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The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#144 Hitting the Pause Button and Planning for GrowthFor the first time in BHooked Podcast history, I’m hitting the pause button and planning for growth. But this is not goodbye! The BHooked Podcast will return with episode 145 in 2020. I explain all of this in the details in episode, including why I’m hitting the pause button and what you can expect in the coming months from B.Hooked as well as what to expect from the show when it returns. If you want to get your crochet podcast fix in the meantime, browse through the archives of this podcast including more than 143 hour...2019-11-2815 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters# 143 Blogging Strategies for MakersWant to start a crochet or knitting blog but not sure where to start?There are a lot of things to consider when starting a blog and it can be really overwhelming when you think of all the things that must go into it. Powering through the overwhelm and finding answers to the most important questions is the first test for blogging success.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you'll hear from, Brittany Lynch, who shares her best strategies for starting a crafting blog in 2019, growing an audience and maintaining a balance...2019-11-211h 04The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#142 The Road to The Hook Nook Collection with Jessica CareyIf you're about to give up on your dream, don't. More often than not, the difference between success and failure is refusing to give up. And if you're scared? Kick fear in the face because fear is usually your best sign that you're doing the right thing and that you really care about the outcome.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you'll hear Jessica Carey's inspiring story of how she kicked fear in the face and went after her biggest dream. Through the ups and downs she had to keep the excitement a...2019-11-1453 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#141 Crochet Challenge For Warm Up America 2019This challenge has concluded but you'll still learn some interesting stuff about Warm Up America in this episode.Sarah, from Warm Up America talks about Made With Love campaign they hold annually and it's mash up with the Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America. Items made and sent in for the challenge were hung in low-income areas, primarily in the Dallas TX area, so anyone walking by who needed them, could keep them for warmth.The 2019 challenge kicked off in November 2019 and has since concluded. But tune in, learn about how amazing The...2019-11-0752 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#140 Finding Yarn When It’s Less Available In Your AreaDo you live where craft stores and yarn shops are few and far between?Does this limit your creativity and motivation to start new crochet or knitting projects? You're certainly not alone.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you'll hear from Caitie Moore, talented designer and crochet addict located in Cape Town, South Africa where yarn resources are a bit limited. In order to grow in her craft and pursue her passion as a designer, Caitie had to be resourceful to create patterns and projects she loves. She shares tips for finding...2019-10-311h 05The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#139 Dye Yarn & Take Your Project to the Next LevelAre you looking for a way to take your projects to the next level?Try dying your own yarn! In this episode you'll hear from Ashley, talented dyer and maker behind Montana Crochet. Her passion for dying yarn really shines as she shares some tips for getting started and for achieving some really great looking coloration.Ashley is also very passionate about her maker business and the community as a whole. We wrap up this episode chatting a bit about where you can find inspiration for yarn dying experiments and tips for...2019-10-241h 03The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#138 Minimalism for Makers & CraftersBeing a maker means lots of decisions and lots of "stuff".Sometimes that can feel a little overwhelming; yarn that seems it'll never get used; pattern decisions; project decisions. Should I use this color or that color? Wait maybe that stitch instead of this one?If you create with yarn, chances are you're no stranger to questions like these. A refreshing change of pace came in my chat with T from Debrosse, a maker, business owner and minimalist. In this episode I explored all the areas of minimalism as it relates to makers...2019-10-171h 04The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#137 The Knit Vibe with Vickie HowellWhat does knitting and crochet do for you?This year has taken me on a journey of discovering my place in the community and figuring out how my strengths and values can enrich someone's life. Although knitting and crochet affects many areas of my life, at it's core, the process is what fuels me the most. Yarn does more for me than just make a pretty thing.That has become a mantra for me and you'll hear me say it more and more as B.Hooked grows and develops o...2019-10-101h 00The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#136 Crafting Business – A Real Life StoryHave you been thinking about trying to earn additional income from your hobby?Whether you're ready to take the plunge and turn your hobby into a full time job or you just want to earn a little extra money each month, you're faced with a big decision. Do you make this change or not? Will it be worth it? Will it even work?When faced with the same decision, Brianna, from Life and Yarn asked herself "what do you care about more than failing?" This helped her realize the decision that needed to...2019-10-0352 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#135 A Day in the Life of Brittany (Updated 2019)A (flexible) routine keeps me focused, productive and happy.Honestly, I don't know what I would do without my daily and weekly routines. You can say I'm a creature of habit - for good reason. Habits just work for me.I'm often asked how I juggle a full time podcast and YouTube channel and still manage to create so many designs. There's no way I could get it all done without a solid plan. In this episode, I'll share my updated routine, schedule and habits with you. I hope sharing what works for...2019-09-2645 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#134 Eliminate the Thing We Hate About AmigurumiHate seams in amigurumi projects?Me too! I'm always worried I'll seam the piece on crooked or that it'll fall off someday. I know I'm not alone in this struggle so I was absolutely thrilled to chat with Melanie from Knot Too Shabby Crochet about how she eliminates seams in amigurumi altogether. Her new book, Hooked On Amigurumi, 40 Fun Patterns for Playful Crochet Plushies is filled with cute little projects to help you learn how to use shaping and color changes to eliminate seams and she shares her best tips with us today!2019-09-1946 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#133 Turning Inspiration into a DesignYou don't have to be a designer to use your surroundings to inspire projects.Truth is, you can inject little aspects of you, your likes and your world into anything you make. This episode and my chat with Vincent from Visuvios Crafts opened up my eyes to unique ways to find inspiration for projects and I'm even more energized to start something new.So whether you publish your designs or you just like to free style projects for your self or others, we can all benefit from Vincent's unique perspective on finding inspiration...2019-09-121h 05The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#132 When Embroidery Meets CrochetDid you know you can use crochet as the foundation for embroidery?On their own, crochet and embroidery are amazing crafts, each with a flair that makes them unique. But together, it's a gorgeous combination. I was blown away when I learned about Andy from O&Y Studio, a talented maker in this community who blends her crochet and embroidery skills as well as love of flowers into one gorgeous and unique project. Whether you know how to embroider or not, in this episode of The BHooked Podcast you're sure to be inspired b...2019-09-0556 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#131 What You Wanted to Know About (Gauge Part 2)Are you completely confused by gauge?No worries! I'm back this week to answer even more of your questions about gauge and why it's one of the most important things to consider when designing or following crochet or knitting patterns. Here's the scoop...Don't worry, you're not alone! I turned to my Instagram community again this week to bring you another "what you wanted to know episode" to find out exactly what you need to know about gauge. So many questions were submitted that I'm breaking it into two episodes so I can...2019-08-2942 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#130 What You Wanted to Know About Gauge (Part 1)Are you completely confused by gauge?Don't worry, you're not alone! I turned to my Instagram community again this week to bring you another "what you wanted to know episode" to find out exactly what you need to know about gauge.Clearly this is a topic that needs clarification. After all, it's the single most important thing to consider when designing or following crochet or knitting patterns. So many questions were submitted that I'm breaking it into two episodes so I can answer as many of your questions about gauge as I can...2019-08-2233 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#129 Mastering Instagram for MakersDo you want to increase your engagement on Instagram?Doing so might be the jumping off point for your crochet or knitting business. No doubt t's the place many of us hang for the community and inspiration (and we've developed "Instagram skills" in the process), using it for business requires a different approach than a casual user. To get the most out of the time and effort you'll put into it, you'll need to master some business basics first.In this episode, you'll hear from Instagram savvy maker, April from OTH Crochet Nook...2019-08-1551 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#128 Basic Crochet Garment Design for First Time DesignersReady to make your first basic crochet garment?It's not quite as difficult as you might think but it's good to have a feel for basic crochet garment design before diving in. Here to help you understand the basics and get a little extra confidence boost is, Emily, crochet designer behind Hooked Hazel. Emily brings many talents to the crochet industry but she really has a nack for designing and making garments. In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you'll hear an abundance of her knowledge and experience with designing garments that are b...2019-08-0852 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#127 Crafting Made Simple with Stitch and StoryWhat does "Crafting Made Simple" mean to you?This episode is about exploring what yarn does for you beyond just making something pretty. This realization can help you identify your strengths and help you understand how to share those strengths in the crochet and knitting community. Simplicity and stories can help us identify what type of crafter we are, why we do what we do and how to inspire the next generation so they can enjoy these things too.To help me with this is Jen from Stitch and Story, a resource that's...2019-08-0147 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#126 The Benefits of Wooden Crochet HooksCurious why so many crocheters love working with wooden crochet hooks?The perfect crochet hook is in the eye of the beholder. So if you're on the hunt for the perfect crochet hook, the best thing you can do is try as many crochet hooks as possible. You'll know it when you find it. The perfect crochet hook will be effortless for you to crochet with. Any sign of frustration from dropping loops, snagging, dragging, will be a thing of the past.This episode will help you see the benefits of working with...2019-07-2551 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#125 Best Practices for Yarn SubstitutionHave you ever substituted yarn in a pattern and it didn't turn out quite right?Either the size was off or the finished project didn't look the same. Can I get a yes?! I had to learn the hard way that you can't use whatever yarn you want with the same hook or needle size and have it turn out right. But that's not to say yarn substitution isn't possible!In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you'll learn how to avoid the frustration that comes from substituting yarn and finishing a project...2019-07-1833 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#124 What You Wanted to Know About FiberConfused about what fiber to use for your project?You could learn the hard way or you can listen to this episode of the yarn mini-series for a place to start! Truth is, selecting the “right” fiber for your project involves a little knowledge and personal preference.I reached out to my Instagram community to learn exactly what you want to know about choosing fiber for your projects and they guided the conversation! In this out-of-the-norm episode, I answered as many of your questions as possible about making the right fiber choice and to b...2019-07-1134 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#123 Five Tips for Ordering Yarn OnlineAre you hesitant to order yarn online because you need to see and feel it first?I’ll be honest, I love the “thrill of the hunt” – going to a store like Joann’s or Michael’s not knowing what I’m going to find. You just can’t get the same tactile experience when ordering yarn online. But sometimes it’s something we have to do.Have you ever ordered yarn online and it wasn’t the right color? Or even worse, the textured wasn’t what you expected? You’re not alone here. I lost track...2019-07-0431 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#122 Six Steps to an Organized Yarn StashIs your yarn stash out of control?Don't worry, it happens to the best of us! I usually need to sort through and organize my yarn stash at least once a year. Admittedly, this isn't something I love scheduling time for but it does save me time in the long run!Here's the deal - organizing your yarn stash can do four things for you. First, it will save you money because you won't buy yarn you already have (that you forgot about). Second, it will save you time when looking for the...2019-06-2730 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#121 Granny Square InspirationAre you looking for a quick and portable project?The granny square is perfect! You can turn them into just about anything – blankets, purses, coasters, totes…and they work up with only scraps of yarn and a few spare minutes you find here and there.In this episode you’ll hear from Kate from Jellybean Junction and get an earful of granny square inspiration. She’ll share some traditional and different ways to use granny squares, how to incorporate color and texture to change things up and ultimately why the granny square is the perf...2019-06-2051 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#120 Tips for Making Crochet Tutorials on YouTubeDo you want to share what you know about crochet and knitting through tutorials on YouTube?Making the decision to put my first tutorial up on YouTube was quite literally life changing, I just didn’t know it at the time. If this is something you’re interested in exploring yourself, you’re in the right place to get started.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you’ll hear from Sarah-Jayne, the creative yarn entrepreneur behind Bella Coco Crochet. She peels back the layers and shares everything you need to...2019-06-131h 06The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#119 De-stress with CrochetWhat does crochet do for you?For so many of us crochet is more than just a hobby. For me it’s a creative outlet, a way to express myself and most importantly, a way of life. By recognizing what crochet does for you beyond making something pretty and practical, you can be even closer to the craft and have a story to share with the community. This story may inspire others to learn and reap the benefits of yarn.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast we have someone to share an in...2019-06-0648 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#118 Designing Simple Crochet Patterns to PublishAre you ready to design your first crochet pattern?Well don’t worry, it’s much easier to write your first crochet pattern if you keep it nice and simple to start out! Basic shapes and stitches are the perfect starting point and if you would like to add some interest, throw in some colorful stripes!In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you’ll hear from Krista from the blog, EasyCrochet.com (formerly known as Rescued Paw Designs). She shares just how easy the process of writing crochet patterns can be. This is pre...2019-05-3044 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#117 3 Big Struggles All Maker Businesses Will FaceAre you struggling to stay on top of your maker business?You’re so not alone, friend! We may not see it from the outside looking in, however, many makers are struggling with the same problems. Personal limitations, customer limitations, being original – all areas I’m sure you’re familiar with.How you handle this stress will make or break your maker business. Here to talk about that in more detail (since I am not a seller of goods myself) is Cristin, from the shop, Kozy Komforts. She has called herself a maker for seve...2019-05-2354 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#116 Finding Your Voice in the Crochet CommunityAre you ready to start publishing designs?Listen to this first! Making the decision to start publishing your crochet and knitting patterns may be the best thing you ever did but it’s not always easy. The first step is to find your place within the crochet community – in other words, what uniqueness do you have to share?In this episode I had the absolute pleasure of speaking with Rohn Strong, full time blogger, designer and instructor. He has been published in magazines and made an appearance on The Knit and Crochet Now TV s...2019-05-1655 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#115 Getting Started with Tapestry CrochetTake your crochet up a notch with tapestry crochetHave you ever seen a project with words magically incorporated into the stitches? Or maybe what looked like a photograph from a distance but was actually a crochet blanket? If so, you have seen the beauty of tapestry crochet.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast I’m joined by Amber, from the blog Divine Debris, an up and coming tapestry crochet designer and all round tapestry crochet fanatic. You’ll learn the fundamentals of tapestry crochet and how you can incorporate it in your...2019-05-0949 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#114 The Story of a Crochet Design BusinessHave you ever wondered what it would be like to earn a living with crochet?It seems crazy, I know, but you can make a supplemental income with crochet. Whether your goal is to make yarn money, family vacation funds or a full time living, it’s possible. There are hundreds (dare I say thousands?) of people out there who are making a full or part time income with their crochet skills.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you’ll hear from one of those people. Meghan from the blog, Meghan Makes Do...2019-05-0251 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#113 Color Theory and CrochetNeed help choosing Colors for your next project?Whether it’s a matter of indecisiveness or simply not knowing which colors go together, choosing colors for projects is often a struggle for a lot of people. Did you know you can use color theory to help you? Now you don’t have to have an artistic background or be a pro, but knowing the basics will help out a lot.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast I’ll walk you through the important aspects of color theory as it relates to knitting and cr...2019-04-2534 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#112 Side Hustle Yarn Business Meets Full Time JobAre you trying to balance your full time job and your side hustle business?This is no easy task. Finding a balance usually involves is a ton of trial and error, lots of help from your friends and family and a little inspiration from others trying to balance it all too. Today I’m joined by, Melissa, side hustle maker behind the website and Instagram, Woods and Wool. Melissa has a full time job that she loves and chooses to balance that with her passion project and side hustle.In this episode of Th...2019-04-1847 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#111 Tech Editing & Gauge – What You Need To KnowNot sure how to make your patterns available in more than one size (without making them all)?Whether you aspire to be a professional tech editor, need to learn how to tech edit your own patterns or simply have no clue what gauge is, there is something valuable for you in this episode!I’m joined by professional tech editor, Emily from Fiat Fiber Arts and we made it our personal mission to help you with gauge. She’ll help you understand what it means to tech edit a pattern (for those of you...2019-04-1158 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#110 Crochet Blogging – A Real Life StoryHave you ever wondered what it would be like to be a crochet blogger?Maybe it’s your goal to start a crochet blog but you’re just not sure if it’s right for you. Starting a crochet blog is the best thing I have ever did. It gives me purpose, keeps me on my toes and provides a creative outlet for my endless ideas. That’s a common theme with this week’s guest, Meg, from Megmade With Love.Meg started a crochet blog not long ago and she shares the successes...2019-04-0446 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#109 Tips for Writing Crochet Patterns (I Wish I Knew Sooner)Have you been thinking about designing and writing up your own patterns?Great! It’s an incredibly useful skill whether you strive to be a full or part time crochet designer or you just want to record a pattern for your own reference. When you understand the process of writing patterns, following patterns becomes a whole lot easier.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast, I’ll share some of the tips I wish I heard when I started writing patterns. I’ll also let you in on some of the lessons I’ve learn...2019-03-2827 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#108 Making Easy, Yet Pretty Pieces in Crochet & KnittingPretty doesn’t have to be complicatedWhen was the last time you looked at a crochet or knit piece and thought to yourself, “that looks way to complicated for me”? Well, I’d be willing to bet it’s not nearly as complicated as it looks.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast, Jessica from Mama In a Stitch is here to tell you just how easy “complicated” projects can be. She’s been doing it for years and her website is centered around the idea of making easy yet pretty pieces in crochet and k...2019-03-2154 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#107 An Introduction to Colowork KnittingWant to learn more about colorwork knitting?It is such a beautiful way to shake up your knitting routine and although there are certainly advanced colorwork knitting techniques, there are some simple ones too. When you’re not sure how to make your next project stand out, use simple stitch patterns and let the color shine.In this episode of The BHooked Podcast you’ll learn important lessons in colorwork knitting from the very basic to the more complex. Ella Austin, author of the book, Beginners Guide to Colorwork Knitting: 16 Projects and Techniques to L...2019-03-1450 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#106 All About Tunisian CrochetHave you tried Tunisian Crochet before?It's one of my favorite forms of crochet. Using a different style of hook, with Tunisian crochet, you're able to create stitches that are completely unique. You can even create stitches that look like knit!If you haven't tried this wonderful form of crochet before, I hope this episode will inspire you to give it a try. You'll hear from, Toni Lipsey, of TL Yarn Crafts and she shares her wisdom and enthusiasm for Tunisian crochet while giving you a good foundation and starting point.2019-03-0745 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#105 Plan Your Projects So You Get Them DoneDo you struggle to finish your projects? It’s so hard to get them all done. There’s an old saying that goes “failing to plan in planning to fail”. I have this posted on my wall as a daily reminder that in order to finish my projects, I must have a plan. I’m convinced that the only way you will be able to finish all the projects you set out to create this year is to have an action plan in place – a rigid yet slightly flexible way of keeping yourself accountable for the projects you want to make. Tha...2019-02-2823 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#104 What It Means to Be a Yarn Punk (It's not what you think!)A New Genre of Crochet We often use crochet as a form of self expression without really thinking about it. Yarn isn’t something we do, it’s more of who we are. Until recently, there hasn’t been a way to describe how yarn allows us to express our true selves. That’s where “yarn punk” comes in. On today’s episode you’ll hear from Vincent of Knot Bad Crochet as he shares a new genre of crochet called “yarn punk”. It’s not so much punk or rock related as it is a way to showcase what yarn means and ex...2019-02-2141 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#103 The Crochet Tools I'd Recommend to a FriendOverwhelmed by all the crochet tools available? One thing I love about our hobby is that it requires very little supplies. Just a hook, scissors, darning needle and some yarn is really all you need. But when you start looking into it, there are so many options! In today’s episode I’ll to share my “evolution” of crochet tools if you will. What I had as a complete beginner and what I added to my collection as my skills advanced. You’ll Learn: The four essential crochet tools for a beginner to have Four yarn options that are great for...2019-02-1429 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#102 Tips for Busy MakersAre You a Busy Maker Trying to Maximize Your Crochet or Knit Time? It’s not easy to balance life, responsibilities and a hobby. We have to experiment and see what works. In today’s episode, you’ll listen in on a chat between myself and Rachel about managing time, hobby and business. Today’s Guest Today’ you’ll hear from Rachel, of Evelyn and Peter – busy mom of three, blogger and maker and how she balances life, responsibilities, her hobby and growing business. You’ll Learn A bit about Rachel, how she learned to crochet and how it turned into a ho...2019-02-0742 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#101 Project Journey of Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America 2019Are you Participating in this year’s Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America? In today’s episode I’ll share the project journey so you can hear first hand what went into designing the 2019 Crochet Challenge for Warm Up America lap blanket. Since this is the first time we have done an episode like this, I’ll start by explaining how I tackle the design process and then tie it all into this year’s challenge pattern. You’ll Learn The different stages to my design process Where I get inspiration from and why How the first design for the challeng...2019-01-3126 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#100 How to Work Professionally in the Fiber Arts IndustryCurious how to get a job in fiber arts? Before I started B.Hooked, I thought working in the fiber arts industry was only a dream. I remember thinking that doing what you love and making a living doing it was a fantasy. Is it even possible for your hobby and career to be the same thing? Yes! I am proof as well as thousands of others working in the field they love – fiber arts! Today’s Guest I’m joined today by Lee from Coco Crochet Lee to talk about how to get a job in fiber arts, what f...2019-01-2441 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#99 Five Must Know Tips to Improve Your Crochet Skills This YearDo you need crochet tips to get better at your craft this year? If so, you’re in the right place! I’m on a mission in 2019 to provide you with as many crochet tips as possible to help you improve your skills this year. I have learned many of these lessons the hard way – if only I had seen this short list of mandatory crochet tips in the early days! In today’s episode I will run you through five of my top crochet tips that will help improve your skills and see results fast. These 5 crochet tips address ...2019-01-1729 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#98 The Concept of "Slow Knitting" with Author Hannah ThiessenHave you heard of slow knitting? Not the kind of slow knitting we might be familiar with – how slow it can sometimes be to finish a project. This is much deeper and it’s not just for knitters either! Slow knitting is a concept that was brand new to me before speaking to today’s guest, Hannah Thiessen. Hannah wrote the book on slow knitting and she’s here with us today to share what it’s all about and how we can get involved. In today’s episode… You’ll Learn About Slow knitting – what it is and why you might be i...2019-01-1047 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#97 Five (More) Types of Crochet to TryLooking for new types of crochet techniques to try this year? In today’s episode, I’ll expand on a previous episode and share five more types of crochet to try in the New year! If you haven’t heard that first episode, you should definitely add it to your listening queue. Jump back to episode 32 on your podcast player or listen through your browser here. In it we discuss amigurumi, tapestry crochet, Tunisian crochet, broomstick/hairpin lace crochet and filet crochet. In today’s episode… You’ll Learn About Aran Bavarian Overlay Intarsia Entrelac Now if you haven’t done so alre...2019-01-0337 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#96 Happy New Year BHooked Podcast Listeners!Happy New Year BHooked Podcast Listeners! I want to keep it short and sweet today so you can spend time with your loved ones this holiday season. Today it’s just you and me in a quick catch up session – I’ll chat about what’s on my mind in the New Year and most of all, thank you for being so amazing. Please Take This Podcast Survey! Please take a moment to let me know what you want from the podcast in 2019. This short survey will only take a few minutes to complete and is so important for me to 2018-12-2724 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#52 Crochet Garment Design from Concept to Creation“Crochet is Cool. I promise. “ Jessica is on a mission to show the rest of the world that crochet isn’t just a retirement activity. Through passion and the power of positivity, she has touched thousands of lives through her authentic self and the designs that expresses who she truly is. I’m so thrilled to have her back on the show as the Bhooked Podcast’s first repeat guest! This time she is here to share her journey of garment making – the creative and technical process – and she does it in true “Jessica” fashion. Today’s Guest I’m joined by, Jessica C...2018-02-221h 06The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#49 How to Adjust Any Pattern to Fit YouYou can adjust a pattern and it might be easier than you think. By far the most frequently asked question in my inbox each week is “how do I make this pattern to fit (fill in the blank)?” When I see a huge trend like this in the request of my readers, I jump at the opportunity to help as many people as I can and the Bhooked Podcast is the perfect format for me to teach you this valuable and useful lesson. Today, we’re going to explore how to adjust a pattern so you have more flexibility in you...2018-02-0145 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#37 The Truth About Your Maker BusinessIs your crochet business more than a business? When every aspect of your crochet business brings you happiness, that’s how you know your business is more than just a business. For me, I love photography, graphic design, videography, project planning – the list goes on and on. My business incorporates all these things into a business I’m humbled to call my own. Today’s Guest I’m joined today by one of the sweetest and down to earth people I know, Kelly, from Knit Brooks and OML Dream Team Member. We explore the importance of your businessing “being more than ju...2017-11-0957 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#36 Avoid Burning Out on CrochetFind Your Path and Enjoy Your Craft Whether you’re a shop owner, sell your crochet at craft fairs, a designer, blogger or just someone who enjoys to crochet, we’re all vulnerable to to burn out. I’m here to tell you that 1) it’s okay to feel burnout and 2) you can come out of it. Why is it so important to avoid burnout and find sincere happiness in what you do? Because we all find crochet therapeutic in one way or another. Today’s Guest Today I’m joined by, ChiWei, the amazing woman behind 1 Dog Woof and she’s he...2017-11-0259 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#35 How to Change the Size of a Hat PatternI received a request recently about how to modify one of my knit baby patterns to fit an adult and as I was typing out the steps in the email, realized that it was a perfect topic for the podcast. Any hat pattern can be modified to fit whatever size you need, you just need to understand how that pattern comes together to make the necessary adjustments. It’s a simple process when we break it down into easy steps and that’s what I’m going to do for you today – we’ll look at six steps to taking a b...2017-10-2635 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#34 All About Crochet Pattern Writing StandardsConsistent pattern standards set us all up for success. No matter if you’re a crochet designer or someone who creates from a pattern, consistency in pattern standards will impact us all. For designers, we need to be aware of how a pattern should be written and makers need to be aware of what variances they will see from a pattern that wasn’t published professionally. Today’s Guest I brought on, Julie, from Accrochet to talk about the importance of consistency in pattern writing. She walks us through the key parts of a pattern where consistency is the most i...2017-10-1951 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#33 Tips for Batching Crochet Items to Increase ProductionIf it scares you a little, you know you’re doing the right thing. We all have goals for our crochet businesses and to live to its potential, we must take the necessary actions to expand to reach those goals. Today, we’re going to talk specifically to those who are making their crochet items to sell and the tried and true methods of batch crochet. However, there are several nuggets of information and inspiration that are relatable to any crochet business owner. Today’s Guest I’m joined today with one of the industry’s most familiar faces, Twinkie Ch...2017-10-1255 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#32 Five Types of Crochet You Must TryTypes of Crochet: There’s Always More to Learn One of my favorite things about crochet is that there is always something new to learn. With so many types of crochet, the “learner” in me is always satisfied. When I first got into crochet, I had no idea just how big this craft is. As my passion for crochet grew and I researched and searched for patterns, I began to realize just how many types of crochet there are. I have made it a personal goal to try each form at least once and of course share as many with y...2017-10-0549 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#31 Tips for Sizing and Designing Crochet GarmentsHaving accurate measurements of yourself is the first step to garment making. Whether you prefer working from a pattern or love to create designs of your own, every piece of clothing needs to start with measurements. I know it’s tempting to skip this step (I’ve been guilty of it once or twice) but it really is the secret to success. When you’re about to spend more than ten hours crocheting a sweater, it’s a relatively small investment. Today’s Guest I had the pleasure of connecting with from, Lena, of Annie’s and a producer for the Knit...2017-09-281h 02The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#30 Social Media Branding for Crochet BusinessesSocial media is the best way for your audience or customer to find you. Social media accounts for nearly 75% of the traffic to my website. This is nothing to cough at! We live in the day and age where we are connected to people around the world through these networks and they are a powerful tool for businesses – a game changer for most. Not only is social media channels a great way for your potential audience or customer to find you, it is a perfect place to connect with them on a more personal level. Today’s Guest I’m ...2017-09-211h 00The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#29 The Truth About Dealing with Maker StressWhen was the last time you felt like your best wasn’t good enough? You see so many crochet makers crushing it with their shops or their blog and that leaves you feeling a little inadequate. You’re not alone! Everyone feels the stress of being a maker or a blogger. We all feel like everyone else is winning and we don’t always feel like we’re on top of our game. Today’s Guest Here to assure you that you aren’t alone in this struggle is, Jewell, the amazing woman behind the Our Maker Life movement. She has a pa...2017-09-141h 06The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#28 Adjusting a Crochet Pattern to Make a Different SizeI’m sure you have come across a pattern that you loved but needed it in a different size or maybe you wanted to use the yarn you have instead of buying more. Being able to modify a pattern to meet your needs is not only a valuable skill, but a practical one! I’m joined by, Nicole, professional designer from Yarnspirations and together we will scratch the surface of pattern modification. Nicole has written more than 3,000 patterns in her 10 year design career, so who better than to teach you about the ins and outs of patterns! You’ll Learn...2017-09-071h 04The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#27 A Simple Pricing Formula for Selling Crochet ItemsKnow your worth. In a sea of talented crocheters, it’s tempting to undervalue yourself and your time to win the sale. We go with the flow and find ourselves working harder, not smarter. I’m here to tell you it’s okay to stand out from the crowd. In order to come up with a fair price for both you and your customer, you need to take an educated and strategic approach approach to pricing your items. I’m here to explain just how to do that. We’ll not only cover the formula that you should follow but we’ll...2017-08-3150 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#26 Self Publishing a Crochet BookWe all have a book in us. I have heard from many online mentors that “we all have a book in us”. For years I wondered if this was true. It wasn’t until I figured out what book was inside me that I accepted the phrase I had questioned for so many years. To many, myself included, the steps to taking a book from concept to physical product was very mystical and, unfortunately, I let these unknowns stop me from publishing my book. I don’t want this to happen to you! Today’s Guest I am so thrilled t...2017-08-241h 09The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#25 Creating a Crochet Heirloom & Caring for the Ones You HaveWhat special crochet project do you have in your life? I bet every single one of us has a special project that comes to mind when we hear the phrase “crochet heirloom”, whether it be something we made or something we received. For me, the act of giving a crochet project is very special to me. It’s how you say “thank you”, “I love you”, “your very special to me” and everything in between. It’s a powerful way to express yourself and your feelings toward the recipient. Today’s Guest I had the pleasure of meeting Amy from Yarn Valet at 2017-08-171h 05The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#24 Tips to Take Better Photos of Your Crochet ProjectsCrochet bloggers, designers and sellers should pay close attention to their photography. We live in a very visual world today. The internet has allowed us to share and sell our projects to people from all walks of life with one caveat – the photos we use to represent that item is the only way to bridge the physical gap between us and our readers or clients. Okay, so we know that photography is important but where to we even start to improve or learn? There are entire programs centered around photography but the good news is that for our crochet 2017-08-101h 10The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#23 Re-Purpose Your Patterns to Save Time DesigningYou don’t have to reinvent the wheel. I’m not sure why I didn’t think of re-purposing bits and pieces of my previously written patterns to create fresh new designs sooner. I always feel like there is not enough time in the day to meet all of my responsibilities. It wasn’t until I connected with, Sarah, from Repeat Crafter Me, that I had that “ah-ha” moment. This new approach could be a game changer! If you’re a designer and you aren’t already doing this, Sarah is going to blow your mind. Not only that, she will prove to...2017-08-031h 00The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#22 Start a Crochet Project from Scratch (No Patterns!)Step out of your comfort zone and start a project without a pattern. You’ll be glad you did. If you find yourself working within the comfort of a pattern but find yourself losing interest, it may be time for you to venture out and create your own project. I love the therapeutic aspects of working through a pattern but it doesn’t appeal to my creative side and I often find it hard to finish. I love the uncertainty that comes from improvising your own design and recommend that everyone try it at least once. The experience and know...2017-07-2742 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#21 Amigurumi Tips & TricksThe art of crocheting stuffed animals and characters. Amigurumi is one of the most creative forms of crochet. You can crochet something that looks and feels like it comes to life! There are so many different ways to inject your personality through amigurumi and I’m here to open up your eyes to this special form of crochet. One of my favorite creations is “Layla Bunny”. She brings so much joy to my office space! I had a vision for a floopy and sweet bunny and followed through the design. It was such a rewarding experience! Today’s Guest I’m join...2017-07-201h 16The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#20 The Best Crochet Business StructuresWhat are you waiting for? There are many different ways to make money with crochet – take it from someone who makes a full living doing what I love. Once you make the decision to dive in a start a crochet-related business, the next thing you will need to do is determine what kind of business structure you want to follow. That’s what this episode is all about – helping you find the right business structure. Today’s Guest I’m joined by, Marie Segares, also known as the Underground Crafter and the host of the Creative Yarn Entrepreneur Show. She brough...2017-07-131h 10The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#19 Finding More Time To CrochetFind time in your day to do what fills you up and nourishes your soul. For many of us, crochet is an important part of life. It gives us a creative outlet, keeps our hands and minds occupied and more importantly, our hearts happy. Let’s face it – life is complicated and busy and filled with “adult” things. We spend so much time making sure our lives stay together that we often forget to take care of our selves. This year I have learned that in order to be my best self for my husband, my family and my audience...2017-07-0658 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#18 CGOA Annual Design ChallengeTake Part in the CGOA Annual Crochet Design Challenge. The CGOA (or the Crochet Guild of America) puts on a big crochet-loving, fiber-friendly conference in a host city every year. At this big event, you can expect crochet classes from some of the industry’s most well-known instructors, fun crochet activities, fellowship, tons of shopping and yes, the annual design challenge. Today’s Guest To tell you all about the CGOA Annual Design Challenge, I have invited CGOA Design Challenge Chairperson, Jessie, also know for her blog Jessie at Home. Jessie sent in a family heirloom afghan on a whim...2017-06-2943 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#17 The CYC Certified Crochet Instructors ProgramBecome a Certified Crochet Instructor When crochet is your passion, at some point you will want to share that passion with someone else. It was only about six months after I started crocheting that I burst at the seams and taught my friend how to crochet. I didn’t have all the answers back then (and still probably don’t) but I knew just enough to get her hooked. That first crochet lesson made me realize that teaching was my jam. Several years after teaching crochet on my YouTube channel, I came upon the Craft Yarn Council’s Certified Instru...2017-06-2249 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#16 How to Submit a Crochet Pattern to Magazine PublicationsAll it takes is the right inspiration and motivation to persevere. I’m sure I’m not the only one who has thought “published crochet designer” would sound pretty darn cool to introduce yourself. Having a design featured in a magazine or book takes the right amount of research, the right design, the right publication and a lot of time and I wonder if it’s the amount of work or the lack of information that steers crocheters away. Well, since I can’t lessen the amount of work involved, the one way I can help is to provide you with the...2017-06-1555 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#15 Finding a Community of Crochet Enthusiasts Like YouFinding a crochet community could be the best thing you ever did for yourself. When we are extremely passionate about something, we want to share it with someone! If your spouses, friends or family members are not as into crochet as you are, you can feel somewhat alone in your hobby. Over time that can lead to less “crojo”. We need to celebrate all the wins – finishing a project that took months to create; memorizing that stitch pattern; or launching your first design. No matter what the situation, if you’re excited about it you need a companion to celebrat...2017-06-081h 04The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#14 Teaching Others to CrochetTeaching Others to Crochet can be so much fun! I have been teaching others to crochet for more than four years now and I’ve yet to find something more rewarding. I get so much joy out of sharing something I’m so passionate about to others who then go on to make it their passion. It’s a beautiful circle! Any one can teach crochet. You really don’t need a special degree or certification, you just need patience and of course, know the content you’re teaching. Now if you’re going to make it a career, requirements...2017-06-011h 06The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#13 Choosing the Right Yarn for Your ProjectYarn Can Make or Break Your Project I was asked recently how choose yarn for my projects – pick the project and find the right yarn or vice versa. The short answer is vice versa! I rarely ever choose the project before the yarn (unless I’m following a pattern of course). This way of designing may be a bit backwards from my fellow designers but it’s how my creativity works. The yarn always decides the project. No matter how your creative juices flow, this session will help you determine what important yarn qualities to consider when choosing a yarn...2017-05-2550 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#12 Marly Bird's Journey to Red Heart's Spokesperson Dream JobMarly Bird and Red Heart – Your Questions Answered! I’ve always been a big fan of Red Heart yarn. It is a wonderful company that I have aligned myself with, yes, but I’m a fan because I love their products. It’s affordable and it’s easy to find in stores – a designer’s dream! I have designed many projects featuring various Red Heart yarns and over the years have collected dozens of questions from you about their products, usage, substitutions… the list goes on. As always, I’m working for you to make sure you have your questions answered...2017-05-181h 03The BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#11 Expressing Yourself With CrochetYou put a little bit of yourself in every project you make. For most of us, crochet is life. We live and breath double crochets and yarn overs. It’s the single activity we look forward to every day and the only thing that makes our hearts pitter patter when we stroll down the yarn isle. We live to create with our hooks, hands and favorite yarn. It’s passion. When you’re as invested in something as we are, you put a little piece of yourself into every project you make. As we move from one project to the ne...2017-05-1153 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#10 Staying Motivated & inspired to Finish ProjectsIt’s completely normal to “get tired” of your current project. We all go through dry spells of inspiration and motivation with our crochet projects – maybe even our hobby as a whole. When we realize we aren’t alone and that these feelings are completely normal, we can focus on getting back on track. Today’s Guest Today I had the opportunity to speak with one of the nicest human beings on the planet, Ashleigh, from Sewrella. We talk about ways to stay inspired and motivated through big and small projects. She brings the goods guys! If you find yourself nee...2017-05-0452 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#9 Save Money On Yarn With These Money-Saving TipsSaving your dollars is a big deal. I’m always on the look out for a good deal whether it be clothing, groceries or yarn. I have a natural frugal side and I’m here to share my best tips to getting quality yarn without spending a lot of money. It can be done! Now if you haven’t done so already, click on that play button at the top of the page to listen to me share my money saving tips with you! Links in this Episode We talk a lot about my favorite online yarn retailers – because they can...2017-04-2738 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#8 The Confidence You Need to Be a "Pattern Person"The Master Crochet Patterns Segment may be ending but your journey begins here. Let me begin by saying it feels so good to finally have my vision of Master Crochet Patterns come to life. It makes it even better knowing that everything you’ve learned over the last several weeks is working for you! Thank you to those who have reached out to me on Facebook, Instagram and via email to tell me of your success with patterns after listening to this segment. Our final lesson is an important one. We’ll talk about confidence and why it is so i...2017-04-2034 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#7 Break Free From the Tutorial HabitYou think you’re a visual only person. I’m here to convince you otherwise. The concept for this topic came early in my preparation for the Master Crochet Patterns segment because I set out to find a solution for those who have convinced themselves that they can only follow a video tutorial. What I’ve found throughout my research and preparation is that it isn’t so much a question of “can” but “will”. I’m a firm believer in that anyone can learn a topic if they have the right motivation, guidance and support. That’s exactly what we’ll address i...2017-04-1339 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#6 Focus is Key to Successfully Reading Crochet PatternsWhen you know how to stay focused and recover from distractions, you can eliminate the frustrations of learning. It may seem a little crazy to teach the topic of staying focused but humor me for just a minute (40 to be exact). We live in a world that’s full of wonderful and not so wonderful distractions. This is okay for us to pivot around when we’re doing something that we already know how to do – cooking dinner, laundry, our work routine – but it’s detrimental to our success when pairing distractions with a new learning venture. I’m going to 2017-04-0642 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#5 Understanding Crochet Pattern RepeatsUnderstanding Crochet Pattern Repeats The large majority of crochet designs include some kind of repetition. We repeat stitches and rows and anything in between. The repetitive motions of crochet is without a doubt one of it’s more soothing qualities, at least for me. However, in terms of crochet pattern repeats it’s usually the component that causes us the most stress and sometimes, throwing in the towel for good. Understanding repeats is step six of our Master Crochet Patterns segment. I’ve set out on this long journey to help you learn to read crochet patterns because I know ho...2017-03-3039 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#4 Deciphering the Diagram CodeHow to Decipher Crochet Diagrams – the visuals we crave. If teaching people how to read crochet patterns were easy, we would all know how to do it. It’s a difficult topic because we must cross a barrier of concrete and conceptual understanding – the act of taking a concept and turning it into a physical object. What we don’t realize is that crochet diagrams do just that – bridge the gap between concept and project. I’ve set out on a very long journey to help you learn to read crochet patterns because I know you struggle with it in some way...2017-03-2335 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#3 The Secret Sauce to Finally Understand a PatternHow to Read Crochet Patterns – the million dollar question. If teaching people how to read crochet patterns were easy, we would all know how to do it. It’s a difficult topic because we must cross a barrier of concrete and conceptual understanding – the act of taking a concept and turning it into a physical object. I’ve set out on a very long journey to answer that million dollar question because I know you struggle with it in some way or another. We couldn’t possibly answer it in one episode so I’m breaking it down into seven. Yes...2017-03-1624 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#2 Getting Familiar with Pattern FormatHow to Read Crochet Patterns - the million dollar question.If teaching people how to read crochet patterns were easy, we would all know how to do it. It's a difficult topic because we must cross a barrier of concrete and conceptual understanding - the act of taking a concept and turning it into a physical object.I've set out on a very long journey to answer that question because I know you probably struggle with it in some way or another. We couldn't possibly answer it in one episode so I'm breaking...2017-03-0928 minThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & Knitters#1 Your New Crochet Podcast Starts HereThe BHooked Podcast for Crocheters & KnittersToday’s show will be a little different from the norm. Since this is our first episode, I’d like to formally introduce myself and share how I got started with crochet and my brand. We’ll talk a bit about B.Hooked, how it got started and why a podcast is so valuable to my method of teaching.We’ll cover formalities of the show – what to expect and when. But most importantly, we’re going to explore how this podcast will benefit you and why you should c...2017-02-2830 min