Jami's Crochet World

I have been remiss

Jami — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 14:04:42 +0000

I am so sorry that I have not posted in so long. Life has a habit of getting in the way. I have started crocheting jewelry (mainly necklaces) with wire. I will post some pictures soon. Thanks everyone for continuing to keep an eye out even though I haven’t been here.

Stadium Blanket

Jami — Fri, 12 Jun 2009 17:46:04 +0000

I am offering a new item on my etsy page. It is a stadium blanket. It can be made with two or three colors and basically any size. The one posted is 36-44 inches excluding fringe and would be wonderful for the college student, or sports fanatic that wants to stay warm when outside at the stadium. It would also be great in the dorm to cozy up when studying. I would love to make them to order. Just in case, I will make a few more in different combinations to see how they go.

Now it looks like a garden

Jami — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 16:55:49 +0000

So we finally got the garden planted. Actually it has been about 4 weeks now. The tomatoes are taking off like gangbusters. The peppers are doing beautifully and the cucumbers are getting leaves bigger than I knew possible. My husband is being really diligent about watering, fertilizer and other basic nutrients. We are expecting a banner crop from our little garden.

lovely tomato plants

Proud peppers with radishes thrown in

cucumbers

Crochet Placemats

Jami — Wed, 20 May 2009 15:15:54 +0000

I know it seems as though I jump from project to project and actually I do. I like to have several things going at once, especially if I do not have a deadline on any particular project. This week it is placemats. I have one set in my etsy store already and am working on two more. The rectangular pattern is really easy and quick to whip up. The oval pattern I am working on is not working out, so I will have to edit and adjust until I like it. I also have an idea about an lapghan type of thing but am keeping it under wraps until it is perfected (just a little tease there.)

Finally Etsy

Jami — Tue, 12 May 2009 16:20:21 +0000

I finally have my Etsy shop up. Right now I do not have all of the items listed but I am working on it. I am amazed at how complete the process it. I am thrilled that I am able to do this, because it is something I have wanted to do for a while. I just never had the courage to place myself out there. So here goes. Please visit my etsy shop at www.pokesaletcrafts.etsy.com

Tuck’s American Flag Afghan

Jami — Sun, 03 May 2009 17:11:44 +0000

My son Tucker asked me to do him an afghan. At the time he was into the American Flag. We found him a pattern on allfreecrafts.com and I tweaked it. What I did was make the blue panel first. I then made the red and white stripes that are next to it. This way I did not have to change colors in the middle of each row. I then attached the two blocks with a whip stitch. After they were connected, I added the red and white rows to go all the way across the flag. I only did 13 stars for two reasons. 1) Tucker liked the idea of the Betsy Ross flag with the stars in a circle. 2) I really was not looking forward to the idea of making 50 stars. So we have an afghan he is very proud of.

Tucker's American Flag Afghan

A lot of projects

Jami — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 13:56:55 +0000

Wow, I can’t believe it has already been a week since I posted last. In that time we got the dirt for our garden and planted a few herbs, I started a rug, finished a few hats and am working on getting my Etsy page up. My cards arrived in the mail a few days ago. They do not have my Etsy page on it, so I will be handwriting the address once it is set up. I have a picture of the rug in progress. I cannot sit down and just do it. I am not used to working with three strands of yarn at a time and I just need to practice a little more. Usually when I start a something I have never tried before I take the yarn I already have in my stash to see if it is feasible. I just happened to have the correct amounts of red, gray and black. I think it will be pretty when it is done. Unfortunately they are rival school colors, but no one has to know which school.

Crochet rug in progress

3 strands of yarn

I am excited about the garden. My husband ordered tomato and pepper plants. They should be arriving next week. We wanted to have the raised beds ready, so all we have to do is plant.

Raised beds ready to plant

Area for herbs

Local Yarn Shops

Jami — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 18:09:10 +0000

I went to a few local yarn shops today around the Durham/Chapel Hill area in North Carolina. While it was nice to see the obligatory Susan Bates hooks for sale and an occasional Crochet Interweave magazine, that was about it. There were however, tons of accessories and magazines for the knitter. I love to crochet and want to see my craft get just as much recognition as knitting. I have a feeling though that that will not come for a while. When speaking with some shop owners and employees, I found that there were interesting views as to why crochet did not seem as popular. The most common was that knitting is coming back into “vogue”. Now while crochet is on the upswing, it is not there yet. As far as articles of clothing, crochet seems to have a tighter and heavier stitch which makes the clothes heavier. While this may be fine for the fall and winter months, this is. not always welcome in the spring and summer. The yarn is beautiful, soft and enjoyable to pet, it is just out of my price range. Until I find something for me and that I want to make, not to mention spend $50 for the yarn alone. I will keep dreaming and stick with my basics.

Crochet Hats

Jami — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 16:16:38 +0000

Well, Erik, my plumber loves his tam. I have to make a few adjustments and then make him another. I am thrilled. I am kind of on a hat kick at the moment and since I am making all of these, I should start an Etsy page. I want to have at least 10 items so a few more hat and dishcloth sets and I can get started. I am also planning on doing a few bags and maybe even a rug or two. I am looking forward to making a profit, even if small, with my crochet.

Left in the dust

Jami — Sun, 12 Apr 2009 17:53:18 +0000

I know a lot of crocheters, mainly because I crochet. I know less knitters but know that there are many knitters around. My question is, Are there that many more knitters that crocheters are forgotten in these beautiful local yarn stores? I walk in to these beautiful stores to look at and hopefully buy their yarn but notice that the knitting stuff is predominately displayed while the crochet corner is just that. Back in a corner. Now don’t get me wrong, I love things that are knitted and admire those that can knit. I personally have not learned. I am still learning all of the things that I can do with a crochet hook. I have a lot more to learn and want to be able to do it well before I pick up another fiber art. Sorry, I digress. Anyway, I want to be seen as an equal. I want there to be just as many crochet magazines as knitting. I want to be able to buy hooks everywhere I can buy needles. I want to see patterns all over the place as I see knitting patterns. I do appreciate the yarn store owners that do this. I am just finding that there are not many. I think I am going to go around to LYS (Local yarn stores) in the Triangle of North Carolina (Raleigh, Durham, Chapel Hill) and surrounding areas and see what the shop owners have to say and see what they think. I am also going to talk to other crocheters and knitters in this area and find the best LYS in the area that do treat us as equals. I will let you know what I find as I find it.