For many kids, the most fun part of playing dolls is dressing them up. This mermaid tail is an especially fun outfit that can be enjoyed by both kids and older doll collectors. It uses the cobble stitch, a pattern of alternating single and double crochet that’s much easier than it looks. The stitch makes the tail durable for many afternoons of play, and you can use any color combination you like for a variety of looks. You could even include a mermaid tail along with a Barbie doll for a unique gift.
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I’ve always loved wearing flower crowns because they have such a fairytale feeling. A boring day gets much more exciting when you feel like a princess. But daisy chains wilt and flower crowns aren’t always that comfortable to wear, so I crocheted an alternative. This flower crown is quick and easy to make if you know the basics of Tunisian crochet, and the headband is easily adjustable to fit any size head. Try mixing up the colors to make something that will brighten your winter days!

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Scrunchies are regaining their popularity, which makes me happy because they’re such a fun accessory. It’s a great way to spice up a plain ponytail or bun, and it’s a perfect stash-buster for those tiny balls of yarn. I made this scrunchie with some leftover purple yarn and the finished result reminds me of a sea anemone. Try it out and add some ruffly flair to your hair!

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Hi Crochet Spot readers! I’m so excited to be joining the team as a writer. I wanted to take a minute to introduce myself and get to know all of you, too.

My name is Claire and I’ve always loved crafting. I learned to crochet in the spring of 2011 from a combination of books, websites, and YouTube tutorials, but I learned the most from messing around with a hook and yarn and seeing what happened. Crochet Spot was actually one of the websites that helped me learn to crochet, so it’s extra special for me to be a contributor and be able to pay it forward.

The main reason I learned to crochet was to make dolls and stuffed animals (also known as amigurumi) and doll clothes, which are still my main focus. I love creating things that make people smile. One of the biggest compliments is when people see something I’ve made and giggle because they think it’s cute. I enjoy making handmade gifts for friends and family.

I started my crochet blog, Once Upon a Yarn, in 2012 and have posted over 80 free crochet patterns. It brings me joy to share the love of crochet with others. I’ve taught over a dozen people to crochet, from kids to adults, and my philosophy is that anyone can learn to crochet with a little time and patience. Crochet is for everyone!

When I’m not crocheting, I’m probably reading or writing – I’m studying English and French in college, which means I spend most of my time surrounded by books. I enjoy writing novels in my spare time, and I also enjoy crocheting things inspired by fictional characters. The picture in this post shows a sweater I made a few years ago based on the comic Bee and Puppycat.

I absolutely love designing pattern requests, so let me know what you’d like to see and I’ll do my best to design it. You can find me online as @onceuponayarnblog on Facebook and @crochetbyclaire on Ravelry.

Snow is one of my favorite things about winter. There’s something so cozy about watching the snow fall outside while you curl up with a blanket and a crochet project. It doesn’t snow much where I live, though, so this little snowflake is my solution. They’re perfect for a gift topper, hair clip, or strung together in a garland. With only 2 rounds, you can make a pile of them in a few hours…and these snowflakes won’t give you frostbite.

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