March 06th, 2017

March is National Crochet Month!


I think it should be International Crochet Month so the whole world can celebrate what a great skill it is to have. Let's share the skill with those who want to learn!

I am taking part in the Crochetville's celebration of all things crochet - designers and yarn shops. The theme this year is Glamping. This is not a subject I know much about. I have tried to convince my family that we should go camping or glamping but they don't seem very happy to even try it.

So in my absence of knowledge about glamping, I thought I would write about crochet instead.

What does crochet mean to you? Crochet means a few things to me. It's not just a hobby and it's not just a business for me. It is my daily release of stress and a way to be creative without (too much) mess. You will usually find me at the end of the day crocheting in my favourite spot on the sofa and "listening" to whichever TV show or movie is on. I don't crochet in my little office upstairs, because it is 1) too small, 2) there is no comfy sofa in there and 3) it's too cold in that room, especially in winter.

I find that making items for everyone that I love can be daunting at times. Will they like it, will it fit, is this the right style for them....or the worst is – will they look at it and laugh and then throw it away not knowing how long I have spent making it? I have had a few bad experiences concerning that issue, which is why I am more careful about who I gift crocheted items to now. My children are the ones that I make items for the most, whether it be amigurumi or hats and jumpers. I would say that they are my biggest fans and they encourage me so much.

I crochet a lot of items for charity which offsets the stress of making items for people I know. Making items for people in dire need is so rewarding and it is something that I am truly proud of. You will find a page of charities that I support on my webpage. My favourite charity is Woolly Hugs and I have challenged myself to send a package of as many items to them each month as I can in 2017. In just 2 months I have sent them 41 hats, 6 blankets, 3 sets of gloves,1 scarf and a few Easter amigurumis for their annual Easter craft sale. You can keep up to date with my charity challenge on my Facebook page or my website.

Whatever crochet means to you, I hope it brings you joy in many ways. If you don't crochet but you receive something that someone has made for you, don't just cast it aside. Look at it, study it and think about how each stitch was made with someone thinking about you. When you see a tag that says “Handmade with Love” - it really is telling the truth!


To celebrate NatCroMo, many designers and yarn shops are having sales or even freebies - so head over to Crochetville's website to see them all. 


I am offering you a FREE copy of my most popular design - Petals In The Wind Blanket. All you have to do is go to Ravelry, add the pattern to your shopping cart and add the code "natcromo" and it should become FREE. Please make sure the code works before checking out, as no refunds will be given. The code is valid from 18/3 until 25/3.

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