Friday, January 30, 2004

My Scarf: An Eye Catcher

Yesterday I did some errands around town.  I was wearing a scarf I crocheted using ribbon yarn together with a sparce eye lash yarn.  Both in the color spectrum of cream with a hint of sparkling gold.  (I used a "N" hook and an open stitch).

No matter where I went yesterday I was stopped so people could examine the scarf.  Many were surprised to learn that it was crocheted and not knitted.  They said they thought that "high end looking scarves are knitted" -- I'm glad they had an opportunity to see that crochet can be too! :)

Monday, January 26, 2004

New Page Added: What's in a Name

I'm delighted to announce the addition of another page to my website.  It started as an innocent question from my daughter, but I thought the question was one that other's may be asking too.  So I did a little research, did a little asking around, and think many will benefit from the answer.  (Especially those that are doing term/research papers for school/college!)

I hope it helps! :)

Friday, January 23, 2004

Classes: Feb/March 2004

With the amount of phone calls and emails I've been receiving I can tell that everyone is just as excited as I am that I'll be resuming teaching classes and workshops in February!  Thank you for all the encouragement and support you all gave me while I was resting my wrist.

I will be dropping off the class proposals at Michaels Arts & Crafts, and at the Craft Basket later on today.  Knit Together already has been mailing out the class schedule (to get on their mailing list, contact them; they'd be happy to hear from you!)  I plan on getting my schedule to A Stitch in Time by early next week (if not sooner!).

Then comes the fun part of writing all the html code to list all the classes on my website... I think you'll be pleased.  Along with some favorites, there will be new stitches to learn, and new workshops to enjoy! :)

Stay tuned!

Wednesday, January 21, 2004

Experimenting: Crochet Trim


Alright, I couldn't stand it any longer and just had to (carefully) crochet something or I'd simply go mad!  (LOL)

So I took the flannel wrap I picked up at the Dress Barn (a local clothing store for women) and decided to add crochet trim to it.

I searched through my stash, and searched, and searched.  I had many types of yarn picked out, but decided upon Berroco's "Zap" -- a type of furry yarn in a blend of colors from green to purple. 

Since the wrap already had a very simple crochet trim by the manufacturer, I decided to crochet right over it using a series of single crochets and chains.  The first row I did using an "H" hook as I had to be able to get into the loops already there; the second row I bumped the hook size up to a "K."

With the two rows done, I sat and "fluffed" my fur.  I thought for sure my husband would reference me to being a cat preening itself ((grins)), but he didn't.  Instead he said he thought it was interesting that I'd add crochet trim to a purchased item to customize it, and he liked it.

Now this morning I have the wrap on (to keep warm while I wait for the heat to kick on), and the furry trim feels so luscious.

I'm delighted that I was able to crochet for a short while without placing strain on my wrist; returning to crochet at the end of the month looks promising.  (Yea!)

I hope you have fun experimenting with adding crochet to your store-bought goodies too. :)

 

Tuesday, January 20, 2004

New Webpage Added: Crochet Contests

Being unable to crochet has really left me with time to update my website, and I'm happy to announce a new page that I've added that lists information on various Crochet Contests.  I plan to update the page each time I hear of a new contest.

You can help me keep it current too -- if you know of a contest, please let me know about it so I can add it.

...and should you decide to enter and win, please feel free to share your good news with me! :) 

Monday, January 19, 2004

One-Handed Crochet

It's been just a few weeks since I've updated my One-Handed Crochet page and I am delighted that many of you have choosen to email me and let me know how much you appreciate the information.

I just updated the page again with a book recommendation.  ...just as soon as my wrist is feeling 100% I'm going to tackle trying one-handed crochet myself and hope to cronicle my failures and successes.  Anything I create while learning will be donated to a local charity.

Thanks again for sharing your thoughts; please keep them coming.  :)

Sunday, January 18, 2004

New Page Added: Types of Crochet

I'm so happy!  After months of compiling information on the various types of crochet, I finally put it all together to create a new webpage that I hope will be helpful to everyone.  Of course, there may be some types that I missed, or that I haven't heard of yet.  If you want to help me add more types of crochet to the list, or go a bit further in it's definition, please let me know!  Thanks!

Thursday, January 15, 2004

WIPs (Works in Progress)

I've been slowed down by injuring my wrist with excessive crochet prior to the Holidays ... but I hope to catch up on my projects soon.  They are:  a knitted bag (I've been asked to add crochet to it); baby items for a new niece to be; 3 scarves for my son's teachers; and an oversized (heavy) modular sweater for myself.  I hope to be back up to full speed by the end of the month so I can get these items done, and resume teaching crochet.

What Works in Progress are you working on?