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Organizing New Ideas for Future Crochet Projects

Organizing New Ideas

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Sometimes, when you get new ideas for future crochet projects, you aren’t ready to start working on them right away. You need time to think about them — to refine and perfect them — until you’re ready to begin the project. So, how do you keep those new ideas stored and organized until you are ready to start working on them? I have several things which I do that help me keep new ideas in mind.

(This post has Amazon affiliate links)

1. Take a Photo with My Phone

I will take pictures of things that  inspire me or trigger ideas in my mind. My phone is usually always with me and a photo is worth 1,000 words. The thin and thick stripes in this wrapping paper would make a great crochet blanket, scarf or sweater.

Inspirational stripes

And here’s an example of a striped fabric that caught my eye. I like the colors in this, although they do seem a bit dark. The widths of the various stripes and the color sequence would lend themselves easily to being repeated in an afghan.

Fabric inspires new ideas

This blanket was inspired by the yarns within it since they inspired me to see the Autumn landscape of Oklahoma: the browns of the plowed fields; the golds and rusts of the trees; the blue from the sky and lakes; and the green of the old dried grasses in the pastures.

Inspired by nature

2. Pin It to My Secret Pinterest Inspiration Board

Yes, I do have several secret boards. (Doesn’t everyone?) If it is online, I will pin it to my secret inspiration board which no one else has access to. When you choose to create something based on what someone else has created, you need to be very careful about claiming too much of their work as your own. You can use it as a springboard to a new idea, but downright copying and passing it off as yours is piracy.  While I do have a secret Pinterest board, it isn’t filled with just other’s work — it has photos of color mood boards, stitches that I want to try, and other things that I think will make beautiful projects.

3. Go “Old School” (Paper and Pencil) and Write the New Ideas Down

(Affiliate links are included for the products I use. I will receive a small percentage of any item you purchase, but it will not affect your pricing.)

Often, I will draw out new ideas or write them down. I find this method increasingly hard to manage, though, as papers tend to get shuffled and lost. Here’s an example of a couple of my composition books (link) (which I love!) full of ideas and crochet patterns.

Storing new ideas

I also love the post-it note brand of tabs (link) and Post it note file folder labels (link).  I use them to mark the beginning of each pattern or idea that I put in the composition book. It helps keep the patterns organized and easy to find.

Another thing I use all the time is a legal pad  (Link) and clipboard  (link). I write the pattern and notes furiously and then flip the pages. You can even see the paper sometimes in the background of my photos. Nearly every pattern I write has its beginnings on paper in some form. I always try to date and take progress photos as I work. This helps me keep track of how I put it together as well as document my thought processes. This all translates to detailed patterns, with photos, for you!

Organizing New Ideas

4. Pin It to a Real Life Bulletin Board or Magnet Board

saving new ideas
Check out more cool bulletin boards here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/165564215

Sometimes I’ll see a photo in a magazine I own, or maybe the colors in fabric or yarn in my stash will catch my eye. When that happens, I will actually pin the photo or the materials to a bulletin board. I haven’t been doing this as often as I have been taping them into the composition book. The book is working better for me at this time, since I don’t have a dedicated working space. I often find myself in my chair, at the dining table…basically, working all over the house.

How Do You Save Your New Ideas?

Now that you’ve read about the methods that I am using right now, I’d love to know what you do to keep your ideas organized. Leave a comment below to start the conversation!
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Talk to you later,

Karen

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Beautiful Ruby Red Afghan Pattern

I have just listed my Ruby Red Afghan pattern for sale in my Etsy and Craftsy stores. I have included the supplies and skills list you need to be able to complete it. This afghan pattern is a step up for beginners. The yarn is a lovely wool blend but can be difficult to frog (or take out) as the fibers can mat together. Even with that challenge, it is a beautiful, soft and warm blanket. It is a good “first jump” into specialty yarns.

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern, www.chocolatedogstudio

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern, www.chocolatedogstudio

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern, www.chocolatedogstudio

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern, www.chocolatedogstudio

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern

It is crocheted and photographed in this lovely red yarn but you can choose from any of the yarn colors which this yarn comes in to make yours unique. There are so many different choices; from icy blues and greens to purples and yellows. Just…so many choices! I know you will find the perfect color combination to fit your personality.

Ruby Red Afghan Pattern, www.chocolatedogstudio

Warm, soft and wooly, it makes a great lightweight blanket with all the warmth of wool. The yarn for this blanket is usually easy to find.

What I’ve Been Up To

October seems to be when I gear up for Christmas and begin creating any handmade gifts that I might want to give to bless friends and family. This blanket is a wonderful gift to give or receive. Spare time is always at a premium during these months and this year is no exception. My goal is to get some new patterns up in the shops soon, so keep dropping in (at the Etsy store and Craftsy store) to look around. (And don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter! Doing so will keep you up-to-date on patterns, finished products, and all that I’ve been up to in life.) I am also concentrating on my giveaway for November. I can’t wait to tell you all about it!

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Yikes! Stripes, Ta-dah!

I love the Yikes! Stripes crochet blanket. The masculine colors and simple stripes make it ideal for the man in your life, while the easy pattern makes it fun and quick to crochet. This blanket only took me about two weeks to whip up, working in the evenings. The striping pattern reminds me of team colors and scarves. This blanket is longer than usual to be a bit more man-sized and perfect for a bed or using in a recliner.

It started like this.

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

 

Little bits of yarn

to check the

striping pattern.

 

 

 

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

 

I have always liked

blue and cream.

 

 

 

 

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

 

More color

combinations

were checked

until I felt it

was just right.

 

Then it evolved into this

lovely striping pattern, marching along

row after row.

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.comHere it is in all of its glory.

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

It  is the perfect size to fit over someone lying in a recliner. The length is a generous 80+ inches, and the width is 43 1/2 inches.

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

Yikes! Stripes

The Yikes! Stripes blanket is available in my Etsy and Handmade at Amazon shops, and the pattern will release next week. (Choose the colors of some of your sports fan’s favorite teams and you’ll win for sure!)

Yikes! Stripes Ta Dah! Chocolatedogstudio.com

School Colors

The Yikes! Stripes afghan reminds me of the first days of school and how so many students wear school sweaters or team scarves to show support for the home team. We take our high school and college sports teams pretty seriously in this area. What about you? Do you have a favorite team or school?

School has already started in Oklahoma, and I’m seeing lots of people in the northern part of the country posting on Facebook about their school starting today. I hope that you and yours have a wonderful time at school this year. Thoughts of new notebooks and textbooks, rekindled friendships, and the feel of a sharp, new #2 pencil gliding across a page of paper are dancing in my head. I can hear the laughter that happens at lunch and see the kids having fun on the playground in my mind.

We have already started our homeschool courses. 2016-08-031Our dining table is overrun with school books, supplies and (of course) yarn, scissors, crochet hooks, and even more paper. I found myself running late one morning this week, and my spot on the table looked like this.

I would like to say it doesn’t look like this very much, but I hate to lie. It looks like this most mornings; coffee, something quick to eat for breakfast, and colorful piles of yarn.

I am in the middle of grading math and writing patterns, checking dentist appointments for my family, and driving Mom from time to time. Life feels too short, and the to-do list feels too long. I am learning to be content once again; that in my weakness and incapability God is my strength. I do it all for Christ’s sake, for when I am weak, then I am strong. It is seeming to take me most of my life to learn this truth.

Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10)

How about you? Leave a comment to let me know how the beginning of school is going for you. What are your school colors? Who do you cheer for? Don’t forget to sign up for the newsletter, too!

Talk to you later,
Karen

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How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form

There days when I wonder why I do certain things. This week was one of them. I bought a lovely styrofoam wreath form at the store this week. It was in one piece and not broken. I made a point of not buying a wreath that was broken. I wanted a nice whole wreath without having to worry about glue and putting it back together. Well, things happened and this was the result.

There are affiliate links included in this post and I will receive a small percentage of any sale.

How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form, ChocolateDogStudio.com Fix a floral foam wreath

It broke in almost four equal pieces! I did what I was NOT going to do which is show you how to glue this wreath form back together.

 supplies

  • Bamboo Skewers
  • tacky glue
  • wreath form
  • Some form of non-stick surface (I used my cutting mat but I have to say it isn’t a non-stick surface and I had to peel the glue off of it when I was finished.)

How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form, ChocolateDogStudio.com Fix a floral foam wreath

Lay the wreath out and figure out which parts go together. Be gentle and don’t grind the edges together.How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form, ChocolateDogStudio.com Fix a floral foam wreath

Break the bamboo skewers in half and use just the pointy end. Slather tacky glue on one edge of the wreath form. Take a bamboo skewer and push it into the wreath form at an angle on the outside so that it pins the two edges together. Break the bamboo skewer off right at the surface of the wreath. Then do the same to the other half of the wreath. You will leave these skewer bits in the wreath.

How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form, ChocolateDogStudio.com Fix a floral foam wreath

Walk away and do not try to glue the other half of the wreath together until the next day. The glue needs to dry and it does take almost 24 hours. Glue the two halves together and you are set. I am not sure how it would stand up to floral arranging but it worked perfectly for my needs. Which I will be sharing with you tomorrow!

How to Fix a Floral Wreath Form, ChocolateDogStudio.com Fix a floral foam wreath

The week has been busy with one child at camp and the weather has been hot and humid here. We have had several weather advisory days about the heat. I am glad that the weekend is here and we are celebrating Father’s Day this week. The summer is speeding by and I am not sure that I getting everything finished that I want finished. How are things at your house? Are you busy, on vacation  or having fun. I have been trying to change some eating habits and I keep finding myself out of sorts at dinner time. It is difficult figuring out what to cook and feed everyone. The heat is also tending to keep me out of the kitchen.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

 

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Crochet projects and other projects

Here is what I am doing now on my crochet projects and other projects. The flower blanket is zooming along and I am almost finished with it. Here is a more current photo of it.  I just have the borders left on it now and it is enormous. It is a heavy blanket and will be wonderful this coming winter. The blanket already has a home as it is a custom order. It will feel good to start on other crochet projects, I have so many in mind.Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

I went to the business conference last weekend and it was wonderful. The goals setting advice and clarity I got for my business has been wonderful. Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

I was able to meet Crystal Paine of Money Saving Mom. I have been reading her blog for years and it was nice to meet her in person.  She is as fun in person as she is online.Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

There has been a bunch of stirring around and re-organizing. I am excited that part of this area will be my new studio area. Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

We have been having a huge cleaning session, getting rid of extra stuff, condensing boxes, and packing up our daughter’s college items until she gets her own place. This is the dirty truth about our makerspace. It sometimes becomes the catch all!

I also found some yarny messes that I have been organizing and clearing out.

Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

It is Memorial day here and we spent time at the cemetery decorating Dad’s gravestone. He was a veteran and we are thankful for his and other’s service for our country.  Dad’s stone is the one in the foreground. Crochet projects and other projects; ChocolateDogStudio, crochet flower blanket

If you or a loved one has served we thank you for your sacrifice for our freedoms.
The week was full and fun. It has been a busy week and even busier weekend. I am excited to finally get to work in the new studio area. I hope to get more organized with my pattern writing and crocheting.  My yarn is more organized. I have decided that I have too much yarn and need to get started crocheting so that more of it leaves my house! (Is it really possible to have too much yarn?) I have yarntopia and then three plastic tubs full along with baskets full in the living room. I also bought more this past week at a flea market, but it was sooo nice and such a lovely color!

Talk to you later,

Karen

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Crochet Projects

I am working on several different crochet projects this month. I have three in progress; a custom granny square and two new stripe afghans. There are also 3-4 projects in what I call the incubator.

The incubator is a blending of several things; a secret pinterest board of ideas, yarn in yarntopia, and visual ideas that persist in running through my mind over and over again. Sometimes the ideas make it to the sketchbook or a yarn order.

The flower blanket you have been seeing updates on through Instagram. It is just a huge project. I feel like I am eating an elephant, one little bite at a time. I know it will be completed soon but it feels like climbing up a mountain on a slippery ice. It just keeps dragging on and on with no end in sight. I really wish I was at the joining stage. Truthfully, I’m not. I was just setting them out to verify how many squares I really needed. Crochet Projects; ChocolateDogStudio, Granny square flowers

 

I have been continuing to read the books on my list. I have been completing the exercises as I go and I think I am making progress. Breaking Busy has been reminding me to not overcommit to activities. Frankly, it has been hard as my life is in a shift of priorities. It appears that we are shifting from parenting to coaching to support staff, and from being friends with parents to keeping an eye on things for them a little bit more. Mom calls it the sandwich generation. I know she is right as sometimes I feel pretty squashed.Today, I am tired, deeply exhausted that tends to go with the fibromyalgia has set in. The weekend was full of family, fun and plain hard work. The results are amazing and today’s exhaustion is worth it.

The weather is gloomy and chilly today, which makes me want to snuggle under a blanket with a cup of coffee. I just need a  day of quiet, crochet and dinner in the crock pot. So, I am off to get dinner started so I can sit and crochet the rest of the day guilt free. The laundry is going so I feel pretty productive even if I am not working very hard.

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

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Scalloped blanket is finished

I have finally finished this beautiful afghan that I have named the scalloped blanket. I use this beautiful yarn that comes in so many different colors.

2016-01-04 14.00.44

Aren’t they gorgeous? I decided to write the tutorial and share it with you but it is still in the process.

2016-02-25 13.11.55

This close up of the different colors in the yarn makes it a beautiful addition to your home.

IMG_9032

It is a truly wonderful blanket full of texture. The design  and pattern are very simple and the yarn is easy to work with. I think this is a step up from a basic beginner blanket. I can’t wait to share the instructions with you.IMG_9035

The colors look different in different lights. Reds, blues and grays can be so hard to photograph. There is tan and browns in the blanket as well.

IMG_9059

I was hoping to have this tutorial written by now. Things have been busy at home. Our oldest dear daughter graduated from college this past weekend. We had tons of work to do getting her things loaded up into the cars and then attending the lovely graduation ceremony. Celebrating this wonderful accomplishment was an honor. Then there was a super fast loading of her stuff and the 5+ hour drive home in three different cars. It was a long drive but incredibly worth it. We are very proud of her. She worked incredibly hard and is now ready to start the next chapter in her life!

You can see why writing the crochet pattern just didn’t happen this past week.

talk to you later,

Karen

 

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The Planked Ceiling

Here we are painting the planked ceiling in the kitchen! What a job planking the ceiling has turned out to be. ”

Plank the ceiling”! we said

“Great idea”

“How hard can it be?

You know when you have there three sentences in one paragraph combined with home improvement that you just really need to take a step back and slow way down. This has turned out to be a huge, massive project. I am sure that everyone else (family and friends) are now nodding their heads thinking “I told you so!”  We started the week before Christmas and we are almost to the point where we are ready to add trim!  Here are some photos of the project as we have had different check points in the project. Understand that we are not huge DIY’s. we are just ordinary people with average skills.

The Planked Ceiling, ChocolateDogStudio DIY

It started with changing out the lights in the kitchen. We changed from fluorescent to LED lights and have truly had a huge savings in our electric bill.

The Planked Ceiling, ChocolateDogStudio DIY

Starting the planking. At this point we are halfway through and we really like how it looks.

The Planked Ceiling, ChocolateDogStudio DIY

Looking in toward the kitchen. It looks nice and clean.

The Planked Ceiling, ChocolateDogStudio DIY

Starting the paint job.

Today we are finishing the paint job and then all that will be left is the trim. Which we will paint before we apply it.

The Planked Ceiling, ChocolateDogStudio DIY

It is waiting on the second coat but it looks really nice. I can’t wait for it to be finished. We have had massive help from our sons and then our daughter’s friend also helped tremendously. It has been a great bonding experience but it is one that we are ready to enjoy and not work on or think about!

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

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4 Ways to Plan a Crochet Blanket

Planning a Crochet Blanket

Planning a crochet blanket can be difficult. How many skeins of yarn will you need? How big will it be? What colors should you use?  Planning a crochet blanket can be difficult but there are 4 ways to plan a crochet blanket that will make it easier.

The sketch method

Drawing out your afghan can be helpful if you are creating an afghan with complex color changes or designs. Pull out those colored pencils and start sketching it out. Like a road map it will help keep you on track. You can refer to this sketch when you aren’t quite sure what to do next and it might keep you from having to frog (take it all out) as much. If you are creating a pixelated or tapestry design then you will follow the chart much as a cross stitcher does.

Do the Math

I use the math method when I am working on a Granny square blanket to see how many squares I will need to crochet to create a specific size blanket. It is simple to use and very helpful. Simply create a square, measure it. You can then figure out how many squares per length and width. Multiply length and width together and the answer will tell you how many squares you need.

4 Ways to Plan a Crochet Blanket, crochet, ChocolateDogStudio

This should read 10 x 12 which is 120 squares. They are 6″ squares. I need twelve squares for the length and ten squares to reach  60″ x  72″. This will create the perfect size for the afghan I needed to crochet.

The Sample Method

Here is my sample method. I was playing with some new yarn and I wanted to see how it would look in stripes. People all over the crochet world use different types of sample colors to see how they will work in their blanket.  Wooden clothes pins or pegs and little cardboard spools are used to hold colors. These work great as it helps you play with the colors until you get just the right color combinations.

Here I layout the skeins to see how the colors work together. This is one of my preferred methods. They are usually set out on the couch to get an idea of how they will work in a blanket. There were so many skeins used that it  is easier to see the progression of colors without putting the skeins on the floor.

These are my 4 most favorite ways to plan an afghan. Do you have a favorite afghan planning method. Do you plan your projects or do the spontaneously happen? My favorite afghan are scrap afghans or blankets that just happen! They seem to have more life in them than the meticulously planned, but I am very spontaneous about crochet. Not everyone is spontaneous so planning has its place as well. It does help you know that you have enough yarn for the project you have planned. If you know of another method, let me know. I am always looking for new ways to stay organized!

talk to you later,

Karen

 

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Two Separate Afghans

I have been working on two separate afghans and though there has been crochet happening here, it has taken a back seat to dealing with a very nasty migraine. This one has come and gone for several days now. I think it is a sinus headache and I will be heading to  the Dr. to find out for sure. However, I have also been working on several different projects this week while I am feeling under the weather. Crocheting is soothing and helps me relax.

Did I ever show you these circles?

Two Separate Afghans

Turns out that I have made 120 mistakes when crocheting them. They should be two tone. That is a ton of frogging that I get to do. I have started and this is what they should look like when finished and almost finished.

Two Separate Afghans

Two Separate Afghans

Since I have 120 flower squares to make I can afford to work in color families. I have also picked up this blanket again. I am writing the pattern for this one and it is turning out quite nice. I really love the colors and it is starting to flow.  It looks more masculine to me so I am trying to make it larger than the normal.

Two Separate Afghans

It is just beautiful. This will also be a beginner afghan with a little twist to it.

Talk to you later,

Karen