Podcast 8

Crochet Podcast 8 – Yarn on the Arm Bag & Water Bottle Slings

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Yarn on the Arm Bag & Water Bottle Slings – Episode 8

Hey everyone! Welcome to Episode 8 of The Secret Yarnery Crochet Blog. I’m Christa, and today we have a fun mix of finished projects, new ideas, and exciting tools. If you’re a fan of crochet, this is going to be a cozy read!

Check out the video version of this post here:

 

Let’s jump into all things crochet!

Finished Objects & Works in Progress

We’ve all been there — staring at unfinished projects (or WIPs) and feeling some stress about getting them done. Fortunately, one of my wonderful students shared some wisdom: Don’t stress about your WIPs; they keep you going! This has been a game-changer for me. Suddenly, I feel free to work on projects when they inspire me, not out of obligation.

One of my favorite projects at the moment is something I’m calling a Starstruck Wrap (name might change as I’m still thinking of a better one). The beauty of this wrap is that it’s just a rectangle of double crochets. There are no fancy stitches needed if you have a lovely, textured yarn.

It’s made with eight 50g balls of fun eyelash yarn, which adds a lot of drama without extra effort. You start by chaining from your wrist to wrist, leaving a little extra room for the natural stretch of crochet. After crocheting back and forth until it’s about 20 inches long, you’ve got yourself a cute and fast wrap that’s perfect for transitioning from summer to fall.

Looking for some inspiration from previous projects? Check out this crochet podcast where I discuss other finished objects like the Luscious Lettuce Berry Shawl!

New Crochet Tools & Acquisitions

Let’s talk about my latest acquisition — needles! Yes, I finally got my hands on Knitters Pride Wool Needles from Amazon. These aluminum needles come with a nylon loop at the end, making it super easy to thread your yarn through, even with chunky or thick yarns.

That said, I’m pretty lazy about changing from my usual Susan Bates plastic needles (which I love). They are super convenient when working with short yarn tails. They might wear out over time and snag a little, but they’re my trusty go-tos.

For those who enjoy shopping for tools and accessories, this section on The Secret Yarnery is worth perusing. You’ll find similar tools and more!

Crochet Bags: Yarn on the Arm Bag

Here’s the exciting part — Yarn on the Arm Bag! This little gem came about while I was brainstorming efficient ways to crochet without constantly pausing. Imagine this: a cozy little bag sitting under your arm with a ball of yarn inside. You’d pull your yarn smoothly while you crochet — how handy is that?

I experimented with different yarns and sizes. For summer, I decided to go with a cotton yarn for the upper part of the bag and acrylic for the bottom. You don’t want to be sweating under a thick cuff of yarn when it’s hot, right? The final result is lightweight, soft, and super practical. You can even leave the house without putting down your project!

Want to explore more crochet bag ideas? Check out granny square bags for some cute inspiration that ties in with your current projects.

Water Bottle Sling Pattern: A Craft Fair Hit!

Since I was on a roll creating bags, I figured — why stop there? Next on my hook was a Water Bottle Sling. This project was sparked by a suggestion from someone in the community, and wow, it’s already a hit!

It’s the same idea as the Yarn on the Arm Bag but tweaked for a water bottle. It’s worked in cotton since it stretches just enough for a comfortable fit. My son even took one to school!

This has inspired me to create a whole range of slings that make great gifts or items to sell at craft fairs.

If you’re looking for a pattern to start with, feel free to browse some easy crochet patterns that suit all levels of crochet enthusiasts.

My New Favorite Crochet Book

I am absolutely obsessed with Fabulous Top-Down Crochet Sweaters. It’s like the sweater Bible!

The book explains how to start at the yoke and work your way down, which is amazing because you truly understand the construction of the sweater before diving into the pattern. No more guessing why you’re increasing or decreasing — this book walks you through it all, step by step.

One of the best features is that it teaches you how to adapt any pullover pattern into a cardigan and covers several necklines like the boat neck, v-neck, and round neck. Honestly, if you love making wearable items, this is a must-have.

Craft Fair Plans & Sneak Peek into Upcoming Workshops

Speaking of craft fairs, I’m prepping for one in late October. I’ll be taking all the cute little Yarn on the Arm Bags and Water Bottle Slings for display. I’ll also be featuring some bunting that my class has been working on.

If you want to crochet along, I’m planning a Water Bottle Holder Tutorial and a full Yarn on the Arm Bag tutorial soon—perfect quick projects. You can find more details in future updates, so make sure to subscribe or visit the website often!

When it comes to learning new crochet techniques, understanding the best approach can truly level up your crochet game. If you’re eager to master some, check out our joining techniques guide for boosting your skills.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap for this episode! Whether you’re interested in bags, water bottle slings, or mastering top-down crochet sweaters, there’s plenty on the horizon at The Secret Yarnery. I’m so excited to continue sharing and creating with you.

What’s on your hook right now? Have your eye on a new project or tool? Let’s chat in the comments — I’d love to know what everyone’s working on!

Stay hooked, folks! And don’t forget to visit our blog often for more inspiration and ideas.

Podcast 7

Crochet Podcast 7 – Granny Squares, Purses, and More

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Granny Squares, Purses, and More

Welcome to The Secret Yarnery Crochet Blog Episode 7! I’m Christa, and today I’m sharing what happened in the world of crochet this past week, including class projects, some troubleshooting, and a few creative ideas that I’ve been working on. Let’s dive into the details and don’t forget to check out the video below to see everything in action.

 

Crochet Class Explosion

This week, my weekly crochet class grew from just eight participants the previous week to over twenty! Talk about a full house! I’ve found myself juggling both the veterans and some new faces, which always brings some creative chaos. One of the challenges I’ve had is making sure that the newer members don’t have to be retrained with every meeting—we want consistency in quality and work over time. That’s why focusing on improving their technique is so important, especially when it comes to joining granny squares.

I noticed an issue where some of the ladies were joining their squares using single crochet instead of a slip stitch. If you’re familiar with granny squares, you know this creates lumps and unevenness. We want clean, corner-to-corner joins for a more polished look. But hey, crochet is a learning curve, right?

What to Do with Unconventional Granny Squares?

Even with some technique hiccups, there’s no such thing as wasted effort! I found a fun and practical way to repurpose some of the crazier-looking granny squares: Cute little handbags for girls. These bags are as simple as taking two squares, joining them with single crochet, and adding a chain as a handle. They’re a great way to put those “crazy” squares to use! I experimented with a thicker handle as well but found that a thinner chain looks more delicate and girly, which was the consensus during class too. Everyone loved the simpler skinny handle since it saves both time and yarn.

Stitching Like a Boss: Some Winning Granny Squares

While we’re working on improving quality overall, I’ve got a few ladies in class who crochet like absolute pros! They’ve been turning out beautifully uniform granny squares that are spot-on with color choices, strong stitches, and neat joins. I gave them more neutral, adaptable colors like grays and blues to work with this week, setting them up to create versatile pieces. I’m toying with ideas for these squares—perhaps messenger bags for a craft fair or even clothing items!

If you’re looking for inspiration for other easy crochet projects, check out this beginner-friendly guide, perfect for beginners who’s starting with small, manageable items.

Crazy Granny Blanket? Why Not!

One of my stars in class, my house mom from the orphanage, took some extra yarn and made over 100 granny squares using random colors. They look wild and vibrant, but they’re all the same size! With a little creativity, I’m thinking of turning them into a colorful granny blanket or two, maybe even raffling them off at the next local event. Even the most random squares have potential when you think outside the box!

Making a Granny Square Vest for Our Mannequin “Scary-ella”

Our quirky mannequin, affectionately known as “Scary-ella,” has inspired a new project! I’ve decided to make her a granny square vest, utilizing some neutral tones my class created. The intricate plan includes a tailored slit on the side for a bit of flair. You know, she’s not your average 6′ 2” mannequin, so making something to fit her has been quite the challenge. I’m using a mix of green, gray, and blue squares for this vest, which I’ll complete with a border to tie it all together.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of using eclectic colors in your crochet projects, take a peek at Exploring the World of Crochet and Life in Kenya with Christa, where I talk about how color choice impacts a variety of crochet items.

Holiday Craft Fair Prep: Crochet Balls and Puppets

Another whimsical item we’ve been working on is a range of crochet balls. These are simple, fun projects—a bunch of them were just finished last week using all sorts of fun colors. They’re great for kids’ play and even a creative holiday gift!

In a funny twist, what started as a cat toy idea recently morphed into making crocheted puppets. By adding arms, legs, and a little personality, we turned those basic shapes into playful toys that kids can enjoy. You can imagine, these puppets are going to be a hit at the craft fair.

Looking to start working on some easy crochet gifts? Check out some of the written patterns we have available to give you even more ideas: Written Patterns.

Driving to Craft Days in Kenya

Before I wrap things up, I captured a bit of the drive from my neighborhood to the beautiful Brackenhurst Conference Center where we meet for our classes. If you’re curious about Kenya and its landscapes, you’ll love the footage I’ve included in this episode. Stay tuned for the video and take a relaxed visual tour, starting from our gated community all the way to Brackenhurst!

What’s Next?

This coming week, my class will be working on something new—bunting made from granny triangles! I have colors already picked out, and each lady will be working on creating their pieces at home. This will be a fun addition to our lineup for the craft fair, and I’ll be assembling all their efforts into beautiful bunting banners. I’ll also make sure to keep control over the final touches to ensure everything looks just right!

Got any suggestions on what we should crochet next? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below, and tell me if you’d love to see more of our community’s projects coming to life.

Don’t forget to watch the full crochet podcast above where I give a deeper look at all these projects and more. Let’s keep the creativity going and stay hooked!

Podcast 5

Crochet Podcast 5 – Explore Granny Squares, DIY Ideas & More

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Granny Squares and More!

Welcome to another episode of The Secret Yarnery Crochet Blog! Today, I’m sharing a quick update on what’s been happening, and oh boy, do I have a lot to share! From hanging out with some wonderful ladies to ending up with 62 crazy-colored granny squares, it’s been an exciting week. Let’s jump right in!

 

Meeting with the Ladies and the Granny Square Craze

Yesterday, I had the best time meeting a group of ladies, and while I planned for around 10 women, 18 actually showed up! We gathered under the beautiful trees—it’s such a serene spot. The location is one of those places where you feel like you’ve entered a giant green oasis. Fun fact: this area reportedly has over 1,000 species of trees. So, imagine us crocheting, surrounded by nature.

I brought yarn parcels for everyone to make granny squares. But let me tell you, things didn’t always go smoothly—especially with language barriers and some rather interesting crochet techniques. Some of these ladies can join yarn with almost zero tail—amazing, but definitely not ideal for our granny squares. Still, we had a blast, and by the end of the day, I had collected 62 weirdly-colored, mismatched granny squares! Now, what to do with them?

If you have any ideas of what I can do with these crazy squares, share your thoughts in the comments! One idea I had was to stitch them all together using white yarn, hoping it would tone down the wild variety. But I’m open to any suggestions. If you’re curious yourself, you can check out some granny square patterns here.

How We Made the Squares

To ensure everyone could follow along, I made a simple granny square sample, focusing on four rounds. We also practiced weaving in the tail after each row to ensure it stays put, even after a hundred washes! Not every square was perfect (some were definitely more interesting than others), but perseverance was the key.

As we moved forward, I encouraged the group to leave longer tails so we could easily stitch the pieces together later. The highlight of the session was when I gave everyone scrap yarn to share and work with different colors—except I didn’t quite realize I’d end up with 62 multicolored, crazy squares by the end of the day! You can find inspiration from the Secret Yarnery with unique block patterns here.

Unexpected Fun with Swahili and Crocheting Techniques

The language barrier made things even more interesting since some of the ladies didn’t speak English. As for me, my Swahili is not great, but we made it work! We had some good laughs, especially when I was trying to count in Swahili while demonstrating certain stitches.

One of the funnier surprises was discovering these new techniques some of the ladies used. While they didn’t quite work for making standard granny squares, their yarn-saving skills were mind-boggling! I mean, how do you crochet with a yarn tail that’s less than a centimeter long? Hats off to them for sheer efficiency.

What’s Next with the Squares?

Now that I’ve got these 62 mismatched granny squares, I’m planning to sew them together into something. Some ideas include making a colorful pillow with an interesting folded pattern design or perhaps even turning them into a cozy dog bed.

What would you do with a bunch of slightly off, multicolored granny squares? Let’s not overlook the magic of granny squares—they’re the backbone of so many creative crochet projects, after all. If you’d like to follow more granny square-related tips or ideas, check out our feature on Blocks.

The Tissue Paper Holder Project

On a slightly different note, I recently made some tissue paper holders that look like little Kenyan-style houses. Yep, you heard me right! The idea hit me when I noticed my kids’ classrooms were missing tissues, and I figured, why not offer a fun solution? These are seriously cute and keep messy hands clean at school! I even made a few extra for the other classes.

I used basic crochet techniques, starting with a few rounds of double crochet, then shaping the project to fit a roll of tissue. Bonus: it pulls from the center, just like those Clorox wipes! Pretty neat, right?

Side Projects and Teacher’s Tools

In addition to my usual yarn projects, I’ve been busy creating small gifts for the school using leftover yarn. One of my helpers is crocheting these adorable Christmas balls, which we’re planning to make into fidget toys for the kids. This idea came from one of the teachers who thought the quiet, soft balls would be perfect to keep little hands busy without making noise.

We also brainstormed another fun idea: transforming these balls into a mini bowling set! Picture plastic water bottles as the pins, bright yarn balls as the bowling ball, and voilà—a cute, DIY kids’ game!

What About the Hug Shrug?

Before I forget, I’ve been itching to start a new tutorial for a hug shrug. It’s such a cozy project, and I can’t wait to get started. Let’s hope the batteries on my camera hold up long enough so I can squeeze in some recording before the kids get home. Stay tuned for that, and keep those hooks moving! You can explore more crochet podcast topics like this one in previous episodes, such as Episode 162.

Conclusion: Let’s Keep Crocheting!

So, that’s been my week—from meeting up with crochet-loving ladies and amassing a colorful pile of granny squares, to coming up with fun projects for the kiddos at school. If you’ve got any fun ideas for those quirky granny squares, toss them my way! Until next time, stay hooked!

Make sure to check out more crochet ideas and podcasts at The Secret Yarnery, and don’t forget to subscribe for more creative yarn adventures!

Stay cozy and keep crocheting!

Missed the last episode?  It’s HERE.