I’m here to tell you it is okay. Good crocheters sometimes make ugly things! I’m not talking about things that are so ugly they’re cute. Because as creative people, that would be something we would have meant to do. I’m also not talking about “ugly pretty,” which is a term most often used on America’s Next Top Model. The way it would translate into crochet might be the captivating effect of when you bring two garish yarn colors together and they look so interesting together that you love the outcome. But I’m not talking about that. I’m talking about crochet ughs!
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That sweater! You love it and you have to make one! When you feel motivation like this, you know that you’ll practice project monogamy and work on it and only it until you can wear it proudly. But since this is a significant investment of time and attention, you want to make SURE the final product is one that you’ll absolutely love. You need to KNOW that will be well worth the time, effort, and I’ll say it, MONEY that you’re about to put in.

There is nothing worse than the following scenario: You’ve spent a lot of time thinking, comparing, asking for advice, and dreaming about your perfect yarn. You’ve excitedly selected it right down to the color that will perfectly compliment your wardrobe. You anticipate the package arriving at your doorstep, and eagerly tear into it to find that the COLOR of this yarn, this perfect, perfect yarn is just… not what you thought. Crestfallen.

Actually, this did happen to a friend of mine, and this exactly why a color card can save your life!

If I had only known

We all know that crochet is a beautiful and versatile craft. We can crochet almost anywhere and all we need is just a yarn and hook, right? While that certainly is true, it is also true that crochet can be done with one fewer item. Leave your hook at home, people. You can now crochet with your fingers!

In fact, “leaving my hook at home” is exactly how this technique came to light for me. I was recently on a road trip and I was excited for the drive because I had brought a current crochet project with me to work on in the car. I was excited until I realized that while I thought I had hooks in every size from E through J, for some reason my “I” hook was missing! Doh! Why is it always the “I” hook?
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It’s not what you think! We know that crochet makes great little gift and treat bags, but this post is about other ways that crochet can be incorporated into your gift wrapping. For the purpose of this post, imagine a basic gift box which will be wrapped with paper. We’ll use crochet to embellish!

Since time is ticking down, we may have to resort to buying our Christmas gifts, but we can still incorporate crochet into the gift giving. 😀
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See? I told you it would be quick! I can’t believe our crochet along has almost ended. I wanted to give you all one last little push in order to get your hooks working and your cameras clicking.

Don’t forget! You can win a free pattern from the Crochet Spot store, or a free month of membership for premium members! 🙂 How cool is that?

You’ll be glad to know I’ve finished my rectangular vest and it’s completely fabulous. Sorry, no pictures of me modeling it, but I will post an instagram of my credit card holders, which will end up being gift card holders this holiday season! Those little cuties will be part of the final push, happening now!!

So get to stitching and posting, my friends!! The winner will be announced on December 1! Click here for the post with the patterns and where you can enter!

Have you seen that TV series on Netflix called Orange Is the New Black? Well, it’s like one of those series that just sucks you in and before you know it you’ve watched the entire season in just a few nights. The story is about a woman who spends 15 months in jail for being a drug mule – transporting drug money in a suitcase. The twist is that the “unlikely” protagonist is well educated, cultured and affluent. As you could guess, she seems like a fish out of water at the minimum security women’s prison in Connecticut.

It’s a fun show with rich stories, but the reason I’m writing today is of course about CROCHET! While watching the series, I was delighted to find several scenes where the prisoners sport crocheted fashions, like this adorable hat.

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Have you ever had to increase your productivity? Have you been busy at work but had a tight crochet deadline to meet? Ever wish it were possible to crochet with your feet?

I don’t know why, but this idea popped into my head and I did a youtube search for “crocheting with feet.” As it turns out, there is one video with uniquely talented crocheter Sarah Kovac actually crocheting with her feet!

The video shows Sarah creating a blanket by working modified double crochets with her toes! The blanket is spread on the floor in front of her. One foot holds the hook while the other wraps the yarn. She uses her big toe to ensure even tension while pulling the yarn through the loops. It really is quite impressive. While I imagine that foot crochet can be slow-going, at least you can do something else, like type or maybe fold laundry at the same time. Heck, maybe you can even crochet two items at once with this technique! That gives a new meaning to double crochet. 😀

Have you ever tried this? I haven’t yet but maybe one day if I’m bored, I’ll give it a try! 😀 At any rate, it’s good to know that someone can crochet “hands-free.”

Have you been stitching away on your projects for the Quick and Easy Holiday Crochet Along? Not done yet? Don’t worry. You’re so not alone! That’s why we call it a crochet along! I have been stitching in my rare free moments, and I guess I chose the largest project on the list, but I really wanted the vest, and besides, it is really pretty and really easy! 😀

Here is a photo of my work in progress. It’s getting there!

I’m not done yet, but I still wanted to share my pictures! I am hoping this will propel me forward and get me to finally finish this project! 🙂 The thing is, during CALs, you’re also supposed to share questions, advice, and comments on others’ projects! I thought I would start this conversation here in the comments so that we can (hopefully) chat back and forth.

Please share your progress pictures online – share here, on your facebook page, instagram, twitter, flickr, Ravelry, and even email to Rachel! Copy and paste the link here in the comments. Please note, this comment thread is only for progress pictures. It won’t enter you for the CAL prize. It’s just for fun!

“You go girl” & “Right on” comments to one and all are especially appreciated! 😀 You can even bookmark this page and check back often! 🙂 Now, go take a picture of your project and post it… Now! 🙂

We’ve come to the point in the year where the holidays really are just around the corner! How are you doing with your holiday gift crocheting? I’ve been touting the idea of crochet holidays on Crochet Spot for over a year now & it’s time to ramp it up! Did you use my holiday gift planning suggestions from back in July? Are you participating in the Quick and Easy Holiday Crochet Along that we’re all loving so much? What have you done, and what do you have left to do?
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Did you ever have a project that just haunted you? I mean, a project that you were really, really excited about but just fell flat? A project you have labored over for hours and hours only to have it look completely hideous when you put it on?

Let’s be honest, folks, they can’t all be winners.

Maybe you have guessed by now. I have such a project and I must be a glutton for punishment, because I am considering taking this crazy project up again. I can’t let it rest!!!
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