Cotton Blossoms Handmade Blog

Monday, July 20, 2009

Grand Opening Sale

Join in the celebration! For a limited time all hats are 15% off regular price. Sale ends July 31st. Not valid on prior purchases. As always FREE SHIPPING. Shop for a Baby Hat.

Friday, July 17, 2009

In The News

Press Release: Stay At Home Mom Launches Baby Hat Line Alongside Her Four Children

Thursday, July 16, 2009

CAMO QUEEN Bucket Hat

Just added: Urban Chic! Fun - Fashionable - Functional.
I had so much fun making this stylish hat. This camo bucket hat is crocheted using 3 strands of 100% cotton yarn. The color is a varigated green giving it a cool camo look. It is super soft and chunky. The body of the hat hugs your head while the brim can be worn urban style or flipped up for a completely different look. It's versatility and comfort are sure to make this a favorite you will be reaching to wear over and over again. A definite Cotton Blossoms favorite. Available sizes range from toddler all the way to adult. Makes a great matching Mommy and Me hat gift set. As always...Free Shipping on all domestic orders...beautifully packaged and ready for gift giving! Check it out: Camo Bucket Hat

Monday, July 13, 2009

Tips for Beginning to Crochet

Congratulations on your decision to learn to crochet! Crocheting is a pastime which has been enjoyed for many years by our mothers and grandmothers alike. And, it has been popular for good reasons. Crocheting not only allows you to make some wonderful garments and household decorative items, but it also allows you to create while you relax and watch television or listen to music as well.

Crocheting gives you an amazing sense of accomplishment when you are finished with a project. Whether you are making a blanket, sweater or even a simple scarf, you will be proud to show off your handiwork work when you have finished it.

Being new to crocheting, there are a few things you need to keep in mind so that you will have the most success possible. They are:

Crochet Yarns and Fibers for Newbies

When you are first learning how to crochet you should stick to using natural fibers and yarns. These natural fibers tend to be less slippery and easier to work with.

Just as important as the fibers you use is the way that you hold them in your hand. By learning the “correct” way to hold your yarn and crochet hook from day one, it will be much easier for you to advance your crocheting projects without having to relearn how to hold things. Here is the best way to hold your yarn and crochet hook:

1. Place the yarn over your little finger, below your ring finger, and above your fore and middle fingers.
2. Hold your crochet hook as you would a pencil or fork. This allows you the best hold to heave the yarn from your fingers down to the loop in the hook.

As you begin to crochet more and more you will come up with just the right positions for you. But, it is always best to learn in a more classical style from the start and adopt your own style from there.

When you purchase yarn or fibers for your projects make sure you take the time to get all of it from one dye lot. The packages of yarn will be marked with a number and you want to make sure they all match. This ensures that all of your yarn is an exact match to each other.

Crochet Hook Sizes

One of the most important considerations for any crochet project is the size of the hook and the yarn you choose to use. Crochet hooks are labeled with numbers and letters. These numbers and letters correspond to different sizes. The higher the number or letter then the larger and thicker the size of the hook, and when you are new to crochet this means the quicker your project will be completed.
Crochet With Others

Being new to crocheting offers some challenges. One of these is trying to learn to crochet well from a book or off of the Internet or television. Crocheting is one of those things which appears much harder than it really is. If you have a friend or relative who crochets, ask them to show you how. If you do not know anyone who crochets, then you might want to take a class at your local community college, or join a local crocheting group. While you can learn to crochet on your own, and many people have, it is a lot easier to learn when there are people around you who can show you what to do.

Learning to crochet allows you to make new friends and to create beautiful works of art while relaxing at the same time. By taking care to use the right supplies for beginners, and for looking for groups where you can learn new techniques, you will be on your way to crocheting complex sweaters and blanket projects in no time. You will soon find that you have a long list of potential projects you want to complete.

Saturday, July 11, 2009

COOL TOOL: Etsy Fee Calculator

I'm just getting started with a new etsy store. I've been reading up on all the do's and don'ts and ran across this great tool. It is an Etsy Fee Calculator. This has really come in handy when setting prices for my new hats. I can plug in the price along with all my costs and it will calculate my profit after fees. You can even have it calculate your PayPal fees. It also has a reverse feature that allows you to plug in your desired profit and it will tell you your exact product pricing. What a great tool for anyone who makes their own product and needs help with setting prices.

Check it out! Etsy Fee Calculator
Visit My New Etsy Store: thecrochetchic.etsy.com

Friday, July 10, 2009

New Web Design by Bohemian Betty

A HUGE Thank You to Betty for the fantastic new web design. It was a true pleasure working with her. She certainly went above and beyond any of my expectations, and above all, the best customer service imaginable. Check her out, Bohemian Betty.