Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas to my Christmas celebrating friends! Peace to us all!

Here's a few photos of how my family spent the holiday...

A new friend made this awesome fleece scarf for me. :) 

And now, I'm excited to get back to WORK!  My purpose? To solve your crochet problems! To improve your life through crochet. 

Make More Things in 2018!

As 2017 is coming to a close it's time to think about my hopes for 2018. Not resolutions necessarily, but hopes and plans. I want to hear your plans because YOUR plans and MY plans might just intersect. #bignews2018.  (Did I say 'plans' enough?) 

Crochet momentum is building with me and a few people I want to partner with. I have at least 3 major goals that I'm going to pursue in 2018. Crochet goals, that is. Running the Flying Pig marathon is an additional goal.  

I have THREE major crochet goals that I WILL accomplish in 2018 and I think you are going to be HAPPY!  

If you want to be the first to hear about them... subscribe to the newsletter. I will be revealing big news from now on in the newsletter FIRST.  The first news will drop in January. 

Until then... you still have time to create a vision for 2018. Tell me about your goals for crochet in 2018. Is there something you want to learn? Is there stash you'd like to de-stash? Is there a number of projects or charity items you'd like to make?  

I want to MAKE MORE THINGS!  in 2018.  I didn't make nearly enough finished items in 2017. I plan to change that in 2018 and I have a strategy! (Aren't you glad I didn't say, 'plan' again?)  

Look at those feet! Like a rabbit.  It's kind of ironic because he is a terrible jumper.

What's on your hook?

I don't think I crocheted anything specifically for this Christmas... I'm thirsty for crochet! Tell me about the holiday gifts you made or are making so I can live vicariously through you!

I miss my dear Charlie (on the left). And there is my scaredy-cat Minnie on the right.

We still have plenty of Christmas Crochet around the house.

CITW: Crochet in the Wild

Last year, before it was my son's school, my cousin asked me to crochet some hats for the Mom's holiday bazaar fundraiser. I didn't really have the time, but I donated the Driftwood Cap pattern and the Saturday Beret pattern for other ladies to make the hats to sell.  This year, Chief attends that school and imagine my delight when I went to this year's holiday bazaar and found a stack of beautifully stitched hats! Crochet in the Wild for the WIN! 

Not exactly in the wild... but Chickee has been wearing the First Frost blanket as a cape since, well, the First Frost. (YAY she likes it!) 

 

Nope, it's not crocheted, but I bought this adorable reindeer with his adorable knitted sweater. Don't you think he needs a crocheted scarf for his ensemble?

Happy Monday everyone!

How will you be awesome today?

Adding Stability to A Crocheted Edge

Sometimes on a crochet project, I want to add a little stability to the edge. Make the border a little more firm, make it hold its shape, etc. Today I'm sharing a couple of strategies for doing that!

1. If the final row/round edging is flat or not made of picots, Slip stitch in every stitch. That gives the finished edge a slight "cording" look to it. Use the same color as the final row/round so that the slip stitching is practically invisible or use a contrasting color to create an "outlined" look.

2. Same concept as #1 but with a little more texture: (Ch 1, slip st) in every stitch around. It will look like a tiny chevron or rickrack. (So cute). I also love this concept in a contrasting color.

3. Work on the Wrong side. TURN for your final row or round and work on the wrong side to help combat fabric curling.

4. Use a smaller hook for the final row/round to help tighten it up.

5. My new favorite corded edge... the double slip stitch (DSST): Insert hook in the same stitch that was just used, yarn over and draw up a loop; insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and draw loop through the stitch and the next 2 loops on the hook.

It's kind of like a slip stitch decrease or a slip stitch 2 together type thing but you insert your look back one stitch, then in the next unused stitch.

The Crocus Mandala Vest is a project where I used the DSST to help stabilize the edge. Find the free pattern HERE.

A Hint

Here's a hint... and a few random cat photos. 

 

Monday Motivation: Listening

When I run long runs, it gives me time to reflect on life. I find my mind wandering in almost a random fashion. I assume that everything that I see and hear becomes a metaphor for my life. I try to listen to messages from God about what I should be doing, or figuring out why other people do what they do.

Here are a few of the images from my long run on Saturday. (Yes, I often stop and take photos).

Isn't this sky shot amazing? 

Is God saying, 'Pay attention'? 

Is this a metaphor for my life? Was a crisis averted? or Did a miss a date with destiny by *this* much? Or neither and it has nothing to do with me.  This sign has been here for years and I know it's been along my path every single time I have run here. But today, I noticed it. 

I didn't get a photo of the sign that said, "Wildlife Management Area". I thought it should be changed to "Attitude Management Area". Because running often changes my attitude.

All these photos are from the same day. There was hardly anyone around on this park's path, so I was glad no one was around to hear me muttering to myself, processing whatever was going through my mind at the moment.

How will you be awesome today?

2018 is Going to be AWESOME!

Hi Friends,

I'm giving you a head's up, 2018 is going to be awesome! Together we are going to make it happen. If you are not already signed up for my monthly newsletter, you should get on board now. There is a place to sign up on the right side bar and here's the link too:

Sign up for the Monthly Emailed Newsletter 

Things are seriously changing at Ellen Gormley/GoCrochet.  Expect exciting news. Join now and you'll be the first to know.

Blessings to us all in 2018!