• Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals

    Close to Christmas

    December 22, 2023 - By 

    When people say to me, you crochet fast. I say, it’s not a race or a competition, it’s a craft. I’m proud of what I made this year, thought it’s likely that I won’t meet my goals and that’s ok. I made two baby blankets and experimented with a few new techniques. I bit off more than I could chew by starting later than I should have for a few Christmas gifts. One was already mailed, another finished tag sewn on and ready to wrap and I’m in the homestretch for a third..

    Having goals may seem like too much pressure, it’s not pressure but accountability.

    I did complete 12 red scarves and dyed the yarn for one of the scarves; currently at 97 completed sets, and 17/25 hats completed. Plus, I made two baby blankets for shower gifts this year. I didn’t feel pressured to make anything and all the gifts were well received. There is so much more space in my workroom, since 90 sets were donated.

    Though I may fall short, I’m impressed with what I made. That’s when I remind myself that it’s not a race or a competition, it’s a craft. There’s still time to make more items before the thirty-first.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals - red scarves

    Ahead and behind

    September 3, 2022 - By 

    I am a little behind on the goals I’ve set for myself.

    I crochet fast. It’s not a race, just years of practicing my craft.

    It’s the beginning of September, and I have 90 sets completed, 5 red scarves (goal 12) and 18 hats (goal 30). For sets I’m well ahead but haven’t made as much progress on the other categories. There’s still time. Like I said, not boasting but factually I crochet fast.

    It’ll all sort itself out. I’ll go on a tear and just get a few solo scarves and hats done in a short time.

    Though the numbers for my three goals aren’t equal, I’m happy with what I’ve finished so far!

    A few of the most recent sets are shown here. Eight months of the year have passed and 90 completed sets –  that’s an accomplishment! Wow! My uncle likes to joke that I am running a sweatshop…maybe he’s right.

    Don’t compare yourself. Crochet at your own pace, not mine.

    Does it really matter? Don’t worry about my goals, make your own!

    Happy crocheting!

  • Art of crochet - Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals - stashbusting

    My reflections on crochet

    May 3, 2022 - By 

    A few things I’ve learned about the craft

    As a more experienced crocheter, who loves yarn and the process of crocheting I’ve realized what is for me and what I love about crocheting isn’t what always draws others to the craft. There are always lists of what novice crocheters should know or tips to improve. Instead, I have a few reflections that go beyond how to hold your hook or how to monetize your hobby.

    1. Make what you want
    There are many tips and tricks that people will share on how to crochet faster or how to do myriad things in crochet but if you are passionate about crochet, what is really important is that you like doing what you want. That means if you want to pursue crochet as a business, as a side hustle or just as something you like to do to relax… make what you want. If you want to make six dozen lovies, or baby blankets to sell, cool. If you want to make hats go for it. If you want to solely work on one project or have six concurrent projects – that’s your prerogative.

    2. Crochet with yarn you like
    Though I have tried different yarns and will experiment with different ones, I am firmly in the worsted/Aran weight camp. DK or Light worsted are ok, but for my regular comfort zone… give me a worsted. The range of worsted still seems to vary; they aren’t all on the bulker side or on the thinner side so there are still quite a few to work with. As I’ve mentioned before, there are more than enough yarns for people to love and use. Working with bulky too long, makes my hand cramp and I like to see more progress which I can’t see after working with laceweight for a lengthy period of time.

    3. Don’t be afraid to change the pattern
    Patterns are like recipes – suggestions. There are times when I look at a pattern and think there’s an easier way to make a section or make changes based on what I want to do. Patterns are great just as recipes are. Once you have made them then tweak them. Or if you know that you don’t like a certain ingredient don’t use it or select another. If you aren’t a fan of eggs, then don’t make a frittata and if you aren’t a fan of puff stitches or cables, then choose another pattern. If you are being graded on what you are making or need to sell something that needs to look a certain way, then fine, otherwise feel free to express yourself.

    4. You don’t have to use the recommended or suggested hook
    The biggest, most freeing thing that I have learned about crochet is that you don’t have to use the recommended or suggested hook. There are certain manufacturers whose suggestions are useful, while others, I’ll increase a hook size or two. Also, not all hooks are the same, a metal hook may glide over one yarn while a plastic or wooden one will slow you down. Use the right tools for the project. You only know what the right tool is, if you try a lot of yarns and use different hooks.

    5. Crochet in public
    Crochet in public. For a while I didn’t crochet in public because I didn’t want people to ask me about my project. Though, I would crochet at lectures or talks at the public library. Just sitting and listening, makes me fidgety. I would take pages of notes that I wouldn’t necessarily want to keep just to keep busy and stay focused. Taking notes on the salient points is still useful but for something where I may zone out, crocheting a pattern that I know well, helps me stay focused. Also, when I have to wait, having a project allows me to be engaged with my surroundings and not as closed off as I would be if I were just reading a book.

    There still more to learn and about the art of crochet. It’s fun, a pastime and a way to make things that I can share with others. I don’t want to sell things, that’s added pressure to make a deadline. Even though I set goals and break those down into mini goals for myself, that’s it a goal I have set for myself. If I don’t make my goal, I haven’t disappointed anyone. It’s enjoyable sitting down with a hook and yarn while rooting for my favorite team on tv or a streaming a movie or show and finishing a few rows or a hat. No pressure and no stress, just relaxation and a way to share something with others.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals

    Crochet Goals 2022!

    January 5, 2022 - By 

    I’ve finally made an complete (read: accurate) tally of what I made last year and set a goal for this year.

    Last year the goal was initially 60 sets, that was extended a few times and I almost doubled the original goal.

    2021’s total of donated items was:

      • 118 hat and scarf sets
      • 12 red scarves
      • 5 infinity scarves
      • 3 pair of mittens

    For 2022 I’m setting a goal of 100 hat and scarf sets, 25 hats and 12 red scarves.

    There are a few “passion” projects that I’d like to work on, which makes this goal seem reasonable. So far, I have one hat made and the accompanying scarf is in process so I’m off to a good start and we haven’t even had a full week in the year. [The photo of the hat and scarf in progress just looks like a fuzzy blob but in real life, the set is nice and soft and should be very warm for the recipient.]

    Plus, this goal allows me to add make items for other groups or any projects that pop up later in the year. Infinity scarves and mittens weren’t on the official list but I made 5 infinity scarves and 3 pair of mittens – who knows what projects will fall into my lap.

    Happy Crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations - hats

    Try something different

    November 30, 2021 - By 

    Why not try something different? I’ve met and exceeded the hat and scarf set goal, made some other items so why not try mittens? A local yarn shop is sponsoring a mitten drive. After watching a few YouTube videos, I got the basics committed to memory and started. The first mitt fit my hand and I immediately started on the second so I wouldn’t have an unfinished pair. I’m already thinking of what changes I want to make for the next pair. Though the mitts fit, I think I’d use a larger hook and make the mitts a little wider, at least for myself.

    A hat pattern that I have memorized this year is The Divine Hat. There are several videos online but Fiber Spider’s version is easy to follow. I’ve made the hat at least 10 times since finding this video in September. Once I memorized the pattern, I have been able to make the adjustments that I need for different yarns and hooks based on my gauge. Once I finish making my holiday gifts, I will make myself a hat in that pattern with a coordinating scarf in some Noro that I purchased because I like the design that much.

    Tests and trials, but no tears – maybe a bit of ripping out stitches but so far 2021 has been a fun and productive crocheting year and there’s still a month to go!

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations

    Merry Christmas!

    December 25, 2020 - By 

    Merry Christmas!

    Treasure those who are close to you and I hope everyone finished their gifts in time. I wasn’t going to make any gifts this year but I did make a soap sack to accompany some bars of soap I bought to put in my mother’s stocking! Not having the pressure of making gifts for Christmas was freeing.

    Happy crocheting and enjoy the holiday!

     

  • Crochet - Donations - Hat and scarf goals

    Met my 2020 goals

    November 24, 2020 - By 

    Work, walk, crochet, read that’s about how my days go.  The safest option is to stay at home, crochet and watch movies.

    The election is over now it seems like we can all breathe. There’s not much else to do – COVID-19 cases are increasing daily and we have a stay home advisory in Illinois, people are suggested not to go to any gatherings in large groups. Most activities are cancelled or postponed anyway.

    On Halloween I met my 2020 goal of 40 scarves, 15 sets and 15 afghans. The other day I noticed that I have cleared out a small space near my favorite chair in the living room. Since I’ve finished the last of my goals – 15 afghans and it’s getting cold, I’ve been making more hats and scarves. A few weeks ago, I thought I had gotten to the creative portion of my stashbusting. I haven’t even gotten close to finishing all the working stash yarn that I have; closer than in March, but there’s a bit more still available. There is a brown fleck merino yarn that I have a lot of, and it’s been making the rounds in projects. I didn’t like it, set it aside but blended with other yarns it’s very nice.

    Reviewing the collection

    Now what? I’m making a few more sets to donate. Since Halloween I’ve made more sets and gone through the scarves to see if there are some oddballs that I can match up to make a coordinating hat.  I’ve found a few and made a couple of coordinating hats. For yarns that have no dye lot this works well, or I or use a similarly colored yarn. I’ve finished 21 planned sets and with the additional hats I’ve made; they bring up the total to 23 sets. I had enough left from a couple of previous projects to make similarly designed hats in the same yarn. The stitch pattern may not be the same so there’s enough yarn to complete the project. There are another couple of hats that will be inspired by scarves with closely matching colors. Then there’s the giant Caron Anniversary Cake that hasn’t been touched yet.

    This gives me an idea for next year’s goals… Stay tuned.

    Happy Thanksgiving and keep crocheting!

  • Crochet - Donations - hats

    The hat

    May 10, 2020 - By 

    Multiple projects going at one time keeps the love of crochet alive for me. The mystery balls are still in progress; right after finishing an afghan in multiple shades of purple, I started another afghan. Yet, as I look for new color combinations for scarves and sets or to incorporate into afghans or the mystery balls, there are some amounts that are too much for the mystery balls or not enough for an afghan or scarf. Enter the humble hat.

    A hat may be functional or stylish but it is also a necessity in the Midwest. The cold and sometimes brutal winters require hats. Since I have time because of sheltering in place, I’ve sorted through some of my working stash to find a use for some odd bits that might languish there. Some yarns have seemingly jumped out at me begging to be made into hats. No scarf to accompany it, just a hat on its own.

    Top down, bottom up, side to side, open and lacy for fashion or tightly stitched together for maximum warmth – hats take practice. After making hundreds of baby hats, and dozens of adult hats, I have a good idea of how much yarn it would take to make a hat. Even so, I will rip something out and start again until I’m happy with what I make. Though I may never know the recipient, I want to be happy with what I make. One of the best things that I’ve ever figured out – when making a hat and scarf set, always start with the hat. You can make a shorter scarf, but you can’t skimp on a hat. The same stitch pattern takes on a different life when it is made in a lighter or heavier weight yarn or in a different color. The results are unique, fun and often can’t be duplicated because I’ve run out of yarn and don’t have the band to buy it (if it’s still being manufactured).

    Make a hat or two to donate – they work up quickly and the gratification of a finished project is almost immediate.

    [Note: Hats aren’t part of my 2020 goal – they are bonus items, but I will keep track of how many I make.]

    Happy crocheting!

  • afghans - Donations - hats - Odd balls

    Social distancing and crocheting

    March 19, 2020 - By 

    Like many metropolitan areas I’m going to be working from home for a few weeks because of COVID-19. I’ve been planning and have much of what I need, I bought toilet paper when it was on sale several weeks ago, because it was a really great sale and I have a lot of food in my freezer so I’m good. There are at least two bags of coffee beans in my cabinet, as well as lots of tea and hot chocolate.

    Now is the time to work on some additional projects that I have wanted to work on. One is to make something for myself. This is in flux, every time I look at a pattern or see something in a magazine. I have the yarn, I just haven’t found the right pattern.

    Another is to join some of the oddballs and scraps of yarn into one giant magic ball with black between each color. I either want to make an afghan in an open shell or a giant granny square. I would rather have a lot of color for this scrapghan and have it pulled together with the black. Though the amounts of the color will change, I want to have the same length of the black between each one. This requires a bit of planning. How many yards do I want to have between each color. Depending on the pattern I might want enough for a third or a half of a full row of the shells. This would be easier to determine than if I make a giant granny square because as more rounds are added, it takes more yarn to complete a side.

    There are a couple of projects that I have finished since my office closed. I completed a hat to go with a set. Completed a scarf to go with a set, picked up an afghan that had been just sitting by my favorite chair in my living room. I generally work on it during a weekly conference call, but it was shorter than the usual hour, so I only finished a couple of rows. It may get promoted to my movie watching chair in the living room when I finish the other afghan, so I can finish it sooner.

    The yarn that I have to make a skirt or dress for myself is just teasing me. I’m not quite sure what I want to make. Do I want to make a two piece or a dress. If a two piece a skirt and a drapey vest or sweater or poncho – what type of skirt? Too many decisions. A few weeks ago I borrowed from crochet pattern books from the library just because it’s the library and they are free. Since I have time on my hands with so many things cancelled, I could actually look through the books, Pinterest and Ravelry. There is something out there. When in doubt – work on a sure thing!

    I finally wound the yarn I dyed a few weeks ago with Easter Egg dye and found a bag of eight hanks Lorna’s Laces Bullfrogs & Butterflies in Cat Bordhi’s Ahah! I figured since I had the ball winder and swift out, why not make it worth the effort. In the yarn I dyed, I chose one to use for the hat, as it has once section where the colors blended together more than the others and there’s a section of dark orange/rust. I didn’t wind all of the Lorna’s that I found, just enough for a hat and scarf this time around. I’ll save the other four for another time.

    In the meantime, there are more than enough project to work on and I’m making progress on my crochet 2020 goals. Be safe everyone, happy crafting and enjoy your period of social distancing!

    Progress as of March 19: Seven completed scarves, two hat and scarf sets, one afghan, and one hat for a set
    In progress: Three afghans

  • afghans - crafting - Crochet - crochet motivation - Donations

    New year, new goals

    January 9, 2020 - By 

    Yes, it’s the second week of January, well, the first FULL week of January and I’ve finally set my 2020 crochet goals.

    This year, I am committing to making 15 afghans, 15 hat and scarf sets and 40 scarves.

    I really missed making afghans.

    What I missed most about working on afghans is that when you work on them in the winter and they are large enough to cover your lap, your legs are warm. In the summer you can put and afghan off to the side or use it to block the breeze from the fan or ac, but in the winter it is a definite bonus. Without a goal in mind, I already started 3 afghans and a scarf.

    Though an outlier in the year’s goals is baby items: I might make some baby items, I might not. Another goal that I can’t measure is to use up yarn that I have or get rid of yarn that I don’t want from my working stash. Last night, I was looking for yarn to combine with some skeins that I was using to work on an afghan. I found some yarn to use, but in my search, I rediscovered yarn to make a couple of scarves. Surprise yarn is always great to find. As I was finishing my last scarf of 2019, I found some yarn that I didn’t like using, it was too bulky and I put it in the donation bag right away. I plan to do more of that this year. Someone else may like using it.

    There will be some colorful afghans made this year, because I am committed to using up what I have and not buying more. Not quite crazy quilt type, think neutral with pops of color. Getting rid of yarn that is taking up space is definitely on the agenda. I have purchased some yarns that I’ve liked from thrift stores probably from people like myself who didn’t like working with a project and just threw the whole thing into a bag to be donated or maybe a family was donating a deceased crafter’s unfinished projects. If you have the option, work with what you like and can afford. Life is too short to work with materials that you don’t like. I’m still going to experiment, try new yarns and also try to get to a non-big box, local yarn shop. I will definitely crochet (almost) daily in 2020, crocheting is like breathing and not even a goal.