Shannon Talks Yarn

High End & Beginner Friendly I want to share a cozy, fun, and quick project that has completely stolen my heart: the 5-Night Fall Shawl . If you're looking for a low-stress make that fits into your busy life, this might just be your new favorite go-to. This isn’t a step-by-step tutorial or a crochet-along—just a peek into how I made a soft, drapey shawl in five relaxed evenings, plus all the details if you’d like to make one too! Why I Call It a “5-Night Shawl” This project took me just five evenings of casual crochet—maybe 1–2 hours each night. You could absolutely power through it in a weekend if you're feeling ambitious, but the beauty of this shawl is how easy it is to fit into real life. I still work full time and juggle a lot of responsibilities, and this little project slotted into my evenings like a dream. Yarn I Used: Stroll Tweed Mini Packs I used the Stroll Tweed Mini Pack,  Get it from KnitPicks HERE .  Click HERE to get it from WeCrochet , specifically...

Color Pooling If you’ve ever worked with variegated yarn, you might have stumbled upon something surprising: accidental patterns appearing in your project—like stripes, zigzags, or even argyle-style prints. Welcome to the mesmerizing world of color pooling in crochet. Color pooling happens when the colors in a skein of variegated yarn align just right, forming a repeatable pattern as you stitch. It’s like your crochet hook and yarn are conspiring to create art. But let’s be honest—sometimes it feels more like a test of patience than a creative journey. Planned vs. Accidental Color Pooling There are two types of crocheters in the world: those who stumble into color pooling by accident and those who obsessively plan for it. Either way, it takes a combination of yarn, tension, stitch selection, and sometimes a bit of yarn wizardry to make it happen. If you've ever wondered how to control the chaos, one of the best resources out there is the YouTube channel It’s Time For Yarn, ho...

Cozy, Stylish, & Fun! If you're looking for an amazing oversized shawl to wear—one that works in both warm and cool weather and gives off a little bit of that Stevie Nicks vibe—then I’ve got the perfect project for you! I have been so excited to share this with you. I finished it about a week ago, and I have been absolutely loving it ever since. The Inspiration & Design This project started because I wanted something loose, breathable, and affordable for its size. I also wanted to make sure it was something I would actually wear—a shawl that could double as a cozy wrap for Thanksgiving or a fun, twirl-worthy piece for a girl's night out. I used a pattern from Craft Nut called the Easy Beginner Shawl , which I’ll link HERE . This pattern has been a favorite of mine for a while, and I’ve used it before with a Caron Cloud Cake. This time, I wanted to make it even larger and drapier, so I made a few tweaks along the way. How Long Did It Take? I spent about 12 hours working ...

Simple DIY Method If you're anything like me, you've probably got quite a bit of bargain acrylic yarn in your stash. While I love a good deal, sometimes these yarns can be stiff and scratchy—especially if they’re vintage! Luckily, I have an easy method to soften acrylic yarn right at home, using two household products you already own. Let’s dive in! What You’ll Need: A sink filled with cool water Shampoo (any kind will do) Hair conditioner A towel for drying Important Disclaimer This method is only for acrylic yarn . If your yarn contains wool or other natural fibers, do not use this technique, as it may damage the fibers. Click HERE for details on Kookaburra Wool Wash, if you need a cleaner for woo l! Step 1: Soaking the Yarn Start by filling your sink with cool water. Submerge your acrylic yarn project—whether it's a scarf, blanket, or another item—and let it soak for about 10 minutes . This helps prepare the fibers for the next step. Step 2: Shampooing the Yarn After s...

  Crochet & Leather If you've been here a while, you know that I love experimenting with style—especially when I can combine handmade crochet pieces with thoughtfully designed accessories. Recently, I discovered the leather kits from Babylon Leather , and I have to say... I love them. These aren’t your average leather bags. Babylon makes kits —which means you actually assemble the bag yourself. There’s a bit of hand sewing involved, but it’s all thoughtfully designed and incredibly satisfying to work through. The leather pieces are precision pre-punched, and the instructions are clear and beginner-friendly, so even if you’ve never worked with leather before, you can still end up with a gorgeous, polished result. Why Babylon Leather Works So Well with Crochet Crochet is full of texture, color, and warmth. It’s cozy and expressive—but it can also lean casual or even homespun if you’re not careful with styling. That’s where the Babylon kits come in. The leather has a minimali...

  I Need This System To Work If you're like me, your crochet supplies tend to multiply when you're not looking. Between new skeins, half-finished WIPs, and that growing pile of notions and tools, it's easy for even the coziest craft room to spiral into chaos. You can check our all my prior organizing attempts HERE. That’s why I recently started reorganizing my space with two products from Bobble + Puff —their Over-the-Door Yarn Organizer and Foldable Storage Cubes —and let me tell you: they’ve completely transformed the way I store my yarn and crochet supplies. You can watch me organizing in action in this video: The Over-the-Door Yarn Organizer: Small Space Hero This thing is a game-changer. The Bobble + Puff Over Door Yarn Storage Organizer turns any standard door into a vertical yarn command center. No drills, no tools—just hang it with the included sturdy rings, and you’re done in seconds. Why I Love It: 8 deep compartments : Perfect for skeins, larger WIPs, ...

Projects Not Working? Fix It! Do you ever feel like no matter what, your crochet project is a flop? Maybe you’re not sure exactly what went wrong, but something just isn’t turning out the way you expected. If you’re feeling stuck and like your crochet skills aren’t improving, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Let’s go through some basic troubleshooting tips to help you identify what might be going wrong and how to fix it. 1. Check the Pattern Terminology One of the first things you should check when you’re struggling with a crochet project is whether the pattern is written in US or UK terminology. There’s a significant difference between these two, and using the wrong set of terms can drastically change your project. For example, a double crochet (dc) in the US is equivalent to a treble crochet (tr) in the UK. If you’re unsure, search online for a terminology chart to compare the differences and ensure you’re using the correct stitches. 2. Follow the Pattern and Gauge Swatch It’s tempting ...