Tag Archives: Crochet

W.I.P. (Work In Progress) Wednesday

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Since today is Wednesday I thought I’d share some of the things I’ve been working on this week. Oh, and in case you don’t know already, I mean crochet projects! I learned to crochet when I was 8 years old. My grandmother taught me and I’ve been doing it ever since!

This gray block is just one of (probably) 16 blocks in various colors, joined together for a baby or small child. I’m thinking gray and shades of purple! It’s one of several blankets/throws I’ve made using the popcorn stitch. I just love the stitch, what can I say!

This mango block will be part of a large blanket that reads, “I Love You to the Moon and Back.” It will be only 2 colors: mango and white.

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This is the little guy that’s giving me some problems! This is the photo from the pattern and because it’s written differently than all the other popcorn stitch patterns, I’m having a hard time with it. It doesn’t have a graph of the block like the others and there are a few other differences that are driving me to drink this evening!

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So that’s what I’ve been working on for the past few days. I get tired of one pattern or one set of colors and I move on to the next! Oh! And I just finished this beauty! It’s a lapghan; just the right size to lay on the lap of an elderly Veteran!

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What do you think? If you’d like to see more of my work, please use the drop-down menu at the top of the page!

Thanks for looking!

Crochet FYI

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I’ve been working like crazy on some crocheted baby blankets and a few other items lately. Crocheting keeps my mind busy and the arthritis in my hands at bay. I can also make a little extra cash for the holidays and knock out a few gifts as well!

I came across a formula the other day for pricing my crocheted items to sell. Let’s just say I am still not a fan of any formula I have found thus far. This particular formula blew my mind.

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Time + Materials = Cost

Cost x 2 = Wholesale Price

Wholesale Price x 2 = Retail Price

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Holy cow. Let me use an example.

If I spend 2 hours on a “Messy Bun Hat” and I want to pay myself at least $8.00 an hour for my time, that’s $16.00. Let’s say my yarn for that hat costs me $5.00. That’s $21.00, right? Wholesale cost = $42.00 and Retail cost = $84.00. Wait, what???? $84 for a stupid hat? I would sell that hat to you for $20.00 plus shipping.

Of course, I’m not the only crocheter/crafter who thinks this way. It’s not that our time and work aren’t worth more, but we have to be realistic and we have to know our clientele. I know that I would never pay $84 for a crocheted hat, and I bet you wouldn’t either! It’s not because I don’t appreciate the time and skill that went into creating that hat, and it’s not because I don’t think the work is worth that much. It’s because I can’t afford to pay $84 for a stupid hat! I bet you can’t either!

Many crafters/crocheters bitch at those of us who sell our wares for less than they think we should. They say it makes them look bad, like price gougers. I don’t think that at all, just to be clear. I think perhaps they have a high-end clientele who would pay $84 for a crocheted hat. I do not. Simple as that.

So, if you purchase any crocheted item from me you are guaranteed to get a great price! If my price on a crocheted baby blanket is $80, you will most likely pay more it elsewhere.

Here’s my latest blanket, priced at $40 plus shipping. It’s about 30″ x 30″…and it has been sold! 

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You can check out my Crochet page for more — and I do need to add a few items so check back often!

I may have a contest later on with a crocheted prize! I’m open to contest ideas, so throw them at me!

Thanks for reading!

Crochetin’ Away

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All week I have been bothered by the fact that not one post (not even mine) has a Like button. I didn’t have time to mess with it (or read any of your blogs) so I just let it go until tonight. It was hard for me to just let it go, trust me! I despise when things are not as they should be or when things do not work as they should.

I did some research for a remedy to that dilemma and found this in the WordPress support section: The Like button and any Likes will no longer appear on your new posts or pages (although the Like button will still appear in readers’ toolbars and in the WordPress.com Reader). There was no explanation. I find it very annoying that they eliminated this function from posts.

As I mentioned, I haven’t had much time the last few months. My 4th grandbaby was born on the 1st and I’ve had several crochet projects going just for him. I don’t mind at all because I love making baby items and the crochet keeps the arthritis in my fingers at bay. My daughter-in-law’s siblings are both having babies, baby girls, and very close together I might add, so I’m making a new set of crocheted items for them, too! Here are a few of the things I made for my grandson!

“Your First Breath Took Ours Away” Baby Blanket
Baby Hats

When I finish the baby crochet projects I need to get moving on holiday gifts. I have no clue where to start! There are so many things I want to make! Click here to go to my Pinterest page (link opens a new window) and check out my Crochet Inspiration board! I have over 2,500 pins on that board alone! Ha!

I’m hoping to have more time next week for writing. My mind has been totally consumed by yarn and hooks and patterns….. It’s a shock I’m not crocheting in my sleep!

To New Projects and New Beginnings!

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I finished my last 2 crochet projects and am currently taking on a few more! My 4th grandbaby is due in September and I still have a few things left to make! I’m starting a stroller blanket, a nursing shawl, and a car seat cover. You can see the lovely afghan I finished in time for the baby shower here!

I get so excited when a new project has been completed. It’s such a wonderful feeling to see the end result of so many hours of work. There are so many items on my list of things to make…. Holy cow, you should see my Pinterest board! Hahaha!

I’m looking forward to having a 4th grandchild. I think this grandbaby will stay close, as I don’t think my dear daughter-in-law will want to go too far from her family. I love all of my grandkids so much but things aren’t as I’d like them to be. One lives hundreds of miles away, another is being raised JW, and the oldest was adopted by his other grandparents, due to circumstances beyond my control. That was a long and painful story….and the reason I started blogging.

I’m looking forward to this new beginning, not only for myself but for my son and his wife and their little one who will be here very soon!

…….And as soon as I finish my projects for #4 I want to start some projects to sell for the holidays. So many ideas and so little time!!

Peace be with you, my friends!

There Is Always Something To Be Grateful For

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I am trying to be a bit more positive this week. Last week kind of threw me for a loop! It was rough. I’d like to take some time to write about a few of the things I am grateful for…. There’s always something to be grateful for; no matter how bad it is, no matter the struggles.

 

  1. I’m grateful for my Dad. He’s not just my Dad; he’s my best friend and “partner in crime!” He’s 80 years old and in pretty good health. He’s in better shape than I am!
  2. Over the weekend, one of my furbabies had a problem that led me to believe I was going to have to make that final decision. This morning, she was back to her old self. Still 15 years old and nearing the end of her life, but I am grateful that this week I won’t have to say goodbye.
  3. I am grateful for the good night’s sleep I got last night. It was refreshing. It doesn’t happen often!
  4. I am grateful for the skill to crochet. It helps my hands not freeze up from arthritis. I am working on a poncho for my cousin this week.

 

I think I will start writing at least one thing I am grateful for each day. It helps to be positive. It helps to be grateful. It helps to look forward and smile. What are you grateful for tonight?

 

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