Have you tried Tunisian crochet before? If you haven’t ever heard of this technique, it’s a special combination of knit and crochet that uses what was traditionally called an “afghan” hook, or a long crochet hook. Your grandma would have known it as “Afghan stitch” or “Afghan crochet” because it was a very popular technique to use to make large panels for blankets. In fact, I know my grandma knew how to do Afghan stitch, because she made my dad an entire blanket using this technique.
I learned how to do Tunisian crochet about 15 years ago before I had learned to knit. I had been crocheting for several years and wanted to branch out to something new, but wasn’t ready to pick up some knitting needles. I had several books, a few long afghan hooks, and a few double-ended crochet cables (like circular knitting needles but with crochet hook tips). I mostly made scarves, because you don’t have to turn your work with Tunisian crochet. The above pictured scarf is the only thing I still have from when I first learned Tunisian. Unfortunately I gave away all my Tunisian supplies when I learned to knit, thinking I would never be interested in doing it again. I have major regrets now for not keeping my supplies, especially the double-ended cable hooks.
Now with the recent resurgence of this technique, I decided to get a new set of Tunisian hooks and pick it up again. And I’m addicted! I really think the best part about Tunisian crochet is the fact you don’t have to turn your work. Tunisian is a combo of “croknitting” loops onto your hook going right to left, then crocheting the loops off your hook from left to right. It produces a fabric that is neither fully knit nor fully crochet but resembles a little bit of both. I’m currently working on my very first Tunisian crochet blanket, and it’s been fun learning new stitches.
If you would like to give Tunisian crochet a try, check out these supplies on Amazon here:
- Set of aluminum Tunisian crochet hooks by Zealor
- Teamoy long crochet hook case
- Tunisian Crochet Workshop How-To book
- Tunisian Crochet Baby Blankets Book (I’m using one of the patterns from this book for my blanket as seen in the picture above)
- Tunisian Crochet Volume 1: Basic And Textured Stitches Book
- Tunisian Crochet Volume 2: Colored and Striped Stitches Book
You can also read more detailed information about Tunisian crochet and the basic stitches in this article here. I’m hoping to create some Tunisian crochet designs in the future, and I can’t wait to learn new techniques and stitches! Feel free to leave a comment if you have questions about Tunisian crochet or if you’ve tried it before!
Please note this post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means I receive a small commission when you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. All pictures and opinions contained in this post are my own.
For Day 3 in this “College Bound” series, I have a new crochet pattern to share with you! The Collegiate Throw is the perfect project to help get your college student into school spirit. Choose your school colors to crochet this giant granny square blanket, perfect for dorm rooms, chilly fall football games, cuddling up with a textbook, or even to help stay warm in a cold classroom.
The Collegiate Throw pattern includes written instructions for how to make the blanket, special instructions for making a crisp straight square, 4 color sequence ideas, and 2 picture tutorials for special stitches. This crochet pattern has been carefully edited and tested to ensure quality and accuracy.
Download your copy of the Collegiate Throw crochet pattern in my Etsy shop 
Please note that this post contains Amazon affiliate links. This means that I receive a small commission when you purchase through the links at no additional cost to you. All pictures and opinions contained in this post are my own. 
For day 2 in my “College Bound” series, I want to share with you the newest agenda planner from Dayspring! For the first two years that I was in college, I went to a local community college to get my associates before transferring to a larger university. The front office would give out free spiral-bound planners to students every semester that would have events specific to the college as well as a monthly and weekly views to plan out classes and assignments. It had round stickers in the back with things like “finals” “due” and “project.” These planners were extremely helpful in helping me keep track of my work schedule, classes, assignments, projects, and finals. So it’s no surprise that I would highly recommend an agenda planner for those headed off to college!
Even though I’m not in college anymore, I still find a planner useful for jotting down important dates and appointments, as well as using it for weekly scripture writing. Dayspring just released 5 new 18-month agenda planners. These planners start in July 2018 and go through December 2019. Because they start in the summer, it’s the perfect set up for a new college student starting in the Fall 2018. Each one is spiral bound with a gold spiral and has laminated front and back covers. Dayspring sent me the Illustrated Faith branded planner to review and share with my followers, but there are numerous covers and styles to choose from. Each planner is practical and functional, as well as beautifully designed and faith inspiring.
All the planners from Dayspring have the same basic layout. There is a monthly dashboard and a laminated tab attached for that specific month. Then the first 2-page spread is the monthly calendar view. Next, the month is broken down into weeks, with one week spanning a 2-page spread. There are lines for writing more in-depth notes to plan out more specific details. This is also the area where those who use it as a faith planner would write out scripture or other faith-related content.
At the back of the planner is a Notes section. There are a few lined pages, a few graph pages, and a few blank pages in this section. There are three pages of planner stickers that fit perfectly into the monthly calendars and are a great way to add colorful reminders for important events. Lastly there is a pocket in the back to store extra bits and pieces.
The Illustrated Faith branded planner is absolutely beautifully designed. The cover is my favorite color, purple! It has a geometric design and hand-brushed lettering that spells out “Just give me Jesus.” Some of the design is gold-leafed to make it shimmer. For each monthly dashboard, a unique verse and design determines the color and theme for that month. At the top of each page is a coordinating banner that matches for that month. Even if you don’t add any other illustrating to this planner, it is still faith inspiring. But I like that there is lots of room to add decorations and embellishments. Make sure to subscribe to my YouTube channel here to be notified when new Faith planning videos get added to my channel!
I highly recommend the Dayspring 18-month agenda planner for all your planning needs, whether you are in college or want to use it as a faith planner. You can order your own Dayspring planner as well as other fun planner supplies by clicking the affiliate link 
This week I’m going to be sharing a few things to consider giving to a recent grad who is now college bound! I know summer is often a time for vacations and relaxing, but it can also be a time of preparation for the next phase of life for many young adults. For Christian young adults, there’s nothing more important than a reliable study Bible, and I highly recommend the CSB Worldview Study Bible.
Here is the description from the publisher: “The CSB Worldview Study Bible features extensive worldview study notes and articles by notable Christian scholars to help Christians better understand the grand narrative and flow of Scripture within the biblical framework from which we are called to view reality and make sense of life and the world. Guided by general editors David S. Dockery and Trevin K. Wax, this Bible is an invaluable resource and study tool that will help you to discuss, defend, and clearly share with others the truth, hope, and practical compatibility of Christianity in everyday life.”
This is my new favorite Bible, and it currently sits on my nightstand for easy access. Not only is the leather touch cover comfortable to hold in my lap while reading, but the size is great for every day use without being too bulky. The design on the interior is very subtle, with mainly gray shading to help offset the extra content. A few images that evoke a universe theme are included on the Old Testament and New Testament pages and the concordance cover page. I like that the design is neutral and not too distracting. The content and the text are the main focus.
The 130 worldview articles spread throughout the text are helpful for discerning relevant topics in our culture. Written by over 120 scholars, the topics span from the practical to the intellectual. Some article topics include creation, science, gender and sexuality, language, other religions, music and recreation, technology, church and state, a biblical work ethic, just to name a few.
The over 5,900 study notes also provide extra guidance when reading certain passages. The notes are offset in a light gray box at the bottom of each page. The scripture text is double column, with a cross-reference center column.
Each book of the Bible begins with a two page spread that includes book introduction and information, Worldview elements, and a timeline. The Worldview elements for each book are “Teachings about God,” “Teachings about Humanity,” and “Teachings about Salvation.” Having this common them throughout helps to tie a Christian Worldview together throughout all of Scripture.
The CSB Worldview Bible is thought-provoking for helping Christians form a biblical worldview. I highly recommend this Bible! It would make a great gift for a recent grad or great gift to self.
To continue the series from last week of Mother’s Day Gift Ideas, I have a pattern you can crochet as a gift: the Miss Priss Hat. This Hat pattern is one that I designed 10 years ago in April 2008, and I have revised and updated the pattern to improve it. New features include all 3 sizes in one pattern, toddler, child, and adult; new recommended yarn; new hook sizes; and a new bow pattern (Southern Style Bow by Southern Day Crochet, which can be found 
I was also able to partner with Oak Viking Designs to create several custom polymer clay crochet hooks to coordinate with the pattern. These hooks are featured in the pattern, and you can purchase your own custom hook for yourself or as a Mother’s Day gift through her shop 
The Miss Priss Hat has a special place in my heart because it was designed for my sister, Heather, as she underwent cancer treatments. This was her favorite hat, and I made her at least 8 in different colors so that she would have many options to wear while she was bald. The hats were soft, washable, and breathable since it was summer in Arizona when she was going through chemo, but her head still got cold. This hat makes a great chemo cap for those going through cancer treatments. Everyone who saw Heather wearing a Miss Priss Hat loved it, and it has been one of my most popular requests in the last decade. Sadly, the above photos are the only ones I have of her wearing her pink Miss Priss hat, but I’ll never forget what she looked like while wearing them. This pattern is dedicated to her memory, Heather Nicole 1987-2009.
Give your mom the gift of handmade this Mother’s Day! Each Miss Priss hat is handmade with lots of love and care. If you purchase the pattern to make your own Miss Priss Hat on Ravelry 
My third recommendation in this blog series for Mother’s Day Gift Ideas is the amazing book 
In Bloom is part memoir of Kayla growing up in the 90s, part stories about navigating how to raise her daughter to be a confident woman of God, and part call to action to put aside insecurity once and for all to finally bloom into the confident woman God created you to be. This book not only was touching and witty, but it put into words many things I have felt myself, especially having grown up in the church in the 90s in a culture that viewed “biblical femininity” one way that I didn’t exactly feel like fit into.
If you have ever felt out of place or that God got it wrong when he made you, then run to go read this book! Kayla writes: “When we imagine ourselves before and after, we think of the end of one thing and the beginning of another. But that’s where I think we get discouraged because we assume change means becoming someone completely different. Maybe we’re looking at change all wrong. It seems to me that if we are fearfully and wonderfully made in the beginning, then our renewing isn’t meant to keep changing us from one old thing to another totally new thing, over and over again. It’s meant to liberate us of our shame, enhancing our gifts and adorning us in grace” (page 142). Kayla’s writing in this book is so relatable and accessible, and I was flipping through chapter after chapter, not able to put it down. I think one of the biggest messages of this book other than confidence is that you don’t have to live in shame. What a liberating truth that God does not want us to live in our shame, but instead he wants us to be liberated through Christ to use our gifts and bear fruit!
This book is more than just a story. It’s a guide to help identify your sources of inadequacy and insecurity that have bombarded you throughout your life, and replace them with affirming truths from God’s word that you are accepted, loved, and filled with purpose. The text is saturated with biblical truth without being imposing and judgmental. Instead, In Bloom is a celebration of being a confident woman and embracing who God made you to be.
I enjoyed this book so much that I had to bring some of the lessons I learned into the margin of my Bible. I journaled this page in my Thrive Bible in Psalm 92:12-15 “But the godly will flourish like palm trees and grow strong like the cedars of Lebanon. For they are transplanted to the Lord’s own house. They flourish in the courts of our God. Even in old age they will still produce fruit; they will remain vital and green. They will declare, “The Lord is just! He is my rock! There is no evil in him!”
For Day 2 in my Mother’s Day Gift Ideas series, I’m going to share this sweet little book titled 
The style and design of this book is very beautiful and feminine, with the pink and gold colors being carried throughout. It was designed with gift-giving in mind for women who love to use devotionals, especially daily ones. The writing style reminds me of that used for the daily devotionals included in the Thrive Bible (review 
The devotionals themselves start with the date, a key passage of scripture to explore for that day, a paraphrase of the passage written by the author, and a section at the bottom of the page for reflection. I will admit that I typically like my devotionals to dig deeper into scripture than this type of book, but I appreciate what the author is trying to communicate by paraphrasing. She’s trying to help the reader experience the truths of God with fresh eyes. The author has specifically chosen those verses which are often all too well known, and tries to reinvigorate the reader’s experience with the text.
From a Bible journaling perspective, I think this book would make a great supplement to help guide you through a year of scripture to explore further with journaling. Since each entry is fairly brief, it leaves room for further exploration in your Bible. It makes a great guide for choosing a daily passage , as well as guiding the reader to further reflection.
I think this book would make a great gift for moms who may feel discouraged or disconnected from their daily devotional time, or have a busy life with a demanding schedule. God’s Call to a Deeper Life is the perfect little daily push to reconnect with God and the Bible, without being too overwhelming. You can order God’s Call to a Deeper Life as a gift for the mom in your life on Amazon 
I know sometimes it can be hard to shop for moms, especially ones who seem to have it all, so I will be doing a blog series all week long about some of my Mother’s Day gift ideas that you may not have thought of! My first recommendation is for the 
The reason why I recommend a journaling Bible, even for moms that aren’t necessarily interested in art journaling, is because it’s a personal gift that anyone can use! You can write notes or prayers in the margin, lightly color the illustrations, and just enjoy reading through this Bible. You don’t have to be an artist to use a journaling Bible. This Bible is both functional and beautiful.
What is a One Year Bible though? It’s a Bible that has the entire New Living Translation text divided into 365 daily readings that include a passage from the Old Testament, the New Testament, Psalms, and Proverbs. By organizing the text in this way, it helps guide the reader through the entire Bible in one year in a format that is more conducive to a busy life, or for those who need the visual ease of having it organized this way instead of having to flip all over the place with a traditional bible and reading plan. Each section is dated from January 1st through December 31st.
This bible has 2 inch margins that are either lightly lined or contain a preprinted illustration. The pages are cream, the text is arranged double-column, and the page thickness is the same as the original 
The illustrations on the inside front and back cover are unique to this Bible, and the presentation page is absolutely beautiful! It would make a lovely gift for your mom or wife to color the presentation page and write a note to her. This would also be a great place to let children or grandchildren color for mom or grandma, creating a personal and special gift that she will cherish.
Also included in the front of the 
The hardcover is a soft touch cover with floral detail and etching. The endpapers are printed with a beautiful pink, green and teal floral print. The Bible also includes 2 ribbon bookmarks, which I absolutely love when publishers do this. It helps to have multiple bookmarks if you are reading different sections, or want to go back and reread a passage while still keeping your current place. The bookmarks match the colors of the pink and teal cover.
I did color one page of this Bible using gel pens, just to make sure the paper was the same as the Inspire Bible (it was). As with all gel pens, you do have to be careful to not color over the same spot too many times or it will bleed through. As long as you aren’t too heavy-handed with coloring, they do shadow but don’t bleed. Add a set of colored pencils and/or gel pens when giving as a gift (I recommend Crayola Twistable colored pencils 
Order the One Year Expressions Bible as a Mother’s Day gift on Amazon 
The newly redesigned Penelope Infinity Scarf knitting pattern is now available for sale! Grab your copy on Ravelry 
Penelope Infinity Scarf is a loop of fun that is a perfect transition piece for Spring, when the weather starts teasing you of warmer days, but it’s still a little chilly. Wrap yourself up with this soft scarf that feels so squishy around your neck! Penelope Infinity Scarf uses one skein of Caron Cakes yarn. Learn how to cable without a cable needle with a picture tutorial included with the pattern.
I want to share with you the newest book by Shanna Noel, founder of Illustrated Faith: 100 Days of Bible Promises: A Devotional Journal! There’s been a lot of buzz in the journaling community about this book, so I want to show you why. This book is not only super cute, but it’s also packed full of scripture, prayers, devotional content, and room for writing and art journaling. Let’s take a more in-depth look of the inside and all the different features.
Today is the official kick-off for the 100 Day challenge, and the Illustrated Faith community is working through this book. Whether art journaling is your thing or not, this book is a beautiful journal that has plenty of space for writing. The surrounding illustrations are a great backdrop for writing out your own prayers with just a pen.
Each two-page spread is centered around one promise from the Bible and includes a small devotion, 3-5 verses for further exploration, unique artwork, space for journaling, and ends with a small prayer. The amazing thing about this book is that each spread has different artwork, so there are 100 different illustrations to inspire you as you read and pray through this book. Another great feature is the variety of verses for each promise to give you a jumpstart to take your journaling into your Bible.
The pages themselves are nice thick paper to allow for less possibility of bleed thru. The book itself doesn’t lay flat without a lot of bending and coaxing, so that’s the only drawback that I’ve found with the physical book itself. The size is very portable, making it easy to slip into a bag while on the go. The cover is a flexible latex board with a matte finish and the binding is a notebook binding. As a bonus to go with the book when you purchase through Dayspring, you receive an email with a free 3-page downloadable printable that coordinates with the art in the book to use with your journaling.
I have seen many people alter their book by having it spiral bound at their local office supply store for a small additional cost in order to allow for the book to lay flat, as well as have more room for lots of thick additions such as tabs, clips, tip-ins, extra ribbons and ephemera. Since I’ve already started working in mine before I saw this binding technique, I decided to leave mine as-is. I have noticed that as I’ve started working in my book, the cover is laying flat better, so I’m hoping it will continue to loosen up a bit as I add more journaling. I may eventually add a fabric cover to my book because I can already tell I’m going to get messy with this one.
My plan is to use up a lot of pieces and supplies from my stash as a way to work with what I have already. I feel like my stash is busting at the seams, and I need to start using what I have saved instead of hoarding it for “just the right project.” This is now my “just the right project,” and I’ve already had fun pairing odds and ends from past kits, purchases, and happy mail to illustrate the inside covers, dedication page, and the first few pages that I’ve journaled. I mixed up my start date, so I’ve already worked through the first few pages of the book before the actual challenge begins on Tuesday, April 3rd.
For Day 2, I used my Jane Davenport Mermaid Markers to add some hot pink to the page to match the ribbon bookmark that comes attached to the book. These did bleed a little, so I still had to use a light hand with these paint brushes, but at least they didn’t bleed as badly as when I’ve used them in my Bible. I added a few stickers, and then cut apart a tip-in to create a tab and place for hidden journaling. The promise that really stuck out to me on this page was that Jesus is always near me, so I can worry less and be fearless.
Kountingsheep 