Your Cart is Empty
Summer Sale! Shop Now > |Free USA Shipping On Orders Over $75!
Hand-knit mittens, gloves, and fingerless mitts are wonderful, but what about that thumb gusset? Inevitably, there's a hole left where the thumb joins the body of the mitt or glove, and you have to take the extra step of closing it up with a needle and yarn. Not the end of the world, but still.
I've figured out how to avoid that hole altogether, so when you're done, you're really done!
I discovered the Norrland Hat pattern on Ravelry and decided to take on the challenge. I love the trees and snowflakes, and I have never done colorwork and cables at the same time. Since I love learning new things, I bought the pattern immediately and cast on.
I made some modifications, including turning the hat into a slouch instead of a beanie, and I wanted to explain those in case you want to modify your project, too.
You can knit this blanket with one simple repeat: 8 stitches across and 8 rows tall, plus a 6-stitch garter border on each side. I’d use worsted yarn, US 8–10 needles, and check gauge at 16 stitches and 22 rows...
Alpaca lasts longer when I wash it less, use cool water, handle it with care, and dry it flat. If I had to boil this guide down to a few rules, it would be these: Wash only when needed Use...
If your DPN setup twists before round 1, the whole project starts wrong. I keep the process simple: cast on, split the stitches across 3 or 4 holding needles, check that the edge lies flat, then knit the first stitch...
If I want the short answer: I use a straight tapestry needle for long, flat seams, and a bent-tip needle for grafting, ribbing, sock toes, cuffs, and other tight spots. That’s the whole choice in one line. A straight needle...
If wool socks make your feet itch, alpaca is often the better pick. I’d sum it up this way: alpaca usually feels softer, has 0 lanolin, handles moisture better than cotton, and creates less rubbing during long wear. Here’s the...
If I had to sum this up in one line: pick the gift by use, time, and yarn first. That makes the list much easier to sort. I see 21 crochet gift ideas here, and they fall into 3 simple...
If you’re using a 16 in. circular needle, the safest cowl choice is usually an 18–22 in. finished circumference. That range fits the needle well, keeps stitches from pulling, and works for most of the six free pattern types covered...
If I want the easiest baby crochet gift, I’d pick a hat set. It usually takes about 1 to 3 hours, uses 100 to 200 yards of yarn, and sizing is more forgiving. A bootie set can use under 100...
You can cut most alpaca pilling by lowering friction at every step. In plain terms: wash less, use cool water, dry flat, rotate wear, and store items folded in a dry, breathable spot. I’d keep the routine this simple: Wash...
Blocking is the key to keeping your alpaca sweater in great shape. This process smooths the fabric, evens out stitches, and sets the sweater's dimensions without damaging delicate fibers. Whether you're finishing a new project or maintaining an old favorite,...
Berroco Vintage DK yarn is a popular choice for spring projects, offering a blend of 52% acrylic, 40% wool, and 8% nylon that combines softness, warmth, and durability. Each 100g hank provides 290 yards and costs $9.95, making it suitable...
Choosing the right yarn weight is one of the most important decisions when starting a project. Yarn weight determines stitch size, fabric texture, drape, and how long your project will take. Here's a quick breakdown: Thinner yarns (Lace, Super Fine)...
Choosing between alpaca and merino wool depends on your project’s needs. Alpaca is warmer, softer, and hypoallergenic, making it ideal for scarves, shawls, and sensitive skin. Merino is more elastic, durable, and moisture-absorbing, perfect for socks, fitted garments, and activewear....
Every year, my husband and I set goals for our family—budget, health, travel, business, and so on. This year, I decided to make knitting and crochet goals, too. Check out my goals and join me in making the best of our knitting and crochet time in 2019!
If I had to give you the short answer first: alpaca often lasts longer on the surface, while merino wool holds its shape longer. That means alpaca is often the better pick for scarves, shawls, and blankets, where less pilling...
You can knit a kids sweater on straight needles without learning hard stitch patterns or circular-needle shaping first. The main idea is simple: knit flat pieces, seam them together, and keep the stitch work to garter, stockinette, and ribbing. If...
If your cast-off edge is too tight, the fix is usually simple: undo only the bind-off, catch each live stitch at once, and bind off again with more stretch. In most cases, the fabric below is fine. The problem is...
If you want ribbing, basketweave, waffle stitch, or cables, post stitches are the skill that makes those textures happen. I’d sum it up like this: post stitches are just regular crochet stitches worked around the vertical post instead of into...
One twist at the join can ruin the whole project. If I want a clean start, I need to do 3 things before round 1: lay the cast-on flat, keep the working yarn on the right needle, and check the...
If your yarn keeps tangling in colorwork, the fix is usually simple: keep your yarn order the same, spread stitches so floats stay loose, catch long floats every 5 stitches or about 1 inch, and twist strands at color changes...
Good hook care is simple: keep hooks dry, clean them by material, store them apart, and check cases often. That’s the whole article in one line. If I wanted the short version, I’d keep these 7 points in mind: Wash...
If you pick up the right edge loops and tighten every 1 to 1.5 inches, your garter stitch seam will lie flat and blend into the ridges. I’d sum it up like this: for a side-to-side join, I sew smiles...
Alpaca socks are a go-to for keeping your feet warm, dry, and comfortable in cold weather. Thanks to their hollow-core fibers, alpaca wool traps heat better than most materials, making it up to three times warmer than sheep’s wool. These...
Toe-up and cuff-down are two main methods for knitting socks, each starting from opposite ends of the sock. Here's a quick breakdown: Toe-Up: Starts at the toe and works upward to the cuff. Great for using up all your yarn...
The Double Moss Stitch is a beginner-friendly knitting pattern that creates a textured, reversible fabric with a checkerboard-like design. It’s perfect for scarves, blankets, and dishcloths due to its flat, stable structure that doesn’t curl at the edges. The stitch...
Berroco Ultra Alpaca yarn is perfect for spring projects, offering a balanced mix of softness, warmth, and structure. Its 50/50 blend of Super Fine Alpaca and Peruvian Highland Wool ensures comfortable wear, excellent drape, and sharp stitch definition. Available in...
I had a great time making the Golden Hour Shawl by Andrea Mowry. This is using slip-stitch mosaic knitting. I made mine out of Hikoo Kenzie.This pattern uses three colors and is a fun, relatively easy pattern.
