Much of the joy in crafting results from the community that is formed by crafters.  Do you have a crafting community where you live?  Do you know other crafters?  They don’t have to be crafters that do the same exact craft as you; in fact, it is more interesting if crafters pursuing various interests know each other as well.  Of course, finding groups of people who do the same crafts is valuable as well because of the available information and experience.

I found a Web site that is for people who live in a city in Texas.  You may live thousands of miles from Texas and be unable to participate, but this is a great matrix to form a crafting community for your own area.  This particular set of clubs is formed around the passion of quilting, but imagine it with knitting, crocheting, painting, stained glass or any other craft; better yet, imagine it with a bunch of different crafts. 

Take a look.  I think you will like what Stitchin Heaven is doing.

Stitchin Heaven’s Quilt Clubs

I have opened a new crafting group at Yahoo Groups and would love to invite you all.

This group is for people wishing to make through the craft medium of their choice, a memorial. Quilting, knitting, sewing, woodworking, glass crafts and many other crafts are helpful in the grieving process. They also build a beautiful memory that you can cherish or give as a gift.

Consider making:

• Crazy Quilts Embroidery Samplers with your loved ones favorites colors
• Altered Books - This is a wonderful medium for a memorial
• Collage - Another fantastic medium for creating memories
• Knitting - An afghan made of colors that are meaningful
• Woodworking - Build a small table place photographs under a laminated top

Feel free to talk about your loss, about your life, or anything you want. Help others with their crafts and get to know each other. And let’s share lots and lots of pictures.

Click to join CraftingForMemories

There are times I get to surfing around the Internet just looking at other’s crafts and talents.  One thing leads to another and I start bouncing around in some of the best sites - people blogging who share a passion for a certain craft and they seem to know each other.  It is a bit like taking a drive in a city - it may be one big city out there, but it is the neighborhoods that are interesting.  The neighborhood I was in today is a wonderful crochet corner on the Web - very unique items - and
definitely nothing like my Grandmother used to crochet!

My first stop was Monster Crochet.  I have long been a fan of this site.  It is a … no that isn’t it.  It’s more like…. no that isn’t it either.  Okay, let’s try this.  Do you need a crocheted eye that looks like a big ole alien is staring at you off the top of a vegetable?  This is the place to find it.  I rather liked her crocheted barbeque too.  The Mixed Grill Wrap is very rich and filling, but zippo on the calorie count. 

From there, I wandered over to The Crochet Dude.  Men who crochet and/or knit have always fascinated me.  Most men say they don’t have the patience for the craft, but those that do, seem to be excellent.  I wandered around Drew’s site for quite awhile - this guy knows his stuff.  And he has patterns!  Some are free and others are very reasonably priced and are 20% off right now. 

The Crochet Dude led me to Jimbo’s Front Porch.  If you truly love crochet, and love handcrafted items, you have to see these crochet hooks.  They are gorgeous.  He hand whittles them and they are unique one-of-a-kind hooks.  They are not only functional but are also beautiful decorations when not in use.  I picture them in a basket with some wool that is waiting to be dyed.

My last stop of the night was The Knotty Generation.  This blogger has some beautiful photography of some equally beautiful work.  She also has a few patterns for you - she is a crocheter that thinks outside the box.  Very creative and artsy.  It is a fun blog to visit. 

All of these are great blogs.  I think you will enjoy them! 

Now that you have learned about freeform crochet, and can’t wait to get started, you need to find some groups to join that can help you learn more.  Besides, being in a group allows you to show off!  And that is fun.  I have a list here of some of the groups I know - they are good groups with active participation and a lot of really knowledgeable and nice people.

International Freeform Crochet Group

If The Hat Fits

A Girl Can Never Have Too Many Handbags

Scarf Crazy

Elegant Crochet - This is an announcement list for patterns

Knot Just Knitting - Another announcement list - incorporates knitting