Another Way to Avoid the Turning Chain Hole

You may remember this post from a while ago...

In it, I show 3 ways to work turns for a dc (US terms) when working in rows that helps reduce the gap rather than working a chain 3. The 3 ideas work for me--my favorite being the third--made by stacking two sc's on top of each other. You can see all 3 methods and which one is your favorite here.

Skittles Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Who wants a sweet rainbow of color springing off your crochet hook? You can do just that with my new free crochet pattern--

Skittles Blanket

It's a party of color, I tell ya! And with fun texture, too. I had someone tell me

How To Crochet a Clean Edge Along a Rough Edge

Maybe it's a blanket border. Maybe it's around a dishcloth or sweater. Or maybe along the edge of a scarf or cowl. But anytime you are instructed in a pattern to "work stitches evenly along edge" you are faced with a challenge. Where do you put your hook? How do you keep the stitches along the back from looking uneven and horrible? Particularly if it is in a contrasting color!

Let me show you what I mean, and then I'll provide you a simple technique to help make it look super neat and tidy--on BOTH SIDES!

Scheepjes Bloggers Go to Yarndale

Recently I posted about three good things I get from crocheting and creating. One of those things is that it affords me the opportunities to connect with other creators in meaningful ways. Just over a week ago I had the chance to travel across the pond again to Skipton in Yorkshire England to attend the annual Yarndale market. The best part--I was able to meet up with my fellow tribe of Scheepjes bloggers.

Delicious Crochet Shawls Book Blog Tour

Hello, my dear friends! If you've found your way here through Kathryn's blog Crochet Concupiscence, welcome! I'm the lucky one to be next in line on the blog tour taking place for Lisa Cook's new book Delicious Crochet Shawls*.

When I was invited to participate I was thrilled because I have been following Lisa's work for some time and have always admired her shawl designs. You could say she is the Queen of Shawls.

Get Squared with Riverwashed

If you've been following me around for any length of time, you probably know by now that I'm not a huge maker of crocheted garments. I don't really know why--but I'm always drawn to home-decor with color and whimsy. Maybe it's because wearing clothing with too much color and whimsy is over-the-top. Maye it's because I like to look at the color--but don't find myself looking it the mirrow so often so I would rather have it visible on the sofa or wall. Occasionally, I  make accessories like mittens or a scarf to jazz up an otherwise drab outfit with a pop of color, but I'm not inclined to much else in the wearables arena. But today, I'm stopping in to show you a sweater I made--or what's known as a jumper in many parts of the world.

Wrist Ruler from I Love Handles Giveaway

While spending time with the fabulous Nerissa of Miss Neriss at Scheepjes Blogger Days this past month, I noticed she was wearing the coolest bracelet ever!

When she told me she got her all-leather Wrist Ruler from ILoveHandles, I immediately ordered one upon my return. See, I KNEW that for this bracelet obsessed crocheter named Sue, it was a necessity. It's true, I love bracelets and am usually wearing 3 or 4 at a time.

Caramel Whirl Blanket -- Free Crochet Pattern

Today I'm really excited to be sharing my newest free crochet pattern with you! You might remember hearing me talk about the new Scheepjes Whirl yarn* here, or maybe you saw my progress on my latest project with it here, or even saw the final reveal here.

Haarlem Wrap Crochet Pattern

I'm so excited to be sharing my newest crochet design with you! I've named it Haarlem Wrap (explanation for the name coming). Wanna see it?

I've just released the pattern for this and you can find it in my  my Etsy shop here. There are also lots of details about the size of the wrap, skill level, yarn requirements and other details in the listings there.

Here's the story of how my Haarlem Wrap came to be.

Whirling Along

Last week I let you in on my Scheepjes Whirl* project. You can read more on my thoughts about this yarn here.

I have decided to make a "portable" little design with a single cake of this scrumptious stuff. Here's a little peek at my work-in-progress:

Free Scheepjes Catona Pattern for NatCroMo

It's National Crochet Month! I'm so happy to be a participant on the Crochetville NatCroMo Blog Tour. In celebration, I would like to share with you a free crochet pattern I showed off last week here using one of my favorite yarns ever--Scheepjes *Catona. I hope you enjoy it! I named it:

Crisscross Catona Cushion Cover

Crisscross Catona Cushion Cover Revealed

Last week I shared a sneak peek of what I was working on with the brilliant Scheepjes *Catona. You can see that post here. But today let me reveal what I made with those colorful little yarny balls.

I'm calling it Crisscross Catona Cushion Cover. (Now that's an alliteration, huh?!)

Can't Stay Away from Catona

Since becoming a Scheepjes blogger and having the chance to work with their wide range of yarns (including the new "secret" ones--shhhh), one of my favorite go-to cottons is Scheepjes *Catona. You can read more about my thoughts on this yarn here. But, to be brief--it has the most amazing color range, a lovely sheen, crisp stitch definition, affordable pricing, and a soft hand. Can it get any better than that? 

Take a peek at some projects I've made using this fabulously colorful mercerized cotton:

It's Simply Radiant!

I'm super excited to be sharing my newest crochet blanket pattern! I'm calling it

Radiant Blanket

Wanna see?

Felted Button Temperature Blanket CAL 2017

One of the best parts about this crochet designing gig is the people. Yes, people. I have met literally thousands of folks around the globe with whom I share a common love of yarn, hooks, creating, and color! So, with the new year approaching, I thought of a way to connect better with you and decided to conduct a temperature blanket CAL throughout next year!

Here are a few details that hopefully answer questions you might have about how to participate...

1. What is a CAL? 
CAL stands for Crochet-A-Long and is a fun and interactive way to be working on a common project at the same time with other like-minded folk. I have set up a Facebook group where we can chat about yarn, colors and pattern choices, share projects/progress, and talk about the weather. Why weather, you ask? See #2.

2. What is a temperature blanket?
Typically a temperature blanket is worked in varying colors of yarn depending on the daily temperature (high, low, average, both...) of where you live. You can choose the color range and temperature ranges for each color depending on your climate. If you are in the US there is a good site to see temperature ranges by state/city here.  If you want lots of color make your ranges small--if you want just a few, make your ranges bigger. (I'm thinking that because of the temperature range in my neck of the woods and because I love lots of colors, I'll probably have 5 degree increments which give me about 18 colors.) You do what works for you. Bust that stash and have fun! By the end of the year--or whenever you want to finish--a unique and "story-telling" blanket.

3. How do I join?
You can use any Felted Button blanket pattern (free or premium, your choice). Since I'm a bit obsessed with blankets, you have a LOT to choose from. You can browse in my Ravelry shop here. You should also join the Facebook Felted Button Temperature Blanket CAL group here. Just click "Join" and when approved read the group rules posted in the Files section at the top of the page. You might also want to read through the feed for any info that might help you.

Above is just a tiny sampling of Felted Button blanket designs. Some of these would not be ideal for the CAL, but some would be fab! (We'll talk more about this later.) 

Wanna Meet Me?

Other than my profile picture or my brief description on my blog or Ravelry profile, you may have no idea who is actually behind Felted Button and all of these colorful crochet patterns. Wanna "meet" me? Recently, I've had the opportunity to be interviewed by A Little Brighter Podcast. They interview regular people like me about their hobbies and how those hobbies have impacted their lives. Well, mine certainly has impacted my life, and I share a bit about just how that has happened on the podcast.

You can listen to the full episode just by clicking here. (Nothing fancy required.) If, after listening, you still have questions for me, feel free to stop by my Facebook page and ask away! And you can listen to previous episodes of this fabulously fun podcast here or on iTunes.

This online crochet community has been such a beautiful thing! Thank you for being a part of it and sharing your knowledge, creativity, enthusiasm and support!

Illuminations Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

I'm so excited to be sharing another free crochet blanket pattern with you! If you follow me around on Facebook or Instagram (@FeltedButton) you might have seen some peeks at it or the complete reveal last week here, but I'm happy to share the pattern with you today. Introducing...

Illuminations Blanket

Nature's Gifts Book Review

I love leafing through crochet books and dreaming of all the pretty and unique things I could make, who I would make them for, and especially in what COLORS I would make them. How about you?

I have recently received a fun crochet book by the talented Sara Leighton of Illuminate Crochet. It's called Nature's Gifts for Baby and you can find it here.

Last Dance is Over!

When the Scheepjes Last Dance on the Beach Crochet-A-Long was announced, I knew I HAD to do it! And I'm so happy that I did. 

Cotton 8 Rainbow on the Hook

I've got another color-filled design on my hook right now. Surprised? No? Well, me either. Ever since receiving this delightful palette of Scheepjes *Cotton 8, I had to get my "hooks" into it!

See, Scheepjes has some pretty incredible and colorful yarns! Like these...