Inspiration Mondays: HOOKS

It's Monday again (no way to avoid it) and time for another sneak peek into what inspires a hooker (me!). I had to follow last week's yarn porn with the thing that none of us could call ourselves hookers without: the hook of course. When I started crocheting I bought the standard, cheap aluminum hook set that is sold at every Walmart and Hobby Lobby. I thought they worked just fine and never imagined spending more on those fancy hooks. Until I used one. My sister-in-law taught me how to crochet and one day when everyone was together, I needed to borrow a hook, so she let me use herClover bamboo. OMG, how could I have EVER go back to cold, aluminum hooks. If you've never tried anything but your rainbow colored aluminum friends, I HIGHLY suggest it. Recently I lost my I bamboo hook, the one I use for almost EVERYTHING, and I was not a happy camper. I suspect my kids were playing with it and hid it under the bed or in the toy box, or any number of other random places. Anyway, back to the point, I ran out to get a new one IMMEDIATELY so I wouldn't have to use my aluminum stand-by!

I can't help myself around a good hook, so here are my favs (plus one hook holder by MadBird)

Inspiration Mondays: YARN PORN

You know what Mondays are - the day most people have to return to the rat race - so I decided to brighten up the drudge with a new blog series on what inspires me. Every Monday I'll let you into my funny little world and show you why I am a hooker. ;)

I wanted to kick things off with what started it all. But the question is, the yarn or the hook? I say the yarn. I'm not sure if it's just me, but I get all tingly when I walk into a good yarn store and see the rows of color. The brighter, the better as far as I'm concerned. When I look at a skein I try to picture what I could turn it in to and I usually get some of my better ideas and designs when I start with the yarn. In fact, I love yarn so much that I dream of starting my own yarn store where I can sell all the wool, acrylic, silk, and alpaca that inspires me.

So here it is, for your viewing pleasure - some of my favorite yarn porn.

Amigu-WHAT?

A few things happened this week that led me to make this cute little baby toy. My friend in Denver just had a baby boy and I'd been planning on making this but never had the time. Then my computer suddenly died. Well, it didn't quite die, but it was touch an go for a while there. The geeky computer tech performed a hard drive transplant and with a little love and reinstall, things were back to normal.

Needless to say I was without a computer for a few days and I discovered that I'm addicted to the internet. I used my Wii to check my e-mail and tweet a few times, but it just didn't satisfy my tech craving. So to keep my hands and mind occupied, I took those few days to try my hand at amigurumi.

Amigu-what?? It's a Japanese word meaning knitted stuffed toy. Google it. I've stayed away from it for the most part because most amigurumi is cutesy fluffy bunnies and rainbows; not my style. I know what you're thinking "but didn't you just make a cute ring toss with smiling insects & frogs?" Yes, I did, but that's for a baby, so it's ok.

It got me thinking though. There have to be some rad crocheted dolls out there. And there are!! Karabouts & KnotByGra'ma are so sick, just to name a few. Now I've got the itch to find more edgy amigurumi and even more so to make my own! I usually stick to making hats only, but it's getting warmer and people don't really want ski-type hats anymore (unless you live in the southern hemisphere) so I'm giving myself license to think outside the box a little. All because of a baby boy and technology withdrawal.

PLAY HARD :: PLAY HOOKY

FINALIST!!

I just found out that I'm a finalist in the Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Contest!! My Ziggy Hat made it to the final round of judging in the "Hats & Scarves" category and I'm ecstatic!! Now I have to send them the hat so they can finish the judging in person. Even if I don't get one of the 1st, 2nd, or 3rd place prizes I'll still get a $25 gift certificate to Michael's just for sending it in.

I'll know by the end of May whether or not my hat kicked the other's hats butts, so send me your good thoughts and I'll keep you posted!!

PLAY HARD - PLAY HOOKY