review + giveaway: the sharp crochet hook

Isn't this hand towel cute?

I bought it for about $4 on sale from Hobby Lobby (kind of pricy, I have to say), though you can also find cute holiday-themed towels at your local dollar store.  But of course, it was a little too plain for me originally:

...so I added the green trim.  How?  By using my new Sharp Crochet Hook, of course!

If you're like me, you've sometimes looked at adorable blankets, towels, or gloves, and thought, "These are cute already, but I'd love to crochet a nice edging around it."  Okay, maybe that's just me, but the truth is, I've definitely thought that before.  Special though it may be.

Crocheting a trim on fabric isn't something that couldn't be done in the past, and you've probably already seen it on cute towel toppers or baby blankets.  It's as "simple" as sewing a blanket stitch around your fabric's edges and crocheting into those stitches.  Tedious, sure, but doable.

But wouldn't it be nice if you didn't have to sew around your fabric first?  I don't know about you, but I stink at sewing.  I have a machine that's still boxed up and my embroidery is fist-shakeable.  And when it's time to sit down and crochet something, that's all I want to do: crochet.  None of this "prepping" junk.

That's why I was so happy when Jessica reached out to me and asked me to try the Sharp Crochet Hook.  I had seen it in passing, but hadn't been able to fully look into it.

What is this crochet hook you speak of?

Basically, it's a crochet hook that has a slightly sharper tip (not one that will stab you - no worries!) so that it can easily puncture most fabrics.  So now you can by-pass the whole blanket stitch thing and dive right into crocheting.  I bet you never thought it could be so EZPZ.

My experience:

Overall, I had a great time working with the hook and was surprised at how quickly I finished my small project (even though I had chosen the most intricate pattern).  It was so easy to just start working into the towel and adding the trim.  These towels would make great gifts for the fact they're small, quick, and practical alone.  Pick up some snowman or Christmas towels, white thread, and call it a handmade holiday.

Perhaps my only complaint is that it's difficult for me to crochet with thread in general, so I kept splitting it.  Those of you who regularly work with thread won't have much trouble - if any at all.  I'm sure that the more I use it, the better I'll become.

Now, for the most exciting part of this post: now's your chance to try it out for yourself!

Simply leave a comment below telling me what you'll make with the Sharp Crochet Hook if you win.  Then log in to the Rafflecopter widget below and click on "Leave a Blog Comment" to let me know you commented:

a Rafflecopter giveaway
Note: THIS IS CRUCIAL.  I will be using Rafflecopter to draw the entries, so if your comment name doesn't match what you've used in Rafflecopter, I may accidentally disqualify when you when I cross-check entries.  We all know I love Rafflecopter and use it for all my giveaways, right?  I know, I know - it's kind of a pain, but it helps me ensure that the winner is drawn fair and square.  Plus if you win, you get your name displayed on my page all Hollywood starlet style :)

Have any of you tried the Sharp Crochet Hook before?  What did you think of it?  What did you make?  Would you use it again?

The Knit Kit Now Available - Review and Free Shipping Offer!

Hi, all! As you know by now, today is the launch date of my superbly awesome new shop over at The Open Sky Project. This shop is where I will provide products to you, my fellow craft addicts, that I'm able to review and recommend so you know you're getting only the best products!

I'm really excited to not just open the shop, but to feature this first item that I received as a free sample yesterday. Presenting The Knit Kit:

Commence drooling.

Okay, so what is this thing, anyway? Well, it's a helpful little accessory that the craft industry has coined "The Swiss Army Tool for Knitters." That means that in every Knit Kit, you'll receive:

• A stitch counter
• A measuring tape with release tab
• Thread cutter
• Collapsible scissors
• Point protectors
• Stitch markers
• A crochet hook

A crochet hook? Why the heck is that handy? Well, if you're anything like me, you get really excited about your projects and work so fast you drop stitches like hot potatoes. Crochet hooks are perfect for going back and fixing any dropped stitches. And not only is it a crochet hook, it's a double ended crochet hook with two different sizes to use, depending on the type of yarn you're working with.

The best part about everything is that it's all TSA compliant. That means The Knit Kit is totally safe to take on planes. I've been jonesing to get my hands on one of these for awhile because I'm traveling to Dallas in September and Nashville in October. Do you understand the nightmare that traveling with all these supplies usually is? Not anymore! Now I can't wait!

If this sounds like something that would benefit you, then make sure to check it out on my Open Sky shop, or click on the "Add to Cart" button below:



PS: Get FREE SHIPPING until August 16th by entering code FREESHIPPING at checkout.  If you have one or purchase one, let me know what you think.

For more information, visit the official website, where you can even watch a clip of my idol Martha Stewart promoting it!  And if my review and Martha aren't enough to sway you, then how about a kitty?  Petey recommends it, too!

My Review: Knit- and Crochet-Pattern-A-Day Calendars 2010

Because I promised!

These guys arrived very quickly after placing my order last week - no surprise there, having ordered them from Amazon.  I was still a little miffed at Barnes & Noble for not carrying the calendar selection they usually have, thus having to pay full price for the one calendar (plus shipping!!!!), but whatever.

I now have the Knitting Pattern-a-Day: 2010 Calendar sitting on my desk at work, and the Crochet Pattern-a-Day: 2010 Calendar at home, so I've had a chance to take a deep look at them over the past few days.  Here are some of my conclusions:

The Good:

• Design: The Pattern-A-Day calendars have really grown up for 2010.  You'll notice that the cover design is different and includes multiple pictures of those patterns you'll find inside.  Though the Marketing side of me is thinking that was done as a better way to advertise what you're getting, the Buyer side really enjoys seeing how the year is gonna go down creatively.  And overall, it's a more mature look.
  
  
  
  The photos are also really nice to look at, and much more professional than in past years.
  
  
  
• Indestructible: In past calendars, you couldn't help but destroy the daily pages if you removed them from the box.  I keep finding them in my stash pile, actually, and they're crumpled-up messes.  It makes me sad because when I find a pattern I like, I probably want to make it again, but I was always too lazy to laminate the pages.  The newer pages are much thicker.  I mean, they're still paper, so you don't want to set them on fire or let your cat bat them around, but you don't feel bad about leaving them on the couch for a couple days while you work with them.

The Bad

• Lack of patterns: This "bad" isn't much different than what people have complained about in the past, but it seems 2010 is lacking in patterns even more severely than past years.  This might not actually be true, as past patterns that lasted for several days would have their own pages for that day, whereas this year, each page has two days on it.  In all actuality, it probably evens out, but it just seems like there are less.
  
  But... each month also gets a bonus pattern, so that kind of helps.
  
  If the problem is that they're lacking pattern submissions, I am more than happy to volunteer some of my pattern ideas in the future :)  I have so many ideas floating around in my head, and I actually have some patterns written down that I've never typed up to sell, that it might be another venture worth looking into.

Take that as you will.  I think they're worth getting if just to take a mental break from daily life and look over to see things like "[K1, inc] twice, K1".  It just makes me happy.  Yes, I know that probably makes me strange.

If you're about as crazy as I am, you can check out both items in my Amazon Associates store.  Because you can never have enough patterns!  :)

Want-It Wednesday: Pop Goes Crochet

I did it. I caved. Much to my fiance's chagrin, I bought Vickie Howell's new book: Pop Goes Crochet. Because, of course, all I needed was yet another pattern book. I wasn't going to, but then I saw her Helena Bonham Carter-inspired poncho thingy (pictured on the cover, as well) and just had to do it.

And so begins another few months of staring longingly at projects I want to make when I definitely don't have the time or money to do so, haha.

So for this week's Want-It Wednesday, allow me to chronicle (or drool over, whatever happens first) the Pop Goes Crochet patterns I want to tackle immediately.

1. The aforementioned Helena Bonham Carter poncho. I just think it's super cute, even for me (my rule has always been to stay away from ponchos, but now I'm seeing all these cute ones popping up that I must create! Or maybe I've just hit rock bottom, I don't know).
   
2. The Vera Wang pullover, designed by Robyn Chachula (of course!). I'm starting to really learn her style, so I was not shocked to think I really wanted to make this pattern only to discover it was her design! It's beautiful, clean, and looks like something that will hold my interest the whole way throughout. Like me, she hates sewing, so I can only imagine how great this pattern will be!
   
3. The Cameron Diaz-inspired hoodie. I'm not sure why, as I usually abhore granny squares used for clothing. But I think this is handled really well and looks great. I'll be heading to the beach for a couple days during my honeymoon, and this might look really awesome for the cooler October nights down in Florida.
   
4. The Drew pendant. You know, I have to say I didn't really have a huge interest at making this until I discovered it's all done on a hairpin lace loom. I guess you can call me hairpin lace's new biggest fan after a few scarves I've made recently (nothing intricate at all, just basic technique, and they get such rave reviews!) and I'd really like to learn more. I didn't realize you could do so much with one of the hairpin lace looms.

Aaaaaaaaaaaaand so many more. My advice is really just to pick up this book. I've been trying to be good, I really have, but I couldn't resist this one. And for under $14 at amazon, it's well-worth the purchase (and the holiday gifts you can probably get out of it!)