We are delighted by your reactions to our new crocheted critters patterns! I thought it would be great to hear more about designer Brenda K. B. Anderson’s process, as it is clear how creative she is. Keep reading for our conversation below! Kate Gagnon Osborn: Firstly, I want to thank you for your patience in the…
Tag: crochet
New! Cutest Crocheted Critters
What began as an idea for a stand alone narwhal back in 2020 morphed into a delightful collection of creatures by Brenda K. B. Anderson. Fast forward a few years (cough, pandemic, cough), we are delighted to finally share four of our favorite oceanic critters with you: Herman the Hermit Crab, Manny the Manatee, Norbert the Narwhal, and Pollyanna the…
Swatching: Get to Know Mojave
This year I’m individually going over each Kelbourne Woolens yarn, and will discuss the characteristics, gauges, and go over a few different swatches and stitch patterns. Want more? View previous posts on Lucky Tweed, Andorra, and Scout. Enjoy! Mojave is our quintessential cotton linen blend yarn. Mojave seems to grow in popularity every year, and…
Year of Gifts: Hosta Slippers
As many of you know, we celebrate crochet summer every year, so we thought it would be fitting to make a crochet pattern for the July Year of Gifts! Made with Kelbourne Woolens Germantown and perfect for cozying up with a cup of tea, some needlework, and a binge-worthy show, these fun, funky, vintage-inspired slippers make for a quick gift for the…
2020 Make Nine: Courtney’s Picks!
As promised, here are Courtney’s 2020 Make 9 picks! Top: L) Pattern: Fen Dress by Amber Corcoran. Fabric: Linen from stash. I have some grey/purple/brown linen I’ve been hoarding for about 15 years that would be awesome for this dress. M) Pattern: Pineapple Smoothie by Audrey Drysdale. Yarn: BC Garn Tussah Tweed in Royal Ocean….
December Andorra Love: Published Designs
Time for some more Andorra love! Today I wanted to showcase some lovely designs published over the last two years. Paule Lemieux from Canadian yarn shop La vie laine de Rimouski designed Shawl Moira, an homage to Moira from Schitts Creek, and we love the stripes in ink black and snow white paired with the…
An Interview with: Amy Gunderson
Earlier this month we premiered our first crochet collection, featuring Canyon by Amy Gunderson. Her laid back camisole is the desert-vibe, hippie queen jewel of the collection that everyone at KW is itching to make. Amy’s designs (both knitting and crochet) are always fresh and appealing, so we wanted to have a chat with Amy…
Introducing Palms and Saguaro from the KW Crochet Collection!
Over the last two weeks we released the first four pieces in our six piece KW Crochet Collection, Sub Rosa, Summer Sunset, Succulent, and Canyon. Today we’re unveiling the last two pieces of our desert-inspired, laid back designs, Palms by Padma R and Saguaro by Natasha Robarge! The final pieces include another first for us,…
Happy Granny Square Day!
It’s Granny Square Day! In honor of Granny Square Day and #crochetsummer2019 we prepared a colorful little surprise—the Sub Rosa Earrings by Lana Jois! While Lana was crocheting up her Sub Rosa for the Kelbourne Woolens Crochet Collection she also whipped up a petite version of her granny square motif into earrings with a note…
Perennial for Shawl Season: The Crochet List!
At Kelbourne Woolens, summer is the season for crochet and lightweight yarns. Last week we put together a list of our most coveted shawl projects on Ravelry to pair with our buttery soft and light as a cloud Perennial. This week we’re following up with a crochet shawl list that we’re all eager to hook…
Get Your Hooks Out! It’s time for the Crochet Summer 2019
Bust out your hooks! It’s our 5th annual Crochet Summer and we’re excited to start stitching with our favorite plant fibers as the weather gets warmer. If you are new to our Crochet Summer it’s exactly what it sounds like. We’re focusing on crochet during the summer to celebrate our sister craft and provide ourselves…
Filet Crochet
While often very complex in appearance, filet crochet is a simple form of crochet that uses a open netting and filled spaces formed by a combination of chain stitches and double crochets. Anything that can be put onto graph paper can be crocheted using this technique, and your designs are limited only by your creativity….
Crochet Summer: Why I Am a Crochet Teacher
We are joined on the blog today by a special Crochet Summer guest, Liz Kaplan. If you are a Mason Dixon Knitting fan (and if you’re not, you should be!) you may already be familiar with Liz and her crochet skills. She is a contributor to MDK, as well as a crochet instructor in Oakland, CA. I’ve been…
Crochet Something Contest: Best Art or Sculptural Crochet
In case you missed it, here is a brief recap of our Crochet Summer Crochet Something Contest (CSCSC): THE CROCHET SUMMER CROCHET SOMETHING CONTEST! This non-competitive contest is a great opportunity to spend the summer trying something new, or finally challenging yourself to make that thing you’ve always wanted to make. This feel-good contest is…
Crochet Summer 2018: Plans and Progress
I found myself packing for vacation two weeks ago and somehow over the course of a very short period of time increased my in-progress crochet projects from one to three. A bit of startitis after a big deadline (specifically a sweater for publication at the same time as the release of a new yarn and…
Crochet Something Contest: Best First Crochet
In case you missed it, here is a brief recap of our Crochet Summer Crochet Something Contest (CSCSC): THE CROCHET SUMMER CROCHET SOMETHING CONTEST! This non-competitive contest is a great opportunity to spend the summer trying something new, or finally challenging yourself to make that thing you’ve always wanted to make. This feel-good contest is…
Crochet Something Contest: Garment Inspiration
The entries for the CSCSC are rolling in on Instagram, and we’re so thrilled at all the crochet goodness we’re seeing. There are five official categories (not including the “wild card”), and we thought we’d do a little series highlighting some of our crochet favorites in each. First up are the Garments! I would wager…
Meet the “Crochet Summer, Crochet Something Contest” Judges
When thinking about judges for the Crochet Summer Crochet Something Contest (CSCSC), I wanted to choose people from the industry that we work in most (yarn/knitting), but who also had a little crochet spark. Some of our judges are crochet newbies, and some are leading the charge in bringing crochet to the wider knitting audience. They all have…
Karen Peacock: A Crochet Story
This week we’re hosting a guest post by friend and crocheter, Karen Peacock. We have been huge fans of Karen’s crochet for years, and featured some of her work in Crochet Summer 2015 and 2016. She has a new pattern to share with us, as well as her personal crochet story. Enjoy! It was my first crochet summer…
Announcing the Crochet Summer, Crochet Something Contest!
It’s time for a contest! In the true spirit of Crochet Summer, this is not a very competitive contest. It’s meant to be fun and easy going. It is summer, after all. Since there is already one Crochet Summer rule, Crochet something, anything, this summer, we’ll keep the rules of the contest in the same vein. THE…
We’re Kicking Off Crochet Summer 2018!
Time to get out your hooks! What is Crochet Summer? It is our way of showing a little love to our sister craft in the summer months when it sometimes feels a little harder to get the yarn out. Also, crochet can be a bit more conducive to working with yarns made from plant fibers,…
Crochet Sumer 2017: Babette Bandwagon
We had the 3rd floor of our house gutted and converted into a studio and play room a bit ago, saving a small room in the back for storage. As it happens when you don’t have a lot of storage, but do have a lot of stuff, our storage room started to overflow this summer. It…
Crochet Summer 2017: Progress Report
I’m working on Feeling Dotty? by Sandra Paul between major house projects at home. I’ve only done a smidge of crochet in my lifetime, so this lacy shawl is definitely a challenge for me. But it’s been a welcome challenge because it takes my mind off all the things still on the to-do list! This pattern…
Crochet Summer 2017: How Many Projects is too Many Projects?
If you know me, you know that I absolutely LOVE to start a new project. I am a process based maker, not a product based maker. My studio and office (and living room, and bedside table, and bins in the basement) are filled with unfinished projects ranging from knitting to crochet to needlepoint and nearly…
Finished Project: Crocheted Drop Earrings
I was wearing my crocheted earrings the other day and despite the pair seeing heavy rotation in my wardrobe, I realized I never “officially” shared my finished project here on the blog. The start of Crochet Summer seemed like the perfect time to do so, so I asked Linette to take some quick shots of…
Swatching: Hygge Scheepjes CAL
After Vito was born, I faced a rough recovery that forced me to rest in bed for way longer than I expected. While browsing Instagram in a futile effort to kill time, I happened upon the Hygge Scheepjes CAL after the always-wonderful Cal Patch bought a kit and shared it on her Instagram. While the kit looked…
Crochet Join
The April Mittens are knit in two halves and the pieces are then joined around the edge using a crocheted slipped stitch. We discovered this unique method of knitting mittens in Ireland. Besides being an interesting way to knit mittens, the crocheted seam also adds sturdiness and structure to an accessory that is sure to get some wear….
Year of Mittens: April Mittens
No fooling – the April Mittens are here! Inspired by the ingenious way the Irish Mittens we picked up on our yarn-designing trip back in 2015 were constructed, the April Mittens are knit in two halves: the back of the hand and the palm. The pieces are then joined around the edge using a crocheted slipped…
Crochetscene, Winter 2017 / Octal Beret by Anastasia Popova
The Winter 2017 issue of Crochetscene is here, and Anastasia Popova has designed the Octal Beret using The Fibre Co. Cumbria. The eight cables on the hat make it look like a knit hat with a seed stitch background. This classic beret shape is perfect for keeping your ears warm in style. SpecificationsYarn: The Fibre…
Crochetscene 2017 / Lacuna Cowl by Courtney Kelley
In the latest Winter 2017 issue of Crochetscene you can find Courtney’s Lacuna Cowl pattern. A lovely crochet shell stitch forms this intricate looking – yet simple – chunky cowl. Using The Fibre Co. Tundra this cowl is quick to ‘hook up’, making it perfect for a last minute handmade gift. Courtney said she made it in one…
Crochet Summer 2016 Round-Up
School is now back in session, and summer is coming to an end. While this means cooler weather, it also sadly means the end to Crochet Summer. We always enjoy following your crochet adventures on Instagram throughout the summer, and taking the time ourselves to devote some creative time to a craft we don’t usually focus…
Crochet Summer 2016: Filet Crochet
When I was little, I would go with my Grandma to her hometown in Bittinger, MD. Her family had a farm out there for many generations, in fact our family name is Bittinger. The Lutheran church there had an amazing filet crochet wall hanging of the Lord’s Prayer displayed in the chapel. As a kid, I…
Color Stories: Lavender Desert
With the high temperatures most of North America has been experiencing, it’s really hard to think about knitting and crocheting. But, since that is our passion, we are thinking about it! I have loose, breezy tops on the mind that are easy to work and easier to wear. I love this classic and simple top by…
Crochet Summer 2016: Instagram Round-Up!
We’re in the heat of Crochet Summer 2016, and we’ve been loving the attention everyone has been lavishing on our sister craft this summer. As knitters, first and foremost, Crochet Summer is our way of giving crochet her moment in the sun, if you will. We all (well, many of us) tend to knit a…
Easy Peasy Crochet Patterns
One of the things I love about Crochet Summer is inspiring knitters to give crochet a try. If you’re new to the craft, or returning to it after a long hiatus, here is a list of some of our favorite simple patterns to try out. Once you’ve mastered the basics, any of these designs would…
Color Stories: Delicious
Things often described as delicious: candy, cakes, fresh fruit, the perfume of flowers, the softest yarn. This was my inspiration for June’s color story. I’m so excited about crochet summer, I decided I’d let my mood board decide what color of Road to China Lace I’ll be using for my project! That’s right – pink….
Crocheting a Tube
Crocheting in a Tube: Two Ways Crocheting in the round – as in the case of granny squares – tends to be an easy and straightforward skill to learn. Crocheting in a tube, on the other hand, is a little bit more complicated, as maintaining proper stitch count requires a bit more skill and attention. There…
Crochet Summer 2016: Notes from a Novice
I can’t believe it’s already Crochet Summer! Last summer I worked on the 214ss-04 Sora Motif Sweater from Pierrot Yarns. I was a beginner then, and truth be told, I’m still a beginner because I never finished it! In fact, it’s still sitting in my office on the shelf above my computer reminding me…
Interweave Crochet Summer 2016 / Juniper Top by Dora Ohrenstein
We are so pleased to have our yarn featured in Interweave Crochet this month! Check out the lovely Juniper Top by Dora Ohrenstein. This warm-weather cardigan is knit up in Canopy Fingering in Purple Passion. To quote from the magazine: This cropped lacy jacket is worked top down in one piece. The yoke begins with…
Interweave Crochet Spring 2016 / Water Lily Shawl
Interweave Crochet recently published it’s 10th anniversary birthday edition, and the issue features the Water Lily Shawl, a gorgeous lace shawl featuring The Fibre Co. Road to China Lace designed by Lisa Naskrent. From the magazine:Lisa Naskrent has been engaging crocheters with her delicious shawls since 2008, when she presented her Dragonfly Shawl. Her Water…
Granny Square
As I said in my Granny Square Triangle Tutorial, Granny Squares and crocheting go hand-in-hand. I haven’t met a crocheter (or knitter!) who doesn’t love them, and I am no exception. Granny squares were the first motif I learned how to crochet, and I always go back to them when messing around with a new project…
Come learn from us at Interweave Yarn Fest
We’re delighted to be teaching again at Interweave Yarn Fest in gorgeous Colorado. Like last year our classes are a combination of knitting and crochet, with a heavy emphasis on historical techniques and skill building. We will be teaching six classes throughout the weekend: First Steps in Crochet (Thursday, 9am – 12noon)Do you like crochet, but…
What do you watch while you CRAFT?
Here at KW HQ we are constantly exchanging stories about what we watched last night while knitting and crocheting; we compare notes, catch up on series ‘gossip’, or suggest new shows. We do the same for podcasts. Often during the day, all will be quiet and someone will abruptly guffaw or quietly giggle or gasp. And then one of us…
#crochetsummer2015 Instagram Highlights
September 7th marked the final day of Crochet Summer 2015 and today scores of kids here in Philadelphia begin another year of school. We loved watching the progress of everyone’s summertime crochet projects on Instagram, as always, we look forward to next summer! Here are some of our favorite pics, and you can see more by…
#CrochetSummer2015: Urchin Stripe Cowl by Cal Patch
In celebration of Crochet Summer (can you believe summer is almost over?), we enlisted the help of friend and fellow Crochet promoter Cal Patch to create a skill building crochet pattern that is both interesting to work, but creates a lovely end result. Her Urchin Stripe Cowl is a great project for experienced crocheters looking…
Crochet Summer: Crocheted / Sewn Top
If you missed my post on Monday, I recently finished a few tops for myself that featured a sewn body and crocheted yoke. Today, I’m sharing a tutorial so you can make your own! This project is designed for a beginner sewer and a crocheter with a set of a few beginner skills. The crochet portion is a…
#crochetsummer2015 finished project: crochet / sewn top
Last year as part of Crochet Summer 2014, Cal Patch shared a tutorial with us on making a knit tee with a crocheted yoke. I wanted to take the idea one step further, so I created a box top with a the main body sewn out of cotton fabric and crocheted yoke. I came up with the idea while on our way to…
#CrochetSummer2015 Instagram Highlights (so far)
Crochet Summer 2015 is going strong, and we couldn’t be more delighted! I thought it would be fun to feature some highlights I’ve seen on Instagram so far. You may click on individual images to be taken to the crafter’s Instagram profile. Keep up the great work, everyone! We can’t wait to see what you create through…
Color Stories: Crochet Summer: Shell Pink
Now that we are rolling into Summer, it’s high time I put some serious thought into Crochet! For me (a beginner), Crochet is romantic and sweet and a bit mysterious. It reminds me of my grandmother’s sweeping crocheted lace shawls that she would drape over the back of the davenport and of the lovely little airy tops…
Single Crochet in Rows
One of the most common thing you’ll hear as a new crafter or knitter who is interested in learning crochet is “oh, but crochet is so easy!” While this statement may hold some truth – it is not difficult to learn – I found it to be misleading and frustrating, as there were always a few aspects of…