tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2014881353099238192024-03-13T20:46:35.024-07:00Crocheters of AwesomeCrochet tutorials and projectsCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.comBlogger41125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-57389772323682241762018-01-29T15:48:00.003-08:002018-01-29T15:48:32.249-08:00Weekend Update - ToolsDear January,
You tried to get me this year... with respiratory illness, cooler temperatures, and hangover psoriatic arthritis flares from the holidays... but I will prevail!
Sincerely. Sorry, Not Sorry,
Me
Here are the tools I use to help me keep on crafting while January does her best to slow me down:
Red Ripple
Logan's Ripple
Plaid fingerless mitts
Thrummed mittens
Frog Pond blanket
FauxCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-83500638739308835752017-12-19T11:03:00.000-08:002017-12-19T11:03:40.633-08:00Weekend Update - Silent Night
Tis the season! The season for respiratory infections just in time for Christmas.
Last year, I ended up in the ER for acute mastoiditis (an infection in the mastoid bone behind the ear.) This year it's laryngitis. After listening to it fade away over the weekend, I could feel it settling into my chest. When you have allergic asthma and are on biologic meds for psoriaticCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-24146289144056122482017-10-20T16:33:00.001-07:002017-10-20T16:34:15.552-07:00Weekend Update - Blankets and Charitable Crafting
A personal update as well as what I've finished and what I've started crocheting.
Do you craft for charity?
Find your local homeless center or veterans' resource center and ask them how you can help!
The Penny Drops Blanket
Castaway Hat
Basic Guy Hat
Ripple Lace Afghan
Lilliana
The Knitting Broomstick Etsy
Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-13736437816027910462017-10-20T14:29:00.001-07:002017-10-20T14:30:26.019-07:00A Few of My Favorite Fibers
I know I can't be the only one humming along right now, right?
One of the most rewarding and yet most frustrating things crafters with wool and/or animal fiber allergies in general deal with is finding safe yarn and fibers. Every allergy is different! But, based on my personal experience as someone highly allergic to all animal fibers, here are a few of...
.. well, you know. ;o)
Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-50923313208636651652017-10-13T12:03:00.000-07:002017-10-20T16:33:55.940-07:00Tutorial - Puffs and Bobbles and Popcorns, Oh My!
Have you ever seen a project with textures bumps and wondered how they did it?
Or perhaps you've seen patterns that use the term puff, bobble or popcorn without really explaining what they mean.
Here's how to tell them apart, and try them yourself!
Puff Stitch - known for it's smooth even loops.
It's made by adding loops to a single crochet stitch like this:
In theCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-5501413383402165982017-08-29T16:01:00.002-07:002017-08-29T16:01:41.214-07:00Tutorial - Corner to Corner (C2C)
This week let's focus on a popular technique for afghans and blankets... Corner to Corner aka C2C.
It's wonderful in solids, stripes, and "graphgans" - colorwork charts/graphs. Since there are more questions about working a chart/graph, I'll follow one here. But feel free to crochet along in a solid color and skip the color changes!
For me, the coolest thing about Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-39946773733319069702017-08-24T14:52:00.000-07:002017-08-24T14:53:44.509-07:00Weekend Update - Woman's World
I spent some time in my thoughtful spot this week, and I just have to say something out loud.
It's time the majority of decent people speak up and do their part to stop the hate. It's a global issue coming to a head - but don't let them fool you. They are not the majority! They just grab headlines while the rest of us try to be polite.
Be kind. Play with yarn.&Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-55334615621381084162017-07-17T10:09:00.002-07:002017-07-18T15:47:44.595-07:00Weekend Update - Tour de Bamboo
July is the month of the Tour de France cycling race... but for spinners that means Tour de Fleece!
Well... for those with wool allergies it means Tour de Fleece Free, or as I am calling it this year Tour de Bamboo.
I am still working my blanket CALs but managed quite a few finished projects too.
Finished Projects:
Dobby's Tea Cozy Hat - Caron Simply Soft
Half Granny Bag - in I LoveCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-21355213116328288082017-07-07T15:08:00.001-07:002017-07-07T15:24:33.632-07:00Freebie Friday - Tunisian Practice Squares
If you've ever wanted to learn Tunisian Crochet, a great way to get started is with practice squares. Squares in cotton yarns make great dishcloths, and squares in other yarns are great for blankets or charitable square collections.
If you are ambitious, two quares would make great pair os basic fingerless gloves like we did with our slip stitch practice.
Be sure to check out theCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-71270024595207030752017-06-22T17:42:00.000-07:002017-06-22T17:42:03.629-07:00Tutorial - Tunisian Crochet (beginner)
Many people confuse Tunisian crocheted fabric with knitted fabric, and it's true they share some similarities.
Tunisian crochet works in rows rather than individual stitches. Each row has a forward pass and a return pass (also known as closing)… and your stitches are not complete until you’ve made both passes. All rows are worked on the Right Side and there is no turning. Pretty crazy, Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-7731515217965175372017-06-13T16:47:00.000-07:002017-06-14T10:47:13.246-07:00Weekend Update - CALs and Cakes
While I did finish a couple of projects since we spoke last, I'm going crazy about my blanket WIPs. Two of the three use the new self striping cake yarns we see everywhere these days.
Since I can't use Caron Cakes because they contain wool, I decided to find as many brands as I could to try.
Wool got me thinking about allergies, and what I have to do/organize ahead of time when Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-1029393918969027002017-06-06T15:01:00.000-07:002017-06-06T15:01:14.198-07:00Tutorial - Pretty Parasols
My crocheted parasols are conversation starters. No matter where I go, if I have one with me someone asks how I made it and wonders in awe at the possibilities.I know it's not that complicated to do if you are crafty minded - and now you will too!
First of all, the pattern you use depends on the umbrella frame you want to use, so decide that first.
I wentCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-14791331375844882822017-05-31T21:05:00.000-07:002017-06-14T10:48:02.687-07:00Weekend Update - Sometimes Life Sucks
In December I touched on how my health affects my crafting... knowing that winter is the hardest season for me with my psoriatic arthritis. It's also important to note how crafting affects my health! Sometimes it's all I can do to sit in my chair and crochet. Sometimes it's all my body can handle. Sometimes its all my brain can handle. Sometimes neither can handle Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-45251977973698020062016-12-21T09:28:00.003-08:002016-12-21T09:28:40.418-08:00Weekend Update - Warm Hearts
Last week I talked about what's been going on with me health wise...
... Therapy means I work those muscles and tissues juuuuust to the point of being worked and not painful. But it definitely reduces my desire to work with my hands.
I continue to get great information and suggestions from my therapy team and have hit the maximum benefit of my Remicade treatment just in time to spend Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-71415001995417165352016-12-15T15:39:00.000-08:002016-12-15T15:39:01.233-08:00Weekend Update - Best Laid Plans
What day is it again?
Welcome to the wonderful world of "flare-ups"... all of a sudden, all you can do is hang on for the ride and wait for it to pass.
All you can do is focus on *TODAY*...
... and if you survive today you get to do it all over again tomorrow - when it becomes the next today.
It happens to us all! For me, my shoulder injury added an extra layer of SO NOT Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-63788807535167059162016-11-29T10:02:00.004-08:002016-11-29T11:07:08.270-08:00Weekend update - The Most Wonderful TimeC'mon, sing with me... It's the mooooost wonderful time of the year! My favorite for so many reasons, birthdays, holidays, cooler temperatures (you know, long sleeved t shirts instead of short sleeved ones!)
We got together with all the kids and grandkids the weekend before Thanksgiving and had a picnic brunch in the park, and then spent a few hours at the zoo.
It was a beautifulCrocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-84023312675041285492016-11-25T12:03:00.001-08:002016-11-25T12:05:08.452-08:00Freebie Friday - The Basic Guy Hat
Once you know how to make the Built For Speed Beanie fit every time, the whole wide world of hats opens up.
You can decorate it, embellish it, use shapes and colors and make them the droids you're looking for... or vary up the stitches used, add some simple stripes or texture.
The Basic Guy Hat is the one my friends and family request at Christmas. You can find Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-69365586189435268282016-11-23T16:29:00.003-08:002016-11-23T16:29:40.171-08:00Tutorial - Color Changes
Changing yarn colors doesn't have to be complicated!
In fact, it can be very straight forward if you remember to always change colors in the very last yarn over (yo) of your stitch.
You heard right, no matter what stitch you're using, change in the last YO.
Here's how I changed yarns to add a stripe of contrasting color to a hat in double crochet ribbing (post stitches). Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-4129232713917309962016-11-23T09:36:00.001-08:002016-11-23T14:52:25.208-08:00Tutorial - Magic Knot (aka Invisible Knot)
Tired of weaving in a bazillion ends every time you have to add new yarn? Give Magic Knot, aka Invisible Knot a try.
It works. Seriously. Try it. Go on, we'll wait.
Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-2300578946320399472016-11-18T15:48:00.002-08:002016-11-18T15:48:06.489-08:00Freebie Friday - Basic Fingerless Mitts
When we learned about basic crochet stitches, we learned that to work an "increase" typically means working two stitches into the same place.
This week's pattern will give us the opportunity to practice making increases in a way that will create a "gusset" or widening of the fabric. We're going to use a gusset to allow room for thumbs in a pair of fingerless mitts.
Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-45737943922368789642016-11-11T13:00:00.000-08:002016-11-11T14:57:56.934-08:00Freebie Friday - Crochet Seafarer's Cap by Beth Hall
OK, I admit it, I did not design this weeks free pattern.
But I've had several people ask me about this style of construction and it's a technique worth knowing. It uses stitches of varied heights - including our stitch of the week half double crochet. Single crochet and slip stitches are used to create shaping at the crown as well as a thick stretchy brim.
In fact, Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-59919905516543122092016-11-08T11:53:00.001-08:002016-11-21T15:00:58.152-08:00Tutorial - Half Double Crochet
There's an exception to every rule, right?
That applies to crochet as well. Just when you thought it was safe to assume that the (US) name of a stitch told you how many loops to have on your hook when you begin, and how many pairs of loops to remove... along come half stitches.
The most common half stitch is half-double crochet, so let's go over it step by step.
Like regular Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-88030272928867363392016-11-07T15:36:00.002-08:002016-11-07T15:36:26.301-08:00Weekend Update! Staying Small...
Sometimes you just have to carry on... but attitude counts!
It's been a while since I posted a project update, and for those of you who know about my health struggles, I know you aren't surprised about the ebb and flow, because I talk about ebb and flow a lot. No really, a lot.
Almost as much as I talk about my health. :oP But when something takes up the majority of your Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-69047426722313182702016-11-04T09:36:00.001-07:002016-11-04T09:36:05.154-07:00Freebie Friday - Yarn Jewelry Scarf
This scarf is a great way to practice triple crochet (or even taller quadruple or quintuples) and use that one special skein of yarn you love but can’t decide how to use.
I call it “yarn jewelry” because it’s the kind of scarf that isn’t intended to keep you warm – it’s just *pretty*!
The pattern is available as a free download on Ravelry, or you can download a .pdf here.
Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-201488135309923819.post-65763326692389616152016-11-01T18:27:00.002-07:002016-11-21T15:01:09.955-08:00Tutorial - Triple/Treble Crochet!
Triple/treble crochet stitches aren't used as often and single and double crochet, but they are the foundation of an important concept in crochet. You can make a stitch as tall as you want it to be by adding another yarn over before you begin!
Some folks call it triple and some treble, potayto/potahto. Both are abbreviated "tc" in patterns.
Just as single crochet starts Crocheter of Awesomehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10743476227727382965noreply@blogger.com0