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Crocheting Like Crazy

rodezzy | Posted in Knitting and Crochet on

Outside of sewing, which I’ve done since I was 15 (now 50+), I love to crochet.  I learned to crochet when I was nine.  I taught myself to read the directions for both crocheting and knitting when I was about 25 or so.  I just picked it back up with a vengence I’ve never felt before.  The yarns today are yummy, yummy, awesomely wicked.  I’ve made ponchos I’ve never experienced before, kimono coats that dazzle the eyes, I’m combining all kinds of textured yarns with each other and finding an ultimate thrill in wearing and giving my new creations. 

I went to the Stitches Knitting Expo at Stephens Convention Center outside of Chicago on August 11, and bought a wicked stash of novelty yarns.  Combing them with some conventional yarns, I’ve made a poncho sweater, two rectangular ponchos, a sweater jacket, a triangle poncho and a vest, all my own creations, not from patterns and today is just the 24th of Aug. 

These new novelty yarns brew passion to crochet deep inside me and my needles burn up some yarn.  I started on a new project just last night.  I just can’t stop right now until I use up all the awesome yarn I bought. I have never had this much fun crocheting in all the years I’ve known how to do it until now.  I’ve also picked up the knitting needles, I watch Knitty Gritty, Knit 1-Purl 2, and other craft related programs that I tape while I’m at work. 

I buy crochet and/or knitting books and magazines, something I haven’t done since the seventies.  I subscribe to Threads and Interweave Crochet.

Do you guys and gals like the new yarns?

nevamarie

Replies

  1. jatman | | #1

    I LOVE the yarns and buttons out there but I don't know how to knit and I can barely crochet.  Where I live there are several knitting stores.  They have such wonderful stuff but I can't use any of it!  Why don't you post pictures of some of your things?

    JT

    1. rodezzy | | #2

      Hi jatman:  Didn't expect to hear from anyone so soon.  Crocheting and Knitting can be very easy.  It's just loops connecting with loops.  Although, lessons are very valuable for beginners until they get used to looking at the stitches and knowing what they are looking at.  The sweater jackets I made last year were all single crochet (sc) only.  This year I'm using double crochet (dc) to go faster.  I also used a size "P" hook last year and "L" hook this year.  Big hooks, one stitch and you have a wardrobe of jackets, ponchos, scarfs and shawls.  You can even make a coat.  The yarn does the work in expressing your creativity.

      I'm going to see if I can't get some pictures posted very soon.  Like next week.  I don't have a computer at home. 

      Also, I purchased a DVD on knitting and crocheting at Joann Fabrics for 19.99 less the coupon percentage of 40%.  It's an interactive DVD that takes you through the steps for all the stitches in crochet & knitting.  It automatically pauses until you finish and catch up, then you push play again.  You can rewind also.  It is a very, very good tool for anyone, at any skill level.  I don't have it here at work to give you the correct info on the DVD.  But, try going online at http://www.joann.com.

      I'm leaving work now.  Talk with you next week.

      nevamarie

      1. jatman | | #4

        Thank you for the Joann's info!  I'd love to see some picutures of your work!

        JT

  2. Teaf5 | | #3

    Yes, I love the new yarns, so now my yarn stash is starting to look like my fabric stash--out of control! This summer, some of the new eyelash and novelty yarns were being discontinued at 97c a skein, and I just couldn't resist! I like to combine some of the more expensive, rare ones with average wools and yarns to keep costs down and to highlight the special qualities of those wonderful new fibers.In addition to great videos and fun new books, there are wonderful websites available that help newcomers to knitting and crocheting. Just search for "How to knit" or "How to crochet" and check out a variety of different sites until you find one that matches your learning style.

    1. jatman | | #5

      Thank you for the info - never really thought to look on line.  I think part of why I've hesitated to start a new hobby is due to the fact that I am beginning to get a backlog of material for all the sewing that I want to do and could see me being the same way about yarns!

      JT

  3. MaryinColorado | | #6

    Thanks for the inspiration!  I just might pick up some crochet hooks and try again.  I enjoyed making baby items over 30 years ago.  I also love all the "wicked" yarns available, I use them for embellishment and threadplay.  Any chance of you posting some photos of your creations? Mary

    1. rodezzy | | #7

      I'm working on it!  I'm actually excited about sharing my creations with like minded spirits. 

      When I went to my quilt guild meeting, one of our members brought a crazy amount of baby yarn, crochet and knitting needles and books for us to take.  A fellow spirit passed away and had a garage full of stuff.  Her legacy was that we take all of the stuff we wanted and just make one contribution to our community service from the yarn.  We are to bring in our items next month at our guild meeting to have pictures taken and sent back to the sister of the lost spirit to attest to our commitment to community service.  I crocheted a baby blanket this weekend and started another one.

      My target date for posting my pictures is next week.

      1. MaryinColorado | | #8

        What a lovely tribute to a kindered spirit!  Mary

  4. fabricholic | | #9

    Hi,
    Your thread is well timed. I just started taking a class to learn to crochet, with a very patient, nice lady. I had a time getting the right number of stitches on my chain. Finally, I got that right. I then crocheted 4 rows on the afghan I picked out. I had to take out the last two and start again. I have found that I need to slow down a little to make sure I don't miss any chains. It is so quick compared to knitting. It is a little more rough on the hand joints, though. As far as the new yarns, that is what got me going. I shop at Hobby Lobby and they carry Yarn Bee. Wow, those yarns are beautiful. I don't crochet with them yet, though. I am starting with Red Heart yarn, because it is easy to see my stitches. When knitting, I love the fuzzy stuff, like Yarn Bee's Lucious. I knitted a tiny purse the other day with some muted wool and loved this stuff. I don't remember the label. I hope you post pictures of your creations.Marcy

    1. rodezzy | | #10

      Awesome, I love the Lucious also from Hobby Lobby.  It was .97 cents per skien at the time.  The sweater coat I crocheted uses a red Lucious Yarn Bee yarn I purchased last year and a Red Heart tan tweed.  I also have started another Lucious in the teal blue and the gold Simply Soft by Caron I believe.  The back is a large granny square which I have completed.  Haven't decided how the fronts or the sleeves will look.  I only one skien of the gold.  So, I will be sorting out what to do next after the holiday.  May need to find more gold yarn, or I may have enough of the teal blue to finish the fronts and sleeves.  Don't know yet.  This is what makes it fun and original.

      I'll be taking pictures this holiday weekend in order to post as soon as possible next week.  I'm working on a sweater coat with Patons Divine in purple for the back w/one front panel in white and a panel in yellow gold yarn from the knitting expo made in Italy called "Enrico Coveri".  It is 43% Acrylic, 37% Polyamide and 20% mohair.  The booth was Yarn Lady in Laguna Hills, CA.  I'm thinking I'll stripe one sleeve in the yellow and purple and make one sleeve solid purple.  I only have one skien of the white.  I pretty much design my projects as I go depending on the yarn I have available to work with.

      The book that made this all possible is "Crochet Squared by Marsha A. Polk".  I took off from there! 

      rodezzy

  5. User avater
    VKStitcher | | #11

    My first love is sewing, but I also love to crochet.  And like you, I taught myself when I was young.  My Mom says that I got my needleworking genes from my Granny, who also sewed, crocheted, and tatted.  Mom has a beautiful lace bedspread and a collection of doileys (sp?) that Granny made for her many, many years ago.

    I think there are some really awesome yarns today.  The fabric shop that I frequent is "Quilts Like Crazy - And Knit Too!".  What eye candy they have!  I love the rich colors and textures of all the yarns.

    How creative you are to make up your own designs!  I'd love to see pictures of your jackets.  I've only made afghans and scarves, some fairly complicated, but would like to try a jacket or vest someday.  I'll have to start looking for patterns--I'd never attempt to go at it on my own!

    Lately I've been making afghans for Project Linus.  Mostly I crochet while I watch TV,   but I've brought my latest one in to work this week.  It's been a slow week, the boss is away, and I'd rather be doing something constructive that just sitting here surfing the 'net.  (But don't tell my boss!  Hee, hee!)

    1. rodezzy | | #12

      My, my, I am so glad that I've reached so many crocheters.  It's fast and furious.  I sew also, and the upcoming month will be divided between sewing and crocheting.  I so desperately want to knit, but it can be slow.  I don't know where I got my craft genes from, I don't know anyone in my family that does any crafts.  I've taught my grand daughters to sew, the young one is 9 and she draws her own designs, I'm going to do a fabric transfer and make them into a quilt soon.  She wants to be a designer.  Not thats passing on some genes (take that, gene pool).  The other one is 15 and has stopped crafting right now, hand is stuck to her cell phone.  She is in accelerated classes and will graduate early from high school and is going to college.  Inhales books.

      To get started you may want to log on to http://www.crochetpatterncentral.com where you can get anything you want to do or see in crochet.  They also have a collection of sites for instructions for all kinds of stitches, blocks of all different sizes, book links and anything you can think of.  As I said before, the book Crochet Squared by Marsha A. Polk freed me to experiment with all the textured yarns.  I also have a knitting book that teaches you how to make garments from squares, rectangles and triangles, but I can't remember the name of it. 

      Any who, I also crocheted at work yesterday for the first time because I knew it was going to be excrusiatingly slow here and my boss was on the fly in and out, and left that morning.  I did a ton of paper work the close out the month the day before, so I was able to crochet and finish the basic back for a new jacket, one front and start the second front.  When I got home I crocheted around the bottom of the red jacket because I wanted it longer, it is now right at the top of the knee and I put on some buttons, getting it ready for its photo shot (giggle).  This weekend I have out of town guess, three birthday parties, a picnic and a bowling session, so I've packed up all of my needlecraft books, fabric and such because there will be no crafts this holiday weekend.  I will be socializing. (hurray for the holiday!)  And I won't tell your boss if you don't tell (giggly girl-smile)  Have a great weekend and I will do my best to get things posted next week - the first two days are busy, but I will have Thursday and Friday to get it done.

      1. User avater
        VKStitcher | | #13

        Thanks for the link to the crochet patterns.  I'll have to browse around when I have a little more time.  Today I plan to finish up a wall hanging for our living room.  We're staying home this holiday weekend, so I have plenty of time to sew & crochet, and check out that website.  Enjoy the time with your guests this weekend.

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