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Monday, December 21, 2015

Last Minute Hostess and Kid Gifts!

 

Would you like to take something unique to the next Christmas party you go to for a hostess gift? Or do you need to make a cute little something for some special kids in your life?

Then I have two fun projects for you!

Back in July I wrote a guest blog post for Red Heart here titled, "Christmas Ruffle Tree".  It was part of their "Christmas in July" blog fun.  It is a different way to use their Sashay ruffle yarn - all you need is one skein of Sashay, a Styrofoam cone, your crochet hook and some sewing pins.  On the blog you'll see several photos with detailed steps of how to make your tree (including how to cover the cone with matching fabric). This tutorial is FREE!

1042_ChristmasRuffleTree

The instructions for these Funny Finger Friends can be found on page 36 of the current issue of Crochet World (Dec. 2015) - which you can download here or purchase at your local craft store or bookstore.

            

These also use a Styrofoam insert to help give it the sphere shape along with basic amigurimi techniques.  They can be worked up in an afternoon and will provide hours of giggly fun.


 
 

 

Saturday, December 19, 2015

Deep Red Cowls for Christmas Gifts



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This is a great time of year to wear red!  This Bangle Bead Scarf from the October issue of Crochet World (you can purchase here ) works up very quickly with Berroco's Captiva yarn.



Captiva (see Ravelry page here ) has a lovely sheen and when paired with the silver scarf bails and beads shown here, makes for an eye-catching one-of-a-kind cowl.


(I recently wore this project over a mint green sweater and received several compliments.)














This Crimson Beaded Neck Wrap also makes a great Christmas gift or accessory to wear to a Christmas-themed event.  This was crocheted with Caron's Simply Soft yarn and the edgings include glass beads.  The instructions for this cowl can be found in the October issue of the digital magazine, I Like Crochet.
 


There is still time to make either one of these for someone you love this Christmas!

Wednesday, December 16, 2015

Decadent Cookie Garland

 
Don't you love the look of a Christmas garland?  There is something whimsical and inviting about them and how they soften the sharp angles of a doorway or mantel.
 
This garland is made of cookies, candy canes, stars and pom-poms.  Each cookie and candy cane are 3-dimensional and stuffed with polyfil but are all calorie and sugar-free!  I crocheted them using Caron's Simply Soft Solids - this yarn has a wonderful sheen and comes in several vibrant colors.
 
This pattern is now available in the December issue of the digital crochet magazine:
I Like Crochet.

 
Click on the link below to check out the other projects in this issue and how you can order a subscription (which gives you digital and immediate access to all patterns from past issues!)
 
 


Sunday, December 13, 2015

Quick Snowflake Projects

 






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Well, it is that time of year again when the snowflakes will soon start to fall - at least in our part of the country.  Our family loves to watch the snow fall in the winter especially around Christmastime.  We are still waiting eagerly for the first official snowfall but until then, I'll enjoy the various snowflake ornaments and decorations we have up around the house.



I love the beautiful designs of snowflakes so much that I created two designs that are in the current issues of Crochet! and Crochet World magazines.




This Snowflake Photo Ornament can easily be made in an afternoon and given as a unique gift complete with your own special photo inside. You can purchase a print or digital copy of Crochet World magazine - December 2015 - here.


The Snow Crystal Cowl would make another perfect gift for someone who loves winter or to wear to your next Christmas party.  (I think it would be a great accessory to wear to a Frozen-themed party as well!)  For this project I used a double-strand of a luxurious mohair and silk yarn  - Stacy Charles "Luna" (see Ravelry page here )in a beautiful blue.  Each of the snowflakes was crocheted with a very classy silk metallic yarn by the same manufacturer - "Stella" (see Ravelry page here ). Both yarns have an elegant metallic sheen that gives the look of real ice or glass.


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This pattern and many other great winter projects in the Winter 2015 issue of Crochet! magazine can be downloaded here.


 

Wednesday, December 9, 2015

Ireland Photos and Beauty




In the current December issue of Crochet World my friend Bonnie Barker designed a beautiful throw made with Red Heart's Super Saver yarn in their teal color. 
 
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This Hills of Ireland throw incorporates a variety of elegant cable stitches that give it a great texture. The full pattern can be found on page 45.
In addition to what you will find in the magazine, Bonnie has written an article for the Crochet World newsletter (Talking Crochet) that you can read here giving you tips on how to make the cable stitches shown.

And then if you hop over to the Crochet World blog post for Dec. 2nd here you will see another article/interview with Bonnie about her trip to Ireland.  There are many of her photos from the Emerald Isle that get me excited to head Ireland next year with Annie's and Craftours.

Would you like to come with us? Click on the photo of Ireland on the right and read about all the fun things we will do including crocheting together!

  Look at this gorgeous photo of Bonnie's - Ireland is breathtaking!

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Wednesday, November 18, 2015

Talking Crochet Newsletter

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Earlier this fall I received a message that my design, Mandala Wall Art, that was published in the June 2015 issue of Crochet World, was nominated for a Crochet Award in the Wall Hanging category.

You can now see all the winners at the link below - there are many beautiful designs for the home on display.

http://www.thecrochetawards.com/


In honor of this design's nomination, my friends at Crochet World invited me to write a short article about this design titled, "Choosing Mandala Wall Art Colors".

Visit this webpage to read about how to change the colors to fit your home's décor.
(Make sure to read the other great articles of the Nov. 3rd newsletter - Vol. 12, No. 22)

This project would make a great Christmas gift for a friend or family member - use the article's tips to make it in just the right colors.  Find the pattern here as an instant digital download.

Friday, October 9, 2015

From Scraps to Sensational

This fall Crochet! magazine published a special issue :

 
This magazine is filled with great projects that use a small amount of yarn from your stash.  Since Christmas will be here before you know it, many of these projects will also make great quick gifts.
Isn't the colorful afghan on the cover beautiful? My friend, Linda Dean, created this Floral Trellis Afghan which has a cool reversible feature. You can see more of her work at: http://www.lindadeancrochet.com/blog/
 
Here are the projects that I also have in this issue:
(all photos courtesy of Annie's Publishing Inc.)
 
This bag is made with felt squares that are edged with crochet.
Floral Felt Handbag
These cozies can keep your purse organized and help you find your key, chapstick, hand sanitizer and cell phone.
Cozy Quartet

 
This necklace incorporates silver sequins and various shades of blue crochet thread.  I enjoyed creating this design - I think it would look pretty in other colors, too.
Shisha Sequin Necklace

Thursday, September 24, 2015

Brilliant Foliage Shawl

 
 
 
I designed this triangular shawl to look like leaves falling down from a tree in the fall.  The nights are starting to get cool here in New England and a few trees have started to change.  Over the next 6 weeks there will be beautiful and breath-taking displays of all the colors of autumn - My daughters and I love to take 'scenic detours' on the way home from our many activities to take photos of the gorgeous reds, oranges and yellows.
 
I used a fine wool yarn by Schoppel-Wolle (check out its Ravelry page here ).  It comes in wonderful shades for this time of year and the fine weight gives it excellent drape.
 
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This design can be found in the Autumn issue of Crochet! which you can purchase in your local craft store, bookstore or on-line here.
 
 
 
Even though I couldn't make it to this year's CGOA conference (The Knit and Crochet Show) in San Diego, this project of mine did!
Here it is in the Fashion Show - Thank you to Jackie Daugherty and Susan Lowman (thecrochetarchitect.com) for their thoughtful pictures.
 



 

Sunday, September 20, 2015

Crochetscene 2015



Have you seen this summer's latest issue of Crochetscene?
It is available here.

There are all kinds of unique projects that you may not find in other publications.

 
The following 3 mesh projects I designed with the same mesh stitch pattern - They are great to make to use in the summer and fall or to give as gifts:

Beach Tote which can be used as a Market Bag, too:


Backpack Tote:


and a Water Bottle Cozy:

 
All 3 projects are variations of a similar structure and stitch that can be easily adjusted to make different sizes.  This cozy has a butterfly embellishment while the Beach Tote has a pretty shell bead decoration.


Friday, September 4, 2015

Butterfly Wall Art

Butterfly Wall Art

 
Have you tried crocheting with the super sparkly Red Heart yarn called, "Swanky"? The photo above does not do the sequins justice for they shimmer and shine from all angles of light.  I love that the sequins perfectly match the color of the yarn which comes in great jewel tones.

Last summer (July 2014) when I designed and implemented a community yarn bomb for the Knit and Crochet Show (in honor of CGOA's 20th anniversary), I tried to incorporate this showy yarn in a variety of unique pieces shown below.  It was great fun to decorate the inside lobby of the hotel  - it is filled with simple gardens of tropical plants and rock beds.

 
Hovering Hummingbird

 
Resting Butterfly

 
'Flying Butterfly' in Silver

 
Happy Little Sparkly Bird
 
The pattern for the butterfly shown in silver above is now available for FREE through Red Heart:
 
 
I think this butterfly design would be a cute addition to a little girl's room or a college student's dorm room.  If you give it a try, feel free to email me with questions or send me a photo. I'd love to see how yours turns out!
 
 


Sunday, August 16, 2015

Flower for a Friend Necklace

Have you seen the August issue of Crochet World?

I am very proud to say that my daughter, Catherine, has her first published design inside!

It is the Flower for a Friend Necklace.

 
Catherine came up with this necklace idea last summer.  She has been crocheting several years now and loves to use crochet in very creative ways. Catherine is also great at making all kinds of jewelry so including beads in her design made sense.  She used Nazli Gelin Garden 3 thread in a pretty purple and dark green.  Inside this necklace is a very unusual addition that you wouldn't normally use in jewelry but you'll have to read the magazine to find out what it is! (www.crochet-world.com)
 
 
Carol Alexander, the Editor of Crochet World, was very kind to include a photo of Catherine and I next to the instructions along with a paragraph about us.
 
You can read more about our crochet endeavors with children in our interview with Carol on the Crochet World blog here.
 
 


Monday, August 10, 2015

CRAFTOURS and Annie's

I was sitting at my local Barnes & Noble sipping on a hot cocoa and thumbing through a bunch of crochet magazines when a particular add caught my eye . . . "Craftours" . . . a vacation tour where you get to explore another country and take classes in your favorite craft. Sounded like a great idea and one to keep on the 'back of my mind.' . . .

Well, wouldn't you know, that just a few weeks later Annie's Publishing Inc. contacted me. (They sell all sorts of great craft supplies and publish a wealth of magazines, books and DVD's - such as: Crochet! magazine and Crochet World - www.anniescatalog.com) They invited me to go on their very first partnership with Craftours!

I will be touring and vacationing with all the other crocheters but will also be giving 3 special workshops on how to incorporate Celtic Knots into crochet (more on those later).

And guess where we will be going?

Here's a hint:

Yes, you guessed it - IRELAND!!

Ireland Craft Tour!

I have always dreamed of going there - it is such a beautiful country with so much that inspires my Celtic Knot crochet projects.

I have been there once before a loooooong time ago for just a few days but it made a big impression on me.  The photo above is of  me with my brother and sister in front of Bunratty Castle.

Have you longed to visit Ireland? Would you like to learn how to work Celtic Knots into your crochet? Would you like to see the beauty of Ireland face-to-face and share your love of crochet with other vacationers?

Then now is the time to sign up!  Visit www.craftours.com
for more info and to see how to join the tour.

(Here is a direct link to this trip's page: http://www.craftours.com/trips/?page=ireland_crochet_0616 )


Friday, August 7, 2015

DIY Wedding Projects - Interweave Post #2

Here are 3 more DIY projects for a wedding (or an anniversary party) using a lacy heart and simple mesh stitch:


I love mason jars - their classic look and simple glass element can be used in a variety of party and home décor.  This mesh stitch works up quickly to make an elegant table centerpiece.


This simple heart crocheted with contrasting colors and in various sizes makes for special lapel pins for every guest.
 
 
 
The same heart here has a lacy edging and pearl bead accent for the cake topper.  These could also be used with shorter skewers and decorate cupcakes.
 
Remember, all of these project are inside the Summer issue of Interweave Crochet magazine available on a newsstand near you or on-line at www.crochetme.com.

Saturday, August 1, 2015

DIY Wedding Projects - Interweave Crochet

 
Inside this summer issue of Interweave Crochet are SIX DIY wedding projects that I designed.  In addition to the instructions for each project, I also wrote an article detailing how to incorporate these projects into your wedding and how to get them finished in time for the big day.
 
You can find this magazine in bookstores and craft stores now or on-line here.
 
Here are 3 of the designs (Check back in a couple of days to see the other 3 designs):
 
 
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A bridal bouquet made of crocheted roses, silk leaves, ribbon and glass pearl beads
 
A wrist corsage made with coordinating flowers and embellishments.
 

 
And a boutonniere for the men made with similar roses, flowers, beads and leaves.
 
 
When I got married there were many DIY elements in our day. I thought you would like to see some of them: 
 
My mother and grandmother made all of the flower arrangements for the church decorations and each bridesmaid wore their corsage-like accessory in their hair.
 
 
 
 The men wore handmade boutonnieres as you can see here in this photo of my mom and dad.
 
 
 
Similar fabric and silk flowers were also used in the bridal bouquet along with some real coral roses.
 
 
 
My mother also re-designed her wedding gown to fit me and include the features I liked.
 
 As I look back on all of my wedding photos, I am reminded of how beautiful all of the flower arrangements and decorations looked. 
All of these special DIY projects are still around today and have become treasured keepsakes of our wedding and the people that shared in it with us.
 
 
My grandmother and grandfather at our ceremony
 
 




Monday, June 15, 2015

Ladies Night Out Crochet Class - Spring 2015

 

This spring we had a great group of ladies who made beautiful Friendship Shawls.



We all worked from a free pattern called, "Half Granny Square Instructions" by Ambar E. Rivera.







Everyone loved how the shawl worked up quickly and the increases in each row were simple to figure out. 



We used Red Heart's Unforgettable yarn
 in a variety of colorways.








Jenn crocheted this shawl using the  "Springtime" color (#3932) and some beautiful glass beads.



Mona made this shawl in the "Dragonfly"
(# 3935) and added some perfect blue-green glass beads.



Pam crocheted this lovely shawl in "Cappucino" (#9942) and gave it to a young woman recovering from injuries due to a bad fall.







We added the edging that you can find here in the free pattern by Doris Chan called, "The All Shawl". 







The shawls look great from the front and back - the yarn creates the change in color all on its own.








Here are some close-up photos of the details.
(Be sure to check out the Student Gallery page to the LEFT for more photos of these projects and others!)