Blankets, Slippers, and Crafty Surprises | Secret Yarnery Vlog Episode 2

Hey yarn lovers! Welcome back to episode 2 of The Secret Yarnery's crochet podcast. I’m so excited to share today’s projects because they’re extra special and personal—and, of course, super cozy! Let’s dive in!

I’ll go over a stunning blanket, my favorite slippers, and even some crafting updates. Plus, I’m working on something exciting for single moms. But first, let me show you what’s on my hook!

The Big Blanket Reveal 🎉

Okay, you know when a project just takes over your heart? Well, I’ve got one right here. I started with plans for a cocoon cardigan, but... I shifted gears, and now it’s a huge blanket. And huge might be an understatement—it’s 1.5 meters by 1.5 meters, super soft, and very very heavy! I used around 19 balls of chenille yarn to create this cozy beauty.

I love projects that start with one intention and turn into something totally different, don’t you? It's not just any blanket either; it's got the most adorable border I've ever made. I'll be sharing the actual tutorial for it soon, but I couldn’t wait to show it to you first. Spoiler: I’ll be making another one for myself, only this time in a coral color with cream accents. Isn’t that combo perfect?

My Cozy Crochet Slippers 🥿

Next, I’ve been rocking some custom crochet slippers that I'm calling my "two-hour slippers." Admittedly, they take slightly more time—more like an hour and fifteen minutes—but who's keeping track? They're fast, comfy, and use chenille paired with acrylic to create a soft, fuzzy texture.

They even have cute little flowers on the toes, which help you tell left from right (very helpful at night!). I might tweak the pattern a bit before I make the next pair, as my current ones are slightly too long at the heel. If you’re like me and can't have enough cozy footwear, you can find other simple projects like this, too!

Interested in patterns that are perfect for beginners? Check out this guide to Easy Crochet Projects for Beginners.

My Heidi Bears Tortoise 🐢

Another project I have to share is my Heidi Bears Tortoise! It’s this cute, chunky little tortoise with a fun textured shell. I used basic craft acrylic yarn and added adorable buttons for some personality. Sometimes, it's the little details—like matching buttons—that make a project feel complete.

Though I paid 60 cents each for these buttons, which felt like a lot at the time, I have zero regrets. They were just too cute to pass up. If you’re as into small creative projects as I am, don’t hesitate to experiment with lovable creatures like this one!

A Crochet Dress for Cooler Weather 👗

I can’t forget the crochet dress I made a while back! It’s a comfy, chenille dress that’s perfect for chilly weather. Starting from the top-down, it worked up pretty quickly, and now it’s my go-to for the colder months. The construction was simple: start at the collar, work your way down, and even build the sleeves afterward.

With October around the corner, though, the weather's about to heat up here in Nairobi (we can sometimes hit up to 30°C by Christmas!). So, I'm trying to wear my cozy dress as much as possible before it goes into hibernation.

Looking to explore more patterns? Check out this expansive collection of Crochet Patterns.

Crafting and Sewing Updatess ✂️🧵

This week, I’m also getting a little adventurous in the sewing department. Some of my crochet ladies have expressed interest in learning sewing, so we’ve started working on lining our crochet bags with cotton to improve durability. Crocheted rope handles are also on my mind—I haven’t quite nailed the perfect pattern yet, but I’m thinking of experimenting with some thick, cozy designs. Imagine holding a bag with sturdy crochet rope handles!

Oh! And fun fact: I own six sewing machines. Yes, six. But I promise, there’s a reason for this madness—getting machines fixed here in Nairobi can be impossible, especially computerized ones. So, I've got backups on backups!

Speaking of being busy, I’m also organizing a crochet initiative to teach unemployed single mothers how to crochet. It’s still in its early stages, but I’m hopeful. I’ll likely be working on reusable bags for them to make and sell. You’ll definitely hear more about that soon, so stay tuned!

Need some inspiration for future projects? Check out this exploration of crochet adventures through Kenya.

Wrapping Up With Gratitude 🙏

That’s it for this week's crochet podcast! Things are a bit hectic on my end with birthday parties, teaching, and all the WIPs I’ve got going on, but that’s part of the fun, right? To everyone who’s been watching and following along, thank you. Your comments, likes, and even those occasional thumbs down (haha), mean the world to me!

Keep those hooks moving, and I’ll see you in the next episode.

Looking for more updates and tips? Check out the latest podcast episode here.