What frustrates you about Crochet? - Help is on the Way!

Crocheting is my passion  and Yes, it is time consuming and it is so rewarding. Yesterday, I was talking to someone on twitter about the fact that I am not a great fan of steel crochet hooks. One of the main reasons is  I have a damaged finger and during the winter, it is excruciating to crochet and using steel hooks does not help. However, I have to use steel hooks for baby wears and accessories.

Back to my twitter story, my new twitter friend @CrochetLibFront suggested using grips or ergo handles for my steel hooks. Hello! So I am checking these handles on ETSY to help resolve my steel hook frustration.

The advice was quick and easy for me even as a seasoned crochet artist. So I will like to find out from you what frustrates you the most about crocheting and do my best to help you either through my own knowledge and experience or use my network to get you answers. You can either respond to this blog or find me on twitter, facebook, or email. I am looking forward to hearing from you soon.

I will like to thank @crochetlibfront  the help with the steel hooks.

Enjoy!

Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Resources for Teaching Kids to Crochet

my son trying to crochet

Kids are really intrigued by crocheting. My two year old is always trying to find a way to crochet with a hook larger than his size . There are so many reasons why kids will want to learn. Crocheting is fun, creative and it teaches kids patience. I started to crochet as a teenager and even stopped crocheting for several years and was able to get back into it quickly.  Crocheting is a great way to spend time with kids as they try to figure out the stitches and the patterns.  I met a lady on twitter whose 5 year old has picked up crocheting and it keeps the preschooler quite busy. So, if you know a kid who is interested in crocheting and you are trying to figure out where to start, the following resources are great resources and information that can help you "Teach one, Reach one" in Crocheting.

Resources:
www.craftyarncouncil.com
www.cycdiscoverknitandcrochet.org
www.YarnStandards.com
www.Crochet911.com
www.knitandcrochet.com 
www.learntocrochet.com
www.warmupamerica.org 
www.eachoneteachtwo.com 
www.FriendshipShawl.org
www.teachknitandcrochet.org


Enjoy!
Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Give Yourself the Perfect Manicure.

To take great care of your nails, all you need is 20 minutes once a week and you can easily do this yourself.

I found these great tips and as usual, I always share any thing we can do to live naturally.

1. Cover the tips of the fingers with almond meal; soak the hand for at least 15 minutes in a bowl of warm water with a little soap powder in it. Dry the fingers carefully pressing the selvage down all around. User the clippers to cut the nails. With a little practice, you will secure the perfect pointed oval in form and each nail will be the same length and contour.

2. Remove all foreign matter from under the mail with an orange wood stick. If there are stains or discolorations, take them off with the inside of a lemon. Polish a bit of chamois or a nail buffer. Rub always, never up and down.

3. Rough, hard work will, of course, injure the appearance of the hands unless they are cared for.

Enjoy!

5 Ways to Add Value to Your Crochet Magazines

Crochet Magazines are not inexpensive and they provide great content and learning materials. However, if you are like me, you have accumulated a substantial amount of magazines. I keep asking myself what to do with them and here are some of  the ways that you can add additional value to them without throwing them into the thrash

• Collector Items: You can turn your magazines as collectors items and store them. They may become vintage items. For those soon to be vintage magazines that are old, use a file folder with dividers and store in your file cabinet. For those magazines that you want to keep handy, you can put them in plastic holder and store in a binder.

• Gift Giving: I have come across a lot of people who want to learn how to crochet but the cost of class or buying books prevents them from doing so.  You can give it as a gift not necessarily for birthday or Christmas gift but as a way of letting someone know you care about them and support their need to learn.

• Decor: For editions you absolutely love, you can frame it and use as art work for your home.

• Donation: You can donate your magazines to a charity organization that is interested in using the magazines for teaching crochet or making items for other charity organizations.

• Tear it up and Keep: If you find that you do not want to keep the entire magazine, then tear out the pages that you want to keep and recycle the rest.

I always say you should keep a few magazines handy, they are always a source of inspiration.

Enjoy!


Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Easy Crochet Baby Hat Pattern

BABY BEANIE HAT

MATERIALS:

Bernat Baby Coordinates
Hook Size H

Gauge: 6 double crochets worked between stitches = 2"
           5 rows = 2"

Stitches: ch, dc ,sc

R1: Ch4. 11 dc in 4th ch from hook. Join with sl st in top of beg ch4. (12dc) Do not turn.

R2: Sl st bet next 2 sts. Ch3, dc in same sp. 2dc bet all other sts. (24dc) Join with sl st in top of beg ch3. Do not turn.

R3: Sl st bet next 2sts. Ch3, dc in same sp. Dc bet next 2 sts. (2dc bet next 2 sts. Dc bet next 2 sts) around. (36dc) Join with sl st in top of beg ch3. Do not turn.

Rs4-15: Sl st bet next 2 sts. Ch3 (counts as dc for this space)
(Dc bet next 2 sts) around. Join with sl st in top of beg ch3. (36dc)
Do not turn.

R13: sc around placing one st bet all sts like previous rounds.

Fasten Off and Weave in ends.

Fold up rounds 13 to 15.


Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

How to Increase and Decrease Single Crochet Stitches.

Single Crochet Increases and Decreases

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:
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
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.

Enjoy!

Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Thomas the Train Moved In

Before I became a parent, I used to make fun of parents who planned themed birthdays, kids dressed in themes, etc. I used to wonder why can't they put their foot down? Then I had my little man who is now 24 months old and Thomas moved in a little over a year ago.  I thought it was going to be a short phase but this has turned into a love affair.

Pyjamas, walls, sheets, toys, DVDs, books, etc and to top it all , we actually had a Thomas the train cake for his birthday. In some ways, I am grateful because it is making transitioning a little easier but I can't help and wonder what will it be next year. I am sure some folks are asking "Why is she not putting her foot down?
My answer will be "the sheer pleasure and excitement from my little one is priceless.


Have a great weekend!

Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals

Neki Handmade Items Featured in ETSY Treasuries

I am always tickled and immensely grateful when Neki Naturals are featured.
This week, Neki Etsy items have been featured in the following treasuries:

• From Shellyka EtsyTreasury, neki purple elephant

• From MoreOutOfTheOrdinary ETSY Treasury, Neki pink elephant

• From Lisalaneboutique Treasury, neki blue scrubbie

Big Thank you to all the Treasuries. I am certainly grateful!

Enjoy!

February Already and A Lot to Do!

I am still in shock that it is already February and even in more shock with the amount of snow that we have had this year plus there is a snowstorm today and tomorrow.  Have Mercy! This weather makes some of us procrastinate and if you are a Type A personality like me, we beat ourselves up for not checking off our to-do list.

My To-Dos is so long that I scare myself. This week, I am going to be realistic and see what I can easily check off or postpone until further notice. For example, I need to visit consignment stores and I have not prepared a new portfolio or crochet new designs. I have yet to review the deadlines to submit crochet designs to magazines and I need to pick the dates for crochet shows for this year. So this week, I am pulling myself together and focusing on these three. Next month, I will worry about taxes and paperwork.

I still can't believe it is February! What are some of things that you wanted to do that you have not started?  Comments are welcome!

Enjoy your day!


Express yourself with handmade! Nnenna Pastor is a crochet designer and instructor. Other places to visit Neki Naturals are http://neki.etsy.com and join Neki Naturals on facebook @ http://www.facebook.com/NekiNaturals