Ice, Ice Baby!

Yes, DC is getting hit with yet another ice storm.  I'd much prefer snow -- so much safer and prettier.  But, what a great day to stay in, do some work, and crochet!  Though, I'm going to have to venture out later to conduct the second session of our 2-session Intro to Crochet class tonight at Looped Yarn Works.  I'm in the process of putting together an Intermediate Crochet class so that we can explore more advanced stitches and techniques.  Any suggestions always welcome :-)

Otherwise, more new patterns in the works, but the newsletter continues to be delayed due to "technical difficulties".  We really hope to have it out soon, especially since we've got some really interesting and hopefully helpful information to share.

The Tunisian scarf is coming along nicely:

I'm planning on writing it up as part pattern, part instructional materials.  We'll be having a class on it at Looped Yarn Works in March.  I'm enjoying Tunisian more and more, though I can't speed along as much as with regular crochet.  I have to say, I find scarves challenging -- it seems to just take FOREVER to gain length, but then suddenly, you're finished!  I'm looking forward to experimenting with Tunisian to see what other items can be made with it besides square objects ;-)  (baby sweater perhaps?!)

Ok, nice break, but back to "real" work!

Emptiness

The title refers to my Etsy shop -- it is now down to two active listings, which will expire next week!  I have (sort of) done this on purpose because I need to revamp the shop and figure I should do it on a clean slate.  Of course, how this revamping is going to occur is not totally clear to me yet, but I have a week in which to figure it out ;-o

I still struggle to figure out how best to spend my limited crafting time and what products frankly will appeal to the most people.  I think a lot of people struggle with the dilemma of making what they want to make versus what will actually sell.  Of course, you're always hoping that the two will be one in the same!

Right now, as far as actual crochet projects go, I'm intrigued with crochet techniques that yield knit-looking fabrics.  I'm testing out some different ways to create "knit" and "purl" stitches using a crochet hook and incorporating those stitches into a few projects that I've got pictured in my head.  I know we're just starting summer, and it is my favorite season, but my mind is already on scarves and shawls, though I just got this cool ribbon-like yarn that I think would actually work well for a summertime cover-up, so maybe I should work on that before getting sidetracked by scarves and winter garb!

Speaking of summertime days, I think I'm going to get out there and enjoy it -- I can crochet when it's dark outside!

Getting Serious!

Ok, I have finally started to try to figure out my Ravelry account! It's certainly much more user-friendly than it was when I first joined, but I'm still not getting some of the functions. Oh well, thankfully, there's a lovely volunteer team of editors who come to your rescue and make everything work out :-)

Haven't really had a chance to work on any original designs for the past week or two, I have been too caught up in beefing up the Crochet Guru site as well as sprucing up the patterns that I do have and getting them up on Lulu and Ravelry. I think I have an idea for another little girl's sweater that I'm itching to get started on, so maybe that will be next; or, I probably should start on the scarf to go with a hat that I made out of the latest issue of Crochet! Magazine for a friend's little girl. She sent me a huge bag of yarns in exchange, and there's a lot of good stuff in there! So much yarn, so little time...

Ok, back to what I don't know, but I'll try to post again soon.

Today's Thought: Mmmm, it's getting to be apple and pear season, and there's nothing like spiced baked fruit! Check out our easy and healthy recipe on http://stores.lulu.com/manycreativegifts