Tutorial Series: The Crochet Zig Zag Braid Edging

Posted in The Crochet Zig Zag Braid Edging, Tutorial Series by

A crochet border edging on crochet or knit blankets, dishcloths, and various other projects is frequently employed to enhance their aesthetic appeal, providing a more finished or decorative look that transforms simple items into something more. There are numerous crochet border edgings available, each offering a unique texture and style. For instance, a single crochet border adds a subtle, clean finish, whereas a crochet moss stitch border introduces a more textured feel. Another edging is the crochet zig zag braid edging, which is accomplished by alternating between slip stitches and chain stitches, creating a braid-like pattern that adds both texture and visual interest. Incorporating the various border edging adds more visual interest and elevates the overall design of a knitted or crocheted item.

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I have used the crochet zig zag braid edging in several dishcloth patterns, including the Dotted Dishcloth, With a Twist Dishcloth, and a few other dishcloths that I have created over time. This straightforward edging technique gives the finished product a textured and decorative look.

The Dotted Dishcloth
With a Twist Dishcloth


The video and written instructions below show how to crochet zig zag braid edging for right-handed crochet

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The Crochet Zig Zag Braid Edging:

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Written steps to crochet the Zig Zag Edging:

  • Insert crochet hook under both strands of the edge stitch or a crochet stitch
  • Yarn over and pull the yarn loop under and through both stands of the edge stitch.
  • Slip stitch (Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Slip Stitch) the loop with the loop on the crochet hook
  • Chain one
  • Repeat the steps above for the crochet zig zag edging
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~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

The No Fuss Cushion Cover Pattern PDF

Posted in Patterns For Sale, The No Fuss Cushion Cover Pattern by

Pattern For Sale: The No Fuss Cushion Cover Pattern PDF is now available on Ravelry and Etsy

The Pattern PDF includes:

  • The beginner level crochet skills needed to crochet the cushion cover
  • How the single and double crochet stitches are combined for the suzette stitch pattern
  • Step by step written instructions to crochet the No Fuss Cushion Cover
  • Photos of the work in progress and links to video clips as visual aid
  • Gauge, yarn, and materials needed for the pattern

Buy the beginner-friendly No Fuss Cushion Cover pattern pdf for a fun, straight forward project to add a personal touch to your living space

Thank you for your support

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Zig Zag Join

Posted in How to Crochet Zig Zag Join, Tutorial Series by

Crocheted or knitted pieces can be joined together in several ways, each offering unique benefits and aesthetic qualities. They can be seamed together with a mattress stitch, which provides a nearly invisible join, or joined with the three-needle bind-off technique used in joining knitted pieces together. Alternatively, certain crochet slip-stitch techniques, such as the crochet zig zag join is used not only to secure the pieces (knitted or crocheted) firmly but to also give the seam a decorative zig zag look. The join in this technique is created by a repetition of alternating crochet slip stitches from one piece to the other, resulting in a visually appealing texture that enhances the overall design.

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The crochet zig zag join technique is one of my favorite join methods and I’ve included it in many of my patterns. The Comfy Poncho, Winterland Cowl, The Waiting Season Cowl, The Patchwork Petal Scarf, The Four Section Blanket, and Goes with Everything Cowl are some patterns that use the crochet zig zag method.

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The written instructions and video below show how to use the Crochet Zig Zag join for right-handed crochet.

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Written Instructions on how to Crochet Zig Zag Join:

  1. Insert the crochet hook from front to back under both the strands of the edge stitch in the first knitted or crocheted piece
  2. Yarn over with working yarn and pull the loop on the crochet hook under and through both the strands of the edge stitch in the first piece
  3. Slip stitch the loop to the loop on the hook (Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Slip Stitch)
  4. Insert the crochet hook from back to front under both the strands of the edge stitch in the second knitted or crocheted piece
  5. Yarn over with working yarn and pull the loop on the crochet hook under and through both the strands of the edge stitch in the second piece
  6. Slip stitch the loop to the loop on the hook (Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Slip Stitch)
  7. Repeat Steps 1 to 6 for the Crochet Zig Zag Join
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~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

The Increasing Decreasing Cowl Pattern Pdf

Posted in Patterns For Sale, The Increasing Decreasing Cowl Pattern Pdf by

The Increasing Decreasing Cowl Pattern Pdf is now available for purchase on Ravelry and Etsy


The knitting skills needed to knit this cowl include knitting in the round, knitting two stitches together, purling two stitches together, and knitting front and back

The Increasing Decreasing Cowl is based on the Increases and Decreases Cowl Pattern that was published October 2020 here on Coffee Tea Knits

The Pattern PDF includes:

  • The knitting skill level needed to knit the cowl
  • Step by step written instructions to knit the Increasing Decreasing Cowl
  • Links to tutorial video clips on how to Kfb, join round etc.
  • Gauge, yarn, and materials needed for the pattern
  • Specific areas in the pattern where size of the cowl can be modified

Buy this ad free Increasing Decreasing Cowl Pattern pdf and customize it to any size of choice for a more personal and enjoyable knitting experience

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: How to Crochet Slip Stitch

Posted in How To Crochet Slip Stitch, Tutorial Series by

Slip stitches in crochet serve to join rounds, connect pieces, create texture, and form edges, making them an essential technique for any crocheter. The crochet slip stitches are tighter stitches that create a dense fabric, providing not only durability but also a polished finish to your projects. In the crochet slip stitch technique, there is no row height increase, allowing for a seamless transition between different sections of your work. In the single crochet slip stitch, a new loop is created with the working yarn that is then slipped through the loop on the crochet hook, effectively allowing you to move through your pattern without adding bulk. The slip stitch technique is useful in enhancing the overall structure and aesthetics of the crocheted item.

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I have used crochet slip stitches as a decorative edging in “The With a Twist Dishcloth“, “The Speckles Dishcloth“, and “The Dotted Dishcloth“. The crochet zigzag slip stitch has been used to join together the “Winterland Cowl“, the “Four Seasons Blanket“, and the “Waiting Season Cowl“.

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The video and written steps below on how to use the Crochet Slip Stitch technique in a single crochet stitch pattern are shown below for right-handed crocheters.

How to Crochet Slip Stitch:

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Written Steps on How to Crochet Slip Stitch:

  1. Insert crochet hook under both strands into the next stitch as if to single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
  2. Catch the working yarn with the hook and pull the loop under and through both the strands of the next stitch
  3. Pull the same loop through the loop on the crochet hook
  4. Repeat Steps 1 to 3 until the end of the row for the crochet slip stitch
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~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

The Felted Potholder Pattern

Posted in 2026, The Felted Potholder Pattern by


Ever since I stumbled upon those felted insoles at the New Jersey Sheep and Wool festival last September, I’ve been wanting to learn how to felt wool. Felting wool is the process of shrinking, condensing the fibers and tightening the yarn that is knit or crocheted. The different methods of felting include wet felting (water and soap), needle felting (uses a barbed needle), and Nuno felting (wool fiber agitated with light weight fibers such as silk). Needle felting is mainly used for ornaments, figurines etc. whereas Nuno felting is more for shawls, scarves etc. Wet felting is used for shoe insoles, hats, purses, slippers etc.

I knit the potholder first and then used the wet felting with hand technique to shrink the knitted piece. The potholder was knit flat in the garter knit stitch pattern with two strands of yarn held together. The knitted piece shown below was measured before wet felting. There is stitch definition, the piece is pliable and can be stretched.

The Felted Potholder Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

Materials Needed for Knitting the Potholder:
Yarn: Patons® Classic Wool Worsted in Natural Mix colorway
Gauge: 4 stitches per inch garter stitch
Knitting Needle: Size Us #8 (5.0 mm) for cast on and bind off and US #7 (4.5 mm) for knitting the potholder
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Materials Needed for Wet Felting the Potholder:
Bowl
Gloves
Soap
Water
Patience

Abbreviations:
K: Knit (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink)
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side

Skill Level: Beginner friendly pattern with knit stitch, cast on and bind off

Cast on 25 stitches with US #8 (5.0 mm) size knitting needles using any long tail cast method of choice. I cast on using the thumb cast on method (Tutorial Series: The Thumb Method Cast On)

With US #7 (4.5 mm) size knitting needles begin –

  • Row 1 (RS): Knit all stitches
  • Row 2 (WS): Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 till the piece measures 5.5 inches

Bind off (Tutorial Series: The Basic Knit Bind Off) using US #8 (5.0 mm) size needles

The dimensions of the knitted potholder is 5.5 x 5.5 inches

The Wet Felting Process*: YouTube has many tutorials on how to do wet felting by hand

  • In a bowl add warm but not not scalding water, soap and the knitted potholder
  • Rinse (wearing gloves) the potholder and soak it in hot water for about an hour or so
  • Add some more warm but not scalding water in the bowl
  • Take the potholder and with a circular motion rub it together between your hands to create friction for the felting
  • Repeat the previous 2 steps till the fabric becomes dense, taut and has no stitch definition left

The process of wet felting this potholder took about half an hour

Block and dry the potholder. I now use these felted potholders daily to hold pots and pans while cooking.

The dimensions of the Felted Potholder is 5 x 5 inches. It is dense, rustic with fibers that stick out and has no stitch definition

* I found the process of hand wet felting this potholder a bit labor intensive. Rolling pins, agitating in the washer are some other ways to felt knitted items

Share your experience with wet felting wool in the comment section below

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: Increase and Decrease in Single Crochet

Posted in 2026, Increase and Decrease in Single Crochet, Tutorial Series by

As in knitting, shaping in crochet also includes increasing or decreasing of stitches in a pattern. For a stitch increase in single crochet, another single crochet is made in the same stitch. For a stitch decrease, the crochet hook is inserted into two single crochet stitches and then the yarn over loop is pulled through all the loops on the crochet hook. The image below shows one stitch increase and one stitch decrease in single crochet.


The written instructions and video below show how to increase and decrease a stitch in single crochet for right-handed crocheting.

Stitch Increase in Single Crochet:


Written Instructions for Stitch Increase in Single Crochet:

  1. Single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
  2. Insert the crochet hook under both the strands of a stitch
  3. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull the loop through both the strands of that stitch
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook
  5. Wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull loop through the two loops on the crochet hook (one single crochet stitch made)
  6. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 in the same stitch again for one single crochet stitch increase (two single crochet stitches made in the same stitch)

Stitch Decrease in Single Crochet:


Written Instructions for Stitch Decrease in Single Crochet:

  1. Insert the crochet hook under both the strands of a stitch as if to single crochet
  2. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull the loop through both the strands of that stitch (2 loops on the hook)
  3. Insert crochet hook under both strands of the next stitch
  4. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull the loop through both the strands of that stitch (3 loops on the hook)
  5. Wrap working yarn counterclockwise around hook (yarn over), catch and pull loop through all three loops on the crochet hook
  6. One single crochet stitch decreased
  7. Repeat Steps 1 to 5 to decrease one single crochet stitch

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

The Serenity Grace Wrap Pattern Pdf

Posted in 2026, Patterns For Sale, The Serenity Grace Wrap Pattern by

The Serenity Wrap Pattern Pdf is now available for purchase on Ravelry and Etsy


The Pattern PDF includes:

  • The crochet skill level needed to make the wrap
  • Step by step written instructions to crochet the Serenity Grace Wrap
  • Photo and links to video clips as visual aid
  • Gauge, yarn, and materials needed for the pattern
  • Specific areas in the pattern where size of the wrap can be modified

Buy the beginner-friendly Serenity Grace Wrap pattern pdf and customize it to any size of choice for a more personal and enjoyable crochet experience

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

Tutorial Series: Knit One Below (K1b)

Posted in Knit One Below (K1b), Tutorial Series by

Knit one below (K1b) is a technique where the stitch on the knitting needle is not worked or knit. Instead the knit stitch right below is worked or knit. Examples of stitch patterns where K1b is used include the twisted seed stitch pattern, fisherman’s rib stitch pattern, some half brioche stitch patterns, honeycomb and textured rib patterns. Knit one below forms a fluffy and textured fabric. I have used K1b technique in the twisted seed stitch pattern for the Summertime Dishcloths and The Comfy Hat 1 patterns.

The twisted seed stitch pattern looks similar to the half brioche stitch pattern but differs in the techniques used to create the textured fabric (see image below)


The video and written instructions below show how to use the K1b technique for right-hand knitting

Knit One Below (K1b):

Written instructions for Knit one Below (K1b):

  • Insert the right knitting needle from front to back into the center of the stitch below the first stitch on the left knitting needle
  • Wrap the working yarn around the top of the right knitting needle to form a new loop (Tutorial Series: Knit and Tink)
  • Pull the loop through the center of the stitch below the stitch on the left knitting needle
  • The new knitted stitch is now on the right knitting needle
  • Slip the un-worked first stitch off the left knitting needle

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.