Turtleheart Crafts!

Woo-hoo! Guess what arrived in the mail today!?! A Sunset book from 1975, called “Crochet: Techniques & Projects.” I got it from Amazon for less than a dollar (plus shipping).

What is so great about this book? It has a pattern to make THIS:

A crocheted cloak! What could be more appropriate for me? Now, if I can just complete all my Yule gift projects first, I’ll get right on it.

Most crocheters show off their yarn stash, but being a threadie, I don’t have much yarn to show off. However, I do have an ever growing stash of 10, 20 & I believe some size 30 crochet thread.

Why I think I need so many shades of green is beyond me. But obviously, green thread in every single shade available is desirous to me. As well as variegated green thread. Can’t forget the varigated!

And don’t think this is all of it– oh NO. I have more! I have at least 10 more balls down in the den– screaming yellow, watermelon pink, holiday green and lots more white and beige. Also a few more balls of ecru in my sewing table.

Yet I am tempted to buy more whenever I visit the craft store…

I was browsing at the craft store today, looking for varigated thread for a project I have in mind and instead found a book on crochet. Its called the Encyclopedia of 300 Crochet Patterns, Stitches and Designs.

I’ve perused it this evening and for the most part, I like it. What I really like about it is that I think it will be a helpful tool in learning to design my own crochet patterns. The chapters focus on a basic stitch, such as double crochet or shell or whatever, and then show many different ways to use the stitch to create patterns or other stitches.

I also like that for each patterned stitch, it tells you the multiple of the stitch, such as “multiples of 3 plus 4″. This will also come in handy for designing and writing patterns.

It also covers international symbols for crochet and includes diagrams with each stitch, motifs and edgings and has a variety of project samples.

What I don’t care for in the book: The photos are not very high quality; some are downright blurry. All are in black and white. Also, some of the crocheted examples aren’t the best crochet work, either– very loose stitches which make it difficult to see what’s going on, and some work that would have been better if it had been blocked first. Not very professional looking.

Also, many of the stitches seem quite similar to each other. But perhaps once I start playing with them, I’ll find out that’s not so true after all.

Lastly, some of the photos/projects are a bit dated– the “Ladies Jazzy Pearl Tie,” for instance. Like, so totally 80’s! LOL

But all in all, I think I will like having this book as a resource. Looking forward to what I can learn from it.

I found what I needed today for a project I have in mind for my Tribemate. I’ve been looking for the right stuff for a while. I’ve charted out what I want to do, now I can finally get to it! And I still have a month left before her birthday! Woo-hoo!

I also found some darner’s needles with the curved ends today. Hopefully they will make sewing together my amigurumi projects easier. Yes, I’m becoming addicted to amigurumi animals!

Yarn, yarn, YARN!

When I got home last night after celebrating Imbolc at Monkey Mansion, there was a large box on the front steps. And inside was all our yarn from Warm the World for making blankets!

Woo-hoo! I am so thrilled! The whole Tribe is excited. I can’t wait to see what all we create!

I’m excited! I learned about a project called Warm the World from someone in an online crochet community I belong to, so I decided to check it out.

Warm the World will send volunteers a large quantity of donated yarns, and then the volunteers use it to knit/crochet baby blankets, baby booties, lapghans, hats & scarves for children in foster care, nonprofit pregnancy centers and the at-risk independent elderly. There are also opportunities for those who sew, quilt and weave.

I talked about the project with my Tribemates to see if they would be interested in volunteering as well, and we have decided to volunteer as a team! I’ve already contacted Warm the World and heard back from them. I sent my shipping information today and we should be receiving our yarn in just a couple of weeks!

I am very excited about this project. Firstly, because we will be giving to others and our community. Second, I think it will be fun and satisfying for the Tribe to do this together. Plus, it will be a challenge for us! I know how to crochet, but am fairly new to using yarn (I’m a thread girl); I’ve taught Junky Monkey the basics of crochet, so this project will help her learn more about it and improve her skills; and Cheeky Monkey is completely new to crochet, so she’ll be learning a new skill!

Wish us luck!

I went to the craft store yesterday looking for more paint for a distressed shelf project I have yet to finish. It seems that it was my lucky day– the paint was on clearance sale and they still had the colors I needed!

Along with a few other items…

Stamps were HALF OFF. I found 2 House Mouse stamps I couldn’t resist. Normally I don’t do “cutesy”, but I capitulated this time.

Awwwww… Don’t you just feel all warm and fuzzy inside? I know I do.

Also for HALF OFF– a new crochet book, “99 Granny Squares to Crochet.” I’m fascinated with how many different ways one can design a granny square. Also, they’re a good way to use up leftover yarn!

Speaking of yarn, I also got some of *that* for a project I have in mind for my Tribemate. Sadly, it was not half off.

But all in all, I was pretty pleased getting 3 out of 4 things for half off. Now thats what I like.

Who is Turtleheart?

I’m a 30-something pagan and witch and I enjoy expressing myself through crafts. Current addictions include: crocheting, rubber stamping, collage journaling and silk floral design. I dabble in calligraphy, candlemaking, sewing, drawing Celtic knotwork and designing prayer beads. I dream of someday learning how to card, dye, and spin my own fibers to use for loom and tapestry weaving.

I’ve been enjoying some crafty blogs and groups recently and decided to create my own space to document and share the stuff I’m creating.

Enjoy!