Tag Archives: crochet

October 1, 2012 · 12:52 am

Episode 2: A New Hope…

Broken.

After breaking the end off the hook I was carving last Tuesday, I closed the night with my notes for a possible save.

My Wednesday morning started with preparing lunch for hubby and the kids. Thermos full of soup, tangelos and bell peppers for the kids. A salad with fajita chicken and turkey bacon for John. It all needed to be cooked up fresh as we are out of leftovers to send. It’s both good and bad. I like “planned-overs.” Makes lunch easier.

I was dead tired and grumpy once everyone was out the door, as I found myself gazing at dishes in the sink and only one cup of coffee left in the maker. grr… So I poured the last of the life blood, turned on a lecture, loaded the dishwasher and started some bacon for my breakfast. We’ve been 9 weeks on a gluten-free, 80/20 paleo/primal diet. And I never thought I’d say this, but I don’t miss gluten a bit.

It’s not exactly convenient, but I prefer a life cooking more from scratch than not. Being in control of my food, my diet, my own creations. It may not be as fast, but it sure tastes better and I feel better. And besides, the bacon gods smiled upon me (turkey-wise that is). Monday night I found buy-one-get-one on bacon! So there is plenty.

Hand carving hooks is much the same to me as cooking from scratch. The special romance between man and wood is not too unlike the one between stomach and skillet. Especially for this project, which is far from standard and holds a lot of memories from The Grandmother Tree. Quietly and carefully with control is all that will do.

Hour 5:

I cut the end off the broken crochet hook and worked with it to round the end. At this part of the stick shape, there’s a slight bend, so the new rounded end was a bit stubborn against losing its boxiness. I also needed to be careful, because that slight bend was essential to helping me salvage a new crochet hook shape out of the broken stick. The envisioned lip lay just in the crook of that slope and I wanted to get it just right. Mess with it too much, and the shape would be sacrificed.
I work with it for some time and finally manage to eek out the shape I want. The top of the hook curves back and the curve assists the formation of the lip of the crochet hook. I want the bowl to be as generous as I can make it, without sacrificing the strength of the hook. And following the grain is the only way to do it with this piece.

Hour 6:
Consistency Is My Biggest Pet Peeve

Only the front half of the throat is size M. The rest is size N.

Wednesday is JT’s day at vision therapy. The office is situated by a creek, so it’s easy to sit on the side of the property and work. However, I was unable to spend time working on hooks this time and had to wait until I got home.

I polished on the shape some more and got a better hook head. However, in testing Grandmother Tree’s hook, I found that the slope of the curve was still inconsistent in the hook’s size as it shapes to the handle. This inconsistency is unfortunately not uncommon in wood hooks offered everywhere, handmade or otherwise. Right about here is where so many hook designs just stop and go to market. They have a hook shape, but they don’t have good hook design. And this inconsistency of sizing up the throat of the hook – at minimum – is one of my biggest pet peeves in hook design.

A hook that flares out from the head is only correct in size just at the head, not through the throat of the hook too. This inconsistency in the sizing leads to differences in your crochet’s appearance, because the top loop of any given stitch will always get stretched larger than it should be compared to the lower loops.

See what happens when a hook is not true to size from the head through the throat?

See what happens when a hook is not true to size from the head through the throat? The top loop (the one on the right will end up on top when the stitch is complete) is larger than it should be. This will change the look of the fabric this hook will create in its current condition. There should be consistency enough along the throat and/or shaft of the hook to at least keep all loops on the hook at the same size.

Grandmother Tree’s hook is currently two different sizes. The front half of the throat is size M and the 2nd half is size N.

This is not desirable – at all. And with the wood’s natural curve, I’ll need to get creative to get the precision I want without sacrificing strength. I have to consider the shorter length of the hook altogether and further the limitations that the curvature places on the length of the throat at all.

In order for this hook to function as a precise tool, yet preserve it’s shape, length and current strength, I will need an unusual design approach.

Stay tuned for the solution.

8 Comments

Filed under Crochet Hooks

Tagged as crochet, crochet hook challenge, handcarved, hooks

September 26, 2012 · 12:13 am

Sometimes You Work Hard And You Fail…

So it’s on for the Fall to Christmas crochet hook carving challenge.

The weather was not as nice as it was last week, but I still enjoyed the windows open, the birds at the feeder and the fresh air for a while this morning. Between chores, some training, a meeting at school and several back to back calls and other meetings, I managed to spend some time perfecting the crochet hook I started this weekend.

Grandmother Tree

There’s a pile of wood pieces I’ve saved. Pieces gifted to me by my mentor Jimbo while at Cama last year, pieces from my Grandpa Jack’s tree, pieces my brother dug out of his stash of project scraps, dowels, chopsticks and knitting needles I have worked on and pieces from my giant old trees in the back yard.

While sorting through my choices in deciding what I would work with for the first hook of my Fall challenge, my eyes kept settling on an interesting curved shape I’d already pulled from the yard and stripped in preparation for work.

A piece from our 500-600 year old live oak tree.

This is the tree my children love, the tree they have climbed, swing from and the tree that has shaded them all their lives. This is the tree that will be so hard to leave when we move. The one thing that stands out and my children will want to see again someday when they are older and they need to reconnect with their roots. The Grandmother Tree.

Comparing sticks, I think I’ll start with the curved.

I picked the piece up and immediately remembered why I added it to my project box. I’m not an overhand crocheter, but this piece of wood curves perfectly in the hand, knife style. There’s even a natural depression right around the thumb area. I’m not personally a huge fan of thumb rests as a chop-stick style crocheter, but they are very helpful to nearly anyone using an overhand style. The size and shape kind of reminded me of a trigger style hook.

So began the work to prepare the shape for the hook captured inside.

The process for me in creating a hook is very precise as I am quite particular about shape and purpose of my tools. Though I have created hooks specifically for certain people, my focus is generally on creating hooks that I would use. I’m not interested in creating just any shape that happens to seem hook-like in nature. I am actually quite obsessed with the shape and quality of my tools. And I’ve seen many a badly shaped hook. Sometimes your frustrations have nothing to do with crochet, your yarn or your skills, but everything to do with your tool.

Hour 1:

I enjoyed the fresh air in the garage while carving the tip into a rounded point. Two ladies drove up and one jumped out to get a sales flier for our house from our box. I hope it leads to a contact. But I also hope it’s not today. Or tomorrow for that matter.

I had a meeting to get to, so I stashed the rounded shaft and headed out the door.

Hour 2:

The shape of any natural stick is inconsistent and presents variations in any carving endeavor. However this stick is curved and unusual with its knotting, so to get the shape I want in the end, and keep it comfortable in the hand, I have to sculpt it carefully. I need both an excellent hook shape for work, but also a comfortable handle with no uncomfortable anomalies.

Getting there! Lot’s more to go on the head though.

Smoother and the shape is more refined.

Hour 3:

Michelangelo was known to say that in his work, the sculpture was always locked inside and he simply removed what what not the sculpture. I’m not a genius artist like he was, but I do completely understand this concept as it’s very logical and exactly how I see making hooks. I stare at the wood and a shape emerges. And then it’s revealed how that shape can become a useful shape for my purposes.

Hour 4:

The art of crochet involves torque. It’s one of those things that makes it very different in skill than knitting because the needs to leverage your tool to work with yarn are different. There’s all sorts of manipulation involved that depends on a strong and properly shaped hook in crochet. Hence the strength of our hooks are vital, more vital than the strength of a knitting needle. Because it must be able to take the pressure we exert by way of the yarn wrapped through it. It’s especially important for the bowl of the hook’s mouth to be incredibly smooth.

(sigh) broken. I accidentally took the lip right off.

And to craft that hook just right in wood, with the right amount of slope, a generous bowl and long enough lip takes careful work with the right tools.

But sometimes even then, even after hours of collective work, you fail.

And in working on the bowl tonight, after hours of work, I accidentally took the lip completely off. And that’s that. Or is it?

It’s a nice curved handle, so I spent some time looking at it some more.

Maybe there’s still some hope to save Grandmother Tree’s hook. It would be shorter than I have planned, but in studying the curves, my hand and what’s left at the front, I begin to see another crochet hook.

It’s getting late though and I do not want to continue to work with sharp objects when I’m tired, nor do I want to lose my “place” and the vision in my head. So to be sure of my thoughts, I sketch, make notes, and draw some marks for her new face. Clarifying in my mind whether I really think the new shape could work. Or perhaps in the morning, maybe I should just start over.

Nah.

Maybe there’s hope yet.

7 Comments

Filed under crochet, Crochet Hooks, handmade

Tagged as crochet, crochet hook challenge, handcarved, hooks

September 23, 2012 · 2:22 am

It’s Official – I’ll Carve One Special Crochet Hook Per Week: Happy Fall My Friends

This is absolutely my favorite time of year. My favorite season, my favorite three months out of the year. Some would say it’s because my birthday is next month. And they might be right, but I don’t think so. I think it’s more likely because down here in Central Texas, the summers are brutal. And as my husband said the other day when the weather was finally nice enough to throw the windows open: “This. This is why we live here. This is why we put up with the heat of summer. For this.”

Here, fall is a sign of relief, holidays and family gatherings around the corner and in many ways, to me a new beginning. But then, I guess October is my New Year.

In celebration of my favorite season, and in leaving the safety of 40, I have agreed to take on a challenge handed to me by friends. Can I do it?

I have pledged to hand-carve and blog about at least one new special crochet hook per week from now until Christmas.

And I better get cracking. These special hooks will be offered up for sale each week here on my blog. And through the process, I hope you may learn a bit more about hook anatomy and why the design of your crochet hook is so important.

I have decided to handle the blog sales the same way my carving mentor, Jimbo Price, does with his own hooks – by silent auction. Opening bids for each hook will begin at $10 ($5 increments there-after), with the respective blog post updated as bids are emailed in (to worx@pixieworx.net). Bids will run for the week and then end.

Funds from these sales are primarily to benefit our son’s vision. After writing my previous post about our son’s rare vision issues and the need to be able to finish his treatment, we found out he will need more than we expected. About twice what we expected and at a cost of $3000 more. Already, one of my customers has made a generous monetary donation on our son’s behalf that has helped us get started. You know who you are and from the bottoms of our hearts – again thank you.

When it comes to the challenge itself, I’m not quite sure what will evolve out of it. But I know it will be intriguing to me. It takes me 3-5 hours to carve one of my hooks, depending on exactly what shape I am aiming for and the wood I’m working with. I will have to treat this “hook a week” challenge much the way I have to treat NaBloPoMo coming up in November – with discipline and innovation. There are plenty of events and life activities to get in the way, but you just do it and stick to it somehow. And when you think you’re out of ideas, you ask for input, turn yourself upside down and you think of something differently. (You don’t think I’m going to make the exact same hook each week, do you?) To make it fair, part of the caveat (straight from the NaBloPoMo playbook) is that even if I make more than one hook in a week, I still can’t work ahead and skip a week. I have to carve and blog about at least one hook a week. That’s the challenge. To have that discipline.

The goal in part is for me to see if I can do it. Just like the goal in NaBloPoMo is to blog every single day, without fail, through the month of November. Only this is carving a hook a week for an entire season plus a week. It sounds easier than it is. But in the long run the badge of accomplishment is worth it.

So be watching for an intro into hook anatomy and the first hook offering! 🙂 See you on the flip side.

2 Comments

Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet, Crochet Hooks, Crochet News, handmade

Tagged as crochet, crochet hook challenge, hand-carved, hooks, nablopomo

July 10, 2012 · 8:55 am

My Owl – Keep Watch Tonight…

I spent a little time in KS with my brother, sister-in-law, nieces and nephew. Their newborn, Lilly, was born by c-section, so we went up not just to visit, but to help. There was plenty to do with three kids under school age in the house. And dear Lilly’s sleep schedule hadn’t ironed out yet, as is par for the course.

Staying a week up there was a change of pace from home at the end of the school year and a joy to spend time fulfilling the role of “aunt.” Over the last weekend of my visit I made a little owl amigurumi from a crochet magazine for my two-year old nephew. I’d already been making flowers for my oldest niece and wanted to find a ball “recipe” I thought I saw in a magazine. I was flipping through pages when my 5-year-old niece noticed the owl design. “You know… Aunt Julia…” she said, drawn out with coy emphasis. “I think you should make my brother an owl. Maybe the little one…. (innocent pause) Don’t you think?” I looked at her with a barely veiled “is that so?” in my eyes. And so it was that the simple ball toy for a boy that I was looking for became abandoned to a more involved ami owl.

I always bring yarn with me everywhere. Trips especially. I looked through all my bags and found enough navy blue yarn to complete the job. “Ma’ owl,” my dear nephew kept saying as I crocheted, pointing to the photo in the magazine. I worked on it all afternoon and on into the next day between chores and other activities. Then on the second day, as the body was finally stuffed and starting to take form with the eyes sewn on, my nephew got real excited as he realized the owl was coming into being. “Ma’ owl done?” he kept running up to ask as I sewed on each piece. It seemed like every 5 minutes at this point. “Not yet, still working on his feet/wing/beak,” I’d say each time.

Then finally the owl was complete and he was elated. I managed to finish it right at his bed time, and he carried it around with him as he got ready. “Owls are nocturnal,” his big sister said at one point. Then referring to her new baby sister she piped up and said, “Maybe Lilly’s nocturnal!” My sister-in-law and I shared a chuckle.

Then before they headed off to bed, my nephew put his new owl on the kitchen counter to keep watch. Eyes on the fridge I guess – we’re not sure why. The next night he had his owl sit on the banister outside his bedroom to keep watch. I look forward to hearing more about where it roosts for the nights to come.

It’s a wondrous thing, to be able to create something special, while the kids watch, quick as a wink like that. Wondrous indeed.

I’ll try to post which pattern this was when I find the magazine I used. I don’t remember what it was or where I got it.

4 Comments

Filed under crochet, Friends and Family

Tagged as crochet, family, kids, owl

June 23, 2012 · 2:34 pm

Disparaging Handcrafts In The Name Of Law – How Far Does It Push Us Back?

Well the lack of a good apology from the USOC continues. They seem to stand by the attitude that we have denigrated and disrespected, with no correction or word since the 2nd apology saying, “we know you clearly didn’t mean to.”

Mr. Sandusky, all you have to do really is state clearly that you and your office did not intend to imply that knitters and crocheters disrespect or denigrate the Olympics and professional athletes at all. Simply expressing regret that the words were used only means you wish you didn’t have to deal with us. Saying you know the we didn’t mean to denigrate and disrespect is patronizing at best, but clearly does not retract the verbiage directed at our collective cultural activities around our support of the Olympic Games. All this may have started with a law clerk, but it’s escalated to you – and instead of seizing an opportunity, you didn’t make things better.

Bloomberg Business Week has posted a thorough article this morning on trademark protection and Why the U.S. Olympic Committee Cracked Down on a Knitting Group. In the article they, like many others, fail to recognize that Ravelry is not just a knitting community, but also a crochet community. But more than that, in their article they fail to recognize that the main issues Ravelers have had with the cease and desist letter from the USOC were much less about the name of our knitting/crochet games (Ravelympics) and much more about the insulting nature of the letter and our desire to see a back track and correcting statement issued about the language used. Language which Bloomberg does not elaborate upon, but simply calls “harsh.”

Harsh is not the description I would use.

So I had to write a comment. In fact, I’ve never written so many comments on news sites ever before. I’m not up in arms, raising a pitchfork, calling for retribution or slinging names. Rebel I might be, but that’s never been my style. I’m not interested in boycotting the Olympics and I have no vested feelings in the corporate aspects of trademark issues right now. In most everything I have written, I’ve tried to be professional, reasonable and thorough.

But these recent events do strike at issues I care very much about. The future of handmade, the future of respect for women (do not misunderstand my meaning there either) and the future image, reputation and preservation of crochet (and knitting). And for me, it heaps discontent with the way law is thrown around and allows for “those who can” to get away with saying anything they can spin. Yarn Harlot called for knitters to calm down their stung feelings and to accept the USOC’s first apology. And though I appreciate her article about trademark issues and legalities, and many of her calm and reasonable words about our collective behavior as knitters (ahem – and crocheters), in principle I cannot accept an apology that is not one. In principle, this is part of where we go wrong in the US with our tolerance of media spin from public figures.

In my world – words mean things. And each apology from the USOC (which by the very nature of coming from a communications office and law office you know they are carefully worded) has only served to stand by the initial insults and create more. Being “bigger than that” does not mean taking it when someone bullies you and then says in front of the teacher – awww shucks, Billy, I didn’t mean for you to take it that way. It means calling for attention and a change. Not just for the USOC, but everyone who engages in such behavior, because they can.

Supposedly we are a polite society. As such, all our leaders bear a responsibility to reflect that professionalism. And when you screw up, you bear the responsibility of consequences and making corrections. Whether we are talking about politicians, or organizations that supposedly represent our cultural/national/international interests, I will accept no less. Because when I do accept less, what eventually will the future be? Little different than as it is in child rearing, if I allow for my child to get away with something that in principle is wrong, I set their future up to fail. What world will my grandchildren live in? A world where nothing that is said is ever honorable or sacred anymore. Shut up crybaby. I said I’m sorry, now go away. Even when “I’m sorry” really isn’t stated and the issue is the disparaging of the craft and character of good people. There is a responsibility there, and it hasn’t been fulfilled.

Mr. Sandusky sir, do you realize the hard work many of us have poured our lives into, in garnering respect for the fiber arts? For a very long time we have been the red-headed step-child of the creative art world in general. And it’s only recently we’ve gained a second look in terms of skill and artistic value for what we do, for the creations of our hands, for the history and heritage behind it. Thanks to you, a giant step forward in how we are perceived may be taken back.

Here is the comment I shared over at Bloomberg:

First off, we are a community of knitters AND crocheters. Secondly, even the second apology only said we know you didn’t “intend” to be denigrating, while the first said we would like to show our support of Ravelers by letting you send us free handmade stuff. There has not yet been an acceptable apology about the real issue – which has nothing to do with the name of our knitting/crochet games while we watch the real Olympic games. And it has not been about the trademark protection. We might have been disappointed, but we would have understood if the letter was simply – hey, we need you to not use the name. But that’s NOT what the USOC did.

The real issue we Ravelers have had was the unnecessary and insulting statements and inference that knitting and crocheting through our games during the real Olympics was an insult to real athletes who work and train hard. And the continued inference that somehow it’s OK to insult a large group of mainly women who strive to keep hand-arts alive and preserve our collective heritage – around the world. The USOC’s apology was no apology. It was almost worse than the original letter. The owners of Ravelry didn’t completely organize those games on their own. That was a grass-roots type gathering (if I can use the analogy for a global group of people) of fiber hand-makers from around the world who came up with and supported the idea. All these people from a variety of different cultures and backgrounds, all coming together over one main thing we share – our love for knitting and crochet, along with in this case, our love for our countries and the Olympic games.

Saying that we “denigrate” and “disrespect” the spirit of the Olympics and real athletes was like jocks vs. the geeks or men vs. women all over again. They weren’t just talking to Ravelry owners, they were talking to all of us. The USOC “apologizing” by essentially saying, “we’ll make a show of good will by letting you send us free stuff” and “we know you didn’t *intend* to be denigrating” is not an apology. The USOC has disparaged our crafts and our character. On a global scale. And further made us the butt of many jokes in the press. (Thank you Bloomberg for not following suit.)

This should be corrected. We strive enough to keep our cultural crafts and heritage not only alive, but growing. Having a giant organization disparage us is devastating in more ways than one. And crochet? It’s the very last fiber art left that can not be replicated by a machine. It will only be alive as long as people do it. The advancements made in our crafts every day by us designers will only continue as we are supported. It’s as if hand-made in general has been pushed an unfortunate step back as we struggle for respect and preservation. Being insulted this way is incredibly disheartening and shouldn’t be acceptable, especially in the name of law.

For me, it’s never been an issue about possible trademark infringement and needing to change the name of our games. I think it seems a little over-reaching since the name is not specifically “Olympics,” but I can see possible ground, knowing also that I am not an expert in law. No, the issue has always been the obvious and unnecessary language used to disparage hand arts.

I have finalized my decision to mail my crochet hook and a letter to the USOC. I do this knowing I may be alone in the action, but determined none-the-less to stand on principle and be heard. And determined to put my money where my mouth is and do more than rant on the internet. I will do something tangible, sending something real that someone somewhere will have to hold in their hand and then decide what to do with. It might not be much, but at least it’s something pointed, honorable and peaceful.

Principles matter. The insulting language issued by the USOC was wrong. Even in the supposed “apologies” issued, that language was never taken back, merely “regretted,” glossed over and spun, while pointedly avoiding a real apology. And as a result hand arts and cottage industries may feel more than just a sting from the slap of such a large public entity, but perhaps may even pay a price. It shouldn’t be tolerated. It should be pointed out. And as for me, I’ll politely take a stand.

17 Comments

Filed under Editorial

Tagged as 2012, crochet, knitting, Olympic, Olympic Games, olympics, Ravelry, ravelympics, United States, United States Olympic Committee, USOC

June 22, 2012 · 11:12 am

Crocheters/knitters didn’t “intend” to denigrate. That’s not an apology USOC.

Ugh. To follow up on yesterday’s brouhaha with the Olympic Committee’s letter to Ravelry: Looks like we’ve hit the big time. Crocheters and knitters took center stage in the news.

Gawker was the first to cover Ravelry’s plight. Though their take on the story handily left crocheters out of the picture. Though I didn’t see it until later, seems next in the day was Hot Air with their article, “The Olympic Committee just messed with the wrong old ladies.” I don’t think too many of us appreciate their title, but they did write a fair article and also pointed out, like I did, that “knitting actually was an Olympic event at one time.” My Google-Fu is strong.

It might have seemed it would pretty much stop there, but #ravelympics began trending on Twitter. And before we knew it, NPR, New York Times and USA Today were all covering the debacle. Albeit, with lots of references to women with pointy sticks. Hey, we hookers are a part of the Ravelry community too you know! However, Fearless Leader’s open letter to the USOC and Crochet Liberation Front was mentioned in two of those three. That’s pretty something. Still, I would have liked to have seen less humor and pointy stick references and a little more respect for an inappropriate use of language slung at a largely female demographic. Journalists are having a field day with the puns in their coverage of #ravelympics. We got attention alright, but there’s a few more snickering undercurrents than I would like. Aren’t we so cute with our hooks and our sticks waving?

To sadden me further, New York Times reports that the organized “knit-in” turned up one lone person. Well, that’s the way to be respected and set a precedence of ignoring anything any other group might unfairly experience at the hands of a large organization again. And if a membership largely made up of women can make a lot of noise online, but not put their money where their mouth is and actually show up for a protest, what makes you think that helps any cause ever that involves women. Good at being loud, but just don’t have the chutzpah to actually do something real. If there were more peeps there, please, please post the pictures.

While many knitters seem to be quieting down, I’m still quietly crocheting a strip of bacon to mail in to the USOC. It takes time I don’t really have, but I feel strongly that there needs to be a real and tangible response and not just a temporary internet roar. Even if it does take some time, money and patience to do it on my part, there needs to be a reminder. This can’t be the end of it. And though I picked bacon for speed and ease of mailing, because if I could get it there today I would, I personally desire a demonstration of skill as well. Though after the snip about accepting free hand-made items from us as a show of support, I also thought seriously about mailing them my crochet hook in protest instead. In fact, I like the idea of hooks and needles filling their office just about as well as bacon, crochet poop and an amigurumi middle finger – additional suggestions left by our tweeps and blog peeps yesterday. Hmmm… An envelope dumping out a hook with a note that says “I will not crochet for you,” in principle feels rather satisfying actually. I think I’ll reserve the right to change my mind today.

Jocks aren’t the only ones who work all their lives to hone a skill. And I say that as a mother in a community that fosters and supports aspiring athletes. My kids attend a charter school that was originally founded for children pursuing the Olympics and such. A free school, I will point out. I am friends with families of all walks of life who hold Olympic and athletically competitive dreams, poor and wealthy. So I’m not ignorant of what it takes. I know all too well the tears and stress on a family and the athletes and the skills required.

But if you want to compare breasts to balls, my skill will nurture and keep someone warm, even in the worst of times. However, with the first apology’s reference to supporting us by asking for free handmade stuff, I’m not of the notion to send them anything they might enjoy too much. I’ll hand-make and hand-deliver something to an Olympian any day. Funneled through the USOC under that pretense? I don’t think so. Or at least I’m not convinced yet.

A second apology has been tacked on to the first from the USOC. I read it, but it’s still legalese. They said they know crocheters/knitters didn’t *intend* to denigrate or disrespect. You can read it on the USOC website here.

Statement Update:

“As a follow-up to our previous statement on this subject, we would again like to apologize to the members of the Ravelry community. While we stand by our obligation to protect the marks and terms associated with the Olympic and Paralympic Movements in the United States, we sincerely regret the use of insensitive terms in relation to the actions of a group that was clearly not intending to denigrate or disrespect the Olympic Movement. We hope you’ll accept this apology and continue to support the Olympic Games.”

Ummm…. Excuse me? That’s not an apology. I’ll bet you regret the use of the terms, but you’re still saying we denigrate and disrespect, but that you clearly see we did not intend to. No, I don’t feel like accepting an apology written for public spin. Words mean things. And I will not infer for you what you have not said.

Additionally, the claim was made yesterday that the letter sent to Ravelry was a form letter. Hence, gee – it was nothing personal and we aren’t really responsible. One of our readers also kindly shared the link to a similarly approached letter sent to the “Redneck Olympics” which you can read here: http://lettersfromaway.wordpress.com/tag/redneck-olympics/. The article includes photo copies of the entire letter they received.

Yes, it looks like the USOC cut and pasted phraseology from the “red neck” letter to ours, but I have failed to find this phraseology in any other posted letter from the USOC. Many people have received letters addressing trademark infringement, shared them with public and that part of course is not our issue with the letter to Ravelry. The issue was the insulting language used against knitters and crocheters who were supporting and watching their teams. We’re not even talking about a separate event that piggy-backs off the idea of an international sporting event. We were supporting the real Olympics and encouraging ever more people to watch. Hello.

Beyond even all that, by definition, a form letter is not compiled and tweaked individually. Just because phraseology is similar does not make it a form letter. Calling it a “form letter” is meant to give the impression that there was no personal attention put to the creation of the letter and that everyone receives the exact same thing. And that’s simply not true in this case.

Denigrate, disrespect and unappreciative – these are the words they used to describe us in the act of supporting our Olympic teams.

In fact these appear to be the only two letters where such wording has been used. An event in support of the actual Olympics and does not use its name and one that does not support and does use its name. Which means in essence, that the law office considered the activities of knitters and crocheters who hand-make things while watching the Olympics to be comparable to events of body humor that poke fun at the Olympics themselves. With a cliched image of “Here Bubba, hold mah beer and watch this.”

There we go. That’s awesome. I feel more respected now.

I say this, because on a personal level I absolutely feel that toilet seat horseshoes, no matter how fun it might be, is a bit disrespectful when being directly called “Olympics.” The red neck event was not about supporting their favorite Olympic team. And I say that as a Texan. So our handcraft skills have thus essentially been compared to a tongue-n-cheek beer party, something generally considered at best to be mildly inappropriate in polite company. I’m not saying there’s not a place for redneck games. I’m saying I can understand the phraseology of the law clerk’s letter being used for that situation because the Olympics wants to maintain a certain image of what they represent and frankly bobbing for pigs feet isn’t that. Even to me, good ‘ol BikerMom from Texas, it sounds more along the lines of Fear Factor material.

So first the USOC apologizes by saying, we’ll show support for Ravelry by letting you send us free hand-made things. Then they apologize to us by saying we know you didn’t intend to be denigrating or disrespectful. Where in this do you find an acceptable apology in any polite society? It’s not one and I don’t have to accept it as one.

I’m sorry, I expect better, especially from an organization that supposedly represents our interests, peace, world community, etc. to the rest of the world. And from an organization that insulted not just a US community, but an international one. They insulted and defamed Olympic supporters on a global scale. And neither apology rises to the appropriate level they should. The slam is still there.

Mr. Sandusky was further referenced by the New York Times as stating that his wife and mother-in-law both knit “for gosh sakes.” Well sir, I bet if you had asked their opinion of the letter before it was sent, they would have said “don’t use those words and don’t say it that way.”

Whether intended or not, the USOC disparaged our names and crafts. And with knitting as an original Olympic activity, it’s even worse. Mr. Sandusky needs to step away from the legalese and just make a good apology that turns it around and states officially that Ravelry members actually have not denigrated or disrespected the Olympics through their activities while watching their favorite teams – at all. That simply, the USOC just wishes the name to be changed please and never meant to denigrate the spirit of men and women just supporting their national Olympic teams.

It’s Jocks vs. The Geeks Again: Thanks US Olympics Committee – Nobody Likes A Bully!

Jocks vs. the geeks. Men vs. women. The powerful vs. the weak. Though laws are meant to help protect people, seems our world never grows up and invariably “law” is used as a beating stick against those whom it was meant to protect. Gee thanks for being a joy-kill. Is there ever any fun anymore.

The upshot? Seems our dear Ravelympics over on http://Ravelry.com has not only become a “legal” threat to official Olympics intellectual property rights, but apparently a social insult to the Olympics as well.

Seriously. I’m not making this up. Do read on.

I received the news during my long 500 mile drive home yesterday while talking with Laurie, a.k.a. Fearless Leader over from Crochet Liberation Front. She’s already written an elegant and mature open letter response to the US Olympic Committee that you should definitely check out.

I thought about writing one of my well researched and reasonable posts about the matter. But I just can’t bring myself to it. I’m mad. Sputtering mad enough to take time to crochet a granny square or bacon strip to ship off to the USOC in protest. Haven’t decided which yet.

The specifics? Firstly, the US Olympic Committee has sent a cease and desist order to my favorite knitting/crochet social community to stop using the term Ravelympics altogether and rename our games.

To quote from the actual letter:

It looks as if this is the third time that the Ravelympics have been organized, each coinciding with an Olympic year (2008, 2010, and 2012). The name Ravelympics is clearly derived from the terms “Ravelry” (the name of your website) and OLYMPICS, making RAVELYMPICS a simulation of the mark OLYMPIC tending to falsely suggest a connection to the Olympic Movement. Thus, the use of RAVELYMPICS is prohibited by the Act. Knowing this, we are sure that you can appreciate the need for you to re-name the event, to something like the Ravelry Games.

This alone is not exactly surprising news. After all, it’s not the first time organizations and businesses have been forced to change names on the basis of Olympic trademark “infringements.” Even non-profits have been under fire. Read Now Public’s 2008 article “US Olympic Committee’s history of lawsuits against non profit organisations” for a far more detailed history than I care to address here.

Usually these cases have involved the actual word “Olympics.” Whether a spliced word/name like Ravelympics has ever been targeted before, I’m not sure. I’m not even sure of the legalities. Like really… especially since there is no profit being made and the sole purpose of these yarny games is to support our teams on a world-wide scale. After all, crocheting/knitting, especially by women, during any kind of sporting event, is a very long tradition. Still, I don’t proclaim to be a lawyer and I don’t have a problem in general with a need to protect intellectual property.

But the letter was not a simple generic letter. And the letter did not stop there. Here’s where the crux of the social matter really lies:

The USOC is responsible for preserving the Olympic Movement and its ideals within the United States. Part of that responsibility is to ensure that Olympic trademarks, imagery and terminology are protected and given the appropriate respect. We believe using the name “Ravelympics” for a competition that involves an afghan marathon, scarf hockey and sweater triathlon, among others, tends to denigrate the true nature of the Olympic Games. In a sense, it is disrespectful to our country’s finest athletes and fails to recognize or appreciate their hard work…..

It would have been one thing if the USOC had sent a general letter that said something like – “Hey y’all! Thanks for all your enthusiasm and support! But we need you to change the name of your games. You know, trademark issues and all.” While there might have been disappointment, there wouldn’t have been outrage.

But this is not the approach the USOC took. They used a battering ram where a pat on the back would have sufficed. By claiming our knitters and crocheters are denigrating and disrespectful to the Olympics and their athletes, the USOC has likewise insulted and bullied a large demographic of handmade enthusiasts, largely made up of women. And though I don’t want to leave our “brothers in arms” out of the picture, knitting and crocheting continue to carry a general social slap (at least in the US) as something strictly feminine in nature.

And here’s the kicker. The original founding father of the modern Olympics included knitting in the list of events. Did you know that? Read your own history USOC.

The letter goes on:

The athletes of Team USA have usually spent the better part of their entire lives training for the opportunity to compete at the Olympic Games and represent their country in a sport that means everything to them. For many, the Olympics represent the pinnacle of their sporting career. Over more than a century, the Olympic Games have brought athletes around the world together to compete in an event that has come to mean much more than just a competition between the world’s best athletes. The Olympic Games represent ideals that go beyond sport to encompass culture and education, tolerance and respect, world peace and harmony.

That last line is something else to note, a principle that Ravelry is hardly guilty of threatening. If anything, women (and men) coming together around the world to commune simply over the passion to preserve our mutual histories and handcrafts, is pretty something. And it’s genuine. Not a show, not a put on. And it is a skill. On Ravelry, simple folks like you and me come together in peace – over hooks, sticks and a mutual love for yarn.

To give you background, Ravelympics is the name of essentially a set of grass-roots knitting and crochet contests that have been organized via Ravelry groups. These yarny competitions are loosely organized for fun and community enjoyment and held during the Olympic competitions. Knitters and crocheters test their skills and speed, while everyone gathers around their TVs – all around the world – while supporting their favorite Olympic teams and events.

And let me point out, in case it’s not yet clear, Ravelry is an international knitting/crocheting social site. That we join for free. And Ravelympics supports all Olympic teams wherever Ravelry users participate – around the world.

Few social sites anywhere enjoy the kind of amicable and socially driven international relations found on Ravelry, a user website largely populated by women, but populated none-the-less by fiber hand-makers from around the world. Those who choose to learn a hand craft skill vs. simply buying a cheaply made mass-produced product and then share that skill on with others. USOC why would you allow such an insulting letter to be sent? Face it, you were being bullies.

To be fair, the USOC has made an official statement on the matter today, which you can find on their website here: http://www.teamusa.org/News/2012/June/21/statement-from-usoc-spokesperson-patrick-sandusky.aspx.

Statement from USOC Chief Communications and Public Affairs Officer Patrick Sandusky:

“Thanks to all of you who have posted, tweeted, emailed and called regarding the letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics.

Like you, we are extremely passionate about what we do. And, as you may know, the United States Olympic Committee is a non-profit entity, and our Olympic team receives no government funding. We are totally dependent on our sponsors, who pay for the right to associate with the Olympic Movement, as well as our generous donors to bring Team USA to the Games.

The letter sent to the organizers of the Ravelympics was a standard-form cease and desist letter that explained why we need to protect our trademarks in legal terms. Rest assured, as an organization that has many passionate knitters, we never intended to make this a personal attack on the knitting community or to suggest that knitters are not supportive of Team USA.

We apologize for any insult and appreciate your support. We embrace hand-crafted American goods as we currently have the Annin Flagmakers of New Jersey stitching a custom-made American flag to accompany our team to the Olympic Games in London. To show our support of the Ravelry community, we would welcome any handmade items that you would like to create to travel with, and motivate, our team at the 2012 Games.”

My problem still though, is the claim that it was a standard-form cease and desist letter. (It clearly was not.) And the attempt to “show support of the Ravelry community” by asking us to donate handmade goods to them. Really? That’s your token handshake in peace? After the pain and heartache you guys already put the WoolSack community through? I understand some delivery is now possible but only after months of tears and pain. Read the details here: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2156560/Olympic-cushions-handmade-athletes-latest-fall-foul-LOCOG-fears-row-sponsors.html

That’s right friends. It’s not the first insult to hand-makers this year. And I’m just simply disappointed in an organization that supposedly represents our mutual interests in world peace and community.

So crochet something and mail it I will. Just like farmers mailing broccoli to the White House. We do not denigrate by knitting and crocheting. We love, we comfort, we preserve our history. Who’s with me? What are we mailing? Granny squares or bacon? I just happen to like the visual of bacon slap.

I’ll be using the address signed at the bottom of the letter:

Brett Hirsch

Law Clerk

Office of the General Counsel

United States Olympic Committee

1 Olympic Plaza

Colorado Springs, CO 80909

13 Comments

Filed under Editorial

Tagged as crochet, front, liberation, Olympic Games, olympics, Ravelry, Ravelympic, ravelympics, United States Olympic Committee

June 18, 2012 · 2:25 am

Taking The Crochet Challenge – Have Fun, Be Silly

Laurie Wheeler over at Crochet Lives Free (f.k.a. Crochet Liberation Front) put out a challenge to all crocheters to take some time and have some fun ala creative graphic geekery. You can check out the challenge here: http://www.crochetliberationfront.com/2012/06/hookimagination-lets-get-silly.

This is an area I already enjoy, so I took some time this evening while on my visit in Kansas to do just that. What I came up with is not only fun, it’s perfect for the redo I’ve been looking for to replace my old blog header. Guess a twist of fun is what my header’s been lacking, because my new fun header is so much more awesome! And it sure suits my personality better. For the design, I used the crochet hook and loop logo I created for use on my finished goods tags and dressed it with a twist.

Maybe I didn’t get around to making that video spoof I talked about some months ago, but this is pretty darn fun by itself!

It’s already loaded – what do you think? 😀

6 Comments

Filed under Artist Information & Notes

Tagged as crochet, logo

May 1, 2012 · 2:28 pm

What Caption Would You Add To This Hilarious (Crochet) Picture?

This post was originally published Nov 6, 2010 on my other blog: The Difference Between A Duck. I thought maybe it deserved some attention here. Yeah, kinda makes sense.

This is a photo of Laurie Wheeler (Fearless Leader of the CLF) and I at Pinch Knitter Yarns during the Crochet Liberation Front‘s 2010 Conference/Retreat at Cama. Bill, fabulous crocheter, photographer and husband of free-form crochet designer Bonnie Pierce, was snapping photos of everyone. And this shot was in the mix!

“Good Lord,” I said when I first saw it on Facebook. “What happened to my face!”

I know what it is. That’s the look I get on my face when I’m concentrating. And thinking back, I’m guessing I was focusing in on her words since I’ve trouble hearing in groups. But anyway, since then Laurie, Bonnie and I have supposed on what caption could be put with this photo – related to crochet, yarn, the CLF and our retreat.

"My yarn is not going to be there when I wake up, will it..."

My favorites so far are:
“You’re going to steal my yarn while I’m sleeping, aren’t you…..” and
“Seriously? Since when is there a limit of only five? I’m not giving one up!”
“I’m not hiding anything….”

Maybe: “This is not the yarn you’re looking for….?”

Bonnie added: “Yea…. I DO have enough money to pay for my cabin! You can’t make me put them back!!”

I love it! What captions would you come up with? 😀

9 Comments

Filed under crochet, Crochet Community, Humor

Tagged as CLF, crochet, Crochet Liberation Front, Humor, yarn

January 2, 2012 · 12:49 am

And The Winner Is… Is… ????

…Lorraine!

Official Random.org Results

Lorraine has won a signed copy of her favorite Obey Crochet drawing “This Yarn Ain’t Big Enough For The Two Of Us!” Come on down Lorraine and claim your prize. Everybody please give her a round of applause and let her know just how jealous you are! Lorraine, tell us – how does it feel to be such a winner? And please look for an email asking for your mailing address so Stephanie can ship your signed Obey Crochet drawing to you! We look forward to hearing from you very soon!
(And you’ll have to send us a photo!) 😀

Didn’t win? No worries! Now that you’re following Obey Crochet’s blog, not only will you be in the know about anything that comes up Obey Crochet, you can also shop her store at CafePress! You will find mugs, t-shirts and totes of Hooky goodness! Yay for crochet!

Thank you all for participating and it was so awesome to meet and connect with more crochet friends! I am now following everyone who participated in this contest and left your websites or Twitter accounts to follow. And I think maybe ya’ll will want to get to know each other too. I hope you enjoyed the fun and exploration of the crochet goodness from our sister-in-hook Stephanie Toppin!

Happy New Year from both of us! I truly believe that 2012 is just simply going to be outstanding! In addition to my usual content, stay tuned for future contests, reviews, goodies and new friends to meet! Thanks to Stephanie and Obey Crochet for joining me in this shindig. And thanks again to everyone for keeping your hook in gear and sharing the crochet love! Rock on!

1 Comment

Filed under Crochet Community

Tagged as crochet, drawing, Obey, prize

December 23, 2011 · 5:36 pm

An Aberrant “Obey Crochet” Holiday Give Away!

Oh look! I was a poet and didn’t know it!

Well, welcome back my crochet friends! Happy Holidays!

I know, I know…. I was writing so consistently and then dropped off. It’s the season for working though, you know. This is the time of year when warm things are in demand! I’ll let you know when I master typing with my ears while I crochet. Send me any tips if you have them! LOL! Oh and then of course one by one the family units got sick. And fight as I did, I finally caught it too. I know you know how it is!

But, now I’m getting back on my feet just in time for the holidays. It’s also dear hubby’s and my anniversary today! (16 years! Do you know how much I love him?)

It’s me and Obey Crochet! Cooking up some fun for you!

So I’m ready to celebrate, drink some wine, enjoy some chocolate, have some fun and spring a holiday celebration giveaway surprise that Stephanie a.k.a. Obey Crochet and I cooked up! We’re doing a blog giveaway! YAY!

Yes! ‘Tis true! And trust me, you’ll covet this one! If you haven’t met Obey Crochet just yet, please do so by visiting my interview with her here!

“Yay! What awesomeness will we win?” you ask? Well I’ll tell you!

It’s our pleasure to bring this crochet unique giveaway to you, my fellow crochet lover! One lucky winner will receive a FREE, signed… (did you see that? … a signed!) … Obey Crochet print. Of your choice! Of ANY one Obey Crochet Drawing that you love! Shipped to you!

Can you believe it?!

OMG I’m jealous, because I’m disqualified from this giveaway. They will also get random Obey Crochet buttons and rub on tats. How cool is that! Don’t you just love it! 😀

“How! How can we win?” you ask?

Alright, so down to the business stuff… please read carefully!
First of all, this giveaway is uniquely open to USA as well as International crochet fans! Yes! We are not excluding our friends from overseas!

There is only ONE mandatory way to enter…

First, you must subscribe to both Aberrant Crochet and Obey Crochet blogs. Next, go to Obey Crochet’s website, look at her vast collection of drawings and decide which one is your favorite. Then, come back here and leave a comment on this giveaway blog post stating that you are following both blogs (we’ll check), along with a note about which Obey Crochet signed drawing you are most excited to win! (One of my personal favorites is “Potentially Pirate,” along with Obey Crochet’s original “Co-Dependent.” Oh and then of course there’s “Only Child,” “My Shadow Puppets Are Better,” and “All I Need Is One Hook.” And then there’s….. I know – how can you possibly choose just one?! But in the end, if you win, you will have to!)

Last but not least, share the link to this giveaway with your crochet savvy friends!
Limit ONE entry per person.

OH and HEY! Post your Twitter ID and blog address in your comment and I’ll follow you back! How’s that for a deal?

PLEASE NOTE…

1. You have just over ONE WEEK to enter…

2. Giveaway will close Sunday, January 1, 2012 at 9am CST. (Yes, we gave you fudge room even after the New Year’s celebration!)

3. A winner will be chosen via random.org later in the day on January 1, 2012.

4. I will announce the winner on my blog shortly after (so come back to check!)

5. Please be sure to have your email address linked to your comment or there is no way for me to contact you!

And that’s it!

GOOD LUCK EVERYONE! 😀 MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAVE FUN!

Oh, and disclaimer: I have not received any monetary compensation for putting on this giveaway. This is purely for fun! I mean, just in case you’re wondering. They say it’s always good to be clear about these things. So, there you have it… clear? We love you! Enjoy!

18 Comments

Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet, Crochet Community, Giveaway

Tagged as crochet, giveaway, Obey, obey crochet, prize, win

December 2, 2011 · 5:47 pm

Kumihimo Could Be The Ultimate Stash Buster

Today was well spent at A Good Yarn taking a beginning Kumihimo class from Jeannie. She’s a good teacher! And the class proved to me what I suspected… Kumihimo might just be the ultimate stash buster.

Kumihimo is the Japanese term and method for braiding. There are many different types, but we learned a basic yatsu umi, or 8-strand round braid. Jeannie even introduced us to using beads. For a basic yatsu umi starter project, we each started with four strands of about two yards each, doubled over to make eight strands to work with, and create a key chain. Most everyone else stopped with a normal sized key chain, but since I was camping out for part of the day anyway, I kept going until I had no more threads left to work with! So mine’s actually long enough for a necklace now. I’m thinking about taking the split ring off and instead adding a decorative clasp for an offset design. Maybe add a crochet element. Not sure yet how, but pretty sure this is going to be a necklace.

The fun thing about Kumihimo (and I should have taken some photos of Jeannie’s examples to do her justice), is that you can use up scraps of yarn and thread that might not be long enough to do much else with. She had examples of several made from a variety of yarns, thick and thin, including pigtail-eyelash. How much stash you can bust with braiding depends on your end project idea, of course, but it adds one more thing to my bucket of tools and growing skills. I look at kumihimo and see possibilities for jewelry, where crochet might not give me the result I want, but also, I think this could make a much stronger, less stretchy purse strap for some of my weighty beaded purses, over crochet. One of my fellow classmates mentioned wanting to make some for decorating Christmas presents.

Here are some photos of my yatsu umi.

This is the basic beginner's small Kumihimo kit, long with my yatsu umi hanging out the backside.

The yatsu umi has a spiral effect when you use contrasting colors.

Beading adds a nice element to the spiral braid.

My yatsu umi is long enough to make a necklace! I'm thinking I might take off the split ring and instead turn this into an offset necklace with a decorative clasp.

If you find yourself in Prescott, AZ, I can’t recommend the local yarn shoppe – A Good Yarn – enough. They are incredibly helpful, friendly and a bright spot to visit. I also LOVE Debra’s “Buck A Ball” community donation project. Drop off your unused yarn leftovers, or balls you aren’t going to use, and Debra puts them in a box for $1 a ball, with all proceeds going to the local women’s shelter. Umm, yes I found some goodies to buy in the box too. Gracious and community oriented, this store is one of the most crochet friendly yarn stores I’ve ever shopped. And you can tell that Prescott locals value them too, as they stayed busy with many local friends coming and going, friendly chatter, along with newbies who dropped by today as well. I met a lady from South Africa today who said she’d heard so much about this store she just had to come. Seriously, you can’t help but be in great hands!

Carma, Jeannie and Debra! When you are in Prescott, you must visit these super friendly ladies and tell them I sent you!

4 Comments

Filed under 'Tis the Season, Artist Information & Notes, Crochet Community, Crochet Education

Tagged as AZ, crochet, Kumihimo, lys, Prescott, yarn

November 21, 2011 · 5:25 pm

How Much Are You Worth?

What is the true cost of handmade items at a show? I’m not really talking about taking a bead and sticking it on an ear wire. There’s almost no training or skill involved in that. There’s not much honing of a craft going on there. Though it does take time to assemble, it’s small and not considered skilled labor.

How much do you make an hour for your expertise? How much should a hand crafter make per hour? What is right for a living wage? It’s easy to forget sometimes the nature of how some jobs work. In many jobs, you get paid a set wage + benefits. Some jobs involve a commission, which is generally highly taxed by the government even if it is really what you feed yourself with. Other jobs, like waiting tables, are often half of minimum wage with the expectation that you will make up the rest in tips. That was a rude awakening when I landed my first waiting job right out of college. I was taxed out of my $2.13 an hour each week as if it were twice that, because it’s assumed I would make up the other half of minimum wage on tips. And I didn’t. Sigh, those were the days.

So how much should a hand crafter make? Well, one obvious thing to consider is the cost of table fees to get into the show in the first place. Just here in Austin, there are shows that range from $40 a table to over $3000. It’s a chunk of change, and somewhat of a gamble playing the odds whether you will sell something at the venue or not. Space rental is not cheap. Neither is security, electricity or many other expenses people might not think of. If you take credit cards, you have expenses there as well.

You have the cost of materials as overhead. When it comes to yarn, it’s interesting to me that so many buyers really have no idea how much yarn can cost these days. To buy enough to create a garment is a pretty substantial chunk. Are we using “That Old 70’s Yarn?” Or something nicer like silk or cashmere or even a microfiber? Either way, it’s way more now than it was when I was a kid.

Then there’s the amount of materials as well. Just because a hat you find at WalMart cost $5 doesn’t mean it has a comparable amount of fiber in it to something handmade. Nor does it mean the yarn can be purchased in the US for so little either. Where many often use one yarn for a design, I often use three myself. So that’s a jump in cost for me. Plus there’s the value of other elements, like antique buttons or sterling silver findings.

And then we come to the aspect of time and of skill. What would you pay an expert to do and what would you pay a beginner? There should be a difference. There’s something to be said for a skill that has been honed over time. Because the quality of labor is much different. Why should an expert be paid the same as a beginner? There’s a reason why we pay doctors what we do, they are highly educated, trained and skilled.

But let’s say we have a beginner. Federal minimum wage is $7.25 an hour. Even people receiving training to flip burgers get at least minimum wage. If an item requires $30 of materials and takes 4 hours to make, you have at minimum a $59 item, before taxes. Right? What if you decide not to charge minimum wage? Even at $5 an hour (a minimum suggestion from Crochet Liberation Front founder, Laurie Wheeler), you still have a $50 price tag. At minimum. For beginner grade work.

I like some points Laurie made on this subject in previous years on the Crochet Liberation Front forum, “The best way I know of raising the value of anything, is to value it yourself.”

Followed up in her article last year “At What Price?” Laurie has this to say:

“FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS FUZZY DO NOT…and I repeat…DO NOT UNDERSELL YOUR WORK!! …. Materials + Time x Skill = $$…. Time is valuable. Especially in today’s fast paced world, time is PRECIOUS, your time is VALUABLE. If you spend 2hrs on a hat and you spent $3 on the materials and you only charge $4.00, $3.00 covers the materials and you just made FIFTY CENTS an hour. Really? You are not a SWEATSHOP…You are WORTH more than that… “

Also, I’ve heard many women make comments that should never be made, like: “Oh but I enjoy doing this so I don’t charge very much.” WHAT? Seriously? Did I just hear that? SO you should only get paid for what you don’t derive a sense of satisfaction from? (I’ve never heard a man say something like this, btw.) If you’ve ever been guilty of saying something like that, stop and consider the craziness of what you’re suggesting. Not to mention how it undervalues the work of all hand crafters when you do that, including the ones who rely on selling their wares to put food on the table. Just because you don’t have to rely on it to feed your kids, doesn’t mean you should undersell your work.

Factors to keep in mind as you consider pricing also include rarity, how labor intensive, precision of the work, and expertise and range of experience. Some items, you’ll have to judge. You may have to tweak your prices or process a bit here and there. Just because you are capable of making wash cloths out of cashmere doesn’t mean it’s practical and that everyone will buy one for what it’s worth or at all. Hmmm… So maybe there’s a cap there somewhere on what kind of materials you expect to use for what items and the price range most of your customers will fall into?

There’s also travel time, packing materials and postage. If I’m doing custom orders and find myself driving all over town from yarn shop to yarn shop trying to find what will make my customer happy, it becomes an expense that has to be accounted for, because they want a custom item and not something I have ready to go. And it requires me to take time off from my regular business and work only for them until they get what they want. That can be a lot of time, especially if they don’t really know what they want or it’s difficult to secure! Think about the fees you would pay a graphic artist when you don’t have a clear idea of what you want. Usually you get one or two proofs and that’s it. Consider that custom handmade should not be much different.

So when you’re pricing, you have a lot to consider for variables. And once you have that, stick with it and do not let buyers bargain with you. Not only is it poor form at shows, but when you do it, you give people permission to essentially cut your pay! Set a fair and reasonable price, based on the variables we’re discussing and decide ahead of the show how you will deal with such requests. If you want to offer a discount for multiple purchases, that can be nice, but price your individual items accordingly so you are still coming out on top in the end. Do not stoop to the rude folks either. They are not your market. Be polite, but do not waste your time on them. You want to know at the end of the year, after all those last-minute material purchases and all the time invested and you sit down to do those taxes, that it was worth it. If you never stand up for yourself, who will?

Now that you’ve read all this and taken stock, how much are you worth? Think about it and add to the discussion in the comments! 😀

Go ahead and click a link below to “share this.” You know you want to! : )

If you enjoyed this article, you might also like:

Dear Artists: Your Prices Are Not The Problem – Or Are They?

When Artists Hear “I Can Make That!“

Cro-pocalypse: The Rise of Crochet

29 Comments

Filed under Business, crochet, Crochet Community, Crochet Education, Doing the Show Circuit

Tagged as crochet, pricing

November 20, 2011 · 11:19 pm

The Pirate Skull Cameos Are All Gone! Here’s What I Worked On Today!

Today was the last day of East Austin Studio Tour and the last of the pirate cameos found new homes! I haven’t found another source for the “Guns and Roses” style in the color I had. I’ll see what I can find do to find some more.

Here’s the piece I was working on today. Again with my tiniest antique crochet hook!

2 Comments

Filed under Artist Information & Notes

Tagged as crochet, steampunk

November 19, 2011 · 10:30 pm

Saturday Recap For E.A.S.T. #67

Well, it was a lovely day out at the E.A.S.T. #67 location at Flat Fork Studios. I was a little worried at first with the wind picking up this morning. Luckily it calmed down a bit later. There were lots of gracious people and fellow artists and artisans. And I really enjoyed talking to some aspiring crocheters and other fiber artisans, including a shy spinner/weaver. Maybe, just maybe, I talked him into posting photos of his work somewhere publicly. (Let me know dude, ‘cuz I’d love to see! I wasn’t joking!)

Flapper Purse in BLue for Cindy

Flapper Purse in Silk and Rust

It was also nice to talk to more traditional media artists who got some of my quirky ways of looking at texture and design and even got excited with me about what I was doing. Awesome! Different worlds, but maybe not so much. I brought the purses out to show-n-tell and promised to blog more about them as I finish my work on them. Nothing like a gentle prod to help me stay in gear. I still need to make a trip to find the blue silk to line the blue one though.

Sunny Bear Hat For Lola

People were having a good time. Lots of babies and kids. Lola was there with her famous gumbo and kind, motherly smile. She made me feel special telling me she looks forward to seeing me every year and that she still loves her hat from two winters ago. I love you too Lola!

Purple Eggplant with Vintage Button Pin

I also had a customer from last year drop by. She bought my Purple Eggplant hat last year and has since moved to the Rockies where she says she absolutely loves it and that she gets so many compliments. And another let me know that she took her hat on a ski trip and stayed incredibly warm and comfortable. That was so awesome to hear. I don’t often have the privilege of hearing “where they are now” and it’s a treat. I have to really thank everyone who supported my work today. I’ll keep going because of you. Thanks for sharing my excitement and vision! 😀

Teeter Totter and Fun

Wondering who’s out there this weekend? Well, here are my colleagues. (You can find info about the other artists and bands in studio here.)

Craft Riot Team Members at E.A.S.T. stop #67:
Nepenthes Bathtime – artisan Soap & bath products
Robo Roku – art, apparel, accessories
Gem Junkie – jewelry for the go
R + R Design – recycled & re-purposed jewelry & home accessories
Sweetwolf – facio, ero sum
This Creative Life – paintings, prints, & apparel
Pixie Worx! & Aberrant Crochet – crochet designer, fabric artist + hand-carved crochet hooks and shawl pins

All in all, a pleasant day. I look forward to tomorrow.

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Filed under Artist Information & Notes, Doing the Show Circuit, Events

Tagged as austin, crochet, east austin studio tour, events

November 15, 2011 · 6:36 pm

The Tiniest Crochet Hook Made These!

Aside from the tiny antique crochet hook in the next photo, pliers and these other tools were necessary to create this look. The wooden crochet hook helped block the lace loops. Pliers helped pull the needle as needed to tie in threads.

I not only put together this skull cameo, but crocheted lace around the cameo frame by crocheting directly onto it.

This is the tiniest crochet hook I’ve ever owned along with the tiny butterfly pendant I crocheted with it. I don’t know a lot about this kind of hook, but I am blessed to own a few. I know they are antique, precisely hand-cut and made in England. And they are the best quality hooks of this tiny size I’ve found. The handle says No. 9, which doesn’t seem to have anything to do with modern crochet hook sizes. But I estimate this to be maybe a size 16 or smaller??

These butterflies were created by crocheting around a tiny tag like this one, with my tiny antique hook.

It took me about 45 minutes, start to finish, to crochet, secure and finish off one of these. So how much would you think they are worth? What would you charge for one? I plan to put a jump ring on each of these and crochet chokers for each to hang from. But I’m considering the idea of offering some up by themselves. Maybe earrings. Not sure yet.

4 Comments

Filed under crochet, Crochet Patterns

Tagged as crochet, hook

November 12, 2011 · 7:32 pm

Me And ObeyCrochet At Austin Craft Riot!

Look! It’s Ms. Stephanie Toppin a.k.a. Obey Crochet in the flesh! At my booth! She came all the way out from Houston, braving bad traffic and all, to visit Austin Craft Riot! Oh Snap! Forgot to show her my crochet bacon project. And ask for another pin since my others have been appropriated. (See, I’m sporting my Crochet @Cama pins!)

Stephanie’s a beautiful, funny gal and we really need to have a crochet convention of our own here folks. Seriously. A crochet convergence somewhere in Texas. Hey! That could be the name! ACCST! She was telling me about the crazy quilt show Houston puts on. Where the quilting grannies are intense and if you make the wrong move…. Well, you gotta hear her tell the story. She promised to blog about it, so stay tuned.

The photo was taken by my new friend Jennifer, who was helping Joyce of @GypsyHarte, an incredible felting artist. She was saying we should do the photo in front of my booth. Which is a good idea. But all you can really see from my booth is my spider web parasol. But it’s a good photo! Which doesn’t happen for me often!

It was nice to meet in person and spend time with you Stephanie! I wish we could have had time for tea. One of these days, we must converge on a couch with our favorite drinks, hooks and yarn in tow. I’m looking forward to meeting Megan from @Love_evol tomorrow! 😀

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Filed under Doing the Show Circuit

Tagged as crochet

November 7, 2011 · 11:13 am

Eye See You! It’s What’s On My Hook Today!

Eye See You!

Want to know what I’m up to right now? Well this monster flower is what’s on my hook today. I’m not sure where he’s going just yet. I’m crocheting madly trying to get ready for Austin Craft Riot this coming weekend. Just wish I’d had more time this summer to be better prepared.
(I’m still not moved and right now I don’t want to talk about it.)

Here are some of the bookmarks I made last week as well. I’ve got spiders and skulls too. You know me, can’t make exactly the same thing twice. The clockwork bookmark isn’t done yet.

I still need to find just the right sprocket for it. Most of the buttons are vintage from Grandma Dot and Grandma Leona’s collections. A couple from when my teens were babies.

Crochet Bookmarks

Anyway, so it’s past time to work on tags and business cards and such lovely things. I was going to practice my booth setup this weekend, but it didn’t happen. Somehow other chores and business won out, along with computer work. I can multi-task on a computer fairly well. Like now, I have 20+ windows open on my computer and I’m managing them all. Yes I am. I’m working on this post, organizing our bills, replying to tweets, writing a newsletter for my group, getting a template ready for tags and emailing folks on my list. No it’s not instantaneous, but it will all happen fairly fluidly as long as I’m not interrupted.

Why doesn’t being a taxi for my kids and the other mundane things in life work like that? Where’s my driver, secretary and maid?

6 Comments

Filed under Artist Information & Notes, crochet

Tagged as crochet, monster

November 5, 2011 · 5:26 pm

Meet Obey Crochet! – Blog Interview

I want to introduce you to someone I know you will enjoy!

Way back in late spring I came across one of Obey Crochet’s cartoons on Flickr and was literally hooked! I felt like she had crawled into my mind and pulled out my most obscure thoughts of crochet madness and made them funny!

Immediately I just had to get to know this fellow Texan crocheting chic and talk her into making a t-shirt! I didn’t care if anyone else wanted one – I wanted it for me! Stationary too! Like yesterday already!

She only had a handful of drawings up, but darn it if I wasn’t already a fan, hook-line-and-sinker. I dragged her onto Ravelry and told all my friends (even the ones who just don’t understand this crochet thing I’ve got goin’ on). I just loved her and wanted everyone else to as well. She even drew something I could use for one of my previous blog posts this summer “Tech Help For Crafters.” I also put her in touch with Laurie and she designed the Mascot for the Crochet Liberation Front “Crochet @Cama” 2011 Retreat!

I knew immediately the day I found her drawings that I wanted to interview this chic. Finally I asked and graciously she accepted.

I’ve been saving this blog interview, waiting for the right moment to share her with the world, when she wouldn’t have to share the pedestal with someone else or some other event. But now it’s time!

So with the enthusiasm of Kermit the Frog and Fozzie Bear, here she is ladies and gentlemen – I know you’ll love her too! Ms. Stephanie Toppin! a.k.a. Obey Crochet!

Ms. Obey Crochet

1. How did you get into crochet?

My mother, who does not consider all the things she does a skill, but just a basic knowledge. I was about 8 when she showed me crochet and it awakened in me three years ago for fun and a determination to learn patterns and not just wing it.

2. What is the story behind your website Obey Crochet and your crochet drawings?

Frustration. Mostly frustration. I felt the pains of being a second class citizen while creating a public art project using crochet. People were allowed to come and watch as we labored for art and many expressed their love for my choice of craft which they all assumed was knitting. For everyone to admire what you do and then call it something else, it’s like a gorilla tap dancing on your forehead, über annoying. Off to the internet for some type of rescue to show off my crochet pride!

The crochet community existed but there was nothing that suited my dry, tongue in cheek, silly behavior. “I heart crochet” was not going to cut it. I had the idea of “Codependent” and on a Friday night I sketched, on a Saturday morning I drew what turned into 12 drawings. I uploaded them to my Flickr and ideas kept flooding me so I indulged them.

Obey Crochet was born in less than a fortnight as the first website I constructed. I bought a tote bag and some iron on sheets and made a bag that I still carry. It happened so sudden and it’s less than a year old but it was the first thing that just clicked and I never questioned. Fun factor for me? Bajillion times awesome.

3. I hear you’re from Houston, TX! How would you describe the Houston craft scene?

I’m new to the “craft scene”, most people know me as a painter. I have always been crafty but it was more for hanging out at craft fairs, things for friend’s birthdays, Christmas, and junk to spoil their kids with some handmade goodness. It was just a personal release. From what I have come across now after getting more involved, it seems to be huge. I have heard of dozens of craft groups and I think the only down fall is that they don’t know about each other. Houston is a huge city, it’s sometimes tricky to make bridges beyond your area.

4. Can you tell me about your day? What other hats besides “Obey Crochet” do you wear?

Up at 6:30a. Lay in bed, check email, twitter, WordPress from phone. Shower, dress, eat at work. I work at a small local IT company, all guys except my boss. I do graphic design, HR, assistance, work with soap, random tasks while tolerating my male coworkers. I mostly eat cereal and yogurt with local honey. I have allergies. I go home 6ish, sometimes later. Come home, draw, take photos, scan. I paint, or make banners, work on cake sketches, upload an Obey Crochet drawing, work on my other blogs (Fabricandlines, Art Keeps Me Poor) do a proposals for art galleries while listening to podcasts, over 80 of them. I stay up until midnight/1ish most days. And then do it again. I volunteer, I drink beer, I use to ride my bike more, I thrift in my spare time for awesome things like huge brides maids skirts.

5. Quick! What are 5 random things about yourself that others might not know?

I have an afro, I love it. I’m making a unicorn cake for a soon to be 6 year old (hope that’s right). My family is West Indian. I never use LOL. I don’t know how to follow directions.

6. What’s your favorite drawing and/or crochet project so far? A favorite yarn or hook?

I really like roving yarn, I love the way it feels and looks. My heart leaps for it. Hooks? I like the way wooden ones feel more than metal, although when my hands get sweaty the cool metal is nice (sorry, too much info).

Favorite drawing…? “My shadow puppet is better than yours.” It’s silly and ridiculous; it was one of the firsts that were on Flickr. It makes me laugh really hard which is weird and awkward and awesome. I tend to use awesome too much. And to ramble.

7. Artists and crafters seem to be in constant pursuit of the perfect work-room! What is one thing about your current work space now that you like and what is one thing you would wish for in a dream work space?

I like that I have a workspace. I just moved and the old digs had my workspace as my bed in a 9 x9 room. Now I have a spare room and I love that it has French Doors, but I love more that it is a room without my bed in it. For the space, I really wish I had shelves. There is no point grudgingly wishing for grand things when all I need are some shelves. Cinder blocks and wood would be grand. Everything on the floor is really not assisting the flow.

8. Where can people buy your stuff and/or meet you? Shows, venues, etc.? Are t-shirts available yet?

I’m mostly at a taco truck near Shepherd and Alabama in Houston, but I am usually at a craft store somewhere in the loop. If you are local, you know what that means. I plan to go to all the upcoming craft fairs in Austin and the quilt show in Houston. No booths, just me, I have big hair, I’m easy to spot. I’ll give you a free button or a rub on tattoo.

[She’s going to be at Austin Craft Riot a week from today, along with the yarn bombing freebies she donated!]

I currently have a Cafepress store and yes we have shirts, we even have shot glasses. My goal is to get all the drawings on some type of item in the upcoming weeks. Check back for new uploads all the time.

9. Would you share with readers one valuable piece of advice someone gave you that has helped you or one that you have gained from hands-on experience yourself?

My boss shared what a professor once told her:
Talent is not that rare. Discipline is rare. The will and determination to get up and write that paper, look for that opportunity, save instead of blowing it all on beer, is rare.

I know that being self-motivated is tough. To craft a life of the things you want to actually be doing is nothing short of the most insane schedule and complicated game plan you will ever set out to do. And no one will write it. It’s yours to fumble and attack and concur every day.

My advice is: Do it.

My fear in life is to be that person who has a million ideas, dreams, and wishes for the rest of their being. Write them all down no matter what you feel about them and do them today or tomorrow or next week, but just make sure you actually do them. Don’t share all of your dreams. Sometimes people can erode an idea before it has even taken its first breath. Sometimes you don’t need the reality check to stop you before you start. You never know until you have it down, it’s solid and real.

What do you want people to say about you on your 75th birthday? Okay. Good. Now go at it and good luck.

So there you have it! Obey Crochet! Go check out her site and subscribe – it’ll do your crochety heart good!

Thank you to Stephanie for agreeing to be featured on my blog! Love ya gal!

Go ahead and click a link below to “share this.” You know you want to! : )

7 Comments

Filed under crochet, Crochet Community, Events, Humor, Interviews

Tagged as crochet, Houston, obey crochet, stephanie toppin, texas

November 4, 2011 · 8:07 am

Backstory: The Hook Of Desperation

This event took place about a year ago. People have heard me tell this story in person, but I’ve never written it down, until now.

It was time for our annual tag renewal on our car. Usually I would do this at the local county annex. I know a lot of people mail theirs in, but I’ve never been a fan of that. I like to have my receipt and new stickers in my hot little hand when I pay. Not wonder if they’ve been pilfered in the mail. After all, we live in the historical district, with an old fashioned mailbox by our door. Not one of those new-fangled group mail boxes like newer neighborhoods have.

Back to my story. However, our county built a whole new annex for our town. I walk in and am immediately greeted by a slick new computer terminal for me to register my name and pick the purpose for my visit from a list of three main categories. Supposedly this isolation of the purposes for your visit, like paying for your tags, vs. filing a title, would help speed up the process. I punch my info in, receive a number to get in line and walk into the new, bigger, better waiting room with my children and their reading books in tow. A sea of people like I’ve never seen in our town lay before me.

Arg! Two hours later I am going crazy. I hate waiting for long periods of nothing productive. What a waste of a precious life. Usually I have yarn or a book with me somewhere in the car, everywhere I go. But not this time. I’ve never spent that long at a tag office before, but I was late to renew as it was, so I had to stick around.

Those three purposes for my visit that I had to register and pick from? That each entailed their own specialized number sequence, making you think there’s a line dedicated for each purpose? Apparently served no purpose. Instead of one list of numbers to watch for yours to come up, there were three. And no particular teller in any order was dedicated to any of the number systems. And out of a brand new office with 10 windows, only three were manned.

Looking up at the “serving now” number, I knew it was going to take a long time to get to me still. I couldn’t take it anymore. I headed out to the car. There had to be a crochet hook somewhere out there! I needed to do something before I just totally lost it. But alas, though I found a bag of yarn, there was no hook.

Out of desperation I dug under a car seat and found out a pkg of Pei Wei chopsticks. Wait! Idea percolating! There’s a file in my purse. Holy cow, I’ll try anything at this point!

So taking my nail file to the chopstick I went to town. And managed to produce the tiniest edge of a lip.

Having finished his book some time before, my son turned bored eyes to my hands with renewed interest. “Mommy, can I try that?” I had to bite back the primal hiss threatening to well up from my soul.

I said much nicer (in my outside voice) “No honey, I’m trying to make a crochet hook.” He continued to watch with new amusement.

I tested it out on the yarn I brought in. Hot damn – it actually worked! Not ideal by any means, but it actually hooked yarn! Bwahahahaha! I felt triumphant in my rebellion. I’m sure I probably looked like a crazed mom, sawing and huddling over my new invention. I did not care.

It was about that time when a voice came over the loudspeaker.

“If any of you are here to renew your auto tags, you know we have a drive through…”

Whut?

There’s a DRIVE THROUGH?!

Mother of Mary in a flight suit! Why the hell didn’t someone say something sooner!!!!!

With that, half the room jumped up and ran out the door!

By the time I gathered our stuff and retrieved a child from the bathroom, figured out where the drive-through was hiding and pulled up, there were 10 cars in front of me. I continued to tweak my hook and crochet. It only took about 10 minutes for my turn and I was outta there!

Bah! Stupid drive-through. You should be obvious, located by the front door and painted red!

But here it is, The Hook Of Desperation. Yes, it can be done. Give me enough of an edge and I can crochet with anything!