4 Excellent Online Crochet Magazines

The crochet community keeps growing every year. Crocheters and Designers are keeping current  with fashion trends and providing alternatives with beautiful handmade designs  of the current fashion trends.

Check these magazines for inspiration, patterns and more. You will enjoy it.  The list is no particular order.

1. Crochetme - This is an online crochet Magazine provided through InterweaveCrochet Magazine. Cool Free Patterns and blogs

2. Crochet! - Crochet! Magazine now has a digital form of their monthly magazine. This is great for a lot of people who have hundreds of crochet magazines stored in their homes.

3. Crochet World -  You can find good patterns at Crochet World. You can browse through their newsletter and information on charity.

4.  Crochet Today - This is still a mailing magazine but it is  still a great resource online. 

All these magazines will need you to fill out the subscription form.  Crochetme and Interweave send regular emails with free patterns and ebooks. Fun to read, fun to crochet!

Enjoy!

How to Increase or decrease Single Crochet Stitches

Toddler Sweate

The sc increase or decrease stitches are used to make fabric wider or narrower gradually. They are often used in clothing patterns. 

HOW TO INCREASE A SINGLE CROCHET STITCH:

Directions:

Work two sc stitches in one stitch.

a.     If you are increasing at the beginning of a single crochet row work single crochet stitch twice into the same stitch.

b.     If you are increasing at the end of a single crochet row, work two stitches into the last stitch.

HOW TO DECREASE A SINGLE CROCHET STITCH:
Directions:

1.     Insert hook in the next stitch, yarn over and pull yarn through 2 loops on the hook.

2.     Instead of completing the sc, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull through the 3 loops on the hook.

3.     Yarn over and pull through yarn through all 3 loops. One DEC made.

Note – If after counting stitches, you added more or reduced more than necessary, do not be afraid to redo the row

Picking Your Crochet Hook

When I started to crochet twenty something years ago in Nigeria, the only types of hooks available were the steel hooks and they were so expensive. Back in those days, it was only one size hook that was used.  As I picked up crocheting again in the 90s, it was heaven to see there were different sizes of hooks and all the hooks are not steel and not so expensive.  There are different sizes to the crochet hooks however this will be another blog post but for this post we are concentrating on just the types of hook

Types of Crochet Hooks

Steel Hooks - Steel crochet hooks are smaller and thinner then other types of crochet hooks.  They are designed to be used with crochet thread.

Aluminum Hooks - Aluminum crochet hook feature the preferred taper throat and smooth rounded head. The Precision-crafted quality assures a fine finish and accuracy of gauge. 

Plastic hooks - Plastic hooks are used in the same manner as aluminum hooks. They are lighter in weight and are preferred by some crocheters.

Wood  Hooks - Wood crochet hooks have a different feel. They are not as slippery as metal, and more slippery than plastic. This, along with their appearance and hook design, has made them a favored hook of many crocheters for three decades.  Wood hooks are not as strong as plastic or metal. They should be used for nonmetallic yarn only.

You will need to try different hooks to test which fits your style. For me, I  bought the  same hook sizes with the different hook types. After  I tested them out, I prefer the aluminium hook followed by wooden hook because I do not have to apply much pressure for them not to bend or tangled in my yarn or slip out of my hand. So tell me, what is your favorite type of crochet hook to use?

Enjoy




Here  I am not talking about hook brans but diffenet hooks gives you one a different feel and depending on your comfort level you will choose what feels great for you

Win A FREE Neki Naturals Hat

Neki Naturals Holiday Sales are on!
First item going on sale are the Hats. This started on October 20th 2010 and will end in December 24th, 2010.

You can win a Free Winter Hat by doing the following:

• Head over to our Facebook Event
• Mark that you will be there
• See the link to ETSY and Post the link of your favorite hat on this blog post.

At the end of the sale, a winner will be picked.

Enjoy!

Natural Skin Powder

I have learned a lot in the last few months about natural skin care and this is one from H.Ayer  that I am sharing to help relieve irritate skin.

Ingredients:
1/4 cup cornstarch
1/2 tsp talcum powder
1/4 tsp zinc oxide

Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. To use, first moisten the affected areas slightly with a little cold cream and then apply the powder.

Enjoy

What Was I Thinking?

Neki Pokadot Hat

I do not know what possessed me to sign up for two shows in November during the holiday season.
When I signed up in Spring, I did not think about the Holiday season since this is really my first year in business but I have so many things to do for the Holiday season and the pressure of two shows is definitely up there. I definitely will not repeat the same mistake next year.

With that said, I have a show on November 7th 2010 at Livingston and at Montclair State University all in NJ on November 22nd, 2010.   These shows will mostly feature Crochet Hats, Scarfs and Toys.  How about you? Is there anything that you wish you had promised to do and will really like to take it back to save time and energy?

Enjoy

Refreshing Hair Tea

According to Harriet Ayer,  Black tea will enliven even the most depressed roots. It is easy to make and inexpensive and is worth trying. This is Harriet Ayer Tea Recipe.

Ingredients:

1.5 cups boiling water

1 bag of black tea

1/4 cup bay rum

1/4 cup glycerin

1/4 jojoba oil

Directions:
Add boiling water to the teabag and let steep for 20 minutes, then let it stand cool. Strain and add the remaining ingredients. Pour the mixture into a bottle, cork tightly and put aside for future use. To use, apply with a soft sponge to the roots of the hair. It will darken blond hair. Rinse well.

Enjoy!

The Magic of Aloe Vera - Validated Benefits.

For anyone who attempts or runs on a regular basis, the last thing you want is to itch while running.  This past weekend, as I ran past my first mile, I started to itch and swell up all over my body. I tried to take off as much layers as possible to cool off my skin and maybe be able to finish my workout. But by the fifth mile, the itching and swelling was unbearable and headed straight to a cold shower and lathered myself with Aloe Vera. Immediately, the itching stopped. I could not believe it! I always have Aloe Vera in the house for emergency purposes especially sun burns but never really used it for anything else.
In addition, I have several Aloe Vera plants at home! After my itching episode, I went digging  for more information on this plant.  Here is what I found:

Aloe Vera is a stemless or very short-stemmed succulent plant growing to 60–100 cm (24–39 in) tall.  It is prickly in nature and mostly 95% water.

In addition to soothing itches, these are additional uses for Aloe Vera:

• Speed the healing of woods and burns
• Softens the skin
• Soothing inflammation and sunburns
• Treatment of minor skin infections
• Retwisting of dreadlocks
• Hand Sanitizer - Mix aloe vera gel with rubbing alcohol. 

It can be found in gel, liquid or included in skin and topical creams depending on the usage.
Try to always keep one gel bottle at home or one plant. You never know when it will be needed.

Enjoy!

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Learning to Overcoming Fear

I think most of us have a fear of something. I at least have a fear of trying something new. Yesterday was my first official crochet class and as excited as I was, I was consumed with the fear that they will not like me,; I may ruin them from crocheting; the thought that I was not prepared enough, etc. 

My heart was racing as I walked into class but I plastered a smile on face and introduced myself. I realized after a few minutes that they are only looking for some guidance and to have fun. No one is planning to get an A or an F grade. Just plain crocheting fun. I relaxed and we all had a great time!

Is there anything you fear doing or accomplishing? I will like to hear about it!

Enjoy your day!