Two New Designs in "60 Quick Crochet Projects for Beginners"

This book has been a few years in the making, so it was hard keeping these designs a secret for so long! The first design I submitted to the "60 Quick Crochet Projects Book", was the "Tying the Knot Bag". It features one of my favorite techniques of creating shaping by using varying stitch heights. It is super fun and satisfying to crochet. It is also crying out to be crocheted using more than one color, for example alternating two shades of a color, or sections using different colors to define the bag's shaping.

TYING THE KNOT BAG

WINDOWS OF OPPORTUNITY SCARF

I love designing for chunky yarns and finding new ways to incorporate them into my work. Sometimes it can be difficult when you don't want the item you are making to be too thick or stiff. For the "Windows of Opportunity Scarf", my second design for the book, I had the idea to crochet a light weight base scarf with a lot of drape, and then go back and embellish it with surface crochet in a chunky yarn. It adds an unexpected detail which reads as a magnification of the underlying stitches.

 To see all of the designs in the book and details of each and every one, visit the book's page on Ravelry.

Pillow Corsage Pattern Re-release!

Recently a crocheter on Ravelry contacted me to ask about this pattern. She wasn't able to find it via the link on Ravelry. I was unaware that it had disappeared! It was originally published in the online crochet magazine Crochet Me back in 2005, and more recently it was available in the Interweave store. I dug through my back files and was able to find the original pattern, plus a second version!

I created a new pattern page and uploaded it to my Ravelry pattern store. I am offering them as free patterns. Here are both versions if you would like to download them. 

It is a fun little home decor accessory pattern that could also be used for other things, like a brooch if you use lighter weight yarn or thread. If you end up using the pattern, I would love to see what you make and how you use it! Feel free to post a photo on Ravelry. :-)

Version 1 Close Up

Version 2

Tale of a Woven Sadu Necklace

In my quest to make functional items from the samples I am weaving in my Sadu Weaving classes, I had the ultimate challenge of making something out of a 2 1/2" piece of weaving. I intended on weaving two longer strips, but a little cutting accident while removing the pieces from the loom, resulted in this little piece needing to become something nice. I am a firm believer that some of the most creative projects begin as accidents. Challenging yourself to work with what you have makes your brain work in a different way. Of course the first thing that came to mind was a piece of jewelry, because that is what I like to make most of all!

The biggest trick was how to make the top of the pendant look finished and not like a chopped off sample strip. I gathered the top in, to make a pompom on top, I added some more yarn strands to make it fuller. It seemed like too much fringe at the bottom, so I rolled up the white strands on the ends and couched them into scrolls. Then the little chopped off strip of weaving became a sculptural piece, worthy of being a pendant. I finished off the piece with a crocheted cord and bobble and loop fastening at the back. Crochet always saves the day on finishing!

My main goal was to transform the piece into something that looked like it was meant to be, instead of an accident. I am now thankful for the accident, and planning to weave some more small pieces on purpose to create with!

With the Help of Crochet: Small Sadu Weaving Projects

I recently started taking traditional Sadu Weaving courses through the Insij program at the Sadu House in Kuwait. It is a 5 level program, and I have completed the first 2 levels. I have always wanted to learn how to do Sadu Weaving and the program began at just the right time for me! While we are learning the weaving patterns, we are weaving lots of long strips. It is my goal to make something functional out of each strip! In order to do this, the process often includes crochet. Crochet can make strong seams, fill in gaps, add surface detail, and make handles. The hook is so versatile, you can stick it anywhere in the weaving!

The first project that I want to share with you is a little basket that I made out of a small strip of weaving. I overlapped the ends and made the seam a feature. I added a small cascade of tassels to finish it off!

I decided to crochet the bottom of the basket, but I didn't crochet a separate piece. I began crocheting into the woven strip and decreased with each round until I closed up the center. Then I wove in the black detailing with a yarn needle. Thanks to crochet, this woven strip became a functional piece of home decor!

Free Yarn from Yarn Canada!

Yarn Canada is giving away $4000 worth of yarn for your charitable projects!

They know so many wonderful people knit and crochet for good causes and they would love to hear your stories and help out. They have partnered with Bernat and Patons yarn to give 12 individuals and groups a total of $4000 worth of yarn to use towards their good works/ charitable projects. Since they get requests from all over, and they would like to do something nice for their neighbours, this is open to Canadians and Americans. 

Here is the yarn they will be giving away:

-$1000 of yarn to a Canadian group who knits or crochets for a good cause

-$1000 of yarn to an American group who knits or crochets for a good cause.

-10 x $200 of yarn to Canadian or American individuals or groups who knit or crochet for a good cause

The details and application page are here.

Exciting News! Crochet for Me Special Pattern Bundle!

Spring has sprung, and while I don’t ever want to put my crochet hook down, about the last thing I want to be working on is a blanket. So my thoughts turn to lace! Lace to make – challenging stitches, airy patterns, gorgeous lightweight yarns – and lace to wear – the perfect items to get me from Spring to Summer or Summer to Fall.

 

In honor of Spring I joined 34 of my crochet designer colleagues and created the Crochet for Me Lace Bundle. It’s chock full of 46 individual patterns, never before offered in a bundle or for free, that will give you a wide range of patterns that will suit your lacy fancy.

 

All sorts of patterns are included from hats and headbands, to tees and shawls, to a dress and jewelry, and even a lacy pillow for your lounging pleasure.

I contributed 3 of my popular patterns to the bundle. The Gloria Headband, Venezia Necklace, and Julia Necklace.

Gloria Headband

Venezia Necklace

Julia Necklace

You get all 46 patterns featured in this bundle for only $25. That’s less than 55 cents per pattern! But the offer is only available through April 21, 2021, 11:59 PM Eastern, and it absolutely will not be extended nor repeated.

 

Want to see what else is included? Have a look at this video featuring designs from the bundle.

 

If you purchased these patterns individually they would cost you well over $200. And by buying from a coalition of designers like this instead of a huge publisher, you know that your money is going where it’s needed – into the pockets of your favorite designers so they can keep on creating the patterns you love to make.

 

If all of that is not enough to convince you you need this bundle here’s one more great thing. Once you gain access to the patterns you ALSO get a file with extra discount codes for additional products offered by some of our amazing designer friends. And there’s a 15 day money back guarantee so you have absolutely nothing to lose.

 

So support the community that you love, rejoice in the fact that you are a clever bargain hunter, then put your feet up and crochet something light and lacy as you watch the flowers bloom! Enjoy all of these things – and the lovely Spring weather – while they last.

 

BUY NOW

 

New Crochet Pattern Release: This and That Scarf!

I am excited to announce the release of the This and That Scarf. It is all about having fun with basic stitches to create texture and interest! Every row is different from the last and the scarf is made in panels, so it is a nice take along project that will keep you interested and wanting to see what it next to crochet. The stitch combination looks very different but is equally beautiful on both sides of the scarf. Your choice of colors can transform the look of the scarf, so it is a good idea to make a color swatch to know the best order of the colors. I am especially looking forward to seeing some finished projects on Ravelry, so if you make the scarf I would love to see what you do with your color choices!

Skill Level: Intermediate

Hooks Required: G/4.00mm & H/5.00MM

Yarn: King Cole Merino Blend DK

 ***To celebrate the launch of The This and That scarf, I am offering a special 50% discount on this pattern to my readers through May 31st! Just use the code: ThisThat50 at checkout.***

 I am honored to announce that this week there is an interview on Marly Bird's blog all about how I got started in fiber arts and about my eWoodStory and Spinerations family collaborations.  If you would like to know more about my adventures and journey in fiber arts, check out the interview written by Kathryn Vercillo.

New Free Pattern: Queen of Hearts Crochet Necklace

 Are you looking for a fun little project to crochet in time for Valentines Day? I designed the Queen of Hearts Necklace pattern to celebrate one of my favorite necklace themes, the heart! My most favorite jewelry pieces are those featuring hearts. Visions of hearts trigger positive happy feelings, so I always love wearing them.

This heart necklace has some unique details and make it satisfying to crochet and a special piece to create.  Along with loving hearts I have long had an obsession with bows, so I thought why not combine the two! 

I used metallic yarns to create this necklace, but any DK weight yarn will do. It just takes a bit of yarn, so you just might have some small bits in your stash that would be perfect for this necklace!

The pattern is available to download for FREE in my Ravelry store. If you make the necklace, I would love so much to see you post project photos on Ravelry!

Happy Crocheting everyone!

Foundation HDC vs. Chain & HDC

I am currently designing a new scarf pattern and am contemplating the best way to begin.  I am deciding weather to use Foundation Half Double Crochet, or Chain & Half Double Crochet. Foundation Half Double Crochet is widely popular, for obvious reasons: it combines two steps in one and you don't have to work into a fiddly chain. I did a poll on Instagram asking which method do people prefer, and the majority said Foundation Half Double Crochet. Although that helped me to make my decision about which method I should use in the pattern, I am still torn myself as to which method I like to use most. I don't think anyone really likes to count hundreds of chains or to work into the ridge on the underside of a long chain, but there are some times that I feel that chain and half double crochet are the way to go. Especially when I am working with finer yarns, because I find it more difficult to keep an even tension with Foundation Half Double Crochet. I also find it easiest to begin working into the back loop of the chain. My favorite time to use Foundation Half Double Crochet is with heavier weight yarns. 

The pattern I am working on uses a double knitting yarn, but I will go with the public opinion of Foundation Half Double Crochet, but possibly include instructions for both methods, so everyone will be happy!

In Search of the Best Large Size Crochet Hooks!

 

Lately, I have been needing some crochet hooks in larger sizes and I asked my followers on Instagram for their recommendations. The first recommendation was for Prym Ergonomic hooks. I began to research them online and was particularly intrigued by a review stating that these hooks helped to make stitches more even and uniform. That made them sound magical!

A local yarn store in Kuwait that I frequent, sells a lot of Prym products, so I was hoping to find them here, but unfortunately, they don't stock them. I finally ordered them from Minerva Crafts in the UK. They were on sale at a good discount, so I thought why not try them! I was especially excited when I found out that these hooks had won the Reddot Design Awards in 2014, even more reason to try them! I see that they do make different color handles, but the website I bought them from only has them in this dark violet color. 

I just received them this week! My initial first impression was that the plastic is nice and smooth and the shape of the head of the hook looks like it will hold the yarn well, but I am thinking that it could be more pointed at the top of the head to more easily be inserted into stitches. I like the grip on the handle, but somehow I wish it extended a little higher up on the shaft as I hold my hooks closer to the head, where there is no rubber grip. My thought is that I will have to train myself to hold these hooks in a different way in order to be really comfortable using them. I just feel I have more control of my work when I hold the hook higher up. I will say that the ergonomic shape of the handle is good and it feels comfortable to maneuver, even in the larger sizes.

I purchased sizes 7.00mm, 9.00mm, 10.00mm, and 12.00mm. I plan to try crocheting with them more before my next order of hooks, which are the Tulip Etimo Grand hooks. I plan to do a comparison review after I have received and used them to let you know which I like the best. Stay tuned!

Designing a Crochet Bun Cover!

My daughter is a figure skater and expressed an interest in having me crochet a bun cover for her to not only keep her hair in place as she moves across the ice, but also to be pretty. Being the accessory lover I am, I jumped on the idea! The key factor in making a bun cover in my opinion is the thread choice! If you use thread that is too thick, it will cover the hair too much and be too prominent, and too thin will be too delicate. I ended up using Aunt Lydia's Classic 10 thread. I was thrilled to have the perfect thread in my stash, as going out to shop for it during lockdown was impossible!  I began by focusing on the design of the center motif so that it would be large enough to cover the diameter of her bun. Once I had made the motif large enough, I began decreasing until it was small enough to fit snugly around the bun near the head without being too small to fit over the bun. Finally, I crocheted it to an elastic hair band. 

Because I always block everything, I had to find an innovative way to block it. I ended up cutting a piece out of a plastic bag and covering a yarn ball that was about the size of her bun. I sprayed the cover with water, covered the ball with plastic, and pinned the cover into shape over the ball.  When it was dry, I removed the pins and told her that she could glue crystals on it, but after trying out several crystal options, she decided to keep this one without crystals. I am planning a second one that will have crystals added! Stay tuned!

New Gloria Headband Crochet Pattern!

This pattern was something I designed a while back, but I never went through with submitting it. Since I haven't had a haircut since January and probably won't see the inside of a salon before September, I went looking for the sample to keep my long hair back. I was so pleased with how comfortable and easy to wear it was. It made me feel the best about my hair that I have in months! I have literally worn it every day since I found it! All of this prompted me to go ahead and write up the pattern. The fact that I crocheted it in a metallic yarn makes me feel like I am dressing up, even when I am staying at home. Really refreshing, after months of wearing a "uniform" consisting of a t-shirt and yoga pants! 

This takes a fraction of a skein of yarn and can be crocheted in an afternoon. For the next 24 hours I am offering this pattern for free in my Ravelry Pattern Store. Download it now! If any of you make one, I would really love to see your finished bands on Ravelry in the projects section!

Raindrops Necklace Crochet Pattern Sale

Today I am featuring one of my most favorite necklace designs, it is a real conversation starter! Crochet a stunning fine jewelry piece worthy of your best occasion. The metallic yarn sets off the design and gives it a rich, opulent look.

It could also be a more casual statement piece, if you use a non-metallic yarn for the neckband, and a subtle variegated yarn for the raindrops that would emulate stones.

Today only, I am offering this pattern for 50% off, $1.49. To see more details and to download it, visit this link to my Ravelry Store.

Stone Necklace Trio Crochet Pattern Sale

Today, I thought it would be fun to feature not one pattern, but a collection of three patterns based on the same theme. The Stone Necklace Trio is a collection of three easy to wear, eye-catching necklace designs that are crocheted to look like natural stones. The organic shapes, shaded yarn, and filling gives the illusion of natural stones. You can choose to embellish them with embroidery, or let the crochet speak for itself. 

Today only, I am offering this pattern for 50% off, $2.47. Download it now via my Ravelry Store.

Julia Necklace Crochet Pattern Sale

Today's featured pattern in my July Summer Fun Crochet promotion is the Julia Necklace. It is the newest pattern in my pattern portfolio and it is great pattern to add a little flair to your summer!

A quick and fun to crochet necklace that includes effective details that are elegant and eye-catching. For the final finishing touch, crocheted beads are added to elevate the necklace to a unique piece of statement jewelry.

Today only, I am offering this pattern for 50% off, $1.49. To see more details and to download it, visit this link to my Ravelry Store. 

Monarch Necklace Crochet Pattern Sale!

Today's featured pattern is the Monarch Necklace. This is pattern includes thread crochet motifs, which really come to life when mounted on a fingering weight crochet base and joined with crocheted links. All of the elements come together to create a unique and elegant accessory. Repeat the links and blocks as many times as you like to make a custom length. 

Today only, I am offering this pattern for 50% off, $1.49. To see more details and to download it, visit this link to my Ravelry store.

Summer Crochet Fun Day 2!

The July crochet celebration continues! Today's featured pattern is the Venezia Necklace. Perfect necklace to crochet and wear in the summer. It can be crocheted in one color or for a totally different look, crochet each row in a different color, or for impact, make the tassel in a different color or multi-colored. 

Inspired by both macrame and ornate vintage jewelry, this necklace has a modern look, and can be customized by using different colors for the various elements of the necklace, or try going metallic for a more glitzy style. It is comprised of a combination of simple stitches that create its elegant shape.

Today only, I am offering this pattern for 50% off, $1.49. Download it now from my Ravelry Shop.

Celebrating Crochet in the Summer!

I decided to kick off the month of July featuring and discounting a different pattern every day from my Ravelry shop.

The first pattern I have selected is the Petals Collar. I originally designed this pattern for Inside Crochet magazine and it is now available in US crochet terms. This pattern has some whimsical elements and encourages you to celebrate color. The embroidered details finish it off in a unique way.  This collar turns a simple neckline into something exciting. It can be made for an adult or a child. You can also use finer yarn and a smaller hook to make a smaller scale collar.

Get this pattern today only for $1.49 in my Ravelry Shop.

Photo by Tailor Made Publishing

Photo By Tailor Made Publishing

30 Weaving Ideas Series Including Crochet!

I just finished up "30 Days of Weaving Ideas" for eWoodStory. I always love to mix techniques, and techniques #22 & 29 include crochet, and technique #11 can be done with a crochet hook as surface crochet! I demonstrated all of the techniques on one weaving to create a sampler to inspire future weavings and techniques. If you are interested you can see each of the 30 techniques and instructions, plus an additional bonus technique on my @ewoodstory Instagram account.