Crochet Spot is an incredible place to build community. I love coming here to see all of the gorgeous patterns and to let my imagination run wild with how I might use them! I also love interacting with the Crochet Spot fans because I know they’re just like me – Crochet Lovers!!

I wanted to ask the Crochet Spot readers what you think about Ravelry. Ravelry.com is a social network where people can connect through their love of crochet and other fiber crafts. In order to become a member, anyone can sign up for a free login. Ravelry is big (with over 2 million users) and there are many kind users who want to help you make the most of your experience. However, as with any internet forum, use basic caution and common sense! 😀 Over all, my experience on Ravelry has been very positive.

Does anybody here use Ravelry? If so, what do you think? Did you know that there is a Crochet Spot group on Ravelry? If you have a Ravelry account, please share your IDs here so we can connect there as well. I can be found as artlikebread on Ravelry, and I love making new friends there.

If you are not using Ravelry, why not? There is no right or wrong way to enjoy crochet, so I am just curious about what you think!

To embellish an item is to bring attention to it – to give another level of life to it. A plain pair of mittens become a lady’s hand adornment. A plain scarf becomes a “lovely” scarf, and a plain handbag becomes a statement piece – all with embellishments. The choices are endless. You can use flowers, buttons, lace, ribbons, bows, and beads. You can even embellish with jewelry, leather and fabrics – your imagination is your limit.

A small variety of embellishments

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Holidays happen all year round, and I think it’s really fun to incorporate crochet into the holidays! I think it’s important, because holidays keep me motivated to crochet something and finish it for a reason.

I am thinking about the holidays that are coming up as I write this, and there are plenty! Crochet Spot is a global community, so I am hoping I can learn of some new holidays from different regions of the country and also different parts of the world. 🙂

I bought a really cool calendar that helps me keep up with my blogging. Now I want to use it to create crochet holiday inspiration!

Selected Upcoming Holidays & Crochet Items to Make

November 2012
World Kindness Week – Nov. 12-18 – Crochet a quick hat, and give it away!
World Toilet Day (no joke!) – Nov. 19 – Crochet a toilet paper scarf! 😉
Thanksgiving (U.S.) – Nov. 22 – Crochet place mats & napkin rings in your favorite fall colors.

December 2012
National Cookie Day – Dec. 1 – Crochet one of these or these!
Hanukkah – Dec. 9-16 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Hanukkah! Here’s one good gift idea.
World Peace Day – Dec. 21 – Crochet this.
Christmas – Dec. 25 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Christmas! How about something like this? 😉

What are you crocheting up for the holidays?? Feel free to share in the comments section!

Fair Isle knitting became popular in 1921 when the Prince of Wales wore Fair Isle tank tops in public (Fair Isle is a tiny island in the north of Scotland). The Fair Isle technique refers to color work where stitches are knit alternately in various colors. We’ve all seen Fair Isle style on ski sweaters, scarves, mittens, etc. with their intricate patterns and vibrant colors. There are an infinite number of patterns that can be incorporated into a handmade piece, and with today’s selection of colors in yarn, making a striking, unique piece is likely, but not simple.

Sample of Fair Isle Knitting

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It’s a funny question to ask, because we’re all here because we love crochet, right? But think about it – there are oodles of crafts out there. Why do YOU choose to crochet? I am imagining a few reasons why, but I really want to hear from you!

Personally, I choose to crochet for four main reasons:

1. I am creating fabric! As the daughter of a textile-obsessed artist, the idea that I could actually make fabric is what got me to learn crochet!

2. There are so many stitches and techniques to explore! I know with certainty that I will be forever happy because the opportunities for creative exploration in this craft will never end.

3. It’s not so hard to start. I’m not going to say it’s easy, because I remember my beginning days, but honestly, it wasn’t so bad. It’s a pretty kind craft in that way. 🙂

4. I am making useful stuff! I don’t know about you, but I lose motivation when I am making something that’s meant to be only a “decoration.” Don’t get me wrong, I love adornment, but after a while, we crocheters accumulate finished items because we’re always crocheting! It makes me happy to know that someone will *use* the item I am making.

What about you?

Hats are one of my favorite accessories – they help me express my mood on any particular day. If it’s super cold, it’s the “furry, no-named animal” hat that says I’m feeling “a little wild” today. My bulky yarn rolled brim says “I’m feeling preppy!” Then there’s my flat top, large flowered, multi-colored, multi-fiber yarn that states that I’m feeling artistic and love color! And there’s always the “Bad Hair Day Beanie” that I can just throw on and head out the door without spending an hour getting to know my curling iron better.

Basic Beanie with Ear Flaps embellished with furry yarn

Whatever your likes, there’s a pattern out there. In my experience in crocheting, there are really only 3 styles of hats you need to learn to make a very wide array of different hats.
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When I first thought of writing this post, I couldn’t make up my mind on what I wanted to talk about. Was it to be about using a luscious cotton yarn (that I love so much), about the incredible patterns you can make using only single crochet, or how washcloth patterns are really just “samplers” of your talent? Then I realized it should be about all 3!

Crocheted Washcloths

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I am wondering if certain abilities are hereditary. My mum’s mother (Nana) could knit, crochet, and sew with perfection. A lot of it would have been necessity when she had 7 kids and little income to the home. Even after all the kids left she still knitted and crocheted with intricate lace pouring down from her hands as she worked away quickly and effortlessly with perfection and only glancing down occasionally.

Then there’s my mum, the daughter of the above mentioned knitting, sewing, and crocheting genius. Mum’s a tailor by trade although very rarely sews now. She does a myriad of handcrafts with perfection, fine intricate work that amazes those who even do the same thing. This same woman with so much natural talent cannot crochet to save her life. It’s not for a lack of trying, she wants to. I have tried teaching her repeatedly over the years and she has even gone to several lessons as well, in case it was my inability to teach. How can this be? By the way, I have taught many others to crochet successfully.
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Yes, that is a crocheted version of myself! lol What can I say? I LOVE to crochet everything!

Welcome! My name is Corinne Munger and I’m a blogger here at crochetspot.com. I was THRILLED when Rachel asked me to join her team of creative talent! I feel honored to be able to bring you my crochet experiences, techniques and patterns. My background starts some 43 years ago when my Italian, left-handed Grandmother gave me my first crochet lesson. My first “square” looked like swiss cheese with all the holes! But she knew I was serious about learning, and even though I was right-handed, we trudged through – and here I am today teaching others.

Narci the Crocheted Version of Me!

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A Guest Post by Jolanta Gustafsson.

Traditionally we knit or crochet things for our everyday use. It can be things to wear, or it can be something for our home. However, there is a new trend in knitting/crochet that has a totally different aim. And that is to cheer up public places by displaying knitted/crocheted fabrics or motifs usually around trees or lamp-posts.

The trend has many names: yarnbombing, yarnstorming, graffiti knitting, or knit graffiti, to mention a few. As some of the names indicate, this trend is a combination of knitting/crochet and graffiti. But since knitted/crocheted displays do not harm or destroy the environment, knit graffiti is usually more welcome.
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