Vote for the Sunny Day Skirt!

I had some exciting news this morning! My Sunny Day skirt from Crocheting Clothes Kids Love, has been nominated for a Flamie in the Skirts category! The voting is now open on the Crochet Awards Website. Go and vote now for all of your favorites in each of the apparel categories!

There is just something about wearing the color yellow that makes you feel cheerful and optimistic.  I designed this skirt with that feeling in mind. When I ordered the yarn for the skirt, I wasn't sure what it would look like. It was one of those projects that really started with the yarn and then developed from there. 

The next thing I decided on was the shape. I loved the idea of an a-line wrap skirt. Easy to wear and forgiving if you are in between sizes. I love lacy crocheted skirts, but often the problem with many lacy skirts is that you need to wear something underneath, and it can be difficult to find a suitable undergarment. This skirt was designed to have the lacy side panel in front, but the full front panel is not see through. So you get the best of both worlds, a somewhat lacy skirt that can be worn on its own.

By making the front in 2 colors, it created the perfect canvas for crocheted appliqués. It was a little nod to the work I used do as an embroidery designer. You could even take it a step further and use the pale yellow to make more flowers and dots to be stitched to the darker yellow part of the skirt, or make the flowers and dots in all different colors.

This skirt has many interesting small details such as the decorative edging on the top edge of the skirt, the belt loops at the back to keep the tie in place, and the filet mesh edging, complete with surface crochet detail, that carries the look of the side front panel all the way around the skirt. The icing on the cake is the embroidery embellishment on the buttons and dot appliqués. If Appliqués aren't for you, I think the full front panel done in multi-colored stripes would look wonderful as well.

It is fun to have a special occasion to tell you a little more about the Sunny Day Skirt, one of my favorite patterns from the book!

Sunny Day Skirt as seen in Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

Front View

Close-up to show button and bow 

Close-up to show appliqué details

Close-up to show belt loop and decorative top edging

Close up to show surface crochet detail on the bottom edging

Back View

The 2014 Crochet Awards!

After a two year hiatus, the Crochet Awards, otherwise known as the Flamies, are back with a new look and new categories. The creator of the awards Laurie Wheeler, has been working hard to make this the most exciting year yet for the awards.

Nominations are open now, and you can nominate your favorites in the crochet industry. It is such an honor to be recognized for the work you do. I was so thrilled when Kristine Mullen of Ambassador Crochet posted that she would nominate me in the Accessories category. Thank you Kristine!

I nominated Kristine for the "Friendliest Crochet Designer". I was fortunate to meet her at the Knit and Crochet Show this summer, and she is one of those people that after only a few minutes of chatting, you feel that you have known her for years! She is also very supportive of other designers and regularly promotes their work on her Facebook page. She is a wonderful tech editor, designer, and homeschooling mother of 6. I really admire all she does and how well she does it. A true superwoman!

I nominated Kathryn Vercillo's blog: Crochet Concupiscence for Best Crochet Blog, because she tirelessly promotes the art of crochet and keeps us all informed of the most interesting crochet related news on the internet!

I nominated Linda Dean for Best New Designer, as she is a great designer who has accomplished so much in the industry in a short time.

I nominated Linda Skuja's "Convergence Top" for Best Womens Garment Design. It appeared on the Cover of Interweave Crochet and it was a runaway success with crocheters on Ravelry. A beautiful, and clever design!

I nominated Laurinda Reddig's Reversible Color Crochet book for Best Instructional Crochet Book, because I am so intrigued by the technique that she developed, and she does an excellent job of explaining it in her book.

I nominated Vashti Braha for Best Crochet Instructor. I was lucky to be a student in her Tunisian Eyelet Meshes class at the Knit and Crochet Show, and found it fascinating. I love her teaching style and hope I have the opportunity to take more classes from her in the future!

I nominated Marly Bird's Yarn Thing Podcast for the Best Podcast award. She is a wonderful interviewer who puts her guests at ease with her friendly personality. Her show is always so interesting and entertaining.

I nominated my amazing mentor Margaret Hubert for the Lifetime Achievement award, because she is incredibly prolific, and an inspiration to all for everything she has accomplished. She is a master crocheter and freeform crocheter and her work is popular worldwide.

Who will you nominate? Visit the Flamies website now to get your nominations in before the official voting in November!