CROCHET TIP: How to Block your Crochet Projects

September 4, 2018 by Bethany 2 Comments

Today’s Tip Tuesday explain best practices for blocking your finished crochet projects! Michele from Stitch and Hustle will show you her favorite ways to block finished items and share her expertise on how well these methods work. Take your finished crochet projects to the next level with blocking!

Hey everyone! Today for Tip Tuesday, I will be sending you over to Michele’s blog Stitch and Hustle to learn some tips about how to block your crochet projects. Personally, this not a step I take often enough when I finish whatever project I am making (my Colorful Rica Clutch, for example, would have benefited greatly from blocking as well as my Puppy Love Blanket [pictured]).

WHY SHOULD I BLOCK MY FINISHED CROCHET ITEMS

Honestly, blocking is one of the last thing I think about when I complete a project. Once I finish making my crochet item, and all I have left to do is weave in one last end, I am about DONE. Right?
Well, maybe not. If you are like me, you are missing out on the last finishing touch that may take your crochet piece from homemade to handmade, truly making it a beautiful, finished treasure.

Blocking makes your piece perfectly shaped,drape how it was meant to drape, and sized the way it’s supposed to be sized. It’s the final step that you (and I) need to stop skipping!
Maybe you are familiar with the concept of blocking but you were intimidated or not sure how this is to be done.

Today’s guest for Tip Tuesday is Michele from Stitch and Hustle, and she has some valuable insight on her favorite methods for blocking and how to get it done right.

Read Michele’s article here.

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Crochet Tip: How to keep your yarn from getting tangled

August 7, 2018 by Bethany 21 Comments

Your quick crochet tip of the week: how to keep your yarn from getting tangled when working with two colors. You will be surprised at how easy this little tip is, and how much frustration and time you will save by using it! Be sure to scroll down and watch the video.

Crochet Mushroom Pouch – Free Crochet Pattern

August 6, 2018 by Bethany 18 Comments

This darling woodland crochet mushroom pouch features cute little red polkadot toadstools. The design comes to life using the tapestry crochet technique in this free crochet pattern. This post contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. The beautiful Chic Sheep yarn that I used for this crochet project was provided by Red Heart. Thank you!

16 Crochet Gift Ideas (crochet gifts for any occasion) – A Free Crochet Pattern Collection

August 2, 2018 by Bethany 6 Comments

Last week was the first-ever Christmas Gifts in July series on Whistle and Ivy. It got me thinking big time about some exciting events happening in a few months (more on that soon!), but most importantly how I would like to be prepared this upcoming holiday season. If you are like me, then you love making crochet gifts for the loved ones on your list. But again, if you are like me, I like these crochet gifts to be useable all year long. This list of crochet gift ideas is perfect if you are thinking ahead to the holidays in a few months, but these gift ideas would also work for other occasions as well! Read to get ahead this year?
Keep scrolling, my friend.

Rica Colorful Crochet Clutch – Free Crochet Pattern

July 28, 2018 by Bethany 44 Comments

This colorful crochet clutch is made up of simple stitches, but has a stunning color effect. Mix and match different colors to make your clutch totally unique! This post contains affiliate links, which means if you make a purchase I get a small commission. Thanks for your support!

Ankle Tie Crochet Slippers Pattern

July 26, 2018 by Bethany 6 Comments

These pretty Ankle Tie Crochet Slippers add an extra touch of style with a tie around the ankle. The double layer sole make them extra comfortable. Be sure to make them non-slip with one of these methods! This post contains affiliate links, wich means I get a small commission if you made a purchase. Thanks for your support!

Crochet Chevron Hat – Free Crochet Pattern

July 25, 2018 by Bethany 95 Comments

This cute crochet chevron hat is made up of single crochet stitches and alternates between two colors to make up the graph creating a stunning chevron effect. Watch the video and learn how to easily change colors and read the graph. This post contains affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!

Southwest Style Crochet Tablet Pouch – Free Crochet Pattern

July 24, 2018 by Bethany 10 Comments

Using a simple single crochet stitch and a graph, make this beautiful crochet tablet pouch featuring a pretty southwest-style design. A video is included to show how to read a graph and how to change colors easily. This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission if you click and make a purchase. Thanks for your support!

Ribbed Crochet Pom-Pom Scarf – Free Crochet Pattern

July 23, 2018 by Bethany 6 Comments

Get the free crochet pattern for this ribbed crochet pom-pom scarf, the first pattern of our Christmas Gifts in July series! This squishy, soft scarf is simple to make and cozy to wear. This post includes affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!

Announcing Crochet Christmas in July

July 19, 2018 by Bethany 44 Comments

Summer has been busy! I thought it might be a slow time for the blog, but I continually heap stuff onto my own plate (why do I do that?!). At the beginning of the year, I thought about planning a Crochet Christmas-in-July series, but didn’t get going on the designing until late spring. I planned to do 7 Christmas-themed projects over a week. I got almost totally done with the 6th project and decided to switch gears and focus on Christmas Gift Ideas. It seemed to make more sense since Holiday gifts seem to take the most time each year. Plus, now I have even more Christmas stuff to share in a few months. We will be busy this fall and winter ;)

Crochet Serape Lovey – Free Crochet Pattern

July 10, 2018 by Bethany 19 Comments

Learn how to make this adorable southwestern-style crochet serape lovey, featuring a cute crochet coyote on top! The pattern is worked with Red Heart Baby Hugs, a soft, squishy yarn designed specifically for babies. Also included is a full video tutorial and a FREE crochet pattern PDF download, courtesy of Red Heart, who has graciously sponsored this post. The post also contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase. Thanks for your support!

Crochet Flip Flops Upcycle – Free Crochet Pattern

June 29, 2018 by Bethany 20 Comments

Learn how to turn cheap foam flip-flops into fab boho crochet sandals! Follow the free crochet pattern and make yourself cute new crochet flip flops in just a few minutes. This post contains affiliate links, which helps support Whistle and Ivy at no extra cost to you.

Etsy 13th Birthday Sale!

June 21, 2018 by Bethany 4 Comments

Some links in this post are affiliate links, which means I earn a small commission at no extra cost to you! Thank you for supporting Whistle and Ivy!

This week is Etsy’s 13th birthday! If you are new to Etsy, it’s an online marketplace for handmade and vintage items. If you are not new, then you know its home to thousands of indie crochet pattern shops! There are so many shops that I adore. As I scoured through the thousands of crochet patterns that have been discounted for Etsy’s 13th birthday sales event, I decided to put my favorites in a list and share with you. I hope you find something here that you love!

Etsy’s 13th Birthday Party Sale

I decided to organize the patterns into percentages, starting with 20% and going up to 50%. Browse through my favorites, you can you browse through over 25o pages of sale patterns here.

Crochet Pattern 20 – 25% off

The Almond Snug – 20% off any two patterns – Tropic Summer Top – Posh Patterns – 25% off 4 patterns – Spring Flower Hat – Safari Animals Pattern Pack – Airali – 20% off any 3 patterns – Flip-Flop Crochet Oxfords – Bubbles the Turtle Security Blanket – Color and Shape Design – 20% off 4 patterns

Crochet Patterns 30% off

Corki the Unicorn – Crochet Pug – Camping Appliqué Set (Owl, Camper, Campfire Squirrel)

Totoro Trio Pattern Pack – Debra OLeary Pattern Shop – 30% off of 3 patterns

Fruits Applique Pattern Pack – Allessa Poncho – Brockton Slouchy Hat – Niffler Crochet Pattern

Crochet Patterns 40%

Blummy the Dragon – Katula Cardigan – Adorable Dragon – Blue Monkey – Harry the Owlet – Cute Panda Amigurumi – Favorite Pullover Sweater

Crochet Patterns 50% off

Rachel’s Blessing Beanie – Kenzie Kimono – McKenna Round Purse – Arya Throw Pattern

Sugar Glider Patterns (so cute!) – Sweet Giraffe – Unicorn Baby Rattle

Enjoy your shopping!

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Bow Crochet iPad Pouch – Free Crochet Pattern

June 16, 2018 by Bethany 11 Comments

In blogger land, it’s time to start working on Christmas and fall (crazy, right?). I have some super fun things planned. I think this will be the best crochet season yet! In between the massive design-fest, I am using extra time to go through old patterns and refresh them a bit. I design this crochet iPad pouch last spring, and oh! it did not turn out the way I wanted. But I had spent so much time I couldn’t bring myself to abandon it. I pushed the Publish button with reckless abandon. I finally found myself ready to redo the pattern for the crochet iPad pouch this week, and man-o-man, the updated version is much, much prettier!

The pattern for this crochet iPad pouch is more of a guide. I wanted to give you basic directions so you could make it fit whatever device you own. You could make this pouch for your phone, tablet or laptop! My iPad mini is in the photo.

Boho Crochet Headband – Free Crochet Pattern

June 8, 2018 by Bethany 16 Comments

What have you been working on this summer? I have been focusing on light and fast projects, and brainstorming Christmas and Fall (yes, it’s time to start thinking about it!). This boho crochet headband was a pattern I designed four years ago, and it was always a design I liked, but the delivery and pattern design were seriously lacking (if you don’t remember, it had a large button on the back and was worked rather funky with unattached chains). The pattern was confusing but since it was 4 years ago, I wasn’t sure how to make it better. I’m happy that I finally got around to fixing the pattern for this cute boho crochet headband this week! Not only is it easy, but it’s super fast too. You will want to make them for everyone :) I have included 3 sizes, but this headband is super easy to change into whatever size you want or need.

Crochet Plant Hanger – Free Crochet Pattern

June 1, 2018 by Bethany 2 Comments

My mind has been bubbling with ideas since I first tried out Bernat’s new Outdoor Yarn. Have you tried it yet? I designed the free crochet pattern for this adorable Bike Basket Bunting last week and have been cruising around in style. This week I got my yarn out again and made a cute and FAST crochet plant hanger for my porch (well, a few actually!). These ones are made are for smaller plants, so I am excited to make a few more to hold larger planters. This free crochet pattern is easy customizable for any size planter you want to hang.

Crochet Bike Basket Bunting (with OUTDOOR Yarn!) – Free Crochet Pattern

May 26, 2018 by Bethany 8 Comments

This Crochet Bike Basket Bunting post contains affiliate links, which means I get a small commission if you make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. I also received this Bernat Outdoor yarn free of charge, but am not receiving additional compensation for this post. Thanks for your support!

Okay guys, let me drop a game changer on you: outdoor yarn. About two weeks ago Bernat let me in on a little secret and sent me a few balls of their NEW outdoor yarn, Bernat Maker Outdoor. It’s mold resistant and won’t fade in the sun. How cool is this?! I immediately got going on a project that, unfortunately, ended in total failure. However, I got a new, cuter idea to make crochet bike basket bunting and it turned out so adorable!

Crochet Pizza Coasters

May 14, 2018 by Bethany 8 Comments

I’ll admit something weird: I don’t like pepperoni pizza. I guess I am crazy or something, because everyone seems to love it except me (and both my kids, who are apparently as strange as I am). Even as a kid I would peel off the pepperonis whenever we ate pizza, turning it into a delicious cheese pizza. I am a total cheese pizza girl all the way. However, cheese pizza is kinda boring, don’t you think? When I decided to make some crochet pizza coasters, I decided FOR pepperoni.
Good choice, right?

Crochet Fringe Clutch – Free Crochet Pattern

May 8, 2018 by Bethany Leave a Comment

This crochet fringe clutch is a makeover pattern! I designed this crochet pattern in thick acrylic/wool yarn last summer. I actually really like it in the bulky yarn, and it works up so fast, but I really wanted to make it in t-shirt yarn. I had searched but hadn’t found an affordable, readily available t-shirt yarn, so I settled for a bulky acrylic. However, a few weeks ago I discovered Bernat Home! I am currently working a few projects with it, and I made these deliciously comfortable flip-flops sandals last month. The stretchy texture is perfect for slippers. It’s SO comfortable. And of course I decided to remake my crochet fringe clutch with this newfound yarn.

Crochet Boba Fett Pouch – Free Crochet Pattern

May 4, 2018 by Bethany 2 Comments

Star Wars is one of my geeky fandoms (I am a HUGE Potterhead, too). For some reason, I forget about Star Wars Day (May the 4th) until it’s practically upon me. I had the idea for this crochet Boba Fett pouch last year, but I didn’t think far enough ahead to finish it. Luckily, I got to it this year, but I have a Star Wars Crochet WEEK on my calendar for next year, so hopefully May 4th, 2019 will be a bit more exciting!

It’s Not Knit Snarky Crochet Tote – Filet Crochet Bag Free Pattern

April 27, 2018 by Bethany 34 Comments

This filet crochet bag blog post is graciously brought to you by Red Heart. Thanks to Red Heart for their support and thank YOU for supporting Whistle and Ivy! Any link shares for this snarky crochet tote via social media or email would be GREATLY appreciated and helps bring more free patterns to Whistle and Ivy.

I don’t knit. I have attempted to learn knitting a couple of times, but I don’t consider myself a knitter by any stretch of the imagination. I think (correct me if I’m wrong) that knitting is the most well-known fiber art. Have you noticed? When I take my crochet projects out, people inquire about my “knitting.” Although I do not get offended by the question, I do take the opportunity to educate the inquirer. Of course I have a spark of snark, I had to add words to this filet crochet bag. This crochet bag will be something most crocheters can appreciate. This snarky crochet tote features the words “It’s not knit” because, well, it isn’t, and you will surely get asked if you knit your bag yourself ;)

Crochet Hatching Turtles

April 26, 2018 by Bethany 6 Comments

I have a crochet bucket list, have you? I probably won’t get to some of the items on my list until my kids are in school all day, but I’ve got one! I bought the pattern for these crochet hatching turtles last year, but I finally decided that this week was the week to finally make them. My kids have been champing at the bit to play with their new toys since they saw the pattern photos(they have been treasuring their crochet hatching dinosaurs and it warms my heart).

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Crochet Succulents – Free Crochet Pattern

April 20, 2018 by Bethany 21 Comments

Do you have a black thumb? Then these darling crochet succulents are perfect for you! Make them in two styles and fill your home with cute, handmade greenery. The free crochet pattern for these crochet succulents includes a small round succulent and a larger spikey succulent. They make perfect gifts as well! This post contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thanks for your support!

Crochet Cactus Coasters – Free Crochet Pattern

April 14, 2018 by Bethany 46 Comments

These darling and trendy crochet cactus posters use simple color changes to make the fun cactus print! The post also includes a video that show how to read a graph and how to change colors. The post has contains affiliate links which means I get a small commission (at no cost to you) if you make a purchase with one my links! Thanks for supporting Whistle and Ivy!