Cathy, Author at City Farmhouse Studio

October 3, 2024January 17, 2025

Knit Main Street Top

Main Street Knit Summer Top by City Farmhouse Studio

For the past year I have been trying to grow my handmade summer wardrobe. After realizing that I had nothing handmade to wear in the summer, I knew I had to come up with some tops that I can wear through my day, and even possibly dress up for certain occasions. If you know me, I like multifunctional!

During a trip to Joanns where our creative and crafty 12 year old daughter looked at all the things she was dreaming about, I strolled the yarn section. I tend to go through craft stores to look at yarn, see what is new, see what is discontinued, and just see what I can see. On an end display was a new Patons yarn I hadn’t seen before, Linen.

July 18, 2024October 28, 2024

Crochet Bucket Hat

These days I have been wearing more and more hats in the summer. I particularly like wide brim hats to block the reflecting sun. At some point I wondered why I hadn’t made me one. So, this pattern is to rectify this so that I can enjoy a handmade hat all year long.

I took two different bucket hats that I have, and combined the bits that I like about each. One has a little wider brim that I like, and the other has a little more of a fitted portion around the head so it doesn’t look as sloppy.

May 2, 2024October 28, 2024

Crochet Take It Easy Sweater

I named this crochet sweater Take It Easy because of multiple aspects of this pullover. From the yarn, construction, and even wearing it all lended to the naming of the Take It Easy sweater. A pattern that all makes it easy for you to relax and enjoy all aspects of it.

For the yarn, I used Lion Brand 24/7 DK Cotton yarn. I have used the category 4 worsted weight yarn on a pair of Crochet Vacation Shoes for me and my daughters, and they wear so beautifully. A strong yarn that doesn’t pill, but is soft next to the skin. I have also used it in dish scrubbies and they have lasted a long time. So, I felt comfortable using this cotton yarn in a sweater that will hold up to wear, and make the time it takes making it worth it.

March 21, 2024October 28, 2024

Knit Winter in the City Sweater

Two years ago I made the Summer in the City top, and last year I wore it quite a bit along with the Summer Breeze top. I think I wore the summer breeze more, but over this winter I ended up missing not being able to wear the Summer in the City top. Just the little edge detail that is so easy to dress up or down I missed. It then came to me that I should make a long sleeve version so that I can wear it all year long.

While the Summer in the City top uses Bernat Softee Baby Cotton yarn, for this winter version I wanted something with wool. I found the Premier Wool Select yarn to be a great option. Also, both Summer and Winter in the City have the same gauge, so either yarn is a great option.

March 8, 2024October 30, 2024

Spring Flower Scrubby

One thing I love about crochet, how easy it is to add a fun and joyous spin to one of my most dreaded chores – dishes.

Several years ago I started making my own dish scrubbies, and I haven’t turned back. I love how fun they are to make, how easy they are to make, and how much personality they bring to my kitchen. They also make wonderful gifts. I always see one of my scrubbies at my Dad’s kitchen sink, so he finds them just as wonderful at cleaning dishes as I do.

With this pattern you can choose how much scrubby texture you prefer to crochet with, or none at all. The scrubby yarn does make it more difficult to see your stitches, but the effort is so very much worth the effort – at least in my opinion.

February 15, 2024October 28, 2024

Crochet Wintertime Cardigan Pattern

Have you ever finished a project, put it on for the first time completely finished, and then did not want to take it off? That was this cardigan for me.

The bulky wool yarn makes a perfect thickness for a material that is warm and comforting, but not so thick that it is uncomfortable to wear. The fit of the cardigan looks polished, but not so form fitting that it is binding anywhere. Putting it on just felt perfect for this cold Michigan winter we are finally having.

Using the category 5 bulky yarn with a size L (8.00mm) hook works up so quick. I sat down with my family to watch a movie while working on this. I was amazed how much I got done on a sweater in such a short time!

February 1, 2024October 28, 2024

Knit Lovely Day Sweater

Have you ever made something that you knew that you would like it, but then once you made it and started wearing it you liked it even more than you thought you would.

That is how I feel about this Lovely Day Sweater. I wanted a sweater with some details so it wasn’t a typical pullover with rib edgings. I also wanted it to have a higher neckline so that it would be warmer in winter.

After going through library book after book in knit edgings, bandings, and stitch examples, I tried several different ideas to finally end up with a cable band that is knit in the traditional vertical orientation but then added to the sweater horizontally.

November 6, 2023November 6, 2023

Choose Your Own Adventure – Knit, Machine Knit, or Crochet Slipper Shoes

Last year I made both of our girls some house shoes out of thick and cozy yarn they picked out from the store. Both of them love their pairs and wear them quite a bit. This year, the youngest came home from school and said her teacher will let them wear slippers in the classroom instead of cold and wet shoes from the playground. But, they need to have a hard sole incase they step on anything.

Well, the ones I made last year don’t have anything on the bottom so they won’t work. I previously made for the girls a kids’ size of our Vacation Shoes pattern, but working into a pair of flip flops takes time and effort. And, in all honesty, I didn’t want to put that much effort into a pair of shoes that she will out grow in a few months.