So if you haven't been getting your RDA of crochet, now is the time to pick up that hook! March is National Crochet Month. Many wonder what they could do to mark the occasion? Here are a few suggestions.

Plan a "Stitch and Bitch"
Crochet and being social go hand-in-hand. Plan a get together at a local coffee shop, book store, library or even your home and enjoy sharing each other projects and future crochet plans.

Teach a child to Crochet
Today kids are bombarded with "high tech" products like MP3 players, video games and cell phones. Teach a child to appreciate a "low tech" and creative process like crochet.

Donate Projects to Charity
There are plenty of charities out there that ask for crocheted items. From chemo caps to baby blankets to pet blankets, reach out to a local or favorite charity to see if they are in need. If you aren't sure where to donate, call your local pet shelter, hospital or cancer center to see if they accept crocheted items for those they care for on a daily basis. I will be making chemo caps to donate to a local cancer center.

Start a New Project
Try making something  you have never made before. A perfect example is my sock project . I have tried several times in the past to crochet socks with zero success. I am doing a long-distance sock crochet along with my buddy Tonya and it is going very well! We are able to help each other when we get stuck and discuss our progress. It is great fun!

These are just a few different ways you can celebrate National Crochet Month. So pick up that hook and get stitchin'!

So, I have been working on my first pair of crocheted socks and I would say so far, it has been, well, OK.

So I read through all the directions for measuring my calf and foot for my socks and made my gauge swatch. The first thing I noticed is that my calf measurement was completely off the chart. Thinking I did something wrong, I followed the directions and measured again. I came up with the same measurement. So, I am just going to go with it. I felt slightly better when I heard my "sock buddy" Tonya had a large calf measurement as well. Confusion loves company.

As I mentioned previously, one of my fiber goals for 2011 was to actually complete a pair of crocheted socks. So my friend and crochet buddy, Tonya, and I will be doing a long-distance crochet along making a pair of socks. She used to live in New Jersey, but she is now in Tennessee, so we are making sure to plan this out carefully.

This weekend is the annual Fly Fishing Show in Somerset, NJ . Now, why would I bring this up on a fiber-arts blog? Well, a few different reasons.

First, as many of you know, I am an avid fly angler. My husband and I are the owners of Reel Simple Fly Fishing . We attend the show each year to demonstrate fly tying techniques, lecture about fly fishing for still water species and sell our book, Ten Flies, Simple Ties.

OK, so if you aren't into fly fishing, you may be asking why would you want to go? Well, many of the materials used in fly tying can be directly applied to fiber arts! For example, Glenn and I use wool, alpaca, various yarns and more in fly tying. So, a fly fishing show is a great place to stretch your creativity!

If you decide to check out the Fly Fishing Show this weekend, please stop by and say hi. I promise you will not be disappointed!

This week, Interweave announced that Knitting Daily, has officially gone high-tech! The magazine now has an official app that can be found at the Apple Store. It is available for both the iPhone and the iPod Touch. The app will also work on the iPad.

This new (and free!) app will allow loyal Knitting Daily readers the option to access their great web content remotely. The app includes knitting lessons, tips, knitting and interviews. It keeps you full of knitting goodness!

“We are excited to have yet another platform that brings our dynamic content to life. The iPhone application allows us to bring knitting enthusiasts a unique combination of editorial content and video,” said Senior Vice President and Publisher John Bolton. “It’s a whole new way to experience Knitting Daily.”

You can also look up knitting terms and has options for sharing favorite items on Facebook, Twitter, or via e-mail.

Sadly, I do not have an iPhone or iPod Touch, so I can't check it out first-hand. If you do and decide to download it, make sure to share your thoughts!

As 2010 draws to a close, many of us start to make goals for the next year. Along with the usual wants like "lose weight" or "exercise more," I think about what fiber arts goals I would like for 2011.

So what are my goals? I want to find more time to spin as well as improve my spinning skills. This year I haven't had anywhere near enough time to spin, so that is right at the top of my list.

Next, I want to actually crochet (and finish!) a pair of socks. Yes, I know this sounds a tad silly, but I can't tell you how many socks that start out, well, as socks and end up as wrist warmers!

I want to spend more time being creative. That means developing more patterns, focusing on my free form and felting and writing more fiber-focused articles.

So, I would say those are my three main fiber goals for 2011. What are your 2011 fiber goals?

This weekend I am happy to again take part in the second annual Christmas Bazaar at the Saints Peter and Paul Orthodox Christian Church on Beach Street in Rockaway, NJ, Saturday, December 4. This is a great event with a wide variety of crafters and artisans that is very well run. You will definitely find unique items to fulfill every gift-giving need! This is a cozy show that brings in a great group of artistic individuals directly from the community.

Additionally, the food for sale is great! Looking for wonderful ethnic goodies like pierogies, halushki, holupki, kielbasi & kraut sandwiches, and other baked goods? This is definitely the place! I am definitely looking forward to a few snacks!

The bazaar will open at 9:00 a.m. to the public and will end at 3:00 p.m., so there is still plenty of time in the afternoon to get your tree!

I hope to see you there!

It is the time of year when everyone makes their lists. So, here is my ultimate fiber Christmas list.

While at the Rhinebeck Sheep and Wool Festival this year, I saw the original Pocket Wheel. This wheel has a great feel and spins like a dream. This is on the top of my ultimate fiber list!

To go with the pocket wheel, I'll need to get some fiber. That  means getting fiber from Laurie's Lambs! Additionally, Susan's Fiber Shop and The Woolery have great fiber options.

To go with my new wheel and fiber, I of course need to add a new spindle to the list. This is easy. I have always wanted a Moosie spindle from Journey Wheel. These amazing spindles are made from Moose antler sheds. While we are talking about spindles, Golding spindles are always just beautiful and spin like a dream! I have always wanted the "Midnight Sky" spindle." Team Golding is incredibly talented and should be seriously considered when looking for that special spindle.

At the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this year, I treated myself to a mini glass crochet hook from Michael and Shelia Ernst . Well, on my ultimate fiber Christmas list, I want the full one! They are just gorgeous. The Turquesa model, please. Also while at the Maryland Sheep and Wool Festival this past May, I won a Weavette in an auction. These are incredibly tough to find. I would love to get a few more in different sizes.

Fiber arts and books always go hand-in-hand. That means, I have lots of books on my list! First and foremost, Creative Crochet Lace: A Freeform Look at Classic Crochet by Myra Wood is at the top! Myra is a wonderfully talented artist and an even better friend.

During the past year, I have been fascinated by hyperbolic crochet. That  means I have to add Crocheting Adventures with Hyperbolic Planes to my list. If you have seen hyperbolic crochet, I highly recommend you check it out!

Along with crochet and spinning, I also love to felt and enjoy reading the history of fiber arts. That means I have to add Women's Work: The First 20,000 Years Women, Cloth, and Society in Early Times, The Art of Felt: Inspirational Designs, Textures, and Surfaces and In Sheep's Clothing: A Handspinner's Guide to Wool to my list.

Last, but  certainly not least, I have to add a felting machine. I currently do needle felting, but would love to try it on a machine. Janome makes some great machines, but I hear the Singer felting machine is just as good and less expensive. I also saw a mini felting machine somewhere once; that would be perfect!

So there you have it. My ultimate fiber Christmas list. What's yours?

More and more are starting their shopping for the holiday season earlier each year to have the best selection sot he perfect gift can be found. Well, each year I work to buy handmade items and I hope you will too.

There are a number of great reasons to buy handmade items. First, each item is unique so you are providing a gift that no one else will have. You will be supporting artists, which is always a wonderful way to ensure the arts are available for future generations by spreading the word about how great it is to give and receive handmade items.

Some may wonder where they can find handmade items. Well I am here to tell you, it is easy! There are always plenty of local craft sales where you can find great items and support those right in your community. You can find great items online at sites such as ArtFire and Etsy.

So I encourage you to take the handmade pledge and give truly unique gifts made with love!