Art, Like Bread: One Skein

You know what it's like. You walk into a yarn store and its an immediate flush of color. Your senses are piqued when touching the comforting softness of delicately spun yarn. There's stuff from all over the globe, in fibers you've never even heard of. Blink. Did that label say 100% Mink? You wonder what you could make... Who knows; who cares? You just really need this yarn. And that one, and that one, too.

Free screen saver image from lionbrand.com.

Or, you're just browsing through Michael's and that rich Emerald blend just speaks to you. Into the cart it goes! It's just one ball anyway and maybe you can dig up that 40% off coupon...

Or, you're done with your project and you have a skein left. Who knows where the receipt is? You probably bought it a year ago anyway! This yarn is NOT going back to the store. It'll stay right here with you!

Or, a friend who knows you love crochet surprises you with a beautiful gift bundle-six skeins of yarn in varying colors and weights. It's all gorgeous. It was all expensive, but what exactly are you going to crochet from it?

Or, you're always crocheting in worsted weight and you just want to branch out into a different thickness. With 400 yards in this ball of lace-weight, why buy more than one?

Free screen saver image from lionbrand.com

If you do crochet or knit, I bet you've had at least one of the experiences I described. And life is good! Just because you have a stash of varied colors and yarn weights doesn't mean you have to worry about letting them go to waste! Perhaps you've seen the famous One Skein Wonders series by Judith Durantand wondered why there wasn't more crochet in them. I know I did!

Well, the wait is almost over, friends. We're getting really close to the launch date of the triumphant Crochet One-Skein Wonders: 101 Projects from Crocheters around the World!

Available for pre-order now. Launches March 26, 2013.

And, the author of this blog just might have a pattern in there. Hooray, I'm in a book and I can't wait until it comes out. But until then, please share your favorite crochet projects using one skein in the comments so we can stitch away.

Here's a link to one of my favorites, the Petite Scarf by Lion Brand Yarns. Here's the Ravelry page, too. Oh, and it's free! :) Enjoy!