Tuesday, March 06, 2012
Crochet Projects to Go
It seems one of the biggest problems fiber artists have is getting and staying organized. I have, over the years, probably spent as much time organizing yarn, hooks, books, patterns, as I have actually crocheting.
We all have stacks of patterns and tubs of yarn that will become WIPs at some point in the future. But then, you use part of the yarn for something or other and when you are ready to start the project, there is not enough of the yarn to do it. So, either off to the store to buy more, if you can get it, or laid aside for another time.
OR--the pattern is just out of reach, can't be found no matter where you look. Not in the saved files on the computer, can't find it in the 3 ring binders of patterns saved over the years, not even in the piles of patterns waiting to be put in binders Where is that thing?
I have finally come up with a method that works for me!
When I get a pattern that I really want to do, I go through my stash and pull out the yarn. I then put them together in a zip bag of some sort. The bag goes in a big tub. When I need a project, I go to the tub, pull out what I want to do and it is all right there! Pattern, and yarn.
I use this method even if I don't have everything I need. I can then add the rest of the yarn when I pick it up.
We all have stacks of patterns and tubs of yarn that will become WIPs at some point in the future. But then, you use part of the yarn for something or other and when you are ready to start the project, there is not enough of the yarn to do it. So, either off to the store to buy more, if you can get it, or laid aside for another time.
OR--the pattern is just out of reach, can't be found no matter where you look. Not in the saved files on the computer, can't find it in the 3 ring binders of patterns saved over the years, not even in the piles of patterns waiting to be put in binders Where is that thing?
I have finally come up with a method that works for me!
When I get a pattern that I really want to do, I go through my stash and pull out the yarn. I then put them together in a zip bag of some sort. The bag goes in a big tub. When I need a project, I go to the tub, pull out what I want to do and it is all right there! Pattern, and yarn.
I use this method even if I don't have everything I need. I can then add the rest of the yarn when I pick it up.
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Inspired and Energized
Spent yesterday at Stitches West in Santa Clara. Was a long day as it is quite a drive from Modesto and we hit some nasty commute traffic going in and as we left. But, oh, so worth every minute behind the wheel.
My crochet group, Crochet Crusaders, mans the Warm Up America booth every year and we meet so many wonderful people stopping by to get info or drop off blocks for afghans. This year we had an extra large booth so had 2 tables and lots of chairs so folks could sit and crochet or knit a block or help assemble some of the blocks we already had. Very nice, Thank you, Benjamin!
I met several designers yesterday, a couple I have been in online groups with for years. Drew Emborsky is much taller than I thought he would be! LOL I also met Tammy Hildebrand in the CGOA booth along with Amy Shelton. I missed Karen Ratto-Whooley. She must have been teaching when I was out looking for her.
This year we there all day so I had time to do some wandering thru the marketplace. Even though I have more yarn than some stores, I still love to look and pet the yarn. I also love to look at the display pieces for inspiration. This year there was a much larger crochet presence than in past years, but it is a Knitting magazine expo. There were lots of buttons and bobbles and accessories. Sensory overload to the max!
But, I came home inspired to finally get started on a couple of the sketches I have in my notebook, finish writing a couple of my patterns and get them in my Ravelry store, and maybe, just maybe, submit a pattern to a magazine.
My crochet group, Crochet Crusaders, mans the Warm Up America booth every year and we meet so many wonderful people stopping by to get info or drop off blocks for afghans. This year we had an extra large booth so had 2 tables and lots of chairs so folks could sit and crochet or knit a block or help assemble some of the blocks we already had. Very nice, Thank you, Benjamin!
I met several designers yesterday, a couple I have been in online groups with for years. Drew Emborsky is much taller than I thought he would be! LOL I also met Tammy Hildebrand in the CGOA booth along with Amy Shelton. I missed Karen Ratto-Whooley. She must have been teaching when I was out looking for her.
This year we there all day so I had time to do some wandering thru the marketplace. Even though I have more yarn than some stores, I still love to look and pet the yarn. I also love to look at the display pieces for inspiration. This year there was a much larger crochet presence than in past years, but it is a Knitting magazine expo. There were lots of buttons and bobbles and accessories. Sensory overload to the max!
But, I came home inspired to finally get started on a couple of the sketches I have in my notebook, finish writing a couple of my patterns and get them in my Ravelry store, and maybe, just maybe, submit a pattern to a magazine.
Saturday, February 18, 2012
Kid Size
Penny and I were at the medical clinic about a month ago and it was pretty chilly out so we were sporting our Ridge Runner Fingerless gloves. One of the nurses asked Penny where she got them, and of course, Penny told her that I made them. Maria ordered 3 pair for her kids, ages 7, 9 and 12. Wow! how big is the hand of a 7 year old? I tried doing some googling but didn't find anything very helpful.
More than one way to skin a cat. I went across the street with my notebook, pencil and tape measure in my pocket and asked the parents of the little girl who lives there if I could measure her hand. I asked her what her favorite color is and her reply was "I like all colors, but I really like pink." I came home, got out some pink yarn, grabbed a hook and went to work. When I was finished, I went back across the street, asked her try them on.
Perfect fit! Yea! She was so surprised when I told her they were hers to keep.
Now, back to the gloves that Maria ordered. I did the 7 year old first in blue, then moved on to the 9 year old in purple and finished with the 12 year old in aqua. Still waiting for delivery as mom has been out of town for job training.
I took pretty good notes as I down sized the pattern, but don't know if I should write it up and post the pattern to my Ravelry store. Opinions please!
More than one way to skin a cat. I went across the street with my notebook, pencil and tape measure in my pocket and asked the parents of the little girl who lives there if I could measure her hand. I asked her what her favorite color is and her reply was "I like all colors, but I really like pink." I came home, got out some pink yarn, grabbed a hook and went to work. When I was finished, I went back across the street, asked her try them on.
Perfect fit! Yea! She was so surprised when I told her they were hers to keep.
Now, back to the gloves that Maria ordered. I did the 7 year old first in blue, then moved on to the 9 year old in purple and finished with the 12 year old in aqua. Still waiting for delivery as mom has been out of town for job training.
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