Spring Cover Part 2

SQUEE!

Yup, it's true. 2 covers in the same quarter. Crazy!

Interweave Crochet Spring Issue (and the Crochet Today cover).

I find it very funny that they both are that aqua color. I guess i need to run out and get me some yarn in that color.

The Interweave sweater is called the Petal Pullover and is made in Merlin. Ginny crocheted most of it for me, and when I took it out of the box I swooned. She did an amazing job with it.

It has a basic shape with a large scoop neck line. The sleeves are classic short sleeve- not caps, which I know you don't see a lot of these days. Guess my age is starting to show- or I should say my mommy in me. The stitch pattern is a delicate shell pattern while the ribbing is a simple sc over an over again.

I will say that I got to check out a preview of the issue at TNNA in January, and the photos are great. Pretty different then the previous issues, and I really enjoyed them. Very artistic and almost like ballet poses. You'll see.

I can't wait for the preview now to pop up on the website. Soon I bet.

Progress

I am making progress through my to do list very, very, very slowly.

Come friday I will be 3 weeks behind on my book deadline. I hate that since I feel like I can't move any faster, yet am still behind. Oh well, no reason to stress over it. You know? I am just trying to enjoy the process since I feel like the more I write the more I am learning about crochet with this next book. I really am kicking myself that I don't have time to crochet more from it too.

My hands are itching to jump in on some of these patterns. Instead my hands are busy keeping CJ on the ground. No crocheting while she is playing for me anymore. I got myself a monkey. My dad swears that she takes after me, but I didn't become a monkey till I was an adult. (My old job had me repelling from buildings frequently, and we did honeymoon at Bryce Canyon and Arches National Park. So I do do my fair share of monkeying, but as a kid I thought I was tame. Guess not.)

Speaking of monkeying, I did get to tinker with a few projects this week. My publisher got in a jam and needed 2 projects in less then 2 weeks. Since I was so far behind, I really wanted to help out (plus that feeling of getting something done is always nice). The sneak preview is one of the projects. The shawl pin is something I picked up at Knit One after Karen told me about them at the Knit and Crochet Festival. They are really cool screw type shawl pins, and I will have to tell you more about them soon.

Well, back to drawing and writing. Only 240 more diagrams left in the book! Thank goodness I like drawing as much as crocheting or I would be in a world of hurt!

Crochet Today Giveaway!

Crochet Today and Jimmy Bean's Wool are teaming up to give 5 lucky winners enough yarn to make my vest on the cover!

Contest runs until April 4th, so be sure to check it out!

Details: Enter to win 9 balls of Debbie Stoller's Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe yarn in #5510 Beach Glass, enough to make the largest size of the "Rainy Days and Mondays" vest, and a Susan Bates size K/10.5 (6.5mm) crochet hook (a retail value of $48).

Enter here.

Official Rules.

Knitting Daily Episode

In my typical craze around here, I forgot to mention my episode of Knitting Daily is now airing.

I got to tape my segment last June at TNNA, which now feels like it was years ago. I had to keep checking my hairstyle to make sure it was only last June. (Crazy wave in hair= post CJ- so I knew it was only last June.)

On the show I am demo'ing crocheting in the middle bar of a half double crochet. It is used in the Upcycled Washcloths from Baby Blueprint Crochet. You can get the pattern for the washcloths by checking out Knitting Daily.

You can watch the preview of the episode here. Or check out Knitting Daily for more info on when you can see it in your area. Hope you enjoy! Kristin and I had great fun making the samples for the show 15 mins before we taped. We had our own mini crochet and chat session.

Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival

Next weekend kicks off the 7th annual Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival. It's a 3 day event that includes great yarn and notion shopping, knit and crochet classes, book signings, and fashion shows. There is something for everyone at the festival whether you are looking for a gift for a special stitcher to looking how to do a new technique.

I will be teaching 3 classes.

Crochet Jewelry- where we talk about how crochet can be the star in your jewelry making really cool motifs. We talk about a number of different beading techniques and how to play with other materials from wire to plastic thread. Friday 2-5pm

Baby Crochet 101- a class to learn about how to design. We will focus on kids, but the material can easily be used for adult clothes too. Saturday 9-12pm

Crochet Like a Pro- this is a tips and tricks class where I taught about my favorite stitches, blocking methods, and more.

I will also be doing 2 book signings. One on Friday night at 8:30 and another on Saturday afternoon at 5pm. I believe the Saturday classes are nearly full so if you are interested I would sign up soon. Saturday 1:30-4:30pm

If you can't make it, I will also be teaching in Dallas, TX in April at the DFW Fiber Fest. Come say hi to me there!

Crochet Today Spring

Here is the first of the 2 covers that my designs may grace this spring.

Crochet Today April 2011.

Rainy Days and Mondays Vest- or Gretel vest (as I called it).

It is made with just a few balls of Stitch Nation Bamboo Ewe. The hook is a K/ 6.5mm which is pretty big for me, and this project just flew. I really fell quite in love with the stitch pattern. It reminded me of icing decorations on gingerbread house (hence why I named the vest Gretel). The yarn was really soft and buttery to work with and I quite enjoyed it. I was finishing up the last book when I was crocheting this and it was great to write a bit, then crochet a row, write some more, and so on.

I will let you know if that other cover comes through. Wouldn't that be nuts to have 2 covers?

What day is it? Part 2

Days have started to blend for me. I have taken on way too much work and now and paying the price. I love being busy. I don't love not having enough time to enjoy what I am doing. Since I truly love my job, it always makes me upset when I have to rush so much I can't take the time to do a really thorough job, or get behind on deadlines, or just have a minute to post.

That big stack of swatches is for the next book. They are just a few of them too. (yes, designers have to swatch this much sometimes just for a few designs) This book is going to be a giant book. I think I'll have something like 400 graphics in there. Crazy stuff. I can get in a really good groove drawing and

designing, when I block out all the other work I have due and just listen to my audiobooks.

I have over a quarter of that book written and crocheted, so that's good. Late, but done. The other next book is well underway. That one is nearly a quarter written as well, which is great b/c it is on time so far.

The projects I am super behind on are 2 magazine projects. I absolutely hate that, since I know how nuts their schedules are. Speaking of magazines, there might be a possibility that I may be on the cover of two for the spring Issues.

I'll let you know if that happens.

Before TNNA gets to be a tiny memory, I wanted to tell you about Drew's new yarn snips. He gave me a pair at his Make an Take at TNNA. (That's where you make something quick to test out a new technique or product in like 15mins.) We made necklaces with bone rings and yarn at his. (Which is a fantastic project for beginners, btw) You can see my necklace over here, it was great fun to sit down and chat for a couple of minutes before going back to work mode. While there, he showed me his new yarn snips, they are a cross of nail clippers and tweezers. They lay flat on your work and can cut very close to the fabric. I really love them. I have used them probably everyday in my studio since then too. You will be able to get them at big craft stores soon, I believe. I will say that Drew really does think about his products and they are worth a look next time you are shopping.

Ok, back to work mode for me. Have to get moving on those magazine projects, and start getting ready for the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival next weekend. Lots to do!