Crochet Lessons

Teaching Crochet is one
of my greatest joys!

I have received inquiries about teaching crochet:  Is it true I am not offering national/local crochet classes right now?  Sadly, yes.  And it may remain that way for the next two years as my kids finish out their high school years.  (I'm still in shock that we've already begun looking at colleges for them!!!!)

Does this mean I am not offering any crochet lessons?  No.  If you're interested in learning how to crochet, improving your skill; or learning a new technique such as hairpin lace or Tunisian; you're in the Danbury, Connecticut, area; and would like a private or semi-private lesson, please feel free to contact me and we can set something up.

Teaching crochet is one of my greatest joys!  And I enjoy passing on that passion to all of my students.  :)

Helpful Advice? Well, that depends...

Helpful Advice. We seem to get it everywhere: from our family, from our friends, from our bosses, and even from strangers.  But what happens when the helpful advice is neither helpful, nor requested?

Last week I posted on my CrochetWithDee facebook page a stern warning while I was out playing with yarn at a public venue:  Anyone who attempts to approach me and give me advice on my knitting will be poked!  I've since deleted the post because I really don't want to be an advocate for violence; I was just completely frustrated when I posted that: I was struggling with understanding why so many people felt compelled to tell me that my knitting technique is "wrong."  And I still don't.  My method is not "wrong," it is "different."

Knitting at the Peabody Museum, 2008

Personally, I don't like using the word "wrong" when talking about someone else's stitch work technique UNLESS they have asked me for my help  -- after all, maybe the technique they're using is one they are quite content with.  Or perhaps it is the only method they currently know that gets them the results they want.  Or maybe it isn't really about the style, but more about the process that is making them happy.  

Admittedly, with the recent cancer diagnosis for my father (found out today Dr is optimistic he can be cured), I am a wee bit stressed.  So am I just a little bit more sensitive  right now?  Perhaps.

But -- maybe I'm touching a  raw nerve here for other yarnsters too.  In talking about this subject with a others who enjoy both the crochet and knit world, the negative-vibe intrusions are not just happening to me!  They confide they get the "wrong" comments too.

I totally get that we want to help others; I think that is part of our nature.  However, I also think it is important to examine HOW we're going about it.  If I see something that looks different from what I am accustomed to, I'll ask if it is OK to interrupt and ask questions about the project, about their technique. If they're willing, maybe I'll ask for a demonstration. If that crafter should inquire me for help, that is when I will offer it.  And I do so by building upon the experience they already have.  The last thing I'd ever want someone to do is to put the hooks or needles down because they feel they'll never grasp it based upon someone else's unsolicited "helpful advice." 

I have been tracking my knit adventures since 2008, and in that time, although my knit projects have been few, I have received only ONE compliment on my technique.  And it was an AMAZing experience!!  In 2008 I was practicing my stitching at the Peabody Museum when this woman stopped and watched me for a few minutes.  She asked if she could interrupt me for a moment and I said yes.  Then she asked me where I learned to knit... I held my breath because I thought another "wrong" comment was going to follow ... then I heard music to my ears!  She said she had traveled the world studying all the knit techniques she could find, and the way I was creating my stitches she had seen practiced in only one other place -- in a small remote village known for their extraordinary lace making.  I've since forgotten the name of the village she mentioned, but her comments to this day still ring of encouragement to my ears:  My technique wasn't "wrong!"  It was "rare," and it was"beautiful." How about you?  What are the most beautiful words a stranger has told you about your crochet or knit work?

Regardless if we crochet or knit, and regardless of how we hold our tool(s), our yarn, or make our stitches, I ask, let us make the experience for all yarn lovers a positive one.  Unless we are solicited for it, lets hold off on the advice intrusion and focus more on the beauty of the moment, focus on the yarn poetry in motion.  Encouragement is what bonds us together and enriches our experience. And as a perk to our efforts, no one will be poked with a knitting needle or a crochet hook.  :)

Catching Up, Part 2

Missouri.  Land of endless farms, cattle, and Walmarts?

Shopping at YarnsOfItaly's warehouse

During my visit to Missouri this summer I enjoyed time with my cousins, getting to know the new neighbors, and, going back to visit the Yarns Of Italy warehouse.  I even began offering driving lessons to my Mini~Dee!

As I stated yesterday, I am a non-supporter of Walmart.  Because the nearest town, Springfield, had no more local yarn shops, I was forced to make a choice between Hobby Lobby and Walmart to get my yarn fix.  Fortunately, I did a little leg work prior to my visit -- I contacted YarnsOfItaly.com and arranged for them to let me visit them again!!

New yarn love, Lunare, pictured with one of my
Graydog crochet hooks.

Oh the yummy yarns that came home with me!!  Last year I discovered their Lunare cotton and came home with some to try. I had, prior to that time, to find a cotton yarn that I couldn't resist.  This past December I sampled it by crocheting up some potholders  (using the tapestry crochet method) to gift to my favorite chef, Mr Dee. By the time I was done with that project I knew I found a cotton yarn worthy of adding to my list of "yarn loves."  So this year, I bought more. Much more. LOL

I also ventured into trying a new-to-me-yarn they had:  Urubu' by Mofil.  This is a multi-colored yarn, wool/acrylic blend, that sorta self-stripes.  There were no swatches of this yarn at the warehouse, so I bought it on pure impulse.  My thought at the time is that if it looked good balled up, it will look good worked up.  Boy! Was I in for a lesson!

 When I got back to the farm I grabbed one of my crochet hooks and worked up a crochet swatch.  I did not like what I was seeing. I tried again, and again, and again, changing the stitches, changing the hooks. No matter what I did I did not like the swatches.  I thought, and I don't state this lightly, that the work looked dirty, and the chunky color pools just did not look good at all.  For the record, I have never stated such a thing about a yarn before!  So what to do?

It took me a few months of looking at the yarn and wondering that very question.  Ultimately I decided to try knitting with it.  The yarn was just too yummy (in feel) to pass up on working with!   Currently this is what I have worked up on the needles...  while I no longer feel that the work still looks "dirty," it still has that chunky color change which I'm not so fond of.  I'm hoping by the time I'm done with this project that I will change my mind and like the yarn over all.  After all, the yarn does have an incredible feel to it.

The lesson I learned is just because a yarn looks good raw, doesn't mean it will when it's finished.  Asking to see a swatch is a good habit to have. ;)

Catching Up...

So where did we last leave off?  July, I believe.  What has happened since that time?  Quite a bit actually.


Crocheting a Vacation Souvenir

For the remainder of the month of July I took the kids out west to spend time at my father's farm in Missouri.  We were there for three weeks.  In that time I discovered every.yarn.shop in Springfield had sadly closed its doors.  Yarn lovers in the area had two choices (that I knew of): Hobby Lobby and Walmart.  As a non-supporter of Walmart, I decided to check out the local Hobby Lobby.  They actually have two!! locations in Springfield.  Admittedly I was jealous because back home the nearest one to me is a 45+ minute drive away. 


I wanted a project "exclusive to Missouri" -- kinda like a souvineer project.  After roaming the store for (from my kids perspective) forever, I was saddened to find that they really didn't offer much in books for crochet.  Or knit.  But I did find the latest issue of Interweave Crochet magazine, and while flipping through the pages I found the pictures of Vashti Braha's "Electra Wrap" to be inspiring.  I went to the yarn department and found a skein of Paton's "Lace" mohair/acrylic/wool yarn that self stripes.  I also treated myself to a new crochet hook by Yarnology (a line exclusive to the Hobby Lobby franchise).



Mini~Dee modeling my finished Electra Wrap

I didn't finish the project until just a few weeks ago when I decided to enter it into the Eastern States Exposition for judging.  The main reason was because I had misplaced the magazine when I was unpacking. Oy!  Although I did not follow Vashti's pattern *exactly*, I did fall in love with the loftiness of the finished project.  Will I make another?  Yes.  And maybe next time I'll follow her pattern to get the softer edging look rather than the straight edging I went with.


Electra Wrap is awarded a
Blue Ribbon at The Big E

And how did my project fair at The Big E?  Quite well, actually.  First, because someone else entered a knitted project using the same yarn, in the same colorway, it gave a great representation of what one could do with the yarn in crochet.  And second, it seems the judges liked it too.  They gave it a Blue Ribbon. 

What else happened while in Missouri?  You'll need to come back tomorrow to find out.  :)

Finding Gems in Stash

One of the unfortunate side effects of living in a small house with a large stash is that eventually, no matter how creative you get in storing your stash, you run out of space.  I decided I would pull out one of my bags of "one skein wonders" I had left over from various projects and utilize those that were acrylic based and crochet up some hats to be donated locally come winter.  I was amazed at what I found in the bag: 

* Not one, but TWO long-thought lost "Graydog" crochet hooks.
* One barnd nee Shirret crochet hook, Shirret yarn holder, and Shirret thread.
* Four stunningly beautiful hanks of multi-colored silk yarn.
* An Anny Blatt scarf kit (valued at $66)
* A beautiful hank of Starry Dream gilttery-green sock yarn.

I haven't a clue how they got mixed in with the leftovers, but I was amazed at finding these gems. And I was able to work up some 10 hats that will warm someone in need in just a few short months!

I also re-visited some of my swatches and found some from a workshop I attended a good while ago.  Since the yarn had never been abused (something I usually advocate for swatches so we can learn more about the wear & tear of various yarns), and since I don't need the swatches, I decided to reclaim the yarn and crochet up two more hats for donation. 

Recycling yarn from swatches.

What has this experience tought me?  It taught me I need to go stash diving more often because we all benefit when I do!  LOL

New Pattern Release: Kookie Komali Kap

Last summer I took the kids to Florida to visit with family.  They got to spend time with their youngest cousin (on my mother's side), Lilybean.  One hot afternoon they went to the arcade and one of the prizes they collectively won was the Obbie Eye puppet ring.  Somehow the puppet came to be in my possession, and not wanting to toss it due to the fun memories associated with it, I decided to hang onto it and somehow incorporate it into a crochet project.

The first Kookie Komali Kap, pictured on the right, I had created with no mouth or hands.  These attributes came after my kids started playing with the hat as if it were a puppet.  I showed it at one of the "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" sessions I attend locally; the girls loved it.

Armed with the girls encouragement and with my kids requesting I add more features to increase its personality -- and nearly two months later -- the final version was ready to be unveiled.

It is available for download at Ravelry for just $3.99; the eyes can be won at various arcades, or purchased at online sites such as eBay, or at party supply stores.  Do note the eyes come with a safety warning -- not for ages 5 and under.  And that the hat will require hand washing because the eyes do not like to be dunked in water (yes, my kids put them to the test!). 


I am told the name Komali means "tender monster," which clearly this kookie critter hat is!  :)

I do highly suggest making more than just one Komali, because as my kids discovered, they are quite a lot of fun.  "They can 'high-5' each other!" my son exclaimed.  "And they'd be great for 'Spirit Week' at school," added my daughter.  The pattern includes sizes for a medium and a large.  So go ahead and let your inner monster out. 

Family & OK-lahoma

What a heart-breaking two weeks! 

Don't Bully This Crocheter!
RIP Uncle Teddy

Uncle Teddy.  He loved to tell his childhood stories and having us roar with laughter.  Usually at our gatherings I would have a crochet project with me and he would watch me create my stitches with interest.  As we talked he would slowly reach out touching the growing fabric and start this childhood story: "You know, when I was kid, I crocheted...."  Only he didn't do it for pleasure. "... Oh! When I got into trouble, and usually that was very often, I would be punished with crochet!  While my friends played ball, I had to sit on the front stoop -- crocheting -- where they could all SEE me doing it!!"  I'd watch his face as he recalled these "punishing" sessions; he didn't look angry at the 'shame' of publicly looping yarn around a hook, rather he looked kinda peaceful.  "...and they would tease me," he'd add while reflecting.  "And you know what I said to them?" he'd ask all serious like, "I told them if they didn't stop that I'd kick all their ___!!"  And then he'd laugh and laugh.  "And I did too!  I kicked everyone of them that teased me!!"  Naturally I would always ask him if he'd like to do a stitch or two on my project, "What? So you could tease me too?" Clearly, he did not like to be teased, and no, I wouldn't have teased him.   I am so going to miss him!

Just one of the estimated 12,000 homes destroyed by the
Oklahoma Tornado. This house belongs to my cousins.

Oklahoma Tornado.  In 1995 the company I worked for sent me to Texas for two weeks of training. During the weekend I rented a car and drove to Oklahoma to spend a weekend with my Uncle John (Uncle Teddy's brother); the last time I had seen him I was just a young girl.  Uncle John served in the Army for both the Korean and Vietnam Wars earning the rank of Command Sergeant Major; and Uncle Teddy served in the  U.S. Air Force as a firefighting paratrooper during the Korean War.

While I was visiting with my uncle I met my 2nd cousin Alexis. She was just a young girl at the time; one of those sweet-things that you just want to bottle up and keep forever!  Although she doesn't know it (maybe if she reads this blog post she will now!), I really credit her sweetness for changing my mind about having kids; yes, she was THAT sweet! For years I had the crayon picture she drew for me hanging on my fridge, eventually replaced by pictures my own kids crafted. 

This week the home her mother and brother live lived in was destroyed by a huge tornado. We are absolutely delighted they are OK.  To help them during this difficult time, through Memorial Day, I am giving them all the proceeds from pattern sales through my Ravely store.  To those who already have, or would like to help me help them, I thank you!

And to all those, who served like my two wonderful uncles did, thank you!  Although you are gone, your dedication, service, and sacrifices for our Country is very much appreciated!