Completing the Shape and Detailing of Snake Plant Leaves

This week, I worked on wiring and edging to give my crochet snake plant a structured and polished look                                                                                                              1. Preparing the Wire for Each Leaf:

    1. I cut three wire lengths—10 inches for small leaves, 12 inches for medium,  and 14 inches for large leaves.
    2. Bending the wire slightly (without pinching it) gave the   leaves a natural curve.

2.  Adding the Edging for a Clean Finish:

I started by watching the video, which introduced the concept of edging, but it  didn’t provide much detail on the actual process. To learn how to properly create a neat border, I followed the  tutorial, which explained the importance of adding three stitches at the corners to keep the edges looking clean and even.

 

 

I also looked at the blog from last week, which helped                                         reinforce my understanding of the different stitch techniques used in leaf formation.

I applied these techniques to my snake plant leaves to ensure the border looked uniform and professional.

Reflections on This Week’s Learning:

At first, I found it really difficult to hold the wire and yarn together while crocheting. During my first attempt, the wire that I left at the end accidentally got inserted into the leaf, making it look messy and uneven.

After struggling with this, I turned to different resources to troubleshoot my issue. The first video I watched provided a visual guide for adding edging but didn’t go into enough detail about how to hold and manage the wire properly. This led me to search for additional tutorials, and that’s when I found the second video, which focused specifically on creating neat and professional-looking borders.

This second resource was incredibly helpful because it explained why adding extra stitches at the corners is necessary to prevent tight or uneven edges. After watching it, I tried again, and this time, my edges looked much neater, and the wire stayed in place properly. This experience reinforced how valuable it is to explore multiple resources when learning a new skill.

Now that the leaves are wired and edged, I’m excited to make planter/ pot for my snake plant next week.

Snake Plant Crochet: Leaf Creation & Learning Reflections

This week, I focused on making the leaves for my crochet snake plant. Since the plant has three sizes of leaves (small, medium, and large) and two striping variations, I wanted to challenge myself by making all the different types for added character.

Steps I Followed

1.Practicing Consistency:                                                      Stitch Tension: I focused on keeping my tension even so that all the leaves looked smooth and well-formed. Uneven tension could make some leaves stiffer or looser than others.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              Size & Shape Matching: To ensure all my leaves were proportionate, I frequently compared them side by side, adjusting my stitches as needed to maintain uniformity.

 

 

 

2. Following the Leaf Pattern:
I started by crocheting the small, medium, and large leaves for my snake plant. The original pattern included striping variations, but I kept it simple by using one solid color for all my leaves. This made it easier to focus on the structure and technique rather than managing multiple color changes. I carefully followed the stitch count for each row, making sure to shape the leaves correctly.

 

Reflection on This Week’s Learning

I really enjoyed following the blog I used as a reference for crocheting my snake plant. The blogger did an amazing job explaining each step clearly by including pictures, which made it easier to understand. I also appreciated that there was a PDF version available for the correct pattern, making it more convenient to follow along.

One of the things I found particularly helpful was how the blogger broke down the pattern based on the size of the leaves. She explained the number of rows, types of stitches, and the stitch count for each row, which gave me a clearer understanding of how to shape the leaves properly.

However, I decided to skip the color variation part because I want my snake plant to be in one solid color. Even though the original pattern includes different striping effects, I liked keeping it simple for my project.

This week, I feel more comfortable with crochet patterns, and I’m excited to move on to the next steps of wiring and edging the leaves next week!


Compress App: A Handy Tool for Reducing Image Sizes

 

Last week, I faced a challenge while working on my blog. The platform only accepts

images up to 1 MB, but the pictures I take on my phone are 3–4 MB—a huge difference!

I spent a lot of time searching for apps and adjusting settings on my phone,  hoping to find an easy way to reduce the file size without compromising quality. Finally, I found a solution: an app called Compress. I found it a bit confusing when I first used it, but after my second try, I fully understood how it worked. Now, I use it regularly, and I find it extremely useful for the following reasons:

Why Compress is a Great Tool

Simple Interface: After a little practice, the app becomes very easy to use.
High-Quality Compression: It reduces file size while keeping good image quality.
Batch Processing: You can compress three images at once.
Customizable Settings: You can choose the level of compression you need.
Fast Processing: The compression process is quick, saving a lot of time.

❌ What I Don’t Like About Compress

🚫 Too Many Ads: One thing that irritates me about this app is the number

of ads that pop up while using it. If you’re in a hurry and don’t have a lot of time to spend,

these interruptions can be frustrating.                                                                                    How to Use Compress (Step-by-Step Guide)

Step 1: Download and install the Compress app from the App Store or Google Play.
Step 2: Open the app and select the image(s) you want to compress.
Step 3: Choose your preferred compression level.
Step 4: Click the “Compress” button and wait a few seconds.
Step 5: Save the compressed image to your gallery or share it directly.Using Compress in the Classroom & the SAMR Model

This app can be incredibly useful in an educational setting. Here’s how it fits into the SAMR model:

  • Substitution: Instead of uploading large images that take a long time to load, students can use Compress to reduce file sizes before submitting work.
  • Augmentation: Teachers can save storage space and improve website performance by using smaller images in online materials.
  • Modification: Students can use the app to compress images for multimedia projects, improving efficiency.
  • Redefinition: The app allows students to easily share compressed images in collaborative projects without worrying about file size limits.

How I Used Compress for My Learning Project

As part of my learning project, I’m documenting my progress in crocheting. I take lots of pictures of my work, but since my phone’s camera produces large file sizes, I needed a way to reduce them for my blog.

I used Compress to shrink the images before uploading them. Here’s what I found:
✅ The compressed images loaded faster on my blog.
✅ I was able to upload more pictures without hitting storage limits.
✅ The image quality remained clear and detailed.

⬅️Here’s an example of an image before and after compression:

Reflection                 

If you need an easy and effective way to reduce image sizes, the Compress app is a great choice. However, be prepared for a lot of ads, which can be frustrating if you’re short on time.

Have you used Compress or a similar app? Let me know your thoughts in the comments!

 

Exploring the Basics of Crochet, My journey with Yarn and Stitches

This week, I began to learn the fundamentals of Crochet. Crochet is an art form that involves creating fabric by using a hooked tool (a crochet hook) and yarn or thread 

Tools I required:

Crochet Hook

Yarn                                                                     

Learning the Basics: I started by familiarizing myself with the basic techniques and stitches in crochet. Here’s a breakdown

How to Hold the Yarn and Hook: At first, I was a bit confused about how to hold the yarn and crochet hook. After trying several ways, I finally found what worked for me. I hold the hook in my right hand (since I’m right-handed) and the yarn in my left hand. There are two common grips for the hook: the Pencil Grip and the Knife Grip. I personally prefer the Knife Grip as it felt more natural for me.

How to Tie a Slip Knot: I learned that the slip knot is the first step in starting a crochet project. It’s the knot that gets the yarn onto the hook so you can start crocheting.

Yarn Over: The “yarn over” (YO) is essential for  almost every stitch in crochet.   It’s when you wrap the yarn over the hook to create the loop needed for stitches. It’s one of the most important  steps to master early on.

Making a Starting Chain: The starting chain is the foundation for many crochet projects. I learned how to chain a series of stitches to create the base for my project.

Working into the Chain: When I started working into the chain, I found that the front of the chain looks like a series of interlocking Vs, while the back has bumps. This helped me figure out where to insert the hook for the next row.

How to Single Crochet (SC): The single crochet stitch was my first stitch to learn. It’s the shortest stitch in crochet and one of the most basic. I spent a lot of time practicing this stitch.

How to Turn the Work: After completing a row, I learned that you need to turn  the work and chain 1 before starting the next row. The turning chain doesn’t count as a stitch, so I had to be mindful of this.

How to Work in Row 2: To continue crocheting, I turned the work, chained 1, and inserted the hook into the last stitch of the previous row. After yarning over and pulling through, I completed the single crochet stitch. This took               a bit of practice, but eventually, I got the hang of it.

How to Fasten Off: After completing the crochet swatch, I learned how to fasten off. This involves cutting the yarn, pulling the yarn through the loop on the hook, and tightening it to prevent the stitches from unraveling.

Slip stich : I used the following three steps to complete the Slip stich.

 

 

                           

Reflection on My Experience:

At first, I struggled with positioning the yarn and hook, but after several attempts, I found a method that felt most comfortable for me. When making the second and third rows, my stitches looked a little funny. It took me a few tries, but I eventually made the stitches more uniform and cleaner. The process of trial and error helped me build confidence, and I began to feel more comfortable with the techniques.

One thing I found challenging was the slip stitch. It felt a bit awkward, but I’m planning to keep practicing it so I can get more comfortable.

 Reflection on crochet  Blogger:

The blogger has done an excellent job of clearly explaining the fundamentals of crochet. I truly appreciate how she breaks down each step in detail, making it simple for beginners to follow. Every strategy is fully described because of the way she arranges the material into distinct points.
One of the things I liked the most about her post is that she included images at every stage. Visual aids make a huge difference in learning a hands-on skill like crochet. Additionally, she goes beyond just explaining stitches as she has provided guidance on choosing the right crochet hook and yarn size, which is essential for beginners.

Another great feature is the inclusion of direct links to purchase the recommended materials. This eliminates the need for readers to look for the appropriate tools individually, making it convenient. Overall, this blog is well-organized, educational, and beneficial for anyone to start their crochet journey.

Reflection on YouTuber:

The YouTuber did a great job of describing the various ways to hold the yarn, four distinct techniques assist everyone to find the most comfortable and natural grip.
Her use of large-sized yarn in the demos was one of the things that I found most useful. This ensured that even the smallest details were obvious and made every step extremely transparent and simple to follow. She also provided an insightful description of yarn tension. She gave viewers thorough instructions on how to keep the tension at the ideal level, which is essential for reliable stitches.

Everything described in her video was quite educational and easy for beginners to follow. Her meticulousness and learning to crochet was made easier by her careful presentation and attention to detail.

What’s Next?

Now that I’ve covered the basics, I’m ready to take the next step in my crochet journey. For next week, I’ll be making leaves for my crochet snake plant. This will allow me to apply what I’ve learned so far, practice shaping techniques like increasing and decreasing, and explore creating more complex designs.

 

 

                                                                                                                                                           

 Role of technology in my daily life 

In the era of technology, we are completely dependent on it. It plays an important role from the start of the day until bedtime. Premium Photo | Doctor         I also use different apps and websites in my daily life, such as WhatsApp to call my parents and friends. Check the daily posts and activities from around the world using a news app. Moreover, these days I use the weather app a lot. I also use Snapchat, Instagram, and FB to interact with my friends and see their daily posts. For study purposes, I frequently use Google, MS Word, Google Sheets, Notes, Canva, Ur Courses, and MS PowerPoint a lot.

Efficient use of technology

I rely on the alarm application on the phone to stay organized and assist me in completing my work within a given period. These days I am also writing a research paper, and one of my friends introduced me to the Google Scholar website. I did not know about this simple way to search for different scholars’ literature all in one place. We can search out different articles, books, abstracts, and opinions from academic publishers, professional societies, online repositories, universities, and websites.

Time spend on social Media  

I believe that I spend a lot of time on Instagram. I pick up the phone after certain intervals and start scrolling Instagram Reels and checking my friend’s posts. I want to reduce the time of using Instagram and want to use it in productive ways.

Strategies to balancing social media usage

my daily activity on instagram

To overcome this, I have started using a feature in Instagram where one can manage their activity. When we go to our profile, we tap on the three lines in the top right corner and then select your activity. Under the “How to use Instagram” section, we will find the option of time spent. It shows the time we spend on Instagram daily which helps us to track it. Another feature I like is the ability to manage time; we can set a daily limit to use Instagram under the same option.

I also set the time boundaries by using the alarm app. I set a particular time and set an alarm, which helps to keep remembering that this is the time for myself and other productive activities. By combining these tools, I hope to make my social media time more mindful and balanced, allowing me to focus on more important tasks.

 

 

Get familiar with me

Hello everyone, my name is Jasmine Kaur. I was born and raised in Punjab, India. I hold a Master’s degree in Botany with a specialization in Cytogenetics and Plant Breeding, and a Bachelor’s degree in Medical Sciences, both from India. Professionally, I served as an Assistant Professor at SGGSWU University back in India and also worked as a post-graduate teacher at a school. Three years ago, I moved to Regina, Canada, where I live with my husband, our adorable baby, and my in-laws. I have a deep passion for flowers, drawing, painting, and gardening, as they allow me to connect with nature and express my creativity.

Currently, I am in my second year of the Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) after-degree program, which has given me the opportunity to explore and expand my knowledge of educational technology. This program is helping me develop a deeper understanding of the ways technology can enhance learning experiences.

Although I am not very familiar with blogging yet, I’ve heard a lot about it and it is a kind of website which update regularly knowledgeable content .  I believe it’s a wonderful contemporary platform to not only learn from others but also to share and gain valuable insights. I’m really excited to dive deeper into the world of blogging, connect with my classmates, and learn from their blogs as well. It’s an exciting journey, and I look forward to engaging with this community.

 

A Glimpse at my learning Adventure. Crochet Garden;Growing with Yarn !

 

Hi Everyone!

Since childhood, I have been fascinated by arts and crafts. I eagerly participated in every school competition and still cherish those moments. I remember one competition where we had to use yarn to create something—whether through knitting, crochet, or another art form.  I learned knitting at that time, but I also wanted to try crochet. Unfortunately, I did not get the chance back then.

Another fondest memory is watching my grandmother crochet. She taught me how to make and hold a crochet hook, but that’s as far as my skills go—I have never explored crochet in further detail. This project is providing an opportunity to dive deeper and learn every detail about crocheting.

This project is also an exciting chance for me to explore blogging for the very first time. It is a fantastic way to combine two new skills—crocheting and blogging—and share my  journey of learning. In this era of technology, sharing the learning journey online is an excellent way to connect with others. Blogging will allow me to share my journey with a wider audience, receive feedback, and connect with others who share similar interests. I hope to gain valuable insights through reviews, feedback and comments and improve myself along the way.

I have decided to combine my love for plants and flowers as well as background in botany with this project to create something meaningful. My goal for this project is to crochet a snake plant! I am thrilled to take on this creative challenge, as it connects my passion for nature with this new craft.

To achieve this, I will break my learning journey into milestones:

  1. Week 1: Learn basic crochet stitches (chain, single crochet, double crochet).
  2. Week 2: Begin working on leaf shapes for the snake plant.
  3. Week 3: Begin working on planter
  4. Week 4: Assemble the leaves and pot for the final plant design.

I will be using resources like YouTube tutorials (e.g., The Woobles), crochet blogs  to guide me. Each week, I will document my progress, share photos and videos, and reflect on my learning process.

I can not  wait to get started on this adventure and share my progress with all of you. If you have any crochet tips or resources, I’d love to hear them in the comments! Let’s make this journey a fun and collaborative experience!