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?

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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