The Crochet Architect

March 27, 2026March 27, 2026

Fall Table Runner Crochet Pattern

Do you ever look at some yarn or crochet thread in your stash and wonder what you should make with it? I certainly do! May years ago, I bought 4 balls of Curio, a size 10 cotton crochet thread from the Knit Picks website. I absolutely LOVED the colors that I picked out and the price was fabulous for the yardage in each ball! But I put the thread in my stash because I didn’t know what to make from it. So there it sat for many years! Last year, I decided what I’d make from the 4 balls of crochet thread and I’d like to share my new design, “Fall Table Runner and Coasters”, with you.

I tried using the thread single stranded, but I wasn’t really happy with it. I’ve used size 10 cotton crochet threads for many years with great success. However, the Curio isn’t quite the same as other size 10 threads that I’ve worked with. It’s a looser twist, which gives great drape for garments. But I didn’t want to make a garment with it and I wasn’t aiming for drape in my design/project. I only had 1 ball of each of 4 colors and I wanted to make the thread thicker. So I used the Navajo Plying technique where you turn a thin yarn or thread into a thicker yarn or thread (Navajo Plying is a technique that’s used by yarn spinners to make a 3-ply yarn out of one single ply). I’m very happy with how this design turned out and it was a pleasure to use this thread triple stranded!

Have you done any Navajo Plying to make your yarn or crochet thread thicker? It’s a great technique to know! To learn to do Navajo Plying, check out my new YouTube video here.

To purchase my new Fall Table Runner and Coasters pattern, check out the pattern page here.

Happy crocheting to you!

Susan

March 16, 2026March 17, 2026

Magic Square Potholder: Free Pattern

If you’ve never crocheted a Magic Square Potholder before, you’re in for a treat! This pattern is so easy that even a beginner can make it successfully! It’s a quick project to make and the pattern is free on my website here.

I’ve been crocheting these potholders for many years. In fact, I learned to make the Magic Square Potholder before I learned to make the Thermal Stitch Potholder. They’re both fabulous potholders to make and both keep your hands/fingers protected when removing hot dishes from the oven (when made with 100% cotton yarn, which doesn’t melt like acrylic yarn does).

Learn how to make this potholder with the accompanying YouTube video here. If you’d rather use it as a hot pad than a potholder, simply eliminate the hanging loop before seaming the potholder/hot pad closed.

Happy crocheting,

Susan

February 27, 2026March 17, 2026

Upcoming Invisible Crochet Repairs Class

Do you have any crochet projects that are in need of repairing, but you don’t know the first thing about how to repair it invisibly so the damage doesn’t show? I’ve been repairing crochet projects for years and have taught classes on how to invisibly repair crochet projects for many years, as well! If you’d like to learn to repair your crochet projects invisibly, join me in my upcoming “Invisible Repairs Class” that I’ll be teaching for the Lace Museum in CA. This class is an online class, so you don’t even need to leave the comfort of your own home to attend! The class will take place on 3 consecutive Thursday mornings next month (March 12, 19 and 26) from 10:00AM – 12:30PM PDT. For more information about this class and to register, check out the Lace Museum’s Virtual Education classes page here: https://thelacemuseum.org/virtual-education/. Scroll down the page until you come to the yellow photo (the same one that’s at the bottom of this blog post).

Invisible Crochet Repairs Class Swatches — Swatches for Invisible Crochet Repairs class

In this class, you’ll learn to repair many types of stitches, including post stitches. You’ll learn to repair projects in rows and in rounds. And you’ll learn to repair joined motifs. Whether you’re working with yarn or crochet thread, the repairing technique is the same. This repairing technique also works to invisibly add any missing stitches (or mistakes) that you’ve made in your crochet project, but didn’t notice until you were all done and had your ends woven in!

As many of you know, many years ago our puppy chewed a hole in my husband’s favorite afghan. That was the beginning of the crochet repairs I’ve done and have successfully taught others to do. Here’s a photo of the damage before and after the repair I did:

invisible crochet repair — Invisible Repairs class

If you’ve been wanting to learn how to repair crochet projects, don’t miss this opportunity to learn! Check out the Lace Museum’s Virtual Education page and register before it’s too late! If you have any questions about this class, please don’t hesitate to ask me or the Lace Museum.

Happy crocheting and repairing,

Susan

November 29, 2025November 29, 2025

Mosaic Christmas Stockings

It’s that time of year again! Time for Christmas decorating, singing, spending time with loved ones and crocheted gifts/projects!

These patterns have been many years in the making! I designed these Christmas stockings way back in 2011, but never got around to crocheting them until last year. Now I’m finally publishing the patterns for your enjoyment in decorating your home, too!

Introducing my Mosaic Christmas Stocking patterns. They come in 2 different sizes (large and small), along with the option to purchase both stocking patterns together for a special price.

Each stocking is crocheted in one piece from the mosaic cuff down to the toe. The body of each stocking is worked in a textured stitch pattern with increases and decreases, along with short rows to form the heel and toe.

I used bulky weight yarn for these stockings so they work up in no time!

Check out the patterns today and start crocheting some new Christmas stockings tomorrow! You can find each pattern on the Crochet Patterns “Home Decor” page here.

Happy crocheting,

Susan

October 11, 2025March 17, 2026

Crochet Projects Sale

Do your finished crochet projects pile up because you crochet faster than you can give, gift or use the finished projects? I know mine do! Especially since I’ve been designing for publication for over 25 years. Sometimes the finished projects are returned to me after the design has been published in a book or magazine. Other times, I’ve crocheted extra pieces for my self-published designs on my website (or in my Etsy or Love Crafts shops). Either way, they’ve been piling up and it’s time they went to their new “forever homes”!

I started listing these finished projects/items recently in my Etsy shop. If you’re short on time and can’t finish all the lovely handmade projects you’ll be gifting this holiday season, check them out here. I’ll add to these listings for finished items that are hand crocheted or knitted, (mostly by me, although a few were commissioned from contract crocheters) as often as I can.

Here are a few samples of what you can find in my Etsy shop for finished items to purchase:

So far, I have some afghans, rugs, shawls, cowls and scarves for sale. There is only one of each item for sale. Once they’re gone, they’re gone! So if you’re interested in one or more of them, don’t delay!

I wish each of you a blessed holiday season full of family, friends and lots of love!

Happy crocheting,

Susan Lowman

July 19, 2025March 17, 2026

New Baby Blanket Patterns

Who doesn’t love a new baby blanket? I certainly do!

These baby blankets have been finished for many years (8-9 years to be exact), but I never got around to publishing them (what can I say except life has been busy)! It’s about time that they’re available for you to make!

The first is my Snuggly Chevron Baby Blanket. This blanket is super soft and squishy using boucle yarns. I used 2 strands of a light worsted weight yarn for the center and 1 strand of a bulky weight yarn for the edging. If you’ve got both weights of boucle yarns in your stash, this is a great way to use them together! Of course, you don’t have to use boucle yarn. You can use any type of yarn you desire in whatever colors you desire (I personally love soft baby colors).

The second is my Textured Columns Baby Blanket. This blanket is also soft and squishy, but it’s made using sport weight and light worsted weight acrylic yarns. I used a Hobby Lobby yarn for the center and Caron Simply Soft yarn for the edging (I know, it’s not “technically” light worsted weight, but it’s a lot thinner than many other worsted weight yarns, so it worked out just fine).

If you’ve got a baby coming or know someone who has a baby coming, these blankets would make great baby shower gifts! The Snuggly Chevron Baby Blanket is going to my youngest son and DIL for their second child, due next month.

Check out the Snuggly Chevron Baby Blanket here and/or the Textured Columns Baby Blanket here.

Happy crocheting,

Susan

March 17, 2025March 17, 2026

Crochet Flowers and Lace Napkin Rings

Last Spring, the the local church that my husband and I attend had a ladies tea. Since I have lots of pretty china/porcelain dinnerware, along with tea cups and saucers (thanks to my Mom), I offered to set and host a table of ladies. I had so much fun planning and decorating the table that I thought I’d share something crafty that I made for my decorated table with others.

I had plenty of crocheted flowers and leaves already made (and I love the look of crocheted flowers and leaves), so I decided to make some Floral Napkin Rings for my decorated table. I looked for inspiration/instructions online and I found some to help me decide how I wanted to make my napkin rings.

Here’s a close up of one of the floral napkin rings that I made (each one has a different stye flower and/or color):

After I made the napkin rings, I decided to try some things out on my table at home to see how they looked. Here’s my set up table at home after I figured out what worked well together:

I used some lacy crochet coasters that I had made previously under the glasses and some lacy paper placemats under the plates, as well. The pretty flower centerpiece was something I inherited from my mom (she had great taste in just about everything!).

Here’s my set up table at church (we purposely left a few places unset at each table so nobody had their back to the speaker):

Last year, I typed up the instructions for making these napkin rings and I thought I’d finally share them with anyone who would like to make some for themselves or to give as a gift. Since the flower patterns are all copyrighted, I can’t share those with you. However, I’m sure you’ll find plenty of patterns for crocheted flowers in books, magazines and online to use! You can download the pdf instructions for these Floral Napkin Rings here.

Happy crocheting (and crafting),

Susan

February 13, 2025February 13, 2025

New Crochet Classes

Do you want to learn a new crochet technique? I’m going to be teaching some crochet classes this August at the IOLI Convention in Dallas, TX. There will be all kinds of lace techniques taught (like bobbin lace, tatting, etc), but since my specialty is crochet, I’ll be teaching crochet classes. One of my favorite crochet techniques is Filet Crochet. If you haven’t heard of it, here are a few samples:

Filet Crochet is made mostly from charts, since each row changes so much and written instructions for each row would be very, very long! It’s usually done with crochet threads and steel crochet hooks, but you can also make larger projects with yarn and larger hooks.

The other class I’ll be teaching is something that’s really new (at least to the US). It’s called Veronese Crochet Lace. I was introduced to this technique by someone at the IOLI Convention in 2022 in Mesa, AZ. She had this book from Italy with some English in it and some step-by-step photos. I looked at the book and decided I’d like to purchase it to learn this technique. So now, 3 years later, I’m ready to teach this fascinating technique to others! Veronese Crochet Lace originated in Verona, Italy! Here are some samples of Veronese Crochet Lace:

I made all the small pieces in the top photo from the book, along with some other really old instructions for Veronese Crochet Lace that I was gifted from one of the authors of the book! I also designed and made the necklace and earrings set in the other photo. This technique is so fascinating because you don’t insert your hook into the same places as in typical crochet patterns. You also use a form of Tunisian Crochet in some of these pieces. I LOVE making (and designing) Veronese Crochet Lace!

The Filet Crochet Lace and Veronese Crochet Lace classes are 12 hours each, so there will be plenty of time to learn these 2 techniques.

I’m also teaching a 6-hour (1 day) class on making crochet lace bags. Here is a photo of the bags that are available to make in this class:

To learn more about the IOLI Convention and see the full list of wonderful classes being taught, check out this webpage.

I hope you’ll continue learning more crochet techniques and stitches!

Happy crocheting to all of you!

Susan

January 16, 2025January 16, 2025

Reversible Crochet Patterns

After too many months of not blogging, it’s time I got back up on the horse! So here goes.

If you’re anything like me, you absolutely ADORE reversible crochet projects, especially scarves! I hate having a wrong (ugly) side on my scarves, so I designed some scarves that are reversible (and a reversible baby blanket, too). Here they are:

baby blanket — Reversible Stripes Baby Blanket

reversible scarf — Striped Scarf from Reversible Scarves pattern

Spots and Stripes Scarf from More Reversible Scarves pattern

All of these projects/patterns use either worsted weight yarn or light weight yarn (I used acrylic yarns). An H/8 (5 mm) hook or a G/6 (4 mm) hook is used, as well.

All of these projects are worked alternating rows of light color, then dark color, back and forth. However, one of the fabulous points about these patterns is you DON’T finish off each row, leaving lots of tails/ends to weave in! I DON’T enjoy weaving in ends, so when I can design something that has a minimum amount of ends to weave in, that’s a HUGE PLUS in my book! At the end of the row, you simply drop the old color and insert a stitch marker in the last loop to secure it. Then you pick up the opposite color yarn, remove the stitch marker from that loop, turn your work and crochet the next row with the new color. If you’d like to see me demonstrate doing this (and the first 3 rows of these reversible patterns/projects), check out my new YouTube video here.

The Reversible Scarves pattern and More Reversible Scarves pattern both contain written instructions, along with symbol crochet charts, for crocheting 2 different, but similar reversible scarves. All of these scarves are made with 2 contrasting colors of yarn. Check out these patterns, as well as my other crochet accessory patterns here.

The Reversible Stripes Baby Blanket pattern is made with either a multi-color and a solid-color yarn or 7 solid colors of yarn. You can find that pattern, as well as my other baby patterns here.

I hope you enjoy crocheting some reversible projects very soon!

Happy crocheting,

Susan Lowman

The Crochet Architect

July 22, 2024July 25, 2024

Woven Crochet Technique

Have you tried Overlay Mosaic Crochet, but can’t quite get it to come out right? Well, there’s a fascinating crochet technique called Woven Crochet. It can look a lot like Overlay Mosaic Crochet, but it’s worked completely differently (and it’s quite fun)! It’s also reversible!!!

I was first introduced to this technique last year when an acquaintance showed me a hot pad/potholder that she had. I was intrigued by it and asked to borrow it. She said “yes” and I proceeded to analyze the hot pad to see how it was made. I found that the woven chains were continuous, not separate for each row, which made for WAY less ends to weave in, which I like!

On and off for the past year, I’ve been playing around with this technique and coming up with new Woven Crochet patterns for your enjoyment. And I decided to make a YouTube video demonstrating how to do Woven Crochet, to go along with the patterns. I’d like to introduce my new Woven Crochet patterns to you.

woven hot pad — Persimmon Flower Woven Hot Pad & Coaster

Check out these new patterns here. If you purchase all 4 patterns, you can receive a $4.00 discount by entering the code “WovenCrochet” at checkout (code is valid indefinitely).

To learn how to do Woven Crochet, watch my free YouTube video.

I hope you enjoy learning this new (to me) crochet technique.

Until next time! Happy crocheting!

Susan