Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

IT’S YOUR TURN – A GIVEAWAY – WEEK ONE, MAY, 2010

by

FELT ME A SMILE by TOYOKO SUGIWAKA

FELT ME A SMILE BY TOYOKO SUGIWAKA

You’ve read my book reviews.  You’ve perused my website reviews.  You’ve lingered over my reviews of ads in magazines.  Now, it’s your turn to post a review here.  I can’t read every book, visit every website, or click on every ad link.  So, I’m counting on my readers to share some of this information with other readers.  And, you can win a prize for your review – a fresh, new copy of the very cute book Felt Me A Smile, (pictured above) recently reviewed on this blog.

The prize will be given to the most valuable review posted.  It might be for writing about your favorite crochet book or sharing insights into your favorite blog or website.  I’ll read every entry, visit every link, and judge which one I think offers the most insightful review.  I’ll post a new category each Monday this month, so you have FIVE chances to win a great prize.

Here’s the category for Week 1 (of May, 2010):

What’s your favorite blog (not this one, thank you) and why?  Please post a link to the blog in general and one to a particular blog post if that’s pertinent.  Reviews should not exceed approximately 250 words.

Here are the contest rules:

The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing information after the winner is announced.  If the winner doesn’t contact me, the prize will be offered on another occasion.

RESPONSES MUST BE POSTED HERE AND NOT EMAILED TO ME PRIVATELY OR POSTED ELSEWHERE FOR ENTRY.

TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR, THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE LAST DAY OF EACH MONTH (OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER) AND THE WINNER MUST EMAIL ME ([email protected]) WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.  So, for sanity’s sake, that deadline will really mean that I need to hear from you no later than 8 PM the following Monday (so you have plenty of time to email me and I’ll get the email for sure even if I don’t sign on to my email on a Sunday).


Comments

  1. http://www.fiberfarm.com/

    I have many blogs i visit daily, and most are related to my love of needle crafts. One of my favorite blogs relates to these crafts right at the beginning source of it…. the animals where much of the fibers come from. Juniper Moon (formerly Martha’s Vineyard) Fiber Farm takes you to the roots of fiber love. Susan who up and dumped her professional New York career to become a shepherdess shares her daily adventures and mishaps of life on the farm. From learning the ropes the hard way, to the joy of lambing season. Folks are encouraged to help name the new lambs each time birthing comes around.
    If you have followed for long you may have laughed, cried, bought a CSA share ,skein, or t-shirt or even lived close enough to be able to visit the farm in person for one of the annual celebrations such as shearing day. Susan shares interesting and unique links to things of fiber/animal interest.
    Check it out! The photos posted are beautiful and make you want to reach out and touch one of the animals, or maybe even uproot yourself to become a shepherdess as well!

  2. my of my favorite blogs is “ikat bag” and one of my favorite posts on that blog is: http://www.ikatbag.com/2009/11/owie-dolls_25.html
    that blog is one of the most inspiring blogs liar’s creations are like no other. what ever she makes is filld with beauty.
    she creats alot of tutorials and hides no secrets when it comes to “how to sew something”
    i love that blog!

  3. If you are interested in embroidery then I must recommend Sharon b’s blog, PinTangle. Sharon is an Australian embroiderer. Sharon’s blog includes a wonderful Stitch library and daily posts on new stitches, embroidery links and finds, as well as images and explanations of her extremely long embroidered sampler. Sharon also co-ordinates free community stitch challenges from her blog. These have included Take a Stitch Tuesday, in which participants work their way through a list of interesting stitches, taking one stitch a week and trying to stretch it’s boundaries and share their discoveries with one another. Sharon also offers on line classes and links to these can be found on her blog too.

    http://www.pintangle.com

  4. I blogwalk everyday in a much longer distance than I actually walk in real life. Mental note :take a hike, dear. But there’s one little blog I really enjoy not because of its sophisticated design or much talk about contents or trendy guides, but the blog of a mother with a really cute daughter. Lovely design is Vancouver based blog which tells and shares the lovely adventure of mother daughter duo (and a cat) from the moment they get off from bed (pics taken minutes after they opened their eyes!) and they (of course) daily crafty journey. I love the simplicity and truthfulness. craftyhttp://lovelydesign.blogspot.com/

  6. If you are interested in embroidery then I must recommend Sharon b’s blog, PinTangle. Sharon is an Australian embroiderer. Sharon’s blog includes a wonderful Stitch library and daily posts on new stitches, embroidery links and finds, as well as images and explanations of her extremely long embroidered sampler. Sharon also co-ordinates free community stitch challenges from her blog. These have included Take a Stitch Tuesday, in which participants work their way through a list of interesting stitches, taking one stitch a week and trying to stretch it’s boundaries and share their discoveries with one another. Sharon also offers on line classes and links to these can be found on her blog too.

    http://www.pintangle.com

Have you read?

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

If you’re new to crochet and wondering where to start, scarves and cowls are one of the nicest entry points. They feel useful right away, they don’t come with the stress of tricky sizing, and they let you settle into the rhythm of stitching without needing to think too hard about shaping or assembly. That is a big win when you’re still getting comfortable holding the yarn, counting stitches, and figuring out where your row actually ends.

Let’s be honest, a lot of beginners want a project that looks good before they want a project that teaches them patience.

That’s exactly why scarves and cowls work so well. They’re practical, cozy, and giftable, and they often use the same few stitches over and over again. You get to build confidence while making something you can actually wear, wrap up for a friend, or stash away for cooler weather. It feels like real progress, not just practice.

I also love that this category has a nice mix of super simple wins and slightly more textured designs. If you want a one-skein cowl you can finish over a weekend, there are plenty of those. If you want a chunky scarf with a bit more visual interest, you can find that too. It’s a very forgiving place to begin, and for a lot of crocheters it’s the category that turns “I’m trying crochet” into “I think I’m properly into crochet now.”

If you’re building out your beginner pattern stash, you might also want to bookmark our roundup of Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners and this sweet Free Crochet Pattern – Emotional Support Chicken. For readers who want fast finishes, Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects is another handy one to keep open in a tab.

Beginner-Friendly Crochet Scarves and Cowls

Free Pattern – Moss Stitch Crochet Cowl

This is exactly the sort of project I love to recommend to newer crocheters. Moss stitch has that neat, slightly textured look that feels polished, but it’s still repetitive enough that you can relax into it once you get going. If you want a cowl that looks a little elevated without becoming fiddly, this is a lovely place to start.

One Skein Cowl

One-skein projects always feel approachable, especially when you’re not ready to commit to something huge. This cowl is a great fit for beginners who want something warm, quick, and satisfying. It also has that nice “I made this in a weekend” energy, which is very motivating when you’re just starting out.

Free Crochet Pattern – Lindsay Cowl

This one feels giftable from the moment you see it. It’s simple, adaptable, and easy to picture in different yarn colors, which makes it a fun pattern if you’re starting to think beyond just “can I make this?” and into “who could I make this for?” I always think those are the projects that keep beginners coming back for more.

Crochet a Colorful Braided Scarf Using Broomstick or Cardboard

This is a fun twist on the usual beginner scarf. It has a more decorative finish without feeling out of reach, and it’s a nice choice if you want something that looks a bit different from a standard straight scarf. It’s also a good reminder that beginner crochet doesn’t have to mean boring crochet.

Chunky Crochet Teal Scarf With Fringe

Chunky yarn and fringe are such a good combination when you want quick payoff. This kind of scarf works up faster, feels cozy almost immediately, and gives beginners that very important feeling of visible progress. And honestly, fringe covers a lot of sins if your edges aren’t perfect yet.

Free Cowl Patterns

This Lion Brand collection is worth bookmarking if you want to browse beyond a single pattern. It’s useful for readers who like having options in one place, especially when they’re still figuring out what shape and style they prefer. A roundup like this always benefits from one broad resource page readers can keep exploring.

Free Scarf Patterns

Same idea here, but for scarves. If someone finishes one beginner project and immediately wants another, this kind of resource page is handy. It gives you room to keep the momentum going without having to hunt around from scratch.

Fast and Easy Cowl

The title alone makes this a good fit for beginners. Fast and easy is exactly what many newer crocheters are looking for, especially when they want to build skill without burning out. A project like this helps you focus on consistency and comfort rather than complicated construction.

Simple Cowl Pattern

Bulky yarn plus a simple shape is a very beginner-friendly combination. This is the sort of project that can make a new crocheter feel successful quickly, and that matters more than people realise. A good first finish can turn someone into a lifelong yarn hoarder. Learned that one the hard way.

Cardiff Cowl

This one feels like a nice next-step option. It still sits in the easy category, but it has a slightly more refined look, which makes it perfect for crocheters who’ve finished a basic beginner piece and are ready for something just a touch more styled. A roundup needs a few of those “you’re ready now” patterns.

Free Ridgeway Cowl Pattern

Mary Maxim always gives you a nice practical read on a pattern, and this one feels like a strong wearable addition to the list. It’s the kind of cowl that looks useful, cozy, and realistic for everyday wear, which is exactly what many beginners want to make first.

Free Autumn Spice Cowl Pattern

This is a really good fit for an easy crochet roundup because chunky yarn and simple structure usually mean a faster finish. It has a cozy, seasonal feel to it too, which makes it ideal if your readers are already thinking ahead to cooler weather projects.

Why scarves and cowls are such good beginner crochet projects

Scarves and cowls let you focus on the part of crochet that matters most at the beginning: getting comfortable with the stitches. You’re not worrying about sleeve shaping, precise fit, or joining twenty awkward pieces together while muttering at your yarn. You’re mostly just crocheting, row by row or round by round, and that repetition is what helps the movements start to feel natural.

They also give you a finished item that feels useful.

That really matters.

A dishcloth is practical, yes, but a cozy scarf or cowl feels more exciting to a lot of people. It looks like a real handmade piece. It can become a gift, part of your winter wardrobe, or the thing that makes you think, “Actually, I can do this.”

If you’re choosing your first project, look for patterns that mention beginner, easy, one skein, chunky yarn, or fast finish. Those usually give you the most encouraging experience. The more success you have early on, the easier it is to keep going.

More easy crochet ideas to explore

If you enjoyed these scarf and cowl ideas, here are a few more beginner-friendly places to head next:

Free Patterns – Quick Crochet Projects
9 Quick & Easy Crochet Patterns
Easy Butterfly Crochet Patterns for Beginners
Beginner-Friendly Crochet Cardigan Idea
Buttoned Plaid Cowl Free Crochet Pattern

This is the kind of crochet category that quietly builds confidence stitch by stitch. Start with one simple cowl, then try a scarf with texture, then maybe a chunky wrap or hooded cowl once you feel brave. Before long, your yarn basket will be full and you’ll be calling it a “collection,” which is a very familiar craft-room trick.