THE SKEIN SISTERS JOURNAL

Sisters Yarn Tales

Guides, techniques and yarn love from our Dulwich Hill studio

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Colourful crocheted mandala granny squares in progress on a mustard cloth, with a ball of cream cotton, a teal crochet hook and a Skein Sisters tape measure

beginner beginner knitting crochet knitting Techniques

Knitting or Crochet: Which Should You Learn?

There isn't one right answer, but there are real differences – what you want to make, how much yarn it takes, how fast it grows, and how each one treats your hands. Deb has done both since she was twelve.

A KnitPro Waves crochet hook set, fourteen ergonomic hooks laid out in a case

beginner crochet crochet hooks Tools & Notions

Which Crochet Hook Should You Buy?

Ergonomic or plain, aluminium or wood, single hook or a whole set – what actually matters when you're choosing a crochet hook, and the one we'd put in your hand first.

crochet inspiration knitting patterns

Quick & easy gifts to make

Nothing says 'you're special' like a gift made by hand, with love in every stitch. So we've put together some ideas for knitted & crocheted gifts to make that won't have you burning the midnight oil trying to get them finished.

crochet knitting yarn Yarn Guides

Why do some yarns come in skeins, not balls?

Today, we’re diving into a topic that lots of our customers often ask us: what’s the difference between yarn sold in balls and yarn sold in skeins and why do they come in both these forms? The answer includes several factors...

crochet DK inspiration knitting patterns yarn

What to make with Madelinetosh Tosh DK (or any 8ply!)

There's a LOT to love about Tosh DK - and it's not just the amazing hand dyed colours. Madelinetosh Tosh DK is a versatile, plump, woolly 100% superwash merino wool 8ply weight yarn.

crochet inspiration knitting patterns

Make your own Emotional Support Chicken!

The Emotional Support Chicken has taken the knitting and crochet world by storm! Have you made one, or two, or three yet? If you have no idea what we're talking about, read on. As of today, there are 4801 knitted Chickens listed on Ravelry.

Deb's finished Nuts about Squares blanket, close up on the squares

crochet inspiration

Deb's Nuts about Squares Blanket: All about each square

In 2021, Deb made the beautiful Nuts about Squares blanket for her little boy, Rupert. You can find the introduction to the blanket and Deb's process on our blog here.

Deb's finished Nuts about Squares blanket draped on the couch

crochet inspiration

Deb's Nuts about Squares Blanket: Getting Started

Back at the end of March 2021, I (Deb) decided that I needed to make a blanket for Rupert, my 7 year old little boy. Really it was just an excuse to start crocheting another blanket after making the amazing Scheepjes CAL 2020 d’Histoire Naturelle blanket.