Episode 77: Multi-Crafting

Episode 77: Multi-Crafting

Crochet away
When we were at Stitches earlier this year we talked to crochet maven, Edie Eckman, about her awesome crochet motifs book. We ramble a bit and talk some about Berroco's spring yarns.

Edie Eckman
Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs
Cool Wool by Lana Grossa (rav link)
Knitalong by Larissa Brown
Fannie's Fingering Weight
Carolina Homespun
Sock Summit
Moch Cardigan by Gudrun Johnston
Ishbel by Ysolda Teague
Norwegian Woods by Sivia Harding
Alchemy Haiku
Kid Silk Haze
Berroco Pure Pima
Berroco Naturlin
Berroco Latitude
Berroco Mica

Sew Distracting
We have been spending some time at our sewing machines these days. Here are some of the links that have been inspiring us:

Purl Bee
Sew Mama Sew
Spring Ruffle Top
5-Minute Skirt
Jenny's sewing links
Nicole's sewing links

We will be gone for a little while, in the meantime enter to win your own copy of Beyond-the-Square Crochet Motifs and give a listen to Craftsanity.

Comments

[PrairiePoppins]

I've actually just started crocheting again. I made a whole blanket of single crochet in Gr 12, then gave it up for 15 years. I've now made a square washcloth and a round washcloth. I know, I know...I dazzle.

I can see crochet often, since my sister is just getting into it in a big way, and is churning gorgeous lace stoles from "Wrap yourself in Crochet". So fast compared to knitting lace.

I'm not sure what my next crochet will be, but I'd like to try something in wool, not kitchen cotton, and perhaps something to wear as a skinny summer scarf.

[amanda]

I really want to learn to crochet! I can only do a super basic single crochet. I've seen all the amazing stuff that people do with crochet and I get jealous. This book looks so cool and I love your show.

[Barbara L. Brewer]

Hi, Enjoyed your interview with Edie Eckman. Would love to win a copy of the book, so: How I use crochet:
Not a lot in my knitting, but right now I'm working on a garter stitch scarf in Berroco Bonsai and I plan to add a crochet border to make it a little more interesting. I've made several granny-square afghans, and that's about it. Time to expand my crochet horizons!
Loved the closing piece of music this time. Have you thought of adding music credits to your show notes? (Or maybe it's there somewhere and I missed it?)
blb

[Renee]

Great podcast! Worth the wait :)

I learned how to crochet when I was a little girl. I wanted to make granny squares, and made many, many blankets. I learned to knit a few years ago, and I have primarily stuck with that. I still use crochet when I want a really sturdy fabric, or when I want something lacey. I want to get back to it now, though.

[justme]

Ok, Ok,,,,I am going to try this. I love the book...here we go...

Thanks for the comments on kid silk haze.
d

[Monica]

I don't know how to crochet and it has prevented me from knitting certain patterns that had some crochet(usually trim) in them. I would like to stop avoiding these patterns, Thanks

[Kelly]

I consider myself to be more skilled at crochet than knitting. I can 'design' more with crochet. I find it is a more creative way to make fabric than knitting. That being said, I find that when I crochet, I get a really sore right shoulder. So, I prefer to knit. I will crochet if it is something that I need to make on the fly, as I am a fast crocheter. But I knit more, because it is more relaxing.

[Elizabeth]

My great grandmother taught me to crochet when I was really young, and my great aunt helped along with the lessons, but I've really forgotten most of it and would love to get back into crochet again. I've been looking for lessons, because I know I will pick it up faster that way. The book would be great inspiration!

Thanks for the great podcasts and have a great time on your hiatus, vacations and summer knitting.

Hey, Jenny, I am with you on wearing hand knit socks--I love them. So I've been breaking out the sock yarn and casting on. Is it me or do they knit faster when you do them toe-up?

[Debbie]

Thanks for another great episode. It is so fun to listen to you guys! I'll miss you over the break. I learned how to crochet from a friend of mine so that I could do a blanket edging on my first baby blanket. Since then I always crochet baby blankets because it is SO MUCH FASTER! I can't wait to see the book, because it will be great to put new design elements into my blankets.

Have a great vacation

[Marce]

The fantastic thing about the title and concept of this podcast is that you're able to talk about ANY craft that warrants the accumulation (and hopefully eventual use) of stash. It was such a treat listening to you talk about your sewing. Like every other episode it had ideas dancing in my head and I can't sew past a hem right now!

As for crochet - BIG fan :)
I learned to crochet first from my mother and I'm thinking about more ways to combine it with my knitting. The knitting machine is have is somewhat limited in function so I will be using crochet to make edgings for many of my "simple" stockinette rectangles this summer to turn them into scarves and stoles.

Another great episode ladies! Thanks for always being such good company while I craft.

[Teri]

I've been teaching crochet at my LYS introducing knitters and non-crafters to this beautiful, fun fiber art.

Like Edie, I'm a yarn user too. I love both knitting and crochet. I'm currently obsessed with Japanese pattern booklets that combine both knit and crochet patterns. I wish I had the time and multiple hands it would take to knit and crochet all the beautiful patterns I have found.

[Kathleen (Skyelark on Ravelry)]

Loved it!! Well worth the wait. Thank you both so much for all the time you spend providing us new and innovative ways to obsess about our crafting.

I use crochet mainly as a finishing technique, but recently have become more interested in learning to use it on it's own. My sister is an avid crocheter and I have been very jealous of the speed and size she gets when she crochets a blanket/afghan compared to the ones I knit. I have been amazed at the variety of stitches and techniques there are in crochet. I am embarassed to admit until recently I really thought only 2 or 3 stitch patterns existed!

[Jen Simoneau]

I've always wanted to expand my crochet skills. I can do a chain or single crochet edge as a finishing technique on a knit project, but i've never completed a crochet project. One of these days!
J.

[Kelsey L]

I first learned to crochet and was a diehard crocheter but when I finally learned to knit, crochet went by the wayside. When I do randomly crochet it tends to be my own interpretation of a japanese pattern image I see online. Because crochet is structural I feel like I can just look at an object and just sort of go for it. I've been knitting for a long time now and I knit at a pretty good pace but still when I pick up a crochet needle my hands fly. It's weird.

Have a good break! I'll miss your show :(

[Annie]

I have been crocheting for about 7 years. I have started a big multi-color hexagon blanket from a Japanese crochet book. I feel in love it on Ravelry, where a number of people have made it. And Moonstitches did a beautiful tutorial

[Margarite]

I'm new to podcasts -- yours is definitely a highlight.
Would love to win a copy of this book to help along my crocheting skills. I use crochet as edge finishing and even for sewing seams in my knitting. Took a beginning crochet class so I'm gearing up for an all crochet project -- eying a vest out of Rowan book. More guidance on reading crochet charts would be super. Cheers.

[Jordana]

Great podcast! I'm a knitter but I'm currently learning to crochet so I can make some of the patterns from the 70s that I inherited from my Grandma who passed away a few years ago.

[sabrina]

Crochet. I started to crochet while I was on an extended stay at a hospital, pregnant with twin girls. My mom, who was staying at the hospital with me, taught me how to crochet. I needed something to keep me busy while on absolute bedrest. I taught myself how to knit 6 months later and prefer it. However crochet keeps coming back. I love everything 1970's so the granny square is a love of mine. Its nice to see that crochet is back. crochet for life.

[AmyP]

I'm currently having yet another stab at crochet and I'm making a shrug from the most recent issue of Inside Crochet. Here's hoping it sticks with me this time!

[Francesca]

Great episode. I was so thrilled to hear the interview because I've been coveting Beyond the Square for months! I'm rusty on my crochet, but I'm dying to make a cozy granny square blanket. This book would be perfect for that. I'm also so glad that Eckman told us what yarn she used--I'm definitely going to try it. Thanks for offering the contest!

[Jenn (rhymeswithsocks on ravelry)]

I use knitting for garment construction mostly, and crochet for more household items. Crochet is fantastic for a "quick fix" and I always have a crochet afghan going for those times when I just want to zone out and watch tv (they make great gifts!). Have a great break guys! We'll miss you!

[Dana Lorz]

Hi guys. Loved the new addition to the podcast! I am actually a seamstress first, and a knitter/crocheter second. But have crocheted a lot more than knit. I have to tell you, embrace your serger, you will soon not be able to live without it. I consider myself an advanced/expert seamstress and Jenny, I do as you mentioned with my serger, I set it to a longer stitch and go around all sides of each piece that will be exposed and then use my conventional machine to actually stitch the garment. However, if it is a garment out of fine fabric like you mentioned Nicole, I will make narrow French seams, the finer the fabric, the smaller the seam. I have a favorite site you guys will like called BurdaStyle (http://www.burdastyle.com/) Check it out!

[Lori Gross]

HI! Loved this podcast especially...it was the crochet babette that got me! I saw the Babette Blanket when it first came out and loved it. Thought about it until this past February, which is amazing in itself since I'm a "see something, immediately buy" type of girl. Anyway, bought the pattern, ordered and bought all of the yarn, bought the hooks and went to the free class that was offered to actually learn how to crochet. I don't know anything beyond a chain stitch. Circumstances beyond all reason and control abounded and although I did the class sample, I never really understood it. So, looking for a weekend or a month where no one wants to talk to me and I will try and learn on my own, because despite the warning from Nicole about the granny squares.....I MUST have this blanket!!!!!!!

[Sandy Velda]

I've been crocheting for about 30+ years, I started when I was about 10. And I taught myself to knit about 7 or 8 years ago. I do some sewing of curtains, pillows, mending etc. I get many projects on the go at once. Currently I'm knitting a dog blanket and socks, crocheting an amigurumi kitty, and woodburning a wooden box with spongebob images.

Your show is a lot of fun to listen to. I'm a factory worker and I've been listening to all of your past shows at work. Now I'm getting caught up on them, I think I'll give Craftsanity a try.

Thanks ladies.

[JRoKnits]

Great episode, ladies! Jam packed and interesting from start to finish. I really loved your sewing segment - I have sewn for several years but it's something I havent' explored on the internet much.

I learned to crochet before knitting and used it for doll hair as a child. Now I make dishcloths, sun hats, random blocks, toys, and I have three crocheted aran sweaters that I LOVE. It hurts my hands if I do it too much so I tend to knit more often, but I really love crochet.