Hey hey hey! I’m so glad to see that we’ve gotten some interest in this year-long challenge. Be sure to check us out on Ravelry, where I’m trying to get some discussion and project-sharing going. Did I mention there will be prizes? PRIZES! PRIZES! PRIZES! But the true prize is the satisfaction of knowing you’ve either finished your WIPs or you’ve reclaimed some yarn that was previously tied up in a languishing project!

The purpose of today’s post is to provide different strategies to get us working on our WIPs and UFOs. I got most of these wonderful ideas from the amazing Crochet Spot commenters! Another great source was the KnottyGirls KnitCast, episode 26. If you’re into knitting & yarny podcasts, definitely give it a try! Ready for the tips? Let’s go!

Photo modified from welshkaren via flickr. License

Hello, Crochet Spotters! I have something I think you’re going to love! In my recent post Tackle Your Crocheted Works in Progress in 2015, I began a conversation about getting all those UFOs (Un-Finished Objects) and WIPs (Works In Progress) out of your life! These things need to become either FOs (Finished Objects) or yarn that you can use for something else! To get us all motivated to finish or rip back, I am creating a Crochet Spot UFO/WIP Year-Long Challenge for 2015! Yes, there will be prizes!

images by artlikebread

Before we get started I want to thank everyone for their great comments on my recent post about crocheted works in progress. I feel a Crochet Spot Challenge coming on! 🙂

How does the weather affect your crochet?

I got to thinking about this question while reflecting on my own changed crochet habits since I moved to southern Florida where the temperature ranges from ridiculously hot to warmish. Truthfully, it is a weird weather pattern to me! I spent the vast majority of my life in the northern United States, so I have endured cold winters and have inspired my crochet! Luckily, I never felt too cold to crochet like Rachel once did. 🙂
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The changing of the calendar year is a perfect time for reflection. It feels natural to look back at the previous year and decide to make a fresh start in the new one. I’ve found that through reflection, I’ve made a deeper connection to what inspires me. Inspiration is a GREAT feeling. I don’t know about you, but if inspiration is flowing, I will take any chance I can get to honor it, enjoy it, and capture it.

While reflection and inspiration could refer to just about anything in life, crochet is special in that we can turn our inspiration into a tangible, touchable thing. It could be cozy, like a warm shawl or blanket. It could be giant & joyful, like a crocheted playground. It could be almost anything at all, but the point is that crochet makes our inspirations real.

Image adapted from Rick Bradley via Flickr. License

The year is changing and it’s time to look around and take stock of what you have and what you actually want in your life. This includes your not-yet-done crochet projects, known as UFOs (un-finished objects) as well as your WIPs (works in progress).

Image modified from Justin See and Natalia Wilson, both via flickr. License & License.

After this crazy wonderful holiday season, don’t you think you deserve some jewelry? Do you have some new yarn in your stash that you’d like to try or have you rediscovered the remnants of a luxurious project that would make a pretty accessory? Are you ready for a project that is quick, satisfying, gorgeous, and fun?

If so, please read on, Crochet Spotters! I’ve gathered together some beautiful Crochet Spot Jewelry Patterns that will keep you happy and stylish! These will have passers by shouting (like my good friend used to say) “Love the jewels!”

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Are you a people-pleaser? I think most of us can be, at least some of the time. Truly, the busy winter holidays are a time when we find ourselves pulled in many different directions. For the past few weeks I’ve given you ideas of gifts to give and make. I love this and I think it’s exciting, but at the same time, we can get wrapped up in doing all of this crafting for others and our beloved hobby can actually stress us out!

If we find ourselves creating mostly to please others, then maybe it’s time for a change or a break. Maybe we’re ready for some Crochet “Me Time!”

Image modified from Mo Riza via flickr.com link to creative commons license

Sometimes crochet is precious. And often it is useful. In my opinion, even if it is precious, it should still be used.

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Hello, Crochet Spotters! Welcome to your first crochet design! Yes, I said your crochet design. Did that statement strike fear into your heart? Are you incredulous? Or excited?

Crochet pattern designers get a lot of respect from fellow yarn crafters. There is something impressive about knowing that someone has the creativity, knowledge, and skills to create something and put it out into the world. Although I haven’t yet designed here on Crochet Spot, I do have a pattern that is published in a popular crochet book and another that has been accepted for publication. When sharing that news with my yarn crafting friends, I’ve generally gotten one of two reactions – either “I could never do that” or “Hm. Maybe I could do that.”

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Some people take to crochet design like a fish to water and others feel like a fish out of water when the topic of their possibly designing something comes up. I am here to tell you that all the little fishies can play in the pond. If you’ve crocheted, you are already a sort of designer. 🙂
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Time’s a-ticking, people, and we’re careening our way toward the new year without slowing down. Now take a look at your gift-making list… Are you panicked yet?

Breathe. There are times when we all bite off a little more than we can chew. I’m here to tell you that you can still incorporate crochet into your gift giving without actually having to do the crocheting! Sounds great, right? Time’s a-ticking, so let’s go!
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