Happy International Crochet Day!

Today is International Crochet Day, one of my favorite days of the year!

My mom and grandma taught me to crochet when I was a little girl.  I drifted away from it due to boredom and frustration more times than I can count, but somehow the timing was just right after I had my own daughter.  I asked my mom to - once again - show me the basic stitches, and I was off and running...haven't stopped since.  I've found over the last couple of years that I absolutely love to crochet.  In fact, I find it difficult to remember a time when I didn't love this craft.

To celebrate, I think I'll sit myself down with the sweater I've been working on and see if I can't finish off that lower left sleeve...it's the last bit I need to do before I put the whole thing together, and the weather here is getting delightfully fall-like, especially in the morning and evening hours.

Fall is my favorite time of year, and I'm starting to get excited.  Cooler weather means snuggling up under a hand-made blanket with a mug of hot tea, reading a good book...or snuggling up in front of a favorite movie and working on those heavier projects I don't want to deal with in the summer months.

Since International Crochet Day falls at the beginning of that seasonal transition, I really couldn't be happier to see it come around again.  Not only is it a reason to celebrate this craft I love so much, but it's also a sign that the bright colors and crisp weather are on their way.

Happy International Crochet Day!

Holy cats, y'all...I think I have me a new favorite holiday.  Welcome to Monday, September 12, 2011, also known as International Crochet Day.

What am I doing to celebrate?  After work this evening, I'm planning to cuddle up to my yarn and hook and make square upon square for the bedspread I started this weekend.  Any reason to crochet is a good one in my mind.

How are you going to celebrate?  Here are five fabulous ideas to get you started:

5.  Yarn bomb something.  Anything.
4.  Call your pals.  Get together.  Crochet.  Talk.  Laugh.
3.  Looking for inspiration?  Try ravelry.
2.  Grab a hook and some yarn and see what happens.  This is how some of the neatest stuff is made.
1.  Whatever you do, for the love of Pete, CROCHET.