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Crochet Hexagon Blanket – Part I

By on November 16, 2010 in Crochet, Crochet Hexagon Blanket, Projects

My blog is a bit drab, don’t you think?  It’s missing pictures of mesmerizing crocheted hats, dazzling yarns, and lavish crochet projects.

I apologize, but offer a remedy: snapshots of my newest project:  a crocheted Hexagon afghan.  This hexagon afghan is a custom order for a wonderful customer that I’ll be tracking through its inception. (speaking of Inception, good movie).

Hexagon Blanket Yarn

Project Deets: Inspired by the Crochet Hexagon Blanket on Attic 24‘s Blog

Yarn: Rowan Handknit Cotton

Hook: Crochet hook size E (3.5mm)

Completed Hexs as of 11-15-2010: 38 of 159

First Few Hexagons of the Crochet Hexagon Blanket

Top Right of Crochet Hexagon Blanket

Progress as of 11-15-10

It’s been incredible watching the afghan grow as I add each crocheted hexagon.  And with Attic 24′s Crochet Hexagon How-To, it’s been a breeze.  I especially appreciate her join-as-you-go technique to connect each hexagon as it’s made.  Would it be helpful if I did a video tutorial of how to crochet one of the hexagons?  Hmm… possibly in the works…

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The Advent of “Craft Show Season”

By on September 19, 2010 in Craft Shows, Projects

Every year without fail, Craft Show Season arrives.  These few weeks in September and October have become affectionately known as “CSS”.

“Want to go shopping this weekend?” my friends will ask innocently.

“No, sorry… it’s CSS.”  I respond.  They shrug knowingly, sometimes followed by a head nod or affirming pat on the back.

Anyone who’s not a crafter might not realize the gravity of CSS and how it shapes your life.  I have an upcoming show this weekend, Harmony Grange Festival, and it will mark the opening of my 3 week CSS.  I have been prepping for months: crocheting hats to have a decent inventory, screwing dowel rods into bases to make hat stands, painting wooden letters to fashion a sign, saving $1 and $5 for the past couple weeks months so I have change for the big spenders.

You can’t underestimate the power of CSS; those unprepared will not survive.

Especially in college, CSS is an interesting time of year.  I have done two-day shows where I got 3 hours of sleep because I chose to stay up and crochet more hats.  I have driven 50 minutes in the wrong direction before realizing it and arrived late to shows.  I have endured 35 degree weather with nothing but the shelter of a blue EZ-up tent to protect me from the ranging winds.  I have done homework in McDonald’s restaurants.  I have tried to sell warm crochet hats to people eating snow-cones in August.  It has rained, it has been warm.  I have worked 28 hours and driven 6 hours in one weekend.  During CSS, I’ve done it all.

That being said, I wouldn’t trade CSS for anything.

I love it.  Absolutely love it. The people, the selling, the relationships, the experiences.  Some people remember my booth from previous years and when I hear, “Ohhh – there’s the hat lady!”  it makes all those sleepless nights worth it (well, only if they buy something, really).

Three craft shows in Western Pennsylvania will culminate my 2010 CSS:

If you’re in the area, stop by and see my new booth setup or ever better, pick up your very own JJCrochet hand-crocheted hat!    And please, if I look tired, don’t tell me.

For those who can totally relate to CSS, here’s are two good articles to make your CSS seamless:

All the Best and Happy Craft Show Season!

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25 Hours of Labor and an Afghan is Born

By on June 27, 2010 in Crochet, Projects

You might remember this post where I challenged myself to crochet an afghan in a day.  What was special about this challenge was three things:

  1. As stated before, I DON’T crochet afghans
  2. This wasn’t one of those quickie 5 hours patterns; this afghan required crochet and sewing together 33 individual motifs
  3. Used a size G crochet hook.  Not the ideal hook size when looking to bang out an afghan in a day

I was up to the challenge and finished this afghan in 25 hours.  Yes, one hour longer than my original goal of completing it in a day.  One measly little hour.  BUT, I will say that I didn’t try all that hard, either.  Sure I crocheted a ton more than I typically do during the day, but I had a leisurely dinner with a friend, got 8 hours of sleep…. so, ya know. I could have finished the afghan in one day if I really *tried*.  At least that’s what I tell myself.

Pros of the project:

  • Finished in almost a day
  • Used up scrap yarn
  • Ignited a new love of working with bright colors
  • Instant Baby Gift

In love with this baby blanket?  This crocheted baby blanket is available for sale in my Etsy store OR make your own  using the free crochet baby blanket pattern found here.

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Crochet Hexagon Blanket… In a day?

By on June 8, 2010 in Crochet, Projects

I came across this awesome hexagon design for an afghan.  The only problem?

I don’t crochet afghans.

They take too long, give me visions of creap-o acrylic, and I can’t understand why someone would choose a blanket made from yarn over am-in-a-spa? squishy fabric.  I don’t even like saying the word.  Afff-ghan.  af-GHAN.  af-a-gan.  Ew.

I can’t control my fingers, though, and when they see something they like, they must crochet it.

I’ve modified the pattern a bit so I only do 5 rounds in each hexagon (the pattern calls for 7) because I noticed it was after the 5th round that I would start to get bored.  See, I was serious about this whole hating afghans things.

But I’ve been working since around 11am and 5 hours later, here’s my progress.  I must say that I’m really enjoying this pattern.  In fact, I’ve kinda been addicted to it.

I’ve made it my goal to get it finished by tonight.  Ambitious?  Maybe, but we’ll see.  I have 22 hexagons finished and figure I only have 11 more to go.  Average in at 9 minutes/ square, that’ll take me around 2 hours + seaming… might be a late night.

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DIY Sew-In Fabric Labels

By on June 7, 2010 in Projects

My goal this summer is to brand my business.  Practically, that means a new logo for JJCrochet, blogging, more free crochet patterns, and sew-in fabric labels for my hats.  (Ohh, big goals I know).  I got a new logo thanks to Sarah McDill on Etsy’s Alchemy and wanted to put it to use in my quest of creating a cohesive image.

After browsing Etsy, I found it would cost between $.15 and $1.00 PER LABEL to have my design printed.  I forgot to mention, but as part of this quest, the goal is to be as frugal as possible.  I can’t afford to spend that much on labels, ambitious summer quest or not.

In a search for a cheaper solution, I came across this incredible tutorial by Patchwork Pottery on how to make your own sew-in fabric labels.

All you need to make these fabric sew-in tags are:

  • 1/2 inch cotton twill tape
  • Computer and Photo Editing Program (to make your label template)
  • T-shirt transfer paper
  • Scissors
  • Iron

I bought the supplies, made the template, printed, cut, ironed, peeled, cut again, and viola – labels! On my first run through, I made 75 labels for under $5.  Victory.  $.06 per label – Eat that, you fabric label price gougers!

Click here to view the complete tutorial.


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Free Pattern Friday – Knitted Hat & Pattern: Tie-Cord Baby Hat

By on May 28, 2010 in Free Pattern Friday, Free Patterns, Knitting, Projects

Free knitting pattern – Newborn Tie-Cord Hat


This knit baby hat was my first venture into the world of DPNs.  After watching this Youtube video on how to knit with double pointed needles, I finally mastered the technique.  I had heard knitting with DPNs was equivalent to wrestling with an octopus, but it wasn’t nearly as bad as everyone makes it out to be.  If you’ve never used big-bad (ooooh) DPNs before, try it.  I thought having to sew up circular knit projects when I was done was no big deal.  Wrong.  Knitting in the round on DPNs is so, so, so much better.  Try it… you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Free Pattern: Newborn Baby’s Knitted Tie Hat

Size: Newborn.  Finished hat measures 12″ in circumference and 5.5″ inches high, not including tie.

Materials

  • US size 8 (5.0mm) double pointed needles
  • ~75 yards worsted weight yarn
  • Darning Needle

Pattern

CO 45

Knit in Stockinette Stitch (K every round) until hat measures 4″ from bottom.

Begin to decrease.

Round 1: (K3, K2tog) around

Round 2: (K2, K2tog) around

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2, decreasing until only 4 sts  remain.

Continue to K4 sts to form an i-chord that measures 6-7″.

Bind off.

Use Darning Needle to Sew in Ends.

Loosely knot i-chord at top of hat.

Laugh at all your other friends who knit this on straight needles and have to sew up the seam.

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Roy's Knitted Baby Sweater

By on May 27, 2010 in Knitting, Projects

I’d had my eye on this free knitting pattern on Ravelry: Baby Sophisticate for a while.  I’ve never really had an excuse to make it, though.  I’m a single 21-year old that has zero use for a knitted baby sweater.

Enter my good friend who’s pregnant with her second kid.  (Suz, I’m sorry if you’re reading this, just act surprised when I give this to you the next time I see you.) On Monday, I learned she was having a boy and cast on for this knitted baby sweater Monday night.  Finished it by Tuesday.  Can’t stop looking at it.  For more project details and where you can get this free knitting pattern for this baby sweater, check out my finished project page on Ravelry.

Only downside: My friend isn’t due ’til October so it’s another 5 months until we can try it on her little tyke.

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Quite Possibly the Best/ Worst Thing I've Crocheted

By on February 2, 2010 in Projects

I love to crochet so when I became the 2009 – 2010 Sweetheart of the awesome brothers of Omicron Xi (aka the Okies), I thought of a way to combine my love of the Okies with my love of crocheting.  I mean,  Fraternities and crocheting, what could be a more natural pair?

The result of my brainstorming: A men’s crocheted sweater with the fraternity’s Greek letters, OE, worked into the design.

I didn’t take pictures of the sweater before I gave it to the boys, but here is one fine-looking Okie modeling the Okie sweater at the annual OE Christmas party.

This sweater is quite possibly, just maybe, the best and simultaneously the worst crocheted item I’ve ever made.  I look at the sweater and can’t help but laugh (as did the majority of my girl friends when I showed them), but when I gave it to the Okies, they loved it and that’s what really matters in the end.  At least that’s what I tell myself so I don’t retire my hooks for good.

Pattern: Men’s crochet sweater pattern from Debbie Stoller’s  The Happy Hooker +  chart of Crocheted Greek Letters

Yarn: 10 skeins of Vanna’s Choice in Red, 1 skein of White

Hook Size: J crochet hook

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