Hobbyist on the Road

Posted on February 24, 2021February 24, 2021 by Vytene — Leave a comment

Difference Between Bobble, Cluster, Popcorn and Puff Stitches

Bobble, cluster, popcorn and puff crochet stitches – are they the same or are they different crochet stitches?

There seems to be a bit of confusion around this selection of four very popular crochet stitches.

In short, the answer is:

No, they are not the same. Bobble, cluster, popcorn and puff crochet stitches are four different stitches.

Here’s a short video where I highlight the differences between bobble, cluster, popcorn and puff crochet stitches, showing you how each of them is worked and how they are marked in crochet charts and patterns.

I really hope this video will clear up some questions you may have about these four textured stitches.

I think it is important to be able to identify which stitch is which just by looking at it, because in charts and patterns I notice inaccuracies, where a stitch can be called are popcorn stitch, while in fact, the picture of a finished item is clearly crocheted using a bobble stitch.

If you need more practice, below I have uploaded four videos where I show you how to crochet each stitch separately.

Bobble Stitch

Cluster Stitch

Puff Stitch (2 Variations)

Popcorn Stitch

I hope you found these videos useful.

As with any crochet stitch, you might come across variations on these basic stitches, but I think if you know the basics, it will be so much easier to understand those variations and achieve desirable results.

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

Liked this post? Pin it for later!

Difference between bobble cluster popcorn and puff crochet stitches

If you find it hard to focus on one crochet project at a time and complete it, then join our Weekly Crochet Focus Facebook Group. We help each other complete those crochet WIPs! Click HERE

Posted on February 5, 2021March 9, 2021 by Vytene — Leave a comment

Dreamy Collar Styling

I have recently completed a very detailed crochet CAL pattern for my Dreamy Collar with a vintage feel and a contemporary look.

I thought I’ll show you some ways I am going to style it, so as to give you an idea of how it could be worn.

Did you know that removable collars like this are back in fashion in 2021? Although I don’t think they ever went out of fashion in the crochet world 🙂 🙂 🙂

How to wear your Dreamy Collar.

Play with contrasting colours. If your collar is light, then wear it with a dark blouse or shirt.

Dreamy Collar Styling - on a black blouse tied up on the side.

You can tie the collar up on the side, like in the picture above, or centered in the front, like in the picture below.

Dreamy Collar Styling - on jeans shirt, tied up in the front.

2. Wear your Dreamy Collar on a matching colour background. If your collar is light, like mine, wear it with a cream shirt. The collar will give the whole outfit a very subtle finish and dress up even a very casual top.

3. The fashion now seems to turn around the idea of matching items that at first sight don’t match. I matched my Dreamy Collar with a leather jacket and keep thinking I should buy a leather shirt and wear it with that.

4. Wear it with other accessories such as a faux fur collar or a long necklace.

You can get a very detailed pattern CAL for this Dreamy Collar

Tools and materials used:

Anchor Freccia mercerized thread, 100g/570m approx. (For this Dreamy Collar I used up less than one 50g ball of the thread.)

1mm size hook.
You can use any size of yarn and hook, but keep in mind that the larger the hook and yarn size, the chunkier your collar will be.

Parchment paper and a measuring tape for collar shape cut out.

Soft board or a flat cushion for pinning your collar cut out and individual motifs on and assembling the collar with the lace.

Pins, needle, scissors.

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

Liked this post?

Pin it for later!

Posted on February 3, 2021February 3, 2021 by Vytene — Leave a comment

2 Ways to Make a Magic Circle

How to make a Magic Circle and why do we need it?

Beginning crocheters often wonder, how to start crocheting in a circle so as it would come out neat and tidy every single time.

Magic Circle is the answer.

In the videos below I show you two ways how to make a magic circle. Choose the one that you find easier, the finished item will look exactly the same.

Variation 1

I sometimes use this first variation when I work with thicker yarn.

Variation 2

As a rule, I usually go for this second variation, especially when crocheting with fine thread and a small hook. I find that by doing it this way, I use up less yarn.

This technique is used when starting all sorts of projects – hats, round napkins, amigurumi toys or anything else where you need to start a circle with no hole in the middle.

Here’s a Dreamy Collar project where I used magic circle to start most of the circles apart from one type. Click HERE

It doesn’t matter how fine or chunky yarn you are crocheting with, your circle will look neat and tidy every time!

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

Posted on November 4, 2020November 4, 2020 by Vytene — Leave a comment

How to Crochet Spiky Snowflakes?

Crochet Spiky snowflakes and decorate your Christmas tree, home or office this Holiday Season!

These spiky snowflakes also make a beautiful unique gift for anyone who appreciates handmade items.

To get your FREE Spiky Snowflake pattern:

I created this spiky snowflakes pattern after looking at lots of real snowflake photography online. So this pattern resembles a spiky snowflake variety in real life.

But to be honest, I found so many real snowflake variations that I realized, you can crochet almost any kind of imaginary snowflake and it will resemble a real-life one.

One common snowflake feature though, is that each snowflake always has 6 ‘branches’. That’s apparently, a scientific fact. But don’t quote me one that! I am only a crocheter and not a snowflake scientist J

If you want to learn to crochet these beautiful Spiky Snowflakes, you can get a FREE PATTERN HERE.

Level: Beginner friendly.

It is a very easy snowflake to crochet and is perfect for beginning crocheters because you need to know only very basic stitches – slip stitch, chain, double crochet (US terminology).

Materials and tools you will need:

0.75mm size hook. You can get it HERE
The yarn is 100% mercerized cotton 100g/ 570m approx. Anchor Freccia 12. You can get it HERE
Fabric stiffener. I have used Mod Podge Stiffy, you can get it HERE
Pins.
(Optional) Soft flat work top, you can also use a flat cushion.
A piece of cardboard and a plastic bag.
(Optional) A small painting brush.
Scissors and needle.

You may also like to crochet:

Sunshiny Snowflake, pattern HERE

Ornate Snowflake, pattern HERE.

Finishing Stage for Spiky Snowflakes

If you want to use your Spiky Snowflakes as a hanging décor element, you have to stiffen them after you have completed crocheting them.

For this step I use fabric stiffener called Mod Podge Stiffy, you can get it HERE. It works perfectly for me.

But you can also use homemade stiffeners such as water and glue mixture. Make sure the stiffener is strong enough to hold delicate branches and elements of this Spiky Snowflake.

For laying out and drying my snowflake, I use a soft board (a flat cushion will also work), put a piece of cardboard on top of it with a plastic bag covering.

For ease of access, I also use a small painting brush to apply the fabric stiffener. You can also apply your fabric stiffener with your fingers.

In many cases crocheters first apply the fabric stiffener and then lay out their snowflake to dry. In this case, I reverse the process because the snowflake has lots of small details, and it takes time to lay them out and pin them down precisely, the way I want them to look.

So I first lay out my snowflake and pin each detail in the way I want it to look in the final version. I prefer to lay it out with the wrong side facing up. This particular snowflake design has lots of small spikes, so I need quite a few pins to keep each spike in shape.

I then take my paint brush and apply the fabric stiffener quite generously, especially around the base of each branch. Make sure that each corner, each little spike and each branch vein have enough stiffener on them, so as the snowflake would hold its shape perfectly when dried.

Leave it to dry out.

24 hours later (or maybe even less)…

Voila! Your snowflake is ready for beautiful winter décor!

Get you FREE Spiky Snowflakes Pattern HERE

Create beauty one stitch at a time!

Liked this post?

Pin it for later!

Posted on October 13, 2020October 13, 2020 by Vytene — Leave a comment

What Is Mercerized Cotton Yarn?

When you go shopping for cotton yarn or thread, you may have noticed that sometimes the label says 100% cotton while other times it says 100% mercerized cotton.

So what is mercerized cotton? And why is it important for your handmade projects?

I filmed this short video explaining what mercerization process means and how it affects the final finish of your crochet or knit item.