Ready for Halloween? Crochet this quick pumpkin hat for your baby, toddler, or child to top off a pumpkin Halloween costume. This hat features ridged lines to create the pumpkin look and texture. Finish off by sewing on the stem. For the creative crocheters, feel free to embroider or sew your own jack-o-lantern face onto the pumpkin hat. This pattern can be downloaded in the Crochet Spot Store. Finished Sizes: Baby, Toddler, Child (exact measurements and instructions for measuring are included within pattern)

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I remember as a young child watching my grandmother crochet. I was simply in awe how she could turn a ball of yarn into a toy, scarf or other creation in no time flat! I remember receiving crocheted gifts from her and my mother. Even as a young child I knew this was one skill I had to learn; a tradition to continue in my family.

In my teens, I joined 4-H and my mother became the crochet teacher of our small group. My first project was a washcloth. At first I couldn’t figure out how Mom made it look so easy. My washcloth was a sorry representation compared to her’s! Yet, because of her patient encouragement I finally was able to create something I could be proud of. It took me several years to put it to use. I grew so attached to my first project dirty dishwater seemed to be an injustice!

What was your first crochet project?

A center pull skein is a skein of yarn (or ball of yarn) that you pull the yarn from the middle while working on a project. This way ensures that the ball won’t roll around or get wound up with other yarns. Also, with a center pull skein you can stick it into your pocket and crochet while you’re strolling around. I do this all the time, mainly when I’m taking my kids to the park or even during their bath times! Though this is one of the best and convenient ways to wrap yarn, if you notice that a yarn is easily knotting or are getting wrapped up in itself, it might not be a suitable yarn for a center pull skein.

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Morgan Kranz is an 11-year-old girl who recently sold crochet and knit items such as purses, hats, and wrist warmers, at a craft show in Sauk Centre, Minnesota. Unlike many folks who sell at craft shows, this young lady was raising money for the Diani Maendeleo Academy in Kenya. Morgan was able to raise $1,485 the day of the fair and even more since then. The profits were much more than expected so it’s unknown what they will be used for. It may be used for school supplies or lunch for the students. Students attend the academy 12 hours per day Monday to Friday, and 6 hours on Saturday with only breakfast provided.

Photo courtesy of Gwen Kranz

With only 2 years of crochet experience, Morgan Kranz is a great example that you can make a difference at any age and skill level (and turn a profit at craft fairs).

Hacky Sacks are great for children to toss around or for an impromptu game at a bonfire. Teach kids the rules of hacky sack (a variation found here) and they’ll have something to keep them busy at the bus stop or waiting in line at an amusement park! The pattern shows two colors, but this type of pattern is great to experiment with many colors. It’s also a great way to use up scrap yarn. Thinner cotton is suggested for this pattern because it makes the hacky sack much lighter. Dried lentils are used to stuff this particular hacky sack, but you could use any small dried bean or mix of beans instead of lentils.

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New in the Crochet Spot Store, this hooded scarf features deep pockets on both sides and a ribbed edging along the front. The scarf and hood are designed to be wide and large to keep you extra warm during the winter. Feel free to mix and match colors to create your own unique color pattern!

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I take several road trips a year and when I say road trips I mean cross-country, 4 days in a car with husband and toddler road trips. It can be an adventure to put it mildly, but we all have a good time.

Every since I was quite young I have always taken embroidery projects with me in the car to pass the long hours on the road. However, after getting married and taking the front seat I had to change. After all, needles for embroidery getting lost in car seats and coming at my beloved driver was not a good mix. Rather distracting to the driver, not to mention occasionally painful! So, much to my husband’s relief, I decided crochet was the solution to my road trip craft cravings. I learned something else new, skeins of yarn can double as a neck pillows!

How about you? Do you crochet while on road trips?

Have you ever held the softest, silkiest yarn in your hands and decided not to buy it for your next crocheted project because it wasn’t machine washable? Ever feel like a precious item is ruined because you don’t know how to properly hand wash it?

Never fear, Crochet Spot (and Erin) are here to the rescue!

Here is a step by step guide to gently hand washing your favorite delicate crocheted items. Click Here To Read More »

Do you crave yarn like you crave food? When you walk into an aisle of yarn, hooks and patterns are you tempted beyond your means? If this is the case, it might be time for your talents to start making you money, so you can support your love. There are several options available to those who want to start their own home business around crochet. I have outlined some below, but it only takes a few creative moments to come up with other ideas to make a little extra crochet “mad money” on the side. Click Here To Read More »

Is it greedy for designers to charge for their work? Is it unreasonable to charge $4 or $5 for a pattern? Is it shameful for people to try and make a living doing what they love?

Recently, I came across a blog post that really got my insides stirring. It discussed how crochet and knit patterns should be free, or should be sold at an extremely low price. What disgusted me the most was the disrespect and ignorance the writer had for designers and their work. Being a designer myself it was hard not to take it personally. Designers aren’t trying to take advantage of people. We aren’t trying to “get rich quick” by selling over priced patterns. In fact, most if not all crochet pattern designers I know spend lots of time creating their work and helping customers with questions. In my opinion, they deserve what they charge. If you would like to read the blog post that I discuss, click here.

If you’ve been visiting Crochet Spot for a while, you’ll notice there are both free crochet patterns and for sale crochet patterns. Trust me, I like freebies as much as the next person, but should someone be expected to work for free all the time?

What do you think? Should all crochet patterns be free?