This is so cute! Did you see the Kia commercial during the 2010 Super Bowl? Kia, if you’re familiar with their ads, always have things (not people) driving the cars. Well take a look at the commercial for yourself, there is a sock money that is knitted (unfortunately not crocheted). The best part is when the monkey is getting a tattoo and it’s being stitched on!

What do you think?

Addictions have a reputation for being bad. Well, if it’s drugs or something like that, maybe it is. But who ever said that being addicted to crochet is a bad thing? I certainly don’t thing so. But if you do, we can make a “Crochet Addicts Anonymous” group just for you. To determine if you are a crochet addict, simply read the symptoms below.

Symptoms of a Crochet Addict

• You’re proud to be called a “hooker”.
• You have a room for your yarn, not a shelf or a draw, you have an entire room.
• When someone greets you they start off by say, “What are you knitting?”
• You have more crochet hooks and patterns than you can count or will ever use.
• You have a designated crochet bag that you carry projects in, and the bag isn’t small.
• You always keep a crochet project in your car or at work, just in case you have some down time.
• Your hands get fidgety when you go a day without crocheting (as if you would ever do that).
• You have a play list of music or movies that’s called, “Play While Crocheting”.
• You memorized when the major yarn stores have discounts and coupons.
• You crochet with things other than yarn, such as plastic bags, cassette tape, duck tape, t-shirts, etc.
• You’ve learned to die yarn with Kool-aid and spin yarn out of your pet’s hair.
• You wear one of those necklace medallions that cuts your yarn for you.
• Your number of WIPs (works in progress) and UFOs (unfinished objects) keeps multiplying, and you blame it on your cat/dog/spouse.
• You are crocheting while reading this post.

Are you a crochet addict?
Do you have a symptom to add to the list?

I’ve been wondering what skill level you would consider yourself. There are many ways to describe your skill level and a bunch of opinions as to what constitutes a beginner, intermediate or advanced crocheter. For the sake of this question, let’s use the definitions created by the Craft Yarn Council of America for different skill levels for projects. Based on the project level, you can choose which one would best suit your skill level. Here are the different levels:

	Projects for first-time crocheters using basic stitches. Minimal shaping.
	Projects using yarn with basic stitches, repetitive stitch patterns, simple color changes, and simple shaping and finishing.
	Projects using a variety of techniques, such as basic lace patterns or color patterns, mid-level shaping and finishing.
	Projects with intricate stitch patterns, techniques and dimension, such as non-repeating patterns, multi-color techniques, fine threads, small hooks, detailed shaping and refined finishing.

What project level do you think best describes your skill level?

Whether your loved one is your spouse, child, or friend, there are is always something you can crochet for Valentine’s Day! Your gift doesn’t have to be elaborate or take a lot of time to make. Here are some ideas that I have. If you have your own ideas, feel free to share here!

• Envelope – Crocheting an envelope is just as simple as crocheting a square! You can use this crocheted envelop to hold a small gift or card. The crocheted envelop gives the perfect handmade touch to you gift. Here is the link to the pattern: Crochet Pattern: Envelope.
• Flowers – Why buy flowers that will only last a week, when you can crochet flowers that will last forever? There are all sorts of different flowers you can crochet to make a bouquet! Here are some patterns for you to check out: Calla Lily, Tulip, Daisy, Sunflower, Rose.
• Heart Bookmark – For the book lover, here is a crochet pattern for a heart bookmark: Crochet Pattern: Heart Bookmark. These are really fast to crochet, so if you are look for a gift that you can make many of to give to several people, this one is good for you.
• Teddy Bear (or other stuffed animal) – It’s always cuter when you make it yourself! Well, sometimes it is. At least you can customize it to the way you want it to look. Maybe even embroider the special somebody’s name on it. Here’s a teddy bear pattern that you can use: Heart Teddy Bear crochet pattern

Are you crocheting anything for Valentine’s Day? Do you have an idea that you would like to share?

I was recently asked by a reader, what my favorite yarn was and it was a pretty hard question for me to answer. For me it all depends on the material I’m looking to use. For instance, I use acrylic a lot for everyday things, so my favorite acrylic yarn is Caron Simply Soft. I love the softness, the colors, plus it’s a decent price for what you get. My favorite novelty yarn is Sensation’s Boucle yarn (this yarn is soft too), although I hated it the first time I tried to crochet with it.

I think I’m starting to realize that I’m a sucker for all the “soft” yarns no matter what the material is, because when I first started crocheting I used a lot of cheap Red Heart yarn, and that stuff is rough (the opposite of soft). I must admit that there’s tons of yarns that I haven’t tried yet, so I bet that my favorite yarns will constantly be changing.

Do you have a favorite brand of yarn?

Some people are right handed and others are left handed. Which one are you and which hand do you crochet with? Personally, I’m right handed and I also crochet with my right hand. It’s hard for me to imagine crocheting with my left, as I barely do anything as a lefty. Actually, I do play Guitar Hero left handed…but this has nothing to do with crocheting!

I think that right handers are the lucky ones since so many tutorials and videos are made with the crochet hook in the right hand. I’m guessing that it’s difficult for left handers to follow something that is inverted. After all, I would have trouble following a tutorial if it was written for a lefty. Although may newer tutorials do compensate for lefties (such as my tutorials), but maybe some lefties have already converter to righties?

Which one are you and which hand do you crochet with?

I run into many people that are self taught crocheters and some that are taught by family or friends. I’ve always wondered if one way was better than the other, but I guess it all depends on the person since we all have different learning styles.

As for me, I was taught by my mom! When I was younger I asked my mom to teach me to crochet after I saw one of my friends doing it. She taught me the basics, like the foundation chain, single crochet and double crochet (thanks mom!). According to her, I was really bad at making my chains. But now that I know the basics, I learn more from the internet and books. I like being able to learn from all sorts of places and people. So I guess you can say that I’m 50/50, half taught by family and half taught by books and the internet.

What about you? Who taught you to crochet?

I recently came across an article on MSN discussing 50 ways to cut 500 calories a day. There are some fun tips and tricks in the article, but one definitely surprised me! Here is #21 on the list: “21. Get out your knitting needles. An afternoon of knitting can burn more than 500 calories (at a rate of about 100 an hour).”

Okay, so I think it should say “crochet” not “knitting” or at least both, since they are fairly similar. I’m sure if you can burn more than 500 calories knitting, you can do so crocheting too! I think the point is to keep your hands and fingers busy to keep you from over eating when you’re bored. But I never knew you can burn that many calories from crocheting/knitting!! Perhaps the next time someone calls me lazy for sitting around crocheting all day I can tell them I’m exercising 🙂

This topic was sent to me by a Crochet Spot reader! If you have a fun topic that you think others will enjoy, feel free to email it to me! You can read the MSN article here.

Some people use shelves, plastics tubs, clothing or shoe organizers, or even nothing at all! What do you use?

For me, I use a small bookcase. Nothing big or super impressive like the above pictures. I’ve come to accumulate more yarn over the past year, especially at the time when Michaels was cleaning out their inventory and selling skeins for 99 cents! I remember it wasn’t long ago when my entire stash could fit in a shopping bag.

I try to order my yarn by brand or the size of the skein since my shelves are different sizes. I don’t worry too much about organizing by color since I probably only have one or two of a color anyway. Plus, having it all mixed together gives ideas and color combos for what to make next!

What’s your method for organizing your yarn?

It the spirit of tradition, why not make a 2010 resolution for crochet? You may have already made resolutions to spend more time with family and friends, lose weight, quit smoking, or to spend more time helping others. Now it’s time for you to make a crochet goal! Just leave your 2010 new year’s crochet resolution as a comment on this post. A year from now, you can look back and see if you accomplished it. (Plus, I’ll be rooting you on the whole time!)

Here are some ideas:

• Make a certain number of items (hats, scarves, toys etc.)
• Donate a certain number of items to your favorite crochet charity
• Crochet all of your holiday gifts
• Make a yarn budget and stick to it
• Learn a certain number of new crochet stitches
• Crochet at least once a week
• Improve your crochet business (if your a business owner)

Here are my 2010 New Year’s Crochet Resolutions:

• Design at least 100 more crochet patterns – If I did over 100 in 2009, I’m going to aim for over 100 again in 2010!
• Learn more crochet techniques – There is always something new to learn. I can never stop learning.
• Improve my crochet business – I want my readers (all of you) to enjoy Crochet Spot even more. Plus, a girl needs more yarn to play with!

Now it’s your turn! What are your 2010 New Year’s Crochet Resolutions?
Just leave them as a comment, and check back periodically to remind yourself. At the end of the year, you can see if you accomplished your goals!