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Welcome to the fourth episode of my crochet podcast! In this blog, I’ll take you through my whirlwind experience of finished projects, yarn acquisitions, upcoming ideas, and some random reflections. Grab your hooks, get cozy, and let's jump right in.
I’m starting to feel a little more organized (finally!). Here's the rundown of what I’m sharing today: my finished objects, some exciting new yarn hauls, and a peek into my future projects. Of course, I can't resist a bit of random rambling along the way!
The other day, I had a fantastic crochet streak and managed to finish several projects. Here are some highlights:
First up is my granny square bag! This beauty measures around 14 inches per square and the handles are to die for, as they don’t stretch thanks to the hidden cord inside. The bag itself is a combination of wool and alpaca blends, with soft, luxurious eyelash chenille for the handles. It honestly feels better than terrycloth!
I love this bag! I even used it as my purse for a shopping trip, and two strangers complimented me—super gratifying! Even my husband, who is not usually one to notice crochet, said “nice bag” under his breath. A win in my book!
I'll definitely be making another one, but instead of the usual squares, I’m planning to create two bigger squares and add a rectangular granny square strip to connect them. That side strip should make it a little less bulky under the arm. Stay tuned—I'll post updates on this upcoming version. In the meantime, you can check out more of my granny square inspiration here.
I also made some progress with elf hats! The idea struck me out of nowhere, and I knew I had to make them. I followed the Bob Wilson 123 tutorial to get started, but of course, I added my own flare.
I ended up making two versions. The first one followed the tutorial closely but I didn’t like how skinny the hat ended up toward the tip. So I adjusted it by increasing stitches every four rows to bulk it up. By the second hat, I switched to double crochet, and wow, it was so much faster!
Just look at how cute these elf hats turned out! And now my son has even requested one with black, red, and blue. Gotta love the custom orders from family, right?
Want to up your hat game too? I’ve got plenty of tutorials to explore.
This week, I also started working on slippers. Funny enough, I made one as a prototype and snapped a picture to remind myself of the upcoming slipper tutorial idea.
Making slippers can be a wild process—sometimes they don’t fit quite the way you expect, or you need to fiddle with the stitch count. But personally, I enjoy this challenge! I can't wait to show you the tutorial. I’ve still got one slipper to go, so once the second is finished, keep an eye out for step-by-step instructions.
If you’re a fan of cozy projects, you'll love the slippers I have in mind! They'll go perfectly with some hot cocoa and a pair of fuzzy socks.
I've also got a tissue box cover project under my belt! After spotting perfectly-sized square tissue boxes during a grocery run, the inspiration struck. I’m crocheting cute covers fitted for square boxes—double crochet stitches around the sides, joined as I go.
I experimented with a central chain space for the tissue to feed through, and while I loved the tight fit at first, I ended up adjusting the chain count to make it roomier. This project is honestly so rewarding, not to mention practical. Check out my collection of finished objects for more ideas like this.
Last night, I had another random idea: a tea cozy! I started with oversized popcorn stitches for the floral top and added chenille yarn for a soft, plush feel. The tea cozy fits over my trusty Kenyan teapot and features a flowery top that makes it look adorable, if I do say so myself!
This project also gave me ideas for future designs. I might create a set of cozies with matching color schemes for various sizes of teapots. What’s better than a kitchen filled with cozy-covered utensils?
I’m training a group of local women to crochet, and figuring out the lesson plan has been my primary focus. My strategy is to have each woman focus on one skill until she masters it. This way, I hope to avoid the trap of beginners spreading themselves too thin over multiple projects.
I’ll be prepping project kits for everyone, from basic hats to tea cozies and slippers. That way, each person can specialize. Think it's a good plan? The goal is to have them practice the main crochet elements while I assemble the final touches (like pom-poms).
Speaking of pom-poms, I’ve ordered some large ones and they’re arriving next week! They’ll hang in the tent I’m setting up at a craft fair, and the idea is to match some of the crochet projects (like bags and ornaments) to those colors.
I’ve narrowed down the palette to eight colors with neutrals to keep things from feeling too chaotic, but I’d love your feedback. Is that enough, or am I venturing into matchy-matchy territory? Drop your thoughts in the comments!
What’s a crochet podcast without some juicy yarn hauls? My yarn stash grew exponentially this week with a shipment from Turkey, and here’s a sneak peek at the goodies I got.
Bamboo is hands-down one of my favorite materials to work with. This time, I got it in silver and ivory, which I’d describe as more of a pearl tone. It’s so luxurious and soft, I can barely wait to turn it into something beautiful. I’ve got plenty of ideas—maybe even a lightweight top?
I also reordered some bamboo-cotton blends that I’ve worked with before. These yarns are durable, cozy, and versatile. If you’re looking to experiment with new textures, check out some more yarn inspiration here.
Next, I got a couple of 100% cotton skeins in neutral colors. The best part about this yarn? It doesn’t split as much because of the way it’s twisted. Perfect for projects that require durability, like baskets. You can plan your own creations with similar materials by checking out more project ideas.
Speaking of excitement, I couldn’t resist ordering some metallic yarn in copper and silver. The holidays are coming, and I’m planning to use this sparkly yarn for ornaments and festive home decor. It'll also be perfect to mix with other yarns for a subtle shimmer effect. If you're feeling extra festive, I’ve got plenty of season-themed tutorials that pair well with this glitzy yarn.
I’ve been working on a Hug Shrug tutorial, but the biggest challenge has been yarn selection. I wanted to use bougie yarns like chenille, but it’s tough to see the stitches clearly on camera. So, I had to opt for regular acrylic and cotton yarn to make sure you can see the techniques.
Tutorials are all about clarity, so I’ve decided to give this one more go next week with cotton tape yarn. Fingers crossed this time I’ll strike the balance between practicality and beauty! Stay tuned for the tutorial over on my tutorial page.
I’m also planning to work on a basic stitches tutorial. It’ll be quick clips showing the fundamentals (chain, single crochet, double crochet, and some clusters!). Solid for beginners or anyone needing a refresher.
With all these projects, I also need to focus on branding materials. I’m designing business cards with a twist—they’ll double as gift tags! These unique tags will have a handmade feel and can be attached to finished projects for a polished yet personal touch.
I also have an upcoming craft fair where I’ll be selling some of these projects, so I’ve been pondering my tent layout. Should it be 10x10 or 20x20? Honestly, I may end up chalking it out on my driveway just to get a feel for what works.
I recently started a Facebook group called "The Secret Yarnery Crochet Community" where you can share your crochet projects, tips, and stories. It’s a space for all of us to come together, share ideas, and get inspired by each other’s work. I’d love to see what you all are working on! Just hop into the group and talk crochet with me and everyone else.
That’s it for today’s yarn-filled ramblings! I hope you enjoyed hearing about my finished objects, yarn hauls, and plans for future projects. As always, feel free to share what you’re working on. Whether you’re making festive ornaments or cozy winter hats, let me know in the comments—or better yet, join the crochet group and post some pictures.
Until next time—stay hooked, friends!
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In Episode 160 of the Crochet Podcast, we dive deep into the world of crochet with tutorials on creating perfect granny squares and a preview of an upcoming C2C (Corner-to-Corner) Masterclass. Discover the magic of yarn holder spinners to keep your projects tidy and meet some of my charming pets in a delightful yard tour. Whether you're a novice or a seasoned enthusiast, there's plenty of crochet goodness to keep you inspired and hooked!
Everything I need in one place to be creative and I can photocopy extras of the pages I use most to customise my planning. I use it as my main diary, even for work and upcoming events. It inspires me to focus on my creative pursuits too. Love it!
Love this item going to put little gifts in it on the tree ,just tying in tails.
I am really impressed with the quality of this written pattern as well as the video tutorial. Both are clear and detailed. I am not done with my striped cardigan yet, but it's coming together nicely (though I'm not so sure about my choice to use up yarn I already have with individual stripes!)... so many tails to sew in!! My advice would be to buy self-striping yarn like she does in the video.
Easy to follow pattern! Super base for the rectangle or other larger projects.
Keep the tutorials coming and with written and visual instructions to follow along so beginners can learn. Thank you for your help.
I think there is a mistake in the written pattern. It says to do a half double crochet twice, when it is only supposed to be once
Thank you to the Secret Yarnery for this pattern! Can't go wrong with this one, it really is easy and fast to make - I'm on my 2nd one already and plan to do more! You really don't need to look any further if you're looking to make a scarf - you will not be disappointed. In fact, you'll have fun making it (I did!) Happy crocheting!
Thank you for writing a pattern that is amazingly easy to follow and help me produce a stunning piece!!
Wow! I can't believe I made this beautiful toran. Well, yes I can since I followed this easy pattern! Again, wow! How fun was this to make! Super-duper easy to make and you can be as creative as you like by choosing colours, placement of colours to form pattern(s), number of leaves, etc. so it truly can be personalized for any occasion! Love the Secret Yarnery patterns and tutorials - thank you so much for your time, efforts, and for sharing your talent with the rest of us in the world!
The best pattern & tutorial I have ever come across. Loved how you used the needle to clearly point out where the stitch was to go. Have made 3 hats already. Many more on my to do list. Thanks so much
The yarn world is vast & has several yarn naming & grading systems. This chart really helps to get the right weight of yarn, size of needle, gauge & yardage/meterage when using patterns or yarns from other countries. And it covers both knit & crochet. Thank you for putting together this very useful tool, Secret Yarnery.
I love this pattern. Very easy to follow and fun to make.
