Want to crochet or knit something cute for summer but you're not sure which yarns to work with? In this guide I'll show you what's on offer when it comes to cotton.  Here is my selection of cotton yarns that are perfect for your spring and summer projects.  This blog post does contain affiliate links. This means that I do earn a small commission at no cost to you.  Plant based yarns Cotton is a number once choice for summer and it's easy to understand why:  It's machine washable. It breathes.  It comes in a range of vibrant colours.  It works with everything from ..read more

Start from the beginning: How do you knit? When you're a beginner knitter, you knit slower than somebody who's been knitting for 40 years. That's just how it is. It doesn't matter what knitting style the knitter uses; they have some serious hours clocked.  How fast you knit is down to muscle memory and developing habits. At the time of writing this, I've been a knitter for 10 years. Of course, I have been curious and wanted to try several different knitting methods as a way of making more time to knit and knit faster but I can honestly say that none of them seem to be faster than the ot ..read more

Here is a round up of my top 5 crochet kits for spring. Whether you're looking for kits or need some inspiration for crochet projects, I've got you covered.  Spring is finally here, and what better way to celebrate the season of renewal and growth than by diving into a new crochet project? If you're looking for the perfect spring-themed kits to get you started, look no further. Here are some top picks that will inspire your creativity and help you create beautiful pieces to welcome the warmer weather. This ad-free, free-to-view blog post contains affiliate links. This means that should yo ..read more

Disclaimer: This blog post contains affiliate yarn links which means that if you click through to purchase, I do earn a small commission at no cost to you.  Have you been looking for some crochet inspiration this spring? I can help with that! Spring is a wonderful time for a lot of us and there are several reasons why. Whether it's the longer days, the flowers in bloom or the rising temperatures, we love spring. Why not consider some new spring projects that require minimal yarn and minimal effort? I'm talking cute amigurumi, easy shawls and other cute accessories that we can make with s ..read more

Hey, I heard you're just learning to crochet and want the lowdown on what the best yarns are in the business? I'll talk you through some popular yarns and price points.  This blog post does contain affiliate links which means if you purchase through any of them, I do make a small commission at no cost to you.  What yarn weight is best for beginners to use?  That really depends on what you're making, what hook size you have and how quickly you want your first projects to progress.  The most popular yarn for beginners is a worsted or aran weight yarn. This is also described a ..read more

Welcome to my series on knitting speed. Over the course of 4 blog posts I hope to be able to show you that there are many ways to knit faster. The first instalment is about knitting faster without learning new knitting styles.  Here's how to really knit faster without learning new knitting styles. People are always looking for ways to knit faster, utilise their knitting time more and be able to work on more projects per year. When they search or ask other knitters "How can I knit faster?" they're usually guided down the path of learning continental knitting, Portuguese knitting or Irish c ..read more

The betwixt cowl is a design that has fun between the lines. Mix two or more colours of yarn to create this woven look. Crocheting the Betwixt cowl is much easier than it looks. The basic stitches required for this pattern are:  Chain (Ch) Single crochet (Sc) also known as UK double (Dc) Half double crochet (Hdc) also known as UK treble (Tr)  Everything else in the pattern is built from these stitches. An example of this is the Back post and front post half double crochet.  Here is how you do the front post and back post half double crochet stitches:  Other stitches are ..read more

If you're in need of a quick, easy make to give to a new baby, try the Lovechunk baby sweater. Not only is it made using aran weight yarn for a quicker project but it is available in sizes 6 months to 2 years. Every baby needs a simple, drop shoulder cardigan for cooler days and photo opportunities. I chose aran weight for this design because it has just the right amount of squish without being too stiff.  The Lovechunk baby sweater pattern PDF is available here.  This quick cardigan is worked in 5 pieces so it's the perfect small project to master your emerging crochet skills ..read more

It's a common misconception that crafters make to think that crochet is only about granny squares and anything that vaguely resembles a granny square. That's not true. There is so much more to crochet than granny squares but it is a good place to start and I will tell you why in this post.  What else can I crochet?  First, we should talk about what other options there are for crocheters who don't want to have a go at crochet squares. There are many things you can crochet without having to make anything square. Using any of the four basic crochet stitches, you can create g ..read more

Ever wondered what all the hype surrounding hand knit socks is for? They might not change your life but I can assure you that they might make it more comfortable. Some knitters can't get enough of socks. There are currently 56,160 sock patterns listed on Ravelry's pattern database and that's just the patterns we know about. More patterns are uploaded each year. You have to wonder why when there are already so many on there, right? It can only be because people like to knit them! Ever wondered who indie dyers sell all that hand dyed 4ply yarn to? The answer is probably sock knitters. While ..read more