I love, Therefore I Craft

#ridell #skates #crochet #toeguards #rollerderby #derbygirl

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 29 Jan 2016 19:54:00 +0000

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#2015bestnine🌟 #love #crochet #instacat #instapet #crossstitch #nerd

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 01 Jan 2016 03:41:00 +0000

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#crochet #christmas #ornament

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sat, 05 Dec 2015 19:21:00 +0000

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Every color combo. #crochet #hexies #Stylecraft #colors

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Thu, 19 Nov 2015 13:32:00 +0000

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First 3 #Stylecraft #hexies. Loving this #yarn!! (I'm using Special DK) #crochet

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 17:46:00 +0000

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(most of) my first order of style craft dk came in the mail! Gray was on back order, but that's ok because it's for borders. #yarn #stylecraft #crochet #gettingcrafty #100daysofhappy

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Wed, 18 Nov 2015 13:35:00 +0000

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Started my own #Patreon. Link in my profile. #crochet #crochetpatterns

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sun, 08 Nov 2015 15:42:00 +0000

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Trying out one of my new #bamboo #crochet hooks. #100daysofhappy #day18

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Tue, 13 Oct 2015 02:43:00 +0000

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Finally tried out this #rainbowloom thing. #crafty #100daysofhappy #day9

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sun, 04 Oct 2015 04:45:00 +0000

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Another Eva shawl. The only pattern (of someone else's) I've made more than once. #ravelry #crochet

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Wed, 13 May 2015 14:34:00 +0000

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Wedding RSVPs

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Mon, 17 Nov 2014 14:26:00 +0000

I sent out wedding invites just over a week ago and RSVPs have started coming back! Add the cake tasting my mom and I went to Saturday, and the wedding is coming together quite nicely.

My biggest surprise recently was when I got my first "celebrating from afar" response. It was a definite bummer! It's understandable; in fact we're planning on receiving many regrets. If you follow general wedding planning rules, only about 80% of people invited to weddings end up attending. Though from what I've heard it's anywhere from 50% to 95%. So I guess we'll see what happens.

Big Life Changes

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Tue, 11 Nov 2014 16:00:00 +0000

Over the next six months I am going to:

-buy a house
-move to a new city
-start a new job
-start a new college major
-get married

That's just a few things off the top of my head; there are also holidays, family gatherings, and the unknown to look forward to!

In light of all these changes, I've decided to lighten things up around here and gear my blog more towards the lifestyle genre. Hopefully this will inspire more frequent posts on my part, and more regular readership on yours.

I'm keeping the title because my love for others and my love of creating & crafting things are still the primary motivations for everything I do.

Hope to see you around!

#GusGus claimed ownership of my project bag. #cat #kitty #crochet #knitting #ugh

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sat, 11 Oct 2014 21:56:00 +0000

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DIY #Color matching Activity for my future NannyKid. #montessori #rainbow #nannylife #crafty

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 00:39:00 +0000

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Working on a new #scarf in please-don't-shoot-me orange. #crochet #nofilter

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sat, 23 Aug 2014 19:29:00 +0000

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Sorting #sequins into a pill case. How are you spending your evening? #crafty fun. #rainbow #colorful

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 08 Aug 2014 04:05:00 +0000

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5 Crochet Stitches You Have to Try Today

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 13 Jun 2014 18:06:00 +0000

Camel Stitch - Free Hat Crochet Pattern, looks like knit.

Pin It!

Larksfoot Stitch How To
Pin It!

Beautiful Mesh Stitch - Free Scarf Pattern

Pin It!

Tight Weave Tweed Stitch. Great in lots of Colors!

Pin It!

Wiggle Stitch - Great Texture, Free How To

Pin It!

These Are a Few of My Favorite Pins

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 06 Jun 2014 12:18:00 +0000

I'm starting a new weekly series called A Few of My Favorite Pins. It's going to be a list of the best crochet pins/links from Pinterest out there, curated by me.

Here's why:

I love pinterest. Especially for crochet. In fact, I have so many crochet boards that I took them off of my personal account and gave them their own to connect to this blog.

The thing about pinterest though is that all too often, we pin and pin and pin, and nothing ever comes of it. We have so many pins, it's just overwhelming!

So I'm here to pare it down for you. Each week, I'll pick a topic or theme and give you my 5 favorite pins that fit the theme. They could be incredible patterns, great tricks of the trade, or designs that I think are just stunning and everyone needs to see.

These 5 pins will also be posted to a new board I created on Pinterest called The Best Crochet Pins. If this idea sounds as cool to you as I think it is, get ready for some fun.

This week's theme is Tricks of the Trade.

Foundation Single Crochet - without a chain. Includes multiple video tutorials.

Pin This!

Wind your own yarn cake (center pull ball)with just a paper towel roll (or toilet paper roll). Here's How!!

Pin This!

Change yarn with this join that's completely invisible!

Pin This!

Finish off your Crochet Project with this invisible professional look.

Pin This!

Make a Granny Blanket that's Rectangle (not square). Here's how to start.

Pin This!

Need more to read? Check out this post about my latest Pinterest inspired project.
Adventures in Knitting

Adventures in Knitting

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Sun, 01 Jun 2014 12:00:00 +0000

Although crochet is where my heart really lies, I learned how to knit about a decade earlier in second grade. The first project I started was a scarf for my American Girl doll (Addy). I say started because I abandoned it halfway through and didn't finish it up again until years later when I was more confident in my skills. In almost 15 years, I've probably made about a dozen scarves. Knitting just never got me hooked like crochet did (pun intended). Today however, I embark on a new knitting adventure.

It all started as I was browsing my Pinterest feed and came across a shawl that I immediately fell in love with.

Henslowe by Beth Kling

As it turns out, even though it was posted on someone's crochet board it was actually knitted. I'll admit I was a little bummed at first. It's so gorgeous, why would someone let me love something so much without letting me know it's not my craft?

As a kicker, I already had the perfect yarn. I bought it off of etsy almost a year ago and it was just screaming at me to make this shawl out of it.

Doctor Who: TARDIS by See Jayne Knit

So knit or not, I decided to go for it. Here's my first progress shot:

TARDIS Shawl

I'm really hoping I can stick it out to the end because the shawl is just so beautiful.
~Wish me luck!!

Why Do You Create?

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Wed, 07 May 2014 14:38:00 +0000

Although I generally stick to my crochet these days, my large stash of craft supplies portray a much wider variety of crafting that what's limited to yarn and a hook. I've got stacks of chopped up magazines, forgotten origami paper, knitting needles, bits & yards of fabric, rick rack, buttons, jewelry wire, metal washers, beads, plastic lanyard string, spools of colored hemp, unfinished cross stitch and latch hook kits, and an embarrassing number of tabs off of my favorite energy drink. (Though that doesn't stop me from taking that pretty green tab off the can before throwing it into the recycling.)

Not sure if I'm more addicted to the drink,
or just collecting the tabs...

I grew up creating things. At some point I realized it was more than about just making something in art class. It was for that feeling you get when you give someone a handmade gift knowing it's just for them. Knowing they appreciate the gift more because it's handmade than if you had gone out an bought them something random. Gifts that aren't about the money, only about time, effort and most importantly, the love you put into them.

This is where my love, passion, and arguably, skill with a crochet hook grew from. I would estimate that at least 90% of my crochet work ends up wrapped up and tied with a bow for someone I care about. It's actually crazy how much more fun it is for me to make something for some other than myself. Is that the way it is for everyone?

My latest WIP. (It's going to be a baby blanket)

I get Anxious

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Thu, 27 Jun 2013 15:00:00 +0000

True story.

About anything and (almost) everything. Crochet is one of the things I do to reduce the anxiety. The trouble with the blog though is if I don't have something to show off, I have no idea what to write about. Or if what I have in mind will be interesting. But then I go and look at my stats, and I'm re-encouraged by my steady stream (alright trickle) of readers.

I don't have to worry about that today though! Because I have TWO finished projects to show you.

First is the afghan for my mom. For Christmas last year, I promised to make her an afghan, and let her help design it. Her birthday present this year (end of June) was the finished product. I spent about 3 months working on it (intermittently). It is super cozy, and made out of Charisma yarn by Loops & Threads. The stitch pattern is the Done in a Jiffy Blanket which I found on Ravelry.

<sarcasm> Perfect for all this frosty weather we've been having! </sarcasm>

BIG blanket.

Close up.

My second project to show you is a golf club head cover I made for my dad's friend Ken. It's a canary!

The reason it's a canary, is that when Ken, my dad, and their friends play scrambles, Ken always shoots first so the rest of the team can use his shot to read the conditions. He's sort of their "canary in a coalmine".

Next up on my to do list is a companion cube from Portal! I'm designing the pattern myself, as well as keeping track of it so I can put the pattern up on my Ravelry. I've got all the pieces figured out, I just need to finish making them all and piecing them together. It's going to be awesome though!

What are you working on this summer?

Hello Sunshine!

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 19:17:00 +0000

I'm back! Where was I you ask? Well, nowhere really. I just took a wee break. Lot's of things going on around here and I needed some readjustment time. It was also nice to give my wrists a break (they get sore when I'm in super crochet mode for weeks).

How pretty are these flowers?
I love spring!

This week is looking a little empty though, so I'm getting my butt back into crochet gear. I'm super close to finishing the afghan for my mom, just in time for her birthday! So that's priority number one, and then I want to finish up the Companion Cube and the golf club head cover I've been working on. All preferably by the end of June, so make sure to watch for pics and updates on instagram & ravelry!

And to everyone who's been checking in and reading while I was a way: Thank You Thank You THANK YOU!!!!

Crochet for your Cat ~ That won't make him hate you.

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:03:00 +0000

We've all seen it, someone learns how to crochet clothing like items, and decides to take it out on their furry friend. There are pictures all over the internet of mad angry cats wearing sweaters, hoodies, and any number of hats.

Way back in early 2012 I pointed out the oddity that yarn people are usually cat people. And this seems to be the natural progression for someone who loves to create with yarn, and loves their cat. BUT NOT TODAY. I'm here to tell you that you can create things your cat will LOVE, without putting him through public humiliation (or giving him a reason to hate you).

First. Does your kitty wear a collar? (Like all good kitties should?)
Then you should spice up your kitty's style with a brand new Bowtie!! It increases your cat's style points by 50 (because bowties are cool). It attatches directly to his existing collar which means it's not constricting any part of his body.

Gus Gus loves his!

Doesn't He look Dapper?

Second. Does your kitty like to get into your yarn stash? Does he have a favorite type of yarn? Why not grab some of that and make him something that's okay to play with! I'm talking about this adorable Mouse Toy. I realise that this isn't something your cat can wear, but it is a constructive way for you to release your creative yarn energy into love for your cat. This is also a great pattern if you want to try out a super easy amigurumi project.

It's even kitty approved!

I haven't even gotten to the best part yet! If you purchace both these patterns together in my Ravelry store before May 1, you'll recieve an automatic $2 off!

I have CDO. (That's OCD, only in the right order.)

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Fri, 15 Mar 2013 20:53:00 +0000

Just something I've been working on.

I never know how to start these. I usually have a general idea of what I want to say, but where to start? Although I guess this is a start -of a sort- so here we go.

The reason I have such a hard time starting blogs (not to mention finishing them) is that I'm at least mildly OCD. It's not something you'd notice right away if we'd just met, like you'd see with Tony Shalhoub in Monk, Jack Nicholson in As Good As It Gets, or Bill Murray in What About Bob?

My OCD mostly manifests itself in perfectionism. If I'm tasked to do something, I like to plan it out in my head until I've thought out every detail to complete the task in the best most efficient "perfect" manor This includes thinking up everything that could go wrong and how to fix or avoid it. Obviously this isn't very practical; it's also highly stressful. Throw an internet mystery audience into the mix and you can see why I've whittled down countless ideas for blog posts into nothing.

A cousin of perfectionism is my affinity for control. If I something can't happen perfectly, the least it could do is happen the way I want it to. But I realize the world doesn't work like that so I tend to have a very "all or nothing" approach to tasks. If I'm involved, I will to the best I can to complete it the best way it could possibly be done. If I'm not involved, or when I realize I won't be able to attain this most times impossible goal, I tend to just....fizzle...and put little to no effort into it. Why would I spend my time and effort on something sub-par?
Again, this is not the way the whole world works, and I know this, and it's something I'm working on.

Crochet has been a wonderful coping mechanism. My work is always my own, and I can frog & re-do it as many times as I want until it is perfection. It's also a great way to distract me and use up a large part of worried thinking energy. Plus! I get to make lovely things to show the people around me how much I love them, even though I'm not always great at expressing it in other more common ways. That's why this blog is called "I love, Therefore I Craft."
I crochet because I love, and creating is the only way I know to truly express it.

What about you? Why do you crochet, craft, or create?

Monkey Business

noreply@blogger.com (Kelsey Lynn) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:31:00 +0000

Hello again!

It's been a couple weeks since I've talked to you! Last week was Spring Break here, so I was spending some time with my Mister. He introduced me to Minecraft, so I have to admit I've been a bit distracted. Maybe I'll turn that into something constructive and come up with a few Minecrafty projects in the future. Hmmmm....we'll see.

I didn't spend all my time playing though! This past weekend I buckled down and finished my latest project, and here he is!

You can find the pattern here!

I've made a couple other monkeys in the past few years, but I like this one best. I tweaked how I attach the arms and legs a bit, and I really like how it came out. It's crazy how much you can learn about crochet just by keeping a variety of projects on your to-do list. And I have to say, making things up as I go along is the most fun. I love the challenge of figuring out what shapes and sizes I need to use to get it exactly how I want, as well as the freedom to do it!

If you like the Mischievous Monkey, you can buy the pattern on Ravelry, and don't forget to check out my other patterns too!

If you want to know what I'm up to between blog posts, you can follow me on Twitter and Instagram.

Are there any amigurumi animals you'd like me to write a pattern for? I've got a couple ideas, but I'd love to hear from you! Just let me know in the comments or on Twitter.