Blackbird Mountain Designs was previously known as YarnyBird. Blog posts may contain references to YarnyBird.
*ALL photos are copyright and property of Toni Lipsey @ TL Yarn Crafts.*
I don’t even know where to start with THE QUEEN HERSELF, Toni of TL Yarn Crafts. The perfect mix of cats, crochet, coffee and wisdom, you’re going to be hooked instantly. (No pun intended!)
If you don’t already follow TL Yarn Crafts, I’ll have links to find her everywhere you want at the end of the post. And you should go follow her!
Why is TL Yarn Crafts a favorite?
- She is leading the charge with Tunisian Crochet tutorials and patterns. This is a space in the market that is desperately lacking representation, and Toni is bringing it to the forefront of the crochet conversation.
- If you want to turn your hobby into a business, join the TLYC Makers Facebook group and tune in to Toni’s weekly lives to chat about all things maker business.
- If you like cats, you’re gonna want to watch her IG stories. If you don’t like cats, watch them anyway and you’ll love these cats.
Now onto some of my favorite TLYC patterns!
1. Flatiron Shawl – I’ve started this, but haven’t had a chance to finish it yet. I’m determined to get it done this summer, though! Crocheters are generally left out of the conversation when it comes to hand dyed yarns, specifically fingering weight. The Flatiron Shawl changed the conversation and inspired all kinds of new patterns. Crocheters are in the fingering weight shawl game, and we’re here to win!
2. Lemonade Top – I made a gray and purple version for my sister this past Christmas, and it was such a fun project to work on. This is intended to be a beach coverup, and the pattern is written in one size, but there are instructions for adjusting the size. I made it a little smaller than the pattern, because my sister is pretty thin, and I shortened it a bit to be more of a tunic style shirt. This uses a cotton yarn, and it’s a great summer project.
3. Summertime Tee – I REALLY want to make myself one for this summer. This has such a chic look, while also being a simple make. Toni always includes photos or links to videos for the trickier parts of her patterns, so you’re never going to be wondering what you should do.
4. I can’t talk about the Queen of Tunisian without including Tunisian patterns! The Hot Cocoa Poncho makes me want to make and wear all the ponchos. I haven’t worn a poncho for over 15 years. Apparently they’re cool again, and I’m sad I just got the memo! This pattern is 2 rectangles, 3 seams, and a soft wool-blend yarn that’s going to make you just want to tuck up into it like a turtle and never come out again. Toni has plenty of Tunisian tutorials on her YouTube channel – don’t be afraid! It’s easy and addicting.
5. Bias Tunisian Baby Blanket – My first love is making baby blankets. This is a brand new pattern that combines the baby blankets everyone loves making with Tunisian crochet and a self-striping yarn cake so you don’t have to change colors on your own for the stripes. Let the yarn do the work! If it’s anything like other blankets made on the bias like this, it’s going to be easy to adjust this to whatever size you need.
6. Bronwyn Shawl – I was only going to include 5 patterns, but I just couldn’t leave this one out. Okay, can I be honest? When the CAL for this shawl started, I loved seeing everyone’s color combos, but it didn’t jump out at me as a pattern I needed in my library. UNTIL I watched the video tutorial for the shawl and caught a real good look at that last textured section. Then I was all heart eyes for this piece. My wheels are turning on how I can incorporate texture like that into a pattern in my own design lineup without copying what Toni did in the Bronwyn.
I know you’re going to have just as much trouble choosing just one TLYC pattern to make as I’ve had. Go give Toni a follow and tell her YarnyBird sent you!
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