It was only a matter of time…

There’s no question that I’m a hardcore crocheter. I love my hooks and all the versatility one simple tool and a ball of yarn allows me. But when I received a free sample of a high quality set of knitting needles, I took it upon myself to try them out. I couldn’t see giving them away or just stashing them someplace I’d never see them again. (Actually, I received two sets; one is a circular set and one is just pointy sticks.)

I first hit YouTube for videos on how to knit. Then I remembered hearing about KnitHelp.com, which has some great videos and information. Lucky for me, I already had a nice stash of yarn to choose from to play with.

In less than 24 hours, I have taught myself to cast on, knit, and purl. It’s still too early to create much of anything, but I can do the stitches. My preferred method is English. I first tried continental style since I’ve heard people say that’s how they learned and how easy it is, but it’s just awkward for me. That probably sounds odd coming from a right-handed crocheter; I’ve just found it easier to hold the yarn in my right hand and wrap it around the needle rather than from my left hand. I can do that much more smoothly, and my stitches are more conformed.  For me, so far, this seems fairly easy. Guess we’ll see as time goes by.

No, I didn’t buckle down to any pressure from those who wave their pointy sticks and think that knitting is the only way to fiber self-satisfaction and worth. The snobbery that comes from the knitting world in general (not all knitters are snobs, so don’t take it wrong) is actually one of the main things that kept me from even wanting to learn. Receiving a nice bamboo set of needles was a big influence for me; that, and admittedly, I have ulterior creative motives. It was time.

Just for the record: I’ll always be a crocheter first. But knowing how to knit is not a bad thing in my book. A crocheter who knits, yes, that will be me someday. Perhaps. We’ll see where this yarny path takes me.

Truly, there is so much yarn and oh, so very little time.

Cheap Crochet?

“Each crocheter spends twice as much time and does twice as many projects as a knitter, but spends less money per project. They donate more than one-third of what they make, and give away more than one-third as gifts. Crocheters more often shop at craft chain stores than specialty needlearts shops.”

The above information comes from a study conducted for The National NeedleArts Association for 2007. The fact that crocheters spend less money per project and most often get their yarn at craft chain stores may attribute to the ideology that “crocheters are cheap”. However, it’s a fact that crocheters use more yarn, and if we do more projects, we must spend a good chunk of money as well, even if it’s not all at once.

Additionally, this study points out that crocheters are givers. Two-thirds of what we create is given away either as charitable contributions or as gifts. Perhaps that is another reason crocheters as a whole shop more often at craft stores; it’s difficult to justify spending money on expensive wool yarn that is going to be made into a project for charity. Many people have no clue how to take care of wool items–or other natural fibers for that matter. Even the “thought that counts” would be washed away the first time the item was thrown into the washing machine, right along with the time and money that was spent on the item. Let’s face it: There are times when acrylic or less expensive yarns are just more practical and economical to use; yet, they still maintain their purpose. Many of the items made with less expensive yarns find themselves in shelters, homes, and hospitals, spreading warmth and love to those who receive them.

In my own observations, I’ve noticed various differences in the local crochet guild and knitting group in my area. The crocheters are more than excited to help make things to donate to charity. We get together once a month to do just that. We’ve tried to include some of the area knitters in our efforts, only to be turned down each time. Does this mean they aren’t as charitable? It’s not for me to say; I know many a knitter who makes items for others. Even in our local crochet guild, there are a few members who knit as well, and they alternate between each skill in the items they donate.

One other thing I’ve noticed is that when the crocheters get together it’s usually with a purpose in mind, while the knitting group is more of a stitch ‘n bitch gathering. There are other differences in our two groups as well, but these differences do not make one more “right” than the other. We have too many things in common to say that being different on some level is a bad thing. We share a love of yarn, of creating with our hands, and an enjoyment of sharing what we do with others who do the same thing.

To say that crocheters are cheap is a sad attempt at saying that we are less than those who yield the needles over the hook. That statement couldn’t be further from the truth. It would be sad to see either knitting or crocheting become a dying art just because one was looked upon more highly while the other was snobbed upon, especially if it’s a yarn issue. “My yarn stash can beat up your yarn stash, neener neener.” Statements like that are a little immature, don’t you think? It’s more important that the two groups live in harmony rather than knit-pick over the insignificant things that in the end really don’t mean a whole lot.

Do what you love; love what you do. No matter if it takes one hook or two needles to do it…and regardless of the type of yarn, fiber, or other material that you use to do it!

Get Your Vote On

November 4, 2008, Election Day, finally! It’s been a long campaign process, and today is the day to vote for the candidate of your choice. If you’re registered, then get out there and take advantage of this freedom we have here in America, regardless of which candidate you vote for. Give your voice a chance to be heard. Then go back to your crocheting and/or other creative outlet you find happiness in.

Here’s a few crafty projects to help get you started:

• Republican Elephant crochet chart at Crafting With Cat Hair
• John McCain finger puppet at Lion Brand (crochet)
• Obama finger puppet at Lion Brand (crochet)
• Flag pin (knit)
• American Flag socks (knit)
• mini American flag (crochet)
• Stars and Stripes Afghan (crochet)

And for any of you who may be wondering: Yes, I voted!

Happy voting & happy crocheting!

I Beg to Differ

I love The Crochet Answer Book and have referred to it often. It was one of the first books I bought when I first starting crocheting, and I’d have to say it’s been one of the most used. However, I do have a difference of opinion on one of the solutions in the book:

Q: Is it possible to stitch into a row of backwards single crochet*?

The book says “no”, which is technically true, and that it’s meant to be the final row in the piece, but if you do the backwards single crochet in the front loops only then at the end of the row begin working in the normal direction and single crochet in the back loops, you can indeed place the stitches anywhere in the piece that you wish. So, technically, you can’t crochet into the backwards single crochet stitch, but you can crochet into the single crochet stitch that you put in the back loops. This leaves only a slight space between the rows, but depending on what look you’re going for, it works.

Perhaps the answer to the question as it is asked is correct, but from my own experience as is described above, it is possible to put the crab stitch someplace else besides the edge.

*(also known as knurl stitch & crab stitch)

Hairpin Lace

Hairpin Lace Goodies

Awhile back, when I first picked up a Susan Bates Hairpin Lace Loom to give this technique a try, I ran across a book in Amazon called “Learn to do Hairpin Lace”. The book is out-of-print, and at that time, there weren’t any available to purchase. I put it in my Wish List so I could remember it later.

Recently, when I was looking through my Wish List and saw that there was a posting for the book available through the Amazon marketplace for a price that I felt was more than reasonable, I decided jumped on the chance to purchase it.

The package came the other day, and it felt a little lumpy, so when I opened it, I was pleasantly surprised to find another hairpin lace book in the package with the one I’d ordered, as well as a Clover Hairpin Lace Tool. All three pieces are in excellent condition; I really don’t think any of them have ever been used. If they were, it wasn’t for long.

So for about 10 bucks including shipping, I ended up with two books on a technique I want to do more with, as well as a loom that is totally different than the one I already have. Not bad, if you ask me. Now, if I can just get my hands on one of the handcrafted looms, my hairpin lace needs will be complete. At least for awhile. Some day, I hope to have enough skill and knowledge about this technique to pass it along to others in my classes and/or the local guild.

Deb’s Latest

Between the Lines Scarf

Deb recently released her latest pattern, the Between the Lines Scarf. And since I really can’t put it much better than what I’ve already written in my Ravelry projects, I’ll just quote it here:

I enjoy testing for Deb. She’s inventive, original, and always comes up with some of the greatest things, including this scarf. It’s really fun to work up since it uses color changes and crocheting between the stitches which result in a fabulous accessory that you’ll want to make several of to add to your wardrobe. Make it skinny or make it fat–both options are easily done in the same way. Oh, and forget making a really long chain; this pattern uses the foundation stitch, instructions which are included with the pattern.

I used different yarns than the Homespun called for in the pattern, and I really like the contrast in textures. My daughter took claims on this one, so I’ll have to make another one for myself, and possibly even one or two for the local charity our crochet guild is making items for.

I know it probably sounds like I’m talking about someone I’ve known forever and trying to promote their stuff, but truth is, Deb and I have only “known” each other a short time. I posted to her blog earlier this year about testing a pattern for her, and since then, she has begun testing for me. Through emails and Twitter, I’ve grown to know her a little better, and she’s not only a great designer, but she’s also a great person. If you haven’t checked out her blog, why don’t you head on over to her place? Neatly Tangled << psst…click that to get there)

Enjoy!

Sweater Shawl Pattern

Is it just me, or would this sweater shawl be perfect for cool autumn days & nights? It was advertised in the latest catalog from Annie’s Attic. I’d really like to purchase the pattern, but I really hate to pay the postage amount for something so light-weight. It’s a shame they don’t have a PDF version. I’ll have to put it on my “must-have” list and order it when I order something else from there.

My Etsy

Recently, I decided to open an Etsy shop to sell my patterns and other crochet-related crafted items. I did so because in an attempt to get rid of the middle man–ie: those who get a percentage of my sales–I learned that there’s not a way around this, not that I found anyway. I tried a program through my site host but it was still going to route me through PayPal for payment, so not only was PP going to get a percentage, I was going to have to pay the host a monthly fee whether I sold anything or not. I was also mislead into believing that I could accept credit cards through this hosted store front. Okay, that information wasn’t misleading because I would have been able to accept forms of payment like that BUT it wasn’t until I read the fine print that an SSL certificate would be needed, as well as a gateway. More money to spend to make money. In the end, I realized it was just cheaper to use the middle man and continue to post my patterns here on my web site with a link to PayPal, as well as through Ravelry, whom I don’t mind receiving a percentage of my sales because they are an awesome marketing tool to say the least, and now Etsy, because it gives me the ability to sell more than just the patterns. The main thing I don’t like about Etsy is their search engine, as well as the fact that a person has to continually post items on a daily basis to stay on top enough to be seen on the Etsy site. I just figure I can market my stuff on my own through my blog and such. It sure beats paying for a lot of stuff I don’t need, like an SSL, a monthly store front fee, and a gateway.

If you want to visit the store, you can: The Crochet Studio’s Patterns & More Store. There’s not much there right now, but as things get added, I’ll advertise here on the blog. You can always favorite the store, too. Hint.

Happy Shopping!

New Template

I finally found a blog template that I really liked and was able to tweak it enough to suit me. If you check it out, let me know what you think.

Personally, I think things are easier to find and the sidebar isn’t so run-on-ish. The layout just seems a lot cleaner. And of course, it has some pinks and greys since they’re my site colors. But one of the things I like most about it is that it’s totally compatible with the latest version of WP, which my old layout was not.

Now to make up for all that blog time with crochet time!

Scarf Pattern & FO

I finally completed my first of several scarves that I’ll be doing for the 60 Scarves in 60 Days Challenge. This scarf was created for one of the charities the local crochet guild is crocheting items for and will be given as Christmas gifts. Now I just need to make a hat to go with it.

Chain-Free Basic Charity Scarf

Even though this is a very basic scarf, I wrote up the pattern for those who like to have one to go by. It’s offered as a free PDF download on both my pattern page and in my Ravelry store. One note: It does use the chain-free double crochet foundation stitch rather than a foundation chain.

To make a more feminine scarf than the one shown, just use different colors to match the personality of the woman in mind.

As of this post, this pattern has not been tested because it was fairly easy to write, but if you have any questions, please feel free to drop me a message.

Enjoy! And Happy Giving!