The goal I set at the beginning of the year to publish a blog post once a week seems to be fading into oblivion. But I’ve decided that’s really not a bad thing. Why?
Reason 1
I have been super busy working on a crochet project that I am extremely excited about. Can’t tell you anything about it right now because I need to fine tune and then test it. But when it’s good to go (in a few months), I will make a big announcement here.
Reason 2
I created a Facebook page a while back to compliment my blog, and I’ve been spending a lot of time there. I like to post free resources including patterns, crochet techniques, trending topics, and anything else I can find that I think will interest crocheters. And of course, I include posts about the projects I’m working on. Please click the link above and check out my page. And if you like what you see, please “like” it. Thanks!
Reasons 3 through 5
Finally, I’ve been working on three crochet projects (what crocheter doesn’t have several WIPs going at the same time?) that I’d like to tell you about. Actually, I’ve had four projects going, but I’m not finished the fourth one. I’ll probably devote an entire blog post to it when I do.
So while I haven’t been blogging as much as I’d like, I have definitely been productive and have kept my “face” out there in social media land. Here are the crochet projects I’ve completed.
Corner-to Corner-Crochet Baby Afghan
If you haven’t heard about the corner-to-corner or C2C crochet afghan craze, then you have definitely been living under a rock. This afghan has been “trending” just about everywhere. There’s even a Facebook group called C2C Madness that’s devoted to it. I tried my best to resist its siren call, but I finally broke done and made one last night. Yes, it only took me about four hours to complete this cute little piece, and it was so easy, I could watch TV while I was crocheting it.
Blame Mikey of The Crochet Crowd for starting the C2C craze. He’s got a great video on YouTube that shows you how to make a square and rectangular afghan, both based on the diagonal box stitch. It’s extremely easy to do and once you have it down, you won’t be able to put it down.
My little square was made from a 6-ounce skein of Red Heart Super Saver yarn in 394 Lullaby, a dye-lotted yarn that someone gave me and that’s probably been discontinued. This was a really nice yarn to work with, and I don’t think Red Heart makes Super Saver yarn this nice anymore. I only had one skein of it, so my C2C piece is only about 18” square. I think two skeins of Super Saver in the economy size (7 oz, 364 yards) would make a nice, 30” square baby blanket.
Plarn Water Bottle Carrier
I really resisted crocheting this next project because I had to make the plarn (i.e., yarn made from plastic bags) in order to get it done, and I really didn’t want to. If I’m going to crochet something, I don’t want to have to make the yarn, too – probably why my spinning project has been languishing for so long. But I finally relented when a member of my once-a-month craft group took the time to show us how to make the plarn, as well as the bottle carrier.
If you don’t know how to make plarn, there are lots of videos on YouTube that show you how to make it. This little carrier takes about 10 plastic bags-worth of plarn, and it’s really easy to make. You simply create a few rounds for the base and then crochet without increasing for the body, adding straps to the top edge. This one is done in single crochet without joining rounds with a slip stitch in the body. So you’re going to need to keep the first stitch in each round marked with a stitch marker so you know where it begins and ends.
Crochet Portrait of Blue Elvis
I’m really proud of my crocheted Blue Elvis, even though I’m not totally pleased with a couple of the blue shades I used in it. But that doesn’t seem to matter, if the response I’ve gotten to it is any indication. I had no idea Elvis was so popular. While I used a different process to create this portrait, I am now offering my own crochet photo patterns. If you’re interested in finding out more, check out the details HERE.
I’m going to do my best to publish a blog post at least twice a month, and more if I can find the time, so stay tuned.
19 comments On 5 Reasons Why My Crochet Blog Has Been Languishing (and why that’s not a bad thing)
Hi Patrice 🙂
I love the corner to corner blanket – it is beautiful 🙂
I’ve started a link party if you’d like to participate 🙂
I’d love it if you would 🙂
Here’s the link: http://oombawka.blogspot.ca/2013/07/link-share-wednesdays-sowhats-on-your.html
Rhondda
Hey Rhondda, howz it, as they say in Hawaii? Thanks so much. I’m glad you like the afghan. I know I’ll be making more of those suckers. They’d make great Christmas presents and you can do a lot more with that stitch pattern.
And thanks for inviting me to the link party. Let’s see, today is Wednesday, so I better get over to your blog now.
It’s good to know you’re still keeping busy. I was starting to wonder what happened or if I somehow lost your feed. Looking forward to seeing your project.
Hey Rhelena, I am still alive and well :-). Hope to get at least two posts out a month from now on. Did you see my comment on your beach/yarn tote? That pattern has been SO popular on Pinterest. I am definitely going to make it. Glad to see you are doing well. Take care and aloha!
Oh thanks so much for your post! My blog has been on a sort of hiatus as well. Your post really got me motivated. (lol and distracted.) I totally had to learn and start a corner to corner blanket!!!! Love it. Thanks so sharing.
I’m glad my blog post motivated you, Milah! Sometimes we make plans and set goals, and then life happens or we move in a new direction. I’ve come to realize that it’s all good :-). And I don’t know whether to say “you’re welcome” or “I’m sorry” for turning you on to the corner to corner afghan. That afghan is so addictive, but I know you’ll enjoy making it. Thanks for stopping by and commenting!
All lovely pieces Patrice. You shouldn’t ever feel guilty about not blogging. Nurturing your FB page is very important. It is good to know your boundaries so that you aren’t spreading yourself too thin like someone I know. 🙂
Hey Sara, thanks! Glad you like the pieces. And yes, you are definitely right. I can’t afford to spread myself too thin; otherwise, I’d be seriously overwhelmed. I can only do so much in a 24-hour day. I want to do more to get my FB page out there, so I will probably be doing 2 posts a month for now. Plus, that gives me time to work on projects to post about. Thanks as always for your support.
Glad to see you working on your FB page. Just think, back in January it didn’t exist? You completed your certification for CBN, started teaching online and at your local store (I know you pitched them), started or help in a CBN group on FB, and …. Yes, you are doing lots so remind yourself of what you ARE doing.
Hey Sara, thanks for listing the things I’ve done in the first 7 months of 2013. It lets me see that, yes, I have accomplished a lot since the beginning of the year and not to be so hard on myself. It’s always a good idea to stop every once in a while to see how far you’ve come and to celebrate the successes. I needed that reminder.
Hi Patrice, Thank you so much for linking up your pretty blanket 🙂 I really appreciate it!! Rhondda
You’re welcome, Rhondda!
Hi Patrice,
I still write on HP once in a while, though it always gets slow in summer. There are so many beautiful yarns to choose from now, I may take up knitting again. All your stuff is so pretty! Take care. Jean
Hey Jean, thanks so much. I have basically stopped writing for HubPages. Will probably take my articles down at some point, although they are still getting views. Definitely get back into knitting. It’s as soothing as stress relieving as crochet. Take care and aloha.
Hi, I love the CBN crochet. I would like to know more on who to do it.Can you give me some help.I plan to do my grandsons.
Hi Ida, if you have done CBN before, then you will find my crochet photo patterns easy to do. I’d be happy to help you create something for your grandsons. Send the photo you want converted into a pattern to me at yarnoverpullthrough.com and we can work from there.
Ida, I should have said send your photo to me at yarnoverpullthrough@gmail.com. Sorry about that.
Aloha Patrice ~
I’ve made quite a few of the C2C afghans…it’s so quick and easy to do!!! Infact, I am in the process of making a C2C baby afghan for a friend who is due next month. I’ve also made quite a few of items from plarn!!! I am a FAN~ATIC for ELVIS and would love to make a photo pillow, one day! My favorite ELVIS is from 1969 ~ 1973.
I am from HAWAII and grew up in KANEOHE and went to Castle High School c/o 1979! 🙂
A Hui Hou ~ Robin
Aloha, Robin! Nice to meet you :-). If you have a photo of Elvis from that period, I can do a photo pattern for you. Just send it via email to patrice@yarnoverpullthrough.com when you’re ready.
Are you still on the island? I live near Valley of the Temples in Kahalu’u.
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