Where are they now?: Knit and Crochet Blog Week 2011

There are so many unfinished projects around this house that I had to think long and hard about which one to write about today. 

Admittedly, I am an impulse crafter. I see something in a book or online and I want to make it. Before I improved on my crochet skills, I took on a lot of projects that were difficult and I started them only to get lost in the pattern or frustrated, never to finish them. I've gotten better about that. In part, I've gotten better because of this blog. I want to have something to show my net friends and I want to be a part of the online community.                                                                                  
I searched high and low for something that was not only undone, but that I was unlikely to finish.

And here it is folks --

What is it, you ask? Well, let's see. 

Two circles. 
Obvious, right?
But for what purposes?
Last November I decided to get rid of all my yarn stash. No new yarn unless it was doll related. So, I had this really interesting variegated scrap. I'm pretty sure it was a few ounces of Vanna's Choice. 
I wanted to make a scallop shaped make-up purse. I have seen a few online and thought I would make a tutorial. 
I even took lots of photos of the process. See:

                  I was so optimistic that the scrap was big enough to be a little bag that I even tested out different trim compliments and made a strap.


And then, I went to join it. And realized that what I had was two well crocheted circles (if I can say so myself) and that's about it.


I haven't yet figured out how to eyeball yarn and know just how far I can go with it. I either over estimate and end up with lots of leftovers or I underestimate and end up with projects that have me running back to the store with my fingers crossed, muttering under my breath, "Please let the dye lots match, please let the dye lots match."


I don't know what I can do with these circles. 
I won't buy another skein. They're not heavy enough to be potholders or soft enough to be face clothes. 

I kept saying I was going to frog it and try something different, but alas, they just sit stuffed in a drawer in my craft corner. When I went to look for them to write this blog I was surprised that I knew exactly where they were. (See my previous post on organization.) I think I like these little useless circles. Maybe I'll put them in a frame and dare to call them art. 


Am I the only one who has projects like this? Unfinishable, but still too dear to scrap?


Thanks for dropping by, 
~ Dee

Tidy mind, tidy stitches? - Well, Not Quite: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2011

Today's topic is all about organization. And well, for me, that's a doozy.

Here's Eskimmi's description of what the day is all about:

"How do you keep your yarn wrangling organised? It seems like an easy to answer question at first, but in fact organisation exists on many levels. Maybe you are truly not organised at all, in which case I am personally daring you to try and photograph your stash in whatever locations you can find the individual skeins. However, if you are organised, blog about an aspect of that organisation process, whether that be a particularly neat and tidy knitting bag, a decorative display of your crochet hooks, your organised stash or your project and stash pages on Ravelry." - (http://eskimimiknits.com/knitting-and-crochet-blog-week-2011/)

When we moved to our house this summer we had a lot of new storage. For the first time in years I had space for my stuff - my beading stuff, my yarny stuff, all my clothes and shoes. I loved having what seemed like endless space. Then suddenly, I realized that I needed to put that space to good use. Sounds promising right? 

Well, friends, G.I. Joe used to say that knowing was half the battle - but he didn't say much about the other half. You know, the doing something about what you know part?

Where's my yarn? 

Here:

See the I Taught Myself Knitting I got as a freebie?

Yep, that's the bag that came with a comforter. 

And here:

I got that lovely roller bag from a flea market in Honolulu. It is stuffed full of unfinished projects, yarn I bought on sale and things craft related that I thought I needed but have since just stuffed down into the suitcase.

Oh and then there are about 5 of these:

Do you see the doll parts? Unfinished dolls look so sad.

Yep, that's a box that used to hold diapers. I have so many of these. They're a perfect size for stuffing randomness in and stacking in corners.

I should do better. I really should. I have so many stashes of crafty stuff. That I sometimes find these:

Plastic bags with the components for projects long unfinished. 

The good thing about this post is that I was able to look through what I have and further affirm my goal not to buy any new yarn or craft supplies until I make a dent in everything I have. I also know that may just need to give up on some of my impulse buys. Maybe, I'll give them away and find them good new homes. 

Until tomorrow, 

~Dee

I've Got Skills: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2011

Today's topic for Knitting and Crochet Blog Week calls for each blogger to assess how their skills have improved over the last year.  I started blogging last year when I was halfway through my first pregnancy, off from work and moving to the suburbs. Crafting and crocheting in particular, became a calming, meditative practice when my life was changing pretty quickly. I've had some highs and lows and even picked up a few new techniques along the way.

                       

Most notably, I went from discovering amigurumi dolls -- to making sellable ones in my own signature style. My technique improved rapidly because of two reasons:

1. The super helpful blog community. There are some great amigurumi blogs out there that share free patterns and give tips and tricks for the novice. I can't say how grateful I am to those great folks for sharing. 

2. Practice, practice, practice. I made so many heads and bodies that I can't begin to count. I still have a bunch of unfinished, rethought parts in a box. I probably tried 20 different sphere patterns before I found one that made the round head I liked. I went to the craft store at least 5 times to find yarn that would make for suitable hair. I was determined to make dolls that I would have bought myself.

One day, I made the original Dr. CraftFro doll after working late into my usual insomniac night and I knew I was onto something. I enjoyed making her, crafting her big hair and giving her a story. 

The dolls were just the first push for me to learn the right way to crochet instead of just winging it the way I had been. I joined Ravelry and Crochetville and started watching crochet videos on youtube. After a while, I was making booties and hats for my soon-to-come baby and felt confident enough to make gifts for others. 

I made my first ever granny squares. I know I know. Every crocheter makes granny squares. I just never had.

I went from barely knowing how to start the next row in a rectangle scarf pattern, to being able to design my own patterns and to follow others. I even learned symbol crochet. 

I did pick up a pair of knitting needles in 2010. I got one of those Teach Yourself How to Knit kits as a prize and tried to give it a shot. It was my first ever attempt at knitting. 

After a lot of unraveling and started over, I made a hook case. It wasn't perfect, it was practice! I didn't bother blocking it. I just wanted to see how long it would take me to knit (and purl!) something. I decided that knitting wasn't quite my thing, yet. So' I've put the needles away until summer when I can devote a bit more time to learning. 

All in all, this year I've gone from being a beginning crocheter who never finished anything but oddly shaped scarves to being a pretty decent pattern follower and a, dare I say it, near expert doll maker. 

All that said, I haven't made any dolls for a while. I got frustrated after making a few for sale. I realized that I loved the way they looked but I wasn't very efficient with my time or materials. I just couldn't take the time to make each one in the way I was making them for all of the people that wanted one. I'm still torn about what to do about that. I don't want to stop trying to make the dolls for gifts and to sell but I can't find a good way to change my process. 

And most importantly, in the last six months, I've learned to craft while having a sidekick who needs lots of attention.

My Little H. as an Oompa Loompa

Peas and Carrots, 

~Dee

A Tale of Two Yarns: Knitting and Crochet Blog Week 2011

Tale 1: A Yarn I Can't Even Understand

I'll admit it. I'm a cheap crocheter. It doesn't mean that I don't spend too much on supplies. It means that I buy LOTS of yarn, too often. But I don't usually buy expensive yarns. It really has everything to do with what I normally make. In my latest incarnation as a crocheter, I mostly make amigurumi style dolls for adults. The hair yarn for these dolls can be expensive, but the actual yarn I use for the dolls is acrylic. It wears well and comes in endless colors. I have skeins and skeins of acrylic worsted weight yarn and very few skeins of anything else. And certainly no fun fur or novelty yarn that isn't useful for my dolls.

Sooo, I'm not sure where this yarn came from --

I found it in my stash at the end of last year, and for the life of me I don't remember buying. I can't imagine what I thought I'd use it for. It is a variegated blue, green and black boucle yarn. The label was missing but I did some research and I am pretty sure it's a skein of Bernat Soft Boucle. I don't have anything against Bernat Soft Boucle, I looked at it at Joann's and there are some really pretty colors out there.

BUT, this green-blue-black yarn is atrocious. The variegation is weird. There's a pukey yellow stripe that looks likes the dyeing went wrong and the blues and greens aren't complimentary. It really is the pitts.

I looked at it and decided that I had to use it for something. I'd spent money on it and I want to be less wasteful. So, I thought, maybe something small? A neckwarmer for a friend (with different aesthetic tastes than my own)...

Side Eye courtesy of the less than stellar yarn. 

 

 

Okay, so I said that the yarn has other more attractive colorways, and it's true. But I will also say that I don't like working with boucle. It was catchy (and I don't mean a tune). The yarn just wouldn't slip off of either my aluminum or plastic hooks. It took ages to crochet this simple double crochet, mobious neck warmer. I made a similar one (same pattern) with an acrylic blend in under 3 hours. Maybe fun yarn just isn't for me. ...Except for afros for my dolls.


Tale 2: A Yarn I Desire with My Whole Heart - But Have No Use For

Photo Credit: fabulousyarns.com

Isn't it lovely, friends? I saw it first on a newsgroup when a friend posted about having bought a skein in a different color. This is Artyarns Beaded Silk yarn. I went searching for it and found it here. A shiny, delicate silk yarn with little gold beads woven in. I can only imagine how wonderful it feels.

Oh, what marvelous things I could make with it!

D'oh! That's just it. I have no clue what I would make with this yarn. It's beautiful. It moves me. But I have no idea what I would crochet with it. A thin, impossibly long scarf, maybe?

There's a drawback to my one idea of what to use this exquiste fiber is that the material costs, get this, $44 a hank!!! Let's say I could make my fabo-long, couture worthy scarf with just 3 (unlikely, but humor me) --- that's $132!

Now, some of you fashionistas may have the means and the desire to buy or make a  $132 scarf, but in spite of media coverage to the contrary, college professors don't really have that kind of money!

But, if I did, I can't lie...I'd have this yarn in my hand right now, instead of typing this post. :)

                                                                                                                                                                                                 Next time:I'll keep with the meme of the week and talk about my progress with hooks and needles.

Until then, 

Peas and Carrots - 

~Dee

Chain Stitch Crochet Charm Bracelet: Now that's a mouthful!

 

 Hey You Beginning Crocheter (or you seasoned vet, or you non-crocheter)!

Make the easiest crochet charm bracelet ever!

You'll need these materials:

Nylon Trim from JoAnn's Fabric. 35 cents on sale!

A length of decorative, round nylon trim  -- You'll want it to be 2 1/2 times the size of the wrist. Also, the ideal thickness to achieve the chain link look is 1/8th of an inch

H/8 Crochet hook -- I used a plastic hook. The trim slipped over it easily and it was easy to keep the tension

Charms and Beads -- I like the minimalist look, but the bracelet can support as many as you'd like

Jump Rings - to attach the charms and beads to your bracelet.

You'll Need the Following Techniques:

Chain Stitch Crochet -- A great tutorial can be found here

Sliding Knot -- A great tutorial can be found here

Okay, so this is super easy.

1. Make a slip knot with the trim. You want to leave about a 3 inch tail.

Tying a slip knot with the trim can be a little tricky because of its firmness and slippery texture. Just fiddle with it until the knot forms and stays knotted.

2. Chain stitch as many times as you need to create a length that can wrap around your wrist and not overlap. 

The nylon trim is super forgiving. You can adjust the shape of the chain with your fingers as you go.

3. Pull the last loop all the way through the stitch to create a knot at the end. You may want to tie another knot right next to it for added security. 

Looks a lot like chain links when you're done.

4. Tie a sliding knot over the two ends. If you think you have to much excess length, now is the time to cut them. BUT remember to leave enough length on both ends to tie a knot at the end to keep them from slipping all the way through the sliding knot. You can also burn the ends of the trip to make sure they don't unravel.

The Sliding Knot is a great technique for all sorts of projects.

5. Add your beads and charms. I added a bead dangle to one of my ends. I find that it not only adds a nice finishing touch, but that the weight of the bead keeps the bracelet from pulling apart during the day.

I'm a minimalist about charms, so I only added 3. A photo bead of my little H. making a silly face, a bead dangle and a heart. But you can add as many as you'd like.

This bracelet's materials cost less than $2 when I divide how much of materials I used (length of cord from spool, charms from sets).  The thrifty side of me loves it, the urban wannabe fashionista does too!


If you make one of these bracelets, I'd love to see it!  The possibility for the trim and crochet seem endless. I'll be posting about a necklace I made with it soon.


Peas and Carrots, 
~Dee

I've Linked this Tutorial to:

2nd Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week!

I am super excited about the 2nd Annual Knitting & Crochet Blog Week, March 28-April 3rd. Organized by Eskimimi over at Eskimimiknits.com , the week long blog along (say that three times fast) will have participants write posts about preassigned topics on each day. Last year's participants say it was great fun to read others' posts and that they discovered great new blogs.

I love to crochet and have been surprised at just how much I've improved my skill in the last year by visiting people's blogs. As most of us know, blogs are great places to find patterns, tutorials and inspiration.

I started this blog after being inspired by the many blogs I follow. The knitting and crochet blog communities are filled with helpful folks. Although, I bead too and dabble in other crafts,  the fiber arts are dear to my heart.

The bi-line on the banner here says that I'm an urbanite trying to craft a life in the 'burbs. Blogging and crafting have helped me rethink a few things and have eased my transition from being a big city girl (who crafted occasionally and never completed any projects) to being a new mommy working full time who needs to craft as a form of meditation.

I look forward to writing the prompted blogs and reading responses from new blog friends! Who else is joining in?                                                                                                                               

Pattern Followed! A Sweater Jacket for Little H.

Grocery shopping is serious business. Lots of people to see.

Doesn't she look cozy?

While I was away, I was still crafting. I found this great pattern for an easy to make kimono wrap baby sweater. H. is too small for the coats in most stores and we got tired of layering her up with little jackets when all she really needed was a thick sweater.

I whipped this up in four lengthy nighttime tv watching.

I changed the pattern up by adding a stripe on the sleeves and a contrasting cuff, but all the stitch directions are the same. I used a thick worsted weight yarn and that modification came out okay because the pattern writer (lovely woman) made the gauge discussion simple and I was able to adjust really easily.

The work in progress.

I hadn't ever made a garment in crochet (I don't count shawls, because they don't require shaping).  It was good fun and a challenge to a non-pattern reader like me. I made the sweater a few sizes too big and she should be able to wear it in the Fall.

I felt a huge sense of accomplishment when I was done and I'm glad that when she gets older I can show her these photos and teach her all about handmade!

If you want to do the pattern, go on over to Crochet Me.


The GCRU Link Up is still looking for submissions and I'm happy to report that I'll be one of many participating in the Annual Knit and Crochet Blog Week March 28-April 3. See here.
I'll be posting about why I chose to blog along tomorrow!




Peas and Carrots,
~ Dee

Great Crafter, Relatively Unknown 3/20-4/3 Edition

Welcome to the First Great Crafter, Relatively Unknown (GCRU) Link Up.  Notice that I've changed the dates of the Link Up to give time for (hopefully) a good response.

If you're not sure what this is all about see the explanation here.

It's like the popular Linky Parties (I even use the same widget), with a few exceptions. This is a link up for craft bloggers with 100 or less subscribers. I hope that we can all get a chance to find new and interesting blogs that are under read. The big crafters have great sites, but there are a lot of lesser known blogs and bloggers out there that are making cool stuff. This linky is for them.

If you want to be a part of the GCRU, you have to play by the rules.

To post a link to the GCRU, you have to meet the following criteria:

1.       The blog you link to must primarily be about crafting, sewing, or DIY and have less than 100 subscribers. This is the most important criteria. Blogs not meeting this one will be removed.

2.       The link you leave should be to a particular blog post that you feel most represents your craft-itude (yep, that’s craft and attitude made into one word). It can be an about me post or a tutorial. A post where you write about why you craft or who inspires you. It should be a post that makes the reader want to keep coming back.

3.       YOU SHOULD NOT POST A LINK TO A SHOP. You, of course, can have a blog that features your for sale creations, but the point of this party is to get exposure for under read blogs about crafting – not for your Etsy shop. (Although as this blog grows bigger, that might happen.) 

4.       For each bi-weekly GCRU, I’ll pick one to three Bloggers of Distinction (BOD). By submitting a link you are indicating that you are willing to be featured as a  GCRU BOD in a review post that I do here on Craftfro.blogspot.com after the GCRU post date closes. I will wax poetic about how great your blog is and tell my craftfriends that they should all go and subscribe. I’ll even give you a button for your site that boosts that I chose you and when.

And that’s it. Participants can take a GCRU button (see below), if you want, but you don’t have to. You don’t even have to link back here if you don’t want. It’s all about you. 

Pass on the link to the link up and  help me make it a success!

 Peas and Carrots,

~Dee

After you Link Up, get the button:

Add the link to your representative post by clicking the link below. Make sure to include a thumbnail to attract attention!

The NEW GCRU: A Way to Keep a Promise!

I've been playing kissy-kissy with my little baby.

A Preamble Ramble

Long time, no blog. But now that I’ve finally seem to have my work load sorted out, I’m happy to be back! I’ve been crafting – there are posts to come. But first things first! When I left in January I made a promise. I was going to set out to find 15 new blogs to read and to post about so that I could rightfully accept the Stylish Blogger award so undeservedly given to me by DaPerfectMix (check out her awesome blog here). And for about a week after I made that promise I searched the net and looked up new blogs. But then the speed of the world outside of the interwebs caught up to me and I couldn’t devote the amount of time and energy I needed to to find the types of blogs I was looking for--- and then an idea started to form.

Maybe, I had the wrong approach. 

Swimming through the net and trying to find crafty blogs with small readerships but that were delivering great content wasn’t as easy as I thought it would be. The search engines all point you to the big sites with the huge followings. But what I wanted to find were those gems that were being overlooked and under-clicked.

Become part of the GCRU or say See Here, CraftFro

SO, I think I’ve come up with a way to get more people on the prowl for good under-viewed blogs for me (and for others)  and for me to fulfill my promise, but hopefully in a bigger way over time. 

I’d like to introduce my first recurring blog event. There will be two parts.

Part 1:  Great Crafter, Relatively Unknown Link Up (GCRU)

Are you a great crafter (or craft blogger) but still relatively unknown on the internet? Never fear, a link up for you is here!

As most of you know,  lots of the former linky parties are going the way of the Dodo. The popular linky site was free and is now by paid subscription. I’ve decided to go ahead and pay for a subscription, so that I can make this as easy as possible. Let’s keep our fingers crossed. But back to our link up...

To post a link to the GCRU, you have to meet the following criteria:

1.       The blog you link to must primarily be about crafting, sewing, or DIY and have less than 100 subscribers. This is the most important criteria. Blogs not meeting this one will be removed.

2.       The link you leave should be to a particular blog post that you feel most represents your craft-itude (yep, that’s craft and attitude made into one word). It can be an about me post or a tutorial. A post where you write about why you craft or who inspires you. It should be a post that makes the reader want to keep coming back.

3.       YOU SHOULD NOT POST A LINK TO A SHOP. You, of course, can have a blog that features your for sale creations, but the point of this party is to get exposure for under read blogs about crafting – not for your Etsy shop. (Although as this blog grows bigger, that might happen.)  

4.       For each bi-weekly GCRU, I’ll pick one to three Bloggers of Distinction (BOD). By submitting a link you are indicating that you are willing to be featured as a  GCRU BOD in a review post that I do here on Craftfro.blogspot.com after the GCRU post date closes. I will wax poetic about how great your blog is and tell my craftfriends that they should all go and subscribe. I’ll even give you a button for your site that boosts that I chose you and when.

And that’s it. Participants can take a GCRU button, if they want, but they don’t have to. You don’t even have to link back here if you don’t want. It’s all about you.

I’ve posted a blog right after this one as the first GCRU. I will leave it open for links until 3/27/11.

Please help me make it a success!

Part Two:  See Here, Craftfro  (SHC) Bi-Weekly Post

As I mentioned above, I’m going to feature a few bloggers from my GCRU party but I also want to give people the opportunity to nominate blogs that they subscribe to and enjoy for me to go take a look at.  The bloggers in question wouldn’t have to submit to the GCRU party.  I would love for you to send me links to blogs that you read often and adore.  I’ll go and check them out, send a few questions to the blogger and then write up a post about them. 

The rules are simple:

1.       The blog you nominate must be a crafty blog with less than 200 subscribers and not primarily be a store.  You can even nominate your own blog. There’s no shame in it. Plus, if you have more than 100 readers and you can’t participate in the GCRU,  I still want to see what you’re making

2.       You should leave your nomination as a comment to the static post I’ve created under the SHC link at the top of my blog.  Give me the address of the blog and maybe write a few lines about why you like the blog you’re nominating.

Every other week, I’ll feature one blog nominated on the SHC post. But don’t worry, I’ll make sure to go through the archives and I’ll try to consider all posts, so you don’t have to post your favorite read again!

Okay, that’s all the logistics. Let’s see what happens! I am so excited. I really do love the online craft world and I like blogging. Hopefully, you can help me find some new hidden gems and let CraftFro be a place where they can shine....

Oh and a random, just in case note, I'm not trolling for people's sites, I really do love to blog and craft and want to see what is out there that I'm missing. I think that there are a lot of people who are on blogger and wordpress who have been posting great stuff but that I don't get to and I'm sure other folks feel the same way. The whole point of both of these exercises is both personal (I wanna see new stuff) and social (wouldn't it be great if those cool blogs had more visits?).

Peas and carrots,

~Dee