Welcome to Vanessa’s Stitch Club! I’m so happy you’re here.
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, exclusive discounts, and access to a community 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 members. If you choose to purchase the full pattern, 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.
Join the membership to get access to discounts, free patterns, a community forum, and the juicy details of all of my projects.
Making The Duster Square
Originally, the duster coat pattern was only available in Russian, so my first coat was made by just figuring out the square pattern from the photo.
SO many people asked me how to make the square, but it was important to me that the designer get compensated, so I worked with her to translate the pattern to English. Many of you supported her by purchasing the pattern, which is called “The Lace Coat” on her website.
She was so happy with the partnership that she generously offered to share the chart for the square for free with my community.
Below is the pattern graphic for the individual square.
If you want complete instructions for the coat, video tutorials, and joining methods, you’ll need to purchase The Lace Coat Pattern by Anastasia Asanova. Use the code SCLUB at checkout to receive 15% off, valid throughout September.
Project Photos, Materials, and Examples
I’ve made so many fun projects based on this square! I’ve included photos, yarns used, hook size, pro tips, and details below.
Pro Tip 1 - When making something using The Duster Square (or any square, for that matter), a great way to predict how much yarn you’ll need is to see how many squares you can make with each skein. Then you can calculate how many skeins you’ll need based on the total number of squares. Make sure to have some extra for seaming and edging!
Pro Tip 2 - Sometimes the edging makes all the difference - it can also really help the way that the duster fits. I encourage you to experiment with rounds of edging, including just a simple round of sc around the entire coat, alternating with rounds of sc1, ch1, sk1.
Project 1: Dusters, Dusters, Dusters
Yes, I’m addicted to this project. I’ve now made three and am working on my fourth. Below are the photos of the ones I’ve completed and the yarn I used for each.
Note: The blue and peach coats are HEAVY. I made the squares quite dense so that it is coat-like, not cardigan-like. You could also use lighter yarn and make it more flexible depending on your preference!
Blue Coat (check it out here)
Knitting for Olive yarn. Four strands held together.
2 strands merino in dusty aqua (24 balls)
1 strand compatible cashmere in dusty aqua (15 balls)
1 strand compatible cashmere in morning haze (15 balls)
Hook size: J
Joining method: Whip Stitch
In case you’ve never done it, here is a Whip Stitch Tutorial.
Peach Coat (check it out here)
Knitting for Olive yarn. Four strands held together. Very dense and heavy.
2 strands merino powder (26 balls)
1 strand merino soft peach (13 balls)
1 strand mohair soft peach (15 balls)
Hook size: J
Joining method: Whip Stitch
Beige Coat in Cotton (check it out here)
One skein makes approximately 6 squares.
I purchased 20 skeins to be safe and had a few left over.
Hook size: 3.5mm
Joining method: Whip Stitch
Project 2: Skirt!
I had the idea that these squares would look great as a skirt. I completed a short skirt and a longer one with a high slit.
For the short skirt, I used Adriafil Memphis yarn in Phard.
The long skirt was also Adriafil Memphis yarn in Black. I added two rows to the square - a row of double crochet, chain 1, skip 1 and a row of 2dc into each chain space to make the square bigger and more lacy. But you can also just keep the square exactly as it is!
Hook size: 3.5 mm
For both skirts, I used the continuous join-as-you-go method to join the squares, but you can use any preferred joining method. This is my favorite tutorial on the continuous join-as-you-go method. It takes some persistence to understand it, but once you do, it might become your favorite way to join granny squares.
Project 3: Blanket!
This started out as a duster but quickly became a blanket when I realized I needed a gift for my husband’s birthday. It’s a long rectangular blanket - affectionately referred to as his nap blanket because it covers him perfectly from neck to toes when he naps.
Materials: Knitting for Olive merino (one strand Limestone, 2 strands Morning Haze). 3 strands held together.
Hook size: J
The blanket is 8 x 15 squares
Joining method: Whip stitch
I edged the blanket with one round of single crochet plus a round of sc1, ch1, sk1 repeated all around.
Stitch Club Member Perks
I hope you enjoy making The Duster Square and exploring the endless project possibilities. Before you go, a few reminders:
Join the virtual stitch to discuss this project. RSVP here.
Connect with the stitch community and me live. Share your project updates and questions!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.
Chat with the Stitch Club community
Join our members-only chat where we exchange ideas, share project updates, ask questions, and support each other.
Hi Vanessa, I’m guessing all stitches are US rather than UK. Can you please let me know which crochet hook size in mm please as I’m not familiar with the US terms.
Excited to make these squares. Planning a large blanket for my bed.
Sarah x