Sorry, your throw isn’t free…

Photo by Daria Shevtsova on Pexels.com

**Side note – The blanket in this picture, by Daria Shevtsova. I know how to make it, but I don’t know how to keep each stitch in place. I had to redo it one time too many and got tired trying to figure it out. I got my blanket done another way. It was the biggest yarn I have ever used.

**

I got to work early one day and quickly set up a space where I could start creating. I had my gospel music playing semi loud as I worked on my latest crochet project. (not this pink & grey project)

It doesn’t surprise me anymore as someone completed my work. I am grateful for someone like my work and even more hopeful when they express how they would like to buy something I could make for them.

They are happy to tell me their ideas and if it’s within my skills I will give them part of the answer they want to hear. “Yes, I can make it for you.” I try to keep my prices as low as I can, but for some reason some are surprised at the amount. I can’t believe I even broke it down with honest words:

  1. It takes an hour and a half to and from my house. (I do not have a car and have to take at least two buses to get anywhere) That’s three hours just in travel time.
  2. Another hour to get the materials I need to complete the project.
  3. A skein of yarn costs $6.00 (before tax) and it normally takes at least two skeins to make a throw for a chair.
  4. It will take one or two weeks to complete a small project. (If its not a rush job, because I do have a job)
  5. It will cost $30.00 for one throw…

I know my price was low and reasonable. I had planned on a simple design. Although she wanted a multiple granny square throw. I had to remind her of the cost of the yarn and my time.

I also wasn’t surprised she no longer wanted the throw. If you go to any retail store the cost of a throw is around $15.00 to $30.00. You can buy a copy of a blanket or buy an original throw or none at all?

The next time she saw me, it was a friendly greeting, but no more talk about making her a throw. It’s okay, because most people don’t see the value of a homemade item beyond the amount they have to pay for it.

Bye IV Now, LD

Low On Yarn….

I am surprised I only have these full skeins of yarn bright yellow, purple, and pale yellow left. I was trying to come up with what patterns I could use for my next project with just these few colors.  I also do not want to work on a pattern I have already seen, so I had to get to searching for my next project.

Then I had a strange thought? If I learn a new pattern from someone, can I sell that blanket using their pattern? Google’s answer:

{} Does this mean you can sell crochet items made from someone else’s pattern? Yes, absolutely! There is no specific legal language or precedent that shows that a maker of a product can not sell that product however he/she chooses. May 4, 2020.

Can You Sell Crochet Items from Someone Else’s Pattern… {}

I looked online for a new idea and the few I liked, there weren’t any easy directions, and a lot I had already done. I ended  up doing a simple half double crochet stitch in the middle and a “V” stitch outside. This isn’t a complete blanket, because I didn’t realize I had two different yellow’s. I couldn’t mix it, so I will be putting it aside until I can get more of the right colors..

{} https://youtu.be/KX3OrFE6TF4  Learn To Crochet The BASICS – Half Double Crochet Stitch Tutorial Sep 20, 2014 

Jayda InStitches   If you’re new to crochet, a great stitch to learn is the Half Double Crochet stitch!  This is a crochet tutorial for absolute beginners, or anyone who needs a refresher course 🙂 {} 

{} Super easy crochet: V Stitch Square https://youtu.be/KqgwYWJYXe0

Blossom Crochet Super easy V Stitch square – can be used for small individual squares or one large continuous square of any size!{}

I really don’t like running out of yarn, but what can you do? I was once again without a project. I not only enjoy crocheting, but it helps keep you calm when there are so many people pulling you from every direction and there is no way you can do them all.

A coworker gave me some yarn (not a lot) and it was enough for me to start another project. I thought it was cool to keep a simple pattern. I went with the half double crochet stitch once again, but I am so bored with this I haven’t worked on it in weeks. 

I am trying not to frog it..

{} What is frogging in crochet? One of the most asked about crochet slang terms is “frogging”, and while it’s not an acronym, it’s common enough that I’ll cover it here too. 🐸 Frogging refers to having to rip out, or undo your hard work. It could be a few rows of a blanket **, or an entire cowl** 

kirstenhollowaydesigns.com/2018/03/what-is-frogging-crochet-slang-explained.html                What is “Frogging” in Crochet? 19 Crochet Slang Terms You Don …{}

I haven’t decided if I am going to keep working on this or? It is a little after 8 in the morning and I haven’t had my coffee..

So, Bye IV Now, LD* (Enjoy your weekend)

A Day to Relax….

I was just thinking, who else is crochet by the light from the TV? I didn’t want to watch anything, but it’s way too quiet to go back to sleep.

I haven’t lived in New York City in a long time, and didn’t realize the sound of a city that truly never slept, kept me sleeping through the whole night. The sound of the train, a truck passing by, even a car horn every now and then was hardly noticed as I slept.

Living in NC is so quiet at night, I am grateful I am able to have some sound from my TV. I just have to turn it to a channel that I don’t care to watch, because then that will defeat the purpose of having it on so I can go to sleep.

I surprised myself this morning by having two cups of 20 ounces of water before I went for a walk.  A lyft driver had told me how he lost weight by giving up sugar (and I have cut back a lot, but Not giving it up totally) and drinking lime water. I didn’t think I was going to like it, but I do.

https://cdn-prod.medicalnewstoday.com/content/images/articles/322/322556/lime-water.jpg

https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/322556#12-benefits-of-lime-water

What are the benefits of drinking lime water?  

Flavoring water with citrus fruit, such as lime, can liven up a glass of water, encouraging reluctant water-drinkers to consume more. 

Lime water is easy to make:

  • Wash a fresh lime before cutting it.
  • Fill a glass with water and squeeze the juice from a piece of the lime into the water.
  • To make lime water ahead of time, fill a pitcher with water and squeeze in the juice of a whole lime.
  • Add lime slices to the pitcher for added flavor.
  • Drink the water within 1 day for best flavor.

I didn’t just take the drivers word, but got online and started doing my own research on it. I admit it took maybe three cups of it before I could really start liking it.

Although, I do not do it like the above directions. I cut half of a lime and squeeze it in my 20 ounce cup of room temperature filter water and enjoy. I drink regular water for the rest of the day.

 I don’t like cold water (unless I am crazy hot) and I know with the lime in it, it can’t stay out of the refrigerator for long.  I say drink it however you like and enjoy the benefits of this fruity water.

Bye IV Now, LD*

Last Time Frogging….

A fun yarn to work with...

I lost count how many times I walked past this yarn, while walking towards the brands I normally use. I liked the many colors, but I couldn’t imagine what a blanket would look like someone else’s color choices.

The more I thought about it, the more I realized I had to change my way of thinking, and I bought Yarnspirations Caron Chunky Cakes yarn. After all I have worked a few of its cousin brand ex: Red Heart, Caron Simply Soft,and so on…. 

https://www.yarnspirations.com/

Then again a friend had asked if I could make a blanket for her granddaughter and I told her I would, “if she got the yarn,” and brought me the very yarn I had been walking past for years.

https://youtu.be/Na7FMK2a1Vk

Jayda InStitches Learn how to crochet this beautiful sunburst baby blanket.  This complete blanket tutorial includes blocking instructions at the end of the video.

Okay, since that blanket turned out well. I decided to try it again for myself. It took me a few tries, but I finally found the right pattern. 

https://youtu.be/UiDB5E5Tpoc
https://youtu.be/UiDB5E5Tpoc

Hooked by Robin

How to Crochet a baby blanket using Caron Big Cakes yarn! This blanket uses 2 balls of the Caron Big Cakes yarn and a 5mm hook. In this video I show you how to make the blanket itself (a one row repeat and a pretty shell pattern – what’s not to love?!) as well as how to straighten the final edge before adding the border. All 3 steps are shown in this video 😀 Keep scrolling for the written pattern and the all important time stamps! 👇

I have been working on this for about two weeks, because of a missed count. I lost count of the first row and it was downhill from there and I had to take out two rows a few times before I got it right.

I am making a sad face, because I just realized I do not have enough yarn to continue for the size I wanted. I already used two full rolls and a half of another and only have one roll left.

This particular yarn cost $10.00 a roll. I was thinking about just continuing to work on it and putting it up until I can get some extra money? Then I realized, I am NEVER being this yarn again, (unless it’s a paying requested item) and I am going to start frogging (taking out) this project asap and get this project over with. 

My next project will be looked at with the amount of yarn I have and not at what I want to make out of that yarn. This will be my last time frogging a project…..

Bye IV Now, LD*