Deadlines Do Make the Best Diets
Well, I have good news – crochet is no longer making me fat. In fact, it’s become just the opposite. I have been so wrapped up in getting all my designs out of the door on time that I have not been eating (or sleeping!) much. I finally got on the scale after about 6 weeks and I have lost 10 pounds. Now I know why all of my pants have been falling off….it seemed strange, but it did not dawn on me that I had actually lost weight. YIPEE – I think this calls for a celebration…..more hook time it is!
A Bit of Inspiration From Miss Babs
I am slowly but surely getting back to normal after nearly a week in “crochet heaven” at the CGOA Chain Link Conference in Greensboro, NC. One of the first things I wanted to share is some inspiration I picked up from Miss Babs for one of my latest designs. This is her “Yet” lace – an unbelievably soft blend of 65% merino wool and 35% tussah silk – in the colorway Filefish. Isn’t the mixture of rich colors amazing?
I will be having fun with this yarn all weekend as I work to turn my sketch into a reality. I can’t wait to share more details! And, thanks Miss Babs for the incredible fiber delight! Yummy!
New Tunisian Crochet Hooks Are a Dream Come True
This weekend I had the pleasure of taking a test drive with the new Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet hooks available through WEBS. Not only are they beautifully made, it is pure joy to stitch with them. The ergonomic design of the hooks makes them extremely comfortable to hold and the colors are absolutely mesmerizing. In fact, each size is color-coded, making the hooks easy to identify, grab and go.
The Dreamz Tunisian crochet hooks range in size from E (3.5 mm) all the way up to 12 mm and come in vibrant shades of purple, green, orange, raspberry and teal. Simply put – they are a must for every Tunisian crocheter’s upcoming holiday wish list. The basic set, which is less than $55, comes with 8 hooks (US sizes E, G, 7, H, I, J, K and L), 4 cables (one 24”, two 32”, and one 40”), cable connectors, 8 end caps, 4 cable keys and a clear carrying case.
Personally, I enjoy the feel of wooden hooks the most compared to metal or plastic ones – there is something about the weight and the natural texture that I find pleasing. The Dreamz hooks are made from densified laminated birch wood, which was selected with the test of time in mind. Birch wood is harder than other woods, like ebony and rosewood. It has minimal water absorption too, reducing the chances of warping and allowing the hooks to remain strong. Each Dreamz hook is topped with a low-gloss finish to enhance the intrinsic beauty of the wood and keep them smooth to the touch.
Well, I am sure like me you are asking – yes, these are pretty but why do I need another set of Tunisian crochet hooks. I asked Kathy Elkins, who owns WEBS along with her husband Steve, this very question. “The Dreamz hooks are similar to some other Tunisian crochet hook sets out there in all the ways we love – cords in different lengths, a great range of hook sizes and stoppers for each cord – but then they are different and so much better!” she explained.
The added bonus that comes with these Tunisian crochet hooks is the perfect blend of well thought out design elements – namely, a novel screw-and-key mechanism that allows the hooks to seamlessly connect to the cords, extra long nylon cords that don’t kink, and a streamlined shape for crocheting ease.
“Not only is the color-coding by size a terrific and unique feature, the join is virtually seamless and the transition from cord to hook is gradual and smooth with no step-ups or bumps to catch your stitches,” Kathy continued. “Since the join is screwed together and you have the locking pin to get it nice and tight, your hooks and cords won’t separate. Finally, the hooks themselves are fantastic with an inline shape, a nice deep throat and a not-too-pointy tip; so, you don’t have to worry about splitting your stitches. And while not as slippery as the Addi’s, I have tried almost every fiber with these hooks and NOTHING catches on the surface.”
Of course, I took this as a challenge and had to try the hooks out on a range of yarns in my stash too. The hooks glided through everything from mohair to merino to acrylic without a glitch. Here is a sample of one of the hooks in action with Gems, 100% merino wool yarn, by Louet. FYI – this is a Tunisian crochet lattice stitch pattern that I have been playing around with for an upcoming design. Stay tuned for more!
An American Success Story
Although made in India by KnitPro, the Dreamz line is part of the next chapter for WEBS, a true American family business. The full line includes single-end crochet hooks in 13 sizes, interchangeable knitting needles, fixed circular needles, as well as double pointed and straight needles.
The history of WEBS is a beautiful story and an inspiration to all of us who wish to turn our passion into a paycheck. “WEBS was founded in 1974 by my mother-in-law, Barbara, and her friend. It started in the basement of Barbara’s home and the focus was to teach people to weave,” recounted Kathy. “Eventually the family wanted the basement back and her friend decided business was not for her, so they parted ways. Barbara leased an 800 sq. ft. retail space in Amherst, Massachusetts; and, by the early 80′s, she added yarns for knitting and crochet.”
Over the next decade the business continued to expand and moved from a Victorian house in downtown Amherst to a larger location in Northampton by 1992. Ultimately, though, WEBS landed on some prime real estate in the virtual world after Barbara’s husband, Art, read an article on the importance of the internet in the Wall Street Journal and purchased the url www.yarn.com.
Eventually, by early 2002, Barbara and Art had passed the reigns to their son Steve and daughter-in-law Kathy. “Art and Barbara asked us a couple of times if we were interested in joining the business, which we politely declined. By 2001, Art and Barbara were ready to move on and had finally found a buyer. They came to see Steve and I that fall – one last-ditch effort to convince us to take over the business,” Kathy said. “They came with financials, charts, and projections – the works. I decided it was a good decision for us and it took a few weeks, but eventually Steve agreed that taking over WEBS was the best for us.”
Today, WEBS has grown from a small mail order business to the go-to online destination for all things fiber related. Kathy and Steve pride themselves on listening to their customers and constantly improving to meet their needs. “We consider ourselves very fortunate to do what we do. We constantly remind our staff that knitters, crocheters and all fiber artists have many, many choices of where to shop. So, we have to always be grateful when we are their chosen destination and make their shopping experience the best it can be,” concluded Kathy.
In fact, the Elkins back all of their products 100%, including the new Dreamz line, and will replace any broken or damaged parts. For more information on the Knitter’s Pride Dreamz Interchangeable Tunisian Crochet hooks, visit WEBS online at http://www.yarn.com/.
Live Your Passion, Embrace the Hook
Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life.
Clearly, the entire world has been touched by the life of Steve Jobs. It’s no doubt that he will remain an inspiration for generations to come and his business has revolutionized every facet of our day-to-day lives.
I was touched this morning by this quote of his during the 2005 commencement address at Stanford. I immediately thought of my passion, crochet, and how I want nothing more than to eat, sleep and breathe it all day long. Some of us stitch for fun and some of us stitch because we have to – it’s our creative outlet. It’s our gift of beauty back to the world. Much like the iphone, ipad, ipod, and Mac computers were all Jobs’ gift of beauty to us.
So, my point is that I resolve today to embrace my hook and live out my dream…no matter what. Thank you Steve Jobs for inspiring me to do. Rest in peace.
Where NOT to Crochet
I find that I am constantly asking myself – is it okay to crochet here or there? I love to sneak in a few stitches while on the go. There are only two places that I won’t break out my yarn and hook, Sunday Mass and work. I am afraid that I will get swept up into the stitches or the pattern. With that said, though, I have come to realize that I am much better – I think clearer and am more focused – after I have crocheted. Even a few minutes does wonders for me. When I am stressed, I crochet. When I am angry or upset, I crochet. When I need a moment to find myself or just want to relax, I crochet. When I am feeling creative, I crochet. Simply put, I would crochet 12 hours a day, if I could.
Well, the good news is that for the next several days I will be at a place where crochet is not only tolerated, it is celebrated. I am headed to the Chain Link conference in Greensboro, NC, and there will be no need to ask if it is okay to crochet there. I am so excited and I thought I would give everyone a sneak peek at some of the “yarn goodness” I am packing in my bag for the nearly five days of nothing but crochet.
Of course, I will be sure to report back once I return home. I can’t wait to see the fashion show and design competition winners - not to mention the fact that I am going to be rubbing elbows with my crochet idols. I also have some wonderful classes and seminars on my itinerary. Stay tuned and if you are there, I’ll be the one in the midst of a non-stop crochet binge!
Out of the Mouths of Babes….
Yesterday, my six-year-old introduced me to one of her friend’s mom – “This is my mom. She’s a yarn person.”
I couldn’t resist chuckling. And, I replied, “Yes, I am a yarn person. I am in love with yarn.” I guess my kiddos know me after all and what makes me tick. It sure is nice to be understood by your family. 
I’ve been a little quiet on the blog lately – but, my hooks have been working over time. I am preparing for the CGOA conference in Greensboro, NC, which is in 10 days, and I am finishing up my latest design. Not to mention, the tech editing work that I have been doing in my “spare time” and the book proposal that I am determined to finish. Yikes! I am in crochet heaven!
Registration for the CGOA conference, Chain Link, is still open. There are some great classes available to pump up your crochet skills to the next level and it’s a wonderful opportunity to bond with fellow crochet enthusiasts. I have dreamed of going to this for years and this year, my dream is coming to fruition.
Happy Stitching! I hope to see some of you all at Chain Link!
Great New Video – Tunisian Crochet Intarsia
This is a great video to add intarsia to our repertoire of Tunisian Crochet techniques. It’s very clear and informative. Thanks Beth at Crochet A Trunk Full O’ Fun!
A Beautiful Tribute to Jean Leinhauser
This video was shown at the induction of Jean into the new, now named, Jean
Leinhauser CGOA Crochet Hall of Fame during the CGOA conference in Minneapolis last month.
Hooks A’ Blazing
My hook has never been so busy and I have never been happier with regards to my crochet. I am juggling life and managing to squeeze in about 3-4 hours of hook time each day. Pure bliss! I’ve been working mostly on my own designs and it is such a cathartic process to go from initial concept to reality. Best of all, I am working with some of the most amazing yarns available. It’s almost like a dream come true.
A few weeks ago, I gave a sneak peak of the yarn I am using in my latest design, which will be published in the Fresh Designs Crochet: Shawls book by Cooperative Press. It’s Poet Seat by Kangaroo Dyer – a hand-dyed blend of superwash merino (50%) and silk (50%) yarn. So, I thought I would wet your appetite for a bit more….here is the yarn worked up in a Tunisian crochet lace stitch that’s featured in the design.
I love the stitch definition with this yarn and the feel as it glides softly across my hand, but boy do I lament the fact that I crochet rather slowly. Recently, I have become sort of a Lily Chin groupie – last month I read her Couture Crochet Workshop
Happy Stitching!
Can Crochet Make a Difference?
Courtesy of the Wisconsin Historical Society - Katherine (Kate) Quinney crocheting while seated on the running board of a Ford Model T in the yard of her family's farm in Elkhorn, Wisconsin, ca. 1915.
It’s no secret that I like to make pretty things with a hook and yarn. I do it because it makes me happy; I’m pretty good at it; and, it let’s me show others how much I love them or have been thinking of them. It’s also a creative conduit for me – it allows me to release a bit of energy and all of the ideas flooding through my brain.
However, while sitting in the movie theatre tonight, watching The Help, I started to wonder if crochet had the power to make difference. Certainly crochet
- makes people warm
- makes people smile
- makes people feel loved
- makes people feel pretty, sophisticated, etc.
But, do a few stitches have the power to change the world….or at least a country….like a few words can? I am always encouraged when I see or hear stories about ordinary women doing something extraordinary. And, I started thinking about all of those women, going back for generations, doing the seemingly simple task of stitching layettes and sweaters and dresses and sofa coverings and blankets and tablecloths and you name it, and what that meant for their family and for themselves. And, I started thinking about the women who have touched the lives of people they will never meet because they have taken time to crochet for someone in need. And then, I started thinking about the women who fed their families, and even those that fed a nation during the potato famine, from stitching….and then I concluded that YES, crochet can make a difference.
So, when I stitch, it is not some pointless exercise, it is an opportunity to touch the lives of those around me in a positive way. Sometimes, it is an opportunity to feed my family while doing something I love. I may not inspire a nation to change course with my handiwork, but I can spread a bit of the antidote for all of life’s evils because it’s made with love.
Happy Stitching!
