Secrets of Yarn: Crochet Edition Update…

Ok, I totally reserve the right to change my mind. Tonight I finished the last chapter in the book, revised two tables, tomorrow i will finish the remaining tables, do some scanning of yarn and in the next two weeks have that book wrapped up, and put to bed…then wait for publishing I’ll be self publishing.

Why the change of heart? What about the CLF book? Ok heck, and darn, this is actually all about that CLF book! LOL… There are a few costs involved in the publishing of the CLF book that I really don’t want to take out of my grocery money (growing kids and all that), and though the members of the CLF have been generous in their calls for donations, I’m not comfortable doing them book specific. For the wider CLF Good, sure…but not for the book.

BUT, The Secrets of Yarn:Crochet Edition can be a fund raiser. It’s a brilliant load of information, that will be helpful to anyone who crochets! Stay tuned…cause I’m working like a demon child to get it done

 

Over 21,000 views…tooo cool!

Ok, we’re almost to my year blogging anniversary, and I have to say I am awed at the response to this blog. Over 21, 000 views. Considering my very first month, which was when I was trying to figure out Blogland, only had 500 views, I am sitting here just shaking my head and grinning! WOW…thank you for reading!

I try to stay as on topic as possible, but you know life gets in the way, and I’m a real live, flesh and bones human, so meh…I get off topic on occaision.

So to quote the sign my daughter bought me for Mother’s Day…”Power Corrupts, but absolute power is kinda cool!”

That’s how I feel when I see numbers like that LOL Not like I have it or anything, but it’s nice to know that so many people find the patterns, instructions and information helpful.

Blessings to you all…more yarn info to come.

The Secrets of Yarn: Crochet Edition

So, I’m still waiting a few more days for my shoulder to repair until I can spin. The range of motion has increased expotentially with a really good LMP, and some wonderful aromatherapy products from http://www.zsremedies.com, of course I get to see Suzannah locally which is twice the blessing.

In the mean time what am I doing? Formatting the CLF First Ever book, and getting ready to finish my newsletter. I have promised a sample of The Secrets of Yarn: Crochet Edition. So, I went through my draft of the book, and picked out a portion of Chapter 9. The Key to Substituting Yarn.  It’s the chapter that kind of has me stuck in that writing process, because I want to add more, but am not willing to write a biblical tome on the subject. What I’ve picked out for the CLF book though is a great example of both the book, and what I know crocheters have been looking for!

So, 18 hrs of formatting and layout, later I’m rather happy with both the CLF First Ever book (the submissions have been fantastic) and the portion of the book that comes from my pet work, The Secrets of Yarn: Crochet Edition. A great companion to that is the already in print Secrets of Yarn Guide I/II that works for all manner of fiber art. Check it out on my store front at Lulu.com for only .99 it’s a steal! The hard copy costs $9.95 which you can purchase (free shipping) from my website!

Hey if you haven’t listened to the CLF Podcast, Check it out!

The Crochet LIberation Front has a podcast, yeah it’s produced and recorded by me. But hey, get inspired to raise the hook! Tune in at http://www.clf.mypodcast.com

Listen to the lost episode 2…

Crocheting with Textured Yarn…

 

Spuntastik! Knaughty Yarn

Originally uploaded by CMHS yarn & designs (laurie wheeler).

Here is a Knot or Knepp yarn. You can find these made by handspinners, or in stores that sell novelty yarn. Many people are afraid of working with textured yarn, but I the holder of the Secrets of Yarn am here to tell you that you have no need to fear this wonderful tactile experience!

Crochet and texture are a marriage made in Nirvana! Some people will tell you that you can’t work detail with textured yarn. Like all generalist statements that is not correct.

Depending on the yarn, you can indeed, using different sized hooks (with a yarn like the one pictured you want to use a hook that works with the part of the yarn with widest diameter), and a variety of techniques. If you don’t have a stitch dictionary, get one. Play and practice!

Here is a swatch of basket weave done out of the same yarn pictured in the skein.

 

Isn’t that nifty?

Fuzzy yarns, if fine, can be used with decorative or relief stitches, though remember it’s commitment yarn. It’s not easy to rip out!
Bobbly yarns, can be used, but not to best advantage if the bobbles are closely spaced.

Swatch again…and again…and again. If you do nothing else BUT swatch, you will learn more about manipulating yarn than making twenty sweaters out of regular yarn. And heck you can put them into a free form project! Voila! Learning and fun projects wrapped into one nifty deal!

To learn more about fibers and what kinds of projects they work best in no matter what fiber art is your personal favorite! Check out the Secrets of Yarn Project Guide Download, on .99 and the best tool you can have in your project note book!

Finally! Got the cover art changed!

Ok, I know it’s no fun to buy a pattern without cover art, but for some reason when ever I go to upload my patterns there has to be SOMETHING that goes wrong. It usually involves the uploading of a photo…grrr…

So, here is the Simple Princess Slipper yet again! Relaunched on Lulu.com for your crocheting pleasure!

I love these little footies, in fact they are great as socks as well as kick around the house slippers. Easy to embellish with flowers, or lace, or even some loop stiches to make a furry cuff! Have fun and play!

Wow! Webster’s is quick!

Hi all!

I don’t know about you, but I actually got a reply from the Merriam Webster company! WOW! They have recieved “a number of emails”…snicker…. and assured me their on line dictionaries are correct. Which they are, however this definition was taken from one of their Un-Revised Unabridged editions, so I gave them the book information.

This is the link where you can see a whole page of crochet definitions, and in some other languages as well. http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/crochet

So, now what’s next? Who should we contact, nicely and politely mind you…to improve our lot?

Crocheters Unite!

I put this up on the CLF Blog, but if you don’t go there to read, how would you know to contact Webster’s to get our definition changed?! Voices add up, see if we can do this!

Calling all Crocheters!

Fellow Wielders of the hook, I would like to sound a call to action! We need to stand up for ourselves in what could seem like a small matter, but indeed is rather serious!

Webster’s Dictionary has a terrible definition for crochet! I found this as I was searching for the french verb “to crochet” (crocheter) and how to conjugate it (yes, I am a nerd). I stumbled upon a large collection of dictionary definitions for crochet. Webster’s definition was that crochet is a “form of knitting.”

Ok, that’s ridiculous and wrong. Crochet was never a form of knitting, ever. Nothing wrong with knitting, again I want to reitterate we are a PRO-crochet group, not anti knitting. Yet, how can we gain our own independant identity if we are constantly in the compare and contrast with a media that only truly shares the use of hand held instrument(s) and yarn?

So, here’s what I ask of you! I contacted them already, and respectfully asked that the definition be amended. Here is how you contact them, please do so! And if you are a member of the CLF list that in your note to them! Or heck you can copy and paste the information below into an email to send them, if word smithing isn’t your game!

To whom it may concern:

It has come to my attention that the Merriam Webster’s Dictionary has the word “crochet” defined as a “form of knitting.” As a member of the Crochet Liberation Front, I would like to respectfully request that this definition be amended.

Crochet is not, nor has it ever been a form of knitting. We are both crafts that utilize hand held implements that work yarn into fabric. However, knitting is worked with two needles and crochet uses one hook. The fabric is vastly different and the two have different historic uses.

Crochet is a textile art that uses a hook to make loops that produce a fabric. Historically crochet was used for making lace.

Thank you for your time, I look forward to seeing the definition revised.

Sincerely

(your name)

That should be good enough. Feel free to amend the words, or add to the defintion. This is just a prompt and suggestion for contact.

Let’s see if together WE can make a difference! Just one small step to global domination! Muwahahahahahah!

Shamelessly Promoting My Best Friend

I don’t know why she is my best friend, ok…I lie…it’s the goats. Man are those goats amazing, soft, glorious, sumptuous curls..I digress.

Bec Thomas is a brilliant photographer and I want to promote her brilliant new blog Visual Perspective

Go there to read about her fabulous photos, upcoming art shows, and much more!

I really am not a fan of photography in general, but Bec has a clarity and depth that is truly reminicent of Ansel Adams. Really, she is that good.

Women’s work…

Ok, crochet is a transgender activity, but it is still considered by many to be the one of those activities held in the category known as “Women’s Work”.  There are many fine men who crochet, even some PHENOMINAL designers who just happen to be male. But like other areas that are classified as a “girl thing”  just because something isn’t true doesn’t mean it isn’t the common thought, and crochet is a skill that anyone can do. (Like nursing, teaching, home making, care taking, child care, sewing, cooking…though notice not many chefs are female…hmmmm double standards?)

Skill is the key word. It does not take a great deal of innate, in born talent to be very good at making crocheted (or knit, or woven, or handspun) items. It takes time, practice, patience and the WILLINGNESS to learn from mistakes.

A skill is something you LEARN how to do, you can learn from reading and taking classes, but the real way to learn and become proficient at ANY skill is through practice.

Our society has been lied to for years by the stupid boob tube, or as some call it, the Television. Almost all the commercials you see tell you what you “cannot do” with out their product, service or skills. How many of you think making clothes is hard? Come on don’t be shy. It’s not hard, it can be time consuming, but really making clothes is not hard, especially using a sewing machine (though I’m better at hand stitching personally). What is hard is making really well made clothes in fancy, slippery fabric. So, um how many evening gowns a year do you wear?

We have been lied to, that making things takes talent, and skill far above our own. That our home made wares are substandard. That my friend’s is why all the crafts that include making things for one’s self are dying.

Here’s the truth, making things doesn’t take any more time than eating a bowl of popcorn and staring glassy eyed at the television set. Even when you are tired you can knock off a couple of rows of crochet.

The television will have you believe you need all kinds of pills to be healthy, all kinds of diet aids to stay thin, all kind of gadgets to stay fit, all kinds of wonder gadgets to run a house, and the latest fad what have yous to be a functional member of society. They would have you believe that you need all kinds of cleaners to keep a house clean, when in fact most of them aren’t necessary at all.

Don’t make your self less able by buying in to the rubbish you see on t.v. With the economy in the USA not in the best of shape, it’s probably a really good time to learn a new skill. You don’t have to learn them all, you don’t have to be perfect. You could be like me and trade with other people. I trade wool for soap, I trade crochet hats and socks for massages, I trade yarn for candles. I could learn to make soap and candles, but I don’t have time with everything else I do, so I trade with others who do make these things! You can do these things too…

If you want to learn to crochet or get better at your skills check out my easy projects on this blog or my patterns on Lulu.com. If you have questions, contact me.

I’m not a wacko survivalist nut, I just am a huge believer in being self sustaining. That doesn’t mean you have to do it all, it means do what you can, learn what skills you can, and then ask for help when you can’t…be empowered…

Soapboxed out for today!