When you don't drink coffee...

I don't drink coffee... but at a dinner, instead of giving back the coffee mug... what else is a crocheter to do? This was at the CGOA banquet this past summer in Charleston... so not completely shocking ;)

Crochet and Buttons

Like many of you perhaps, I have inherited my mom's button box. It's in this large cookie tin from a Christmas a lifetime ago. I have added to the box over the years but when I dig down to the bottom and swirl around the buttons, it's a sound like no other sound. There are buttons probably from the 1950's in there mixed with buttons from this year. 

One of my favorite sociology professors in college said that America was not so much a melting pot but was more like a salad bowl. We all belong but we still have our unique identities. Kind of like this button box, we are varied and all belong. 

Back to crochet... The best buttons for crochet, in my opinion are shank buttons. The ones that have the little loop on the back. Hopefully the hole on the back is big enough to thread a thickness or two of yarn through with a tapestry needle. Buttons with eyes are also fine if you can get the yarn through.  I even have button "blanks" in my box to make my own buttons. Either by covering them with fabric (which I have no idea how to do) or wrapping them in yarn (which seems kind of fragile).

I want buttons on my crocheted work that:
1. won't fall off.
2. won't weigh down the fabric and droop, and
3. are the perfect size for the opening so they stay fastened.

What are your thoughts about crochet and buttons? Do you have a button box? Was it inherited?

Have you seen Chief?

I'm not sure if I have shared about Chief lately...

like his sister, he scored super high on the High School Placement Test. He also got invited into the super exclusive scholar program at the school he will attend in the fall! (She goes to an all-girl school, he likewise, will go to an all-boy school).

We are so proud of him! He's such a nice kid, smart and funny.

GoCrochet on Instagram

If you're not on Instagram, you may have missed this post... crocheted snowflakes...

in the window of a gun shop. :) 

Find me as GoCrochet on Instagram... warning though... there are a bunch of running posts. There will be more an more crochet again though I hope. I probably should get a second account for running stuff.

Crochet Decision-Making Flow Chart

Should you bother to untangle a yarn mess? A crochet decision-making flow chart, because sometimes I get goofy on yarn fumes.
Here's a closer look...

Let's Play a Game: Name that Crochet Clip!

I watch a lot of tv on my IPad these days and I love catching crochet in a screen shot!  This is an easy one... who can tell me what show this is from?  

Don't you love the girl's poncho and matching hat? You can't see it, but the mom is also wearing a crocheted hat.  

In the comments below, without peeking at other people's answers.... Name that Crochet Clip! (What tv show is it?)

Top-Down Decisions

How's your Monday? Today I'm going to think about designing a top-down sweater! I'm thinking about neckline shapes and sleeve length and what kind of fit I would like it to have. I'm thinking about what stitch would be good for increasing in the yarn I would like to use...

Decisions, decisions.

What's on your hook today? Or, what's your favorite things about top-down garments? (I totally love trying them on as I go....)

Too Inspired

Many people assume that if you have tons of Works in Progress (WIPs) that you are a non-finisher, a quitter, or scatterbrained... maybe some of those things could be sort of true, but I prefer to think that we are just TOO INSPIRED.

I just want to stitch it all, make it now, all of it. Crochet. Knit. Weave. I walk into my yarn closet and I'm equally overwhelmed by 1. The mess 2. The possibilities.

I get out some project bags and separate yarns into idea bags. Maybe I'll throw in a hook or a sticky note with a rough reminder of what sparked my interest. Sometimes I get as far as unwinding yarn and getting it into usable balls before I put it in the idea bag.

I should get out one of those WIP bags to take to piano lessons later today... maybe start on a new design. But more than likely I'll go into my stash closet, find a WIP bag and have absolutely no idea what I had in mind. :)  Good thing I'm too inspired... I'll just come up with a new plan.

How Can I Inspire YOU?

How can I inspire you today? What's the kick you need to go after your goals? Did you make a statement about renewed effort? You know I love goals. I have tons of posts on creating goals... like 2008, 2011, and 2014. (Can you imagine if I KNEW back in 2008 that today I would have accomplished so many of my crochet goals). Which reminds me of one of my FAVORITE MEMES....

Do you have any crochet goals that I can help you with? 

Driftwood, Drifting Back Again

I just can't get away from the Driftwood Cap.

It just fits SOOOO WELLLL.  It's comfortable and warm. It hugs your head and stays ON, even when I'm running or shoveling snow. So when I want a hat, it's the one I want.

I made another one this weekend, well, almost finished. And I used a gorgeous stitch marker, a Christmas gift from a friend. Sitting with some binge tv and it's a recipe for a great day. 

Get the pattern on my GoCrochet Ravelry Store if you are interested. 

Messy Bun Hats

Have you jumped on the messy bun hat craze?

A year or two ago, there was a craze for the crocheted earwarmer/headband with the big flower... like this...

(It's the Winter White Moebius Set)

Or now, the craze is a little more coverage that stops just short of being a full hat. So your bun or ponytail can pop through! These have been around before but the trend is back and the purple pattern above, the Messy Bun Crochet hat, is new. 

Do you love the idea or think it's silly? Are all your relatives begging for messy bun hats? 

Crochet For Ever!

Hello, Dear Readers!  Happy New Year!
I always think of GOALS when New Year's comes along. A good friend of mine said that she is kind of anti-resolution, that really we can make renewed efforts any time of the year. So instead of resolutions, here's to ... RENEWED EFFORT!  whoo hoo!

This year, I am going to renew my efforts in.... spending more time crocheting! (YAY!) For fun, for design, for EVER!

I'm going to renew my efforts in ... reading!  I love reading and miss it. I know it enhances my life so I'm going to get back into it.

Where will you renew your efforts?

Theo is looking forward to having yarn more accessible around the house. I keep it closed in bags and behind doors because he likes to take it and run all over the house. He is not a yarn snob either, he will take any yarn, any fiber and try to hide it. It's funny, he will fetch his toys but my yarn he takes and won't bring back...