Free Crochet Coaster Pattern Round-Up

Hello, friends! As promised, it is time for another super exciting free crochet pattern round up! Today’s theme: coasters. 

Why coasters? 

• Coasters are a great way for beginning crocheters to practice stitches and build confidence in their craft.
• Coasters are also a great way for long time crocheters to artfully employ the odds and ends of their yarn drawer/closet/room. :) We call this type of project a “stashbuster.” 
• You can make a set of four coasters in the time it takes to watch a few episodes of “Sherlock.” Unless you are too distracted by Benedict Cumberbatch’s cheekbones. 
• Coasters make great gifts. I especially like giving coasters for housewarming gifts.

Now, here are five of my favorite free crochet coaster patterns!

Cool Coasters

This is my go-to coaster pattern. I have a set on my coffee tables, and I have given many sets as gifts. Though the pattern calls for sport weight yarn, I have always made these coasters with worsted weight yarn as that is what I have the most of on hand, and they have turned out great. This pattern comes from the Crochet Spot, which has many excellent tutorials, free patterns, and a premium pattern shop.

1893 Circle Motif (Click link for pattern and photo)

There’s something so cool about working with a crochet pattern that is over 100 years old. Sandi Marshall adapted the pattern from a 1893 publication titled Fancy Work Manual. Add a vintage touch to your coffee tables with these coasters. 

Crocheted Plastic Bag Coasters

An eco-friendly idea from Country Woman Magazine, these coasters are made with a size G hook and plastic shopping bags.

Crochet Fruit Coasters Pattern

Sarah from Repeat Crafter Me shares this adorable set of six crocheted fruit coaster patterns. These would be a big hit at any summer picnic! 

My Simple Star Coaster

Designed by Aurora Suominen of Designs on a Hook, these gorgeous star coasters are on my “make very soon!” list. I love stars, and it seems like this pattern would also be a great motif for embellishing an afghan or purse, or for joining and making into a scarf. 

Did we miss your favorite free crochet coaster pattern? Share it in the comments!

Have a great weekend and thank you for visiting Thread by Thread Zen!

Cheers,

- Katie Rose

If at first you don't succeed, crochet again.

Good morning, friends!

Have you ever finished a crochet project and thought "hmm, this is not quite what I was going for?" Such was the case with the cat ear hat I have been crocheting for the better part of a week.

I started with a skein of Lion Brand's Heartland yarn in Sequoia. I like this yarn because it is a soft acrylic, and the blend of warm brown tones reminded me of the colors of my tortie kitty, Luna.

I used a pattern called The Hathaway which I purchased from SwellAmy. The pattern was very well written with clear instructions, and Amy gives permission for finished items to be sold, which is awesome. Amy is also very available to answer questions and help out anyone that buys her patterns, she is truly talented and lovely.

Here's my finished hat:

It turned out very nice, except it is not "tall" enough, but I do not fault Amy's pattern for that at all. I can tell the yarn I used is thinner than what she uses in the pattern, so when I make my next hat I just need to add a few more rounds. And I will definitely be making more hats! 

When I first started crocheting, I was easily discouraged when a pattern did not turn out as I expected, but the truth is every time you take your hook to yarn you will be learning something, and you will learn more from your mistakes than your successes. So don't give up, and be patient and kind with yourself. Your finished project will be that much more special and amazing for the time and trials you went through to perfect it. 

Have a wonderful weekend! Come visit Thread by Thread Zen again soon- my next post will be a round up of some of my favorite free crochet coaster patterns. 

Cheers,

- Katie Rose

Vegan Yarn

While perusing Meijer for my weekend groceries this afternoon, I got distracted by - cue dramatic music- the yarn aisle.

I couldn't resist picking up a few skeins, because can a person ever have too much yarn? I think not!

As a vegan, I crochet exclusively with yarns that do not contain animal fibers, so no wool for this girl. Most of my yarn stash is acrylic yarn, because it tends to be very inexpensive and available in a wide array of colors (Red Heart Super Saver, Bernat Super Value, Lion Brand Homespun). Other plant-powered yarn materials include cotton (Lion Brand Kitchen Cotton and Lily Sugar N' Cream), bamboo (Bernat Bamboo), and hemp (Lion Cotton/Hemp Blend). I chose these examples because brands like Lion, Red Heart, and Bernat are easy to find and well-stocked in crafting stores like Joann Fabrics and Michael's. If you're interested in learning more about vegan yarn, The Fake Sheep has an excellent, detailed blog entry that breaks down the different types of vegan yarn and has links and reviews for less mainstream yarn sources. 

What are your crochet plans for this weekend? I think I may use that hot pink Red Heart Shimmer yarn for one of the Valentine's Day Patterns I posted earlier this month. 

Cheers,

- Katie Rose

Recent crochet projects: Shell Stitch Crochet Hat & Mandala

Happy Sunday, friends. I hope the week has treated you well.

I am happy to see the sun at last breaking through, melting snow into slush, the green grass persevering through one of the most severe winter storms I have witnessed in my 27 years. Businesses were closed much of last week, as well as the school I work at, due to subzero temperatures and unsafe driving conditions. It was a good time to catch up on my reading, on cleaning, and of course, on my crocheting.

Two of my recent projects were a Shell Stitch Crochet Hat and a Mandala.

I first made the shell stitch crochet hat as a Christmas gift for my sister, and so enamored with the results I had to make one for myself in my favorite color, purple.

Here is a shot of me wearing the hat, forgive the bad lighting. ;)

The shell stitch hat is care of Elise at the Grow Creative blog. Click here for the pattern. Elise also includes a pattern for a gorgeous flower that you can add to your hat for optimal adorability. 

My other recent crochet project was a mandala. Mandalas are special to me because they are a symbol of Buddhism for the Universe as well as balance. However, mandalas are enjoyed by many people simply because they are beautiful to gaze upon. Mandalas also happen to be very fun to crochet because you get to experiment with color work and different stitches. 

Here is my first mandala:

This mandala pattern comes from Barbara at Made In K-Town. Barbara has said this is one of the most popular patterns on her blog and it is easy to see why. Barbara provides detailed instructions for each round as well as step by step pictures. Check out the mandala pattern here. 

Time to refill my mug of coffee and consider what will be next on my crochet project queue. I hope you enjoyed these projects and I thank you for visiting Thread by Thread Zen!

Cheers,

- Katie Rose

Learning to Crochet, Part 1

So you’re ready to get hooked on crochet- congratulations! You may be wondering where to begin. There are a few different ways to learn how to crochet, and no one way is right or best- it all depends on your learning style. 

• Have a friend or family member teach you.

Do you already know someone that crochets? Excellent! Ask if they can spend some time with you to show you the basics. This hands-on learning approach is preferred by most aspiring crocheters.

• Take a class at your local craft store or a community center.

Similar to have a loved one mentor you, going to a class allows you to learn how to crochet, in this instance in a group setting, while having an instructor to guide you through any errors or challenges. Crochet classes generally range from $20-$50.

• Read books on how to crochet.

My favorite book for beginning crochet is Stitch ‘N Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller. Amazon has used copies for as low as $5.49. What I liked most about this book is that besides explaining how to make basic stitches (a must for any new crocheter) it also details the differences between crocheting and knitting, as well as the various types of yarn and crochet hooks. Knowing how to pick a skein of yarn and which materials are best for which projects can be overwhelming for the beginning crocheter, and this book took the mystery out of yarn shopping. The Happy Hooker additionally includes a selection of very modern, fashionable patterns.

The other book I found helpful was Donna Kooler’s Encyclopedia of Crochet. Used copies are as low as $11 on Amazon and provided an extensive library of beginning and advanced crochet stitches, as well as projects and patterns and a detailed history of crochet. As a total and complete nerd I was especially excited about the history of crochet, and I have found this book to be a great reference for stitches and inspiration.

• Watch instructional videos on YouTube.

Though I have been crocheting for two years now, I sometimes begin a pattern and wonder, “wait, how do I do that stitch again?” And then, comes YouTube- a great place to learn, for learners at every stage. Though I’ve watched many excellent video tutorials, the instructor I always come back to is The Knit Witch. She speaks slowly and clearly, goes step by step, and repeats. You can visit her archive here. 

How did you learn to crochet? What are your favorite learning resources?

Cheers,

- Katie Rose 

Valentine's Day Crochet Pattern Round-Up

With still a month to go to until Valentine’s Day, there is plenty of time left to crochet a handmade token of love for your sweetheart. Thread by Thread Zen has rounded up the best of the free crochet patterns for Valentine’s Day.

Hugs and Kisses Heart Baskets

These baskets would be great as a centerpiece or to fill with candies for your valentine! Pattern is from Kara of one of my favorite crochet blogs, Petals To Picots. 

Crochet Heart Bracelet

A wonderful scrap-buster, and an adorable accessory to wear yourself or to gift.

Love Handle Hot Pad

Care of yarn brand Lily Sugar ‘n Cream.

Candy Hearts Coaster 

From another favorite blog of mine, Whiskers & Wool brings us these whimsical scoasters. If you didn’t have any felt on hand, I think a small crocheted heart applique in the center would be lovely as well!

Valentine Envelopes

Lion Brand Yarn has an excellent collection of free crochet patterns- just follow the free registration process for access. These Valentine Envelopes are perfect for valentine cards, pieces of candy, or gift cards.

Valentine Garland

This pattern comes from Anna of Crochet N Play. Anna’s blog has an impressive selection of play food crochet patterns and she has an Etsy shop with patterns as well, be sure to check her out. 

Heart Wreath Door Hanger

Bringing us some more V-day home decor is crochetgenealogist posting in the forums at crochetville.com. This festive wreath will surely welcome every guest that comes to your door with love. 

Valentine’s Tablecloth

A beautiful centerpiece for that incredible dinner you are making for your valentine, or for the carryout you are going to enjoy while catching up on Netflix. 

All Mine Crochet Slouch Hat

Tamara at Moogly brings us this cute-as-pie slouch hat with shell stitch hearts. 

Conversation Hearts Scarf

This scarf is made by joining heart motifs in fun candy-colored yarns. Alison at CrochetMe authors this pattern. 

These are some of my favorite Valentine’s Day crochet patterns. What are yours? Share in the comments. 

Cheers and heart shaped candies,

- Katie Rose

10 Reasons to Learn to Crochet

1. Crocheting is relaxing.

The repetitive motions of crochet can take a crafter into a state of meditative-like bliss. Crocheting can be a form of creative catharsis, relieving stress, anxiety, and depression. 

2. Crocheting is easy to learn.

Of course, it takes time and practice like any new skill, but even after mastering only a handful of basic stitches you will have the knowledge necessary to create thousands of projects.

3. There is always more to learn with crochet.

Crocheting will never get boring, because once you can single and double and treble like the best of them you can learn more advanced combinations of stitches, you can try crocheting wire jewelry, you can experiment with tunisian crochet and broomstick lace, and so much more. 

4. Crocheting can be social or solitary.

If you’re looking to expand your circle of friends online or in the real world, you can join crochet groups. Ravelry is a popular online community for knitters and crocheters. Meetup.com can help you find a local crochet group. You can also check the Crochet Guild of America website to see if you have a local chapter. Crocheting can also be your “me time”, your quiet time to reflect and relax at the end of your day. 

5. You can give beautiful handmade gifts.

Your friends and family will love receiving crocheted gifts. People are always impressed and touched by the time and thought that goes into handmade items. The possibilities are endless- scarves and hats for holiday gifts, coasters and potholders for housewarming gifts, blankets and toys for a new baby- anything you can imagine, you can create.

6. Crocheting is affordable.

For less than the cost of going to the movies, you can have hours of entertainment. 

7. Crocheting is a portable hobby.

Your ball of yarn and hook will fit into most purses or tote bags, making it easy to pass the time while traveling on the bus, train, or plane. I like to bring my projects to the waiting room at doctors appointments.

8. You can create stylish accessories that you can’t find in stores. 

You can make rainbow beanies, cupcake scarves, cow potholders, anything you’d like, creations as unique and beautiful as you are! Making your own accessories tends to be much less expensive than buying them in stores as well. 

9. You can be charitable. 

Crocheted scarves, hats, and gloves make great donations to homeless shelters. You can crochet catnip mice and dog sweaters for animal shelters, and blankets and hats for children in need at hospitals. 

10. You can make some extra money.

Crocheted items can be sold at craft shows and online marketplaces like Etsy. Skilled crocheters can write crochet patterns and sell them on Etsy, or make an eBook of patterns to sell in online bookstores like iBooks and Kindle. 

Can you think of more reasons to learn to crochet? 

Cheers,

Katie Rose

Welcome!

Hello and welcome to ThreadbyThreadZen! 

My name is Katie Rose. I live in Michigan, or the mitten state as we like to call it. When my hands aren’t busy with yarn and hooks, they are often cooking and baking delicious vegan food, studying Buddhist texts, or petting my two wonderful cats. 

This blog will largely focus on crochet, with resources and inspiration for the new crocheter as well as the pro. 

Please enjoy your stay and visit ThreadbyThreadZen often, as I will be frequently adding more fun content for your enjoyment! 

Cheers,

- Katie Rose