Hi Crocheter! 👋

How good is your gift giver?

The first year we were married, for Christmas my husband gave me an old dusty mirror that he got from the thrift store. He wrote a message on the glass in red sharpie and didn't even bother to clean it.

That’s when I discovered giving gifts is not his love language. And after 25 years of marriage I’ve learned that even with specific guidance, he gets it wrong.

Last year, I asked for a set of Susan Bates Ergonomic crochet hooks - not hard to get right, right? Wrong! I got a set of Boye hooks instead, which was nice but I really wanted those inline hooks!

That's why I created the Crochet Gift Wish List. There is no confusion and no getting the wrong thing. It links to exactly what you want and emails your gift giver exactly what you want with your comments and handy dandy link to buy. You can even add your own.

Try it out and let me know what you think! 🧡

In this week’s e-mail:

🔶 …This dual color Snowdrift Trivet that uses bobble stitches to create a thick protector for your table and the most popular pattern on Ravelry this week. Very elegant! Versatile too, change colors to match the season (or your stash).

🔶 …Who to nominate for the Yarnie Awards! Your nominations help spotlight the trends and makers everyone will be talking about next year. Categories include creators of the year, pattern and pattern designer of the year, most innovative pattern, crochet Youtuber, trend and tool makers of the year, as well as categories for best amigurumi, books and more! Nominations are open through December 8.

🔶 …The Crochet Current Gift Wish List. Just check the boxes to send and email to your gift giver(s) with direct links so there’s no confusion.

🔶 …The Rumi Braid Crochet Beanie worn by the presenters on the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade and made by Jonathan Garrity. (Rumi is a character on Netflix’s Kpop Demon Hunters.) Here’s a tutorial on how to make it.

Nothing is more of a game-changer than the chainless foundation! Creating the foundation and the first row at the same time turns long starting chains into stretchy, neat edges that even crocheting into the back bump can’t match.

You can do this anytime a pattern begins with a standard single, half or double crochet but it can’t be used if the patterns calls for working two stitches into one or to skip chains.

Mastering this was a bit tricky for me until I remembered to do the extra crochet that created the chain stitch. Watch this short video about the Foundation Single Crochet (fsc) and the others to see what I mean:

Here’s convenient links to videos for the Foundation Half Double Crochet (fhdc) and the Foundation Double Crochet (fdc) or step-by-step photo instructions if you prefer.

This technique instantly makes your work look more professional.

👉 Have you tried this technique? Reply, and let me know how you level-up!

A curated selection of useful (mostly) crochet-related articles and tools I’ve come across recently for you to explore. All links have been vetted! 🧡

I crochet for charity. A LOT!

There’s only so many blankets and beanies my family can use at one time. I don’t have the energy to set up a market booth or Etsy shop. And making the same thing over and over is tedious. My ADHD hates it!

But the crocheted stuff has to go somewhere to make space for more yarn! (After all, isn’t crocheting is just a cover to get more yarn? 😁)

Plus, I love the challenge of trying something new and proving that I can make it. The high from starting something new, accomplishing a new technique and actually finishing is addicting.

And my stash gets used up and I can buy more yarn!

When I saw the Flora Blossom Rectangle Blanket I was hooked by the corner puff stitch ridges and the swooping scalloped edges. I HAD to try it!

I found a pile of purple and white Caron Simply Soft taking up too much space in my stash that was perfect.

The blossoms added a little complexity, that made it challenging. And with every row being different in the 7-row repeat, it held my interest but was still mindless enough for Netflix.

Challenging myself to use every last bit, I was able to make the Baby Blanket Squared, the Phoebe Hat, as well as one more that was cute but I can’t remember where I found the pattern now.

While I do love sending pretty things to charity for people to enjoy, it doesn’t have to be perfect and the colors don’t need to exactly match. It’s a great way to share your love with someone else.

Matching what you like to crochet with a charity that can use the items you want is key. There are hundreds of charities that will take crocheted items. We feature a different one every week, you’re sure to find one that fits.

👉 Do you crochet for charity too? What do you make?

IN STITCHES

WEAVING IN THE ENDS

I do hope you had a great Thanksgiving with your loved ones and had lots of time to crochet.

See you next week!

—Michelle 🧡

P.S. Reply and let me know what you liked best about today’s issue!

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BEFORE YOU GO…