Well, 2012 is on its way out and 2013 will be coming in. Soon we’ll all be committing to our resolutions, as is a tradition here on Crochet Spot. I would like to suggest a goal and hope it will make it to your 2013 list: teach someone to crochet!

Teaching crochet might be easier than it seems. It’s best to have some resources ready, like the wonderful tutorials that Rachel has here on the site. If you are patient and your student is motivated, s/he will be crocheting before long. I think the trick is showing your student something that s/he would love to make.

For every person that “must make” item is different. A friend of mine had to make amigurumi. My students were loving crochet flowers. Many people feel the need to crochet for babies. Whatever the motivation, just be sure you check in with your student to help with his/her project!

Have you ever taught someone to crochet before? Do you have any teaching tips to share? Do you think you’ll give teaching a try in 2013?

I marvel at all that is possible in crochet. I believe I’ve finally found a craft where nothing is impossible. One thing that is entirely fascinating about crochet is all of the cool patterns you can complete with just basic stitches. Even if you stitched only chains and single crochets, you’d still be able to make a great deal of useful and fashionable items, like place mats, bowls, hats, scarves, cowls, handbags, slippers, and more.

Even experimenting with changing just hook size will completely alter the density, drape, and look of the resulting fabric. If you use a very large hook with a thin yarn, you could still have a beautifully draped fabric, using just the aforementioned stitches. Or, depending upon how you put the stitches together, even a small hook with thin yarn could make a slinky or netted fabric.

It is comforting to think that you don’t have to know everything about crochet in order to have such a satisfying hobby with so many possibilities. Which projects with simple stitches do you admire? Have you ever completed a project requiring the knowledge of just a few stitches?

Like many of us, I love crochet because it is a portable craft. Those moments on the bus, in line at the grocery store, and in the doctor’s waiting room are excellent times to crochet! In fact, that’s one of the reasons I prefer not to drive at all! More crochet time! 🙂

Yesterday I was on the bus crocheting and a woman who was (to me) an elder told me that more people used to crochet before and fewer people do it now. I live in Miami, so we are fortunate to have an eclectic mixture of cultures and lots of intergenerational interaction.

I was confused because recent research by the Craft and Hobby Association has indicated that crochet is the seventh most popular craft in the United States terms of dollars spent per year, with over one billion spent in 2010. (Crochet World Magazine Newsletter, Vol. 8, No. 10)

Additionally, my observation of global crochet trends show that crochet is strong, particularly in Mexico.

The fairly recent surge of high fashion crochet fuels the fashionistas’ interest in “getting the look.” We crocheters know that we can get the look for much less! And we do!

I think that people are crocheting now more than ever! What do you think?

Yarn yarn yarn yarn yarn. I love yarn. Could you tell? But here’s the thing- up until just a few years ago, I didn’t get it. Before I discovered my lifecraft, (crochet, of course!) I was primarily a scrapbooker, stamper, and card maker. So when I looked at yarn, it just looked like a big, boring mess to me! ‘Why is there so much of it?’ I would wonder. ‘Who does this, and furthermore, why?’ I would ask myself.

That was ages ago! Clearly my perspective has changed quite a bit. Today I am a yarnaholic, a yarnophile, a yarn lover, but NOT a yarn hoarder! (It’s tough, people, but I do exercise restraint sometimes!)

There is so much to love about yarn: colors, fibers, special properties, its use in different projects… I would LOVE to hear what you like about yarn, and which types of yarn you like.

What are your favorite brands and colors? Do you always use the same kind, or do you vary by project? What is your favorite fiber for crochet?

I am in a really cool group on Ravelry.com! The name of the group is Lion Brand Swaps. I was attracted to the group because I love Lion Brand yarns and someone invited me to join.

Because it was Lion Brand, and the people were nice, I felt comfortable enough to join and participate in my first craft swap. To make sure it was fair to everyone, we had some requirements about what to send. We each filled out a questionnaire about our likes, dislikes, and wishes. We were each assigned a partner and set off to “stalk” our partners. (We were just looking at their projects and their Ravelry queues to see what they liked! It was not scary stalking!!) We corresponded with our partners, and we also chatted happily on the swap thread.
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Crochet Spot is an incredible place to build community. I love coming here to see all of the gorgeous patterns and to let my imagination run wild with how I might use them! I also love interacting with the Crochet Spot fans because I know they’re just like me – Crochet Lovers!!

I wanted to ask the Crochet Spot readers what you think about Ravelry. Ravelry.com is a social network where people can connect through their love of crochet and other fiber crafts. In order to become a member, anyone can sign up for a free login. Ravelry is big (with over 2 million users) and there are many kind users who want to help you make the most of your experience. However, as with any internet forum, use basic caution and common sense! 😀 Over all, my experience on Ravelry has been very positive.

Does anybody here use Ravelry? If so, what do you think? Did you know that there is a Crochet Spot group on Ravelry? If you have a Ravelry account, please share your IDs here so we can connect there as well. I can be found as artlikebread on Ravelry, and I love making new friends there.

If you are not using Ravelry, why not? There is no right or wrong way to enjoy crochet, so I am just curious about what you think!

Holidays happen all year round, and I think it’s really fun to incorporate crochet into the holidays! I think it’s important, because holidays keep me motivated to crochet something and finish it for a reason.

I am thinking about the holidays that are coming up as I write this, and there are plenty! Crochet Spot is a global community, so I am hoping I can learn of some new holidays from different regions of the country and also different parts of the world. 🙂

I bought a really cool calendar that helps me keep up with my blogging. Now I want to use it to create crochet holiday inspiration!

Selected Upcoming Holidays & Crochet Items to Make

November 2012
World Kindness Week – Nov. 12-18 – Crochet a quick hat, and give it away!
World Toilet Day (no joke!) – Nov. 19 – Crochet a toilet paper scarf! 😉
Thanksgiving (U.S.) – Nov. 22 – Crochet place mats & napkin rings in your favorite fall colors.

December 2012
National Cookie Day – Dec. 1 – Crochet one of these or these!
Hanukkah – Dec. 9-16 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Hanukkah! Here’s one good gift idea.
World Peace Day – Dec. 21 – Crochet this.
Christmas – Dec. 25 – Crochet gifts for your family and/or friends who celebrate Christmas! How about something like this? 😉

What are you crocheting up for the holidays?? Feel free to share in the comments section!

It’s a funny question to ask, because we’re all here because we love crochet, right? But think about it – there are oodles of crafts out there. Why do YOU choose to crochet? I am imagining a few reasons why, but I really want to hear from you!

Personally, I choose to crochet for four main reasons:

1. I am creating fabric! As the daughter of a textile-obsessed artist, the idea that I could actually make fabric is what got me to learn crochet!

2. There are so many stitches and techniques to explore! I know with certainty that I will be forever happy because the opportunities for creative exploration in this craft will never end.

3. It’s not so hard to start. I’m not going to say it’s easy, because I remember my beginning days, but honestly, it wasn’t so bad. It’s a pretty kind craft in that way. 🙂

4. I am making useful stuff! I don’t know about you, but I lose motivation when I am making something that’s meant to be only a “decoration.” Don’t get me wrong, I love adornment, but after a while, we crocheters accumulate finished items because we’re always crocheting! It makes me happy to know that someone will *use* the item I am making.

What about you?