I recently purchased this book from Amazon for the cover sweater:
I couldn't see all of it, due to the way the model was posing, but I was intrigued by the way the cable was made. It reminded me of a Lion Brand knitted pattern that I first saw in a fashion runway photo online.
Oh, by the way, the patterns are made by another 'male' crocheter, George Shaheen.
Well, I received it, and after getting over the fact the book only has 5 patterns for $12!!!!, (one is OK, but the other 3...not for me!) :-)
Got to see the whole sweater.....not bad!
So, after reviewing how the cable strip was made, I decided to make a smaller version, just to see. I decided to try it in a one color bag, then, another version as a hat, with 2 shades of gray ( some left over yarn). I wasn't too sure about this one, but, what the heck, right? ;-)
I recently met Gene (aka Crochet Dad)from California here in Philly the other day. He and his wife were here to their youngest daughter's graduation from Drexel University.
We met up at a local Starbucks, and one of the first things that struck me was he greeted me with a great big hug....not your standard handshake... that was nice!!
He treated me to a cup of coffee, while I sat and talked with him and his wife, daughter and her boyfriend.
It was both nice and strange at the same time. Nice, because I rarely get to see and talk with another male crocheter, strange, because I've only done that online.
I once met a senior male crocheter(Ed) at a local senior center that wanted to meet me when he heard of me thru a mutual craft friend. She talked about me and he was so excited to hear of another male crocheter( a Black one too!!), that he asked me to come to his center.
So, whenever I came by, he'd always have something for me to see. after awhile I realized that in his funny way, he was 'testing me'. So, sometimes, I'd act as if I didn't know something, just so he could 'teach' me.
He was originally from Texas, were he learned to crochet as a kid.
He was also glad to meet someone who understood crochet on the same level. Most of the ladies didn't, and he would get frustrated with them, so he figured it would just be better to flirt with them (hee, hee!!)
He since passed. But before he did, he gave me dozens of old patterns and a complete set of knitting needles (he was a knitter as well.
So, it was really nice to meet another male crocheter in person, especially one that gives 'hugs'!!
One of my former senior citizen students (Rose) from a Senior apartment building I taught at sent a couple of photos of a afghan & bedspread she just had finished.
One was from a pattern I gave her, the other was just something she made up. I call her my 'Afghan Lady'. That seems to be the thing she enjoys making the most. Don't really need a pattern, I can just make up a diagram, suggest some colors, and off she goes!!
I'm no longer teach there, but stop by from time to time (it was my first official class 10 yrs ago), so some of the members are like family (the ones you really want to be around!!) ;-)
I seem to have this bad habit of whenever I see something online or a email that I think other people might like, I pass it along (I call it 'sharing').
Well, the other day I saw a baby hat online pattern that I thought some people might like. I'm not into baby stuff, but I know a few ladies who are.
So, after sending the pattern, I got a response from a old crochet friend ( who, by the way, I never hear from till I send her a email), who thanked me for the pattern, and then went on to say that she liked my website, particularly a 'Jeff' cap I designed, and requested me to 'send' her the pattern.
What's up with that!!
What does she think my website is? A 'free' online service? There's a clear difference between a free online patterns and purchased ones.
But because she knows me, she automatically thinks I'll 'give' her the pattern (then won't hear from her till the next time she wants something)..
Well, I tried to be nice, so I didn't respond.
After a week or so, she replied "Since you have not answered me I guess if I want that” JEFF” pattern I will have to pay for it."
Anyone have any plans? I asked this question last year, and most people had never heard about it. I guess it's not so much of thing anymore.
There's a group in Ravelry called 'NATCROMO' (National Crochet Month).
Here, in Philly, the only thing I ever hear about is the annual Knit Out in September. And that's starting to thin out. They're hanging by a thread lately (no pun intended).
Seems as though everybody's just staying in and just working on their own, sneaking out just to get yarn.
Was just in a Michael's the other day, and you could hear a pin drop in the yarn section.
Maybe it's the weather.....that must be it! ;-0
Hopefully, as Spring arrives, more people will get out of the house, and interact more.
I use Red Heart Super Saver for almost everything I make. People always asked why don't I use 'better' yarn....well, here's a couple of reasons:
1: With as much stuff I want to make, it's just cheaper. 2: I make mostly women's items, usually just hats & scarves for guys. 3: Although I get compliments on my work, nobody's buying them, so why spend extra money when people only look at my pictures? 4: When designing, it makes sense to use a more 'durable' yarn.
When I first started crocheting, all I thought about was improving my technique. As a young teenager in college in the middle of nowhere, yarn was scarce. Besides, all I saw was Red Heart at Woolworth's (OK, I'm dating myself!!)
So, when I came home, I did go to this yarn store called Clivden's, where they had a large variety of different yarns, but they where mainly out of my price range.
I did try, from time to time, to use some better yarn (like when I made that ripple gown), but that was a special occasion. For the most part, I mainly crocheted just for my personal enjoyment.
I still had conflicting issues with me being a 'guy' crocheting, so there were times I just didn't bother with at all.
But, when I decided to teach years later, I found that most of my students used Red Heart. They were mainly senior citizens, on fixed incomes(like me!!), and mainly crocheted for the comfort it gave.
So, I figured that, for those who were interested improving their crochet skills, they could still use the same type of yarn.
Now, I'm at a point in my life, that I don't care what type yarn I use. It's more important on how well you crochet, not what yarn you use!!
Outils 
