Recent research on crafters

Rather interesting to read this (US) Craft Yarn Council research on knitters/crocheters, why and what they're making.  Stress relief features as a significant reason.  But the top reason? A feeling of accomplishment.

Follow the link to read more. (I did have a little wee chuckle that more crocheters than knitters completed the survey - doesn't mean there are more of one than the other, but it's always rather fun to see crocheters in the majority!).

Crochet hints and tips

Click  here to see their suggestions: http://www.stitchandunwind.com/crochet-tips-and-tricks/

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

CAL: Frida's Flower Blanket

Janie Crow/Jane Crowfoot will be running the Frida's Flower Blanket CAL (Crochet-A-Long) in the first few months of 2016.  It's inspired by Mexican crewel embroidery as seen on Frida Kahlo's clothes:

As for the Lily Pond Blanket CAL, Jane has designed an exclusive extra crochet pattern which will be available with yarn kits sold via the Janie Crow web site and not elsewhere.
Jane has designed the project based on Mexican traditional embroidery/crewel work and the costumes worn by artist Frida Kahlo. The colour palette is bright on dark shades and the main theme is flowers - the project will be called Frida's Flower Blanket.



Image source and further information here and in her January update here.

Yarn kits will be available from various retailers using Stylecraft yarns.
Follow her on Facebook etc or sign up on her website for her email updates to find out more, or read her blog here.

Note: links are in UK crochet terminology.

Admirable Crocheters: The Loopy Stitch

Beautiful projects, tutorials and more from an Australian crochet blogger.

Head on over to The Loopy Stitch.  Great use of colour, modern crochet, lovely eye candy.  It's a fairly new blog (I can't talk...) but looks very promising and worth following.


Image source

Blog: http://theloopystitch.com/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/theloopystitch/

Not sure of her username on Ravelry, but happy to add it here...

Unusually for most Australian crocheters...
Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Crazy shell stitch

Would you like to crochet this?


Image source

Then head on over to the photo step by step tutorial here:
http://www.allfreecrochet.com/Tutorials/How-to-Crochet-a-Crazy-Shell-Stitch

Could be a blanket, or a cowl, or a scarf, or whatever you want....

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Yarn weights

Alas, in the yarny world we may speak English, but when it comes to yarn weights (and crochet terminology) we are divided by a common language... I say Aran, you say worsted, you say DK, I say 8 ply...you say single crochet, I say double crochet....

Here's a link to the US Crafts Council Standards and Guidelines for Crochet and Knitting* document on yarn weights, terminology and more.  A useful reference, recently updated to include jumbo weight yarn.

http://media.craftyarncouncil.com/files/CYC_YS_s_and_g_rev2015_6.pdf

Or if you just want yarn weights:

http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/weight.html


*crochet first!  Woohoo!

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.

Interweave Cable Celtic Crochet

This YouTube video explains an interesting technique to obtain a woven texture.



Worth trying sometime.  The video uses plain yarn, with an example in variegated.  I suspect it would be a tad tricky to do this stitch with two colours...

It's in effect double thickness, so it would also be a yarn-hungry stitch,  But warm!

Note: links are in US crochet terminology.