This post was sponsored by JOANN – My favorite craft store to visit for all my yarn and tools that I use. Also, you can’t resist all their coupons.

 

It’s National Craft Month!

It’s National Craft Month which is my main focus all year round! It’s almost spring time so I figured this would be the perfect time to refresh my memory about all the JOANN projects I’ve done over the past year! Each project has had it own challenges and fulfillment and I will be going over which category each pattern has fallen under. 

It’s a ton of fun to look back and see what’s come from me – for many of us, we get so caught up in the next project that we don’t always take the time to admire and appreciate everything we just accomplished. Down below in the comments, let me know some of your favorite projects you’ve made as of recent memory!

Thanks so much time for taking the time to read my thoughts on each project – they are all FREE so click the link to get started.

Let me know on social media which patterns you’ve enjoyed making – be sure to use the hashtag #nationalcraftmonth and #handmadewithjoann!

 

So many of my designs have been through the help of JOANN!

I have been crocheting with JOANN for.. 7 years at the time of writing this post. It has been such an amazing opportunity from Day 1 and a company I am so proud to align with. They’ve watched my progress since the beginning and I am very grateful they decided to start supporting me so early on.

More than just the product they offer the type of feelings you get with the beginning of your next art project is just so inviting. Have you seen some of their new concept stores? They are an absolute treat and if you have the ability, I highly recommend checking it out. JOANN are the future store of crafting.

The in-person experience doesn’t feel claustrophobic – I am sure we’ve all felt that way in other places when the amount they’re trying to push to you is overwhelming. I have felt there is enough breathing room for me to be comfortable. I hope really fond memories of going to my local JOANN so often for those first few months before moving away from the store. Always exciting!

The deals are another tool they use to help break down that financial hurdle many face. It shouldn’t make you gasp to see the receipt for wanting to make art.

 

 

Here are some details to know that apply to all my patterns listed below!

Luckily I have made this super easy for everyone and I have been sticking with all the materials you can find from JOANN! Down below you will find the notions I use and the brand of yarns. Tap each link to grab your own before your desired projects. In each pattern will give you even more a breakdown on what colors you’ll need!

Here are my 2 favorite yarn brands form them I used in these projects:

JOANN Big Twist Value Yarn

 

Bernat Baby Blanket Yarn 

 

My other social media platforms you can find me at:

Instagram: @knot.bad

Tik Tok: @knotbad

Twitter: @knotbadcrochet

 

And here are my thoughts on each pattern!

Most out of the box inspired: 

I do have to think about what my readers are going to be interested in making when I’m designing a pattern. However, I still want to be able to make projects that don’t fit a traditional mold. One of those things I wanted to put a spin on the classic Butterfly! I wanted to go with the name a little too literally – and that’s how I came up with my own take on a butterfly!

This is how a stick of butter flys. I was just a tiny bit worried that people wouldn’t like this one just because of the quirkiness of it but I’m glad I’m not the only one who likes it! It’s pretty simple to make and work in a rectangle rather than a circle is a nice change of pace.

All you have to do is sew on some wings after you finish the body and you’re all set! It’s especially cute when you make more than 1 and stack them on top of one another.

 

Find the Free Baking Butterflys Pattern Here!

 

Longest pattern to make:

The longest amigurumi it took me to design this past year are my Honest Hand Soaps. Hand soap dispensers are sort of an odd shape and I wanted to still keep it pretty simple without adding all the bells and whistles when it comes to their small parts. I couldn’t quite get the body right as I tried a few different shapes to begin with. Some real hand dispensers I’ve seen before are completely circular, completely rectangle, and some are squared off around the corners.

I tried all of them until I come to this conclusion – when you’re crocheting, I had to think of how the dispensing part would look. I think I was able to achieve being able to keep the dispenser simple! I love being able to find ways to work into the back loop for efficiency.

Requires less sewing on our end! I am grateful to have figured something out for the center piece – originally I was going to embroider “soap” but decided against it. I went with a graphic of the aroma it is representing.

 

Find the Free Honest Hand Soap Pattern Here!

 

 

Cheapest project to make:

Luckily JOANN offers so many great deals that it lowers the cost but the cheapest project I’ve made recently with them are my Mini Nifty Notebooks! With just 2 skeins of yarn (and just a little bit of black) you could make a ton of these. They’re small, worked in the row, and finish up really quickly.

The most interesting part about this pattern is the way you sew it all together – because of the nature of this project, seeing the seams up and together feels really natural. And of course, this pattern offers a lot of creative expression! You can use your darning needle and add fun graphics or text into the pages of your diary.

While writing this, I think it may actually be fun to glue on actually pages and jumbo this! And just like that, I know I head over to JOANN to get what I need. 

 

Find the Free Chunky Ghost Pattern Here!

 

 

My favorite color pallet:

Picking and working with the colors is one of the best parts of crocheting (especially for me with amigurumi) and it adds so much dimension! As you can tell from the photos, I went with a ton of them. This project is a small ode to the LGBTQIA+ community. I used lots of the colors from the rainbow for the flowers chosen. I wanted this project to speak to the truth that anyone and everyone deserves some flowers in their life, no matter who they may be.

This pattern does require a good amount of sewing. Great practice to get better at the skill that amigurumi needs. A lot of the small pieces made can be used for various reasons outside of just this doll. Head to the pattern to see how to make roses and a bow!

I think these are one of the best home décor patterns I have on my entire blog. It can fit into really any home and it’s especially a great time to make during Spring! And of course, the most relieving part is you don’t have to worry about it dying like a normal house plant.

 

Find the Free Roseate Rose Vase Pattern Here!

 

 

My most popular pattern:

It’s in the name – this pattern is a blast to make! Often times when crocheting amigurumi, the single crochet will be the primary stitch that you will be using. A classic stitch no doubt. What makes this pattern so fun is the majority of the pattern is using the puff stitch! A bunch of double crochets into one stitch is quite a refreshing technique.

It doesn’t surprise me that this is my most popular pattern – pineapples have a tenancy to be so cute! So many people adore a good ol’ pineapple. Put on a face and it’s impossible not to smile! This pattern is much simpler than it looks and I think you’ll enjoy the repetition. Sewing on those leaves is pretty easy, too.

This project is still very beginner friendly if you know the basics. My favorite kind of amigurumi are projects that are really easy but give the illusion that they’re complex.

 

 

Find the Free Popular Pineapple Pattern Here!

 

Shortest pattern to design:

My Chunky Ghost pattern was so simple to make which made the entire process even more enjoyable. The only part I struggled with is just getting the size down! I didn’t know how big I wanted it to be but I think this is a good middle ground between my normal sizing and jumbo!

I started using blanket yarn for my projects during the fall and it was a super fun break from my usual size 4 (which is always Big Twist!) it works up really quick and I have a great time using my Clover hooks. My favorite hooks when it comes to size 6 yarn! – I have done projects with that ruffle effect (some of my jellyfish patterns) so being able to re-use that technique here made it that much smoother of a design process.

This pattern may be the odd one out here that’s not very spring feeling but every projects matters during National Craft Month so I wanted to go even further back while reminiscing. 

 

Find the Free Chunky Ghost Pattern Here!

 

All editorial content and https://www.joann.com/projects are intellectual property of Vincent Green-Hite, designer of Knot Bad.

This post was sponsored by JOANN Stores but all ideas and opinions are my own. Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but please do not reprint it on your site. You may keep a copy for your own personal use but please DO NOT sell the pattern or distribute it.

You may sell products made from this pattern but please clearly credit the design to Knot Bad and link it my website knotbadami.com Make sure to post it! Use the hashtag #yarnpunk and #handmadewithjoann when posting it and please feel free to tag me and show me how yours turned out! You can also find the Facebook group and subreddit r/yarnpunk to post to as well!