Different...but Sorta the Same...

Welcome! Glad you made the switch from the old blog to the new one. (Or if you just stumbled upon the site, welcome to you, too!)

Not that it is really a new blog - it's the same blog, just with a different name, new address and new logo. And the same crazy crafter at the helm.

The reason for the change comes from my pursuit to make my crafting - from designs to handmade goods to contracted crocheting and knitting - into a real business. A very small, unprofitable business to start, but a business nonetheless. While a logo and new blog wasn't specifically outlined, it's still part of my crafty resolutions for 2010.

I should note that in addition to the blog address and name changing, so has my Ravelry name - I'm no longer CrochetCommuter --> I'm now OnHooksandNeedles. My email address will also change - but that may take awhile until it's official. I need to make sure I update a ton of registrations with the new address.

The logo you see had been in my mind for a few years. It is the name of the yarn store I hope to own someday. Until that happens, it will serve well as my online business - for the blog, Ravelry and Etsy. It was created by a friend of mine who took my rudimentary sketch and make a great graphic out of it. Her name is Sarah and if you're looking for a great graphic designer who understands the needs of the fiber fanatics, check out her web site at www.pricedes.com/Price_Design.html. I also need to thank my close friends who provided some excellent and honest feedback of the logo drafts. I love the finished product! What do you think?

I was able to export the posts from the other blog to here which is great - except that none of the shortcuts to previous posts will work. So if you find broken links in past posts - sorry about that. I'm not going to go back and fix them all. The old blog will stay up for a while with a link to the new site. I'll be slowly deleting old posts from it but as mentioned earlier, those posts now reside here.

With the new logo will also come some marketing items which I hope to pass out at the Knit and Crochet show in July. If I can get them made in time, I may also have a few to hand out at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival.

So stay tuned for more developments and changes. I appreciate greatly those who read the blog, like my patterns, leave comments and otherwise let me know that there is an audience out there that enjoys my ramblings. I hope you like the new blog (or it eventually grows on you). Your comments/suggestions are always welcome.

Cherrs!

*Insert Clever Blog Post Title Here*

Over the weekend, I did manage to find the aforementioned crochet hook that was trapped in the couch. It took some time and I did have to detatch the chaise from the couch in order to tip it upside down. I'd hear the clinkity clink of the aluminum hook against the wood frame, then reach into the cushions hoping I had correctly pinpointed the sound. In the end, I was victorious!

I was not as successful with meeting the deadline for the third Ocean Waves blanket. There was no way it could have been finished by Friday (without staying up every night for many nights in a row). With the deadline and pressure gone, I've gone back to working Sean's socks. I'm using the basic sock pattern found in the book "Teach Yourself Visually: Sock Knitting". While I really like the book, the errors in the basic pattern were frustrating. Because of my previous sock knitting experiences for both adult and kid sized socks, I knew something was not right with this pattern. An email to the Queen and a search for the pattern errata proved me right. I still love the book for its instructions though I must admit it would be frustrating for any newbie knitter who didn't see the errors before working so much into the sock.

There is oodles of rain in the forecast starting tomorrow and through the weekend. I think I'll be spending quite a bit of time indoors working on the socks. Hopefully I'll have some photos to share this weekend.

Treasure Hunt

I was watching LOST last night and working on the third Ocean Waves afghan. There is no way it is going to be finished by Friday so I was not really concentrating on my work. I watched the show and kept shifting my seat to accommodate the dog jumping about, only reaching for my hook during the commercials.

Until I reached - and there was no hook to be found.

Off the couch came everything. The blanket was unfurled, the cushions up-ended, the floor beneath the couch searched. I wedged my hands between the chaise cushion that is firmly attached to the couch, desperately searching.

Crumbs - yes.

Hook - no.

I kept feeling about until I found a hole in the lining leading to the frame of the couch. I contorted my arm as best I could to search every place. Then - all of a sudden - I felt the familiar aluminum on my finger tips.

"Got it!" I said triumphantly, as I pulled my hand from out of the cushions. And there it was - the hook I lost back in December.

Back under the cushions I searched for the newly lost hook but to no avail. I then tipped the couch up, hoping to jostle the hook loose from whereever it was. I heard the metal hit the wood frame but where it ended up inside the couch is still a mystery. It will have to wait until the weekend when I have a chance to disconnect the chaise from the couch and flip it over to try and shake out the hook.

Did I mention that the newly lost hook was the one that replaced the hook I lost back in December? Guess they wanted to switch places.

I *Heart* Ravelry

Oh, how I love Ravelry! I've spent sooooo much time there working on updating my current and completed projects. I'm very much looking forward to entering all my hooks and needles - because right now they are sitting in an Icelandic mug and a old glass vase and I don't know what exactly I have in there.



I inherted most of these hooks and needles from my Grandmother. Sadly, she died before she could actually teach me to use them. I picked up crochet from my cousin who learned from her grandmother. But when I use my Grandmother's hooks and needles, it's like a small tribute to her that I try to be as crafty as she was.