Tag Archives | Easy Crochet

Online Courses coming soon!

I can’t believe it’s actually happening.  Thanks to everyones support and encouragement I have taken a giant leap.  (OK, it’s giant for me)  As many of you may know I’m not exactly what you would call a “techy”.  As a matter of fact I really struggle with this aspect of sharing my content with everyone.  You see I don’t come from a technology background and sometime I feel totally out of it.   There are times when I listen to people speaking about their sites and use terms like SEO traffic optimization, shopping-cart,  updates,  SSL, etc… to me it might as well be Greek.   I must admit that technology has always kinda scared me.

I don’t know if it’s part of getting older and being used to old school methods.  For example I still actually mail people letters.  Seriously, I love getting a letter in the mail.  Greeting cards are even better.  So, when technology has been a difficult transition.  However, you know what they say innovate or die.  I don’t want to die…… so I have done it.   I have joined the platform called “New Kajabi”    This has been a huge investment for me.   So far it seem easy enough for even me to use it.  What it will allow me to do is something that I have been working on for a very long time.  Create courses that are more detailed, better organized and easily accessible.  I have been searching for a platform that would allow me to do this and reach more people.  This is something that I am really excited about.   This is how it will work:  (OK, this is how I want it to work, fingers crossed.)   I create courses and projects you have requested and upload them to the platform.   I can organize them as single projects of complete courses with several modules.   The modules can include written patterns,  video tutorials,  user feedback, and tons of other great features such as subscriptions/memberships.

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A Crochet Snowman Ornament….Fast, Cute and Easy!

Crochet Curly Q snowman ornament

Easy Crochet Snowman ornament

Easy Crochet Snowman Ornament

Christmas season is in full swing.  It seems every store has their Christmas decorations up and on display.  I see so many cute Christmas ornaments.  Some affordable and others not so much.  Since time seems to be at a premium I wanted to share a quick project.  These little snowman ornaments meet the requirements of quick, easy and cute.   We used to make these little ornaments when we were kids so it brings back great memories.   You can use them on the tree or put them on your presents in place of a bow.

You can make them with any type of yarn (and weight) and hook size.   Of course the bigger and heavier the yarn the bigger the snowman.   This is a good project for using up your yarn scraps.    I uploaded a youtube video tutorial and it has been well received.

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Help! I need you to participate in our annual Hat & Scarf Drive

I am writing this post to ask for help.  That’s right, I can’t do it alone.  For over a decade now my husband and I have been supporting the Lily of the Valley orphanages in Mexico.  There are 3 total (so far).  1 is located in Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico and 2 others are located in the state of Chihuahua, Mexico.   Each Christmas I like to coordinate a Hat and scarf drive for the children of the orphanages.   This is a chance for children to receive a new hat and scarf set made with love.   This year once again I am running the drive.   We are in need of hats and scarfs for both sexes and for ages Infant to 18 years of age.
You can make any style of hat.  It can be crochet, knit, loom, or sewn.  Our goal is to receive 800 sets.  This will ensure that each child will receive a set.  I would also like to request baby blankets (approximately 33 x 35 inches) or lap afghans for the younger children.  Many people seem surprised to learn that Mexico has some very cold regions.  Not every part is tropical.   I hope you will consider participating.

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Filming the balloon Drop. Sometimes I just want to have fun

Filming the Balloon Drop was more work than we ever imagined

Sometimes I just want to have fun.  I enjoying creating video tutorials and sharing the things I love to make with others.   As many of you may know my main focus has been on my YouTube channel “All Crafts Channel”.   I like to make videos where I share the crafts I enjoy.    I have been starting to feel a little boring lately so I decided to film a fun channel intro.    Together with my son and husband I filmed a new intro this week.  We filmed a Balloon Drop for our intro.

Screen Shot 2016-07-05 at 11.36.18 PM

I must admit it appeared much more spectacular in my mind…. Yeah, I had delusions of grandeur.   First we had to gather all the supplies we would need to film the intro.   We inflated 50+ balloons the old fashioned way;  Lung Power.   My husband suffered a little light headedness but we got all the balloons inflated.  We also used party-poppers and confetti guns for the shoot.   If you listen carefully you can hear them popping in the background.    In order to release the balloons we have to set up a backdrop frame and draped a large sheet over it.  We then poured (carefully) the inflated balloons onto the sheet which was being held up by my husband and son.  They stood up on step-stools.   I then ran to the camera and started filming.   Once I said the tag line my husband and son released the balloons.   After releasing the balloons they (and I) set off the party poppers.  I used a confetti gun which was purchased at Smart-n-Final store.  My husband also had a confetti gun.  My son set off most of the party poppers.     Oh, did I mention that we were in the middle of a heat wave.. and it was super hot in the living room.

Check out the video of the balloon drop on the next page.

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How to Measure Gauge; What is it? Why should I care?

Tool for measuring gauge on knit and crochet

Tool to Measure Gauge on crochet and knit items

Learn to Measure Gauge

In this post you will learn how to measure gauge.  Have you ever wondered what gauge was and why you should care?   I get a lot of people that say they never make a gauge swatch and that they really don’t understand gauge.   If you have been fortunate enough to create garments that fit without making a gauge swatch let me say that one day your luck may run out.  What probably happened is that you were working very close to the gauge indicated on the pattern.   Lucky you!

Gauge refers to the number of stitches and rows a knitter or crocheter makes per inch using a certain yarn and needles or hook.  Since not everyone crochet or knits with the same tension (this affects gauge), it is a very good idea to make a gauge swatch before beginning a new project.   There are items that you can crochet or knit in which gauge isn’t critical.  However if you are working on certain items like garments it is important to be able to match the gauge that is specified in the pattern instructions.  This will ensure that your item/garment is the same size as the size the designer intended when designing the item and that the amount of yarn required (as specified in pattern) is sufficient to complete your project.

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