Doralosophy (Blog) - Page 2 of 10

How to make and measure a crochet gauge swatch

April 10, 2019May 22, 2019
by doraexplored

Yes, I’m talking about gauge again! Today, I will walk you through crocheting a tension swatch and measuring it to find your gauge. I will share the other benifits of making a swatch and how the swatching process can improve the overall look of your finished project!

I’ve talked in a previous post about what gauge is and why it’s important for your crochet projects so if you’re totally new to the concept of gauge in crochet, then start here!

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Craft

Why do I need to make a gauge swatch? An explanation of gauge & why it matters

April 3, 2019June 18, 2019
by doraexplored

Should you make a gauge swatch?

Straight in there with the question you really want to know the answer to! Well the short answer to that is yes, except when you don’t need to…

Let me break that down a bit for you.

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Crochet

Crochet Garment Making Demystified – 6 common ways to construct a crochet sweater

March 17, 2019May 22, 2019
by doraexplored

Continuing my mission to simplify crochet garment design, today I want to share some common approaaches to constructing crochet sweaters. Understanding the differences in these styles was a big lightbulb moment for me as a designer and a maker and I hope it gives you that “ahhhhhh… I get it now” moment too!

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A Year of Life Lessons

In Conclusion: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 52

February 20, 2019February 20, 2019
by doraexplored

Exactly one year ago, I was sat watching the Tony Robins documentary “I am not your guru”. Little did I know that that day’s Netflix selection would kick off a year long blog challenge and personal development journey.

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Crochet

The Crochet Jasmine Stitch Tutorial

February 19, 2019August 27, 2019
by doraexplored

Every now and again you come across a crochet stitch that just blows you away a bit. For me, Jasmine stitch does exactly that! I have Finally got around to writing a tutorial for it so you can enjoy it just as much!

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A Year of Life Lessons

Does it matter why?: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 51

February 13, 2019February 13, 2019
by doraexplored

It’s one of the most powerful and important words in the English language. Why? The ultimate one word question.

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A Year of Life Lessons

Mind your Language: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 50

February 6, 2019February 6, 2019
by doraexplored

My sister uses the expression “All roads lead to Rome” as an indicator that some things are just meant to be. You know when all the signs are there, and the universe seems to just be pushing you in a certain direction?

With practice, I am getting slightly better at recognising the signs, and this week, all roads lead to language. More specifically the power it has to subtly influence out mood, views and attitudes, all without us even realising.

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A Year of Life Lessons

Stop going to war with yourself – A Year of Life Lessons Week 49

January 29, 2019January 30, 2019
by doraexplored

Have you ever started an internal dialogue with a statement along the lines of “I wish I was more…” or “I wish I was less…” “I wish I was better at…”

More, less, better, faster, stronger…always telling yourself you’re not enough…

I’m going to let you into a secret… you ARE enough.

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Crochet

Demystifying Crochet Garment Making: Top-down Crochet Sweaters Explained

January 29, 2019August 27, 2019
by doraexplored

One of my biggest goals for this year is to dispel the myth that crocheting elegant, wearable, modern garments is akin to rocket science. Through the work I’ve been doing with the My Crochet Wardrobe group, I’ve been talking to a lot of people about what puts them off and I hope to address some of those fears over the coming months.

Today I want to talk a little about the glory of top down sweaters, and I’ll start with this statement.

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A Year of Life Lessons

The secret of finding your flow: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 48

January 22, 2019January 30, 2019
by doraexplored

For a long while, ever since I started this blog series really, I have been wanting to write a post about how Crochet has positively impacted my mental health.

I’ve wanted to share my belief that activities which put you into ‘flow’ (as crochet does) are incredibly important in terms of switching off. It’s a tool I use to help support my mental health and I strongly believe it’s something that can help others who don’t know the secret!

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A Year of Life Lessons

Stories my brain tells and other lies. My fight against paranoia: A year of Life Lessons – Week 47

January 16, 2019January 16, 2019
by doraexplored

This is a blog post which has been quite a long time coming. I’ve mentioned before that when I’m ‘in’ something I find it difficult to talk about it objectively or rationally. Only distance and time and hindsight really allow that. I’m not sure I’ll ever have the right distance but I’m far enough along the line that I can talk about it without it emotionally sucking me in.

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Crochet

Crochet Ribbing Tutorial – How to crochet a ribbed ear warmer

January 11, 2019May 22, 2019
by doraexplored

Have you ever seen a crochet hat, sweater or cardigan with a neat ribbed edging and wondered how on earth it is achieved?

Well keep reading as today I am going to share with you my favourite way of creating ribbing which can be used to finish a garment or on it’s own to create a stretchy fabric.

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A Year of Life Lessons

Find the Joy: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 46

January 9, 2019January 10, 2019
by doraexplored

Last week I wrote about how, for new year, I want to think about setting goals for how I want to feel over what I want to achieve.

One of the emotions that just missed the cut for my top 5 was joy. However, finding moments of joy has become a really important part of my life so this week it gets it’s own post!

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A Creative Life

Crochet your own wardrobe in 2019

January 7, 2019June 18, 2019
by doraexplored

Have you ever dreamed about crocheting beautiful garments but jut don’t know where to start?

Then come a little closer, this one is for you!

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A Year of Life Lessons

Chase Feelings, not Things: A Year of Life Lessons – week 45

January 1, 2019May 22, 2019
by doraexplored

The past few days I’ve read with fascination (through a haze of viral meh-ness) a hundred differing posts about the New Year. Whether it’s a year in review, resolutions or intentions for 2019, a refusal to make resolutions, or an acknowledgement that we’re probably okay just as we are. It seems everyone has a New Year’s Opinion!

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Doralosophy - The Blog

How to make and measure a crochet gauge swatch

Why do I need to make a gauge swatch? An explanation of gauge & why it matters

Crochet Garment Making Demystified – 6 common ways to construct a crochet sweater

In Conclusion: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 52

The Crochet Jasmine Stitch Tutorial

Does it matter why?: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 51

Mind your Language: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 50

Stop going to war with yourself – A Year of Life Lessons Week 49

Demystifying Crochet Garment Making: Top-down Crochet Sweaters Explained

The secret of finding your flow: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 48

Stories my brain tells and other lies. My fight against paranoia: A year of Life Lessons – Week 47

Crochet Ribbing Tutorial – How to crochet a ribbed ear warmer

Find the Joy: A Year of Life Lessons – Week 46

Crochet your own wardrobe in 2019

Chase Feelings, not Things: A Year of Life Lessons – week 45

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