A recommendation from a friend goes a long way. As your crochet besties, the WeCrochet team is here to help! Today on the WeCrochet Podcast we’re talking about our all favorite crochet-related things. From books to notions to even our favorite crochet insider terms to know, we are here to help you feel connected.  

First up Katelyn and Heather check in on their latest projects. Then the WeCrochet team gives out some crochet-related awards and shares their absolute crochet favorites. Then Katelyn and Heather chat about crochet terms and acronyms that come up when you're in an online crochet group. 

Here's your Crochet terms cheat sheet: Ami  - Amigurumi, The Japanese art of making crochet animals and toys Bistitchual - someone who knits and crochets CAL - Crochet A Long CroJo - crochet mojo, the groove of crochet Stash - your yarn collection SABLE - stash accumulate beyond life expectancy  PABLE - pattern accumulated beyond life expectancy  DeStashing - when you give away or sell some of your yarn stash (usually to make room for more yarn) WIP - Work in Progress  PHD - Project Half Done UFO - UnFinished Object Frog - to rip out your stitches, rip it, ri-pit, ribbit! TOAD - Trashed Object Abandoned in Disgust HOTH - Hot off the hook  FOTH - Fresh of the hook   JOTH - Just off the hook ISO - In Search Of TIA - Thanks in Advance LYS - Local Yarn Store  NCR - Not Crochet Related

Mentioned in This Episode:Gingerbread House Advent Calendar by Sarah Zimmerman  Between Knits & Purls on Youtube Spindrift Cardigan by Moon Elderidge Cotlin Yarn  Summer Sultan Cardi  3D Granny Squares  Learn to Crochet Mini Hook Book  Tuff Puff Rainbow Wall Hanging  Tuff Puff Yarn  Modern Crochet Patterns and Designs for the Minimalist  Episode of WeCrochet Podcast where Regan and Heather make scrunchies WECROCHET PODCAST EPISODE 3: THE REAL WINNER WeCrochet Magazine Issue 7  Braided headband Kristen Clay  Felici On the Double Cowl by Sati Glenn  Dahlia Sweater  Kindred Yarn  Boardwalk Hexie Blanket Forte Filet Tee  Curio #3  Yarn Bowl Swift Case  Bright Crochet Hooks  Enamel Pins  Fable Fur yarn Snuggle puff yarn  Wonderfluff yarn  Galileo yarn  Capra yarn  Mighty Stitch yarn Twill yarn  Paragon yarn  Shine  onerulebejeweled  Woods and Wool  Melissa Fisher  Love & Stitchh Hello Happy  Wearable Spider Web  Tian Connaughton Tian Coonaughton   Toni Lipsy  Sara Dudek  Crojo Episode  Knit Picks Podcast UFO episode

Timestamps:0:00 What Katelyn and Heather are working on  7:18 Our Favorites 31:45 Crochet terms to know 38:16 Credits

Learn to make money by teaching crochet! We continue our Crochet Jobs Series with a look at teaching crochet for fun or profit. Find out how to gain skills, confidence, and even certifications that will help you land gigs teaching crochet in your community and beyond.

Education is an important part of any field and crafting is no exception. While some people can just figure out how to crochet (like guest Arica Presinal), others need a little help and guidance. Thankfully there are organizations like the Craft Yarn Council and the Crochet Guild of America that are here to help on the journey to be learn more about craft and become a crochet instructor.

So far in our Crochet Jobs series, the WeCrochet Podcast team has explored crochet designing and crochet testing. Today on the WeCrochet Podcast we learn about how to make money teaching crochet in a variety of different places, like at conferences and libraries, and situations, like teaching online Zoom classes. 

First up, Heather talks to Arica Presinal about the Craft Yarn Council’s Certified Instructor Program. Arica talks about her experience as a crochet designer and as a crochet educator, and how she gained confidence from the CYC's CIP. 

Later Katelyn chats with Pia Thadani from the Crochet Guild of America. Learn more about Pia's journey to making an income with crochet, why you might want to become a member of the Crochet Guild and what the benefits are. Pia also shares her wisdom about the do's and don't's of teaching a pattern.

Listen, rate, review and share this podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or wherever you get podcasts!

 

Mentioned in This Episode: Crochet Jobs Part 1 Designing Crochet Jobs Part 2 Crochet Testing The Crochet Guild of America (CGOA)  The Craft Yarn Council (CYC)  SkeinsNSticks Designs (Arica's website) Certified Instructor Program (CIP) CGOA Conference  Summer Sale StitchesNScraps (Pia's website) Join the CGOA  CGOA Online Education Program 

Timestamps:0:00 Heather and Katelyn 6:45 Heather talks to Arica 19:21 Summer Sale! 20:21 Katelyn talks to Pia 39:30 Credits

The transcript for this episode can be found here: https://bit.ly/3xkBQop 

School is out; summer is here! On this episode of the WeCrochet Podcast, the team flashes back to some nostalgic memories of high school.

Heather and Katelyn reminisce about who they were in high school and wistfully chat about that feelings of fun and silliness intrinsically tied to more youthful days of their pasts. 

Katelyn sits down to talk to Selin Kocalar of Woolly Wishes, a non-profit organization founded by a high schooler, dedicated to using handicrafts to heal Syrian refugee communities affected by war. The activism of Gen Z is an inspiration and, as Selin points out, there is no need to feel limited by youth. 

A true student-led organization, Selin details how Woolly Wishes began, accomplishments to date, and ideas for continued outreach in the future. By keeping their donation parameters accessible, Woolly Wishes is able to collect usable goods from a multitude of categories. From hats and scarves to toys and bobbles, they're set to put to use just about everything. While the focus is primarily on providing support to children in refugee communities, Woolly Wishes wont turn away those in need and will gladly provide supplies available to families as well. 

Selin and Katelyn discuss the best ways to donate, the most sought-after items, and how those interested can offer support. 

Then crochet summer school is in session and Heather, Katelyn and Producer Sarah talk all about the top ways to learn more crochet this summer. 

The expertly curated top ten list to Learn More about Crochet this summer includes but is not limited to:

1. Make a friend, reach out to family and crochet together
2. Try a new pattern
3. Teach someone how to crochet
4. Read a book or stitch dictionary
5. Try a new technique
6. Dive into Youtube Crochet Tutorials
7. Check out Crochet Tiktok
8. Take a Virtual Class
9. Facebook: Join a yarn-related group, or participate in virtual crochet nights
10. Stay Connected: listen to a podcast and sign up for our email list!

Mentioned in This Episode:Woolly Wishes  WeCrochet Summer Sale  Stitch Together  Patterns  Crochet Pattern Kits  Learn to Crochet dishcloths Crochet books  Crochet Every Way Stitch Dictionary  The New Crochet Stitch Dictionary  All About Tunisian Crochet  Taperstry Crochet  Mini Hook Book - Learn C2C  TL Yarn Crafts  Heart Hook Home  WeCrochet Youtube  WeCrochet Tik Tok  WeCrochet Facebook Group Crochet Foundry Facebook Group WeCrochet's newsletter 

Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to the WeCrochet Podcast 0:14 Heather and Katelyn talk about high school 3:10 Katelyn interviews Selin Kocalar of Woolly Wishes 14:33 Summer Sale 15:25 Top ten list of things to do this summer 26:51 the credits

Summer is here and the WeCrochet team is making plans on how best to spend this crafting season, from reminiscing about past haircuts to dyeing yarns with the kids. This week on the WeCrochet Podcast we're continue our deep dive into crochet testing by talking to Denise Clark aka TheCajunCrafter about size inclusivity for testers.   First up Heather, Katelyn and Regan talk all about bad haircuts and hair dyeing. Heather shares about her high school hair dyeing fiasco while Katelyn confesses about the most recent bad haircut she's given to someone else.  Next Heather talks to Denise, @TheCajunCrafter, about her work as a crochet tester and her passion to make sure that size inclusive testers are not only included in crochet testing but also are part of the pattern's release in a thoughtful way. Denise is known for her Instagram photos where she models her tested designs with grace, confidence and sass.  Lastly Sara, Heather and Katelyn listen to a listener's voicemail and Sara shares some new and exciting plans for has for the summer.    Mentioned in This Episode:Bare Mini Skeins https://www.crochet.com/search?q=bare+mini/ Bare Yarns https://www.crochet.com/yarns/natural-undyed #SizeInclusiveStitches https://www.instagram.com/explore/tags/sizeinclusivestitches/ Size Inclusive Stitches https://www.fuzzywhatknots.com/sizeinclusivestitches/ The Skeiniac https://theskeiniac.com/ TheCajunCrafter Instagram https://www.instagram.com/thecajuncrafter/ TheCajunCrafter Youtube https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcmj_2avv6QwHpxPvc9SYzg Canva https://www.canva.com/ The Craft Yarn Council https://www.craftyarncouncil.com/ sizeinclusivestitchalongs on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/sizeinclusivestitchalongs/ Timestamps:0:00 Introduction 0:31 What was the worst hair cut you ever had? 3:39 Have you ever dyed your hair a really fun color?  6:02 Dying Yarn 7:31 Denise Clark Interview 8:49 "What are you most known for in the crochet community?" 16:23 Size inclusive crochet testing 23:28 Why do you think designers should include plus size testers 26:28 Plus size crochet testers mentoring program 31:48 A listener sent us a voicemail! 31:59 Angel's voicemail 33:46 Sara's news 35:53 Credits

This episode of the WeCrochet Podcast is all about crochet testing. When designers write a pattern, crochet testers are the first to try their patterns and help shape the final product through their experience making the item, and providing feedback to the designer.

First, Heather and Katelyn talk about what it means to be a test crocheter/sample maker for WeCrochet compared to being a tester for indie designer. Being a tester for indie crochet patterns is more like a serious hobby than a job, but it can definitely open up connections in the community and advance your crochet skills. Katelyn also shares that she use to test for crochet designers.

Next, Heather sits down with Brittany Garber of KnotBadBritt and the Makers of Color Collective to get a comprehensive insider view on being a crochet tester. Brittany shares all about what crochet testing is and isn't, what a good tester does, what a bad testing experience might be like, and what kinds of skills you should have to get involved in crochet testing.

Mentioned in This Episode: Information for Designers to Work with Us  KnotBadBritt's Instagram MelanatedHands hashtag on Instagram The Makers of Color Collective KnotBadBritt's website The Skeiniac Yarn yardage calculator The Testing Pool Ravelry Group Free Pattern Testers Ravelry Group Crochet Design by KnotBadBritt - Cara Earwarmer

Timestamps: 0:00 The introduction with Heather and Katelyn 3:52 Heather interviews Brittney Garber aka KnotBadBritt 6:51 #MelanatedHands 8:27 The Makers of Color Collective 10:25 What is crochet testing? 13:20 An overview of the crochet testing cycle 16:23 Why would someone want to be a crochet tester? 21:13 What is expected of a crochet tester? 26:10 What does a good crochet designer do (for the tester)? 32:47 Can beginners be crochet testers? 35:16 What baseline skills should a crochet tester have? 37:41 What would a bad experience look like for a crochet tester? 40:13 How would someone find crochet testing opportunities? 43:57 Britt's top tips for a new test crocheter 47:59 Credits

On Today's episode of the WeCrochet Podcast Heather and Sara check in on their recent projects and Sara interview Tian Connaughton about her latest online course, Get Published.

Sara is continuing her journey to try all the WeCrochet yarns and is currently working with Snuggle Puff and Heather shares everything that she has done wrong in the current WeCrochet Crochet ALong, The Clean Sweep CAL. Sara also shares how WeCrochet and Knit Picks has a long history working with Tian Connaughton.

Next Sara interviews Tian Connaughton, an expert knit and crochet designer, technical editor, author, and course creator. Since leaving the corporate world behind, she's built a business around creativity, craft, and helping women build their own businesses that are profitable and sustainable. 

By asserting a goal-oriented attitude, Tian discusses the best ways to keep motivated after rejection and how to avoid taking disappointments personally. She details tricks to get work noticed and steps necessary to take a project from the initial idea to fully published and ready to share.

Tian has developed a brand new video course, Get Published, to help aspiring knit and crochet pattern designers navigate the world of submitting, designing, editing, publishing, and so much more. While the series was developed for all who are interested in publishing pattern designs, the initiative was created specifically to empower BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, People of Color) designers to pursue publishing. With a focus of "community over competition," Tian aims to open the door and empower those at any stage of their business. 

Mentioned in This Episode: Snuggle Puff Wonderfluff Clean Sweep CAL Brava Chroma Worsted Brava Minis Tian Connaughton   Get Published with Tian Connaughton  Get Published Course on Thinkific WeCrochet Magazine Issue 5 Tian on Instagram @knitdesignsbyTian

Timestamps:0:00 Heather and Sara Check in 7:34 Sara interviews Tian 43:17 The Credits!

In this episode of the WeCrochet Podcast, we're talking about all things TV plus crochet! In this golden age of on-demand content, TV and crochet go together like Laverne and Shirley (or Abbi and Ilana of Broad City).

First Sara, Katelyn, and Heather chat about what they've been watching while they crochet. Between true crime, comedies, or even documentaries, there's a great TV show to suit any crocheter.

Next, Heather and Katelyn talk about the patterns of Issue 6 of WeCrochet Magazine. The Retro Reverb collection features vintage tech-inspired motifs like mixtapes, records, and TVs, while the Mindful Makes collection is all about neutral colors and calming stitches.

Finally, Producer Sarah joins Heather to nerd out about famous crocheters, theories about crochet on TV (Back to the Future, 1985, spoilers included), the most famous afghans in pop culture, and the origins of Fuller House character Kimmy Gibler's funky crocheted scarves. Get cozy on your favorite lounging chair to go through decades of crochet in TV shows and find out where you can find crochet in your favorite shows.

Mentioned in This Episode: Harmonious Pullover by Natalia McHayle Galileo   WeCrochet Magazine Issue 6  Stroll Gradient  Riviera Tee by Sincerely, Pam   Crest of the Waves Cowl by Jo Kirby Retro Reverb collection   Mindful Makes Collection   Episode 33  Gauge tool   Episode 18 Boom Box Belt Bag & Mix Tape Wallet by Heather Mann   Curio #3   Bop Shop Earrings by Ashley Zhong   Record Blanket by Dawn Curran Rhythm Tote by Kathleen Berlew   Wisdom Book Bag by Moon Elderidge Other celebrities that crochet  Why do all TV shows have the same blanket (granny square)  Bacon & Egg Scarf by Twinkie Chan Cupcake Scarf (Kellyz Creations) Cactus Scarf (designed by HelloHappy & made by @sewcraftycrochet   Pattern on WeCrochet   Mary Kate Killilea, costume designer“I spotted Crochet on TV thread” on Crochet Liberation Front Headquarters group on Ravelry

Timestamps:0:00 Welcome to the WeCrochet Podcast 0:14 Heather, Sara, and Katelyn 7:53 Katelyn and Heather 27:05 Brava Speckled  28:20 TV Crochet Talk 54:45 Credits

The team is trying out a new podcast theme in this episode, Food for Thought. Today we're talking all about food!

First, Katelyn and Producer Sarah join Heather to talk about their signature recipes, and the parallels between cooking and crochet.

Next, Katelyn tells Heather her Top 5 Snacks to eat while crocheting, and Heather counters with the Top 5 Snacks NOT to eat while crocheting. Then they share their favorite crochet blanket patterns.

Finally, Heather sits down for a chat with Stephanie Pokorny of Crochetverse. This colorful crochet designer is known for her fantastical crochet costumes, and tells us all about her new book, Creative Crochet Projects.

 

Mentioned in This Episode:Beginner Blanket: Crochet Beginner Blanket by Heidi Wells Motif Blanket: Record Blanket by Dawn Curran  WeCrochet Magazine Issue 6   Corner to Corner: Corner to Corner Afghan by Sara Dudek Textured Blanket: Popcorn Throw by Kristen Clay Colorwork Blanket: Nordic Colorwork Blanket from Issue 5 BONUS: Tuff Granny Throw by Stacey Winklepleck Marshmallow Baby Blanket by Kristen Clay “Cabbage” Rose Blanket by Kristen Clay Sugar and Spice Baby Blanket by Tammy Hildebrand Salt Water Taffy Crochet Afghan by Donna Barranti Textured Blanket: Popcorn Throw by Kristen Clay Bonus: Lemon Block Pattern by Twinkie Chan Humans that Yarn Census  Creative Crochet Projects by Stephanie Pokorny Crochetverse  Stephanie Polorny Stephanie's Instagram

Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to Food for Thought 6:53 Katelyn and Heather talk about crochet snacks 20:20 Craft Yarn Council Survey 20:59 Heather interviews Stephanie Pokorny 43:07 Credits

Happy International Crochet Month from the WeCrochet Podcast. This episode is all about YARN!

First, Sara, Katelyn, and Heather talk about how they feel when they get new yarn, and what they do while they're waiting for the yarn delivery truck to arrive. They also share which projects they're currently working on.

Next, Katelyn and Sara drop all their yarn knowledge from ply, twist, weight, to wraps per inch, fiber, put-up, and more. There are a lot of things that go into choosing the right yarn for your next project.

Finally, Heather chats with Wendy Peterson of YarnSub.com about the site's useful purpose of suggesting appropriate yarn substitutes, Wendy's fiber background, and a unique tip for selecting yarns for crocheters.

Mentioned in this Episode: Stroll (Everglade Heather)  Palette (Twist)  Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick  @Planty_McPlanterface on Instagram  WeCrochet Magazine Issue 6 (Available starting March 24, 2021)  Wraps Per Inch Tool  Past WCP Episodes about: Gauge and Blocking  Gansey Sweater Pattern  YarnSub.com Journey's End Blanket Knit Pattern  Simply Alpaca  Wendy on Instagram

Timestamps:0:00 Welcome + a joke 0:22 Heather, Sara and Katelyn check in 10:45 Sara and Katelyn tell you everything you need to know about yarn 34:44 Heather Interviews Wendy from YarnSub 48:24 Credits

What's your crochet level? Are crochet levels even real? What makes a crochet pattern basic vs. complex? We'll tackle these questions and more in this episode.

First, Katelyn, Sara and Heather talk about how they plan to celebrate International Crochet Month. Did you know March is International Crochet Month? Then they discuss whether there really are different levels of crocheters.

Next, Sara and Katelyn talk about must-have tools for crocheters, and which tools are most handy when you're a beginner.

Sara tells Heather all about the new WeCrochet Mini Hook Book: Learn to Crochet, the perfect gift for the crocheter in your life.

Finally, Regan and Zoey join Heather for a big ol' conversation about the crochet knowledge you need in order to make a pattern, based on the Craft Yarn Council's industry standards for project levels. Heather helps Zoey troubleshoot her Faux Fade Wrap WIP.

Mentioned in This Episode:Bent tip tapestry needles  Locking Stitch Markers  Split ring stitch marker  Sharp scissors  Ruler  Tape Measure  Universal 4 Tool  Zip pouch Notions bag  Sale Crochet hook case  Sale Hook cases  Sale Tote Bags  Learn to Crochet Mini Hook Book Faux Fade Wrap Progress Report  Faux Fade Wrap  Geo Potted Plant Covers Cassiel Kerchief  Heather's insta  CYC Project Levels  Sara's wedding dress

Timestamps: 0:00 Welcome to the WeCrochet Podcast 0:13 Heather, Sara and Katelyn 11:54 Sara and Katelyn 21:36  23:23 Heather, Zoe, and Regan 50:55 Credits