your crocheting horoscope for 2009

Please keep in mind that this is just for fun and if I happen to describe you (or somebody you know) exactly, it's sheer luck. If you're easily offended, you might not want to read this particulr blog unless you happen to like being offended..... If I could really predict the future, let's just say I'd be betting heavily on the Super Bowl......


Aries March 21-April 19
You are lively and energetic, you love bright colors and your stash reflects that. You're also sensitive to the world's problems - the growing economic mess, the plight of the poor in your area as well as around the world. How does this concern crocheting for you in 2009? I suggest you find a charity project, something that will allow you to make small items such as caps or squares for afghans, that will allow you to use your yarn and your energy to brighten other folks' lives. It doesn't have to be a lot - maybe try a new stitch for an afghan square in that beautiful burgundy yarn or a cap in that sunshine yellow. These small projects will fill up the time between the bigger projects you have planned for this year - plus soothe your soul while crocheting. And everybody needs to have their soul soothed.


Taurus April 20-May 20
Everybody always cracks about "Taurus the Bull" and the stubbornness this members of this sign have - although they prefer to call it "perseverance". My suggestion for you this year is to let go of your perseverance just a bit. You know what I'm talking about - your unfinished projects. All of us have them, but most of us don't beat ourselves up constantly about it. I suggest you forget the lovely christening gown you're working on in size 30 thread. After all, your child is almost 30, so it's not likely the kid will be able to wear it. Instead, salvage what you can of it - maybe crochet lace around lovely handkerchiefs for a bride to carry. Use those small lacy motifs to dress up a card or nicely frame a few of them. None of us will think any less of you for not finishing that huge project and it will free your mind and hands to take a project on that's more appropriate for the way you are living now.

Gemini May 21-June 20
You enjoy having a lot of crochet (as well as your other projects) going on at one time. But life gets complicated and sometimes the new kitten chews up your best H hook. Take a deep breath and relax. You probably have the second favorite H hook still around, so use that one. And for a pleasant change this year, stick to one project until you actually finish it. Life has thrown you some curve balls over the last year or so, so you need some sameness in your life. No, don't run away, I didn't say "boring". But it will give you a great sense of accomplishment to actually finish that sweater you've been working on in snippets of time. And with your sign's well known sense of fashion, I am sure it will look absolutely stunning. So, Gemini, dazzle us with your brilliance.

Cancer June 1-July 22
Moonchild, you are more sensitive than anyone gives you credit for - not only your feelings but your tactile sense as well. Some yarns do soften up after washing them with vinegar, but raffia is _still_ raffia no matter what you do to it. I suggest you carefully splurge on some soft yarn. It will make a huge difference in how much you crochet and how happy you are with the finished item. You could shop the Internet to find soft yarn but do it in ways that don't break the budget - perhaps a company selling discontinued yarns or checking on something like Freecycle or Craigslist. You could even work a convention to barter your time for yarn or trade with somebody on Ravelry. It's especially important this coming year to have the medicinal powers of crocheting with soft yarn in your life. Trust me on this one.

Leo July 23-August 22
Your exuberance for life and crochet will gain a new outlet sometime this year. Don't ask me who, don't ask me when, don't ask me how I know this, but there will be a new person in your life to crochet for. Not sure if it's a child or an adult or maybe just a cause you take on, but it's definitely showing up this year. Keep your eyes open for new patterns and new yarns, but don't forget to go shopping in your stash first. Perhaps that little stuffed lion, your symbol, will be what you first present to this new person in your life. Don't wreck your wrist by crocheting all night on your project for your new person. Just take your time, this person will be sticking around for quite some time and you will have time to make all those "someday" projects you've got on your list.

Virgo August 23-September 22
This could possibly be the year you decide to become a crochet designer. Don't "poo-poo" the idea, you know you've been considering it. You've seen some of those patterns and thought "whew, what are _they_ thinking?" and known you could do better. And you can, as long as you do your homework to find out what's involved in becoming a crochet designer. Plus you can post your patterns for sale on something such as Etsy. No need to worry about whether the magazine will accept your pattern or whether you've made it with the right brand yarn or arrived in time for the publication dates. Of course, it would be very good if you did publish in a magazine due to the broader exposure, but keep in mind that magazines typically have a 6 month lead time. So if it's October and you just finished your cool tree skirt pattern, you might be better off to make it available through an Internet outlet. Email me - I'm looking forward to seeing those new cool patterns.


Libra September 23-October 22
You want everything perfectly balanced - just like the rest of us - but you tend to get a little snippy if things aren't exactly as you think they should be. So loosen up a bit with your life and your crocheting. The world won't really come to an end if you don't dust every day. Make the time to sit down with your stash and pick the projects you want to do. You can even bag them up with the directions just to please your sense of order. But don't spend all your time to make sure everything is hospital clean - it's not always necessary. Put down the mop and pick up your hook and yarn. Create something beautiful from those hard working hands. The dust will be there tomorrow, but you'll have a better attitude about it as you see your beautiful work progress. If you can do this, I predict you will have a much more enjoyable year.

Scorpio October 23-November 21
Yes, you are the sensual crocheter of the group. But it's really time to stop petting the luxury yarns in your stash and actually _use_ some of them in a garment. Yes, I know, you didn't buy enough for a whole sweater. You may be sensual, but you're not rich. Use your yarn on trims for mittens/gloves or maybe a neckline for a sweater. Use them as special accents for a really sweet scarf. You get double the pleasure - you get to crochet with it and you can pet your precious yarn in public. And all Scorpios want to be admired, even for their clothes, so wearing it in public would garner you more attention. Or, here's a great idea, use it to trim a gift item. The person who gets it will be doubly pleased.

Sagittarius November 23-December 21
I know some Sagittarius and I love them, but sometimes you get a little too obsessed with money to be good company. Yes, I know yarn and all the notions and patterns that goes along with crocheting has gone up in price. They've gone up for everybody, not just you;) Instead of fretting about the price of yarn or patterns, look to your stash. And while you're shopping your stash, you can actually do something to (sort of) save money. Make gifts for folks only using your stash yarns. You've already paid for it (unless you charged it and you may never finish paying for it). You're got the tools and patterns you need. So make those mittens for that niece of yours or maybe a shawl for that woman at work who is having a difficult time. You will have had the pleasure of crocheting something wonderful and getting lots of positive encouragement as well as saving money. What else could a Sagittarius want, besides the winning Powerball ticket?

Capricorn December 22-January 19
Capricorn, take a peek at the Sagittarius prediction as well as the Libra prediction. Finished peeking? Okay, on to you. You work hard, very hard even when you crochet. You like to have all your implements organized just so. No kitten is going to chew up your best H hook unless she has the combination to the safe. Because you work so hard, your crocheting can be a bit tight. This can be good for some things but obviously not if you're trying to make gauge. That hat for your sister is not going to do her a lot of good if it's only big enough for a Barbie doll. Use a slightly bigger hook than what the pattern calls for to make the gauge. Also continue to check your gauge during the making of the item. You're likely to get used to the larger hook and make your stitches tighter as the pattern progresses. Plus try making something totally silly for yourself - some amigurumi to dress up your station at work. If you can't got for a "useless" thing, how about a colorful potholder for your kitchen? Relax, you'll live longer and enjoy life more.

Aquarius January 20-February 18
Your independent nature makes me think this is the year that you should try freeform crochet - if you haven't already. You will like the scumbling and the vibrant motifs involved in this type of crochet. Best of all, no new investments unless you choose to make them. You can use the hooks and yarn you already have. You can search the Internet for groups videos about freeform. There are a few excellent books out dealing with freeform, but you don't necessarily have to own them to start out. You'll love the freedom of not following somebody else's patterns - it fits your personality like a glove. I predict you will really enjoy this new (to you) way of crochet expression. Plus you will turn out some very unique projects that will cause a sensation. If you post them to your blog, let me know - I'd love to see them.

Pisces February 19-March 20
You have a great sense of creativity and a good color sense - but picking a project is too hard for you. It can be overwhelming to see all the lovely choices for crocheting, but don't let that paralyze you. You could pick the oldest project in your "works in mind" (WIM) list or find something new. But pick_something_ and crochet until completed. Too often you get sidetracked by another bewitching crochet goody and just don't follow through - on either project. And than you natter on about "I was going to finish that sweater but I seen these socks..." Make a list of the projects you'd really like to accomplish and assign them a number - "1" for something you really need to do. "2" for ones you really want to, "3" for ones
you want to do, "4" for what you sort of want to do and so on down the list. If you end up with a list of all 1s, I wouldn't be surprised. If not, than make a separate list of the stuff you really need to do. Put the paper in front of you, close your eyes and make a pick. That will be your next project. If you find yourself saying "yeah, but I really wanted to do the purse", do that one.