Is there such a thing as too much crochet?

Hi, my name is Tracie, and I’m a crochet-a-holic. I just recently noticed that I have a crochet problem, er…addiction…er…obsession…er, um…well, okay, I have a lot of crochet on my hands. Literally.

Let me explain.

• For starters, when there’s an occasion that needs a gift, I automatically think yarn & hook. Mother’s Day gifts are covered–or at least started–but I have a few birthdays coming up to gift for and an expecting friend to make things for. Not to mention all of the charity crochet I’d like to do but haven’t yet.
• There was a need for a crochet guild in my area, so I’m starting one.
• I’m taking a course to be a professional instructor. With that comes volunteer teaching, which I’m working on a schedule for. I’m also making plans for classes after I’m certified.
• I have a rolling yarn case to take to events and teaching sessions.
• My bookshelf overfloweths with crochet books and magazines.
• I want to learn to sew better, but I’m too happily swamped in crochet to put forth the effort.
• I have a craft fair to craft for, and of course, I’m thinking of crochet projects that would sell.
• In my stash, I have yarn that was bought for specific projects that are still waiting to be started.
• Most days, I would gladly give up cooking suppers for the family to crochet.
• I haven’t baked cookies yet this year!
• Then today, I called a local retirement center to see if there was a need for crochet instruction in their events. Yep. There was. So I’m going to commit myself to two hours a week teaching and chatting about crochet with them. (Another post to come about how that unfolded.)

So I ask again: Is there such a thing as too much crochet?

I think not.

Teaching Crochet

I had the opportunity yesterday to help teach crochet at a workshop hosted by the library. My friend, Lissa, was in charge of the class and had asked me awhile back if I’d like to help. She had a table set up for me to put some of my crocheted items on display, which was cool. Then we just went around to the different people and taught them a few at a time.

The first class, which was in the afternoon, only had a handful of people so it was pretty easy to get around and talk to everyone. A couple of women already knew how to crochet and were just there for the fellowship. The evening class had about twenty people, which proved to be a task even for two people, but we managed just fine. I taught one how to do a granny square. She could knit but was just learning to crochet; she seemed to catch on quickly. But I think she just wanted to jump right in to a project without really learning the basics, which just might prove to be a challenge for her. Still, I was happy to help her with the square. I also helped a mom and her pre-teen daughter. We had a good time talking and learning. And I helped another with a baby blanket she was wanting to make. I overheard her talking to the woman beside her: “Let’s just ask the expert.” Me. An expert. I was beaming, although I’m by no means an expert…yet. Still, it was good to be able to share my skills and knowledge.

This is the first time I’ve ever tried to teach someone else to crochet, and it was actually fun. I realized that I was probably not the norm with my rolling yarn tote and all the yarn I have at home, but hey, we all have to be obsessed with something, right? I was able to discuss my plans for the newly starting crochet chapter in the area, as well as strike up some interest for them to take some classes from me to further what they were learning and to help me achieve my student teaching goals for the teaching course I’m taking. I figure about a third weren’t interested in much anything beyond that one attempt at crochet, and about two thirds was interested in the group and/or classes. All in all, that’s not too bad, and now, at least I have something to work from in order to get all of my teaching hours in and get this crochet group up and off the ground.

I’m really glad I was able to help with this. It gave me a chance to meet other women who, if they didn’t already have an admiration for crochet, wanted it, and it helped get interest in the group and lessons. I was so in my realm, and I have to say it felt pretty darn good.

Yay for crochet!

Plus Size Crochet

I recently borrowed Plus Size Crochet: Fashions That Fit & Flatter by Margaret Hubert from the library, and I must say I’m impressed with it. There’s some great choices for patterns for the “fluffier” woman, and I’ve already got several picked out that I would like to crochet. My only problem is that the sizing is a tad larger than my measurements; with other books and magazines, I usually have the opposite problem. (I guess that means I’m somewhere in between what is thought to be plus-sized and just XL…) But I still think I can make some of these patterns work for me.

Among the patterns are several jackets and cardigans, as well as a fun ruffle bag and a colorful poncho. There’s a couple of tunics and pullovers as well. Some patterns use yarns I’m not familiar with, while others use names like Lion Brand, Plymouth, Patons, and Senso. The skill levels range from easy to more intermediate. Something else I like besides the patterns is the spiral binding, which aids in keeping the book open to the page you are working from. There’s also a section on “personalizing the fit”, with suggestions for making the patterns work for you and your body shape.

I plan to make this book a place in my personal crochet library as soon as I order books again. And once I get some of my other things in order, I’m going to start on a few of these patterns for myself. Since I haven’t worked any of the patterns as yet, I don’t know how easy they’ll be to follow, but I’m hoping for some great projects. Guess we’ll see.

Making Progress

Today I completed CIP Lesson 1 of the CYCA’s correspondence course…FINALLY. I’ve had my materials for about a month now, and I immediately dove right in on the reading part of it. I also made some lesson swatches before yielding to figure out how I want to set up my pages for my lessons notebook. I was stumped, not to mention constantly interrupted. I’m not sure what it is about me being upstairs in my craft space that makes me a target for conversations, but it seems I can never be in my space alone for any amount of time needed to accomplish something. I’m the type of person that once something finally gets my attention, I get intently involved, and when that concentration is broken, I have to try to find it again. Still, it feels good to get that one lesson done. Now three more to go for part one, as well as my teaching, that I’ll be trying to figure out this next week.

I decided to make my mother-in-law a prayer shawl for Mother’s Day and have been working on it for a couple of weeks. I’m glad to announce that I’m nearly finished with it, so that’s moving right along. I then plan to start a project for my own Mom for that day, as well as a shawl for myself, and I still need to make some amigurumi items so I can test out Suncatcher Eyes. I also need to complete a pair of court side booties for the latest addition to the family, born on April 2nd.

I’ve also accomplished some things concerning the first ever meeting of a local soon-to-be-official chapter of the CGOA in my area held next weekend. Once I get this thing going, I plan to do an article of information for others who want to start a group in their area.

Not only am I trying to get all of my gifts completed (and the one item for myself), keep my course on track, and get a crochet group up and running, but my crafty friends and I have decided to get a booth at the Cider Days Festival held in September of this year, so I’m going to be crocheting and crafting like a mad woman for that as well. Busy, busy, busy, but at least I enjoy what I do. I just hope I can get enough items made between now and September to make enough money to pay for my portion of the booth. Lots of crafting to do! Wish me luck.

I just wish I was better at time management…

Crochet Stitch Markers

I ordered these crochet stitch markers from Hide & Sheep when I saw them mentioned in the latest issue of Crochet Today! magazine. I’m always on the look out for markers that work well with crochet, and until now, have only ever been able to find one set of plastic round ones that I really liked (and since I bought them, I can’t seem to find anymore like them). These new ones are made of 18-gauge tarnish-resistant colored wire and are super-easy to use. They’re also attractive without being bulky, and they come in a nifty little tin to keep them in.

I was amazed at how tiny they really are, and I wish I had ordered more than one set, especially since the price of them went from $4 when I ordered them to $6 within 48 hours of my order. I have to wonder if it’s because of the mention in the magazine or the rate of inflation. Two dollars is quite a bump in that short amount of time, but considering how small they are, I would imagine they might be a bit tedious to make and get the wire bent just right. All of my markers are the same size and the same shape. They slide on and off with ease without fear of them falling out. I love ‘em. And even with the price change, I may end up ordering more later on. We’ll see.

Pattern Testing: Practically Hyperbolic Dishcloths

I was glad to be asked to test this pattern for Deb over at Neatly Tangled. I’d been looking at these Practically Hyperbolic Dishcloths ever since she posted a picture of them on her blog before she posted the pattern and wondered how she made them, so I was excited when given the chance to make some myself.

They’re curvy, bright, and fun, and the pattern itself is fairly easy, as long as you keep your stitch count, and quick to stitch; I did one in about an hour while watching TV. Too, they don’t use much more than an ounce of cotton yarn (or yarn of your choice), so they’re economical, not to mention earth-friendly. Now, for a mere two bucks, you too can make your own by purchasing the pattern from Deb’s Etsy shop or her Ravelry storefront. Don’t know how to crochet? No worries. Deb has some of these cool cloths already crocheted also for sale in her Etsy store.

Gotta love ‘em!

Word Out Wednesday

Wondermommy has come up with a great meme for getting the word out about something you really like and want to share with others. It can be anything from a great book to a good recipe to an interesting blog. This is my first time participating, but I really like the concept, so I’m sure I’ll try to get in the habit of doing it on a weekly basis.

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For this week’s WOW, I’d like to mention the fun crochet-along started by June of PlanetJune. Every two months or so, a theme is decided upon and those who wish to participate can post their projects that go along with that particular theme. The current theme is “Small Crochet”, and June writes, “Feel free to interpret this any way you wish; the only ‘rule’ is that the finished items should be under about 6 inches (or 15cm - thanks Eve!) in size. The idea is to make small items that will provide some of that ‘instant gratification’ feeling.”

So if you haven’t joined us already, hop on over to the blog, read the Join & Rules section, and get started posting.

Happy Small Crocheting!

Crochet Magazines

I got a nice, unexpected surprise in my mailbox today: The May/June issue of Crochet Today! magazine. I love this magazine, and I didn’t realize it was time to receive another issue. It seems to be packed full of fun, colorful projects, as well as some good information. There’s also an article about Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude. He’ll be in some of the newer episodes of the PBS Series Knit & Crochet Today! starting next season. Ravelry is mentioned in the “products and news” section. The “crochet doctor” in this issue answers three interesting questions and gives remedies for each. My only problem is trying to figure out which projects I want to do most in this issue then find time to do them. I love the little pin keeper, and there’s a dress that I like as well. There’s also a plant hanger, and with spring trying to make and keep an appearance, it would come in handy when we start the planting flowers process.

I also recently received the May ‘08 of Crochet! Magazine. I used to really dislike this one, but I must say that they are constantly improving. This issue has an adorable Noah’s ark baby blanket that I want to make for Baby “A”. There’s also a gorgeous wedding gown that I’d love to crochet, but I really have no reason to make it. Perhaps a prom dress in the upcoming years for my daughter, but done in a different color than white. I don’t know that she’d wear it, though. Anyway, there’s also a Mother-of-the-Bride ensemble that is, to me, less impressive, but probably more because it’s three pieces that are exactly the same color than any other reason. I don’t know that I’d wear it, even to my daughter’s wedding, but different strokes for different folks. Also in this issue are two pairs of socks, one of which I started last night with the new yarn I got yesterday from Herrschners. And it’s not even the sock yarn, either; it’s the Cool Crochet yarn that was bought just so I could try it out. What I’m liking about this magazine lately is that their clothing patterns come in more than small sizes now, and there seems to be more of a variety of items to crochet than there once was. I used to think it was my third favorite crochet magazine, with Crochet Today! being the first and Interweave Crochet being the second, but it’s closely tied with the latter.

I think it’s an exciting time to be a crocheter. The availability of great resources seems to be getting better and better. The patterns are becoming more and more pleasing. There’s so much versatility that it seems like a never-ending process of making, creating, and learning.

Lots of Crochet Stuff Going On

• I got the date and place set for the first ever TopC (Topeka Crochet) meeting set up. Now I just need to get a few other things panned out before the meeting actually takes place. I also have the online group set up, as well as a blog ready to go.
• I’ve started my first lesson in the Craft Yarn Council’s Certified Instructor’s Program. I have to do some student teaching, too, so I’m trying to figure all of that out as to when, where, whom.
• I’m testing a fun pattern for Deb over at Neatly Tangled.
• I just ordered a bunch of yarn from Herrschners, some of which is sock yarn. I’ve decided to try my hand at my second pair of socks, this time using sock yarn instead of light worsted. I had a problem with my order, so I contacted them. It seems to be worked out, but I don’t want to go bragging about the yarn and the great customer service until I receive my package.
• I get to give some Suncatcher Painted Eyes a test go and write a review. Yay! Michelle sent me several more than I expected, which is cool to me, so now I just have to find some patterns so I can experiment with them. I can tell you already before using them though, that they look awesome. There’s some really cute crochet patterns on her site, so check them out.
• I’ve been crocheting dishcloths and scrubbies a lot lately for some unknown reason.
• I’m trying to decide what pattern to work on to submit to the CLF’s upcoming book. Time is slipping away quickly. I’m just hoping I get something accomplished before the deadline.
• I recently received the latest issue of Crochet! magazine, and I have to say they’re actually getting better. I didn’t like them much during the first couple of years of crocheting, but I’m a bit more impressed with this latest issue. There’s a couple of patterns I’d like to try out. I just hope they keep it up. I love the wedding dress but not the mother’s outfit so much. And the next pair of socks I try will probably be one of the two in the magazine.
• My husband is very supportive lately of my crocheting habit, which makes me happy.
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In The Mail

I, like most anyone else, love getting stuff in the mail–not the spammy kind of stuff, but the good, fun stuff. This week, I received my package from Wondermommy.

I love the colors of the yarn, and I’m looking forward to trying out the Lion Brand hook. Too, for some reason, I’ve been crocheting a lot of dishcloths and scrubbies lately, so this book will come in handy. I think it’s because the things are small and fairly easy to memorize, and I don’t have any large projects going on at the moment.

In addition to my prize package, I also received–FINALLY–my correspondence course materials from the Craft Yarn Council. Yay! I’ve waited rather impatiently for this package to arrive. When I first asked about the course, the information I received stated I would get my materials within two weeks of them receiving payment. Now, about five weeks later, I got the box in the mail. This should keep me pretty busy for awhile. I’m really looking forward to this course and receiving my crochet certification.

I’m also in the beginning stages of starting a CGOA Chapter in my area. I have the first meeting date, time, and place planned, and I’ve started a message board. I also made a little logo. Now to get others as excited about it as I am!