New Year, New Goals for DykemaKnits 2026!

 This year, I am hoping to engage more with my blog. I have been putting most of my energy into writing patterns and listing them for sale on my Etsy store, DykemaFiberArts.etsy.com, and that has been fun and encouraging! But I also realize I have neglected my blog, which is where everything started for me. 

Here's the thing, I had a vision and a dream, and as life has continued to grow and change, my vision has also changed and gone unaccomplished. It turns out being a mom who homeschools, participates in multiple homeschooling communities, and is passionate about knitting and crocheting, sometimes just wants to sit down, take a break, and knit and crochet. Ha! So, this year, I am hoping to write a little more, share my journey as an emerging knit and crochet designer, and create some new, simple designs that will be beginner friendly, quick, and free! I will also continue to design new things that will be for sale on my store.

So, here is to a new journey as a budding entrepreneur in the fiber arts! I hope you will tag along with me this year. If you would like to put your name down for email alerts, please use my contact form on the right to send me your name and email address. I will not sell your information. I will only use it to send out periodical newsletters about blog posts and patterns. I hope to hear from you!

Happy New Year!

Cyber Week Sale on Now!

 

The Crafty B's Artisan Boutique

 I am very excited to announce that many of my original hand knit and crochet designs are currently for sale at The Crafty B's Artisan Boutique located in Everett, Wa! It's a really neat store filled with all kinds of creative, handmade items. They even have some 3D printers printing dragons and other figurines. It's a neat place to browse and shop.

I am selling hats, fingerless mitts, dish cloths and scrubbies, and shawls/scarves! If you are local, I hope you will check it out. Otherwise, you are welcome to visit my online store at dykemafiberarts.etsy.com. I am currently working on replenishing some of my online inventory since it is now at The Crafty B's. 

Oversized Velvet Wrap Shawl

 

A new knitting pattern is now available! Visit my Etsy store, Dykema Fiber Arts, to purchase a PDF download for the Oversized Velvet Wrap Shawl knitting pattern. 

There's more to see, so please feel free to browse my other digital patterns and handmade items for sale.

Thank you for visiting!

Easter Sunday Cross Bookmark

A new knitting pattern is now available! Visit my Etsy store, Dykema Fiber Arts, to purchase a PDF download for the Oversized Velvet Wrap Shawl knitting pattern. 

There's more to see, so please feel free to browse my other digital patterns and handmade items for sale.

Thank you for visiting!

 

S’more Crispy Treats

By: Kaylan Dykema

Ingredients:

• 6 Tbsp unsalted butter
• 6 cups mini marshmallows 
• 6 cups of rice cereal
• 3 graham crackers, crushed
• 1/2 cup milk chocolate chips
• 1/2 cup Cadbury mini harvest handfuls
• 1 cup marshmallows
• Cooking spray
• 9x13 baking pan

Directions:

Spray the baking pan with cooking spray. Melt butter and 6 cups of marshmallows in a large pot. Remove from heat, add rice cereal and stir to coat. Add crushed graham crackers, 1 cup of marshmallows, chocolate chips, and harvest handfuls. Mix gently until well coated. Transfer to the baking pan, gently pat into pan. Finish with a few extra chocolate pieces, crushed graham crackers, and marshmallows. Press into place and let cool. Enjoy!

This is a fun summertime treat. It is also fun to take camping when you are unable to make s’mores over a campfire due to a burn ban, etc. I used some large marshmallows because I ran out of mini marshmallows. They seemed to work just fine! I did a mixture of cut and uncut marshmallows.

© Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved.

Checker Board Cup Cozy

 By: Kaylan Dykema

Please support me by purchasing a PDF download.

Finished Measurements

4.5 inches wide by 2.5 inches high laying flat. Fits most disposable coffee cups. 

Yarn

Aunt Lydia’s Crochet Thread Fashion 3, Super Fine (1) (100% mercerized cotton; 150 yards): Cafe 1 ball. 

Needles

US 1 (2.25mm) double pointed needles, or size to obtain gauge. 

Notions

Yarn Needle

Stitch Marker

Gauge

8 sts and 14 rows = 1” in pattern, blocked.

Notes

This cup cozy is worked in the round from the bottom up.

1:1 Rib (in the round over an even number of sts) Rnd 1: (K1, P1) to end. Repeat Rnd 1 for pattern.

Checker board pattern: Rnd 1: (K4, P4) to end. Repeat Rnd 1 four times. Rnd 5: (P4, K4) to end. Repeat Rnd 5 four times. 

Pattern instructions

CO 72 sts, join in the round. Place marker (pm) for beginning of round.

Rnds 1-4: (K1, P1) to end.

Rnds 5-8: (K4, P4) to end.

Rnds 9-12: (P4, K4) to end.

Rnds 13-28: Repeat rounds 5-12 four more times. 

Rnds 29-32: (K1, P1) to end. Remove marker (rm).

Bind off in 1:1 rib. Weave in ends.

Copyright Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved. For personal and non-commercial use only.

Coffee Tapestry Knitting Pattern

A new knitting pattern is now available! Visit my Etsy store, Dykema Fiber Arts, to purchase a PDF download for the Coffee Tapestry knitting pattern. 

There's more to see, so please feel free to browse my other digital patterns and handmade items for sale.

Thank you for visiting!

Coffee Cup Cozy with Heart Applique

 

A new crochet pattern is now available as a digital download. It's a quick and intermediate project to crochet for a friend, mother, sister, loved one, etc. -- anyone who you want to know is special! This is a great project for scrap yarn.

Skill level: Intermediate

Visit: DykemaFiberArts.etsy.com for a listing of other patterns and gifts available for purchase.

Hearts a Shimmer Cup Cozy

 By: Kaylan Dykema

A new crochet pattern is now available as a digital download. It's a quick and intermediate project to crochet for a friend, mother, sister, loved one, etc. -- anyone who you want to know is special! This is a great project for scrap yarn.

Skill level: Intermediate

Visit: DykemaFiberArts.etsy.com for a listing of other patterns and gifts available for purchase.

Cafe Latte Scarf

By: Kaylan Dykema

Support me by purchasing a PDF download

Finished Measurements

74 x 4.75 inches

Yarn

Bernat Velvet (100% Polyester; 315 yards/300g) in Taupe Coffee. 

Needles

US 9 (5.5mm), or size to obtain gauge. 

Notions

Yarn needle
Crochet hook

Gauge

16 sts and 22 rows = 4” in Garter stitch. 

Notes

This scarf is a really easy scarf that is worked flat using garter stitch. It is a great project for beginners or someone looking for an easy project that doesn’t require a lot of focus.

Garter stitch: Knit every row.

CO: Cast on

Sts: Stitches

BO: Bind off

Pattern instructions

CO 20 sts

Knit every row until the scarf measures 63.5 inches, or desired length

BO all sts

For the fringe: Cut 3 strands of yarn, 13 inches long. Using a crochet hook, fold the yarn in half over the hook and pull it through the end of the scarf, creating a loop. Slip the cut ends of the yarn through the loop and gently pull to tighten. Repeat about 7-8 times until the entire end of the scarf is covered with tassels. Trim tassels as needed to clean up the edge.

Copyright 2022 Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved. For personal and non-commercial use only.

Strawberry French Toast

 

My daughter loves strawberries, and she loves pink! When I asked her what she wanted for dinner on her birthday, she gave me a blank look. I quickly started thinking about what her favorite foods are. Sausage links popped into my head, then french toast, but how could I make it birthday worthy? Strawberries quickly came to mind next, and this recipe fell into place. It was a big winner with the whole family. I hope it will be a winner with yours as well!

Ingredients for the toast:

• 6 slices of Texas toast
• 3 large eggs
• 1/2 c milk
• 1 Tbsp ground cinnamon
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• Non-stick cooking spray

Ingredients for the strawberries:

• Fresh strawberries, sliced
• 1 Tbsp granulated sugar
• 1 tsp vanilla extract

Garnish:

• Strawberry cream cheese
• Whipped cream
• Real maple syrup

Directions: In a rectangular casserole dish, add eggs, milk, cinnamon, sugar, and vanilla extract. Whisk to combine. Soak bread in the mixture until absorbed, about 15 minutes. While the bread is soaking, slice strawberries, add sugar and vanilla extract. Stir to combine. Heat a griddle pan over medium heat. Spray the griddle with a non-stick cooking spray. Add prepared bread to the griddle and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes on each side. Spread a layer of strawberry cream cheese on the toast, garnish with prepared strawberries, whipped cream, and real maple syrup. Enjoy!

© Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved.

Lace Edging for Dress or Tunic

 

I added a simple lace edging to my daughter's favorite dress that was too short for her. It worked out so well, that I added a lace edging to one of my tunics. I was really pleased with how it turned out too! It was just enough extra length to allow me to feel more comfortable wearing the tunic with leggings. Yay!

Lace edging pattern:

• Measure the length of the garment you want to add lace to, then chain until you have reached about 1-3 inches less than the length of the garment (this will vary depending on the gauge of your crochet -- usually the length of the crochet will increase as you work)
• Row 1 (ws): SC across, turn
• Row 2 (rs): Ch 1, dc across, turn
• Row 3 (ws): Ch 1, dc in next st, *ch 1, sk next st, dc in next st; repeat from * across; ch 3, turn
• Row 4 (rs): Star st; draw a lp in 2nd ch from hook, draw lp in next ch, draw lp in next ch-1 sp, draw lp in next dc, yo and draw through all 5 lps on hook, ch 1 for eye of the star; *draw lp in eye of star st, draw lp in last lp on same star st, draw lp in next ch-1 sp, draw lp in next dc, yo and draw through all 5 lps on hook, ch 1; repeat from * across, turn
• Row 5 (ws): Ch 3, dc in eye of 2nd start st; * ch 1, dc in eye of next star st; repeat from * across, turn
• Row 6 (rs): Ch 1, sc across, fasten off leaving a long tail for sewing
• With rs facing, line up the first two rows of the lace to the bottom of the garment; pin it in place
• Sew the lace to the garment
• Using the long tail of yarn fastened off on the lace, sew the lace edges together to create a finished edge and weave in ends
• Note: I like to put the sewn edges of lace on the side of the garment so that it isn't noticeable from the front or back

DIY Lace Accent on Toddler Dress

My daughter was given a beautiful cotton dress with lavender flowers all over it. She loves the dress, but the back of the dress is very low and the sleeves kept slipping down. I knitted a simple lace insert and sewed it to the dress. It adds just the right amount of coverage and support to keep the sleeves in place. I hope this inspires you to look at your wardrobe and add some custom knit or crochet lace to make it new and functional! I have a few tunics that could be a little longer, and I might add a lace trim to them. 😉

Simple lace pattern:

- Garter stitch for 5 rows

- Sl 1, *k2tog, yo; repeat from * to end

- Sl 1, *purl; repeat from * to end

- Sl 1, *yo, k2tog; repeat from * to end

I repeated this pattern, incorporating a 2 stitch decrease about every other row, until I had the right length.

© Kaylan Dykema  

Lattice Dish Set

By: Kaylan Dykema 

Support me and download a pdf of this pattern.

Finished Measurements

Dish Scrubby: 4.75” x 4.25” 

Dishcloth: 8.5” x 10.25”

Dish Towel: 20.5” x 18.25”

Yarn

Redheart Scrubby (100% Polyester; 78 yards/85g): Almond (1) ball; Mainstays (100% Cotton; 180 Yards/100g): Blue Shell (2) balls. 

Needles

US 8 (5mm) straight needles, or size to obtain gauge 

Notions

Yarn Needle
Crochet Hook 3.5 mm                                                                                                                                          US 8 (5mm) Double Pointed Needles (DPN)

Gauge

16 sts and 22 rows = 4” in St st, blocked

Notes

Seed Stitch Row 1: (K1, P1) to end
Row 2: (P1, K1) to end
Repeat rounds 1-2 for pattern

Garter Stitch Row 1: knit to end
Row 2: knit to end
Repeat rounds 1-2 for pattern

CO: cast on

K: Knit                                                                                                                                                                   Kf&b&f: Knit through front loop, back loop, and front loop again to increase

P: Purl

SC: Single crochet

Sts: Stitches

Pattern instructions follow

Dish Scrubby

Using Redheart Scrubby yarn, CO 18 sts 

Work in Garter Stitch for 4 inches 

Bind off in pattern.

Using Mainstays yarn, CO 18 sts 

Slip 1 st purlwise, *K1, P1, repeat from *

Slip 1 st purlwise, *P1, K1, repeat from *

Continue working in Seed Stitch for 4 inches, slipping the first stitch purl wise 

Bind off in pattern

Assembly: Lay both squares of fabric on top of each other. With crochet hook, sc through both fabrics with cotton yarn. When you reach a corner, 3 sc, then continue in sc through both fabrics. Once you have made it around all four sides, chain 20, slip stitch the chain back onto the base of the chain to the dish scrubby to create a loop. Slip stitch through each chain to add some strength to the loop. 

Fasten off. Weave in ends. Block.

Dishcloth

Using Mainstay yarn, CO 45 sts

Rows 1-6: Work in Garter Stitch 

Row 7: K4, *K1, P1, K9, P1; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 8: K5, *P1, K1, P7, K1, P1, K1; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 9: K4, *[K1, P1] twice, K5, P1, K1, P1; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 10: K4, P1, *[P1, K1] twice, P3, K1, P1, K1, P2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 11: K4, *K3, P1, [K1, P1] 3 times, K2; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 12: K4, P1, *P3, K1, [P1, K1] twice, P4; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 13: K4, *K5, P1, K1, P1, K4; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 14: Repeat row 12

Row 15: Repeat row 11

Row 16: Repeat row 10

Row 17: Repeat row 9

Row 18: Repeat row 8

Rows 19-54, repeat rows 7-18 for Diamond Seed Brocade pattern

Rows 55-60: Work in Garter Stitch

Bind off in pattern. Weave in ends. Block.

Dish Towel

Using Mainstay yarn, CO 81 sts

Rows 1-6: Work in Garter Stitch

Row 7: K4, *K1, P1, K9, P1; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 8: K5, *P1, K1, P7, K1, P1, K1; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 9: K4, *[K1, P1] twice, K5, P1, K1, P1; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 10: K4, P1, *[P1, K1] twice, P3, K1, P1, K1, P2; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 11: K4, *K3, P1, [K1, P1] 3 times, K2; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 12: K4, P1, *P3, K1, [P1, K1] twice, P4; repeat from * to last 4 sts, K4

Row 13: K4, *K5, P1, K1, P1, K4; repeat from * to last 5 sts, K5

Row 14: Repeat row 12

Row 15: Repeat row 11

Row 16: Repeat row 10

Row 17: Repeat row 9

Row 18: Repeat row 8

Rows 19-42, repeat rows 7-18 for Diamond Seed Brocade pattern

Row 43: K across

Row 44: K4, P to last 4 sts, K4

Repeat rows 43 and 44 until desired length

When desired length has been reached, work in Garter Stitch for 6 rows

Bind off in pattern. Weave in ends. Block.

© Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved. For personal and non-commercial use only.

DIY Pot of Gold

 

I made these pots of gold for my children and nieces this St. Patrick's Day. It was really fun, and everyone enjoyed their special gift! Here's what you will need to make yours.

Supplies:

• Apple sauce container
• Black acrylic paint
• Acrylic paint sealer
• Black pipe cleaner
• Chocolate gold coins
• Rainbow pattern -- the one I used is available at: What Mommy Does
• Shamrock -- I crocheted one using a free pattern available at: Golden Lucy Crafts

Directions:

Wash and dry the apple sauce container. Paint the interior, and allow it to dry. Once it has dried, apply two coasts of sealer and dry. Punch two holes in the side of the container. Insert the pipe cleaner into each hole, and twist it to secure. Fill it with chocolate gold coins, a rainbow, and a shamrock! Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Dykema Fiber Arts is open!

If you have enjoyed some of the things you have seen on this blog, I am happy to announce that you can now shop at my Etsy store, Dykema Fiber Arts. I hope you will visit my store and enjoy browsing through my current inventory!

Coming soon!

 I am excited to announce that I will be opening an Etsy shop! I plan on selling handmade knits and other handmade crafts. More announcements to come!

How to line knit slippers

 I recently discovered a hole in the bottom of some slippers I knitted. I darned them and then discovered several places where the wool was wearing thin. I realized I needed to do something else to lengthen their life, so I lined them with leather and flannel. It has added a lot of comfort and durability to them. I used leather from a bag of leather scraps purchased at Jo-Ann Fabrics. It did take some time, but it is worth it. Below I have outlined what you will need and how to do it.

Tools:

• Leather
• Flannel
  
• Scissors
• Awl
• Mallet
• Hard surface to hammer on, such as scrap wood
• Paper
• Pencil
• Needle
• Yarn

Instructions: 

With slippers on, put your foot on a piece of paper and trace your foot. Cut out the shape. Trace your foot pattern on a piece of leather and cut it out. Turn the pattern over and trace again on the second piece of leather and cut it out. Adjust the size of the pattern to fit the inside of the slipper. Use updated pattern to cut out two pieces of flannel - remember to turn the pattern over so that the foot shape goes in the right direction for each slipper. Use the awl and mallet to punch holes around the edge of the leather. Place flannel inside the slipper, place leather outside of the slipper and stitch the two together with extra yarn used from knitting the slippers, or a yarn that best matches the slippers if you didn't knit them yourself.

If you want to avoid cutting your own leather and punching holes in it, you can find some kits online at places such as KnitPicks.com. You will get several pieces of leather - one for the pad and one for the heal. I personally really like having one seamless piece of leather covering the whole sole. I will be lining a second pair of slippers as soon as I have the time!

Sugar Free Mint Iced Coffee

This is a really refreshing beverage. I recently started Weight Watchers (still have a little baby weight to loose!), and I'm on the green program. This delicious drink is only 1 SmartPoint!

Ingredients for 1 glass:

• 6 oz boldly brewed coffee (you can do this by doubling the amount of coffee grounds you would normally use, or select the bold option for the brew type - if your coffee maker has one).
• 5 fresh mint leaves
• 2 Truvia packets
• 2 Tbsp Coffeemate Sugar Free Italian Cream
• Ice

Directions:

Fill a 12 oz glass with ice. Slice the mint leaves. Add them to freshly brewed coffee. Let the mint steep for 4 minutes. Add Truvia packets so that the granules dissolve, stir. Strain out the mint leaves. Pour coffee over ice. Add Coffeemate Sugar Free Italian Cream, and garnish with mint leaves. Enjoy!

© Kaylan Dykema. All rights reserved.