http://crochet.craftgossip.com Crochet news @ CraftGossip Thu, 19 Nov 2009 09:13:11 +0000 http://backend.userland.com/rss092 en We're all looking to save money on one of our favorite purchases - yarn.  I've found a few good ways to save lots of bucks on yarn, so I'll share them here. The cheapest yarn is that which one can find at thrift stores, garage sales, estate sales, and church sales.  ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/some-alternate-yarn-sources/2009/11/19/ I love it when I discover another crocheter who shares my sense of adventure about crochet, choosing to adapt published or scrounged designs to suit herself.  Brett Bara is such a crocheter.  You might be familiar with her name.  She's a crafter whose appeared on the Martha Stewart Show.  That'll ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/adaptations/2009/11/17/ Have you ever heard of Duplet Magazine?  It's a Russian crochet magazine.  I've been reading about it recently and decided to treat myself and splurge on a copy of it.  Here's the one I purchased: I purchased this one on Etsy from this site: http://www.etsy.com/shop/lado It's pricey - but promises to be a ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/look-what-i-just-splurged-on/2009/11/15/ While I'm not a huge fan of calling people 'idiots' or 'dummies', these series of books are often helpful for learning a new skill.  In this case, I believe the 'idiots' do a better job than the 'dummies'. This edition of the 'Idiot's Guides' even has great color photos which were ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/crochet-projects-the-complete-idiots-guide/2009/11/13/ Linda P. Schapper has collected a wonderful array of crochet border designs for this book.  There are 342 different borders offered in the book's 253 pages! What makes this book a keeper?  Every border has a very crisp, clear color photo, a written pattern, and a chart.  In addition to the ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/the-complete-book-of-crochet-border-designs/2009/11/11/ Tension Magazine, a new online (only) crochet magazine is headed our way! This trendy new magazine is directed at urban crocheters - and, I think, a decidedly young, hip community.  Nonetheless, this middle aged woman (ME!) is looking forward to seeing what the publishers have in store for us. While I truly ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/look-whats-coming-our-way/2009/11/09/ I've run across such cute caps for baby lately that I thought I'd better share.  Check out some of these for gifting or for charity. [caption id="attachment_2507" align="aligncenter" width="251" caption="SPORT WEIGHT WITH H HOOK"][/caption] http://www.lovinghugsfamily.com/hatpattern.html There's another one at the same website that is made with sock/fingering weight and a G hook. This one ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/baby-hats-keep-those-little-ones-ears-warm/2009/11/07/ I'm always looking for great gift ideas.  Being a crocheter, picking up a hook and yarn is my preferred way of creating gifts.  Here are some of the ideas I've found online that I like: http://barbarabradford.blogspot.com/search/label/crochet Scroll down about half way to find this coaster set.  Of course, you'll  have to scroll ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/some-more-quick-cute-gifts/2009/11/05/ For my final installation on Tempting Ads from our favorite crochet mags, I've gathered some really crochet friendly information.  I was thrilled to find the site that has nicely priced coned yarns/threads - and they actually mention what would be suitable for crochet.  Can't go wrong there. WaHoo! An online yarn ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/tempting-ads-final-installation/2009/11/02/ Still on the look-out for the great websites found via the ads in our favorite crochet magazines, here are some more. Kaleidoscope Yarns has a wide array of very pettable yarns.  They have only a few crochet offerings compared to knit, but this one is nice in that they picture a ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/tempting-ads-third-installation/2009/10/30/ I'm sorta the Queen of Practicality. I love fine yarn, but tend to find it in secondary sources (thrift stores, swaps, freecycle, etc). I've been known to 'curb shop' for all kinds of things, although I've yet to find any yarn that way. LOL. However........sometimes a yarn comes ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/wanna-really-splurge/2009/10/28/ Here's the second installation of my investigation into the ads that inhabit our favorite crochet magazines.  Ads are supposed to draw our attention.  Some of them are more tempting than others, but all of them intrigue me.  I just HAVE to type their addresses into my computer and see what's ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/more-tempting-ads/2009/10/26/ Applique is something I learned to love when I was a quilter. Since becoming a crocheter, I've seen plenty of pretties that I think would look great sewn or glued onto a jean jacket, tote bag, or scarf. Here are some ideas for you. http://www.womansday.com/Articles/Crafts/Crocheting/Craft-Project-Crochet-Tree-Tote.html For Halloween, you might enjoy ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/crochet-applique/2009/10/24/ I've been running across so many cowl patterns lately that it MUST be a trend.  I'm not one who is usually 'up' on trends, especially fashion trends.  But, for what it's worth, I like using a cowl on cold, wintry days to keep my neck warm.  Other scarves work well ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/crochet-a-pretty-cowl-a-twist-on-the-scarf/2009/10/24/ I purchased the latest two issues of Interweave Crochet Magazine at my LYS last night.  I just love this magazine.  There were some ads that were so appealing looking that I decided to visit the websites to see exactly what they had to offer crocheters.  Here's what I found: This beauty ... http://crochet.craftgossip.com/tempting-ads/2009/10/22/