DIY: Chunky Cabled Crochet Beanie with Free Pattern

Chunky Cabled Crochet Beanie

Although it’s now spring, I’m still energetically crocheting hats – this chunky cabled crochet beanie is from Yarnspirations. Tomiko and I are trying out some new patterns (and writing our own) in beautiful yarns from our local yarn stores to eventually sell in our Kiku Corner Etsy shop! This was the first time I crocheted […]

Crochet Puff Stitch Hat with Free Pattern

Crochet Puff Stitch Hat

The puff stitch hat is made with a body of puff stitches attached to a ribbing made of single crochet stitches. The puffs stitches make the hat quite warm while the ribbing adds a slight stretch for a forgiving fit.

Chocolate Marble Pound Cake

Chocolate Marble Pound Cake

Chocolate marble pound cake was our mom’s go-to dessert when we kids. Although she’s an excellent cook, she never really liked baking and would always use a box mix for pound cake. Her signature was to create a chocolate marble pound cake by mixing in a bit of cocoa to half of the batter.  When […]

DIY: Crochet Pineapple Toque and Free Pattern

Crochet Pineapple Toque with Free Pattern

I started this crochet pineapple toque several times over the last few months, and I finally got around to finishing it! The lattice-like effect is easily done with double crochet stitches in two colours of yarn, and topping the hat with a pom pom made us think of pineapples. The crochet stitches are rather dense, […]

Rome, the Eternal City

Rome, the Eternal City

Rome was our last stop in Italy after Bologna. We dropped our bags at the hostel and set out to explore on foot! Rome is such a great historical city. Ryan and I would wander the small side streets then turn a corner and catch our first glimpse of the Colloseum off in the distance.