Owning a Piece of Grammie

On Wednesday, as I was driving to our local "Coffee, Crochet & Chat" session, held at Borders in Danbury, Connecticut, I saw a pretty new vehicle -- in the color of burnt orange. Hmmmm. Didn't I just days prior see one in avacado green and think that was pretty too?? Now I'm thinking, whoa! Wait a minute! Burnt Orange?! Avocado Green?! Are those not the two main colors from the 1970s we've been avoiding like the plague ever since? ... have you noticed these two colors creeping boldly into today's yarn lines???

Aside from mixing these two colors together, many crocheters tend to shy away from the Granny Square. And the reason is because it seems everyone, especially the Press, associates crochet with being *JUST* granny squares. Of course, we crocheters know crochet is much, much more than that!!

With thoughts of crochet's yesteryear, I decided to bring in for Show-N-Tell something my cousin Kim recently gifted to me. It was a little "sample" of granny squares crocheted by my Grammie Gloria back in the 1970s! Kim's note read, "Gloria crocheted these squares back in the 1970s. The blanket was so HUGE when she gave it to me it was really NEVER used. Gloria said to "...give it to Goodwill." Now how could I do that after all the EFFORT? So I decided to share with you all -- so ... do with them as you like."

Kim had disassembled the huge afghan, divided it up, crocheted a boarder around each new section to create lap-ghans, then sent them to various family members. Now I'm the proud owner of actual crochet stitches lovingly made by my Grammie! (see picture to the right)

As I am not one who uses lap-ghans, I am thinking of one day disassembling it further to make two throw pillows for my bed. As they are shades of pink, I think they'll fit right in. Of course I'm not going to admit to it in public, but yes, I'm kindasorta still digging the colors from the 1980s (pinks & greens). -- If I wait long enough, maybe they'll come back into fashion like the burnt orange and avocado green from the 1970s. And granny squares never go out of style. After all, they're classics!

The Great Commute

I moved! Whoot! Whoot! ... off the kitchen table! Funny how you invest in a really nice desk, have kids, and then find yourself looking for a new work location due to 4 precious words, "Mom! I have homework!!" For the past two years I have been working from the kitchen table.

Now, I know there is nothing wrong with working from the kitchen table, as many wonderful people do so! But I think it was more than time I attempt to recarve out a "professional space" to work from home at.

Naturally, when you live in a small home with three other people, it is much like living in New York City, or any other major metropolitan area -- real estate is at an all time premium. I hear what you're thinking, "But Dee, didn't you say your Dad is going to let you build a studio in his basement?" And the answer to that is yes. And he is working on it, trying to solve a water issue that appeared after some heavy rain storms this past spring. So, back to carving out a small workspace for me here ...

It turns out my local Target store was blowing out (i.e., had on clearance) some simple desks. Not too big, not too "heavy looking" ... I left the store without it. Then this past Sunday, after attending my local CGOA Chapter meeting, I stopped by Target again. And bought the desk.

Some may think it isn't such a big deal to move off a kitchen table to an actual work space, but for me, I'm looking forward to the commute. ;)

Crochet Classes @ The Village Sheep!

I am delighted to announce I will be teaching local crochet classes at The Village Sheep located in Washington Depot, Connecticut, this fall! To reserve your seat, please contact Maggie at 860.868.9276.

Please contact me if you have any questions about any class(es) you are interested in.

~Dee

Crochet Cap: Crocheting-in-the-Round
Have you crocheted a circle that ended up looking like an ameba, or have it accidentally "cup?" In this class participants will work on crocheting a simple fall/winter hat while learning the rules of crocheting in the round. Participants should know the basics of crochet, such as foundation chains and single crochet stitches.
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate
When: Thursday, September 30, 2010Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies

Pattern will be provided to participants.

One-Piece Mittens
Learn to crochet perfect fitting mittens even the beginner crocheter can create! Perfect for gift-giving!
Skill Level: Easy
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies

Pattern formula will be provided to participants.

Beautiful Crochet Trims
Have you ever wondered how to add crochet trim to your knit work? Figuring out the hook size, and how many stitches will become a breeze after attending this class. Participants will need to bring with them at least 2 knitted (or crocheted) squares of at least 8" in size to practice on, as well as a variety of crochet hooks. Participants may bring with them any crochet trim pattern book they'd like to have help with.

Skill Level: Easy
When: Saturday, October 9, 2010Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies

Tumbling Cluster Scarf
What happens when crochet stitches are stacked and linked? It creates a very unique looking fabric with “soft & springy” stitches! In this class participants will learn the trick of linking clustered stitches to create a scarf both rich in texture and style!
Skill Level: Easy/Intermediate
When: Friday, October 22, 2010Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies

Dee's popular "Tumbling Clusters Autumn Scarf" pattern will be provided to participants.

Crochet 101: The Absolute Beginner
Right handed? Left handed? More experienced as a knitter but need to know how to crochet in order to add those perfect touches to your projects? If you've answered yes, then this is the class for you! This class is designed with the absolute beginner in mind: learn how to properly start your work, the importance of the foundation chain, how to create the single crochet, how to count stitches, how to build on your work to create wonderful fabric, and how to properly end off. Everything you need to know to properly start your journey into the world of crochet!
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner
When: Tuesday, November 2, 2010Time: 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies **student will need a how-to crochet book/booklet**


Crochet 101: The Absolute Beginner
Right handed? Left handed? More experienced as a knitter but need to know how to crochet in order to add those perfect touches to your projects? If you've answered yes, then this is the class for you! This class is designed with the absolute beginner in mind: learn how to properly start your work, the importance of the foundation chain, how to create the single crochet, how to count stitches, how to build on your work to create wonderful fabric, and how to properly end off. Everything you need to know to properly start your journey into the world of crochet!
Skill Level: Absolute Beginner
When: Sunday, November 7, 2010Time: 11:00 PM- 1:00 PM
Cost: $25 plus supplies **student will need a how-to crochet book/booklet**

Tunisian-on-the-Short
Tunisian crochet is traditionally created with a long crochet hook. But what if you could make your stitches vertically rather than horizontally? We're talking about linking stitches together to create beautiful stitches on the fly for a solid fabric or for adding an interesting design accent to any work/pattern! NOTE: This class was sold out at the 2009 & 2010 CGOA Summer Conferences.
Skill Level: Intermediate/Advanced
When: Sunday, November 7, 2010Time: 2:00 PM- 4:00 PM
Cost: $30 plus supplies

HHCC Chapter Love

We had a great Chapter meeting today. I want to thank Fluffy for volunteering to pull two names for the Creative Crochet Jewelry book give-away. Thank you to all who submitted their names for the drawing. The winners were Grace and Sandy. I'd also like to thank SoHo Publishing for making this give-away possible; it was a lot of fun to do!

Also at the meeting I gave away almost all of the 60 Scarves in 60 Days buttons I ordered to give to my Chapter members for participating in this Challenge. I can't believe the number of scarves already turned in! I think it is wonderful!

I took "Herbie the Amigurumi" to the meeting today too. I'm not sure who had more fun (LOL), the HHCC members sure had fun meeting him -- playing with his legs & hair!

Next month will be our Chapter's NINE YEAR ANNIVERSARY!! I love being a Chapter member and do hope everyone has an opportunty to belong to one. To learn more about CGOA Chapters, and/or to start your own, visit www.crochet.org and let the fun begin!

Herbie the Amigurumi

Back in January 2005 I hinted that one day I might share Herbie, one of my very first original crochet designs -- ever! -- with you. It is hard to believe that A. it has been five years since I posted that, and B. that you all have the patients of a saint! ;)

What finally made me brush the cobwebs off my brain and bring Herbie back? I think nostalgia.

My children recently switched schools; they are now attending the same middle school I had attended as a youngster. I had a favorite teacher back then. His name was Mr. Kollar. He drove a much-loved blue VW "bug," and was a huge Yankee fan (in the time when the Yankees did not win very often!). Mr. Kollar helped bring me out of my shell; I went from being VERY shy, to gaining confidence to speak my mind.

At the end of that school year I gave Mr. Kollar a "Herbie." I recall he was surprised with my gift, and even inquired as to what it was. I told him it was my design, made by my hands; he seemed impressed. I told him it was my way of thanking him for a great year.

Recently some of my then-classmates posted some school pictures from those days (no, I'm not going to tell you who they are, or where to go looking so you can all go see at how geeky-looking I was back then! lol) -- and they also mentioned he is still teaching!! Although now he is teaching at the high school.

So, I'm thinking, wouldn't it be cool if next year my Mini~Dee has him as a teacher and SHE ends up also giving him a "Herbie" at the end of the school year? ((would he remember???)) For that, I'd love to be a fly on the wall! :)

Now you can crochet your own Herbies. They work up quick, and you can use your scrap yarns. Mini~Dee has given my Herbie her stamp of approval, stating "...they are fun to make, and work up quick!" (She made the orange one while she tested my pattern.) There you have it: Herbie: he is hard to resist befriending! :)

At the moment this pattern is only available for sale through Ravelry.com

"Crochet Anonymous"

When I visited my husband's work-place yesterday afternoon, some of his co-workers approached me stating, "Your work is so beautiful! Your husband brought some in to show us!"

He did?? Wow, how cool!

When I inquired with him, he confessed it is true! He has been smuggling my crochet projects out of the house to show off to his co-workers who were interested in seeing it!

If that's not enough proof to show how much of a crochet-supporter he is, consider this: When I volunteered him to assist the CrochetKween with a secret project at the CGOA Conference this past summer, he was game! ... The man can seemingly do it all: live with my yarn stash, speak enough crochet language to take crochet-dictation, can tell the difference between crochet and knit, proudly shows off my crochet projects, and now, will offer his acting skills for crochet videos. Even though he has of yet to pick up the hook and officially learn how to crochet, you gotta love him! :)



Bravo to all those who helped make this video, "Crochet Anonymous"; job well done!!! :)

And just what do Crochetaholics have to pledge at those meetings? It seems the 13-step program was anonymously emailed to me back in 2004: http://crochetwithdee.blogspot.com/2004/12/crochetaholics-anonymous.html

With an enabler like Mr. Dee, I don't see myself going to a Crochetaholics Anonymous meeting anytime soon! LOL

7th Annual "60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge!"

Today is the official kickoff of the "60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge!" -- and it is the 7th Year I am challenging crocheters, knitters, and weavers to hand-create a scarf (or more!) to donate to a local charity!

I no longer hold the Challenge here on my blog as it has grown so much through the years! <-- I love that SOooo many people have taken up this Challenge, and many come back year after year!! If you are interested in joining us, please visit us here on Ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/60-scarves-in-60-days-challenge

... and if you're interested in getting your own "60 Scarves in 60 Days" gear, please visit www.CafePress.com/60Scarves (coffee not included.)