I love the idea of crocheting appliques because they are quick and satisfying. I have seen a number of them on different items for babies and children. They look great on everything from onesies to sweaters to jumpers! Appliques can also be a great way to spruce up a tote bag. It is a wonderful way to add a quick, handmade touch to birthday or holiday gift.
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The pineapple is a very traditional, completely beautiful, crocheted lace pattern. Pineapple patterns (both representational and symbolic) have been found in needlework books dating back to as early as the 1840s, but the recorded history of the pineapple as fruit and symbol goes back to hundreds of years before that.

Pineapple is native to the Caribbean, and the indigenous Carib people used to place a “nana” at the entrance to a village to signify welcome to guests. As the fruit was spread to other regions by Christopher Columbus, among others, the tradition of the pineapple as a welcoming symbol also spread.
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Perhaps the best part of stashing down is rediscovering skeins of yarn that you can now put to work! This pattern round up is designed to help you use favorite yarn oddments quickly, and also to blaze through large yarn lots in no time.

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Let’s have some fun. Nothing’s really 100% foolproof, right?

Crochet Spotters, I love you! Thank you! You’ve seen my worries about my yarn overload. You’ve heard me fret about creeping toward SABLE (Stash Acquisition Beyond Life Expectancy). You’ve honored me with comments of support and commisseration. You’ve provided me with helpful tips. You’ve offered me alternative viewpoints that I’ve never before considered.

And now a couple of weeks have passed and I have to put my stash down plan into print and into action. I hope you’ll join me, too.

Based upon your generous comments, I can see that some Crochet Spotters can be plotted on the following Venn Diagram:

Do you see yourself in this diagram?

Well, hopefully the following plan will help us all. Hey, you never know. The idea is to stash down, pay it forward, and have fun doing it. Are you ready? Let’s go!
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Crochet Spotters always come through. When I wrote last week’s post about having a seriously large stash, I wasn’t prepared for the wonderful flood of responses I would get. Thank you so much to Maryisidre, 1001knits, Doug, Melissa, and Kim Domingue, who made me feel not so alone!

With your encouragement (and great ideas) I think I am (just about) ready to tackle my stash. I know how to do this in theory, but in practice it takes a bit more preparation, drive, and willpower. While I was not in my space, but had some free time, I imagined what I would do and how I would do it. I am happy to report that I have a plan (kind of) but I can tell this is going to be a serious undertaking. The plan needs a little more work, but in the meantime, I am honored to share the following:
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So here I am asking a question I never thought I would ask: Is it possible that I have too much yarn?

Image modified from CollegeDegrees360 via flickr
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I am a “professional auntie!” This means I have a huge number of nieces and nephews (at least a Baker’s Dozen), and I’m not actually related to any of them! It’s great being a professional auntie who crochets because if I ever feel the need to impulse crochet something cuter than cute I have an instant reason to do so!

Look! I found a baby-friend!

Yeah, I said it! I love granny squares and with a granny square there is almost nothing you can not do! People sometimes say, ‘This isn’t your grandmother’s crochet.’ I know what they mean by that. They are trying to get at the idea that crochet is fresh, hip, and fun. But who said that grannies aren’t all of those things? I think it depends upon the person! Let’s talk about grannies!

My grandmother was a really interesting and cool person for all of her years. She was someone who, while keeping her foundation firmly implanted, kept moving forward, learning, growing, and changing with the times. I learned perseverance from her and she served as a strong role model. Through her example I know that we never have to stop changing, and never have to stop growing.
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Travel has been on my mind lately as it’s the summer up here in the Northern hemisphere and I have personally had occasion to board a flight or two recently. For me it is second nature to take crochet virtually everywhere I go, but I think it’s worth it to outline a few basic points about airport crochet. Crochet is an ideal craft to take with you while traveling by air. Nowadays it is pretty easy to pack and get the basic tools through security. While traveling in the airport and on the plane, crochet provides a welcome sense of relaxation while productively passing the time.
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This project is a classic. Loved by beginners and seasoned crocheters alike, this swath of crocheted fabric is used over and over again. It is loved and appreciated. It offers comfort and cleanliness. It gives us a chance to test our skills. It helps our gauge swatches find life in various rooms in the home. The most elegant, essential crochet project ever? It’s the crocheted washcloth.

I don’t know if you’ve ever thought of a washcloth this way, but bear with me for a moment, because I think I have a pretty good case.
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