Creative Assist and Knit and Crochet Pattern Chat are Now One!

Creative Assist will be moving...........any and all helpful websites I find will be posted on

Knit and Crochet Pattern Chat

THank you for being loyal to my Creative Assist site but it'll be just as great over on Knit and Crochet Pattern Chat and help will be easy to find.  You can always comment or let me know about any problems you're having and I'll do my best to help you.

Happy hooking or needle-ing!  kathy

Jogless When Crocheting Stripes

 

Have you ever ever had this problem?  Of course you have unless you've seen this awesome website with a tutorial on how to avoid this jog when crocheting in the round.  Find it here:

Needle Noodles website

Excerpt taken from her website:

"Tutorial: Crocheted Jogless Stripes

A common problem in amigurumi: you want to crochet something striped, but there's this funky looking stairstep "seam" running diagonally where you change colors. How do you get rid of that!?

EDIT: I've also put together a pair of videos showing this technique in action. You can view them here:  "

 
http://needlenoodles.com/home/node/165

So go ahead and take a look and come back for more helpful hints and websites that can help make your needlework look more professional and beautiful.  We can all learn something new.

Happy creating!!

kathy

Crochet Help The Magic Ring

Do you need help learning the magic ring for crochet?

I found this excellent website and I'm sure there's others. 

Planet June  She has an great picture tutorial.  I always think I know how to do it but then find myself referring back to her website for help.

NO HOLE!

Let her know I have sent you her way.  Us bloggers and website owners love hearing from the people that are enjoying our posts.  Don't be shy........please comment.  You can even tell me what help you would like to see.

Happy hooking!

Kathy

Crochet Turning Chain Alternatives

Crochet Turning Chain Alternatives

Mr. Miccawbar's Recipe for Happiness blog!!  

This is what Mr. Miccawber has to say.  This 
is just an excerpt..........please check out 
the blog for the rest of the information.  
You won't be sorry.  This is awesome 
and so is the blog!  Please, leave a 
comment for me if you wish to see 
more crochet helps........I'll be adding 
more knitting helps also.  So let me know; 
knit or crochet or both!  But please comment 
so I know if this blog is helpful.

"Crochet Turning Chain Alternatives

Ch 3 (counts as first dc), turn.

These are some of the most familiar words 
in the crocheter's language. They signal 
the end of one double crochet row and the 
start of another. That chain 3 works to get 
your yarn up to the proper height for the 
next stitch. It's also (in my opinion) a fiendish 
ploy designed to drive the stitcher crazy.

You know what I mean - you've been there 
yourself. You're zipping along, you and your 
hook, dancing through the yarn and 
crocheting like the dickens, when all of a 
sudden you reach the end of the row.
 Screech! The happy momentum comes 
to a crashing halt as you poke around in 
the turning chain, looking for the right place 
to put your last stitch"...............

42 Crochet Tips Tricks and Resources

This is a unique website called Snappy Living.

42 Crochet Tips Tricks and Resources





There are other craft tips on this website so don't forget to check around their site.  Stay awhile and really check things out.

AND don't forget to check out my patterns on my other blog

Knit and Crochet Pattern Chat

I will start putting some filet crochet patterns on my site as well.

Travel Crochet Kathy

Crochet Assist has found a site that can show you how to make a color change when you are crocheting.

Pica-Pau is an amigurumi crocheter and has many totally cute little animals she has created.  She IS a master at it.

So check out her website and learn how to change colors smoothly.

 This website is in Spanish so I hope you can use Google or another way to translate it for you.

                               


Her website is called:  Pica Pau

Have fun looking around and seeing all her adorable creatures.

Traveling Crochet  Kathy

Crochet Turning Chain Alternatives

Mr. Micawber's Recipe for Happiness

Crochet Turning Chain Alternatives

I'm giving a shout out for this wonderful website where you can learn alternate ways to turn when at the end of a row crocheting.

Please check it out.  This is just the beginning  Make sure to follow this link:  Mr.Micawber's Recipe for Happiness  

Make sure you check out the whole website.  It's wonderful.

Killing that Yarn! Have a Heart, Red Heart that Is.

Killing your acrylic yarn isn't something bad or new.  You and Google it and find lots of information.


I decided to make something, see the pattern here, (this pattern is available on the Red Heart yarn website and the designers are the Double Stitch Twins) and thought I was using the correct yarn only to find out when I was all done, that I didn't use the correct yarn.  And if you've followed any of my other blogs, you know how much I love Red Heart yarns.  I'm old school, I guess, because when I see or hear Red Heart yarn in the materials list, I can only think of Super Saver or the 4 ply worsted yarns we're all so familiar with.


Red Heart is not just Super Saver yarn.  They have some amazing yarns that we all really should give a try.  After all, they are at a very reasonable price for such great quality.


Anyway, the pattern really intrigued me.  I am a Zumba Fitness instructor and am always looking for unique fitness wear that I can make myself.  Since you can't wear sweaters, vests, etc. to a fitness class, for obvious reasons, this pattern was right up my alley.


When I was all done, I couldn't figure out why it was this stiff sort of ugly "thing" and not at all like the picture. Then I read the materials list closer.  I was supposed to use Red Heart Soft yarn.  There's quite a big difference between Red Heart Soft and Red Heart Super Saver.  BUT, I remembered one time how I ruined a project when I tried to steam it and found out acrylic yarns don't take to well to steaming BUT I remember how soft it became and it's great to know that it stays that way no matter how much you wash it.  YEAH!!  


I love my memory sometimes!  Sometimes it's there for me when I need it.  I got out my ironing board and steam iron, a cotton dish cloth and a spray bottle of water.  Amazing!  It softened it nicely and now it's wearable.  Pictures to come shortly.  So I didn't return all the Red Heart Super Savor yarn I bought to make a couple more of these lucious, sexy tops to wear to Zumba Fitness classes and am now on my second project.


The one you'll find in the link turned out a little large for me so I did design my own.  The originally was a large circular design and I made mine a rectangle because I didn't like a lot hanging under my arm to get in the way of the Latin arm movements.  You what I mean?


Thanks for following my blog and I hope I've been helpful to many of you.

Cutting a Steek or Cabling Without a Cable Needle

Cutting a Steek or Cabling Without a Cable Needle

Cutting a steek or cabling without a cable needle are just two of the amazing helps you can find on this wonderful blog.


You'll find the information along the right side in that column.  Check out her patterns, free ones, too, and make sure you take a peek at some of the blogs listed in her blog roll.

Knitting to Stay Sane

Let me know what you think.  I'm interested in know what you'd like to see.

This is part of her "About Me" bio.

ABOUT

Me

My sort of blogging Mission Statement.

My name is Glenna, and I live near Toronto, Ontario. Having learned to knit as a child, I would say that I became a true “Knitter” more than six years ago while studying for my PhD, as a form of stress relief and distraction. I finished the PhD and kept on knitting anyway. I have since added knitting design and teaching to my repertoire, have been producing knitting patterns for self-publication and for independent yarn dyers for several years, have a yarn stash with a life of its own, and I am never without a project no matter where I am. In fact, I once cut a steek while riding a bus, and lived to tell the tale. I believe in challenging myself and knitting without fear. My patterns have been featured in Canadian Living Magazine, Knitty, Magknits, and online through Ravelry and Patternfish. I have designed for Tanis Fiber Arts, Indigodragonfly Yarns, The Sweet Sheep, and others.........

Knit Convertible Mittens

Knit yourself Convertible mittens.  Have you tried them yet?  Here's a wonderful video.

Convertible Mittens  It's on the All-free Knitting site.  The pattern is there, too.

Lion Brand "Help" Website

Wonderful Lion Brand "help" website.  Click to view this great website.


I love this website and I hope you find lots of helps there, too.

Pins Needles and Gems Etsy Store

Please make sure you check out my Etsy shop  HERE
for your pincushion, crochet jewelry and filet crochet pattern needs!

It's been too long since I've posted any creative helpful information so here I am to get started again.

Check out this!  If you need any help with designing, color, or the latest trends, this is your website!

Chelsea Rainbow


Jacqueline also has a beautiful Esty shop HERE

This is Jacqueline's profile on Etsy.  It's public so I don't think she'll mind my sharing it with you:

My name is Jacqueline. I’m a jeweler and the owner of ChelseaRainbow. I live in New York City, one of the most vibrant urban cities of the world and also the capital of fashion. You may not be able to afford a designer dress, but you can always find my fashion forward jewelry to update your own looks and my elegant home decor accessories to enhance your home. 

Trend forward stones and beads with bold colors inspire me, and I’m always thrilled to discover a new or unusual color palette. I create jewelry and home decor accessories that are accessible to both casual crafts enthusiasts and serious collectors. 

In the past I have had careers in pottery, graphic design and industrial design with a sidetrack into computer programming early on in my work history. Ever since I can remember, art in some shape or form has been my passion. I am a graduate of T.......YOU'LL HAVE TO GO TO HER SHOP TO READ MORE

Knit Slide color Knitting ~ Wonderful Site!

I found this wonderful web site showing you how to change colors when knitting and NOT have all those ends to weave in.  Please check it out.  It's taken from a book called "Color Knitting the Easy Way" by Melissa Leapman.

Also check out this web site for more information about her book.

Color Knitting the Easy Way

This site has other information for you.

Design Sponge Meet Brett Barra

Here's an exerpt from this wonderful website about their campaign. Check out the tutorials on knitting and crocheting.



Brett says:
"I’m excited about the Land’s End FeelGood Campaign for several reasons. First, I love the idea of hard-working volunteer knitters turning 5,000 pounds of yarn into blankets for those in need. Second, I’m dying to learn how to crochet and I think a video tutorial might be my golden ticket. And last, I love looking at my computer screen and seeing the friendly face of Brett Bara — resident sewing queen and author of the D*S column Sewing 101 — smiling back at me."

Brett has made three great videos for the campaign, including a couple tutorials on knitting and crochet. They are filmed at the amazing Purl Soho in NYC. I’ve included one below to whet your appetite; you can view all of them here. You can also catch Brett on the CBS Early Show today between 7am and 9am. I can’t wait to score some crochet hooks and get to it! — Kate


Read more at Design*Sponge 

Help this wonderful campaign!  Can you imagine 5000 pounds of yarn?!

Don't forget to check out my Etsy Store Fanciful Designs

Thanks!

Pincushions in my Etsy Store!  It's open!

I finally listed my pincushions in and Etsy store.  Please check it out

Fanciful Designs

I hope to be listing more and hopefully you'll tell all your friends or will think about purchasing one for a friend or family member that loves to sew.

I still don't know how to get rid of that photobucket white box that follows along when you scroll.  Someone in the Google help forum said they could get rid of it but it's still there.

I hope to get rid of it soon.......it's so annoying!

Circular Knitting vs Flat Knitting.  This might help you!

I wanted to knit a Lion Brand yarn pattern using the Amazing yarn but it was knitted as a flat piece and, come on, it's a stirrup sock!  So I emailed them and asked if it could be done on DPNs (double pointed needles) and they said "Yes, absolutely".  Here's a link they gave me to help with changing from one to the other.

Knitter Choice Lion Brand Help

Hope this helps everyone wondering about this.

Video tips and hints from Red Heart Yarn

I found this wonderful Red Heart Yarn help videos web site for those that need help with their crocheting.

Watch and learn as Red Heart Ambassador, Kathleen Sams takes you step-by-step through frequently requested techniques for both knitting and crochet. Each video features how to’s along with patterns to put your new technique skills into action.

Look for more techniques coming soon.

To view these videos, you must have the Adobe Flash® player installed, which is available as a free download through the link provided.


Click this link to watch each video.

Did you know you can CROCHET an I-Cord?  You can!

Check out this web site.  There's lots of other really good stuff there, too.

Really good info so look around and spend some time.  If you crochet, you need to visit this site.  I'm going back right now to maybe buy one of those books along the side.

Crocheting is a constant learning process.  Just when you think you've learned it all, believe me, you haven't.  Crochet and knitting is a constant learning process so give this web site a try.

Dinamic Crocheting Corner crocheting the I-cord

Knitting Abbreviations Web Site!  Ever wonder what all those abbreviations mean?  Check them out here!

Knitting Abbreviations

I found this great site, I'm sure there's others, but wanted to share this one with you because that's what this Creative Assist blog is all about.

We need to help each other.  I've been busy lately with some personal things, how do they manage to creep into one's life, so haven't been posting much but will continue to add information as I find it when I can.

Please let me know if there's anything you need help with, information about or just want to make a comment.  And please come back often.

Kathy

Knitting Instructions on a Social Networking Site ~ Another Social Networking Site

Social Bookmarking 

"Knitting Instructions-Beginners who are interested in knitting should follow basic knitting instructions like practicing with light weight knitting needles and using light weight yarn." 

You must register and log in but what a wonderful helpful site for any knitter.

You can submit your own content, post, ask questions, get help.  What a neat site.  I joined and will keep you posted on any new "stuff" I learn.  I love these social sites.

Lots of info but if it's KNITTING you're interested in, do a search.  The search box is on the right.  If it's CROCHETING you're interest in, you can search that, too.

Have fun socializing about your favorite craft.  I'll be back later.  I'm going to go socialize in my new social site!