Woven Together | Beginner Resources

We live in a world of mass resources and sometimes it can be overwhelming trying to find a teaching book that will work for you. So let me show you some books that I have tried and liked.

 1. I Taught Myself to Crochet

This was the first crocheting book I ever bought. I love this book because it comes with six hooks, darning needles, and some small goodies that I normally wouldn't bother buying but that are really good to have. This book also has some wonderful easy projects and most importantly it teaches you how to read patterns. 

Get it here! 

2. How to Crochet

For all you reading learners, this is your book. Although this book lacks bright colored pictures and fun diagrams, it has simple easy to follow guides that will make your learning a success!

Get it here! 

3. I Can't Believe I'm Crocheting! DVD

I love love love this program. The book, DVD, and starter kit can all be sold separately but I would strongly suggest getting them all in the one kit! This program is easy to follow and great for working on techniques, and proper stitch structures. I highly recommend this one!

Get it here!

 4. Crocheting School; A Complete Course
I am a visual and hands-on learner and this book has been so useful for my learning styles. I love the beautiful pictures of yarn and the easy to follow patterns. This book is simply inspirational visually. Plus, who wouldn't want to learn to make that beautiful shell pattern on the front of the book??

Get it here!

5. How to Knit; A Complete Guide for Absolute Beginners

What an awesome title? I would highly recommend this book for the absolute beginner, and younger learners! The pictures are bright and the projects are fun and easy to follow! 

Get it here!

 6. Kids Knitting
Don't under estimate the ability of kids learning to knit! My little 11 year old brother loves to knit. He tried crocheting but knitting is his favorite. I can tell it has helped his fine motor skills, patience, and diligence in finishing a project to completion. I would also recommend it for kids who are managing some behavioral challenges! Knitting is a great brain stimulator!

Get it here!

7. Mason Dixon Knitting 
This book is probably my personal all time favorite knitting book. I have used the projects from the book for years now! The patterns are clear and have wonderful pictures. This is a great book.

Get it here!

8. Martha Stewart Loom Knitting

Honestly I have not tried this yet but it is on my bucket list of things to learn. The book seems to be clear and easy to follow. I plan is to try it soon! Let me know if you have tried it and how you feel about it. I love learning new yarn crafts! 

Get it here! 

Let me know what you think of these books and if you have used them before. What are some of your favorite yarn craft books? How did you learn, and what type of learning styles works best for you? 
Happy yarning and I hope you are all staying warm in this winter wonder weather! 

Woven Together | Beginning

Crocheting and Knitting

Crocheting has been apart of my life since I was 13 years old. It is sometimes hard for me to think of how I began. I love to crochet with a passion and I must admit knitting is not my greatest thrill although I do enjoy it. Im going back to think of what questions I had? What materials I questioned using? Where and how to find good deals on buying yarn? So I am hoping to give you the tools I used for learning how to crochet and knit. 

1. The differences between crocheting and knitting. 
- Crocheting uses one hook, and knitting requires two pointed needles. Hooks and knitting needles come in all different lengths and colors. 

2. What size hook or needles should I start with?
- For crocheting I would recommend a medium sized hook. Hooks are sized by letters and millimeters. So a size I / 5.50mm would be a good starting hook. 
Knitting needles are measured mostly by number. I used size 10 needles for my first knitting project and I felt good about my results. 
- On the yarn packaging there will be a chart for suggested hook and needle size.

3. What type of yarn to use? 

- When teaching how to crochet or knit I always, always recommend using a bright light color. This helps see the stitches better. I would also suggest a worsted weight yarn. Worsted weight is easy to hold, easy to see, and easy to work with. It doesn't tangle too bad and keeps its shape. Worsted is also one of the cheapest yarns you can buy, so your purse will be glad. 

4. How to get started?

- If you do not have a teacher or someone who can show you the ropes, there are many online resources you can use to learn how to crochet or knit. 

1. Learn to Crochet with GIF

2. Lion Brand Learning Center 

3. Red Heart Learn Crochet

4. Queen of DIY

5. Search Youtube for many many many helpful videos on knitting and crocheting! 

If you have any questions, please fill free to comment! I hope this has been helpful. Let me know what you think? 

Blessings! 

Connemara Baked Custard

This weekend while I was catching up on some crocheting projects I decided to make some of these Connemara Baked Custards. They are perfect on cold and rainy afternoon! 

Baked Custard 

Beat with rotary beater:

4 eggs

1/2 cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla 

1/2 teaspoon salt

21 ounces milk (the richer the better, perferaly goat's milk) I have also used coconut milk and they turned out wonderful! 

Preheat oven to 300 degrees. Put a small amount of brown sugar in 4-5 oven proof custard cups or baking dish, pour in custard, sprinkle with nutmeg. Set the dishes or dish in a 2 1/2 in deep pan and pour cold water around them. Bake for 1:15 to 1:30 hours. Remove from water and cool. 

The recipe was adapted from the North Carolina Plantations and Historic Homes Cookbook. This particular version was giving by the Carl Sandburg Home in Flat Rock, NC. Happy Baking! 

HATS!!!

Hey, I just wanted to show what I have been busy making! 

The Olivia Hat

 The Butterfly Hat

Cloudy Day Hat

I am so thrilled and stressed that finals are coming soon! I am so ready for Christmas break! I have been  studying hard then de-stressing with crocheting! I am hoping that on Thanksgiving and Christmas break I can make a lot more things to sell. Some friends are pushing me to put my hats for sale on Etsy but I am not sure yet. Since I am in college my life has limited free time so I am praying about it. 

How do you feel about Etsy? Is it worth it for a small time hat seller? 

Have a great week! 

MOVEMBER

Thats right I am sure you have heard of "No Shave November" but now the growth of fall facial hair is at it's peak! Movember is a organization to help raise money for men's health awareness. During the month of November, Movember participants are shaving all but their manly mustache's! 

 Since I can't really grow a mustache I am making these crocheted mustache's for the cause! 

The pattern I used for them is here by a lovely Mo sista! 

To help with Movember go to there website here and sign up to help raise awareness for men's health! 

Men Get Your Heath On!!!! 

First Project Of The Summer!

My first day home from college and my creativeness what begging for an outlet! After searching my house, I finally found some yarn! The yarn was the Wal-Mart brand baby pink and a calico pink, brown, and green. I crocheted the two yarns together for a thicker feel for the wash cloth. I used a "m" hook size. The wash cloth took about an hour to make.

The pattern is...

1) Chain 21- turn.

2) Double stitch first row. This row should have 20 stitches. turn.

3) single stitch second row.

4) Alternating rows 2 and 3, continue until the was cloth is square, approximately 15 rows.

5) End- Chain tightly 15, then slip stitch in to the last stitch, tie off and hide ending.

Ta-da finished product!!

Happy Mother's day!!

Tell me what is everyone doing for their mother's??