Great Advice: Crochet Loosely

I know that many newbie crocheters tend to crochet a bit tightly, and sometimes we need a little reminder to loosen up a bit ... perhaps this diddy sung by Kori Keck will serve as a great reminder: 

(listen, you really don't want me to sing -- with or without the cold congestion I've been fighting)

Under the Weather

I'm a bit under the weather ... have been since late Thursday.  And, while on the topic of the weather, I'm also playing phone tag with my father's home insurance provider: the big rain/wind storm we're experiencing today brought down a massive tree onto his home.  Fortunately he wasn't home when it happened, but it did leave behind a huge mess!  The tree width is about the size of a pickup truck.  When it rains, it pours, right?

While I'm headed back over to "camp couch" to take it easy (& possibly get some crochet stitches in), I thought I'd leave you all with this interesting article ... you know, just in case you were wondering if crochet is still in fashion or not (it is!):

Craft couture: A whole new take on handiwork

UPDATE: Here's a little video clip to give an idea how massive the tree was:

Storm brings down massive tree

60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge Update

Where are we on the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge? 

Thus far we have Sheila over at Needles and Hooks with five completed scarves; she's been busy rooting for the Tigers to win the World Series.  Go Tigers!  Go Sheila! :)

Melanie at My Crochet and Ramblings journal, pledges to create at least one scarf for the challenge; I've seen pictures of people crocheting while riding on the back of motorcycles.  I wonder if she's tried crocheting while riding in her Rhino with her hubby?  Melanie will have to let us know sometime.

Priscilla over at By Hook or Needles, sent in a pink scarf to the Think Pink Challenge helping bring that scarf drive count up to 550 scarves!  Awesome!  Plus Priscilla states she'll be making more for our local CGOA Chapter's drive; I think that's great!

I have a couple on & off the hook too, so we're starting to make progress in reaching the 60 Scarves in 60 Days goal.  This means with 35 more days left to this challenge, we have a dozen scarves towards reaching the challenge; we need more -- we need you!  

If you would like to participate, please send me an email, or leave a comment here so we can add your total in!  Remember: what makes this challenge so great is that all skill levels can participate and it benefits YOUR local community!  You decide which charity will benefit from your handwork!  Join us! :)
 

When Simple Crochet Goes Missing

What happens when your yarn stash starts to overtake your pattern book stash?  I wonder this as I spend time searching high & low for one particular pattern book this afternoon.  Naturally, I would testify in an open court that I had Erika Knight's Simple Crochet in my pattern book collection, but for the life of me I can only locate another book similar in title: Melody Griffiths' book, So Simple Crochet. 

Hmmm ...  Where could it be?  Did I lend it out?  Did I take it on a fiber adventure and forget to bring it back home?  Is it tucked away with one of my WIPs?  Is it possible that I had meant to purchase it but never did -- tucking the thought that I had in the back of my mind so I can spin my wheels searching for something I didn't purchase?  I shudder at that scary thought! I'm sure I had added it to my pattern collection a long while ago, when it was first hot off the printing press -- I vividly recall leisurely leafing through the pages and really loving the crocheted leather pillow (along with other projects she has featured) in the book, and in fact this is what is driving me to locate it.  I wonder where I put it?

Of course while I'm searching for the book I can think of another tedious task I could be spending the time on ... of which, admittedly, I have!  ... you too? 

Sounds Like Dee Learned a Valuable Lesson

The meeting with the publisher went well yesterday, and this means that I'll be having fun creating more new designs.  As I toyed with a design concept the other night, I learned something about myself:  I can crochet nearly anywhere, nearly anytime.  But this is not true when I'm attempting to design something!

There I was, sitting next to Mr. Dee, with hook and fiber in hand.  Beside me were my hand-drawn concepts ready to become a possible fiber reality; next to Mr. Dee was the television remote.  As I was attempting to design a special project, he was getting into watching the World Series.

Normally listening to the television in the late evening hours is not a problem when I'm crocheting.  The sound emitting from the television is as much as a distraction as one would could say the color of the paint on the walls is.  It's a non-issue; it doesn't invade upon my creative process.

But on that night it did.  The constant cheering/roaring from the crowd, the crack of the bat, and the yelling by the announcers was a distraction.  It was such a distraction that I eventually had to put my work down until control over the television remote was relinquished.  Once the programming channel was changed the creative thoughts returned; I was once again happily crocheting my concept.

"...passion encourages knowledge, but skill develops only with patience."
          ~Annie Modesitt, Hooked A Crocheters Stash of Wit and Wisdom

On that night I learned that I apparently like the roller coaster (up & down) sounds stemming from "story" programming over that of the continuous spaceship launch roaring coming from sport channels when I'm designing.  When I'm crocheting "mindlessly" it's not an issue.  When I'm designing it is.  Has this ever happened to you?

Hmmm.  I guess Mom was right all those years ago when I was a child; she'd warn me that it's difficult to concentrate on homework when you are sitting directly in front of the TV.   ;-)

Butterfly Flutters

I'm off to meet with a publisher today. I have that butterfly flutter (in the stomach) feeling and I love it.  I've always loved that feeling. I'd get that feeling when I'd start a new school, move to a new location, start a new job. That feeling signals to me that a new adventure, a new experience awaits exploring.

Many times I get that feeling when I pick up a skein of yarn. Those butterflies start fluttering their wings and then the creative juices start flowing. Sometimes those butterflies have to be placed on hold because other priorities come first.  But when I do let them loose it becomes an amazing fiber adventure for me. I really enjoy those moments of creating that first slip knot and working the first chains of the project.  Then as each stitch slips off my hook with that last yarn over, the magic of creating fabric with my own two hands is incredible.  It's the "Wow! I made that!" moment; if you're new to crocheting, watch out!  These feelings are, IMHO, addicting!  :)

Sometimes though, I feel that my butterflies can be manipulated. For instance, my sweet hubby asked me yesterday to create something specific for him -- a CD carrier. He said, "I know your talents; I know it would be nothing for you to whip something up. Can you do this for me?"  Ah, he's tempting my butterflies with a challenge!  I felt it ... a little flutter!  In my mind I already see the yarn, the hook, the stitches.  I see the work in progress, the finishing touches.  In the end I also see a happy husband.

Unfortunately I do not have the time right now to instantly give in to my butterflies.  Between the various charity drives (one being my own "60 Scarves in 60 Days") and working on pieces for future publication, time is an issue.  Fortunately he didn't say when he'd like his CD carrier to be created.  As I see it, I have the option of reining in those butterflies to release at another time, or to pass my butterflies on to Mini-Dee and ask her if she'd like to feel the butterlies flutter by taking on this challenge on for her Dad.  I'm betting she will.  :)

NY Sheep & Wool Festival

What started out as a gray and cold autumn day turned out to be a day rich in color, textures and warmth.  We're talking about the annual Sheep & Wool Festival held in Rhinebeck, NY.

Rhinebeck is about 60 miles or so away and it took us about 90 minutes to get there.  We arrived early in the morning when there was still a chill in the air and plenty of "front row" parking.  (Later we would appreciate the "front row" parking as many people forced to park in the back fields sank into the deep mud caused by all the rain we've been having.  Those poor folks needed to be pulled out of the mud by tractor!)

My goal in attending this year was to stock up on a lot of angora and mohair in a deep, rich chocolately brown colors.  Last year these two fibers were aplenty as lace (knitted) was a huge selling point.  Sadly, I should have loaded up last year as there was barely any to be found this year-- and if either were -- the color was way off.  I only saw variegated, blues or purples, no rich browns. 

What was a big selling point were the felting supplies and kits.  I nearly purchased a pumpkin felting kit but then thought, "When would I have the time to do it?"  Now watch, next year, I'll want to make it & it won't be available.  LOL 

With the sun out and warming the autumn air, my children had a great time in petting all the animals, catching the live entertainment, rock collecting, pumpkin painting, and venturing into the haunted tunnel.  They dragged their poor Dad everywhere (he was such a good sport!) while I hunted for potential supply "adoptees."

I bumped into members from my CGOA Chapter, members from the New York City Crochet Guild, and from the International Freeform Group.  It was like a family reunion; I loved it!

I came home with some designer yarns and new pins -- Oh! I was sooooo delighted that one vendor, The Rams Horn, remembered from last year when I told him I needed some more crochet pins formy hat!  He created a few and I got there early enough to get one!  (see last picture)  I also got a pin that says "Lost in Fiber Space."  That's sooo true!

By far, this year's event was attended by many, many more than in the past!  If I had to put a figure on it (basing it on the crowd at the recent NYC Knit Out & Crochet Too event) I'd say at least 50,000 people were there yesterday.  I'm sure with the rain holding off thus far for today, that they were just as busy today as they were yesterday. But crowds aside, I'm looking forward to attending again next year.  :)