This week's newsletter can actually be called the second part of last week's newsletter. I had so much to tell last week but could not put that all in one newsletter. It would have turned into a newspaper instead of a newsletter 😬

Yarn or crochet hook

I often have people asking me if they can make one of my crochet patterns with yarn that is slightly thicker or a bigger crochet hook. The answer is yes and that is because it's not a garment that needs to fit so it's totally fine if the size of the finished item is not exactly like mine.

With thinner yarn or a smaller crochet hook your finished item will just simply be slightly smaller than mine and that's ok...it's not a garment remember....does not need to fit on a human body. And then with thicker yarn or a bigger crochet hook, the finished item will just simply be a bit larger than mine. In that case I always say: no problem at all because then there is more to be admired 😁.

You can just use your usual yarn and hook that you use for amigurumi items and it will be just fine. If you prefer DK-yarn, go ahead. If you prefer to use very thin yarn, go ahead. If you always crochet with a 2.5mm hook, go ahead. Just make sure you have no large holes in the amigurumi item and you'll be just fine.

In the spotlight

This week the spotlight is on 3 little angel dolls that I made last year:

This is actually a 3in1 crochet pattern = you get all 3 dolls in 1 pattern.

Right now the crochet pattern is available in US & UK English, Dutch, French, Spanish and German. Let me know if you prefer it in a different language. I plan on translating all my crochet and knitting patterns to 7 languages. When I am done with those, I might even add Indonesian as well. I speak fluent Indonesian and have noticed that there are more and more Indonesian ladies (and even some men) who like to crochet and make amigurumi items. Having my crochet patterns in Indonesian for them would be really nice.

Here are the links to this 3in1 crochet pattern of mine:

1. Craftygenesindonesia (so this website here where PayPal and credit card are the available options to pay): https://craftygenesindonesia.com/shop/christmas-crochet-patterns/3in1-christmas-angel-girl/
2. Haked.nl (wonderful Dutch website where payment options like Bancontact, Ideal, Sepa, KBC, bank transfer, ..are available): https://haked.nl/product/haakpatroon-3in1-kerstengel-meisje/
3. Etsy: https://www.etsy.com/listing/4395566164/3in1-christmas-angel-girl-digital?etsrc=sdt
4. Ravelry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/3in1-christmas-angel-girl
5. Payhip: https://payhip.com/b/OcP43

And yes, the crochet pattern is 100% real and made by me. Anyone who knows me even just a bit, will know that I don't want to have anything to do with Ai and all that fakery and scamming some people do these days. Every crochet and knitting pattern by me: Sofie Versluys from Craftygenesindonesia) is 100% real and comes with all the customer service you need.

Facebook links

Sometimes people click on a link to my crochet pattern and say paying on the website does not work. This is NOT because of the website. That is actually a Facebook internal system setting that we cannot change. You have to continue to your browser because Facebook opens links inside its own limited in-app browser by default, which often blocks secure checkout buttons, tracking cookies, or payment tools.

Here is what to do on an Android device:

1. In your Facebook app tap on the menu icon ( ... or ☰ )
2. Go to Settings & privacy > settings
3. Scroll down to Media
4. Turn on "links open externally" (or check the box for open links in external browser)
5. Next time you click on a link to my crochet pattern, it should open directly in your browser and not in the Facebook screen/app (if you see the word Facebook at the top of your screen then you are still in the Facebook screen/app = purchasing cannot be done there. You must be in the browser of your phone)

Here is what to do on an Apple device:

1. When the link opens in Facebook, tap the three dots (...) in the top-right corner.
2. Select "Open in External Browser" or "Open in Browser" to switch to Safari or Chrome
3. That will open the same page of the website in your browser now instead of the Facebook screen = payment is possible here

Facebook says that this is to make the app safer. Bit inconvenient for us but if it makes it safer for us..then no complaining I guess 🤷🏻‍♀️

That will it for this week. Have a lovely weekend and have lots of fun crocheting (or knitting) ❤️

By next week I should be able to tell you about my new website that I'm working on (called RealCrochetPatterns.com)