For a couple of years after completing my college degree I had fallen out of the habit of reading just for fun, but lately I have gotten my old enthusiasm back in a big way! I remember having my head buried in a book whenever the slightest opportunity arose growing up, and that love for literature stuck with me into adulthood, although the opportunities became a little harder to come by 😉
Since renewing my reading habits I find myself haunting the local book shop and hunting through the bookshelves at thrift stores, much in need of a sturdy tote bag to stash my new finds. I imagined a cute striped number JUST big enough for a few fat books and some little extras as a companion to my bookstore-café days.
Get the written pattern for the Journée Tote bag exclusively in my pattern shops via Ravelry, Etsy, or Ko-Fi now – or keep reading for more details on the design and how to get this new pattern on sale!
The Journée Tote was named after the French word for day, as I imagined it holding my books and journals during my journeys through the bookstores and cafés du jour. This sturdy bag is densely stitched in simple single crochet, using sleek mercerized cotton yarn in rich colors to create a pretty and modern piece that steals the show from flat white canvas alternatives!
With customizable strap length and optional button fastening, this bag can go anywhere from the campus to the coast and keep your belongings safe at your side – the tight stitch structure means no fabric lining is needed to keep even small objects from falling through!
The written pattern includes detailed, step-by-step instructions with accompanying tutorial photos, all numbered and referenced. Follow the exact color instructions to make the bag pictured, or customize your own colored stripe scheme to match your wardrobe – also makes a good project for using up scraps of #4 weight cotton yarn.
Materials: 3.5 mm hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) Lion Brand 24/7 cotton (#4 weight, 100% mercerized cotton, 3.5 oz / 186 yd) – Café au lait: 2 skeins, Main Color – Dragonfly: less than (<) half a skein, Color 1 – Purple: < half a skein, Color 2 – Magenta: < half a skein, Color 3 – Rose: < half a skein, Color 4 – Bay Leaf: < half a skein, Color 5 – Hay Bale: < half a skein, Color 6 – Amber: < half a skein, Color 7
Scissors, tapestry needle 4-6 Locking stitch markers .5” – .75” button (optional) – be sure your tapestry needle can fit inside the hole/s in the button!
Yarn note: Some color amounts are very small and can be skipped/substituted if you want to reduce the number of skeins you have to buy! This pattern is good for using scraps, but make sure the yarns are #4 weight mercerized cotton to maintain the uniform look.
Finished Measurements: Main Body Width – 12” Main Body Length – 12” Strap Length: ~ 20”- 25” – notes for altering the length of strap are included in the instructions
Language: English (Using US crochet terminology)
Because we all need more money for novels and hot beverages, I’m offering the Journée Bag pattern PDF at an introductory sale price of just $5 exclusively through my Ko-Fi shop until March 8! I also have a few RARE actual items still for sale in there including an original Pixie Pocket Belt 🙂 You can also get this pattern on a deal by using my multi-pattern discount codes on Ravelry or Etsy – just add the code at checkout, the more patterns you buy the better the sale! Discount Codes: 15% off of 2: MF15OFF 20% off of 3-4: MF20OFF 25% off of 5-6: MF25OFF 30% off of 7+: MF30OFF
The winter months have been quiet and dreamy for me but the days are growing longer and I look forward to all the fresh new stitches I’ve got in store to share – be sure to show me what you’ve been hooking up on Instagram by tagging @moralefiber, I adore seeing all the variety of projects made from my patterns!
In the earlier days of my design ambitions I experimented with several kinds of aesthetics, from basic crochet garment staples like armwarmers and simple hats to the dippy-est of hippie drips 😉 I still draw inspiration from many places, but it’s fair to say my niche is in everything mythical and magical. Something just feels very right to me about making crochet garments that would belong in a fairy tale.
I think that’s because all my life I’ve struggled with mood disorders, and escaping into the realm of fantasy has always been my way of coping. Occasionally I’ll receive a message from someone with whom my designs strike that same chord, saying that they’ve found some peace or relief in my artwork. Each time this happens I am overjoyed and humbled – to lift someone’s spirits, to improve lives through creativity even in the smallest way – that is exactly the reason I dubbed this thing Morale Fiber 13 years ago. So without further sap, I am grateful to be able to release my latest fantastical pattern design today!
The Quetzal Hood full length PDF crochet pattern is available now in my Ravelry Store, Ko-Fi Shop, and Etsy Shop! Read on for more info about the new design or follow the links to buy the PDF – thank you in advance as paid pattern purchases are my primary source of income and allow me to keep creating! 🙂
The Quetzal Hood is a deep, dramatic, fully-scaled hood which comes to a tapered point at the back and drapes beautifully over the shoulders in the front. This stunner is perfect for festival wear and costuming and addictive to make in any number of gradient #4 weight yarn colorways!
The construction of the hood utilizes a few simple tweaks to a basic croc stitch triangle, making this a must-have accessory due to its unique and regal shape. I took a lot of time making adjustments so that this free-standing hood could be worn on its own or easily attached to another garment. The tapered pointed back and the partial rows on the front balance this hood for optimum wear.
This PDF pattern includes detailed, stitch-by-stitch written instructions with lots of tutorial photos, as well as a bonus PDF download Crocodile Stitch Primer tutorial that introduces this unique stitch and how to make it for those who have not worked with it before.
Materials Needed:
5.5 mm “I” Hook (or size needed to obtain gauge) Lion Brand Landscapes (#4, 100 g / 147 yd, 100% Acrylic) 5 skeins* * Yarn note: This project BARELY cracked 5 skeins, and so it’s possible to do it with 4 skeins if you skip a full row toward the end- this is discussed more in the pattern notes! Scissors, Tapestry Needle Optional: 8-9” tall hardback book for fringe making AND/OR 1.5” – 2” button for fastening.
Finished Measurements (One Size): Depth: 15” from tip to front opening Front Opening Height: 22” top of brim to tassel Back Seam Height: ~12”
Language: English Terminology: US crochet terminology All of my designs come with permission for the artist to sell the finished product that they made from my pattern, as long as I am credited/linked.
I hope this new design is carried with you into the best of magical realms – I know I’ll need to make several more just for my own troop of mages 😉 I can’t wait to choose the next colorway!
If you love crocodile stitch as much as I do, check out these other designs available from Morale Fiber:
I’ve written many times over the years about my favorite winter hat design, the Gnome Toboggan, a pattern which is available for free here on my blog or as an ad-free, portable PDF download. I love this design so much that I even made a stitch-by-stitch video pattern for it! You see, just about every winter I end up making one of these quick, squishy babies to pop on while jogging or exploring… but this winter I had an idea for a variation. Making this simple textured winter hat into a fuzzy bonnet seemed like a great twist, and conveniently uses up small balls of spare faux fur yarn, something I have plenty of scraps of left over from making fuzzy ushankas, shawls, and swishy coats.
Luckily, creating this new variation turned out to be pretty simple! Here’s my quick tutorial for making your own Gnome Bonnet from the original Gnome Toboggan pattern 🙂
Materials: For this project you’ll need everything in the original materials list in the pattern (1 skein Lion Brand Scarfie, 5.50 mm hook, scissors, tapestry needle) as well as < 10-15 yards of Lion Brand Go For Faux Thick & Quick and a 9.00 mm needle for that yarn. Faux Fur pompom is super cute, but not required!
Please check the original pattern for details on the yarn weight and yardage if needed, as well as for making your gauge 🙂
Finished Measurements (approximate): Adult Large: 24″ brim, 11.5″ from tip to brim Adult Small: 22″ brim, 11.5″ from tip to brim
Instructions:
Follow the original instructions for the Gnome Toboggan from Round 1 through Round 12 – you can work Rnd 2 or skip it for a more rounded top, as noted in pattern. For the Gnome Bonnets pictured, the green example skips Rnd 2 for a rounded top while the purple and pink examples have included Rnd 2 for a more pointed top.
After Rnd 12, you have the option to add one more round in which the stitch count increases. For an adult size bonnet I preferred to work the Round 13 increases to make the Large version of the hat, so that the sides of the finished hat would have plenty of room to hand down around the head for warmth. The green and purple versions of the bonnet pictured are made this way, while the pink version is made without the Rnd 13 increases – a size small in the original pattern.
Work rounds 14-16 as normal. Now that we have some length on the top of the hat, we are going to switch from working in joined rounds, to working in rows back and forth.
Rnd 17: Ch 2 (does not count as first stitch), turn. FPDC in the very first st. BPDC in the next st. (FPDC in the next st, BPDC in the next st) around until final stitch is worked. Do not join.
Pictured above: Chaining 2 to turn (1st image) then inserting hook through the very first stitch to make the first FPDC (2nd image)
Rnd 18: Ch 2, turn. FPDC in the very first st. BPDC in the next st. (FPDC in the next st, BPDC in the next st) across.
Pictured above: Working FPDC,BPDC repeats across (1st image), at the end insert the hook as for BPDC on the final stitch, with hook emerging behind the ch-2 turning chain (2nd image). Complete last BPDC (3rd image)
Rnds 19-23: Rpt Rnd 18.
You can add a few more extra rows here if you want to get more length – but there’s still the faux fur border which adds about 2″. Once you have the hat the length you like, cut the main yarn and tie off.
Border Row 1: With the 9.00 mm hook and the Go For Faux, join new yarn in the space after the first post stitch of the round below. Ch 2 – counts as beginning dc. (Skip 2 post dc, 1 dc in the next space between post stitches) repeat across.
Pictured above: Ch-2 to start (1st image), insert hook in the spaces BETWEEN stitches, skipping 2 post stitches every repeat (2nd & 3rd images)
If you want a stiffer brim and have enough extra faux fur yarn, I recommend making Border Row 2 – but it’s optional!
Border Row 2: Turn and slip stitch in each stitch, keeping tension even. Cut faux fur yarn and tie off.
Weave in all ends. If using a faux fur bobble, attach to the top of the hat in the first round (mine come with an elastic loop I use to tie on).
Finally I measure out 28-30 strands of the main yarn, about 32 inches in length. Separate into 2 bundles and double over each bundle.
Using the 9.00 mm hook, insert at the corner edge of the border rows from bottom to top. Hook the middle of the strand bundle through and pull so that the bundle has a loop coming out underneath the edge of the hat.
Tuck the loose strand end of the bundle through this loop and pull the bundle tight. Separate into 3 roughly equal sections of strands and braid. Repeat on the opposite side with 2nd bundle.
Once I braid my bundles, I use whichever strand at the end is longest to wrap around the braid-end and tie, tucking the strand back inside the bundle afterward. Voila! The CUTEST gnome bonnet you ever espied.
It seems like it’s been forever since I finished a Pixie Pocket Belt, and maybe it has been… two years? Something like that! Anyway this post is mostly just pretty pictures of my newest Pixie Belt including links to my Pixie Pocket Belt tutorial guide which is free on my blog!
The Sassafras Pixie Pocket Belt is a finished piece of wearable crochet art fit for faerie royalty! I created this belt from carefully selected yarn remnants in a lush autumnal color scheme to match the long, flowy golden silk fabric. The golden skirt portion is upcycled, 100% silk which is hemmed, then hand-sewn and crocheted onto the yarn belt, along with an overlapping sample of lightweight brown lace.
The main belt itself is sturdy acrylic reinforced with decorative handspun wool stitched along the length to prevent warping and to secure the uniquely designed, nature inspired pockets. They are designed to creatively reflect the aesthetics of nature in autumn and are all attached at two points to the belt itself. Each pocket features button-and-loop closure to keep your treasures safe. An additional mushroom shaped pouch is included which is removable and can be worn around the neck – the toadstool cap slides upward on the cord to reveal a hollow stem in which to store lighters, chapstick, crystals, etc!
The length of the belt is long, which can be worn around an inclusive range of waist sizes by overlapping or by using the smaller cord to cinch the belt like a drawstring. The middle back is pointed with extra skirt gathering for a slight bustle effect, accented by a golden disc that shines like the autumn sun. Total belt length: 60″ – total length covered by the skirt portion – 30″ Materials – mixed fibers including acrylic, wool, and silk Hand wash / spot clean only <3
I had that lovely silk piece in my upcycling stash for a long time, saved with just such a belt as the Sassafras in mind. It was a joy to put this one together! Here’s a rundown of which parts of the tutorial I used: The circle pocket is made in the style of my one-piece circle pocket, the pointed pouch is of course the pointed pouch tutorial, and the square pocket is one long rectangle, folded over and seamed at the sides.
When I first started making these pixie pocket belts based on other similar designs I’d seen around the internet, many people requested a pattern! But I didn’t want to make a pattern that would result in the exact same pixie belt every time, since I enjoyed making each one with its own unique look. So my tutorial is more of a recipe that illustrates how to create the shapes and put them together, while also leaving room for glorious experimentation! 🙂 I’ve seen some really inspiring and amazing pixie belts made from this tutorial over the years, and it’s so rewarding to see people enjoying them – so please do keep tagging me on Instagram with all your Morale Fiber projects <3 and thank you!
I can’t believe I’m FINALLY posting about this completed project! I’ve certainly done lots of projects featuring scrap yarn before, for many reasons – I have a lot of it, I adore color mixing and making color progressions, and it creates cool things from otherwise useless little bits of leftover fiber. But I’ve never attempted anything like this…
Meet Rag Doll, my latest Elf Coat! This XL sized coat is made with 100% leftover yarn balls, each stitched lovingly by me into a scrappy prismatic mantle that’s as warm as it is magical 🙂 You can get all the elements of the Elf Coat Tunisian Crochet pattern for FREE here on my blog – follow the links on the Elf Coat FAQ page.
Before I go on to talk about the project details – This coat is FOR SALE! Its very, very rare that I complete an original Elf Coat to sell, and you can get this one in my Ko-Fi shop now! Make sure you read the details in the description regarding the size and actual measurements and please let me know if you have questions about it. And oh yeah… FREE shipping within the U.S 😉
Oh, Rag Doll! You were my constant companion for 14 months. I spent 15+ hours just on weaving in the ends ALONE. Because though I’ve done lots of scrappy projects in the past, I’ve tried to create designs that incorporate those pesky ends as a fringe so that I don’t have to complete the hated work of weaving them in with the yarn needle. But that strategy was a no-go for this coat, it needed to be scrappy but I hated the idea of having a fringe at every seam – so weave the ends in I did!
I made a few modifications to the length of this coat – one of the major ones was shortening the wedges by skipping 8 non-increase rows out of the first part of every wedge piece. I’m glad I did that, since the coat came out long anyway! I also modified the hood to be extra tall and roomy at the neck by adding in a section of rows stitched directly onto the bottom of the hood before seaming.
This coat got two really plush inset pockets, nestled nicely above the waistband so you can barely tell they’re there – I considered doing the pointed pockets, but I didn’t want to cover ANY of those lovely scrappy color progressions I worked so hard on creating.
And of course, the corset back lacing using the very last of my favorite mesh ribbon yarn I got years and years ago (my favorite one to use for ties and laces in my crochet). I really wish that mesh yarn had come with a label so that I knew what it was called, although surely it’s out of production by now anyway.
The front closure is finished off with a row of 6 traditional round buttons, neatly mismatched to coordinate with the rest of the coat 🙂
My friend Rukus was my model for this photoshoot and she did a perfect job! Those platforms were NOT easy to twirl around in, haha! I asked her to wear heeled shoes and she really provided 😉 I wanted her in taller shoes because this coat would fit a taller-than-average person best – but check the full description + measurements in my Ko-Fi shop if you’re interested <3 Model is 5’4″ (not counting the 3″ platforms).
Whew!! It was so satisfying to put up the very last of the leftover little yarn balls back into their color-coded baskets after finishing this project. It must have been 4 years I’ve had that scrap yarn collected and ready to create this project – and having blasted through so many leftovers, I barely had anything to put back!
Ok, so by now we’ve all witnessed the inexplicable return of the 90’s style bucket hat to the fashion scene – but have you yet encountered the FUR bucket hat trend? As soon as I saw it I knew I’d have to make one for myself.
You can get the Trapper’s Bucket Hat, the Ushanka Hat, and the Vintage Muff crochet pattern designs all in ONE single PDF now in my Ravelry Store, Etsy Shop, or Ko-Fi Shop. Get it on SALE exclusively at the Ko-Fi Shop for 5.99 ($2-3 dollars off the original price) until the end of October! Keep reading for more details about these designs or visit my Free Patterns Page to see everything I offer free of charge.
The Lion Brand Go For Faux Thick & Quick I had stockpiled in my yarn shelves was originally from making Ushanka Hats, a free pattern on the blog from a few years ago. Since then I’d picked up a few skeins here and there when they were on sale or when I found a neat new color. Well, wouldn’t leopard print just be perfect for a retro chapeau such as this? The colorway is actually called “Fawn” but I think it looks like cheetah fur 😉
This new spin on my faux fur hat design came at the perfect time, since I’d been wanting to convert the free version of my Ushanka & Muff set into a PDF pattern anyway. So now to celebrate the debut of the Trapper’s Bucket Hat, I’m gathering these designs all into one PDF! Read on for the details of what’s included & what you need to make ’em.
Ushanka Hat Pack
This super fuzzy and super fun hat design pack features a Jumbo weight faux fur yarn and a “P” size hook to make several designs which work up in a flash!
The Ushanka Hat is modeled after the traditional Siberian garment, a circular fur cap with earflaps that can hang down or tie up on top of the head. With this pattern you can create your own Ushanka with OR without earflaps as the first two design options.
Top off your traditional warm & fuzzy look with a vintage style muff, a super easy and quick accessory designed for keeping hands warm in freezing temps – the vintage muff design in this pattern pack uses can be made with just 1 skein of the recommended yarn.
Or create the funky, trendy fur bucket hat look for yourself in whatever color you please – the Trapper’s Bucket Hat just might be my favorite statement piece right now, with its 90’s throwback silhouette and opulent texture!
Materials: 11.5 mm “P” hook, or size needed to obtain gauge Lion Brand Go For Faux Thick & Quick (#7 Jumbo weight, 120 g / 24 yd, 100% Polyester)
1-2 skeins for Muff
4 skeins for Ushanka w/ Earflaps
3 skeins for Trapper Bucket Hat or earflap-less Ushanka 3 lengths of 21-24” of ribbon or ribbon yarn (about 2 yards) – 2 lengths for Ushanka, 1 doubled length for Muff OR 2 1-inch buttons Scissors, large-eyed yarn needle, 4 stitch markers
Finished Measurements (approximate): Ushanka Hat: 24″ brim, 7″ tall from brim to crown, 5″ long earflaps Trapper Bucket Hat: 24” brim, 7” depth of crown, 3” flared brim Arm Muff: 7″ x 11″ for the finished tube
Pattern is written in US crochet terminology. Language: English
That teapot purse was one of my best ever thrift store finds!
Hello from the Morale Fiber Headquarters! Back in the fall of last year when Lion Brand discontinued one of their most unique and beautiful yarns, I knew I’d have to do a hunt for something adequate to replace it. Not only do I use Shawl in a Ball / Shawl in a Cake as the recommended yarn for two of my best patterns, the Priestess Coat and the Embla Vest, it’s also a go-to favorite for making some of my other designs as well – such as the Lotus Mandala Vest. I also thought this would be a good opportunity to write another field guide – this time focusing on how to find the best yarn substitutes!
The Embla VestThe Lotus Vest (with Cardigan Sleeve Add-on)
I started searching around, using some of my yarn knowledge acquired through years and years of using substitute yarns and getting mixed results. A lot of this yarn know-how is detailed in my extensive post about crochet gauge and the different characteristics of fiber and yarn construction, and in that post I do mention Shawl in a Ball specifically. You see, it’s just such a strange yarn! Despite being a #4 weight, the yarn is relatively thin and sleek, with the fluffy fibers that cling to the cotton strand core making it lofty and soft too. It often works up much smaller in gauge than other #4 weight yarns, but it has a heaviness and drape to it because of the denser cotton core construction.
Not to mention the colors – gorgeous. Truly a yarn I will miss. I may have bought a lot of it for my stash when I realized it was in danger of disappearing forever 😉
After several fruitless trips to the big box hobby stores, my search for adequate substitutes led me to my favorite bulk yarn supplier, Ice Yarns. Their huge variety of yarns was just the hunting ground I needed, and I ordered a big bag of different skeins, ready to test them out against Shawl in a Ball. I set the big bag aside, fully intending to create a new yarn unboxing video for this little venture. And then I procrastinated until my nice fat package from Ice Yarns had been staring balefully at me from my office corner for months. But now, I finally conquered making that unboxing video, as well as swatching all my samples of yarn to create this how-to guide for finding the right substitute yarn!
Anyway, time to get to the nitty gritty, eh? First up is the unboxing video itself, to introduce all of our candidates. Then, we’ll go over the details of each yarn’s weight and construction, along with my test gauge swatches, and talk about which yarns are the best substitute for Shawl in a Ball, as well as the finer points of what makes a good yarn substitute in general! Hopefully this guide will provide some answers on how to search for the right substitute yarn no matter what you’re looking to replace 🙂
Ice Yarns Unboxing
The Swatches:
Target Yarn: Shawl in a Ball (also includes Shawl in a Cake) #4 weight category 61% Cotton, 34% Acrylic, 5% Other Fiber 150 g / 440 meters OR 5.3 oz / 481 yards
For this exercise in yarn substitution, I’m searching specifically for something besides Shawl in a Ball (SIAB) to make my Priestess Coat pattern with, and so all the swatches are made using the stitch for that pattern (Tunisian Simple Stitch) and aiming for the target gauge for that project using the recommended hook size (6.5 mm). All swatches were made in one sitting for consistency and have all been blocked by pinning them out so that the stitches are fully stretched to allow accurate measurement.
Of course, all of these swatch measurements are dependent on my own unique tension when I crochet. ALL gauge measurements are going to depend on each individual crocheter’s tension, and so measurements will vary from person to person even when using the same materials. For more information on understanding how to navigate gauge, be sure to check out my Crochet Gauge guide!
When searching for potential yarns to order for this exercise, I focused on finding skeins with a comparable weight (grams or ounces) to length (meters or yards) ratio. If I found a similar ratio, I would then consider yarn structure and fiber content. Here’s how my four samples performed…
Ice Yarns Cakes Mohair
#2 weight category
20% Mohair, 20% Wool, 60% Acrylic
150 g / 810 meters OR 5.3 oz / 885 yards
In the unboxing video, I couldn’t remember if I had bought this yarn for the substitute search or not, since the weight category was #2 and I’m trying to substitute for a #4 – it seemed like I should have stayed within 1 category grade! However, I remembered after filming that my original intention WAS to double this yarn and see if a 2-stranded swatch would compare to my single strand swatch of the desired #4 weight.
Just for fun, though, I swatched it with both the single strand, and the 2-strand 🙂 In the above picture, the 2-strand is on the top of the image, and the 1 strand is on the bottom. As you can see, 2 strands makes it much bigger and the 1 strand swatch is the dinkiest of all the swatches.
Target Gauge: 7 stitches & 6 rows = 2 inches
Gauge for 1 strand swatch: 8 stitches & 8 rows = 2 inches (pictures above – too small!)
This swatch comes in too small, as predicted. At a full 2 rows OVER what it normally takes to get the correct height for the gauge, I wouldn’t attempt to use this yarn single-strand for the project. While it may be possible to size the hook up a few times to enlarge the stitches enough to meet the gauge, I’d predict that the fabric would not be dense enough with such a large hook to achieve the right look for the garment. In other words, too much space between stitches would cause the fabric to look too airy and “lacey.”
Gauge for 2 strand swatch: 7 stitches & 6 rows = 2 inches (ON TARGET! pictures below)
Doubling up the strands for this yarn worked! This is also what I predicted according to the math (the length per gram was almost double the yarn I was trying to match, therefore doubling the yarn produced similar gauge). While the gauge measurements match, the swatch of fabric itself is thicker and fuller feeling than the original SIAB swatch, so the resulting Priestess Coat would be a little denser, but it should work beautifully and be warmer than the original design, a plus for many since the SIAB Priestess was created more for style than for warmth 😉
While this yarn worked up slightly smaller than the desired measurements, I would still consider this a good substitute. To make it meet gauge, I could go up in hook size one or two steps, or I could work with my physical hand tension until I’m used to making the stitches a little less tightly, using the same hook size the pattern recommends. The fabric density and the overall feel of the fabric is a close match to the original SIAB, because of the similar strand structure I mentioned in the video, so visually this yarn performs well.
It’s important to factor in that gauge isn’t always going to translate *exactly* from swatch to project. Especially in the case of larger garments, the extra fabric weight and long stretches of the same stitch motions may end up loosening your tension FOR you. It’s not the safest gamble to depend on, but it happens! Still, I recommend getting your gauge as close as possible on the swatch, and worrying about how it translates later.
Sorry for the black on black on black. I know it’s not the most visible thing in the world, but turn your screen brightness up and bear with me, because this substitute is great! As I mentioned in the video, I am specifically hoping for a good substitute in black shades so I can make a witchy, raven-y Priestess Coat – and Lorena fits the bill. At just a fraction of a row too short for the gauge height, I can probably rely on either changing my manual tension to fix this, or using my knowledge of the pattern to add extra rows if/where necessary.
The fabric density of this swatch is surprising – at #2 weight I wouldn’t expect it to be such a good match. However, the yarn has lots of plies that come together to form a bouncy, rounded yarn that is also light and sleek, so the stitch structure is delicate enough to still have space between stitches while also looking substantial and not too “lacey” or flimsy.
This yarn also has good elasticity, which leads me to suspect I won’t have to worry about that extra .5 of a row gap in gauge measurement. This is because the overall stretch of the fabric, once all the weight of the project is exerted, might stretch the stitches enough that the gauge makes target. Again, it’s best not to rely solely on such an imprecise prediction, and getting exact gauge is best – but it can happen!
I’m so glad I got this measurement for Bamboo SoftAir, because it helps demonstrate exactly the point I’m trying to make here, which is that weight categories aren’t everything! The gauge reading for this #4 weight yarn is pretty much the same as for the #2 weight yarn Lorena, which we just sampled. Weird, right? Goes to show that there are really so many variables when choosing yarns such as structure, fiber content, number of plies, and all of that on TOP of each individual crafter’s tension. No wonder the number one question I get is about yarn substitutions! It can be a lot to parse through.
While the gauge reading is good, I’m not thrilled with the way the fabric looks. Compared to the SIAB, the fabric is much denser and woollier, creating an overall stiffer swatch than I want. The thickness would be great for someone looking to make a very warm coat, but one of the key design characteristics of my Priestess pattern is the way the loose structure of the stitched fabric creates a lovely swing in the diamond gore inserts at the hem. I could definitely make this coat with this yarn, but the drape would not look and move the same!
Further Tools and Resources
I have to admit that when it came to hunting the yarn for this test, I did it the hard way! I wanted to really get my hands into the process so I could explain it in detail. Fortunately there are great resources out there that allow you to skip the process of calculating the gram-to-meter-to-whatever ratio of every single skein candidate:
Yarnsub.com – This is my instant go-to database for substituting any yarn! Just type in the brand name and yarn style of the yarn you need to substitute, and the huge database will give you match results based on the same parameters discussed here – weight category, gauge, fiber content, ect. The results pop up by nearness of match, and you can filter by type of fiber and cost. Here’s an example search with SIAB already plugged in! One drawback of this database is that of course, there are tons of yarns not included (I’ve never seen an Ice Yarn pop up despite the fact that they often make very good dupes of popular hobby store brands). But one can’t expect every yarn in the yarniverse to be in there, so it’s still a great starting point.
Ravelry.com – Ravelry still reigns supreme in my eyes as the most useful yarn-crafting network on the internet and once you move past their slightly-outdated webpage formats it’s easy to see why. For every pattern information page, there’s a tab marked “Yarn Ideas” that will pull up all the yarns used by crafters who have made the project and logged it on Ravelry.
I knew before I clicked it that one of the entries under Yarn Ideas would be Lion Brand Mandala, a DK weight acrylic cake yarn. So far this is the substitute I have recommended most for this project, as I’ve gotten good feedback from crocheters saying they really liked this project in that yarn 🙂 Hobbii Universe XL was a surprise though – and I really would love to try that one too!
You can also look at the “Projects” tab to see all the projects made from a particular pattern and get a better idea of how different yarns look in the overall finished project.
If you’ve read this far, I’m proud of you. This is next-level stuff! Understanding the finer details of yarn planning is so essential to creating projects you’re going to love for years to come, so I hope my perspectives have been useful or at the very last, encourage asking the right questions when you’re on the hunt.
As for my search for a great yarn substitution for a Raven Priestess Coat project, I think I’ve settled on a combination: the true black Lorena for the main body of the coat, and the SIAB Cleansing Quartz for the diamond panels at the bottom. We may grab some Bamboo SoftAir for a pared-back trim (instead of the bulky fur) , although I think it would look great without any fancy trim at all so we’ll see. Check back in a few years when my procrastinating self is likely to have it done 😉
Okay so KNOWING how serious I am about the business of coziness, cuteness, and loads of texture – is it surprising that I went back to one of my fuzziest projects drafted six years ago to bring it into my collection of full-pattern crochet designs? No it isn’t.
You can get this sweet, fun new crochet pattern in my pattern stores via Ravelry, Ko-Fi, or Etsy, or keep reading for more details about the project and materials.
Meet the Batty Kitty Sweater! Flash back to the winter of 2017, the original draft of this garment was made during a dreary January, when I was beset by coursework at college and the skies seemed infinitely gray every day. This project was designed for sweet and comforting Loafing Around vibes, and only a sweater big enough to completely disappear into would do!
I wanted to combine a very wide boxy silhouette so that the sleeves were almost a bat-wing style, and which would fit around my folded legs for extra warmth on the couch of my difficult-to-heat-apartment. The large bat or cat ears are formed from folded edges on the hood, inspired by the then-recent craze for pink crochet and knit pussyhats, worn in protest during post-election 2016.
Having already named this project the Batty Kitty Sweater, I didn’t bother this time around to come up with a name with more mystery or dignity. Nope. It’s batty. It’s kitty. It’s a Batty Kitty 😀 Read on for more details about the written crochet pattern and everything you need to make some fuzzy, whimsical winterwear…
Batty Kitty Sweater
This oversized, ultra-cozy crochet sweater is designed for the best of lounge vibes, whether you’re snowed-in and snuggly or taking your tail to your favorite cat cafe. The Batty Kitty a cross between a sweater, a poncho, and a blanket – curl up easily inside the extra-wide body of the garment and add the softly thick and deep hood to get truly nestled in.
Featuring big, plush triangle ears, a large hoodie pocket in the front, and post stitch ribbing around the hems and cuffs, the Batty Kitty Sweater is an instant favorite with everyone who tries it on! Using mostly basic stitches at an intermediate level, this project is quicker to work up than you might think – thanks to the 9.0 mm crochet hook combined with #5 bulky weight fuzzy yarn 🙂
The sweater is oversized fitting a size range of Small-2XL, composed of 3 pattern grades which cover 2 sizes each – Small/Medium, Large/XL, 2X/3X. Detailed written instructions are accompanied by lots of tutorial photography and as usual I am available to help with any inquiries about the pattern 🙂
Finished Measurements: Measurements are approximate and taken with the garment laid flat. Small / Med – 18.5” shoulder to bottom, 11-12” arm, 34” body width, 16” hood height Large / XL – 20” shoulder to bottom, 12.5” arm, 38” body width, 16” hood height 2X / 3X – 22.5” shoulder to bottom, 13” arm, 42” body width , 16” hood height
Language is English using US crochet terminology
As soon as I stitched up the pink version of the Batty Kitty design, I knew immediately who I wanted to model it for me – my friend Daft Pixie, cozy kawaii streamer queen! Her space was already perfect as a backdrop with decor that’s everything cute, comforting and pink. If you love that aesthetic I highly recommend checking out her Instagram @DaftPixie where she creates cute crochet and knits, kawaii outfits, and streams relaxing games =^_^=
I have been patiently sitting on this pattern all summer actually! I began writing the pattern in January, exactly six years after the initial model was made, because… January in Indiana… makes me want fuzzy pajamas I guess. It’s dang cold and nasty here! Least favorite month (February too). Anyway, by the time the pattern was all tested and polished, the weather was nice enough to make me avoid focusing on something so warm. So I waited until September to pounce! I hope you like the new design and I hope it keeps you cozy all winter!
Or is it a re-re-release? Since I drafted the written pattern for this design in 2015 as a paid pattern, the Mandala Tam has been through several iterations and edits, but I’m so pleased with the latest version. Having offered it for free since 2017, it’s time this favorite design of mine returned to PDF availability!
You can grab the PDF crochet pattern for the Mandala Tam in my pattern stores via Ravelry, Etsy, or Ko-fi! There’s a special introductory price on my Ko-Fi platform exclusively, so head there to get $2 off the price until August 15. You can also get the same instructions for FREE by following this link to my original free pattern blog post. 🙂
[I’m pictured here wearing a pendant wire-wrapped by my good friend @paliquinn, check out his work on Instagram]
It’s the perfect time of year for it too, as I always return to this style of hat around late summer and early autumn – for good reason. Slouchy style hats are so perfect for tucking hair into to escape muggy, frizz-inducing heat or early morning chill on damp tresses, two primary features of the season. I also used to wear these kinds of hats often to classes when I was at college, since they were so practical and kept my hair out of the shoulder straps of my bags! Here’s the info on the latest update to this project:
The Mandala Tam pattern includes two different sizes of hat, a Small netted cap for those with less hair, and a Large mesh tam that can fit quite a lot of locks inside! This is an easy project with a quick finishing time that makes a really useful and pretty little accessory. The button & strap decoration is optional, if you leave it off you won’t need the 6.50 size hook listed in the materials.
Materials: 5.00 mm hook, 6.50 mm hook – (If not making the optional button & strap decoration at the brim, 6.5 mm hook is not needed)
Yarn: Any #4 weight yarn, around 200 yards –Recommended yarn is Red Heart Unforgettable (#4, 100 g / 270 yds, 100% acrylic). Lion Brand Landscapes is also an excellent choice!
Main Gauge: 3 ½” in diameter (edge to edge measured across the center) at the end of Rnd 3 Post Stitch Gauge: 6 sts = 2” in FPDC/BPDC pattern Make sure to check your gauge and use hook size needed to obtain gauge listed.
Sizes & Finished Measurements: This hat design has a Small size and a Large size! The brim size is the same, but the length of the back of the hat is different depending on how much hair you’d like to tuck in there Small (Somewhat Slouchy): 22” brim, 8-9” depth, 8” diameter laid flat. Large (Very slouchy): 22” brim, 11-12” depth, 10.5” diameter laid flat.
I have a number of other similar hat designs that are slouchy and generally tam or beret shaped – here’s a peek! First is the Leafy Tam, free or PDF <3
There’s the super-cute Mori Beret, paid PDF, with a bunch of foresty customization options <3
The Filigree Lace Cap is a really elegant mesh style cap with more delicate netting, featuring my popular Lotus Mandala for the center motif!
One of my most challenging themed hats, the Oak Sprite Acorn Cap, is available for FREE with full video instructions, or as a paid PDF!
If you’ve made it this far into my obligatory self-promotion, be rewarded with news of yet ANOTHER sale! If you follow me on Instagram or Facebook, you may have seen me feature my Yggdrasil Poncho recently – the PDF for this unique design is currently (through the end of August) also $2 off exclusively on my Ko-Fi Shop platform!
I’ve been offering more sales via Ko-Fi as an encouragement to purchase through this great website, which allows me to pay a small reasonable annual fee in order to make sales of my patterns without paying commission fees to the website for each individual sale. This results in a better profit for me, which is great because as an online artist, just about everyone gets a cut and all those little fees add up fast 🙂
This is a great time to say another big THANK YOU to all the amazing fiber artists out there who work my designs and share their beautiful skill with the world! Keep tagging me on Insta, I love love love seeing all your amazing work and tagging me in your projects definitely helps keep sales and views up! <3
After a full year of knitting this project, I spent 6 hours in May assembling this gorgeous fawn plushiedesigned by Claire Garland! I was determined to finally take my baby to a festival with me to show off all the hard work I put in. I am not the most seasoned knitter, however I am much more practiced now that I’ve slowly conquered what was, at first, a daunting pattern for me.
I was barely familiar with knitted shaping at the start of this pattern, but the instructions were super solid and with some patience, I knitted my way through all the pieces of this darling deer using the soft and natural alpaca blends recommended by the designer. I’m just a little obsessed with my new woodland friend and can definitely recommend this pattern!
I named her “Acorn” but have been referring to her as “baby” almost exclusively. She was a hit at the festival with young & old alike – though my friends teased me about her being slightly creepy, which is fine with me, I like my dolls a little on the creepy side 🙂 <3 We all had a good laugh about it!
If you have been around this blog for a while you’ll know this is not my first deer-themed project, in fact my preference for all things woodland means I simply couldn’t pass up this sweet fawn knitting pattern even if it meant I had to stretch my brain a little and learn some new skills.
