Willena Crochets: 2020

My life as a crochet designer changed during this pandemic. It occurred on March 13, 2020 when New York City went into locked down and all events were cancelled in New York and outside of New York.

My focus is normally on creating outfits from March to December. For the love of crochet. My schedule:

May: Virtual Live Vogue Knitting Event: I was able to shop on line for four days. I also attended in June and July. I attended the marketplace shopping and extras. Fun, Fun. ((Picture below)

April-May: I discovered crocheting and knitting podcast on YouTube and Instagram.

May: Black Lives Matter crochet square. I created this square to to bring awareness to Police Violence against Black Lives and that diversity is still need in all areas of crafts. (Picture below)

June: Submitted scarves to guild for the Crochet Guild of America chapter challenge. I was able to create to 40 scarves. (Picture below)

June: I would usually submit 1 or 2 designs to the Crochet Guild of America crochet competition. I was not going because of a conflict with another event.

June: Attend Virtual Drive By Graduation Party. Created crocheted banners for 2 young ladies graduating from 5th and 8th Grades. (Picture below)

June: Annual Trip to Webs in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was cancelled. This yarn store is huge and amazing. I get to see various yarns and touch them. Must always go in with a plan and a budget. I did buy some online.

June: Created crocheted mini shawl with Sophie's Toes Sock Yarn Knitters' Six Pack. 100% Merino hand dyed by Emily Parson. A total of 525 yards. (Picture below)

July: I collect Barbie Dolls and look forward to The National Barbie Convention every year. It was cancelled. This would have been my 21st year attending. Each year, it is in a different place and this year was Las Vegas. This would have been my first time going to Las Vegas. Theme was Forgotten Paradise- A tropical fantasy come to life. My crocheting for various events in detail: a.) I would have participated in the fashion show and created one of the Barbie Outfits to crochet in adult size. b.) I would have also created two additional outfits for the theme night events. c.) I would have created a crochet design for Barbie for competition. (Picture below from previous year)

July: Supporting the Hat not Hate campaign by Lion Brand. I created 10 hats for this event that promotes Anti-Bullying. (Picture below). #HatNotHate

July: I love Chicago Style Stepping. I am a member of the New York Steppers and we would have host a weekend event, but it was cancelled. I would have created an evening crochet dress for the Saturday Night main event and a crochet top for Friday Night.

August: New York Steppers Annual Trip to Martha's Vineyard, I would have created my crochet bathing suit for swimming at Inkwell Beach and a dress or top for Saturday night. It was cancelled. However, I did create a bathing suit. I could not let a year go by without a new one. (Picture below)

August: I would be creating a crochet top for Labor Day to attend a bbq.

September: Chicago Style Stepping event in Pennsylvania. The theme was Stepping into the Fall. I would have crocheted a dress in fall colors for Saturday Night Main Event.

September: Yarn store runs to Joann and Michael's. No , I don't have the color in the house. (lol)

October: Yarn Crawl in New York City. My visit to Knitty City.

October: Rhineback Sheep and Wool Festival. This event is amazing. I love the yarn, animals, apple crisp, food, and the wine tasting. I always come home with bottles of wine and yarn. When I go to this event. I had to learn to pick a color Last year was Shades of Orange. If I do not stick to a color, all the beautiful yarns and colors are calling my name. I do not know how to say no.

October: New York City Crochet Guild. As a member, I assist with the Annual Crochet Luncheon. I was going to be the chairperson for this event. My crocheting would consists of 1 fashion dress or top to wear to the event, 2 outfits for the fashion show, 1 blanket for the winner of the trivia game that I created, several items to help with the table centerpieces and 9 gifts for people attending and sitting at my table. We did not come up with a theme before it was cancelled. One year was fantasy, fairy tale.

October Halloween: Crochet a vest for the day.

November: JoAnn's and/or Michael's yarn shopping .

November: Happy Birthday. Crochet a sweater, vest or sweater for my birthday. I will pick a new color each year.

December: Christmas Party. Special Christmas crocheted top or dress for Christmas Party, Hopefully, it is only one.

December: Christmas Gifts for the family and friends. When you crochet something for one, the others coming knocking next year.

March- December: Sometimes baby blankets or sweaters for gifts.

And sometimes people ask me to make something for them. Sorry, I have no time. My schedule is booked until next year. Exception, if they are willing to pay my asking price.

Covid changed my crochet year, but it did not change my love of crochet. Crochet helped me deal with loss during this time. I was able to crochet without a schedule and focus on the yarns in the Shades of Orange. Here are a few photos.