Top 5 Ways To Make A Woman Irresistibly Attracted To You

April 11, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

If you want to attract women, you have to think like a salesman. Know what your clients want, and tune your product–that’s you–to fit the clients’ needs.

So what we have are five areas that we must market effectively if we want to spark an initial attraction from women. After that, it’s up to you to show what a great guy you are: let her know you’re special, unique, one of a kind. That’s what makes you…a best-seller!

1. Ambition

From an evolutionary stand-point, this one makes complete sense. Think cavemen and cave women in the Stone Age, with some of the weaker cavemen seeking a higher station in the tribe. Who do you think the cave women went for? The men who hobbled along meekly in the bottom of the order…or the men who strived for more and sought a higher place in the pack? Much of a woman’s desire to be with a man who is ambitious and seeks success, is based simply on survival: The more powerful the man, the more likely she’ll survive and live well. Logically, going for a guy who has no ambition means she’s likely to live in poverty and struggle. Not very appealing, is it?

So you have to present yourself as a guy who’s not satisfied with his station in life. This is good for both you and her. If you’re making $6 an hour at McDonald’s and are content to stay there, not many women are going to be attracted to you. But if you’re making $6 an hour and working your ass off to own your own franchise, taking business classes at night so you can learn how to run a business: well, suddenly you’re not so bad-looking!
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Believe me, women will give men a chance, they want to give men a chance–as long as they see potential. Know that quote, “Behind every great man is an even greater woman”? Show you’ve got potential and direction, and you’ll get that great woman.

2. Status

Again, evolutionary instincts of survival make women naturally attracted to men of high status. High status=good living for herself and her children. Fortunately, projecting high status does not have to be difficult; according to Roberts, “Wearing the right clothes, especially nice shoes, can go a long way toward portraying wealth. Taking on the unshaken or unworried attitude of wealthy men can project affluence. Hesitant, irresolute, bland men come across as having lower incomes and being less reliable.” Got that? You don’t have to be a powerful, articulate man yourself-you just have to project similar qualities.

Some of these qualities include:

* Not putting yourself down. Without being a braggart, talk positively about your accomplishments, job position, and possessions-even if they’re not much. If you treat things as a big deal, other people will, too. Conversely, if you downplay your accomplishments and character, women will, too. Your attitude is contagious, so make sure it’s an enthusiastic, enlivening one that people enjoy.

* Act like you deserve good women. Don’t let women assume a higher status than you. Show them that YOU are the one with higher status. You can do this in a number of ways, including not acting impressed by a woman’s beauty or career (say, she’s a model); teasing her about her clothes or makeup; and asking her to buy you a drink. Chances are she won’t, but just by acting like you deserve it, you raise your status! She’s not such an untouchable goddess in the end.

Remember, as well, that women want to EARN a man; they relish the challenge of luring in a winning catch. So play hard to get: talk to other girls, say you’ve got to be leaving just when things are going well, don’t immediately ask for her phone number. If you act like a man who can have his pick of women, then chances are, you will!

* Knowing people of high status. This is a great one. Get to know the people of power: the club owners, bartenders, maitres’d. Position yourself as a sociable person who’s in the know. When a woman sees you getting special treatment and chatting with high-status people, she’ll see right away that you’re someone of importance. It will also reduce the importance of the other factors, such as height, money, and ambition; immediately you’ve proven yourself valuable.

* Social proof/Female acquaintances. Hey, nothing says, “This guy’s attractive” than having females around him. Of course, the hotter they are, the hotter you look, but even just having average-looking female company can only help: it shows women that other women are interested in you. Do your best to get your female friends and family (sisters, cousins) to come out with you. It’s social proof, and it works!

* Wearing nice clothes. “When a man is well dressed,” writes communications expert, Leil Lowndes, “it signifies his ability to provide for her offspring.” You don’t have to be rich and powerful to wear nice clothes. You just have to show that you’re a man of quality, a man headed towards somewhere who pays attention to dress (something women cna never get enough of). Formal clothes, such as a suit, convey that you are serious about success; you desire good things. So just by wearing a nice sports jacket, dress shirt, and slacks, you let a woman know you’re a man with status. You’re a man who could provide for her and her children.

The colors you wear are vital: Studies show that red, burgundy, and black clothes convey high status. So get yourself some slick black suits or formal wear, a red shirt, and one of my favorites (and girls’!), a sleek burgundy button-down shirt. They all convey regality and strength.

In the case of red, you have the added bonus of sexuality, power, and dominance: definitely good qualities to portray! Go and purchase a nice red polo shirt, or red tie for your suit.

If you enjoy white clothes-the color of purity and cleanliness-then make sure you work on your TAN. White clothes against a dark backdrop make you look exotic, sexy, and well-travelled. You don’t have to be an jet-setting playboy, to look like one!

* Winning body language. Women judge men by the way they move and position themselves; it’s part of their superior communication skills to know what a man is thinking or feeling based on his body language. So, position yourself in the right way: don’t slouch, sit upright, gaze at her knowingly, lean into her to initiate intimacy. I’ve got a great column on body language that will teach you the right ways-and the wrong ways-to project high status.

3. Financial Resources According to Matthew Fitzgerald, “Studies with college coeds show that when shown photographs of men dressed in high-status uniforms, ties, expensive watches, etc.) and low-status uniforms, these women would be significantly more willing to enter into relationships with the more expensively-attired males regardless of the man’s physical appearance. To a woman, attraction is simple: green is very good-looking.”

Okay, so not every guy has money for expensive suits and watches, and materialism may not be part of your game. However, if you want to impress women, one of the fastest ways is by wearing snazzy clothes, sporting nice shoes (girls LOVE shoes!), and driving an expensive car. Especially when it comes to designer brands, women are VERY keen at spotting high-quality products. It’s just part of their nature; with expensive possessions come high status and ambition, and a more comfortable lifestyle. Again, this all comes from their instinctual drive for survival and prosperity for themselves and their children. By owning the best, you become the best. At least on the surface.

Ultimately, if you want true love it’s up to you to find women who share the same goals and values. If money and status aren’t the most important things in life for you, don’t chase the girls who do prioritize those things. Don’t go for the shallow, bitchy types who only judge a man by how much he can spend on her.

4. Educational Level

Knowledge really is power, and on top of that, it’s an aphrodisiac! Gone are the days when being smart was acquainted with being a nerd; now, knowledge and intelligence are your friends. It’s the easiest way to money, and the easiest way to success. So show it off a little. Let her know your TALENTS, your interests, your areas of special knowledge. As Roberts writes, “Women are drawn to experts like the Crocodile Hunter, Bill Gates and Chris Rock because they’re experts in their industries.” None of those guys is particularly good-looking, but they’re good at what they do, and parlay their knowledge into success, which drives women wild.

A guy who’s an expert is one who is clearly successful and of higher status. At the very least, having a special knowledge means you have the TOOLS for success, and can provide intellectual stimulation for a girl (which, unless she’s a bimbo with an IQ of 70, is quite important for women).

Additionally, just being in school is a great way to show off your knowledge: “If you’re in school, not only are there more women available, but you’ve already demonstrated to them that you’re getting educated. Otherwise, it’s up to you to come across as reliable and credible without making her feel dumb.”

5. Physical Aptitude

Physical height alone is an easy way to catch a woman’s attention, but it’s not the only thing. Again, evolutionary mechanics come into play here. A man who is tall, strong, and athletic is more likely to fend off threats to the woman and her children. He is also more likely to have a strong immune system, which will further aid their chances of survival. So, you can’t blame women too much for valuing these things: in the world of female attraction, it really is a survival of the fittest. Those who show women they are in shape and healthy are much more likely to survive the dating game! Ergo, athletes, bouncers, firemen get the girls.

As for height, it’s all a matter of perspective. We’ve all seen short guys with tall beautiful women. Neil Strauss himself, the best of the best pickup artists, is just 5′6″ yet gets more beautiful women than we can imagine. How? By believing in himself. By positioning himself as a man of high status. By not bowing down to women of greater height or beauty. And by being a guy women know is fun and energetic to be around. In short, he’s got INNER GAME, and when you have that down, nothing can stop you. You may even find yourself dating women who are taller than you!

But remember, presenting a man who’s healthy and strong, willing to stand up for himself and the girl in a fight: that’s the kind of guy who women will go for, regardless of height. Did you know that men with strong immune systems give off pheromone scents that women are instinctually attracted to? If you pay attention to what you eat and go to the gym on a regular basis, you’re going to build your immune system up, and attract women without even trying! So do it, and watch the number of dates you get, soar.

In the end, men are like books: women judge them by their covers. But inside is an even greater story. So make your cover captivating, and you’ll become a “best-seller” in no time!

James Brito, Relationship Expert

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Broken Relationship; Scratch Out His Eyes, Rip Up Her Clothes, or Cut Off His Willy?

March 03, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

I recall reading an article in the UK press about the revenge taken by a “woman scorned”.  Her response to her husband’s affair was very dramatic to say the least; she cut the legs and arms off all of his suits and then set about distributing the contents of his celebrated wine cellar around the village in which they lived – one or two bottles on each and every doorstep, together with their morning milk delivery!  Quite inventive.  And then I’m sure we all read about the case of a certain man whose furious wife decided that cutting legs off suits simply wasn’t enough and took a knife to his manhood instead.  I subsequently read that he turned this to his advantage by becoming a porn star;  Apparently so many people wanted to see his “wotsit”, he not only had it sewn back on again, he had a couple of inches added aswell!

 

This doesn’t appear to be an uncommon occurrence; just Google “cut off his willy” and there are numerous references to this form of revenge.  In fact I did hear that some ladies have taken this one step further, and attached their partners’ manhood to helium balloons so as to ensure that they would not be able to have them sewn back on again. Ouch!

 

What is the message being conveyed?  Is the aim simply to make sure that they won’t be able to do THAT again?  Or “you hurt me and so I’ll hurt you”, in the spirit of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”?  Or is it to expose their actions to the world at large, to embarrass them just as you feel you have been embarrassed? Is it simply a way of lashing out?  All of the above are intertwined, I’m sure.

 

Not everyone responds in such a dramatic manner.  Have you watched the film “the women”?  It’s an intriguing film, with Meg Ryan (in the most recent version) playing the housewife who thinks everything is running along quite smoothly….until she discovers her husband’s dalliance with the perfume girl in their local upscale store.  This film depicts every type of woman, all ages, shapes, sizes and mentalities – and each has their own take on how the husband should be dealt with.  The mother’s is the voice of reason (and experience) recommending  a stiff upper lip combined with a period of playing hard to get, and letting him know what he is missing.  Sensible woman – this approach was working rather well, until friends added their opinions into the mix!
Learn How To Design Crochet Clothing Patterns – Lesson 2

 

But, how do you control your emotions, and turn a blind eye, when your heart is breaking?  And how do you know if your partner is just having a minor dalliance or if they have really fallen in love?  It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to be logical when your emotions are involved.  Logic and emotions are like “oil and water” and rarely do they mix well in these circumstances.  In fact whenever you are confronted with a situation perceived as a threat (and this type of circumstance definitely falls into that category) your higher brain functions are effectively cut off, ensuring that you cannot think logically.  One has to step back and calm down before your logical brain can re-engage.  Your emotions definitely need to be managed in such circumstances. And hypnosis can be invaluable here.

 

Whether it’s best to lash out or to turn a blind eye is a matter of personal opinion.  Either way, there’s a lot you can do to help yourself to think logically and deal with an undesirable situation in the most effective manner possible.  And if it does end in a permanent rift, it’s massively important to be your own best friend and to make it as easy as possible for you to move on.  There is an art to moving on after a broken relationship, but you can learn it, and apply it.  Hypnosis is extremely useful in all this as in itself it is a state of relaxation, and allows you to take a step back and think logically;  you can rebuild your confidence and see things from a different angle with a few well placed suggestions…and prepare yourself to attract a better partner into your life.

 

Roseanna Leaton

 

BSc (Hons)(Psych), DHP, MIAPH

 

http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com

Roseanna Leaton

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Broken Relationship; Scratch Out His Eyes, Rip Up Her Clothes, or Cut Off His Willy?

February 27, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

I recall reading an article in the UK press about the revenge taken by a “woman scorned”.  Her response to her husband’s affair was very dramatic to say the least; she cut the legs and arms off all of his suits and then set about distributing the contents of his celebrated wine cellar around the village in which they lived – one or two bottles on each and every doorstep, together with their morning milk delivery!  Quite inventive.  And then I’m sure we all read about the case of a certain man whose furious wife decided that cutting legs off suits simply wasn’t enough and took a knife to his manhood instead.  I subsequently read that he turned this to his advantage by becoming a porn star;  Apparently so many people wanted to see his “wotsit”, he not only had it sewn back on again, he had a couple of inches added aswell!

 

This doesn’t appear to be an uncommon occurrence; just Google “cut off his willy” and there are numerous references to this form of revenge.  In fact I did hear that some ladies have taken this one step further, and attached their partners’ manhood to helium balloons so as to ensure that they would not be able to have them sewn back on again. Ouch!

 

What is the message being conveyed?  Is the aim simply to make sure that they won’t be able to do THAT again?  Or “you hurt me and so I’ll hurt you”, in the spirit of “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth”?  Or is it to expose their actions to the world at large, to embarrass them just as you feel you have been embarrassed? Is it simply a way of lashing out?  All of the above are intertwined, I’m sure.

 

Not everyone responds in such a dramatic manner.  Have you watched the film “the women”?  It’s an intriguing film, with Meg Ryan (in the most recent version) playing the housewife who thinks everything is running along quite smoothly….until she discovers her husband’s dalliance with the perfume girl in their local upscale store.  This film depicts every type of woman, all ages, shapes, sizes and mentalities – and each has their own take on how the husband should be dealt with.  The mother’s is the voice of reason (and experience) recommending  a stiff upper lip combined with a period of playing hard to get, and letting him know what he is missing.  Sensible woman – this approach was working rather well, until friends added their opinions into the mix!
Best Doll Clothes and Patterns

 

But, how do you control your emotions, and turn a blind eye, when your heart is breaking?  And how do you know if your partner is just having a minor dalliance or if they have really fallen in love?  It’s very difficult, if not impossible, to be logical when your emotions are involved.  Logic and emotions are like “oil and water” and rarely do they mix well in these circumstances.  In fact whenever you are confronted with a situation perceived as a threat (and this type of circumstance definitely falls into that category) your higher brain functions are effectively cut off, ensuring that you cannot think logically.  One has to step back and calm down before your logical brain can re-engage.  Your emotions definitely need to be managed in such circumstances. And hypnosis can be invaluable here.

 

Whether it’s best to lash out or to turn a blind eye is a matter of personal opinion.  Either way, there’s a lot you can do to help yourself to think logically and deal with an undesirable situation in the most effective manner possible.  And if it does end in a permanent rift, it’s massively important to be your own best friend and to make it as easy as possible for you to move on.  There is an art to moving on after a broken relationship, but you can learn it, and apply it.  Hypnosis is extremely useful in all this as in itself it is a state of relaxation, and allows you to take a step back and think logically;  you can rebuild your confidence and see things from a different angle with a few well placed suggestions…and prepare yourself to attract a better partner into your life.

 

Roseanna Leaton

 

BSc (Hons)(Psych), DHP, MIAPH

 

http://www.RoseannaLeaton.com

Roseanna Leaton

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Learn What Items Require Climate Control Storage

January 30, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

Climate control storage has become extremely popular over the years. Since the 1970s individuals have used self storage companies to store valuable items when room got scarce at home. Storage units are also useful during moves when there might be a short period of time between the closing of a home and the move in date for another home. The only downside to storage units, especially storage units that will be used for a long period of time is that items often deteriorate when exposed to the weather.

Many people who rent storage units do not realize that the temperature in their storage units will be dependent upon the outside weather condition. On summer days when the temperature reaches 90 degrees the average storage facility will end up being 80 degrees at best. During humid weather a storage unit can become stifling and cause extreme damage to items in storage. Many people who have stored valuable clothing, wines, and other items in traditional storage have gotten a rude awakening when they went to retrieve their items from storage. Before throwing your items into a storage unit take the time to find out which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage.

First of all, when you are trying to determine which of your belongings will benefit from climate controlled storage stop and think about the weather condition of the area you live in. There are some people, not many, who might not need to invest in climate controlled storage. First of all, do you live in an area like Louisiana that is known for high levels of humidity? If so, you definitely need to consider climate controlled storage units. High levels of humidity will warp high quality furniture leading to cracking and serious damage. Documents that are stored in humid areas can degrade rapidly losing color and overtime mildew and mold will begin to grow on clothing and furniture that is in storage. Worst, insects breed rapidly in warm, damp areas and your storage facility could quickly become a nest of insects of every kind.

Temperature also plays an important factor in deciding whether or not to invest in climate control storage for your items. If you live in areas that are extremely cold then watch out for condensation that could lead to mildew and mold in damp belongings. Extreme heat is just as bad since this can lead to the permanent damage and destruction of computer disks, DVDs, CDs, and more. Many people who store their collections in extreme heat are shocked and disappointed when they discover that their entire collection has been completely destroyed after a few days in a storage unit subjected to 100 degree heat.

Climate controlled storage units are prefect for a variety of items be they valuable or made of high quality materials. There are some items that belong in climate control that most people would not realize need special care. Mattresses are one item that should be carefully stored in climate controlled storage units. Mattresses can rapidly mold and mildew when left exposed to the elements and with many fine mattresses costing more than $200.00 waste is not recommended.

Good clothing should never be stored in anything less than climate controlled storage units. Fine linens such as silk and velvet are especially vulnerable to deterioration caused by the weather. Heat can lead to discoloration while humidity and cold can cause moisture which will lead to molding and mildewing. Even if mold and mildew do not occur insects will often choose to nest in these fine materials making them dangerous to wear safely.

Musical instruments should never be stored in traditional storage units. Without climate control pianos and violin strings will begin to discolor and will often warp or break. The wood used to create these instruments will also start to warp, crack, and break. Thousands of dollars have been lost or wasted when valuable instruments have been ruined because of extreme weather.

Books and paperwork are also items that should always be stored in climate control storage units. Many people believe that books and documents will store anywhere but this is completely untrue. Without climate control documents will start to discolor making it difficult to read their text and puzzle out their meaning. This can be extremely frustrating when owners of book collections go to look for a favorite volume only to discover it has been ruined.

It is important that individuals looking into storage remember that climate control units are not just needed for fine china, antiques, and leather. Climate control storage is necessary to preserve important paperwork, good clothes, furniture, and really anything you own that is of any value.

Simply Self Storage


diycouture – helping 21st century people to make their own clothes

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5 Compelling Reasons To Learn To Shop Online – Today!

January 30, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

Make your own baby bibs! Learn how to cut the fabric pieces for a baby bib in this free sewing video. Expert: Gretchen Soares Contact: www.butterfly-boutique.org Bio: Gretchen Soares is the co-owner of Bufferfly Boutique, which specializes in soft goods such as quilts, clothing and wearable art. Filmmaker: Patrick Eaves

It seems as if everybody else is doing it – shopping online, that is. There’s the co-worker who bought all their Christmas gifts online without ever setting foot in the crowded local mall. Or the friend who won a bundle of like-new, brand-name baby clothes on eBay. Or your son’s college roommate, who paid hundreds of dollars less than your son did for his college textbooks, simply because he ordered them online rather than from the University bookstore.

If you’ve been meaning to learn to shop online – whether at an online retailer like Amazon.com or an auction site such as eBay – it’s time to quit procrastinating, conquer your fear and dive into the waters of cyberspace. You’re not only missing out on good deals, convenience, and worldwide product selection, you’re actually losing money.

1) Good deals: With the growing popularity of price-comparison websites, it’s easier than ever to find a low price on a product you want. I just typed “iPod Nano 8GB MP3 player” into one of these specialized Search Engines, and got 33 results with prices ranging from $229.99 to $292.75 – that’s a $62.76 price difference. The search engine also listed available rebates and factored in shipping costs.

2) Convenience: Not much explanation needed here – you can shop from home at 3 in the morning while wearing your pajamas. You can shop from work during your lunch break. You can shop from the hotel room when you’re stuck overnight in the middle of nowhere. And you don’t have to fight crowds, prowl the parking lot in search of a place to park, or drag screaming kids around.

3) Product Selection: When you shop online, you’re not limited to the stores within driving distance or even the stores you’re familiar with. You can shop just as easily from a home-based artisan as from an exclusive upscale department store like Saks Fifth Avenue.

Odds are, though, that you already know about deals, and convenience, and selection – so why haven’t you started shopping?

Here are two additional reasons that may encourage you to start.

4) Shopping Online is Safer than Shopping Offline: A survey from Paypal UK published in November 2006 found that you’re much more likely to be a victim of physical theft in your home town than to suffer fraud in the digital world.

More than a third of respondents (35%) had been victims of property theft, but only 15% of UK adults surveyed had been victims of online fraud. Similarly, around 71% of Brits know someone who has had their wallet or purse stolen but only 29% know a victim of online fraud.

And despite rumors to the contrary, paying with a credit card at a reputable website is virtually risk-free if you follow commonsense safety precautions. Online merchants know the importance of secure payment systems, and US shoppers are protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act. (You can dispute charges under this law, and even if your credit card is used fraudulently, you generally would be held liable only for the first $50 in charges.) Other payment processors such as Paypal offer their own fraud protection.

It’s at least as safe to buy online as it is to hand your credit card to the waiter at the restaurant, who whisks it out of your sight for several minutes!

5) NOT Shopping Online Can Cost You Money: Besides the savings to be gained by comparing prices, savvy online shoppers have discovered ways to actually get paid to shop. There’s an entire industry devoted to educating online shoppers how to get cash back for purchases, how to earn money or points for shopping and how to get offers for free and sometimes very valuable products online.

Most of these cash-earning, money-making shopping strategies are cumulative – small rebates or points earned add up over time to hefty bonus checks or free gift cards. (I have a $50 gift card in my purse from Pier One Imports that I got absolutely free, and I’ll send for another $100 gift card as soon as I decide whether to get it from Target or Home Depot.)

There’s no better time than today to educate yourself about shopping online – when you’re not in a hurry, can start small, and don’t need to buy ten gazillion presents by next Sunday.

If everybody else can do it, so can you!

Diana Ratliff

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Learn to Crochet and Knit – Keys to Success From an Easily Distracted Student

January 30, 2010  //  Posted by: admin  //  Category: Learn how to make your own clothes

Sasha dolls, doll patterns and Kewpie dolls for sale. Learn how to make your own doll clothes. Check out www.bestdollclothes.com for the best deals.

I decided to learn to crochet in college. Crazy way for a college student to spend free time? Definitely. I assure you that I was not as big a loser as it might make me sound though. One night, for some strange reason, I found myself on a creative kick. My mom had taught me to cross-stitch as a child but that wouldn’t do anymore. I was ready for something new and exciting.

I ended up at Wal-mart late at night (best time to go for a college student!) browsing through the craft aisles and inevitably drawn to all the cool yarns. Ok, so what to do with them? Knitting or crocheting? At the time, knitting seemed over my head and maybe even a bit “granny-ish”. Crocheting was so much… cooler. Yeah, that’s it.

So for whatever reason, I picked crocheting. I envisioned super trendy afghans and throws adorning my dorm room and great gifts to impress my fiancé’s parents. It was something that I could learn to do that could be useful in the future. I could decorate an apartment or house, clothe the children I’d one day have, and even give great cheap gifts to all my friends.

Good in theory, but I never finished my first project — an afghan. What can I say? I was an easily distracted college student. And my reason for not having finished it since college? Let’s just say I’m an equally distracted adult. But despite my early failure, I did learn to crochet and, later, I even learned to knit.

Overall, there are two big things that I’ve taken away from my experiences in learning to crochet and knit:

First – you CAN be “self-taught” with the help of a good how-to book. There are quite a few out there. Just take a trip to any store that carries craft materials and patterns. Browse through the books to find one that is most user-friendly for you. One note — don’t be alarmed if some of the books with great instructions have patterns and pictures that take you back to the 70s or 80s. (My first how-to book had some real winners — cheesy vests and sweaters with terrible color schemes — but then again, 80s fashions are back aren’t they?)

Also keep an eye out for how-to kits. I started with a kit that included several crochet hooks and tools plus additional patterns — which were much needed! Except for yarn, these kits should provide you with the basics but don’t walk away from the store yet. It’s a Good Idea to go ahead and buy some additional crochet hooks or knitting needles since not all sizes are included in your kit. Other tools that could come in handy are: counters, markers, stitch holders, point protectors (knitting only).

Second — it’s good to have someone who can help you. This person does not have to be a full-fledged teacher, just a “consultant” — someone you can turn to when you have questions — because, let’s face it, even the best how to knit or how to crochet book can confuse you at one time or another. In my early attempts to learn to crochet I got stuck on a particular type of stitch. No matter how many times I read the explanation I just could not make it work. It just didn’t look right.

Lucky for me, I happened to be home from college on my winter break. I also happened to have what I was working on with me at a friend’s house (not sure why — again, I promise you I wasn’t a loser!). Her mother had been crocheting for years and I took the opportunity to ask for her help. She was able to show me exactly what I needed to do. That set me straight and I’ve been crocheting just fine on my own ever since.

My knitting “consultant” was (and is) my mother. After I got my first knitting how-to book, I knew I’d have some questions. I found out that some friends wanted to learn to knit too. So we set up a “knitting night” and all learned from my mom. A good social hour and quite educational! If you’re able to find some people to do this with, I highly recommend it.

Knitting and crocheting are great pastimes. I’m no expert, but I have learned how to do both. There are some great resources out there for anyone else to do the same. Find yourself a good how-to book, and that “consultant” you can turn to when you get stuck, and you’ll be well on your way. I never did finish that college afghan but since then I have crocheted several dish clothes, a baby blanket, a girl’s sweater, and now I’m knitting another girl’s sweater. If I could pull off these projects, anyone can! So go get started! Learn to crochet, learn to knit today!

Lorie Grant DeWorken

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