Cheering for the Art of Crochet ... and Knit Too

Don't let anyone undervalue your time you spend crocheting or knitting.  We are a combination of artists and magicians -- working our magic to turn a simple piece of string into a thing of beauty (to the eye of the beholder)!

Case in point, check out USA Today's Lifestyle section:  Knitted decor is a crafty look.

Don't over look your carpeting -- that too can be a work of crochet (or knitted) art -- check out what Patricia Urquila and Eliana Gerotto are artistically crocheting with rope!  They even utilize embroidery techniques!
Tags: national crochet month, crochet art, knit art, embroidery

Did Ewe Know: When Sheep Ruled the World

Did Ewe Know?

In the late 16th Century wool was the leading export for England. This meant landlords would rather toss their tenants out on the street in order to raise sheep as it was far more profitable than collecting rent.  In fact, Parliament wanted to protect their leading wool export so badly that it passed the "Wool Act" -- a law that forbid wool exports from the new American colonies and limited production in Ireland!

Homelessness, when combined with Henry VIII stripping the Catholic church of it's holdings, aided to the rise of severe poverty in England.  Since the Church was unable to assist the many destitute as it had in the past, and because housing was in short supply due to sheep being valued more than human life, this forced the government to codify the first "Poor Law of 1601" -- the beginning of governments coming to the aid of their people in despair.

* Facts from Life Millennium; 100 of the Most Important Events & People of the Past 1000 Years. Published in 1998

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Tags: did ewe know, wool act, poor law, crochet, crochet history

Books Should Come With Warnings

When you have a book on loan, it should come with a warning that
   A. You'll want to purchase a copy for yourself
   B. You'll want to purchase fibers featured in the book
   C. You'll want to purchase tools featured in the book as well.

I have the book, Top Technique & Special Stitch Afghans in Crochet, published in 2004, on loan from my friend Grace.  "Dee," she IM'd me days prior, "this book is fantastic!  You'll want to order one from AnniesAttic immediately!"  OK, so I was warned that I'd want to order a copy for myself, but I was sick at the time and didn't take heed.  How often is it, I thought, that I'd want to rush out and purchase everything featured in a book?  On Sunday, Grace put her copy of the book in my hands and advised me to check it out. 

I love the book!  It has a section on "The Amazing Needle," a technique of crocheting similar to Tunisian but you leave a cable behind.  In the next row you use another cable while picking up loops that the old cable is holding.  The results?  A knit-like fabric!  Since I have a thing for "Hybrid" techniques I'll be visiting www.amazingyarns.com later today to order the special crochet hook. 

I was responding to an email this morning that inquired how to make Broomstick Lace easier to create.  This book mentions a gadget tool that claims to do just that!  So after sending off the email I went to AnniesAttic  and ordered the special Broomstick Lace base that the books states, "it's a tool "consisting of a flat base which rests in your lap to hold the pin as you work."

Naturally, I went to www.amazon.com and ordered the book.  Yes, books on loan should come with a warning; a HUGE warning!  And I haven't even gotten past page 10 yet!  {{grins}}
Tags: top technique & special stitch afghans, anniesattic, amazon, crochet, knit, hybrid, amazing needle

A Crochet Lesson by Mini-Dee

Hi, it's Mini-Dee again. My Mom really liked a bracelet I crocheted for her on Sunday and she asked if I wouldn't mind sharing the instructions on her blog.  I used whatever yarn I found in my stash along with a size 5.50mm crochet hook.  I hope you like the video: 

Tags: kids, crochet, bracelet, shell, free pattern, caseyscrochet.com

NYC KOC2 Nixed for 2007

The KOC2 (Knit Out & Crochet Too) event held recently at the Mall of America was very successful. (See Margaret Hubert's blog for details)  In fact, it was too successful!  I know, I know, how can an event be too successful??

It's when an event is so wonderful that plans are made to repeat it -- but when the powers-that-be over at the Craft Yarn Council looked at their resources they realized that in order to create another KOC2 at the Mall of America, the KOC2 scheduled for NYC would need to be canceled.  So that's what they did.  Yep, that's right. The announcement was made yesterday: there will be no KOC2 in NYC this year.  The plan is to return the event in NYC come 2008.

So does this mean no KOC2 for Dee this year?? Hardly!  I have two to choose from --but I need help in deciding which way should I point my covered wagon and head!  Should I go East to the Boston KOC2 or West to the Pennsylvania KOC2?  I'm guessing that Guido (of http://itsapurlman.com), new to the world of happy hooking, would say "Dee, head East!!" -- and then I have fans, like Vivian, who come from PA every year to see me at the KOC2, would be saying, "Dee, head West!" -- decisions, decisions.  I guess I could be bribed with pretty yarn.  LOL

Really though, I haven't decided yet; I'm still trying to digest the news that there will be no KOC2 in NYC this year.   And, also, this issue hasn't been brought forth to my CGOA Chapter to see what they want to do.  (I think they could be bribed with yarn too, I'm just saying... lol) 

It's just sad that the KOC2 in NYC has been nixed for this year. Tags: KOC2, NYC, knit out & Crochet too, Mall of America, 2007, 2008, boston, pennsylvania

Crochet Demonstration A Success!!

Our Crochet Demonstration yesterday, held at the Bethel Library, was a success!  We had many types of crochet on display and had fun teaching crochet to newbies, and helping those who came to get assistance with projects. 

I enjoyed teaching a mother-daughter duo how to crochet left handed, and helped a knitter realize that it's OK to "throw" her yarn over her hook, much as she would if she were knitting. She was "full speed ahead" after that, later declaring a new found love for crochet! (I love those moments!!)

I also was "gifted" with various bracelets and necklaces my children worked up during the event while Mr. Dee took pictures.  The bracelet & necklace set my daughter worked up was quite pretty.  I asked her if I could video her recreating it and post it to my blog sometime in the future -- she said she'd be game!!  Awesome!  {{VBG}}  

The Bethel library has a great selection of various crochet books -- Donna Kooler's enclopedia of crochet, Pauline Turner's How to Crochet, Maggie Reghetti's Crocheting in Plain English, and more!  -- check out your local library branch and see what they have!  You just may be pleasantly surprised! 

 Yes indeed, yesterday's event was quite a lot of fun!!    :) 
Tags: national crochet month, bethel

March Is National Crochet Month

I had hoped to create some sort of exciting entry on March 1st announcing the arrival of National Crochet month, but I've been quite ill, since last weekend, not with the flu (as originally thought) but rather with a very nasty upper repository infection.  I only picked up my crochet hook on Thursday; the rest of the time I've been asleep (or waiting hours in the rain to be towed). 

I am starting to feel better and so I'm going to venture out today and participate in my CGOA Chapter's Crochet Demonstration we have planned at the Bethel Library.  Of course the "Dee Clan" will be there to ensure I don't over do it and cause myself another week of bedrest.  I'm thinking that since I had such a miserable week (including not even having the energy to play with my birthday loot from WEBs!) I'll take advantage of some of the "Celebration Sales" I see sitting in my inbox for some, ah hem, party favors:

      * Herrshners says they're having super sale on super yarn until 3/7
      * Seaport Yarn says I can take 10% off my $25 order if I use code EM0307 at checkout if I order before 3/15
      * Kaledoscope Yarn has some pretty Cherry Tree Hill merino boucle on sale (25% off)
     * Joanns.com is offering free shipping if I use code MARFSE735 withany order placed by 3/7 and is over $35

I do have some photos to share ... I'll try to add them after this entry is posted as AOL has been having some issues.  Stay tuned ... but while you're waiting think of some ways you can share your love of crochet with someone this month!  For ideas, visit the Craft Yarn Council of America's "Each One Teach Two" site ... www.eachoneteachtwo.com
Tags: each one teach two, crochet, national crochet month