Pattern Obsession

I don’t know about you fellow crochet enthusiasts, but when I find a great pattern I tend to obsess over it and end up making a thousand and one things with said pattern. It’s probably one of my greatest weaknesses, but at least I appreciate well written patterns! I’m also guilty of collecting patterns with the thought “Oooh! I’ll make that for so-and-so” or “Oooh! I have been dying to try these out.” and even “Oooh! I’m sure I can use that later for something!”. Between my collection of yarn (and trust me, it’s huge. I’ll never run out of yarn for a loooong time.) and collection of patterns, I could probably make a pattern a day using a skein of yarn and not run out of either until I was 120.

With that being said, I recently bought a cabled stitch pattern for these adorable cup cozies and I picked up the pattern to actually make one yesterday…..and, I’ve made about thirty already. Someone help me step away from this pattern! I think it’s probably safe to assume I will be using them as stocking stuffers for work peeps, family, and friends. I thought about doing a give away on my Instagram or Facebook page, but we shall see….

Anyway, here’s what they look like! I’ve made so many in different colors, but I’d have to say the blue sparkly is my favorite, although the white sparkly one (not pictured) is quickly topping my favorite chart.

Do you crochet and want the pattern? Check out I Dream of Yarn’s Etsy page for many more designs and patterns for sale: https://www.etsy.com/shop/IDreamOfYarnShop?ref=l2-shopheader-name

Well, that’s it for today. I’m off to make more cozies! 😛

~Yarn

Sneak Peak

As a Small Business owner, particularly a crochet small business owner, I find it quite difficult to come up with my very own patterns. Why? Because someone, somewhere has already made it and written up a pattern for it. It is quite frustrating when you are trying to get your name out there and grow your small business, but at the same time, it makes it very easy to tweak patterns to make them yours. But then, are they truly YOURS?

I would like to introduce you to my small business, Sweet Lolly Boutique, and kindly let you know, most of the items I make are orders from customers and are based on pictures they have sent me. I am blessed to be able to look at a picture and create it and hope to one day start writing my own patterns and designs. I can make just about anything and I think they are high quality items, if I don’t say so myself.

My most recent order was this beauty! They wanted a collared cocoon for their niece and I knew I could take on the task without a pattern. So I began…. I will be writing this pattern down soon as it turned out so nice. I didn’t use any “one particular pattern” but my knowledge of several combined. The cable stitch across the front was inspired by Crochet It Creations’ cable stitch beanie (link at the bottom) but I made it only on the front of my cocoon instead of all the way around.

Next I added a collar and I believe it turned out beautifully!

So……. this pattern is coming soon and I really hope you enjoy it!

Link to the cable stitch beanie: https://crochetitcreations.com/braided-cable-beanie/

Hope you enjoy Crochet It Creations’ pattern as much as I do!

~Yarn

Pure Ingenuity

I was on my way home Friday night from work when I had an idea and it was an AWESOME idea! My husband was at work and I knew I had the whole night to work on this “grand idea”, so I actually turned around, a few miles before the house, to head back into town to gather the supplies I would need.

Now, a little back story…. my husband and I have an app called Life360 which acts as a GPS system for your loved ones, children, parents, etc. It’s a great tool especially if you have family living in other states and you question their safety (or driving skills….lol). You can create a group or groups and toggle between the pages to see where they are. It’s a great tool as it not only tracks where they are 24/7 but also sends alerts if they are in an accident, or texting and driving, or if you get lost your loved one can pull the app up and see where you are to help guide you home safely. Ok… so there’s that bit of information.

Back to my idea… I’m turning around to head toward the craft store, and my husband texts me “where you off to my love? heeheehee”  I think “gah…stupid Life360 ratted me out!” I get to the craft store and I tell him “I had an idea so I headed to the craft store” (he supports me with these grand ideas so he didn’t care). I get out of the car and head in to the store to hopefully buy the fabric for my idea. I don’t know if it’s just me, but I swear I hear angels singing as the double doors open and the smell of craftiness wafts around me….I take a BIG whiff and immediately the brain starts thinking of all the things I could make or do with this or that (yes, I probably have a problem…).

I head to the fabric section and shout with joy (but only in my head….I don’t want to look like a crazy crafter….lol) because the fabric I wanted is on sale for 2.49 a yard! I start grabbing bolts of fabric in various colors and styles and pile my buggy full and head to the cutting tables. I get the fabric cut and OF COURSE my buggy takes me to the yarn isle. I tried to tell it no, but it wanted me there. I love feeling the textures of yarn, so as I walk down each yarn isle and run my fingers over the soft, squishy yarn, I talk myself out of buying more (trust me…I don’t need it..). I drive home, and start working on my project. And…..20 minutes later…… it’s a SUCCESS!! I will be sharing the DIY or “how to” in my up-coming blog post so stay tuned!

~Yarn

Pennies for Profit

Happy Friday everyone! I hope you will bare with me as I get on my soapbox for a minute. I have a small business and by small I mean VERY small. I run this small business from my meager home, AND it is run after hours because I have a full time job Monday through Saturday. Everything I make, is done by hand. No machines, no sending it off to a factory….nothing. BY. HAND. I count every stitch and if I’m tired and miscount, I have to rip it apart and start over again. It is tedious and takes a very, very long time most times. Many orders I stay up until the wee hours of the morning to complete because you have given me a “deadline” or I’ve had to work late and don’t get home until 7:30p. Not to mention, I still have to cook dinner, clean up dinner, sweep the floor, pick up clutter, run a load of laundry, feed the cats, etc. I do not complain because I have chosen this life (and I’d never trade my married life to single life ever…EVER).

Because my business is small, and everything I make is by hand, I have a set price for my items. Do I charge you by the hour? NO! Should I? Probably. When you message and ask about our prices for items, and I tell you, please do NOT barter with me. These prices are fair and honestly should be a little higher than what I quote, but because I’m scared you won’t pay that price, I settle for less. I cut myself short and do not make a profit. Would you do the same to Kroger or Wal-Mart? If you see a cute hat and it’s 9.99 do you barter with Wal-Mart? No. You buy the hat. You get what you pay for. If my hats are listed at $20 per hat, please don’t ask me to settle for less. My items are very well made, take more time than factory/machine made items, and are personalized and made within YOUR deadline. I bend over backwards to meet my customer’s needs and many times don’t use a pattern because I’m sent a picture of what you need.

My customers are loyal, and willing to pay my set prices…and I SO GREATLY appreciate you all! Thank you for allowing my business to grow by supporting me. I’m making a broad suggestion to anyone who may buy homemade items. I know every homemade item small businesses out there will agree with me on this.

Lastly, please….and I am BEGGING you….PLEASE do NOT order something, and expect it to be delivered without payment. When you order something online, you will always have to pay first. ALWAYS….It’s not an option. Also…. do NOT order something and then fall off the face of the earth, reject my phone calls, block me on FB, etc. If you order something, please be an adult and take responsibility for your order. If you regret ordering it, or no longer need it, let me know before I spend hours making your item specifically for you, within your deadline, and then not ever answer my phone calls when it comes time for payment and delivery. It’s a big waste of my time, my money, and my resources (yarn, buttons, thread, fabric, etc.).

Ok. I’m done for now. Go checkout my Instagram page:  sweet_lolly_boutique

~Yarn