I’ve really fallen for this whole crochet thing

As you can probably tell from my previous post, I’ve really fallen for this whole crochet thing. 

February, the month of love, was full of new projects, experiments, and lots of yarny joy. 

  

My First Crochet Bonnet

This was my first attempt at a bonnet, and I made it entirely from four granny squares joined together. Once they were joined, I added a few rows of double crochet around the edges and finished it off with a pretty shell stitch along the front. I found the pattern online and loved how sweet and vintage it looked, perfect start to the month! It has no purpose, no one to go to, just a willingness and a curiosity to learn something new. Isn't that what life is about? The constant pull to learn and to try new things. I want a desire to never stop learning, to never stop improving, to be a constant and forever student of things and of life. When I get to the end of my time, I do not want I wish, but I want to have lived a life of wow, I did that! 

Hooked on Polymer Clay Handles

 

This little flower will soon become part of a headband set I’m working on, but what I really want to show you is my pretty pink and purple crochet hook! It’s a Boye G hook that I customized using polymer clay, specifically, Sculpey (the kind you bake).

I’ve always loved polymer clay because you can do so much with it. To make these, I cleaned my hooks, added clay to the handles, and baked them at 200°F for 30 minutes. The trick is to lay down a layer of aluminum foil and some polyfill on a cookie sheet, place your hooks on top, and then make a little foil tent over them so they bake evenly.

All the hooks pictured are Boye metal hooks. I know there’s a big debate over which brand is best, Boye or Susan Bates ... but personally, I’m team Boye! 

I do have one Susan Bates hook (size H), but it’s not my favorite. I also have a few acrylic hooks in sizes M and N. I lucked out and even found a few extra Boye hooks for free once, they were tucked inside some thrift store yarn!

A Headband for a Sweet Friend
There’s a sweet little girl at church who always wears the cutest headbands. She’s only about ten years old, but already helps in the nursery when she can in the kids department. She has such a kind heart, and I wanted to acknowledge that. 

One week after she helped me, I decided to surprise her with a handmade headband. I added a removable flower with a button on the back so she could wear it plain or dress it up. The headband pattern was free (from JJ Crochet), and I designed the flower myself. I guess the grey flower from the headband I made myself helped me get better after all! 

The yarn was a lovely boutique color called Salmon, a beautiful pink with a subtle shimmer that is so soft! I think it is even softer than the I LOVE This Yarn!. This yarn is expensive compared to the Hobby Lobby yarn. This came from a yarn shop in Gasden, Alabama, called Taming of the Ewe. I had visited there with my mom. I bought this and an art yarn that has the most amazing fall colors. The fall yarn was $14.99 for one thing!! I really wanted it, though, but it was so expensive!  

 

My Valentine’s Gift  - The Crochet Chair
Now, I know some of you ladies probably have one of those giant fluffy rockers that match everything in your home, that is colorful and bright, but not me. 

Well, mine is really different. My husband actually bought me this huge, comfy brown leather chair for Valentine’s Day, and I love it! It’s big enough for me to sit criss-cross applesauce (you moms know what I mean!) and has high arms that give perfect support while I crochet. It’s officially my happy place. I wanted the leather because I thought it would survive if I spilled anything on it. We will see how it lasts. I hope the cats do not destroy it and that I do not tear it up with scissors that I cut yarn with and forget about! 

 

A Thrift Store Treasure with Vintage Charm
And last but definitely not least, my favorite find of the month! While browsing through a local thrift store, I came across a needlework and crafts magazine from 1972, and oh my goodness… It’s amazing.

This isn’t your average little magazine; it’s nearly twice the size of a modern one, with those big glossy pages full of beautiful photographs, timeless patterns, and that unmistakable vintage charm. The styles are so classic and colorful, full of embroidery, crochet, sewing, and home craft inspiration from a totally different era. You can practically feel the creativity and care that went into every project.

I couldn’t resist bringing it home. One day, when I finally have a dedicated craft room, I’d love to display it... Maybe frame the cover or even create a little vintage corner featuring it. It’s such a piece of handmade history!

Have you ever seen one of these before? Or maybe even have one tucked away somewhere? I’d love to hear if you’ve found any vintage craft magazines or treasures like this; they just don’t make them like they used to... and I want to find a way to honor it in some way.