After making thousands of stitches, here are five things crochet has taught me:

1. Nobody sees the ends you weave in.

Weaving in your ends is probably the least glamorous part of crochet. Nobody looks at a finished sweater and thinks about all the little strands you spent time tucking away. But the entire project depends on that work. If you skip it, the piece can unravel.

Motherhood has a lot of invisible work like that. There are the meals nobody notices, the appointments you remember, the forms you fill out, etc. A lot of the work that goes unnoticed is actually the work that matters the most. You may not get credit for every little thing you do, but that does not make it any less important.

2. Ripping it out is not starting over.

Every crocheter knows the particular pain of realizing you have made a mistake several rows back. You stare at it, consider pretending you did not see it, and then finally admit defeat and start pulling the stitches out. We call it frogging, and I have done plenty of it.

But here is what I love about frogging: you are not actually starting over. Your hands already know something they did not know before. You know where you went wrong, and you know what to look for the next time. The yarn may be back in a ball, but you are not back where you started.

Relationships work the same way. You can lose your patience, say the wrong thing, or wish you had handled a moment differently. That does not erase everything that came before it. You can go back, apologize, try again, and keep going.

3. On the worst days, one row counts.

Some nights, all I can manage is a single row. It does not feel like much, especially when I am looking at a project that still has dozens of rows to go. But one row is still progress. The project moved forward.

I think motherhood works the same way. There are days when you have nothing left to give. Maybe all you managed was one bedtime story, or one conversation at the kitchen counter. It’s easy to look at everything you did not accomplish and decide it was not enough. But one row counts. One story counts.

4. The same pattern can create completely different results.

Give two people the exact same pattern, the exact same yarn, and the exact same hook, and you can still end up with two projects that look completely different. The tension of your hands changes the fabric. Your experience changes how you work. Even tiny differences in technique can change the finished piece.

Life is like that, too. We can read the same books, follow the same advice, and hear the same rules about what we are supposed to be doing, but none of us are working with the same materials. We have different circumstances, resources, personalities, and capacities on any given day.

5. It does not have to be important to be worth it.

This may be my favorite lesson of all. Sometimes I crochet something because I need it. However, most of the time, I crochet something for absolutely no reason other than the fact that I love making it.

I think we forget that we are allowed to do things simply because they bring us joy. Not everything needs to be productive. It does not need to advance your career, improve your health, make your home more beautiful, or teach you something. You can just enjoy it.

All my love,
Vanessa

1. Binder Rings Have Become One Of My Favorite Tools

One of my favorite things is finding a simple solution to a problem.

Whenever I am working on a project made up of multiple squares or motifs, I use inexpensive binder rings to keep everything in order. As I lay out the pieces, I clip the corners together so I can remember exactly where everything belongs.

It sounds like a small thing, but it saves an incredible amount of frustration when it is time to assemble the final project. Instead of wondering which square goes where, everything stays exactly where I intended it to be.

2. I Keep My Active Projects In What I Call My “Yarn-kin”

A while ago, I found a canvas bag online that immediately made me smile. I jokingly call it my “Yarn-kin” (because yes, it looks kind of like a Birkin) and it has become the home for all of my active projects.

The bag is completely stuffed with yarn, works in progress, hooks, and various odds and ends, but it works for me because everything I am currently excited about lives in one place.

I also like to have a few different types of projects going at the same time. I always keep at least one project that requires very little concentration. Right now, that project is a skirt made entirely of granny squares. If I am on a phone call, sitting in a waiting room, or listening to a podcast, I can pick it up without having to count rows or constantly reference a pattern.

Each project also gets its own pouch. Most of the pouches are simply bags that I have repurposed over the years. Having everything separated helps me keep track of where I am, and it prevents me from constantly starting new projects before finishing the ones I already have.

3. I Give Every Project Its Own Home

Recently, I repurposed some of my son’s old clear sneaker boxes and started using them to store larger projects.

For smaller projects, I often use these soft baskets instead. However, the container itself does not really matter. What matters is that each project has its own designated place.

When the yarn, pattern, hooks, and notes all live together, it becomes much easier to pick a project back up after a few days or even a few weeks away. I spend less time searching for supplies and more time actually stitching.

4. I Stack My Finished Squares On A Board

If you have ever made a project with dozens of granny squares, you know that keeping track of your progress can be half the battle.

Whenever I finish a square, I place it on a board and add it to a growing stack. This helps me stay organized, but the real reason I do it is that I genuinely enjoy watching the pile grow.

There is something motivating about seeing tangible evidence of your progress. A single square may not feel like much, but fifty squares stacked together tell a very different story. Every time I add another one to the pile, I feel a little spark of satisfaction.

5. I Keep Project Notes In Trello

My memory is not nearly as reliable as I would like it to be, which is why I keep notes for all of my projects in Trello.

Whenever I start something new, I write down the yarn I am using, the hook size, any modifications I make, and any ideas I want to remember later.

This habit has saved me countless times. There is nothing more frustrating than pulling out a project after a few months and realizing you have absolutely no idea which hook you were using or what adjustment you made to the pattern.

Having everything written down means I can step away from a project and come back whenever I want without having to start from scratch.

6. Packing Cubes Aren't Just For Travel

One of my favorite organizing hacks has nothing to do with crochet. It’s a mesh packing cube.

I love having my yarn organized, but I don’t love buying extra storage containers if I can repurpose something I already own, so I started sorting my yarn into packing cubes instead.

Right now, I have one filled with yarn I’m experimenting with for a long robe and a few scarves. I group similar yarns together, zip it up, and stack the cubes on top of each other. Because they’re mesh, I can still see exactly what’s inside without opening every single one.

Tip: I also tuck an anti-moth sachet into each cube. It helps protect my yarn while it’s in storage and keeps everything smelling fresh.

Take as much or as little from these ideas as feels useful!

At the end of the day, staying organized is not about having a perfect system. It’s about creating just enough structure that you can spend less time looking for things and more time enjoying the simple pleasure of making something with your hands.

All my love,
Vanessa

1. Falling Blossoms Shawl by Ana D.

I was on vacation when I spotted the most incredible shawl in a little boutique.

I couldn’t stop thinking about it. I took a quick picture to remember how it was constructed. It was oversized, with the most beautiful drape and long fringe that I imagined would sway as I walked.

I couldn’t wait to go home and try to make it myself.

This shawl is my interpretation of that moment. It’s a variation on a traditional granny triangle shawl, with rows of double crochet woven in to create something that feels simple, modern, and effortlessly elegant.

For this version, I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton, a mercerized cotton yarn that has just the right amount of sheen and weight to create the drape I was after. I paired it with a 6.5mm hook, which is larger than the hook typically recommended for this yarn. I wanted the fabric to feel open and airy rather than dense, and I love the movement and softness that come from those looser stitches.

It's actually the perfect project for this time of year, when the weather starts to cool but it's not quite cold enough for heavy layers. It gives you just enough warmth without feeling bulky.

I always recommend making a small swatch with a few different hook sizes before you commit. I usually try at least three. Even a small change in hook size can completely transform the drape and personality of a project, so it’s worth taking the extra few minutes to find the fabric you love.

And don’t skip the fringe! For me, that’s what takes it from pretty to dramatic.

So far, I’ve made this shawl in two colors, but I’m already eyeing a third. One of the things I love most about this yarn is that the color palette feels so sophisticated. As you know, I’m a huge fan of monochromatic dressing, and I love the idea of making this shawl in several colors so I can throw one over a simple outfit and instantly elevate the whole look.

Maybe that’s also part of where I am in life right now.

I’ve joked that I’m entering my Diva Era, but there’s actually some truth to it. For a long time, I dressed to blend in. Lately, though, I’ve been giving myself permission to take up a little more space, wear the interesting piece, and choose the dramatic silhouette. I’m not worrying so much about whether I stand out.

This shawl feels like that to me. It’s dramatic without being fussy. It catches your eye, moves beautifully, and somehow makes you stand a little taller when you put it on.

The full pattern is included below for my paid subscribers. I hope you have as much fun making it as I did designing it.

All my love,
Vanessa

P.S. I’m hosting a virtual stitch dedicated to this project. Come with your project updates and questions! RSVP here.

Paid membership gives you access to free patterns I designed myself, exclusive discounts on my favorite patterns from other designers, a community forum, and the juicy details of all of my projects.

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I hosted a Virtual Stitch dedicated to this project, where I answered all of your questions and shared my tips and tricks to make the project turn out beautifully.

You can watch the replay below.

ICYMI: The Virtual Stitch Recording

Click here to watch the replay.

Stitch Club Member Perks

Before you go, a few reminders:

• Your monthly discount → The Lace Coat Pattern (aka The Duster)

  Special thanks to this month’s partner, Anastasia Asanova of Lavka Bulavka. Purchase her pattern and use the code SCLUB at checkout to receive 15% off, valid throughout September.

• Join our next Virtual Stitch — open to ALL Stitch Club subscribers (free and paid). RSVP here.
  Connect with the stitch community and me live. Share your project updates and questions!

• Chat with the Stitch Club community — paid members only.
  Join our paid members-only chat where we exchange ideas, share project updates, ask questions, and support each other.

I'm so thrilled to announce the launch of the brand-new Woman's Day Stitch Club, a recurring feature in Woman's Day magazine that I'll be writing every issue.

Each installment will include a new project, practical tips, and reflections on how making something with your hands can bring more creativity, calm, and joy into your life.

It feels like a natural extension of everything we do here in Vanessa’s Stitch Club, and I could not be more excited to bring it to an even wider community.

My hope has always been to inspire you to make time for creativity, carve out space for yourself, and discover that crafting is not just about what you make. It’s about how you feel while you are making it.

I am so grateful to have the opportunity to share that message with Woman’s Day readers in every issue.

To read this issue’s project, be sure to pick up a copy of Woman's Day. I would be so grateful for your support, and I hope you'll subscribe to the magazine and stitch along with me in every issue!

All my love,
Vanessa

I often get asked how I make crochet look chic, and here’s how I think about it.

I don’t think about crochet as a craft. I think about it as fashion. I think about it as self-expression.

That changes everything.

When I choose yarn, I don’t look at bins in a craft store. I look at them the same way I would look at a rack of clothing. I ask myself, “Would I wear this? Does it feel like me? Does it look like something that already belongs in my wardrobe?”

I was recently in LA and after accidentally running out of yarn (yikes!), I stopped into Michael’s. As I looked around, I wasn’t searching for yarn. I was looking for something that looked like a beautiful piece of clothing.

I found this gorgeous combination of soft pink and beige with just a little sheen. Together, they feel monochromatic, elevated, and honestly a little LoveShackFancy. It looked exactly like the kind of thing I’d reach for in my closet.

I’ve realized that one of the reasons I wear so much of what I make is that I focus on the colors I already love and the clothes I already own.

I even brought one of my favorite pairs of pants into Michael’s and matched the yarn to them. The colors are almost identical. I still haven’t decided exactly what I’m going to make, but I already know I’ll wear it because it already fits into my wardrobe.

I think that’s the trick. Don’t choose yarn because it looks pretty in a bin. Choose it because it looks like something you’d actually wear.

All my love,
Vanessa

The slightly annoying answer is that it depends.

It’s actually really hard for me to give you an exact amount because the amount of yarn you use is individual to you. Your tension, your hook size, how tightly or loosely you crochet, and even little differences in how you work can all change how much yarn you need.

That is why I was so excited when Michele Costa, founder of GoSadi, showed me her yarn calculating technique.

Michele is the person I collaborate with to help me write out the patterns for my designs, and she has an amazing way of calculating how much yarn you will need for a project. It is much more useful than me simply telling you, “I used three skeins,” because your three skeins might not go quite as far as mine did.

Michele put together an incredibly helpful guide explaining exactly how she does it, and I am including it as a PDF below so you can use the technique for your own projects.

This is a dedicated space where I’ll be sharing my crochet projects, favorite yarns, color combinations, and all the little tips and resources I’ve never really had a place to share before.

My goal is simple: to make stitching feel modern, creative, and fun while building a community of people who love making beautiful things together.

If you’d like even more, you’ll also have the option to upgrade to a paid membership, where you’ll get free patterns I designed myself, exclusive discounts on my favorite patterns from other designers, and access to a community chat where we can connect, ask questions, learn from one another, and inspire each other.

Let’s get started!

Introducing Your Project of the Month:
The Duster Square

This pattern by Anastasia Asanova, which I helped her translate to English, has been incredibly popular, and many of you have already started to make it.

Our collaboration was such a success that she generously gave me permission to share the chart for the individual square for free, exclusively with my membership community.

Below, I’ve included a graphic of the square pattern for paid members. If you choose to purchase the full pattern, paid members also receive a discount code (see below).

I’ve also included photos of all of my projects using this square, including the exact yarns I used, hook size, edging styles, and joining methods. I did each one a little differently, so there are lots of nice options.

All my love,
Vanessa

P.S. I’m hosting a virtual stitch dedicated to this project. Come with your project updates and questions! RSVP here.

Paid membership gets you access to free patterns I designed myself, exclusive discounts on my favorite patterns from other designers, a community forum, and the juicy details of all of my projects.

Subscribe now

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Crochet has been one of the most grounding, joyful practices in my life. There is something about having your hands busy that gives your mind permission to slow down. I learned to crochet when I was younger, put it down for decades, and picked it back up a few years ago, and I haven’t looked back since.

This guide will take you from zero to your first finished project, step by step. Think of it as a starting point, not an exhaustive manual. The best way to learn is simply to begin.

How To Learn

I visited Venice with my family two years ago, and on an afternoon when all my children were exhausted and resting, I googled yarn stores in Venice. I came upon a store that wasn’t too far away.

My amazing husband agreed to venture out to the yarn store with me (that’s how much he loves me, and knows me).

I discovered some wonderful yarns I had never seen anywhere else before, including hanks of very thin Loro Piana cashmere with mohair-like cashmere/silk yarn in matching colors. I HAD to have them and bought a few color combinations.

Note: If you ever find yourself wandering Venice, this is worth the detour. Here’s the store’s website.

This is the kind of yarn you don’t want to waste any of, so I set about trying to figure out what to make. As I experimented, I came up with this shawl pattern. When my mom saw it and fell in love with it, I decided to gift it to her. It’s now her favorite, so I’ve named it (The Lucy) after her.

About The Shawl

This shawl can be made with any type of yarn, but I suggest fingering weight if you want it to be lacy and easy to wrap around your neck.

The shawl is worked from a magic circle, increasing in each row, so it ends up being a very tall and narrow triangle (think ice cream cone shaped). When you wrap it around your neck, it’s somewhat asymmetrical. I love the look — but if you prefer everything very symmetrical, I’d recommend Lucy’s Shawl Variation, further down.

I’ve made this shawl with a couple of different yarns. I’ve made a relatively large one with about 750 yards of yarn, but you could make a smaller one with less. If you’re using leftover yarn, just work the rows until you run out! It’s the perfect project for a couple of balls of yarn left over from another project.

Here’s a video where I show her in all the colors I’ve made her in (minus the ones I’ve given away!).

Get The Free Pattern

What started as simply sharing my passion for crochet (and not being sure if anyone would really care or take note) has evolved into a full-blown community.

For months, I've been asking what you all want and gathering that information. Vanessa's Stitch Club is an answer to your desire for more, and I'm so excited to share it with you.

Be The First To Know

Stitch Club officially launches September 1, but you don’t have to wait until then to claim your spot. Subscribe now, and you’ll be first in line to receive patterns, projects, community access, and all the details you won’t want to miss.

So What Is Stitch Club?

I’m enamored with the idea of building a full wardrobe that feels chic and high-fashion, made entirely with my own two hands. I obsessively search for the perfect yarn, color, and pattern combinations to make every project wow-worthy, and I love making crochet feel modern and cool.

But honestly? The only thing I love more than making beautiful things slowly is sharing every detail of that journey with you.

Stitch Club is where I’ll be sharing my hacks, my patterns, my ideas, and the projects I’m working on in real time. It’s the place I wanted to create because there’s nothing more fun than sitting around the table at your local yarn store, swapping tips and talking shop, and I wanted to recreate that feeling, for anyone, anywhere.

All are welcome here. Experts and beginners. Crocheters and knitters. Needlepointers, felters, cross stitchers, and the generally craft-obsessed. If you love making things with your hands, you belong.

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What You’ll Get

My goal for this space is simple: have a ton of fun creating beautiful things, while building community and friendships around our shared love of stitching.

Free subscribers will receive emails with my favorite patterns, bonus content, and a preview of the projects I’m working on.

Paid subscribers get the full experience:

• Free patterns I designed myself and exclusive discounts on my favorite patterns from other designers

• Behind-the-scenes details on the yarns and materials I use

• A paid subscribers-only forum to share projects, ask questions, and talk yarn, patterns, styling, and joining methods with fellow stitch-obsessed friends

• My goal is to deliver tons of amazing content while saving you money through free patterns and discounts
  

Subscribe now

I can’t wait to share this new offering with you!

All my love,
Vanessa