I crochet all kinds of useful things: clothes, toys, kitchen items, washcloths, blankets, etc. Some are for us or for gifting, some I send to various local charities. I'm currently making a vest for my daughter and a large triangle shawl for myself and some wool mug mats for my boyfriend to put next to his computers at home and at work. I'm a little obsessed with it, it's how I relax at night before bed. Classical music on the radio and a big pile of yarn.

I buy most of my yarns at thrift stores or reclaim yarns from old sweaters from the bargain bins. My next big skill to tackle is sockmaking, because that seems mighty useful and my one fella has dropped the hint several times that he would love a pair of black socks made from silk/merino blend. I need to learn how to knit one of these days and I'd love to learn to spin my own yarns.

I stockpile fabric, yarn, and notions. I picked up about $200 worth of cottons, flannels, and polarfleece at Goodwill last month for $20. And, because I like to rag crochet, I buy old t-shirts and wool pants from the bargain bins at thrift stores to cut up for strips. I'm pretty sure I could rag crochet some warm jackets for the family by measuring everyone and making squares and rectangles to fit.

That's how I make clothes for my daughter now, I measure her pretty regularly and then crochet to fit. I tend to make skirt with gathered or drawstring waists for her. With the gathered waists, I add a few basting stitches to the elastic after the seam so that I can let it out as she grows and she can wear the skirts for twice as long.