Yarn Bee

Last week while at my local Hobby Lobby store, I came across some Yarn Been yarn called Finale', the colorway Aria.  Yarn Bee is a Hobby Lobby store brand, and the yarn is made in Turkey. 

I had never seen Finale' before but was immediately intrigued by the thick and thin yarn.

I purchased two skeins but had to make a return trip when I finally figured out what I was going to make with it.

I decided to knit a scarf.  I know, I know, this is a blog about crochet, not knitting. I'm just learning to knit so you may see posts about knit once in a while as I struggle to learn how.

I want a wide scarf that can serve as a wrap when needed and something long enough to throw around my shoulders and stay there.

I’m working on the scarf/wrap as we speak. As you can see from the close up, the fabric is very nubby. As a well meaning friend said to me "with that yarn, you could make a mistake and no one would ever know". And that's just fine for a neophyte knitter like myself.

Here are my basic instructions if you would like to knit a similar scarf

Materials 6 skeins of Yarn Bee Finale

Size 15 Circular Knitting Needles

Size 16 X 60 inches

Cast on 34 stitches with size 15 circular knitting needles. Knit row one and all subsequent rows until scarf measure 60 inches or desired length. Bind off.

This is a great beginner project. The scarf is going together quickly due to the large knitting needles, and as my friend said, mistakes won't be easily seen due to the nubby nature of the fabric.

When I’m done, I might stitch the ends together to create an infinity scarf.

I have about 1 ½ skeins left to knit, so that may take me a couple of days, but I’ll model the scarf or find a model so that I can post the finished project here.

Tunisian Crochet with a size U Crochet Hook

This video was shared in a group that I belong to. I have never seen a hook this BIG or yarn this BULKY.

It looks like a lot of fun. So much yarn, so little time.

Enjoy.

Teaching Young People to Crochet

Teaching kids to crochet is fun because they are so eager to learn. People of all ages learn best when they are having fun, so if you teach kids remember to make it fun, offer a lot of positive feedback, and don't be too critical if the chains and stitches aren't perfect.

Just the other day I had the opportunity to work with two fourth grades girls, they are best friends. The objectives for the class were to learn how to hold the yarn and hook, make a slip knot,  make chains, single crochet and finish off.

To illustrate how to make the slip knot I brought mini pretzels, they are great visuals, and they taste good too!

Next the girls learned how to make a chain. We made a very long chain and then folded it into a friendship bracelet. We also discussed other useful items you can make with just a chain, like shoe laces.

It is important to have success early, and by making the friendship bracelet, the girls where able to complete a fun project and  feel good about it,

The single crochet project was a squiggle bookmark. We started the bookmark, but ran out of time before it was complete. I'm including the instructions for the squiggle bookmark and the friendship bracelet.

After just one lesson they had completed a project and knew how to chain and single crochet. AND most important of all, they left excited about the art of crochet. 

When teaching kids to crochet, remember to keep it simple, keep it fun, plan for early success, be generous with positive feedback and encouragement, and don't worry about perfection. It will come in time.
I have no doubt that these two young ladies will continue to  crochet, and will be quite accomplished in just a few years.

Chain Bracelet

By Mary Riley Hunt

Materials:

1 skein of worsted weight yarn

I or J crochet hook

Chain 60

Lay chain flat and loop back and forth to form 3 strands of chains. Slip stitch through end loops and finish off.

Slip stitch the other end and finish off.

Tie onto your wrist and enjoy

Squiggle Bookmark

By Mary Riley Hunt

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn

I or J Hook

Chain 50

Row 1: 3 single crochet in the 2^nd chain from the hook, 3 single crochet in each of the next 15 chains.

Finish off and weave in ends.

2012 New Years Resolutions

At the beginning of 2011 I resolved to "finish up my crochet projects that are currently in various stages of completion." The project that I really had in mind was a table cloth that I started sometime in the 1980s. YIKES. I still have the partially completed table cloth, I still have the pattern, I still have the thread, and it still is not finished.

So this year, I'm not going to resolve to complete that project. In 2011 I designed yoga socks and a wrap for my sister and I designed a baby afghan for my great great niece.  All of these gifts were given, however, the pattern instructions are still on spreadsheets and in notebooks.  So my 2012 New Years resolution is to get these 3 patterns typed and self published or published in a crochet magazine.  I think this may be a resolution that I might actually complete. Wish me luck.

Oh, and I resolve to lose weight and to get into shape, because I resolve to do that every year too!

Professional Application to CGOA

Today I am completing the application process for Professional Status with the Crochet Guild of America CGOA.

Professional Status is for "someone who has been working professionally (derives some of all income from this work) in the crochet field for at least 2 years" (http://www.crochet.org/)

I have been an "Associate Member" since I took early retirement from teaching in 2009. Since that time I have devoted a considerable amount of time to the art of crochet and honing my crochet skills.

As proof of qualification I have included several documents with the application to show that I derive some income from crochet. These documents include a business card, a copy of my pattern from Quick and Easy Crochet Magazine, my State Tax Certificate, an invoice from a Ravelry sale, and a copy from my blog page advertising crochet lessons.

I'll let you  know when and if the committee approves my application.

Yahoo Groups

If you like to converse with like-minded crochets artists, but time and distance are an issue you might explore “Yahoo Groups”.

I belong to several online groups which I have listed below. The short descriptions are taking right from the groups’ descriptions.  

If you decide to sign up for a group, I suggest you select  the “digest” format.  that way your inbox won’t be inundated with individual group updates.

Just go to http://groups.yahoo.com/ and search for groups, or you can even start your own group.

Crochet Guild of America Professional Members. . You must be a paid member of the Crochet Guild of America, and have Professional Member status to belong to this group. The membership of this group is made up of many different crochet professionals including, but not limited to: EDITORS, PUBLISHERS, MANUFACTURERS, DESIGNERS, CONTRACT CROCHETERS, CROCHET PRODUCERS, AND YARN REPRESENTATIVES. All aspects of CROCHET may be discussed on this list

Crochet Partners is a very large group with over 6000 members. Crochet Partners is for crocheters worldwide. Their skill levels range from beginners to professional designers and publishers. Members love to share their thoughts, comments and knowledge about crochet with others, and believe that there is no such thing as a dumb question!

Knitting with a crochet hook    This group is using 2 different ways to do conventional knitting using tools that have crochet hooks on them.

Known in Asia as "Magic Needles" these have been called "Amazing Needles" in the US. Recently the term "Knooking" has become popular.

This has been a focused discussion group knitting_with_crochethook on Yahoo since 2004 currently with over 700 members, with files and links to help you get started.

Publish Crochet was created for Crochet Designers to learn from and discuss the business side of the industry. Appropriate topics include: general business aspects such as sales,
accounting, self-publishing, marketing and Copyright.

This list is not appropriate for those needing help with crochet techniques.

Tunisian Crochet. Whether you call it Tunisian, Tricot or Afghan Stitch, you've found the right place!  This group is all about Tunisian crochet and has a lot of files to share.

Have fun exploring Yahoo Groups

Free Knook

Hey Everyone, for a chance to win a Free Knook or IPad go to Leisure Arts. 

I've seen the Knook and I've watched the videos, but I haven't purchased it yet. So many things to try, so little time.  The finished product is supposed to look like knitting but you use a crochet hook.  Very Interesting.

I've seen the Knook at Hobby Lobby, and Walmart. I'm sure it is sold other places too.  I need to buy one, just to learn the new technique.

Anyway, I digress. Here is the link to the contest.  Good luck

Enter the Contest