Crochet is NOT a dying art!

I looked at the last time that I posted something to this blog. Well, since it's been a while, I've been crocheting NUMEROUS clothes, etc.

In October I'll be teaching a Crocheted snowflakes and angels class.

As soon as I am able to, I'll post some pics of my LARGE collection of Crocheted items.

HOW CAN IT BE FALL IN CHICAGO AND BE 80 DEGREES? UGH!

After spending many, many hours making shawls, etc., I've come to the sad realization that it's just STILL too hot out to wear and enjoy some of the pieces of Crochet that I've made throughout the year. So, till then, I wait till it's at least in the 60's or so.

Lately I've been attending Income Tax School, so I've only been working on getting ideas on new projects I plan on doing. Simply put, I have too much studying right now to actually focus on a project.

Since I'll be finished with the Income Tax School the first week of November, I'm sure that I'll have plenty of Crochet-work to tackle/pick-up where I left off.

Yes, and then I'll have some pics of finished items not previously posted.

Till then, keep on Crocheting!

CROCHET - PEARLS OF WISDOM...

OK, some of you know by now (if you don't, you haven't been paying attention) that I teach Crochet.

Check out my my http://www.ilove2crochet.com/ website.

It's interesting reading...for the "Crafty-Minded" Crocheters! :D

IT'S AUGUST, BUT IT SURE DOESN'T SEEM LIKE IT!

It's been a crazy month here in Chicago. August is normally known here to be HOT, but lately all it's been doing is raining and muggy (very much like April).

Saturday I had a GREAT time with one of my students. She and I worked on the finishing touches of her Hairpin Lace Stole which morphed into a doily. Basically, she started out with a finished stole...the turning point though was when she set it down on her walnut table and liked how it looked as a table ornament. I agreed that it was pretty, but seeing that it wasn't originally made-to-measurement as a doily, I had to "PLAY JAZZ" with the yarn. Bottom line is that it turned out to be very beautiful. Thank goodness I had 2 out-of-print Hairpin Lace books by author Pamela Thompson to help me along. When I say out-of-print, I mean that these books are TOTALLY not available: If you find them, you'll pay a fortune to own them. Anyway, how very proud I was and I know my student was happy...another happy Crochet student! :D

Other than that, I've been working on and actually finishing some new, never-tried-before stitches lately making scarves. It's, I admit, a bit cheesy since it's August but cool/cold weather is coming sooner than I'd like. With that, I've been making some scarves in with the following stitches: trellis, hexagonal mesh, shells (modified), etc. Not only have I been using the different stitches, but I've also been using up some of my yarn stash. Taking into account I might have more yarn than I'll ever have time to use, Crocheting yarn from my stash and using some of the new stitches has actually been extremely rewarding. It's long overdue for me with thinning out the stash.

In that vein, I have this Knit Scarves book and in it I fell in love with one of the scarves made of Brown Sheep Yarn Burly Spun (The book version is in some raspberry-like color, but I used their Limeade color), so I decided to (ugh!) Knit the scarf but finish it with a Crocheted edging (the good news is that I used #19 size knitting needles, so it worked up VERY fast). It looks like the pattern sample picture, with the exception that, dare I say, my version looks better because I added Crochet touches to it! Lastly with this scarf, I'm going to make button hole loops and sew these matching GROOVY buttons to fasten the scarf together to mimic a cravat in the center, but fringe on the outer sides. If it looks hideous, I'll wear it at night when I'm all by myself around the house. If it looks great, I'll surely wear it out in public. Ha!

Till next time...Keep on Crocheting! :D

CROCHETING IN JULY = IT'S A HOT, WONDERFUL NIGHT!

As promised, I took pics and posted them on my http://www.ilove2crochet.com/ website. The pics do not represent all of my work, as I have hundreds of pieces that I'd love to get around to taking pics of...maybe one day soon, again.

I'm STILL working on the previously Blog-post fine-yarn spider web stole (see paragraph above for pics of W.I.P.).

Also, after falling in love with the Easy Crocheted Accessories book, I finished yet ANOTHER Shrug (it was the "selling point" piece that prompted me to buy this pattern book). For those of you who do not know what a Shrug is, it's basically like a 1/2 sweater w/o the back and front, w/only the sleeves and shoulder part (OK, that's my version). I must have made 3 of these so far (starting to lose count), and the work on this project goes VERY quick especially when using a Size N and bulk-weight yarn. In less that a few hours = Poof! A finished Shrug!

Oh, if you haven't done so already, don't forget to purchase a "Encyclopedia of Crochet Stitches", "Crochet Stitch Bible", etc., type of book. Always keep it handy when you're doing your work and you'll quickly find that it was worth the money that you paid for it.

Don't forget to finish the U.F.O.s (Unfinished Objects), before you forget where you left off!

On a side note, it's OK that we Crocheters wear Crocheted pieces made from fellow Crocheters. I call it "showing the flag" for the LOVE of Crochet. But, since I'm rather picky about wearing Crocheted pieces, the items must be almost 100 % absolutely perfect. There are worse things, but have you ever seen somebody Crochet and finish a piece and the work is shoddy workmanship? The person didn't take pride in or take the time to properly finish the item. :O Since practicing stitches makes perfect stitches, there are few valid excuses for Crocheters not to take their time and take pride in their work. If Crochet as a craft is going to SURVIVE, it's important to share "trade secrets" or else these "pearls" won't get passed on to newbies. Always take PRIDE in your Crochet work, as it's not only a reflection of you and how you care about your work but it also represents to the world the "Crochet Community", in general. Show that you genuinely care about Crochet! :)

No, I'm not getting compensated for this, but Jo-Ann's Fabrics has some fantastic store-brand yarn, much of which is imported and very high quality. I have some ideas brewing about some of my next projects, using the Jo-Ann store brand yarn I have in my stash.

Re the above para, I just thought of something. NEVER be afraid to try new yarns. If the yarns are: expensive, texturally weird, etc., at least you will be able to say that you've TRIED IT. The worst that could happen is that you despise the piece or are out a few "bones". The best outcome is that you'll be happy you at least tried it and will actually wear the item. Bottom line is don't be such a "Yarn Snob" that you WON'T try new textures, different brands, etc. Sometimes even inexpensive yarns can be high-quality too, and it's all in the packaging, marketing, etc. Don't get me wrong...I love fine yarns and at times a "Yarn Geek" (like myself) needs to be smart about purchases. How would you know if you didn't try? Try everything you can get your hands on, as it will make you a better Crocheter! Capisci quello che sto dicendo? Do you understand what I'm saying? Can you dig it? I knew that you could!

Till next time, HAPPY CROCHETING! :D

ANOTHER WEEK IN CROCHET AND TOO HOT OUTSIDE = NO WORKING WITH WOOL!

OK, it's been a week since my last post.

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CLASSES

I taught Class 2 of 2 of Hairpin Lace Stole class. My two students both used the same yarn Berroco Bonsai, which is a ribbony-type yarn, made of cellulistic fiber derived from bamboo. FIBER: 97% Bamboo, 3% Nylon. It's an absolutely gorgeous pick.

Visit http://www.berroco.com to view Berroco's yarns and patterns.

If it wasn't for the fact that I have ample yarn already, I may have considered getting some of this yarn. I must use yarn though from "on-hand" stash!

Back to the Hairpin Lace Stole, I finished my class piece stole the same evening after finishing the class (Saturday).

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CLASS SAMPLE PIECES AND/OR W.I.P. (Work In Progress)

Updated status on the Spider Web Stole from my previous Blog entry, I've been working diligently on this piece. Good "rule of thumb" is not to work when fatigued. The Rowan Yarn used in the aforementioned Blog is a absolute NIGHTMARE to fix when a mistake is made. One small mistake can equal hours of time to fix it = no joke! Since it's almost done, even I cannot wait till it is finished. I'm pretty psyched about seeing this piece completed, as it represents countless hours of work using a Size C Crochet Hook!

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YARN STASH

On a whim, I decided to try something different on Sunday. I found 2 small skeins of white craft nylon cord and made what looks like a yoga mat or approx. 7 yarn balls holder bag (it can be used for other things, I suppose too). So, the openwork bag is done but not finished (stay with me now). The yarn part is complete, but embellishments need to added such as: beads, handle, etc. I have some ideas, but haven't made a final decision on which beads and handle to use. So...I'll wait and think some more. No rush on this one.

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U.F.O.s (Unfinished Objects)

I finished some U.F.O.s since my last Blog, about 3-4 more. It's important to wait and finish pieces, rather than speed-up the finishing and mess up the look of a piece. Pearls of advice, for free!

Lately I've been feeling the urge to finish-up some 2 U.F.O.s that need some very special "it's the end of the line" treatment.

One is a 100% cotton granny square poncho made of Sugar n' Cream Yarn. This is a HUGE poncho, and I modified the size to accommodate fitting over turtle neck shirts or sweaters during spring or fall. I like wearing ponchos, but I don't like when they are uncomfortable. Hence, I made the piece large (even though I am small/medium size). The RIGHT edging has not been chosen yet, so the piece is finished with the exception of the edging.

The other one is a 100% wool cape made with Brown Sheep Yarn, Jaded Dreams (basically green/dark teal). Again, I modified the pattern to fit over clothing freely. This project is more than 3/4 done and it's long, but I'm adding more length then the original size would call for. I believe a plain edging is fitting, as this piece is very heavy yet elegant, so there is not need for a special edging.

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Till next time...

Totally Hooked on Crochet, I am!

ROXYLENA

NOTE: YES, I WILL BE POSTING VERY SOON PICTURES OF MY WORK, SO IN THE MEANTIME VISIT: http://www.ilove2crochet.com TO SEE SOME PICS = MORE TO COME!

HELLO, EVERYONE!

Yes! I decided to "Blog" again, since I haven't Blogged in about a year. But, this time it is going to different since I'm going to Blog about Crocheting!

I am very PASSIONATE about Crochet, and absolutely love teaching others how to Crochet.

Please visit my Crochet Website!

ILove2Crochet Homepage


By checking out my website you'll be able to click on various links of interest to me relating to Crochet and view some cool pics, videos, etc.

OK, well here goes:

I am currently enrolled in the Craft Yarn Council of America Certified Crochet Instructor Course. Since I am making my lesson samples and working "the program", I am hoping to finish by the end of this summer. I'll be able to, upon completion, display proudly in my "I Love Me Room" (yes, I have that many certs on the wall)!

Lately I've been finding various certificates, diplomas, etc. of mine and have putting them in frames and hanging them up so that I may actually see them. This includes even some of my medals and commendations from my service in the U.S. Navy. Wow! How very proud I am having served! It's rewarding and much appreciated to be acknowledged for hard work.





Back to Crochet...

I've been working on a class sample, what seem like forever. It's a Spider Web Crocheted Stole. In the past, I've made two of these already: one for me and one for Diane. Those were both Crocheted with a Size H hook, using Worsted Weight Yarn. But, here's the kicker with this class sample = I am using a Size C or 2, 2 3/4 MM hook, with Rowan Kidsilk Haze 70% Mohair/30% Silk Yarn. For those of you who DO NOT Crochet or work with Yarn at all, it's (indeed) an INSANE undertaking! OK, so the only thing that have kept me grounded and from going completely bonkers is that it is turning out to be AMAZINGLY beautiful! So, I keep (metaphorically) trudging along with this project. The piece will be stunningly gorgeous when finished, and there's NO doubt about that!

Also, lately I've finished some U.F.O.s (Unfinished Object, in yarn-speak) and created a collage of beige/brown scarfy-stole wrap which is a W.I.P. (Work In Progress).

Next, something EXCITING (sorry, no pics taken yet of them) which I've made lately are two scarves made of some beautiful yarn. One is from a newer featured pattern by Berroco Yarns, but I actually used Berroco Zodiac, color name is Scorpio. The sample pattern calls for Berroco Boho and I wanted to use a yarn with a different look from the pattern's suggested yarn. I used 4 balls and a Size H hook. The next scarf is made using 2 balls of (are you ready for this?) Schachenmayr Nomotta La Nova Ribbon Yarn, 50% cotton/50% viscose. This is a really GREAT yarn! Made of two different materials and multiple colors, it self-stripes as you go--the color changes when the fiber changes--how's that for interesting? When I get some pics taken, I'll post them...

I teach Crochet on Saturdays at Unique Yarns, Inc., located in Rockford, Illinois. Please check out the below link to Becky's AWESOME store!

Unique Yarns, Inc.


Occasionally I'll update this Blog, now that I have it up and running. I hope to keep it populated and interesting enough for you to come back and visit!



ROXYLENA

Happy Anniversary, Star Wars!