When you browse the yarn shelves in your favorite store or search online for new treasures, one thing quickly stands out: not every yarn is smooth and neatly twisted. There's a colorful world of textured yarns that add unique effects to your knitting and crochet projects. But what exactly hides behind names like Bouclé, Chenille, or slub yarn...
🧶 Welcome to the World of Stitches! 🧶
This is Kathrin's blog – knitting enthusiast, crochet heroine, yarn whisperer, and proud wool addict.
If you think knitting and crocheting is just for rocking chairs and chamomile tea…
👉 then you haven't seen how vibrant, colorful, and creative this world truly is!
Here on the blog, I share everything that slips through my stitches:
- 🧠 Smart tips & tricks
- 💡 Inspiring moments from my yarn studio
- 🙈 Mishaps I wish I'd known about sooner
- 🎁 Little freebies just for you
- 💛 Updates on my heartfelt projects
- 🔭 Special Categories: #HistoryMasche & #FunFacts around the Yarn Universe
… and loads of love for everything needle and thread.
Whether you're a total beginner or already dreaming in rows and rounds – you're in exactly the right place.
So get comfy, grab your favorite yarn, and start clicking through. 💛
Happy reading, laughing, learning & casting on!
Much love,
Kathrin
#HistoryStitch: Ottoman Edgings & European Lace – how Oya borders informed church & court lace
When we think of Ottoman textile art, we see floral arabesques, tulips, and carnations – motifs that survived for centuries on fabrics, embroideries, and lace borders. Under the umbrella term Oya (Turkish for fine lace/edging), narrow decorative trims were created in Anatolia and the Ottoman Empire – as needle lace (iğne oyası), crochet trims (tığ...
If you've ever held a yarn that felt both incredibly soft and surprisingly strong, chances are it was core-spun yarn. As the name suggests, it's made from a core wrapped in another fiber (spun around it). The result is a yarn that combines strength with luxury – a perfect balance of function and beauty.
Argyle – those iconic overlapping diamonds – has traveled far. From Scottish Highland traditions to golf sweaters, from retro classics to fashion runways, it's a design with staying power. Its charm lies in the mix: structured but playful, timeless yet fresh. And that's why it's trending again today.
Yarn has accompanied humankind for thousands of years – from the very first plant fibers to high-tech fibers in space. Join me on a little journey through history as we explore the 10 key stages of yarn's evolution.
Knitting outside is something truly special: fresh air, sunshine, and a project growing stitch by stitch. But anyone who has ever sat in the park or on the terrace with yarn and needles knows the struggle: your row counter sits in the shade, the batteries run out, or the stitches move faster than you can count. That's exactly where solar-powered...
Structure Makes the Difference
Imagine your yarn doesn't just come from sheep or cotton – but from cornstarch! Sounds crazy? That's exactly what PLA (Polylactic Acid) makes possible: a bioplastic that can be spun into yarn and used in 3D printing to create innovative knit and crochet patterns.
Do you know the feeling when you get completely absorbed in the rhythm of your stitches? Your hands move almost automatically, time seems to disappear – and suddenly, calmness takes over. This state is called flow.
Knitting can be more than just a hobby: repetitive patterns work like gentle meditation and can actually soothe your nervous system.
Neat Bind-Offs – 5 Methods Compared
The final step of any knitting project often determines how polished and professional it looks: the bind-off. A sloppy or too-tight edge can ruin the overall impression – or even affect fit.
Luckily, there are many techniques to choose from, depending on whether you need stretch, invisibility, or decorative flair. Here are 5 popular bind-off methods...
Chunky blankets are the ultimate coziness project! They're not only finished super fast, but also a stunning design element in any home. With thick yarns and oversized needles, your blanket grows so quickly that after just a few evenings, you'll have your new favorite throw ready.
#HistoryStitch: Colonial American Knitting – “Roundabouts” & Everyday Fashion around 1700
When we think of knitted jackets today, we might picture cozy cardigans or elegant outerwear. But in 17th–18th century New England, knitted garments had a very different role.
Settler women created "roundabouts" – cylindrical woolen jackets worn under heavy leather coats. These garments were not only practical and insulating, but also carried a ...












