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YarnYAY! April Box #36

YarnYAY! April Box #36

Ooh, la la, it’s unboxing time! The YarnYAY! April box, has us aspiring for springtime in Paris. Here are the projects and products, brought to you from 5 women-owned businesses. that I’ve selected for my dear YarnYAYers this month. 

Honor | Lorna’s Laces

Lorna’s Laces Honor, shown in color: Old Rose

 

Get ready to be delighted, this month’s yarn selection, Honor is a gorgeously hand dyed baby alpaca and silk. We’re featuring two Springtime colors: Old Rose and Curie.

Lorna’s Laces is a Kentucky-based business owned by Amanda Jarvis. 

 

Yay, Beret Patterns | Designs by Vickie Howell & Janet Martinez

 

 

This month, we’re dreaming of Springtime in Paris, adorned in jaunty (that’s right, I said jaunty) berets! The knit version, designed by Vickie, has a textured brim and decorative double decreases throughout the top.

Yay, Beret! (knit) by Vickie Howell for YarnYAY!
Model: Becky Joiner

 

The crochet version, designed by Janet Martinez, combines double crochet stitches with a ribbed brim. Both will have you saying “oui” to this accessory!

 

Slay Beret (Crochet)
Designed & Modeled by Janet Martinez for YarnYAY!

 

Macaron Notions Box | Laura Hand Knits

A sweet little macaron-shaped box will keep stitch markers and other small notions together and adorably organized!

Laura Hand Knits is a Georgia based, woman-owned company. 

 

French Poodle Stitch Marker | Firefly Notes

 

Your project will have a certain pedigree with stitches marked by a French poodle!

Firefly Notes is a Canadian based company, owned by Sandy Bahrich

 

Eiffel Tower Scissors | YarnYAY!

C’est chic snips!

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Crochet Egg Cozy

Crochet Egg Cozy

This week on Ask Me Monday,  I show how to use those lefter scraps of sock or fingering-weight yarn to make a crochet egg cozy. These little covers are the cheeriest little projects to brighten up an easter basket, Ostara display, or Springtime table. Have fun!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by  Knitter’s Pride /  KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Crochet Hooks: Ginger, Aluminum, and Zing 

 



Make it: Crochet Egg Cozy

MATERIALS

Scraps of sock-weight or fingering-weight yarn in colors, A and B

Size US G/ 4mm Knitter’s Pride Crochet Hook — or size needed to create a mesh to fit over your egg

Tapestry needle

Plastic egg

 

ABBREVIATIONS

Need a crochet tutorial? Check out my video playlist here.

DIRECTIONS

Bottom:

With A, ch 4. Join rnd with a sl st in the first ch.

Rnd 1: Ch 2 (doesn’t count as stitch), 6 hdc in center loop; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 6 sts

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 12 sts

Rnd 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next st; rep from * around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. –18 sts.

Rnds 4-7: Ch 3, dc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. 

Fasten off.

Top:

Rnds 1-2: With B, work same as for Bottom.

Rnd 3:  Ch 2, * 2 hdc in next st, hdc in each of next 2 sts; rep from * around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. — 16 sts

Rnd 4: Ch 3, dc in next st and every st around; join rnd with a sl st in top of beg-ch. 

Fasten off, leaving long tail for seaming.

 

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Slide egg into Bottom. Slide Top over egg. Using tapestry needle and tail, whip stitch edges of pieces together to enclose egg.

 

 

 

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Guide to Needles and Hooks

Guide to Knitting Needles and Crochet Hooks

Have you ever wondered which needle or hook to use with what project and why? The choices in the tool section can be a little intimidating. This week on Ask Me Monday I give a guide to knitting needles and crochet hooks. Watch the video for in-depth explanations and recommendations, then bookmark this post as a cheat sheet!

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by  Knitter’s Pride /  KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!



Tool Materials

Before we talk tool type, it’s pertinent to talk about the materials that those tools might be made from. You have several different choices when it comes to both knitting needles and crochet hooks. For the most part, it doesn’t really matter which you go with since technically, they’ll all get the job done. What does matter though, is that you pick needles and hooks made from a material that you enjoy working with. Just like finding the right yarn, needles and hooks can make or break your stitching adventure. Here are a few of your options:

Aluminum
Aluminum needles and  are inexpensive and available at all craft stores. They’re the workhorse of the bunch, easily accessible and get the job done. They work best with non-slick yarns.Plastic
Another more affordable option, plastic needles are flexible and light weight. The grab of plastic makes it a good material choice when working with slick yarns. Bamboo
Available at most major craft stores and local yarn shops, bamboo is an excellent choice most of the time. They’re generally reasonably priced, warm in the hands, and are fairly light-weight. Although bamboo technically has grab that would make working with higher-traction yarns like wool, the modern advancements in buffing gives them a shine that mostly negates that potential issue. If you’re thinking about upgrading from aluminum or plastic, but aren’t quite ready to invest in one of the more expensive materials, bamboo is an excellent choice! Wood
Wood needles and hooks are lovely, warming in the hands, and wonderful to work with. Laminated wood offers the perfect balance between grab and slickness, making them a great companion for most yarns. Although these tools will be more of an investment, they’re worth it! Nickel-plated Brass
Designed for speed and ease, your yarn will fly of of these shining beauties! When working with non-slick fibers, needles and hooks made from this material will feel feel like butter. These, along with with their wood-sisters, are considered top of the line, though, so expect to spend a little more on them.Knitting Needles

There are a few options when it comes to knitting needles. You can make your choice based on project, technique or often, just plain ol’ personal preference. Here’s the scoop!

Straight Needles: (Shown: Symfonie Dreamz)

STRAIGHT NEEDLES (AKA SINGLE POINTS)

Straight needles are the O.G. tool for knitting. They’re likely what you learned to knit with, and could be what you use until the end of your-knitting-time, as long as you stuck with flat garments. They work singularly for knitting pieces back and forth, and thus are a solid choice for projects like scarves, lightweight wraps, pillows, or smaller garments that are worked flat, then seamed later.  They come in different lengths to accommodate varying widths of knit fabrics. The plus to these needles is that they’re readily available anywhere that sells even the most basic of knitting supplies. The minus is that when working on larger or chunkier projects, the weight of holding all of the stitched on a rigid stick can be really hard on the wrists.

 

Fixed Circular Needles (Shown: Vickie Howell Aqua, Knitter’s Pride Bamboo, Knitter’s Pride Symfonie Dreamz

 

CIRCULAR NEEDLES (FIXED)

Circular needles (aka “circs”) consist of two needle points connected by a flexible cord which allows one to knit a piece in-the-round. The cord lengths come in lengths varying from 8.5″ to 60″, but most commonly are between 24″-40″. You choose your cord length based on the circumference of your project, if using normally, or a longer length if you’re using the Magic Loop method (as an alternative to using double-pointed needles) to knit any circumference.

Circs aren’t just for knitting in-the-round, however. In fact, I use them for almost any type of project, flat or otherwise. The needles are shorter, so less cumbersome than straights, and the cords allow for the bulk of any project to sit on my lap, taking the strain off of my wrists. They’re my go-to knitting tool!

Circular Needle Cords

 

CIRCULAR NEEDLES (Interchangeable)

These are the Swiss Army knife of knitting needles, because a set of them offers any number of customizable needle sizes and lengths. A stitcher can swap out needle tips when, say, moving from tighter ribbing to the looser body of a garment, or to a longer cord as a top-center out shawl grows in width. Although an interchangeable set is a larger investment up front, in the long run will cost less than buying multiple sizes and lengths of fixed needles. I can’t live without my interchangeable sets!

Double-Pointed Needles (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Smart Stix)

 

DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES

Double-pointed Needles (dpns) are mostly for knitting small pieces in-the-round. They come in longer lengths for hats and adult sleeves, and smaller lengths for socks and cuffs. The advantage of working with dpns is that there is no limitation to how small of a circumferene that can be made with them, nor, technically, how large. If you’re working on a piece that grows in circumference, you could potentially just keep adding double-pointed needles to the mix. Although a knitter is never working with more than two needles at a time, some find that have an additional two or more hanging in wait to be fussy. I personally, really like working with dpns. Take ’em for a spin and see what you think (but give yourself a minute to get used to them!)

 

Crochet Hooks

Crochet hooks are a lot more straight forward than their knitting counterparts. The function of all are the same, so that leaves flair to choose from!

Crochet Hooks (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Waves)

 

The main things to consider when choosing the right crochet hook for you and/or a particular project are: material (see above Materials section, and decide based on yarn type), handle type and head shape. For the most part, these choices can all be made based on personal preference. Although I’d suggest a pointier tip (see Ginger hook below) for working with spike stitches or front/back loop work, and a rounder tip when working with a yarn with a lot of plies (making it harder to split them), that really is just my recommendation. You should do you, when it comes to choosing a hook. Experiment. Do you like a warm, round wooden handle, or prefer the grip of a rubber, ergonomic one? Do you feel like you have more control over the flow of the yarn when there’s ample room under the hook, or a tighter, flatter groove? Take a few for a spin, then decide for yourself!

 

 

Crochet Hook Heads (Shown: Knitter’s Pride Ginger, Aluminum, and Zing Hooks)

 

All in all, the tools really can make the experience. If you try one type and feel frustrated, don’t cast the craft aside. Simply try a different style needle or hook. Having the right tool, for you individually, can make a huge difference. The most important thing is that you do you, and ultimately find your creative groove!

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Waves Stitches | Knit & Crochet

Waves Stitch

Spring is on the horizon so it’s time to switch stitch-gears from dense, warm stitches and move towards flowy, open-weave options. This week on Ask Me Monday, we chat Waves Stitch, and undulating pattern that ebbs and flows like the water we aspire to visit. I’ll cover both knit and crochet versions, plus share the Wave Hello (by me) and Wave Goodbye (by Becky Joiner) infinity scarves featured in the March YarnYAY! subscription box. Give the episode a watch, swatch with the instructions below, then put your skills to work with a Wavs Stitch project! 

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by  Knitter’s Pride /  KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products:  Waves Crochet Hooks. Smart Stix Needles.

 



Wave Stitch: Knit Version

Need knitting stitch tutorials? Go here.

Multiples of 10 + 6.

Rows 1-2: Knit.

Row 3: K6, *YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k6; rep from * to end.

Row 4: Knit across, dropping all YOs.

Rows 5-6: Knit.

Row 7: K1, *YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k6; rep from * to last 5sts, YO, k1, YOx2, k1, YOx3, k1, YOx2, k1, YO, k1.

Row 8: Knit across, dropping all YOs.

Rows 9-10: Knit.

Repeat Rows 1-10 for Wave Stitch pattern.

Wave Hello Infinity Scarf (knit) by Vickie Howell (Available in the March YarnYAY! box)

More Ideas:

Knit Waves Stitch with Beads!Peaks & Waves PillowWave Stitch: Crochet Version

Need crochet stitch tutorials? Go here.

Multiples of 16 + 2.

SPECIAL STITCH
sc-blo: sc in the back loop only.

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, and in each ch across. 

Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as first sc throughout), sc in first st, *sc in next st, (ch1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), sc in next two sts; rep from * to end.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch1-sp across.

Row 4: Ch 1, sc-blo in each st across.

Row 5: Ch 4 (counts as tr), *(ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), sc in each of next 3 sts, (ch 1, sk next st), hdc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), dc in next st, (ch 1, sk next st), tr in next st; rep from * to last st, tr in last st.

Row 6: Ch 1, sc in each st and ch1-sp across.

Row 7: Ch 1, sc-blo in each st across.

Repeat Rows 2-7 for Wave Stitch pattern.

 

Wave Goodbye Scarf by Becky Joiner (Available in the March YarnYAY! box)

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YarnYAY! March Box #35

YarnYAY! March Box #35

Spring is in the air, and definitely in the spirit of the YarnYAY! March Box. Here are the products and projects that we’ve handpicked for knitters and crocheters this month!

L-R: Pink Ladies & Paddle Board

YarnYAY! Spring Break

Woohoo, this month we’ve done something new, we’re bringing you a private label, limited edition YarnYAY! yarn: Spring Break! This superwash merino and nylon blend is hand-dyed in Turkey, boasts a whopping 440 yards (a special big-meal-treat, as our usual M.O. is to give subscribers just a taste), and served up in outdoor-inspired colors: Paddle Board and Pink Ladies.

Knitting Project: Wave Hello Infinity Scarf by Vickie Howell

This month we’re sailing into the warmer weather with Waves Stitches. Our lightweight, open-work infinity scarves are the perfect Springtime accessory. The knit version, designed by Vickie, uses progressive yarn-overs and drop stitches to create the waves. 

Finished Measurements (Psst…bonus wrap variation included!):

Width: 7 ½ (16)” / 19 (40.5) cm

Length/circumference: 56” / 142 cm

Suggested Additional Materials:

Size US 5/3.75 needles

Crochet Project: Wave Goodbye Infinity Scarf by Becky Joiner

The crochet version, designed by YarnYAY!’s Becky Joiner, includes undulation courtesy of heightening stitches.

Finished Measurements (Psst…bonus wrap variation included!):

Width: 7 ½ (16)” / 19 (40.5) cm

Length/circumference: 56” / 142 cm

Suggested Additional Materials:

Size G/4 mm hook

 

YarnYAY! Tyvek Tote

Our latest logo bag is ready for those trips to visit the waves. The tyvek material it’s made from will repel water. Have fun!

 

Big Blue Moma Yarn Amount Tool

We’ve all been there, at our LYS or surfing the web, when we find a yarn we must have! How much to buy to make socks, a hat, a baby sweater, or other item, though? Hang this tool on your project bag, and you’ll have your answer!

Big Blue Moma is a Canadian based, woman-owned company that employs over 350 women in Africa.

 

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How to Knit a Fur Collar for a Jacket

Knit Fur Collar

This week on Ask Me Monday, I show how to make a knit fur collar for a coat. This is a great way to customize your favorite denim jacket, and add a little warmth while you’re at it! The best part is that it is really, really easy. Thanks to the give of Garter Stitch, and the forgiveness that novelty yarns like boucle or faux fur offer, a simple rectangle can be eased to fit over most style collars. Here’s how!

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Smart Stix, Mindful Collection

 



How to Knit a Fur Collar for a Jacket

DIRECTIONS

 

MATERIALS

Boucle or novelty fur yarn (I used Knit Collage Serenity)

Appropriate sized needles (I used Knitter’s Pride Gingers Size 10/6 mm)

Tapestry needle

Sewing needle and coordinating thread

Sewing pins or clips

Jacket with collar

 

DIRECTIONS

Step 1: Measure it
Lay your jacket on a surface, and unfold the collar so it lays flat. Measure the depth of the collar at its tallest point. Add 1″ to that measurement. The sample jacket had a 3″ depth + 1″ = 4″ (Step 2: Swatch it
Using your desired yarn and appropriate sized needles, knit a small swatch to determine Stitch Gauge (row gauge isn’t important for this project). Using Serenity yarn and size 10/6mm needles, I got 2.75 stitches per inch. ( Step 3: Calculate it  Using the formula below, calculate the number of stitches you will cast on for your chosen jacket’s collar, using your desired yarn.

Knit Fur Collar Formula: Stitch Gauge x Collar Measurement = Number of Stitches to Cast On

Step 4: Knit it
Knit every row until piece is the length of the jacket collar.
Bind off.
Weave in ends.Step 5: Sew it
Pin or clip fur collar to the top of collar (i.e. public facing when collar is folded down to wear). Using sewing needle and thread, whip stitch knit fur collar to jacket collar. Note: The knit fur collar will overhang approximately 1-1.5″ (with stretch) over the jacket collar.
Step 6: Wear it
Stay cozy in your new, shearling-inspired collar!

Are you a crocheter? I’ve got you! Simply swap out single or half-double crochet, for the the knit stitch. Follow the same formula above to get your chain number!

February YarnYAY! Box, featuring Knit Collage Serenity

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Knit or Crochet a Custom Boucle Pillow Front

Boucle Pillow Front

Boucle textiles are a big trend in home decor right now. Since we’re featuring a boucle yarn in this month’s YarnYAY! box, what better time to play with bringing a little bit of it into our living spaces? In this tutorial, I offer a simple recipe for creating a knit or crochet boucle pillow front for any decorative pillow. Here’s to bringing some warmth into the room!

Psst… don’t for get to tag @vickiehowell #yarnyay with your cozy pillow front FOs!

bou·clé /bo͞oˈklā/yarn with a looped or curled ply, or a woven fabric created with that type of yarn.

Customize Your Own Cozy Boucle Pillow Front

Make the Boucle Pillow Front

KNIT VERSION

This pillow front is knit in Garter Stitch using Knit Collage Serenity and on Size U.S. 10/6 mm needles. If you’re using a different yarn, simply swatch in your chosen yarn, and measure your stitch gauge. Row gauge is not important for this project.

Knit Pillow Front Formula: Your pillow size width x 2.75 stitches per inch = number of stitches to cast on.

Using the above formula, CO appropriate number of stitches (ex. If I have a 12″ wide pillow, then I multiply 12 x 2.75 = 33 sts).

Knit every row until the piece measures the height of your chosen pillow. 

BO.

 

CROCHET VERSION

This pillow front is crocheted in half-double crochet (hdc) using Knit Collage Serenity and on Size J/6 mm hook. If you’re using a different yarn, simply swatch in your chosen yarn, and measure your stitch gauge. Row gauge is not important for this project.

Crochet Pillow Front Formula: Your pillow size width x 2.5 stitches per inch = number of stitches to chain (ch) or foundation half-double crochet (Fhdc).

Using the above formula, ch or Fhdc the appropriate number of stitches.

Row 1: Hdc in 3rd ch fr hook, and every ch to end. Turn.

Row 2: Ch 2 (counts ad hdc), hdc in next st and every st to end.

Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures the height of your chosen pillow.

Fasten off.

FINISHING (Both Versions)

Weave in ends.

Lay piece over the front of pillow. Using a sewing needle and coordinating thread, whip stitch boucle pillow front to pillow.

February ’21 YarnYAY! comes with 1 mini-hank (enough for a pillow front) of Knit Collage Serenity Boucle yarn

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Tips for Knitting & Crocheting with Bouclé Yarn

Bouclé Yarn

This week on Ask Me Monday we delve into working with one of my favorite fiber trends: bouclé

yarn! 

Bouclé yarn is a novelty yarn that seeing a rise in popularity right now, in home decor and garment embellishment, due to the cozy vibe it’s textural component can add to any space. Because it’s less traditional than you’re average, non-novelty yarn though, some folks may feel hesitant to work with it. My goal with this post is to demystify the differences, and encourage stitchers to give knitting or crocheting with bouclé yarn a try. Here’s the scoop!

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by  Knitter’s Pride /  KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Products: Zing, Dreamz, and Waves Crochet Hooks. Smart Stix Needles.
Shakra Stitch Markers.



What is bouclé yarn?

bou·clé /bo͞oˈklā/yarn with a looped or curled ply, or a woven fabric created with that type of yarn.

What is a bouclé yarn made from?

A bouclé is generally made from a core of nylon thread, plied with a wool, or faux wool fiber, which can include sheep’s wool, alpaca or even acrylic.

So Cozy Knit Mittens by Vickie Howell for YarnYAY!

What types of projects work well with bouclé yarns?

Bouclé yarns are great for a range of projects! They’re perfect for more open-weave, but fluffy blankets, scarves and wraps. They’re lovely for cozy mittens, hats and boot toppers — or as an addition to a fabric garment as a shearling-inspired collar or cuff. Bouclé yarns are an adorable textile choice for plushies and toys. They’re also chic and textural for home decor items like pillow tops and woven into wallhangings.

Knit Collage Serenity Boucle, featured in the February YarnYAY! Box

Tips for Knitting & Crocheting with Bouclé Yarn
Go big. Size up your knitting needle or crochet hook by 2 or more from what would be recommended for a smoother yarn. The larger the needle or hook you choose, the more drape your project will have and unlike smoother fibers, a boucle yarn’s nubs will fill in some of the space created by the more open-weave so the resulting fabric is less likely to look like a net.

Exception to the Go Big rule: If you’re making a sculptural project that requires stuffing, are a handwear that will benefit from a tighter weave, consider sizing up only one needle size from normal.

Get to the point. Or don’t. When crocheting or knitting with a bouclé yarn without discernible loops in the fiber and/or if working on a project with a tighter weave, such as a plushie or wrist warmers, use a hook with a pointier head, or needles with pointier tips, to make it easier to dive through those fluffy stitches.When crocheting or knitting with a bouclé yarn with pronounced loops in the fiber and/or if working on a project with a more open-weave, such as a wrap or scarf, us a hook with a blunter head, or needles with rounder tips, to prevent accidentally working into a small loop, instead of the actual stitch. Mark it. When working on a project that calls for bouclé yarn, be sure to use stitch markers to mark pattern repeats, right and wrong sides, and/or the beginning of rounds. Less guessing time means more stitching time! Frog it? Freeze it! If you find yourself needing to unravel (aka frog) a project made with a novelty yarn like mohair bouclé, stick it in the freezer first. Freezing the piece will take away some of the pliability and adhesion of fibers that can otherwise happen. Trust me, going cold will mean swearing less! Be Mindful. I invite you to see working with a textured yarn like a boucle as an exercise in mindfulness. This is not a fiber that requires finite movements, complicated stitches, and speed of work. Take a breath, put your shoulders back, make large gestures.

 

 

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February YarnYAY! Box #34

February YarnYAY! Box #34

It’s time to reveal what’s inside of the February YarnYAY! Box, and I’m so excited to share it with you. From partnering with my buddy Amy Small (seen on The Knit Show and featured in my book, The Knit Vibe) and her company, Knit Collage, to bringing cozy mittens, healing hands and a warm belly, this box is all about comfort. Enjoy!

What’s inside the February YarnYAY! Box

SERENITY | KNIT COLLAGE

Since the beginning, Vickie has been dying to partner with Knit Collage on a YarnYAY! box. She’s is a huge fan of their gorgeous yarns, the company’s mission, and its amazing founder. Well, now’s the time! We’re featuring a melange of colors of specially-sized 110-yard hanks of Serenity, a cozy boucle wool that gets delightfully soft after soaking in a little wash.

Knit Collage is owned by Amy Small, and based in Massachusetts, with a co-op of spinners in India.

MITT(ENS) PATTERNS | Designs by Vickie Howell

This month your hands will match your warm heart thanks to some cozy handwear! The knit pattern is for fluffy, seed stitch mitts that can either be worked as fingerless gloves or full-coverage mittens.

The crochet mitts are the perfect softie to cut the shivering while typing or texting.
ARNICA RECOVERY OIL | SWEETBODY LABORATORIES

Don’t let sore hands and wrists get your knitting and crocheting down! This notions bag-sized, all natural pain-killing oil will offer solace to the aches that ail you. Stitch on!

Sweetbody Laboratories is based in NE Portland, and owned by massage therapists Debi Mann & Rebecca Knutson. 

LLAMA TEA STRAINER

The promise of a hot cuppa to come rounds out our cozy-themed box. Our wool-y friend will do the steeping, you’ll do the sipping!

TEXAS CHAI TEA | TEXAS COFFEE TRADERS

A single serving of deliciousness! Texas Chai, is a black tea with cardamom, cinnamon bark and cloves. Ahhhh!

Texas Coffee Traders are based in Austin, TX.

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Tunisian Crochet Coffee Cozy

Tunisian Crochet Coffee Cozy

 

This episode of Ask Me Monday is sponsored by Knitter’s Pride/ KnitPro

See more KP products during “Vic’s Tips” segments of The Knit Show!

Featured Knitter’s Pride Product: Ginger Interchangeable Tunisian Hook 

 



 

Venti Valentine
Tunisian Crochet Coffee Cozy

MATERIALS

Small amounts of bulky yarn, in colors: A & B. (I used Vickie Howell for Mad | Tosh HOME in colors: Heart Hands and Pinky Swear)

US M Knitter’s Pride Ginger Tunisian Crochet Hook

Large-eyed tapestry needle

 

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

4″/10 cm tall x approx. 10″/25 cm circumference (slightly stretched)

 

GAUGE

Approx 7 sts x 8 rows =4″/10 cm in woven pattern stitch

 

Pro Tip: Want to use a lighter weight yarn? No problem. Simply switch to a smaller hook size and crochet a chain that’s about 1″/2.5 cm shorter than your cup’s circumference, and in multiples of 2. From there, follow the pattern as is!

 

DIRECTIONS

With A, ch 18.

Row 1 Forward Pass: *Insert hook into next ch, YO and pull up loop; rep from * to end. –18 sts on hook

Row 1 Backward Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end. 1 st rem on hook.

Row 2 Forward Pass: *Insert the hook from front to back, between the two halves of the vertical loop, yarn over, and pull up a loop; rep to last st, insert hook into top-ch, YO pull through loop.

Row 2 Backward Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end. 1 st rem on hook.

Row 2 establishes Tunisian Knit Stitch (TKS)

Join B.

Row 3 Forward Pass: With B, insert hook through very first space and pull up a loop, pull up a loop in each space (in between the vertical bars) to the last space, sk that space, insert hook into edge stitch and pull up your last loop.

R0w 3 Backward Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end. 1 st rem on hook.

R0w 4 Forward Pass: With A, sk 1st space, pull up a loop in each space (in between the vertical bars) to end, including last st.

R0w 4 Backward Pass: YO, pull through one loop, *YO, pull through 2 loops; rep from * to end. 1 st rem on hook.

Rows 3-4 establish Tunisian Full Stitch (TFS)

Rows 2-3 establish Woven Pattern Stitch.

Continuing in established 1 x 1 stripe pattern, repeat Woven Pattern Stitch rows, TWICE more.

Last Row:  With A, repeat Row 2.

Bind-Off Final Pass: YO, insert hook through bar of 2nd st and through loop on hook, *YO, insert hook through bar of next st and through loop on hook; rep to end. 

Fasten off, leaving a long tail for seaming.

FINISHING

Using tail and large-eyed tapestry needle, sew short ends together to create cylinder cozy shape.

Weave in ends.

 

Vickie Howell Aqua Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet Hook Set, manufactured by Knitter’s Pride

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