Interweave Crochet Accessories

Have you seen the ads for the special issue of Interweave Crochet? It's all about Accessories, and I am SO excited. I LOVE the idea for this issue. It is a ton (like over 40) patterns all that you can easily stitch up in a few days. I am just itching to get my hands on a copy! See, now that CJ has joined the CBF team; my time to crochet anything large (other then for work) has pretty much left with our ability to sleep through the night. BUT, do I have time to make little things here and there, sure!

I have 3 patterns in the issue, and I will talk about them more when the issue comes out (its on Pre-Order now). One was featured in an advertisement I got the other day (It's the center blue jewelry) . And frankly, it is my favorite of the bunch I made for the issue. I can't wait. I think they come out in October, and you will want to pick one up; since I just know they will sell out fast!

Brett and Lands' End need You!

My good friend, Brett Bara (host of Knit and Crochet Now!) and Lands' End teamed up to help Warm UP America make thousands of squares (that will be stitched into blankets); and they need your help! Lands' End is giving away their yarn (yes, and I mean FREE) to groups who can donate their time to knit or crochet 7x9 in blocks. Here's how you can help:

1. Check out Lands' End Feel Good Website to find out how to get your group the FREE yarn from Warm UP America.
2. Check out Brett's blog for videos of crochet and knit tips that you can use to make or teach a friend to help make blocks.
3. Stop over at Knit and Crochet Now for block ideas (Brett demo's one a week on the show, you know.)
4. Help spread the word by blogging or tweeting about the campaign.
5. Check out CBS early show tomorrow to see Brett and a group of knit and crocheters getting the word out. (If you are in the NY area, you can join them on the show! See below for details.

It is a great cause, and what could be better then playing with free yarn? Good Luck, Brett! I'll be cheering you on from PA!

DETAILS ON THE CBS EVENT
Knitters and crocheters are still welcome to come and be part of the event! You'll need to be there from 7-9am on September 29th (we suggest arriving early, around 6:00am), at the plaza of the General Motors Building at 59th Street and 5th Avenue in NYC. After the taping ends at 9am we're invited for a private tour of the Early Show studio. We'll provide you with FeelGood yarn at the event and we will all work on making knit or crochet blanket squares during the taping. Just RSVP to let us know if you can attend - email us at knitwithbrett@gmail.com and tell us how many will be in your group.

Book Review: Crochet It. Love It. Wear It!

Crochet It. Love It. Wear It! (Leisure Arts #5058)

If you haven't met Drew Emborsky (in person or on TV), then you haven't been treated to one of my favorite people in the crochet world. Drew is someone that you connect with immediately no matter who you are, he just has that spark in him. Besides wanting to move next door to him and be his best friend (and to oggle his garden), Drew produces some of the most unique crochet designs. My favorites are always his work with cables. He amazes me with his ability to transform projects with a simple front or back post stitch.

His latest book is a little collection of women's fashion, all with those amazing cables. He has taken that once thought of stiff technique and made it wearable. My favorites are Investing and Vashti in the book (see below). In Vashti, he combined both lace and cables, fantastic!

He and I chatted a bit about the book and crochet design, and here is our chat:

RC: Crochet It. Love It. Wear It! (Leisure Arts #5058) is so unique fashion-wise, how did you come up with the concept for the book?

DE: I had Hesperas in my collection already and I wanted to build a book around it. I had never seen a strapless formal party dress in crochet before, so I knew it would be unique addition to anyone's collection. That led to wanting to create an "Ultimate Collection" of crochet designs.

RC: The drape-able cabled fabric is dreamy. I love how the cables follow the lines of the silhouette (as in Investing where they highlight the waist). Is there anything that inspires you to design in cables?

DE: The cables are a by-product of using post stitches a lot. For example with investing I wanted to create the look of a "faux lapel" and the combination of angled cables and linear post stitches did the trick.

RC: Do you have any tips for cables? Like in fiber choice or hook or methods of crocheting?

DE: Crochet cables completely disappear if you use a textured or multi-colored yarn. Smooth yarn will always make them look their best.

RC: Living in Texas, it can be amazingly hot. How do you stay motivated to design cold weather things when it is sweltering outside?

DE: I go north every year for the holidays and spend them in the mountains. I love the cold weather and that keeps me connected.

RC: On the other side, where you live also lets you have an amazing garden. Do you find your garden working its way into your design style too?

DE: I love the colors of nature and find myself observing my garden quite often. I am always amazed and just how many colors of green there are (for example) and how they look so beautiful contrasting each other.

RC: How are Chandler and Cleocatra adapting to your Crochet Superstardom?

DE: I still scoop their litter box twice a day so i don't think they've even noticed.

RC: I know I loved getting to work on Knit and Crochet Now! It was like getting to go to crochet camp for a week with our late nights and talking about yarn non-stop. What is your favorite part about working on Knit Crochet Now!

DE: My absolute favorite part is being on-set with the crew and with Brett. The energy is so high and it's like an adrenaline rush that I can't get anywhere else. Plus all that stuff you said.

RC: You have books, your own pattern line, the Purse of the Month Club, your own hooks and gloves; what is next up for the Crochet Dude?

DE: I'm going to continue to diversify my place in the craft world. The Crochet Dude has grown organically and I suspect that is how it will continue to grow. I really never know what opportunities will come up and that's exciting for me!

RC: Thank you, Drew, for letting us peek into your crochet kingdom!

If you would like to win a copy of the book, leave a comment here (or email me) and I will pick a winner next monday.

New Book Update

Well, if you guessed that I have been silent because of the new book, you would be right! The first deadline was in the middle of September for half of the projects, which means I have been drawing diagrams everyday. This book is going to be pretty different from my other books, and I am enjoying the freedom that brings. I have been pretty silent on the content of the new book on purpose, but I will let you in on one part. This time I am not only designing and doing all the graphics, but I am editing too. No not my own patterns, but other designers. I have been having so much fun reviewing all the patterns from my guest designers as they come in, testing out their patterns, and drawing their diagrams and schematics. I love learning and expanding my skills, it has been a blast. So much so that I actually started a mini version of one of the projects, you can see the fabric above. Beautiful right?

So as for blogging, life is pretty boring. It is editing and drawing all day right now. As soon as I get this half all finished then I am jumping into my next book. Yes, that's #5. Now that I am full-time, I got to hop on the work as it comes right? The new new book will be again another departure for me, but as with all my work it is still crochet. Oh, and in the middle I have 7 projects due to various magazines in the next 6 weeks. Oops. That is a bit of overload. So I apologize if I am really silent for the next couple of weeks. At least, you will know that good things are really happening behind the scenes!

Hope your projects are going well!

Tusculum Cowl

Named after our street in Cincinnati, since it was the very last piece of mail we received before we moved; and inspired by the cold winters we will be getting in our new city. This beautiful granny motif cowl can be whipped up in a day or two for those last-minute gifts that we all need at forgotten birthdays and missed holidays. The cowl is constructed of grannies that are joined as you go and the edging is added last in a simple chain stitch. Make it in two colorways as shown to highlight the beauty of the colors or make it in one color to show off the granny motifs inside. The cowl can be worn in many ways, as a scarf with a quick turn around the neck and buttoned, or wrapped multiple times for cold days, or a simple circle buttoned at the end that can cover your head. As with all my patterns, the motifs and construction are both written out and diagrammed in symbols.

Tusculum Cowl

Yarn:
Lorna’s Laces, Honor (CYCA #3), 70% Baby Alpaca, 30% Silk, 275yds/ 100g: Mineshaft, 1/2 hank (MC)
Blue Sky Alpaca, Alpaca and Silk (CYCA #2), 50% Alpaca, 50% Silk, 146yds/ 50g: Slate Grey, 1 hank (CC)

Hook:
G/6 (4.0mm) hk or hk needed to obtain gauge

Notions:
Blocking pins and spray bottle
(3) 1” dia buttons

Stitches Used:
ch Chain
sl st Slip Stitch
sc Single Crochet
hdc Half Double Crochet
dc Double Crochet
sk skip
t-ch turning chain

Finished size:
34” by 10” cowl

Gauge:
tusculum motif= 3¾” x 3¾”




$4, PDF Download Only

Fine Print: To use the PDF, you will need appropriate software such as Adobe Acrobat Reader. By purchasing this pattern, you are granted a limited license to download the pdf file to a single personal computer and to print out a hard copy of the pattern, solely for personal non-commercial use.

Inside Crochet Issue 10

Inside of the latest issue of Inside Crochet has a little article on me! They have pictures of a few of the projects from Baby Blueprint and a few from work I have done for them. I was very honored that they asked for an interview!

Here's a snippet of the article.

Universal Yarn + Crochet

A bit of crochet inspiration for everyone today...

While walking up and down the aisles at TNNA, my eye is always drawn to the companies that have unique garments displayed especially if they are crocheted. Universal was one of those companies. Their new book, Warm Earth, by Yumiko Alexander has a number of beauties in it.

Here are a few of my favorites. Stepping Stones a open vest and Cool Breeze a simple tunic.

I really like her easy style with these projects. They are all projects that you could make and fit into your wardrobe easily. She definitely gives me a smile for inspiring me for the day. I hope you enjoy them too!

Sneak Peek: Mystic

I just finished and sent out another winter project. I don't think I will forget these last few projects since they had to be made from Alpaca and it had to be 90 degrees in my house. Ouf!

This one did come out really cute though. It looks very wintery. Something that you would throw on when it was snowing outside to keep you very snuggly.

The yarn was new to me. It is Red Heart Mystic, an alpaca/ acrylic blend. Babe loved it. She carried around the balls like they were babies. It is very soft and lofty. Pretty perfect for winter projects.

Now to start sketching and swatching for summer. (Publishing deadlines are funny that way!)

Baby Blueprint Review

Sarah over at Interweave made me blush today. Check out her review of the new book and mini-refresher on symbol crochet.

Knitting it Old School: Wiley Wahine

Knitting it Old School

When Debbie approached me about her and Caro's new book, I thought it was genius and after seeing the book it certainly is. It is all vintage inspired projects from the 40's to the 70's. There is a reinvented granny go-go dress, a swinging cape, and that stunning sweater on the cover.

My contribution is the beach cover-up tunic you can see here. It is really simple in construction and stitch pattern. Even better, the publisher included every single one of my stitch diagrams. The top is made with Cornucopia yarn which is so fun to crochet with corn.

The book has 10 crochet patterns in it. About 25% of the books projects, not bad for a combo book. I was really pleasantly surprised to see so many. I think the book is adorable and definitely worth a look.