Continue reading »]]> Ever since I got my iPhone it seems I spend less time talking on it and more time using it as a utility (yes, playing Distant Shore is a utility). But the amazing thing is how much I use it when I crochet.

I thought you might be interested in the five top applications I use during a crochet project (all of these can be downloaded at the iTunes application store).

Top Five Crochet/Knit Friendly Applications

1. colorSutra – I use colorSutra when I need help coordinating colors of a particular item, such as a chair or jacket. colorSutra allows you to pull a photo from your iPhone library and touch-pick a color in the photo. It will then show you complementary, adjacent, tetradic and triadic color schemes for that main color choice. Very, very cool. ($1.99 on iTunes)

2. Stich Minder – Stitch Minder is the ultimate Crocheter’s and Knitter’s friend. With just a tap, it helps you keep track of rows seven types of repeating stitches or rows such as Rows Completed, or Decrease Repeat. It defaults to increasing the numbers each time you tap, but you can set it to decrease them if you are counting down. I love it because all five counters can be edited, so I can keep track to two separate projects at the same time. (Free on iTunes)

3. Knit Gauge – It’s as simple as it sounds. Knit Gauge is a very cool application for checking the gauge of your stitches to one hundredth of an inch or centimeter (how’s that for being anal). ($0.99 on iTunes).

4. Ambiance – I downloaded Ambiance when it first came out and liked it. With the new updated version I absolutely love it. Ambiance is an environmental sound player. It’s perfect for those times that you want sound around you, but don’t want lyrics to get in the way of your stitch counting. I use sounds like Large Wind Chimes or Ocean Waves Against Rocks while I’m working on a project to keep me calm and focused. But you might like the comfort factor of Womb or the urban sound of Leaf Blower. ($2.99 on iTunes. There is also Ambiance Classic that is free with fewer sound choices)

5. Reading pdf patterns – I’m sure that there are plenty of apps out there that you can purchase to save and read Adobe pdfs on your iPhone. But one FREE trick I use is to just email a pdf pattern to myself on my home computer. The iPhone is enabled to read pdfs already, so when I need to see a pattern on the go, I just go to my email program on the iPhone and read it right from the email I sent myself. Keep an email folder just for patterns and you are set anytime you need to see any pdf pattern you have.

Have fun!!

Continue reading »]]> If you are a crocheter, you know that the knitters seem to always get the cool stuff. We hookers, being an inventive bunch, then have to adapt or rename to fit our needs. One thing that has always been a knot in my skein has been the lack of stitch markers that are suitable for crochet. I’m reminded of the time when my fiber buddy and I went to a local mega-craft store and I asked for stitch markers. “Oh yes, we have them right over here.” Yes, they did. Rows of every size and color of solid-ringed stitch markers that would make any knitter purl with joy. But there was no joy in Crochetville. “Do you have any for crochet?” I asked with as much puppy dogness I could muster. With a tone that revealed her amazement that crocheters actually had a need to count stitches, let alone the ability, she replied, “No.”

Now, plastic locking stitch markers are somewhat easy to find. After five stores I was finally able to find a package of turquoise and orange plastic locking stitch markers that would be suitable for everyday use or a 1950’s Jello party. But I wanted something for when company was coming over. I needed the “fine china” of stitch markers. Where did I find it? Oddly enough from my own website.

As you may know from previous posts I like to browse my own blog. I’m a sucker for browsing the companies that advertise on my site (which is probably why Google has banned me for life from their advertising program AdSense). Yesterday I found Art Fire advertising on my site; a buy/sell resource for handmade items. After a quick search, there they were. Stitch markers with the crocheter in mind. And not just one type, but four variations. And that was just from one seller, JedsJoy.

The order’s been placed for a set of Czech Glass stitch markers and payment has been sent. I can’t wait for my high-class crochet stitch markers. Now I just need company to come over. Maybe I need better looking hooks too.

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After I discovered that there are yarns out there other than acrylic, it was a natural evolutionary step to wonder about eco-friendly yarns. Not that I think my little acrylic yarn stash was in any way responsible for global warming, I just couldn’t help wanting to grow-up a little in this age of environmental-responsibility awareness. So I went forth on a quest to find yarn stores and manufacturers that were themselves environmentally aware or at least offered eco-friendly alternatives. What I found was so much more.

As I compiled my list of online eco-friendly resources and stumbled (as much as one can stumble on the Internet) across Hanna Breetz and her site The Green Knitter¹. This site is a wildlife preserve in the fiber forest. The Green Knitter is packed with valuable information on the world for organic and eco-friendly yarns.

While exploring The Green Knitter you will find detailed explanations of each green buzz word (e.g. Sustainable, Natural, Organic, etc.). She then explains our fiber options (Animal and Plant) and the manufacturing process for each one. Her thoughts on bamboo gave me a new perspective on eco-friendly.

What I applaud her for is her Yarn Chart. An invaluable resource for anyone wanted to know what yarn options are available and plenty of information to make informed choices. It lists yarn manufacturers, brand name, fiber and processes used on those yarns. You can even find which yarns are considered vegan. Amazing!

If I had an award to give for being eco-awesome Hanna would get it hands down.

Not to let my own research go to waste, I’ve created an Eco-Friendly Resources page in the navigation section listing online companies that offer organic and eco-friendly yarn and crochet/knit resources.

1. I know. I know. Knitters rule the fiber world. I get it.