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Fan stitches are a versatile and popular crochet technique, adding texture and beauty to many designs. In this article, Charlotte Lee guides us through the fundamentals of creating fan stitches, including step-by-step instructions, common variations, and tips for how to use them in your next project. Whether you’re a beginner curious about the basics or an experienced crocheter looking to expand your repertoire, this guide will help you understand how fan stitches work and how to adapt them for your next project. Watch the video or read the written instructions below! Chapters Basic Fan Stitch 00:00 Fan Stitch Variations 03:39 Fan Stitch in Patterns 09:14 You can use the “Chapters” feature on the video player to quickly navigate to any section you want! Materials & Tools Shown Crochet hooks SweetGeorgia Flaxen Silk DK in Rose Gold SweetGeorgia Superwash DK in Mermaid More about Charlotte Lee  Charlotte Instagram Charlotte’s patterns at SweetGeorgia Yarns ...

So you have fallen head over heels for spinning and are ready to expand your animal fibre knowledge? At the top of my spinning library is  The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook . You may ask yourself, “Why would I spend the equivalent of two or three braids of hand-dyed fibre in a book?” I was considering if that was going to be my next spinning expense when I had the good fortune of my sister getting it for me from my wish list. The Fleece & Fiber Sourcebook by Deborah Robson & Carol Ekarius. What Is It About? As soon as the book arrived, I started swooning over it and all the potential in its pages. Not only is it a completely gorgeous hardcover edition, chock full of photos of the different fleece and hair animals and their fibre (raw and clean), but it also has plyback samples and knit and woven swatches (over 200 of them). It’s an easy-to-read guide with animal stats for whenever you are lured into the deep dive that is  working from fleece  (fleece weight...

If you’re ready to buy your first spinning wheel, you may be feeling more overwhelmed than excited, as well-intended voices offer spinning-term-laden and often contradictory opinions. Here’s my advice: Relax. There is no “best wheel for new spinners.” There’s only the wheel that’s best for you and your own situation at the time of purchase. The Real Purpose of Your First Spinning Wheel Almost every wheel has some limitations, so consider this first wheel as your “perfect for now” wheel—a reliable spinning wheel that helps you learn to spin and with which you’ll begin your spinning journey… Because for all of your planning, it’s almost impossible to predict the spinner you’re going to become. This isn’t to say that you should purchase just any wheel that comes your way or that you shouldn’t put thought into this big-ticket purchase. In my book, the ideal first spinning wheel will meet three main criteria, though their order of importance depends on the individual: It’s Affordable “...

For National Crochet Month , we launched the new  Coast to Colour Shawl designed by Charlotte Lee! Last week, we shared how to set up the shawl and work the Coast to Colour Stitch . This week, we’re adding the perfect finishing touch, a beautiful bobble stitch border. This textured edge adds dimension and detail, making your handmade shawl even more special. Follow the simple steps below to create this eye-catching border before binding off! Did you miss the launch of the Coast to Colour Shawl? Stay in the loop by  joining our newsletter , and be sure to  subscribe to the SweetGeorgia YouTube channel  to catch our latest videos as soon as they go live! Materials Shown SweetGeorgia Superwash DK More About Felicia Lo SweetGeorgia Instagram SweetGeorgia Yarns Youtube Explore Felicia’s courses at the School of SweetGeorgia Browse Felicia’s articles to discover new techniques, refine your skills, and spark creativity.  The Coast to Colour shawl...

What is a diz, and why do you need one? Together with a good set of hand carders and a flicker, a diz may be one of the cheapest and most useful fibre prep tools you can get. If I had to choose, I would go as far as having a set of hand carders and my set of dizzes as my only fibre tools. They are versatile and extremely compact. What’s a Diz For? After you jump out of a flicker or the “dog brush” (as your first fibre tool), most people acquire a set of hand carders.  Hand carders  are an incredibly handy tool. It allows us to blend colours, as Diana Twiss shows us in the  Colour & Fibre Play  course adding  Spinning Mix-ins  for a textured preparation. Some fibre artists only use them to prep rolags, but what if you want a fibre preparation closer to commercial roving? That’s where the diz comes into play. A diz, as explained by School of SweetGeorgia instructor Kim McKenna in  The Ins & Outs of Diz Design , is a tool used to remove a lengt...

Loose Ends is an everyone-is-welcome movement that aims to ease grief, create community, and inspire generosity by matching volunteer handwork finishers with textile projects people have left undone due to death or disability. In this episode, Felicia Lo speaks with Masey Kaplan and Jen Simonic, co-founders of the Loose Ends project, which connects crafters to finish projects left behind by loved ones who have passed away. They discuss their backgrounds, the inception of Loose Ends, and how the project has grown to include thousands of volunteers across the globe. The conversation highlights the emotional impact of crafting, the importance of community support, and the future aspirations of the organization as it navigates challenges and seeks to expand its reach. Episode Highlights 0:00 Introduction 4:42 Founders’ Story 8:42 Loose Ends Origin Story 13:04 Growth and Community Engagement 17:41 Project Logistics and Global Reach 22:06 Crafting Beyond Knitting: Expanding Horizo...