Lately I’ve been swatching like a crazy person. Crocheting peacefully in my favorite spot is a great antidote for all the snow days we have had the past month.
I am attempting to get lots of new proposals created, as well as working out more designs for some self-publishing projects. Unfortunately, I can’t really show you what I’ve been working on. It’s the super secret aspect of this designing journey. So strange, I’ve got loads of crochet stuff happening, but rarely can share about that on my blog…which is supposed to be primarily about crochet design.
I can share with all my lovely readers about my latest new designs that are in the June 2013 issue of Crochet World.
Photo courtesy of Crochet World / Annie’s Publishing
The Butterfly Days Baby Set, which is a snuggly blanket and cardigan for your favorite little one. This is an easy stitch pattern worked with a lively yarn to create a very cushiony but breathable fabric to keep the chill of air-conditioning off baby.
Photo courtesy of Crochet World / Annie’s Publishing
And the Sea & Sand Necklace, a fun simple-to-make beaded crochet project that will look great with summer necklines. I designed this using Paton’s Silk Bamboo blend thread. I like silk and silk blends for jewelry as it is a very strong fiber and tends to hold up better to wear. Plus there is the gleam of the fiber and the way it holds color.
This issue of Crochet World is available in electronic version already and will be on newsstands very soon.
Sorry for going a bit quiet on all my lovely readers. The last bit of March went flying by as it was Spring Break for my boys and since then it’s been madness.
For one thing, the weather up here on my mountain doesn’t seem able to make up it’s mind. First it’s 60+ temperatures (farenheit for those of my non-US readers) with loads of mud everywhere, then it’s 6-10 inches of snow and below freezing temps.
A few weekends back was Easter, which my family tends to celebrate as the beginning of spring. For the first time, in a long while, we actually had a warm weather day here on the mountain to celebrate my favorite Spring holiday. Generally we are still contending with just above freezing. Our egg hunts are either conducted indoors or wearing full winter gear.
I’ve been working away on much of the book-keeping tasks that seem to be neglected until tax time rolls around again. Every year I promise myself that I will do a better job of keeping up with that job. So far I’ve not done a stellar job with meeting that promise.
Of course, the good news is, each year the amount of book-keeping work increases as my design, writing and teaching work load increases. As my darling friend Pam says, it is a “quality problem”. Who knows, 2013 may well be the year I finally hire someone to do the book-keeping for me. That might whip me into shape.
Speaking of getting into shape. My birthday resolution of improving my health is coming closer to my grasp. I’ve been working on developing the habit of going to bed before midnight. Amazing what getting decent sleep does for one’s attitude overall, not to mention the improvement in energy during the day.
I’m also exercising more each day. Some days it is just 1/2 an hour of dancing in my living room to my favorite disco tunes. This is really entertaining to do when my children are home after school. Who knew one could embarrass their children when no one is around? Wait til I dance in the grocery store aisle when shopping with them.
I’ve been reading a rather inspiring book that one of my PJ Jam friends recommended. “Younger Next Year for Women; Live Strong, Fit and Sexy – Until You’re 80 and Beyond ” by Chris Crowley & Henry S. Lodge, M.D.
The book is really reiterating some of the info I already knew about keeping active and involved in life to stay healthy. Written with a rather humorous voice at times I have been finding it entertaining, as well as motivating me to get off my duff and get active again.
I will be going to see my medical doctor soon for an evaluation as part of my fitness program. Partly because I hope to repeat the appointment in a year and see an improvement. My 50th birthday is only 6 months away now, so I’m thinking that will be my first milestone to shoot for.
It would be lovely to walk up my own driveway by then without feeling winded. And in case you are thinking I’m really a wuss for being winded going up my drive, it’s a very steep drive and I live at nearly 8500 feet above sea-level.
Photo courtesy of Red Heart
Meanwhile I have a few new designs out. Flowered Wedding Favor Box is worked in thread and is quick to stitch up. Work the flowers in your wedding colors, or make one trimmed box to hold a gift for Mom this Mother’s day.
Photo courtesy of Red Heart
And if you missed the issue of Crochet World that had my Button Showcase Bracelet in it, you can now find the pattern on the Red Heart Website.
I hope you are all enjoying your Spring and finding time for some outdoor play to balance your crochet time.
I always enjoy creating designs that beginning crocheters can tackle and my latest published designs are examples of this.
Photo courtesy of Crochet 1-2-3
You can find my “Seasonless Wrap” in Issue #4 of Crochet 1-2-3 Magazine. This simple wrap is worked with Lion Brand Homespun in rows of V-stitches off a central/neck foundation. I love V-stitches for working with fuzzy or fluffy yarns like Homespun.
Photo courtesy of Crochet! Magazine
You can find my “Big Beads Necklace” in the Spring 2013 issue of Crochet! Magazine. The hardest part of working this pattern are how tiny the stitches are. But if you are comfortable working with Size #10 crochet thread you’ll have no trouble at all. You don’t really need to count the number of rounds worked, just keep going til you reach the length you want. I found making the sample to be very meditative.
Even if you are an experienced crocheter, these are both fun “mindless” crochet projects for those days you just want to play with the hooks.
February is rocketing along already and Valentines Day is only a week away. So I have released a new version of my Luv Bug pattern that is easier to use on a Tablet Device.
This is a quick little toy to work up as a gift for your Valentine. Depending on the weight of yarn you use it can be barely palm size 2 inches or a snuggly handful of 7 inches. The bugs feet, antenna, and nose are all worked as you crochet the pieces, so there are only 4 main pieces to sew together at the end. Add eyes and a bit of stuffing and you are finished.
I was inspired to make this version by my own experience of reading my patterns on my tablet. In the original version I had laid out the pattern so that it could be printed out as a 2 page booklet. This new format has 4 pages instead of 2. All the diagrams, instructions and photo tutorials are the same.
You can purchase it in my Ravelry Shop by clicking Here.
I got a nice surprise today. Found out that my Easy Crochet Wristers pattern is available on the Red Heart website.
I wanted to create a super simple design that beginning crocheters could stitch up. If you can make a chain, single crochet and double crochet stitch; you can crochet these wristers up.
They are worked flat, then seamed together to create the opening for your thumb. Give them a try and see what you think.
This fun little cap is my first design in Crochet 1-2-3 the new crochet magazine available by subscription and in Walmart stores.
Photo courtesy of Crochet 1-2-3
As I’ve said before, hats are one of my favorite projects to work on for quick gifts. This simple hat is crocheted crown down and uses post stitches to create the 8 little cable ridges that meet up with the ribbed brim. The pattern is available in 4 sizes, so you’ll be sure to find one to fit a child in your circle of gift giving.
There is one error in the pattern. For Sizes 12 months (4 years) only, Round 9 (10): the instructions between the brackets [ ] should only be repeated 4 times, not 8.
Photo of Back Cover courtesy of Leisure Arts Publishing.
My first ever published design was a pair of fingerless mitts for Red Heart Yarn in October of 2009. So it is fitting that my first ever booklet would be fingerless mitts as well. I love making fingerless mitts. They are a wonderful quick project for gift-giving and a useful item to have in your pockets for chilly days.
I had a great time working on this booklet. Kept me very busy throughout May, June and July of 2012, in a frenzy of creativity and crocheting. In fact this effort has inspired me to create more fingerless mitt designs in the future.
The booklet has 8 different designs for fingerless mitts and sells for $9.99, which comes out to about $1.25 a pattern. Patterns range from basic beginner to intermediate skill levels. All the designs are worked in sock/fingering weight yarns for warmth without bulk. Leisure Arts has even included links to helpful videos on their website for help with or review of many of the techniques.
All but 1 of the designs in this booklet are worked from the cuff up, which gives you the option of making the hand/finger area longer if desired. Many of the styles include thumb gussets to give greater coverage for those that live in chillier climates.
One of the wonderful advantages of wearing fingerless mitts is they can actually help you avoid injury to your hands when typing, texting or even crocheting. Keeping your hands warm is a great way to prevent muscle strains from repetitive motion.
Photo courtesy of Leisure Arts Publishing
I love all the designs in the booklet but my 2 favorites are the Small V-stitch Wristers (shown on the front cover) and the Staggered Cross Stitch Mitts. The main reason these are my favorites is because of the lovely stretch that the stitch patterns give to the fabric.
When I’m out and about I prefer my mitts to have a longer palm section that nearly covers my pinkie finger, making it easy to operate the touchscreen on my smart phone, but still keeping my hands warm in our cold weather. I sometimes wear glove liners under my mitts when the temperature really drops.
At home I wear my lacy fingerless mitts in the house, especially on winter evenings. Living on a mountain it gets very cold, but I’m cozy under an afghan with my hands in my mitts and my fingers free to crochet, knit, read a book or give kitty and doggie scritches as needed.
Funny thing about being a crochet designer, sometimes you find yourself being asked to design in a medium that you haven’t work with in ages.
Such is the case with me and thread work.
Long long ago when I was a shiny new penny, back when mammoths still roamed the world (so think my boys), I dabbled with thread crochet. My maternal grandmother had an antique store full of gorgeous vintage thread crochet and other wonders. I could kick myself for not paying closer attention then.
Photo courtesy of Annie’s
Recently I have been designing in thread quite a bit. I just finished 3 designs for Coats and Clark that are scheduled to be unveiled later in 2013. My most recent published thread design was “Maurine’s Angel” in the Crochet World December 2012 issue.
Photo courtesy of Red Heart Yarn
Earlier this fall my “Day of the Dead” earrings were published on the Red Heart website. Thread is great for making jewelry because of the small-scale of the stitches, and tighter stitch work possible especially with cotton thread.
Size #10 cotton thread is offered in a number of beautiful colors, so really lends itself to fun projects. Like my crocheted cover for my tape measure.
I love using both size #10 and #3 thread in my art pieces. Adding crochet to my mixed media pieces allows for interesting dimension and texture that I enjoy.
Like all the detailed leaves, flowers and butterflies on my bird house last spring.
My favorite projects to make in thread are Snowflakes for decorating my Christmas tree, or sending as gifts with Christmas cards. I have family and friends all over, so it’s nice to be able to send a pretty crocheted gift that will travel flat. I offered a pattern for the little snowflake on the right last December here on my blog.
5 Snowflakes – Universal Yarn
I even designed a set of 5 snowflakes in Nazli Gelin thread for Universal Yarns. You can purchase the pattern leaflet for these snowflakes on the Universal Yarns website. One thing I love about this pattern leaflet is that there is both text and stitch diagrams for the instructions.
If you haven’t crocheted with thread for a long time, or ever, one thing to keep in mind is that it is a bit different that working with most larger yarns. The 100% cotton threads have no “give” to them at all, so remember to rest your hands often. Who knows you might find yourself becoming a “threadie” before long.
Yes, I know it is early to be thinking about Christmas. But if you are a crafter making your holiday gifts, it is really moving into the last stretches for getting those projects done. So maybe you need something quick to fill a few spots on your list.
A Bear for All Seasons Photo courtesy of Annie’s/Crochet World
How about these cuddly little bears? You can find the pattern for them in the December 2012 issue of Crochet World. The brown bear is 3-dimensional and the white bear is flat, the pattern has instructions for both.
I really loved designing these little guys. They are just big enough to add some fun to your tree, packages or as a simple gift. You can change the size of your bears by using smaller or larger gauge yarns (or even thread), just remember to adjust the size of your hook accordingly.
Make the flat bear to embellish store-bought mittens, gloves, hat, scarves or even a sweatshirt or sweater. Suddenly you have a special gift that took just a few hours to make.
The 3-D bear is perfect for a fun ornament for the Christmas tree. You could even use some sparkly yarns to make him a real stand-out. Or add some holly to his bow-tie. And if you want him to be a keepsake ornament, you could embroider the year on his tummy or back.
Sometimes, if you pay attention, life will give you a chance to learn and grow. Such was the lesson of my relationship with my step-mother Maurine. When my dad re-married I wasn’t too sure about the whole thing. It took us a long while to find our balance with each other. But over the years we became family, later on we even became friends.
Our friendship was founded on crochet. When I started getting into crocheting again about 14 years ago we began to share our joy in playing with hooks and yarn. Maurine was an avid crocheter. She primarily made house-hold items like afghans, pillows, dishcloths and doilies. Occasionally she would make some slippers or other small accessory type projects.
She was my “cheer-leader” as I developed my career as a crochet designer. She was supportive and encouraging about my efforts and celebrated each published and sold design for me.
Our last face to face visit was in March 2011, when I was thrilled to be able to give her a copy of the April 2011 issue of Crochet World that had my design “Field the Lamb” on the cover. We had a great time looking thru the magazine at all the different patterns and she was so happy for my success. She had me sign her copy, which made me chuckle.
Unfortunately, I had no idea that would be our last visit. We spoke on the phone over the next months, then I was in super busy mode with spring time design work. That September I got a call from my sister that Maurine was in the hospital and the prognosis was not good. This was the week before I was to leave for the Greensboro Knit & Crochet Show (ChainLink). I called my father and asked him if I should cancel going on my trip, his response was that I should go, because Maurine would have wanted me to go.
My beloved step-mom passed away shortly after midnight on Tuesday, September 20, 2011. My sister texted me that morning as I was traveling to the airport. My heart was so heavy as the plane lifted off carrying me far away from Colorado and Kansas. I was grateful that she was no longer suffering.
Maurine was afraid to fly, so she never went to one of these shows and I know she would have loved attending one. All the yarn and folks playing with it. The gorgeous crocheted and knit garments that you see everyone wearing. For the Greensboro show I found myself seeing the show thru her eyes.
Every step and stage of my time in Greensboro went smoothly, and it seemed like Maurine was being my guardian and good fortune angel. When I met with Carol Alexander we discussed a thread design of a crocheted angel in honor of Maurine.
Mamas2Hands 