Lalylala's Beetles, Bugs, and Butterflies is so much more than just a book of cute amigurumi creatures. This clever, cheerful collection of projects is introduced in the form of a story that could truly stand on its own as a children’s book, except you can make all of the characters! I have to say, it was a joy to read – and the beautiful images had me itching to grab my hook and start crocheting. Read on for a peek inside!

[Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] is everything you need to make a gradient shawl in one handy package! These kits includes six super-cute mini skeins of fingering weight cotton and a free shawl pattern that offers both a knitted and crocheted version. Whether you choose to make the included project or not, you’ll love how soft this 100% cotton yarn is. We made the knitted version here at the shop, and it was a blast to see it work up!

Malabrigo Merino Worsted Wool Yarn is the one that started my love affair with Malabrigo yarns. This super soft single ply works up in a versatile worsted gauge, making it great for a wide variety of different projects, from knitted sweaters to woven scarves and blankets. The soft twist in this yarn adds a layer of depth to its color, making even the tonal/solid shades pop with interest.

Never again will you have to spend hours scouring the internet for the perfect granny square motif! At least, not if you’ve got access to a copy of Crochet Kaleidoscope by Sandra Eng. This compilation of 100 motifs includes a super helpful lesson in color, as well as a handful of projects to inspire and get you going. These colorful motifs are organized by shape – from circles and squares to triangles and hexagons – and there’s way more in here than just your average granny square.

Look at all those variations and colors! I should mention that all the individual motifs shown in this book were crocheted using Cascade Ultra Pima Cotton Yarn.  If you’re looking for more colors than what’s offered in that line, I would recommend taking a look at some 3/2 Pearl Cotton Yarn mini cones.  That’s a slightly thinner yarn than the Ultra Pima, and it’s great for colorful crochet.

Looking for a little heavier wool instead? Try either Plymouth Encore Worsted Yarn or Jo Sharp Classic DK Wool Yarn for beautiful pillow covers or blankets.

And here are some variations on hexagon motifs. Crochet Kaleidoscope also has a section on triangles and other shapes, along with even more variations. I love that black and white hexagon at the top – it catches my eye every time, and I’d be curious to see a bunch of them pieced together. Speaking of piecing them together, here are some of my favorite projects from this book:

Ok, I really love that Mod Flower shawl. Eng’s use of color is beautiful, and in Crochet Kaleidoscope she helps you understand how to pick and arrange colors like a pro. Most of the projects are designed to be joined as you go, but Eng also includes some handy tips on how to make your motifs individually and join them together later. By the time you’ve made one of these projects (or created something unique of your own!), I wouldn’t be surprised if you already have the next one in mind. If colorful crocheted piecework is as appealing to you as it is to me, you’ll have all the resources needed to make these and many more beautiful items.

Looking for the right hooks?

Lykke 6" Crochet Hook Set - Grey Faux Denim Case

Available in over 90 colors, the Signature Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool also takes dye beautifully – try Wash Fast Acid Dyes for rich, colorfast hues.

We recommend using a ski shuttle with the Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool. Ski shuttles will let you wind on plenty of this bulky yarn, and because of the smooth bottom your shuttle will still glide nicely through your shed. Especially for wider pieces, this is preferable to a stick shuttle. Using a shorter stick shuttle can be helpful if you plan to incorporate narrower sections of color using a tapestry technique.

Or save when you buy the ultimate winding combo – makes a fantastic holiday gift for your favorite weaver!

Even on a rigid heddle loom rug wool can yield some great results. Liz Gipson’s book Weaving Made Easy - Revised and Updated, 17 Projects Using a Rigid Heddle Loom uses our Rug Wool in her beautiful Simply Striped rug, which she also has video support for. (I’ve shared this before, but I can’t recommend her Yarnworker videos highly enough. Check it out here!

Planning to knit or crochet? On its own, or felted, the Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool is a surprisingly versatile material! You’ll want to use the right tools though, and be patient – even though the super-bulky gauge stitches up quickly, the weight can be harder on your hands and wrists.

Knit singly on a US size #9 – #15 needle, as shown in the All Down the Line - Rug Wool Knitted Jacket Pattern Download. Or on a #15 or #17 if you’re using it doubled, as in the Knitted Rectangular Rug - Pattern download. Crocheters should use an M-13 to Q hook, and can also work the yarn doubled or tripled, as in the Crochet Rug (Felted) - Pattern download.

Need more than just a sample card, but not a full skein? Individual 55″ strands are available in all our colors. Rug hookers love the ability to mix colors affordably, and at only $0.55 these are perfect for accent work.

One of the youngest of all the fiber arts, crochet is a wonderfully versatile craft. After reading through Modern Bohemian Crochet, I am revved up and ready to start chaining. I may be self taught, but I’ve been crocheting for as long as I can remember – and I have never, EVER seen some of the projects featured in this book. Flabbergasted, I had to check some of the patterns to be sure some of these pieces were actually crocheted.

Take the Flora belt (above), for example. Ok, ok – a lot of you probably pegged this the moment you saw it. You’re right, it’s Tunisian crochet. This technique involves the use of a long crochet hook, like our Bamboo 14" Afghan Hook G (4.25mm). There are even Tunisian crochet hook sets! If you’re already into this craft, you might want to check out the Knitter's Pride Dreamz Tunisian Crochet Hook Set.

Words fail me. Alright, maybe they don’t… The neckline! The slanted rectangles on the sleeves! The open back! As much as I also want the model’s hair and skirt, I know I can at least make myself a Kinzie Tee. I could use Block Island Blend Yarn for some delicious texture, or Malabrigo Sock Yarn for something less solid colored. Goodness, do I love this tee.

For a colorful selection at your fingertips, try the , which includes sizes E-L.

Modern Bohemian Crochet is full of wearable, beautiful projects that totally have me itching to get my crochet hooks out. Just in time for summer, too!

Supersize Crochet - 20 Quick Crochet Projects Using Super Chunky Yarn by Sarah Shrimpton is right on trend with fast, chunky projects made from mega-sized yarn. With instructions on how to make your own T-shirt yarn right at the beginning, this book instantly sparked my interest. And it’s not just blankets – you can use ultra thick yarn to make anything from slippers to cowls, wall hangings to placemats… and Shrimpton tells you how.

I sincerely feel like my home needs one of these pouches in every room. Crocheted out of strong, thick cord, this pouch is super functional and wonderfully modern. I would love to see this made out of thick twine for a more natural look, or you could even use Halcyon Deco Rug Wool Yarn or Halcyon Geo Rug Wool Yarn for a pouch that can take some wear and tear.

Baskets!  With instructions for three different sizes, this project also marries form and function. For something like this, your yarn options are truly endless. Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool would give you a sturdy, woolly basket, while rag yarn (like T-shirt yarn) would lend a nice bohemian look to the basket. Upcycle those T-shirts when you clean out your closet!

This simple little pillow has the loveliest little star pattern extending from its center. This piece was crocheted from roving, like Fine White Merino Wool Top Fiber, or Ashford NZ Wool Fiber to Spin and Felt for a little color. That means the whole pillow is only 8 rounds, start to finish.

The color possibilities with this project make me itch to crochet it myself. It would be super sturdy out of Halcyon Yarn Rug Wool, which has no shortage of colors to choose from.

These are just a few of the cool patterns you can find in [item=77304000, book]. Once you get started, it’s tough to stop the creativity – especially when your project can be completed so quickly. We have a handful of chunky yarns here that would be perfect for the projects in this book (we can’t forget Malabrigo Rasta Yarn, after all). Or you could even hold a bunch of skinnier yarns together for a multicolor effect! Whatever your approach, you’ll be outfitting your home with modern, beautiful crocheted items in no time.

Often overlooked, crochet is another fun way to use yarn (among other things) to create… well, just about anything! From cute, playful amigurumi (like in The Big Book of Little Amigurumi and [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] ) to awesome rugs, clothing, accessories and housewares, crochet is as versatile as knitting. I am a HUGE fan of 70’s inspired crochet, like the projects in [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] .

But what about learning how to do it? The internet has loads of resources for crochet tutorials, and it’s always easy to type a term you don’t understand into a search engine. Just be sure to include the word crochet! There are also a lot of great books available on the subject, such as How to Crochet. This deceptively thin book contains everything you’ll need to know to get started, and way beyond. A great reference for beginners, I always like to keep books like this on hand.

In the interest of encouraging folks to start learning some new skills, I wrote up a very simple, very easy pattern for the most beginner of beginners, Easy: Learn to Crochet Cowl Pattern Download. To make this cowl, you’ll need one skein of Lamb's Pride Bulky Yarn and one size P crochet hook, like this [Sorry, item discontinued or temporarily out of stock] , which we are featuring especially for this project. Oh, and a tapestry/yarn needle, like these Large-eyed Tapestry Needles (Susan Bates) Sz 13.