Category Archives: Crochet and Knit Basics

Mar 17 2013

Sunday Weekly Review

I find that if  I am unable to write here for a few days I am lost.  I want to keep you informed of my activities but once I stop I don’t seem to know where to start. Anyway this week I finished my fifth building block for my afghan. It appears blue in the picture but it’s actually black.

Block Number Five for Building Block Afghan

Block Number Five for Building Block Afghan

Then I began making mini granny squares but as you can see they aren’t the same size.  Sorry for the blurry picture. I am challenged today. I’ll let you know what I’m doing with them later.

Mini Granny Squares

Mini Granny Squares

Yarn review tomorrow!

 

Mar 5 2013

Tool Tuesday – Color Grid

If you are like me you are attracted to shiny objects. I can’t go near a yarn store without going in. I am attracted to all the yarn colors and variations. Like many of us I buy yarn without regard to a particular project and often think that things will go together only to match them up and decide that I was wrong. This is an inexpensive gadget that may keep you from making color mistakes.

COLOR GRID

This allows you to put your color in the grid and complimentary and contrasting colors appear. You can buy it from one of my favorite sites Patternworks for $8.00. Treat  yourself.

Feb 23 2013

Saturday Research — Knittinghelp.com

There are so many terms to learn when you knit and crochet. Most you won’t learn until you need them.  I have suggested this before but I think it’s worth mentioning again, if you need help with basic stitches and abbreviations visit KnittingHelp.com

One of the things that drive me crazy is when a pattern says M1 and  doesn’t specify which type of increase should be used here. Knittinghelp.com says:

“Make 1. This means to increase a stitch. If the method isn’t specified, use whichever increase you like, for instance M1F.” – See more at: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-glossary#sthash.3rlJ6LgI.dpuf

Just one bit of great advice, they have tons. They also include crochet terms and advice. Visit the next time you have a question.

Feb 14 2013

Thursday Crochet The Rocky Road Stitch from New Stitch A Day

I subscribe to New Stitch A Day and I must admit that I generally take only a cursory look at each stitch. Since my crochet skills are not up to par, I think that I should learn some of the stitches that they have videos for. If you are not a subscriber become one. Below is the Rocky Road crochet stitch.

Rocky Road Stitch

Rocky Road Stitch

Feb 9 2013

Saturday Night Research — Phone Apps for Craft

Yesterday I was playing with my telephone and visited the Google play store to download an app. While there I typed in knitting apps and wow there are lots of them. My first thought was dang, why didn’t I think of some of this stuff.  Anyway I added a few to my telephone. The first is called Knitting Stash. The app allows you to keep a list of your knitting needles, crochet hooks, projects. Under the Project heading you can list finished, unfinished and shopping needs. OMG this can be a lifesaver. I have two and three of the same knitting needles because I can’t remember whether I have that particular one when I buy yarn and a pattern for a new project. Another is called Millimeter and is a measuring tool. The last is KnitPurlGurl which is a blog and informational column which is very well known. I did the same thing for crochet and there are tons for crochet too. I downloaded CrochetCards  which allows you to keep information about your projects including photos on your phone.  I am sure that there are similar apps for the IPhone.

So when you have a slow moment, visit your phones app store and explore. You may find something that you like!

Jan 27 2013

Sunday Recap…. Do You Sell Your Products and Where?

This week did not produce a lot of knitting. I am still working on the Lucy hat and do a bit on it every day. Not what I would like to do, just too busy. Anyway this week I began exploring the possibility of selling some of my crafts online again. I have played with this idea for over a year. I would love to sell some stuff  but where and how? There are so many sites now that it is mind-boggling. Are some over saturated? I bet they are. Sites like Etsy have the process down to a science for sure. Yet I have to wonder how many knitted caps can get sold when there are thousands to choose from? Still I would love to pass my work on to people who would enjoy it and while I’m not looking to get rich from sales I would love to support my knitting needle, crochet hook, yarn/fiber habit. Hoping for suggestions from some of you that already sell your crafts.

Jun 5 2012

My next Project …..

Will involve doing something with the squares that I started for a baby blanket. Since I started years ago and stopped at least one year ago, I’m not even sure what yarn this is. Note to self make detailed cards about projects and make sure the notes include where you stopped if you put it down. Not sure of crochet hook, yarn, and where you left off ? NOTES please. Anyway I am going to try to do something with this stuff.

A pile of squares for a blanket maybe

Hexagonal blocks intended for a blanket. Didn’t go together well

A baby blanket maybe

Mar 8 2012

Thursday Crochet Day I Love The Single Crochet Stitch

I often say that what I love about knitting is the tightness of the fabric created. To me crochet generally creates an open airy fabric which is nice and has its uses but generally I gravitate to things that are closed in. The exception for me is the single crochet stitch. I like the surface that it creates particularly in bags which is one of my favorite projects. I also enjoy fulling (the process by which animal fibers shrink to make a denser fabric, which is often erroneously called felting) knitted and crocheted projects. By far the easiest crocheted project is one that is made from single crochet. I am finishing the bag that I have worked on this week and will full it this weekend. I will let you see the results.

Latest bag before fulling

 

Feb 23 2012

Crochert Thursday — Why I Like Crochet

Most of the ladies that come to our Bergen Crafters meeting start by learning to crochet. I think this is appropriate. I believe that learning to crochet first is the best way to go. Crochet is forgiving. When you are first learning and make a mistake, with guidance you can rip back to where the mistake is and correct it. When you are knitting depending on how confident you are, ripping back to a mistake can be traumatic. In my early knitting days a mistake often meant a project that didn’t ever get completed.

I think basic crochet is a confidence builder. This is not to say that you can’t find very challenging crochet patterns but you may be more confident when you try them if you have mastered the basics. Some people never knit. Crochet is their craft of choice and I respect that. I am definitely “bi-craftual” and proud of it. If someone asks me I will teach them to crochet first.