Crochet Podcasts

I love crochet podcasts. I like to listen to something or watch something while I'm designing. Sometimes the section I'm designing requires too much of my attention for me to have a movie on in the background and crochet podcasts are just the thing I need to keep me on track. I'm really grateful to the folks who make podcasts because they take a lot of time and effort to put together. Here are my four favorites.

Crochet Chat and Coffee with Stacey

Crochet Chat was a podcast by designer Stacey Trock that ran for 20 episodes from 2012 to 2013. Stacey is so cheerful that listening to her podcast will cheer you up, too. She is gradually re-releasing podcast episodes, so if you're new to Crochet Chat and start listening now it will be as if it's still being released :) Are you sad there's no new Crochet Chat episodes? Never fear! Just check out Coffee with Stacey, Trock's new video series. It feels a lot like a podcast and doesn't demand too much visual attention. It's really fun to pretend you're having a coffee date with her while she catches you up on everything new in her crochet world.
 

Yarncraft

Yarncraft was a crochet and knitting podcast that ran for several years, so there are tons of back episodes to listen to. The podcast is hosted by Lion Brand Yarn. It's classy and relaxing. The personalities of the fiber-loving hosts are great and create wonderful on-air chemistry. The podcast covers a wide range of topics that are relevant to a crocheter's life. Plus, who doesn't love Lion Brand?

Yarn Thing

This interview-style podcast is run by designer Marly Bird and features both crochet and knitting. Marly interviews many of the top names in fiber arts. Her guests share valuable information on design, fiber arts, the fiber community, and more.

Getting Loopy!

Getting Loopy! was another awesome podcast that is now archived. I love host and designer Mary Beth Temple's jokes and candor. She has a lot of great interviews with fiber folks as well.

Do you have a favorite podcast that wasn't mentioned? Let us know in the comments! Have a great time listening to all of these talented crocheters.

Remix Friday: Freeform Pillow

Hello, lovely readers! It's Friday once again and I'm so excited to show you this week's Remix Friday project. This remix was made by Akua Lezli Hope, a respected crochet designer and accomplished artist. Wait, you may say, I thought this was Remix Friday not Friday Focus! We're learning about a designer? Yes! Indeed. This remix is super special. Akua has crocheted a captivating object that was remixed from pieces of her own patterns. She incorporated aspects of nine different designs to make one awesome pillow. Cool, right?! It's got such magnificent texture. Check it out.

The Crocheter
I’m a creator who uses mainly fiber and words with a deep affection for glass, fire, and metal. I’m an award winning poet, a crochet designer, a handpapermaker, and the founder of a new paratransit nonprofit. When I was able bodied I also created kilncast, sandcast and flameworked glassworks. I just fell in love with straw and stick weaving and today my first peg loom arrived...
 
The Original Pattern
Lezli Paisley, Cat Spiral, Pretty Picot Paisley, Frost Flower, Swirling Square Motif, SunRays Shrug and more by Akua Lezli Hope

The Story
Every year Ravelry has a party for National Crochet Month and a group forms that sponsors a freeform crochet along where daily there is a new stitch or technique to try. This year I committed to finishing and making something for my home. Most of what I make is for others and my environment should share in the love. Why was my lovely yellow leather couch so bare? Well, no longer.

The Remix
Between the patterned motifs are total improvisation as well as an echoing effect that I call encasing, inspired by Ukrainian designer Lena Green. The motif is filled in and surrounded, making it easier to connect to other components and motifs. I like the echo encasing where the shape of the motif is replicated through ridged echoes.

Crochet is... creates profound joy

So sunny, so awesome! What a statement piece. Ready to learn more about Akua? Visit her on her blog, Etsy, and her website. 

Crochet Luxe Wristwarmer and Headband Set Pattern

I recently wrote a review of Zealana Luxuria Air Marle, a DK yarn, and in the process wrote a pattern. Since the yarn used is a luxury yarn, this prudent pattern uses only 1 ball or about 120 yards. The pattern includes both around the post stitches as well as front and back loop stitches, so you will want to follow those links and learn about them if you haven't already. Are you ready to make your own Luxe Set? Grab your 4mm hook and here we go!

Materials
- 120 yards of DK weight yarn (I used Zealana Luxuria Air Marle in color A899)
- US size G6 4mm crochet hook
- yarn needle

Terms
ch = chain, sl st = slip stitch, st = stitch, rep = repeat, dc = double crochet, fpdc = front post double crochet, bpdc = back post double crochet, FLdc = front loop double crochet, BLdc = back loop double crochet

Wristwarmer
For women's size small, chain 38. For medium, chain 40. For large, chain 42. Making sure there are no twists in the chain, sl st into the first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work 1 dc into each ch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join.
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as a st, now and throughout). Work 1 fpdc into the ch 3. Work 1 bpdc into the following st. *Work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 bpdc in following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Round 3: Ch 3. Work 1 fpdc into each fpdc and 1 bpdc into each bpdc all of the way around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 4 and 5: Rep Round 3.
Round 6: Ch 3. Work 1 FLdc into same st as sl st. Work 1 BLdc into following st. *Work 1 FLdc into next st, work 1 BLdc into following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Round 7: Ch 3. Work 1 BLdc into same st as sl st. Work 1 FLdc into following st. *Work 1 BLdc into next st, work 1 FLdc into following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 8 and 9: Rep Rounds 6 and 7.
Round 9: Rep Round 6.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Make 2.

The headband pattern is coming up after these process pictures. 

Headband
Chain 122. Making sure there are no twists in the chain, sl st in first ch to join.
Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work 1 dc into each ch around. Sl st into the top of the ch 3 to join.
Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as a st, now and throughout). Work 1 fpdc into the ch 3. Work 1 bpdc into the following st. *Work 1 fpdc in next st, work 1 bpdc in following st*, rep from * around. Sl st into the first st to join.
Rounds 3 and 4: Rep Round 2.
Fasten off and weave in ends.

Now you have a soft, cozy little set that's all ready for autumn :)

Review: Zealana Luxuria Air Marle Yarn

Today I'll be reviewing Zealana Luxuria Air Marle Yarn. Disclaimer: I received this complimentary skein of yarn in exchange for a review. I am not being paid to write this review and everything shared here is my real opinion.

It's not everyday that one gets to play with a yarn that boasts a cashmere, silk, possum blend. I feel really special to be reviewing it! Also, I'd never tried possum before now so that was a treat.

This yarn is hand wash only due to the specialty fibers it's made of. The color I received is A899, which is a nice teal. The weight is DK and the skein is small at just over 120 yards. Since this yarn is from Zealana's Luxuria collection, it bears noting that this truly is a luxury yarn, priced at about $46 a skein. I know, that's quite a bit isn't it? I wondered how that price point could be justified given the yardage, so I began to play with the yarn.

The first thing I noticed was how solid the yarn felt as I worked with it. I've experimented with a few other luxury yarns, each of which felt a bit delicate in my hands and demanded special treatment. The label says "durable" and it really means it. When I changed my mind about a design choice and frogged a few rows the yarn pulled free very easily. It was comforting not to worry about harming the precious fiber. Despite this, the yarn is quite soft and has a lovely halo.

Here's my conclusion. Luxuria Air Marle isn't an everyday yarn, but then if it were it wouldn't be a luxury. It's lovely to work with and lovely to caress even though it does come in small amounts. I think the best use for this yarn is a small, special project. One could also give this yarn as a gift to a crocheter or knitter for a special occasion like Christmas or a birthday.

Are you ready to see my finished product? Here's what I decided to do with my single, precious skein.

It's a wrist warmer and headband set. If you've got a yarn this luxurious you want to feel it against your skin as much as possible, so I made sure to design something worn near one's hands. It's a decadent sort of project, therefore I've named it the Luxe Wrist Warmer and Headband Set. I have to mention one more thing about Air Marle... this yarn is warm! So very warm. Just the little bit around my wrists made my whole hand cozy. Even though it would cost a fortune, a sweater made out of this stuff would be most divine.

Interested in the pattern for the Luxe Set? Come back and visit this Wednesday when I'll be posting it here on the blog!

Remix Friday: Noro Hexagon Blanket

The right yarn can take a project from wow to WOW! Think about it: You're spending hours on your project, you're handling the yarn the whole time, and you want your finished project to be as great as it can be. Sometimes a yarn splurge is necessary ;) Today's remix is certainly WOW. The yarn selection and sheer size of the finished object takes it beyond the pattern. It's something else entirely. Let's hear what Candice has to say about her stunning creation.

The Crocheter
My name is Candice Miller, 32 years old from Virginia, and I’m a graphic/web designer by day. I taught myself to crochet in 2011 because I wanted to make a 1-Up Mushroom from Super Mario Bros., but I really started getting into it I think to mentally compensate for my impending thyroidectomy. I got my thyroid removed because I had Graves' disease. (Long story short, I no longer have a thyroid, but I still crochet a lot)
 
My project list and stash on Ravelry are massive. This might border on OCD, but they help me finish projects! I love Ravelry.

I have 2 pugs named Lilu and Sprocket, and my husband and I live in the “country" where the little girls have plenty of room to roam.

I recently taught myself to knit (gasp) because I wanted to make the Katniss Cowl from Catching Fire. Crochet is still my favorite, though. My other hobbies include jewelry-making, sewing, leather working, and I love comic books and movies. (If I think I can make something I see, I usually go for it until I get it right)

The Original Pattern
Hexagon How-To from Attic24

The Story
I made a king-sized hexagon blanket out of Noro Kureyon and Silk Garden. And although it fits the top of our bed, it’s going to live on the back of the couch in the living room so we actually see it. (As long as the pugs don’t mess with it, we’ll see) 
I’d been inspired by this project and this project for the color changes.
And thought…what if I do something in between? And I have about 10 balls of Noro just hanging out in a box….and thus it started.

The Remix
The pattern itself is just for a hexagon, so you can do anything with it. I actually used the join-as-you-go method which supposedly makes for a stronger blanket and was also faster from what I’ve read. This method had its pro’s and con’s, for instance I was able to cluster like-colors together, but once I ran out of a color I’d have to wait until my order arrived before I could continue in that spot.

Join as you go method tutorial here.

I tried to control the color changes as best I could, it became more difficult toward the end, and I was splicing together different skeins of Noro to get the effect I wanted. (Noro just ties the yarn together sometimes! So I figured I could do the same) 

Crochet is... challenging, rewarding, beautiful.

Beautiful! What a statement it must make when viewed in Candice's home. You can find more of her creative endeavors on Ravelry, Pinterest, Instagram, and her website. Have a colorful day!

Little Leaves Scarf

It sure feels great to bust some stash, especially with a project that works up lickety-split. This Little Leaves Scarf pattern by Marta Chrzanowska was a perfect break from my long-term projects. The leaves are so cute! The vine reminds me of those Nintendo vine stalks that grow into the sky. I used up two skeins of Patons Peruvian Wool but you could really use any yarn for this project. Working it up in thread and starching it could make a cool bookmark. In DK weight it could be a sweet, slender scarflette. In super bulky with the leaf pattern repeated it could be a nice throw blanket.

I made this scarf long for wrapping, about five and a half feet. I also lightly steam blocked it for crisp edges. Now it's all prepped and pretty in my Etsy shop.

Front Loop, Back Loop, and Both Loops Crochet

Most often when we're crocheting we insert the hook under both loops of each stitch. However, it is sometimes useful to crochet into the back loop only or the front loop only to achieve a particular effect. Today I'll show you how to crochet into the front or back loops as well as what the fabric looks like when you do.

All of my swatches are worked in single crochet but you can work any type of stitch into the front or back loops. My swatches are also worked in rows. When you're working in rounds your front and back loop stitches will create a different effect, but that's a topic for another day.

First let's look at normal single crochet. We work under both loops like this:

A few short rows of regular single crochet looks like this:

Regular single crochet is a crochet must-learn. It is used in many different situations. Plain single crochet fabric is a little bit dense and moderately flexible.

Now let's take a look at front loop single crochet, which is abbreviated as FLsc (double crochet would be FLdc, etc). You only work through the loop that is closest to you.

A swatch made entirely in FLsc looks like this:

Notice the pronounced ridges where the missed back loops are. The stitches also line up completely unlike in regular single crochet where they are arranged more like roof tiles. Front loop only crochet is good for color work for this reason. The fabric is also slightly less dense than regular single crochet as each row is a bit taller.

Finally, let's look at some BLsc aka back loop single crochet. This time the hook is inserted only under the loop that is farther away from you.

The resulting fabric looks like this:

Back loop single crochet creates a ribbed fabric that is stretchy. It's great for sock or glove cuffs. It is denser than regular single crochet.

Here's a look at all three side by side; FLsc, sc, and BLsc.

Each of these swatches is made of the same number of stitches and the same number of rows. It's true! You can see how much taller the rows are in FLsc and how much shorter the rows are in BLsc. If you haven't already, I encourage you to experiment with front loop and back loop stitches in single crochet and beyond. Let me know how it goes! One of my very favorite crochet textures is alternating front loop and back loop double crochet where you alternate every other stitch.

Have questions about crocheting in the front and back loops? Don't be afraid to leave a comment. I'm always here to help!