A Summer of Crochet Love

Where did summer go?!

Summer is officially over and what a season it was for crochet! I held 7 crochet workshops in various locations in Metro Manila.

Pretty granny squares from one of my basic crochet workshops!

And here are the new "hookers" of Summer 2014! I held a workshop at Designer Blooms Cafe in Alabang last March 22.

There were 3 basic crochet workshops in Pipino Vegetarian in Quezon City. This one was last March 29.

The May 11 group!

It was also on this day where we had a Craft Pop-Up! Of course, I had my trunk full of yarn!

And just recently, last June 21.

There was also a basic crochet workshop at Pino/Pipino in Makati last April 27.

I also taught the basics of Tunisian Crochet in 2 workshops last April 26 and May 24.

This was a session held in GIGI Coffee & Cupcakes in Eastwood.

We did a couple of swatches of basic Tunisian Crochet stitches in these workshops.

If you are interested to join any of my crochet workshops, you can check out my calendar HERE. You can click the links below to be directed to the registration forms:

Basic Crochet Workshop

Tunisian Crochet For Beginners

Amigurumi Workshop

266 Pieces. Done.

I am finally done crocheting all 266 motif pieces of the queen-sized bedspread I started last year. And this is how I monitored my count.

One word. Excel.

I am a sucker for Excel. You can organize anything on Excel, so I decided to plan my motif layout for this bedspread on it. Thing is, all the motifs on this project have the same design and only use the same 6 colors on each piece - so why have a layout? I had to make sure the order of the colors on each piece doesn't have the same order as the one beside it. The seemingly random look this bedspread has was planned. I am very detail-oriented, and it pretty much reflects on my choices for my crochet projects.

Excel also helped me monitor how many motifs I have made so far and whether or not I was doing the right number of this certain motif with a specific color order. 

Oh yes, I am O.C. that way. All I need to do now is to sew all of them together. The sewing part is not exactly what I am looking forward to, but it must be done. I hope to post the finished bedspread soon!

My "Crochet Rules To Live By"

I have these self-imposed rules when I undertake a crochet project. They help me a lot in achieving the results I want. I'm pretty sure other crocheters have their own versions too.

 My 3-Hook Test

When I undertake a project that has a recommended hook size, I test that hook plus 2 more hooks: one with a size lower and the other with a size higher. You see, I'm not a gauge person. I don't make the gauge to make sure I have the correct hook size or yarn thickness for the project. I rely purely on what I think looks okay. Very subjective, I know.

I test the first row or round with the recommended hook. If it looks (or feels) tight, I use a higher-sized hook than the original. If it looks (or feels) loose, I use the lower-sized option. 

Color Combinations Matter

I am very sensitive to color combinations. They can make or break a project. A simple project which can only be made of single or double crochets can look marvelous with the right color combinations. There are many sites out there that specifically cater to color combinations. I get my color inspirations from various interior design and fashion resources. Pantone is a great resource too.

Red Heart Creme de la Creme Yarn [L-R]: Aqua Jade, Brite Orange, Brite Green, Sunshine

The Back Should Look As Good As The Front

Or at least as clean. This is my rule especially when working with flat projects like motifs, spreads, and doilies. If your back is as clean as the front, then you did a great job. Hide your yarn tails properly. It would be better if you can hide them as you crochet.

Crocheted with Red Heart Baby Sheen Yarn

Never Rule Out Unraveling
I have learned how to deal with unraveling. It takes some zen-like attitude to be okay with this process. There are different reasons why I unravel: if I made a very obvious mistake that is hard to hide, if I lost count somewhere, or if I don't really like how my project is looking.

Do you have your own crochet rules too?