EReader, A good investment

I have noticed quite a few magazine companies offering more and more a digital subscription. Now before you shake your head at me, let me just say that I did try it and I did it kicking and screaming. I love holding a book, thumbing thru a magazine, or just looking at the pictures just as much as anyone else BUT honestly I will admit I have a problem, a book buying problem and then I have storage problems. You can only put so many of the books/magazines on a shelf before you start running out of room AND family members refuse to sleep in the car (I have tried that already and they are not going for it) so I had to either think about giving up some of the books/magazines to make room. This is when I came up with the idea……..ahhhh an Ereader. Easily fits into a purse, can hold thousands of books, patterns, and especially the free ones that I download constantly.

First let me say I bought a Nook, it’s a black and white one and I am very happy with it. With that in mind, I want to clarify that I am not against any of the other ereaders out there, if someone wants to send me a Kindle Fire to review for free then I will do it. I will tell you my reasons, which may not apply or even matter to you, why I choose the Nook. At the time, the Nook easily downloaded ALL types of files, including library books, PDF files, and of course if available you could buy a book from Barnes and Noble to download. I have no idea whatsoever if the other brands will do the same, so please do a bit of checking before you purchase one, wouldn’t want you to buy something that you can not download a book or pattern to, that would be well……tragic. Again check and compare before buying one.

Now I LOVE my Nook, it’s easy, convient, I can change the font size, look at charts AND never am I without the first or last page of the pattern. It’s a win win as far as I’m concerned. Plus think of all that money you will save on printer ink and paper AND you can store alot of magazines and patterns with them easily at your fingertips. Just give one a try, with all that money you will be saving well you can buy MORE books/patterns

Crochet 2012

Happy New Year, yes I made it to 2012 and really believe that this will be a great year. As I have previous reported, crochet is up and coming and it is still making large leaps. For me, Crochet has always been a forced to be reckoned with because of it’s overly flexible nature. More and more designers are showing their tricks and secrets that can be used to create and design just about anything you desire. Tunisian is also making headway, many crocheters are discovering that Tunisian or Afghan Crochet can be used in many different ways, gives a nice drape, texture especially for garments. Next is Slip Stitch Crochet, yes I will agree that using this technique in the round is about the best way to get it’s effect. Many socks, hats, gloves, and skirts are being made with this easy branch of crochet.

Knooking has certainly made a huge appearance. As a teacher of Crochet and Knitting, I can’t stress enough the joy that many crocheters are experiencing as they now can knit with a crochet hook. It is easily learned and every knit pattern can be converted over to a knooking one. Leisure Arts has a small kit that can be purchased to learn the technique and there are quit a few groups on Yahoo and Ravelry that are great places to learn all the tricks and of course get any help that you may need. There are also several other surprises that are coming up pretty quick that I will certainly be sharing with you here so be on the look out. Yes I do think this will be a great year especially for Crochet.

Crochet is Gaining Momentum

For reasons unknown to me, Crochet has long been thought of as: ugly, bulky, only doilies, only if you want to make a quick afghan etc. etc. Then there are the many horror stories of how one will enter into a yarn store to be told negative things about it (personally this has never happened to me) or that a certain yarn will not look good if it’s crocheted. Not anymore, everywhere you look there is crochet AND it is beautiful, drapey, fitted, and noticeable. There are all types of hooks and accessories all geared toward crocheters to help them get the job done.

There are many people who are really working hard (yes I have noticed) to prove that crochet is a very worthy hobby that everyone should try. Many books have recently hit the shelves, with more coming, that will certainly throw some of the nay sayers into a tail spin. Yes I truly think that there will be jaw dropping, OMG’s all over the place with all the new stuff coming. Every single day I am totally amazed at all the new designs that are presented out there and I am thinking at this point that a second job may be in order for me…..to be able to buy all the new books and gadgets. Of course many of us who are in love with crocheting knew all along that our craft of choice (yes they don’t call me the Crochet Queen for nothing) would be fabulous, popular and famous. Thanks to many of the hard working people who help promote this art.

Crochet Samhain/Halloween

It’s that time of year again, yes I enjoy this more than any other holiday.  Let’s get started
with a few patterns that if you get started now, will be finished in enough time to scare the…umm
I mean would add to your costume.  You can carry all your goodies in a very nice Treat bag
, make several to give as a special treat to your favorite trick or treater. How about a
Jack Skellington doll to help decorate. Wanna go Batty ?These little cuties won’t take up alot of time but would sure look good as a mobile or just hanging out in a window.

Need a quick costume Masquerade Mask can be made into many creative costumes, yes even Lone Ranger, Robin or whatever your creative mind desires. This has been on my list for a couple of years now so if you happen to make this, please feel free to show me and brag, it is Halloween Throw so many possibilities with this, I would do mine in purples and greens. Next up we have Severed Finger which I have had more fun with than I care to mention, make several and lay them around a table or desks. No matter how you celebrate this joyous holiday, have fun and don’t eat too much candy.

Crochet Artist Aldo Lanzini

I love to find new crochet related things and one thing that you can always rely on is finding a crochet artist. Let me introduce to you, via my web surfing, Aldo Lanzini and let the ewww and awww begin. From what I have read about him, he does not show his face and the really does put a little bit of mystery about him. He also loves ALIENS (I love them too) and if you take a look around his site The Drop certainly resembles a little bit of an alien gang, and these are sewn and not crocheted but still very fascinating.

His certainly shines when it comes to blending colors, Masks and colorful costumes are enough to give anyone incentive to get their hooks out and start creating. Please do go to his main site Aldo Lanzini Intro grab a cup of tea and spend time just checking out this wonderful fascinating crochet artist.

Yarn Shop Etiquette sort of

I have owned my own yarn shop for well over a year and it really has been quite the learning experience. Please do not think for one moment that I am unhappy about it because that is so far from the truth but there are times when I just want to shake people and look deep into their eyes and ask WHY???? I always feel like I am being rude if I tell someone “OMG this is flu season for crying out loud quit rubbing that all over your face, smelling it etc.” or “please go wash your hands, yes I see you licking your fingers because there is chocolate or whatever all over them and licking them off doesn’t clean them” . Ok enough of my whining all in all I do really enjoy my little shop and I feel overly blessed in so many ways to not only be able to open it but, knock on wood (or my head) that I am still open.

Below is a link to a very well written article about both sides of the coin so to speak regarding yarn shops and I can’t tell you how glad am I that they wrote it because I do not have a way with words, enjoy.

Twisted Collective Shop Talk

Amineko

I finally found the time to make a little Amineko cat, and the lovely recipient of him (yes she knew from the beginning it was a boy) is my lovely Grand Daughter. The instructions are very easy to follow and it worked up very fast. I used a sport weight yarn and instead of doing the embroidery face, we used color sharpies, but be very careful as you do not want to blot too much and ruin the face. I wanted to do a project sort of together (she is only 5) so what I did was make the parts and every day she would try and guess what it was before I finished. Of course she did not really guess until I got to the ears. This is a great way to include children in your project, she did help me stuff it, and sew it together.

Interlocking Crochet Book Review

Looking to add a little bit of color and uniqueness to your projects ? Then this is a great book for you. Personally I am in love with this book, there are 80 yes “eighty” different stitch patterns that you can choose from to create just about anything you desire. In the beginning of this book you will find very clear, easy to follow instructions to get you started with this beautiful Interlocking Crochet technique. One of the perks so to speak, is that there is a design on both sides of your work, making this type of crochet very versatile and well worth learning.

Besides having 80 different stitches to learn, there are several afghans, purses, and scarves in this book but don’t let your imagination stop there. It will be hard to decide which one to try first. This book is definitely going on my “must add to your crochet library” list.

Learn to Crochet

Are you a beginner and just need a little bit of help to get started ? Great, below you will find several of my lessons that will help you and of course you can certainly leave a comment or ask questions if you need help. I do have a group on Ravelry CrochetQueen and yes it is perfect fine to not join and post questions as a guest, the more the merrier. Please check out the How to’s Learn to Crochet and remember you can ask as many questions as you need to.

Crochet Thanksgiving

Pumpkins, falling leaves, and getting a little bit colder….all signs that Thanksgiving is on the way. Look what I found Thanksgiving Turkey Wreath. This is about the cutest thing I have seen in awhile, it has the pumpkins and the turkey. Cornucopia which I designed in my earlier years but even though it is an older design it will still certainly be a great centerpiece or it will add to it.

I love these Gobble Coasters can’t you just imagine these at everyone’s spot on the Thanksgiving table ? Plus if you are feeling generous, let them take it home as a hostess gift and I guarantee everyone will certainly be talking about the diner at your house that year. How about a Basket of Pumpkins which would make a great house decoration on any table.

Last but not least, Monster Crochets , including pumpkin and do not forget your turkeyzilla tote bag the two do go together you know. Here is hoping you have a stress free Thanksgiving.