• Crochet - red scarves - trial and error

    Giving up… again

    July 1, 2022 - By 

    I saw a yarn online and thought it would be interesting to try. It’s a nice red and black that I could use for the red scarves that I make. When I got it, I dove in and tried it. First attempt:  I made a set, double stranded and I didn’t like it. It wasn’t quite as thick as I thought, but it wasn’t quite right using two strands, either. Second attempt, I tried one strand and made a set. It was okay then after starting, restarting and after the third start of a scarf – I’ve given up on it. I am just not going to use it anymore. After several attempts on this third project, I put the partially completed project, the stopped project (which could be considered a test swatch) and all the rest that I bought into the donation bag for someone else to enjoy. There are just times when you need to give up on a yarn. I wanted to like it and in some ways I do, it’s soft and I like the colors, it’s just not fun to work with. Crocheting is about fun and relaxation for me and I was struggling. Not in the “I don’t like how this stitch looks” or “I think this would be better” inspired restarts that I am wont to do. This was, I made two projects and thought I would like it better if I tried something different the next time, well, I didn’t want to put myself through the abuse and I let it go. Very cathartic.

    It’s not so easy when you find yarn that you think you will like and don’t because it ticks all the boxes, right weight, material, color. Buying online can be challenging because you can’t touch the yarn. Even when you try something new what you see in the store, you don’t know if you will like it or not, until you use it. It’s a chance we all take, which is why many people stick with the yarns they have used because crafting can be expensive.

    I’m never really sure whether I try something in person or online if I haven’t used it. Sometimes, I take a chance and it can be a hit or a miss. Yarn sub may give you a clue if a yarn is similar to something you’ve used before or if it gives a suggested hook size. Other keys that are helpful are if it’s a certain weight or if the fiber composition sounds good. Not all the time, but most of the time I’ve had good luck and finding yarns that are nice online and reasonably priced. I’m always hunting for a bargain when it comes to “working stash yarn” for projects to donate and since I use so much. Generally, I can get a lot of really great yarns that are being discontinued in certain colors or changing seasons.  Then, there are times like this one, where it’s been frustrating to use.  After trying multiple ways of using it, I have given up. I started another project in the same stitch with a different yarn and the project has been enjoyable. Since purging the pretty and frustrating yarn, I feel so much better.

    Yarn doesn’t always work out that’s okay certain stitches look better in some yarns than others or some colors look better than others, that’s okay too. It’s part of the learning process… oh well, I tried it, this didn’t work – keep it moving. Crocheting makes me happy – this yarn was stealing my joy, so it had to go!

    Half of the year has passed, so I took a quick tally to share my progress on my different goals.

        • 66 Hat and scarf sets
        • 18 Hats
        • 3 Red scarves

    Plus a few things in progress!

    Happy crocheting!

  • Creative reuse - Crochet - leftover yarn

    How do you use your leftover yarn?

    May 19, 2022 - By 

    For me, one way of using up leftover yarn is to make oddball hats.

    There is never the right amount of yarn for a project. When you buy something just as when you guy a carton of eggs and only need 3 for a recipe, you will have some left over. Depending on the style of the hats and scarf I make, there may be yarn left over. Knowing this, I purposely set aside the yarn that I have just to make some hats to donate to an organization. Some hats can be made with less than 150 yards of yarn while others are quite thirsty and require 200 yards or more. A good rule of thumb is to have about 200 yards of yarn to make a hat. A crochet swirl hat or a half double beanie (or toque) won’t take as much as a hat with front/back post ribbing or cables.

    As I complete some sets, I put the remaining yarn into a bag. Since I’m beyond the halfway point of 100 sets and it’s May, I’m taking a few days to just make hats. Even after making a couple of hats, I have some yarn left and will combine those with gray or brown and use the them to make hats with accents. If you haven’t figured this out yet, I don’t like to waste yarn. When it gets to a very small amount <5 yards, I add it to a mystery ball.

    Making hats with a limited about of yarn is fun because there are constraints… almost like yarn chicken in every hat. Ok, not really. I save the bands for yarn and some will give a yardage. If I have unused full balls, or I can rewind the partially used ones to give me a better estimate of how much I have. I could weigh the yarn to get an idea of how much I have. That’s more accurate, but not as much fun. Instead, I reach into one of the bags and see how much I have, then go through the hat patterns that I have committed to memory and begin.

    I’m impressed with the end results – warm hats.

    There’s still a bit of yarn left in the bag and hopefully I’ll make a dent in the bag once I make 10 hats or so. Then I’ll go back to making sets and continue to add to the bag. It’s an ongoing cycle. Unless I put the remainder back into my working stash because I bought a large quantity on sale and will use it later. There’s always a plan, even if I don’t know what it is when I begin. That’s the creative part.

    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 - trial and error

    Mystery box score

    April 6, 2022 - By 

    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 why I wouldn’t use all of the yarns for my general donation projects, as some groups specifically request machine washable items. The amount of yarn that is in the box is a great deal, if you aren’t picky about weights or colors. Even as a kid, I always loved a good mystery box so that is why I couldn’t pass up this opportunity.

    Yarn mystery boxes are more appealing than yarn subscriptions, to me. In the case of Kraemer and other mystery boxes that I have purchased in the past, there has been enough to make an item, that I can make for myself or as a gift If there’s at least enough to make a hat or mittens, I’m satisfied. Anyone who is familiar with mill end yarns or unbanded yarns would be comfortable with this mystery box.

    I have a few projects already in progress, but did decide to dip into the yarn that I received. There were two small squishy skeins of a lilac that is similar to a lighter weight Lion Brand Homespun or Red Heart’s [discontinued] Baby Clouds. While I was never a big fan of homespun because of it’s bulk and difficulty to fix any mistakes frogging, the yarn that I tried from the mystery box glides over the hook and doesn’t snag when unraveling. Bonus so far! Kraemer box came with some bulky yarn on cones which I can use for solo hats. Not everything is wool, there are some blends that look similar to ones on their site that are machine wash/dry, so I will give them a whirl soon. All of the yarns are unbanded so it’s a guessing game to figure out what they are (if the yarns are still available on their site). Still, I’m happy with my box and am excited to try the others in the box.

    Kraemer’s boxes are sold out now, but when they restock, don’t hesitate, because they go quickly!

    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!

  • Crochet

    Rhythm and Flow

    February 17, 2022 - By 

    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 race, even though I set yearly goals, I realize that by having several projects in progress at a time makes me more motivated.

    From Friday to Sunday of Super Bowl weekend I finished four scarves. A couple had already been started with a few rows already completed on a couple of them. The routine starts with a few rounds of a hat on Sunday night so I can mindlessly crochet during webinars or large group meetings on Monday. Then Sunday through Wednesday make a few more hats. Then, Thursday through Sunday work on the scarves to match the hats and the cycle starts all over again. This pattern and rhythm has worked since the last weekend in January. I’ll keep working at it and see if the rhythm of making a few hats in the beginning and then the matching scarves works.

    Maybe this new plan works or it could be that I can now go into my working stash and pull out yarn that I know I want to work with and just go. I don’t have to sort through skeins of yarn that I don’t want use for a project. Once I finish something, I can pull out enough for another project and work. The remaining yarn is being set aside to make individual hats, and it’s not put back into the working stash unless I have a lot of the yarn left or a coordinating amount to use another item.

    This week I’ve finished five hats and may complete another to add to the “inventory” before transitioning to scarves. There’s no set schedule, I might start another hat and then start working on scarves since this is a long weekend or maybe make a bunch of hats and then switch to scarf mode not following a hard switch because of the day of the week. The rhythm of a group of hats then scarves is a more natural flow rather than finishing a complete before starting another.

    Either way, I’m making good progress on the 2022 set goal – 14 sets are complete and I’m waiting for a good snow day or mental health day to just make a bunch of hats. The odd balls and remaining yarn from previous projects are being set aside for hatapalooza 2022.

    Happy crocheting!

  • Crochet - New Yarn

    Addendum

    January 13, 2022 - By 

    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 year. The hats, like the mittens and infinity scarves were amuse-bouches or palate cleansers to keep the crochet love alive.

    Hello Gorgeous yarn
    Started a new hat for a set…

    That’s it, I think those are the only things made that I forgot about from 2021… (Until I’m looking for something else on my computer.)

    Updated 2021 tally:

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

    *I’m going to stop counting for 2021 because I may have missed something else.

    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 - hats

    Developing Hatvision

    October 11, 2021 - By 

    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 or look at yarn and see if I have enough for a hat or if I can envision a hat made from oddballs. When I say made from oddballs, not a random amount of stripes but effectively using the odd bits yarn I have in creative ways. I am confident in where the stripes will lie when I use certain self striping yarns for particular patterns in a scarf or afghan. How they work up in different hat patterns is a different story.

    My eye for hats hasn’t developed yet. I make plans for afghans and can see the best use of oddballs and color combinations. While hats are smaller, it’s the varied sections: height, crown, brim, circumference means there’s more variables to take into consideration, not to mention style. Is this a close fitting beanie or a slouchy hat? So many options.

    My hat making skills have improved and they look good and fit. It’s the learning curve I’ve imposed on myself. It’s not that the skills I have aren’t transferrable to hats, it’s just that I’ve made more afghans and scarves than I have hats. Also, I look for improvements I can make after each project and try to make changes. I’m still learning and willing to try different things. (And I’m still developing an eye for hats.)

    Happy crocheting!