Inspiration

Long about this time of year you may be looking for a little inspiration in your crafting. What is it that excites you about a project? For me, I think it's mostly color. I simply can't resist those richly colored yarns and end up with stashes of them waiting for inspiration to strike. A couple of fun books I've gotten out of the library recently might help in your quest for something different.



Pop Goes Crochet is a fun book with projects inspired by pop culture icons. Worth a browse.







Yarn Cocktails is a book that Donna got me for Christmas. It draws inspiration from classic drinks like a Brandy Alexander belt or a Raspberry Margarita fingerless glove set.







And last but certainly not least is Twinkie Chan's Crochet Goodies for Fashion Foodies - I mean come on, who doesn't need a bacon scarf?

Sophia's Newest Headgear

I really loved the look of this hooded scarf and just had to try making it. I seldom wear a hat or scarf but I was sure Sophia wouldn't mind trying on something new to wear.


This pattern is rated as easy and according to the directions requires about 300 yards of yarn. I actually used 350 yards of yarn. The hat has a ridged design and open work around the face. The scarf has open work in it and could have the ridged design if you wanted it. That would require more yarn, of course. If you would like to try making it you can find the pattern here.


This hooded scarf is for sale in our shop. Check it out!

Multi-Color Scarf Contest

Want to win $250 dollars in yarn! Who doesn't? Enter the Tahki Yarns Cotton Classic and Cotton Classic Lite COLORPLAY Reader Challenge - check out http://www.crochetme.com/content/Contests.aspx

Readers cast their votes for the most creative knit and crochet scarfs - must use at least 4 colors of Cotton Classic or Cotton Classic Lite.

This sounds like a nice contest to enter - since I know you can all makes scarves!

Pocket Money

Looking for a way to put your crafting talents to work? Check out this blog (http://www.crochetconcupiscence.com/category/crochet-jobs/)

The site is currently being updated daily (let's hope this continues) and offers lists of knit and crochet gigs, many freelance and 'from home' opportunities.

Happy stitching!

Free Magazines

by Kelly

While looking for quick, small things to crochet, I stumbled across a free site called MagazineDown.Com. And look what I found there-

found here

Interweave Crochet

These were completely free and there are many other magazines, newspapers and catalogs on crochet and other topics. Many of them are in other languages including what appears to be a French fashion magazine. Very interesting stuff.

Regretsy LOL

I wanted to do a little reading over the Christmas break and found a hilarious book at the library

Regretsy, by April Winchell will keep you in stitches! April runs a snarky blog called, regretsy.com that pulls items from Etsy that are well...interesting. It takes a special item to meet Rachel's criteria - a badly knit item won't do it. There needs to be that extra special something that takes an item to a new level of horror in order to make her list. The book is divided into various catergories (jewelry, home decor, pet humiliation) and then shows actual Etsy listings along with April's comments. I read the entire book in under an hour and laughed out loud through a number items. It's a don't miss on my 2012 list.

Crafty Resolutions

Happy New Year to all! It's that time of year again when we resolve to fix all those nagging things that we dislike about ourselves. It seems appropriate that we should include our favorite hobbies in that list as well. So for 2012, my crafty resolutions are:

1) Buy more yarn

2) Be a better finisher than a starter
3) Buy more yarn
4) Make more time for crocheting
5) Learn to knit
6) List more on Etsy
7) Buy a lot more yarn

How about you?