Knit and Crochet Now Needs You!

If you are on the mailing list for Knit and Crochet Now!, then you have gotten the plea for donations. If not, let me tell you a bit about Knit and Crochet Now!

We are a little PBS show on knitting and crocheting. The show is funded completely by donations from viewers and a few other small companies (you can see who they are on the website). The show is Candi Jensen's brainchild, and she runs it from conception to editing. There is no big production company behind the show, just us. All of us experts on the show, just adore Candi and her vision to bring knitting and crocheting to everyone. We do not get paid royalties or anything special. (We basically just get our travel, lodging, and meals taken care of for the few days we tape, if you really wanted the inside scoop.) So why do we do it? We do the show because we love to do it, and we love to hear what you have to say about it.

We are gearing up to try to tape a Season 4 of show this summer. This is why Candi is running a pledge drive now. And every dollar counts. Honestly, if you like the show; just 5$ is a lot to us. I mean if 100 people donated 5$, that would cover travel for 2 of the experts. And why you are there, drop Candi a line on what you like about the show. We love to hear suggestions, and really do listen to them.

If you have donated to the show, thank you so much! We really do appreciate it and can't wait to get back in the studio to tape more!

Motif Necklace

If you have seen the Crochet Today May/ June 2011 preview, then you have seen my latest project. And this one was a challenge.

The editor, Theresa, asked me if I could make a bridal necklace out of thread. My initial thought was, of course! But when I sat down to work, I realized that at my own wedding, I didn't wear any jewelry. (Granted we got married at sunrise in our jeans and hiking boots. But even at the party in the afternoon I only wore pearl earrings with my dress.) All the jewelry I wear is for day to day, or date wear; not really fancy.

It took a dozen tries, at least, to get it right. Actually one that I completely finished, they couldn't use since it still was too casual. Finally, after a ton of back and forth emails. I found my muse over at Anthropologie (of course). And came up with the motif and pearl necklace you see.

I actually made one for myself too. I used color for mine to show how easy it is to customize to your favorite beads and such.

The project is definitely quick. Maybe a night to crochet the motifs, another to stiffen them all, and another to put all the beads and motifs together. I couldn't be happier with the results.

Oh, and if you want to see this guy up close come to DFW Fiber Fest in a few weeks. I will be talking about how to make crochet jewelry and do talk about this necklace even more there.

Voting is Live!

Voting is now Live for the 2010 Crochet Awards!

I was nominated in Best Crochet Pattern Book, Best Design for Children, Best Designer for Children, and Best Designer, Women's Wear. But honestly, go vote for your favorites. I know I did.

I really had a blast looking through all the designs and websites. It was great seeing so many great projects.

Here's the link to the website with all the nominees and their projects.

Secret Book Revealed...

Today was super exciting. Interweave revealed the cover and some sneak previews of my new book.....

Simply Crochet.

Simply Crochet BLAD

This book was a collaboration between me and a number of fabulous designers. I designed about a quarter of the projects, then wrote all the rest of the manuscript including drawing all of the diagrams. What was so special is that I got to also act as Editor for the other designers. We would brainstorm on style, stitch patterns, motifs, colors, and yarn choice. It was so much fun discussing real projects with them. I am so jealous of yarn companies and magazines that get to do that all the time. I will feature each designer in an upcoming post, because they each were fantastic to work with. For now, I can tell you I got to work with:

Doris Chan
Kristin Omdahl
Simona Merchant-Dest
Annette Petavy
Marlaina Bird
Julia Vaconsin
Margaret Hubert
Sheryl Means
Vashti Braha
Mercedes Tarasovich-Clark
Linda Permann
Rebecca Velasquez
Carol Ventura
Ellen Gormley
Annie Modesitt
Tracie Barrett
Megan Granholm
Amie Bentley

I know, how awesome right?

This book is all about what you can do with just a few skeins of yarn. I am sure, you, like me, have random balls of yarn laying around. Well this book shows you what you can make with 1, 3, or 5 balls of yarn. Like you can get a small cabled project (like a hat) or a larger lacy project (like a shawlette) all with one ball of yarn. It has tips and tricks for making your crochet enjoyment last on a budget. The projects you will see run from women's garments, to baby clothes, to accessories, to home projects. It has something in there for everyone.

More on the book as we go. It will be coming out this winter around the holidays.

Trefoil Scarf

Trefoil Scarf

Scarves are one of my favorite gifts to make. Mainly because they can be a great opportunity to learn a new stitch pattern. This pattern is quickly learned and equally quickly crocheted from its lacy fabric. Make one in bamboo for the summer or cashmere for the winter, either way your gift will be greatly appreciated. As with all my patterns, the motifs and construction are both written out and diagrammed in symbols. The pattern was originally published in Inside Crochet Issue 7 in UK terms. The version available to download is in US terms.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Scarf is 6” wide by 61” tall (15cm by 155cm).

Yarn:

Sublime Cashmere Merino Silk DK (CYCA #4), 75% extra fine merino, 20% silk, 5% cashmere, 116m (127 yds) / 50g: 059 Beetroot 3 balls

Hooks:

H/8 (5.0mm) hook or hook needed to obtain gauge

Notions:

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends, Spray bottle and blocking pins, 6mm (¼”) wide by 4 m (13 ft) ribbon in contrasting color.

Gauge:

2 Trefoils by 7 rows = 13 cm (5”) wide by 10 cm (4”) long

Stitches Used:

CH Chain

SL ST Slip Stitch

SC Single Crochet

DC Double Crochet

t-ch turning chain

sk skip

$2, 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.

Keaton Vest

A little late, since this came out on the newstands last month....

Keaton Vest in Inside Crochet Issue 15, March 2011.

This simple vest is cleverly a tweed by just changing colors each row. It may look challenging in color but really it is just using a new color each row and the rows repeat easily. I designed it to be the classic sweater vest for the office.

Especially for those offices that are cold, and you still want to look pulled together. The yarn is Mission Falls 136 Superwash which is unfortunately discontinued. But here are some alternatives: Save : Brown Sheep Naturespun Superwash Sport,

Cascade 220 Superwash Sport, Spend : Debbie Bliss Rialto, Spoil Yourself : Rowan Purelife Organic Wool

Just a little reminder, Inside Crochet is written all in UK terms. By the fall, I will have this for sale here in US terms and crochet diagrams.

Floating Wrap

Inspired by classic snowflake doilies, this stunning wrap turns heads. The pure beauty of crochet shines as it floats around your body. Wear it as a shawl, or tied behind your back as a top, or twisted around your waist; you will find that you will want to keep coming back to it day after day. The wrap is constructed of grannies that are joined as you go and the edging is added last. As with all my patterns, the motifs and construction are both written out and diagrammed in symbols. The pattern was originally published in Inside Crochet Issue 6 in UK terms. The version available to download is in US terms and an additional 2 sizes.

Yarn:

RYC Rowan Classic Cashsoft 4 Ply (CYCA #2), 57% Extra Fine Merino, 33% Microfibre, 10% Cashmere, 180m (197 yds) / 50g: #425 Weather 4, 6, 10 balls.

Hook:

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

Notions:
Tapestry Needle for weaving in ends.

Blocking pins and spray bottle.

Stitches Used:

ch Chain
sl st Slip Stitch

sc Single Crochet

hdc Half Double Crochet
dc Double Crochet

tr Treble Crochet

dtr Double Treble Crochet
t-ch turning chain

sk skip

Finished sizes:
Shawl is 13.5” by 43.75” (19” by 56.5”, 24.5” by 68.75”) in S, M, L size.

Smallest size is a shawlette. Shown in M.

Gauge:
Granny Motif= 6 1/4" diameter



$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.

New in the studio

I forgot to show off my goodies I got at the Pittsburgh Knit and Crochet Festival last month. They have become fixtures in the studio so fast that I completely forgot they are new!

Wren and Rita clutch - This cutie is ruffled on the outside. The inside is a differnt fabric with a pocket divider. It has been a great hook case for the diaper bag. So that I don't ever forget a hook again, and it keeps them safe. So far CJ has not stolen it from me, but that is only b/c I have hidden it from her in the diaper bag. Wren and Rita sell lots of different kinds of bags, if you are in Pittsburgh you will have to check them out at one of the craft shows. The fabrics are great, and actually totally sucked me into the booth.

JUL Silver pedestal buttons- These were pointed out to me by a friend, and as soon as I saw them I knew I had to have them. They are a shawl pin or sweater closure that you stick through the fabric and screw the back on. I use them all the time on CJ's sweaters now that she has figured out how to unsnap and unzipper. I adore the modern contemporary look of them made from leather and silver. Very cool! They came in a package of 6 at Knit One, totally reasonable especially if you split with a friend too.

I also got some book lights because I feel like I am always losing mine and you never know when you need to crochet in the dark.

Update- sort of

Last week, I sent off nearly half of the next book to the publishers. Which makes me officially 4 weeks behind on that one. Not a good feeling. Especially when you are working at top speed every hour of the day (either writing or caring for CJ), and only sleeping a little. So yeah, to stay a month behind I have to keep up the nutso schedule for about 2 more months or so. Good news is the book is coming about great. I love the content so far; my swatch there is a little sneak preview of the fun. I have been sending off a lot of the projects to get crocheted; and still I find myself crocheting another version here for me. Silly! One late night I did a little googling and found the book already listed for pre-order in the UK, Japan, Denmark, and Australia. Scary! Especially when you think I still have to finishing writing, crocheting, drawing over half of it; besides editing, photography, designing layouts, and uh printing!

In the middle of this book, I have to write about 5 chapters on the other book too (including projects). Plus I am flying to CO for different work (which is like 2 more chapters worth of worth). Then directly flying to Dallas to teach at the DFW Fiber Fest. That will feel like a vacation for sure! (Oh and there are taxes and holidays in there too- ahh!)

Not a moment to pause over here till summer, when I possibly start another book. Things we do to pay the bills right? (Speaking of bills, we still have our "summer" home in Cincy if anyone needs a great house cheap to rent or buy. )

I do laugh though. In an effort to save time, I have been letting CJ pick out our clothes in the morning. Today she wanted to wear her summer sun hat, sneakers, sweatpants, and fancy jacket. Not bad for almost 18mths. Not sure why the hat, especially since she hates hats- but hey who was I to argue! Ok, back to work!

Super Sneak Peek

Interweave posted a behind the scenes photo of one of the projects in my new book. It is so super sneaky since the book doesn't come out for nearly 10 months. (Heck, I have not even seen the edits yet!) They are so sneaky! But I love it! That wallpaper is fantastic. I might have to use it in a new design. I could see it becoming a shawlette, couldn't you?

Check out their facebook page for more peeks at other books.