Your Cart is Empty
Summer Sale! Shop Now > |Free USA Shipping On Orders Over $75!
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!
You can make this nursery wall hanging with an alpaca blend, a simple color chart, and a dowel in one clear build: panel, motif, edging, blocking, then hanging. If I wanted the short answer, it would be this: Use an...
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 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...
If DPNs make your hands ache, the fix is usually simple: grip less, keep your wrists straight, and take more breaks. When I use double-pointed needles, hand strain usually comes from three things: holding too tight, pulling too hard at...
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 I want one simple answer, I start with wood or bamboo for most alpaca yarns. Alpaca has less bounce than wool, so stitches can loosen and slide more on slick needles. When I want more glide for lace or...
If you want crochet slippers that stay on without a tight cuff, this X-strap build is the simple answer. I’d focus on 4 things first: make the sole about 0.25–0.75 in shorter than the foot, use a dense hook/yarn combo,...
Knitting for July 4th is a fun way to add a personal touch to your celebrations. Handmade items like banners, throws, or festive socks can be reused year after year, making them a meaningful part of your holiday tradition. With...
Alpaca yarn is ideal for creating soft, warm, and stylish crochet hats. Its luxurious texture and insulating properties make it perfect for winter accessories. Below are seven crochet hat patterns that showcase alpaca yarn’s versatility, from textured beanies to slouchy...
If you want one crochet hook that works for most projects, this is it. A single-ended hook has one hook tip, usually measures about 6 inches, and is the standard pick for things like hats, scarves, blankets, amigurumi, and garments....
We all have bad habits we need to change. It's hard to do, but so rewarding when we're successful! I've had my share of changing bad habits, and lately I've been working on changing some in my knitting and crochet. Here are ten that I'm working on. I went over some of these in a recent Facebook Live broadcast, but I thought I'd detail them all here.
Ready, set, go!
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...
If I want sock knitting to go smoothly, I need the right tools for each step: needles, markers, measuring tools, finishing supplies, repair items, and storage. Most sock projects use fingering-weight yarn, US 0–3 needles, and about 350–400 yards for...
Transform alpaca yarn into vibrant colors with natural dyes derived from plants, insects, and other organic sources. These recipes use eco-conscious materials like cochineal, turmeric, walnut hulls, onion skins, and indigo to create stunning hues ranging from reds to blues....
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...
Alpaca yarn is a natural, biodegradable fiber with low environmental impact, making it a better choice over synthetic materials. Alpacas require less water, emit fewer greenhouse gases, and their soft grazing habits protect the soil. Additionally, alpaca yarn is hypoallergenic,...
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...
Crochet and knitting are two popular crafts for creating handmade items, but they differ in tools, techniques, and outcomes. Here’s a quick breakdown to help you decide: Crochet uses a single hook, works faster, and creates thicker, more structured fabrics....
If I want textured alpaca socks to fit well, I keep the texture on top, knit the sole smooth, and use a firm gauge. That’s the short answer. Alpaca is soft, warm, and lanolin-free, but it has less stretch than...
Alpaca yarn is soft and smooth but can be slippery, making the right knitting needles essential. Here's a quick guide to help you choose: Wooden Needles: Provide grip, reduce slippage, and feel warm in hand. Ideal for beginners and larger...
Lost your cable needle? For most small cables, you can keep knitting. In my view, the best stand-ins for 1x1 and 2x2 crosses are no-tool cabling, a spare knitting needle, a DPN, a crochet hook, a stitch holder, and a...
Alpaca fiber offers a winning combination for knitters: softness, warmth, durability, and eco-friendliness. Unlike sheep's wool, it’s lanolin-free, hypoallergenic, and gentle on sensitive skin. Its hollow-core structure provides superior insulation, keeping you warm in the winter and cool in the...
Looking for a meaningful gift idea? Personalized knitting gifts combine care, effort, and creativity into something truly special. From embroidered scarves to custom alpaca socks, these items are practical, heartfelt, and memorable. Plus, they’re eco-friendly when crafted with sustainable materials...
If you're tired of losing your cable needles or grabbing the wrong size mid-project, organizing them is the solution. Here's how to keep them tidy and accessible: Take Inventory: Gather all your needles, sort by shape, size, and material, and...
If you knit with alpaca, needle material matters more than with sheep’s wool. Alpaca is smooth, low-stretch, and heavier, so stitches slip more easily and fabric can grow after blocking. Here’s the short answer: Bamboo gives the most grip and...
Alpaca yarn is a top choice for winter crafting due to its warmth, softness, and durability. Its hollow-core fibers trap heat effectively, making it warmer yet lighter than traditional wool. Plus, it’s hypoallergenic, making it ideal for sensitive skin. Whether...
