Crochet for Others

I love to crochet. It keeps my hands busy and my mind occupied. But, there are just so many shawls, hats, afghans, or dollies, etc. I need/want! There are just so many loved ones that appreciate the effort of hours spent creating a crochet project.

I know I’m not alone. A lot of crochetists (like sewists) experience the heart stab when their efforts are ignored. The good news is - there are tenfold “strangers” that will welcome the love filled gift!

So where could I donate items?

The Spruce Crafts’ article “Charities that Accept Crochet Donations” provides 10 suggestions! This should get the juices flowing!

Also at Crochet Concupiscence I found another list of “Where to Donate Your Handmade Crochet Items” that offers additional suggestions.

Both above websites (oh, there are so many others) ended their lists with considering local needs…

Last month, Texas experienced an unprecedented 254 counties total shutdown hard freeze. I believe this was widely reported nationally and internationally so I won’t go into it here. I’m just thankful it’s over and I pray it never happens to us again. I’m sure each and every one of us learned a lot.

Although it’s too late now… it’s never too late to start…

Moving forward my focus will be to crochet for others unknown to me!

It is my plan to gather like-minded people in the community to also help create scarfs and hats along with me! We’ll collect them, then decorate the town streets with the goodies! I’ll contact the Warm Up America folks to officially organize a Made With Love event!

Will you join me?

 

 

6 tips when using Ravelry

How much/often do you use the website Ravelry to search for crochet patterns? I've been a member since 2019 but only recently began using it regularly. The various features are amazing! I'll attempt to walk through some of them here...

1) Search CROCHET Patterns - 

Looking for shawl ideas? Type in shawl to search...

2) Filter you search ... looking for "free" patterns today? Check the box!

3) I'm so bad about buying yarn without a project in mind, or I change my mind once home with 1,800 yards of yarn! 

So, I filter further... 

4) My yarn recommends size 5.5 hook size, so I will search for patterns with the same suggestion...

Now I have 8 matches in the "Free" pattern category to select from!

NOTE/RECOMMENDATION:

Under the "Filter your Search" on the left side, there is "Language" and I highly recommend checking English. BUT, read the pattern carefully to see if it's US or UK English! 

In the US we have a single crochet (sc) but in the UK the same stitch is called double crochet (dc). Very Confusing!!! 

5) Add to Favorites:

When you find something you like, click on the thumbnail, then check "add to favorites" so you'll have it in your notebook for future reference! Oh my! I have over 154 "favorites" already! It's like Pinterest!

You'll sometimes see a flat out "free" pattern, but many times, the designer offers an ad-free pattern for a minimal fee. To get the "free" one, you'll visit their website. For example:

This pattern is available for $3.99 USD
buy it now or visit pattern website

A free version is also available.

That's okay because I usually find so many other fabulous ideas or information I wouldn't normally have found had I not gone to their website! 

6) THEN PLEASE... when you use a pattern found on Ravelry... don't forget to go back and share your finished item and rate the pattern! This not only helps the designer, but folks that come after you to use the pattern!

Hope this helps!

Resources

There are a lot of Crochet magazines available in print and online with a subscription. However, I’ve only found “Crochet World” at our local grocery store (small community).  It’s nice to step away from the computer, sit back with a cup of tea, and browse through pages of creative projects. 

Fortunately for me, a friend of mine has subscriptions to two magazines. I love it that she shares them with me! The other day I asked her to tell me about the magazines:  

I subscribe to Interweave Crochet and Crochet! magazines, both of which I like very much.

I think Interweave tends to have more sophisticated, fashion-forward patterns that often are intermediate to advanced difficulty.

Crochet! patterns are usually easy to intermediate difficulty.

They both have great photography and a good variety of patterns for apparel, home deco and gifts.

Because someday we may not have Internet…in my home library I have an assortment of crochet books:

Contemporary Celtic Crochet

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs

The Complete Book of Crochet Border Designs

 

 

Romantic Crochet

Crochet Collection

 What tangible in-your-hands crochet resources do you have?

 

 

 

Take the time!

Sometimes we need to take the time. Seriously! Just stop crocheting for a bit and shake it out!

A while back, I subscribed to receive emails from Hooked by Kati (were I found Ember the Phoenix pattern!) and I’m so glad I did! She recently shared great info on how to prevent and recover and when to see a doctor. This email was timely for me!

I searched her website and found a more detailed article “Hand Health for Crochet Artists” which could apply to other artisans as well. 

Please consider regular break intervals to stretch out the arms, wrists, and fingers, shake off the shoulders, do a few neck rolls, and stand up – walk around! Your body will thank you!

After doing a quick search, I discovered a lot of people have created videos to share their ideas and suggestions how and what to do. I’ve learned quite a bit! I now have several additional exercises added to my routine!

For example:

Hands:

Wrists:

Oh, there are so many lovely patterns, especially Amigurumi items, I want to do! I don’t have time or the desire to struggle through pain to accomplish them!

Take the time!

A Challenge

I’ve always wanted to create a crocheted sweater or a shrug or top but never have had the confidence in my work, my ability. A good friend of mine has made several fitted garments and wears them beautifully. Between her assistance when needed, and YouTube instructionals, I’m going to challenge myself!

I thought I would practice making/inserting sleeves using American Girl doll Lindsey as a model –

You’ll see I made a “shortie” based on the pattern designed by Lisa Gentry through Yarnspirations, Bedtime for Dolls.

Oh, and I have never made socks before until Lindsey’s! Not bad for first attempt! Yes, socks are NOT just knitted, one can crochet socks!!!

Now for the challenge…

I found Hailey Bailey’s “The Tern Tunic Dress Crochet Pattern” that has really caught my eye!

I purchased this Lionbrand yarn in 2020 and it’s been sitting, waiting for the perfect project. I think I’ve found it! I hope it works out nicely!

We’ll see!

 

 

National Crochet Month

Good Morning March!

I recently discovered March is National Crochet Month! 

Of course, enthusiasts years ago determined a “Month” to celebrate all things crochet! I discovered the Crochet Guild of America’s website, but have yet to join. Oh, I did join the National Crochet Month's Facebook group!

Anyway, I plan to celebrate the month by sharing my favorites

… that’s what I do!

Over the years I’ve tried to make granny squares, but never could get them to look right. I stumbled upon directions at the Heart Hook Home website how to “invisible join” and will certainly use this method on my next project! Ashlea provides A LOT of crochet tutorials on her blog! AND she offers many (free) patterns for us! I’ve put Penelope on my to-do list!

I highly recommend visiting Heart Hook Home! Let me know if/when you do! 

 

 

A bit of catch up…

 

One thing has led to another since my last article, Inspirational Crochet. I was on a mission to learn Tunisian Crochet but found Mikey and all his other fabulous projects in addition to Tunisian Crochet. Oh My. They were all shiny!

Through his website I made this reindeer tissue box cover for my mom! Instead of a “sniffle station” as designed by Michelle Moore, the basket for Momma’s reindeer held small candy canes! She loved it!

 

It was THEN the Amigurumi bug hit me!

I first made a Scandinavian Christmas Gnome – just in time to pack away with the other decorations for next year!

Oh, and a Snowman… he’s now packed away as well!

Then I made Audrey the Armadillo for a dear friend who loves to take her RVing, hiking, and scene gazing! 

 

Oh, and she and her husband are beekeepers, so I had to make this Queen Bee for them!

Thinking ahead, I created a Bunny Rabbit for Momma’s Easter ~ soon to be filled ~  basket!

Also, a Just Because gift for Momma, when I saw Oliver the Bear, I had to make it for her! Although I modified the snout area a bit from the designer’s instructions (couldn’t figure it out), we think he’s cute!

Momma loves him!!!

And, I finished Emma the Elephant this morning!!! She’s for me. She’s also the last one I will do for a while…. I must give my hands a BREAK!

 

7 Things I’ve learned while learning Amigurumi:

 

1.     Use AT LEAST a full size smaller hook than what is recommended for the yarn you are using.

2.     Use a scrap of yarn (longer than what your project will be and in a different color) as a stitch marker. Thread it up the project, moving it up as you go.

3.     Use a counter and keep up with the rounds as the spiral can get very confusing!

4.     Know the difference between US and UK definitions (for example: in the US a single crochet = “sc” whereas in UK a single crochet is written = “dc”)

5.     Keep tension TIGHT!!!! (and is why I must take a looonnnngggg break)!

6.     Watch Youtube videos, even if it’s not the project you want to make!

7.     Oh, and stuff when the instructions instruct!

 

 

 

Inspirational Crochet

Over the past several months, I’ve spent any spare time I can muster working on crochet projects! I’m truly hooked! When doing other things, especially driving the 50 miles to town and back, I think about crocheting.

From the beginning of keeping this blog, I’ve shared links to what I believe are fabulous websites, youtubers, and facebook pages to everyone/anyone that visits here. When something and/or someone comes along I’ve found inspirational, I always want to share!  

That’s the case with Canadian Michael Sellick. 

I was on Youtube looking up how to do Tunisian Crochet and discovered Mikey! 

Besides finding a fabulous reference for all things crochet, specifically Tunisian style crochet, I took the time to watch his video “Mikey Learning to Knit – Outtakes” and it’s then I discovered his amazing laugh/giggle! It’s soooooo contagious! Hearing him laugh/giggle never fails to bring a smile to my face and makes me laugh as well! What a splendid relief!

Since that day I’ve visited his website and have liked his all things Facebook. His Facebook page is The Crochet Crowd.

The kicker for writing this article after missing months, I wanted to share, once again, something I find inspirational. On his Facebook group, The Crochet Crowd Stitch Social, back on October 11^th, Michael posted the following: 

One of my favourite activities for in-person workshops is blind-folded crochet. People may not realize we have several community members who are blind. We realized this during one social visit to JOANN. The young lady was telling me that the explaining in the video of what I am doing is really good for her. While to someone who can see what I am doing, may leave a comment for me to get on with it, for someone blind, they need that extra explanation.

Why I love this activity is that the blind-folded person has a coach to help them along to be their eyes. To communicate the steps and motion to do with the hook should the crocheter be lost in their stitchwork. It's team-building.

This is also a group where other hookers share their projects… so inspirational!  

If you are into crochet (or want to be!), I highly recommend checking out Michael Sellick! 

And, anytime you need to laugh, or giggle, take a dose of Mikey!

Attitude Adjustment

Somewhat fretting over some mistakes I made in a crochet shawlette I created for Momma’s Mother’s Day gift, a friend asked me...

Have you ever heard of the Native American custom of purposely making a mistake in a blanket or other article, so as to not anger the gods with a "perfect" human-made thing?

This intrigued me to look it up and I discovered it is a common Navajo tradition. Their “imperfections” are purposeful because only God is perfect. Of course!

Rather than always seeking perfection, other cultures also have the same attitude. I like this.

One of the first major projects I ever worked on was a poncho for my sister’s Christmas gift. I think I might have been 14 or 15 at the time. I don’t really remember. It doesn’t matter. My aunt came in from Arkansas for a visit and I excitedly shared the half-finished project. Actually, I think I was almost through with it at the time. Well, she found a mistake way back near the beginning and began ripping it all out!!! I stood there absolutely stunned as she told me, “If you can’t do something right, don’t do it at all.”

Her voice continually plays in my head, until this morning.

From now on, as I’ve always done, I will do the best I can.
                   
Maybe someday I will make the “purposeful” mistakes rather than the oops! But until then, I won’t be so hard on myself that it’s not “right” - not “perfect.”

Thank you, Gail!

Tweaking Face Masks - UPDATED

After researching and reading this and that, I’ve come up with the following method of making face masks:
   
Fabric
Pipe Cleaner (8") (to bend over the nose and cup the cheeks)
Elastic - please, no larger than 1/4" wide for the sake of the ears! ACTUALLY 1/8" IS BEST - YOU CAN TRIM 1/4" TO 1/8" EASILY! Just like you can trim 1/2" wide elastic to 1/8"

Cut main fabric 9" x 16"
Cut from main fabric for facing 9" x 1.5" then cut in half to make 4.5" x 1.5"
Cut 2 pieces of elastic 7" long

With wrong side facing up on ironing board, fold both ends of large piece about ½" and press.

With right sides together, pin, then stitch along the pressed fold about 1.5" - reinforcing at the 1.5" mark. This will keep seam from coming apart when folks insert their coffee filter.

Press seam open.

Turn tube right side out.

Place opening near the top and press folds above and at the bottom.

Take to machine, open up and carefully stitch 1/4" from bottom fold (of the opening). I can only stitch a few stitches before I have to readjust, making sure I don’t catch extra fabric underneath!

Then take the tube and find the pressed top fold. Stitch through all layers to make a tube for the pipe cleaner.

Insert pipe cleaner. Leave at least 1 inch from the end. Use wire cutters and cut the pipe cleaner. Scoot the pipe cleaner down where both ends have about ½" of NO pipe cleaner! You do not want to stitch over the wire because it might just break a needle (or dull it)!

Take back to ironing board. Give the over all (now 9" x about 7.5") piece a good press.

Working on the ironing board, with the front facing up and the pipe cleaner tube is on top, make the first fold.

Press each fold as you go. You’ll have three nice folds about ½" deep.

Pin folds in place (I’ve drawn too much blood pinning the folds as I go!)

The last hanging down part, I pin underneath (backwards) for really the 4th fold, to cup underneath the chin better.

From the front, pin the elastic in place, making sure not to twist.

From the front, pin the facing in place on each end right sides together, wrapping the ends around to the back. *Stitch through all layers using 1/4" seam allowance (Double Check Where the Pipe Cleaner Is!!!!).

Double stitch over the elastic a couple of times to reinforce!

*Don’t forget to remove pins as you stitch, before stitching over them!!!


Take back to ironing board and press stitching to set. Pull out facing and press folded a rounds, then about 1/4" along the edge. Fold over, then stitch in the ditch.

Ta Da!!!