The Official Blog of the Crochet Guild of America
by Britt Schmiesing
Photo courtesy of Dan Lawson
See the interview and read the transcript on crochet.org
Designer, author and instructor Tian Connaughton shares the following insights about you and your crochet.
by Tian Connaughton
Does this sound familiar? Have you said this or heard it said? Can you relate?
In a world that glorifies productivity and selflessness, taking time for oneself can often feel like a luxury reserved for the privileged few. For many individuals, especially women, hobbies like crochet are viewed as costly and indulgent distractions rather than essential forms of self-care. The pervasive societal perception that crochet is a frivolous activity further compounds feelings of guilt and inadequacy among those who find solace in the rhythmic motion of hook and yarn.
At its core, crocheting is a form of self-care—a refuge from the chaos of everyday life where individuals can find peace, purpose, and creative fulfillment. The therapeutic benefits of crochet are well-documented, with studies suggesting that engaging in repetitive, rhythmic activities like crocheting can reduce stress, anxiety, and depression. For many, the act of creating something beautiful with their own two hands serves as a powerful reminder of their inherent worth and potential for growth.
Yet, despite its numerous benefits, many individuals still struggle with feelings of guilt and selfishness when it comes to prioritizing their own crochet projects. The societal stigma surrounding women's hobbies, including crochet, often leads individuals to question the validity of their interests and desires, and the value of their time. However, it's essential to recognize that self-care is not selfish—it's necessary for maintaining mental, emotional, and physical well-being.
In a world that constantly demands more of us, it's easy to lose sight of our own needs and desires. But by embracing our love for crochet and prioritizing our own well-being, we can reclaim our sense of identity and purpose in a society that often overlooks our contributions. One way to combat feelings of isolation and guilt is to connect with others who share our passion for crochet. Whether it's joining a local crafting group, participating in online communities, or attending crochet workshops and events, engaging with like-minded individuals can provide a sense of belonging and support.
So, to all the individuals who feel guilty about taking time to crochet, remember this: your happiness is not a luxury—it's a necessity. You don’t have to earn your self-care or wait to feel worthy. You are deserving right now. So go ahead, pick up your hook and yarn, and crochet your way to a happier, healthier you. After all, you deserve it!
Meet Tian and our other fabulous instructors at the 2024 (Ch Sp) Retreat!
Appearing LIVE at the Chain Link Conference!
Bring your lunch and learn from Courtney Whitehead at Creations by Courtney during this free session!
(Courtney will be appearing along with Tamara Kelly at Moogly)Creations by Courtney specializes in size-inclusive women's garment patterns, and connecting with fiber enthusiasts. She loves helping others improve their skill by trying new techniques. Creations by Courtney is the destination for discovering crochet garments & accessory patterns for curating your handmade closet.
Courtney is most excited creating women's crochet garments and accessories that can be colorful, textured, and created with minimal seaming and unique, easy shaping. Every body is beautiful, so all Creations by Courtney crochet garments are size-inclusive, and meant to help one feel confident while proudly showing off one’s skills.
Accessory patterns range from hats and headbands to totes and shawls that are functional and stylish.
One lucky winner will receive one crochet pattern of choice, and a zippered canvas project tote bag that says "one more skein..."
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Appearing LIVE at the Chain Link Conference!
Bring your lunch and learn from Tamara Kelly at Moogly during this free session! Tamara is also our CGOA President.
(Tamara will be appearing along with Courtney Whitehead of Creations by Courtney)I've been running Mooglyblog.com for over 10 years now, and it's become the home of my original crochet designs, video tutorials, the Moogly Crochet Alongs, giveaways, and more! I've published one book, Quick Crochet for the Home, and have taught several Craftsy classes. I also regularly teach crochet for Michaels Community Classroom online, and love playing with new techniques and stitches!
One lucky winner will receive an autographed copy of Tamara's book,
Quick Crochet for the Home: 20 Fast Projects to Liven Up Every Room.
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Hi I’m Blanche of @beeoutrageous.com here to review “24 Crochet Hats” by Kristin Omdahl.
Let me just say on the outset, that I am truly a KO Fan Her heart warming story of providing an income for herself and her son by creating her business. And her enthusiastic presence on social platforms (Instagram, Facebook, her You Tube Channel) and appearances on The TV Program “Knit and Crochet Today” make her an inspiring leader in our industry.
This ebook doesn’t disappoint.
It serves up hats to grace the heads of men, women ,children
and infants.
Many sizes are provided for each.
Not only are there 24 easy to follow written patterns, but there are sections on:
How to read patterns
How to measure gauge
How to weave in ends
Various ways to block your work
Yarn substitutions
Size tables
Glossary
Crochet Hook Sizes
All of the above make this a veritable one stop resource for creating crochet
hats.
Each hat utilizes different crochet stitches , techniques and
yarns.
The video tutorials for the patterns of “24 Crochet Hats”are
provided on Kristin’s
You Tube Channel.
My favorite hat is Kendra. Perhaps, it’s the color of the yarn that intrigued me (bubble gum pink) or because the stitches are created with Broomstick Lace and a Cabled brim. But that being said, this hat is a stunner.
I would be remiss if I didn’t include a mention of Kristin’s Fund Project Kristin. A portion of every sale goes to help survivors of domestic abuse. I hope this review will encourage you (if you don’t already) to follow her account www.Kristinomdahl.com where you can buy her ebook , purchase her yarns, and crochet accessories.
Blanche xx
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Like many of you, I’m sure, I’m a member of a number of different crochet-related groups on Facebook.
One question that I see frequently is “What crochet hook should I buy?” Plenty of suggestions get thrown
about, but very few responses reflect the reality of choosing a hook… the real answer is, “it depends.” We
can all share our favorite hooks, but honestly, choosing the right hook is really more of a question of
choosing the right hook FOR YOU!
There are many different types and styles of crochet hooks out there, and not every style or type works for every crocheter. Let’s take a look at some factors to consider when choosing a crochet hook.
INLINE VS TAPERED
Inline hooks have a head that is “in line” with the shaft of the hook; in other words, it doesn’t extend any
wider than the rest of the hook. An inline hook usually has a deep mouth, and comes to a sharper angle
than a tapered hook. Many fans feel that they get a more consistent stitch size with an inline hook, but
some people find that due to the deeper mouth, inline hooks “catch” more, and slow them down.
Tapered hooks have a head that extends past/is wider than the shaft of the hook. The mouth is not usually
as deep as an inline hook. In contrast to an inline, some people feel that a tapered hook glides more easily,
but others feel that it’s harder to stitch consistently. Your mileage may vary.
MATERIAL TYPE
Another consideration when choosing a hook is the material used to make the hook. Aluminum,
plastic/acrylic, wood, and bamboo are all common material types, with aluminum probably the most
common. There, too, preference comes into play. Some people will change up their hooks based on what
fiber they are using; wood and bamboo may not glide as easily as aluminum, which may make them
preferable for more slippery yarns, while aluminum may be preferable for yarns that are a little rougher
and more likely to catch on the hook. There is also a weight and feel factor in terms of material - you want
to consider how the hook feels in your hand (more on that later…).
STANDARD VS ERGONOMIC
This is actually a big consideration for some people. I have a friend who almost exclusively uses standard
crochet hooks - your basic aluminum hooks you can buy almost anywhere. I, on the other hand, rarely use
anything but an ergonomic hook, especially when using smaller hook sizes. Ergonomic hooks typically
have a wider handle of some sort to allow the user to use a loose grip on the hook, with less stress on the
hands and wrists. Some have cushioned handles, others have shaped, solid-construction handles.
COST
There is a wide range of pricing of crochet hooks. Some, such as a standard aluminum hook, are
inexpensive and available almost anywhere, and are easily accessible to those on a tight budget. Big box
craft stores often carry their own house brands of ergonomic hooks at the lower end of the price range.
Other stores and websites carry a wide variety of brands, including some inexpensive no-name brands.
Then you start moving up the ladder to a wide range of brand name crochet hooks and a number of
different custom hook creators. When looking at ergonomic hooks, there is an element of “you get what
you pay for.” You may spend less on a set of no-name hooks from a discount seller, but is it really a deal if
the handle starts coming loose 6 months later? (Yes, I learned this lesson the hard way!)
FIT
This is probably the most important factor to consider, although for some, it may be the most challenging.
The hook you choose needs to fit comfortably in your hand, ultimately an extension of your hand/arm. Test
out different brands - some hooks are longer, others shorter. Some are narrow, some are wide. Over the
past 3 years, I have tried almost every major brand crochet hook out there, and keep coming back to my
preferred brand because of how it fits in my hand. You need to think about how you hold your hook, as well
as the size of your hand. My preferred brand fits perfectly in my hand, but for a friend of mine, the hooks
are too short, and rub the side of her hand the wrong way. I have other friends who love a popular, more
expensive brand, but they’re too wide for my short fingers and don’t sit right in my hand. If you love
crocheting, you’re going to be spending a lot of time with a hook in your hand. You want to make sure that
it’s going to be comfortable.
If you’re looking for a new hook, my ultimate advice to you is this:Try out a variety of hooks in different styles and materials. Don’t commit to a set right awayIf you have the money, buy a single hook in your favorite size in the styles/brands you want to try, and
test them out. Even better, see if your crocheting friends have something you want to try and ask to borrow
it, even just to crochet a couple of rows with it.
Obviously, consider your budget. You do get what you pay for, but you also don’t want to go bankrupt.
Once you figure out your preferences, watch for coupons and sales. For some hooks, it may be cheaper
to buy the set with a coupon, for others, you may need to watch for sales and buy a hook or two at a time
Finally, have fun learning more about yourself as a crocheter!
Do you know all the different education programs offered by the CGOA?
WeCrochet invited CGOA board member Pia Thadani for an interview all about teaching crochet, and the various education programs that CGOA offers.
Hear her interview, plus others, in this fabulous podcast episode!
https://blog.crochet.com/wcp-episode-40-crochet-jobs-part-3-teaching-crochet
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Have you ever passed on a pattern because it looked too difficult? "There's NO WAY I could make that," you say.
We've all been there - lusted over a design we were sure we couldn't possibly execute. I get it. You certainly don't want to make the commitment of buying the pattern and all of the supplies just to find out you don't have the skills to make the project.
But, consider for a moment, that you might be underestimating yourself and your crochet skills.
Let's talk skill levels for a moment. You may consider yourself a beginner but you might actually be able to complete something that's labeled "Advanced Beginner". Even if you're an advanced crocheter, you probably still find things that make you think twice about making a design.
A designer generally uses the following list to determine the skill level for the pattern:
Once you decide you want to make a project from a crochet pattern you will spend a good amount of time looking for just the right pattern. As you browse the multitude of patterns available there are going to be some you are just drawn to. But, before you decide to hit the “add to cart” button, check a few things out.
Check those
reviews. This may seem like a no brainer, but it is important not to just look
and see if they are a 4 or 5 star pattern designer. Click on those buttons and
read, this is where you can really discover some good information. See the
below crochet pattern reviews:
“Clearly written, and support videos for further
explanation make for a great pattern and experience. Thank you!”
“It’s perfect. I actually turned around and
bought four more patterns.”
“Such a cute little garment. Easy to follow
pattern. And the designer was so helpful to answer all my questions.”
These review all came from the same crochet pattern shop, and are all recent. This is a great sign that the pattern you are looking at purchasing is clear, has all the information you need and has resources to help you out along the way.
Always take a minute to read the pattern's description. This is so important, if the basic pattern information is missing it could be a sign that the pattern is also missing info. Always check to see that the following is listed:
Size of Crochet Hook needed
Weight of yarn needed (amount can be helpful as well)
Are there any other or unique supplies needed
Is the pattern written in US or UK term
Is the pattern written, chart or graph
Is the patter designer available if you might need assistance? One way to find out is to read their bio (this can usually be found on the website you are ordering from). You can also check their social media like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter or any others out there. The designer does not have to have a huge following to be good. There are some amazing up and coming designers that are just starting out. But, if they have a presence on social media or have ways to reach them in their bios that is a good sign that they can and will offer support.
After you have completed a project from a pattern, if you had a great experience continue to support that designer. Next time you are looking for a new pattern, check their shop. You already know you like the format they use and that they offer support if needed. Chances are you will have another great experience on your next project.
Feel free to take it a step further and share your completed work with the designer as well. There is no greater reward to a pattern designer.
Christine Sweet Potato 3
The holiday season is fast approaching and shoppers have shifted into high gear when it comes to preparations. As a crocheter, you've probably already started making gifts.
Let's take a moment, though, to think about what YOU might want. What ends up on a crocheters wish list?
Here are just a few creative and fun ideas.
To keep yarn tidy while working on your next project, choose a handmade yarn bowl. Lots of choices, including wooden and ceramic, abound on Etsy. This one comes from Maid of Clay Ceramics. Any bowl can be personalized with up to 9 letters.
This one can be a bit tricky because crocheters can be picky about their hooks! However, a little luxury in your toolbox never hurt at all! Check out these shops...
Yes, buttons! Imaginative buttons make a fabulous stocking stuffer or small holiday gift for any crocheter. They come in all shapes, sizes and materials. You'll find lots of interesting choices on Etsy, like the metal button at the bottom from SmartParts.
A crocheter can NEVER have enough stitch markers. Just a simple search on Etsy gets you a wide variety of choices including clay, glass, beaded and wood. Here are a few shops to check out:
Every crocheter I know has multiple WIP's at the same time. What better way to keep them organized and ready to hit the road than with a project bag. Three Bags Full and Binkwaffle both have a wonderful variety of prints and sizes, with expert detailing and stitching.
For some beautifully drawn, fun fiber artwork, visit Sheep Incognito by Conni Tögel. Her shop includes sheep themed prints along with other items like mugs, calendars and totes.
What about a yarn-themed phone case? TeeAvan has a vast array of phone cases, along with other items such as t-shirts, project bags and, yes, leggings!
Show a little retail love for our fellow handmade entrepreneurs by shopping at small businesses and Etsy shops this holiday season. Support those who make our jobs as crocheters easier and a bit more fun. We need each other!
Debra Field
MadameStitch
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