About The Crochet Side

Crochet patterns you can actually finish

The Crochet Side is an independent crochet blog sharing free, tested patterns, step-by-step stitch tutorials and honest yarn notes for makers at every level.

Hello, I’m Emily

I’m Emily Whitmore, the maker and writer behind The Crochet Side. I picked up a hook to make one simple scarf, and I’ve been crocheting, unravelling and starting again ever since.

I started this blog because so many patterns I found online were hard to follow. Stitch counts didn’t add up, steps were skipped, or the photos showed something different from the written instructions. I wanted one calm, clear place where a pattern works the first time you follow it.

Today, The Crochet Side is where I share the pieces I design, the techniques I teach and everything I’ve learned along the way, from your very first chain to garments that fit.

Emily Whitmore

What you’ll find here

Free patterns

Hats, blankets, bags, amigurumi and home decor, written in standard US crochet terms with stitch counts for every row.

Step-by-step tutorials

Stitches and techniques broken into small steps with close-up photos, for beginners and confident makers alike.

Honest yarn notes

Plain-language notes on fibres, weights and substitutions, so you can choose yarn that suits your project and your budget.

How every pattern is made

Every pattern and tutorial on this site follows the same editorial process before it is published:

Designed and crocheted by hand. Each piece is worked up in real yarn, and the photos show the actual finished sample.
Tested before publishing. Stitch counts, measurements and gauge are checked row by row, and larger patterns are worked a second time to confirm sizing.
Written in clear, standard terms. We use US crochet terminology, list materials and gauge up front, and explain any special stitch where it first appears.
Kept up to date. When a reader finds an error or asks a good question, we correct the pattern and update the “last updated” date on the post.

Our promise: we only publish patterns we have made ourselves. If you ever spot a mistake, please tell us. Corrections are always welcome and usually go live within a few days.

Our values

Clarity first

Short steps, consistent abbreviations and photos where they help most. No guesswork.

Made for everyone

Beginner-friendly explanations without talking down to experienced makers.

Respect for designers

Original work only. We credit inspiration and never republish other people’s patterns.

Transparency

Free to read, honest about how the site is funded, and clear about how your data is used.

How this site is funded

All of our patterns and tutorials are free to read. To cover hosting, yarn and the many hours that go into testing, The Crochet Side may display advertising and may include affiliate links to tools or yarn we genuinely use. Advertising and affiliate partners never decide what we write about or how we review a product. You can read the details in our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.

Let’s make something together

Questions about a pattern, a collaboration idea, or just want to share your finished piece? I read every message.

Get in touch