Crochet Extra – October 2021

The October long weekend is almost upon on us here in Queensland.  It’s a great way to finish off the school holidays.  We were fortunate enough to get away for a few days camping and I’m now looking forward to the extra day over the weekend to get my jobs done to be able to take a break and crochet for the joy of crochet.  Our theme this month builds off that – crocheting for the joy of crochet.

Great news – we’ve been able to restock several of our cotton yarn ranges where we were out of many colours – Camilla batik, Scheepjes Catona and Create Handmade.  I just love to see the shelves full again.  But they are going quick.  We’ve also got some new accessories in and new Tulip Etimo hooks coming in soon.  We currently stock the Tulip Etimo Hook sets, and we will be stocking the individual hooks.  These should be arriving over the coming weeks.  I’ve had lots of good reports about these hooks – with their soft comfortable grip and easy sliding shaft.

With summer on the way we’ve been looking at ways to cool the shop down—those who have visited us will know it is hot in store during the summer humid months.  We are also looking at getting an awning to make outdoor workshops more enjoyable.  As an interim we have a gazebo set up which has made our outdoor workshops a great success.

This month we have a special weekend workshop with Jill Rackich to learn to crochet lanterns.  This workshop will take place at Crochet Australia (under our gazebo)- I’m also in discussions with Jill to conduct a workshop online for these lanterns – email us at orders@crochetaustralia.com.au to register your interest in this.

Our regular workshop schedule for the month is learning the art of crocheting a fractal table runner – we will be making the base pattern during the month, but the pattern has some bonus additions to allow you to make the runner longer.  While designed to be done in thread for a delicate runner, it will also look great done in a 4 ply cotton.

In November we will be crocheting a Christmas wreath getting prepared for a cheery festive season.

See them all in our Events Calendar

Until next time

Lynda

Theme—Novelty Crochet

What is novelty crochet you say? Novelty is where our creativity with crochet stitches comes together …. And is limited only by your imagination.   It can be whimsical to bring laughter and joy or be practical.

It’s the unique garden and flower formations to fancy tissue box covers, baskets of all designs to wreaths and decorations.  It’s the wind spinners and dream catchers to pot holders and travel games. Have you ever crocheted a slice of chocolate cake or a piece of fruit, toys for in the bath or an animal stool (yes the type you sit on), well, that is what novelty is all about.

Using simple crochet stitches to create something fun and different. There are so many amazing patterns out there. Maybe you know someone who collects a specific item such as a type of animal, or a vehicle model. Novelty crocheted items make great gifts for family and friends….the kids especially love these sorts of crocheted gifts.  And with Christmas just around the corner (okay just under 3 months away), these could be just the thing to bring some love and joy.

The creativity of Novelty Crochet has given crochet a more modern twist that the younger generation are now enjoying more and more.

Crocheting novelty items also means you can use a variety of yarns from Acrylic to Cotton and blended yarns, so the colour choices are amazing. Throw in an assortment of accessories such as basket bases, metal, wooden and plastic rings, and you can create lots of eye catching and useful crocheted designs. Or add some metallic yarn to give it a bit of glitz.

There are many patterns available on the internet for novelty items but we have a quite a selection in store, which we feature this month, as well as some kits we’ve created in our specials section.  Or try your hand at this free pattern for a wind spinner by Maya Kuzman from Little Treasures here

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 February 2022  (see conditions on our website). Please also add any tips you’ve picked up when making them. Congratulations to Melissa Pearce for winning this quarter’s voucher – submitting a photo of her bags made at workshops—Tunisian in the round using Finch 10 ply cotton and her Bavarian purse using catona cotton.

Look What We Found