Welcome my little lovelies!

I've got a Halloween present for you! That's right, it's a free pattern for this ghoulishly gorgeous Granny Skull Square!  Last year when I posted the pattern and photo tutorial for the skull motif I had no idea how popular it was going to be.  Without any question it is by far the most visited post on my blog.  Who knew there were so many fans of macabre crochet!  I suppose it shouldn't surprise me that much. In stores there are skulls on everything from little girl clothes to shower curtains and kitchen accessories!

The feedback for the skull motif has been tremendously positive (thanks so much!). Other than a little confusion about making the eyes (work those stitches around the chain - not into it!) the question that I am most frequently asked is, "do you have a square pattern?" Now I can happily answer Yes - I sure do!

If you follow me on Instagram, Facebook or any of those other social media worlds, you know that it took a few tries to create a pattern that was good enough for you guys.  I feel pretty confident that this one will do the trick.  I wanted to make sure it was a universal size that will work with traditional granny squares.  That way you can have more options for mixing and matching your designs.

So there you have it! Just click on the button below for a downloadable PDF. The pattern will also be available (for free!) on Ravelry and I'll include a link in my sidebar.  If you have any questions or something about the pattern is confusing, please let me know.  I did the editing myself and mistakes are certainly possible!

I hope that you enjoy the Granny Skull. I'd love to see your finished squares.  Please feel free to share them on my Facebook page or tag me on Instagram (I'm RobinBrz).  You can also use the hashtags #crochetskull, #crochetnirvana, #robinbrz.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!

Hi there,

I miss blogging. I don't know what happened. All that time ago it started out as a way to keep track of my crochet and other crafty adventures.  I never stuck to a strict schedule - it rubs against my creative side in a rough, chafing kind of way.  But I did post way more often than I do now.  The focus shifted too.  It stopped being about me and started being about you.  Don't misunderstand - I love you and I love sharing new books and giving things away. I just want to do more than that.  So what's the problem?  See here's where it gets muddy, because I'm not sure what the problem is. Part of it is wanting every post to be interesting and done to the best of my ability. I get hung up on the little details.  Another piece is time management and yet another is my desire to make things instead of writing about making things!! Oh and of course there is that part that is my family, my work and all the other things (that don't involve yarn} I want and need to do each day!!

So where does that leave me? Well, I haven't completely  decided.  I do know I want to keep blogging.  Like all of my creative endeavors, the blog is meant to be fun and to ebb and flow with me. Instead of worrying about what comes next, how about I tell you about this afghan/throw I'm trying to make?

Ever since I saw the Groovyghan by Tracy St.John I wanted to make one. Out of cotton. In lots of bright colors. This has been my dream project for at least 2 years. Eventually I got the funds together for the yarn. I had my pattern and hook ready when it arrived and anxiously jumped right in. After making two of each square I knew I was in trouble. I like making squares - but I don't LOVE it. And I despise sewing them together. CRAP! I knew going in that it would be a challenge, but my confidence was pumped up on psychedelic rainbows! The brilliant colors and promise of comfy, cotton snuggling would see me through! Want to know what happened next? I put that nice big box of yarn right in front of my chair in the living room, threw a towel over it and I've been using it as a table ever since!! I don't know if I'm relieved or embarrassed by this admission, but there it is. Everyday it is a reminder of my thwarted grand ambition.  I've tried a few times to get another square going, but I can't muster the enthusiasm. As much as I admire the Groovyghan and would love to have one of my own, it's clear that is not going to happen.

Now what am I going to do with the big box of yarn?

Happily I may have discovered the answer.  I'll tell you about it soon!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I know that I'm not alone in my thinking that people who spend time with fiber (what ever form it's in, no matter what they do with it) are the nicest people you could ever hope to meet. This has been my experience over and over again.  Social media plays an important role in keeping me connected to my fellow enthusiasts. I know that it sometimes gets a bad wrap.  We hear that that we spend too much time interacting virtually instead of in the "real" world.  That it is a impeding our ability to build healthy relationships.  While that may be the case for some people, it certainly hasn't been my experience.  For me social media is a happy supplement to my daily fix of fiber!  I get to see what people are making. I get pattern recommendations.  I'm inspired to try something new. I get assistance when I get stuck. I find new resources - and that's just in one visit to my FaceBook and Instagram accounts! So what does all of this have to do with today's post?

Well, through Facebook I became friends with DyeNamic Yarns, (who I recently learned is a lovely woman from Canada named Kim)! We don't really know each other, but I enjoy looking at the pictures that she shares of her hand dyed sock yarns.  A few weeks ago Kim posted a status indicating that she would send a sample of her sock yarn to the first 10 people who responded.  I just happened to be in the right place at the right time so of course I responded. Who am I to pass up the opportunity to sample hand dyed yarn? Kim immediately messaged me for my address - and to ask if there was any color that I absolutely hate! There's that niceness again! 

A short time later my mailman delivered my samples. Two mini-skeins, one in soft shades of pink and the other a fresh lime sorbet and blueberry mix that looks good enough to eat.  I grabbed my crochet hook and made myself a granny square.  The yarn is soft and smooth with a slight sheen.  It is rather elastic and moved easily over my hook and through stitches.  The colors are consistent and true with no real blending between them.  I think that this means the stripes on your socks will be nice and defined. As I sat there holding my finished square I decided it would be a shame to just set it aside.  I sewed a small square insert, stuffed it with poly-fil, and using the last bit of yarn that was left stitched the corners of the granny together to make a sweet little pincushion!

Let me say that I am by no means a yarn expert.  In fact it is only recently that I have found myself in a position to sample and purchase what I consider to be gourmet fibers.  Most of my projects are made from acrylics, cottons or commercially produced wool blends that you find at department and craft stores. My new obsession with knitting socks has brought me knee deep (sorry!) into the word of sock yarns!  What I am learning is 1) there is a huge, amazing on-line sock community; 2) there are spinners and dyers who specialize in sock yarn; 3) self-striping yarns are incredible - color changes without changing yarn! 4) because you generally only need one skein to make a pair of socks it is an affordable way to indulge yourself with a special yarn.

I am very thankful to Kim at Dyenamic Yarns for sharing her wares with me. When I'm ready for my next sock yarn purchase I'll be visiting Kim's shop, that is if her FaceBook posts don't tempt into an impulse buy first!  You can find her on Etsy at DyeNamicYarn and on FaceBook as - you guessed it - Dyenamic Yarn! Stop by and tell her Robin sent you!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time,
Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!

Working with thread can seem intimidating.  I know the first time I picked up a tiny steel hook and #10 cotton thread I thought isn’t thread for sewing?! I felt out of my element.  There were a few rough moments, I won’t kid you, but with a little perseverance I discovered the magic feeling you get when bits of thread suddenly come together into a recognizable work of art that you created!

As an avid reader, bookmarks always seem in short supply at our house.  How better to combine my two passions than by designing a pattern for thread crochet bookmarks!

For the thread newbies out there I’ve taken lots of pictures to show you how it’s done.  If you’re very new to crochet, and have never made a granny square before I do recommend that you make a few with worsted weight yarn and an H hook before you try the thread.  As long as you’re comfortable with basic crochet techniques, and know the standard stitches than you should have no problem entering the wonderful world of thread.

1.     Don't be afraid! I know the hook and thread seem impossibly small, but give it a chance.
2.     All projects look messy and are hard to hold/work during the first few rows or rounds.  Keep going and it         will come together.
3.     Always work in good light and when you're not tired.
4.     Many patterns for yarn can be adapted to thread, and doilies are always in fashion.
5.     Take the time to use an invisible join instead of a slip stitch to join rounds.
6.     Use standing stitches to start rows/rounds instead of starting chains.
7.     Learn the join-as-you-go technique for motifs and grannies.
8.     Weave in ends as you go.
9.     If your hook is too thin to hold comfortably try wrapping the end with scrap yarn for an easy custom                handle.
10.   Blocking and stiffening your finished project are worth the time.

Rnd 3:  Join C in any ch2 corner sp. (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same ch2 sp, ch1. * 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1, (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch2 corner sp, ch1. Repeat from * 3 times. 3dc in last ch1 sp, ch1.  Join with sl st to starting ch3.  Fasten off.

Joining Rnd 3:  Join C in any ch2 corner sp. (ch3, 2dc, ch2, 3dc) in same ch2 sp, ch1. 3dc in ch1 sp, ch1.
(now we start the joining edge) 3dc in ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1, sc to join in any ch2 corner of finished square, 3dc back in same ch2 corner sp of working square. Sc to join in first ch1 sp of finished square. 3dc in ch1 sp of working square, Sc to join in next ch1 sp of finished square. 3dc in ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1, sc to join in next ch2 corner sp of finished square, 3dc back in same ch2 corner sp of working square, ch1. (join is finished) 3dc in next ch1 sp, ch1. (3dc, ch2, 3dc) in next ch2 corner sp, ch1, 3dc in last ch1 sp, ch1. Join with sl st in top of starting ch3. Fasten off.

Attach remaining squares in the same fashion.

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.  Be sure to check back for the final installment in my working with thread mini-series. I'll show you how to stiffen your bookmark and other thread projects using plain old white glue.  For your convenience I've included a downloadable copy of the pattern, just click on the link below and enjoy!

Until next time friends,
Be Blessed and Stitch & Read with Love!

Greetings Friends!

Last week one of the projects that I showed you was the totally groovy peace sign granny square from Petals to Picots.  My mission was to turn it into a pincushion for lovely young lady named Phoenix who volunteers at our library.  As you can see it was a terrific success and I'm overjoyed with the results.  It's a simple project that came together in just a few hours.  I made mine using Sugar 'n Cream Cotton in Sunshine, Hot Green and Psychedelic and a G hook.

Here's how:

1.    Using the granny square pattern, make just the peace sign.  For the base make a basic circle working in continuous rounds moving the stitch marker after each round. 

2.    When it's the same size as the peace sign work one round into the front loops only.  That forms the little edge and allows you to start working up.  Work 4 more continuous rounds making it about an inch and a half tall. Don't finish off.  To give it a bit more structure using the peace sign as a template, cut a piece of cardboard to fit snugly in the bottom. 

        To make the cushion, using the cardboard circle as a guide, cut 2 pieces of fabric about a 1/2 to 3/4 of an inch larger than the cardboard.

3.    Put the wrong sides of the fabric together and using a basting stitch sew around the circle.  Leave 1/4 inch seam allowance and an 1 1/2 - 2 inch opening.  Leave the needle and thread attached.

4.    Turn the circle right side out and stuff with fiber fill.  Over stuff so it's nice and firm and puffy.  Fold the edges of the opening in and stitch closed.

5.    Plump up your cushion and stuff it into the base.  It should fit snugly.  You could stop right here and have yourself a great little pincushion.  In fact, that's exactly what we're going to be making at the next YA craft class at the library!

6.    To finish, attach the peace sign to the base by single crocheting through the back loops of the base and the front loops of the peace sign.  Fasten off and weave in the end.

Well that it'll do it for me today.  I have all kinds of projects to share with you so please stop back and visit again.  Thanks so much for spending a bit of your day with me,
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

Hi there!

I don't know if it's hot where you are, but in north central Massachusetts the mercury has blasted through the top of the thermometer and the humidity is residing consistently in the "tropical" zone.  As far as I'm concerned this weather is inappropriate for anything except exotic plants and certain members of the animal kingdom.  Humans (especially this one) not included!

At our house we have one air conditioner.  It's centrally located in the dining/living room and we gather around it in hopes of maintaining some margin of sanity.  So far so good, yet I question how long we (my family and the A/C) can hold out!

The one thing that the heat has not stopped me from doing is starting new projects.  It must be some sort of condition that I suffer from that causes me to thrive on juggling multiple tasks .  It's not just in the crochet world, but in the book world too, as I always have at least two novels and one audio book going as well as the reviews that are in the works.  It used to worry me, now I just go with it!  Eventually things get done, and those that don't must not have been that interesting anyway.

Turns out I never did get to that Yarn Along post.  I will tell you that the book, The Sisters Brothers is a quirky delight.  It's a western set in the 1800's and the main characters are outlaws.  But truly they are the most endearing hired guns you're likely to ever encounter!  Good reading if you like off-beat humor and unconventional sentence structure.

There is one more project that I've been toiling with this week - Hats. Specifically for the My Mountain project (more on that soon!) I'm working on some designs that combine my favorite granny square and doily components with traditional cloche styles.  I finished one that's good, just not perfect - yet... but don't you worry, I'll be sure to show you what I come up with!

So that's what's in my project bag today.  How about you?  What do you like to work on when the temperature hits broil? I'd love to hear how you stay cool.  I was also wondering how many of you work on multiple projects simultaneously.  And if you do, what's your secret for getting them finished?!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Even though it's Thursday, I'll be linking up with some of my favorite Wednesday blogs!  Scroll down the sidebar to see who I'll be visiting with.
Until next time friends,
Stay cool, be blessed and stitch & read with love!

I had no idea that there would be such a big variance in the size of the squares.  Two inches is a lot, especially if you consider that there's only .75mm difference in the hook sizes.  I'm not sure how much thicker the worsted yarn is, but I imagine it's 1mm or less.  I'm a nerd at heart, and I'm partial to math and the role that it plays in crochet.  That means that I had to see what would happen if I made the same square out of thread!  This time I knew that the difference would be much greater, but how much?  As you can see it's half the size of the dk/sport square.  Now my love of math is elementary, so figuring out what yarn thickness, coupled with which hook size produces stitches that will make squares of what size is way beyond me.  What I do know is size matters.  And the only way to definitively know how big (or little) your square is going to be is to grab your supplies and get hooking!

I hope that you enjoyed my little foray into size, swatching and squares!  Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

For these I didn't bother to add a SC border, and since I didn't have matching lilac thread I used the crochet thread.  I cut a piece to length and pulled it apart so I could use just one of the plies.  It worked like a charm!

Well folks, I hope that today's tutorial has been helpful and that you might even be inspired to give this type of applique a try.  You can use this technique on so many different things.  On blue jeans, and denim jackets, shirt collars and pockets, pillow cases and sheets, curtains, tote bags - if you can imagine it, you can do it!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me.
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

The invisible join is an easy to master technique that will give your crochet pieces the smooth finish they deserve.  I'll admit that I avoided it for a long time.  I thought, why bother with threading the needle and "sewing" my stitches together when a slip stitch/finish off does the job quickly and efficiently? I finally decided to give it a try last year when I was doing a lot of thread crochet.  After working so hard to create even, perfect squares I was frustrated by the obvious lump the slip stitch left behind.  Like everything, it takes a bit of practice, but once you've done it a few times you'll wonder why you procrastinated for so long!

I don't always use the invisible join. When I'm making grannies I only use it on the last round, since you don't see the others.  I've found it works well with most yarns and is ideal with thread.  Along with being smooth and well, invisible on finishing rounds, the other place I like to use it is when you have to count stitches to make a border come out right.  There's no fudging or trying to cram the hook into the joining stitch.

To help you on your way I created this tutorial.  Lots of the instructions I've seen try to show you in two or three steps. While that may be ok for some folks I prefer to see how-to in as much detail as possible. Including how to weave in the end to ensure a secure join. (That's the part no one shows you!!)  Are you ready?

That's all there is to it!  While it's not necessary for every join, it's nice to have an alternative that gives your crochet project a smooth, even finish. Enjoy!!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!

100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet by Leonie Morgan
St. Martin's Griffin
March 19, 2013; 128 Pages

The timeless granny square has adorned sofas, armchairs, and bedspreads for generations. In this latest addition to our popular Knit & Crochet series, we feature a treasury of squares that are quick to make and sure to stand out—from tried-and-true vintage favorites to contemporary designs. Author Leonie Morgan uses her amazing eye for color to add a new and appealing twist to the perennially-popular granny square, presenting us with a fabulous collection of squares featuring delightful and vivid color combinations that are perfect for a new era of crocheters.

The book teaches you everything you need to crochet beautiful granny squares—from the basics to embellishment techniques that will really make your work pop. The possibilities for square designs are endless, with an in-depth overview for how to successfully mix and match colors, plus step-by-step instructions for a variety of embellishments including tapestry and surface crochet, cross-stitch, and appliqué. With all this technical and professional know-how, crocheters will be inspired to get adventurous with their colorways and decorations for an array of projects from heirloom afghans, to quick cushions, to baby blankets, and more!

Now you, too, can create a granny square showpiece that can transcend the ages and add a fantastic burst of color to any household. (from Amazon.com)

Granny Squares.  They're timeless. Classic. A simple design that transcends all styles. They are both old fashioned and modern finding a welcome spot in most any home.  You decide what the style will be.  Will you make something using the classic pattern and your stash of scraps? Or will you push the design envelope and and use unexpected techniques like cross stitch and surface crochet with your hand dyed yarn? No matter what you choose the granny square is one of the most versatile crochet elements you can make.

It's hard to believe that I made my first granny square a little over a year ago.  In that time I've learned so much about them. (Check out my series The Granny Square Project, the links are in the sidebar.) And just when it seems like there couldn't possibly be something fresh and different a new book arrives on my doorstep!  The folks at St. Martin's sent me the latest in their crochet/knitting series to review and share with you. 100 Colorful Granny Squares to Crochet is bright, cheerful and overflowing with great ideas.

As I've come to expect with the books in this series, the photography is terrific presenting clear, consistent shots of each design.  The patterns are accurate, easy to follow and are accompanied by charts/diagrams.  This makes any questionable instructions easily understandable.  I find myself volleying back and forth between the words and diagrams.  Because of using both I'm certain that my chart reading skills have really improved.

I was pleasantly surprised to see a number of squares using cross stitch, surface crochet, applique elements (including beads and ribbons) and embroidery to create beautiful and interesting designs.  There are also squares that use color in a technique that is basically the crochet equivalent to intarsia knitting.  The two hearts that I made show a few of these.  They were challenging, but fun to make.  The challenge being in using new techniques.  I've never done any cross stitch before, so it took me some time to get the feel of it.  I'm quite taken with the look and am glad to have it in my crochet toolbox!

Another nice feature of this book is the inclusion of yarn requirements to make various size throws using each square.  I've never seen that before and can imagine it being helpful in planning a project.  In addition to the squares there are a handful of projects scattered throughout.  Since this is primarily a book of squares it makes sense that it's not saturated with projects.  There's a bit about designing your own as well as a section devoted to edging and border patterns.  Of course these are all in addition to overviews of tools & techniques, joining & blocking and caring for your projects.

Can you tell that this one is a hit with me?  I'm flipping through it to see if I missed anything important, and to see if there's anything that I don't like about it. The only thing that could potentially be improved is the binding.  This is a paperback and the pages have a tendency to flip closed while you're using it.  A spiral binding would take care of that, but it's hardly a deal breaker! I'm sure over time and from use the pages will relax and stay open more easily.

Now let's get to the good stuff!  That's right, the giveaway!  This time I have something special in store for you.  Not only am I giving away a copy of the book (thanks St. Martin's!), I've collected a few other goodies that I think you're really going to like.  First there is the rosewood crochet hook from Boye.  It's a US size H/ 5.00 mm.  I have a few of these myself and they get better every time I use them.  Plus, I love the warm feel of the wood.  Next is this adorable pair of scissors.  The cast filigree design makes them lovely addition to your kit.  They're sturdy and sharp with a slightly round tip that won't poke into things should you decide to carry them with you.  And finally, a one of a kind set of handmade stitch markers.  They have the lobster claw head that you need for crochet, and their size makes them easy to manage but not overwhelming on delicate work. They're from our soon to be open Etsy shop - Nirvana Designs.  For now though, the only way to get them is to win them!  The drawing is easy to enter, and the Rafflecopter gives you lots of options for multiple entries.  I do have to limit this one to residents of the US only (sorry!), but I promise there will be more that are open to everyone coming soon!

Well folks, that's all for now.  I hope you enjoy the review and that you take a few minutes to enter the drawing.  I'm excited to have such a wonderful prize package for you.  All you need is your favorite yarn and you'll be ready to make granny square magic!  The contest ends at midnight on Wednesday, May 29 and you can even come back and enter everyday if you want!

Thanks so much for stopping by and spending a bit of your day with me!
Until next time friends,
Be blessed and stitch & read with love!