Why don't knitters and crocheters realize how beautiful they are?

We seem to be especially hard on ourselves.

Every day, these lovely friends come into the shop...

Wearing their latest finished objects, aglow with pride...

And then I pull my camera out.

"Oh no!" they shriek, shrinking back. "Not my face!"

"But...you're gorgeous!" I say. "And your work is amazing!"

"But look at this mistake, right here..." they say. 

Why do we do this to ourselves?

We ARE gorgeous. Our work IS amazing.

In honor of Valentine's Day, may I suggest taking a moment to embrace what Whitney Houston famously called "The Greatest Love of All."

"Because the greatest love of all
is happening to me
I found the greatest love of all
inside of me."

I know, it's easier said than done. But it gets easier with practice.

(And a younger knitter might be around the corner, watching.) 

So when I have that urge to shrink back, I put on that finished object, smile big for that selfie and own it all - my age, my shape, my laugh lines, my dropped stitches.

It's truly the best Valentine we can give ourselves.

In this spirit, I'd like to encourage you to post a photo of yourself wearing something you've recently made, on Instagram, Facebook or both. Caption it with something you love about yourself and tag it with @loopslove and #loveyourselfie. On Valentine's Day, we'll choose three random winners who'll each receive a $100 Loops gift card. 

All the Loops Love,
Shelley and the Loops Troops

Shown above and below, "Chime" set by Amy Christoffers in Canopy Fingering yarn from The Fibre Co. (baby alpaca/merino/bamboo, 2 skeins for cowl, 1 skein for hat or mitts). Photos by Jane Heller. 

I'm particularly enamored with Canopy Fingering right now.

The combo of Baby Alpaca, Merino and Bamboo in a fingering weight makes it perfect for next-to-your-skin scarves and sweaters.

I made a Birkin by Caitlin Hunter with this yarn last fall (see below).

I love it so much, I'm thinking about casting on A-line Cardigan by The Fibre Company (love that cute little detail in back). 

Or maybe an Open Waters Shawl by Melanie Berg. 

The nice thing is that the bamboo will help these pieces transition smoothly into spring and summer. Love!

We heart the provisional cast-on because it gives us so much freedom.

Want to be able to add some length at the end of a project? Or maybe a fancy border?

The provisional cast-on is your secret weapon!

And if the crochet hook method freaks you out, Loops Trooper Margaret has the answer.

Margaret says, "I do not do a fancy provisional cast-on involving a crochet hook. I just cast on (long tail, usually) the required number of stitches with a nice smooth waste yarn (I have a skein of mercerized cotton just for this task).

"Then, I cut that yarn and start knitting with my project yarn. If I am feeling particularly persnickety, I put in a lifeline with the waste yarn, but if you use a smooth yarn, it will pick out easily and expose those lovely live stitches!"

This is a great throwback recipe that just takes a few minutes to throw together and is ready before you can say "provisional cast-on"! Courtesy of Loops Trooper Margaret. 

Impossible Quesadilla Pie
Makes 6 to 8 servings

2 cans (4 ounces each) chopped green chilies, drained
4 cups shredded Cheddar cheese
2 cups milk
1 cup Bisquick baking mix
4 eggs
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro (optional)

Heat oven to 425 degrees, and grease a 10" by 1.5" pie plate.  Sprinkle chilies and cheese in plate. Beat remaining ingredients until smooth, mix in cilantro (if using) and pour over chilies and cheese.  Bake until knife inserted between center and edge comes out clean, 25 to 30 minutes.  Cool 10 minutes before serving with guacamole and/or sour cream, as desired.  

Enjoy!

P.S. Don't forget to post your #loveyourselfie! :)