Archive | 2016

10 Tips For Crocheters and Knitters. Can you guess what they are?

Here are my 10 Tips for Crocheters and Knitters: 

Crocheting and knitting are two of my favorite pastimes.  I really enjoy spending my time in a comfy chair with my yarn and hook (or needles).  So many people ask me to give them some tips for becoming great crocheters or knitters.   Here is some advise/ tips that I would like to share with you.  They might be different from what you’ve heard before but as many might know I feel that if you’re not having fun you’re not doing it right.  Fiber arts for me is about being able to express  my creativity in a positive way.  It’s about enjoying myself regardless of what others may think.  I have been crocheting for over 40 years.  When I was a young woman in my early 20’s people would always make the dumb commends such as, “Why do you crochet?  Isn’t that for grandmas?”   Well, I didn’t care I kept going.  Now I can say that yes I am a grandma and I am still crocheting and knitting.  Although I must confess that neither crochet or knitting are my strongest craft..can you guess what it is?  Well.. It’ sewing and quilting.  I can really rock a sewing machine.  (Without meaning to sound vain of course).  My mother taught me to sew when I was just 6 years old and those times sewing together with my mother are some of the happiest memories of my childhood.  Thank you mother for taking time to allow  me to enjoy my creativity.

Ok, onto the tips.  They are not in order of important I just had to write  them down.

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Can You Really Use Social Media to grow your Business? Yes, you can!

Using Social Media to Grow Your Business.  Here are a few tips.

It seems that everyday another social media platform comes around.   With so many platforms out there it can be confusing and even overwhelming.  For people like myself who are technology challenged it can seem even worst.   Sometimes I just want to put my head down and hide.   I must admit that I’m not the type of person who jumps on the bandwagon quickly.  I’m not what you would call an early adopter.   This has actually been a good and a bad thing.  On the good side: Did you know that recently a new app or was it a platform (I don’t know but doesn’t matter now) known as “Peach”  actually launched and went out of business within a few hours of launching their business. (Read article here )  On the bad side:  I am sometimes the last to get on board and get on board kinda late.   However with time I have come to realize that this is the world I now live in.  A world where everything seems to scream out for my attention.  What is a woman to do?

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Let’s celebrate 2016 with a Giveaway – Crochet and Knit Animal Lovie Books!

UPDATE:   GIVEAWAY IS NOW CLOSED

Let’s celebrate 2016 with a giveaway.  A choice of my Crochet or Knit Animal Lovie Blanket books.. woohoo!

I can’t believe it’s already 2016 and almost the end of January!  Where does the time go?  It seems the older I get the faster time seems to go.  I remember being a small child and feeling like a year to forever to end.  I wanted it to get to the end of course because that meant Christmas.   2015 was full of so many fun and new experiences.  One of them of course was release of my Crochet Animal Lovie book.   Later that year I completed a Knit Animal Crochet book which was released this month January 2016.   Some of you may have already seen it.

Both books are available at Joann’s,  Hobby Lobby and Walmart.  Some people have told me they have found it at other stores as well.  The Crochet Animal Lovie book also has a mini-book format that is available for sale only at Wal-Mart.  Unfortunately the Knit Animal Lovie book will not be made into the mini-book format.    Both books are also available for purchase online from LeisureArts.com   They also have a downloadable version.

I want to host a giveaway to welcome in 2016.  I will be giving away 3 signed copies of my Animal Lovie book.  The winners will be able to choose either the Crochet or Knit version.  I realize that everyone does both so this will give everyone a chance to choose the book the prefer.

To enter this giveaway just

1) become a member of this blog (It’s free and your info is never shared)  and

2)  add a comment below.  Something like “I want to win the Crochet Animal Lovie book”  or  knit book.

That’s it.   In 7 days I will choose the winners.  I will announce the winners with a follow-up blog post AFTER the winners have been notified.   The giveaway is opened worldwide.

These lovies are so fun and addictive to make.  They make perfect  gifts.   I hope you will enter the giveaway today and Good Luck!

P.S.- Be sure to share the post with your crafting friends.  Sharing is caring!  XOXO

 

Crochet Lovie Book

Crochet Lovie Book

Crochet Lovie Book

Crochet Lovie Book

Knit Lovie Book

Knit Lovie Book

Knit Lovie Book

Knit Lovie book by Yolanda Soto-Lopez

 

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Crochet a Granny Square Baby Sweater – Even beginners can make it!

Crochet Granny Square Baby Sweater – Sweet!

Granny Square Crochet Baby sweater

Even beginners can crochet this granny square baby sweater. Super easy and adorable.

Yes, you can crochet  a Baby sweater using only Granny squares.   By using only  basic granny squares and very easy sewing you can make this cute little crochet granny square baby sweater.    You will need 12 squares.

You can only any color combinations.  Here I used two colors a lilac and white.  If you like you can change colors on each row but I choose to work two rounds  of lilac with my last two rounds in white.  

I would recommend that you make your fourth row the same color on all your squares.  This will help to hide any seam work by using that same matching color to sew all your pieces together.  

This is a great way to use up your scraps of yarn as well.    If you don’t know how to sew your pieces together don’t worry I have included the link for an easy to follow video tutorial.  I show two methods for sewing your pieces together.  Choose whichever your prefer.  

This should fit a baby 6-9 months old.  If you need to make it bigger you could either  1)  Use a larger hook  2)  Add another row on the granny squares to make larger squares.  

Babies always need sweaters and this granny square crochet sweater makes a great gift.  It seems every time I give one of these as gifts they are really appreciated.   It works up pretty fast and people will be really impressed.  

One thing I also love about this is that they are versatile and can be customized for any baby.  Just simply choose your preferred colors.  Even camo yarn can be used for those babies of service members.  School colors are also a popular choice as are the traditional colors of pink for girls, blue for boys.  

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