Blog - Crafty Jen Crafts

Crochet Pigeon Stuffie

Jen — Wed, 02 Apr 2025 16:24:07 +0000

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

I’ve got to be honest - pigeons terrify me. So flappy. However, I have a dear friend who is a fan of the pigeon, and so I faced my fears and crocheted her an adorable stuffie.

Pigeon Pal: Etsy Pigeon Pal: Etsy Pigeon PAL: RAVELRY Pigeon PAL: RAVELRY

Pigeon Pal

$7.00 USD

I used The Woobles Easy Peasy yarn - I really enjoyed using this yarn. It made my stitches look so good!

Yarn Details: Easy Peasy Yarn from The Woobles, worsted weight, 75% cotton/25% nylon, 164 yds/150g in the colors Pebble Without a Cause (Color 1, gray), Seas the Day (Color 2, blue), Happily Ever Lavender (Color 3, purple), and What’s Up Buttercup (Color 4, yellow)

Obviously, use whatever yarn makes you happy!

Besides the yarn, there’s just a few other supplies you’ll need to make your own Pigeon Pal.

Size F/5 [3.75 mm] crochet hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
Locking stitch markers
15 mm safety eyes
Tapestry needle
Small scissors
Poly-fill stuffing

I found some really cute safety eyes online that gave my pigeon a realistic look, making it a little scary, in my opinion.

Pigeon Pal

This Pigeon Pal is sure to brighten your day, probably. I'm personally terrified of pigeons IRL, too flappy and unpredictable. But one made of yarn? Yeah, ok.

$7.00 USD

Pigeon Pal: Etsy Pigeon Pal: Etsy Pigeon Pal: Ravelry Pigeon Pal: Ravelry

I had a lot of fun designing this bird friend, even if pigeons aren’t my favorite. And I’ve definitely got birds on the brain now…perhaps I need to design this little guy a friend or two in the near future.

Forest Walk Hat

Jen — Fri, 01 Nov 2024 14:34:24 +0000

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

When I started working on my shawl anthology, Big Book of Knitted Shawls, I knew that there were more patterns from my out of print books that I would want to revisit beyond just the 35 shawls that I was able to include in my new “best of” book. I’ve already made the Pomelo Cowl from Stunning Stitches available, and now it’s time to share another old book pattern with you - the Forest Walk Hat.

The pattern was originally featured in my book, Sock-Yarn Accessories. The matching shawl, the Forest Walk Shawl, is now in my new shawl anthology, Big Book of Knitted Shawls (Landauer, 2024). I’m very excited to be bringing you some of my favorite patterns in new formats! And so I present to you the Forest Walk Hat, now available for free below.

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitches Used: Knit/Purl, Yarn Over, Decreases (k2tog and ssk)

Techniques Used: Cast On, Knitting in the Round, Increasing/Decreasing

Size: Adult

Finished Circumference: 18", fits up to 22"

Finished Length: 10"

Materials

250 yards of fingering-weight yarn
US Size 6 (4.0 mm) circular needle, 16" cable, or size needed to obtain gauge
US Size 6 (4.0 mm) set of double-pointed needles
US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needle, 16" cable
1 stitch marker
Tapestry needle

Yarn Used for Hat Shown

1 skein of Silky 435 from JulieSpins (50% silk, 50% superwash merino; 100 g; 435 yds) in the color Lilac

Gauge

20 sts and 28 rnds = 4" in chart patt with larger needles in the rnd

Instructions

With smaller circular needle, CO 119 sts. Join rnd being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark the beginning of the rnd.

Ribbing Rnd: *(P1, k1) 8 times, p1; rep from * to end.

Rep Ribbing Rnd another 13 times (14 rnds total).

Switch to larger circular needle and knit 1 rnd.

Using chart or written instructions below, work Rnds 1-20 three times (60 rnds total).

Written Instructions for Chart

Rnd 1: *P1, k12, k2tog, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 2: *P1, k11, k2tog, k2, yo, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 3: *P1, k10, k2tog, k1, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 4: *P1, k9, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 5: *P1, k8, k2tog, k2, yo, k3, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 6: *P1, k7, k2tog, k4, yo, k2, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 7: *P1, k6, k2tog, k3, yo, k4, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 8: *P1, k5, k2tog, k5, yo, k3, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 9: *P1, k4, k2tog, k4, yo, k5, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 10: *P1, k3, k2tog, k6, yo, k4, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 11: *P1, k1, yo, ssk, k12, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 12: *P1, yo, k2, ssk, k11, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 13: *P1, k2, yo, k1, ssk, k10, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 14: *P1, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k9, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 15: *P1, k3, yo, k2, ssk, k8, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 16: *P1, k2, yo, k4, ssk, k7, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 17: *P1, k4, yo, k3, ssk, k6, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 18: *P1, k3, yo, k5, ssk, k5, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 19: *P1, k5, yo, k4, ssk, k4, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 20: *P1, k4, yo, k6, ssk, k3, p1; rep from * to end.

Shape Crown

Note: Switch to dpns when stitches no longer fit comfortably on 16" circular needle.

Rnd 1: *P1, k12, k2tog, k1, p1; rep from * to end—112 sts.

Rnd 2: *P1, k10, k2tog, k2, p1; rep from * to end—105 sts.

Rnd 3: *P1, k8, k2tog, k3, p1; rep from * to end—98 sts.

Rnd 4: *P1, k6, k2tog, k4, p1; rep from * to end—91 sts.

Rnd 5: *P1, k4, k2tog, k5, p1; rep from * to end—84 sts.

Rnd 6: *P1, k2, k2tog, k6, p1; rep from * to end—77 sts.

Rnd 7: *P1, k2tog, k7, p1; rep from * to end—70 sts.

Rnd 8: *K2tog, k7, p1; rep from * to end—63 sts.

Rnd 9: *K2tog, k6, p1; rep from * to end—56 sts.

Rnd 10: *K2tog, k5, p1; rep from * to end—49 sts.

Rnd 11: *K2tog, k4, p1; rep from * to end—42 sts.

Rnd 12: *K2tog, k3, p1; rep from * to end—35 sts.

Rnd 13: *K2tog, k2, p1; rep from * to end—28 sts.

Rnd 14: *K2tog, k1, p1; rep from * to end—21 sts.

Rnd 15: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end—14 sts.

Finishing

Cut yarn, leaving an 8" tail. With tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining sts and pull snugly to close hat. Block hat to finished measurements given at beginning of patt. With tapestry needle, weave in ends.

Abbreviations

CO: cast on

dpn(s): double-pointed needle(s)

k: knit

k2tog: knit two stitches together

p: purl

patt: pattern

rep: repeat

rnd(s): round(s)

ssk: slip a stitch as if to knit to right needle, slip a second stitch as if to knit to right needle slip both stitches back to left needle and knit together through the back loops

st(s): stitch(es)

yo: yarn over

The Big Book of Knitted Shawls is available wherever craft books are sold. You can find the book on Amazon here. View all the patterns in the book on Ravelry here.

Slipped Stitch Striped Cowl

Jen — Tue, 27 Feb 2024 03:52:59 +0000

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

If you’d like an ad-free PDF of this pattern, you can find it available on LoveCrafts or on Ravelry. Whether you are enjoying this pattern ad-free with purchase or using the instructions below, thank you for your support of independent designers and content creators.

Over the past few months, I’ve been spending a great deal of time revisiting patterns in my knitting books. I’m enjoying spending time with each book and it’s been nice to reflect on my design career thus far as well as plan where I want to go from here. Six of my knitting books were published by Martingale & Company (now out of business, sadly), and I’m working to share my favorites patterns from those books with you again, in a variety of formats.

As I looked through each of the books, one of the patterns that I kept coming back to is the Pomelo Cowl, originally published in my book Stunning Stitches, which is now out of print.

Here’s what I had to say originally about this easy cowl knitting pattern in the book, which was released in 2017:

Quick, fun, and cozy are the perfect words to describe a piece that you’ll want to wear all winter. If you knit the small size as I did here, you can finish your own Pomelo Cowl in just a few hours!

The yarn used in the original knitted cowl is the discontinued Preciosa Tonal from KnitPicks, in the colors Crest (Color A) and Pokeberry (Color B). I’ve reknit the cowl in a different and equally beautiful worsted-weight yarn that is currently available from KnitPicks – Mighty Stitch.

YARN USED FOR POMELO COWL KNITTING PATTERN

Mighty Stitch from KnitPicks, 80% Acrylic/20% Superwash Merino; 208 yards/100 grams, in the colors Marina (Color A – 2 skeins) and Bubblegum (Color B – 1 skein)

YARN SUBSTITUTIONS

There are so many directions you can go with the yarn you’re using for this pattern. I think working Color B in a gradient or self-striping yarn would look amazing. You can even make this knitting project with leftover yarn – mix and match those leftover worsted-weight yarns to create something really unique! I think it would be fun to use a solid color yarn for the main color (Color A) and use your leftovers for the contrasting color (Color B). If you’re mixing and matching your worsted weight yarns, each mini bobble stripe uses approximately 7 (14) yards of yarn to complete the two rounds in Color B.

If you do want to do a little yarn shopping for your Pomelo Cowl, here are some yarns I’ve used on knitting projects in the past that I really like and I think would be a good fit for this knitting project:

KnitPicks Heatherly Worsted - This is a worsted-weight, acrylic/wool blend that would create a beautiful subtle knitted cowl. One skein of each color is needed for small cowl. Two skeins of Color A and one skein of Color B is needed for the larger infinity scarf.
Berroco Vintage - This is a worsted-weight acrylic, wool, nylon blend. One skein of each color is needed for small cowl. Two skeins of Color A and one skein of Color B is needed for the larger infinity scarf. There are a ton of colors available for this yarn, lots of Pomelo Cowl possibilities!
Malabrigo Worsted - This yarn is a worsted-weight 100% merino wool yarn. One skein of each color is needed for small cowl. Two skeins of Color A and one skein of Color B is needed for the larger infinity scarf. Using this stunning hand-dyed yarn, you’ll be creating an lovely, luxury knitted accessory.

Pomelo Cowl worked in KnitPicks Mighty Stitch, one skein of Marina (Color A) and one skein of Bubblegum (Color B).

POMELO COWL KNITTING PATTERN

Skill Level: Intermediate

Stitches Used:

Knit/Purl, Yarn Over, Slip Stitch Purlwise with Yarn in Front/Back, Purl Three Stitches Together

Techniques Used:

Cast On/Bind Off, Knitting in the Round, Increasing/Decreasing, Color Changes

Sizes: Cowl (Infinity Scarf)

Finished Circumference: 25 (50)", slightly stretched

Finished Height: 12"

Materials

175 (350) yards of worsted weight yarn in Color A
91 (182) yards of worsted weight yarn in Color B
US Size 8 (5.0 mm) circular needle, 24 (32)" cable, or size required for gauge
1 stitch marker
Tapestry needle
Blocking supplies

Gauge

16 sts and 30 rnds = 4" in main patt in the rnd, blocked

Gauge is not critical for this pattern; however, a different gauge will affect the finished size of the cowl as well as the amount of yarn used.

Pattern Notes

Pattern is written for cowl size with infinity scarf size in parentheses. If only one instruction is given, it should be worked for both sizes. Cowl size is shown.

On Rounds 5 and 11, the stitch count doubles to make the mini bobbles. The stitch count goes back down to 100 (200) stitches on Rounds 6 and 12.

When ending Rounds 6 & 12, Color B will be at the front of the work. Move this yarn to the back before starting the next round with Color A.

Customize the Size of Your Knitted Cowl

As long as you cast on a multiple of two stitches, you can create whatever size cowl you want. Because this pattern is so easy to adjust, it’s perfect for experimenting with different weights of yarn. Remember, adjusting the size will affect the amount of yarn you’ll need.

KNITTING INSTRUCTIONS FOR COWL

With Color A, loosely CO 100 (200) sts. Join rnd being careful not to twist. Place marker to mark the beginning of the rnd.

Purl 1 rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Purl 1 rnd.

Continue cowl, working the main patt of cowl as follows:

Rnds 1 - 4: With Color A, knit all sts.

Rnd 5: With Color B, *(k1, yo, k1) in next st, sl1 wyib; rep from * to end—200 (400) sts.

Rnd 6: With Color B, *p3tog, sl1 wyif; rep from * to end, move yarn to back—100 (200) sts.

Rnds 7 - 10: With Color A, knit all sts.

Rnd 11: With Color B, *sl1 wyib, (k1, yo, k1) in next st; rep from * to end—200 (400) sts.

Rnd 12: With Color B, *sl1 wyif, p3tog; rep from * to end, move yarn to back—100 (200) sts.

Work Rnds 1 - 12 another 5 times.

Work Rnds 1 - 10 once more—13 mini-bobble stripes in Color B.

Cut Color B. Color A will be used for the remainder of the cowl.

With Color A, purl 1 rnd.
Knit 1 rnd.
Purl 1 rnd.

Finishing

BO all sts loosely knitwise. Lightly block if desired. With tapestry needle, weave in ends.

Knitting Abbreviations Used

BO: bind off
CO: cast on
k: knit
p: purl
p3tog: purl three stitches together
patt: pattern
rep: repeat
sl: slip stitch purlwise
st(s): stitch(es)
wyib: with yarn in back
wyif: with yarn in front
yo: yarn over

Curious about what other patterns are in my Stunning Stitches book? You can check out all the projects on Ravelry here. The book is now out of print. Some patterns from the book are now featured in my new shawl anthology, Big Book of Knitted Shawls, now available for pre-order.

Classic Crochet Granny Square

Jen — Wed, 05 Jul 2023 13:56:59 +0000

This post contains affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

A classic granny square can be crocheted in a wide variety of ways. You can work in turned, joined rows, or crochet in one direction without turning and work in joined rounds. Do you add two chains into the corners or three? Crocheted granny squares are so fun to experiment with and you can choose the little details that work best for you and your granny square project.

I learned to make my granny squares in the round, using a half double crochet to complete the round, which is what I'm demonstrating here. I then work around the post of the half double crochet to start the first half of the corner for the next round. That might sound a little more complicated than it actually is – I find this one to be a very easy granny square pattern. For me, it's the simplest way to crochet a granny square. Let's take a look at how to make it.

BEGINNING RING

Ch 6. Sl st into first ch to form ring.

ROUND ONE

Rnd 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc here and throughout), 2 dc in ring, (ch 3, 3 dc in ring) 3 times, ch 1, hdc in top of beg ch-3, do not turn, continue working in joined rnds.

ROUND TWO

For subsequent rounds, work the first two double crochets of each round by going around the post of the half double crochet and into the corner space. This is quite simple and makes a very nice and neat corner.

Rnd 2: Ch 3, 2 dc around post of hdc, [ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 sp] 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, hdc in top of beg ch-3, do not turn.

ROUND THREE

Rnd 3: Ch 3, 2 dc around post of hdc, [ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 sp] 3 times, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, ch 1, hdc in top of beg ch-3, do not turn.

ROUND 4 & BEYOND

Rnd 4: Ch 3, 2 dc around post of hdc, [(ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp) to ch-3 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) in ch-3 sp] 3 times, (ch 1, 3 dc in ch-1 sp) to last ch-3 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in ch-3 sp, ch1, hdc in top of beg ch-3, do not turn.

Fasten off or continue working Rnd 4 to desired size.

ABBREVIATIONS

beg: beginning

ch: chain

dc: double crochet

hdc: half double crochet

rnd(s): round(s)

sl st: slip st

sp: space

U.S. Crochet Terminology was used for the granny square instructions. You can see a full list of abbreviations for my knit and crochet patterns here.

Once you've crocheted one granny square, you're likely going to want to make another (and another, and another). There are so many projects that you can make out of these motifs. Check out this this Granny Square Cardigan, available from WeCrochet. It's simple stunning and and made almost entirely out of granny squares motifs!

What's your favorite way to crochet granny squares?

Log Cabin Square Knitting Pattern

Jen — Thu, 15 Jun 2023 18:12:04 +0000

This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn a small commission when you click on the links, at no additional cost to you. You can read my full disclosure policy here.

When you’re like me and you absolutely love to knit garter stitch (knitting on both Right Side and Wrong Side of fabric in rows), knitting log cabin squares is a no-brainer. They are worked entirely in garter stitch and are constructed by working a small square in the middle and then rotating the piece to pick up and knit stitches on each side.

I love knitting squares like this - they are perfect small projects that are the perfect use for leftover yarn. I don’t know about you, but I always I have a large pile of acrylic worsted weight yarn in my stash, the remains of projects of the past. I had quite a bit of KnitPicks Brava in the stash, so that’s that I’ve used for this log cabin square.

Basic Knit Log Cabin Square

The above photo shows how a basic log cabin square builds. This is a basic square where I’ve worked around the center square on each side. The beauty of this technique is that you can continue to build on this one square - you could even make an entire log cabin square blanket! You simply continue picking up and knitting stitches on each subsequent side and knit the desired number of rows.

Below you’ll find instructions on how work this basic square. It’s written for 5 colors, but feel free play around with color. You can make yours using any number of colors you like. I’ve made my square with leftover 100% acrylic worsted weight yarn and a US Size 7 [4.5 mm], 16” circular needle. The square took a total of about 55 yards of yarn.