It’s funny that I’ve written several post about crocheting gifts for the holidays and I haven’t even started my gifts!! So, in order to make sure I have fun and get things done, I’m going to blog about it. I mean, if I write it for the whole world to see, I have to get it done, right?

Here are the crochet gifts that I plan to make:

1. Shawl for my aunt – not sure what design to use yet. 2. Something for my 2 little cousins (both girls) – lots of things I can make for them. But I want to make sure it won’t be one of those things that gets tossed aside after a couple days. (I know how kids can be, I used to be one!) 3. Something for my mom – shes a toughie. I have no clue what to make her, but I think she would appreciate something handmade. 4. Everyone else – probably won’t want something crocheted, so I’ll do something else for them.

I’ll be sure to update you as I progress. It’ll be a challenge to get things done in time, but I’m sure with your help, it’ll all come together. Do you have crochet things you need to get done? Feel free to join in on the adventure and list what you need to get done.

Everyone has a crochet personality. Let’s find out which one you are! Below are 3 fun personalities that I thought of. If you don’t fit any, feel free to make up your own and tell me about it!

Classic Crocheter Is traditional! Loves crocheting blankets, doilies, hats or scarves. Never gets tired of a good old granny square.

Modern Madam / Man Is always learning new techniques. Crochets a variety of items: bags, clothing, home decor, etc. May get bored crocheting the same thing all the time.

Novelty Nut Loves making thing that are “out of the ordinary” like a Crochet Hamburger Coaster Set. Doesn’t always follow patterns, just because you like to be different. Enjoys freeform crochet.

Personally, I think I’m a “Novelty Nut”. Although I do enjoy the classics, I have the most fun creating weird, novelty items. What’s your crochet personality?

I’ve been meaning to tell you this a couple weeks ago, but YES it is official! There will be three (not one, but three) 30 feet tall crocheted lions at the 2012 Olympics. A while ago I wrote about the possibility of Crochet Art at the 2012 Olympics, and now the committee chose a crochet piece. Shauna Richardson is the crocheter and will be crocheting for 2 years to get those lions done.

If you’re not a fan of the Olympics, maybe you’d at least be a fan of seeing giant crocheted lions?

You can take a look at the other decorations that have been chosen for the 2012 Olympics in London here. They seem very odd yet still fun!

You may have noticed that Crochet Spot was temporarily unavailable today and you may have gotten a page with some funny error message. But no worries, because if you’re reading this on the site right now everything is working again!!!

So thanks for being so patient, I know it was hard for me to do! The people that hosts Crochet Spot on their server had to work out a few kinks. Whatever they were doing is beyond me. I’m just glad that it’s all fixed.

Now that everything is back to normal how about enjoying some…

• Free Crochet Patterns
• Crochet Tutorials
• And of course more of my Ramblings

I love the holidays, the time of the year for family, food, and giving! No matter what you celebrate you are bound to be crocheting something for the holidays. Maybe you are making gifts for the family and friends, new table cloths for the special dinner, or extra hats and scarfs to donate. If you are having trouble think up great gifts for your family and friends, check out the list of Fast Crochet Gift Ideas for the Holidays. Or if you are still on the fence about giving crocheted gifts, see what others have answered to the infamous questions “Do You Give Crocheted Gifts?”

So what are you crocheting for the holidays?

I used to think that I only needed one crochet hook of each size. So I started out with one of those sets with about 6 hooks in it. But then I learned my lesson when I:

1. Lost some – Some how things magically disappear, if you know what I mean. It’s a pain when you need a specific hook for a pattern, and you just don’t have it. When I want to crochet something, I want to crochet it then and there, not a day later after I go to the store to get the right hook.
2. Broke one – Argh! I hate this. It’s one thing to not start a project because you don’t have the hook, but it’s another thing to end in the middle of a project because the hook broke!
3. Needed a plastic one to go on the plane – Just to be on the safe side, plastic or wood hooks are preferred on airplanes compared to metals hooks. I sure don’t want my crochet hook confiscated because someone thinks it’s a weapon.

Now I’ve learned to have “back up” hooks. One set of hooks is aluminum, the material I like to crochet with, and the other set is plastic, great for traveling with on a plane. Then there are the tiny hooks I use for thread and the giant hook I use with bulky yarn. To date, I have about 20 crochet hooks.

How many crochet hooks do you have?

I’ve heard the excuse that it’s too hot to crochet, but never that it’s too cold. But this week felt like it for me. Although the weather isn’t freezing here in PA, with the heater not working, it sure seems like it.

When I go to pick up my crochet hook, I wished it wasn’t metal, knowing how cold metal is when it’s left sitting in a cold room. Perhaps that’s why plastic hooks can be great. Even as I work with the hook, it does warm up, but my hands don’t! I thought about wearing gloves, but they just get in the way.

Instead of crocheting, I should have ran around the house to keep warm. Or if I’m brave enough, I could have crocheted while running…but I’ll save that challenge for a different day.

Have you ever felt that it was too cold to crochet?

HAHA! I found these comic strips, the “Pickles” by Brian Crane, and they were talking about crochet! They gave me a little giggle so I thought you might like to read them too!

This makes me wonder if a crochet pattern for a jock strap exist…

No matter how much you love something, including crochet, there is always something about it that can make you tick. Whether it’s just something that makes you roll your eyes, annoy the heck out of you, or even make you pull your hair out, they are all pet peeves and I want to know about them!

Here are some of my all time crochet pet peeves:

Knots in my skein – I’m pretty good at taking out knots, but just because I’m good at it doesn’t mean I want knots! I’m pretty sure that the whole point of buying skeins of yarn is to avoid having knots in the yarn. But sometimes there’s that surprising knot in the skein that always makes me put down whatever I’m making and untangle it.

Running out of yarn – I’m not talking about running out in the middle of a project, because if I’m that far off in my yarn estimate that’s just my fault. But if I run out of yarn on the last row, that’s qualified as a rip your hair out situation! Who would want to go out and buy an entire skein of yarn just to finish the last row?

Distractions – Sometimes I’m caught in a deep concentration not wanting to lose my place or idea. Then someone comes along and starts chatting with me. I don’t mean to be rude when I ignore them, but they just don’t get it…I’m crocheting here!

Counting – 1…2…3… I can count that, no problem. But when I have to count over and over again and for a very long time, it drives me nuts! Probably because I get bored counting, or my mind wonders elsewhere and then I have to start over again.

Weaving in end – I just wish that the ends of yarn would weave themselves in. It seems so tedious when I finish making something to tuck the ends in nice and neatly.

What are your crochet pet peeves? Come on, you can let it out…