Was this newsletter forwarded to you? Want it delivered to your in-box every three weeks? Sign up here

Happy National Crochet Month!
March is National Crochet Month, and while crochet is certainly an important part of our lives all year long, National Crochet Month is the perfect time to stop and take a fresh look at our crochet endeavors and appreciate anew this beautiful craft we love so much.

Here are some fun, fulfilling ways to help you expand your crochet horizons, let you treat yourself and help others, too:

Join the Crochet Guild of America: There is no better organization for enhancing your crochet experience than the Crochet Guild of America. In addition to exclusive members-only discounts on yarn, patterns and other needlecraft supplies from several national companies, CGOA offers many other benefits, including:

• One-year subscription to Crochet! magazine
• Free admission to CGOA-sponsored Knit & Crochet Shows
• Annual CGOA conferences with many fun events and discounts on professionally-taught classes
• Entry in the Annual CGOA Design Contest
• Bi-monthly eNews and Chain Link newsletter
• Masters Program
• Lending Library
• CGOA Member Message Board for chatting and sharing with other crocheters
• Membership in local guild chapters worldwide

It's easy to become a member of CGOA online. You can also contact CGOA via e-mail at CGOA@Offinger.com, or call 740-452-4541.

Crochet something for charity: There are many worthy national organizations that need your help. You'll find links to lots of great charities online at The Daily Crocheter and BellaOnline. Also, please consider donating a few crocheted items to a local charitable organization in your own community. The needs are great everywhere.

Teach someone to crochet: Share the joy of crochet with others. Teach a child, grandchild, friend or co-worker the basic crochet stitches, and then encourage them to let their creativity soar as their skills increase. In so doing, you are helping to ensure crochet's continued place as a leader in the needle arts.

Learn a new technique: Advance your crochet skills by learning a new technique or stitch. If you've never experienced the fun of filet or the beauty of broomstick lace, there are many online tutorials that teach a wide variety of crochet techniques and stitches. You'll find lots of help with the Stitching Guides at Annie's Attic. You can also find information on various stitches and techniques at Crochet.About.com.

Experiment with a new fiber or material: Treat yourself to some luxury yarn or have fun trying out-of-the-ordinary materials to create unique crochet projects. From angora, cashmere or silk to paper ribbon, wire or leather, the choices are virtually limitless for taking your crochet to new creative heights!

Have crochet fun with others: Join an online crochet discussion group or start a crochet club in our own community to enjoy the camaraderie of other crochet enthusiasts. You can share and have access to lots of helpful crochet information and resources, participate in project exchanges and contribute to worthwhile charitable causes.

Crochet something special just for you! I know it's hard, but put aside that baby shower gift, birthday afghan or special holiday project and crochet a "just-for-me-because-I-deserve-it" item that you've been putting off forever. Indulge yourself -- you're worth it!

Back to top

CROCHET TALK

I always enjoy reading about the many creative ways our Talking Crochet readers use their crochet talents to benefit others. Jennifer Kimsey wrote to share her clever idea for using little Beanie Baby stuffed toys that her and her friends' children have either outgrown or lost interest in. "My friends and I have lots of Beanie Babies that our kids are not interested in anymore. I decided to start my own little charity that I call Beanies in Beanies. I crochet a hat, place a Beanie Baby into the top of the hat so it is peeking out and then tie a bow around the hat to hold the Beanie Baby in place. "I give the hats to the Shriners Hospital here in Sacramento for the children in the cancer center who have lost their hair. I also give them out to low-income schools, so the children have warm hats for winter as well as a toy to play or sleep with. Friends began donating their Beanie Babies to me once they heard about my charity, and so far, I have made over 300 Beanie Baby hats. These have really been a hit!" What a great idea, Jennifer! By recycling these toys that might otherwise be put away and forgotten, you are brightening the lives of kids in a very unique and special way. Thanks for sharing your charitable project with our Talking Crochet readers! Maureen Cross had the following question about international yarn equivalents: "What is the equivalent of American yarns to English yarns? You have 'worsted' and we have 4-ply wool and double knitting wool, etc. You have so many lovely patterns that I would like to try but cannot until I know what yarn to buy." Thanks for your question, Maureen. I did a bit of checking online and found that Crochet Australia has a chart showing Australian (English) yarn weight comparisons to American yarn weights. Knitspeak.com also has a yarn weight equivalency chart that can be downloaded. I received the following inquiry from Patti Alexander: "Awhile back while surfing the Net, I came across something called 'shepherd's hook knitting.' It used a type of crochet hook but looked similar to a knitted piece. I did not keep the information and now cannot find it again. Do you have any information regarding this technique?" Patti, I believe you are referring to the term "shepherd's knitting," which is another name for afghan crochet. Other names used for this type of crochet include tricot crochet, Tunisian crochet, railroad knitting and hook knitting. In our October 28, 2008 issue of Talking Crochet, we included a feature on afghan crochet. You can find a copy of this issue in our online archives. Back to top

Digital Crochet! Is Dynamite!
The world of crochet just got a little smaller and friendlier! Crochet! magazine recently became the first and only crochet magazine to go digital with the March 2009 issue, and the response has been virtually explosive! As more and more new subscribers discover the wonderful benefits of the digital magazine, they are obviously spreading the word because crocheters are flocking to Digital.CrochetMagazine.com to join the digital Crochet! revolution.

This is truly a long-awaited dream come true for crocheters around the world who have clamored for a way to get Crochet! magazine, and the wait is finally over. Subscribers to digital Crochet! are especially excited about the immediate access to two full years' worth of back issues that's available with a digital subscription. It's an instant treasure trove of crochet patterns right at your fingertips! Plus, digital subscribers receive each new issue before anyone else gets a printed copy (either in their mailbox or on the newsstand).

There are many other exciting advantages to a digital subscription, including the ability to enlarge any text, drawing or technique in order to see it more clearly and to print only what you want. You can easily do word searches to instantly find a particular item or theme.

For the value-conscious crocheter, digital Crochet! is quite a deal with a subscription price of just $14.97 per year. The value of two years' worth of back issues alone is worth more than that. If you're already a print subscriber, you can add a digital subscription for just $9.97 a year. That way you'll still enjoy the print magazine that comes to your mailbox plus all of the exciting extra features that are available with the digital version.

Don't delay. Enjoy a whole new crochet experience with a digital subscription to Crochet! magazine today. You'll love it!

Back to top

Cute, Cuddly Patterns for Wee Ones
Many of our readers have been requesting more patterns for baby blankets and pet items. So, for your crocheting pleasure, we have both for you in this issue!

Your kitty or small dog will love our Cozy Pet Bed, and our sweet Sherbet Ripple Baby Blanket is sure to be a winner for that special baby gift.

Whether your little ones are the two-legged or four-legged kind, they're sure to appreciate these cozy, comfy accessories made with love just for them!

Back to top