Back with a question.. Does anyone here still crochet?

[C.Ann]

Does anyone here crochet caps, booties, and baby afghans to donate to the various preemie programs? And if so, what brands of yarn do you use?
Currently I have Red Heart Baby Fingering yarn and Lion Brand Jiffy baby yarn to get started with... What are your preferences for baby items?

I've also been crocheting "lapghans" that will be donated to a small nursing home I'm involved with (using regular afghan yarn)..

Also - where do you find the best prices for your yarn for regular afghans and/or lapghans? Now that I've used up all the regular yarn I already had (2 totes full), I need to replenish my supply.. While browsing online, I noticed that Caron has a yarn now that is called "Simply Soft".. Would this be suitable for baby items as well - or is the ply too heavy?

In comparing prices online, I have found that the Red Heart Super Saver and the Caron One Pound is less expensive via JoAnn's than any other source I have found thus far.. (I've made several full size afghans with these two brands of yarn in the past and have found that they hold up very, very well..) Later this week I'm going to run down to Walmart to see what they have, but was wondering if anyone here knows what their prices are.. Tried checking online, but their web site doesn't show their entire selection of yarns..

The beginning of February I decided to devote the majority of my time to these lapghans and baby items during the cold winter months - when they're most needed - and the weather isn't too "sticky" to work on these items..

Was a little hesitant to start crocheting again - wasn't sure I remembered how - but once I tackled it, I found it was like riding a bike - once you learn how to do it, you never forget..

I will likely get back to my painting projects - as well as scrapbooking and starting my quilting - when I move back up to the lake in the spring..

Any suggestions from those of you who still crochet would be greatly appreciated..

Thanks!

 

[can84]

I'm crocheting a scarf and hat right now, and am using Vanna's Choice. I do like the BabySoft for a lot of projects, even for adults I also like the Lion Homespun yarn for adult projects too. Crocheting is easy to pick back up!

Oh--forgot to add, I usually go to either AC Moore or Michaels for yarn

 

[C.Ann]

I'm crocheting a scarf and hat right now, and am using Vanna's Choice. I do like the BabySoft for a lot of projects, even for adults I also like the Lion Homespun yarn for adult projects too. Crocheting is easy to pick back up!

Oh--forgot to add, I usually go to either AC Moore or Michaels for yarn

Not sure if it's a special sale or what, but right now the prices at JoAnn's are less expensive than AC Moore - which was quite surprising to me!

The reason I was asking about the Caron "Simply Soft" is because at some point in time I would like to make a few afghans for myself and my DD (for those chilly spring and fall nights at the lake), but we both get that terrible "itch" factor from regular afghan yarn.. Of course I suppose I could use baby yarn, but it would take a TON of it to make even one full-size afghan!!

 

[can84]

There's only one JoAnn's by me, and it has a terrible selection of yarn I do have some of the Caron but haven't made anything with it. Have you checked out Ravelry.com yet? They have all different forums.

 

[C.Ann]

There's only one JoAnn's by me, and it has a terrible selection of yarn I do have some of the Caron but haven't made anything with it. Have you checked out Ravelry.com yet? They have all different forums.

No - never heard of Ravelry, but will be sure to check it out.. If I get the yarn from JoAnn's, it will be an online order - have no idea if there's one anywhere near here.. I found an online promo code for "free shipping", so it won't really cost me anything extra..

Is the Caron you have the "regular" or the "Simply Soft"? I had some regular Caron that I used for the lapghans and it was a nice yarn to work with.. Would love to know if the "Simply Soft" feels like baby yarn..

 

[can84]

I have both--I'll use it up one of these days! So many projects, so little time LOL

 

[Sky Blue Pink]

I love to crochet! My grandma taught me

The Caron Simply Soft is nice to work with. It doesn't feel stiff and scratchy like some acrylic yarns can.

 

[scrapquitler]

I do hats for the NICU (I use a Knifty Knitter Loom, if anyone cares), and my favorite yarn to use is the Caron Simply Soft. I always bought it from Wal-Mart in the past because it was less expensive there than anywhere else. Some Wal-Marts still have it, others don't. I still have a stash of it in my closet, but when that runs out, I'll buy it at Michaels or Joanne's, depending on which coupon I happen to have.

 

[piglet50]

i crochet and have sent several blankies to nic units around the country. it's nice to see that someone else here on the dis does this too. i have used bernat baby yarn and the simply soft also. i used to buy it at walmart but they've reduced their selection so much that it's a waste to go there for yarn. i'll probably use joann's online when i need yarn again. i've ordered from them before with great success. good luck on your hooking

 

[tazdev3225]

I don't crochet often but I made a blanket for my DGD last year when she was born using the Simply Soft. My mom is the real pro and even she liked how it came out. I tried to make a sweater with it but it is evidently the wrong kind of wool for that. My mom goes to JoAnn, Michaels or AC Moore, whoever has the best sales. She has used the Simply Soft and does like it for blankets/afghans. I actually yield all of the crafty things to her because she is really talented.

 

[FergieTCat]

I've been making smaller blankets for animal shelters. It keeps me busy and the shelters use them.

I've been buying Red Heart Super Saver yarn (7 ounces) at A.C. Moore. If you check Google, you should be able to find 40% off coupons for A.C. Moore every week. Or sign up for their weekly e-mails. I've been able to buy the yarn for $1.69 a skein with the coupon. Also, Walmart sells them for $2.28. I find Michael's to be the most expensive.

 

[C.Ann]

Thanks for the replies..

I placed one order with JoAnn's - took advantage of a sale and a free shipping code I found online - and also ran out to Walmart to check their prices.. Couldn't find the Caron Simply Soft though - would have liked to see if it has that "itch" factor that DD and I get from most yarns.. Guess I'll try AC Moore when I get a chance..

I finished one baby blanket, cap, and booties set; 2 full size afghans (that I started years ago and never finished - DGD called "dibbs" on one, the other I'll donate somewhere); and 7 lapghans (working on the 8th one right now).. All total I need 22 lapghans for the nursing home and I'm hoping to have them all done before the end of March so DD, DGD, and I can take them up north and deliver them..

Having some trouble switching back and forth from items made with the baby yarn and the regular yarn though.. The baby yarn is so "thin" it's a little harder for me to control.. I think I'll just concentrate on the lapghans for now - get them all done at once - and then work only on the baby items..

Time consuming, but it's something I enjoy and it's making the time until I return to the lake fly by pretty quickly.. Can't believe it's almost the end of February already!!

Thanks for all the info.. It's been very helpful..

 

[Silent1CB]

No. I gave up crocheting.

 

[pumba]

I only buy the red saver yarn at any store when it is on sale.......It is a good yarn for being able to wash easily .....I make slippers and blankets.

 

[OK!]

I still crochet, but haven't done anything for babies. I love Lion Homespun yarn, as they still make a fair number of colors. I really wish crocheting/knitting was as big as it was a few years ago, when all the stores had multiple aisles of yarn and carried a lot of "fun" styles, like eyelash yarn, the stuff that was dyed to knit up in stripes (Lion Fun Fur Stripes), yarn that had inclusions woven into it, that kind of thing. Sad to see it all go.

I've worked in both Michael's and Hobby Lobby's yarn departments and these days, HL has a far larger selection of yarn. FAR larger. Their prices are usually decent, but it's worth checking their ads online to see what's on sale in a given week.

 

[C.Ann]

I only buy the red saver yarn at any store when it is on sale.......It is a good yarn for being able to wash easily .....I make slippers and blankets.

The price is good - and the selection of colors is pretty large.. It's the only kind that I used to buy until I found the Caron One Pound.. If I'm making an afghan or lapghan that I know I will be using large quantities of white or black, I get the Caron because it ends up being less costly.. The One Pound doesn't have that large of a selection colorwise though - pretty much just the basics..

I still crochet, but haven't done anything for babies. I love Lion Homespun yarn, as they still make a fair number of colors. I really wish crocheting/knitting was as big as it was a few years ago, when all the stores had multiple aisles of yarn and carried a lot of "fun" styles, like eyelash yarn, the stuff that was dyed to knit up in stripes (Lion Fun Fur Stripes), yarn that had inclusions woven into it, that kind of thing. Sad to see it all go.

I've worked in both Michael's and Hobby Lobby's yarn departments and these days, HL has a far larger selection of yarn. FAR larger. Their prices are usually decent, but it's worth checking their ads online to see what's on sale in a given week.

We don't have any Hobby Lobby's here that I know of.. Can you order online from them?

I really would like to find some nice yarn without that "itch" factor so I can make some afghans for up to the lake for myself and for my DD (for their travel trailer).. DGD is fine with any kind of yarn - lucky kid!

I'm surprised that so few people knit, crochet, or even sew anymore.. Lost arts, I guess.. DGD has already "put in her order" for baby items; afghans; quilts; etc. - for when she's older and married.. By then they will REALLY be "lost arts"..

I still have items that my grandmother made for me when I was in my teens (I'm 60 now) and they're some of my greatest treasures.. My kids have all kept the items I made them in the past (even clothing from when they were toddlers) and of course my DD that I live with still has all the items I made for my DGD and will pass them on to her when she's grown.. It's a shame that many of these traditions seem to be falling by the wayside..

 

[minniebeth]

I have no suggestions for you C. Ann, but crocheting is just something you don't hear often these days and when I saw your post got sentimental. One day I will learn to crochet not only in honor of my mom, but because there are so many lost arts (it was also a necessity way back) today that are special. I want to learn and pass that tradition onto my daughters as well.
My mother and her age ladies crocheted so many beautiful things we have now and are such special heirlooms now. My mother has advanced Parkinson's and while praise God she is still with us, is really not in so many ways. I love to get to see her or talk briefly with her, but miss her in so many ways. She has made an afghan for each of us in our family and said "so my love is wrapped around you at all times" and especially during this cold winter, we've wrapped in her love many nights.
How special it is for moms to be to get handmade crocheted treasures! How special for those babies and preemies to get booties and hats! How special for nursing home residents to get something warm and pretty to be cuddled with. That's what the art of crocheting is all about...

 

[MJMouse]

This website might be helpful...

http://www.carewear.org/

 

[pumba]

Minnie .....it is wicked easy to learn this craft.....google it or go to walmart or another dept store and get an instructional book.....IF I CAN DO IT .....ANYONE CAN.....hahaha

 

[C.Ann]

Minnie .....it is wicked easy to learn this craft.....google it or go to walmart or another dept store and get an instructional book.....IF I CAN DO IT .....ANYONE CAN.....hahaha

That is SO true!!! I'm a "lefty" - and of course all the directions are geared towards right-handed people.. At first I got SO frustrated - but then many, many years ago a very dear friend of mine (an older woman) scolded me when I said I "couldn't" do it.. She firmly told me - "You can do ANYTHING you want - IF you want to do it bad enough!!"

So - that night I stayed up ALL NIGHT LONG - with my skein of yarn, crochet hook, and instructions.. Not only did I teach myself "how" to crochet, but how to crochet right-handed!!

Really - anyone who wants to learn, CAN!! Give it a try..