Clare Beauty

(Photo courtesy of Annie's)

Clare Beauty

 

Crochet! magazine - Autumn 2014

 

 

Now the instructions to a simpler version of my prize-winning Connemara Beauty design are available on newsstands or at www.crochetmagazine.com.

 

 

This design features 2 large flower-like decorative knots.  (The model above is actually wearing the back on the front for this photo showing the versatility of the sweater.)  Tips and photos for how to weave the intricate knot are found on the page to the left.

 

 

The original design had 9 decorative knots in it - some can be seen in the photo below when it hung in the "Winners' Circle" of the CGOA Design Competition (for earning 2nd place in the Fashion Category) - so to make it simpler, the Clare Beauty has just the two main knots woven in a beautiful blue (like the original).

 

 

(Photo courtesy of Susan Lowman)

 

Unlike the original, the knot on the front is much larger and even from a distance, its intricacies can be noticed as shown in the photo below.

 

 

I loved creating this design - the blue of the yarn reminded me of the rivers and lakes in Ireland.  I even wove the knots while sitting by a beautiful lake near my home. 

 

 



Beach Pebble Pendants

 

I love to walk along the ocean before the summer heat begins and look for shells, rocks and tidal pool creatures.  Beachcombing feels like my own little treasure hunt and makes me feel like a kid again.  Every summer I collect a few 'treasures' in hopes to make them into something when I get home - jewelry, ornament for the garden, mosaic - but often they are forgotten when the reality of 'adult life' sinks back in.

 

So, for this summer I finally used some of my beach finds - perfectly smooth little rocks that must have spent thousands of hours in the 'washing machine' of the surf making unique music as they rolled across other stones on the shoreline - and turned them into these necklaces.

 

You can find the pattern in the June issue of Crochet World. 

 

 

 I used a small steel hook and Aunt Lydia's crochet thread (size 10).  They work up very quickly and would be a fun project to do at the beach!  I think they would look great with some beads added to the necklace or some gems glued to the pendants.

Lamb Vest - Crochet Today!

 

I enjoyed designing this cute little hoodie.  It is made out of Red Heart's Buttercup yarn - which is 'super soft' but can make it very hard to see your stitches.  So, all stitches are made in between the stitches below (since the stitch loops are impossible to see through the fuzzy yarn).  It works up very quickly and would be nice in other colors for other animals.  All you would need to do is change the shape of the ears (and tail - there is a little one on the back - not shown in this photo :) ).

Sadly, this is my last design for Crochet Today - they stopped their publication with this issue.  It was a wonderful magazine and I enjoyed working with the editor, Theresa Gonzalez.  She helped me get my start in crochet-designing by publishing my Celtic Knot Scarf in March 2012 (Now available free from Crochet Today by clicking name of design above).  Over the next year many of my new designs will be appearing in Crochet! magazine and Crochet World.

CGOA 20th Anniversary - Special Yarn Bomb!

 

The Crochet Guild of America is turning 20 this year and we are going to celebrate!

 

This summer on July 23 - 27th the Knit and Crochet Show will be in Manchester, NH.  We plan to cover the hotel and courtyard in knitted and crocheted squares  (Yarn bomb-style) in honor of CGOA's milestone.

 

CGOA is a wonderful organization filled with valuable resources for crocheters and talented people for friendships!  I have attended many of their events at the Knit and Crochet Show and learned a great deal about the crochet industry. I highly recommend becoming a member. (www.crochet.org)

 

There is still time to participate in the special Yarn Bomb and show your appreciation for CGOA -

 

Simply crochet (or knit) a square 8" x 8" (or a rectangle 8" x 16")

and send it  ASAP to:

 

CGOA

1100-H Brandywine Blvd.

Zanesville OH 43701

 

**After the conference all donated -squares will be made into blankets and scarves for charity**

 

Visit www.knitandcrochetshow.com to find out more details about the Yarn Bomb and all the other fun events happening in July.