Ok, because I am still wrangling with the blog ring, and because I know many of you are on blogger, for your convienience I've put a feed from the wordpress blog onto this blog, so that you can keep tabs easier ;)
Yes, it's redundant. But, it's how I can manage things with the limited time I have at the moment. Life's a little bit crochet crazy :)
ABOUT THE CLF
- Fearless Leader of the CLF
- Everywhere, No where
- I started the CLF as a joke on Ravelry, back in July of 2007. The joke was on me, we're a real group, that seeks to liberate ourselves from stereo types about our craft and ourselves. Other than being called "Fearless Leader", I'm a designer, mother, editor, wife, hand spinner, yarn addict, incessant reader, and over all geek in the coolest of geeky ways.
Beware Defamers of the Hook!
Like Joan of Arc, and the Scarlet Pimpernel we are here to seek Justice!
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Wednesday, June 17, 2009
Friday, June 12, 2009
CLF Blog moving...
So, I've crocheted some moving boxes, packed up the posts, and am working on making sure all the links are set (you know how much I hate them), so that the Official Liberation Front Blog will have a nice new home.
Yup...moving to wordpress. Why?
Cause I have other blogs over there, and I prefer wordpress from a technical standpoint.
I will leave this baby up but as of tonight this is the last NEW post here...
The new blog? http://www.crochetliberationfront.wordpress.com
Yup...Now to get all the feeds and linkages finished.
Sorry to be a bother and all, but really, it's just that much easier to do it all over there, besides the webcrawlers like wordpress better, including Googles!. Isn't that Ironic?
Yup...moving to wordpress. Why?
Cause I have other blogs over there, and I prefer wordpress from a technical standpoint.
I will leave this baby up but as of tonight this is the last NEW post here...
The new blog? http://www.crochetliberationfront.wordpress.com
Yup...Now to get all the feeds and linkages finished.
Sorry to be a bother and all, but really, it's just that much easier to do it all over there, besides the webcrawlers like wordpress better, including Googles!. Isn't that Ironic?
Thursday, June 11, 2009
Call To Arms
As you know we in the CLF are tired of being downtrodden and mistreated. A good example of this was the latest crochet challenge thrown down out of Interweave's PieceWork magazine.
According to the author (not a crochet expert by any means btw) this vintage pattern was not worth her time to finish, or she couldn't understand it, what ever, it was flippant, rude, and why they had her do the article, instead of an expert crocheter is beyond me. And frankly, it's lace, it's not even necessary for an "expert" to do, just someone who does thread work, or has done thread work, or has crocheted more than 20 projects.
One of our CLF members Yarntricia, has suggested that we the CLF (and mad crocheters!) that we flood Piecework in a show of defiance.
Are you game? Check out their website, get the magazine or find a copy and get the challenge information including the pattern. It's a 19th century pattern. But it seems the author was confused by this: "to join in a circle"...um...in crochet we join things to make circles all the time. That's kina basic.
So if you are up for the challenge go for it. Yeah, it's thread, yeah it's tiny hooks, but hey get a good light and a magnifying glass. I'll be off searching for a copy of said magazine. Because as you know finding any fiber arts mags in these parts (other than quilting, and I refuse to get into a back ally fight with a quilter because they have ever SHARPER pointer things), so I'll be wandering and looking for the crochet challenge.
It isn't that I don't have other things to do,because yes, yes I do, but come on...it's lace. Lace is JUST COUNTING...really that's all it is. The most basic stitches are what you use to make the most delicate lace, really, truly and honesty.
According to the author (not a crochet expert by any means btw) this vintage pattern was not worth her time to finish, or she couldn't understand it, what ever, it was flippant, rude, and why they had her do the article, instead of an expert crocheter is beyond me. And frankly, it's lace, it's not even necessary for an "expert" to do, just someone who does thread work, or has done thread work, or has crocheted more than 20 projects.
One of our CLF members Yarntricia, has suggested that we the CLF (and mad crocheters!) that we flood Piecework in a show of defiance.
Are you game? Check out their website, get the magazine or find a copy and get the challenge information including the pattern. It's a 19th century pattern. But it seems the author was confused by this: "to join in a circle"...um...in crochet we join things to make circles all the time. That's kina basic.
So if you are up for the challenge go for it. Yeah, it's thread, yeah it's tiny hooks, but hey get a good light and a magnifying glass. I'll be off searching for a copy of said magazine. Because as you know finding any fiber arts mags in these parts (other than quilting, and I refuse to get into a back ally fight with a quilter because they have ever SHARPER pointer things), so I'll be wandering and looking for the crochet challenge.
It isn't that I don't have other things to do,because yes, yes I do, but come on...it's lace. Lace is JUST COUNTING...really that's all it is. The most basic stitches are what you use to make the most delicate lace, really, truly and honesty.
Tuesday, June 9, 2009
Website update, video tutorials, and other stuff
Well, I updated the CLF website. The front page is changed, I added a page of video tutorials that will be added to from time to time. The offerings on the page are diverse from folks within and without the industry! Rock on folks! We are the hooksters (you know like hipsters) and crochet is very cool...as is evidenced in the videos.
I get really frustrated working on the website, mostly because of stupid broken links, everything else is easy. I can do the buttons and scrolling dancing monkies (if I wanted to, but they won't load on my computer at home on dial up!), but broken links, they are my bane. So, when I whine about building the site, just know it's the dang typos that are killing me ;) LOL...I just don't have all the hours in every day to do all that needs doing ;) No rest for this wicked wicked woman.
Speaking of no rest for the wicked, I am working away on the adult book. I extended the deadline on the third book, folks will know if they got in by the 12th of June. I'm taking my time with these things.
Remember, though I have "help", I am doing the book production as me/myself/ and I. I can have folks look over and do some editing. But, ultimately I take on the whole enchelada :) WHOO HOO! Instead of giving myself and ulcer, like I did last year, I am taking it easy.
So while you wait for the second and third books, why not get the first book! You can get it from our website http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/clfbookhome.html if you are outside of the states order your book from http://www.gailsyarns.com/ and if you just want the .pdf download get it from http://www.lulu.com/camanomade it's only $9.99 there ;)
So, folks we're plugging away working, juggling, running, and hooking...Thanks for the thoughts and offers of assistance. It's all appreciated. Oh and I will leave you with this:
We're planning the CLF retreat for October 2010. Yes, that is right!
I get really frustrated working on the website, mostly because of stupid broken links, everything else is easy. I can do the buttons and scrolling dancing monkies (if I wanted to, but they won't load on my computer at home on dial up!), but broken links, they are my bane. So, when I whine about building the site, just know it's the dang typos that are killing me ;) LOL...I just don't have all the hours in every day to do all that needs doing ;) No rest for this wicked wicked woman.
Speaking of no rest for the wicked, I am working away on the adult book. I extended the deadline on the third book, folks will know if they got in by the 12th of June. I'm taking my time with these things.
Remember, though I have "help", I am doing the book production as me/myself/ and I. I can have folks look over and do some editing. But, ultimately I take on the whole enchelada :) WHOO HOO! Instead of giving myself and ulcer, like I did last year, I am taking it easy.
So while you wait for the second and third books, why not get the first book! You can get it from our website http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/clfbookhome.html if you are outside of the states order your book from http://www.gailsyarns.com/ and if you just want the .pdf download get it from http://www.lulu.com/camanomade it's only $9.99 there ;)
So, folks we're plugging away working, juggling, running, and hooking...Thanks for the thoughts and offers of assistance. It's all appreciated. Oh and I will leave you with this:
We're planning the CLF retreat for October 2010. Yes, that is right!
Monday, June 8, 2009
Set My Picot Free Award Winner!
So, I was doing a search for belly dancing costumes...and what do I find?
http://www.crochetkitten.com/ she has tons of patterns she's made, and they are so totally awesome.
I contacted her on Ravelry.com and asked if I could use her images here because they are just too nifty. She wasn't a CLF member at the time, though she might be now, and I'm not gonna check because well..it just doesn't matter...I'm awarding her the Set My Picot Free for some awesome crochet representin'!
Josephine Scarf Front
Originally uploaded by Selena K
Saturday, June 6, 2009
OMG I finally got it! Crochet Today Article!
WOW! Ok, I owe Tina Barseghian a HUGE thank you for taking the incoherent ramblings of a mad woman and writing a very very smooth article!
Yes, today I managed to track down TWO copies of the magazine at a Barnes and Noble and hour south of me (it's the closest one to me), and I have another two ordered. Yeah, I'm a nerd, I get excited to see my picture in a magazine. Yup, I do.
Yes, I have forced people to read the article in front of me, while I stand their grinning like the proverbial cat with feathers AND cream dribbling out of my mouth. Yes, I looked at my husband and said, "Not bad for a joke!"
And yes, I did giggle for almost half an hour after reading it.
Who knew a joke could be this funny for so long!
Our beloved Dora Ohrenstein of Crochet Insider fame is quoted, as is Jennifer Reeve of www.craftkitten.com, thank you guys!
In honor of this moment, I have made a new reference page on our website: Video Links.
http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/Videos.html
They aren't all how tos, some are just cool crochet. Though I think my favorite how to is the How to crochet a hackey sack, the young man doing the video is so cute (though he's of an age where that would cause eye rolling.)
There will be more on the list, but so much crochet goodness out there, just need to get it in one spot!
Happy Hooking to all!
Yes, today I managed to track down TWO copies of the magazine at a Barnes and Noble and hour south of me (it's the closest one to me), and I have another two ordered. Yeah, I'm a nerd, I get excited to see my picture in a magazine. Yup, I do.
Yes, I have forced people to read the article in front of me, while I stand their grinning like the proverbial cat with feathers AND cream dribbling out of my mouth. Yes, I looked at my husband and said, "Not bad for a joke!"
And yes, I did giggle for almost half an hour after reading it.
Who knew a joke could be this funny for so long!
Our beloved Dora Ohrenstein of Crochet Insider fame is quoted, as is Jennifer Reeve of www.craftkitten.com, thank you guys!
In honor of this moment, I have made a new reference page on our website: Video Links.
http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/Videos.html
They aren't all how tos, some are just cool crochet. Though I think my favorite how to is the How to crochet a hackey sack, the young man doing the video is so cute (though he's of an age where that would cause eye rolling.)
There will be more on the list, but so much crochet goodness out there, just need to get it in one spot!
Happy Hooking to all!
Friday, June 5, 2009
Musing and Wondering...
It is no secret that I am a feminist, or as I like to call myself a Neo-Feminist. Why the "neo"?
Because, I think the original movement was important, but instead of creating a real equality where women were viewed as valuable members of society equal due to the fact of their humanity, the matra became that we could be "like" men. That attitude just doesn't turn me on.
I was a 1980's teenager, so not only did I get the indoctrination that unless you wore a power suit with power heels you were a nobody, I also got told I could be "super-mom", "have it all", and that if I took on the masculine power system I would be the "perfect" woman. I tried it on, went to college, did a bit of ball busting, became an executive, got married, had kids, worked 16 hr days, had a nanny, was one of the pretty people, Prada Hallowed Be Thy Name, had a pretty pretty husband, ball busted some more, proved I could run departments, and divisions, bring home plenty of bacon, kept my crocheting and embroidery a secret, and found myself mentally and spiritually exhausted.
By the time I was 25, I knew that something had to give, and if I didn't figure it out what was going to give was me.
What does this have to do with crochet? What does this have to do with feminism? Lots.
Traditional Feminine handcrafts, or "gentle pursuits" if you want to put into 19th century terms,
were thrown to the way side, seen as non-important and symbols of repression. So that our old stand by magazines that used to have lovely tips and hints for women on all kinds of subjects (such as Good Housekeeping, Women's Day, Family Circle...etc) now just run articles on how to work 12 hrs and still have good sex. They also promote the tired stereotypes of women who look good all the time, because God-Forbid we age at all, because our attractiveness is above all our greatest asset! Hold on a minute? What happened to feminism?
So, I have to be tough as nails, exhausted, a sexual siren, own false tits, have zero stretch marks, bust balls, can't create pretty things with my own two hands, have perfect kids with perfect teeth, and have no crows feet? In the words of Fee from the book "Blessed are the Cheese Makers", Feck that.
We, my friends, have been sold a bill of goods, and we have bought it. With cold hard visa cards.
Guess what? We all get old, natural tits and asses do sag, and it is the most human thing in the world to create. Create with our hands, create with our bodies, that is what women (and men) do. Period, we create, and that should be something in which we revel, and it should be lauded from the roof tops.
As women in traditional roles we do have power, a different kind of power, not saying that them were the good old days, cause they weren't. But we didn't need to throw the female baby out with the bath water.
Crochet and all other hand crafts have taken a hit because they were associated with being a feminine pursuit, an entire generation chose not to do handwork because it was seen as a symbol or our repression. Just like cooking went the way of the dodo...Come on, cooking is NOT hard people. Cooking over a wood stove is a challenge, and um last I checked most of us don't have wood stoves any more, and most of us do have washing machines (which make life considerably easier than a wash tub, I know I've used one) but all of the fabulous things that make life on a daily basis happen fall into that very self same category of: Women's Work.
Say it: Women's Work.
I bet you say it some how without pride, and with some kind of negative tone.
Now say it happy: Women's Work.
Say it louder...WOMEN'S WORK!
The mega corps and investment companies are benefitting from our "modern" woman status, they have us convinced that to make things for ourselves is both old fashioned, and arduous. Wanna know why? Cause that way they don't make a dime from their factories in third world countries exploiting our brothers and sisters who are doing "women's work" for a dime a day (oooh maybe a whole dollar), so we can pay for shoddily made clothes in inferior fabrics, cheaply.
I know I may not win the battle or even the war on this one, but people, be proud of your creative abilities, be proud of being moms, grandmoms, executives, SAHMs, Working out of the House Moms, what ever you are, not moms, single, married, or other, same sex, different sex, omni sexual...and men too, be proud you craft with your hands. But for some reason when men do it it's either cute, cuddly, or sexy...Frankly, my husband finds it really sexy when I crochet, which is good, cause I do it all the time. (Oh and he likes my sagging tits and ass too, but maybe he's just perverse.)
The key is, as long as we buy the bullshit, they sell it. All it costs? Our collective human souls.
/end rant
Because, I think the original movement was important, but instead of creating a real equality where women were viewed as valuable members of society equal due to the fact of their humanity, the matra became that we could be "like" men. That attitude just doesn't turn me on.
I was a 1980's teenager, so not only did I get the indoctrination that unless you wore a power suit with power heels you were a nobody, I also got told I could be "super-mom", "have it all", and that if I took on the masculine power system I would be the "perfect" woman. I tried it on, went to college, did a bit of ball busting, became an executive, got married, had kids, worked 16 hr days, had a nanny, was one of the pretty people, Prada Hallowed Be Thy Name, had a pretty pretty husband, ball busted some more, proved I could run departments, and divisions, bring home plenty of bacon, kept my crocheting and embroidery a secret, and found myself mentally and spiritually exhausted.
By the time I was 25, I knew that something had to give, and if I didn't figure it out what was going to give was me.
What does this have to do with crochet? What does this have to do with feminism? Lots.
Traditional Feminine handcrafts, or "gentle pursuits" if you want to put into 19th century terms,
were thrown to the way side, seen as non-important and symbols of repression. So that our old stand by magazines that used to have lovely tips and hints for women on all kinds of subjects (such as Good Housekeeping, Women's Day, Family Circle...etc) now just run articles on how to work 12 hrs and still have good sex. They also promote the tired stereotypes of women who look good all the time, because God-Forbid we age at all, because our attractiveness is above all our greatest asset! Hold on a minute? What happened to feminism?
So, I have to be tough as nails, exhausted, a sexual siren, own false tits, have zero stretch marks, bust balls, can't create pretty things with my own two hands, have perfect kids with perfect teeth, and have no crows feet? In the words of Fee from the book "Blessed are the Cheese Makers", Feck that.
We, my friends, have been sold a bill of goods, and we have bought it. With cold hard visa cards.
Guess what? We all get old, natural tits and asses do sag, and it is the most human thing in the world to create. Create with our hands, create with our bodies, that is what women (and men) do. Period, we create, and that should be something in which we revel, and it should be lauded from the roof tops.
As women in traditional roles we do have power, a different kind of power, not saying that them were the good old days, cause they weren't. But we didn't need to throw the female baby out with the bath water.
Crochet and all other hand crafts have taken a hit because they were associated with being a feminine pursuit, an entire generation chose not to do handwork because it was seen as a symbol or our repression. Just like cooking went the way of the dodo...Come on, cooking is NOT hard people. Cooking over a wood stove is a challenge, and um last I checked most of us don't have wood stoves any more, and most of us do have washing machines (which make life considerably easier than a wash tub, I know I've used one) but all of the fabulous things that make life on a daily basis happen fall into that very self same category of: Women's Work.
Say it: Women's Work.
I bet you say it some how without pride, and with some kind of negative tone.
Now say it happy: Women's Work.
Say it louder...WOMEN'S WORK!
The mega corps and investment companies are benefitting from our "modern" woman status, they have us convinced that to make things for ourselves is both old fashioned, and arduous. Wanna know why? Cause that way they don't make a dime from their factories in third world countries exploiting our brothers and sisters who are doing "women's work" for a dime a day (oooh maybe a whole dollar), so we can pay for shoddily made clothes in inferior fabrics, cheaply.
I know I may not win the battle or even the war on this one, but people, be proud of your creative abilities, be proud of being moms, grandmoms, executives, SAHMs, Working out of the House Moms, what ever you are, not moms, single, married, or other, same sex, different sex, omni sexual...and men too, be proud you craft with your hands. But for some reason when men do it it's either cute, cuddly, or sexy...Frankly, my husband finds it really sexy when I crochet, which is good, cause I do it all the time. (Oh and he likes my sagging tits and ass too, but maybe he's just perverse.)
The key is, as long as we buy the bullshit, they sell it. All it costs? Our collective human souls.
/end rant
Hunt for Crochet Today...
Ok, the world conspires against me.
It appears the distributor of many magazines in this region (NW Washington) has gone under. Magazine racks in three counties are bare, of much except muscle building magazines. (ew?)
So, I'm heading down to Lynwood and the Alderwood Mall B&N to see if I can find the damn magazine. If I can't get it there, I will drive to Belleview and the Crossroads Mall. I want you people to understand I will have driven an accumulated 120 miles to find the damn magazine.
You know what, It's time to just subscribe to them all. Cause I'm sick of this.
LOL...
I have hope though, I can't wait to read the article. I've been teased and I want my satisfaction.
It appears the distributor of many magazines in this region (NW Washington) has gone under. Magazine racks in three counties are bare, of much except muscle building magazines. (ew?)
So, I'm heading down to Lynwood and the Alderwood Mall B&N to see if I can find the damn magazine. If I can't get it there, I will drive to Belleview and the Crossroads Mall. I want you people to understand I will have driven an accumulated 120 miles to find the damn magazine.
You know what, It's time to just subscribe to them all. Cause I'm sick of this.
LOL...
I have hope though, I can't wait to read the article. I've been teased and I want my satisfaction.
Thursday, June 4, 2009
Fearless Leader in Crochet Today!
Ok, I've said it was coming, I really did, but I didn't realize the July/August Issue of Crochet Today was out in June! Egads!
There is an article about yours truly, and the Crochet Liberation Front and I hear it's pretty good ;) It was a fun interview (which of course happened months ago), and now I need to hunt down me a copy! It's like trying to catch a rabbit in a brier patch in these parts, I may have to take a 40 minute drive to my nearest Fred Meyer's (store) to see if they have a copy.
It's always kinda funny when these articles happen, I know it's gonna happen, I did the dang interview over the phone, but until you see it in print, it's not really real. It feels weird when you see yourself or read your quotes, and you think, "Did I really say that?" sometimes I think I sound silly, and other times I wonder at how those words came from me!
It's kinda fun to see all of this happen, especially since it started out as a joke. We're obviously not a joke any more, but I like to pretend we are, because then I don't get all nervous like...cause really folks, I'm kinda shy ;)
Oh, and look at the bottom of the page. I put up our store on Zazzle.com, we have all kinds of CLF goodness. I'm working on coming up with more bumper sticker ideas. I kinda like the "Stash" one, it made me chuckle, and would work for those who enjoy crafting in general :) LOL
Remember every little bit adds up and helps this Fearless Leader keep working on CLF stuff!
There is an article about yours truly, and the Crochet Liberation Front and I hear it's pretty good ;) It was a fun interview (which of course happened months ago), and now I need to hunt down me a copy! It's like trying to catch a rabbit in a brier patch in these parts, I may have to take a 40 minute drive to my nearest Fred Meyer's (store) to see if they have a copy.
It's always kinda funny when these articles happen, I know it's gonna happen, I did the dang interview over the phone, but until you see it in print, it's not really real. It feels weird when you see yourself or read your quotes, and you think, "Did I really say that?" sometimes I think I sound silly, and other times I wonder at how those words came from me!
It's kinda fun to see all of this happen, especially since it started out as a joke. We're obviously not a joke any more, but I like to pretend we are, because then I don't get all nervous like...cause really folks, I'm kinda shy ;)
Oh, and look at the bottom of the page. I put up our store on Zazzle.com, we have all kinds of CLF goodness. I'm working on coming up with more bumper sticker ideas. I kinda like the "Stash" one, it made me chuckle, and would work for those who enjoy crafting in general :) LOL
Remember every little bit adds up and helps this Fearless Leader keep working on CLF stuff!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Crochet Uncut E-Zine: Summer Issue & other stuff
Hey CLFers!
Our friend's over at Crochet Uncut (The Official Unofficial Magazine of the CLF) have the Summer Issue up and running! Fabulous issue! Check it out! It's free to join, but if you could donate a little something, something or if you have a small crochet/yarn related business and want to sponsor their efforts, I'm sure Darlisa would not take offense to having some $$ come her way! She does this as a labor of love folks, and I think she does a fabulous job!
Speaking of labor's of love, I'm working on the CLF second book: Crochet In Chains (The CLF All Growed UP)... It's coming along even though I've had to fight with Titan on some software miscommunications...stupid software! It's fixed and I'm on a roll...
The deadline for the third book has been extended until the end of next week...so if you want to send in patterns for the 400 yds or less book, please feel free to do so...You guys are all so damn hard on yourself! Stop beating yourselves up for having lives and priorites that supercede the CLF books...DUH...it's not the end of the world.
Speaking of books! If you haven't bought the CLF First Ever Book...it's still available on the Official CLF Website for only $24.50 (includes shipping), or from Amazon.com click the ad for it here :) or as a PDF Download from Lulu.com for only $9.99 now that's one hell of a deal!
All proceeds help the CLF (and it's fearless leader) function in the world, and will help get more books out into the universe! So help a sister out :)
LOVE YA ;)
Our friend's over at Crochet Uncut (The Official Unofficial Magazine of the CLF) have the Summer Issue up and running! Fabulous issue! Check it out! It's free to join, but if you could donate a little something, something or if you have a small crochet/yarn related business and want to sponsor their efforts, I'm sure Darlisa would not take offense to having some $$ come her way! She does this as a labor of love folks, and I think she does a fabulous job!
Speaking of labor's of love, I'm working on the CLF second book: Crochet In Chains (The CLF All Growed UP)... It's coming along even though I've had to fight with Titan on some software miscommunications...stupid software! It's fixed and I'm on a roll...
The deadline for the third book has been extended until the end of next week...so if you want to send in patterns for the 400 yds or less book, please feel free to do so...You guys are all so damn hard on yourself! Stop beating yourselves up for having lives and priorites that supercede the CLF books...DUH...it's not the end of the world.
Speaking of books! If you haven't bought the CLF First Ever Book...it's still available on the Official CLF Website for only $24.50 (includes shipping), or from Amazon.com click the ad for it here :) or as a PDF Download from Lulu.com for only $9.99 now that's one hell of a deal!
All proceeds help the CLF (and it's fearless leader) function in the world, and will help get more books out into the universe! So help a sister out :)
LOVE YA ;)
Monday, June 1, 2009
Cry Free Form!
Free form crochet is becoming more and more popular, as people begin to experiment with yarns and hooks, it’s another exciting time to be a crocheter. However, there is one thing about free forming I want to make absolutely clear: Scrumbling is not the only thing that constitutes free form.
Scrumbling, or crochet doodling, is what is most commonly seen as free form. Don’t get me wrong, scrumbling is fun, and can be a gorgeous and fun way to create in crochet. But it’s not the only way to free form, it is a way of freeforming.
I don’t scrumble often, mostly because I’ll loose all the darn pieces before I ever get them sewn together. I most often free form using lace, I’ll free form sleeves, or borders to sweaters, occaisionally I’ll free form hats and scarves.
No, I don’t mean just going patternless, that’s commando crocheting ! You can free form with squares, motifs, plain crochet. It takes a couple different kinds of yarns, a few different hook sizes, switching up stitches, or yarns. I’ve done a free form piece only using HDC, but changing my yarns throughout allowing the yarn to do the work for me. I’ve used the same yarn, and changed hooks and stitches and let them do the work.
I’ve done a straight sweater and free formed the sleeves. It all depends…
Oh, and I love bullions they are fun to make, but you can free form without using those too! I know, I know blasphemer that I am! Personally I love surface crocheting, and structural crochet for free forming!
In Portland, I took Myra Wood’s Advanced Free Form class and it was absolutely lovely. I got tons of new ideas. Yes, I knew many of the techniques, but what I got out of the class was a new way to look at putting it all together! That was so much fun!
So, if you are lured into free form but don’t want to work with itty bitty pieces, don’t worry about it! You don’t have to…and there are some scramblers who will tell you that scrumbles don’t have to be little either!
Remember, there are very few rules to free form: It’s freely forming something…It’s very liberating!
Scrumbling, or crochet doodling, is what is most commonly seen as free form. Don’t get me wrong, scrumbling is fun, and can be a gorgeous and fun way to create in crochet. But it’s not the only way to free form, it is a way of freeforming.
I don’t scrumble often, mostly because I’ll loose all the darn pieces before I ever get them sewn together. I most often free form using lace, I’ll free form sleeves, or borders to sweaters, occaisionally I’ll free form hats and scarves.
No, I don’t mean just going patternless, that’s commando crocheting ! You can free form with squares, motifs, plain crochet. It takes a couple different kinds of yarns, a few different hook sizes, switching up stitches, or yarns. I’ve done a free form piece only using HDC, but changing my yarns throughout allowing the yarn to do the work for me. I’ve used the same yarn, and changed hooks and stitches and let them do the work.
I’ve done a straight sweater and free formed the sleeves. It all depends…
Oh, and I love bullions they are fun to make, but you can free form without using those too! I know, I know blasphemer that I am! Personally I love surface crocheting, and structural crochet for free forming!
In Portland, I took Myra Wood’s Advanced Free Form class and it was absolutely lovely. I got tons of new ideas. Yes, I knew many of the techniques, but what I got out of the class was a new way to look at putting it all together! That was so much fun!
So, if you are lured into free form but don’t want to work with itty bitty pieces, don’t worry about it! You don’t have to…and there are some scramblers who will tell you that scrumbles don’t have to be little either!
Remember, there are very few rules to free form: It’s freely forming something…It’s very liberating!
Sunday, May 31, 2009
My Bestest Crochet Friend...Stitch Dictionaries
I crocheted for over 25 years before I could really read a crochet pattern. Before that time, I copied my grandmother’s handwork (and other family members old doilies, table runners, and garments), and if there was a really good picture I could copy the stitch patterns. Granted, until about 15 years ago I wasn’t a “serious” crocheter, I dabbled here and there with the hook, always having it in my craft things, making “doodads” mostly, and of course copious amounts of edging for pillowcases, and hankies. I used to make those things for friends as we started out in life.
Before I was a “serious” crocheter, I was an embroiderer. Embroidery was my very first fiber love, I learned to hold needle and thread when I was very young, maybe four or five, and had French Knots mastered by seven or eight years old. I had little iron on patterns, though I never was much good at following inside the lines, I always preferred “eyeballing” my designs, as they turned out better. What can I say, I can’t and don’t want to color inside the lines either.
One of my first crafty related gifts, besides the kiddy craft kits, was a “stitch dictionary.” My great-grandmother presented me with one when I was about 10 years old. In this little tome of embroidery related goodness, I found all the inspiration a needler could want.
So, it was only logical as my craft life evolved and continued, that I sought out such things when I got more serious about crochet. Whereas, written patterns mystified me, stitch dictionaries for crochet gave me boundless inspiration.
I didn’t think of myself as an expert anything, for many years into my crafting life. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because it was just something I did, without too much thinking about it, I just made things. Sometimes they turned out, and sometimes, well…we’ve all had those projects now haven’t we? One of the reasons I didn’t feel expert was my inability to read patterns. I had never thought that I was doing the design work as I made up hats, scarves and little sweaters, dolls, purses and ornaments. I even made up my doilies straight from my own devious mind. Funny how you never take yourself seriously. I can tell you when I finally did think of myself as an expert crocheter, it was 2005 (not long ago eh?) when I was in a local craft store. Someone had a crochet question, and the owner called to me from across her store, “Laurie can you fix this?” she hollered, and then said audibly to the other person, “Laurie is our town’s crochet expert!”
As I whipped my crochet hook out of my bun (yes, I used to secure my then very long hair with a hook) and went to see how I could fix whatever hooking problem was out there to fix, I nearly stopped in my tracks…Expert? Me? Really? But, I wasn’t half as good as my late grandmother! If I can fudge weaving in ends, I do. I hide my mistakes, she didn’t make them. I mean, really … internal chuckle, expert! Hah! Sure.
I walked away that day thinking about what the lady said, and I asked a crafting buddy what she thought, and of course she told me that “Duh, of course you are.” When I protested she eye balled me, with a very loving but steely eye and said, “How can anyone do something for as long as you have and NOT be an expert?”
Well, heck and darn I hadn’t thought of it that way… Then I found the CGOA, and when I said I didn’t use patterns (and said it apologetically) I was admonished by some lovely people who said, “Oh, you’re a designer then!” (Truthfully I thought they were nuts at the time…but I knew they were well meaning nuts).
Now, do I say I’m an expert? Well, not much, but I know I am. I don’t really need to say it to know it’s true. I’m confident in my skills and my limitations. What can I say…but let me tell you, beyond the hours of creating lace as a young person, my stitch dictionaries have been my bestest crochet buddies. They are what are most responsible for my crochet expertise. (Well, that and hand spinning, because knowing your fibers is very important, but that’s another post).
To be honest, I’m still not much of a pattern user, at least not a pattern user in the keeping it inside the lines kind of way. I use patterns for ideas for shapes, and dimensions, flow and drape, I think I’ve managed to follow one to the letter, I can’t help it, I just can’t color inside the lines. When I write patterns, I secretly hope people tweak them to their own satisfaction. I like to give good construction and dimension information in the patterns, hoping to inspire someone to make the pattern their own! But hey, that’s just me.
For those of you who are beginning your crochet journey I highly suggest finding yourself a stitch dictionary. They are hardly ever entitled “Stitch Dictionary”, they are entitled things like “Bertha’s guide to 500 crochet stitches” (joke title), one of my personal favorites is the original James Walters & Sylvia Cosh, Harmony Guide to Crochet Vol. 1. I own many many stitch dictionaries, some of them small leaflets, and others large tomes of hooky goodness. They are my base line, there are the books I have closest to hand in my craft room.
Just as I can’t stand to follow patterns or color inside the lines, I don’t think I’ve made too many projects (other than those for which I write patterns) with only one or two stitches. When I make things for personal use, or gifts, I use at least four or five stitches per project! I love to mix colors and textures, as well as raised and relief stitches.
Oh and while you’re at picking up stitch dictionaries, get some books with great motifs in them! (Some people call them granny squares, but we have so much more than that available to us!)
Before I was a “serious” crocheter, I was an embroiderer. Embroidery was my very first fiber love, I learned to hold needle and thread when I was very young, maybe four or five, and had French Knots mastered by seven or eight years old. I had little iron on patterns, though I never was much good at following inside the lines, I always preferred “eyeballing” my designs, as they turned out better. What can I say, I can’t and don’t want to color inside the lines either.
One of my first crafty related gifts, besides the kiddy craft kits, was a “stitch dictionary.” My great-grandmother presented me with one when I was about 10 years old. In this little tome of embroidery related goodness, I found all the inspiration a needler could want.
So, it was only logical as my craft life evolved and continued, that I sought out such things when I got more serious about crochet. Whereas, written patterns mystified me, stitch dictionaries for crochet gave me boundless inspiration.
I didn’t think of myself as an expert anything, for many years into my crafting life. I don’t know why, maybe it’s because it was just something I did, without too much thinking about it, I just made things. Sometimes they turned out, and sometimes, well…we’ve all had those projects now haven’t we? One of the reasons I didn’t feel expert was my inability to read patterns. I had never thought that I was doing the design work as I made up hats, scarves and little sweaters, dolls, purses and ornaments. I even made up my doilies straight from my own devious mind. Funny how you never take yourself seriously. I can tell you when I finally did think of myself as an expert crocheter, it was 2005 (not long ago eh?) when I was in a local craft store. Someone had a crochet question, and the owner called to me from across her store, “Laurie can you fix this?” she hollered, and then said audibly to the other person, “Laurie is our town’s crochet expert!”
As I whipped my crochet hook out of my bun (yes, I used to secure my then very long hair with a hook) and went to see how I could fix whatever hooking problem was out there to fix, I nearly stopped in my tracks…Expert? Me? Really? But, I wasn’t half as good as my late grandmother! If I can fudge weaving in ends, I do. I hide my mistakes, she didn’t make them. I mean, really … internal chuckle, expert! Hah! Sure.
I walked away that day thinking about what the lady said, and I asked a crafting buddy what she thought, and of course she told me that “Duh, of course you are.” When I protested she eye balled me, with a very loving but steely eye and said, “How can anyone do something for as long as you have and NOT be an expert?”
Well, heck and darn I hadn’t thought of it that way… Then I found the CGOA, and when I said I didn’t use patterns (and said it apologetically) I was admonished by some lovely people who said, “Oh, you’re a designer then!” (Truthfully I thought they were nuts at the time…but I knew they were well meaning nuts).
Now, do I say I’m an expert? Well, not much, but I know I am. I don’t really need to say it to know it’s true. I’m confident in my skills and my limitations. What can I say…but let me tell you, beyond the hours of creating lace as a young person, my stitch dictionaries have been my bestest crochet buddies. They are what are most responsible for my crochet expertise. (Well, that and hand spinning, because knowing your fibers is very important, but that’s another post).
To be honest, I’m still not much of a pattern user, at least not a pattern user in the keeping it inside the lines kind of way. I use patterns for ideas for shapes, and dimensions, flow and drape, I think I’ve managed to follow one to the letter, I can’t help it, I just can’t color inside the lines. When I write patterns, I secretly hope people tweak them to their own satisfaction. I like to give good construction and dimension information in the patterns, hoping to inspire someone to make the pattern their own! But hey, that’s just me.
For those of you who are beginning your crochet journey I highly suggest finding yourself a stitch dictionary. They are hardly ever entitled “Stitch Dictionary”, they are entitled things like “Bertha’s guide to 500 crochet stitches” (joke title), one of my personal favorites is the original James Walters & Sylvia Cosh, Harmony Guide to Crochet Vol. 1. I own many many stitch dictionaries, some of them small leaflets, and others large tomes of hooky goodness. They are my base line, there are the books I have closest to hand in my craft room.
Just as I can’t stand to follow patterns or color inside the lines, I don’t think I’ve made too many projects (other than those for which I write patterns) with only one or two stitches. When I make things for personal use, or gifts, I use at least four or five stitches per project! I love to mix colors and textures, as well as raised and relief stitches.
Oh and while you’re at picking up stitch dictionaries, get some books with great motifs in them! (Some people call them granny squares, but we have so much more than that available to us!)
Wednesday, May 27, 2009
Crochet Magazines: A crictical eye...
We have a lot of discussions about crochet magazines in our on-line communties, and I thought to myself why not take a gander at the three that CLF members often choose to read. These three are in alphabetical order (not preference).
Crochet!
Crochet Today!
Interweave Crochet
Taking all three and really looking through them with an eye to the following I created this special Fearless Leader Report.
Art Direction (This is how pretty the pictures are, the color theory involved in the side bars etc)
Layout/Readbility (This is how the text is presented, how the photos line up, use of white space etc)
Use of charts/diagrams and how they fit into the layout scheme
Quality of patterns (are they cute/fashionable/usable/well written/easy to understeand).
Now I get nothing out of this, and I'm not going to slam anyone, I just want to make a few observations. Let's keep this possitive.
Let's work out of order on my list here for a second. Pattern Quality.
To be honest, all three of these magazines have good patterns. All of them share designers. I think what is the difference in presentation of the finished articles in the photos has a lot more to do with the yarn companies that commission designers than the designs themselves. Yarn companies (Especially Coats and Lion Brand) STOP giving away your UGLIEST dye lots to the designers for their crochet patterns. Color and fashion are matters of personal taste, but if I was someone who did not know how to substitute in a pattern, I'd almost never make anything out of these two companies yarns. They have LOTS of fab colorways, time to use them.
So, all three magazines have good patterns, so why do people say Interweave is better most often? (At least CLF members). I would say it's about the fashion items. I think IC has more fashionable wearables, in better color ranges making them visually appealing. I do not think the patterns are better written than in the other three magazines, I think they are all on par.
Art Direction:
To be honest I think Crochet Today! Probably has the best art direction and layout. I find it a very easy to read, well planned magazine. It's proprietory though, owned by Coats and Clark, and so it will always be limited to those yarns. Not that I think Coats has bad yarn, I buy my fair share, but it shall always be limited to that.
Interweave Crochet is next on my list for Art Direction, I think they have some of the very best photography though, and the magazine is always visually appealing. I think there could be more done with the white space, but in general I think IC is a beautiful magazine which aids it's popularity.
Crochet! Ok, this is where things need to change up. The patterns in this magazine are every bit as good as what you find in the two above. And I love how they often include quick and easy projects along with fashion items. BUT and a big but, they really need to work on their art direction. The color schemes often do not work with the photographs, and it is some of the worst photography I've seen. You do not use the same color background as a garment in this kind of work...and it happens over and over and over. The worst offense yet was a really cute sweater with ruffles, but the photo showed NONE of the ruffles. This is a big n0-no. Crochet! Needs to understand that MOST crocheters are very visual and rely as much on the photos as they do the written words.
Crochet! Also needs a cleaner layout, and better color useage in sidebars etc. Again the QUALITY of what is in the magazine is great, if you get past the art mistdirection. And you know most people don't have time to sit pouring over a magazine to see what I was looking for.
I think Crochet! has had some great articles on construction and crocheters, and Interweave does as well. I have a harder time finder Crochet Today! in my area, but when I do find it I enjoy reading it.
This is just my opinion, and we know that opinions are like noses, we all got 'em and they all smell :) But, frankly, I do buy all three magazines when I can find them, I think all three of them offer enough different to warrant their purchases. But with a little more detail Crochet! could vastly improve it's market share, and it's following.
See it wasn't too painful, and next time you get your Crochet! magazine take a closer look, because I think the patterns are lovely. (I just use other colors most of the time, especially for blankies!)
Crochet!
Crochet Today!
Interweave Crochet
Taking all three and really looking through them with an eye to the following I created this special Fearless Leader Report.
Art Direction (This is how pretty the pictures are, the color theory involved in the side bars etc)
Layout/Readbility (This is how the text is presented, how the photos line up, use of white space etc)
Use of charts/diagrams and how they fit into the layout scheme
Quality of patterns (are they cute/fashionable/usable/well written/easy to understeand).
Now I get nothing out of this, and I'm not going to slam anyone, I just want to make a few observations. Let's keep this possitive.
Let's work out of order on my list here for a second. Pattern Quality.
To be honest, all three of these magazines have good patterns. All of them share designers. I think what is the difference in presentation of the finished articles in the photos has a lot more to do with the yarn companies that commission designers than the designs themselves. Yarn companies (Especially Coats and Lion Brand) STOP giving away your UGLIEST dye lots to the designers for their crochet patterns. Color and fashion are matters of personal taste, but if I was someone who did not know how to substitute in a pattern, I'd almost never make anything out of these two companies yarns. They have LOTS of fab colorways, time to use them.
So, all three magazines have good patterns, so why do people say Interweave is better most often? (At least CLF members). I would say it's about the fashion items. I think IC has more fashionable wearables, in better color ranges making them visually appealing. I do not think the patterns are better written than in the other three magazines, I think they are all on par.
Art Direction:
To be honest I think Crochet Today! Probably has the best art direction and layout. I find it a very easy to read, well planned magazine. It's proprietory though, owned by Coats and Clark, and so it will always be limited to those yarns. Not that I think Coats has bad yarn, I buy my fair share, but it shall always be limited to that.
Interweave Crochet is next on my list for Art Direction, I think they have some of the very best photography though, and the magazine is always visually appealing. I think there could be more done with the white space, but in general I think IC is a beautiful magazine which aids it's popularity.
Crochet! Ok, this is where things need to change up. The patterns in this magazine are every bit as good as what you find in the two above. And I love how they often include quick and easy projects along with fashion items. BUT and a big but, they really need to work on their art direction. The color schemes often do not work with the photographs, and it is some of the worst photography I've seen. You do not use the same color background as a garment in this kind of work...and it happens over and over and over. The worst offense yet was a really cute sweater with ruffles, but the photo showed NONE of the ruffles. This is a big n0-no. Crochet! Needs to understand that MOST crocheters are very visual and rely as much on the photos as they do the written words.
Crochet! Also needs a cleaner layout, and better color useage in sidebars etc. Again the QUALITY of what is in the magazine is great, if you get past the art mistdirection. And you know most people don't have time to sit pouring over a magazine to see what I was looking for.
I think Crochet! has had some great articles on construction and crocheters, and Interweave does as well. I have a harder time finder Crochet Today! in my area, but when I do find it I enjoy reading it.
This is just my opinion, and we know that opinions are like noses, we all got 'em and they all smell :) But, frankly, I do buy all three magazines when I can find them, I think all three of them offer enough different to warrant their purchases. But with a little more detail Crochet! could vastly improve it's market share, and it's following.
See it wasn't too painful, and next time you get your Crochet! magazine take a closer look, because I think the patterns are lovely. (I just use other colors most of the time, especially for blankies!)
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Creating opportunity...
I am so sick and tired of hearing about the bad economy. Wanna know why? Here's a list:
1) For many people it's sucked for a long time. (Ask the folks who lost their jobs to the outsourcing trend that started almost 20 years ago)
2) The only reason it's getting tons of air time now is because rich people and the upper middle class are finally be effected. As a former social worker I can tell you I was dealing with the fall out of the "balloon" economy ten years ago. It's no surprise to me.
3) It's giving corporations the excuse to lay off more workers (which is a dumb move because it diminishes the amount of revenue circulating in the domestic/international market).
4) It's also become the most common thing you hear people repeat in conversations. OH GIVE ME A BREAK. Didn't anyone learn about gravity (in regards to the stock market) what goes up must come down (at some point)...COME ON!
So, let's get this out of the way: How can Crocheters help the economy and make the world a better place.
1) Buy from local businesses as much as possible, for hooks, yarns etc. If you can't find them in person, look on line. You money gets five times the mileage when you spend it locally than when you spend it out of the local economy!
2) Offer to teach classes to folks on how to make their own cool crochet gifts and fashions. When pennies are tight handwork always goes up in favor. Kids love making phone covers, and game system cozies, they can make hair scrunches and book marks for friends! Young mother's love to learn to make for baby..etc etc etc...
3) Find local designers and buy their patterns. Especially the indie designers. That gives the little guy more cash.
There is no such thing as too big to fail. Having all the money in the big boys hands is a dangerous economic prospect. In fact it has very much led to economic feudalism. No one is too big to fail, everyone is expendable, anyone telling you different is trying to sell you something.
I firmly believe the more we can support the medium to micro businesses the more we shall empower and enable sustainable communities....and CROCHET can play a huge part in that! How?
The microcosm always influences the macrocosm. Ask any scientist.
Join me, let's save the world today with crochet...Raise your hooks!
1) For many people it's sucked for a long time. (Ask the folks who lost their jobs to the outsourcing trend that started almost 20 years ago)
2) The only reason it's getting tons of air time now is because rich people and the upper middle class are finally be effected. As a former social worker I can tell you I was dealing with the fall out of the "balloon" economy ten years ago. It's no surprise to me.
3) It's giving corporations the excuse to lay off more workers (which is a dumb move because it diminishes the amount of revenue circulating in the domestic/international market).
4) It's also become the most common thing you hear people repeat in conversations. OH GIVE ME A BREAK. Didn't anyone learn about gravity (in regards to the stock market) what goes up must come down (at some point)...COME ON!
So, let's get this out of the way: How can Crocheters help the economy and make the world a better place.
1) Buy from local businesses as much as possible, for hooks, yarns etc. If you can't find them in person, look on line. You money gets five times the mileage when you spend it locally than when you spend it out of the local economy!
2) Offer to teach classes to folks on how to make their own cool crochet gifts and fashions. When pennies are tight handwork always goes up in favor. Kids love making phone covers, and game system cozies, they can make hair scrunches and book marks for friends! Young mother's love to learn to make for baby..etc etc etc...
3) Find local designers and buy their patterns. Especially the indie designers. That gives the little guy more cash.
There is no such thing as too big to fail. Having all the money in the big boys hands is a dangerous economic prospect. In fact it has very much led to economic feudalism. No one is too big to fail, everyone is expendable, anyone telling you different is trying to sell you something.
I firmly believe the more we can support the medium to micro businesses the more we shall empower and enable sustainable communities....and CROCHET can play a huge part in that! How?
The microcosm always influences the macrocosm. Ask any scientist.
Join me, let's save the world today with crochet...Raise your hooks!
Friday, May 22, 2009
A rare but warranted Review.
I rarely review books on this blog, but I bought one today and it deserves attention and notice!
Hooked for Life Adventures of a Crochet Zealot by Mary Beth Temple is a fabulous, heart warming, and funny read. Yes, you know I adore Mary Beth Temple, and yes originally that's why I bought it.
I purchased the book at my local bookstore (excited to see it on the shelf), because I try to buy crochet books there as much as possible, AND because I really adore Mary Beth Temple and want to see her do well (and hell she bought my book, too!).
I had to take my son to Tae Kwon Do this afternoon, and so instead of shopping or puttering around town, or even crocheting in the mini-van, I picked up my new book and started to read.
From the moment I cracked open the page, all I kept saying was, "Right on!" and "That's why you are in the CLF!" and "Hook ON! My friend!" I chuckled, I nodded, and I misted up a few times. It was a very "Jerry McGuire moment" she had me at hello.
Temple takes a positive approach to crochet, it's history, how we've viewed by others, how we view ourselves, and on every page makes a beautiful case for the value of that which we who wield the hook LOVE!
It's a jaunty ramble of her journey, with which many crocheters can identify readily! From the humorous methods of dealing with gauge issues, to dealing with mixing beverages and yarn, to exploding stashes, and magic balls, to wondering just how that scarf got that big, to the lack of details of just how did that Beer Can hat craze get started and WHY on earth did it catch on in the first place? To the love we who crochet spread in our works of charity, gifts for family, and afghans, yes, in our love of afghans. In fact, I who am often prejudicial against afghans (cause I'm not into making them) changed my mind about them after reading her passage about them. In fact I'm half tempted to start making one right now! (And I misted up!)
It is NOT an in defense of crochet book, it is not apologetic, it is bare bones, this is what we do, here's some history, here's why I love it (and why ME love it too), and here's what it means to many people across the world. It's witty, erudite, and light.
It is the PERFECT gift for your friends who crochet, it is the perfect treat for yourself, put it on your list of MUST READS!
It does not attempt to convert anyone to anything, it just IS about crochet. It earns an award from me...
Mary Beth Temple I award your fabulous hooky tome the SET MY PICOT FREE AWARD!
As soon as I get to a high speed connection I'm put this on the carosel!
Hooked for Life Adventures of a Crochet Zealot by Mary Beth Temple is a fabulous, heart warming, and funny read. Yes, you know I adore Mary Beth Temple, and yes originally that's why I bought it.
I purchased the book at my local bookstore (excited to see it on the shelf), because I try to buy crochet books there as much as possible, AND because I really adore Mary Beth Temple and want to see her do well (and hell she bought my book, too!).
I had to take my son to Tae Kwon Do this afternoon, and so instead of shopping or puttering around town, or even crocheting in the mini-van, I picked up my new book and started to read.
From the moment I cracked open the page, all I kept saying was, "Right on!" and "That's why you are in the CLF!" and "Hook ON! My friend!" I chuckled, I nodded, and I misted up a few times. It was a very "Jerry McGuire moment" she had me at hello.
Temple takes a positive approach to crochet, it's history, how we've viewed by others, how we view ourselves, and on every page makes a beautiful case for the value of that which we who wield the hook LOVE!
It's a jaunty ramble of her journey, with which many crocheters can identify readily! From the humorous methods of dealing with gauge issues, to dealing with mixing beverages and yarn, to exploding stashes, and magic balls, to wondering just how that scarf got that big, to the lack of details of just how did that Beer Can hat craze get started and WHY on earth did it catch on in the first place? To the love we who crochet spread in our works of charity, gifts for family, and afghans, yes, in our love of afghans. In fact, I who am often prejudicial against afghans (cause I'm not into making them) changed my mind about them after reading her passage about them. In fact I'm half tempted to start making one right now! (And I misted up!)
It is NOT an in defense of crochet book, it is not apologetic, it is bare bones, this is what we do, here's some history, here's why I love it (and why ME love it too), and here's what it means to many people across the world. It's witty, erudite, and light.
It is the PERFECT gift for your friends who crochet, it is the perfect treat for yourself, put it on your list of MUST READS!
It does not attempt to convert anyone to anything, it just IS about crochet. It earns an award from me...
Mary Beth Temple I award your fabulous hooky tome the SET MY PICOT FREE AWARD!
As soon as I get to a high speed connection I'm put this on the carosel!
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Confidence & Crafting...
Now that I've been home a few days, I've had a chance to get resettled, catch up on some home and business "things" and also reflect back on the weekend that was to be forever known as "The Portland Experience."
I took my second and third crochet classes ever in Portland. I've never been one of taking classes, having figured out most of what I do through a) trial and error (mostly error), and b) copious volumes of magazines and books. I have to say, I like taking classes, if I had just done that to start with (had I known they existed!) I would have saved myself a great amount of time, frustration and yarn!
I witnessed something rather sad in one of my classes, and I find it so because I've felt like the poor person I observed. In fact, I used to feel like she felt an awful lot once upon a life time ago.
There were two of us in the class who crochet for a living, or have crocheted for a living, or at the very least use a hook EVERY SINGLE DAY of the year. This poor person was having a hard time with figuring out how to do the lace, and was feeling slow, behind, and not "as good" as the others in the class.
The truth of the matter, was that I had made just as many mistakes on my learning piece as she had. Her real problem was, a) the yarn she used was rather unforgiving and b) her self confidence.
I can't count the times, I see messages on Ravelry.com or meet handworkers of all stripes (but ESPECIALLY crocheters) who knock themselves and their skills. "Am I doing it right?" "I wish I was as good as you!" "I'll never be able to do THAT!" It makes me really, really sad to see this. We have so over achieved, and have stupid perfection expectations that we become discouraged when we make errors when we are LEARNING something new!
I made tons of mistakes in my first Broomstick Lace project. I missed a few stitches, had a few less loops in places, it's not quite the "hour glass" shape described in the pattern, but hell and darn it holds together, and since I'm not entering it into a competition and it's a learning piece, I don't care about the mistakes. I learned from them...YES do you HEAR ME!
MISTAKES ARE SOMETHING FROM WHICH YOU LEARN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The world will not cease turning on it's axis if you make a mistake. And frankly that's the worst thing that could happen to us, besides the sun going Super Nova on our collective hinneys; and that ain't gonna happen either.
I still haven't finished the little bag, which is about four inches high, and four inches wide (ish)...
Why does mine look delicate. Cause I broke the rules, instead of using a worsted weight as called for in the class description. I decided to use a cotton sock yarn that's fingering weight instead. I know from years of experience that if I want my lace to be "lacey" then I need to use a finer yarn. Especially since the instructions called for a size 19 needle, and as I'm not the proud owner of a needle stash, other than a size 17, 30 and 50 (bought for the purpose of making broomstick), that if I was using a size 17 I'd need finer yarn.
Yarn: It is the beginning and the end of your project. The same pattern worked in different hook sizes and yarns can be amazingly diverse :)
So, folks...STOP BEATING YOURSELF UP if you goof, OH WELL...
Fearless Leader says to repeat after me: "What I make is beautiful, including my mistakes. I will learn from them, and be better at what I do because of it."
You are only a failure if you believe it; I do not believe in the concept of failure. I believe in the concept of learning. The only time you fail is when you never ever try.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
The Portland Experience...
Saturday night was super fun! The banquet and fashion show is a must go! As usual the free formers, and those who enjoy hanging out with the freeformers gathered for madness and mayhem!
Jaqui from Australia graced us again with her presence and of course was the fabulous Petunia persona! She's quite a hoot, and a real treasure!
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Saturday of the Crochet and Knit Show
Ok, so it's officially Sunday early AM right now, it was a really long day, and I should be in bed right now, but you know me...le sigh :)
Anyway, this morning at "bleary eyed o'clock" I had Myra Wood's Advanced Free Form class. I loved every minute of it! Now, I already knew most of the stitches, but I didn't take the class to learn a new stitch, that's what my stitch dictionary collection is for! No, I took the class to be in Myra's aura, her creative spirit and energy is vast and glorious. I have never met a person, yet, who has taken her classes and left disappointed!
I got inspired to do some very useable art...yes, useable art. Art for artsake is freakin cool, but I have this real practical streak and I like to use my art...it is both amusing and fullfilling!
After class, my dear friends Gabrielle and Thomas Chavez, met up with me, and I went to the Portland Raw Food Meetup's potluck. That was a great deal of fun, and met a lovely lady who knits, and told her about the show, and showed off a little crochet goodness, she may now be tempted by the hook ;)
After that little bit for Crochet-Evangelism, I came back to the hotel with daughter and we relaxed for a while. WHOOT...
Then came the dinner and fashion show. Oh my, what a nice show it was too. Garments both crocheted and knit festooned our evening and tickled our eyeballs (and brains, lots of inspiration).
What was the coolest part of the show, to me, was how many crocheters there were! In fact when the "raffle prizes" were drawn folks were asked for their preference in the prizes! "Knit or Crochet" was the call about half of the lucky winners were heard to shout proudly and in a distinguished manner, "Crochet!" I had to root and cheer for each one! YAY for Crochet!
I am too tired to take photos off camera and get them on the blog at the moment, but I will most definately be doing that either later this morning, OR Monday :)
Tomorrow holds checking out from the hotel, seeing if I have enough cash to do one last dash through the market, and then off to the Museum of Contemporary Crafts because of this exhibit!
Then it's to the Batmob... I mean the train station and back to Camano Island where my hubby, son, cats and dog are waiting for us!
It was sure fun (if not a little too warm for me)...but it was a HOOKALICIOUS convention, I'd say it rates hand over fist from last year! Live and learn I always say, but thank you Portland you were a fabulous host as always!
Anyway, this morning at "bleary eyed o'clock" I had Myra Wood's Advanced Free Form class. I loved every minute of it! Now, I already knew most of the stitches, but I didn't take the class to learn a new stitch, that's what my stitch dictionary collection is for! No, I took the class to be in Myra's aura, her creative spirit and energy is vast and glorious. I have never met a person, yet, who has taken her classes and left disappointed!
I got inspired to do some very useable art...yes, useable art. Art for artsake is freakin cool, but I have this real practical streak and I like to use my art...it is both amusing and fullfilling!
After class, my dear friends Gabrielle and Thomas Chavez, met up with me, and I went to the Portland Raw Food Meetup's potluck. That was a great deal of fun, and met a lovely lady who knits, and told her about the show, and showed off a little crochet goodness, she may now be tempted by the hook ;)
After that little bit for Crochet-Evangelism, I came back to the hotel with daughter and we relaxed for a while. WHOOT...
Then came the dinner and fashion show. Oh my, what a nice show it was too. Garments both crocheted and knit festooned our evening and tickled our eyeballs (and brains, lots of inspiration).
What was the coolest part of the show, to me, was how many crocheters there were! In fact when the "raffle prizes" were drawn folks were asked for their preference in the prizes! "Knit or Crochet" was the call about half of the lucky winners were heard to shout proudly and in a distinguished manner, "Crochet!" I had to root and cheer for each one! YAY for Crochet!
I am too tired to take photos off camera and get them on the blog at the moment, but I will most definately be doing that either later this morning, OR Monday :)
Tomorrow holds checking out from the hotel, seeing if I have enough cash to do one last dash through the market, and then off to the Museum of Contemporary Crafts because of this exhibit!
Then it's to the Batmob... I mean the train station and back to Camano Island where my hubby, son, cats and dog are waiting for us!
It was sure fun (if not a little too warm for me)...but it was a HOOKALICIOUS convention, I'd say it rates hand over fist from last year! Live and learn I always say, but thank you Portland you were a fabulous host as always!
Friday, May 15, 2009
Crochet on The EDGE! The Hooknuck makes the rounds...
Bonnie Pierce wielding the Hooknuck made by Jimbo of http://www.jimbosfrontporch.blogspot.com/ of course free forming maven that she is, she had to do her infamous bullion stitch! Only Bonnie could get that hook to go there!
Jorel looking mighty tough. I wouldn't dis the crochet to her, would you?
Susan, who has our postcards, the t-shirt and the book, wielding the hooknuck high! WHOO HOO! She's into it!There are pics of me floating around, and I took one of Jennifer Hansen of Stitch Diva fame, but I took it with her phone and not my camera, because I was in class. Well let me tell you about that...I have broomstick lace down, and I want you all to know, not only did I learn it! I made it my biotch! I'll do project pics later.
It is very late, my brain is tired, I'm physically wiped, and I have my 9 am class with Myra Wood tomorrow. Can't wait to see what happens in that class. This has been the most crochet friendly conference I've been to yet, knitters I've seen before but don't know well have been very open and curious about the hook, versus hostile or aloof as in years past. Who knows, may be they haven't changed, maybe I have...but I doubt it, I think we hookers are getting some respect at long last!
Speaking of hookers, WHERE WERE YOU for the CGOA meeting? There were tons of goodies and give aways, and I gave away two CLF t-shirts and a copy of the book...Snooze you lose! But the Laurell Hill guys were there, and they are very cool. Not only do I like the hooks, the fellas are down to earth, charming and a lot of fun!
Crocheters go to Voodoo Doughnuts in Portland
Ok, so last year I missed out on the Voodoo Doughnut experience, this year I was determined (especially after seeing the place on a Foodnetwork TV show) to make my way to this very bizarre store!
Sara and I, went with Jorel and Melanie Gill (aka Mel), into this tiny little place on NW 3rd in
Portland. OMG, this is a riot! It took us a while to figure out what we wanted, well ok I knew I wanted the voodoo doll shaped doughtnut 'cause that's too hilarious ;)
So, here's the girls making up their mind, and Jorel and her lovely smile outside the bakery...
Sara got the Tex-Ass mongo sized doughnut!
I got the voodoo doll ;) And I liked it.
Oooh and I gave them CLF Postcards, because one of the girls there is crocheting up a dozen doughnuts! ROCK ON! The hooks shall rule the UNIVERSE!
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