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:

• Beginner - Projects intended for first-time crocheters using basic stitches. This level can help ANY crocheter build skills and provide practice. These patterns are no-brainers for experienced crocheters.
• Advanced beginner - Patterns for the advanced beginner use basic stitches and repetitive stitches and patterns. There may be color changes, simple shaping and may require some finishing.
• Intermediate - Projects will use a variety of different stitches and techniques. More detailed shaping and finishing will be required.
• Advanced - This is where the rubber meets the road and everything is on the menu - intricate stitch patterns, multi-color techniques, small hooks, detailed finishing, to mention a few. These patterns really are reserved for the most experienced although, depending upon the number of advanced techniques, this would be a good stretch for the experienced crocheter. 

How do you decide? Look at why a designer may have classified a pattern with a certain skill level using the guidelines above. How many of the techniques or stitches in the design are you not familiar with? Remember, many designers provide resources to help you master the skills used in the design so it may be possible to easily make the design.

 

Obviously, it will be up to your judgment to decide whether or not you should try a pattern.

 

First and foremost, stop underestimating your crochet skill. Be realistic, sure, but don't pass on a pattern for the wrong reasons.

Push yourself to try new things. Again, you do have to be realistic. However, by trying new things, you get the chance to improve your skills, opening the door for even more complex pattern making down the road.

Prepare yourself for the more involved patterns by practicing your crochet skills and pattern reading skills. Find a pattern design that incorporates just one new skill and go for it.

And, don't forget, one of your greatest assets is your fellow crocheters. Ask advice, especially in Facebook groups, at your local yarn shop, YouTube. Find a group meeting at your local library or church. Crocheters LOVE to share their knowledge so go tap into that wealth.

 

The Crochet Guild of America is here to help!

• The organization provides online classes taught by world-class instructors. You will not be disappointed!
• Under the heading "Resources - Learn to Crochet" you'll find videos and lessons for basic crochet skills. You can choose right-handed, left-handed and children.
• If there's one near you, join a CGOA chapter. Learn from other crocheters.
• Crochet for Charity is a great way to practice skills and give back at the same time.
• And, participate in a Crochet-Along. Not only will you improve your skills, but you'll have a built in community of crocheters working together toward a common goal. Have a question? Someone will have the answer!

Now, go out there and get that pattern. You can do it!

Debbie

MadameStitch

What to Look for Before Purchasing a Crochet Pattern

Starting a new crochet project is exciting for so many reasons. It’s the opportunity to carve out a little “me” time as you get to create something new. You are also able to enjoy artistic journey of picking out yarn types and colors to make the new creation unique to you. There is a little spark of energy as we sit down to begin a new project and see our vision come to life.

 

But, that spark can fade fast if the pattern you are working from is confusing, incomplete or not detailed enough. The joy slowly dwindles as you have to reread instructions, have to frog rows of work because it doesn’t look right, or after hours of work you realize it is not going to be the right size. However, there are ways to help prevent this frustrating situation.

Put On Your Investigation Glasses

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.  

Check the Pattern's Description

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

Contact and Follow

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. 

Support Those You Love

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

Holiday Gift Roundup for Crocheters

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.

Yarn Bowls

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.

Handmade Crochet Hooks

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...

• LETTO Workshop - a variety of wooden ergonomic hooks.
• Becky Sue Creations - interchangeable ceramic hooks.

Buttons

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.

Stitch Markers

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:

• Karens Hobby Room
• Wee Ones - removable stitch markers made of polymer clay
• AliceRCrafts

Project Bags

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. 

Artwork

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.

Yarn-themed Paraphernalia

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!

One last thought...

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

June Quarterly Crochet-Along

We are so excited to write to you today to announce the June Quarterly Crochet-Along.

Whether you've never participated in a CGOA CAL before or joined us every time, you won't want to miss this unifying new project taking place in a fun new location with an all new Crochet-Along team!

While we can’t spill all the details about the June CAL just yet, we can say that for the first time ever, the Quarterly Crochet-Along will have you crocheting an amigurumi with fellow CGOA members! We can also say that the pattern we have selected is both timely and meaningful.

Convinced? There’s more.

We’re taking this opportunity to move the Quarterly Crochet-Alongs to an all new private Facebook group. We strongly feel that with Facebook being the easiest to navigate and most widely used social media platform, moving our event there will allow for even more of you to join in on the fun!

To participate in the June CAL, get exclusive pattern tips and information straight from the designer, and enter to win super cool prizes, please join our new private Facebook group, CGOA Members CAL Crochet Along Group, at the following link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/cgoaquarterlycals/

You will be asked to enter your CGOA membership number and agree to the rules in order to be admitted into the group. Your membership number can be found on crochet.org under Members & Membership Renewal & View/Print My Membership Card.

Yarn requirements will be released on May 15, and the pattern will will be revealed on June 1.

Join us on Facebook today to get to know your fellow CAL crocheters and our new team!

The Quarterly Crochet-Along will now be led by CGOA member Julie Desjardins, with help from fellow members Lauren Venettozzi (Pattern Tech), Trisha Ankaraju (Graphics), Gwen McGannon (Social media), and Bobbie Matela (Prizes).

We're excited to crochet with you in June!!

Your CAL Team.

Build Better Garments with Body Basics by Lindsey Stephens

Title: Body Basics
Author: Lindsey Stephens
MSRP: $29.99 USD (e-book)

Book review by Pia Thadani - Stitches n Scraps

I received a free review copy of Body Basics and Schematics Templates, from The Lindsey Life. Although I accept free products for review, I do not guarantee a positive review. My reviews are based entirely on my honest opinions. All images of copyrighted material are used with permission.

Do you like to crochet garments? Have you ever thought of designing your own, or adapting a pattern to fit better? If so, you need Body Basics! Keep reading for a special discount code on this e-book.

About Lindsey 

Lindsey Stephens, the author of Body Basics is a brilliant tech editor with a gift for math. I've had the pleasure of working with her, and she really knows all the little tweaks that can make a pattern more accurate, and easier to read. She's also a CGOA member and a wild, wacky, wonderful friend :)

Diving Deep

Body Basics is the ultimate guide to sizing garments. It's not a quick reference, a size chart or a formula. It's an in depth discussion of how sizing works, and how to make it work for you.

Lindsey explains which measurements matter and how they work together to fit actual bodies. The math of calculating stitch and row counts is not the main focus of the book. Rather, it teaches you how to manipulate measurements to create the shape and fit you want.

Easy to Read

There's a lot of information, but it's easy to navigate with lots of helpful diagrams and charts, plus highlighted tips and notes as well. The ebook includes a clickable table of contents so you can easily jump to the section you want.

The first section talks all about width measurements, followed by a section on length measurements. Lindsey goes through each measurement, one by one, and explains how slight variations can change the fit and overall style of a garment.

Focus on Tops and Sweaters

Body Basics focuses on the upper body, for tops and sweaters. It does not include sections for pants or skirts, but many of the same principles discussed throughout the book can be applied to those measurements as well.

Get the Bundle! 

The review copy I got came with a bonus book of Schematic Templates. This invaluable resource is a series of labeled schematic drawings. The measurement lines are indicated, but no measurements have been written in. These schematics are a great starting point, and combined with Body Basics, they make the ultimate garment design workbook. 

As of the time I am writing this, Schematic Templates comes FREE with your purchase of Body Basics! You can also buy it separately. 

Save $5! 

Lindsey has generously given me a special coupon code to share with you. Buy the Body Basics bundle and enter the code CGOA at checkout to get $5 off your purchase. This coupon code is valid through 11:59pm Eastern Time on October 17th, 2019, so hurry and get yours now! As always, Please be sure the discount shows in your cart before completing your purchase.

2019 CGOA Fashion Show

Were you able to attend the fashion show at the CGOA Chain Link Conference last week? We had a very full show this year, with 58 items!

 

We didn't have an official video this year, but Lauren Venettozzi recorded most of it and shared the video on Facebook.

All the amazing photos you see in this post were taken by Bonnie Barker of Bonnie Bay Crochet Photography, with the help of her daughter, Becky Bluebush.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Bonnie Barker (@bonniebarker7290) on Jul 17, 2019 at 7:23am PDT

Below is a list of all the items that were displayed at this year's fashion show. If a pattern or more information about an item is available online, I have added a link to that information.

Many of these patterns are not yet available but will be soon. If you know of any other links that become available or are not included here, please leave a comment and I will add them in.

Special thanks to Red Heart for sponsoring this year's fashion show again, and for all the fabulous prizes. Tamara Kelly and Marly Bird, both with Red Heart, were our MCs.

I'd also like to thank all the amazing crocheters who submitted projects, and all the volunteers who made the show possible. The models are listed in the line up below, and our other volunteers were:

• Photographer: Bonnie Barker and
• Garment Manager (and emergency model): Laurinda Reddig
• Door Monitor: Christine Bitner
• Timekeepers: Lauren Venettozzi, Julie Marz, and Candace Pisterzi

I hope I haven't forgotten anyone, and I can't wait to see you all again next year!

2019 CGOA Fashion Show Lineup:

Group 1
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Coral Ranuculus Vest	Gwen Buttke McGannon	Gwen Buttke McGannon
Trade Winds Shrug	Marette Whitney	Marette Whitney
Pineapples on Parade	Tammy Hildebrand	Willow Hildebrand
Palm Beach Poncho	Joan A. Davis	Julie Desjardins
Sand Dunes Drift Away Wrap	Sarah Sullivan	Sarah Sullivan
Rhythm of Shells Cowl	Andee Graves	Creusa Gilmore
Garden by the Sea Poncho	Joan A. Davis	Shari White
Seaglass Tank Top	Carolyn Calderon	Kristin Lynn, Lyndall Reeve, Sara Huntington
Mykonos	Susan Sullivan	Susan Sullivan
Hello, Yellow Crochet Top	Yarnspirations Design Team	Allison Herron
Group 2
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Red sweater set	Deborah Hamsho	Shari White
Floating Diamonds Shawlette	Andee Graves	Amy Daraghy
Pot Pourri	Margaret Hubert	Susan Lowman
Tunisian Flower Garden Sweater	Carolyn Calderon	Karen Pankiw
Floral Fantasy Headdress & Woodland Shawl	Marette Whitney	Marette Whitney
Simply Iris Blanket Wrap	Sarah Sullivan	Sarah Sullivan
Red Cable Cardigan	Chris Leach	Chris Leach
Maraksesh Express with Freeform Crochet Beret and Mitts	Barbara Hynes	Barbara Hynes
Rhythm of Life Alpaca Sweater	Susan Walsh	Susan Walsh
Off-Center Triangle Shawl	Diane K. Moyer for Red Heart	Allison Herron
Group 3
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Dark Side Lace Jacket	Creusa Gilmore	Creusa Gilmore
Kaleidoscope Shawl	Shari White	Shari White
Tunisian Triangles Cowl	Dela Wilkins	Dela Wilkins
Sister Act Shawl and Shrug	Marette Whitney	Marette Whitney
Red Hot Little Mama	Tammy Hildebrand	Willow Hildebrand
Filet Cabled Cardigan	Amanda Saladin	Amanda Saladin
Doilies Refashioned	Various / Cari Clement	Gwen Buttke McGannon
Jewelweed Shawl	Sue Perez	Sue Perez
Lattice Poncho	Dixie Fairies	Dixie Fairies
Color Block Tunic	Yarnspirations Design Team	Allison Herron
Group 4
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Remembering Babi's Shawl	B.J. Licko-Keel	Julie Desjardins, Amy Daraghy
Frosty Lace Cardigan	Susan Lowman	Susan Lowman
Once and For All, a Vest	Deborah Day	Deborah Day
Striped Shawl in WOBBEL technique	Dela Wilkins	Dela Wilkins
Chevron Cardigan	Pattie Aaron	Regina Venettozzi
Penny's Cotton Cardi	Sandy Walker	Sandy Walker
Plus Size Coraline Top	Pamela MacManus	Pamela MacManus
Dress (natural beauty)	Yvette Jiggetts	Yvette Jiggetts
Bernat Women's Curvy Crochet Cowl Pullover	Yarnspirations Design Team	Laurinda Reddig
Group 5
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Daisy Chain Cardigan	Susan Walsh	Susan Walsh
Boho Blossom Poncho	Carolyn Calderon	Karen Pankiw
Floral Garden Dress	Gwen Buttke McGannon	Gwen Buttke McGannon
Copperleaf Tunic	Sue Perez	Sue Perez
Red Orchid Shawl	Sharon DeCaro	Regina Venettozzi
Prism Poncho	Shari White	Shari White
Psychedelicized Puro Ilo-takki	Barbara Hynes	Barbara Hynes
Takotsubo shawl	Dela Wilkins	Dela Wilkins
Japanese Cardigan and Tote	Susan Lowman	Susan Lowman
Bernat Origami Crochet Cardigan	Yarnspirations Design Team	Allison Herron
Group 6
Item	Crocheter / Designer	Model
Golden Circles Cardigan	Juliette Bezold	Creusa Gilmore
The Eternal  Love Wrap	Shari White	Shari White
Sunset pullover-poncho	Julie Desjardins	Julie Desjardins
Sunset on the Water	Willena Nanton	Willena Nanton
Miami Magic Nights	Joan A. Davis	Regina Venettozzi
Downtown After Dark Shawl & Purse	Andrea Kraus	Andrea Kraus
Dress (jade dress)	Yvette Jiggetts	Yvette Jiggetts
Two-Rectangle Sweater	Marty Miller for Red Heart	Allison Herron
Rockabilly Swing Dress   (Design Competition Winner)	Nancy Nehring	Katie Winegarden

  

Photos courtesy of Bonnie Bay Crochet Photography