Monday, October 16, 2017

Coping Through Crochet

I have been crocheting for over 10 years. Little did I know that what has become my favorite hobby would help me get through some difficult times.

In December 2009, I suddenly lost my mom. That was the most difficult time. It took me a little while
to pick up my crochet hook again, but when I did, crocheting really helped me get through that. I know that she would have wanted me to do what made me happy.

As many of you know, in 2014 I was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. I had no idea what I was going to do. I felt like my body was punishing me in some way. I needed to figure out something to make me feel normal at least for part of my days again.

For me, that is crochet. I've found that crocheting is like a therapy for me. It is what makes me feel normal. It's probably why I always have so many projects going on at the same time. In fact, as I'm writing this blog, I'm thinking about which of those projects I'm going to work on when I'm done!

When I'm having a bad day, it really helps me get through it. Crocheting gets my mind off of my tingling feet, muscle spasms, or my eye bothering me. It might not make the pain go away completely, but it takes my mind off of it just for a little while.

Little did I know that the craft that I learned over 10 years ago would mean so much to me today.

Tuesday, June 13, 2017

Juggling

Admit it. You can't only have one project going at a time. I think right now I have at least 5 in progress. And then many more than that in my head that I want to do when I get one of these done!

The question is, how do you juggle working on so many projects at a time?



Well, here is how I do it.

First, if I have a project that someone is paying me to do, I try to get that done as quickly as I can. I want to make sure that person is taken care of as quickly as possible so that they come back in the future. Also, if I'm trying to make something for my son, I always seem to get that done first too. He loves when I make him something special!



Then, I work on gifts that I'm making for friends and family. Depending on when I need to give the gift is how I determine which one to work on. In fact, I have 2 blankets in progress right now that I need to finish off by this weekend for my nieces' birthday.

Last, I work on things for myself. Unfortunately, this rarely gets done because I just love making things for friends and family so much! I have yarn and patterns picked out to make myself multiple things, I just have never got around to it. One day I'll make the time and crochet myself that sweater or blanket :)



This is how I juggle my many crochet projects that I have going, because I can't ever only have one going at a time.

How do you juggle your projects?

Thursday, April 20, 2017

Happy Spring!

Happy Spring everyone!

With warmer weather, I know that us crocheters tend to start working on different types of projects. What projects have you been working on lately?

I've been busy making these adorable American Girl doll clothes.


I also like to make amigurumi. My son loves them!

Here are a few of my favorite ones to make.








You can also always use more dishcloths in the kitchen!





Small projects like these are perfect for the warmer weather. However, if you're like me, you will still be working on blankets!

If you would like the pattern for any of these projects please just let me know and I will share it with you!

Tuesday, February 28, 2017

Size matters

When it comes to blankets, one size does not fit all. Especially when it comes to baby blankets. I have found a few sites that make it very easy to know what size blanket that you will need to do.

This is a very good site for reference for almost anything crochet! http://thecrochetcrowd.com/afghan-sizes/

I recently needed to figure out the perfect size for a car seat cover and this site helped me with that http://www.goodknitkisses.com/Resources/blanket-sizes-chart/

I usually tend to make it a little bigger then what it suggests. That way you know it will be the perfect size!


Another thing that needs the perfect size are hats. There are many sites that give you measurements on circumferences. I like to just try it out on someone instead! (However, if you don't have anyone to try it out on, you might want to follow the measurement on the pattern.)

For newborns and babies, I just measure it up against one of my son's old hats. However, I have made so many of those that I can usually pretty much get it right just by looking at it.

Then, for small children, I have my son that can help me out with that! He isn't always very fond of trying things on for me, but I can usually get him to do anything for chocolate :)

For everyone else, I just try it on for myself. For women, it should fit me. For men, it should just be a tad bigger on me.

Just remember, before you start a project, make sure you know what size you need it to be. You don't want to have to frog it in the middle and start over!