The Shtick I Do

Since I now have a grandson, I find I'm looking at crochet patterns in a new way: would a boy play with this? or conversely, would a boy wear this? We all know there are LOADS (metric yarn loads) of stuff for girls. Dolls, purses, dresses, headbands, socks, toys, etc. But what about for boys? Now I'm not the first one to think like this. Recently there has been a push to come up with clever ways to crochet things for boys (and men as well). We've seen cowboy boots and hats, leather-looking garments for photo props, fishing hats and fishing poles, less open work in scarfs and beanies that would appeal to men and boys. I can honestly say that as a crafty crochet crowd we've come a long way in recognizing that the male gender needed some attention. Here's a few of the patterns I've spied this week: Ovetti amigurumi  available on Ravelry as a free download. It's indicated that there are versions available in English and Italian but I'v...

Written Instructions: 3 out of 5 stars I find it frustrating to have to dig through instructions looking for what I need. Video Instructions: 5 out of 5 Mikey knocks this one out of the park! Explaining and demonstrating every stitch in a fashion that anyone can understand. SO ... if you've been reading long enough you know that people all around me are having babies. Almost everywhere I turn, I run into another lady ready to have a small bundle of joy. But that isn't a complaint by any stretch of the imagination. I absolutely LOVE babies!  My youngest sister is getting ready to have her second in just a few weeks, she's due sometime around my son's high school graduation date at the end of May. I searched around a while, looked at and tried a few patterns for baby dresses (she's having another girl) but I wasn't too happy with the way they were turning out. I'm sure it's because I went and bought yarn before I decided on a pattern. Let...

Sorry this blog post is coming a day late! I spent the week with my gorgeous mother, and then got home late last night. At any rate, if you didn't guess by the title, I wanted to give my oh so humble opinion on circular knitting needles as opposed to straight knitting needles. Just to show the difference between the two for newer knitters or those of you maybe thinking about knitting and debating on which needles to buy: Image borrowed from thinkcrafts.com via Google Images Straight on the left, and circular on the right. Now, functionally, they're essentially the same. With straight needles you would typically knit flat (like a scarf), and with circular needles you would knit things like socks and hats. You can't do that with flat needles. Reason numero uno why I prefer circular over straight! Straight needles are fairly limiting.(Learn to knit flat with circular needles here .) Reason number two? With some circular needles, you can adjust the length of the ...

Spring is definitely here and Easter is right around the corner. I couldn't decide what I wanted to make for this season until I was at church last Sunday. I was crocheting and out popped an egg . . . from my crochet hook. I added ears and a fluffy tail, lo' and behold, Egg Bunny was born. Here's the pattern. Enjoy. Materials : Worsted Weight yarn in your choice of colors size G/6 - 4.25MM crochet hook Yarn needle Scissors Stitch Markers (optional) Stitches used : (American Terminology) Magic Circle Slip Stitch (sl st) Chain (ch) Half Double Crochet (hdc) Half Double Crochet 2 Together (HDC2Tog) Notes : Chain 1 at the beginning of a Row does not count as a working stitch. You can use an alternative method of starting if you aren't comfortable with the Magic Circle technique. [ Ch 6, join to form a loop, work beginning stitches into the loop ] Egg : Row 1 : Magic circle, ch 1 to secure, 8 hdc into circle. Pull tail snug to secur...

Normally, every day of the week is just like any other day of the week, but today I'm in a pretty good mood despite the Spring allergy headache and sneezing. My hubby told me about a site I've been looking though for the past three or four days and I thought I'd share it with you. YOU may be more on top of things than I am and if that's the case you already know all about  PINTEREST FAIL . Well, I just discovered it and let me say that some of the things on there are completely hilarious. PINTEREST FAIL is a site dedicated to all those wonderful things we see posted on Pinterest that we try at home. The Oreo cookie themed pops that look like Snowmen or Reindeer. The healthy "skinny" shakes that taste just  like a Wendy's Frosty. Baby photos for Christmas that inspire us to insert electrical tree lights into our own children's mouths. The list is virtually endless. The name of the site, however, should provide a clue as to how the experiments act...

Last year, in June, I gave you a pattern for the Cluster Stitch Panel . I went and turned two panels into a sweater! For me! That makes it the first thing I've made for myself to wear that wasn't a hat, scarf or mittens. I'm so excited! And to be honest, I'm a smidge happy that the weather is still cool enough for me to wear it. (I know, I'm sorry. I don't want anymore snow either but I do want to wear this sweater!) As you can see from this shot, the sweater is white and cream in color. It has fitted cuffs for the arms and a waistband that is simple rows of Half Double crochet. This image gives you a better idea of the color work and shape of the sweater. I didn't want anything too tight or bulky so it's very loose and a "floppy" comfortable. It's made with a lightweight yarn but is still cozy and warm on these cool Spring mornings. (I'm wearing it right now!) The collar is lapel style using a Granny stitch Do...