Eva Folk Jumper

 

When I was in middle school I started learning a few languages. Our school offered French, German, Spanish and Russian.  Everyone could try out each language for a few months and then pick one to study in 8th grade and all through high school.  I picked Russian and loved studying a language that looked so different. 

Then when I was in high school, our school was chosen as a 'sister school' of a special English-teaching school in Moscow.  I was able to go live with a Russian family for a month my junior and senior year and a Russian girl came and lived with us for a month each year.  It was a wonderful experience and helped me decide to study Russian in college.  Now I teach Russian to kids of all ages and continue to enjoy learning about their culture and history.

I love many examples of Russian Folk Art that can be seen in their folk costumes, nesting dolls, village crafts and in every souvenir shop.  In the Spring issue of Crochet! there is a Russian-inspired girl's dress  - the Eva Folk Jumper.

 



Some of the Russian folk costumes are similar to this - they have a band of decorative ribbon along the top and down the center.  This decorative band is made out of several flower motifs.  I crocheted this with Omega Sinfonia's 100% cotton yarn - it comes in bright colors and looks great in all the stitches.  The pattern can be found here as an instant digital download - It is written for several sizes - 12 mo, 2T, 3T and 4T.

 



Quick Snowflake Projects

 

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.




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


 

Feileacan Shawl - Gaelic for "Butterfly"

I love butterflies.  Their grace and beauty always catch my attention and I smile as I watch one flutter by.  If I have time, I run to grab my camera and try to photograph the visitor - I never tire of the challenge it is to catch them in a photo frame.  This is a gray hairstreak that visited our backyard earlier this spring.


For the 2014 CGOA Design Competition I decided to incorporate the butterfly shape into a new Celtic Knot design.  I carefully created the butterfly motifs with the over-under woven details. (Feileacan (pronounced "Fay - leh - kahn") means 'butterfly' in Gaelic.) Then I linked them together so they would cascade down the center of the back of the shawl.  For each side I came up with a stitch that mimics the patterns found in butterfly wings.

I was thrilled to have this design and my Celtic Coral Charm selected as the Technical Merit Award winner sponsored by Designing Vashti.
Now you can make a Feileacan Shawl by following the instructions in the Summer 2015 issue of Crochet! magazine.

I used the new Lotus Yarn by Designing Vashti in the Teal Glimmer color.  I love how the yarn has a unique sparkle in the bright sunshine.  You can purchase this yarn here.

Make sure to check my Ravelry page (here) for this design since there are corrections to the printed instructions.

Kerry Shrug

One of my most popular patterns has been the Kerry Shrug.

It was first published in Crochet! magazine - Spring 2013.

Then it was featured in an episode of Knit and Crochet Now! -
Season 4 - Episode 402.

(More details about where to find the pattern and purchase the episode can be found here and here.)

 

  This design is a simpler version of the Glendalough Shrug.

 

  

Last year Carol Chesick emailed me about her journey in making this shrug.  She had a few questions about the pattern but did most of it on her own.

 

Didn't she do a wonderful job?  I think it looks great on her.

 

 

Here is what Carol says about her experience with this shrug:

 

I just loved the look of the Kerry Shrug but was a little intimidated. Not sure I had the skills, but decided to soldier on. I am so glad I did. I made it to wear to a summer wedding and was actually quite surprised when no one mentioned anything about it. I guess I expected some reaction.

It was then I walked up on a conversation my adult son and his friends were having about MY shrug!! I never thought the praise and compliments would come from the groom and his groomsmen. It was then all their wives and girlfriends starting complimenting me on making such a beautiful piece.  It was an advanced pattern but well worth the effort.

I have since worn it not only with a dress but over a shirt with blue jeans as well. I feel so good in it.

 

Congratulations, Carol, on crocheting an advanced pattern and successfully creating a wearable piece of art!

 

 

Scallops and Stripes Jumper

Here is another design that can be found in the current Spring 2015 issue of Crochet! magazine. (www.crochetmagazine.com)

 

I love a scalloped edging and thought it would be pretty to add it along each color-change.  I used a yarn I had never crocheted with before - Berocco Weekend in Lilac, Cornsilk and Daisy.  It is a beautifully soft cotton yarn that is perfect for spring and summer projects. 

 

I think this would make a great Easter dress for any little girl.