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.
I have managed to blog everyday for the past 16, but today has been more than a bit challenging.
Say Hello to my Little Friend
I have caught a cold, or more apt to say, the cold has caught me. So I’ve been alternating between working on design projects and napping. As well as taking care of my family.
I don’t know if this sad short little post will count as a “real” post today. But it’s the best I can do.
Consider it a glimpse into the sometimes not-so glamourous life of a crochet designer with elementary school children.
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.
Well today is nearly over, so I need a quick post. Here is a funny picture my dear Jan and I staged after the Banquet Fashion Show. I was pretending to be crocheting on the skirt of my Evening Seaside Gown. Which really wasn’t far from the truth, as I finished the last bit of stitching Friday night of the show.
The gown was a success on the runway during the Fashion Show and I even managed not to trip on the hem as I walked up the stairs to the stage. There will not be a pattern for this dress, though I will be using a lot of what I learned making it in future designs.
Well, today is my birthday. I’m not sure how it came around again so quickly, I would have sworn I had one of these just 6 months ago.
I’ve been very good to myself leading up to this birthday. Indulged in some yarn purchases, as well as some fun goodies for jewelry making that may or may not be used in my design work. Plus there was the whole “Trip to Reno” that was a kind of gift from my family.
Anyway, I think I have my birthday celebration covered, so I am giving a gift to one of my readers that commented on my Mountain Ruana post. And the lucky winner is: Julie! I’ll be in touch by email very soon to get your address to mail you the copy of “Warm & Cozy Crochet” that you won. Thanks for commenting on my blog.
Meanwhile, since I officially turn 49 today, I shall be contemplating the 50th year of my life. I think I need to take better care of myself. Which sort of encompasses all manner of sins: Like getting more and regular sleep, eating a healthy hearty breakfast every morning (which means this is the last morning I am having GF brownies for breakfast), and getting some form of cardio exercise everyday. I know from all my work as a health and wellness writer that it’s all a matter of “Move it or Lose it” if I don’t want the years to bring me to a grinding halt.
Of course, no matter what, I will always celebrate my birthday. As a very wise friend told me years ago upon his 50th birthday, “Getting older is far preferable over the alternative.”
I’ve been crocheting for a very long time. And I’ve used many a slip stitch. They are a vital part of seamless construction and working in the round. Two of my very favorite techniques in crochet.
But shortly after I joined Ravelry I started hearing about a technique called “Slip Stitch Crochet”. A fellow raveler and designer, David Burchall, was at the forefront of many of these conversations. He crocheted, and he wanted to crochet “masculine” fabric that he would be comfortable wearing. He liked the look of many knit fabrics but had not had good success with learning to knit. So David began to experiment with Slip Stitch crochet as a way to create the fabric he wanted.
About the time I was hoping to experiment with learning these new slip stitch techniques David went thru some big changes and disappeared from the Ravelry world for a while. So I put that pursuit on the back burner, and then life got busier for me as my “part-time” work as a designer turned into “full-time”. Once David was back and providing information on slip stitch again I was too hectic.
Then the classes for the 2012 Knit & Crochet Show came out. Vashti Braha was teaching Slip Stitch classes. I wasn’t able to take the classes in Manchester because they were offered on my busiest day with the CGOA Design Competition. But they were first on my list for the Reno Show.
I was so excited for the class to begin and Vashti did not disappoint. I’m generally pretty slow in class working on the swatchs, but I didn’t mind as Vashti touched upon each technique and provided a comprehensive 3 page handout that gave me all the information I needed to keep practicing.
Back Loop Sl St – Uber Stretchy fabric
Even though my tension was a bit wonky with the swatch I really liked the stretch of this fabric. Had a cushy feel that was really nice, I’m thinking my husband may be getting a hat for Christmas made with this stitch technique.
Bosnian Sl St /Back loop and Front loop
I loved the curl of the fabric with the Bosnian front loop sl st, reminds me of the rolled edges for neck and cuffs on many knit sweaters. (If you are wondering what that yummy yarn is in my photos, it is “Unforgettable” from Red Heart in the Tidal colorway)
I’m really looking forward to playing with this technique more and am hoping that Vashti will be offering more slip stitch classes at next year’s shows. Meanwhile you can visit Vashti’s website and subscribe to her wonderful newsletter to learn more about this enticing technique.
Whether you wield the Hook or the Needles (or some combination of the two) attending a Knit and Crochet Show is a great place for meeting up with friends and making new friends. In fact, for me it is the very best reason to come to the shows.
The first Knit & Crochet show I ever attended was the September 2008 show in Portland, OR. I came by myself because there were classes that I really wanted to take and I didn’t know anyone else that loved to play with yarn like me.
I left the show having met many wonderful friends, whom I am still in touch with. Most notably my dear Jan, Bonnie Pierce and Pam Shore. I also had the opportunity to meet friends I had beforehand only known online: Vashti Braha, Jenny Dowde, Laurie Wheeler, Sarah B, to name a few.
I am usually terrible about getting photos of folks at the shows, but this recent show I attempted to do better.
Linda & Doris
Linda Dean is a wonderful new designer whose enthusiasm and contagious laugh are a joy to be around. And of course, the lovely Doris Chan is truly an encouraging and inspiring force to be reckoned with.
Some of the International FreeForm Guild group
It’s always great fun to spend time with this inspiring bunch, I first learned about the International Free Form Guild at the Portland 2008 show. But, this was the first show I actually got to visit with Prudence Mapstone and she was an absolute blast. I wish I’d realized that the folks in the back row of this picture were a bit out of focus. In the front row from left to right: Me, Mirtooli, Jorel; back row, Barbara H, Melba, Prudence.
Margaret Fisher
I was very charmed by the lovely Margaret Fisher, who surprised me by knowing what a geek I am. We had a very fun conversation about crocheting a moebius and our other odd geometric leanings.
Amy Shelton wearing her tiarra
Amy, one of the founders of Crochetville and current President of the CGOA, had a few of us worrying about her sanity when she was running about with a tiara on her head. But she is very fond of the sparkly. Don’t know if you tell from this photo, but the dress she is wearing is super sparkly too. Of course, those of you that know me well are aware I have a thing about sparkly as well.
Vashti and Ellen
The lovely Ellen Gormley and Vashti Braha. Ellen is a talented designer with some great books out, if you love interesting motif afghans you need to get her book ” Go Crochet: Afghan Design Workbook” and if lace is more your style check out her latest book from Annie’s “Learn Bruges Lace”. Vashti is always an inspiration with her take on designing and crochet, she also helped keep us all in order and sane during the CGOA banquet Fashion Show.
These are just the photos I got, but there were loads of other friends there.
Come join us for all the fun and camaraderie in 2013. The Knit & Crochet Shows next year will be in Indianapolis, IN (July 17-21) and Charlotte, NC (October 2 -6).
Today I had to drive down the mountain for a hair appointment, so I decided to get a few other errands out of the way.
One of those errands was a stop at my local Jo-Anns store to pick-up some fabrics for costumes for this coming Halloween. It was really hard to decide on just one, so I got a few different cuts of fabric. My boys were very excited looking at the fabric when I got home, my ideas are being usurped by them for new ideas. Come back later this month and you’ll get to see what we came up with.
I don’t know if all my lovely readers have noticed, but I’ve been blogging every day for the past 10 days.
Initially this run of posting was powered by my excitement about all the fun stuff from the Reno Knit & Crochet Show. Then it became a quiet little goal, I began to challenge myself to blog each day and see if I could manage to make it to 10 days. Now that I’ve reached 10 days we will see how much further I can go.
I’m thinking I’ll take it an additional 5 days at a time. So if I can blog everyday thru October 14th that will be 15. Will see what happens after that.
Feel free to cheer me on, encouragement is always welcome. And if you have ideas for crochet or hand health subjects you would like to see please let me know.
I’ve always felt the best project bags are those that are designed by other yarn-crafters. Because only a fellow addict can appreciate the various demands we make of our project bags.
Laura and her husband Nick at the Reno Show
This certainly holds true for the talented Laura Lundy the designer behind Slipped Stitch Studios. I was delighted to find her booth at the Reno Knit & Crochet Show, it was filled with gorgeous and fun project bags of every size you could think of as well as other marvelous project aids like Pattern Wallets and Magnetic line markers (so you don’t lose your place in the pattern when you have to set it down).
Of course I had to have one of her bags for myself. I couldn’t resist this generously sized bag with the adorable sheep on it. Currently it is holding a sweater project without straining (I could fit even more yarn in there!).
Her bags are packed with all kinds of awesome features; like numerous pockets for all those goodies you need when you are on the go, as well as big expandable pockets that will hold your yarn separate from your project.
A really wonderful feature is there is nothing for your yarn to snag on, no zippers or velcro. A drawstring closure at the top of the bag keeps everything in its place.
If you can’t wait to have one of these bags for yourself, pop on over to their website at www.slippedstitchstudios.com to see all the wonderful helpful products available. Currently they are having a special promotion for Free Shipping on your order until October 15.
