Fun Ramblings

Best and Worst Crochet Projects

Posted in Fun Ramblings on May 21st, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 11 Comments

Recently I got an email from a reader who suggested this topic as a fun ramble, so here it is! We all have encountered some fun crochet projects and probably some not so great ones. So the question is, what is your best and worst crochet projects?

Personally, my best crochet project was my crochet hamburger coasters, because I was able to have a blast crocheting them, while still stretching my creativity and being simple at the same time. My worst crochet project was probably my crochet egg. It wasn’t really hard to crochet, but it was hard for me to design at the time. Feel free to read The Making of an Egg ramble.

What about you? What would you say is your best crochet project and your worst crochet project? If you would like to share a picture, feel free to add it to the Crochet Spot Facebook page and label it “Best and Worst Crochet Projects”.

Crochet Bikinis and Bathing Suits?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on May 11th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 55 Comments

I love crochet, because just about anything can be crocheted! But to be honest I haven’t tried crocheting a bikini or bathing suit yet. A few request for a bathing suit pattern have come up over the year, and I just can’t wrap my head around creating a functional bathing suit pattern. My worries aren’t really about crocheting the shape of a bikini or other bathing suit styles, but with how it would hold up in the water.

In my bikini wearing experience, even the regular store bought bikini’s have a chance of falling off (no one wants that). Once, I was playing in the waves at the beach and a big one hit, knocking me off my feet and popping a boob out of my top! Was I embarrassed? Heck ya! I’m glad to tell you I’ve never worn that bikini since.

My point is if an ordinary bikini can have malfunctions, a crochet bikini may have some too. I’ll have to give some though to the material and design if I were to create a crochet pattern for one.

If you’ve crocheted a bikini or other type of bathing suit before, how did it go? If you haven’t do you think you would like to crochet a bikini or bathing suit?

Crochet Pattern Copyrights

Posted in Best Crochet Patterns, Free Crochet Patterns, Fun Ramblings, News, Tutorials and Help on May 10th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 40 Comments

This post contains very important information, so please read, especially if you are using, intend to use, or have used any Crochet Spot pattern. I appreciate you taking the time out to read the following copyright information.

Here are the basic guidelines for using crochet patterns on this site:

No pattern or other material may be reproduced — mechanically, electronically, or by any other means, including photocopying — without written permission of Rachel Choi. This applies for all content on Crochet Spot, all free patterns, all patterns for sale in the store, and even content such as tutorials.

For example:

You can NOT email a friend a copy of the pattern you downloaded.
Instead, you can send them the link to the pattern, so they can get their own copy.

You can NOT photocopy a pattern and redistribute it in any form.
Instead, you can tell others where they can go to get their own copy.

You can NOT copy a pattern (or part of a pattern) and publish it on another website or other publication.
Instead, you can publish a link to the pattern.

You may sell your finished crocheted items, but not the pattern. However, you are not allowed to sell items that are made commercially. The item must be handmade with your own hands. Please also give credit to where you found the pattern (although this is not required, it is much appreciated).

When in doubt, ask me. If you are not sure whether you will be infringing upon copyrights, then feel free to send me an email ([email protected]) to ask. I’ll be happy to answer your questions.

These copyrights can also be applied to other crochet patterns you find online from other designers, with the exception of selling crocheted items. Not all designers allow you to sell finished crocheted items made from their patterns, so be sure to ask before doing. Some folks will argue that you can sell any crocheted items made from any pattern whether the designer allows you to or not, but I would recommend being polite and respectful of whatever restrictions the designer chooses.

Crochet Bicycle Cozy

Posted in Fun Ramblings on May 4th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 23 Comments

If you’ve been visiting Crochet Spot for some time, you’d know that I love featuring fun, quirky, and out of the ordinary crochet items. Here is another one to add to the list!

This is a crochet bicycle cozy. I’m not sure if it’s just for show or if it’s suppose to be functional. I’m going to take a wild guess and say it is for show since it’s eye catchingly, neat to look at. I love cozies as much as the next person, but to crochet a cozy for a bicycle must have taken some good creativity and patience. I probably would never crochet one of these myself, but I am glad that crochet is expanding.

crochet bicycle cozy

Photo by Joe Holmes.

What do you think about this bicycle cozy?

What’s the Strangest Thing You’ve Crocheted?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on April 27th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 41 Comments

Just about anything you can think of can be crocheted, but normally when people think about crocheting they think of blankets, scarves and sweaters. Just to prove that a lot of strange and unique things can be crocheted as well, why not share what you have made?

The strangest thing that I’ve crocheted so far is my Cozy Mug Sweater. I’ve never thought I’ll crochet a “sweater” for a mug that I drink out of. It was definitely a fun project that I can giggle about. Although the sweater serves to keep your hands from burning on a hot mug, I think it’s more for show. When I told a friend of mine what I crocheted, she thought I was crazy! Now that’s how you know your crochet project is strange.

What’s the strangest thing you’ve ever crocheted?

A Retirement Crocheted Afghan

Posted in Fun Ramblings on April 21st, 2010 by A Guest Writer – 23 Comments
A Guest Post by Barbara Davis.

Anyone who had completed thirty years as a public school teacher deserved a memorable keepsake, I thought when learning that Ann, a dedicated 8th grade Algebra teacher, had announced her pending retirement. Scrapbooking doesn’t appeal to me, so I decided to create something in the medium I love best: crochet.

crochet afghan

My plan was to make colorful eight-inch squares in single crochet, and give one to each of her friends and colleagues to embellish as desired. These completed, decorative squares would be stitched together forming a patchwork type afghan. Good idea, I thought, and easily accomplished. I am still bemused at my naïveté.
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Do All Crocheters Have Cats?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on April 18th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 255 Comments
I always thought that the correlation between crocheters and cats was just a myth, until I started to realize that a lot of my crochet friends have cats. Even I have a cat!

Is it just a coincide or do most crocheters have a cat? Maybe cats are just popular to have as a pet. Or perhaps, crocheters are more fond of a cat companion since they both like yarn.

cat

Let’s have an experiment to find out once and for all if there really is a correlation between cats and crocheters! This is by far, not a real scientific experiment, but will sure be fun to take part in.

So the question is, are you a crocheter? And do you have a cat? Leave a comment to share!

Crocheting is Like Riding a Bike

Posted in Fun Ramblings on April 12th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 13 Comments
I’ve always wanted to say that “crocheting is like riding a bike”, but never actually knew how to ride a bike. This weekend I finally learned! Well, sort of. I’m not a pro bike rider just yet and still have a lot of practicing to do. I’m sure I fell off 100 times. Being that I’m no long a 5 year old kid, it was fun to do something that most people learn at a young age. It sort of makes me feel like a kid again! From my experience it really does feel like riding a bike is just like crocheting. learning to ride a bike

Crocheting is like riding a bike because in both cases…

  • Even if you mess up, you just try again.
  • Sometimes it’s frustrating, but if you keep working at it, eventually you’ll get it!
  • Once you learn, there’s no going back.
  • You can learn at any age!
  • There’s no right or wrong way to learn, everyone can do it differently and still be successful.
  • They are fun to do, with friends and family, or by yourself.
  • They are healthy hobbies and activities.

Do you think crocheting is like riding a bike?

6 Fun Places to Crochet Outside

Posted in Fun Ramblings, Tutorials and Help on April 6th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 12 Comments
Now that the weather is getting warmer, I’m sure you want to spend more time outside rather than being cooped up in your house. Crocheting is known way too much for being the hobby that’s done on your couch in front of the TV, but it doesn’t have to be. Why not take your crochet with you wherever you go? Carry it along in a convenient bag or container and find an enjoyable place to crochet outside. Here are ideas of places to go to crochet and enjoy the beautiful nature of the outdoors. crochet outside

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Do You Use Twitter?

Posted in Fun Ramblings on March 30th, 2010 by Rachel Choi – 11 Comments
Although I swore I would never use Twitter, I have to admit I’m glad that I tried it!

I started using it a couple of months ago and I’m really enjoying it so far. I like using Twitter to stay connected with other crocheters and crafty people. It’s a great way to know the latest news and see what’s going on in the crochet industry. It’s also a quick way to find out what your friends and family are up to, especially if your busy and don’t get to talk to them that often.

twitter

If you use Twitter and would like to follow me, here is the link to my page:
Crochet Spot on Twitter

Do you use Twitter? Why or why not?