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…

A few YouTube videos have been dedicated to Kraemer Yarns’ Mystery Boxes. When I found out about this wonder last year (2021), I was unable to get in on the action. I had forgotten about it until I saw a new crop of videos this year and was able to score one of the smaller boxes before they sold out. For less than $60 including shipping I received a variety of colors and weights of yarn that I can use for myself and gifts. Plus, some is natural and that I can dye. Kraemer’s yarns are mostly wool, which is…

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…

There’s just a rhythm to crocheting, not just the stitches or a pattern but the time that is spent crocheting. Recently, I realized that I complete more sets when I have a few hats made and then make the scarves later. For the past couple of weeks I have made a few hats and then made the scarves later in the week and found that I was more productive that way. When I made a hat, then immediately started working on a scarf, somehow the flow was interrupted and I completed fewer sets in a week. Not that it’s a…

Even though I have several projects in progress, new yarn arrived today. The allure of the new yarn was too great and I started a new set. The colors are pretty, easy to work with and washable* (which is a request from some organizations.) Also, as I was looking for something on my computer, I saw something that jogged my memory about other things I made last year, I’d forgotten about the blue hats for #hatnothate. I should keep a written tally of completed items, some of the donations are to the same groups or similar items from year to…

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,…

Though I’ve made dozens of hats, I want to get better at making them. To improve my technique, I look at patterns and stitches to see what I can incorporate into future hats. Particularly I’m looking to see what works, what doesn’t and to develop a better eye for hat making. What I mean is not just making hats that will fit a human. I’m beyond the fear that a hat won’t fit a person. What I want is to be able to do is look at a hat and see if I can envision it in other yarn weights…

August has been busy! There’s nothing better than enjoying the cool refreshing air conditioning and working on a project. July was Red Scarf Month and exceeded the goal to 12 scarves for Foster Care To Success. This August, I made 5 infinity scarves for a local youth agency and a dozen hats for #hatnothate. After finishing the blue hats, I have returned to hats and scarf sets and extended the goal for the year from 60 to 100. Currently, I’m at 76 sets and counting. Even with all of the projects, I have been able to go through my working…