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JOURNAL

Patterns, practical guides, yarn notes and thoughtful stories for a more handmade life.

Small bundles of leftover yarn in many colors on a white plate

What to Do With Leftover Yarn

Every crochet project leaves something behind. Sometimes it is a generous half skein. Sometimes it is a tiny ball you keep because it is “definitely enough for something.” Sometimes it...

What to Do With Leftover Yarn

Every crochet project leaves something behind. Sometimes it is a generous half skein. Sometimes it is a tiny ball you keep because it is “definitely enough for something.” Sometimes it...

Black crochet project bag organizer holding yarn, hooks and tools

The Crochet Tools We Actually Keep in Our Proje...

Crochet does not require much. At its most basic, you need yarn, a hook, and enough time to convince yourself that one more row is reasonable. But once you crochet...

The Crochet Tools We Actually Keep in Our Proje...

Crochet does not require much. At its most basic, you need yarn, a hook, and enough time to convince yourself that one more row is reasonable. But once you crochet...

Colorful ergonomic crochet hooks in a range of sizes

What Crochet Hook Size Should I Use

You have yarn. You have a hook. You have a pattern. And somehow there are still six possible hook sizes sitting on the table. This is normal. Choosing a crochet...

What Crochet Hook Size Should I Use

You have yarn. You have a hook. You have a pattern. And somehow there are still six possible hook sizes sitting on the table. This is normal. Choosing a crochet...

A ball of teal cotton yarn and a ball of cream acrylic yarn with a crochet hook

Cotton vs. Acrylic Yarn: Which Should You Use?

Cotton and acrylic are two of the most common yarn choices in crochet. They are also very different. One is a plant-based natural fiber. The other is synthetic. One tends...

Cotton vs. Acrylic Yarn: Which Should You Use?

Cotton and acrylic are two of the most common yarn choices in crochet. They are also very different. One is a plant-based natural fiber. The other is synthetic. One tends...

Yarn weight chart from lace (0) to jumbo (7) with a crochet swatch for each weight

Yarn Weight Explained Without the Confusion

Yarn weight sounds as though it should describe how heavy a skein is. Naturally, it does not. In knitting and crochet, yarn weight usually refers to the thickness of the...

Yarn Weight Explained Without the Confusion

Yarn weight sounds as though it should describe how heavy a skein is. Naturally, it does not. In knitting and crochet, yarn weight usually refers to the thickness of the...

Soft balls of yarn in pastel colors stacked together

How to Choose Yarn for a Crochet Project

Choosing yarn can be one of the nicest parts of starting a crochet project — and one of the easiest places to get stuck. A pattern may tell you exactly...

How to Choose Yarn for a Crochet Project

Choosing yarn can be one of the nicest parts of starting a crochet project — and one of the easiest places to get stuck. A pattern may tell you exactly...

Hands holding a blue crochet swatch with neatly woven-in ends

How to Weave in Crochet Ends Securely

Finishing a crochet project creates a very particular problem: the making is done, but the ends are still there, quietly waiting to become your responsibility. Weaving in ends is not...

How to Weave in Crochet Ends Securely

Finishing a crochet project creates a very particular problem: the making is done, but the ends are still there, quietly waiting to become your responsibility. Weaving in ends is not...

White and blue crochet flowers with a crochet hook, joined in a new yarn color

How to Join Yarn in Crochet Without an Awkward ...

Learn clean ways to join yarn in crochet, including joining at a stitch, changing colors, the Russian join, and when to avoid bulky knots.

How to Join Yarn in Crochet Without an Awkward ...

Learn clean ways to join yarn in crochet, including joining at a stitch, changing colors, the Russian join, and when to avoid bulky knots.

Yarn wrapped over a finger to keep even tension while crocheting with a purple hook

How to Keep Crochet Tension Consistent

Learn how to improve crochet tension, keep stitch size consistent, choose the right hook, understand gauge, and avoid fabric that is too tight or too loose

How to Keep Crochet Tension Consistent

Learn how to improve crochet tension, keep stitch size consistent, choose the right hook, understand gauge, and avoid fabric that is too tight or too loose

Striped pastel crochet swatch with uneven side edges

Uneven Crochet Edges: Causes and How to Fix Them

Learn why crochet edges become uneven, wavy, or slanted and how to fix missed stitches, turning-chain problems, tension changes, and row counting.

Uneven Crochet Edges: Causes and How to Fix Them

Learn why crochet edges become uneven, wavy, or slanted and how to fix missed stitches, turning-chain problems, tension changes, and row counting.

Pink crochet strips curling at the edges, next to a blue crochet hook

Why Is My Crochet Curling

Is your crochet curling, cupping, or twisting? Learn the most common causes, from tight tension to stitch-count problems, plus practical ways to fix them.

Why Is My Crochet Curling

Is your crochet curling, cupping, or twisting? Learn the most common causes, from tight tension to stitch-count problems, plus practical ways to fix them.

Hands working crochet stitches with a hook and white yarn

Common Crochet Stitches and When to Use Them

The Most Common Crochet Stitches and When to Use Them You do not need to know 47 decorative stitches to make beautiful crochet. A surprisingly large number of projects are...

Common Crochet Stitches and When to Use Them

The Most Common Crochet Stitches and When to Use Them You do not need to know 47 decorative stitches to make beautiful crochet. A surprisingly large number of projects are...