I really liked this article from the Leisure Arts website about using everyday items that you have around the house in your crochet tool bag. The use-what-you've-got sensibility of these tips really appealed to me:
http://leisureartsblog.blogspot.com/2012/03/10-creative-crochet-tips.html
This article from Craft Stylish about how to edge fabric with crochet was eye-opening! Using your sewing machine to blanket-stitch or zig-zag the edge as the foundation row is genius! It looks a little fussy for large blankets, but I have been searching for an easy and clean way to edge handkerchiefs and I think this technique would be perfect.
http://www.craftstylish.com/item/26040/how-to-edge-a-napkin-or-anything-else-with-crochet
Cute visual tute on the magic loop! I dig the bluebirds!
http://pinterest.com/pin/228909593531157076/
Okay, this week I've got a project for you that I've been working on with my friend Kendra! It uses front-post double-crochet and back-post double-crochet stitches. If you aren't familiar with those stitches, now would be a great time to try them out! I really liked the picture tutorial in the first link.
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-front-post-double-crochet-fpdc/
http://www.crochetspot.com/how-to-crochet-back-post-double-crochet-bpdc/
**Want a hint about this week's project?**
Okay, some of you might have noticed that I consolidated some pages on the site this week. When I redesigned the Free Pattern Page to make it easier to navigate, the Theme Week Pattern Page became redundant. Also, I folded the Crochet DIY projects into the free patterns. There weren't a lot of them, and it no longer made sense to have a separate page for them either.
That freed up some space for me to add a Sample Shop! So, from time to time, when I have design samples left after photographing my projects, I will be adding them to the store. I will let you know at the end of pattern posts if there are any samples available for purchase.
One more item of business, before I go: Captcha. How annoying is it to you? I saw on my friend Rosamargarita's blog that she moderates her comments instead of requiring people to fill out the captcha. Honestly, it hadn't occurred to me that people might find it irritating before. So, now's your time to speak up! I'm starting to get some spam-like non-crochet-promoting comments (I am NOT talking about the amazing links that you guys leave me so that I can go check out your blog/etsy shop/or other fun crochet link. I LOVE those links and would be sad if you stopped leaving them!). The comments that I'm talking about are not from my Dyanmos, and they're not interested in adding to the fun conversations on the site. This is making me realize that I may need to begin moderating comments anyway. Anyone else been through this and have advice for me? I'd love to have another opinion or two (or thirty!).
xoxo
I Love your site! Captcha or not... don't matter to me!
ReplyDeleteHi sweetsusieg! Thanks! Double Dynamo points to you!
Deletexo Jaime
Great tips! I love post stitches and the wonderful textures they can create. As for that captcha thing, yeah it really bugs me, especially sometimes when it gets hung (this has not happened to me at your site yet) but then again some sites are worth the effort to comment at. However, I have to admit that if you are going to moderate anyway, then I will not be sad to see it go! LOL. :)
ReplyDeleteOops - forgot to add that I think putting your samples up for sale is a great idea! I have been toying with that idea as well since I plan on continuing to make an amigurumi a week for the next year. I hope it does well for you! I love the photos of you modeling your beanies!
ReplyDeleteHi Teeni! It's an experiment (sometimes it feels like EVERYTHING I do is an experiment). I'll let you know how it goes, so we can compare notes!
Deletexo Jaime
Thanks for the great tips, Jaime! I do some of them already, but especially loved the using nylons to wash musty smelling donated yarn and the dry eraser tips.
ReplyDeleteI don't mind that captcha thingies, if you can actually read the words, but find it very annoying when the words are so smushed together I can't figure them out. Which seems to happen a lot for me.
Hi Diane! The words always smush together for me too! In fact, one time I thought I would be so clever and use the audio play feature... Oh man, I had nightmares for a week! It was, like, the scariest voice ever, gibbering in nonsense! CAPTCHA is scary!!! LOL!!!!
DeleteOkay, I think that your's was the tipping point. I'm moderating... :D Thank you!
xo Jaime
omg..... if you're working on a pattern for what I THINK you are......!!!! my heart is afflutter (sp?) ! I don't want to say it aloud for fear of chasing it away. ;)
ReplyDeleteDon't let moderating take you away from this Very Important big project you're about to share! (captcha smaptcha - even if I have to make it give me a different "word", I manage to get comments through eventually... whatever)
xo!
♥ETF!♥
And that's why I love you so much! Boy I hope you're thinking what I'm thinking... We'll see tomorrow!
Delete♥ETF♥
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ReplyDeleteSome captcha are better than others. The smushed word ones can make you crazy though. As another reader of yours commented though, I would rather deal with that than to have you stressed out trying to moderate the comments.
ReplyDeleteAs for your "experiment" I think it is an awesome idea :) I really do love your ideas and based on your blog I think I would enjoy you as a "RL" friend :) On top of that, your daughter is close in age to my grand daughter and she is frequently the reason I am checking out patterns :)
Hi Sylvye! I think I'm going to try moderating for a week and see how much work it is. I can always put the captcha back on if it's not what I expected.
ReplyDeleteYou are too sweet! I would love being "RL" friends too! Our little girls could play together! I think this is my favorite thing about having this blog, I am overwhelmed by how many incredible people I've gotten the opportunity to meet! I feel lucky that we're online friends!
xo Jaime
Captchas always remind me that my eyes are old!
ReplyDelete