My Catena Crochet Scarf in Interweave Crochet Magazine!

Winter is an amazing time to crochet, and I am super excited to have a fun scarf pattern in the new Winter 2020 issue of Interweave Crochet! This scarf is such fun to crochet and it includes my favorite technique, surface crochet. You begin by crocheting a mesh base, then you surface crochet into it with a heavier weight yarn, to create a lovely warm textured scarf. You can really be creative with your yarn choices with this pattern!

There are many beautiful patterns in this issue! Head over to the Ravelry Page for the issue to favorite the patterns you like the most!

Mixed Media and Another Use for Surface Crochet!

Surface crochet is one of my favorite techniques. It really is like drawing with your hook! I was doing some cross stitch recently, and it occurred to me that I could surface crochet into the holes in the Aida Cloth! This technique makes nice even stitches that are perfect for a background! For this Mini Masterpiece pendant, I used size 8 Pearl Cotton thread, and a .75mm hook.

I like using variegated thread as it gives the look of a watercolor painting. I did the sky in grass, going in different directions, then I surface crocheted the flower stems on top. I embroidered the small flowers, crocheted the large flower and sun, and stitched them on.

To demonstrate to you how to do surface crochet on a grid, I used some latch hook canvas. It is a lot fun to work on. I taught my 9 year old daughter how, and she is planning to surface crochet a rug for her room!

1. Insert hook into next hole up from last hole worked.

2. Wrap the yarn around the hook.

3. Pull up through the hole you went down in.

4. Pull through loop on hook.

 5. Stitch is completed. Repeat steps 1-4 and, go in any direction       you like!

Petals Collar

Photo by Tailor Made Publishing

I am thrilled to have my Petals Collar featured in this Month's Issue of Inside Crochet, issue 56. It is a fun project that combines a few of my favorite techniques: surface crochet, slip stitch cords, and embroidery.  Inside Crochet's styling is so beautiful. I love how they illustrated that the collar could look elegant on a woman and sweet on a little girl. The power of styling! Besides being an excellent project to practice techniques, it is also a great way to use up bits of yarn you may have as it doesn't require much of any color.  I am looking forward to seeing some project photos on Ravelry to see it made up in different color combinations!

Photo By Tailor Made Publishing

This pattern is now available for download from my Craftsy and Ravelry pattern stores.

A Dozen Ways to Wear the Obi Scarf

Last fall I showed you a dozen ways to wear the Ruffles Scarf, so I thought I would keep up that tradition this year with the new Obi Scarf pattern. Before sending the samples off to Interweave, I like to have my own photo session to try out different ways to wear the scarf. It is amazing how different it can look depending on how you wrap it. Whether you decide to wear it as a scarf or a belt it is very versatile. Color choice can really transform the look as well. Contrasting colors used together make a bold statement. The next one I make will be in shades of the same color. I am envisioning shades of pink. There is always one more version I want to make! Can you tell how much I love scarves? 

Here are a dozen ways to wear the scarf. If you make one, I would love to know how you wear yours!

Obi Scarf for Interweave Crochet Fall 2013

Photo By Harper Point

It has been a fun month, having designs out in two different publications. I am ready for fall! Today, I am revealing the Obi Scarf. One of the things that Interweave asked for in their call for submissions for fall, was Asian inspired designs. For a very long time, I have wanted to design an obi style belt. I wanted the piece to be versatile, so I decided to design the obi so that it would be successful as a scarf belt.

I was sent 3 colors of yarn to work with, and the editor told me I could use either the Fawn or the Ocean color as the main background color. I did some drawings with colored pencil to try to decide which combination I liked best, but still couldn't decide, so I made both variations! I think it is nice to see a light and a dark version. I hope that will help crocheters who are making this pattern, decide on what colors they would like to use.

This is a project that will keep you interested, without being too difficult. The end sections are plain with a delightful window pane stitch pattern in the middle. After crocheting the scarf, you get to work surface crochet for the stripes. It is like putting the icing on a cake, the stripes really make it come alive! Sarah Read, the Project Editor for Interweave, has done a blog post about how the stripes are crocheted on her Crochet Me blog.

Like the Ruffles Scarf I had in Interweave Crochet Fall 2012, I did another blog post on some different ways to wear this piece. The sample I made to submit was in another color combination, so you will also get to see a third version. Please stay tuned! In the meanwhile, you can queue it on Ravelry, if you think you might want to make one.

Photo By Harper Point

Photo By Harper Point

Plaid Wristlet Purse for Runway Crochet

The second pattern I am revealing from the Runway Crochet book, is the Plaid Wristlet Purse. This purse evolved so much in the process of creation. My original sketch was not a wristlet and it had stripes and a large bow. Quite a few changes were made along the way! I adore surface crochet and have always wanted to emulate plaid in crochet, so it all came together nicely. I love clutch purses, but they can be difficult to carry, so I added a stylish wrist chain to make life easier. If you are more of a traditional clutch purse fan, you could leave off the chain.

The sample for the book is a festive colorful version; I would also like to make a dark version, in black, shades of grey and an accent color like red, gold or Teal. I am thinking I would like to wear this purse with a monochromatic outfit to let the purse take center stage!