Question from Reader: Rose Wilder Lane Library Display?

Question: I saw that you/your guild had something to do with lace/crochet by Rose Wilder Lane from some library - which library was it and do they still have it on display?? (I read it from the crochet mag).
Thank you.
Hope you are well.
I saw your daughter has a crochet site of her own - she rocks!!
-Irene

Hi Irene,
The library display you read about in the July 2007 issue of Crochet! magazine took place last month at the Bethel Library here in Connecticut.

The display was dismantled at the beginning of this month (May), but you can see a picture of it, here, to the right. The doily was beautifully replicated by our Chapter President, Grace; it was designed by Laura Ingalls Wilder. The pattern can be found here (for free). Of course seeing the doily in person is just breathtaking! Hopefully it will be a ribbon-winner at the Eastern States Exposition come this fall!

The article mentioned that we also paid tribute to Rose Wilder Lane, as she, like her mother, was also a crocheter. Actually, Rose did more than just crochet -- and she was a local resident! -- so at the conclusion of the month-long display I donated two books to the Bethel library: The Women's Day Book of American Needlework, published in 1963, and (similar to the Little House on the Prairie series) Young Pioneers, first published in 1933. 

NOTE: For those who have the July 2007 issue of Crochet, you will only see the article mentioning the library display IF you are a Crochet Guild of America member. This is because the folks at Crochet! insert the CGOA's "Chain Link" newsletter right into the magazine! So, if you don't see a newsletter inserted inside your Crochet! magazine, then you're missing out! Consider joining the CGOA!

Thank you, Irene, for the compliment on my daughter's website. She has many youngsters (with their parents) visiting it and becoming excited about trying various fiber art forms.  I do need to update it as she's now 10. If you haven't already, check out her instructional video on how she creates crocheted bracelets. (can you tell I'm proud of her? {VBG})

You also inquired about my health -- actually, many have inquired as I've seemed to have "disappeared without explanation from blogging" again.  Add in that I did not attend the Massachusetts Sheep & Wool fair that took place last weekend; an event I rarely miss, and I can understand the concern!  My "MIA" status was with good reason!  My mother was visiting from out-of-state -- I will have pictures & stories to share in upcoming blog entries :)

Thanks for writing in!
~Dee     Tags: crochet, laura ingalls wilder, rose wilder lane, bethel, danbury, doily

On the Mend & Surprises

I love surprises.  As I've been recuperating from this stomach virus it was great to hear Mr. Dee announce that I had received a package in the mail.  I had to think back if there was anything I had recently ordered: Herrshners had a yarn sale, so did Patternworks.  AnniesAttic is having a huge sale, and Joanns is too. Did I bid on a new crochet hook, or pattern on eBay? Having recalled no recent shopping excursions I was even more excited about the package.

"Who is it from?" I asked him.  I wondered if it could be an advanced copy of a new book (coming out sometime in August) that some of my patterns will be in.  Guessing is always half the fun!

"It says  it's from 'Stein,'" he said as he handed me the package.

I looked at the return address and shouted, "IT'S FROM GUIDO!!"  OMG! This was a wonderful surprise!  Like a kid in a candy store getting the green light to eat whatever candy they wanted, I quickly opened up the package; all grins.

Guido, my pal from It's a Purlman, surprised me with the following goodies: a bag from the Boston "Bazaar Bizarre" and two books to help further inspire me with my knitting adventures: "Vogue Knitting Beginner Basics (on the go!) and "Knitting Rules" by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, aka "The Yarn Harlot."

Thank you, Guido!  This was a great way to end this week!  I've already started reading Stephanie's book and love the following excerpt:

"If you find a non-knitter who thinks what you do is clever, beautiful, and artistic; who never asks for knitted stuff but wears it with pride when you give it to him or her; and will help you carry home a whole fleece or stack of stitch dictionaries without once implying that you might want to get a grip -- marry that person."

I'm one of those lucky people who married such a "non-knitter."  Not only will he do all that, but he'll also endure making special trips to my favorite Chinese restaurant to buy me all the wonton soup I hanker for when I'm under the weather.  Tonight, however, he was more delighted that I asked for solid food -- the first time since Wednesday.   ;)

Going Green, Cont.

I am under the weather from a horrible stomach virus today and felt the need to cancel tomorrow's crochet class in Westport.  (The color green is a great metaphor of how I'm feeling.)  In the meantime, Christy had sent me an email about her "Going Green" crochet project, and with her blessing I've decided to post it as today's entry:

A few years ago I ran into the same problem with finding a replacement bag for my clothes pins. So...I used the same wire the original ripped bag was on. Tore it all off and used a double strand of multi-colored red heart. I used one of my Tunisian hooks and did a TSS for the hole thing. Nothing fancy..but it's held up for about 3-4 years now with minimal fading. I included a pic so you see my "green "creation. Oh the hooks you made at the conference. the larger one is an L (8MM). Thanks for letting me share my "green" creation. Amazing what we mom's can come up with in a pinch and with a little bit a yarn and a whole lot of imagination.

Christy and I met at the 2006 CGOA Conference and we're looking forward to seeing each other at this year's.  "TSS" stands for Tunisian Simple Stitch.  Thank you for sharing, Christy!!  :)   Tags: going green, crochet

Going Green ~ Hot Off the Hook

With the warmer weather finally arriving, it means an opportunity to "go green" by hanging out the laundry -- and saving some "green" too by not needing to run the dryer for hours on end.

My problem was the bag I kept my clothes pins in ... a gallon sized ziploc baggie.  Don't get me wrong, the plastic baggie did the job, but it couldn't hold up to long-term use -- nor multiple hands at one time (I'll explain that one later on).

So I went shopping for a clothes pin bag, you know, the kind made of cloth.  Problem was I discovered that nearly every store in the area is sold out;  clothes lines are on the scarce list too.  This is because many people are re-embracing hanging clothes out in the sunshine to reduce electrical bills AND to help save the earth.  As I returned home I decided to use yarn from my stash and create my own. 

How I designed my bag: 
Having decided to use fibers from my stash, I learned I did not have enough cotton, such as Sugar'nCream pictured on the left here.  So I looked around some more and decided to mix Caron's "One Pound" in creme, with a yellow and blue thick & thin cotton thread (no label available).  I decided upon these two fibers because:
A. Most bugs would rather dine on wool not acrylic
B. The cotton thread would help prevent stretching, and
C. The acrylic & cotton blend would dry rather quickly should the bag be accidentally left out during a rain storm. 
D.  It would be easy to hose off/wash should a bird decide to "poo" on it ...

Armed with the crochet hook I made last year at the National CGOA Conference (I really do need to measure it one of these days), I started with a few rows of single crochets, and then worked around using very tall linked stitches.  (Linked stitches are similar in technique to Tunisian.)  The reason I used the linked stitches was because I could shape as I worked around AND because there'd be little chance of a clothes pin falling out.

I attached the bag to a plastic clothes hanger using the "padded crochet" stitch, added some long stitches to close up the bag a bit and wha-la!  It was ready for it's maiden voyage.  I loaded it up with some 100 clothes pins with plenty of room for more! 

So, not only is it attractive (in my eyes), it will do the job intended.  Whoo hoo!  Oh, and that need for larger opening I mentioned earlier -- it's good for multiple hands.  Yes, we've made a sport of it with the kids, Mini~Dee & Dee Jr., to be involved in going green too.

How about you?  How have you made your life easier & greener with something you've crocheted?
Tags: crochet, laundry, green, clothes pin bag

Confession Time!

Forgive me; it's been, what? Four days, no, it's been five days since my last blog entry, and just about as many days of not responding to the many, many emails sitting in my IN box. This is because it's been a bit busy here at the CrochetWithDee household, and none of it (brace yourself!) has been crochet related. Egads! Yes, I know! I know! I'm already feeling the shame -- and the twitch -- of not working up one single crochet stitch. Ack!

We, my family and I, took some time off to enjoy life.  Our initial plan was to visit Rhode Island and go sailing along the coast.  But with weather forecasted to be wet & raw, we decided to hold off on that idea.  Instead we enjoyed spending time in the "Last Green Valley" -- a beautiful sight to see, and visited the Mashantucket Pequot Museum & Research Center.

One thing I learned from the Museum is what the Indians used as thread/string. Seemingly pretty gross but inventive if you ask me, is that it was made of animal intestines (otherwise they used thin strips of leather). Did the thought to crochet with intestines ever come in to my mind?  No!  But, if I were stuck for 39 days on some "Survivor TV Show" and had to, well now, that just might be a different story. heh heh heh

So, for now, I'm going to finish unpacking, get my crochet hook out and whip something up -- I've got that itch to get some stitches going! -- and to get us back to our regular blog postings.

CrochetCN is a Copyright Violator

The self-proclaimed "world's largest crochet website" is apparently just that.  But they forgot three words to their title.  So, I've taken the liberty to add them here: "world's largest crochet website violating copyright laws."  Sound the alarm!!

Now, I know, normally I don't post negative theme postings here, but this topic needs to be posted because it effects hundreds of people! 

This first came to light when I was alerted last week that this website had stolen my Crochet History essay from my CrochetWithDee.com website.  This means that they bypassed my "right click disabler" and ignored the fact that the word "copyrighted" is right on the material.  They knew they were stealing.

Upon further investigation of their website, it was discovered that they stole more than just my essay.  They deliberately stole hundreds, let me state that louder, HUNDREDS! of images from all over the Internet -- from designers, publishers, people's blogs, websites & flickr accounts and such.  They've also stolen many crochet related articles -- from myself as I stated just moments ago, from the Crochet Guild of America, and from many, many more people.  Although my image here says "Copyrighted Patterns," their website does not have any.  Instead, they're offering to mass-produce these copyrighted materials.  Kinda makes you feel queasy doesn't it?

Don'tlet them get away with it!  If you have any type of crochet related work hosted on the Internet, you might want to visit the site and see if any of YOUR work is there.  Then, if there is, contact them and demand they take it down!  

I don't want to give the website a link to make search engines boost it's popularity, so to visit this website and search for your own material, type in the name from this blog entry title and add the dot com part.  If you find someone else's work, notify that person.

-------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: July 13, 2008:  It seems CrochetCN is back at it again!  After contacting them last year about violating my copyright, they took the page down.  When they thought I wouldn't notice, they stuck it back on their site.  This really makes me angry!  Are they not capable of having an original thought, researching and writing their own theory on the history of crochet?! 

I sent them another notice to take my material down.  If they don't, then I will be billing them for $150,000 for damages.

Many thanks to Jane for the alert.

-------------------------------------------------------------

UPDATE: July 16, 2008: In recent days I have been asked by others who have also found their material illegally posted on the CrochetCN site how I managed to contact the violator and demand to have my material removed from the site. 

In 2007 I emailed them at this address: china-crochet@163.com
This time, on July 13th 2008, I used their FEEDBACK link that can be found at the bottom of their website.  Prior to sending it, I copied the content of my message and emailed it to myself along with the URL of the offending page.

Taopyright violation, copyright violator, crochet

Tags: crochetcn, copyright, violator, thieves, theft, stealing, 2007, 2008

Coats & Clark Official Press Release

I'm not sure how I got on the e-mailing list for the official press release, but I do think it's pretty cool that I am  (do you think they found out about yesterday's blog entry??)   :)

Here's the Coats & Clark Official Press Release I just received:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Contact:  Phyllis Howe

Coats & Clark/Media Relations

917.847.7377

Kassie DePaiva, ABC Daytime TV Star and Recording Artist To Host New Knitting & Crochet Show

Fall 2007 on PBS

Candice Jensen Productions has announced the fall launch of a new TV show, Knit and Crochet Today, which has been underwritten by Coats & Clark, the manufacturer of Red Heart Yarns. Devoted exclusively to the art and craft of knitting and crochet, the show is a 30-minute homage to two of the craft world’s most popular pastimes. American Public Television has picked up the show and they have received confirmation that   41% of the PBS markets that were polled, including 12 of the top 20 markets, are intending to run the show.  In addition, the show will be seen on the CREATE network, a public television network that runs how-to, DIY, and other instructional programming from the libraries of PBS and American Public Television, nationwide. “This is confirmation from the PBS stations that this show fills an existing need in the top markets”, said Ms. Jensen.

Described as a “how-to show in an entertainment format,” the show will feature projects and techniques from experts in   knitting and crochet, as well as field pieces and human-interest stories.  Well- known designers such as Kaffe Fassett, Brandon Mably and Kristin Nicholas will be featured along with editors from leading magazines such as Vogue Knitting and Crochet Today.  

 

To aid in reaching and teaching the huge US audience of knitting and crochet enthusiasts, the show has enlisted the help of one of daytime TV’s most popular stars, the Emmy-nominated Kassie DePaiva.  Ms. DePaiva, who plays the popular character “Blair” on ABC-TV’s daytime drama, One Life to Live, is well versed in the craft of crochet and, as a beginning knitter, she is an ideal voice for others who are on the learning curve.

On May 22nd, Kassie DePaiva will release “I Want To Love You," her third cd, and she will co-host and perform on The View the same day. Recorded in New York, "I Want To Love You" showcases the star's beautiful, country-style vocals on a variety of upbeat bluegrass-inspired tunes.

 

Kassie’s wide appeal was not lost on the management team at Coats & Clark.  “We are thrilled to have Kassie on board,” said John Laurie, President of Coats North America.    “She brings an excitement to the show that will attract all levels, and ages, ofknit and crochet fans.”

 

That’s no small number, either.  The Craft Yarn Council of America estimates that over50 million people know how to knit and/or crochet – and the growth among the younger segment of the market has been climbing at an astonishing pace.  The popularity of these crafts has also been aided by the number of celebrities who have openly endorsed them by knitting and crocheting in public. When people such as Julia Roberts and Cameron Diaz pick up their knitting needles and crochet hooks, fans tend to take notice and interest quickly mounts.

Knit & Crochet Today is being produced by Candice Jensen Productions. Ms. Jensen, a nationally recognized designer and published author, is the show’s creative consultant as well. Westminster Fibers, distributor of many fine yarns, including the Rowan and Nashua brands, provided the host wardrobe.  Knit & Crochet Today will be available on PBS stations, nationwide, in the Fall of 2007.

Tags: coats & clark press release, knit & crochet today show, crochet

Knit & Crochet Today: May 22nd

On May 22, Kassie DePaiva, soap star from "One Life to Live" will cohost on ABC's "The View."  Kassie, known to be an impassioned crocheter, will be the host of the new PBS program, "Knit & Crochet Today," produced by Candice Jensen Productions and underwritten by Coats & Clark. It is reported that almost half of PBS Stations polled will air the 30 minute show starting this fall. While cohosting on "The View" on May 22nd, she will talk about the new Knit & Crochet Today show and debut songs from her new album, I want to Love You.  

Kassie has brought attention to the League for the Hard of Hearing by crocheting and selling unique "Happy Hats" and donating all the proceeds.  You can read her interview about her crocheting abilities and her inspiration on why she creates the hats on AnniesAttic.  (The article first appeared in the November 2005 issue of Crochet! magazine)

I've already sent several emails to my local PBS station requesting they pick up the show, have you?  :)
Tags: knit & Crochet Today Show, Coats & Clark, The View

Happy Mother's Day! :)

Tags: crochet, mother's day

Woolhoo: I Won!

I love contests, and having had several here at CrochetingWithDee.com, I do love the reactions of the "OMG! Me?!!" and "Whoohoo(s)!" when I announce the winners.  Now it's my turn to be on the receiving end! {{VBG}}

Since writing my blog entry about the Connecticut Sheep & Wool Fiber Festival, I've been curious what others thought about it too.  To find out, I used the Technorati website/search engine to find other blog entries using key words like "CT Sheep & Wool" and "Connecticut Sheep & Wool."  Delightfully, I found several all stating the same thing as I did -- that it's not a big event, but it is one worth checking out (and whetting the appetite for the much larger Sheep & Wool events).

So in exploring all the blogs I saw one blog had announced they were having a contest -- it was one of the vendors!  The contest stated to send them an email and tell them what color the building was that they were in at the recent CT Sheep & Wool.  I decided to give it a try, and not only was my answer correct, but then when they did a random drawing of all the correct responses -- I won!  Whoohoo!  Check out what I picked as my prize: "Dark amber flat disc buttons with subtly shimmering heathery swirls" hand made by Glastonbury Glassworks!    Woolhoo indeed!  :D
Tags: crochet, ct sheep & wool, connecticut sheep & wool, glastonbury glassworks, contest

Question From Reader: Beginner Garment Help

Dear Dee,

I recently purchased the book "So Simple Crochet" by Melody Griffiths because I am a new crocheter and want to try making items other than scarves.

There is a pattern in the book called "Shimmery Tank Top" that I'm thinking of making since it looks like it's made out of double crochets.  Can you tell me how to change yarn colors, and how would I substitute the Sirdar Duet that the pattern calls for to use something else? Also how do I figure out if it will be comfortable to wear?
Thanks!
Your blog fan,
Allison

Hi Allison,
I love getting to know who my readers are; thank you for contacting me with your questions about changing colors, yarn substitutions, and figuring out if an item will be comfortable to wear.

First, let me state that upon reading your email I checked my personal library and found I do have this book!  The tank top you mentioned looks like it would be a fairly easy project -- a great project for a beginner crocheter to try!  So, let's start with your first question: How do you change colors?

I think the best way to change colors is to crochet your pattern stitches until you get to the very last stitch required with the old color.  Begin that last stitch with the old color until you come to the point of the very last yarn over ... instead of yarning over with the old color, you'll want to yarn over with the new.  Once you pull the yarn over with the new color through the loops on your hook you're ready to start crocheting!  Leave long tails (4" -6") to weave in later.  Anniesattic.com has little video clips you can watch on your PC for free -- including on how to change fibers as I just described.

Moving on to question #2: How to substitute yarn.  If you look at the pattern, it will give you a gauge.  It is very important that crocheters work up at least one swatch to ensure they're meeting the required gauge to ensure the garment will fit.  This means, Allison, that you can use whatever fiber you'd like as long as you meet the gauge required for your project!

And this leads me to the answer for your third question: How do you know it will be comfortable to wear?  Ah -- the swatch holds the answer!  I just stated moments ago that you should work up at least one swatch, but really, I recommend creating two!  The first swatch will act as your control.  As you are working it up, take note if you like the way the fiber feels slipping through your fingers and looping over your hook.  If you're not happy with the feel at this point in the project, then pick another fiber to try.  We crocheters tend to finish projects with fibers that make our fingers happy!

Second, work up that second swatch I strongly recommend and then "beat it up!"  Throw it in the washer/dryer for a few cycles and then, since you're a girl, tuck it under your bra strap for a few hours.  The second swatch will tell you how well the fibers held up, the color fastness, AND if it will be comfortable against your skin!  If you're not happy with the results, then pick another fiber and try again.  If you are happy with the swatch results then you made a great choice!

Happy stitching,
~Dee

Gardening Daydreams

The children and I visited our local nursery to pick out various items to grow in our re-claimed garden bed.  As we strolled around looking at everything from seed packets to bricks (and everything in-between!) I allowed my mind to daydream just a bit about exploring two crochet theme categories:  one is mac-cro-mé (the blending of crochet and macramé), and the other crocheted veggies.

First, I was thinking that the mac-cro-mé  might come in handy in creating a sort of trellis for when the tomatoes grow big and heavy.  Of course since the plants are only a few inches high, exploring these thoughts can wait a bit.  I decided to let my thoughts wonder over to the other category: crocheted veggies.

Growing items by seed or startlings can be quite rewarding.  But, being one that has not quite acquired a totally green thumb yet, I know I'm going to need all the help I can get in determining what is planted where -- and what is and what is not a weed.  So, I was thinking that perhaps some crocheted veggies might work well as a "labeling" system.  (Surely I am not alone in thinking this, right?) I was thinking a crocheted carrot, corn, tomatoes, eggplant, squash and so on, would look great, and if made out of cotton, would last a few seasons (and might I add, also be machine washable for winter storage).  Of course something like the veggies created by LadyLinoleum could also be helpful in keeping an "eye" on the deer & birds who might want to munch on my tender plantlings & fruits of labor ...

... but thanks to Astaryth, I just might want to also keep a snake around too, you know, to keep tabs on the field mice population ...

Whatever I decide, I know it will feel great to have the crochet hook back in my hands ... just a few more days ... just a few more days ...  :D

Tags: crochet vegetables, garden

Roughing It

This weekend I have been outside with the family, working to reclaim our garden that we abandoned some 10 years ago. As we cut, yanked, pulled, and dug out roots to the world's toughest choker vines and weeds, I began to have thoughts of grabbing my largest crochet hook and crocheting the various vines into some unknown project.  I'm sure I could have, but with my tender hands now looking like they belong to a lumber jack, I quickly set those thoughts aside. Perhaps another day I'll explore crocheting with young timber, but not right now.

I've also had to place my crocheting with unspun silk onto the back burner because of how roughed-up my hands have become.  To do so right now would be pointless; the silk would just stick to my hands rather than become the whisper of stitches they desire to be.  So I'll need to wait at least a week before my hands are back to their normal  "tender" selves. 

In the meantime, Christy inquired as to where one would purchase Silk Hankies to crochet with.  Per my conversation with the folks from "A Touch of Twist," the very same folks I purchased my silk hankies from at the CT Sheep & Wool Fiber Festival, they reported that they'll be at the CGOA Conference this summer.  However, I do not see them listed on the vendors list (yet), so those interested may want to contact them directly. 

I also checked on ebay.  If you do a search using keywords: "spin silk hankie" some listings should appear.  Christy also inquired about how much the hankies cost.  They're sold by weight, and you can get several "hankies" within a given "dye lot."  I bought several "dye lots" weighing .02 ounces for $1.44 each. (Note: the darker the color, the more the dye -- so you may not get as many hankies for a darker colored lot!)  Since I purchased my hankies at the Sheep & Wool Festival I did not have to absorb shipping costs.  (which BTW, the USPS is raising their shipping rates on May 14th!)

So, after I "deep condition" my hands tonight, I have plans of sketching various projects I have dancing in my head.  One is a bag that is being donated to the Helping Handbags Silent Auction to benefit the Needle Arts Mentoring Program of the Helping Hands Foundation, Inc.  The auction proceeds will go to the non-profit organization to help spread the needle arts all over America.  The other project I have planned is for the "crochet exchange" that takes place at the Conference.  This should be fun!  :D

Tags: crochet, crochet summer conference, cgoa, silk hankies, sheep & wool, connecticut, new hampshire

Smokin' Hot: Crocheting with Unspun Silk

The following image is what is currently on my (new) Grafton Fibers crochet hook: ripple pattern #81, "Ocean Spray" from the "200 Ripple Stitches" book I mentioned on Wednesday. I love how the unspun silk looks like smoke -- that's when you know crocheting is hot! (lol)

As I draft each hankie for directly crocheting with, I love the "thick & thin" texture --and with how airy the stitches feel. The colors, a mixture of three different hand-dyed hankies, also seem to be in harmony with Spring.  :) 

Tags: crochet, unspun silk, silk hankie

A Tension, Please! :)

I've received several requests for help this week all on the same issue: tension! So I thought that perhaps discussing it here would help others too.

Technically, in crochet, tension is the balancing act we perform when each yarn over or loop is created with our hook.  Put the "death grip" on the hook, or on the "feed" of the yarn, and your stitches unhappily shrink. Or worse, yank yarn away from completed stitches to ensure they're "taught" and we wind up with a much smaller than usual stitch.  Or, keep the "feed" as loose as a goose and the stitches become very deformed.

So how do we deal with our (a)tension issues?  First, stay relaxed. Try not to crochet in environments that will effect your emotions -- such as crocheting during the evening news; your tension will change with each story they report!

Second, ensure you're lifting the crochet hook UP off your work with each loop you "pull up."  If each stitch is created with the hook resting against the side of the work already created, then the stitch is going to be a bit tight -- and squat!  This usually means you'll end up needing to create additional rows, and using more fiber. Remember to lift, lift, lift!! that crochet hook up.  The more you lift, the taller your stitch will be -- and also more relaxed!  To see this in action, watch this anniesattic.com clip -- look how nice & high the loop is pulled up!

And while we're on the topic of squat stitches, if you're a "yanker" -- break that habit!  If you're yanking your yarn after each stitch is created then you are robbing your stitches of the fiber needed to help them stand proud and tall!  How much of a difference can it make?  Well, take heed from a lady I helped awhile ago ... she was crocheting a shawl that called for two balls of mohair.  She came to me when she was on her 6th ball and was at the halfway point of her project.  I asked her to crochet some stitches while I watched and bing! I knew instantly what the problem was. Once I pointed out to her that she was a yanker, short changing, her stitches, it made a world of difference!

Sometimes it's hard to see if we're short-changing our stitches, so I recommend having a cro-friend or teacher observe our stitching technique.  If you don't have such a person available, most digital cameras have built in videoing options -- video your hands in action and then watch the video.  As you watch, remember that the (a)tension you put into your technique is well worth the effort!

If your tension is "loose as a goose," well that just means you haven't learned the balancing act yet.  Keep at it, try different holding techniques (both yarn & hook), and practice, practice, practice.  Eventually it will all fall into place!  :) Tags: crochet, tension, gauge

Coffee, Crochet & Chat

We had a fantastic morning at our local Borders bookstore this morning.  I have been waiting for this day since last week when the book, "200 Ripple Stitches" arrived from Amazon ... it's a book that Priscilla has been raving about for awhile now on her blog; and I finially, gladly, succombed to peer pressure. (heh heh heh) So I was excited to see Priscilla and show her how her enthusiasm for the various ripples have "infected" my work. 

Of couse she had a huge smile upon learning this.  "See Dee," she said with laugh, "I told you it's addictive!"  I replied, "I'm not complaining; I'm having fun experimenting. It's just when I'm up late at night thinking I should try this one or that one ..."  She knew exactly what I was saying!  We're both addicts of the 200 Ripple Stitches!  :}

New in joining us for our "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" session was Lynne.  She found us through the International Freeform group and we were delighted she did!  We chatted about Freeform crochet, and then she showed us the earrings she's working on (pattern featured in the latest issue of Crochet Today magazine).  It was a pleasure to meet Lynne and now I'm looking forward to seeing her, and her finished earrings, next month!

Our newest HHCC member, Kathy, also joined in on the fun this morning.  Upon arriving you could just tell she was excited to share her latest creation with us -- she finished her first crocheted garment for herself!  A tank top!  She did a really great job. (I believe she said the pattern was featured on the Lion Brand website.)

If you find yourself in the Brookfield, Connecticut, area on the first Wednesday of any given month, come and join us!  There's two sessions for our Coffee, Crochet & Chats -- I'm usually at the morning one that runs from 10:00 AM - Noon.  The evening session runs from 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM.  It's a great way to connect with others who enjoy crocheting!  :)  Tags: coffee crochet & chat, connecticut, borders, crochet