Patterns, projects and techniques
SO, HERE THE FIRST QUESTION FOR JANUARY, 2010. If you don’t know how the blogtest works, please refer to my blog post of January 2, 2010 for all the rules.
WHAT IS YOUR CROCHET GOAL FOR 2010?
Be sure to post an answer ON THIS BLOG IN THE COMMENTS BELOW. Do not send an email to me or respond elsewhere if you want to be counted as an entry.
And, oh, yeah. The first prize is this sweet little book:
What a sweet little deal!
If your saved crochet patterns are starting to resemble a small digital library and your yarn stash contains enough “future projects” to keep you occupied until approximately 2047, you might need a crochet vision board.
And yes, I absolutely understand the irony of spending craft time making a board about all the other crafts we intend to make.
But hear me out.
A crochet vision board isn’t simply a pretty collage of yarn photographs. It can be a genuinely useful way to decide which crochet projects you actually want to make, which techniques you’d like to learn and — perhaps most importantly — which yarn you already own that deserves to become something.
Instead of scrolling through hundreds of saved crochet patterns every time you feel like starting something new, you create one visual collection of your crochet plans for the next few months or the year ahead.
Think blankets, cardigans, granny squares, amigurumi, Christmas gifts, new stitches, beautiful colour combinations and those slightly ambitious projects you keep telling yourself you’ll tackle “one day.”
Let’s turn one day into an actual plan.
A traditional vision board contains pictures, words and ideas representing things you’d like to achieve.
A crochet vision board simply gives that idea a yarn-loving makeover.
Your board might include:
It can be physical, digital or a combination of both.
Personally, I rather like the physical version. There is something satisfying about seeing all that colourful crochet inspiration sitting above your craft desk — especially when the alternative is having 387 screenshots buried somewhere on your phone.
You really don’t need anything fancy.
For a physical crochet project vision board, try:
A simple cork noticeboard from Amazon works particularly well because projects can be moved, removed and replaced as your crochet plans change.
And they will change.
We are crocheters. A new yarn colour can derail six months of carefully organised plans in approximately three minutes.
Before printing gorgeous photographs of 27 blankets you couldn’t possibly finish, think about what you’d genuinely like to accomplish.
Try dividing your crochet plans into a few categories.
Start with the projects you’ve been thinking about repeatedly.
Maybe it’s:
If amigurumi has been sitting on your “someday” list, browse these 21 crochet amigurumi projects and choose one or two favourites rather than attempting to populate your vision board with an entire crocheted zoo.
Your board doesn’t have to be purely project based.
Add techniques you’d like to learn, such as:
If you’re still building your basic skills, our Crochet for Beginners stitch and project guide is a useful place to start.
Don’t make every goal difficult, either. One challenging project surrounded by several comfortable ones is far more likely to keep you crocheting than a board full of projects that require concentration, counting and complete silence from everyone in the house.
This might be my favourite part.
Instead of choosing individual projects first, try choosing colours you’re drawn to.
Pin up snippets of yarn, paint chips, fabric scraps or printed colour palettes.
You might discover you’re repeatedly choosing:
Soft neutrals: oatmeal, cream, sage and dusty pink.
Retro brights: mustard, orange, avocado, turquoise and brown.
Coastal colours: aqua, navy, sand and white.
Cottage colours: faded rose, lavender, cream and soft green.
Jewel tones: emerald, plum, ruby and deep blue.
Once you’ve spotted a colour direction, finding projects becomes much easier.
It can also stop the classic craft-shop problem where you buy six beautiful balls of yarn individually and arrive home to discover none of them actually want to be friends.
This is where a crochet vision board becomes genuinely useful rather than simply decorative.
Take photographs of yarn you already own.
Especially photograph those yarn purchases that were bought because:
“It was too pretty to leave behind.”
You know the ones.
Print small photographs and add them to your board with a note showing approximately how much yarn you have.
For example:
8 balls cream DK — cardigan
4 balls mustard worsted — cushion?
Mixed sock yarn — scrap project
Leftover cotton — market bag or coasters
Then match your existing yarn to potential projects.
If using up leftovers is high on your list, have a look at these scrap yarn crochet project ideas for inspiration.
Suddenly your crochet vision board becomes part inspiration board and part stash-management system.
Which, frankly, some of us desperately need.
Now you can indulge yourself.
Choose several crochet projects you would absolutely love to make, regardless of whether you’re quite ready for them yet.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to crochet:
For blanket inspiration, something like this Woodland Wonders Crochet Blanket makes a brilliant “stretch project” because it incorporates several textured crochet techniques.
Don’t put ten enormous blankets in this section.
Pick one or two dream crochet projects.
Otherwise it stops being a vision board and becomes evidence against you when someone asks why there are another twelve boxes of yarn arriving.
This is important.
Not every crochet goal should involve 2,000 metres of yarn and several months of your life.
Add quick projects too:
Quick projects keep your crochet motivation going between larger makes.
They’re also wonderful stash-busters and handmade gifts.
I particularly like adding a little “Weekend Crochet” section to the board. These are projects you could realistically start on Friday night and have finished — or at least recognisably underway — before Monday rolls around.
If you crochet gifts for birthdays and Christmas, dedicate one area of your board to recipients.
For example:
Mum: shawl
Grandchild: amigurumi
Teacher gift: crochet mug cosy
Christmas: four ornaments
New baby: blanket
Add deadlines underneath.
This is considerably better than suddenly remembering on December 17 that you’d planned to crochet eight handmade presents.
Ask me how I know.
Crochet kits can also be useful for gift projects because you’re not hunting around for matching yarn and supplies at the last minute. Mary Maxim crochet kits are worth browsing when you want a complete project ready to start rather than assembling everything separately.
Give yourself one goal that involves yarn you already have.
For example:
Crochet 12 projects from my existing stash before buying more yarn.
Or, if we would like to remain within the realms of reality:
Use three skeins before buying another six.
Your challenge could be:
The goal isn’t to make yourself feel guilty about owning yarn.
Yarn collecting and crocheting are, after all, closely related hobbies.
The idea is simply to reconnect some of that beautiful yarn with the reason you bought it in the first place: to make something.
Ah yes.
The WIPs.
Most crocheters have at least one project quietly judging them from a basket.
Take photographs of your unfinished crochet projects and create a small Finish These First section.
Don’t add everything.
Choose perhaps three.
A blanket needing twelve more rows feels far less intimidating when you can actually see how close it is to completion.
And there’s something deeply satisfying about removing a project from the board when it’s finished.
Not everything on your crochet vision board needs to link to a particular project.
Add things that simply make you want to create:
A photograph of autumn leaves might eventually inspire a rust-and-mustard blanket.
A vintage floral wallpaper might become the colour palette for granny squares.
You don’t always need to know why something appeals to you.
Pin it up and see where it takes you.
If a big board feels overwhelming, divide yours into twelve smaller monthly crochet goals.
For example:
January: finish an old WIP
February: crochet something red or pink
March: learn a new stitch
April: make a bag
May: stash-busting project
June: crochet something cosy
July: start a blanket
August: crochet a wearable
September: begin handmade Christmas gifts
October: Halloween crochet
November: Christmas decorations
December: finish gifts and choose next year’s projects
You don’t have to follow it religiously.
This is crochet, not military training.
Move things around when inspiration strikes.
Prefer everything on your phone or tablet?
You can make exactly the same style of board digitally using:
Create sections for projects, colours, yarn stash, techniques and gifts.
Pinterest is particularly dangerous — I mean useful — for this because one crochet blanket inevitably leads to another blanket, which leads to a cardigan, which leads to a granny square tote bag and suddenly it’s midnight.
The important part is to curate rather than continuously save.
Choose the projects that still excite you after you’ve looked at them several times.
Those belong on your actual crochet vision board.
This is probably the most important part.
Your crochet vision board should make you want to pick up your hook.
It shouldn’t make you feel behind.
Crochet is meant to be enjoyable.
If you lose interest in that enormous neutral-coloured blanket you pinned six months ago, take it off.
If you suddenly fall in love with ridiculously colourful crochet flowers, add them.
If your carefully planned beige-and-sage year becomes bright orange granny squares by March, congratulations — you’re a crafter.
Plans change.
Creativity should be allowed to change with them.
If you’re not sure where to begin, try this:
1 Dream Project
Something ambitious that you’d love to accomplish.
2 Wearables
Cardigans, scarves, hats, bags or other crochet accessories.
3 Quick Projects
Projects you can finish when you need an easy win.
1 New Technique
A crochet skill that stretches you slightly.
1 Stash Project
Something made primarily from yarn you already own.
3 Handmade Gifts
Specific projects for specific people.
1 WIP to Finish
Because we both know it’s sitting there.
That’s enough inspiration to keep you interested without turning your craft room wall into a five-year production schedule.
The best crochet vision board isn’t necessarily the prettiest one.
It’s the one you actually use.
Put it somewhere near your yarn or crochet chair. When you’ve finished a project, remove it, date it or add a little tick beside it.
Over time you’ll have a lovely visual record of what you’ve made — and probably a few projects that have stubbornly survived on the board for several years.
Those are allowed too.
Sometimes we need practical projects.
Sometimes we need to learn new things.
And sometimes we simply need a beautiful photograph of an absurdly complicated crochet blanket pinned above our desk so we can continue telling ourselves:
One day. I’m definitely making that.
I have just started to work on the crochet afghan i need to finish before next christmas. Along with that i’m working on designing a doily pattern.
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet my first afghan. It will be king size and made of eco-organic cotton. 🙂
My goal is to finish the afghan I have in progress, edge another finished afghan for granddaughter’s birthday in Feb, and see if I can figure out the pattern to restart a strip afghan that began probably 12 years ago. Sort of looks like I’m in ‘afghan mode’, huh? LOL
My crochet goal for this year is to do some more filet crochet. I finished a project for a Christmas present this past year, and was so pleased with the results, that I’m ready to tackle another project…I think they are so pretty when done…
I hope to learn how to crochet sweaters,My goal is to learn how to make the arm holes I always get confessed an then toss it SO I hope to accompish(sp) this as my main goal.Thank you for this contest
My goal for this year will be to finish the 50 projects I started last year! I have about 25 afghans, 6 baby outfits and bunches of other things like doll outfits,toys ect.
Happy New Year!
My goal is to finish all my current WIP. Not to say I won’t start new ones but some of my in proress afghans have been in progress for over a year. 🙂
My goal is to make a hat that actually fits and looks decent (hats are my crochet achilles heel)
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet a ripple blanket for my 4 years old son.
My goal is to use yarn on hand to finish a baby afghan, several scarfs and a scrap afghan.Organizing my supplies would also be a nice goal. Thanks!
My goal is to try some of the new patterns I’ve amassed this year. I’ve been busy making for other people–now I want to make some things for myself–wearables & afghans.
Ooh – I’ve wanted this book for awhile but haven’t yet purchased it. That would be perfect!
My crochet goal for the year is to make everything in my Amigurumi Two book (so cute!) and to give it all away via The Toy Society. Not only can I brighten someone’s day, I can whittle down my yarn stash in the process. Win-win!
My goal this year is to make 55 or more cancer and/or winter caps for kids. In August I will be 55 years old, born in 1955, so decided 55 was a good number!
I have two afghans that are on my new years resolutions list to finish! I’ve been working on the one for probably 5 years (ridiculous, I know!) and the other for about a year.
My crochet goal for 2010 is to start crocheting again. I did it for many years, and just stopped. Now I want to do some baby afghans for my new granddaughter and a few for my house, including a King size for my bed. not sure on patterns yet.
sandym204 @ gmail dot com
Quite a few! My closest goal to completion is a huge Super Mario for a friend as a belated christmas/birthday present. Then I get to teach myself how to really work in a round, make some amigurumi for another friend overseas, and a bunny doll for my daughter. Like Salihan, I’d like to make my first afghan, though not quite as large! I’m really looking forward to lots of projects and new stitches =]
Have a great week!
My goal is to crochet a queen size bedspread form my bed.
My crochet goal for the year is to finish working on a throw which will be a wedding present for my son & d-i-l to be.
Great question! My goal is to complete 20 different types of crochet projects in 2010.
Each year since the 2000 I’ve done a “top 20” resolution. I’ve tasted 20 different wines, seen 20 movies by one actor, read 20 different books on one topic, etc. This year’s 20 is the crochet goal.
I just learned to crochet a few months ago and think this goal is going to give me a great opportunity to work on a variety of different short-term and long-term projects. Wish me luck!
I want to complete a top for myself. I usually only crochet for others.
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet something for as many categories as I can for our county fair. Usually I just go to my stash to see what I have made, and then find a category for it to fit in. This year I want to make so different items.
my crochet goal for 2010…to finish my christmas gifts for 2010. I’ve got a list made of all the things I want to make for everyone (i.e., sweater for sis, cardigan for bil, afghans for nieces, etc). I’ve already started…went out and bought yarn for two of the sweaters yesterday. Now to get organized and started. 🙂
My crochet goal for this year is to keep crocheting even after my newborn arrives in mid-April! I have a couple of cute sweaters I want to crochet for her and am hoping to have time to make multiple sizes. Also, I want to make a beautiful ruffled capelet for myself.
I have two crochet goals this year: One is to put together some granny squares that my mom crocheted (she has since passed on) and the other is to learn how to make circular granny squares (if that makes any sense!!)
My first goal this year is matching yarn in my stash with patterns. The project plan is for crocheting hats, scarves, prayer shawls,soldiers beanies and premature infant caps for a variety of charities.
My crochet goal for this year is to attempt to crochet a wearable garment for myself. The past year I crocheted wearable things for my 1 year old granddaughter and everything fit!
I’m new to crochet. My goal for this year is to try progressively challenging projects. One thing I really shy away from is any item that calls for color changes. The next “scary” project is clothing, so since I have a new grand daughter to be born Feb. 1 I WILL make her a baby sweater, hat and booties.
My crochet goal is to design my own pattern!
My goal is crocheting for a new great niece or nephew and a wedding present for a dear friends daughter. I am thinking a very nice shawl for the wedding, have the pattern picked out need to shop for a very nice white yarn. Then for the baby a sweater set. I have always had problems with sweaters, so I have a pattern and I am going to do it if it takes all year. My niece does not want to know what the sex of the child is going to be until it happens so I have to work with green and yellow yarn. Will be shopping for that also. Can’t wait to get started.
I am planning on using up all my cotton crochet threads by crocheting kitchen washcloths for gifts. I also plan to use up some of my wool yarns by doing some crocheting, then felting and see what happens. I live in a warm climate so wool sweaters are not appropriate!
This is the year I plan to make my first full size afghan, and I’m finally going to make a prayer shawl for myself.
My crochet goal this year is to reduce my HUGE stash of yarn! I want to make a multi-colored medallion type afghan too!
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet one square of a white crochet (size 10 thread) bedspread every week. I think at this rate I can complete a queen size bedspread by years end.
12 crocheted blanket for Project Linus, 1 sweater for myself, finish UFO afghan for my parents and figure out crocheted cables (in regular and afghan stitiches)
My goal is to make an afghan for both my mother and my sister
I am working on my first afghan…25 blocks of crochet ribbing plus a border!
This is my year to finally start (well, restart) my crochet business. First, I am going to start a blog. I am working on crochet designs to post and to sell via Etsy. I also will make items to sell also via Etsy. This has always been my dream and, as I am nearing 50, it is time to make it come true.
My main goal is to use up my worsted stash to create afghans, lapghans, etc., and donate them to a local shelter for the homeless. It sure is cold outside! My personal crochet goal is to sew some new hook roll up bags in order to keep my dozens of needles straight!
I started crocheting socks as 2009 was ending. My goal for 2010 is to modify my current sock pattern into the PERFECT sock pattern for my feet. Once I’ve done that, I’ll have to make new edits (and write them down!!) for my important family members who are going to be getting socks.
My crochet goal this year is twofold – one, to try to crochet at least one day a week, and two, to follow a pattern that is more difficult than “beginner”. I really want to hone my skills and create some of the beautiful things that I am inpired by from this blog!
My crochet goal for 2010 is to finally crochet a pair of socks. Sweater? Did that in 2009. Afghan? Done and done and done. But socks? Those are intimidating to me. But I’m up for the challenge!
And thanks for the blogtest!
My crochet goal is to figure out how to crochet! I can do the basic stitches but have trouble keeping the stitches consistent. I suppose it just takes practice, huh?
My crotchet goal for this year is to perfect the basic techniques, learn to read patterns, and crotchet something a bit more difficult than a scarf or wash cloth!
For 2010, I want to finish more projects than I start :o) I also want to make more items for me. I am blessed with some loved ones who deeply appreciate hand-made gifts but I spend all my time crafting for them.
Most of all, 2010 I will fear NO project! I have the skills to crochet anything I want and darn it, I’m going to do it!
First and formost for 2010 is to finish up ufo’s from 2009. Then I want to make each of my children(3) new hats and scarves, and possibly mittens. I also have about 100 other projects that I would love to do, time and stash permiting.
To crochet some vintage doilies and a shawl.. there are some really great patterns out there that I really want to try. Since I also knit I want to fit in some socks and some knit lace as well. Gonna be a fun year!
My crochet goal is to use up all my old yarn so I can buy some nice new yarn!
My goal is to continue to use up my stash by making colorful ripple afghans, granny square afghans and hats. I am going to search charitable organizations to donate some of the items to and set some aside for Christmas presents. I am also determined to find a decent mitten pattern. Once my stash is gone, I am going to reward myself by making a soft afghan in colors that appeal to ME and I will wrap up in it and crochet some MORE!!!
My crochet goal for this year is to crochet each of my children an afghan.
My goal for the year 2010, is to expand my knowledge in crocheting. I want to tackle patterns that I want to do. I have never tried the ripple, and want to make an afghan using this pattern. I want to try to crochet amigurumi items. I have the Grim Reaper pattern and want to make it. This requires reading a chart. I want to be comfidant in my crocheting.
Thanks.