Tag Archives: knitting blog

Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL)

Posted in How to Single Crochet in Back Loop, Tutorial Series by

One variation of single crochet stitch pattern is the single crochet in back loop (SCBL). This stitch pattern is commonly used as a ribbed border for sweaters, blankets etc. In the February 2025 Earwarmer, the ribbing sections for the earwarmers are in the single crochet in the back loop stitch pattern.


Once the foundation row is worked for a single crochet, the crochet hook is inserted only into the back loop for all the the stitches in the next and the subsequent rows. After inserting the crochet hook in the back loop, a single crochet is worked. This differs from a regular single crochet where the crochet hook is inserted under both loops (strands) of a stitch. Using the single crochet in back loops gives the worked fabric a ribbed look.


The video and written instructions are below showing how to make a single crochet in the back loop. This technique is used for all the rows after the foundation chain row. The video and instructions below are for right-handed crocheting

How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):


Written Instructions on How to Single Crochet in Back Loop (SCBL):

  1. After working single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet) in the last stitch of the foundation chain row, chain one and turn
  2. Skip the first stitch and insert crochet hook in the back loop of the next stitch
  3. Catch and pull yarn loop under the back loop of the stitch and on to the crochet hook
  4. There are two loops on the crochet hook now
  5. Yarn over (wrap the working yarn around the hook counterclockwise)
  6. Catch and pull yarn through the remaining two loops on the hook.
  7. There is one loop left on the crochet hook.
  8. Insert hook into the back loop of the next stitch and repeat Steps 3 to 7 till the end of the row
  9. Chain one after working the last stitch of the row and turn to the next row
  10. Repeat Steps 8 and 9 for all subsequent rows as specified in a pattern.

~coffeeteaknits.com

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

The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern

Posted in March 2025, The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern by
February 2025 Earwarmer 1
February 2025 Earwarmer 2


Hello folks, it’s been a while since my last pattern post. A bad case of the flu at the end of January, the passing of my adorable pet dog in mid-February, and other personal issues needed my time. I started working on the February 2025 Earwarmer crochet pattern a few days before my beloved dog passed away. I am grateful that my knitting and crocheting hobby gave me much-needed comfort. It supported me during this difficult period of grief and reflection. I am also thankful to all the readers and subscribers of this blog. I appreciate the knitting and crocheting community for their support and understanding.

The February 2025 Earwarmer is crocheted flat and then the two ends are joined together with slip stitch crochet. The construction of this Earwarmer pattern is comparable to the “Goes with Everything Earwarmer” knitted version. It starts with a chain of eight stitches and ribbing. Then, it goes through a series of increases and length extension. It ends with a series of decreases and ribbing. The two ends are then joined together with a slip stitch crochet. A variation of the crochet moss stitch pattern is used for both earwarmers. February 2025 Earwarmer 1 is made with a cotton blend yarn and measures about 4.5 inches x 20 inches. February 2025 Earwarmer 2 is made with a merino wool blend yarn and measures about 4 inches x 19 inches.

The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern

Materials Needed:
Yarn: Earwarmer 1 – Caron Blossom Cakes® yarn in Colorway: Bark
Yarn: Earwarmer 2 – Loops and Threads® Luxe Merino™ Wool Blend Colorway: Raindrops
Gauge: 5.5 stitches per inch for Earwarmer 1 and 5.0 stitches per inch for Earwarmer 2 in the variation crochet moss stitch pattern
Crochet hook: US size H-8 (5.00 mm) for February 2025 Earwarmer 1 and US size 7 (4.5 mm) for the February 2025 Earwarmer 2
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
sc: single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
scbl: single crochet in the back loop (insert crochet hook in the back strand of the stitch only)
[…]: pattern repeat
Skill Level: Beginner friendly pattern with single crochet, single crochet in the back loop, and crochet slip stitch)

The February 2025 Earwarmer Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

The February 2025 Earwarmer pattern is made up of the following sections:

      • Foundation Chain 
      • Ribbing
      • Increase
      • Length Extension
      • Decrease
      • Ribbing
      • Joining of the foundation row and the last (bind off) rows

Foundation Chain:

For February 2025 Earwarmer 1: Chain 8 stitches using crochet hook size H-8 (5.00 mm)
For February 2025 Earwarmer 2: Chain 8 stitches using crochet hook size 7 (4.50 mm)

Foundation Chain Set up and Ribbing Section:

  • Row 1 (RS): Skip the first stitch, [single crochet the purl bump in the back the next stitch], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc the purl bump in the back of the last stitch (on the slip knot side), chain 1 and turn

  • Row 2 (WS): Skip the first stitch, sc under both strands of the next stitch, [scbl (single crochet in the back loop) in the next stitch], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc under both strands of the the last stitch, chain 1 and turn 
  • Row 3 (RS): Repeat Row 2
  • Row 4 (WS): Repeat Row 2
  • Row 5: Repeat Row 2
  • Row 6: Repeat Row 2
  • Row 7: Repeat Row 2
  • Row 8: Repeat Row 2

Increase Section:

  • Row 9 (RS): Skip the first stitch and sc in the next stitch, chain 1 and sc again in the same stitch, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next next stitch, chain1], repeat […] till 2 stitches left, sc in the last stitch, chain 1, sc again in the same stitch, chain 1 and turn
  • Row 10 (WS): [Skip the first stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc in the last stitch, chain 1 and turn – 12 stitches
  • Row 11 (RS): Repeat Row 9
  • Row 12 (WS): Repeat Row 10 – 16 stitches
  • Row 13 (RS): Repeat Row 9
  • Row 14 (WS): Repeat Row 10 – 20 stitches
  • Row 15 (RS): Repeat Row 9
  • Row 16 (WS): Repeat Row 10 – 24 stitches 

Customization Option: Repeat Rows 9 and 10 to increase the number of stitches to preferred size

Length Extension Section:

  • Row 17 (RS): [Skip the first stitch and sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till 2 stitches left, sc in the last stitch, chain 1, and turn
  • Row 18 (WS): Repeat Row 17

Repeat Rows 17 and 18 till preferred length reached. The length extension for Earwarmer 1 is about 12 inches and for Earwarmer 2 it’s almost 11.5 inches

Decrease Section:

  • Decrease Section Row 1 (RS): Skip the first stitch, insert crochet hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (there are 2 loops on the crochet hook), skip a stitch and insert hook in the next stitch (4th stitch from the beginning), yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (three loops on the hook now), yarn over and pull loop through the three loops on the hook, chain 1, [skip a stitch, sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till 4 stitches left, insert crochet hook into the next stitch, yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (there are 2 loops on the crochet hook), skip a stitch and insert hook in the last stitch, yarn over and pull the loop under and through that stitch (three loops on the hook), yarn over and pull loop through the three loops on the hook, chain 1 and turn
  • Decrease Section Row 2 (WS): [Skip the first stitch and sc in the next stitch, chain 1], repeat […] till 2 stitches left, sc in the last stitch, chain 1, and turn – 20 stitches left
  • Decrease Section Row 3 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 4 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 2 – 16 stitches left
  • Decrease Section Row 5 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 6 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 2 – 12 stitches left
  • Decrease Section Row 7 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 8 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 2 – 8 stitches left

Customization Option: Repeat Decrease Section Rows 1 and 2 if there are more than 24 stitches 

Ribbing Section:

  • Decrease Section Row 9 (RS): Skip the first stitch, sc under both strands of the next stitch, [scbl (single crochet in the back loop) in the next stitch], repeat […] till the last stitch, sc under both strands of the the last stitch, chain 1 and turn 
  • Decrease Section Row 10 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 11 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 12 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 13 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 14 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 15 (RS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1
  • Decrease Section Row 16 (WS): Repeat Decrease Section Row 1

The finished pieces:

Crochet Slip Stitch Join of the Last (Bind-off) and the Foundation Rows:

The earwarmer pattern is reversible so either sides can be used for joining. As in the image above, insert the crochet hook into the first stitch of the foundation row first, then insert it into the last stitch of the last (bind off) row, yarn over and pull the loop through both stitches for a slip stitch join, repeat to the last stitches of both ends and pull yarn through (see video below)

The joined foundation and last row of the earwarmers:

Weave in the ends, wash and block the February 2025 Earwarmers

Comment below if you also find knitting and crocheting therapeutic?

Keep on knitting and crocheting!

~coffeeteaknits.com

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

Tutorial Series: The Thumb Method Cast-on

Posted in The Thumb Method Cast-on, Tutorial Series by

The Thumb method cast-on is a commonly used long tail cast-on technique. A long tail of yarn is set aside on one side of the slip knot. The working yarn is on the other side of the slip knot. The thumb is used to form the loop that is used to make a new stitch on the knitting needle. Another example of a long tail cast-on technique is the slingshot method. In this method, the thumb and the index finger create a new stitch. The thumb method is beginner-friendly and a quick cast-on method. I use the thumb method cast-on mostly for knitting projects with few stitches (dishcloths, etc.). The written instructions and video below on how to do the thumb method cast-on are shown for right-handed knitting.

The Thumb Method Cast-On:



The Steps for the Thumb Method Cast-On:

  1. Make a slip knot (Tutorial Series: How to Slip Knot) with a yarn tail that will be enough for the number of stitches for a specific knitting project
  2. Insert the slip knot onto a knitting needle
  3. Holding the yarn tail with some tension in the left fist, wrap the left thumb under and over the yarn tail to make a loop
  4. Insert the right hand needle into the front strand of the loop on the thumb
  5. Bring the working yarn around the top of the right needle and wrap it between the thumb and the right knitting needle
  6. Catch and pick up the working yarn loop (a new stitch) with the right needle
  7. Repeat Steps 3 – 6 to cast-on the required number of stitches needed for a knitting project

~coffeeteaknits.com

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

August 2024

Posted in 2024, August 2024 by

Since July 2020, I have created and shared 44 knitting and crochet patterns. I am grateful for the support and feedback from the knitting and crochet community, which has inspired and motivated me. I look forward to sharing more patterns in the future.

Coffee Tea Knits is returning in September with new video tutorials, blog posts, and a collection of free knitting patterns for all skill levels. Stay tuned for updates as we explore the world of yarn and needles together.

Subscribe or follow Coffee Tea Knits for updates.

Happy Knitting/Crocheting!

~coffeeteaknits.com

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

The Patchwork Petal Scarf Pattern

Posted in March 2024, The Patchwork Petal Scarf Pattern by


Although early Spring flowers have appeared and so have the birds, winter has not yet left us. Below freezing temperatures and cold winter air still lingers. Nevertheless, I will make items with Spring weather in mind. The Patchwork Petal Scarf uses cotton yarn more suitable for pleasant weather. It’s made up of eight center out crochet moss stitch squares which are then joined using the zig zag slip stitch crochet join method. Two rounds of crochet moss stitch are used for the border edge of the joined squares. Fringes are added to the Patchwork Petal Scarf.

The Patchwork Petal Scarf Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

Materials Needed:
Yarn: YarnspirationsTM Caron Cotton Funnel Cakes yarn in the Rose Petal and Primrose colorways. The yarn may not be currently available. I got this yarn at Michaels a few years ago. Any other worsted cotton yarn can be used for this project
Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Gauge: Not really needed since the center out crochet moss stitch squares can be customized to any size.
Crochet hook: US size H-8 or 5.0 mm for the crochet moss stitch squares
Abbreviations:
sc: single crochet
[…]: pattern repeat

Eight Center Out Crochet Moss Stitch Squares:

  • A crochet moss stitch square starts with a crochet magic ring using the Rose Petal yarn colorway and US H-8 crochet hook (a step by step photo tutorial on how to make a crochet magic ring can be found in the pattern post for The Summertime Market Bag)
  • In a crochet magic ring, pull up a stitch with the US H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook, sc once into the ring, chain 2, place marker, sc into the ring, chain 2, place marker, sc into the ring, chain 2, place marker, sc into the ring, chain 2, place marker, and sc. Pull on the yarn tail to tighten the gap
  • Round 1: Insert the crochet hook into the chain 2 space of the first marker and sc, chain 2, sc, chain 1 all in the same chain 2 space. Remove the first marker and place it as the beginning of the round marker. [Insert hook and sc, chain 2, sc, chain 1 into the chain 2 space of the second marker. Remove second marker]. Repeat […] this for the third and fourth marker in their chain 2 space
  • Round 2: [Sc, chain 2, sc, chain 1 all in the same chain 2 space of the first corner with the beginning of the round marker. Sc in the next chain 1 space between the first and second corner, chain 1]. Repeat […] for the second, third and fourth corners till the beginning of the first marker
  • Repeat the Round 2 till preferred size is reached ending with a sc in the chain 2 space at the beginning of the round. For the Patchwork Petal Scarf, Round 2 was repeated eleven more times.

Cut the working yarn and pull through the sc stitch.

Make seven more of the center out crochet moss stitch squares.

Joining the Eight Squares:
With Primrose yarn colorway and H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook, join the squares together using the zig zag slip stitch crochet method. 
March2024_crochetjoin

The video below shows the zig zag crochet join method used for the Four Section Blanket Pattern


Two Rounds of Crochet Moss Stitch Border Edging:

With H-8 (5.0 mm) crochet hook and the Primrose yarn colorway –

  1. Insert hook with slip knot into the chain 2 space at one corner edge of the joined squares (beginning of the round), chain 2, insert again into the same corner edge stitch and sc, chain 1
  2. [Go into the chain 1 space of the next stitch, sc, chain 1], repeat […] till the next corner edge stitch
  3. At the next corner edge chain 2 space, sc, chain 2, sc, chain 1
  4. [Go into the chain 1 space of the next stitch, sc, chain 1], repeat […] till the next corner edge stitch
  5. Repeat Steps 3 and 4, two more times
  6. Insert hook into the chain 2 space at the beginning of the round corner edge, chain 2, sc, chain 1 into the same beginning of round corner edge chain 2 space
  7. Repeat Steps 2 to 5 once more ending at the beginning of round corner edge chain 2 space
  8. Sc and cut the working yarn (about 6 inches)
  9. Pull through the sc stitch
  10. Weave in the ends, wash and block the Patchwork Petal Scarf

March2024_scarfnofringes


Adding Fringes (Optional):
Fringes were made with two strands (about 10 to 15 inches long) of Primrose yarn colorway. There are several helpful video tutorials on YouTube on how to add fringes. For the Patchwork Petal Scarf, sixteen fringes were added to each of two ends.

March2024_fringes

Trim the fringes to preferred length

~coffeeteaknits.com

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

The Drapes Well Scarf Pattern

Posted in 2024, The Drapes Well Scarf Pattern by

The Drapes Well Scarf is a rectangular infinity scarf that is knit flat and then joined at the cast on and the bind off edges. The scarf is knit with 2 strands of yarn held together in a combination of the garter stitch and the brioche honeycomb stitch patterns. The brioche honeycomb stitch pattern is a combination of slipped stitches and yarnovers in one row and knit 2 togethers in the next row. The yarn (Lion Brand® Yarn TruBoo) is smooth and silky that drapes well making it ideal to knit this infinity scarf. The 2 strands of yarn held together in the Drapes Well Scarf adds extra warmth around the neck making it an accessory suitable for cold weather.  

Materials Needed for The Drapes Well Scarf:
Yarn: Lion Brand® Yarn TruBoo in Silver – 2 strands of yarn held together
Knitting Needles: US #8 and US#10 for cast on
Crochet Hook: G-6 (4.0 mm)
Tapestry needle to weave in ends
Knitting skill level: Beginner to advanced beginner – slipped stitches, yarnovers (see tutorial here) and three needle bind off
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in the brioche honeycomb stitch pattern with US #8 knitting needles after blocking and without stretching
Size: Fits most adults. Length can be increased or reduced to preferred size 

Abbreviations:
K: Knit
P: Purl
sm: slip marker
pm: place marker
RS: right side
WS: wrong side
YO: yarnover
K2tog: Knit the two stitches on the left needle together
wyif S1: with working yarn in front slip 1 stitch purlwise
S1 wyib: slip 1 stitch purlwise with working yarn in the back
[…]: stitch pattern repeats

The Drapes Well Scarf Pattern (text and images for personal use only):

With 2 strands of yarn held together, cast on 32 stitches with US # 10 knitting needles

With US #8 knitting needles and 2 strands of yarn held together knit the following:

BLOCK 1 (The Drapes Well Scarf is divided into 8 blocks or sections of pattern repeats):

  • Row 1 (RS): K1, pm, K2, pm, K26, pm, K2, pm, wyif S1
  • Row 2 (WS): K1, sm, K2, sm, knit till marker, sm, K2, sm, wyif S1
  • Row 3 (RS): Repeat Row 2
  • Row 4 (WS): K1, sm, K2, sm, [YO, S1 wyib, K1] repeat […] till marker, sm, K2, sm, wyif S1 
  • Row 5 (RS): K1, sm, K2, sm, [K1, K2tog] repeat […] till marker, sm, K2, sm, wyif S1 
  • Row 6 (WS): K1, sm, K2, sm, K1, [YO, S1 wyib, K1] repeat […] till 1 stitch before marker, K1, sm, K2, sm, wyif S1
  • Row 7 (RS): K1, sm, K2, sm, K2, [K2tog, K1] repeat […] till marker, sm, K2, sm, wyif S1 

Repeat Rows 4 to 7, nine more times
Repeat Row 2, 4 more times ending in RS row

BLOCK 2:

  • Repeat Rows 4 to 7, ten times
  • Repeat Row 2, 4 more times ending in RS row

BLOCK 3 to BLOCK 7:

  • Repeat BLOCK 2, five more times (Block repeats can be reduced or increased if preferred)

BLOCK 8:

  • Repeat Rows 4 to 7, ten more times
  • Repeat Row 2, 2 times ending in RS row

Three Needle Bind off Joining the Cast on edge:

  1. Bring the Cast on edge with the WS (wrong side) facing out. With another US #8 needle pick up one leg of the V right below the cast on edge stitches. Pick up 32 stitches. 
  2. Insert right needle into the first stitch on the first left knitting needle and then insert it into the first stitch on the second needle.
  3. Knit the two stitches together on the needle
  4. Insert right needle into the second stitch on the first left knitting needle and then insert it into the second stitch on the second needle.
  5. Knit the two stitches together
  6. Pass the first stitch on the right needle over the second stitch to bind off.
  7. Repeat steps 4 to 6 for the three needle bind off. 

Crochet Border:

  1. Starting on the RS (right side) of the three needle bind off edge, make a slip knot with G-6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook and pull it under the V of the the edge stitch and chain 2.
  2. Insert hook under the V of the next edge stitch and pull the loop through the edge stitch and slip stitch it to loop on the hook, chain  1
  3. Repeat Step 2 around one side edge of the scarf
  4. Slip stitch the last stitch on the hook into the beginning chain 1 stitch 
  5. Repeat Steps 1 and 2 for other side of the scarf

Weave in ends, wash and block the Drapes Well Scarf

~coffeeteaknits.com

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