Cinnamon Roll Coasters

Looking for a yummy treat to crochet? Check out our latest design in Crochet World Spring 2024 for Cinnamon Roll Coasters.

This coaster is crocheted as a spiral where stitches from three balls of yarn chase each other around, creating a delicious-looking cinnamon swirl treat sweet enough to rest your beverage upon.

Crochet World is bigger and better than before. There are sooo many patterns in here now. Do you see what it says across the top of the cover? “34 can’t-put-down Spring Crochet Patterns”. 34! Wow.

We are thrilled that our humble little pattern made it into this fun issue. Pick up your copy of Crochet World Spring 2024 today.

I Like Crochet February 2024 Patterns

Check out the February 2024 issue of “I Like Crochet” online magazine. We have two designs featured inside! Woot.

Pattern 1: Dual Texture Dishie

First is “Dual Texture Dishie”. It’s a fun, quick and easy dishcloth with two textures on the diagonal. This dishie is super fun to stitch. There is a solid section worked in herringbone hdc that is great for scrubbing pots and pans. There’s a filet section that’s ideal for reaching inside glasses and such.

The yarn featured is Universal Yarn, Cotton Supreme. It’s really soft and cozy to crochet with. And you can make a couple dishies from each skein.

Pattern 2: Spring Sky Ruffle Pillow

Second is Spring Sky Ruffle Pillow. It’s a fun understated pillow with a whimsical ruffle. The ruffle really steals the show with it’s contrasting edge. The yarn is a little thinner than you’d expect, but it works up surprisingly quick thanks to the extended half double crochet. The project is really relaxing to stitch and really rewarding when the ruffle is complete.

The yearn featured is Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport. Their 220 line is fabulous and comes in so many different yarn weights and colors. And it’s machine washable.

Check out I Like Crochet Magazine

I Like Crochet” is a beautifully curated magazine that you can access online. They offer a few membership levels. Well worth checking out.

The magazine comes out with a new issue every other month.

Holly Jolly Bed Runner

If you love to decorate for the Christmas season, then you’ll want to add this Holly Jolly Bed Runner to your crochet must-do list!

The Holly Jolly Bed Runner was specifically designed for the new crocheter. I wanted something festive that would also be approachable. It uses basic stitches in long rows which make it simple yet so striking! This is a fun, quick and easy project for Santa loving crocheters of all abilities.

As I said in the magazine intro, this project is meant to be a blanket at the foot of your bed, but it’s so soft and cuddly, you may find yourself wrapping it around your shoulders on a cool winter evening. Premier Serenity Chunky is the perfect yarn for the project. I mean, that gold buckle really pops beautifully against the red and black.

Available Now in Crochet World Winter 2023

The Holly Jolly Bed Runner is available exclusively at Crochet World Magazine. Pick up your copy of Crochet World Winter 2023 today.

Available now in Crochet World 2023 from Annie’s Catalog.

Share the Love, Pin This To Pinterest

Share the Love of the Holiday Season with everyone you meet by pinning one of these pictures to Pinterest.

Above is a picture of the Holly Jolly Bed Runner at my home. It’s pictured on a queen size bed. I was so thrilled with the finished project that I snapped a picture of it on the bed before decorating the rest of the room. I just love how bold and vibrant it is.

Get your copy of Crochet World Winter 2023 to make your own Holly Jolly Bed Runner!

Yarn Snips Waste Basket Crochet Pattern

Practical and beautiful, this mini trash can is the perfect solution to pesky yarn snips that collect on our side tables and work spaces.

This mini crochet basket is the most practical item we’ve every made…next to a dishcloth. It’s surprising how much a little 5″x3.5″x2″ crochet basket can hold. You can toss yarn snips, candy wrappers, pistachio shells and more! Really.

About the Yarn Snips Basket Crochet Pattern

The crochet pattern for the yarn snips basket / trash can includes:

  • Step by Step Written Instructions
  • Supplies List and Links
  • Instructions for working Herringbone Stitch
  • Instructions for working Twisted Single Crochet
  • Optional Finishing with Reverse Single Crochet
  • 5 Photos
  • 5 Pages

Skill Level: Easy

Stitches Used: Chain, Slip Stitch, Single Crochet, Half Double Crochet
Special Stitches: Herringbone Stitch, Twisted Single Crochet (or Reverse Single Crochet)
Techniques Used: Crochet in rows, crochet in the round, increase, decrease

Yarn Snips Basket Crochet Pattern Available on Etsy

The Yarn Snips Basket crochet pattern is available in our Etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy Now on Etsy

Share the Love, Pin to Pinterest

Share this fun project with others by pinning one of our images to Pinterest.

More About the Yarn Snips Baskets Crochet Pattern

Little leather tags make crochet projects look extra special. The pink crochet basket was accented with a tag purchased from Etsy. The teal crochet basket has a leather tag we hand stamped. A link to the supplies used to make the crochet baskets and tags are included in the pattern.

The finished edges on these yarn snips baskets are slightly different. The pattern includes both finishing options. The pink one was stitched with twisted single crochet The teal one was stitched with reverse single crochet.

Yarn Snips Basket Pattern Available on Etsy

The Yarn Snips Basket is available in our Etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Frankenstein’s Monster Clutch

We’re celebrating Halloween all month long with this Frankenstein’s Monster clutch.

Designed to stand on it’s own, this blue eyed green monster bag has a zippered top to hold all your valuables safe inside. It can be used as a purse, pencil case, make-up bag and more. The gusset is narrow at the top by the zipper and wide at the base which allows it to stand. Make with or without a purse strap.

The Frankenstein’s Monster zipper pouch also features a bolt zipper pull. The sides and bottom are reinforced with heavy duty stabilizer so it flexible yet maintains it’s clutch shape.

Measurements: Approximately 9 ½” wide x 5 ½” tall x 2 ½” deep at base

Frankenstein’s Monster Crochet Pattern on Etsy

The Frankenstein’s Monster crochet pattern is available in our etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

More About The Frankenstein’s Monster Clutch

We call it Frankenstein’s Monster because of the scar on the forehead and bolt on the zipper pull. But we’ve also had people call it the Incredible Hulk or a Zombie. We can go with that, too.

The Frankenstein’s Monster Purse Crochet Pattern includes:

  • Written Instructions
  • 10 Pages
  • 10 Photos

The bag is made with 2 eyeball granny squares on the front panel and 2 plain granny squares on the back. A gusset is crocheted separately and joined to the front and back panels. The hair is crocheted at the end with regular crochet and spike stitches. Stabilizer, zipper, lining and optional handle give it a nice crisp look and make it super practical.

Share the Love, Pin to Pinterest

Share the love of Halloween by pinning one of our pictures to Pinterest.

Materials List for Frankenstein’s Monster Purse

We used Vanna’s choice yarn. But any medium worsted weight yarn should work. For the lining, you’ll want to measure your own bag as you may need more or less fabric and stabilizer.

  • Yarn:   Lion Brand Yarns: Vanna’s Choice – Medium Worsted Weight (4)
  • 100% acrylic (170 yds/156 m; 3.5 oz/100 g) 1 ball each:
  • #860 153 Black, C1
  • #860 108 Dusty Blue, C2
  • #860 100 White, C3
  • #860 171 Fern, C4
  • #860 113 Scarlet, C5
  • #860-149 Silver Grey, C6
  • Fabric: black for lining 15”x14” or size needed for your finished bag.
  • Stabilizer: Extra Firm 15”x14” or size needed for your finished bag.
  • Crochet Hook: H/8/5.00mm
  • Needle:  yarn needle for sewing
  • Needle and Thread: black
  • Stitch Markers
  • Straight Pins
  • Zipper: 10” black

Frankenstein’s Monster Crochet Pattern on Etsy

The Frankenstein’s Monster crochet pattern is available in our etsy shop.

Available now on Etsy.

Buy the pattern on etsy

Deborah Goes Solo

Deborah is Taking the Reins 

Deborah Takes the Reins

Change takes many forms and has been active in the lives of my sister and me. The biggest change for Yarnovations is that Deborah will be running the business solo. I, Dana, started working for Interweave (F+W Media), which I love, and can no longer continue with Yarnovations.

What that means for you, our crochet buddies, is that you can still expect quirky and fun designs from Yarnovations, but most likely you’ll see them with less frequency. And, they will all be designed by Deborah.

The Dishcloth+ Series is still on schedule. So be looking for that each month. I’ve gotten a sneak peek at designs coming up in the next couple of months…they are way fun. As for other designs…time will tell.

Dana Bincer Assistant Editor - Crochet at FW MediaThough I won’t be seeing you here, I do look forward to interacting with you on behalf of Interweave Crochet and Love of Crochet. I occasionally pop in on the Crochetme.com blog and ravelry group. Join me there for fun crochet related content and crochet-alongs!

Although this is goodbye from me at Yarnovations, I know I’m leaving you in fabulous hands. And I’m happy to say, “I’ll see you around”, cause I’m still working the crochet scene…just mixing it up with a new crew.

Happy New Year 2016

Wishing You a Crochet Filled 2016

January brings feelings of new beginnings and thoughtful resolutions though my (Dana) new year feels like it started in October with an fabulous new job (Interweave Crochet – #fwcommunity) working for an awesome boss (Marcy Smith) in a new city (Fort Collins) as a single woman (goodbye troubled marriage).

So now that the new beginnings are established…I’m left with resolutions. This year I’m going to look at resolutions differently. I’m going to focus on the things I enjoy and resolve to do more of them. It’s a matter of perspective, really. I’m not going to worry so much about what I should do, but look at behaviors that are good for me and that I enjoy and do more of those.

So, for 2016, here’s to

  • more crochet
  • more mountain biking
  • more working hard
  • more relaxing with a good book
  • more heartfelt time with friends and family

As for mountain biking…pictures of my twin sister really inspire me to want to get out and ride…and incoporate crochet alongside it!

Crochet and Mountain Biking...who knew they worked so well together! Here's Deborah yarn bombing a friends bike rack.

Crochet and Mountain Biking…who knew they worked so well together! Here’s Deborah yarn bombing a friends bike rack.

Deborah really is my inspiration...and apparently the guys stop and take notice, too!

Deborah really is my mountain biking inspiration…and apparently the guys stop and take notice, too!

For 2016, we plan for Yarnovations to be more of the same. Deborah and I will bring you fun and quirky designs of crocheted projects that we are inspired to make on the spur of the moment or have planned way in advance.

We are currently working on a dishie series. We will publish a dishcloth and other kitchen/household item once a month using FibraNatura Good Earth. This series, sponsored by Universal Yarn, is a great way to learn new techniques on smaller projects. It’s going to be a lot of fun.

Happy New Year from one hooked crocheter to another.

New Assistant Editor – Crochet at F+W Media

Dana is now the Assistant Editor – Crochet at F+W Media

Dana Bincer Assistant Editor - Crochet at FW Media

It’s official. I, Dana, am the new Assistant Editor – Crochet at F+W Media…it says so on the name badge on my cubicle wall! Woot. I get to work on both Interweave Crochet and Love of Crochet.

I moved to Fort Collins and started work a week ago and it’s been a blast. To say this is my dream job would be an under statement. My coworkers (and boss) are amazingly talented and very helpful / supportive as I learn my new responsibilities. They are ok with my pink hair and I can wear jeans to work. Oh, and I get to talk crochet all day – I know…pretty awesome. I haven’t picked up a crochet hook since I started…but I’m sure I will once I get settled in a bit more.

Behind the Scenes: Bohemian Handbag

Behind the Scenes: Bohemian Handbag

The Bohemian Handbag won by a very healthy margin in the Lion Brand sponsored Twins Face Off purse design challenge in April. I, Dana, am thrilled that so many people liked it.

Bohemian Handbag Collection

I have a confession to make, this simple handbag was not one of those projects that come to fruition in one sitting. In fact, I talked about it with the ladies in my crochet group, looked at projects online, and visualized a myriad of designs before settling on this basic construction.

There were several types of bags I considered for the challenge.

  • 1st I was contemplating a backpack, something cutesy that a child might wear. I was even calculating how to incorporate a small padded pocket to store a computer tablet.
  • 2nd I decided on a stitch sampler bag with lots of different pieces sewn together almost like a free form project. I even worked up a small swatch with the star stitch (which looked beautiful, by the way)
  • 3rd I began working on a round bag with the spiral that would be on the front and back panel. I envisioned a long shoulder strap and a gusset with a zipper.
  • Bohemian Handbag Crochet PatternFinally, after carefully frogging the previous designs, I settled on a spiral based bag with two skeins of yarn that would chase each other around the bag. I decided to let the color be the main feature of the bag and double crocheted in the round. Once the main shape of the bag was finalized, items like the handle and flower closure quickly took shape.

This entire project makes me chuckle becaues I rarely use a purse. Those rare instances where I do use a purse, it’s generally so small that it only fits my phone, wallet and car keys. That being said, this challenge was quite fun. I enjoyed both the project category and the vibrant Landscapes yarn.

Pattern available on Etsy: Here.

Behind the Scenes: Victorian Lace Gift Card Holder

Behind the Scenes: Victorian Lace Gift Card Holder

Victorian Lace Gift Card HolderWhat was my inspiration? Two things: 1) I needed a gift card holder for a dear friend (she adores Chic Couture), 2) I had been contemplating a lattice and rose design in thread for a while and wanted to try it out on a small project.

Problem? I don’t really like working in thread and I hate changing color in thread!

Solution: Crochet with two strands at once and a size D crochet hook. Use chalk to color the flower. The chalk allows for more subtle coloring with a kind of whitewash look to it. That’s what I was going for. The color won’t last long, but it’s not a wearable item, so that wasn’t a concern for me.

My friend was thankful for the gift card and raved about the gift card holder. She said she loved it so much that she was going to use it as a business card holder. Huh, what do you know…it is the perfect size for that. Awesome!