Spotted!

I spotted this lovely crocheted sweater at a Luncheon on Sunday. I love spotting crochet "in the wild".  

Researching!

I'm researching today! I'm practicing and sketching a technique that I am not terribly experienced with. Because... it's going to show up on Knit & Crochet Now.  So, I'd better learn it! 

What techniques would you like shown on the tv show?

Sneak Peek

I'm swatching today! What are you doing?

Instagram!

I'm on Instagram!
I admit that half of my Instagram entries are running related but I'm trying to post more on crochet things too. Also, I post the kids more often on there. Friend me if you like! I'm GoCrochet.

Right now, my profile picture looks like this:

So you'll know it's me!

Blog Reading Evolution

Just a random thought about reading blogs... why do YOU read blogs? What are you looking for? Are you looking for something specific?

It seems that when people read blogs they are looking for:

1. Free patterns
2. Project Tutorials
3. Color Inspiration
4. Reviews of new books/products

Lately, I have been seeing blogs that make me laugh out loud. :)  I guess I want to be entertained these days! 

When you look at the above list... what are you looking for in a blog? Are there other things I should add to the list?

Are blogs still popular? Let's discuss!

This blog has totally been neglected since I began working for Crochet!  But, in general, (having nothing to do with my blog)... have blogs lost popularity as a crochet resource?  Do you read more blogs than a year or two ago? Fewer blogs than a year or two ago?
Do you want to tell me about some great crochet blogs you DO read? What do you love about them?
Let's discuss! 

Charlie rides a horse. Sorta.

Go Crochet Goes to China!

Well, sort of. Go Crochet Afghan Design Workbook has now been translated into Chinese!

 

 

 

The Chinese version gets added to Italian, Finnish, French, and Argentinian (and of course, English!)

Time Flies, Baby Chicks... Don't

Not yet! The babies are getting big but they aren't big enough to fly.  They are in their scrawny awkward stage...

In the middle of winter...

In the middle of winter there are signs of spring.  We have to look really, really closely but there are a few signs.  I write this while in the middle of our 3rd school's out snow day in a row...

Last weekend, Tom and Chief came home with new baby chicks!  This is a sign that spring will arrive one day!

 

 

Odds and Ends

I know I've seen this photo a million times but today, I really looked at it. It's gorgeous. Anna is a beautiful model and I love the 'red white and blue' color scheme.  This is the Simply Elegant Hairpin Lace Stole. It's from my Annie's online class, Learn to Crochet Lace: Hairpin, Broomstick, and Bruges Lace.  

Look at THIS. Another great photo. Charlie was on my lap when Minnie happened by within arm's reach. I grabbed her and demanded that Chickee immediately take our photo before Minnie bolted and Charlie cried. They still don't love each other. Just look at Charlie trying to lean away from Minnie!  Still, I NEVER get to hold both my fur babies at the same time. I will cherish that split second of furry happiness. (Minnie has the black face and Charlie has more white on his face).

Today, I'm knitting

What are you up to?

Here is Minnie when she was playing nice next to my yarn without stealing it. Such a rare moment to catch her being good.

Learn to Read Symbol Crochet Diagrams!

I have a new Annie's Online Class!

(and, psst... if you go to my Crochetmagazine.com/blog you can get a discount, but it's only good for TODAY)

 

The class includes 5 projects, with both full text instructions and symbol diagrams for each. I’ll teach you what the symbols mean and how to work from the diagrams both in rounds and in rows.

 

I know that wading through columns and columns of text to understand a pattern can be tiring and confusing. But with symbol diagrams you can get a quicker understanding of how the pattern works. The language of symbol diagrams is easy to learn and will serve you well as you work patterns not just from Crochet! magazine, but also from publications all over the world. I have stitch dictionaries from other countries in other languages that I can use because I can read symbol diagrams.

Chief's Blanket is DONE!

WhooHoo!  Finally!

And he likes it!

And now... he's burrowed underneath it with the cat... Victory! 

If you are interested, on the Crochetmagazine.com/blog I'm starting a new series as I design a scarf for a soccer fundraiser. The 'Soccer Scarf Saga' begins tomorrow.

Service Saturday

I'm so proud of my family today. While Chickee unfortunately was home sick... she sent two of her friends in her place. We joined with another family and friends to create a table team to pack nutritious add-water-to-eat meals to go to children in need. Today's shipment was going to Haiti.

Here I am, rocking the hair net. I thought it might Chickee feel better to see the goofy photo.

Chief's blanket

I'm making progress on Chief's blanket though it is not fast enough! 

My year in Kilometers...

Thanks for your indulgence:

What will you prove in 2015? Everyone is different. What will your journey be?

Happy Holidays!

When someone asks, "How are you?" our Priest challenged us to reply, "I am Blessed". And though I have forgotten to say it, it is true.

We made it through Christmas! We are steam-rolling ahead onto New Year's quickly followed by Chief's 12th birthday.  Here are a few Christmas highlights with the Gormleys.

Mr. Grumpy man got caught petting Grumpy cat. The Captain has never been overtly fond of pets but occasionally we catch him playing with them despite his protests. (HA!)

 Chickee at Grandpa Dave's and Grandma Glenda's house.

 Chief at our house Christmas morning.

 The Captain and me at his Mom's on Christmas Eve.

 The four of us on Christmas Eve.

 Chickee with a few of her girl cousins.

Chickee and me.

Fun photo of glowing cat, Charlie, who is clearly mesmerized by the camera.

Crochet Pattern Writing Tips

* Give clear information, extra even, just in case.  You can always delete information but tech editors can't manufacture information that you don't give them.  Add notes to yourself in the pattern. I even put in math problems so the TE can see how I arrived at a certain number or stitch count.

* Insert a photo WITH your attempt at a written description.  You can't just put in a photo and not write anything, but I DO sometimes include a photo to help enhance what I have written. The TE or buyer can take out the photo when it is no longer needed. 

* Give stitch counts for the first row or round then on every row/round that has changed.

* If you are doing something different from the norm, write it in your Pattern Notes section (and again within the pattern at the logical spot if it is really weird and needs extra help)

* Never say, "reverse shaping".  That just doesn't fly.  Matter of fact, patterns are getting more and more detailed rather than more intuitive.

Project Reveal: Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

Look! I found an old post that I apparently never published!

 Coming in February, AVAILABLE NOW, the book Shelby Allaho and I wrote, Crocheting Clothes Kids Love! will be hitting Amazon. It's available for pre-order now. 

This Backpack was so much fun to make.  The bottom photo is of the backpack Open.  In the flap, secured with buttons, would be a great place to put a little sketchbook.

Here's the original sketch... my designs always evolve a bit.  I'll be revealing more patterns as time goes on.

Here's the link for your holiday shopping! Get a closer look on Amazon.

Motivation

I just thought I'd share a bit about motivation that I have learned in the few years I've been running.

You find motivation on the road and at the gym, not on the couch. That is if you wait for motivation to come to you spontaneously it may not happen. BUT... if you just get started, get dressed, go outside, move for 20 steps, motivation will meet you there.

Also, music helps.  If I turn on my music while I'm getting dressed and getting laced up it's easier to actually go.  I can't tell you how many times I have put on my running clothes then sat in them for hours before missing my window of opportunity. I have not yet regretted going out for a run (even a slow, bad run) but I have regretted NOT going for a run.

Whether you want to get fit, accomplish a goal, complete a task... just get started. A year from now you will be wishing you had started a year ago. Why wait until January 1 to start?

Glorious rare sunshine and warmth in November two weeks ago.