Sunday, September 30, 2018

Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast, Episode 3 - Show Notes



This episode features a recent mini-haul filmed live at my local Hobby Lobby, JoAnn Fabrics and Meijer Store in Southwest Michigan.



Hobby Lobby Haul Items:

 Seaside Baby Knit Book, by Debbie Shore--was $9.95; I paid $1.00 for it on clearance:

Book contains a variety of nautical-themed baby hats and sweaters.

Cool Chunky Knits, 26 Fast and Fashionable Cowls, Shawls, Shrugs & More for Bulky & Super Bulky Yarns, by Tabetha Hedrick, Regular Price; $19.99 - Clearance Price - $1.99 -- SCORE!!!

This book has a variety of really nice accessories. I especially like the Apple River Shrug and the Cahaba Cap featured on the cover.  This is a great  publication at a extremely reduced price. If hope you may be able to find one at your Hobby Lobby for this price!

The last book I found on clearance was Simple Pillow Making by Billie Steward.  This was published by Leisure Arts and contains 10 different pillows you can sew.  The regular price was $9.99 and I bought it on clearance for 99 cents.  


All the patterns and instructions to make these pillows are included in this book.  I especially like the ruffled pillow and round box-edge pillow.  I present pictures of these pillows during the podcast.

While at Hobby Lobby I also bought the following on clearance:  buttons, iron on letters/numbers, stretch thread, and webbing remnant. These are presented in the podcast.  In addition, I picked up some faux fur to make pom-poms.  I will be demonstrating how to make fur pom-poms in a future podcast episode.

At JoAnn Fabrics-- I found the following on clearance:

Two skeins of Big Twist Premium Yarn, 3.5 oz-Worsted Weight Yarn in the Tumeric Colorway.  100% acrylic.
Nice bright yellow color. I paid $1.47 for each skein.  These were regularly priced $3.19 each.  I also found a set of 6, Susan Bates plastic crochet hooks in US sizes:  F5, G6, H8, I9, J10, K10.5, these are mm: 3.75, 4, 5, 6, 6.5. Clearance Price -- 87 cents! You can always use extra crochet hooks and the price was Excellent! See the podcast for information.

Meijer Store Yarn Haul

My local Meijer Store had some discontinued colorways of the Bernat Stripes Yarn on clearance for $1.49 each, regularly priced at $2.99.  These are 5.0 oz 142 gram skeins in the following colorways:

Two skeins in Whirlpool colorway and Three skeins in Beachwood stripes colorway.


This was the end of the mini-haul that took place in mid to late September 2018.

Work in Progress (New Shawl Design)

This podcast episode also featured the new shawl design work in progress (WIP).  This is being worked on US Size 6 circular knitting needles with DK-weight yarn and will consist of alternating colors, lace and garter stitch sections. 

Once this new shawl design is completed, the pattern will be released via this blog.  Keep watching both my blog and podcast for this pattern release.  Pictured below is this shawl WIP:

Thanks for visiting my blog.  For future information, please go to Episode Three of my Youtube podcast -- Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee.

I can also be found online at:

  Instagram - SuzeeMakes1

  Ravelry - SusieQ57

  Ravelry Podcast Group - Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast 

Wednesday, September 12, 2018

Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast - Episode 2 - Show Notes


Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast - Episode 2 - Show Notes

Hobby Lobby, Michaels and Walmart Hauls

Topics -- Haul Acquisitions:
  • Leisure Arts Crochet and Knit Books (Large/Small Books) - by Lisa Gentry, Melissa Leapman, Rena V. Stevens, Rita Weiss and various other designers

    Rainbow Knits
  • Rainbow Knits Book by Nicki Trench - Really Cool Book! I just love the color work in this book, so bright and happy.  
  • I plan to make several of the patterns contained in this book, namely: 
    • the cowl on the cover, the ombre diagonal shawl, the garter stitch baby blanket, the squares baby blanket, the arm warmer and the striped mittens.
    • Yea, I can't wait to get started!  I will post pictures of the finished projects here and on my Ravelry project page.
  • Impulse buys -- (Stretch Thread & Slash/Rotary Cutter)
    • Yarn:
      • Hobby Lobby - Yarn Bee - Bamboo & Silk Yarn - Purple Colorway -- Love, love this yarn is so soft and very smooth.  

    • Michaels - Loops & Threads - Capri, Cotton/Nylon/Poly Yarn - Misc Pastel Colorway - 
    • Very, very soft cotton blend yarn -- 57% cotton, rest is nylon/polyester.  Will be probably be making spa cloths, hats and matching cowls from this yarn.  I got 21 skeins of this yarn on clearance during this haul.
  • Walmart - Leisure Arts - 3-Way Dishcloth Book - Stitch patterns are very versatile as they can be modified to make other things from the original design or in designing a completely different item
Image result for Leisure Arts 3 way dishcloths

    • Boye Circular Needles
    • Crochet Hook/Tool Storage Suggestion
      • I use the Sterilite plastic pencil boxes to store my crochet hooks and various other small tools.  I love the fact that these have attached lids so they can never be misplaced.  These are perfect to store your tools near your crafting area or can be thrown in a project bag for portable crafting.  The price is right too, currently (during back to school season) these can be found in the School Supplies section and sell for 50 cents.  They will probably go on clearance soon for even less.
      • Each pencil box will hold approximately 10 crochet hooks with small handles and quite a few small tools, such as small sizzors, tape measure, tapestry needles, stitch markers, etc.  Pictured below is a Sterilite pencil box.  If you buy more than one you will see they are made to stack on top of each other. The raised squares on the top of one box will fit into a corresponding groove on the bottom of another box, so they will stack together easily and not slide apart.



Well this wraps up the show notes for episode 2, of Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast.  Please check out this podcast Crochet, Knit And More With Suzee -- on Youtube and subscribe

If you like this blog page, please also check me out at:
SuzeeMakes1 - Instagram
SusieQ57 -- Ravelry

Thanks for stopping by, I hope to see you back real soon!

Friday, September 7, 2018

Crochet Corner-to-Corner Stitch

Crochet Corner-to-Corner Stitch

I just love the Crochet Corner-to-Corner stitch and it has become my go to stitch for easy mindless projects. This stitch has been around for at least 40 years and has enjoyed numerous incarnations by crochet enthusiasts.

Corner to Corner Stitch
It is also a VERY versatile stitch, that can be used to create:
  • Square, rectangular, or triangular shaped items in any size
    • Square:  dishcloth, mat, bag/tote/purse, square panel to create larger item, pillow, etc.
    • Rectangular:  afghan, cowl, scarf, rectangular panel to create larger item, etc.
    • Triangular:  bandana (head/neck), rectangular panel to create larger item (either square or triangular), shawlette or shawl, etc. 
  • Color work (stripes and color blocks)
  • Designs by alternating colors and/or combining blocks or panels in various colors
  • Pictures by using charts and multiple colors
How to do the Corner-to-Corner Stitch

There are many websites and Youtube tutorials showing how to work the corner-to-corner stitch.

Here are links to a few of my favorites:

Corner to Corner Scalloped Shawl - Youtube Candice Charlson


Woman's Day Super Special
Issue - Granny Squares
& Crocheted Fashion
Magazine - September 1987
Pictured below is the first corner-to-corner project I completed in 2013 - I can't take credit for the design, as it was featured in The Woman's Day Super Special Granny Square & Crocheted Fashions Magazine from September 1987. It's called the Santa Fe Afghan.

My modification to the Santa Fe Afghan
The Santa Fe is a corner to corner afghan made in four separate rectangular panels then sewn together.  The diamond shape in the center is created by intersection of the color work and stripes from these four panels.

The original design was adapted by Elena Malo, as featured in this vintage Granny Squares magazine and is pictured below.

Original Design from 1987 Granny Squares Magazine
My variation was just to the border as I had difficulty working the diamond shapes into the border. My border omits the diamond shapes and just uses the striping.

Dishcloth - Corner-to-Corner

Corner to Corner Dishcloth - Free Pattern
This is a really simple design. It can be a beginning crocheter's first project.  I got the free pattern for this dishcloth from Yarnspirations, please click the link below to access this pattern:

Free Corner to Corner Yarnspirations Dishcloth Pattern

Corner-to-Corner Stitch Designing

Once you know how to do the corner-to-corner stitch you will be able to design your own projects.  This eliminates the need to find patterns as you can create your own designs.  You will be able to choose the item size, yarn, hook, and coloring.  Featured below are several corner-to-corner projects I've designed and completed recently:

Corner to Corner Afghans

The two afghans below are my own designs.  Basically they are rectangular shaped afghans with a simple edge border worked after completion.  I used a US Size-J (6 mm) hook to make these afghans.  I prefer using a DK or sport weight yarn (#3), as I find worsted-weight (#4) to be a bit heavy, but you may not.  Just make these afghans as wide as you want and then work them to the desired length.  If  you do not know how to do this, use the "how to work the corner-to-corner stitch" links above.


The rainbow color afghan has a Frill Border. I used the Blossom Crochet's YouTube Frill Border tutorial to work the edge border.  The following is a link to this tutorial:  Blossom Crochet Youtube Frill Border.



I used Lion Brand Mandala yarn to make the rainbow color afghan above.  This was done in the Gnome colorway and took approximately 3 skeins to complete.  This afghan is approx 30" x 60" before adding the border.  With the border it's 34" x 64."

Pictured below is the Lion Brand Mandala yarn:

The Mandala yarn contains 6 different but complementary colors in each skein, and NO ends to work in, other than the beginning and end.  I just LOVE the Lion Brand Mandala yarn.  It is a dream to work with and it makes an extremely soft afghan.  If you want a beautiful project, try the Mandala yarn, and you will love it, too!

My Corner to Corner Shawl

Last, but not least, My Corner to Corner Shawl design.

Finished Corner to Corner Shawl

Shawl in Progress
This was made with two skeins of Lion Brand Scarfie,  working the corner-to-corner stitch to the desired size.  This is a bulky-weight yarn, worked with a size L (8 mm) crochet hook.  I added a scalloped border around the finished edge.  Check out YouTube for corner-to-corner shawl border tutorials and choose the one you prefer.

Love the way this turned out.  I will be making another soon!

If you liked this blog page, please check me out at:

SuzeeMakes1 -- Instragram
Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee -- Youtube Podcast
SusieQ57 -- Ravelry

Monday, September 3, 2018

Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee Podcast - Episode 1 Show Notes:

-Hello and welcome to the first episode of my podcast --

Where you can find me:
  • Ravelry - SusieQ57
  • Instagram - SuzeeMakes1
  • YouTube - Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee
Knit patterns featured in podcast:

Found Asymetric Shawl by Siew Clark -- free pattern available from Ravelry
Game Day Scarf by Lori Kaake -- free pattern available from Ravelry
Mina's Two at a Time Socks by Mina Philipp -- free pattern available from Ravelry

Yarn and knitting needles featured in podcast:

  Yarn
  Bernat - Baby Sport Ombre, colorway:  Blossom (pink, white and beige verigated)
  Bernat - Baby Sport, colorway:  Taupe
  Patons Kroy Sock yarn, colorways:  Brown, Rose Marl and Singin' The Blues Stripes
  Premier Wool-Free Sock yarn, colorways:  Grapes and Utah

  Knitting Needles
  Chiao Goo 47" 120 cm, Fixed Circular Lace Needles; U.S. Size 1.5; 2.5 mm

Books featured in podcast:
Crocheted Bears and Other Animals 25 Toys to Crochet, by Emma Brown

Other Podcasts featured in podcast:
The Knitting Expat Podcast -- Mina Philipp

Please leave your comments on YouTube and hit the Like and subscribe buttons there, too!  Thanks for watching!






Saturday, September 1, 2018

Welcome to the companion blog to my podcast, "Crochet, Knit and More With Suzee".  This blog will provide a location for each episode's show notes and other information.

From time to time I also will be releasing free crochet and knit patterns I've designed that were featured on my Podcast or Ravelry Design Page.

To celebrate the first episode, I have designed a crochet pattern, "Have A Cuppa," which is coffee cup -inspired bathroom tissue cozy.


I hope you enjoy this fun, decorative bathroom tissue cozy as much as I did when I was designing it.

Please feel free to use this pattern for personal use or for sale. All I ask is if you post this pattern or related information on another website or elsewhere,  please credit me as the source of this pattern.

The link to download a pdf file for this pattern is listed below:

Have A Cuppa Coffee Bathroom Tissue Cozy - Crochet Pattern

Other Locations where I can be found:
  • Ravelry under SusieQ57
  • Instagram under SusieMakes1