The Shtick I Do

  Hello there! I've been busy working on that crochet challenge and like I said before, with a condition like Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder, I can't work on just one thing! This week I'm posting for your enjoyment a crochet candle luminary made with some recycled material. You guys know how much I love combining recycling and crochet! So, yes, another cro-cycled project for you to try!  Here's how it goes ... Cro-cycled Candle Luminary Materials: cardboard tube (from toilet tissue or paper towels) scissors double-sided tape flameless tealight size E-4 crochet hook yarn (I recommend using a 2/Fine yarn) embroidery needle (for weaving in the ends) stitch marker (optional) Stitches used: (American Terminology) Chain (ch) Slip Stitch (sl st) Single Crochet ( sc ) Half Double Crochet ( hdc ) NOTES : The top of the pattern is worked in rows. After that the body of the candle is worked in the round. The chain 1 step at the beginnin...

Using the pattern from +bobwilson123 I made this bag and it took just a couple of hours (with interruptions from the kids mind you) but since I'm not used to sewing (at all) it took 3 tries and 8 hours to get the lining in correctly! LoL I am very pleased with it and will probably make a couple more as gifts for Christmas and birthdays. This one ? Well, I think this one is mine. Just the right size for my wallet and cell phone and light weight enough that it won't feel like it's pulling my shoulder out of it's socket! I absolutely love my hobby, even when it does involve hand stitching a lining into a bag!  

If you've read my blog before today you've most likely come across a comment or two where I mention how much I love to browse the internet for ideas and inspiration. And if this is your first time here, now you know that much about me. LoL. But just because I decided to take part in a crochet challenge doesn't mean I can't look at the eye candy floating around on Facebook , Pinterest and Ravelry . I mean, it's like being married and still having an appreciation for good looking men. No. That's not quite right. I don't lust after other good looking men, I do however, lust after crochet works of beauty that others have made. I'm continuing my work on the Crochet Crowd June Challenge and it's coming along, I suppose, as best it can considering my condition. What condition is that, you ask? Well I'm sure you know someone with Crochet Attention Deficit Disorder . I know you probably haven't been diagnosed by a professional physician or psych...

I was wondering how many of you participate in crochet challenges. So I thought I'd ask. Do you do it often? Just when it strikes your fancy or is a project that you can't pass up? Do you only do them if there's a prize awarded? I've done Crochet-a-longs, amigurumi of the month, granny square swaps, and things like that in the past but I don't recall doing a challenge. When I got the email newsletter from The  Crochet Crowd and saw their new challenge (that doesn't start until June 1st) I knew I had to look into it. Why? Because I already had that pattern from the Red Heart newsletter printed out and ready to go as a gift for my mom! Her birthday is in November and while she lives in Florida it does get chilly. This motif shawl is perfect for her!  If you're interested, the link to the pattern is above but the challenge is on the Crochet Crowd website. I highly recommend signing up for their newsletter so you can keep updated on all the great stuff hap...

Sooooo ... I made a FB page for my crochet yarn obsession. Crochet2002 . Come on by and click LIKE and SHARE it! What's your thoughts on a Facebook page? I've seen several crafters with pages that generate a lot of traffic. While I'm not looking to get rich making things, some extra moola to support my addiction would be nice! LoL Any thoughts? Comments, pro or con? Suggestions?  Thanks for stopping by. Have a blessed Mother's Day and stay safe. ~~Karen~~

I came across this DIY on Pinterest a while back and thought it was cool. I like to go back to my boards from time to time just to look for things that have inspired me and to get some crochet mojo rolling. As I was going through my pins I rediscovered it and decided to make one. Here's what came of it and now I can work with crochet thread and not have my hands cramp so much. Yay! The size of the hook inside the pen is 3/2.10MM. I like this size for making ornaments and crosses and such for Christmas. If I had been thinking (lol, that's funny) I would made this back in November when I was making them! I can see more of these in my future, once the ink runs out of a few more pens that are ergonomically hand-friendly. Or if I find one that doesn't write well. ^_^ By the way, feel free to follow me on Pinterest (Karen Vaughn - my pic is a crochet S'more ), I'm also on Instagram (crochet2002) and Twitter (@crochet2002). If you do, hit me up or leave a co...

This is a bracelet I whipped up from some extra strips of cotton I had crocheted for a hot pad. I didn't need them so I made this instead!!

I love the traditional Granny Square motif. It's versatile, quick and easy. There are hundreds of projects that can be made with just the Granny Square. Purses, market bags, beach bags, blankets, sweaters, pants, shirts, shorts. Tablecloths, doilies, pot holders, hot pads, toys ... well, the list is seemingly endless .  But I used to wonder, am I the only one that gets bored with that old stand-by pattern? While familiar and easily done while watching TV, that old pattern can get ... old. When I finally got "connected" with the internet (ie: learned how to surf the web) I discovered hexagons, octagons, triangles and pretty squares with flowers and animals in the center. So now, here I am, a few (a lot) of years later and I have a smörgåsbord of Granny Squares to choose from for almost any project I want to complete. How great is that? Let me add my take on a non-traditional Granny Square that looks like it might end up as a pillow/bag/sweater project. I haven't...

So, I've been working on making more bags like this one (I'm on number 4) and making more of these for that blanket I want to complete sometime before the next century rolls around. The problem with the blanket project is that I just need to break down and go buy a cone of the yarn instead of having to run out every 2 or 3 days and get one of the teensy weensy skeins. I'm such a penny pincher. ^_^ Anyway, I made this bracelet a while back and keep getting comments on it so I thought I'd post it again with the newest version in burgundy crochet thread. The thread version is more delicate and has definitely garnered more positive comments than the regular yarn version. With the regular yarn version I got comments like, "How cute" and "Ahh". With this newest thread version it's more of "That's soda tabs? How neat!" and "I could make one to match almost any outfit!". So, yes, I will take the thread version, please. ...