crochet – Through My Eyes

Kitchen Crafting

While I know most people have dishwashers, I do not. Finding dishcloths that hold up is difficult so I started crocheting my own. Even if you do have a dishwasher these cloths are great for cleaning up spills quick.

Tools for making these is simple: Size G crochet hook, Scissors and 100% cotton yarn.

To start chain 27. Dc in second chain from hook and dc across. Ch 2 and repeat until you have a square (to determine square – take one corner and cross it over to opposite side. If flush it is square).

If you just want to give these as gifts you can make multiples and stack them and tie them up like a package using yarn,ribbon or jute.

Don’t forget to like and share this page. Also check out my store at Etsy – FolkwaysCreations.

Have a blessed day.

When Crafting Becomes Therapy

Believe it or not I was not born with a crochet hook in my mouth or a camera in my hand! I was fortunate that my mother taught me how to crochet and sew at a young age. Like most kids after I learned those skills, I laid them down for other things in life.

After I married, the need for those skills reappeared. I did not realize then that having those skills would get me through some very turbulent times.

Money was often tight but I began to see the value of my skills as a hobby and started to save pennies or whatever I could to pay for my supplies. Whether I was sitting at my sewing machine or crocheting a blanket it didn’t take long to realize it was a positive distraction. While my marriage became an abusive relationship, it was my time crafting that saved me emotionally.

As a single mother, life was always a challenge but I funneled any negative emotions through my hobbies. As my child grew so did my list of hobbies. I added knitting, took a quilting and photography class and more. My list has grown a lot since then.

I was fortunate enough that when I remarried it was to a man that could tolerate my obsession. He not only understands my crafting is a passion but also a coping skill. You see I have this little short fuse and used to get depressed so having developed these skills helped both.

After my Dad passed in 2007 of cancer I started making shawls, hats and other items and donating them to our local Cancer Center. Doing this helped me to recover from my grief. The money I put into this is nothing is nothing compared to what I receive.

If you are depressed or just struggling with everyday life, I strongly encourage you to find a hobby. The money you put into it is a lot less than therapy and a lot more fun!

Don’t forget to like and share!

Have an awesome day!

Entrelac Crochet

I have been crocheting since the age of twelve. Still, at the age of 70 I am still learning new things and new stitches.

This is entrelac:

While it may not be a fancy lace stitch its uses are varied. After making two sections like this it is about to become a bag for portable yarn projects.

This stitch is basically a version of the afghan stitch worked in multiples of seven. It goes like this: 1. chain 7, pull up loop in second chain from hook. Keeping both stitches on hook continue pulling up loops in remaining stitches until you have seven. 2. Next, yarn over and pull through first 2 loops on hook, yarn over and pull through next two loops and repeat across rest of loops. The picture below shows what your work should look like.

You now have one bar (dark purple) and loops (pink). Without chaining put your hook into the second loop and pull up…

Continue as you began pulling up the seven loops. Next row go back to row 2 and continue in pattern until you have 5 bars.

With the completion of your first diamond ch 7 and repeat the same pattern until you have 7 diamonds. When your seventh diamond is complete, pull thread through last loop and cut. You will repeat the pick up a new color and attach as follows:

Attach yarn at corner of the last diamond worked and ch 6. Pull up loops as in row one except the 7tb loop will be in the first stitch of the diamond already worked:

Continue to complete the 5 bars. When 5th bar is complete slip stitch through loops until you are where you need to be to start the next diamond.

I am not doing videos at the time but feel free to check out videos on YouTube and Rumble on entrelac crochet.

Have a wonderful day.

Charity Crafting

If my hands lie idle…I am probably asleep! While I love doing a lot of different crafts and needlework, it is usually a crochet hook that I pick up. My interest in doing crafts for charity began 14 years ago when my father passed away from cancer. While the two may seem unrelated…they are. My father always encouraged me to express myself through my art and crafts.

Since I had been to the cancer treatment center on several occasions I knew that some patients got very cold during treatments. After my father passed I felt the need to give back somehow so I started making shawls and hats for the patients.

When I took my box load of hats and shawls to the local cancer center they were very excited. So, I continue to do it.

While the yarn above may look too fancy to use it works pretty well but any lightweight yarn will do.

Giving doesn’t have to be expensive. I buy new yarn but I also pick it up at yard sales, auctions and flea markets. As long as the yarn is clean…it’s useable.

The real lesson is if you give of yourself, everyone benefits.

Have a great day.

Crocheting With Purpose

I do a lot of crocheting and most of the items I make I give away. It is the giving and not the item that is most rewarding. Here are a few items I recently fiished.

While the pattern I followed for this was not 100% accurate, I enjoyed making it.

This is not my pattern because if it was mine it would have had eight legs not seven. Still I thought it turned out pretty cute.

The following is my pattern. This is a simple bear cub.

It is amazine what you can make with a few idle hours. If you are a crocheter consider making toys for sick children or children in the foster care system.

While you are making these also remember the thousands of children that have been taken, abused and murdered because of child trafficking. Be an active voice against the evil of child trafficking.

Have a blessed day.

Build A Blanket

I always have to have something in my hands. I started this last night. It is a good way to incorporate a multitude of different stitches. In the center is a 7″ granny square. At the top on the needle is afghan stitch. On the left and knitted is garter stitch. On the bottom and knitted is moss stitch. On the right and knitted is basket weave.

I started with granny square and then knitted the garter stitch and attached to the granny square. I then picked up stitches across both to do the moss stitch then worked around and picked up stitches on the right side to do the basket weave and finally the afghan stitch in like manner.

You can use any combination of stitches as long as your crochet and knitting needles are compatible and produce similar sized stitches.

When you get your desired width then just add strips on top and bottom to get desired length.

Happy stitching!

Strips are 4″ wide.

Pet Crafting

While my little man Roco was not very cooperative and sat down on the job, he is very cold natured so I made this simple sweater for him. The back and sides are made of granny squares and half squares sew together and then added a rib neck and trim.

Don’t forget about your pets this winter. Roco is an indoor dog but if you have a dog that stays outside make sure you check on them often and bring indoors when the temperature gets too cold.

Just About Gnomes

Don’t ask me why but I have always been amused by these crazy creastures so I decided to make one for myself. While he wasn’t that difficult to create it took more time to write the pattern I think than to actually work him up.

If you would like to start creating you own designs but don’t know where to begin, first start with a sketch.

To get this pattern and more, visit my Etsy Shop (FolkwaysCreations) at

https://www.etsy.com/shop/FolkwaysCreations?ref=seller-platform-mcnav

Thanks for stopping by.

Needlecraft Lesson

Ok ladies. If you like to crochet, here is my version of the Daisy Granny Square. Actually, I probably should call it a sunflower because it has 12 points, not 8. With an H hook ch 3 and slip stitch into 1st stitch to form loop. Work 12 hdc into loop and slip stitch into beginning dc ch 3. 2. In top of first hdc dc + 2 more dc in same stitch, cross over and slip stitch into stitch prior to the ch3 then go forward to the stitch after the 3rd dc was made and slip stitch and then repeat (ch 3 2dc in same stitch cross over and slip stitch into stitch prior to ch3 then go forward to the stitch after the 3rd dc was made and slip stitch) petal made. Repeat until there are 12 petals. For next row, slip stitch into center of the first petal ch 3 and repeat around. Slip stitch into last petal. Next row, to form corner 3dc in loop between petals ch3 3dc all in same loop, ch1 3dc in next loop. Continue in pattern around. You should now have 4 corners with 2 sets of 3dc in between, slip stitch into top of beginning ch, ch1 and sc around. Your block should now look like the one above.

Hope you enjoy.