Stitch 'n Dish

Category: Stashbusting

  • Bottle slings (holders)

    Bottle slings (holders)

    I’ve been a bit obsessed with this pattern – especially when it’s made in a cotton yarn. For this (green) version, I started with a smaller base (30 sts), still using the H hook. I have a pink one also in progress, but in Big Twist yarn that I’m making with a G hook (pictured…

  • Summer accessories

    Summer accessories

    I recently had a need for a water bottle holder, and thought I’d try my hand at making one out of yarn. The project ended up serving a couple purposes, including using up some yarn in my stash (always a good thing!). Although I free-handed this pattern, I recognize that I did not come up…

  • Granny Square Therapy

    Granny Square Therapy

    Like most fiber fanatics, I have several works in progress (WIP’s) sitting in project/yarn bags around the house. When I recently found myself in a bit of a situation (e.g. upset about something), I decided to take some solace in bright colors and the repetitive rhythm of crocheting granny squares instead of working on something…

  • Change is inevitable. Yarn helps.

    Change is inevitable. Yarn helps.

    The past year has marked a significant SHIFT in my life. It wasn’t the birth or death of anyone close, but it was the end of an era, so to speak.  Last year in June, my oldest grandchild got his driver’s license, and suddenly, I was freed from being on call as my daughter’s backup…

  • Comfort in stitching

    Like most crocheters and knitters, I always have several projects in progress. I’ve found over the years that various moods or states of mind will align better with some projects than others. For those stressful times where there’s a lot of chaos or uncertainty, nothing beats a basic knitted piece like the wrap pictured above.…

  • Winter work

    Winter work

    One advantage of the cold and less-than-ideal weather in the Winter months here in the Northeast/Mid-Atlantic region of the United States is that I am less tempted to leave the house. This means I am likely to dig in my yarn or fabric stash for some inspiration, which almost always results in something delightfully creative.…

  • Beyond yarn

    Beyond yarn

    In addition to my love of crocheting and knitting, I have a fondness for sewing. I am in no way as accomplished as my sister, who is – truly – a master sewist (and an engineer!); but I do OK with fabric and a sewing machine. Lately, I returned to some sewing and have enjoyed…

  • Last-minute gifts

    Last-minute gifts

    Like many of you, I’m looking at the calendar and my hair is standing straight up! I know, I know – the date is the same EVERY YEAR, but perhaps my schedule gets more convoluted each year, or I add more to my calendar and anyway, things just get busy. If you’re a fiber artist…

  • The wisdom of yarn

    The wisdom of yarn

    I have highlighted the research that shows the health and mental health BENEFITS that accompany a practice of knitting and crocheting in a number of previous blog posts. Today I want to expand on that a bit more. I have been working on a crocheted afghan, and I got to a point where I simply…

  • Weaving yarns ends and life

    Weaving yarns ends and life

    Crocheters and knitters generally DREAD the task of weaving in the yarn ends on any project – ESPECIALLY larger ones. This blog post is not about those challenges, but the metaphor applies (and who doesn’t love a great crochet or knitting metaphor?!) I speak often at conferences and professional meetings (I have done this regularly…