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So You are New to Crochet: Tools of the Trade

There is another youtube video out today, So You are  New to Crochet: Tools of Trade will go over my tool kit and what I use in my crocheting. There are a few points that I need to tell you about that I don’t think I cover in my video.

So You are New to Crochet: Tools of the Trade, Chocolate Dog Studio, parts of a crochet hook

The length and diameter of the crochet hook are important to me.

  • The length matters as a slightly longer handle helps me grip the hook better.
  • The diameter or how big the handle is around also matters as I have arthritis and it is easier on my hands to hold a fatter crochet hook.

Experiment and try different brand hooks and see what works better for you.  The hooks in the photo above are both the same size “J”. You can see that one is longer than the other and the shank is longer as well. This can make a difference. The style of head is also different.

I hope you enjoy the new video. I am still so new to creating videos. The only thing I do not carry in my tool kit that you might want are stitch markers. They are pretty vital when you start crocheting in the round.

I’m sitting in the coffee shop this morning, waiting for enough time to pass that I can go to an appointment with my daughter. She just took advantage of a 40% off  coupon for new colored pencils. I am rather jealous of all of the beautiful colors! Amazing that the first words out of her mouth were

“Wouldn’t it make a beautiful crochet blanket”!

(I have trained my children well, they know what their Mother likes!) I agree but I have too many items waiting for the crochet hook…well, maybe.

So You are New to Crochet: Tools of the Trade, Chocolate Dog Studio, parts of a crochet hook

Life has been busy the past several weeks. Who, am I kidding? Life is always busy, if it weren’t I wouldn’t be alive. There is much to be done, much left to do and much more left undone at home. I have been working on an afghan in neutral tones of grey, brown, beige, and creams. It is beautiful but I think it will be difficult to write a pattern from as it has taken a certain amount of stretching, fudging and frogging to keep the sides evenish. I have been enjoying it, even though it seems so beige and boring. It is great for showing texture. So You are New to Crochet: Tools of the Trade, Chocolate Dog Studio, parts of a crochet hook

If you watch my shop then you know that I have removed a greater portion of my sewn items from my shop. There is a great reason for that. They will be available for consignment at a shop near the house and completely on my flight path. I have also been sewing again to add a bit to the consignment items. The shop is new and will be great for quick gifts for family and friends. There will be no shipping and finally my Etsy shop will be more crochet and yarny items. I am very excited. I will take you on a quick preview later this week as they get ready for opening.

Talk to you later,
Karen

P.S. Please give “So You Are New to Crochet: Tools of the Trade” a thumbs up after you watch it. It will encourage me to keep filming.

As always if you shop online at either Joann Fabrics or Craftsy for anything, please use my affiliate links and I will get a very small percentage back. It will help me pay for my yarn addiction!

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How to Join Yarn in Crochet

This past couple of weeks I have been posting new youtube videos once a week. This week I am adding  a new video to the series So, You are New to Crochet: Joining yarn. This is such a short video and takes a little bit of the mystery out of joining yarn. It is one of my favorite joining methods and a little different as it takes care of weaving in one end of the yarn as you go.

 

The week has been full and busy with family and business pulls on my time. I have spent quite a bit of time at the library this week as one of my daughters has had a commitment 4 days this week from 8-12.How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

This was the view from the second floor of our library one day this week.

A direct consequence of her time commitment has been extended time getting work done, just not housework. I need to head out to the library more often. It is quiet and there are no dogs barking or household chores pulling at my time.

I have a neat opportunity heading my way at the beginning of August. I can’t wait to tell you about it.

Crocheting has been simple and direct. Right now, I have 4 afghans started and I have finished 4 quick and easy projects. I am working with some neutrals in shades of grey, beige, cream and brown in a wide variety of textures and incorporating some stash yarn. I love how the colors blend.

How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

I am not sure of the pattern as it is bugging me right now.How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

The orange is reclaimed yarn from a sweater. It has been hanging around in my stash mocking me. The yarn is very low twist and exceedingly hard to crochet into anything that looks great. It is turning into something strictly utilitarian. I think I will get rid of what is left. I am very disappointed in the yarn.

The lovely purpley blue is turning out quite nice. I’ll show you later what it is turning into.How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

Remember the hexies, they had a couple of rounds added and some joining in a bright red yarn. It is about 1/3 the size that I need it to be so I am going to lay it aside for awhile. I will let it grow organically as I am left with little balls of stash yarn. It is making quite a nice afghan and I love that each hexi is different.

zHow to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

I have also been working on the home front and there are odds and ends to finish up before school starts next month. I was painting my daughter’s bedroom a couple of weeks ago. It was this horrible cafe au lait color with a muddy green wallpaper accent wall. It was dark, depressing, and made the room feel incredibly small. How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

I have it finished and it looks wonderful. Pardon the lumpy quilt. I originally took this photo to show my Mom and it ended up here as well.

How to Join Yarn in Crochet, Chocolate Dog Studio, chocodogstudio, chocolatedogstudio

There is more work to do in her room. There is a little bit of wallboard repair that needs to be finished and then I will need to touch up the paint. Needing to repair the wallboard didn’t show up until we were in the middle of the painting. Her room looks so much better, even needing the repair. I need to get back to work on it and finish it up!

What have you been working on lately, home chores, crochet or other things?

Talk to you later

Karen

 

 

 

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Where I Talk about Gauge and Why it Matters

What is gauge and why does it matter? There is another youtube video out today and I am introducing gauge and why it matters. It does matter, most of the time. I am not too concerned about gauge most of the time but you should be. Since I design most of my own crochet and walk my own path.

Where I Talk about Gauge and Why it Matters, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

Gauge matters most when you are crocheting from a pattern. The one thing about gauge is that you MUST use the same size crochet hook throughout a project, unless the instructions say otherwise.   You can find out more in my youtube video on gauge.

There is much going on this summer as we ready our house for a fun gathering of friends. I have been reading about scruffy entertaining. I am afraid that the house will be  scruffy looking but I hope that it isn’t too scruffy. Scruffy entertaining is having friends over with  minimal cleaning. I really do need to find the tops of my coffee tables as they are full of yarn, patterns and scissors. Since some of the friends coming have toddlers, I have to put away all the pins, scissors and yarn. Life has been busy this summer with full time crochet work, three kids at home and all that life brings in the course of the week and will be sorting these things out. It is wonderful to feel well enough to work and clean in the same day.

What are you working on and how is the summer going at your house?

Talk to you later,

Karen

 

 

 

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Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent

This is where I burn yarn and expose my Okie accent at the debut of my Youtube channel.  It is funny to me how I actually sound and I hope it doesn’t grate on too many nerves. It is amazing to me to see these videos come together so quickly. I am showing tips, tricks and just generally sharing my knowledge. I have found it hard to crochet slowly enough to show what is going on. The first video I am releasing is called Burn Test.  I was terribly afraid that I would set the house on fire and you can see the results of the test in the video. It was very interesting to see how the yarns actually burned. We did this test in one of my classes at college. I was amazed to see how much knowledge I actually retained. Here you go!

It was fun to create and see how things turn out. I have been filming little videos all week.

The July 4th weekend has been fun and busy. We have been finishing a bunch of yard work and cleaning in the house.

I am working on a couple of different crochet projects. This one is fun and it looks nothing like this now but I played with the colors bit.

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

These are the basis of my blanket.

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

The next photos remind me of the Grandmother’s Flower Garden Quilt.

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

Where I Burn Yarn and Expose my Okie Accent, www.chocolatedogstudio.com

I have already moved on from these square arrangements. I am crocheting a scrap afghan and just ran out of yarn for these little flowers. The yarn that I have left over I roll into little balls of yarn. These end up in a jar or when it overflows into  a large plastic box. When the box overflows, I try to start using them up. I am and it is turning out really bright and colorful.

Talk to you later,

Karen

I would love to see your projects. Post your photos in the comments and I will stop by and see them. What are you working on now?

 

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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.

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

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

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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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Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans

Today’s tutorial will teach you how to patch your jeans. My dear daughter and our dogs managed to put a 3 corner hole in her never been worn before skinny jeans. A 3 corner hole looks a lot like the letter L. Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

She is not into the ragged look and I was not thrilled with the thought of her needing a new pair of jeans immediately after buying these.  I thought that I would take this opportunity to write this tutorial. There is a trick to it and it isn’t hard.

Some facts about this hole.

It is on the side of her calf and is not at a stress point.  This method works great on hole around or below the knee. I wouldn’t try it  on really old jeans. You do want the patch to be from denim about the same age as what you are sewing on and about the same fiber content. Be careful not to stretch the denim when you are sewing that can make the patch area pucker.

There are several things you need to have before you get started.

Supplies:

  • A Sewing machine that sews through multiple thicknesses of denim and that does a zig zag stitch or the stitch shown below.  A serger would simplify the sewing at the end of the repair. A free arm sewing machine will make it easier but it isn’t necessary.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

  • seam ripper or small pointy scissors
  • thread to match all stitching and also the denim color on the outside. There is a thread color called denim. It does work but in this case I just used navy thread I had on hand.
  • Piece of fabric 3 x’s the size of the hole and about the same weight and age. I generally keep one pair of old jeans around to do this repair with.
  • sewing scissors, because your kid’s paper scissors aren’t going to cut the denim.
  • Pins

Here are the jeans with the hole repaired. It isn’t beautiful but they do look much better.
Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Here is the hole before we fixed them. You do want to repair them before you wash them. Unless they are truly nasty dirty. Washing them will fray the edges and make the patch more visible.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Turn the jeans leg inside out with the hole side showing.

 

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Take your seam ripper or very fine tip embroidery scissors and cut the threads just about 4 inches on either side of the hole. Being sure to cut the side that does not have top stitching which is that fancy white stitching on the outside. Be very careful that you don’t cut the jeans as you are doing this.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

So you have cut the overcast or serger stitching on the edge of the jean seam. Then you also want to cut the chain stitch beside it and take it out. It looks like a crochet chain.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Here is my patch. It is larger on all sides than the tear in her jeans. Turn the jeans right side out again and pin the patch so that it covers all of the hole. Put the patch with the right side facing out.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Since you cut the leg open it is easy to see what you are doing at this point. You will want to check both sides to make sure that the patch is centered over the hole. There should be extra fabric all around the hole.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

My sewing machine has a free arm so that I can sew small things. This is perfect for doing this repair. If you don’t have a free arm sewing machine you can just create a larger opening in the seam so that you can sew all around the patch easily.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Pull the leg with the patch over the free arm and center the hole under your needle.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Using the straight stitch sew around the hole as close to the edges of the tear as you can get.  This will help hold the patch when we use the zig zag stitch.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Here I am using the zig zag stitch over the edges of the tear. The stitch size is as small as I can get and still see that I am stitching over the edge of the tear. I also back stitched instead of tieing a knot.Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Here is the stitching after I finished the sewing.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Here is the inside. Now with your sharp scissors carefully cut the left over patch fabric away. It should look like this.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

No heavy patch to rub. Yay!! We are done sewing the patch on. Now we just have to sew the leg back up. Turn the leg inside out again.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Pin the edges being sure that you don’t stretch the jean out and sew the straight seam. Be sure to backstitch at the beginning and end of your sewing to anchor it. Also sew down into the uncut stitching at the top and bottom of the hole you made. If you have a serger then at this point you would simply sew the overcast and straight stitch and be done. You will want to be careful to tie off all threads and trim them so that the sewing doesn’t ravel.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Now use the stitch that looks like a straight stitch and a zig zag combined. and do the overcast stitching on the edge of the seam. This will keep your jeans from ravelling. You can just use a straight stitch and a zig zag stitch if you machine doesn’t do this stitch. Just be sure that one edge of the zig zag is over that second straight stitch.

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

Tutorial: How to Patch Your Jeans; ChocolateDogStudio, sewing jeans, patch a 3 corner hole in your jeans

This patching method won’t work so well on holes in the seat of your jeans but it has stood the test of time. We have washed and dried these jeans every week for months and it is holding up great. You can hardly see the patch as she usually wears her boots with this pair.

I hope this helps you out! Let me know if you patch any jeans.

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