Tag: crochet patterns

Getting a Project Started

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting

Recently I pulled out a bag of yarn and said, I’m going to use up all of these cakes. I only had one skein or cake of each color. This limits what I can make from these as they were each multi-colored. Combining the colors was not really an option.

I decided I was going to design a bunch of scarves for a booklet. Now who wanted the product? Well a variety of people. A couple of nieces, a daughter, a couple of friends, a nephew all volunteered to take the end product.

These videos (and these are only my second set of videos so please be kind) show how to get started with a project.

Items needed for a crochet project
Getting started and yarn issues
The beginning chain – or foundation crochet
The beginning of the pattern

Now after I shot these videos, I realized I didn’t like the pattern I show so I made some changes. Okay a lot of changes. I did still start with a foundation single crochet (fsc) but the pattern was completely different.

Final Product

Open for Business.

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I took the plunge today and started my shop on my website. This is an exciting step for me. I’m able to offer discounts and sales more easily than anywhere else.

Right now there’s only a few items listed. I’ve got two book series listed for sale and a few crochet patterns which can be downloaded right from my site!

This shop feature is one of the reasons I switched to the new website. It offers me the opportunity to have more control over the price of my items. There are a variety of features which offer a lot of options that aren’t available elsewhere.

Please go to the Shop and wander around. At the bottom on the product page is a place for you to like a product, if you so wish.

Over the next few weeks, my plan is to add all of my books, short stories, and crochet patterns. I also plan to add completed crochet items which will be one time offers available to the first person to purchase.

New Crochet Patterns Published and a Free Short Story

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

It’s been a busy weekend.  Saturday was errands and shopping.  Sunday was food prep (though there will more of that today).  Today I’ve been working on publishing some of my crochet patterns.  I had lost one of the patterns for my Coverall Bibs and last night I found it!  I had actually hand written it – unusual for me because I normally do them on my phone.

This morning I sat down to my computer and got to work on publishing some of the patterns.  Here’s a run down of them.

Coverall Bibs

Two patterns for large bibs to cover the entire front of a baby or alternatively use as a super cape.

Messy babies need a bib to cover all of their shirt.  These two patterns create a large bib to protect the entire front of baby.  Bonus!  Toddlers can use these as super kid capes! Made with crochet cotton these are easily washed and very durable.  A small project easily made in an evening.
Point of No Return Cap
Need a warm cap?  Two skeins of yarn and a couple hours will net you a lovely cap.
Caron Simply Soft Party is a soft and warm yarn with a bit of sparkle.  Used to create this hat, it creates a lovely and warm hat for any occasion.  This pattern works up quickly allowing you to make a lovely hat in an evening.
Simple Set
Is it cold out?  Here’s a hat and scarf set which works up fast and is soft and beautiful.
Made with a large hook and chunky soft yarn, this hat and scarf set is the perfect pattern for a beginner.  It works up quickly and creates a soft, beautiful scarf and hat.
Links for purchasing will be available on my website
I’m also running a free book on Smashwords.  Use this code to get the short story for free DF76F

New Crochet Patterns

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life

 I’ve published three new crochet patterns.  A Set of Squares is a hat, infinity scarf and wristers.  Squares done three ways to create a love set including a hat, scarf and wristers.  The large pattern provides warmth in the winter.  Featuring a square repeat, this set provides style.  Easy to make from the soft, large yarn, the pattern is simple but stylish.

Infinitely Luxurious is an infinity scarf.  Luxurious and warm, this scarf is easy to make and beautiful.  Made with soft, luxurious yarn, this infinity scarf will keep you warm through the coldest of winters.

Jute & Cotton Baskets is a set of ten patterns.  A unique technique using jute (or hemp) with crochet cotton to create baskets for any use or occasion.  Ten patterns for different shaped baskets. Combining hemp rope and crochet cotton, these make sturdy and unique baskets for multiple uses from decoration to storage.

For my youngest daughter I’ve been working on a doily.  It’s the first one I’ve designed and I like how it turned out.  Next I’ll have to decide if I want to publish the pattern.

I’ve been busy working on things for the two girls in Georgia.  I’ve got at least three more things to make for them but I think they will all be from a pattern.  I’m also working on a blanket for my middle daughter which I’ll be publishing the pattern for as soon as I’m done.  I’ve got it nearly half done at this point.

Wayfarer Home and other news

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Wayfarer Home is now available on Amazon and Smashwords.  This is the next installment of Adara and Decker’s story.  Here is a brief synopsis of the story:

Building a new society, Adara struggles with all the responsibilities on her shoulders.  An uncomfortable ship, seven months pregnant and a saboteur create an intolerable situation.  Teamwork and drawing on all resources, including the children, helps get all the tasks done and sets a precedent on how they move forward as they travel to their new home.
I’m excited for this to be published.  I love the new step the story has taken and am excited for the next book.  Wayfarer War is next and should be out in March or April.  
In addition to publishing this, I’ve been crocheting a lot.  I don’t know if the crochet did it but I’ve on the bench when it comes to crocheting right now.  I’ve been working on thread projects which have always been tough for me and two days ago I realized my middle finger on my right hand (the one that holds the teeny tiny hook) has swollen.  I can’t get my ring on it and it hurts to bend it.  This means crocheting is on hold.  I’m annoyed with this because I have several projects I’m trying to get done for my daughters.
On the plus side, I’ve made my first doily with no pattern.  I really enjoyed working it up.  I’ve always thought doing this would be a numbers thing but I’m going on purely design rather than numbers.  I won’t be publishing this one – maybe.  It’s gorgeous but I haven’t written down any of the rounds.  
I do have two new patterns I am working on to publish.  I hope to get those ready soon, maybe a week or two.  One is a lovely warm winter scarf and one is a hat, scarf, wristers set.  Next will be a blanket which I’m working on – or was until my hand became an issue.  I’ll rest it but it is going to be hard.  Yesterday Vicki was knitting and I was just sitting there.  I found myself very impatient and annoyed and realized it was because I couldn’t crochet.   

Progress!

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Life, Writing

Seven crochet patterns have been published!  I’m thrilled to have finally had time to get them out.  These have been on my todo list for quite some time.

I was off work yesterday and was going to do it then but I’ve got upper respiratory crud on top of my gout flaring.  I slept most of the day – not even crocheting until evening.

Last night I was trying to sleep and couldn’t breath.  I tried different levels of reclining but realized none of them were going to work.  I also tried having a cloth with eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary on it to inhale but I couldn’t get any air through my nose.  Eventually I got up and took a hot shower with the essential oils.  It helped a lot until I sat down to sleep again.  It was after 2 am before I got to sleep though.

Sadly, Ken has the same crud so we are both struggling to accomplish anything other than breathing, coughing, and surviving.

I’ve been working on an afghan for my youngest daughter.  I’ve got it about half done but I need to have Ken hold it up so I can see it.  I think the graph caused a flaw and I need someone to hold it while I look to see if I have to rip out some rows and adjust so it looks right.  It is a corner to corner graphgan.

For those who don’t speak crochet, this means I’m working from one corner to the opposite – diagonally across the piece.  It also means I’ve taken a picture and made it into a graph.  This happens to be the Packer’s G symbol.  The issue is the G is surrounded by a circle which is difficult to do on an afghan.  When I looked at it last night, I thought the circle part wasn’t quite right but I double checked my row against my graph and they match.

The next step is to decide if I need to adjust the graph / pattern based on how it looks.  I might but I need to see it held out and a little away from me.  I can’t really do that – so Ken will hold it up for me.

The rest of today will be spent napping and crocheting until the daughter gets home.  Once she’s home, we will see what happens.  It depends on what she needs / wants.  Unfortunately, she has the same crud we have.

For the crochet patterns I published today go to my web site to find links.  The Amazon links aren’t up yet but should be by Monday or Tuesday.  My todo list is still quite long but at least I made progress.  

Vacation!

by eileentroemel, posted in Life

Ken, Vicki and I took vacation to go to Florida for one of Vicki’s conferences.  On the way we stopped to see Virginia and Stephanie.  It was good to see them and have time with them.  When we were with them we kept it low key and hung out at their house.  We grilled out, played games, and just spent time together.

Florida was hot.  I can’t say I was impressed.  It was hot and muggy.  The hotel staff were rude and the manager was no help.  The conference was interesting.

We did see the ocean, we didn’t make it to the Gulf.  We spent a morning at the Kennedy Space Center.  It was very interesting but a bit overpriced.

On the way back, we stopped to see the girls again which was again another low key day.  We needed it before the long drive back to Indiana.

By the time Ken and I got back to Wisconsin, we’d put over 3000 miles on the car, visited with our girls, and done some sightseeing.  One thing I am very proud of is we saved up the cash to take this trip.  None of it went on credit cards.  We came home and had a little money left over.  

Ken had to be back to work on July 1 but I had off until July 5.  I went back to work yesterday.  It was odd.  I had vacation brain by 10 am I was ready for a nap.

I got my article in to the crochet magazine.  Now I wait to see if they print it.  I got the crochet pattern in to the other crochet magazine, I have to mail off the project for pictures.  I think – maybe – I’m all caught up on emails for both home and work.  I need to finish the wedding gift I’ve been working on.  I have it about half done.  I’m printed two patterns I want to use so I’ll work finishing the gift this week and over the weekend.  I need to pick buttons and sew them on.  Next step will be to buy a gift bag to put them in.

Unfortunately, my scooter isn’t working.  Ken says there is a broken wire and he can’t fix it.  This makes it impossible for me to go to work.  I can’t walk the distance to get into the building.  I’m taking today and tomorrow off.  I have an appointment with DVR to see if they can help me.  If they can’t, the next step will be to see about a loan to purchase the scooter I need.  Hopefully they can move quickly so I don’t have to miss too much work.  I’ll know more tomorrow – I hope.

New Crochet Patterns Published

by eileentroemel, posted in Crochet and crafting, Writing

I’ve been busy crocheting and reading.  Vicki asked me for new dishtowels.  This is a great opportunity for me to try out different stitch sequences.  In doing this, I created two new dishtowel patterns.  Doubled Up Dishtowel and Drop Stitch Dishtowel both offer a different style.  I like them both and think Vicki liked the towels she got out of them.

The plaid scarf was part of gift for one of my student workers.  She is graduating.  She is crazy about plaid so I made her a plaid scarf.  I love how it turned out.  It is vibrant and fun.

These are available on Smashwords:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/541590
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/541610
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/541616

Or they are available on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF8K41Y
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF72MEW
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00XF99OGO

I’ve still got other patterns I need to get typed up.  I need a secretary!  But for now, I’m off to explore a newly discovered yarn store.  Ken will grumble but I think I’ll enjoy it.