Sandy Riccio asks,

Anybody got a manual for crocheting left handed? Even Crocheting for Dummies doesn't mention the topic.

Hi Sandy, thanks for dropping by. I am so glad you asked! This is an important topic, and I think it's a good idea for us to spend some time sharing ideas and resources that will help left-handed people learn how to crochet.

I just created a new page for left-handed crocheters to share their stories, tips and advice for learning how to crochet. I invite all left-handed crochet enthusiasts to visit that page and explain the books and other resources that helped them. If you have a friend who crochets left-handed, please spread the word that help is needed with this. Thanks in advance to everyone who participates.

While I haven't written a manual on the topic, I do have a newly-published article with resources for left-handed people that will hopefully help too.

• View the free instructions for making the snowman lollipop dispenser
• See the free pattern for crocheting the cover for the block of craft foam
• See more "Wordless Wednesday" blog posts on other topics at About.com
• Discover more "Wordless Wednesday" posts from all over the Internet

Photo © 2009 Amy Solovay, Licensed to About.com, Inc.

A couple of weeks ago, I read an article about the London 2012 olympics. The article was written by Charlotte Higgins and posted at guardian.co.uk. There are quite a few interesting points to discuss in that article, but there's one point in particular that I've been mulling over ever since I first discovered the article. I've quoted the relevant portion below:

...Shauna Richardson will crochet three 10m high lions and display them in a taxidermy-style case. "I want to breathe a bit of life into an endangered craft - and show that it is a valid contemporary medium."...

An endangered craft? Oh yikes, I really hope not! What do you think? Crochet - Is it "endangered," in your opinion, or not?

I agree 100% that crochet is a valid contemporary medium. That point is open for discussion as well, so if you have a different opinion, please share your point of view.

Congrats to Shauna Richardson for attaining this most impressive opportunity. I'm thrilled that a crocheter's work will be in the limelight.

• Find the free crochet pattern for this colorful granny square
• See more "Wordless Wednesday" blog posts on other topics at About.com
• Discover more "Wordless Wednesday" posts from all over the Internet

Photo © 2009 Amy Solovay, Licensed to About.com, Inc.

Christmas Necklace - Photo © Amy Solovay.

This flower necklace is merry and bright. Originally, the necklace was made using other colors, but this is an updated version crocheted in red and green. It is embellished with a satin bow.

If the Christmas colors aren't for you, there are plenty of other color variations for the necklace. Please feel free to experiment and choose any colors you like.

The finished necklace makes a lovely, and inexpensive, gift for a friend or loved one.

Side View of the Christmas Necklace - Photo © Amy Solovay.

• Free flower necklace pattern
• Step-by-step tutorial, with complete instructions for making this necklace
• Christmas button necklace
• See more Christmas patterns
• Find more free patterns for crocheted jewelry

'Tis the season for end-of-the-year holiday patterns. I'd love to know more about what kind of holiday patterns you're interested in, so I put together a new poll. As usual, I didn't have enough space to include all the possibilities I would have liked. So with that in mind, please leave comments if there isn't an answer that really fits.

In response to my Christmas poll, John posted the following comment:

John Hablinski says: I find it a very disappointing when there is a presumption by a company, or organization, that only women crochet. You know, in today's world this might be construed and litigated as gender discrimination.

Hi John, thanks for dropping by, and thanks for the comment. I appreciate the feedback, although it would have been helpful and constructive if you could have been more specific about what exactly it is that has you so offended. At any rate, you took offense where none was intended, and I apologize for whatever it was I wrote that has disappointed you so deeply.

For the record, you aren't dealing with a "company," nor an "organization." You're dealing with me - Amy Solovay - freelance writer, textile designer, mixed-media artist, and avid crocheter. I'm a real person.

Also for the record, I don't presume that "only women crochet." If you're assuming that I've assumed that, you're way off base.

Male Crocheters Who Inspire Me

• The crochet book that has most influenced me creatively is The Crochet Workbook by James Walters and the late Sylvia Cosh. In hindsight, perhaps the book might seem a bit dated. There are certainly trendier books available nowadays. Nevertheless, if you were to ask me to pick a single crochet book that has most inspired me, that would be the one.



• It would be difficult to pick a favorite crochet blog. Somewhere at the top of my list would definitely have to be Howie Woo's crochet blog - crochet creations for the playful at heart. You all simply must check it out! It's one of the most creative blogs I've ever seen. Howie is skilled at both crochet and storytelling. His graphics are outstanding, as is the photography he features in the blog. His posts usually make me smile, and sometimes even laugh out loud. I'm delighted to recommend his blog to you all, and I hope you will enjoy it as much as I do.



• I'm also completely wowed by Nacinimod's crochet work. Before You Click, Be Warned: Some of his clothing designs are very revealing. Depending on who you ask, some people might consider the photographs on that page "not safe for work."



• Drew Emborsky, AKA "The Crochet Dude," has plenty of fans here at About.com.



• Gene Saunders, AKA CrochetDad, is another talented crocheter who does inspiring work.

So no, I definitely do not think that "only women crochet."

Now you've got me curious about the numbers, though. How 'bout a new poll?

Real Men Do...

People have all sorts of intriguing ideas about what men "should" or "shouldn't" do. That isn't a topic I'd ordinarily be writing about - personally, I'm a believer in the "life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness" approach for both men and women. I discovered that other About.com Guides have explored some of these ideas in depth, and have written some interesting material on the topic. Here's a small sampling:

• Real men do wear pink: About men's fashion
• Real men wear skirts kilts: About men's fashion
• Real men eat quiche! Busy Cooks
• Real men do love cats: About cats

As always, you're invited to share your thoughts in the comments section.

Michaels is having a popularity contest "handmade holidays" contest.

If you've got

• A creative idea for a handmade holiday craft - crochet or otherwise, and
• Lots of friends / family members / acquaintances you can harrass beg ask for contest votes, and
• Your residence is in the USA or Canada (excluding Quebec, Hawaii and Puerto Rico,)

Why am I calling it a popularity contest? Well, I'll give you a direct quote from their contest web site:

How do I win?

Upload a photo of your best, most creative do-it-yourself project, add a description and project supplies. Then send to your friends, your co-workers, your family and whoever can help you increase your rating score. Winners will be chosen by a panel of judges led by Michaels Creative Expert, Jo Pearson based on project creativity, uniqueness and overall ratings.

I'll refer you to the contest web site for more information if you're interested:

• Contest rules
• Contest gallery - there isn't a separate category for crochet, but you can do a search for the crochet entries if you like. There are some really nice crocheted projects!

• Find free crochet patterns for these (and other) dishcloths
• See more "Wordless Wednesday" blog posts on other topics at About.com
• Discover more "Wordless Wednesday" posts from all over the Internet

Photo © 2009 Amy Solovay, Licensed to About.com, Inc.

I just found this page on the Caron web site. It has information about how you can receive a free full-sized skein of NaturallyCaron.com Country yarn. They also have some free crochet patterns available for you as well.

I know some of you love Caron yarns, so I wanted to be sure to pass the info along in case you want to try it out.

This giveaway is open to people who have already used Caron Simply Soft yarns, or at least are willing to buy some and give them a try; you'll need to send them 3 Caron Simply Soft yarn labels, along with some information, in order to receive your free skein of yarn. Please refer to their web site for all the specifics of their offer.

I was not able to find an end date for this promotion; their web site says "This offer is available while supplies last."

Personally, I am not planning on taking them up on the giveaway. For starters, I am not that excited about the yarn. It's a blend of wool and microdenier acrylic, which doesn't particularly appeal to me. Don't let my lack of enthusiasm hinder you if it sounds like something you'd enjoy using - I am sure it's probably a perfectly nice yarn.

Those of you who decide to try it out, I hope you will come back and comment to let us know how you like the yarn.