3,000 Words Down, 9,000 Words to Go!

         I am obsessed with my word count lately. I am writing a book on crochet! It is  a how-to Ebook that will be available for download from amazon.com. It's not what I originally wanted when I started this quest, but it's a great opportunity!

Thanks Rob! :*

        I had originally wanted to pen a book of crochet stories. Along the way I was told by a few publishers that people wanted pattern books. I began to think that I, as an avid, but impatient, crocheter, should make a book of crochet patterns for impatient crocheters. Actually, it was loving husband Robert that put that idea in my mind. He knows me pretty well. So, I have to give him credit (Thanks, Rob!)
          Some of the patterns came about pretty quickly. There's a crocheted disco ball, a  crocheted Teddy Bear Skin Rug (Think Burt Reynolds and Playgirl!), a crocheted T-shirt and Jeans rug, a crocheted Chef's hat and a crocheted Faux French Maid Apron...(excuse my SEO!)

           So I'm obsessing over my word count. I've got to get up to 9,000 words AND I've got to get all of those patterns created, all before January 20th.  I've got more than half completed already. The company is a how-to publisher, not a crochet publisher, so I think that the pattern testing and editing will be up to me! I've got a pattern tester waiting in the wings(THANKS CHRISTI AND DENYSE!) so I'm not worried about that.

 I'm(a little) worried about getting the required 12, 500 words along with 200 pictures!
           To s t r e t c h it a bit I've decided to include a little bit of the history of the big crochet hook, and to also add a little story about the idea behind each pattern, I'm all about a story! That should pad the book out a little. I'll include a little bit about the difference between big and regular sized hooks, a little bit about my quest to publications, a little bit...I...think I'm padding here...I should save that for my book!
           So, I would love to chronicle this GREAT adventure, but I feel that I'll be a little busy until then. Look for me and my blog to continue early next year!

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           And don't forget to BUY(DOWNLOAD) MY BOOK!

What NOT to Crochet!

A post on a weblog at Crochet spot.com asked if any of we ladies were planning on crocheting and/or wearing a crocheted bikini that season. The responses were filled with vitriol. 

I’ve seen many patterns in many books and on many websites around swimsuit time, but never considered making or wearing one. They are quick and easy, which just screams “DANIELLE!” but would I ever wear it to the beach or pool? Not likely.

One poster said she’d use cotton thread but that would weigh it down, stretch it and make it sag. You would never consider using acrylic because it is itchy and hot. Something stretchy might work, like that new sock yarn, but I imagine you’d have to make the stitches pretty small for it to be functional. I see some comments that you could line it with fabric, making it more useable, but I side with most of the ladies who said it was a definite “What Not to Crochet!”

Have you seen that cute little website? It’s a hoot! Once you get past the obscene (cock sheaths, 3-D vaginas, and tampon holders) you see that there are really some kooky things out there that should NOT have been crocheted!

I have seen what would amount to a pair of flip flops but since I only have nine toenails, I’ve trended away from things that accent my feet.

I like a sock monkey as much as the next gal, but I don’t see the purposeful in an entire dress made out of them. One look at the face of the model and you can see that she doesn’t see it either.

When Baby #4 was born I wanted a handmade sling for him. Not wanting to shell out forty dollars for something that I could easily crochet myself, I found a pattern! The designer warned all takers that her first pattern ended up looking like a hobo bag. The poor baby would fit inside the “sling” and it would stretch and sag like a wet bathing suit. Her subsequent pattern fixed those boo boos, she said, but I figured that with the time and expense of the yarn it would take to create it, I’d be better off buy it from Target. They had cuter colors anyway.

Lest I continue to poke fun at others I have my very own What NOT to Crochet tale. When ponchos were all the rage, the second time( didn’t we all have one in the 70’s), I decided that I wanted one. I found the pattern in a leaflet with a sassy young girl modeling with her hands on her hips. You kinda had to have attitude to make a poncho work, in my opinion. Sure, Martha Stewart made them really HOT again, but to me they were still little relics from my youth. I liked the model’s sassy “I-can-pull-this-look-off” attitude. 

I bought the pattern. 

I also bought the expensive soft yarn that it called for, but only 3 skeins of it. 3 skeins would do for the short version, but you’d need a couple more for the longer version. Three was perfect for quick and easy me. 

I toiled on the pattern so that I could wear it the following weekend while visiting with friends.  Choosing the short pattern was probably NOT the best idea. It was completed but looked weird.  I wore it with trepidation, waiting for comments from my friends, but crickets were all I got in response. Finally one good friend said, “Hey, Danielle, I’d like to wear a skirt around my neck too…” I took off my “skirt”, pulled out the yarn and re purposed it. Maybe I didn’t have the “sassy” attitude I needed to pull it off.

“Because it’s there” Said George Mallory when people asked him why he wanted to climb Mount Everest, the tallest mountain in the world.

“Because I found the pattern on the internet, and really I think I can make it work for me as long as my toes don’t show and it’s really not going to take me…”

NOT!

You Are Welcome!

I love surprises!

I think that is why I love giving them because I hope that in some karmic way I will get them back!
Yesterday I got a really nice unexpected surprise!

On my last blog post, I mentioned how saying "thank you" was all the thanks that I needed or wanted when I gifted someone with a crocheted treat.

I got a request to make a hat for a wedding. The original shade of purple that I chose wasn't right and the hat was too small so I had to redo it. I did so, happily, and delivered the hat to the happy customer. I never charge for my products...I'll blog about that later... and I thought the transaction was done.
Well yesterday, the recipient gave me a big cache of baked goodies and a Think Pink crochet book because she knows I love pink!

I was so overwhelmed that I blubbered like a baby and ran to thank her!

I don't think that she saw my previous blog because I published it late this week. This assures me that all is right with the world. Oftentimes things come back to us when least expect it. A friend of mine mentioned the time that I made the hats for my daughter's class, although I hadn't ever mentioned anything to her about it. Had she read my blog too?

Hi There!

Hello crocheters!
I've been away from my blog for some time now. When  I wasn't putting crochet magazines in front of knit magazines or dodging my mound of UFO's (still haven't finished that "Grouchy Ladybug"), I was writing. No, I did not finish the book of patterns I abandoned my blog for but I have been busy. Here's a list of my accomplishments:

• My blog can be found on aboutcrochet.com! (Amy Solovay found it, "lively and entertaining"!)
• I write SEO content through odesk.com
• I'm self-publishing my book of cute crochet stories (Dani Does Doilies!)
• My original pattern book is out NOW

Look, here it is!

Okay, so it isn't a fancy entrelac,crocodile stitch head-scratcher,  but it is a culmination of all of the things I've been doing for the past year. Instead of busting my butt on a book of patterns for a minimal  amount of money, I decided to publish my own book of patterns and pocket all of the proceeds. It's still in the development stage as I try to figure out formatting the book for Kindle. An opportunity presented itself while I worked on my books. F&W Media had a call for patterns and I chose one of the patterns for consideration. It was selected for publication! I was really amazed at how easy it was. It taught me that time and chance really does happens to everyone.

 I had been envious of crocheters who have only been crocheting for several months, in some cases, and had their patterns featured online, in books and in magazines. Being ready with material showed me that I, too could be featured online, in books and in magazines. It's very exciting and I can't wait to see it in print. 

In the meantime I will be spreading crochet in my SEO  and content writing all over the web. If I abandon my blog (again) know that it is for the greater good! I'm saying it with crochet! (or finally finishing  the "Grouchy Ladybug"!)

Danielle Branch, Crochet Writer!

I have just been hired as a real life crochet writer for a real live company! This means:

 1) After years of searching I have finally found a legitimate Work-At -Home job,
 2) I get to write about what I know :CROCHET!
 3) I can never ever mock another granny square again!

We crocheters all cut our teeth on granny squares. When my mom taught me how to crochet many years ago, she first taught me the granny square. For variety she threw in a popcorn stitch, but other than that everything we made was a granny square in some form or fashion.

We made granny square afghans and granny square potholders, granny square purses, and granny square hats.We made granny square slippers in every color and every size under the sun. I had always been tempted by a granny square skirt/dress but...didn't we malign poor Cate Blanchett enough! If you check the linked page, you will see that no one even has the words to comment upon this sheath.

But I digress. Granny Squares have progressed from this monstrosity and that monstrosity. 
(Third picture down!)

In fact, in my adulthood, I purchased, The New Granny Square, by  Susan Cottrell and Cindy Weloth.This book actually had some really cute, not square patterns! I did not happen to keep the book in my collection; I think granny squares and I have too much angst to try to start up another relationship.

Still  I love(d) the old gal! She was my first foray into crochet and I appreciate(d) the monotony of her process. Chain 3, 2dc, chain 3dc,ch2, 3dc, ch2, 3dc, ch2 ad nauseum ....kinda sounds like my new job as a crochet writer for a national crochet website...turns out I don't really get to regale tales of crochet,or really write what I know, BUT I do get to write the word CROCHET many, many (many) times. For those of you familiar with SEO writing, you know what I mean!

I'm not sure my first professional writing crochet job and I are a good fit BUT like the old granny square, it started me off into  a world with endless possibilities, the least of which is SEO writing, the most of which is...and that's why I started this blog, MY BOOK!

I Love a Cat!

In honor of I Love Yarn Day, I have reluctantly and unwittingly adopted a cat.

For those who know me well, my reputation as a lover of all things canine should precede me.  This cat, though, persists in pushing herself into my life.

We recently moved into a house where the previous owner left her as they departed. My son dubbed her Remycat after a little dog that my sister has. The cat made its presence known as we attempted to move our things into our domicile. She tried to get inside on two occasions. I dog-blocked her because I was not about to let a yarn-tangler inside of our new home. No animal would come between me and my yarn. That is why I have always prefered to company of canines.

We were away for eight days last week. Failing to call the local ASPCA to get her, I left poor Remycat to fend for herself while we were away. I wondered if, upon our return, I would find her body curled up and expired due to lack of food and shelter.

I did not.

In fact, I almost stepped on her as she tried to get inside of the house again. I had to admire the moxy of this feline, but could I really let her into my house ( and heart?)

Cats, known for their love, nay obsession with yarn have not always been my favorite. However, friends and family member have been posting the most adorable, heart-rending photos of cats and kitties on facebook! One friend in particular enjoys chronicling the tales of her Tomcat Brock as he frolicks on his cat tower and stares menacingly but lovingly into the camera. I believe that is why subconsciously I have begun to actually like cats, even allowing my son to give this feline a name. I was even thinking of letting this one into my house.

There would be one sure way to see if I could co-exist with this kitty. I got out a leftover ball of Red Heart Gold yarn and dangled the string in front of the kitty. She came to it, batted at it, then nuzzled up to my leg! I screeched in delight and surprise! She didn't fight me for my yarn, but actually turned into one of those adorable little facebook cats that I have grown to love. She was so cute!

So, now, I am surprised to say that I love a cat...that just so happens to love yarn! Happy I Love Yarn Day, Remycat!

Crochet for Men

Since interest has picked up amongst strangers and friends about my little blog, I asked my husband what he thought about it. He said that he had visited it, but that it was too girlie for him!

 I told him that men do have interests in crochet. I mentioned The Crochet Dude, who has a line of crochet accessories. The Shibaguyz have a whole  design team behind them,  and Mike from the Crochet Crowd is known on Facebook. My husband, not unlike the aforementioned macho men, is very manly and looks the part. He is bearded and mustached,  stands 6 feet 3 inches tall, and weights 303 pounds, most of which is muscle! GRRRRRR.

 Was there room for crochet in his testosterone-filled body? I wasn't sure!


When Crochet Today recently queried, "Would your guy, or any guy you know wear a granny square sweater?" my answer, with 203 other crocheters was am emphatic  "NO WAY!" I would love to be like the 9 crocheters who answered, "Yes, because I made it"  But I know my husband.

Still, he has been helpful with my obsession with crochet. He never stops me from buying yarn, which is a big plus, and he put up with my crocheted toilet paper cover AND slept next to my crocheted bed doll. He loves the crocheted gifts that I make and asked me to make sure to make the best baby afghan EVER for his brother who just had his first child.
He was brave enough recently to offer a critique of my art, though.  I told him that although my handle is Dani Does Doilies, I don't care for doilies because I am not used to working with small needles. Ironically I I am  now inundated with requests for doilies!  I was grappling with whether I should "change with the change" or stay in my comfort zone.  A post on my new favorite facebook page(Change Your Attitude...Change Your Life) said it all.

Since I want to SUCCEED with crochet and in  life, I decided to take his advice and buy the special yarn and tiny hooks required to make dainty doilies. I've already scoped out a "My First Doilie" pattern on Crochet Pattern Central, so I'm ready...all thanks to my guy!
 Although he will likely never wear a cool granny-squared sweater (how much yarn would it take to cover those muscles!) he has prodded me out of complacency and into and a new, exciting world. He has noticed my efforts, causing change in me, making him a great LEADer! I don't know what is more manly than that!