How to Crochet a Basic Chain Video Tutorial

I am so excited to be posting my first video tutorial.  Now, let me just say, I know this set up is not the best.  I just wanted to try it out, but I learned a few things and my next one will look much better! Let me know if it helped or anything that would make it better!

Enjoy!  Please share and leave comments!!

Minion Crazy Coupon Code

Our family is crazy for the minions.  If you love minions, you know the movie is OUT!!!  This is exciting!  We have out plans already!

As a crocheter, I get to create these magical little laugh makers.  So, in honor of yesterday's movie release, I am offering a coupon code in my shop!  $10 off a $40 purchase!!!  Use the code MINIONCRAZY.  Take a look around and see my minion friends in there!! The code works on anything in the store so shop away and wear your minions to the movies.  Visit Rise N Shine Crochet to see what's hot!

And the winner is....

Find out who the winner of the $25 gift card to my Rise N Shine Etsy Shop is!!  Stay tuned.  More great stuff is coming.  Subscribe to my You Tube channel and learn crochet!

Something really cool happened today...

I am so excited!  I did an interview for a media blog and I was featured today!!  It is so exciting!!!  I know, the exclamation points are overwhelming...

Check out my interview on her blog and be sure to head over to my Facebook to enter my giveaway.

On a side note, I am finally starting my tutorials on You Tube.  I will be starting with some beginner stitches, so if you are new to crochet, subscribe to my channel and be sure to catch the first video as we start with beginning crochet!!

Not gonna lie...this is pretty fun!

Find out what I am GIVING AWAY!!!

I have been off the blogger grid for a few months but I am back!

Things have been crazy busy lately.  It is exciting to see my crochet world growing.  I have a few followers now and people who enjoy seeing my work.  I have decided to do a giveaway on my FACEBOOK page.  You can earn an entry by liking my page and you can earn another entry when you share it!!

What do you win????  Well, how about a $25 gift card to my Rise N Shine Crochet ETSY shop.  Come see what's there.  While you're visiting my Facebook page, if you see something on there that is not in my shop and you decide you want that item, for my blog readers ONLY, I will make a custom order and honor the giftcard!!!

Be a part of helping me grow my business!  I am going to be starting video tutorials on YouTube soon and will be posting these as well so if you want to learn to crochet, keep checking back!!

Where Do you Find the Time?

I am a homeschooling, work-at-home, full-time mom...I still can't decide if that is mathematically possible.

I finally found this hobby of crochet that I really, really love.  It's the time factor that is such a bother. I end up trying to crochet in doctor's offices, late at night, early in the morning, while my kids read me a book they've read 600 times before (as I am doing at this very minute), and lastly, while leaving dinner burning on the stove.  Just ask my husband how many times I have almost burned down the house!

Oh, how I would love to have a crochet business.  I just can't seem to fit it in.  Teaching, working, running kids to activities, managing the house and schedules, oh and my husband works 7 days a week.  Every week.

Okay, crochet lovers.  Where does it fit?

Here is a project I found and cannot wait to try!

How Does One Find a Crochet Niche?

I live in Florida.  I know this causes not-so-nice thoughts to develop in the minds of the ones covered in snow, but Florida life says it is 90 degrees and it is only March!!!  YUCK!  What is summer gonna slither into???

That leads me to the point of this post.  What can I crochet now?  Scarves and hats are out, so here is my crochet confession!  I have a small obsession with barefoot baby sandals!  I just think they are the cutest little thing on baby feet.  I have made a few for customers as well.  I found these on Repeat Crafter Me.  As far as crocheting them myself, these have been my favorite to make.

I am also looking at all these crazy fun headband patterns and I get to wishing I was a pattern maker.  I really should learn how.  I am new to this adventure of crochet and I am a little scared, if I'm being honest, to have a go at writing a pattern!

I would love to see all the "off the beaten path" crocheting people have done.  I have been getting lost in my own pins on Pinterest and I have certainly wasted my fair share of time on other people's crochet blogs.

What is your niche?

Minion Crazy Crochet

Let me start off by saying, I am thrilled that my work is noticed and the bonus being, people have purchased it.  Not just any people...not my mom or aunt!  But people that don't even know me!  It is as big a compliment as I could get.  There was a problem though!

I had been selling items locally through a resale page on Facebook.  I also listed my items on Etsy.  Of course, I think I went almost a year before anyone even looked in my shop much less bought anything.  Then, the miracle of all miracles, someone bought an item!  Things sort of took off from there.  So what was the problem?  Everyone bought the same item!! Now, everyone loves a minion, but making the same item over and over was really beginning to stifle my creativity and love of my hobby!  I needed to get back to my love of the craft.  I started an Art Fire Studio as well.

That is why I began to blog.  I am hoping by writing about crochet, I can inspire myself and teach others as well.  I am by no means and expert, but I have a few things I could spread out to the crochet world.  I am enjoying reading other's blogs and seeing the ideas people have as well.  Please come see Rise N Shine Crochet on Facebook!  Leave a comment and spread the inspiration!

What am I working on now?  Well, my daughter has been begging me to make her something.  I have been so busy making Minion scarves that I couldn't seem to find the time to make my kids anything.  I am working on some wrist warmers for her right now.  Downside?  She wanted minions.  Guess I'm stuck with blue and yellow yarn a little longer.  At least it isn't a scarf, right?  I also have this fascination with barefoot baby sandals.  I have some really cute patterns for other versions and have made a few.  These will be my next attempt.

Off to the hooks!  Inspiration for today has begun!

I Want to Crochet! Where Do I Begin?

Dear Fellow Crochet Lover,

I am beginning a journey and I want to join forces.

Long, LONG ago...my dear, sweet grandmother, armed with beautiful yarn and shiny hooks, made every attempt to lure me to the world of crochet.  No dice.  But around the age of 36, I became pregnant with our 3rd child and 1st boy.  My grandmothers were screaming from heaven that I needed to try again.  With the skills I vaguely recalled from their efforts and of course the assistance of good ole' fashioned You Tube, I taught myself to crochet!  (Don't know how to do something?  Watch You Tube!)

I made a blanket for my baby boy.  It was an AWFUL blanket, but I made it and was very proud.  It also sparked me in a way I didn't know was possible.  I delved in a little further and became...HOOKED!

My journey is to do what I love.  I want to teach, to create, and to enjoy the world of crochet.  I have seen thousands upon thousands of people sharing their crochet lives, so here it begins.  Let's see where it goes!  Feel free to comment with your favorite blogs or videos and how you began your crochet life!

Happy Crocheting!!!

Sincerely,

Christina
Rise N Shine Crochet Founder