Double crochet. Double crochet. Finish off. Balloons fall from the ceiling and everyone around you erupts with applause. Wait. That’s not the way your last crochet project ended? Hm. After all the time, care, and concentration we put into our work, sometimes it seems like we should have a celebration! And when you think about all of the resources that went into your project before you even knew you would make it, like the hook you use, the yarn, the patterns… Actually, the patterns have much more to them than the designer. Technical Editors and editors tweak the patterns before publication. Speaking of publication, what about our wonderful websites and magazines that post crochet patterns so that we can have them? Don’t all of those people deserve an award as well?

Well, actually, there is an award system created by crocheters for crocheters! It’s called the Flaming Hook of Justice, or “Flamie” Award. The awards began as a conversation thread in the Crochet Liberation Front Ravelry forum and grew into a well respected measure of recognition in the crochet industry.
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I love the Autumn season. So naturally, I have my favorite seasonal colors of yarn all ready to make some nice scarves, hats, and decorative things for the home. The air is filled with the energy of harvest time. I am excited about getting started with my crochet projects. I grab a skein of multi-colored earth tone, medium worsted yarn and my favorite J-size crochet hook. I begin to crochet a hat from memory.

It comes out all wrong! I examine this so-called crochet hat wondering where I went wrong. Now, I don’t attribute this mistake to the fact that I haven’t crocheted a hat in two years. Oh no! I just dive right in head first from memory.
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Nothing, and I mean nothing is better than sleeping in on a lazy Saturday morning, padding into the kitchen, brewing a fresh pot of coffee, and enjoying it on the couch with your crochet, sunlight streaming through the window. Add a favorite podcast, album, or movie into the mix and you’re approaching nirvana. Am I right, Crochet Spotters?

While luxuries such as these can feel like pipe dreams some weeks, let’s remember that it is up to us to create our own special moments and sanctuaries of relaxation. Although the scene described above may not be possible very often, we can take the flavorful components of coffee and crochet with us almost every day and combine them to make a “coffee & crochet moment.”
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I love the idea of crocheting appliques because they are quick and satisfying. I have seen a number of them on different items for babies and children. They look great on everything from onesies to sweaters to jumpers! Appliques can also be a great way to spruce up a tote bag. It is a wonderful way to add a quick, handmade touch to birthday or holiday gift.
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The pineapple is a very traditional, completely beautiful, crocheted lace pattern. Pineapple patterns (both representational and symbolic) have been found in needlework books dating back to as early as the 1840s, but the recorded history of the pineapple as fruit and symbol goes back to hundreds of years before that.

Pineapple is native to the Caribbean, and the indigenous Carib people used to place a “nana” at the entrance to a village to signify welcome to guests. As the fruit was spread to other regions by Christopher Columbus, among others, the tradition of the pineapple as a welcoming symbol also spread.
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Perhaps the best part of stashing down is rediscovering skeins of yarn that you can now put to work! This pattern round up is designed to help you use favorite yarn oddments quickly, and also to blaze through large yarn lots in no time.

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Let’s have some fun. Nothing’s really 100% foolproof, right?

Crochet Spotters, I love you! Thank you! You’ve seen my worries about my yarn overload. You’ve heard me fret about creeping toward SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy). You’ve honored me with comments of support and commisseration. You’ve provided me with helpful tips. You’ve offered me alternative viewpoints that I’ve never before considered.

And now a couple of weeks have passed and I have to put my stash down plan into print and into action. I hope you’ll join me, too.

Based upon your generous comments, I can see that some Crochet Spotters can be plotted on the following Venn Diagram:

Do you see yourself in this diagram?

Well, hopefully the following plan will help us all. Hey, you never know. The idea is to stash down, pay it forward, and have fun doing it. Are you ready? Let’s go!
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Crochet Spotters always come through. When I wrote last week’s post about having a seriously large stash, I wasn’t prepared for the wonderful flood of responses I would get. Thank you so much to Maryisidre, 1001knits, Doug, Melissa, and Kim Domingue, who made me feel not so alone!

With your encouragement (and great ideas) I think I am (just about) ready to tackle my stash. I know how to do this in theory, but in practice it takes a bit more preparation, drive, and willpower. While I was not in my space, but had some free time, I imagined what I would do and how I would do it. I am happy to report that I have a plan (kind of) but I can tell this is going to be a serious undertaking. The plan needs a little more work, but in the meantime, I am honored to share the following:
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So here I am asking a question I never thought I would ask: Is it possible that I have too much yarn?

Image modified from CollegeDegrees360 via flickr
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I am a “professional auntie!” This means I have a huge number of nieces and nephews (at least a Baker’s Dozen), and I’m not actually related to any of them! It’s great being a professional auntie who crochets because if I ever feel the need to impulse crochet something cuter than cute I have an instant reason to do so!

Look! I found a baby-friend!