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Broomstick Lace – Stitch or Technique?

September 7th, 2007 at 01:00 am » Comments (1)

Also known as Jiffy Lace or Peacock’s Eye,

In Your Opinion, Is this type of Crochet

a Stitch

or

a Technique?

Please tell me what you think by voting in the poll

or better yet, share why you hold that opinion by commenting and voting







Symbol Crochet

September 1st, 2007 at 08:30 am » Comments (5)

SymblCro.jpg

Pictures, sign language, and Symbols have been the timeless means to share everything from history to recipes.

Crochet Symbols are used in Charted Patterns. It is these Charted Patterns allow us to cross language barriers and enjoy the creativity of those with whom our only common language is the technique used in our craft.

Several recent discussions about Crochet software led me to take another look at New Hampshire Software’s SymblCro.

And, I might have just said, “this has to wait for another day” until I read the 1850 Pattern monologue* Caution: Be Prepared For PSA‘s in this complimentary pattern “explanation”

Apparently Joan Silverton shares my sense of humor and her free crochet pattern verbiage can make me laugh out loud, – that rates a deeper look into the product born of her frustration with that 1850 and toher vintage crochet pattern.

Stealing an hour from the “To Be Done File” including perusing the on-line forum, it seemed that perhaps a Yahoo group would be a better way to share information about Symbol Crochet and thus spread its use

The never humble opinion, I was wrong about what I said “in the past” The SymblCro is a program deserves to grow. It just already does so many things I want/need from Crochet Software Design tool.

Fortunately, Joan freely admits the “manual” is not the easiest, once you begin to make some progress on that steep learning curve, it is easy to see the huge potential of this program. Since this is currently still a free program, it only get “free time” and we all know how life can happen.

Being the patient sort that I am (not), and with the clear understanding that with rare exception, we are all likely rookies where SymblCro is concerned, and with informal agreement from its author, we set up a Yahoo Group to Focus on SymbolCrochet.

The goal of SymbolCrochet is to create a place where both those who use and those who design using Symbols crochet can share information.

Along the way, we may be able to create the basis of references and cross references and perhaps even help Joan to incorporate a larger number of symbols “into the program” and well as a wish list of things we “wish it could do”

So here’s the skinny:

Although nothing can really substitute for good reference books…

Current Use or Knowledge of SymbolCrochet, the symbols or the software is not required,

Basic Crochet knowledge will be helpful – If you are just learning to crochet and want to use “written” instructions, there are many wonderful groups.

For General Crochet Help, I happily recommend Crochet Partners as one of the best resources for beginner to advance technique help or one of the more specialized groups like Carol Ventura’s group for her passion, Tapestry Crochet when you need very specific “help” Another of my favorites is Kim Guzman’s yahoo group for Tunisian Crochet

The mission of SymbolCrochet will be how to use Symbol Crochet to complete your crochet work using instructions written using crochet symbols instead of “just words”.

Secondarily, to help each other over the learning curve, so we can most effectively use Joan Silverton’s SymblCro software for design purposes –

And who knows, in the process we might even develop some new cross references either for this blog or my dreamed of Crochet section for the YARNandTHREAD.info Wiki

We are still working on unpacking the boxes and arranging the furniture, so please excuse our dust.







Defining Crochet Friendly Yarns

August 11th, 2007 at 08:28 am » Comments (1)


How absurd is the above title,

Why VERY VERY Absurd of Course,

EVERY Yarn, EVERY String, EVERY Thread,
be it man made or “natural” fibers,
or Metallic or even METAL,
CAN Be Crochet Friendly.

If IT Can Be Bent, It Can Be Crocheted

(or Braid, or Knit, or Beadwork, or Macromae, or Stichery, or Woven)

You just need to SAMPLE
until you find the
proper tool and technique
for your final purpose

The recent series of questions from aspiring teachers, designers and even some shop owners led to wondering why or how to address two topics dear to my heart. Not to mention some of the discussions in several good sized “hobby” groups have made it very clear there is confusion and misunderstanding on both sides of the table.

The first, why do I consider swatching and sampling to be so important and how these swatches and tools are an essential tool for everyone involved in NeedleArts.

And of course, how the owners of our independent shops can make their shops a more welcoming place for ALL users of String, not just knitters.

During the most recent “YARN Craze”, many of those who had previously only had access to the limited selection of yarns offered in “the big chains” or thru the “bit Mail Order houses” – became exposed to a much wider variety of types and styles.

As yarn sales began to flatten and fall, those chains are now “cutting back” to the more limited selection; our yarn using NeedleArtisans have begun to venture into the Independent shops, but at least for crochet, have met with what they perceive is at best condescension and at worst hostility.

Really, what they met is more likely confusion and defensive posturing. Running a small business in an increasingly competitive environment takes a toll, and when you build your business on being helpful, but are faced with “the unknown” as crochet is for so many —

Well, they stick to what they think is true.

So here are the Myths that need busting.

(more…)







Retailer Attitude Towards Crochet

July 25th, 2007 at 00:37 am » Comments (1)



Crochet As The New Knitting –


Part IV:
Retailers & Crochet Consumers

Retailers need to realize there is growing segment in the yarn community who have been exposed to and have been enamoured of “Yarn Store Yarns” for Crochet.

It is true, that based on harsh experience many who crochet have not had the most positive of experiences, some of the fault is the attitude they bring in the door.

Yet, more of it is likely a defensive response by the shop owner or staff because they are not sure they possess the necessary skills to properly support the Crochet customer in the way they (The Retailer) want to be able to serve their customer.

Nor, should Retailers believe that all past behavior is the unbreakable rule. An opportunity exists to increase your sales thru common courtesy. So what if they initially only buy from the Sale Bin. You did want to sell that stuff didn’t you?

At a shop recently opened in my area, she has a begun monthly stitching night. The Group was quite diverse including a small cadre of those who can knit but prefer not to. We had an interesting discussion about why Yarn Shops seem to be Crochet Unfriendly. Typical of many of the shops opened in the last few years, the shop owner is rather new to the business.

Atypical is that she is completely upfront about her lack of indepth knowledge and has gone out of her way to hire ‘experts’ who can assist her customers in the many ways of using yarn.

I explained that, in my opinion, it really has nothing to do with Crochet – although changing in the last few years, reports and reality of clique-ishness in “local shops” for any needle arts have been rampant for years. You can read all about that in just about any “Knit Group”

Add in the challenge of possibly not having the skill set to properly support Crochet, with a smidgeon of Customer Attitude because they have not had happy experiences in other shops, and I sincerely believe that most of what is perceived as snootiness about crochet is really just a very human reaction defensive reaction caused by fully understanding something.

It is just so hard to say “I don’t Know” when you are in the position of thinking it paramont to the be the expert.

If Retailers recognize this and explain it to their staff, then it will help them to create the Retailer/Consumer relationships that benefit both.

It is neither rational or reasonable for the consumer to expect a retailer to stock merchandise that that is unprofitable. If Crocheters want free patterns and cheap tools and low cost yarns, they need to shop elsewhere.

From a shop owner perspective.

No, Crochet is NOT the New Knitting…

but why not make them feel welcome, perhaps invest a bit of time in learning more about Crochet and at least carry a few patterns, books and tools for this craft, they will see this become an increasing portion of their sales.

Don’t they deserve the same courtesy and respect you give to other user of yarn?

Maybe I need to offer a class at TNNA on making your shop “Crochet Friendly” without breaking the Open to Buy Budget Let me go make a note to include cost of a Nerf Ball Bat to use on those who forgot to knock off the chip before they came in the door.

Wheat

To comment by email, write to Email-Comment at YARNandTHREAD net – be sure to mention if your comments may be added to “What Wheat Wrote”







Crochet Street Art – Tree Cozy by Carol Hummel

July 21st, 2007 at 11:08 am » Comments (6)


After a week of far too much “serious” thought, it is fun to share some silly stuff.

street-tree-2.gif

Many Thanks to Judy from Crochet Partners for sending me this this link with the photo above and some of the story that has the Story of Carol Hummel’s Tree Cozy.
carol-in-tree.jpg

Naturally I could not type “tree cozy” in to google fast enough to find more and was rewarded with this rather eclectric blog with a ton more pictures

Also found Carol Hummel’s personal domain, it is worth the time to ‘sit through” the slide show.

P.S. For more “fiber related” street art, you will want to spend some time visiting Knitta







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