#fiberarts — Public Fediverse posts

Trying to wrap my squishy little brain around DPNs or Magic Loop, and so far my brain is losing 😅 my partner got me a book of knit cat toys that are all knit in the round, so I am determined to figure this out!

#knitting #fiberarts #cats

If you have shoes you can't walk in, pants you can't breathe in, a top constricting your breath, get rid of them. We don't owe anyone beauty that compromises our health.
I design scrunchies for you, honoring your beauty, independence, humanity.
#MastoArt #crochet #suomi #madeinfinland #FiberArts #smallbusiness #feminism #fuckthepatriarchy

How Much Yarn Do You Actually Need for a Sweater?

Ah yes. The universal crochet and knitting experience:

You walk into the yarn store for “just enough” yarn for a sweater…
…and somehow leave with either 3 skeins too few, 12 skeins too many…or a new emotional support color you did not plan for.

Let’s fix that.

Because figuring out sweater yarn amounts feels suspiciously like guessing how many fries your family will steal off your plate: technically there’s math involved, but chaos is always a factor.

The Short Answer

Most adult sweaters need somewhere between:

• 1,000–2,500 yards of yarn
• OR about 5–16 skeins

depending on:

• Size
• Yarn weight
• Stitch pattern
• Sleeve length
• Whether you crochet or knit
• And whether you make “cropped” mean actually cropped or “accidentally forgot to keep measuring”

The Biggest Thing Nobody Tells Beginners

Not all skeins are equal.

One skein can be:

• 90 yards
• 220 yards
• 400+ yards

which means:

“I used 8 skeins” tells us absolutely nothing useful.

That’s like saying:

“I drove 4 roads to get here.”

Great. Were they highways or Walmart parking lots?

Always check yardage. NOT just skein count.

Average Yarn Amounts for Sweaters

Fingering Weight

(Thin yarn. Beautiful. Takes approximately 84 years.)

Typical yardage:

• Small: 1,400–1,800 yards
• XL+: 2,000–3,000 yards

Perfect for:

• Lightweight garments
• Fancy drape
• People with patience and good wrist health

DK Weight

(The “I want it pretty but also sometime this decade” yarn.)

Typical yardage:

• Small: 1,200–1,600 yards
• XL+: 1,800–2,300 yards

One of the most common sweater weights because it balances:

• warmth
• drape
• sanity

Worsted Weight

(The yarn equivalent of mashed potatoes. Reliable. Comforting. Everywhere.)

Typical yardage:

• Small: 1,000–1,400 yards
• XL+: 1,600–2,200 yards

This is the sweet spot for a lot of crocheters.

Also:
Crochet in worsted weight can eat yarn like a teenage boy raiding the fridge after football practice.

Especially if you love:

• puff stitches
• bobbles
• cables
• “texture”

Texture is beautiful.
Texture is also a yarn tax.

Bulky Weight

(Fast projects. Sweaty projects.)

Typical yardage:

• Small: 700–1,000 yards
• XL+: 1,200–1,600 yards

You use fewer yards…
but the skeins themselves are often smaller than you expect.

This is how people end up panic-ordering dye lots at 2 a.m.

Crochet vs Knitting: The Yarn Hunger Games

Here’s the truth:

Crochet usually uses 25–40% more yarn than knitting.

Why?
Because crochet stitches are thicker and taller.

Knitting:

graceful fabric goddess

Crochet:

“I built this sweater with structural integrity.”

So if you see a knit sweater pattern using:

• 1,200 yards

a crochet version with similar coverage may need:

• 1,500–1,800 yards

Minimum.

The 3 Things That Secretly Destroy Your Yarn Estimate

1. Long Sleeves

Sleeves consume shocking amounts of yarn.

You think:

“They’re just arm tubes.”

Wrong.

Those tubes are greedy.

Especially oversized balloon sleeves that look cute online and then quietly inhale half your yarn stash.

2. Length

Cropped sweaters save yarn.

Tunic-length sweaters?
Those are practically blankets with neck holes.

3. Stitch Choice

Some stitches are tiny yarn snacks.

Others are full buffet mode.

Low yarn usage:

• basic double crochet
• granny stitch
• mesh

High yarn usage:

• bobbles
• cables
• waffle stitch
• alpine stitch
• anything that makes you say: “Ooo texture.”

The “Buy Extra” Rule

Always buy extra yarn.

Always.

Because:

• dye lots change
• yarn gets discontinued
• manufacturers vanish into the mist
• and somehow one sleeve always needs more yarn than basic mathematics suggests

Safe rule:

• Buy 10–20% extra

Worst case:
You have leftovers.

Which means:
Congratulations.
You now own “future project yarn.”

Also known as:

a bin you refuse to throw away for the next 11 years.

What About Plus Sizes?

Let’s say this louder for the yarn companies in the back:

Plus-size sweaters need significantly more yarn.

And yes, sometimes pattern estimates are wildly unrealistic.

A rough estimate:

• Each size increase may add 100–300+ yards
  depending on:
• fit
• stitch density
• sleeve style
• length

Oversized cardigan + bulky texture + long sleeves?
You are entering “small yarn store purchase” territory. Ask me how I know…

Quick Cheat Sheet

Final Advice From Every Fiber Artist Ever

If you’re standing in the yarn aisle asking:

“Should I get one more skein?”

The answer is yes.

It has always been yes.

Because the emotional pain of leftover yarn is NOTHING compared to:

• losing yarn chicken
• mismatched dye lots
• or making one sleeve 3 inches shorter and pretending it was intentional

And honestly?
We’ve all been there.

Darn! Event sales have ended! But this looks like a really cool event!

Tools of Craft: #CircularWeaving

By #OttawaToolLibrary

Ottawa Tool Library, #Ottawa, ON
Monday, May 25 • 2 PM - 4 PM

"Slow down, unwind, and learn the mindful craft of circular weaving. You can take this hobby with you to the deck and the dock this summer!

In this 2 hour beginner weaving workshop, you will learn how to incorporate yarn and textiles in a circular weaving. Carmen will provide all the supplies, you just have to show up! No previous weaving experience is required.

Instead of hand or power tools, you’ll be working with weaving tools — simple, tactile instruments that invite you to slow down and connect with the rhythm of making by hand. You’ll learn a series of fun, approachable techniques to create your own unique woven artwork.

The practice and pleasure of circular weaving is one that invites a calm state of mind. This workshop focuses on the positive mental health benefits of making things by hand and will give people the skills and interest to take this fun project home with them and hopefully keep working on other weaving projects in the months to come."

https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/tools-of-craft-circular-weaving-tickets-1986655379720?aff=erellivmlt

#SolarPunkSunday #Weaving #WeavingByHand #FoundMaterials #Reuse #FiberArts

Nobody Warns You How Expensive Crochet Actually Is

People outside the crochet world think this hobby is adorable.

“Oh, you just need yarn and a hook!”

Yes. Technically.

And technically, owning a cat just requires “a little food and a litter box.” We all know how that turns out.

Crochet has one of the biggest bait-and-switches of any hobby I’ve ever seen. You walk into it thinking you’re about to become a financially responsible handmade queen who saves money by making your own things.

Then three years later you’re explaining to your spouse why you needed twelve shades of sage green “because they’re completely different.”

It Starts Innocently

At first, crochet seems cheap.

You buy one hook.
One skein of yarn.
Maybe a little beginner pattern.

You make a crooked scarf that somehow gets wider and narrower at the same time, and you feel unstoppable.

You think:
“This is great! I’ve found an affordable hobby!”

That is exactly how crochet gets you.

Because crochet never stays at:

• one hook
• one skein
• one project

Never.

Suddenly You Have Opinions About Yarn

This is where the trouble begins.

At first, yarn is just yarn.

Then one day you touch a buttery soft merino wool blend and your brain rewires itself permanently.

Now acrylic feels “scratchy.”
Cotton has “structure.”
Alpaca is “dreamy.”
Mohair is “ethereal.”
Bamboo has “drape.”

You become the kind of person who says things like:
“I just don’t think this fiber has enough bounce for the texture I’m envisioning.”

Who ARE you anymore?

The Hook Situation Gets Out of Control Fast

Non-crocheters think we own one hook.

That’s adorable.

We own:

• ergonomic hooks
• inline hooks
• tapered hooks
• travel hooks
• backup hooks
• “I forgot where I put my favorite hook” hooks
• mystery hooks we found in couch cushions

And somehow the 5 mm hook you need is always missing despite owning seventeen of them.

Scientists should study this phenomenon.

Then There’s the “Small” Extras

Nobody warns you about the side purchases.

The stitch markers.
The row counters.
The blocking mats.
The tapestry needles.
The yarn bowls.
The project bags.
The storage bins.
The labels.
The scissors you refuse to let anyone in the house touch.

At some point, your crochet supplies quietly become their own ecosystem.

Let’s Talk About Yarn Hoarding

Every crocheter reaches a point where buying yarn and using yarn become two entirely separate hobbies.

You don’t buy yarn because you need it.

You buy yarn because:

• it was on sale
• the color was pretty
• you “might use it someday”
• you absolutely did not have this exact shade already (you definitely did)

And somehow every yarn purchase feels completely justified in the moment.

Crochet Is Not Actually Cheaper Than Buying Clothes

This realization hurts.

You spend:

• $60 on yarn
• 40 hours making a cardigan
• emotional damage from frogging half of it twice

Then someone asks:
“Why not just buy one from the store?”

Because THIS one contains suffering and personality, Karen.

But Here’s the Thing…

Even with all the expense, the chaos, and the mountain of yarn threatening to collapse onto us at any moment…

Most of us still wouldn’t trade crochet for anything.

Because crochet isn’t really about saving money.

It’s about:

• creating something with your own hands
• relaxing after a long day
• turning yarn into art
• feeling connected to generations of makers before us
• staring proudly at a finished project thinking:
  “I MADE THAT.”

Even if it cost way more than expected.

And honestly?

That’s still worth it.

Once the cotton plants began producing again, it reinspired my #spinning practice. They begin flowering in the spring and make a round of fruit and then stop flowering again in the depths of the summer when it’s too hot. However, during that time because of the rains, the plant becomes verdant and lush. Then in the fall, it’ll bloom and fruit again. That’s when you get the biggest harvest. #NativePlants #fiberarts #handspinning

Part 3 Tunis sheep felting experiment
Thread 1/2

Here are the photos of the finished felt before dying. It definitely has a beige pink hue, like the sheep's face. When I got the felt in the dye pot, I added some acid to turn it more orange, but then I decided I wanted it to be red so I could make a sashiko piece with it. I added chalk to swing it back to a redder hue.

#Spinning #FiberArts #Sheep #NaturalDyes

#FlashbackThursday Have you every wondered how all those parts of a spinning wheel are actually called? I've got you covered! 😃
https://www.lavisch.com/site/the-anatomy-of-a-spinning-wheel/

#LaVischDesigns #SpinningWheel #Fiberarts #SpinningYarn #WeMakeYarn #HandSpinning

#FlashbackThursday Have you every wondered how all those parts of a spinning wheel are actually called? I've got you covered! 😃
https://www.lavisch.com/site/the-anatomy-of-a-spinning-wheel/

#LaVischDesigns #SpinningWheel #Fiberarts #SpinningYarn #WeMakeYarn #HandSpinning

#FlashbackThursday Have you every wondered how all those parts of a spinning wheel are actually called? I've got you covered! 😃
https://www.lavisch.com/site/the-anatomy-of-a-spinning-wheel/

#LaVischDesigns #SpinningWheel #Fiberarts #SpinningYarn #WeMakeYarn #HandSpinning

#FlashbackThursday Have you every wondered how all those parts of a spinning wheel are actually called? I've got you covered! 😃
https://www.lavisch.com/site/the-anatomy-of-a-spinning-wheel/

#LaVischDesigns #SpinningWheel #Fiberarts #SpinningYarn #WeMakeYarn #HandSpinning

#FlashbackThursday Have you every wondered how all those parts of a spinning wheel are actually called? I've got you covered! 😃
https://www.lavisch.com/site/the-anatomy-of-a-spinning-wheel/

#LaVischDesigns #SpinningWheel #Fiberarts #SpinningYarn #WeMakeYarn #HandSpinning

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

• fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
• have giant armholes
• ride up in strange places
• pull across the back
• look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

• heavy
• stretches downward
• shows structure clearly
• can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

• softer
• often grows with wear
• may lose shape over time

Wool:

• has memory
• can bounce back better
• usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

• how heavy the finished sweater will become
• how the shoulders will stretch
• how the neckline will relax
• how gravity will affect the fabric
• how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

• narrow shoulders and wide hips
• long torsos
• short waists
• larger busts
• fuller upper arms
• posture differences
• height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

• measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
• compare measurements to clothing I already love
• pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
• look for positive ease and drape in photos
• read tester notes carefully
• expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

• proper shaping
• intentional yarn choice
• realistic expectations
• understanding drape
• adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

• fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
• have giant armholes
• ride up in strange places
• pull across the back
• look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

• heavy
• stretches downward
• shows structure clearly
• can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

• softer
• often grows with wear
• may lose shape over time

Wool:

• has memory
• can bounce back better
• usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

• how heavy the finished sweater will become
• how the shoulders will stretch
• how the neckline will relax
• how gravity will affect the fabric
• how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

• narrow shoulders and wide hips
• long torsos
• short waists
• larger busts
• fuller upper arms
• posture differences
• height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

• measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
• compare measurements to clothing I already love
• pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
• look for positive ease and drape in photos
• read tester notes carefully
• expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

• proper shaping
• intentional yarn choice
• realistic expectations
• understanding drape
• adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

• fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
• have giant armholes
• ride up in strange places
• pull across the back
• look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

• heavy
• stretches downward
• shows structure clearly
• can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

• softer
• often grows with wear
• may lose shape over time

Wool:

• has memory
• can bounce back better
• usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

• how heavy the finished sweater will become
• how the shoulders will stretch
• how the neckline will relax
• how gravity will affect the fabric
• how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

• narrow shoulders and wide hips
• long torsos
• short waists
• larger busts
• fuller upper arms
• posture differences
• height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

• measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
• compare measurements to clothing I already love
• pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
• look for positive ease and drape in photos
• read tester notes carefully
• expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

• proper shaping
• intentional yarn choice
• realistic expectations
• understanding drape
• adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

• fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
• have giant armholes
• ride up in strange places
• pull across the back
• look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

• heavy
• stretches downward
• shows structure clearly
• can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

• softer
• often grows with wear
• may lose shape over time

Wool:

• has memory
• can bounce back better
• usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

• how heavy the finished sweater will become
• how the shoulders will stretch
• how the neckline will relax
• how gravity will affect the fabric
• how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

• narrow shoulders and wide hips
• long torsos
• short waists
• larger busts
• fuller upper arms
• posture differences
• height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

• measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
• compare measurements to clothing I already love
• pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
• look for positive ease and drape in photos
• read tester notes carefully
• expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

• proper shaping
• intentional yarn choice
• realistic expectations
• understanding drape
• adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

Why Crochet Clothes Don’t Fit — And Why It’s Usually Not the Crocheter’s Fault

You spend hours crocheting a sweater, cardigan, or top.
You carefully follow the pattern.
You count stitches.
You even check gauge.

Then you try it on and somehow it still fits… weird.

Too tight in the shoulders.
Too loose in the neckline.
Too short after wearing it once.
Or somehow both oversized and restrictive at the same time.

If you crochet garments, you already know this heartbreak.

The truth is that crochet clothing behaves very differently from store bought clothing, and honestly, many crochet patterns are not written with real human bodies in mind.

Crochet Fabric Is Not Fabric

One of the biggest reasons crochet clothes fit strangely is because crochet creates a thick, structured fabric.

Even lightweight crochet has more bulk and less natural drape than knitted fabric. That changes everything about how a garment sits on the body.

A crochet sweater made with stiff cotton yarn can stand away from the body almost like cardboard.
A loose acrylic cardigan may stretch downward several inches after a few wears.
A top that looked perfect laying flat may suddenly pull awkwardly across the chest when worn.

Crochet fabric has personality. Sometimes too much personality.

Most Crochet Patterns Are Graded Poorly

This is the part nobody likes talking about.

A lot of crochet clothing patterns are simply scaled up or down mathematically without properly reshaping the garment.

Real bodies do not scale evenly.

A larger size does not just need “more stitches.”
Shoulders change. Bust placement changes. Armholes change. Length changes. Drape changes.

That is why some crochet garments:

• fit perfectly in smaller sizes but become boxy in larger sizes
• have giant armholes
• ride up in strange places
• pull across the back
• look amazing in the pattern photos but awkward in real life

Garment grading is an actual skill, and not every designer has mastered it.

Yarn Changes Everything

This is the silent destroyer of crochet clothing.

You can follow a pattern exactly and still end up with a completely different garment just because of yarn choice.

Cotton yarn:

• heavy
• stretches downward
• shows structure clearly
• can feel stiff

Acrylic yarn:

• softer
• often grows with wear
• may lose shape over time

Wool:

• has memory
• can bounce back better
• usually creates better garment drape

Even two worsted weight yarns can behave completely differently.

That beautiful fitted crochet top online may have been made using a soft luxury yarn that drapes beautifully, while your version in stiff kitchen cotton suddenly fits like medieval armor.

Gauge Swatches Lie Sometimes

I said it.

Gauge swatches help, but they do not always predict how an entire garment will behave after hours of wear.

A tiny 4-inch square does not tell you:

• how heavy the finished sweater will become
• how the shoulders will stretch
• how the neckline will relax
• how gravity will affect the fabric
• how movement changes fit

Sometimes a crochet garment fits perfectly for the first ten minutes… and completely differently two hours later.

Human Bodies Are Complicated

Crochet patterns are usually written for generalized body measurements.

But real people have:

• narrow shoulders and wide hips
• long torsos
• short waists
• larger busts
• fuller upper arms
• posture differences
• height differences

Two people with the exact same bust measurement can need completely different garment shaping.

That is why “just make your size” often does not work well in crochet.

This Is Why I Measure Everything Now

After enough frustrating garment projects, I stopped blindly trusting size labels.

Now I:

• measure finished garments instead of relying on size names
• compare measurements to clothing I already love
• pay attention to yarn behavior before starting
• look for positive ease and drape in photos
• read tester notes carefully
• expect crochet fabric to change after wear

Honestly, learning garment fit changed the way I crochet completely.

Crochet Clothes Can Fit Beautifully

When crochet garments are designed thoughtfully, they can be stunning.

But good fit usually comes from:

• proper shaping
• intentional yarn choice
• realistic expectations
• understanding drape
• adjusting patterns for your own body

And sometimes?
It comes from accepting that crochet is not trying to behave like factory-made fabric — and that is actually part of its charm.

Crochet clothing has texture. Structure. Personality. Movement.

It is handmade.
And handmade things are allowed to fit differently.

Still needs blocking but at least the crocheting is done. I’m using my leftover yarn to make some items for a local hospice. #crochet #fiberarts

The Crochet Market Bag I Actually Use

There’s a funny thing that happens when you design crochet patterns for years.

You make beautiful things.
You photograph them.
You admire them.
You fold them carefully.

…and sometimes they quietly disappear into a closet.

But every once in a while, a project becomes part of your actual life.

This market bag became one of those projects for me.

It started simply enough — cotton yarn, a crochet hook, and an idea I couldn’t quite let go of. I wanted something lightweight but sturdy. Something soft, stretchy, practical, and beautiful at the same time. A bag that could hold fresh fruit from the market one day and yarn the next.

Living in Morocco has changed the way I think about handmade things.

There are colors everywhere here. Crates of oranges stacked in the sun. Worn terracotta walls. Olive trees. Market baskets. Fabric textures. Blue tiles. Dusty pink flower pots. Life feels layered and handmade in a way that’s hard to explain until you experience it.

I think this bag quietly absorbed some of that feeling.

The mesh stretches naturally when you use it, and instead of fighting that characteristic, I decided to design around it. I wanted the bag to drape beautifully when empty but expand when filled. I wanted it to feel lived-in instead of stiff and over-engineered.

And honestly?
It became the bag I kept reaching for.

Not because it was perfect.
Not because it photographed well.
But because it worked.

It followed me into grocery stores, outdoor markets, quick errands, and quiet afternoons. At one point, it even became the temporary storage location for yarn, oranges, receipts, and a crochet hook all at the same time — which feels like the most realistic crochet bag review possible.

And of course, no crochet project in this house is ever completed without cat involvement.

At some point during filming, a cat fell asleep directly on top of the yarn skein I was using. Production immediately stopped because apparently the yarn no longer belonged to me.

Honestly, that moment perfectly captured the spirit of this project:
slow afternoons,
sunlight,
soft cotton yarn,
and making something useful with your own hands.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXHOoyHqpHw

That’s what I love most about crochet.

Not perfection.
Not trends.
Not constantly chasing the next project.

Just creating things that quietly become part of everyday life.

So if you decide to make this market bag too, I hope it becomes one of those projects for you — the kind that gets tossed over your shoulder on the way out the door, stretched with groceries, filled with yarn, carried to the beach, or used far more than you ever expected.

And if it ends up full of oranges at least once…
I feel like you’re using it correctly.

La couverture chaotique granny est presque finie !
#crochet #fiberarts

Why Crochet Bags Stretch — And How I Finally Fixed Mine

If you have ever finished a crochet bag, held it proudly in your hands, and thought:

“This looks amazing.”

…only to use it for one day and suddenly realize it now hangs halfway to your knees…

trust me, you are not alone.

For years, crochet bag stretching frustrated me more than almost anything else in crochet.

I would spend hours designing a beautiful tote or market bag. It would look perfect laying flat. The stitches looked neat. The shape looked structured. The straps looked sturdy.

Then reality happened.

I would actually use the bag.

And suddenly:

• the straps stretched
• the body sagged
• the bottom drooped
• the sides warped outward
• the entire shape changed

Sometimes dramatically.

At first, I honestly thought I was just doing something wrong.

But after years of crocheting bags, testing yarns, experimenting with stitch patterns, and learning through a lot of trial and error, I finally realized something important:

Most crochet bags stretch because crochet itself naturally stretches.

Especially open stitch patterns.

Especially cotton.

Especially market bags.

And honestly? A lot of patterns never really explain that part clearly.

Why Crochet Bags Stretch So Much

Crochet fabric is flexible by nature.

Unlike woven fabric, crochet stitches are made from loops pulling against loops. That flexibility is part of what makes crochet soft, comfortable, and beautiful.

But in bags, flexibility can quickly turn into sagging.

The moment you add:

• water bottles
• yarn
• books
• groceries
• wallets
• phones
• everyday weight

…the stitches begin pulling downward.

And over time, they keep stretching farther.

Open mesh and lattice stitches stretch even more because they have larger spaces between stitches with less structural support.

That is why a crochet bag that looks small and compact while empty can suddenly become huge once you put items inside.

The Biggest Mistake I Used to Make

For the longest time, I designed bags based only on how they looked empty.

That was my mistake.

I did not think enough about:

• gravity
• weight distribution
• fiber behavior
• long-term stretching

I would finish a bag, photograph it beautifully, and think the job was done.

Then after actual use, I would realize the straps had grown several inches longer and the entire bag had changed shape.

That is when I started studying what was really happening structurally.

Cotton Is Amazing… But Also Sneaky

One thing many crocheters discover the hard way is that cotton yarn behaves very differently from acrylic.

Cotton is:

• durable
• washable
• crisp
• beautiful for bags

But cotton also has weight.

And once cotton stretches, it tends to stay stretched.

This becomes even more noticeable in larger bags or mesh bags because the weight of the yarn itself contributes to the pulling.

That does not mean cotton is bad for bags.

Honestly, I still love cotton for bags.

But now I design with its behavior instead of fighting against it.

What Finally Fixed My Crochet Bags

After a lot of experimenting, I found that fixing stretching is not about one magical trick.

It is about combining several smart design choices together.

1. Smaller Hooks Changed Everything

This was one of the biggest improvements I ever made.

For years, I crocheted bags using the hook size recommended on the yarn label.

Big mistake.

Now, I almost always size down my hook for bags.

A tighter fabric:

• stretches less
• holds shape better
• creates more structure
• feels sturdier

The difference is honestly shocking.

2. Dense Stitches Matter More Than You Think

Some stitches naturally stretch more than others.

Very open lace and mesh patterns can be beautiful, but they often need support from surrounding structure.

That is why I started balancing open designs with:

• solid sections
• reinforced bands
• tighter borders
• structured bottoms

That combination made my bags hold their shape dramatically better.

3. The Straps Need Special Attention

Bag straps are usually the first thing to stretch.

I learned this the hard way.

Now when I design straps, I think about:

• stitch direction
• density
• width
• reinforcement

Sometimes I intentionally make straps shorter than I want them to end up because I already know they will relax with use.

And honestly? That one adjustment alone helped tremendously.

4. Gauge Actually Matters for Bags

I know.

Nobody wants to hear that.

But for bags, gauge affects more than size.

It affects structure.

Loose tension creates softer, stretchier fabric.

Tighter tension creates stronger fabric.

When testers tell me a bag turned out much larger than expected, tension is often a huge part of the reason why.

5. Real-Life Testing Changed My Designing Process

This may sound obvious, but I used to evaluate bags mostly by appearance.

Now I test them like actual bags.

I load them with:

• yarn
• groceries
• notebooks
• random household items

Then I let them hang.

That tells me far more than flat photos ever could.

Some bags look beautiful but fail completely under real-world use.

Others become softer and more beautiful over time while still holding their structure.

Testing taught me the difference.

The Truth About Stretching

Here is something important I wish more crocheters knew:

Some stretching is completely normal.

Especially in market bags.

Especially in cotton.

Especially in mesh designs.

A crochet bag is not supposed to behave exactly like stiff commercial fabric bags.

The goal is not eliminating all stretch.

The goal is controlled stretch.

There is a huge difference between:

• a bag relaxing naturally
  and
• a bag losing its entire shape

Once I understood that difference, my entire approach to designing bags changed.

Crochet Taught Me Patience

Honestly, fixing my crochet bags taught me something bigger than just construction techniques.

It taught me patience.

Crochet is often about experimenting, failing, adjusting, and learning over time.

Sometimes the projects that frustrate us most are the ones that teach us the most in the end.

And after years of stretched straps, sagging totes, and floppy market bags…

I can finally say:

I think I figured it out.

— Tanya
HodgePodge Crochet 🧶

I Moved from America to Morocco and This Changed My Crochet Business

There are moments in life when everything changes so suddenly that you almost do not recognize your own life anymore.

For me, moving from America to Morocco was one of those moments.

When I first packed up my crochet hooks, yarn, cameras, computers, and the life I had spent decades building in the United States, I honestly did not know what would happen to my crochet business. I did not know if people would still follow my work. I did not know if I would still feel inspired to design. I did not know if I would even be able to find yarn I liked using.

What I did know was this:

I needed a change.

After spending most of my life in America, everything had started to feel rushed, loud, exhausting, and emotionally draining. Day after day felt like survival mode. Even creativity, the thing that once brought me peace, started feeling buried underneath stress, responsibilities, and constant pressure.

Crochet had always been more than yarn and stitches to me.

It was comfort.

It was therapy.

It was memory.

It was the one thing that stayed with me through every stage of life, going all the way back to childhood when I first learned how to crochet and make little outfits for Barbie dolls. Back then, I had no idea those tiny stitches would eventually become a business, a creative outlet, and a connection to thousands of people around the world.

Then came Morocco.

And somehow, slowly, quietly, everything began to change.

Slowing Down Changed My Creativity

One of the first things I noticed after arriving in Morocco was that life moved differently.

People sit longer.

Talk longer.

Drink coffee slower.

Families gather more.

Stores close in the afternoon.

The nights feel alive.

There is a rhythm here that is difficult to explain unless you experience it yourself.

For the first time in years, I felt my mind slowing down.

And strangely enough, that changed the way I designed crochet patterns.

In America, I often felt pressure to constantly produce:

• more patterns
• more content
• more videos
• more posts
• more engagement

Everything felt tied to algorithms, numbers, deadlines, and burnout.

But in Morocco, I started reconnecting with why I loved crochet in the first place.

I started paying attention to textures again.

Colors again.

Details again.

I began designing more intentionally instead of just trying to “keep up.”

And honestly, I think people noticed the difference.

Morocco Reignited My Inspiration

Morocco is full of texture, color, geometry, and artistry.

You see it everywhere:

• in the tile work
• in the architecture
• in the markets
• in the fabrics
• in the desert landscapes
• in the old doors
• in the handmade goods

Even ordinary things here often feel artistic.

As someone who designs crochet patterns, being surrounded by that kind of visual inspiration changes you creatively.

Some of my recent crochet ideas, color choices, and textures absolutely came from simply living here and observing everyday life around me.

Even the natural light feels different when I photograph my work now.

Warmer.

Softer.

More alive.

The Challenges Nobody Sees

Of course, moving overseas also came with challenges.

A lot of them.

Finding crochet supplies was not always easy at first. Yarn brands I used for years in America suddenly were not available anymore. Simple things became complicated. Shipping costs were shocking. Learning where to buy materials in a completely different country took time.

There were language barriers.

Cultural adjustments.

Moments of homesickness.

Moments where I questioned whether I had made the right decision at all.

Building a creative business while adjusting to life in another country is not glamorous the way social media sometimes makes it look.

There were days I felt completely overwhelmed.

But there was also something beautiful happening underneath all of that uncertainty.

I was rebuilding creatively from the ground up.

Crochet Became Personal Again

Somewhere along the way, crochet stopped feeling like a race again.

It became personal.

Peaceful.

Meaningful.

I started creating things because I genuinely loved them, not because I thought they would perform well online.

Ironically, I think that authenticity actually helped my business grow stronger.

People can feel when something is real.

They can feel when creativity comes from passion instead of pressure.

And I think moving to Morocco helped me rediscover that part of myself.

The Internet Made the World Feel Smaller

One of the most unexpected parts of this journey has been realizing how connected creativity really is.

Even while living thousands of miles away from America, I still wake up every day connected to crocheters from all over the world through:

• YouTube
• Instagram
• Facebook
• my blog
• pattern sales
• messages and comments

It reminds me that creativity has no borders.

A crochet pattern designed in Morocco can end up being stitched together in Texas, Canada, Australia, Germany, or South Africa by someone I may never meet.

That still amazes me.

This Move Changed More Than My Business

At the end of the day, moving from America to Morocco changed far more than just my crochet business.

It changed my pace.

My perspective.

My priorities.

My creativity.

And maybe most importantly, it reminded me that sometimes we need to step completely outside of our old environment to rediscover who we are.

Crochet followed me across an ocean.

And somehow, through all the uncertainty and change, it became home again.

My mother gave me this piece of linen that belonged to her grandmother. It’s got a lot of holes, but it’s so beautiful I want to do something with it. My current plan is to cut out the solid pieces, get some coordinating linen to embroider with similar patterns, and then piece it all into a simple wall hanging.

#sewing #FiberArts

My mother gave me this piece of linen that belonged to her grandmother. It’s got a lot of holes, but it’s so beautiful I want to do something with it. My current plan is to cut out the solid pieces, get some coordinating linen to embroider with similar patterns, and then piece it all into a simple wall hanging.

#sewing #FiberArts

My mother gave me this piece of linen that belonged to her grandmother. It’s got a lot of holes, but it’s so beautiful I want to do something with it. My current plan is to cut out the solid pieces, get some coordinating linen to embroider with similar patterns, and then piece it all into a simple wall hanging.

#sewing #FiberArts

My mother gave me this piece of linen that belonged to her grandmother. It’s got a lot of holes, but it’s so beautiful I want to do something with it. My current plan is to cut out the solid pieces, get some coordinating linen to embroider with similar patterns, and then piece it all into a simple wall hanging.

#sewing #FiberArts

My mother gave me this piece of linen that belonged to her grandmother. It’s got a lot of holes, but it’s so beautiful I want to do something with it. My current plan is to cut out the solid pieces, get some coordinating linen to embroider with similar patterns, and then piece it all into a simple wall hanging.

#sewing #FiberArts

24,500 Subscribers Later… Thank You

Today my YouTube channel officially crossed 24,500 subscribers, and honestly, I’m still trying to process it.

When I first started sharing crochet videos online, I never imagined that thousands of people from around the world would one day be watching my tutorials, following my crochet journey, supporting my designs, and becoming part of this amazing creative community.

What started as simply sharing something I loved slowly grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.

Over the years, HodgePodge Crochet has become more than just a crochet channel. It has become a space filled with creativity, learning, experimentation, encouragement, late-night crochet sessions, yarn piles taking over the house, cats supervising projects 😂, and people who genuinely appreciate handmade art.

One of the things I love most about this community is how supportive and encouraging everyone has been through every stage of the process — even the messy stages.

And trust me… there have been MANY messy stages.

If you’ve followed me recently over on Patreon, then you’ve probably seen me deep in the process of designing the new Lattice Top. This pattern has gone through more revisions, frogging, measuring, grading, and restructuring than I can even count at this point. Some days I’ve completely reworked entire sections just trying to get the drape, fit, and stitch flow exactly the way I imagined it in my head.

But that’s also the beautiful part of designing.

Sometimes crochet patterns don’t appear perfectly on the first try. Sometimes they evolve slowly through testing, experimentation, mistakes, and learning. And honestly, I think sharing that process openly has become one of my favorite parts of this journey.

Seeing people excited about the Lattice Top while it’s still being developed has been incredibly motivating for me. Knowing that people genuinely care about the work behind the scenes makes all those long design sessions feel worth it.

As my YouTube channel continues growing, I have so many exciting things planned for the future:

• New crochet patterns
• More detailed tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes design content
• Crochet vlogs
• Morocco lifestyle content 🇺🇸🇲🇦
• More pattern testing opportunities
• More creative experiments and projects

I’m genuinely excited about where things are heading.

And to every single person who has supported this channel in any way — whether you subscribed, watched a video, left a comment, purchased a pattern, shared my work, or simply followed quietly from the background — thank you.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

Creative work can sometimes feel very solitary behind the scenes. There are long hours spent designing, filming, editing, writing instructions, troubleshooting mistakes, and doubting whether anyone will even care about what you’re creating.

But moments like this remind me why I started.

24,500 subscribers may just look like a number to some people, but to me it represents years of learning, growth, persistence, creativity, and community.

And honestly?

I feel like we’re just getting started.

Thank you all so much for being part of this journey with me 💛

You can follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/@HodgePodgeCrochet

– HodgePodge Crochet

24,500 Subscribers Later… Thank You

Today my YouTube channel officially crossed 24,500 subscribers, and honestly, I’m still trying to process it.

When I first started sharing crochet videos online, I never imagined that thousands of people from around the world would one day be watching my tutorials, following my crochet journey, supporting my designs, and becoming part of this amazing creative community.

What started as simply sharing something I loved slowly grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.

Over the years, HodgePodge Crochet has become more than just a crochet channel. It has become a space filled with creativity, learning, experimentation, encouragement, late-night crochet sessions, yarn piles taking over the house, cats supervising projects 😂, and people who genuinely appreciate handmade art.

One of the things I love most about this community is how supportive and encouraging everyone has been through every stage of the process — even the messy stages.

And trust me… there have been MANY messy stages.

If you’ve followed me recently over on Patreon, then you’ve probably seen me deep in the process of designing the new Lattice Top. This pattern has gone through more revisions, frogging, measuring, grading, and restructuring than I can even count at this point. Some days I’ve completely reworked entire sections just trying to get the drape, fit, and stitch flow exactly the way I imagined it in my head.

But that’s also the beautiful part of designing.

Sometimes crochet patterns don’t appear perfectly on the first try. Sometimes they evolve slowly through testing, experimentation, mistakes, and learning. And honestly, I think sharing that process openly has become one of my favorite parts of this journey.

Seeing people excited about the Lattice Top while it’s still being developed has been incredibly motivating for me. Knowing that people genuinely care about the work behind the scenes makes all those long design sessions feel worth it.

As my YouTube channel continues growing, I have so many exciting things planned for the future:

• New crochet patterns
• More detailed tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes design content
• Crochet vlogs
• Morocco lifestyle content 🇺🇸🇲🇦
• More pattern testing opportunities
• More creative experiments and projects

I’m genuinely excited about where things are heading.

And to every single person who has supported this channel in any way — whether you subscribed, watched a video, left a comment, purchased a pattern, shared my work, or simply followed quietly from the background — thank you.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

Creative work can sometimes feel very solitary behind the scenes. There are long hours spent designing, filming, editing, writing instructions, troubleshooting mistakes, and doubting whether anyone will even care about what you’re creating.

But moments like this remind me why I started.

24,500 subscribers may just look like a number to some people, but to me it represents years of learning, growth, persistence, creativity, and community.

And honestly?

I feel like we’re just getting started.

Thank you all so much for being part of this journey with me 💛

You can follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/@HodgePodgeCrochet

– HodgePodge Crochet

24,500 Subscribers Later… Thank You

Today my YouTube channel officially crossed 24,500 subscribers, and honestly, I’m still trying to process it.

When I first started sharing crochet videos online, I never imagined that thousands of people from around the world would one day be watching my tutorials, following my crochet journey, supporting my designs, and becoming part of this amazing creative community.

What started as simply sharing something I loved slowly grew into something much bigger than I ever expected.

Over the years, HodgePodge Crochet has become more than just a crochet channel. It has become a space filled with creativity, learning, experimentation, encouragement, late-night crochet sessions, yarn piles taking over the house, cats supervising projects 😂, and people who genuinely appreciate handmade art.

One of the things I love most about this community is how supportive and encouraging everyone has been through every stage of the process — even the messy stages.

And trust me… there have been MANY messy stages.

If you’ve followed me recently over on Patreon, then you’ve probably seen me deep in the process of designing the new Lattice Top. This pattern has gone through more revisions, frogging, measuring, grading, and restructuring than I can even count at this point. Some days I’ve completely reworked entire sections just trying to get the drape, fit, and stitch flow exactly the way I imagined it in my head.

But that’s also the beautiful part of designing.

Sometimes crochet patterns don’t appear perfectly on the first try. Sometimes they evolve slowly through testing, experimentation, mistakes, and learning. And honestly, I think sharing that process openly has become one of my favorite parts of this journey.

Seeing people excited about the Lattice Top while it’s still being developed has been incredibly motivating for me. Knowing that people genuinely care about the work behind the scenes makes all those long design sessions feel worth it.

As my YouTube channel continues growing, I have so many exciting things planned for the future:

• New crochet patterns
• More detailed tutorials
• Behind-the-scenes design content
• Crochet vlogs
• Morocco lifestyle content 🇺🇸🇲🇦
• More pattern testing opportunities
• More creative experiments and projects

I’m genuinely excited about where things are heading.

And to every single person who has supported this channel in any way — whether you subscribed, watched a video, left a comment, purchased a pattern, shared my work, or simply followed quietly from the background — thank you.

Your support means more than you probably realize.

Creative work can sometimes feel very solitary behind the scenes. There are long hours spent designing, filming, editing, writing instructions, troubleshooting mistakes, and doubting whether anyone will even care about what you’re creating.

But moments like this remind me why I started.

24,500 subscribers may just look like a number to some people, but to me it represents years of learning, growth, persistence, creativity, and community.

And honestly?

I feel like we’re just getting started.

Thank you all so much for being part of this journey with me 💛

You can follow along here: https://www.youtube.com/@HodgePodgeCrochet

– HodgePodge Crochet

Tomorrow's the day!

Join us at Sincere Studios for the fabric & yarn swap!

No need to bring anything to swap; you can still take whatever you'd like.

Bring your #SewingMachine and we'll troubleshoot it for you for free!

More info:

https://evergreensewing.com/2026/04/17/fiber-arts-swap-at-sincere-studio/

#Sewing #FiberArts #Knitting #Crochet #Portland #PDX :pdx_badge:

Tomorrow's the day!

Join us at Sincere Studios for the fabric & yarn swap!

No need to bring anything to swap; you can still take whatever you'd like.

Bring your #SewingMachine and we'll troubleshoot it for you for free!

More info:

https://evergreensewing.com/2026/04/17/fiber-arts-swap-at-sincere-studio/

#Sewing #FiberArts #Knitting #Crochet #Portland #PDX :pdx_badge:

Tomorrow's the day!

Join us at Sincere Studios for the fabric & yarn swap!

No need to bring anything to swap; you can still take whatever you'd like.

Bring your #SewingMachine and we'll troubleshoot it for you for free!

More info:

https://evergreensewing.com/2026/04/17/fiber-arts-swap-at-sincere-studio/

#Sewing #FiberArts #Knitting #Crochet #Portland #PDX :pdx_badge:

Tomorrow's the day!

Join us at Sincere Studios for the fabric & yarn swap!

No need to bring anything to swap; you can still take whatever you'd like.

Bring your #SewingMachine and we'll troubleshoot it for you for free!

More info:

https://evergreensewing.com/2026/04/17/fiber-arts-swap-at-sincere-studio/

#Sewing #FiberArts #Knitting #Crochet #Portland #PDX :pdx_badge:

Tomorrow's the day!

Join us at Sincere Studios for the fabric & yarn swap!

No need to bring anything to swap; you can still take whatever you'd like.

Bring your #SewingMachine and we'll troubleshoot it for you for free!

More info:

https://evergreensewing.com/2026/04/17/fiber-arts-swap-at-sincere-studio/

#Sewing #FiberArts #Knitting #Crochet #Portland #PDX :pdx_badge:

@knitting @fiberarts

Traveling again - this time it's a fiber festival I've wanted to go to for a few years but it's about 4 hours away. This year there's another event on the same weekend somewhat near that festival so the hours spent going there seem used better.

#fiberarts #knitting #sockknitting

@knitting @fiberarts

Traveling again - this time it's a fiber festival I've wanted to go to for a few years but it's about 4 hours away. This year there's another event on the same weekend somewhat near that festival so the hours spent going there seem used better.

#fiberarts #knitting #sockknitting

@knitting @fiberarts

Traveling again - this time it's a fiber festival I've wanted to go to for a few years but it's about 4 hours away. This year there's another event on the same weekend somewhat near that festival so the hours spent going there seem used better.

#fiberarts #knitting #sockknitting

@knitting @fiberarts

Traveling again - this time it's a fiber festival I've wanted to go to for a few years but it's about 4 hours away. This year there's another event on the same weekend somewhat near that festival so the hours spent going there seem used better.

#fiberarts #knitting #sockknitting

@knitting @fiberarts

Traveling again - this time it's a fiber festival I've wanted to go to for a few years but it's about 4 hours away. This year there's another event on the same weekend somewhat near that festival so the hours spent going there seem used better.

#fiberarts #knitting #sockknitting

@weaving @fiberarts I don't have anything on the loom at the moment. It needs some repairs and I am waiting for some parts from Macomber. :blobcatverysad:

I did finally get a few glam shots of the bath towels that I made to match the hand towels I did previously. I did a pair of each version, so it took a while, but these are a fun weave.

Turned taqueté on 8 shafts. The one on the left needs 10 treadles, but the one on the right only 7.

#weaving #fiberarts

@weaving @fiberarts I don't have anything on the loom at the moment. It needs some repairs and I am waiting for some parts from Macomber. :blobcatverysad:

I did finally get a few glam shots of the bath towels that I made to match the hand towels I did previously. I did a pair of each version, so it took a while, but these are a fun weave.

Turned taqueté on 8 shafts. The one on the left needs 10 treadles, but the one on the right only 7.

#weaving #fiberarts

@weaving @fiberarts I don't have anything on the loom at the moment. It needs some repairs and I am waiting for some parts from Macomber. :blobcatverysad:

I did finally get a few glam shots of the bath towels that I made to match the hand towels I did previously. I did a pair of each version, so it took a while, but these are a fun weave.

Turned taqueté on 8 shafts. The one on the left needs 10 treadles, but the one on the right only 7.

#weaving #fiberarts

@weaving @fiberarts I don't have anything on the loom at the moment. It needs some repairs and I am waiting for some parts from Macomber. :blobcatverysad:

I did finally get a few glam shots of the bath towels that I made to match the hand towels I did previously. I did a pair of each version, so it took a while, but these are a fun weave.

Turned taqueté on 8 shafts. The one on the left needs 10 treadles, but the one on the right only 7.

#weaving #fiberarts

@weaving @fiberarts I don't have anything on the loom at the moment. It needs some repairs and I am waiting for some parts from Macomber. :blobcatverysad:

I did finally get a few glam shots of the bath towels that I made to match the hand towels I did previously. I did a pair of each version, so it took a while, but these are a fun weave.

Turned taqueté on 8 shafts. The one on the left needs 10 treadles, but the one on the right only 7.

#weaving #fiberarts

Part 2 Tunis sheep continued: felting experiment

I apologize for the last long thread--I'll post fewer at a time..I carded the waste leftover from spinning and made a felt sample. It wasn't great, but not bad either, so I soaked it overnight in Aluminum triformate, which is a cold-water mordant. I dyed it with madder root, which I'll share in the next post.
The felt shown here is not quite completely done, and I had to fix it a bit.

#Spinning #FiberArts #Sheep #Knitting #NaturalDyes #Felting

@knitting @fiberarts

Because I got the question - it's this yarn

https://www.grobemasche.de/product/aniwaniwa-rose-x-trafine-wolldackel/

From a local to me yarn dyer and shop owner.

#knitting #fiberarts #yarn

@knitting @fiberarts

Because I got the question - it's this yarn

https://www.grobemasche.de/product/aniwaniwa-rose-x-trafine-wolldackel/

From a local to me yarn dyer and shop owner.

#knitting #fiberarts #yarn

@knitting @fiberarts

Because I got the question - it's this yarn

https://www.grobemasche.de/product/aniwaniwa-rose-x-trafine-wolldackel/

From a local to me yarn dyer and shop owner.

#knitting #fiberarts #yarn

@knitting @fiberarts

Because I got the question - it's this yarn

https://www.grobemasche.de/product/aniwaniwa-rose-x-trafine-wolldackel/

From a local to me yarn dyer and shop owner.

#knitting #fiberarts #yarn