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Introducing my latest creative endeavor, the Crochet with illJay Youtube channel!  Although I've been brainstorming this project for a while, what better time than now to inspire people to be creative while they are stuck at home. Also, I'm stuck at home and have plenty of time to capture and edit and share with you my first few crochet tutorials. For beginners, visit the tutorial on basic crochet stitches. It starts from the very beginning and takes you through a few common stitches: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J-lmr0Xbj50&t=2s   If you know the basics already, try learning the Granny Square pattern: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sdju4ShryU4&t=4s   After...

1/1/21 EDIT: The blanket it complete!  https://youtu.be/48EN7D64KxA   Right around the new year crocheters are talking about starting or finishing their "temperature blanket". I just learned what this is and I'm excited to start one for the year 2020.  Everyday for a year, a row is crocheted based on the outside high temperature with whatever color you designated for that temp range. 365 days, 365 rows to finish a big rainbow blanket with a unique and meaningful pattern. I will be using the moss stitch for this project because it is dense and won't be 12 feet long by the time...

Howdy Y'all Here's what I've been slowly but diligently creating since September. In preparation for my favorite holiday, I bring you The Crochet Cowgirl, yehaww!  About mid August is when I start contemplating my Halloween Costume. I was having a minor creative block and asked my friend Bai what I could crochet that would be ridiculous and over the top. Her response "ass-less chaps" quickly inspired this entire costume with all the crochet details. Complete with fringe on everything, including ass-less chaps, vest, bandana, hat, and yarn detailed gun.  Half the fun of creating costumes for me is the photoshoot.  I...

My first pattern has been recorded and I would love for you to try it out for free! It is for this cute pink halter top, but can of course be any color you wish. When I was learning to crochet I had trouble reading patterns, so I gravitated more towards making up my own. But the time has come to write out my patterns and share them with the world. I hope one day it becomes a means of passive income for me to sell my patterns, but before that I must know that my patterns are good quality...

I'm loving the daisy chain motif so much I did a few more variations on the original shirt. I choose to model them with bikini as I think most people will wear this way. But to be honest, I'd be naked underneath, peakaboo style at a festival or Burning Man for sure. Super sexy! I did these versions mono chrome because it's just as cute and easier and quick so I can make them for a better price than the poly chrome versions. Both are available in the shop under crochet:)