Cordi was always an after-thought pattern of Lace Love. It was more like a bonus. Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought it would be a nice to time to share the pattern with everyone. They’re lovely little brooches that you can make to adorn gifts or cards.

There are two mistakes [Read More...]]]>

Cordi was always an after-thought pattern of Lace Love. It was more like a bonus. Since Mother’s Day is this weekend, I thought it would be a nice to time to share the pattern with everyone. They’re lovely little brooches that you can make to adorn gifts or cards.

There are two mistakes in the original pattern, but I’ve changed them, so this should be smooth sailing!

You need: approximately 8 yards of crochet thread (I use DMC Perle Cotton 8), 1.75mm crochet hook, and a needle to weave in your ends.

Finished size is approximately 2” in diameter. The piece should be about 0.75” after round 2.

Special Stitches:
Beg-POP (beginning popcorn): Ch 3, work 3 DC into the same stitch. Drop the loop from your hook and insert it from front to back into the top
of the beg Ch-3. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch to complete.

POP (popcorn): Work 4 DC into the same stitch. Drop the loop from your hook and insert it from front to back into the first DC of the group. Grab the dropped loop with your hook and pull it through the stitch to complete.

PATTERN (US terminology)
Ch 5, slst to first ch to make ring.

Round 1: Ch 1, 8 SC into ring, slst to first sc. (8 SC)

Round 2: Beg-POP into first SC, Ch 3, *POP into next st, Ch 3; Rep from * around. Slst into top of Beg-POP. (8 POP + 8 ch-3 sp)

Round 3: Ch 1, SC into first ch-3 sp, Ch 3, SC into same sp, *SC into next ch-3 sp, Ch 3, SC into same sp; rep from * around, slst into first SC.

Round 4: Slst into first ch-3 sp, ch 4, DC in same sp, [Ch 1, DC, in same sp] 3 times, *DC in next sp, [Ch 1, DC in same sp] 4 times; Repeat from * around, slst into third ch of beg ch-4.

Round 5: Ch 1, SC in first ch-1 sp, [Ch 3, SC in next ch-3 sp] 3 times, *SC in next ch-3 sp, [Ch 3, SC in next ch-3 sp] 3 times; Rep from * around, slst into first sc.

Fasten off. Weave in ends and attach pin in center back.

Enjoy!

If you make any, be sure to add them to the Ravelry page!

If you can’t crochet, but would still like a doily brooch, see my shop!

I spent a few days just hanging out with this hat and this morning I realized I just wasn’t in love with the crown. It didn’t really stay flat and it just looked…off. So, I frogged it. I thought I would feel sad or anxious doing so, but I wasn’t. I guess I’ve matured [Read More...]]]>

I spent a few days just hanging out with this hat and this morning I realized I just wasn’t in love with the crown. It didn’t really stay flat and it just looked…off. So, I frogged it. I thought I would feel sad or anxious doing so, but I wasn’t. I guess I’ve matured on my knitting path. You gotta do what you gotta do. I re-worked a crown, this afternoon, that I am happy with. I wrote down some notes about it and will try to compose a pattern tomorrow or later this weekend.

You can find me on instagram under the username goodknits. Surprise, surprise! I’m cell-phone-less, but I do have an android tablet that is now getting used for more than procrastination games of Free Cell.

It’s been a while since my last DIY, so I thought I would remedy that with a quick cork coaster idea. It’s pretty simple and you can have a set made in under an hour, I bet. Below you will find instructions for both crochet or embroidered coasters.

Supplies: 4″ x 4″ [Read More...]]]>

It’s been a while since my last DIY, so I thought I would remedy that with a quick cork coaster idea. It’s pretty simple and you can have a set made in under an hour, I bet. Below you will find instructions for both crochet or embroidered coasters.

Supplies:
4″ x 4″ cork squares (I buy 12″ cork tiles and cut them with a rotary cutter)
standard hole punch
DK weight yarn– I used needlepoint wool, but any thin yarn will do
2.75mm (C) hook (increase the hook size if you use a thicker yarn, but make sure it fits through the holes)
yarn needle

template

If you crochet, attach the yarn at the center of one of the sides. Single crochet (US) around the coaster, making 5 single crochet stitches in the corners. Slip-stitch to the first SC to end. Optionally, you can slip-stitch through all holes, if you want to fill them (see yellow coaster in title image).

If you haven’t yet picked up the craft of crochet, below is a simple embroidery stitch called the blanket stitch.

Using the beginning & end yarn, tie a knot and weave in the ends through the loops on the back.

And that’s it! If hearts are more your thing, check out my last cork coaster: Embroidered Heart Coaster. These would make mighty cute Mother’s Day gift sets. ♥ ♥

I found this stitch in a vintage knitting leaflet. It’s mainly PURL. The pattern was a whole sweater made of it! Gah! To be fair, though, the sweater was flat, so some rows were knit. I did some tweaking to make it work in the round and after a few days (hand cramps slowed [Read More...]]]>

I found this stitch in a vintage knitting leaflet. It’s mainly PURL. The pattern was a whole sweater made of it! Gah! To be fair, though, the sweater was flat, so some rows were knit. I did some tweaking to make it work in the round and after a few days (hand cramps slowed me down, down, down), I have a hat!

Does anyone know of any modern name for this stitch? It looks similar to smocking, but there isn’t any wrapping. You basically slip stitches for 3 rows, then after working 3 additional rows, you make a knit at the center of the slipped stitches and then pass the loose loops over. It’s super easy!

yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh DK in ‘candlewick’

I got a custom request for a teal Glory. This is actually the same color I used for the Willow I made for my husband’s grandmother. She’s a crocheter so I knew she would appreciate the work it takes to make a doily. She loved it and I [Read More...]]]> (see what I did there? :))

I got a custom request for a teal Glory. This is actually the same color I used for the Willow I made for my husband’s grandmother. She’s a crocheter so I knew she would appreciate the work it takes to make a doily. She loved it and I hope the person who receives this teal Glory loves this one just as well.

I have a few Glory blankets available in the shop, right now. If you would like to request a custom color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I will do my darndest to find the perfect color for you. If you crochet and want to make your own, see the pattern details HERE.

I added a few “Glory” doily blankets to the shop. Let’s welcome them with a coupon, ok? Save 20% on your entire order with the coupon code SPRING20. If you are interested in a different color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I’ll set you up with a custom listing!

I still [Read More...]]]>

I added a few “Glory” doily blankets to the shop. Let’s welcome them with a coupon, ok? Save 20% on your entire order with the coupon code SPRING20. If you are interested in a different color, send me an email (lisa@goodknits.com) and I’ll set you up with a custom listing!

I still need to take photos of the mustard and gray blankets. I will add them soon!

I hope everyone had a wonderful weekend! Mine has included: a toddler haircut (!), a trip to the ER (!!), and a lazy Sunday.

May I present to you: GLORY! Finally. The newest addition to my doily blanket patterns. This one might be my favorite yet. Hellooooo, pineapples. You can read more about it and see a few pretty photos on the pattern page, here. Go directly to the Ravelry page, here.

Many thanks to Casey from plus3 [Read More...]]]>

May I present to you: GLORY! Finally. The newest addition to my doily blanket patterns. This one might be my favorite yet. Hellooooo, pineapples. You can read more about it and see a few pretty photos on the pattern page, here. Go directly to the Ravelry page, here.

Many thanks to Casey from plus3 crochet for her help this week during my final revisions! She’s made a few Willow blankets, so go check out her blog!

by the way–
I’ve crocheted a few Glory blankets for the shop…

If you aren’t a crocheter, check back at the end of the week for info on how to purchase one!

Hello, friends! If you hadn’t heard, my lovely little Dory pattern is in the current issue of Craftsanity! I made a few adjustments* to my original pattern to make it more Spring-friendly. In celebration of SPRING and all things yarny, I’m having this little giveaway!

To convert my Dory into something [Read More...]]]> CLOSED!!!

Hello, friends! If you hadn’t heard, my lovely little Dory pattern is in the current issue of Craftsanity! I made a few adjustments* to my original pattern to make it more Spring-friendly. In celebration of SPRING and all things yarny, I’m having this little giveaway!

To convert my Dory into something one could wear during Spring, I scoured Ravelry for yarn inspiration. There is SO.MUCH.YARN. out there.

I happened upon Bamboo Cotton (worsted) by Three Irish Girls and was smitten by some of the colors. It was a little pricey, but I bought two skeins from someone’s stash in the beautiful Sweetmint colorway. I knew I would love the color, but what won me over completely was the softness. Ohhhhh my goodness–it is SOFT. I wound up my skein immediately and got started. Soon enough, I had a lovely Spring shawl and only 9 yards left! Perfect!

Unfortunately, the Bamboo Cotton is discontinued, so I went on the hunt for something more widely available. I landed on Cascade Ultra Pima. It is equally as soft and available in a multitude of bright colors. It took a whole skein plus a few yards of the next, but I figured out a few adjustments** to the last border row to make it a one-skein project.

And now, the giveaway! I have a skein of Bamboo Cotton and a skein of Ultra Pima, so that means TWO winners! The first winner will select which they want and the second will get the other yarn. They’re both gorgeous, so there aren’t any losers here. Both winners will also receive a printed copy of Craftsanity! If you aren’t a crocheter and have zero interest in my Dory pattern, do not fret–there are knitting patterns in this issue (and all others), too! There’s something for everyone, so this giveaway is open to knitters and crocheters alike.

To enter, just leave a comment below letting me know what projects are on your to-do list this Spring!

Giveaway ends this Friday, March 30, at 11:59pm CST. I’ll announce the winner shortly after! CLOSED!!!

*My changes include using either of the two Spring yarns above + a 6mm hook and crocheting fewer of the main body repeat. It’s still the same size as the original, just lighter because of the yarn and gauge.

**Make a slst between each scallop instead of a sc.

Happy Friday, folks! I am super excited today because my home should have air conditioning by the end of the weekend. HOLY EXPENSIVE PURCHASE! We need it, though. We’ve been fine the past 3 months without it because it was winter, but did I tell you about the time we were without it for [Read More...]]]>

Happy Friday, folks! I am super excited today because my home should have air conditioning by the end of the weekend. HOLY EXPENSIVE PURCHASE! We need it, though. We’ve been fine the past 3 months without it because it was winter, but did I tell you about the time we were without it for 3 months IN THE SUMMER? Yeah, that happened when we first moved in. It felt like we didn’t even move in until we got it fixed because we camped out in the living room with a window unit the entire time. It was horrible! 100-degree [coastal] Texas summers are pretty darn bad. And if THIS is Spring, I can only imagine the heat we’ll be experiencing this summer.

ANYWAY! I am finally updating the shop for Spring. Huurah! I started with doily pins. I have 8 different colors available right now. Some classics and some brights. They will all look positively fantastic on your Easter dresses.

I’ll be adding brand new doily blankets (new pattern coming soon!!) in some beautiful colors, like HOT pink and persimmon, this weekend or early next. They’re seriously amazing. I want to live in a box full of doily blankets.

Have a good weekend!

The question I receive the most in regards to my Mary Jane Slippers pattern is about the magic loop beginning. I typically respond with some links to photo/video tutorials on how to make it. I don’t usually get into the why. That’s what this post is.

Before I begin, the photo-tutorial I link to [Read More...]]]>

The question I receive the most in regards to my Mary Jane Slippers pattern is about the magic loop beginning. I typically respond with some links to photo/video tutorials on how to make it. I don’t usually get into the why. That’s what this post is.

Before I begin, the photo-tutorial I link to is this one at Crochet Me. The video I link to is this one on youtube that shows the magic adjustable ring for single, half double, and double crochet. The double crochet starts around 2:35, but the whole video is pretty informative.

The questions I want to discuss are: What is the difference? Why/how do you choose which to begin your round project?

Above is 8 DC worked in the round. The project on the left was started with a regular chain circle (ch 5) and the one on the right was started with the magic loop. The differences are subtle, but they do effect the look of your final product.

The regular chain circle generally leaves a small hole in the center. You can crochet your first round over your tail yarn to cinch it closed shut. With the magic loop, you start crocheting over the tail no matter what and so you always cinch the hole shut and it stays shut

I use the chain circle when I’m making blankets or hats. Specifically, when I’m crocheting a granny square blanket or any other crochet lace pattern. The reason I choose to do so is because I usually start those projects with a first round of 12 or even 20 double crochet stitches. That’s a lot of stitches! They’re going to need room and so a chain 5, 6, or 8, is needed.

I use the magic adjustable loop when I’m making slippers or amigurumi or any other project that needs to be closed or starts with a smaller number of stitches in the first round. The slippers pattern calls for only 8 DC and most amigurumi patterns start with only 6 SC.

In conclusion– they both have their place. I suggest learning and becoming completely familiar with both methods! Doing so will help you understand which one to use for the specific projects you want to complete.

Any questions or other input is greatly appreciated! Leave a comment or email me- lisa@goodknits.com

Pattern: My go-to ripple blanket pattern Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby in “Flannel” AND Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly in “Mint” and “Cool Baby” // both found at Michaels Hook: 5mm (US H)

My beginning chain was 146 and it took about a week to complete. For some reason I didn’t carry my yarn up [Read More...]]]>

Pattern: My go-to ripple blanket pattern
Yarn: Bernat Softee Baby in “Flannel” AND Loops & Threads Snuggly Wuggly in “Mint” and “Cool Baby” // both found at Michaels
Hook: 5mm (US H)

My beginning chain was 146 and it took about a week to complete. For some reason I didn’t carry my yarn up the side, so I had something like 34 ends to weave in when I was done. Grumble.

I’m kind of in love with the soft contrast of the aqua and mint. I’m usually all for BRIGHT & BOLD colors for baby blankets, but this….this pleases me.

I know Valentine’s Day has passed, but I kind of like hearts. And I LOVE yarn. My scrap jar is one of my favorite sources of craft supplies. This project is so easy, I didn’t take any step-by-step photos.

You start with a wire hanger (mine is coated in white plastic*), shape [Read More...]]]>

I know Valentine’s Day has passed, but I kind of like hearts. And I LOVE yarn. My scrap jar is one of my favorite sources of craft supplies. This project is so easy, I didn’t take any step-by-step photos.

You start with a wire hanger (mine is coated in white plastic*), shape it into a heart, or circle, or whatever shape you want, untwist the top, thread your balls of yarn scraps around the whole thing, then re-twist the top. Done. No glue means you can re-use the yarn if you find yourself on the path of, say, a granny square afghan.

*My plastic-coated hanger kept its original twist while I threaded, so re-twisting was a cinch.