• Crochet - Hat and scarf goals - Hats and scarves

    Mix and match 2025

    December 1, 2025 - By 

    Officially, I have exceeded my goal of 75 sets for the year and met my goal of 12 scarves. Instead of stopping, I kept going. I decided to make as many as I could before the deadline to drop them off. In addition to the completed sets that I have, in the summer, my father found a box of scarves in the basement. In my craft room, as I was moving things for a furniture delivery, I found a larger cache of individual hats that I thought I had. Now, I am mixing, matching, and creating sets with the hats and scarves, and creating new ones in a flurry of stitches before I drop off the sets at a church for their hat and scarf drive.

    Another organization that I have donated to for a decade or so – Foster Care to Success has decided to discontinue its Red Scarves program. The information wasn’t on the website, so I contacted the organization. After inquiring, I received a call saying that this is the last year, and I could donate the scarves locally. This made me look at my Where to Donate page and check to see if the links are current. At least three of the organizations are no longer accepting items for donation because postage costs have increased, and sending their donations to recipients costs too much. Each org recommends that people donate their items locally. This won’t deter me from making things to donate. There are many places in the Chicagoland area that will have coat drives, and if you read the fine print, they also accept cold-weather gear – hats and scarves. Even my local coffee shop has a bin for people who come in and need something to keep them warm.

    My plan is to shift into overdrive this week to whip up a few hats to accompany some of the red scarves.

    Here are a few of the scarves that I found in a box, and the combinations I made to complete sets. A couple aren’t exact matches, but they are close enough to make a set and keep someone warm, and that’s the ultimate goal.

    Happy crocheting! 

  • Crochet - Hat and scarf goals - leftover yarn

    Have you made any crafting goals?

    January 5, 2025 - By 

    Happy New Year!

    This is going to be a colorful year. I have already decided that I want to get faster with working with color in my creations this year with multiple yarns, not just colored yarns themselves.

    New Year’s Day, I made some attempts at interlocking. That’s where two pieces of mesh are worked together. Interlocking will be revisited when I have some lighter weight yarn. For the patterns that I have in a book, the yarn I have will be too bulky. The swatches did set the wheels in motion and gave me a few ideas of how I could do some similar creations without starting with two pieces of mesh, but one starting base and then adding a second or third color.

    Then, the next day, I had an opportunity to go to a day crafting group gathering. While chatting with friends, I made a hat using two colors and figured I could do that more. It was a simple hat, but I want to experiment with more elaborate patterns and incorporate oddballs into my work.

    There are a couple of sketches that I made that I will try – they may or may not work. If they do, great, otherwise, they may give me ideas about other things that I want to work on.

    For 2025, I am committing to making 12 red scarves and 75 hat and scarf sets.

    This will give me the opportunity to make a couple of things for myself. I have an idea what I’d like to make and the yarn, I just haven’t found the right pattern. Let’s not forget the mystery ball afghan that I started working on and the new blanket that I want to make for myself.

    Have any of you set crafting goals for the new year? Let me know what you’re planning.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Hat and scarf goals

    Mid-October Already?

    October 16, 2024 - By 

    Where has the time gone? It’s been a while since my last post but I’ve still been crocheting. I did purchase some yarn and am planning a new crochet workspace.

    Hardly a day goes by that I’m not crocheting even if only one or two rows. Now that fall has come, there are more built in opportunities to crochet, pre-concert and pre-opera talks. They’re really no new and fancy patterns being created during the talks. That’s when I’m working from memory and have already planned the stitch pattern that I’ll use and know. Even then, I’ll try to use a yarn I’m familiar with, so if I encounter a snag, I know how it works up. I’ve learned this from experience.

    Since my last post I’ve completed many projects and tried a couple of new yarns. The most interesting part of using yarn in my stash to the last year is being more creative in patterns. Single and double crochet are the foundational stitches of crochet and not big yarn eaters. However, when I use a couple of similar weight yarns with a solid color, a row of stripes or a block of color elevates a basic pattern from bland to bold.

    Eleven of twelve red scarves are complete. A few odd ball hats were added to the cache. The number of completed items has grown steadily over the summer and I haven’t counted lately, just finish, bag and put the finished object away.

    Crocheting is still relaxing. Even when I’m busy, it recharges me and gives me a chance to see something that I made from “just a bit of string.”

    Here are a few of my favorite creations from the past few months.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Hat and scarf goals

    Colorful new year

    February 3, 2024 - By 

    The weather may have been gray in January but the crochet projects were not. I dabbled a bit with interweave crochet and a bit of mosaic. There are a few other patterns I want to try out. Also, I have been using the yarn that I have… other than one great sale on yarn that I like. I haven’t added any yarn to the stash, and have been using up what I have. This maker year has been freeing, if I want to make a hat because I don’t have enough yarn to make a set, so be it. If I want to try something new that takes longer than a pattern I’m already familiar with… So be it. This is a relaxing pursuit about delving into the craft and playing with color.

    My first attempt at interweave crochet was ok and I made adjustments then tried it again. Then, I experimented using the technique on a hat. What could go wrong? It’s just yarn? I’ve purged my working stash of yarn that I don’t like and was able to make a good start on a project with yarn that I was familiar with, which made the process easier.

    I have ideas for another interweave project, with a mystery ball and gray. Not sure if this will be a set or just a technicolor scarf and which will be the primary color. It all depends on how much yardage I have in the mystery ball.

    I’m having fun and no goal other than a dozen scarves, though I’ve made a hat for a gift and 5 sets. Let’s see what happens in February!

  • 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 - Hat and scarf goals

    19 Days Until Christmas

    December 6, 2022 - By 

    Nineteen more days until Christmas. This is just a little pep talk for people who are stressing about making a gift or not making a gift. If you’ve decided to make a gift and you don’t have time to finish it, what about wrapping a promissory note? “I’m making you something but I will finish it by (future date)” and wrap the partially finished product. Unless you have to mail it off. Don’t stress, the holidays don’t need additional stress. Take time to enjoy the holidays. If you have made something or you still have someone else you need to make something for… Relax. I’ve been there – making things at the last minute and it’s not pleasant. Many worst case scenarios arise: You run out of materials, your gauge is off, or you run into a tangle. Best case: If you finish what you have started, at least you started. Congratulate yourself – you made the effort to give someone a handmade gift. Preserving your peace by not making any gifts is fine too! Enjoy the holidays or make something for yourself at a leisurely pace.

    If you forgot to get something for someone and you think you can make something – great! Unsure but still want to try and make something? It’s go time! Don’t stress – make something small. Let’s go back to the promissory note. Write a fun little note “hey, I’m planning on making you *blank* but I ran out of time. I’ll finish it shortly!” Remember – don’t stress yourself. Stress adds pressure, which just makes for mistakes, which creates more stress… relax.

    Whether you crochet fast or slow, you are a crocheter. It’s not a race, crocheting is a craft. Whether you use materials from the dollar store, thrifted materials or a handmade hook out of fine wood using qiviut, you are a crocheter. Use what you can afford, use what you like and grow from the experience. Craft, learn and grow!

    Don’t stress… Do what you can, breathe!

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - Hat and scarf goals - Hats and scarves

    Ninety-one, ninety-two… ninety-nine and a half

    September 23, 2022 - By 

    One hundred sets!

    I went on a cross country train trip to San Diego and crocheted, it was delightful. As I prepared for my vacation, I made the decision not to take any yarn that I hadn’t used before and didn’t attempt any patterns that I hadn’t already tried. I was happy that I’d brought the appropriate amount of yarn: because I finished three sets going, two sets while I was in San Diego and almost five sets on the return trip. Most of the time, during the day while looking out the window enjoying the scenery, I was just happily crocheting the day away.

    Crocheting allowed me to enjoy the scenery when there was daylight as well as take a few photos with breaks for meals and fresh air when we were at longer stops. Also I could have conversations with people while riding unlike reading which is a “closed” activity. In the evenings once the sun set, the activities changed slightly… instead of looking out the window and taking the occasional photograph I read and crocheted. Day and evening I also listened to music and listened to the entire Ring Cycle (Das Rheingold and Die Walkurie going, and Siegfried and Gotterdammerung on the way back).

    Using yarn that I was familiar with was a good plan. Different colors don’t really change the functionality of the yarn but different weights do, so all of the yarn I took with me was yarn I was familiar with, so I could just dig in my bag and work on a project. As I was leaving home, at the last moment, I threw a couple extra skeins of yarn in my bag and they came in handy so I had enough for the entire trip.

    The plan was very good using untried yarns can be frustrating Since my return, I haven’t completed as many projects. I have made a hat, but I’ve also restarted a scarf with a new or yarn, and gave up on a project with another new yarn (that yarn is now in the donation bag). Also, I’ve been combining some odds and ends to make more hats, and started a couple of red scarves.

    During 10-day trip I was able to finish nine and a half hat and scarf sets. The last half of the scarf was completed once I returned home but I still consider it part of the vacation crocheting projects and the cross country train trip put me at my goal of 100 sets! Whoo hoo!

    Three more months to go in 2022, and still lots of yarn in my working stash! Though I have a couple of gifts to make, I will likely hit 110 sets with no difficulty.

    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!

  • Hat and scarf goals - trial and error

    Color choices

    March 12, 2022 - By 

    The current batch of sets features two poor choices. I purchased both yarns online from different companies. I’ve used both yarns before and thought the colors would be ok for sets. Generally, I try to use darker colors or grays so the recipients won’t have to worry about the items getting dirty since they may not have access to laundry facilities.

    The first set, the yarn seemed a darker and the more prominent grey and I thought that it would be suitable. The hat was ok but lighter than I anticipated, thought manageable. However when it came time for the scarf, the pattern I chose highlighted more of the white. Love the yarn, Premier Puzzle but won’t buy the color again. [Colorway – Jacks.]

    Another set… The yarn was pink and blues. Again, the pink gradient seemed darker online and I made a mistake. I wanted to try all of the colors in Lion Brand’s Mandala Ombre. The light pink is very light and almost white in some places. Again, I like the yarn but I will steer away from that colorway – Pure.

     

    These two experiences makes me think of a song on a kid’s show I watched growing up – “oops I made a mistake that’s all and making mistakes is never fun… It’s part of growing up.” I’ll chalk these up to learning experiences. Though the scarf that I made in Puzzle is a pattern that I will use again because I’m a big fan of Puzzle and have quite a bit in my working stash. It’s great – machine wash and dry and soft. These learning experiences weren’t bad and even though the colors are lighter than I anticipated, someone may still use them to keep warm.

    Keep moving forward!

    Happy crocheting!