So I'm starting to make stuff for Christmas presents. So far, I've made a hat and making a scarf to go with it. I'll take a picture of it once I'm done. I'm also hoping to make some more hats and scarves among other things as well. I'm looking into patterns that I can use for some of the presents this year. I'm not sure if I'm going to do what I did a few years ago where I made something for everyone in my family again or not. But if I do, I better get started on it soon. I've also printed off a few patterns from one of my favourite yarn brands website (Red Heart Yarns for those who are wondering).... And by a few.... I mean around 60 patterns... Some of which are actually Christmas patterns. So I'll probably make some of those patterns as Christmas gifts. I've also have quite the stash going for donations as well. It's funny to think about preparing for Christmas. For people who knit and/or crochet, we spend the summer months preparing for Christmas and the winter months. Then when the winter months come around, we prepare for the summer months and summer weddings.
On a side note, I've been requested to start a youtube channel sharing tutorials from one of my followers on Instagram. I have agreed to create a channel and will post the link as soon as I have a video or two on it. Until next time, fellow crochetaholics, Natalie
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There are many things that people can't live without, figuratively and literally. Food, water, and shelter being only some of the literal ones. If you're talking about hobbies, artists can't live without their chosen art materials (pencils, erasers, canvases, etc.). Musicians without their instrument and sheet music. Cooks without recipes and ingredients. As for us people who crochet and/or knit..... Yarn, yarn, and more yarn! I can't seem to get enough yarn. Thankfully I have a good stash right now. But when my yarn stash gets low and my finished products stash gets higher, I do have to admit, I get sad and a little bit empty...... Okay. You caught me.... A lot empty. But yarn isn't the only thing that I need to have for my crocheting. I also have several hooks, for both yarn and crochet thread.... Although I have yet to use crochet thread. I also have pom-pom makers, a yarn winder, pattern books, and a few baskets and buckets for my yarn. I also can't live without hand lotion. My hands do get dry when I work with yarn. Those things I can't seem to live without. They all have their uses when it comes to my crocheting..... For some people, they may say that I have an addiction..... But an addiction would imply that I would have a problem.... Right? But I am not going to admit that I am a crochet addict..... Although I will joke around that I am. I don't have a problem with crocheting. But I guess there are worse things to be addicted to if I were to admit that I am a crochet addict. Anyways. Those are the things that I can't seem to live without. What are your hobbies? What can't you live without?
Well, tonight is the Oscar's. I'm sitting here in my living room..... Crocheting...... Watching the Oscar's. That is how I am spending my Sunday night. I'm currently working on an Easter runner for my mom using the same stitch that I used for the shawl that I finished last week called "Iced Shell''. It will be one of the stitches that I will be adding to the stitch guide later on when I work on the Shell stitch section. It's been a work in progress so far. The basic stitches are done. But now it's time for the advanced stitches. It's a long process and trying to figure out what stitches to include. Please continue to let me know what you would like to see in the stitch guide and I will add it to the guide. So my question is, what is on your hooks tonight with your meeting with Oscar? What do you think of the awards?
So we all know that when someone that has an addiction, the first step in getting help is to admit that they have a problem. Right? Right. But what happens when that addiction is a healthy addiction? By healthy addiction, I mean something like music, art and other things like, well, crochet. I admit that I do have an addiction to crocheting. But that isn't a problem. Remember how my last post focuses on some of the health benefits of crocheting and knitting? That's exactly why I think that my hobby is more than just a hobby.... It's an addiction. I have literally crocheted everyday since New Years Day with the exception of two days last week. But that was sick with a 24 hour bug and getting over being sick (some Valentine's Day I had! Thankfully I didn't have any plans). But I have made up time from being sick with finishing a project right on time. THANKFULLY for that! I finished a shawl on Monday that I'm thinking of wearing for Easter this year. I'm currently making my mom an Easter runner. Both using a new stitch that I learned recently. I'm also thinking of having a page of stitches for your reference. Thoughts? Please let me know if this is something that you all are interested in.
A few weeks back, my aunt sent me, her sister, and one of her friends this link on the science behind why crocheting and knitting are good for you. Yes. I did say science. Who knew that this craft was scientific? I knew we needed to know how to do math. But science? Who knew! The article goes in depth about several reasons why it's healthy for people to crochet and knit. For one, it helps lower your heart rate and blood pressure. So if you need to relief some stress, just pick up your hook or needles. Another reason why it's healthy for you. It improves your math skills! Why? It's because you have to count and multiply when you knit and crochet. You also need to know how to read patterns. Which all uses math! So if you absolutely suck at math.... Pick knitting or crocheting! It also calms down your anxiety. This helps sooth your mind and helps you refocus. And that's not the only mental thing that knitting and crocheting can help with! It helps with your memory because you have to remember where you are in a pattern and what to do during each row. All these things are really interesting! There are more reasons why knitting and crocheting are good for you. So why don't you take a look at the article and let me know what you think! Why do you crochet and/or knit?
As 2016 closes, I am reminded how far this world has come. More and more Syrian refugees are arriving in the States and in Canada. The States elected a new president. A lot of great actors, actresses, and musicians passed away. Most recently George Michael and Carrie Fisher. I hope that all of you are doing the same as me for the families of these two remarkable people who made remarkable impacts in this world by keeping them in our thoughts and our prayers. I hope you all had a 2016 full of memories that you will never soon forget. Sooo..... Now we're looking forward to New Years and 2017. We tend to go into new years with the same wide eyes and new hopes that the new year will be a better year than the last. So with that said, I'm looking into 2017 with new projects on my hook with the whole basket full of yarn that I got for Christmas that I got as a gift from one of my aunts. I kid you not. A full basket..... Of yarn. With one complete skein of yarn, I've made a scarf with pom poms one both ends. Mind you, the scarf used one complete skein of yarn and I used part of another one for the pom poms. The yarn that I used was Craft Smart's Butter. This past Boxing Day, I treated myself with buying a yarn winder! I can honestly tell you that I LOVE having it, no more balls of yarn laying around! Plus it saves me on space! I have tested on some of the yarn that I have already had before Christmas and I love having them transformed into cakes before my eyes! YAY! It's clear to say that I'm off to a busy start to 2017! New year means new projects! I can't wait to share this journey with you! Feel free to share your journey too by posting on my Facebook page and my email!
Well, Christmas 2016 has come to a close. It's come and gone. Over and out. Done. Finished. Went into the history books. What else can I say? After dozens of donations made to two different places for both my dad's work and my church, presents made for my family and my sister's boyfriend, I have a since of accomplishment. Everyone LOVED their presents..... Especially my brother who practically lived in the blanket that I had made him while we were home. I kid you not. He had it wrapped around himself every chance that he got! I'm glad that he's enjoying it already and that he plans on continuing to enjoy it. These are the moments that I enjoy crocheting. I love knowing that whatever I make someone can easily be turned into a keepsake..... And who knows! Maybe even a family heirloom passed on from one generation to the next. I'm so grateful that my family is so supportive of my craft. Boy! Are they ever supportive! How supportive? 19 skeins of yarn, 2 pom-pom makers, 2 books of patterns, a yarn basket, and a gift card to the local yarn store later, that sounds pretty supportive to me! And that's so far! I still have 2 more Christmas dinners to go. But I'm not expecting anymore.
But enough with the stash that I got today.... Even though I am truly grateful for all the support for my hobby. I know that not everyone gets this kind of support and not everyone appreciates this hobby for the true art that it is. I do hope that all of you enjoyed your Christmas today for all those who have celebrated. I know that other readers celebrate other holidays this time of year as well. For all those who are celebrating different holidays, I hope you enjoyed or will emjoy being close to those who you hold dear to your hearts. I wish you all the warmest of wishes and the most joyful of days in the new year that is ahead of us. For all those crafters out there, keep on crafting and doing what you do best. |
AuthorNatalie lives in southern Ontario in the GTA (Greater Toronto Area). She loves to crochet, read, and spend time with friends and family. Archives
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