Have you been stitching away on your projects for the Quick and Easy Holiday Crochet Along? Not done yet? Don’t worry. You’re so not alone! That’s why we call it a crochet along! I have been stitching in my rare free moments, and I guess I chose the largest project on the list, but I really wanted the vest, and besides, it is really pretty and really easy! 😀

Here is a photo of my work in progress. It’s getting there!

I’m not done yet, but I still wanted to share my pictures! I am hoping this will propel me forward and get me to finally finish this project! 🙂 The thing is, during CALs, you’re also supposed to share questions, advice, and comments on others’ projects! I thought I would start this conversation here in the comments so that we can (hopefully) chat back and forth.

Please share your progress pictures online – share here, on your facebook page, instagram, twitter, flickr, Ravelry, and even email to Rachel! Copy and paste the link here in the comments. Please note, this comment thread is only for progress pictures. It won’t enter you for the CAL prize. It’s just for fun!

“You go girl” & “Right on” comments to one and all are especially appreciated! 😀 You can even bookmark this page and check back often! 🙂 Now, go take a picture of your project and post it… Now! 🙂

We’ve come to the point in the year where the holidays really are just around the corner! How are you doing with your holiday gift crocheting? I’ve been touting the idea of crochet holidays on Crochet Spot for over a year now & it’s time to ramp it up! Did you use my holiday gift planning suggestions from back in July? Are you participating in the Quick and Easy Holiday Crochet Along that we’re all loving so much? What have you done, and what do you have left to do?
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Did you ever have a project that just haunted you? I mean, a project that you were really, really excited about but just fell flat? A project you have labored over for hours and hours only to have it look completely hideous when you put it on?

Let’s be honest, folks, they can’t all be winners.

Maybe you have guessed by now. I have such a project and I must be a glutton for punishment, because I am considering taking this crazy project up again. I can’t let it rest!!!
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Do you love Halloween? I know that so many of you do! I mean, what’s not to love? There’s candy, costumes, revelry… all kinds of fun! Some of my favorite memories involve venturing out for trick-or-treating on a cool, autumn evening, crunching through leaves, and learning from friends about the houses with the big candy bars! Halloween is so much fun for kids!

The fun doesn’t have to stop in childhood, my crochet friends! Crochet has endless possibilities when it comes to costume elements, trick-or-treat bags, and even Halloween decorations! I think I am going to design a pair of animal ears and attach them to a headband for a semi-costume this year. I also want to be ready for the trick-or-treaters this year, so you know I will be crocheting something spooky to decorate the porch!

Guess what! There are a number of great Halloween patterns on Crochet Spot. Here are a few that could help make Halloween special for you and for the kids in your life! 🙂
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Since I started crocheting, I have heard a few things about crochet that have made my eyebrows raise. There are many misconceptions about crochet out there! Have you heard them? Well, if we hear a crochet myths, it’s up to us to set people straight in a friendly and informed manner. Our beloved craft has always been popular, but lately it has become more and more prominent in popular culture and fashion. Hooray! Let’s build upon that momentum and make sure that everyone knows the truth about crochet!
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Since you are reading about crochet, you’ve got to be a crochet enthusiast. Even though crochet is quick and requires relatively few supplies to get started, even the most obsessed crocheter may not be able to find the time to crochet. In fact, I kind of feel that way myself right now. As the seasons are changing and schedules change, we are gearing up for the holidays and making all kinds of plans. There is much organize and to be organized, and besides my dear dogs are begging me for more and more attention. Where can I find the time to crochet!!!???
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Woohoo! Let’s get this party started, people!

Share this image so everyone can join in the fun!

It is finally time for the Crochet Spot Quick & Easy Holiday Crochet Along!
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Exciting! My last ramble, Let’s Crochet Along, elicited a big response. The question was, “Do you want a quick & easy crochet along?” The answer was a resounding, “Yes!” Hooray!!

I am happy to administrate this fun and fabulous CAL, and here are all of the details!

How will it work?

The CAL will have a theme – Quick and Easy Holiday Gifts. That way, it can help us reach our holiday crafting goals.

Did you know that on Sept. 1, there will only be 114 crafting days until Christmas, and only 87 crafting days until the first night of Haunukkah?

LET’S MOTIVATE, PEOPLE! 😀

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I wanted to write this week’s ramble about a recent experience I had with a crochet along. In case you are not familiar with the concept, a “crochet along,” abbreviated CAL, is an event where a group of people decide to crochet the same item, similar items, or an item of their choice at the same time. There are also “knit alongs” (KALs) which are -you guessed it- the same thing, but with knitting. Finally there are CAL/KALs, where people crochet and knit along.
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Sometimes we can create different textures and effects by crocheting into unexpected places on our crochet fabric. This week we’ll focus upon how to crochet over single crochets in rows. For the purpose of practicing this skill, we’ll make a small swatch in this tutorial. Yarn and hook size don’t matter for this practice swatch.

You may mouse over images for left-handed views.

Row 1: ch 11, sc into second ch from hook and into each ch across: 10 sc

The photo below shows this done.