These dangling earrings are great for everyday wear or, made with the right thread, good for a night out. The tricky increases along with the thread and small hook make these a better choice for more experienced crocheters or beginners who like a challenge.

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We began our yarn conversation in the Yarn Obsession post a few weeks ago. Let’s keep it going here.

One of my favorite things to do is to visit my local yarn store and buy a skein or two of that must-have yarn. I’m usually a one-skein person, because I’m not likely to make sweaters or big projects. I love making hats, purses, scarves, and other small things.

Remember how I told you I wasn’t a yarn hoarder in the other post? I still maintain that is true! However, I do have a stash. And it’s not tiny. While some of the yarn is already earmarked for specific projects, a lot of it is just there looking pretty.

I do this for a reason! When I see a must-make pattern, I want to give it a try right away, so I need this yarn on hand. Right? 🙂

Right now I’m looking at some gorgeous, bulky Karen yarn which is made by Omega. If you’ve ever seen a yarn called Sinfonia in magazines or in the store, Karen is like that, only chunky. It’s a smooth mercerized cotton, and I have 8 skeins of it in various colors. It’s nice to see the cheery fuchsia, turquoise, purple, and orange with the other brightly colored cakes in my yarn basket. That Karen will probably be a bag some day.

So, what’s in your stash?

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! Classic thumb-less baby mittens are easy and fast to crochet. This simple pattern can be crocheted in a variety of boy and girl colors to add to your baby’s wardrobe. Don’t forget to get creative and add your own appliques or embellishments to the mittens to spice them up! The mittens are crocheted seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. Elastic is crocheted into the mittens at the cuffs so that the mittens will stay on when baby arms are wiggling.

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.

After I made the first one of these, the ideas started flowing… make them in all different colors, attach to string as if on a clothesline, how about in your child’s school colors, or make a set for coasters? These can also be used as an applique on whatever you’d like. They’re small at only 3 1/2″ high and quick to make. You can embroider letters on the front, or use more than one color and make patterns. Lot’s of fun for a cute little shape. Hint: Don’t make the sleeves as long as the pattern suggests, and you have a T-Shirt shape instead! Have fun with this!

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Well, 2012 is on its way out and 2013 will be coming in. Soon we’ll all be committing to our resolutions, as is a tradition here on Crochet Spot. I would like to suggest a goal and hope it will make it to your 2013 list: teach someone to crochet!

Teaching crochet might be easier than it seems. It’s best to have some resources ready, like the wonderful tutorials that Rachel has here on the site. If you are patient and your student is motivated, s/he will be crocheting before long. I think the trick is showing your student something that s/he would love to make.

For every person that “must make” item is different. A friend of mine had to make amigurumi. My students were loving crochet flowers. Many people feel the need to crochet for babies. Whatever the motivation, just be sure you check in with your student to help with his/her project!

Have you ever taught someone to crochet before? Do you have any teaching tips to share? Do you think you’ll give teaching a try in 2013?

As requested, here is a pattern for a tiny thread bird to go with the Branch Pendant, though it can be used on any other project you want to embellish. It can be made with one wing or two. For easier finishing, weave the ends through the pendant (or project of your choice).

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I recently came across one of the most gorgeous scarves I’ve ever seen and knew I had to make it. To my surprise, when I read the instructions, it begins with hairpin lace –something I know nothing about, but am now determined to learn. This craft began in Victorian times and is so called because women actually used their hairpins to create this beautiful lace. As seen in the photo, hairpin lace is a length of loops connected by crochet. You can use this for a multitude of items.

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You’ve been shopping for all your family and friends, but don’t forget about yourself! As a gift from me to you, please enjoy select crochet patterns in the Crochet Spot Store for 40% off! If you’ve been eying a crochet pattern in the store, now would be the time to get it. I chose some of the most poplar patterns that I think would make wonderful gifts that you can crochet for yourself. After all the work you’ve done this year, I think you deserve it!

To enjoy this discount, there’s no need to use coupon codes when checking out. Simply add the patterns you’d like to your cart since patterns that are apart of this sale are already marked down. Sale ends Thursday, December 27, 1012 at 11:59pm EST.

No matter where you are in the world, or what holiday you are celebrating, I hope you all have a good one! Have a wonderful time with family and friends…but don’t forget to sneak a bit of crocheting in too!

There’s a new pattern in the Crochet Spot Store! As the title states, these slippers are adjustable! They can be made is a variety of styles for both men and women. They can be made in just about any size from babies, kids, to adults. You can use any weight of yarn you like to obtain thick or thin slippers. Feel free to add your own appliques or straps to the slippers to make them uniquely yours. This pattern is not written in a conventional manner since it is extremely adjustable, so there are progressive photos that you can follow as you crochet.

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.

I marvel at all that is possible in crochet. I believe I’ve finally found a craft where nothing is impossible. One thing that is entirely fascinating about crochet is all of the cool patterns you can complete with just basic stitches. Even if you stitched only chains and single crochets, you’d still be able to make a great deal of useful and fashionable items, like place mats, bowls, hats, scarves, cowls, handbags, slippers, and more.

Even experimenting with changing just hook size will completely alter the density, drape, and look of the resulting fabric. If you use a very large hook with a thin yarn, you could still have a beautifully draped fabric, using just the aforementioned stitches. Or, depending upon how you put the stitches together, even a small hook with thin yarn could make a slinky or netted fabric.

It is comforting to think that you don’t have to know everything about crochet in order to have such a satisfying hobby with so many possibilities. Which projects with simple stitches do you admire? Have you ever completed a project requiring the knowledge of just a few stitches?