Hi Everyone!
This is a very exciting post because I’m sharing my YouTube plans after a several month break! Granted, it’s an update video, not a tutorial – but one of those will be coming out on Friday! Woohoo! YouTube’s attention span is getting shorter, so I thought I would talk about my YouTube absence a little more thoroughly in written form – but of course check out the video too!
Why the long break?
As I mentioned in the video, the first reason for the long break from YouTube was because my kids were home from school and I wanted to spend time with them. I miss them when they are at school all day and having lazy days at home with them was too divine to miss. They are almost 10 and 7, so they are getting older and those days are precious to me.
After reason No.1, the 2nd reason is a little harder to express. Honestly, I got a little burned out and discouraged. I was dealing some additional things in my personal life that made keeping up with everything pretty difficult. The only reason why I tell you that is so that you know I am a real person with real struggles. I think in this age of social media, curated content and everything is awesome sort of mentality it can get exhausting. Not only for the ones putting that content out, but the ones receiving it too. I had some things to think about and reconcile in my mind about all of that. I want to portray happiness and peace, joy and fun of course! But that’s not always real life, but there is a way to share authenticity without being a total bummer. No one wants that either! Does that make sense?
All of that really has nothing to do with my love of creativity, teaching or inspiring you with crafts. I share this in an effort to be more than a pumper outer of meaningless content. There are tons and tons and TONS of free tutorials out there already. I want to get to the heart of why we make, who we make it for and the peace that it brings in addition to great, easy to follow content. What good can these projects do? How can we make a difference?
I hope that makes sense. It’s ok if it doesn’t, it barely makes sense to me sometime – ha!
YouTube Plans
With all of that being said, I have missed YouTube so much and find it a very valuable place to share free content. That’s how I got my start and I will always remember that so it’s important for me to keep that as part of my business for a long as possible.
That means… new tutorials every week! The first one comes out on Friday and I have a stockpile of new projects that I will be rolling out over the fall. yay!
This will be crochet, sewing, quilting, embroidery and even macrame! And holidays! Oh man, so many things and I’m excited, I hope you are too!
What I need from YOU!
Ok. In order to be able to bring you free content on YouTube, I need your help! I need your feedback and that can be given to me in the form of a thumbs up, comment and share on the YouTube videos or supporting social media content. I want to make sure I’m on the right track and bringing you what you want to see. That interaction helps so much – you have no idea! Thank you in advance for your feedback and suggestions – we will make this content the BEST it can be together! What do you think of these YouTube plans? Sound good?
Hello, I came across your videos on YouTube. New subbie here! Can you also show how to sew satin liners in the crochet hats. I’m watching a lot of your videos today and they excellent. You have a very nice voice and make everything so easy to learn. I’m enjoy watching your tutorials and can’t wait to see what else you have in store. Thanking you for taking them to do such great tutorials, keep up the great work.
You are so inspirational! I am so glad you had the chance (and took it) to spend special time with your two babies! Time flies by. You as well as all of us need a “mental health break”! So glad you are back…I don’t know what I would do without your crochet tutorials…❤️ them!!!
Hi melanie, love your tutorials!!! I am working on one of the afgan you did. Can you tell me if my skip 2 stitches are tight enough???
I can’t tell you how happy I was to see you pop up in my newsfeed tonight!!!! I’m looking forward to trying this new blanket out and can’t wait for your weekly videos. 💜💜💜
Hi – I have a comment/question about the granny cluster hat that is on your site. It appears that comments are turned off on that page. Thank you for the free pattern by the way. Looking at the side view of the rainbow version – it appears that you tapered the hat but your instructions don’t say that. Did you crochet all 12 rounds with the same number of clusters? My circumference is 21.5″ and I have 26 clusters. Do I continue with 26 all the way up the hat then close it with the single crochet row? Or do I reduce the number of clusters as I continue? It just seems enormous with that many clusters. I appreciate your help; this is an adorable pattern and I love the rainbow yarn.
So very happy you are back. I love your tutorials and you are like a breadth of fresh air when I watch them. I recently made your coin purse, one for me and one for a friend, and I plan to make many more…adorable and useful! I’ve also told many of my creative friends about you. Thank you for doing what you do.
Your crochety tutorials on YouTube have been my ‘go to’ videos on my journey learning to crochet. I have never commented because I figured that you would be so bombarded by responses that I didn’t want to add to it. Your request for comments inspired me to tell you how much I have appreciated your videos! I am glad that you are back!
If you already have videos on my request, let me know…….I would love to learn more about the weight of yarn and size of hook and how it affects a project. It is one of my biggest hang ups as a newbie. I often can’t find the exact yarn recommended for a project so I try to find something locally that is similar. Most of the time I am disappointed by the results. Are there some tips that you can offer to help me succeed in this area?
Thank you for all you do!!
Try this site! http://www.yarnsub.com
So glad your back ! You have no idea what a difference you’ve made in my life. You are so uplifting. Thankyou so much .
Hi Melanie,
Very happy that you are back! I just started sewing, and your tutorials have been the best to learn. Thank you!
You are a wonderful teacher! So glad you are back. I have favorited so many of your YouTube tutorials, my favorite ones include a key fob and makeup bag. I crocheted along with you to make my 1st grandchild a baby blanket. Look forward to learning more from you!
Glad your back, love your videos, just learned to crochet a few months ago, I have been crocheting blankets from your beginner friendly video, I am on my Fifth blanket, making one for each of my grandkids,
Very well said! I stayed home when my children were little, then only worked during school time so I could be home with them in the summer. I cherished every moment! Now they are all grown up and I found to have alot of free time on my hands, and that’s when I decided to start crocheting again after watching one of your tutorials 🙂 I have watched several other, but I find yours to be so easy to follow, and love everything you make. Personal life can kick us where the sun don’t shine and when that happens, it’s hard to put on a smile, much less making an educational video. You are amazing, your videos are awesome, and thank you so much for all of your hard work 🙂
I totally understand spending time with the family. They grow up way too fast!
I’m so happy you are back I LOVE all your stuff! You tube, Facebook live all of it. You are an inspiration and I look forward to your tutorials and you tubes. Welcome back!
Welcome back Melanie! Totally get the need to decompress occasionally…gotta make time for yourself too:) You’re the best “tute” author around in my opinion, and can’t wait to see what you’ve got coming up. Cheers!!
Hi Melanie so happy your back. You are my favorite tutorial person on you tube. You have taught me how to crochet. I love your lessons. They are so easy. I’ve made at least three of your blankets and crocheted beanies as well.
I always refer back to your basic stitches if I need help.. thanks Michelle
crochet! all day
I love your you tube videos, on any crafts I find you very easy to understand and follow and find you very down to earth. I just did the pencil case video with my teen daughter and loved it. Thank you for your hard work, glad you took the time off to be with your family it is very important as a mom for sure. Keep up Amal the amazing crafts, can’t wait for your holiday items and ideas. You inspire me 😃
I find your tutorials enjoyable and easy to follow. Keep it up!
I totally understand taking time with your family and as for life I get it! We are all human and no one has a perfect life no matter how they try to make us believe it. We all need sole searching and self reflection from time to time, we all get so busy trying to do everything to make everyone happy we need to take some time for ourselves. That is very difficult for me to do without feeling guilty. I look to what you have in store for us. As for myself I have so much going on it’s difficult to complete so many projects. So take your time and go at your own pace in putting out new content.
I am glad you are back. I like beginner videos, because I feel like I am always learning. Just last night I made some pencil case from your video. I love how they turned out!! Keep up the great work!!
Welcome back!!!! I hope you enjoyed your summer with your kids! As a Mom to a 24 year old and 19 year old, I know how precious those childhood years are!!!! Can’t wait to see what you have in store for crocheters!!!!!!
Love your crochet videos!
Melanie I enjoy your tutorials and learn so much. When I need a DIY tutorial, you are always first on my mind. You are so easy to folliw and understand. You are awesome. Thanks for what you do.
You are a wonderful teacher. Keep up the great work!
Do you ever think you could do a tuffet foot stool class?
Hello Melanie! I came across one of your YouTube videos about a year ago and crocheted my 2 sons a blanket you had done that was simple and awesome. They turned out great and my sons love them! I loved how you explained things. I am interested in a shall tutorial. I’d love to make them for the holidays. Thank you for sharing your talents and look forward to watching and making new things with your help. Thank you again!
Welcome back! I’d love to see some macrame tutorials. I had a friend who used to macrame over plastic tube hangers to make the most wonderful no-slip hangers I’ve ever had. They were even think enough to hang sweaters in without leaving dents in the shoulders! Sadly, I lost my friend to complications from diabetes. Oh to have her sweet self back to teach me macrame & perseverance & godliness & a million other things.