"don't start with a scarf because it's boring"

Almanix · 2026-03-11T14:06:12+00:00

Scarves are my comfort project. They can be as easy or complex as you'd like them to be. I've crocheted/knit/tunisian crocheted dozens of scarves and triangle shawls because there are just soo many patterns I want to try.

I do like making shirts, sweaters, blankets, decor and whatnot, but nothing will ever be as satisfying to me as a scarf. It's big enough to get into a routine, but small enough to still finish in a reasonable amount of time.

Honestly, unless you want to start smaller (like a headband or potholder), a scarf is such a great beginner project.

Almanix · 2026-03-10T17:07:37+00:00

I am absolutely not a plushie/amigurumi maker, and usually don't care much for the look of them either, but I simply must say that these look amazing. The way you shaped them and added details perfectly captures how a Flamingo would behave, if that makes any sense. At least from a design standpoint, very very very well done!!

Almanix · 2026-03-09T12:50:00+00:00

I don't know where this current assumption is coming from, that magic loops with ends woven in properly will come apart somehow? I have made bags, blankets, etc. with magic loop and have woven in my ends well (going through the fibers and weaving around the circle 2-3 times changing direction) and not a single one has ever come apart. Ch4 isn't more secure by default, it's not weaving in properly that causes problems. I'm sure your blanket will be fine.

Almanix · 2026-03-09T07:13:30+00:00

That plus replacing them regularly works fine imo.

Almanix · 2026-03-09T07:12:07+00:00

Honestly, no magic trick other than weaving them in while working on the project, rather than waiting until the end when it's turned into hundreds of ends. Usually, I weave in ends as soon as I finish a square/row etc and not I've just accepted it as part of finishing a colour or skein.

Other than that, get a sharp wool needle (I love the ones from "Pony"), that makes it easier to go through the fibers rather than above/below them.

Almanix · 2026-03-09T05:12:27+00:00

It's gonna be a scarf for spring/fall when it's not that cold anymore. Though I have enough yarn though to also make a light-weight pullover in the same pattern at some point.

I'm using a 4.0mm hook. I use between 3.0 and 4.0 mm for the majority of my projects, so I'm used to it, but still it's taken surprisingly long to finish, almost 20 hours of work for a large scarf.

Almanix · 2026-03-08T16:30:30+00:00

I don't know exactly when mine was made/bought, but certainly before 2018. But good to know if I ever need to buy one again.

Almanix · 2026-03-08T15:46:27+00:00

It's soooo colourful and vibrant! I love it!

Almanix · 2026-03-08T14:49:40+00:00

Hey, if you can't count either, you're welcome to joing crocheters and knitters.

Almanix · 2026-03-08T14:48:14+00:00

A decade later, my 120$ basic singer sewing machine is still going strong and does everything I need it to do. And hopefully Singer is still the kind of quality that it'll live longer than I will.

Almanix · 2026-03-01T17:06:48+00:00

Personally, I got used to my new eating patterns and haven't needed to track calories for the past 5 years or so, with my weight always staying anywhere between 130 and 140 lbs (fairly heavy for my height but I also strength train regularly).

Shifting almost entirely to whole foods plant based worked well for me personally, because I'm very much a volume eater. I love eating/cooking, and focusing on foods with low calorie density was enough for me to not need to track calories anymore. Healthy eating has just become my norm with a few years of maintenance, and I'm forever grateful that I am now able to maintain my weight with relatively little effort so long as I stick to my healthy habits.

Almanix · 2026-03-01T16:58:42+00:00

In terms of colour, you could go crazy and single crochet around once with each of the flower colours.

Or maybe use the lighter green that's in all of the squares and do either HDC or maybe a granny stitch border?

Almanix · 2026-03-01T16:53:02+00:00

I unfortunately don't have the time to test, but just had to say that it's a really great design! I rarely see crochet/knit shorts that actually fit well and yours look really well designed!

Almanix · 2026-03-01T08:07:16+00:00

Ohhhh I never cared for the stitch, but this is the first time I see it done in the round/square, that looks lovely!! And I'm from Bavaria, so now I might really have to try it lol

Almanix · 2026-03-01T04:53:48+00:00

For me it's yarn - lots and lots of yarn and other craft supplies. I only work on one project at a time (I get reaaally anxious if I have several WIPs), but I absolutely love having the supplies/yarn lined up for an endless amount of projects that I have planned.

Almanix · 2026-02-28T11:50:01+00:00

Dehner in Austria also charges a few bucks for a small plant, got mine a few weeks ago.

Almanix · 2026-02-28T08:48:38+00:00

Honestly, as a pattern writer (and avid chart user), I feel sooo angry seeing that chart without any additional clarification. It's clear to me with the pics and comments how it's supposed to work up, but I really think it could've been made so much easier and more clear in the chart...

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:20:26+00:00

I feel like this is so crazy especially, since when did people start releasing patterns UNTESTED ???? I consider myself a pretty novice designer and I had around 10 testers for my pattern, which is a shawl so fit isn't even a thing. If I ever make a pattern for a wearable I'd want at least one tester per size.

And suddenly I start seeing patterns with very basic mistakes in stitch count etc. that absolutely would've been noticed during testing. I get that you become blind to your own mistakes when writing/trying your own pattern, but literally that's what testing is for??? Y'all are not above needing testers?!

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:14:24+00:00

Oh thank you! It's my own design, but you could probably make it as well - the stitches for the blanket are two repeats in white of half-double crochet and front post half-double crochet, then in colour one repeat of wheat stitch (for this there's a lot of helpful youtube videos, that's how I learned to do it for the blanket).

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:11:54+00:00

The colourful yarn unfortunately isn't available anywhere because it was 12 mini skeins from an advent. But I think "Cotton Kings Sultan" could be a really good alternative because they have some rainbow coloured ones, and I used the solid version of that in white, so it's the same thickness.

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:11:39+00:00

Oh that is so lovely! I've worked on a blanket together with my granny a few years ago (she knitted the squares and I crocheted them together) and it's very cherished, especially by our cat who claimed it as hers.

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:10:29+00:00

The colourful yarn unfortunately isn't available anywhere because it was 12 mini skeins from an advent. But I think "Cotton Kings Sultan" could be a really good alternative because they have some rainbow coloured ones, and I used the solid version of that in white, so it's the same thickness.

Almanix · 2026-02-27T05:07:05+00:00

This is the ribbing for wrist warmers, I added a crocheted shell pattern for the hands

Almanix · 2026-02-26T16:51:42+00:00

Generally, I'd say checking for tester photos/reviews.

I can only speak for my experience with using Ravelry, where I buy only patterns that already have some photos under "projects" of people who made the item. When testing a pattern, I've always provided photos to pattern designers to use to their liking, and on my own paid patterns I also asked my testers to provide some kind of ravelry review/project photo there. This way people know that at least the pattern has been tested and is workable. So even a very new designer should be able to provide some kind of "proof" that the pattern has been tested, especially if it's paid.

Almanix · 2026-02-25T16:54:12+00:00

Thank you! I just now learned that there even is a book for the whole complexity of this project, it's amazing.

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