Wintery Weather & Exciting Crochet Projects

Snow was falling lightly when I woke up this morning. I could feel the crispness in the air as I opened my eyes, so Sophie (one of my cats) and I snuggled down under the heap of covers for a little bit longer. She's always happy to oblige when it comes to snuggles. :) Judging by the amount of snow on the ground and the bunny footprints going through it, the snow must have started an hour or two before waking time.

Neither the rabbits or birds seem to be too concerned about the snow.

Meanwhile, I continue to play a game of Tag-You're-It with this nasty head cold. One day I'm nearly better, and the next day it's gotten the best of me again. Having managed to avoid every illness in the past three years, I believe this cold has decided it's time I get caught up!

But you can't keep a good woman (or avid crocheter) down, can you? I'm armed this morning with a large cup of dark Italian roast coffee to remind me of warm summer days in Verona or along Lake Garda. Even my coffee cup is willing me on toward health.

And I have two crochet projects I'm very excited to share with you! One is nearly finished...it's the last of four infinity scarves (here's the first) I've created for an upcoming pattern book. Here it is in it's work-in-progress state.

Another project has been on my Crochet To-Do list, which I talked about here, and I'm excited to allow myself to start on it today!!! I'd forced myself to exercise self-control until I was coming down the home stretch of the final infinity scarf. Now that I'm there, I can begin working with this scrumptious yarny treat to make myself an asymmetrical poncho.

As I sit here on this wintery March morning, with my hot cup of coffee and cozy blanket, I can almost imagine my poncho -- in lovely hues of purple, blue, green and pale yellow -- keeping me warm like a favorite blanket. I envision myself wearing it inside to keep warm on a chilly day and outdoors to keep the slight chill of springtime or autumn away. I'm looking forward to showing you the finished project and sharing the pattern with you! In the meantime, it's another good day for "cozies", just as it was this past weekend. Happy Wintery Wednesday, friends!

A Weekend of "Cozies" and Finishing the Scrapbuster Afghan

It seems it's been an odd winter everywhere this year. As I enjoy a long, working visit with my family in Arctic Illinois, my boyfriend M keeps sending me reports of how spring- and summer-like the weather is where we live together near Dusseldorf, Germany. This past Friday night, another snowstorm was forecast for our area. I could almost hear the collective groans from just about everyone living in the Chicago area.

But there's no point in groaning the whole weekend away, now is there? My glass is always half-full, and I find that life seems so much more cheerful and wonderful that way. With the impending snowstorm on its way, I decided to make this a weekend of "cozies". And, since I'll be visiting with the entire family this Sunday afternoon, I wanted to finish my "Flowers in Bloom" scrapbuster afghan to give to three-week-old Baby S. :)

From inside -- where it's warmer and cozier -- a fresh blanket of snow can look beautiful.  

Yesterday afternoon -- my mom's cat Buddy enjoying "his" garden as the snow begins to fall.

Last night outside The Little White School House to see my son acting in "Harvey".

This morning

The view outside my living room window.

As pretty as it all looks, the temperature is quite cold. Which means its a good day to stay inside where it's cozy, crochet the last few scallops on the edge of Baby S's Flowers in Bloom afghan, and make a yummy, fresh fruit salad (think warm summer days!) for our family gathering later today. But first, a few cozies to start the morning out right....

Warm blankets and the rice-filled tube daughter R made that warms me after a minute in the microwave.

Flannel PJ bottoms and fuzzy socks

A steaming cup of hot tea

"Thank you" to whomever invented electric fireplaces!

Crocheting and staying warm at the same time.

Even Alice wants to be cozy and warm this morning.

In wintertime, the lovely thing about crocheting an afghan is that it keeps you warm while you work. The finishing touches have been put on Baby S's afghan, and I can't wait to give it to her this afternoon (see the final picture below). In the meantime, the next crochet project beckons, as does another cup of tea, a snuggle with the cat and enjoying Nature's beauty from within the warmth of my home.

Ta-dah! Flowers in Bloom is ready for its new home!

How Did You Learn to Crochet?

Several friends and family members have asked me to teach them to crochet or create a few video tutorials they could use to take up the craft. Though I've given their suggestions some thought, I've determined that's not the direction I want my crochet business to take (I'd need a 36-hour day to get everything done!).

This led me to think about the many ways in which people learn to crochet. I've heard stories of people learning as young children, while sitting next to a favorite grandma or a mom who deftly wove her crochet hook in and out of a skein of yarn. Others are self-taught, with written instructions found in a book or on the internet, or through video tutorials.

Years ago, when I was pregnant with my second child, I bought a crochet book and a couple skeins of yarn at Joann Fabrics and taught myself to crochet. I distinctly remember crocheting the granny squares -- made with lovely shades of creamy yellow, pale pink and white. I have no clue whatever happened to that growing pile of squares. I was a big sewer back then, supporting my growing family as a single parent through my seamstress work. I ended up sewing my daughter a baby blanket, which became a beloved favorite.

Fast-forward to a few years ago when the need to fill some time with a productive activity brought me back to crochet. I relearned how to do it by watching video tutorials on YouTube by BeThinTx1, BobWilson123 and Crochet Geek. As I listened and followed, listened and followed (pausing often until I got the hang of it), I began to feel a connection with these ladies and the sounds of their voices as they led me through the process of learning something that would become a huge, important part of my life. I've been hooked ever since!

Crochet, I find, is a very personal craft, mostly because it connects us to loved ones -- past, present and future generations -- and fills various needs. I hope you'll share your story about how and why you learned to crochet. Isn't it lovely to know you have a common bond with countless others around the world?

Yarn Colors -- Do You Gravitate Toward Vibrant or Muted?

Just lately, I've noticed quite a few crochet items stitched up in vibrant colors. A deep purple infinity scarf, a kelly green neck warmer, and even a pair of hot pink mittens. It got me thinking about the yarn colors I use and tend to gravitate to.

I do love color. I'm attracted to bright colors and color combinations that make the item I'm crocheting stand out. But there are times when I shy away from the bright colors I'm attracted to and use something muted instead. Such as for these projects which, although they're not "stand up and get noticed" colors, I don't think they're dull either.

Forest green

A paler purple paired with cream.

Pale pink paired with shades of mocha brown.

Of the bright-colored projects I've made, the following are the brightest. (Which has me thinking that I need to start buying some bright-colored yarn that says "Hey, notice me!"

Granny scarf made with scraps of bright colors.

Bright-colored block afghan.

Berry red saves the day against muted green and cream.

The kelly green and deep purple I've recently seen have really inspired me to crochet something bright, even as I finish up another infinity scarf made of cream yarn with pastel shades woven into it. Or perhaps, I'll just have to be more mindful to combine toned-down colors with those that say "pick me, pick me!"

What colors do you tend to gravitate toward? Is there a color family you find yourself using over and over again? I'm interested to hear about the colors of yarn you find yourself attracted to.

Favorite Yarn Brands: Are You Loyal or Do You Try Them All?

I'm game for trying anything and, as a crochet rule breaker, I'll try different yarns even if they're not recommended for a particular project.While I'll play around with any type or brand of yarn given to me, I tend to gravitate to a select few when I'm doing my own shopping.

Until very recently, I hadn't spent any time crocheting with cotton yarn, which I talked about in yesterday's post. Now that I have, I've got to say my first love for cotton yarn is Yarnspiration's Sugar n Cream. The color selection in solids, stripes and twists inspires me to create. Soft to the touch but durable, I have many plans for upcoming cotton yarn crochet creations.

 
But, of course, my cotton yarn experience isn't very vast. I've looked at, felt and priced other cotton yarns. And then I always gravitate back to Sugar n Cream.

Over the past years, more acrylic yarn has worked its way through my fingers and off my hook than anything else. Again, I'll try just about any acrylic yarn if it's given to me or I find a great deal...and I mean a great deal. But, given my druthers, I choose Redheart's "With Love"  and Lions Brand. The large, soft skeins make me want to crochet large afghans or chunky scarves. There are more colors than I can choose from, leaving me feel like a kid in a candy shop trying to figure out which treats to choose.

Do you have favorite yarn brands? Tell me what you like for different crochet projects. I'd love to hear from you and possibly be introduced to a new favorite!

Crochet Baby Cocoons & Matching Hats -- The New Way to Swaddle

Next week I'll be traveling back home to the Chicago area to spend time with my family (two babies should be making their arrivals next week) and to attend a training with the company where I work as a tour director during the summer and fall. All the cold weather I've been hearing about makes me wish I had an adult-sized crochet cocoon to keep myself warm for the next several weeks. But I can only imagine how long that would take to make!

While the Midwest has had an Arctic-like winter, we've had a really mild winter here in the Dusseldorf area. In fact, it's been so mild that nature seems to think it's almost spring. Today as I walked down to the recycling bins a couple blocks from our house, I saw these signs of spring:

A gorgeous, flowering tree with tiny, pink buds.

Forsythia bushes in bloom by the neighbor's house.

And tiny buds forming on the magnolia tree in our front yard.

I was going to post a picture of what the weather's been like in Chicago lately, but I decided I'd rather focus on spring-like weather while I have the chance.

Anyway, when I saw my daughters, S and R, this past Christmas, I gave them each a crochet baby cocoon with a matching hat for their babies who are now due any minute. I'd also made one for a friend last year, and everyone really liked them. The positive comments prompted me to do yet another thing I've wanted to do but have been too busy...publish my first crochet pattern!! May it be the first of many! Here are pictures of the baby cocoons made with my pattern.

Crochet Baby Cocoon with Redheart Pink Camo

Heather gray yarn with off-white and baby blue trim.

My baby cocoon and matching hat pattern is available on Amazon. They're popular for photography props, but I think they're great for swaddling. In fact, every baby in the Midwest should have a crochet cocoon and matching hat this winter!

An Heirloom Crochet Christmas Afghan

Now that my kids are grown up and having children of their own, I like the idea of having special things to leave behind. Mind you, I'm not a person who likes to accumulate a lot of "things". In fact, I've found downsizing my stuff to be very liberating. I think my biggest opportunity to be free of stuff was when I moved from the Chicago area to Germany with my whole life packed into two suitcases!

But back to leaving special things behind.... When it comes to crochet, I tend to gravitate toward projects I can finish within in a few day, if possible. How about you? I've undertaken some larger crochet projects, but always felt like I'd run a marathon by the time I crocheted the last stitch and tucked in the yarn tail. You know...so tired of the project, repeating the same patterns and using the same colors that you practically have to pull yourself across the finish line?

Back in November, I stumbled upon this crochet square design and instantly fell in love!

Willow Squares for a Scarf

I searched and searched until I learned that it's Jan Eaton's "Willow" Square, from her book, 200 Crochet Blocks.... What I love about the willow square is that it looks so lacy and intricate, but it's really not that hard to crochet. If you know the basic crochet stitches, you can make the willow square. The squares above were used to make a scarf for my daughter, R., for Christmas.

Because I loved the willow square so much, I decided to make a Christmas afghan with it...something special that we could pull out every year to add to the magical atmosphere of Christmas, and stay cozy and warm under it on chilly winter nights. My wish was to crochet an heirloom blanket of sorts that would last for many, many years.

I chose to use Redheart's "With Love" yarn in Red Berry, Lettuce and Aran. You can also see these colors in the baby headbands I crocheted since I used my Christmas afghan leftovers to make them.

Redheart yarn -- Aran, Red Berry and Lettuce

Between early November and the first week of January, I crocheted myself...well...crazy! A few times I took a quick break for other projects, but on the average I crocheted two squares per day. Some 42 willow squares and a granny stripe border later, I had this gem draped over the arm of the couch.

My finished "Willow" Square Christmas Afghan

Yay!! I was so excited to finish it! The afghan is soft, warm and snuggly. And, as an added bonus, my boyfriend M. (who doesn't like blankets unless he's sleeping) has snuggled under the blanket with me twice on chilly nights as we watched movies. It doesn't get much better than that. :)

What's Cuter on a Baby Girl (and Quicker to Make) than a Crochet Headband?!

Hello Everyone! In yesterday's blog post about Chunky-Stitch Infinity Scarves, I mentioned that I needed to blog about some of the baby crochet projects I've been making. These last few months, my nimble fingers have been working away making a crib-sized ripple afghan, two crochet baby cocoons with matching hats, more hats and eight baby headbands.

You see, we have not one...but TWO babies on the way in our family! My oldest daughter, S, was due with her baby girl yesterday, January 28th. She was pretty much finished with being pregnant a few weeks ago, and I know she was highly disappointed to have her baby's due date come and go. But you know how babies are; they come when they are good and ready. My younger daughter, R, is due with her little girl on February 7th. Like her older sister, R is also ready to bring her baby into the world.

Of all the baby crochet projects I've tackled (and will tackle in the months to come), making baby headbands was certainly the easiest. Talk about instant gratification! I made eight altogether, four for each baby. I worked at them each night for three evenings and was done. Each of the girls received an identical set, with minor differences in the embellishments.

Each headband is crocheted with rows consisting of four to eight double-crochets. To give the headbands more stretchiness and a ribbed look, I double-crocheted into the back loops only. The circumference of the finished headbands is around 12 to 13 inches, and the pom-pom and lavender bow headbands each have a button hole and two buttons so they can grow along with the baby's head. Since both babies are arriving around Valentine's Day, I crocheted this red headband to finish off each set.

Tips:  For these headbands, I used Redheart's "With Love" yarn because it's super-soft and has just the right thickness. Chain four or more to get the ideal width for your baby headband. As you form your rows of double-crochets, make sure to crochet into that little hump-like loop on the side at the end of each row so your edges are straight. Somehow it's easy to miss these, and then you get crooked edges. I always count my stitches to make sure my rows are even. To achieve the ribbed look -- instead of double-crocheting into the two loops of each stitch -- DC only into the single back loop, which is the loop farthest away from you.

I'm also busy making a surprise crochet gift for S's baby, but I can't say anything about it until I give it to her next week or so. Here's a hint for you: Everything's coming up daisies! The big reveal will be sometime next week.

In the meantime, I've got to figure out what project to blog about next...hats, my giant granny square blanket, my Christmas afghan or one of the other projects I've done or am doing. And then there's the thought of yarn shopping...something I'll be doing lots of while visiting my family in the states! I'm salivating just thinking about all the possibilities.

I'd love to hear about what you're crocheting these days! Who knows; maybe we can inspire each other.

Chunky-Stitch Infinity Scarf

Don't you love crochet projects that you can finish in a few days? I'd been wearing my Granny Square Scarf for quite some time and decided it might be time for another scarf option. Plus, wintertime is definitely scarf time. Although, this has been a very mild winter compared to my native Chicago. We've had no snow in the Dusseldorf area and the temperatures have hovered around the high 30s to low 40s F (3-8 degrees C). Whereas in Chicago, they've had Arctic weather and one serious snowfall after another. I'm hoping this will change by the time I visit there next week!!!

Here in Germany, the infinity scarf has been popular for quite some time. I have a few fabric infinity scarves that I wear with my outfits, but didn't have one to go with outerwear. Now I do! Here I am sporting my new, forest-green infinity scarf. Below the picture, I'll provide the directions. It was an easy project that took me three nights.

To make my chunky infinity scarf, I used:

• approx. 3 skeins of 3-ply acrylic yarn
• a Q hook (15.75 mm) (If a Q hook isn't available, use a P)

Get loose, chunky stitches with a Q hook.

The Q hook is a Big Daddy when it comes to crochet hooks, but I wanted a loose stitch and was happy to use one of the old wooden crochet hooks I'd inherited from my grandmother because it feels like she's near when I use them. To get the thick, chunky look, I used double strands of yarn.

1. Chain 18
2. Double crochet (DC) into the second stitch from the hook. Double crochet all the way across, ensuring you have 18 stitches at the end.
3. Chain two and turn your work to start row 3. Double crochet 17 to finish the row.
4. Repeat step 3 until your scarf has 70 to 80 rows.
5. Slipstitch the ends together and you're ready to wear your infinity scarf. 

You can also make an infinity scarf by crocheting in-the-round. To do this, you'd have to start with a Chain 82, and then double crochet 15 to 18 rounds.

Next, I'm going to blog about some baby crochet projects because we've got some babies coming in our family, and I've been crocheting my fingers off these past few months getting ready their arrivals!

Welcome to Crochet Crazy

Hello Everyone! For as long as I can remember, I've been inspired by color and pattern. Creativity is like breathing to me, and crochet is one of my favorite ways to express myself. I love that it's produtive and Zen-like all at the same time. I love that I can use my hands to create special things for family members, friends and on a rare occasion myself! Above all, I can get lost in my daydreams while doing crocheting.

I started dabbling in crochet and knitting when my kids were babies (now they're grown and having babies of their own o_0). Then I got wrapped up in the busyness of single-parenting and my crafts fell by the wayside, unless they were used to clothe my children or make money. A couple years ago, I picked up crochet again and haven't looked back.

My world spans the US and Europe, and I crochet everywhere I go. I have children and other family members in Illinois, and I spend a few months there every year. My German boyfriend and I share our lives together in Germany. And, when I'm working as a tour director, I travel around Central Europe. I love to be on-the-go and am lucky to have loved ones who support my endeavors. It works because we make it work together.

I've been posting on Pinterest under the name Crochet Crazy and figured it was about darn time to start blogging. Although this isn't my first blog, it's my first crochet blog. I hope to share project pictures, inspiration, and bits and pieces of my life and my travels. Just the way friends would if they were gathered around the table with a cup of coffee or glass of wine and their current crochet project. I look forward to gathering with you here and getting to know you!

Stop in and say "hi", and let me know what you like about crochet.