Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

APRIL GIVEAWAY – WEEK #4

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First is this little Coats and Clark book from 1967.  It’s mostly knit, but has several crochet patterns, including some lovely afghan stitch mittens.  The other 11 books are old copies of Workbasket Magazine.  These are not in mint condition – NOT.  But, they are intact and full of amazing patterns, recipes, gardening tips, etc.  If you’re not familiar with Workbasket, you’ve been missing out!

READ THE RULES BELOW AND ANSWER THE FOLLOWING QUESTION:

IF  YOU COULD CROCHET ANYWHERE IN THE WORLD, WHERE WOULD THAT BE?

Here are the rules:

Each item will be mailed to the winner by USPS – books by media mail.  For now, this contest will only be open to participants with a U.S. mailing address.

This is how it will work.  Each Monday, I’ll pose a question on my blog.  Everyone who answers the questions will be entered in the drawing on the last day of that month.  Some ‘answers’ may require you to post a link to a specific pattern or site.  The winner will be announced along with the next Monday’s question.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing information.  If the winner doesn’t contact me, the prize will be offered on another occasion.

RESPONSES MUST BE POSTED HERE AND NOT EMAILED TO ME PRIVATELY OR POSTED ELSEWHERE FOR ENTRY.

TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR, THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE DAY OF EACH MONTH (OR SHORTLY THEREAFTER) AND THE WINNER MUST EMAIL ME ([email protected]) WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.  So, for sanity’s sake, that deadline will really mean that I need to hear from you no later than 8 PM the following Monday (so you have plenty of time to email me and I’ll get the email for sure even if I don’t sign on to my email on a Sunday).

Simply enter to win by leaving a comment on this post answering the question posed.

Comments

  1. My dream crochet spot would be by the ocean in a cottage that has a big sun-porch, a big over stuffed chair,lots of windows,hot cups of coffee and easy listening music. Oh and my cat curled up purring on the back of the chair. mmmmmmmm take me away.

  2. On a sandy beach looking out at the vastness of the ocean and listening to the gentle lapping of the water as it hits the shore. 🙂 Lynn

  3. If I had a chance I would love to go to New Zealand, find a nice quiet spot near some lake and crochet or do any other crafting there. New Zealand is just my dream land.. 🙂

  4. I would luv to go to England to crochet, beautiful selection of yarns available there!

  5. I would love to be able to sit on a beach in Sri Lanka and crochet. I’ve always dreamed of going there since I was little.

  6. For me, it’s not anywhere super-specific, but I’d love to crochet under water. I’m a certified SCUBA diver, and I think it’d be really fun to sit at 15-20 feet down, start a project, and see if I can finish it before I run out of air.
    That does mean that the water would have to be relatively warm and clear, so some of the old pit mines around here would work in August, but ideally… probably the Caribbean. Minnesota and Wisconsin lakes are more accessible, though.

  7. I would love to just have the time to sit on my front porch in the south central united states and crochet. Now if only I could have a nice shop somewhere close.

  11. I wouldn’t mind sitting on a porch somewhere quiet, in a countryside. Lots of grass and flowers around. No noisy, nosy, neighbors with their equally noisy and nosy kids, lol. If I had to pick an actual location, I’d probably say Ireland, maybe learn a bit of lace making, along with my ancestry and history.

  12. In a porch full of plants, sitting on a rocking chair, listening to music. Maybe sharing some secrets or girl talk with a friend.

  13. Anywhere that would have a log cabin with a roaring fire while the weather rages outside. I wouldn’t want to pick somewhere more exotic, because then it would be challenge to pay attention to my craft.

  16. Out in the country, in a field of wildflowers, under a BIG old shade tree. No sounds but the sounds of mother nature.

  17. On the back deck at my sister’s house in Colorado, with my niece whose grandma just taught her to crochet.

  18. I would be setting on the deck of my parents home. The deck is on a small hill covered in tall trees overlooking the lake. Of course the sun is shining, birds chirping. Most important my mother would be setting there with me,crocheting. We would both be lost in our thoughts crocheting. We are able to take time to relax and share our hearts and heal wounds of years of misunderstandings between us.

Have you read?

Crocheting Christmas Gifts? Make This Supply Checklist Before You Buy More Yarn

I have never met a crocheter who needed much encouragement to buy yarn. The trouble starts when the yarn arrives and the project also needs a smaller hook, stuffing, buttons, a tapestry needle and a shade of green that looks nothing like the one on the screen.

If you are crocheting Christmas gifts this year, a little planning before you shop can save several stops and starts. Pick your projects, check the patterns properly and make one supply list for the whole gift pile. You can still enjoy choosing beautiful yarn. You will simply know what it is for.

This checklist is especially useful if you are making several small gifts, such as ornaments, mug cozies or stocking fillers. If you order supplies online, Amazon Prime may be convenient for eligible items. Check the price, contents and delivery estimate for your address before ordering, rather than assuming every item in your cart will arrive together.

1. Choose projects that fit the time you have

Start by writing down the recipients and a realistic project for each one. A pair of elaborate amigurumi toys may be a joy in September and a rather different proposition in December.

Small pieces are easier to fit around everything else Christmas brings. Our free crochet Santa spiral ornament can be used as a tree decoration or gift topper. If you want more tiny festive projects, CraftBits has a crochet peppermint candy pattern to consider.

Read the entire pattern before adding supplies to your cart. Check the stated skill level, finished size and any assembly or finishing steps. A project that looks quick in the photo may have several pieces to sew together.

2. List the yarn by weight, fibre and amount

For each pattern, note the yarn weight, suggested fibre, colour and required yardage or metres. If you substitute yarn, compare more than the colour. A bulky chenille will produce a very different result from smooth cotton, even if both are labelled “cream.”

When buying crochet yarn on Amazon, check the amount in each skein and calculate how many you need. Leave a little allowance for gauge differences and joining pieces. If the finished size matters, make a gauge swatch with the yarn and hook you intend to use.

If pattern abbreviations or supply details are confusing, our guide to reading crochet patterns explains what to look for before starting.

3. Check every hook size before buying another set

Write the hook size beside each project on your list. Look through the hooks you already own before buying a new set just for one missing size. If you crochet often, a comfortable hook in your most-used sizes can be a better purchase than a large assortment you rarely touch.

For amigurumi, the hook listed in the pattern helps produce a firm fabric that holds the stuffing inside. Changing yarn or hook size can change the finished dimensions and the amount of yarn you use.

4. Add the finishing supplies people forget

This is the part of the list that saves me the most frustration. Depending on your projects, you may need:

  • Tapestry needles for weaving in ends and sewing pieces together
  • Stitch markers
  • Stuffing
  • Buttons or embroidery floss for details
  • Ornament hanging loops
  • Labels, tissue paper or small gift boxes

Check whether a kit includes these items before buying them twice. If you are making toys for a baby or very young child, avoid detachable small parts and follow appropriate toy-safety guidance; embroidered features are often a better choice than plastic eyes.

5. Work out the cost per finished gift

If you are making the same ornament for several people, buying the main yarn colours and ornament hanging supplies in suitable quantities may simplify the job. First calculate how many complete gifts the supplies will make. A big multipack only helps your budget if you will use it.

Include stuffing, finishing pieces and packaging in the total. Scraps from your existing stash may cover some colour changes, so shop your yarn basket before adding another six-pack of red.

6. Give yourself a finishing deadline

Aim to finish crocheting a few days before the gifts need to be wrapped. That leaves time to sew on the last detail, weave in the ends, wash or block pieces where appropriate and package them nicely. I know weaving in ends feels like a task for Future Me, but Future Me is usually busy wrapping presents.

If you decide to use Prime for your crochet supply shopping, check the current membership terms and the delivery date shown for each eligible item at checkout. Then put the parcel aside, make a cup of tea and enjoy the reason you bought it all: giving someone a gift made by your own hands.