Category: Crochet



Loom Knitting Comfort DollsLoom Knitting Comfort Dolls by Denise M Canela

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

These cute little guys and the tiny dolls also by Denise M Canela are the reason I haven’t gotten very little of anything else done in my life.

This is November! That means NaNoWriMo or National Novel Writing Month. By now I should be almost finished with my novel for this year. But I’m only a third of the way into it.

These dolls are so much fun! And I keep thinking about the recipients, be they tiny little kids or adults who just need comfort, and I hope these little guys will do the trick. In case you’re curious as to my little guys: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Darra… these are just a few I’ll be adding more as I finish up. I seem to have several projects going at the same time: a hat and two or three dolls. I try to make a little kid hat with each of the dolls I don’t know if they’re going to end up that way but it seems to me a nice thing to give the kid who might get the doll a little hat or maybe big sibling gets the doll or hat, or maybe they go to both to a newborn baby or something. By having the dolls and the hats in different stages, my hands don’t get tired doing the same thing over and over. And I’m not fond of sewing. But so happy with the results when I’m finished!

About the book, I read this and the tiny doll book and I couldn’t seem to get it right just by following the book. Luckily, Denise has videos attached in YouTube that you can watch. I watch them over and over and finally took the book, made notes from the book so that I’d have one piece of paper to look at and wouldn’t have to turn on something electronic just to recall the steps and how many stitches. And now I think I’m at the point where I don’t need to look at anything to remember how to make them. I don’t think I can blame the book. I blame me. I just have a hard time with written instructions and I do so much better when somebody shows me how to do it. So may I suggest that you get the books, read through, watch the YouTubes, and enjoy making the dolls!

Thank you, Denise M Canela, for all your books and instructions to making fun things for charity.

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A Looming LadyA Looming Lady by Pamela Murrey

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I belong to a wonderful little group who makes hats for cancer patients, preemies, the homeless, and many other who need warmth and comfort. Before I started with the group I could crochet fairly well and had knitted a few scarves and slippers. I had bought the Knifty Knitter sets when I worked at JoAnn’s a while back. But I didn’t know how to use them. Carol, the chairman of our group, taught me how to use the knitting looms and I have become addicted to loom knitting. I scour the internet for new patterns.

That is how I found this gem. Most of the patterns in this book are easy beginner projects that didn’t fit what I want to make but I think novice knitters would like to try some of these. Notice I didn’t say women. Many men are finding the joy of making things with these looms. In fact, we have a guy in our group who makes many hats and gives us advice in our knitting pursuits. He is also a liaison to vets in need.

But this book is better than just a pattern book. It is a story of a homeless person who learned to use the looms. If you are involved in helping by making hats, this book personalizes recipients. Many people see the homeless as takers and leeches on society. They think that all homeless are out for drugs, in general, worthless beings. For those of us who have known folks who have been there, or almost were there, we know misfortune can happen to anyone and those without connections to help out of their plight are the most susceptible. This story gives us one example of a person as she tries to find her way out. Not everyone is as lucky as she becomes, even though that luck doesn’t seem good to her in any way. We get to see her growth. I loved the story.

Though I am on SS myself, the donated yarn gives me a chance to learn more about my obsession, while making comfort items for folks who need them. If you have the same obsession, this book may ring true for you. Even if you haven’t found your way to actually making loom hats, this story may open your eyes to the plights of the homeless.

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Any Loom, Any Hat, Any Time: Loom Knitting HatsAny Loom, Any Hat, Any Time: Loom Knitting Hats by Scarlett Royale

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I don’t usually buy books. I especially don’t spend over a couple dollars. But this one is not only worth the $9.99 I paid, I am hoping to get the paper version for even more. Meanwhile, I loved all the patterns so much I had to write them in my notebook (with proper attributions, of course) so I could work on these without my overheating laptop open.

I love how the author shares the formula for translating these patterns to smaller or larger looms. That is something I have always tried to do, see how to adapt patterns. But the formula Ms. Royale shares is so simple, and it works.

These patterns were well written and I finally chose the one I would use as my first from her book. The beret. She makes hers on the green (36 pegs) loom. I have a new, larger (48 pegs) size from CinDLooms that I used Scarlett’s formula on. IT WORKED! The hat was a good size to fit over my ponytailed hair so I think it will be a nice hat for someone who needs it.

If you have trouble interpreting the patterns and/or the formula, Ms. Royale has links in the book that lead to YouTube demonstrations to guide you through. For the most part, the tutorial helped me. May I put in here that I did have trouble seeing what I needed to see in the part where you need to do the Kitchener stitch. It seemed the camera didn’t show it up well and I finally gave up and just sewed the bits together. I would love Scarlett to do a separate tutorial of this stitch. I think another kind of formula would help. I kept looking around the webs for something that showed it better. Nope. didn’t find it. I wanted a written version that might say bottom down, top down, second peg upper up, first peg lower up, etc. That was about when I got lost. I attempted the whole thing, several times but it didn’t follow. But all in all, I was happy with the results and can’t wait to try it again on a smaller loom.

And, I can’t wait to try other patterns in the book. I will be buying more of Scarlett Royale’s books! BTW, here is the link to my Ravelry page with the hat I made: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Darra…

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In the Meantime


Many of you may wonder what happened to me. I know it looks like I disappeared. But if you take a look at this page you will see what, besides summer, I’ve been up to:

http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Darravels

For those of you waiting patiently for reviews… I will be on it as soon as I can!


Loom Knitting Stitches: My Top Ten Volume 1Loom Knitting Stitches: My Top Ten Volume 1 by Denise M. Canela

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Denise M. Canela has been my online teacher for loom knitting. It is because of her and my Hugger Hats group that I am addicted to making hats (and other things) with the loom. My other thanks goes to Carol who took the time to teach me to make my first hat in person. But Denise is there night or day when I have a question I look it up on her web page or YouTube page to learn a new stitch or pattern.

This book isn’t items to make, just patterns for stitches you can use to create whatever you choose to. I like that because I can get creative with my hats, scarves, gloves, etc.

Though not free, any book by Ms. Canela is well worth it as there are links to videos to take you step by step through the pattern. And her mission with these hats is similar to that of Hugger Hats. She makes many of her creations for charities all over the world.

I will keep this book on the carousel of my biggest Kindle as I can see the pictures better. It is a great reference for all the things I want to make.

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Wedding Crochet: Create Your Dream Wedding With These Fabulous PatternsWedding Crochet: Create Your Dream Wedding With These Fabulous Patterns by Lisa Garland

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Here is another book for the young crocheter. It has a little intro to crochet. Then the patterns follow. This would be a fun find for a young woman planning her own wedding. It contains a pattern for a beautiful gown, garter, lacy gloves, bouquet, and clutch, oh, and ring bearer pillow. It isn’t for a beginner but with the help of YouTube the young bride could work her way through some gorgeous patterns for her own special day.

For the rest of us… the patterns for the gloves and the flowers and clutch are worth trying. And the dress could be made for other events. The sizes vary from 8-18 and the dress is beautiful. I could see it in black or any other color than white for multiple uses. The patterns seem easy to follow so it might come in handy for me someday. The gloves might be fun for the Hugger Hats group–or gifts for friends.

The book was free when I picked it up but it may be worth the $2.99 for those brave DIYers.

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Summer Crochet: 15 Gorgeous Crochet Projects That Are Perfect For SummerSummer Crochet: 15 Gorgeous Crochet Projects That Are Perfect For Summer by Adrienne Black

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Okay, once again, I didn’t READ this book. I leafed through the pages, looked at the pictures and decided if it had any patterns I would like to try.

Oh to be young and fit! There are some sexy beachwear, bikinis and the like in the beginning of the book. If you feel confident enough to try these, go for it! Unfortunately, even when I was young enough or fit enough, I lacked the gall to try wearing them. These are not for beginners but the patterns seem easy to follow. I still need more pictures for some stitches but, hey, that’s what YouTube’s for!

After the sexy pages of young nubile mermaids, there’s chapter 3-Shoes and Such. Finally something I might be able to feel good about. Flip Flops and sandals. Chapter 4 has a picnic basket and blanket. Then chapter 5’s odds and ends include a baby hat and a flirty skirt. So, really, for me, there was only the baby hat that I might make for the hugger hats. If I remember where it is. SEE, that is why I write these reviews. I will come here to find more hats.

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The New Guide to Knitting and CrochetThe New Guide to Knitting and Crochet by Marie Jane Cooper

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I did not read every word here. But there are a lot of patterns and advice on knitting and crocheting. Unfortunately. these are old fashioned patterns. You can tell by the titles of the patterns. Worst of all there are no pictures. I just don’t know how well the finished product is supposed to look without that reference. It might be fun to try.

Because of the frequent advice, I will not delete this book from my library as it may hold gems I need to be better at these crafts.

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Stitch 'n Bitch Crochet: The Happy HookerStitch ‘n Bitch Crochet: The Happy Hooker by Debbie Stoller

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is a library book that one of the Hat Huggers members was just returning when I was at the library. It looked like a lot of fun. I didn’t read every page because, well, it’s patterns. But I copied the pages that I wanted to try for later and I’m returning it back to the library.

What I liked about the book was there was a lot of pictures with a lot of colors which was helpful to my eyes. Each row of a pattern had enough space in between that I knew my eyes wouldn’t get lost in the process. And there are some really cute things in this book that I can’t wait to try.

I’ve looked at other reviews and many people find that the patterns didn’t work for them for some reason. I’ll let you know later if that’s the case here when I try a few of these. The hat featured on the front of the book look like a lot of fun, a kind of lacy cowboy hat which would be perfect out here I have to make some for the Hat Huggers and then one for me, with my own yarn, of course! 😉

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24 Hours Crochet Hacks: 25 Fast and Easy Crochet Hat Patterns for Beginners24 Hours Crochet Hacks: 25 Fast and Easy Crochet Hat Patterns for Beginners by Emily Rohan

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Okay, thing is, I didn’t read every word. Thing is, I just leafed through it to see if it had enough patterns to be worth keeping on my Kindle Fire to give me my next hat project.

I don’t know why it is titled with the word Hacks. Simple terms for newer pattern readers maybe, but you wouldn’t be a newbie to make the patterns in this book. You would already know a lot about crocheting. If not there are plenty of YouTubes out there to guide you. I know, I watch YouTubes for everything I want to learn. crocheting, knitting, loom knitting, etc.

But this book compiled a good bunch of hats. Since I belong to a group of wonderful people that are making hats for charity, I am always looking for new patterns and a way to keep the patterns all in one place. I saw several hats in the book I look forward to trying them soon. If they don’t work out, I will come back here and change my review to fewer stars. If I find the patterns to be excellent I will raise the rating.

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