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Crochet Extra – August 2024
Welcome to a wintery August!
For the 10 years I have been living in Queensland it definately feels like the longest winter we’ve had – with the cool artic blasts every few days and the very cold mornings. Thankfully I have many crocheted beanies, scarves, gloves and socks to keep me warm. I know other parts of the country are experiencing colder days so I certainly hope you’ve all been able to wear your crocheted and knitted items to keep you snug and warm.
We are getting excited here as the next Crochet Retreat kicks off later this month! We’ll have 45 people descending on us her at the Coast for a weekend of crochet. I can’t wait to see everyone! The 2025 retreats are in advanced planning stages and should be available for booking later this month. Once again we
will have one in the Hunter Valley NSW in May and in the Sunshine Coast in August. If you are interested to hear about this when bookings are available complete our expression of interest here.
Granny Square Day is just around the corner too! Thursday August 15th. This is a day that the crochet community all over the world celebrates by creating crochet squares and posting them on instagram, to create a virtual blanket. Make your granny square, post it on instagram with the hashtag #grannysquareday2024. Will this year see the BIGGEST VIRTUAL CROCHET BLANKET IN THE WORLD!
Did any of you get to the Alice Springs Beanie Festival? I didn’t get there but I’ve seen the results of the beanies that were made – wow! There are some incredible artists out there. There were so many categories this year – take a look at the talent that exists here
As we all know costs have continued to rise in our everyday living – and this has a flow on effect in business as well. We’ve seen prices continue to increase of both our products, shipping and operating costs. As such we will be introducing price changes from 15 August for some of our yarns and hooks, and postage rates.
What do you do with your old hooks when you upgrade? I’ve had many people ask what can they do with them? We’ve teamed up with an organisation headspace – Australia’s National Youth Mental Health Foundation – to support them with creating/maintaining a creative outlet. We will be donating hooks and yarn, but also have an offer for you to get involved – trade in your old hooks and get a 20% discount on new Clover Hooks! Read more about this collaboration here.
Next week we begin our August project – making this fabulous winter warming Swoncho designed by Frantastic Fabrications. Join us online Monday nights or in store Tuesdays and Wednesdays. You’ll not only learn new techniques and get many hints and tips, you’ll also make new friends!
Until next time
Lynda
Theme— You Don’t Have to be Einstein to Crochet!
When I’m wearing my crochet outfits or people visit the shop and observe the crochet wall hangings, amigurumi, or lamp shades, the first reaction is ‘My your so clever…I could never do that!’ But I believe anybody can be creative and crochet their own decorative items or garments. You don’t have to be Einstein!
But there are two important things to have – the right mindset and the right tools! Whether you are a tatter or a knitter, a beginner or have plenty of experience, the same applies.
If you are learning something new – Firstly take it slow and start with something small – the sense of satisfaction you will get with your first piece will be euphoric and encourage you to keep going. It is likely to be awkward at first, like everything new you try, just don’t give up or be too hard on yourself. If it gets frustrating, take a break!
Everybody learns in different ways, so find out what works for you – Do you like written instructions – we have books and kits in store to help get you started. Or are you visual and like to be shown? Sign up for a class or watch some videos. We offer classes here at Crochet Australia – Tuesday afternoons in store, or we can arrange online or in store private sessions for suitable times. Learning with a friend is a great way of staying motivated as you can also help each other.
Having the right tools will take away a lot of the frustration. When you are first picking up this fantastic hobby or exploring new techniques you don’t want to overinvest – but you can underinvest and get tools that aren’t fit for the job making it harder to learn new skills or enjoy the craft.
The most essential tool to have is a hook. The quality of the shaft is important for ensuring it slides well with the yarn. If you find that the yarn is grabbing, it may be the shaft is not smooth enough and you need to find a smoother hook. If you find the hook hurts your hands, try one with an ergonomic handle, if you find the yarn keeps falling off the hook try an inline versus tapered hook or vice versa. And if the yarn keeps splitting, try a different shaped hook – sharp head versus a rounded head.
I find some other essential tools are – markers and needles to sewn in the ends, and something to hold the yarn so it doesn’t fall over the place – there are quite a range available – totes, bowls, spindles and bags.
After that, it’s about building up your supplies slowly – for a range of hook sizes so that you are ready to make a variety of things, hook gauges, hook cases to keep them neat and clean, row counters, scissors or cutters and handy cases to hold these.
And of course you can’t forget the many valuable stitch guides and books for learning new techniques!
Having the right tools can make the difference between getting frustrated and giving up to it being a life long hobby that can bring hours of enjoyment.
Read through our newsletter to find a range of tools that you can shop and make your crafting life that bit more comfortable.
Book of the Month
Crochet – Quick Reference Guide
The ideal handy carry reference guide to include in any tool kit – whether you are a beginner or experienced crocheter.
This quick reference guide is easier than a book, great for travel, and great for brushing up or refreshing your skills.
The Quick Study Reference Charts are fully laminated, tri-fold colds with very clear visuals and text designed to help beginners through the basics and beyond.
It includes illustrations/descriptions of all of the basic stitches, from a slip knot to a triple treble, slip knots, fastening off, gauge, joining a new ball or colour and seaming techniques. It also includes a handy reference for the number of turning chains for different stitches
6 sides of instruction and reference. US terminology
Customer Corner
Thank you everyone for sending in pictures of what you have been making in the past quarter. We feature below some comments and masterpieces submitted by customers. Send us a photo of your masterpiece (by the submissions page, email or on our facebook page), telling us which book it came from and which yarn or thread you used, and be in the draw to win a $25 voucher in November 2024 (see conditions on our website). Please also add any tips you’ve picked up when making them. Congratulations to Belinda W for winning this quarter’s voucher – submitting a photo of her Meouw Blanket.
