To Crochet or Not to Crochet? That is the question!

Have you ever bought some really soft yarn or fabric and want to start a project right away? You get started, then decide that what you are making is not worth using the extremely soft, expensive yarn on. I actually had this experience the other day.

I had purchased some Bernat yarn just before Christmas just because it was on sale. I got home and started to make a lap blanket.Well, I had done about 3 rows and decided that if I was going to spend all that money on yarn, I might as well make it worth it. I undid my work, and started again, this time beginning a twin blanket. Needless to say, i undid my work again, and now I'm making a double bed sized blanket. I'm pretty sure this is my final change, and should have it done in a few months due to the large size of the yarn and the amount of free time I will have.

Even though I've had difficulty deciding what to make with this yarn, I know the project is going to turn out great and I will be happy with the outcome.

Potential New Creations for the Upcoming Year

There is always room for improvement in a business and I am looking to expand my product line. Is there an item that you would like to see be created and become popular? Comment what you would like to see! If it is possible and becomes one of our more popular items, you will receive one for free!

Hunting and Military Fashion

It is very easy to make camouflage items. All you need is your usual hook and some variegated yarn. Variegated yarn is yarn that was dyed multiple colors in a certain pattern. When this yarn is crocheted, it gives the item a camouflaged look.

Camo hats are great for hunting season or a gift for a friend or relative who served in the military. Many families where I am from enjoy hunting and use a lot of camouflage. Sometimes a camouflage blanket or infant sized hat is in order if they are expecting. Or maybe your house has a military or hunting themed room. A blanket would make a nice touch lying across the couch.

Does your family use a lot of camouflage things? Then maybe something crocheted that is the same pattern would be a nice addition to your collection. Find me on Facebook, send me a message, and place an order today!

Dishcloths

If you’ve ever purchased cheap dishcloths from a store, you know they don’t last very long. Now there is something available that will last a very long time. Handmade Creations by Laura makes dishcloths out of special yarn that does not stain easily, is machine washable, and retains its shape the entire time it is in use. They also can double as a hot pad for under casserole dishes if needed because of their thickness. I made my first dishcloth in 2013 and am still using it today.

Dishcloths make great gifts any time of the year. So when they are washing their dishes or wiping up a mess on the kitchen table, they can think of you.

The Number One Rule When Purchasing Yarn

This meme could not be more true. Unless you are making something really small, you should rarely only be purchasing one skein of yarn at a time. For large projects, do not purchase skeins of yarn one-by-one. Always get enough for the entire project when getting your supplies.

The reason for this is how the yarn is made. Make sure each skein is from the same dye lot by comparing the lot numbers. A sample of what you should be looking for is provided to the right. Each number represents a different dye bath, and if the numbers are different, the dyes may not be the same in other yarn (of the same color) used in the project. It is easy to miss the difference in the yarn until the project is completed.

I learned this the hard way when I made my second blanket. I was fortunate enough that my mother provided me with all the yarn for the first blanket (she clearly knew what she was doing), but I was flying solo with the second blanket. I purchased 3 skeins one week, then got the other 3 about two weeks later. I was so excited that I had started and finished an entire project all on my own. I stepped back to admire my work and noticed there was something strange about this blanket. I then saw the strange stripe-like difference and was a little disappointed. Fortunately for me, the stripes were fairly symmetrical and it still looked good. So learn from my mistake and don't do what I did.

My Second Blanket

Is Crocheting the Hobby for You?

Do you think you have what it takes to be a crocheter? Well, here are some questions to ask yourself to make that decision:

Will I be able to afford keeping this hobby alive?

When getting started, you have to purchase materials. Hooks are easily found for sale for reasonable prices online or in stores. You can start out using cheap yarn (average yarn cost: $3) or you can even crochet using strips cut from plastic bags, old clothes or linens. You can find many free patterns you can find online. You can make this hobby as cheap or as expensive as you wish. It all depends on how much money you are willing to spend.

Do you like flat surfaces or textured surfaces?

Crocheted items produce a textured feel. If you aren't a fan of textured fabrics, crochet might not be for you. If you would rather produce something flat, sewing may be a better hobby choice for you.

Are you patient?

If you tend to be an impatient person, learning how to crochet may not come as easily to you as it would to a person who has a great amount of patience. One item may take hours or even days to make. If you want instant gratification on your item, you may just want to go to the store and purchase the item made by someone else.

How are your math skills?

You will need math skills such as counting, adding, and multiplying. When starting an item, you have to be able to count the number of chains and adding and multiplying to create your own patterns as well and double checking your stitches to make sure the item will turn out as the pattern calls for.

So, do you have what it takes? Give crocheting a try and let me know how it goes - I'd love to hear from you!

Where do you get supplies?

Crochet hooks: I got my crochet hooks from Amazon. There are many sellers on there that have really good deals. If you absolutely can't wait to get crochet hooks, check a local craft store such as Michaels, Hobby Lobby, AC More, or Joann Fabrics. They all should carry crochet hooks, but they will cost a little more than if you buy online.

Yarn: Almost all craft stores carry some type of yarn. I have found the average cost of yarn is $3, but some places may be more or less. Also, online shops such as eBay is a possibility if you find a highly respected seller. I've gotten skeins of yarn on eBay for as low as 60 cents at times. Finally, you can purchase yarn from the brand itself. For example, I enjoy using Red Heart Yarn. I can go to their website and order it there. It may be a little more pricey that way, but if you're in a fix and that is your only option, it's a great way to go.

Crocheted Items Around the House

The craft of crochet is not only for apparel items. Grammy Joan would make all sorts of things. Here are some around the house ideas that you can easily find patterns for in books or online.

                                             
                               couch cushions                                                flower pot vase covers


                                                              
                             accessory holder                                             appliance covers

So you see, you can make more than apparel items. I hope this inspires you to pick up a crochet hook and try something new.

Limited Edition Scarf

Over the past month, I've been working on a new scarf pattern. I decided that instead of finding a pattern off the internet or out of a book, I would make my own design. I enjoy a challenge, and this one I was able to conquer.

I am only planning on making a total of 5 (maybe a few more depending on the amount of response I receive) with the price set at $25 each. I decided that I would share the pattern for others to attempt if they wish.

Hook: Size H

Stitches: hdc = half double crochet

               dc = double crochet

               ch = chain

      Note: skipping 1 stitch creates a hole. Yarn will be weaved through these holes and creates                          fringes at the ends.

Start with 25 chains. I find that I have very tight stitching, so gauge the number to chains to a 6 inch width.

Row 1: do the entire row in hdc

Row 2: 4 dc, ch 1, skip 1 stitch, 9 dc, ch 1, skip 1 stitch, 9 dc, ch1, skip 1 stitch, and finish the row              with 5 dc

Row 3: 9 dc, skip 1 stitch, 9 dc, skip 1 stitch, and finish the row with 10 dc

Repeat steps 1-3 until you have made the scarf to the desired length.

Now that the scarf part is finished, find a type of yarn that you would like to use for fringes. Using three strands of the yarn, weave it in and out of the holes, tie knots at the ends of the scarf, and even up the fringes.

Congratulations! You now know the pattern for this beautiful scarf, so why not give it a try?

What's the Difference???

What stitch is perfect for a basic scarf or blanket? Personally, I prefer the double crochet stitch. But to help you decide, I've come up with the differences between the three basic stitches for you to look at and choose your favorite.

Single                                                     Double                                                   Triple

- Tighter stitching                             - Perfect for spring and fall                   - very loose stitching

- Warmest stitch                               - makes a nice ripple edge                     - Coolest

- Perfect for Winter                          - Does a wide stitch; faster to make       - Perfect for a cool                                                                                                                                summer evening

So, what do you think? Which one is your favorite?

Handmade Creations by Laura on Facebook

Handmade Creations by Laura is on Facebook! Keep up to date on new products, see what events are going on, and take a look at products I have made in the past. Here's a sneak peek:

                                               

                                                        

Like Handmade Creations by Laura on Facebook so you don't miss out on anything we do!

Crocheting VS Knitting

Time and time again, I have sat down to work on a project and someone mentions to me: "Oh, your knitting - that's cool!". When in reality, I'm crocheting my heart out.

So what are the similarities and differences of knitting and crocheting? 

Similarities
1. Both are a type of craft involving yarn.
2. Items that can be created include: sweaters, shawls, wraps, blankets, afghans, scarves, hats, mittens, socks, and more made by either technique.
3. Patterns are used to make items.
4. When crocheting or knitting, very much patience is required.

Differences
1. The needles: Knitting involves using 2 needles; Crochet involves using only 1 needle.
2. Knitting needles are pointy on the end; Crochet needles have a hook on the end.
3. There are different terms used to describe the stitches.
4. Finished products are different weights. Knitting results in a thinner fabric; Crocheting results in a thicker fabric.

Now you know what the similarities and difference are between knitting and crocheting. Hopefully, the next time you see someone doing a craft, you will be able to tell the difference and strike up a conversation about the craft.

Choosing the Perfect Color Scheme

There's nothing more exciting than starting a new project! You get to go to your favorite craft/yarn store, look through the wide variety of colors that are available, and select the perfect color(s). Which color do you want? Violet or Orchid? Light or Dark? Maybe you would even select the color of your favorite sports team.

When selecting the color scheme, you have to take a few things into consideration. Who you are making it for, when and where it will be used, and if it is reasonable are a few examples. I'm going to show you exactly what I mean. I will be using a blanket as my example.

Who are you making it for?
If the blanket is for yourself, you can make it whatever color you want. But if it's for someone else, you need to think about them. How well do you know them? What is their favorite color? If you know what their favorite is, then I would suggest using a few different shades of that color or using a neutral color (such as white, black, or tan) to set off the main color. If the person you are making it for has eyesight problems, you could select colors bright or dark enough so that they land in their eyesight range.

When and where will it be used?
A blanket can be used anywhere, but sometimes because of the color scheme, it's not always a good idea. For example, my high school's colors are royal blue and white. I had been given a blanket two weeks before, only the colors were navy blue, red, and black. It was towards the end of football season, so it was starting to get colder outside. I decided that I was going to take a blanket with me to the game. I grabbed my new blanket and headed out the door. Unfortunately to my dismay, when I got to the game, I learned who we were playing against: a team with navy blue, red, and black colors. I looked a little silly sitting there in the bleachers among my friends who all had our school colors on everything that they had with them. So, think about the when and where when selecting your new project's color scheme.

Is it reasonable?

I made this blanket for my 

cousin for a wedding gift;

they are big Dallas Cowboys fans

Sometimes, we tend to go overboard when it comes to colors. We want to stand out so much, that we end up going crazy with color and stand out too much - and end up looking silly. Basically, think about how well the colors go with each other.

So what is your favorite colors to use when starting a new project? Leave a comment and let me know - I'd love to hear from you!

The Most Wonderful Time of the Year: Christmas

Some say that Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year. Sometimes, we start to change our minds about that. It can be difficult to decide what to get for your family and friends. From personal experience, I know it isn't necessarily the gift itself that counts, but the thought behind it.

Growing up, Grammy Joan would make some sort of crocheted or sewed item for each of her grandchildren. We always looked forward to opening that one special gift every year. Of course, that was after we realized how much time and effort was put into each item. When we were younger, we were disappointed when it wasn't that fancy doll or remote controlled truck that we wanted, but was actually a handmade sock monkey. Now that I think about it, I still have that sock monkey to this day.

That is what I want with my crocheted items. I hope to find that years down the road, my family members will still be using the hats and scarves I am giving them for Christmas this year. I know they realize what all goes into making the sets. To make a complete set, it can take up to 6 hours. Multiply that for a minimum of 25 people. I've been working on the gifts for this year since February in between various orders and attending school.

There are many different patterns for dolls, stuffed animals, and various types of apparel that are free online. Making these for your friends and family is a good idea because they are homemade with a lot of love and care. If you've ever received a handmade gift, think of that feeling you get when you think about what that person went through to make that item for you. Now doesn't that make you feel special and loved?

So show your friends a family a lot of love this year and make them a handmade gift!

Welcome to Handmade Creations by Laura

Hello and welcome to my blog! My name is Laura Allison and I started a small business on the side called Handmade Creations by Laura.

I started this business about 3 years ago after my grandmother, Joan, passed away. I want to have a business that creates crocheted items that can be passed down as a keepsake. Grammy Joan had crocheted a king-sized blanket for each of her 21 grandchildren before she died. I learned how to crochet from her and I want to carry out her legacy.

 I am currently working on creating an Etsy.com account for my business, but I need to research legal policies first. I hope to have my Etsy account created within the next few months.

The purpose of this blog is to share with others about my business and acquire more customers. I also will post about current and new products in the business.

My products include blankets, hats, scarves, dishcloths, and bottle/can cozies all provided at reasonable prices for handmade items. I use Red Heart yarn as well as the Hobby Lobby brand. These types of yarn provide a very soft material that is unique and comfortable for wearing when used in crocheting. I strongly recommend these brands and will continue to use them daily.

The newest hat I made for myself