I’m coming clean – I’m officially addicted to crochet. I’ve been hooking with yarn for 20+ years, but ever since last year when I decided to whittle down my yarn stash by making “yarn collage” scarves – my mission exploded in a different direction. I now have so much yarn that I ned to build a cabinet to hold it all. I crochet one scarf every night before I go to bed. I feel like Ofie in my Waking Up in the Land of Glitter novel. I only know/use single, double and triple stitches and no patterns. I don’t think I could teach crochet because I’m left-handed and I’m sure I have a wonky technique. Regardless, it’s my technique and I’m going with it, lol! I’ve come a long way with my scarves. I started a couple years back using all solid colors, then I wove in sparkle yarn, then I started crocheting in long rows instead of short. That’s where I found my groove! It took a while to get there, but I’m happy I was patient!
The first thing that inspires my designs for my scarves is contrasting yarn. I always make sure to add sparkle yarn and I love to use different weights and fibers. If I like a yarn and it’s too light, I’ll double it and crochet with that (click here to see a video). I like the look of the ruffle yarns but HATE an entire scarf made of it, therefore, I weave the yarn down a strip to give it more texture.
I also like to incorporate appliques or beads into my scarves. Anything to make them stand out!
I don’t think I’ll ever graduate to anything other than scarves. I’m in my comfy place. Maybe someday I’ll venture out, but for now, I enjoy cranking these out. My message to all of you is that you don’t have to overwhelm yourself with a craft you want to conquer. Take it bit by bit and go at your own pace until you feel confident. Then find ways to add in your own elements to make it all your own.
My secret really isn’t a secret at all, the magic is in the mixing of the yarns, it’s kinda cheating because it’s all basic stitches! Each scarf is different because of the yarns – I never decide which hook or stitch I’m going to use until I’m in progress. I can’t even write a pattern, because no two are alike!
Here is my friend, Laura, wearing one of my scarves! She loves bright colors! Check out her art!
Kathy, that is really an amazing thing because it is a lot harder to do Knit or Crochet with your left hand. I also think it is pretty cool that you make one every night. I want to knit some more scarves but have to wait till I can afford the yarn. I cannot use Wool . I like the colors you use also. I also thought of the lady in your book when I saw the scarves you Crochet.
“My message to all of you is that you don’t have to overwhelm yourself with a craft you want to conquer. Take it bit by bit and go at your own pace until you feel confident. Then find ways to add in your own elements to make it all your own.” These words have so much power, Kathy! Permission not to be intimidated 🙂 Thanks for all you do!
I am hunting a pattern i use to have. i was done with one long home made needle with hook on each end. U used two colors of yarn and it made it reversible. I made the needle out of a wooden dowel.