Happy New Year! So here’s the deal. Let’s make a pact and together take “The Crochet Challenge”. What, you may ask, is the crochet challenge? Great question!
The Crochet Challenge
You have three options to choose from:
- For the beginner – Learn to crochet
- For the crocheter – Write your own crochet pattern OR complete 5 unfinished crochet projects
- For the serious crafter – Try 5 new patterns and give what you make as gifts OR crochet and donate 10 crocheted items to the charities of your choice
Are you up for it? It won’t be easy, but what a great way to start out 2013! To help you begin, here are some links:
Learn to Crochet
- FANTASTIC Beginner Crochet Video Tutorials from Beth Nielson of ChiCrochet – Sersiously, she’s got everything
- Beginner Crochet Instructions (with pictures) from Stitch Diva
Writing a Crochet Pattern
- How-to Tips & Pattern Writing Info from Bella Crochet
New Crochet Patterns
- Ravelry – Huge site of free crochet & knit patterns, easy searching function
- JJCrochet’s list of free crochet patterns
- Grab your free version of this crochet newsboy hat pattern by filling out the form below
Crochet Charities
- Comprehensive list of free crochet and knit patterns for charity items from Lionbrand
- Search by organization type or zip code to find a local charity with Lionbrand’s Charity Connection
- List of national organizations that accept crochet donations from the Daily Crocheter
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If you’d like to take the 2013 Crochet Challenge and make it the year of crochet – Let’s go! Make sure you spread the word and let others know about the CC.
I’ll be posting a follow-up entry in a few weeks and if you’ve completed the CC, you’ll have a chance to win fun crochet things – more free patterns, crochet supplies, finished crochet items, etc. And if you’d like to submit what you’ve made as part of this challenge, you can have your photo featured!
Don’t forget to pass along: Click to share on Twitter or Click to share on Facebook.
Copy and past the code below to display the “I took the Crochet Challenge” badge on your blog:
<a href=”https://www.jjcrochet.com/the-crochet-challenge”>
<img alt=”i-took-the-crochet -challenge” src=”https://www.jjcrochet.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/crochet-challenge-300×137.jpg” width=”300″ height=”137″ /></p></a>
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P.S. This post is to celebrate my 7 year Etsy-versary celebration! Seven years ago on December 30, 2005, I opened JJCrochet’s Etsy store. Every year, I like to celebrate the day by having a giveaway. This year, I’m combining a free crochet pattern giveaway AND a New Year’s Crochet Resolution. Happy Etsy-versary to me and a very Happy New Year to you! **Thanks to all who participated in this free crochet pattern giveaway! Over 125 patterns were given away during a two week period. Enjoy!!**
Beth
January 1, 2013Thanks so much for the link! Love the challenge! Happy New Year!
kim dawson
January 1, 2013I saw a friend posted this on facebook. Its so funny since I had the flu last week and I wanted something to keep me busy while I laid on the couch and rested..so I made my DH go get me a beginner set of crochet hooks and some yarn. That was Dec 29th and I have been HOOKED since trying to learn by watching videos. I have made a canning jar cozy to hold me hooks and a little hat for a cute owl in my craft room.. currently I am working on a “colar” for my sons stuffed dog 🙂 Blessing to you~
Social
January 2, 2013I am so excited to do this!!! At the very least I have 5 projects that need to be finished!!! Thanks for the post!!!!
Mary Lynn
January 3, 2013I have a few projects to finished and, of course, so many new patterns to try. I will share your challenge with my friends via e-mail. Thanks again.
Jessica @ SunnyStitiching
January 4, 2013This challenge goes right along with a goal I’ve already set for the year – to write my own patterns! I’ve made things without patterns before but have never written them down or shared them. I’m excited for this new challenge in advancing my crocheting! I’ve already begun one pattern and will hopefully have it finalised soon for sharing. Happy New Year!
Jessica
Gayle L
January 8, 2013I just happened upon your site and this challenge and absolutely could not resist! I, as usual being a wannabe over achiever, took the hardest challenge, I believe. But, the reason is, you see, that I have oodles and oodles of yarn that has collected over the years, and I just moved from HOT Arizona back to my home state of COLD Montana and into my grandparents nearly 100 year home. And, I just feel beholden to my Grandma who taught me to crochet in this very home over 58 years ago, not to mention there just is no room to store all of this yarn. Besides, this challenge, makes me be accountable to someone else to complete crochet projects that are part of my New Years goals and will put me well on my way for Christmas gifts for later this year. Never too early to start, if you ask me. Thank you for the challenge! I already feel like I know you! Something about the kinship amongst people who crochet and anyone, actually, who loves to create beautiful items for gifts or charity. Well, I truly have rambled on at this early (or late) hour of 4:00 a.m. Couldn’t sleep. {{HUGS}} to ALL!!! Now onward and upward with the CC!! I AM SUPER EXCITED!! Can you tell? LOL!!! P.S. My website is a work in constant progress, so please don’t be too critical. I am still learning, but, again, another New Years goal I am working towards. I am not really sure, even, if I got the words for it in the right order. Okay, I am now rambling and regressing so will be quiet now. So sorry. ;))
JJCrochet
January 16, 2013Hi Gayle – Thanks for your comment! It’s great to meet a fellow crocheter. I’m glad you’re taking the challenge and are carrying on the crochet tradition of your grandma. I’m the only one who crochets in my entire extended family so I’m looking forward to passing it along to my kids someday. I checked out your website and it is good – I hope you keep it up and keep blogging! I especially liked the little girl’s crochet hats you made. The idea to tie a ribbon around the edge makes them quite cute. Thanks for sharing. 🙂
JJCrochet
January 16, 2013Happy New Year to you too, Jessica! I’m glad you’re taking the challenge. Please feel free to share any new patterns you write, I’d love to see what you come up with!
Tabitha
January 22, 2013I am so excited to join your crochet challenge for this year. I have been a crocheter for almost 20 years, but recently with life getting cray busy I have set this skill aside. Recently I’ve wanted to get back into it and your challenge is the perfect step to take.
I read your “bio” and was touched to see that you also are a believer in Jesus Christ. I have been a Christian for 35 years and my greatest passion in life is knowing and serving my Savior. With that in mind I have decided to add a twist to my crochet challenge for the year. I am going to make 10 projects and give them to people as a way to testify of Christ and His love, either as an attempt to open doors with unbelievers or as an encouragement to fellow Christians on this journey.
So thanks for the inspiration. Since finding your sight 3 days ago I have already made 2 baby hats, and 2 baby head bands. I love both patterns and can’t wait to bless others with theses little gifts!
If you get a minute, hop over and check out my blog. It is a testimony blog of God’s faithfulness in my life.
Tabitha
January 22, 2013One more thing…I have added a cute twist to your crochet hat with the heart. I sewed a button to the hat so that different things could be attached for different seasons. Then i designed a 4-leaf clover for St. Patty’s day and made one of your little birds with yellow and orange (to look like a duck) for Easter, and a heart from your pattern with a slightly bigger center to fit over the button. So now it is a winter seasonal hat! I am thinking of designing a little snowflake for the button as well!
JJCrochet
January 24, 2013Hi Tabitha – Thanks for taking the time to comment. It’s nice to meet a fellow Sister in Christ as well as a fellow crocheter! I love your twist on the Crochet Challenge and know you’ll have a big impact sharing your talents with others. I checked out your blog and was touched to read some of your stories as well as see your three beautiful boys. Thanks for stopping by – please keep in touch!
tia mia
January 27, 2013Is it too late to join the challenge?
JJCrochet
January 29, 2013Not at all, Tia – It’s never too late… We’d love for you to join the challenge!
Nadia
April 5, 2013Hi, lovely hat. Would love to give it a go. Havent done much other than dc and sc. Lovely to read that u are a fellow believer in the Saviour. Thanx for sharing.