Marly Bird Podcast

Oh man… Guys I have a confession to make… I am a complete podcastaholic, and right now it’s all about The Yarn Thing Podcast with Marly Bird. I have been binging it all day while I work on orders and I have been so in love with each show I have listened to!

So, what’s a podcast? Well I initially thought a podcast was someone somehow using their iPod to broadcast music or something. Now I know that is so far from the truth! A podcast is a place for people to talk about what they love, what they’re passionate about, and just be who they are. They record themselves talking about whatever it is they like to talk about, then they post it up on iTunes or their own website. It’s a wonderful way to get to know a person and what makes them tick without feeling like you are being intrusive.

Why is Marly’s podcast different? Well, she talks about ALL fiber art. There may be other podcasts that do the same, but none on the scale that she does. Every episode is so full of amazing information, and just well rounded. Her guests are so knowledgable and so fun to listen to! I find that most podcasts talk about knitting for the most part, and while I love knitting, crocheting is my main squeeze, so having a podcast that hits on them both just speaks to me on all levels!

She broadcasts live every Tuesday and Thursday at 10 a.m. MST. She has chances to win items, so be sure to listen live and get involved!

Make sure to follow her website here! And find her on Facebook here! Let’s all help support fellow fiber artists!

Shannon

 

Cutie Headband Free Pattern!

It’s that time again, and I wish I could say this was going to be a regular thing, but it probably won’t be. Any who, I have made up a pattern for my favorite bow headband, and I would love to share it with you! So here it is!

Cutie Headband

Materials:

1 skein Cascade Yarns Cherub Aran Sparkle or any soft DK weight yarn Crochet Hook Size F or 3.75mm
Scissors
Metal Darning Needle

Directions for Headband:

Chain 9

Row 1: Turn sc in second stitch from hook, *dc in next, sc in next* repeat until the end of the row.

Row 2: Turn, chain one, sc in first stitch, *dc in next stitch, sc in next stitch* repeat until the end of the row.

Repeat row 2 until you get the length desired.
Cut ends, weave them in, and join headband making sure not to twist. Sizes:

Newborn: 13 inches
3-6 Months: 17 inches 6-12 months: 19 inches 1-3 years: 20 inches
3-10 years: 22 inches Adult Small: 22 inches Adult Medium: 23.5 inches Adult Large: 24.5 inches

Sizes sourced from

http://www.stringtoathing.com

Directions for Bow:

Chain 23

Row 1: hdc in second chain from hook and to the end.

Row 2: Chain 1, turn, hdc in first stitch and each stitch thereafter.

Repeat Row 2 until desired height (I usually make it about 4 inches in height).

Do not cut, you may now put a border on the bow by single crocheting in each stitch (putting 3 sc’s in each corner). This will make for a more “sturdy” bow. Tie off and weave ends.

Once your bow is finished how you like, take the yarn from the skein and wrap around the middle of the bow. You can do this a couple times, or make it quite thick. Tie off and leave at least 12 inches of yarn to sew bow onto the head band.

Attach bow to headband by simply using the bows yarn tail and weaving through the headband and the back of the bow.

 

**To view the $1.00 downloadable version, please visit this link!**

 

 

I hope this post finds you well, and I hope the pattern is easy peasy and you get the result you hope for! If you have any questions, please contact me!

Shannon

 

 

With Wine in Hand

Whew! Today was pretty intense. I woke up at 3:00 a.m. and was set up and ready to go at my craft fair by 6:00 a.m. Mind you, the fair didn’t start until 9 a.m. So, that just left me being cold for three hours with no-one to talk to, I couldn’t even crochet or knit! I thought about making myself a pair of my gloves, but my hands wouldn’t work. Needless to say, by the time I got home, I crashed. I’m not even ashamed of my two hour drool filled nap. Know why? Because I did work today! I had my most successful fair yet and that has me extremely pumped! I met so many amazing people, got to spend time with my best friend, and even bought a couple Christmas presents. So, win win in my eyes!

But onto the good stuff. As I sit here with my wine glass that says “Raising Tiny Humans is Exhausting” it’s dawning on me that, no, no it’s not. I don’t know maybe my kids are an exception, or maybe I have just grown used to them by now that I don’t sweat the small stuff. Whatever it is, I’m happy. It’s not exhausting, it’s exhilarating! I’m just having the wine because it tastes good. lol. Nothing fancy, just a four dollar bottle of rose, but it does its job!

So, a few days ago a fan of mine on Facebook commented on one of my photos simply wanting to know more about the craft. Now, I could have gone about this three different ways. One totally dismiss her and see her as some sort of enemy who is trying to steal my potential customers. Two comment with a general comment, and leave it at that. OR Three comment with something sweet and welcoming! I of course chose the third option. It was no question to me whether or not I should welcome her into this world with open arms! I mean, how awesome is it that someone else wants to know all there is about fiber, tools, and so much more?! Gosh, it just gets me so excited thinking about it!

Anyway, we chatted a bit here and there and I invited her to the fair today. To be honest, I didn’t expect her to show since no one has really come from our page looking to meet us. But at about 10 a.m. this sweet woman walks up and starts feeling all of our pieces, and talking about how she really wants to start making headbands. Then she said “Oh yeah, when I found you on Facebook..” I jumped up and said “What’s your name?” and she responded. I laughed a little and probably became a little shy, but I was so excited! Someone was actually here to see me, to see my creations! So, I reached down under the table and took out her little “welcome to the fiber world” present and handed it to her. This was my way of saying, you’ve got this! Any who, we got to chatting and the rest is history.

Sheridan and I at the 43rd Annual Coronado Artisan’s Fair.

 

It was such a joy to finally meet someone who follows me on Facebook and to chat with them for a bit! This world should be as inviting as possible, and the first step in doing that is to put yourself out there! I know it’s hard, believe me, I too am an introvert. But even with all the awkwardness of putting yourself out there, you stand to gain so much. It could be from someone you meet, or something you see, or something you smell! I can’t tell you how many times I have been out somewhere and smelled something amazing and gone home and made that same smell happen for dinner.

So, moral of the story? Get out there! Do what you love, create what YOU love! This is your life, live it how you want to live it! As someone who suffers from severe anxiety I can tell you that since I have started doing these fairs, my anxiety has all but diminished. There are of course things that still linger, but I can get in my car and drive anywhere and do anything I want to do! And it all started with putting myself out there.

I hope you are having a fantastic weekend, and getting all of your Holiday shopping finished! I can not wait for Christmas this year!

Until Next Time,
Shannon

Free Crochet Fingerless Gloves Pattern.

Hello and happy Tuesday! I have decided that I am going to go ahead and release the pattern that I have constructed for my fingerless gloves. It is super simple, and easy enough for someone just starting out! All you need is a darning needle some worsted weight yarn and an H or 5.0mm hook. These are wonderful for people who work in office settings that get cold often, or for the techy in your family that uses a touch screen often.

Directions: 

Chain 23, join making sure not to twist, chain 2 (does not count as a stitch       here and throughout.)

1st Row: Chain 2. Half Double Crochet in same stitch as join and each stitch thereafter, join in top of first half double crochet here and throughout. 23 stitches

2nd Row: Chain 2. Half Double Crochet in same stitch as join and each stitch thereafter, join in first stitch. 23 stitches.

3rd-6th Row continue as row 2.

7th Row: Chain 2. Half Double Crochet in same stitch as join and each stitch thereafter, do not join. 23 stitches.

8th Row: Chain 2, turn, Half Double Crochet in each stitch around, do not join. 23 stitches.

9th Row: Chain 2, turn, Half Double Crochet in each stitch around, making sure to work in the bottom of the stitch from the row before, thus covering the “bar” that will show because you were working the wrong way. Do not join. 23 Stitches.

10th Row: Chain 2, turn, Half Double Crochet in each stitch around, join. 23 stitches.

11th Row: Chain 2, do not turn, Half Double Crochet into the bottom of the same stitch as join and each stitch thereafter, join. 23 stitches.

12th-? Row: Chain 2. Half Double Crochet in same stitch as join and each stitch thereafter, join. 23 stitches.

Starting with the 12th row you are beginning to work the wrist, so you can make this as long as you would like! I usually go to about 18 Rows altogether, but the length is completely up to you!

Finishing: Working into the thumb gusset, single crochet around. This will make a pronounced thumb gusset. Turn inside out, sew in ends using a metal darning needle. Turn right side out, and you are ready to wear your gloves! Repeat for second glove.

I hope you grow to love this pattern as much as I do! I make it time and time again, and everyone loves it! If you need to make them smaller or larger, simply remove or add a stitch. I have found that 23 stitches works for just about everyone as if you use a stretchier yarn, the gloves will stretch to fit.

I’d love to see your finished products, so please share your posts with me! Thank you!

Shannon

Happy Thanksgiving!

Hello everyone! I want to wish you all the happiest Thanksgiving on this beautiful day. Wherever you are, I hope that you get to celebrate amongst friends and family. We are all thankful for so much, but today is meant to really sit back and reflect on that. No matter what your traditions are, just remember to take a few moments to think about what really matters to you.

This year I am incredibly thankful for my family! It has been a very bumpy year, and without them I probably wouldn’t be here right now. I am also thankful for the fact that I was able to start my own business and watch it thrive! It really taught me that anything is possible if I just try.

So, while you’re enjoying your feast, or standing in Black Friday lines, or working those stores, I wish you the most wonderful Thanksgiving. Have a blessed day!

Shannon

Happy Thanksgiving from Hooks N Ewe, LLC