Hi, I’m Kristen! At Hooks, Books, & Wanderlust, I hope to encourage people to live the best version of their life, what I call la belle vie, by sharing my own passions for crochet, reading, and traveling.
Here on this channel, you’ll find crochet stitch tutorials and video patterns, a virtual book club called Books, WIPs, + Sips, which meets quarterly on Instagram Live @HooksBooksWanderlust with replays posted here, and short videos of our family’s adventures as we get out and explore the world around us!
Is there a stitch you would like me to feature on my channel? A book suggestion? Questions? Let me know! You can email me at kristen.caldwell@hooksbookswanderlust.com or post in the Discussion tab!
Thanks for dropping by! I hope you find something here to help you live la belle vie!
Heyy... New crocheter here....my scarf was turning out disastrously and I had to open it all up😢... Thanks to you it finally looks great... Lots of love!❤
I’m glad you found it helpful! Blocking is wetting a piece down and pinning it into shape to let it dry. If I’m using acrylic yarn, I steam it, and if I’m using natural fiber (like cotton) then I spray with water. I hope that helps!
Apologies if I missed this but after watching your flat star stitch video then this video, I’m confused because in this video you already have 2 star stitch rows but didn’t show how to Begin stitching into the round? Do I just fold the flat piece and slip stitch?
@@Amanda-pc3jv that can vary based on your pattern, but the most basic way to begin working in the round is a foundation chain that’s been joined by slip stitch. Another way to do it is to work a base row of sc into a row of foundation chains (or skip the chains and work a foundation sc) then join at the top of the sc. This is usually my preferred method because I’m less likely to twist my work before I join it. Just don’t forget that when you weave in your ends, you’ll also need to use that yarn tail to secure the bottom of your sc. To see what I mean, see the beginning of this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-nvsCFiIj_cg.htmlsi=isYz7sU25QWbi7Vv. It uses a different stitch but same technique.
Not only is this a beautiful baby blanket, it has to be the most entertaining crochet I have worked on in many years. Your talent is extraordinary! I purchased the pattern so that I have it to fall back on. I plan to purchase the book suggestion to go with this to complete the gift. Thank you for sharing your talent.
I am getting lost in the border stitches, I can’t tell where exactly I should be doing the single crochet for each row. Do you have a tutorial for that? I see the video mentions border but doesn’t show it. Also do you recommend a tutorial for weaving in the ends?
I don’t have a video tutorial for this blanket for working in the border, but if you go to the written pattern, found free on my blog, there are photos and written directions to help with the border. It’s linked in the video description or click here: www.hooksbookswanderlust.com/2022/06/23/evren-baby-blanket/
Thanks, I purchased the tutorial on Etsy and I’m excited to get started once my yarn arrives next week. I’ve been practicing the basic stitches, and so far the border and getting the treble stitches to pop out are my weak spots. I checked the tutorial and found it a little bit hard to see the MC SC border stitches with ecru on ecru, but it was more clear for the CC rows with hazelnut on Ecru.
Thanks, I purchased the tutorial on Etsy and I’m excited to get started once my yarn arrives next week. I’ve been practicing the basic stitches, and so far the border and getting the treble stitches to pop out are my weak spots. I checked the tutorial and found it a little bit hard to see the MC SC border stitches with ecru on ecru, but it was more clear for the CC rows with hazelnut on Ecru.
@@kelseygulu I can see where the ecru on ecru would be difficult to differentiate. I’ll have to see if I can edit the photos in a way that highlights stitch placement better. But in the meantime, use the rules of thumb that were in that written tutorial and just do your best to make sure that it lays flat. If your edge wants to curve into a C shape, then you likely don’t have enough stitches, and if the edge ends up ruffling, then you’ve got too many. Borders are not an exact science, because we all have different tensions, etc. Just do your best to keep it straight and flat. My contact information is in the pattern, if you want to send me pictures of your work if you’re having problems and I can try and help you. ♥️
You’d have to call and ask, but they’re a standard cart. Maybe if one of your kids was small enough to sit on someone’s lap. Again, call to ask because they may not show that for safety/liability reasons
I LOVE LOVE LOVE this pattern!! Your baby blanket is gorgeous. I'm going to order my yarn today and can't wait to start it. I subscribed to your site and look forward to seeing your other patterns. ps...this is my 1st comment to anyone so pls know I'm honest with my comment. THANK YOU
@@HooksBooksWanderlust Oh yes! I did read that and it was amazing. That one is high on the list too. I wish she could write faster, I enjoy her books so much!
That depends on the stitches used and your tension, so you’ll be better off paying attention to the side of your rectangle. I would with stitches until they measure 8.25 for a fitted hat (add more for slouch), and with rows until your work measures 20” long (or head circumference minus 2”).
Very beautiful, even if yarn hungry pattern it’s different and I love the finished work I saw on your blog. Thank you for your generosity! Love from Brazil
I started with an uneven number of stitches in my foundation row, and I ended up with a full star at the end, where do I go and how do I go now? Do I go with a chain 3 to go for my second row of single crochet to close up my stars? And still keep all of my rows even?
You will want to count your stitches, but if you ended up with a full star at the end, you still need to work a “half star” to finish that row before moving to the single crochet row. See the photo tutorial on my blog for further clarification. www.hooksbookswanderlust.com/2022/04/25/starstitch/
Nope, but before I start a border pattern, I always begin with a round of single crochet along the edges which helps omit any holes and evens out stitch placement for the border.
@clfisher2011 I would love to see your finished Queen size blanket. I am very new to crocheting but I love this pattern and want to make one for myself. ❤
You had me at thong bookmark😂I never know what to make with thread but now I do! These are just the prettiest! You and the fam have a wonderful holiday my friend!!
I'm following your tutorial exactly. Edges on the first few rows are coming out straight. But the more rows I do, the more slanted the edges are becoming. Why is this happening? I'm making a lap blanket with this pattern,
You might still get some very slight slanting, but it can be blocked out very easily. If it’s more dramatic, you need to go back and look at your stitch placement and make sure that you are where you need to be there.
I’ve been using traditional 5 loop stitch to make crossbody bags for Christmas gifts and after pulling and tugging they’re still all slightly crooked. So delighted to learn your method! The next ones will be perfect! Thank you so much!!!❤❤❤
Hmmm not sure why it’s whited out for you. It plays fine for me. Maybe a connection issue? Maybe try closing the RU-vid app and restarting it? Technology 🤷🏻♀️🤣
Follow what your pattern states, but otherwise, you typically wouldn’t start or end with a post stitch. In my swatch here, I started with a regular double crochet and ended with a regular double crochet. :)
Thank you for explaining it well and going slowly! I tried like, 3 other tutorials and all of them went way too fast to be able to understand anything! Thank you so much!
I have a small head how many chains for a small one? Im still new to crochet so I do not know how many to make for a small one. Would appreciate some feedback please! Thanks! 😊
Measure your head and subtract 2.5-3” from that measurement, then work any multiple of 2 chains until that number is met. Note that foundation stitches tend to be narrower than regular stitches, so your rectangle will increase in length as you work additional rows anywhere from .5”-1” (1-2 cm). The goal is for your finished rectangle to be 2” shorter in length than your head circumference.♥️
I grew up in Missouri. My dad used to take us to the Onondaga cave. I have many happy memories of the cave. Thanks for giving me a return trip after over 70 years!
