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February 20, 2021February 20, 2021

robot monsters – Freeze Ray

May I introduce you to the result of my most favorite collaboration of all times? Meet Freeze Ray; the first in a line of robot monsters sparked to life in the vivid imagination of my 7-year-old son, Billy.

I made the crochet version at his request, and under his diligent supervision. Billy approved the colors, the shapes; he even chose the photo for my Instagram. Clearly, he had a vision – and I am so incredibly happy we could work together (and have fun!) to make it come to life.

The past year has been trying at times. Yet with every new day, I grow more grateful for the extra time I have bond with and learn from a first-grader whom I would – under normal circumstances – only see for a few hours a day.

I can say with resolute certainty that without Covid-19, there would be no Freeze Ray. Or any of the other 17 (and counting) robot monsters in Billy’s sketch collection that he wants me to crochet.” I don’t mind one bit. Because I have an inkling, Billy’s robot monsters have the superpower to make people smile.

And really, is there a better reason to create than to make people smile?

I wonder: Would you like a free pattern to make your own robot monster?

January 8, 2021January 8, 2021

handmade crochet baskets

In all the hustle of changing from the holiday routine back to Month 10 of home learning (not to mention the disturbing events in Washington DC this past Wednesday), I was still somehow able to tap a magical source of inspiration, motivation, and determination. Not only that: I have somehow found the time to crochet. And – most surprisingly – not get tired of the repetitive nature of crocheting a dozen handmade crochet baskets in the past two weeks.

January 1, 2021January 1, 2021

thinking aloud: thank you

Even if I wanted to, I know that being angry at 2020 wouldn’t be fair.

It was a rollercoaster of a year in which highs were barely scraping the former normal, yet the overwhelming feeling in my heart is that of gratitude.

December 1, 2020December 29, 2020

crochet snowflake 2020: free crochet pattern

It’s that time of the year again! December 1, also known as the first official day of Christmas season in our house. Here, on the blog, you may know it as the day I release the annual free crochet snowflake pattern. It’s hardly an exaggeration that 2020 has been very skimpy on treats and little luxuries. That’s why Crochet Snowflake 2020 comes to you as an instant collection of 3 differently sized snowflakes, all worked according to the same one-round crochet pattern. These snowflakes work up in mere minutes! Treat yourself to some Christmas magic – and then make some more to spread the joy ❄️❄️❄️❄️❄️

November 3, 2020December 29, 2020

2020 crochet gift guide

Do you need a break? A project that will allow your mind to pleasantly wander? Do you crave basics? Simplicity? Repetition? If so, I think you’ll like the patterns in the 2020 crochet gift guide.

I am deliberately including projects that are timeless, yet quick and easy to make. Each pattern should take an intermediate crocheter less than two hours to make. All these projects call for natural materials, can be customized – and they all make perfect gifts!

September 20, 2020December 29, 2020

rainbow pinwheel coaster: free crochet pattern

I have a quick yet unique rainbow pinwheel coaster pattern for you today. It’s an ideal stash-buster that works up quite fast. But what I love about these pinwheel coasters the most is how versatile they are. The color combinations in which they can be worked are virtually endless! Can you imagine them worked in red, white, and blue for Independence day? Orange and charcoal grey – or purple! – for Halloween? In the colors of fall foliage for Thanksgiving? Red, green, and gold for Christmas? Or, why not go ahead and plan for next Easter right now? Think lovely spring pastels, mixed-and-matched to make them look like spring flowers. Aw! Wouldn’t it be cute?

You be the designer: let the pattern inspire you and then run wild with it! Make something truly yours; to fit your mood, home decor, or current season. One can never have enough coasters – and if they do, crochet coasters always make thoughtful, handmade gifts.

July 4, 2020December 29, 2020

boxing ball crochet pattern

Tetherball; boxing ball; kicking ball; punching bag; kick-boxing ball; ball-in-a-sock: it matters not what your child calls it. Just know that you as a parent will refer to it in your mind as the “magic ball.” The magic ball that burns all the extra energy before bedtime, and then some. The added bonus for you? Making one is super easy and quite relaxing with my free boxing ball crochet pattern, and it gives you a unique opportunity to bring your crochet creation outside. I think we need more outdoor crochet projects, don’t you?

This was truly one of those “real life crochet” projects I never planned to share with anyone. My husband had a basket ball that had a barely-noticeable lump. Other than not being able to play basketball with it (duh!) it appeared perfectly fine to me and I refused to throw it away.

Despite my best intentions, though, I had no idea how to repurpose the basket ball. Not until I saw an old picture of a DIY sock ball. That was my light bulb moment. From that moment on, my mission was clear.

June 13, 2020December 29, 2020

crochet pattern: rainbow bag

How is it mid-June already? It’s almost time for another quarterly newsletter! But first, here is the first free pre-release crochet pattern: a rainbow bag. You can read more about why I am publishing my patterns temporarily for free in this blog post.

Rainbows make my soul smile. And since real rainbows are hard to catch, I like to surround myself with as many rainbow colored items as I can. After all, one’s soul can never smile too much. This particular rainbow bag is the perfect size to store my journal and pens, but I’m sure you’ll find countless other uses for it. I’d love if you shared them in the comments!

June 6, 2020December 29, 2020

change is in the air

Surrounded by the profound changes and the context in which they are taking place, it’s hard not to think about survival these days. Whether it is making do, doing without, letting go, we all make dozens of tiny compromises each day we didn’t think we’d ever have to do just a few short months ago. It’s a bumpy ride but we are adapting. We we have to. After all, what is survival if not adaptation?*

And whether this urge is revolutionary or reactionary, I suddenly feel the need to make a few changes myself. Which is ok. Because not every change is bad. In fact, I am certain this change is going to be quite amazing.

May 3, 2020December 29, 2020

the most untimely update

I never had a personal motto. In fact, I’ve been known to publicly denounce motivational quotes as being tacky.

I had a similarly low opinion of professional collaborations. Perhaps it was because of my Eastern European background, perhaps it was due to my innate distrust of people; but I had long made myself believe that working with other crocheters would be akin to selling my secrets to the competition. Not to mention, the handful of previous collaboration experiences I had were all to a similar extent disappointing, frustrating, and demoralizing. All in all, the thought of working with others made my skin crawl.