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On Hooks and Needles: The Sparkle Stocking Cap

On hooks and needles: a new stocking cap. Just when I thought there was not going to be a ‘break out’ item selling over the holiday, one of the stocking caps pulled away from the pack. Learning the lesson of listening to what your customers are saying while your customers are not saying anything, I knew I had to expand the stocking cap field.

But I knew I didn’t want just any stocking cap. I decided to do a sparkly one. This is Big Twist Twinkle in the color Mulberry. You can just make out the twinkly bits and it looks much better than the photo shows. The completed photo will be much better.

This will be the first product in my new GoImagine shop. Yes, I decided to give another platform a try and GoImagine says it is the ‘Marketplace that cares.’ You have to be US based and all of their profits go to social causes. Sounded good to me. I don’t remember what it’s like getting a shop off the ground but I am about to find out. 

The hat is a little further along that what’s in that photo and it will be ready in another session or two but it’s not going in the shop until some of its siblings can join. I have many ideas on the spreadsheet and they will come to fruition when the time is right. I am almost done with orders. There are six to go and three of them are going to the same place. Designing and creating can kick into high gear once they’re done. The idea is to make five items (including patterns) and then upload one item a day. Pinterest and Facebook are the social media latforms of choice because the data says that’s where my customers live.

I think the stocking cap will be fun. Hopefull, you’ll able to see it in the next post – or the one after that.

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I Wanted to Buy Yarn

I wanted to buy yarn. My Covid test came back positive the other day and that threw me for a little bit of a loop. The only reason I took the test was because I had a procedure scheduled. Needless to say, the surgery was delayed because I was going to be in quarantine for five days.

I thought I should get myself some self pity yarn. I headed to this page. But then I turned my head and saw this. And it’s not all in the photo. My year of yarning dangerously was already in serious trouble and we are still in January.

Does not bode well for the rest of the year. The yarn sat in my cart and it was on clearance and now it’s sold out. I clearly don’t need it and it was going to be a lame excuse to purchase yarn, anyway.

I work from home. Mr. Honey and I manage to stay out of each others’ way even after the move. Even when we are now on the same level. I have very mild symptoms so, really, it’s like any other day except I can’t go anywhere. I wasn’t going there to begin with. My quaratine is up tomorrow and the big plan is to go to the Post Office and pick up groceries. See, this is how urgent life gets for me.

I’m still in the midst of orders so I am not in the frame of mind of appreciating yarn as much as I just grab it and go. There are several packages I have yet to open. I did buy them to use for orders and I don’t need to do that yet. I have a full design board so I will use them down the road. This is maybe 10% of my total stash. You see why I am in the year of not getting fiber unless I need it.

 

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Life Isn’t Fair

Life isn’t fair. But that doesn’t mean I can’t be. Last post I shared a spot where you can learn how to knit. Well, here is a resource for crochet tutorials. 

The resource is called Lovecrafts and it has some step by step instructions with photos to talk you through casting on (chaining), and the stitches: single, half double, double and treble. It even has one on front post double crochet. I checked out a couple of them and the only real problem I had is the instructor in the basic lesson said to hold the crochet hook like a pencil. That is not the only option. I will do that upon occasion but the overhand grip is natural for me. Just saying.

If you find yourself really getting into crochet swing, there is a tutorial on making a baby blanket with stars that will take just a few hours. (Though time in relative and subjective in the knit and crochet universe. One person’s few hours is another person’s week.)

In the craft groups I’m end, more crocheters say they want to learn to knit than knitters say they want to crochet. I find it’s easier to teach a knitter how to crochet than the other way around. Knitters are used to at least two needles in the hand and can go up to five. Handling a single hook can be somewhat relaxing. For the crocheter, they have to learn how to use both hands – there isn’t a free hand and it can be tricky.

But now, we have resources for both. So for those who are new – welcome to the craft. For those who are looking over the fence, welcome to the other side. 

 

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The Resolution Thing

Five years ago, almost five years to the day, Apartment Therapy had an article on resources for people who wanted to start knitting. It’s the resolution thing.

During the Olympics both knitting and crochet got a boost because there were some athletes who knit and crochet while sitting in the stands – and they were males. There were two of them, right?

Knitting is one of those New Year resolution favorites. People say they are going to learn how to knit and makes hats and scarves and all kinds of things for their family, friends and home.

I wonder what the stats are on people who make that resolution, then go through with it and then learn how to make the forementioned hat, scarf or home decor. For as many people knit, there are more that don’t. It still amazes me how I can draw a crowd when knitting in public. People are fascinated by it and express an interest in wanting to do it but they don’t have ‘that kind of time.’ Which is the exact reason I don’t mountain climb. I don’t have that kind of time.

For the life of me, I don’t know what that means. Since it always said with something of a snooty tone and an upturned nose, I take it to mean they have better things to do with their time. There time is valuable. Well, OK. But I am usually in a craft show or around some stores when I knit. And those folks are shopping. I can make some of the stuff they’re shopping for. Which gives me time to watch them do it.

 

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Looks Can Fool You

It looks all innocent and stuff. But looks can fool you. I’ve been in the house since last Wednesday (a week ago) because the ground is slippery and I am not known for my ability to walk on frozen water. So Mr. Honey has been doing all the comings and goings and I have been staying indoors doing the knitting and crocheting.

I still have more than 20 orders to get out the door and the stocking cap seems to have pulled out ahead of the rest of the items. There has been a nice mix of hats and scarves thrown in but the striped cap pulled ahead and is the popular one this season.

Of course, making the same hat over and over can be a pain. I have design time built into my schedule. That’s the time I start working on new items. So what’s the first new item of 2022? A version of the stocking cap.

This is another case of looks can fool you. Can you see the sparkle? It’s there and really pretty. I’m using Big Twist Twinkle and I have to say I’m liking it. I will have to do the yarn review but I have to say I like it. 

The temperature today will be just a shade below freezing and tonight is date night so chances are good I will leave the house. But if I don’t, there’s a lot of knitting going on and an electric sherpa blanket.

All’s right with the world.

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On Hooks and Needles: The Bae Bag

Sometimes when I design something, I get a twofer – an item to sell and a pattern to make it. On hooks and needles this go around is a twofer. The Bae Bag. Both the item and the pattern have been in the shop for a bit and I really don’t know why it’s not selling off the shelves.
It’s a pretty straight forward knit. A feather and fan stitch that can knit up fairly quickly.

If you want to by one ready made go here.  Wanna make it yourself, go here.

The bag is made from cotton – though it can be made of another fiber. It can also be lined and the handles changed to make it more of a purse than a grocery or farmer’s market tote.  I believe I used Big Twist cotton. There’s a review. 

This would also make a nice project bag. It can hold an insane amount of yarn and the pattern or pattern book. It looks smallish but it has a great deal of stretch. An afghan project would fit with no problems. You might want to make sure the needles and hooks are secure. There are openungs in the pattern and a loose hook or needle might be able to slip through.

If you’re looking to make useful gifts or you want a fun easy knit for yourself. The Bae bag is just the thing.

 

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Peace of Mind

Yarn brings me peace of mind.

Knitting and crochet are an important part of my life but yarn, on its own, is kinda important, too. I wouldn’t have the stash if I didn’t knit and crochet. But I have more yarn than I can use in a year…or three. But the yarn calms me.

Lest you think there is something off about thinking of knit, crochet and yarn as mental health advocates, read this article about the Healing Power of Yarn

Yarn surrounds me. My yarn room at the condo is much bigger than my yarn room at the house. But still yarn controls the space.

Certainly if I designed the room with the cute cubbies that are shown on YouTube and in blogs but there’s no way I am actually going to keep my room that kind of neat and there’s no way I am going to spend that much money. I have bins – lots of bins – there are 19 in the outer room. There’s about 9 more and 16 bags in the closet.

There are some natural yarns but it’s mostly acrylic. The point is that it is mine. Bought and owned. Unless I have a huge falling out with my knitting needles and hooks, this craft and the yarn can be relied on. I can create things and sell them. I can give them away. My day could be filled with creative activity. The craft provides much more than just something to do.

Boredom has not taken over and I don’t suspect it will. The different yarns keep me interested just as the different projects do. Being surrounded by yarn creates an oasis and a place to run to. I connect with God and with myself. It hasn’t been just a hobby for some time. Peace of mind is no small thing.

 

 

 

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I Would Pick Knitting

If I was told I had to choose between knit and crochet, I would pick knitting. Don’t get me wrong, crochet is growing on me and I look forward to crochet projects – but maybe for the wrong reasons.

Crochet is faster and less complicated. These are good things. When I need a crafting sugar rush, I would reach for a crochet project. Crochet is more sensual and it does satisfy. I talk about the differences of knit and crochet in this post.

But the strengths of crochet is also the reason I prefer knitting. It takes more of my brain to knit.  Despite the fact I can knit with my eyes closed but I need them open and looking at the fabric when I crochet. The end result of knitting is almost always worth the effort put into it. Holding on to two, three, up to five needles requires dexterity of hands and mind. The hat, blanket or sweater is a monument to the work.

I love the smoothness of the knit stitch – even when it is textured. The rhythm of the stitches catches my eye. I appreciate it so much more.  Getting the same spiritual satisfaction from crochet involves smaller stitches so the texture can be eye pleasing. Crochet stitches are naturally more textured and bumpy. My favorite stitch is the half double crochet because it gives a smoother appearance. Double crochet, unless used in a pattern, throws me a little.

For a different perspective, here is an article why crochet is better and they give pretty good reasons – but still. This really isn’t a battle. I do both. I love doing both. They both speak to me. It’s the feeling when I’m done that rules. Knitting makes me feel better.

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Doing Good

Doing good around Christmas isn’t that hard a lift for most folk – that’s a guess on my part. I get there by thinking there’s honor among thieves so when they steal something, they’re trying to steal something really nice for someone they love.

At the best of times, it’s probably not a good idea to compare the deeds things with any crafter. A crafter sniffs out the holiday season sometime in May. Plans are made and executed.

During the holidays, there is always a call for donations of items crafters create. Among them are hats, scarves and gloves for children in foster homes to adults in assisted living centers. Yarn sales start at the beginning of fall and great deals can be had all the way to Valentine’s Day. But for some especially crafty people, they get more than just fiber when they fill up at the local craft or yarn store.

They get plastic bags. Those bags are turned into plarn – plastic yarn. Plarn gets turned into sleeping mats. The West Orange News has such a story about those mats.  Mats are made from the plastic bags gotten from grocery stores, craft shops and just about any place that sells anything. They save the bags from the landfills and the oceans and create a useful item to be used by someone who needs it. This project has been around for years. If you want to see a video on how to make sleeping mats, check out Knitsville U.

The need for these items don’t begin and end with Christmas. This is a idea for a year long project a craft group can handle. StitchCraft doesn’t currently do it but there is no reason not to bring it up as something we can do several times a year.

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The Name Game

The Name Game in creating patterns can be a stressful thing. One never really knows what to call a pattern. Could I actually get away with hat pattern No. 43 as a name as opposed to this?

It became so bad I had to create a work around so I wouldn’t get stressed out. My solution: name patterns in alphabetical order. Boy, girl, gender neutral; didn’t matter. I picked the letter and started reading the meaning of the names and if one struck me with what I wanted that pattern to convey, then that was the name.

Even if I am using an established pattern, if it doesn’t have a name, I will rename it on my design board and give the item that name when I sell it. The original pattern is given full credit when I do write about it publicly. Ain’t stealing nobody’s work.

I suppose I could go through the dictionary and find a word that works for a name. I might try that the next time and see what I come up with. Right now, the next item will begin with N. Instead of going to the baby name sites, I will open the dictionary and just start reading until something clicks with me. It would be funny if the next item was called the Nomenclature.