…, as usual. Then, I stick my tapestry needle through the eye, then all the way through the head of the owl (going all the way to the wrong side of the owl head): Then, to complete a second stitch, I stick the needle back up through the next stitch- through the owl head and through the eye: This is attaching the eye using a running stitch, and pulls the edges of the eye much closer to the head than with a whipstitch. Isn’t the final result pr…
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Interview with Stephannie Tallent & Giveaway!
…exciting news, readers… Stephannie has generously offered a coupon on her patterns! Enter the code ‘blogtour’ into the code at checkout, and receive 20% off until February 8th. Yay! Perhaps even more exciting, we’re holding a giveaway! Stephannie is giving away 2 knit circus pattern collections… all you need to do is leave a comment below, and you’ll get a chance to win. We’ll pick 2 winners randomly on S…
Continue ReadingWhat’s a pinkie do while crocheting? Tension the yarn!
…and keeping movement down really helps! How do you tension your yarn? How’s it working for you? Just in case you’re curious, I hold my yarn the exact same way while I’m knitting… but I know there are lots of other ways that work beautifully for people!…
Continue ReadingWhat is an ergonomic hook? Do you need one?
…way to know which hook is right for you without just trying them out. For example, I find that the way I hold my crochet hook makes it difficult to hold the Addi Swing… but there are many other folks that swear by it. Hook: Furls Crochet Hook I personally adore my Furls crochet hook, which is handmade with the width of your palm taken as a measurement. Another factor to consider is the shape of the actual hook. We all prefer different hook…
Continue Reading4 Really Boring Things You Should Do to Protect Your Craft Supplies
…your files (including patterns!) Your computer counts as a craft supply, too! After all, it’s where you keep a lot of patterns, isn’t it? You’ll want to back up your computer regularly to make sure you have copies of your files in case something happens to your computer. There are lots of ways to do this. Some ideas are: Commit to regularly backing up your computer onto a hard drive (that’s stored somewhere safe) or the clo…
Continue ReadingHow to crochet in rows without turning
…8230; but give it a try. (Besides, I think it works the other side of your brain and prevents Alzheimer’s… so there’s good reason to do it!) I still don’t have the best technique down (I wrap the yarn with my left hand, still, which is a little funny), but it works! And look! When you’re at the end of the row, you have only pretty-right-side stitches… just like crocheting in the round! Look at this pretty zig-za…
Continue ReadingIs Custom Work right for Your Business?
…ers a try! I began accepting commissions for custom work, but in a limited way. For me, I needed to ensure that my custom work would reinforce my existing pattern-design business. In my Etsy shop, customers can select their own colors for existing designs. I’ve gone into more depth about my custom-order philosophy in my podcast episode, Selling and Pricing your Crochet Items. It’s important to keep in mind that you’re running a b…
Continue ReadingA few new family members…
…might want to crochet the penguin… and practice their sewing with the easy scarf and hat! So much fun to mix & match! To purchase the pattern (which comes with oodles of photos, as always!), pop over to his listing on Ravelry! Happy crafting!…
Continue ReadingHow to Measure Yarn
…f your stitches and measure the length. It’s important to measure in complete stitches. I like to hold my thumb immediately next to my work (as pictured), preserving the loop that you removed the hook from: Then, count the number of stitches as you unravel. You will want to end your measurement directly next to your work, with the loop still intact. How to measure Now that you know where to start and stop your measurement, it’s importa…
Continue ReadingHow I grabbed the do-it-yourself spirit!
…o, IL as the 5th of 7 children (6 of which were boys!). His father passed away when my Dad was 10 years old, and his (immediately) older brother was killed in Vietnam a few years later. He joined the Navy out of high school and was stationed at the Bethesda Naval Hospital (in Maryland!) and his life has been filled with amazing range of jobs during his life: firefighter, truck driver, computer programmer, Aloe salesman and prison guard- just to na…
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