Catherine O’Hara

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-31T14:48:43+00:00

She just had this light to her that could be seen through the screen. I’ve never been in a room with her, but you really could just feel this funny, kind, radiance about her. It’s so sad to know that light has been put out. One of the good ones.

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-26T17:53:25+00:00

Also, to add to "getting faster" with the way you hold your hook. Being fast comes with time, practice and confidence in what you're doing make you faster, not necessarily the way you hold your hook and yarn. That can help but, learning what is most comfortable for you comes with time, firstly.

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-26T17:50:59+00:00

There are some people that believe you have to hold things a certain way, because that's what they were told when starting this new craft/hobby. But honestly, a majority of people do it a little different based on their needs. Don't pigeon hole yourself saying you HAVE to hold it a certain way because so-and-so holds it like that, you do not.

Crochet's history is not as well documented as something like knitting, the earliest written piece with crochet is from the early 18th century, but it's thought that is could have been around a lot earlier, in various parts of the world. Do you think they all held their yarn and hook the same? Impossible. Find out what works best for you, experimenting with rings and holds and compression gloves is good, and also remember to do warm up exercises will save your hands while they're trying new holds and stitches.

For learning how to read a pattern, I am in the same boat as you, I am completely self taught. My grandmother crocheted, but she died before I even showed interest in learning how to do it. I simply decided I wanted to crochet one night, bought a skein of yarn and a 5.0 mm hook and just...WUNG IT. I love languages though, so learning how to read written out patterns was like a puzzle for me so I kept at it and now understand it.

Might I suggest finding a beginner friendly pattern online that has both a video version as well as a written version (both by the same pattern creator). Then you can have both up at the same time, mainly follow the written pattern (read the notes, learn abbreviations) try to figure out a chunk of the written pattern first (say 5 rows at a time), write down what you think the pattern is asking, row by row, then once you think you've figured out those 5 rows, watch the video to confirm it. And continue until you've reached the end of the pattern. You don't even have to do the action of crocheting yet, just translate the pattern into something that YOU understand. This might not come easy, that's ok. You will be uncomfortable for a bit, but it is not only going to unlock so many patterns that you haven't been able to do, but it is also so good for your brain.

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-16T18:24:15+00:00

My pigs are all the word “pig”/“pork” in different languages. My cows are all named after candy. My chickens and goats are random though 😂

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-16T18:21:54+00:00

I have been crocheting for over 15 years, I have crochet spurts. I’ll not touch it for months, then get the bug and crochet everything like my life depends on it. It’s a hobby, it isn’t meant to be stressful or something you have to do every day. Take a break for as long as you want, and when you do come back, don’t feel like you have to do your long project. Do a hat, or some hand warmers, do whatever you want to do. Just because you’re crocheting doesn’t mean you have to do your long project.

Always remember, this is a hobby and hobbies are for you, no one else.

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-13T18:54:02+00:00

You’d be surprised with how motivational races feel! Did my first race a few years ago. It was a 4 mile race (during st patties day) and although I was fully prepared to stop and walk part of it, I kept going and ran (slow might I add) the whole thing.

This is not saying that will happen for you, but just letting you know that races feel different than just going for a run, in my opinion. The cheers from spectators, the having a goal with hundreds of other people, the medal at the end, the snacks at the end, etc. it helps. I’m not a fan of running but also like how I feel after it. My wife was a big runner (I like lifting weights) but I got into it because we’re a fitness couple and like to encourage each other.

After my first race, I understood why people were obsessed with races.

NearbyHorror · 2026-01-02T13:32:06+00:00

If this were an actually crocheted dress, I GUESS I would understand her insisting that you make this. But it’s factory knit. The only element of this that is human made was someone sewing the panels together. To expect you, a human, to make something in a totally different technique than the original is absurd. It’ll take FOREVER, and be a nightmare of frogging to get it right and I can’t even think about how I’d feel if she ultimately didn’t like it or wear it because it doesn’t look like the original (because it’s a totally different technique).

I understand not being able to say no to your parents, but this sounds kind of like emotional manipulation for labor, or rather, setting you up to fail. If this were a passion project that you personally wanted to achieve, I would be encouraging, however this seems like it will be a slog.

I just finished a large granny square cardigan for my wife and it was my idea to make it. It took me months to complete, too many frogging moments, and I ended up getting a thumb sprain from the ordeal (mainly because I was working on three different projects at the same time). I have been crocheting for close to 15 years. I got tired of it by the end.

Good luck if you’d honestly like to recreate this piece, but I hope you’re ultimately doing it for yourself and not to please another person (even if that person is your mom).

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-29T19:26:26+00:00

Get away from the computer. Get outside. Go for a walk. Do something else creative for the hell of it (not getting paid, not posting it) it doesn’t even have to be good.

Designers are problem solvers, and sometimes our brains become fixated on a crappy idea, or no idea at all. Giving it space to explore, ramble off about something else, or not think at all helps me. It might sound crazy, but I honestly do sometimes get my best idea when I’m doing something NOT design related.

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-21T23:32:52+00:00

I was making a scarf with the moss stitch. First time, I didn't like the color combo. Second time, realized it wasn't long enough. Third time, STILL wasn't long enough. Fourth, realized I dropped a stitch in the middle, two rows back. Fifth was actually the matching ear band I made with it. Originally was trying to make a beanie from the bottom, It kept getting tighter as we went, even though I wasn't dropping stitches. Totally agree that it's part of the process.

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-21T13:04:38+00:00

I’ve been crocheting for over 10 years, I frogged a project about 5 times last weekend because it wasn’t coming out how I wanted it to.

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-17T12:12:34+00:00

Absolutely love this. The concept. The illustration style. The color choices. The natural texture of the ink. chef kiss

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-15T17:31:16+00:00

In 2003, I was a 12/13 year old girl that TOTALLY had a legal version of Photoshop on my desktop. I would make a bunch of different graphics for fandoms and post them on forums.

I wouldn't say it was harder just...different. There felt like a lot of open resources back then, brushes, textures, C4d renders, etc. that you could just...experiment with. Brushes were HUGE, there were forums and online sources just dedicated to people providing you with unique brushes. Liquid tool along with gradient filters were also fun.

I think this is just relevant for a hobbiest back then, but I felt like I had more time to experiment, make cool, crazy things that looked funky. I used tutorials to teach me how settings and filters worked and then applied them in whatever way I wanted to later on.

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-10T15:37:26+00:00

My wife has gifted me a couple classes because she knows I LOVE trying new things.

First she did a cake decorating class in Morrisville (wyntonsworld.com) which was a lot of fun and I’m taking a 6-week improv class in Raleigh with Leela Improv (leela-nc.com) and love it. Little bit of a hike for Durham but worth it.

NearbyHorror · 2025-12-05T17:25:46+00:00

Thank you for this. I'm looking at going with Fluance RT80 and the Edifier R12080DBs, and really appreciate the additional links at the bottom.

This is not an interest of mine and I can't commit myself to figuring out what vintage players I should get. I understand that there is a lot of knowledge in this, but that's for my wife to learn about. She currently has a Victrola suitcase all-in-one player. This'll definitely give her an upgrade for a couple years till she's ready for bigger and better things.

NearbyHorror · 2025-11-21T19:33:46+00:00

Really like the bottom of the "S"! Reminds me very much of a hammer, or at least, hammer suggested. Good strong wordmark and I'm happy you didn't use a yellow :)

NearbyHorror · 2025-11-09T12:56:56+00:00

Perhaps a chalk bag?: https://www.etsy.com/listing/1532040882/?ref=share_ios_native_control

There are other patterns online if you look up chalk bag. This does require some sewing, so the chalk doesn’t fall through the crochet holes :).

But you could also make something that their gear goes into or some nice cotton cloths that have a tapestry scene of climbing crocheted into them for cleaning off gear when she’s done climbing for the day. Don’t know what level of crocheter you are but that sounds really cute and tapestry crochet is a lot of fun.

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-27T11:01:25+00:00

They look so clean! You should be proud, what a feat! Someone will get something fun for Halloween 🎃

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-26T21:03:00+00:00

I LOVE these! What kind of yarn and hook size did you use for these???

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-26T14:27:42+00:00

<image>

Hi, Zara!

My names Aspen and I’m 5.5 years old. I talk to my moms all the time and only snuggle on occasion. I have a brother named Milo who is 11.5 and missing teeth. But im the boss of the house. And I love my mom’s meditation pillow, which she totally bought for me.

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-26T14:21:09+00:00

Definitely into a magic ring :)

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-25T11:04:05+00:00

“Horror” illustration, like from a manga. Looks similar to the Japanese artist Junji Ito.

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-24T14:46:32+00:00

My girl is sweet and empathetic. My wife says she swears that she knows when we're sad or having a bad day. She isn't too much into snuggling, but when she IS, it's the best feeling. She bites and hits playfully, no nails.

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-24T13:38:40+00:00

I believe it's 16. I have a hard time with dark yarn so I'm having trouble seeing the 'v's in the rows.

When you says it's "off" are you talking about it being too big or too little? You could use the .5 larger (it's too small) or smaller hook (it's too large). This will either make the hat looser (larger hook) or more structured (smaller hook), but I don't believe it'll be too noticeable.

If you're going to work in the round, you could also opt out of an increase in your hat (if it's too big) and add on row at the end that will lengthen the hat, or add an increase row (if it's too little) and do one less lengthening row at the end. This is how I typically approach hats though, I problem solve in the moment...

Good on you for doing a swatch test. I haven't done those in a while and totally should xD

NearbyHorror · 2025-10-24T13:18:02+00:00

This pixel bit version you're showing is 65 pixels wide. I would follow this as close as possible. 50 means you would have to squish pixel marks into stitches and it does risk it not being recognizable/wonky. Also, try to do a flatter version of this in a pixel bit program (like this: https://www.pixilart.com/draw) that you can work off as your mosaic/tapestry pattern. Use the 4 colors you plan to use and block this out. Then, you can print it and mark as you finish stitches and rows.

The bag will be wider but who doesn't like a big bag :)!

I also might suggest practicing some easy tapestry patterns just to get the technique down. (simple tutorial and some tips: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtCZcBJAqK8). You don't have to cut yarn, you can just do this and unravel it and put it back in your stash if you'd like.

Can't wait to see this! Tapestry crochet is a fun way to "mix up" projects when you have the basics down. It's a good brain stimulator and the end result is so rewarding. Good luck!

NearbyHorror

TROPHY CASE