Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

On The Crochet Newsstand

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This evening, I had a few minutes to browse through the magazines at Barnes and Noble.  This is a rare occasion for me!  I saw some crochet magazines I’d heard about but never seen.  Simply Crochet magazine was one I’d never held in my hands.  I had also not seen Inside Crochet in some months.  I used to have an online subscription to it, but had to give it up.  Like many others have stated, I like to hold the magazines (and books) in my hands so electronic versions just don’t do it for me.

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But, I wanted to tell you about a couple of goodies I saw.  First, Issue 37 of Inside Crochet has this lovely pattern.  The Mildred Poncho.  The ‘turtle’ neckline would have to go, but the interesting textural stitches that make up the poncho are delicious.  I think I’ll end up buying the magazine just to get this pattern!  The project is featured on www.ravelry.com with a link but I cannot find the pattern on their site.  I’ve sent them an email to clarify.

Another of my favorite magazines, although not crochet-oriented, is Belle Armoire.  If I could wake up in Design Heaven one day, it would look like the items in Belle Armoire.  The Winter, 2012 issue contains an amazing garment they call Gypsy Girl Doily Pants.  I can’t find a picture of it, but you can imagine a pair of pallazzo style pants, mostly sheer, composed of a frothy, ethereal mixture of diaphanous fabric joining numerous lovely doilies – all in white.  Lovely as a dream.

Here are a couple other things you might want to check out on the newsstand.

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Simply Crochet magazine.  This issue has a number of cute projects, but the heart shaped and layered lapel pin is one I’ll be making.  You can sorta see it on the cover model’s white blouse.  Nice scrap yarn project and one to which I can add a single interesting button.

Inside Crochet magazine has also published a large magazine called ‘Complete Guide To Crochet’ that sells for $19.99 USD.  Inside Crochet magazine itself is $9.99 USD and is about half the size of the ‘Complete Guide’ publication.

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Frankly, I didn’t have enough time to give this one a thorough look.  But, I plan to head back to the book store tomorrow to take a closer look.  If it’s of the quality of Inside Crochet magazine, it’s likely worth the list price.

I’m still waiting to check out the newish crochet magazine that Walmart is offering.  I’m not in Walmart very often but will make a trip to check out the magazine and report back to you.

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. I’ve stopped subscribing to all but one knit or crochet magazine. All too often there’s nothing I want to make. Instead I hit the book stores 1x a month and buy what I have seen and know I want to duplicate.

  2. I like to check out Alibris.com They sell new and used books and often have really good deals. I have always had good luck with even the least expensive ones being in good condition. I cant really afford to get magazines. Lucky for me my local library offers several that I can check out.

  3. I love Inside Crochet! I frequent the bookstore, waiting for it to arrive! 🙂 The Brits do love their crochet, too!

Have you read?

Red Melt The Ice Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern Review

Some crochet projects are made simply because we need a warm hat. Some are made because we need a quick gift, a stash-busting project, or something easy to work on while watching television. And then there are crochet projects that carry a message.

This Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF sits firmly in that last category.

Inspired by the Melt the ICE craftivism movement, this red crochet beanie is more than just a wearable winter accessory. It is a handmade political statement — soft, practical, visible, and rooted in the long tradition of protest through craft.

You can find the Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF here.

Crochet as Protest

Crafters have always had a way of saying things with their hands. Quilts have carried coded messages, embroidery has documented women’s lives, banners have marched through the streets, and yarn crafts have wrapped public spaces in colour and defiance.

This beanie belongs to that same creative lineage.

The phrase Melt the ICE gives this pattern its political edge. It connects the humble red crochet hat to conversations around immigration enforcement, detention, family separation, human rights, community care, and the role ordinary people can play in public protest.

And that is what makes this pattern interesting. It is not loud in the way a placard is loud, but it is visible. A red handmade hat catches the eye. It invites questions. It gives the maker a way to wear their values without needing to shout over anyone.

Sometimes craftivism works because it is disarming. People expect political protest to be hard-edged, but handmade work brings something different to the conversation. It says, “I cared enough to make this stitch by stitch.”

About the Pattern

The pattern itself is beginner-friendly and refreshingly straightforward. The hat is worked flat in rows, then seamed and gathered to create a relaxed slouch beanie shape. That makes it especially approachable for crocheters who are still building confidence with wearable projects.

Instead of needing to work in the round or fuss with crown shaping from the start, you are essentially making a rectangle and turning it into a hat. I love that kind of construction because it gives beginners a real sense of achievement. You are not just practising stitches — you end up with something wearable and meaningful.

The design uses a textured crochet fabric, giving the finished beanie a cozy, slightly chunky look. The slouchy shape keeps it casual and modern, while the bold red colour gives it that unmistakable activist feel.

Why Red Matters

The red yarn is not just a colour choice here. It is part of the visual language of the project.

Red is urgent. Red is warm. Red is visible in a crowd. It can suggest anger, love, warning, solidarity, courage, and care all at once. For a political crochet project, that matters.

A red slouch beanie can be worn to rallies, community events, mutual aid gatherings, craftivism meet-ups, or simply out in everyday life as a quiet statement of support. It is one of those pieces that can be as bold or as subtle as the wearer wants it to be.

Of course, you could make the pattern in any colour, but for the Melt the ICE inspiration, red feels intentional. It gives the hat its message before a single word is spoken.