unchained crochet

I got to see a copy of the Summer issue of Interweave Crochet while at TNNA this past weekend.  It is a great issue and I am very happy with how my Cool Waves Shawl was photographed.  Click on the picture to go to the Interweave website to see more pictures and the other projects in this issue.

This is one giant wedge of tunisian short rows done in a simple lace pattern.  It is very easy to do and is a very versatile accessory.  It can be worn as a shawl, scrunched up and wrapped around the neck as a scarf, or tie it around the waist as a beach sarong.  The yarn used in the pattern is Helen's Lace by Lorna's Laces.  Right now I am working on one for myself using Andrea, a 100% silk laceweight yarn from Schaefer Yarns.  A fingering weight yarn would work as well; in fact any weight could be used and the final product would go from a summery, lightweight shawl to an accessory that will layer to keep you warm on the coldest of days.

Because the pattern is so easy, I will offer to teach it free when the magazine & yarn are purchased at Yarntopia.  We should have the magazine in this week and yarn will be coming soon.

Tunisian crochet was quite a hot topic at TNNA - our industry's trade show - so you will likely be seeing more patterns from different designers.  This is a very exciting time for our favorite fiber craft!

I am very proud to announce the opening of the latest online fiber art show, featuring work by artists from around the world.

I am honored to be a part of the International Freeform Guild - an online community who love to express themselves with fiber.  Please take some time to check out each person's work - you will be amazed and inspired.

We all have heard the age old question, "Why do bad things happen to good people?"  While I don't have the answer, I do know that good things do happen to good people.

I first met Drew Emborsky, The Crochet Dude, four years ago.  I found his business card in another LYS prior to the opening of Yarntopia, intrigued, I took it home and looked him up online.  I started following his blog and commenting on his posts, hoping that I could one day meet this fellow crocheter and local Houstonian.  I know I must have sounded like a fiber-stalker weirdo.  But then one day I saw my blog on the list of blogs he followed.  I felt as though I had arrived.

Since that time Drew and I have become friends.  Drew is truly one of the nicest, and most kind people I have ever met.  He works hard, sets goals, and now all the pieces of the crochet universe are falling into place for him.  I couldn't be happier for him.  It also restores hope to my soul knowing that good things really do happen to good people.

Check out Crazy Aunt Purl's blog post about Drew that also has pictures of his product line and her reflections on The Crochet Dude.

If you can't wait to get your Dude stuff at Yarntopia, head over to your local Michael's and ask for them.  Boye hooks are my favorite style of hook and I can't wait to get my own personal set.  Who knows, I might even be able to get an autograph!

No, not me.  I'm not the cover girl, but that's my design on the cover of Crochet!  We had just arrived home after a weekend at the coast and this was laying on top of the stack of mail.  Such a great welcome home surprise.

I knew the issue was due out but had no idea I would be on the cover.  Here is the inside picture of the pattern.  I just ordered several colors of Kudo for Yarntopia, so if you want to make this I will have some yarn available there as soon as it arrives.

For those of you not familiar with Crochet! it is the official magazine for the Crochet Guild of America.  Each issue is filled with great patterns, educational articles, local guild information and all the latest from the world of crochet.

Even if there isn't a local CGOA chapter in your area, you can join the national guild and receive this magazine as a part of your annual dues.  Click on the link and find out what the CGOA has for you.

I've already posted on Twitter & Facebook, so now I'm off to Ravelry to spread the word.

Happy Hooking everyone!

As is usually the case with me, I waited until the last minute to make something for my granddaughter who is being born today.

I used the baby blanket pattern from Sharon Silverman's tunisian crochet book as inspiration and tweeked it to meet my needs.  I used two colors of Encore Worsted to produce a subtle striping pattern in the yellows and greens being used for little #3.

The sofa is a Duncan Pheiffe that belonged to my inlaws on which my husband had a photo taken when he was a baby more than 60 years ago.  I think I will photograph all 3 girls on it soon.

This photo shows the hat I made to go with a little onesie I bought.  The vase contained flowers when my husband was born and the rattle was also his.  A nice touch of history to go with the birth of another member of the family.

When I saw Kim Guzman at CGOA last August, she told me about a new tunisian crochet book she had written that was due out in November.  I not so patiently waited until our book distributor released it then immediately ordered several copies for Yarntopia.  Well, clearly I didn't order enough because I didn't get a one!

Upon reorder I was informed that they were backordered - yeah for Kim, not so good for me.  The backordered copies arrived today and I immediately nabbed one for myself and sat down to check it out.

I am here to tell you that if you love tunisian crochet as I do, this is a must have book.  Learn to do Tunisian Lace Stitches is not only a wonderful guide to unique lace stitches, but it also teaches the basics, has really nice patterns, AND a DVD with Kim teaching the techniques.  All this for a mere $14.95 - it is a steal.

There are several things I want to make - the Opulent Shells Wrap, Carnival Market Bag, and the Bonny Waves Wrap top the list.  As a designer I am so excited to try the lace stitches to incorporate into my own work.

Kudos to Kim and the folks at Annie's Attic - this is a great book.

Reading the description of a new book on spinning techniques, I noticed the author was described as a "yarn maker."  I love that! 

I have always had a visceral reaction to yarn.  The colors and textures are ripe with possibilities.  A similar reaction happens when I open a new box of crayons - the smell and all those, oh so perfect colored points just take my breath away.

There is now a new dimension to my yarn love.  I have the ability to create yarn.  I can manipulate the colors and textures, the thickness and the twist, I am the Yarn Maker.  Items made with hand spun yarn are very different from those made with manufactured yarn. 

There is life in handspun yarn, unique twists and irregularities that can only come from the touch of a human hand.  I don't strive for perfection in my handspun.  Depending on the project I might desire a thick, lofty yarn or possiblity a delicate cobweb laceweight.  Or both!

Manufactured yarn is predictable, reliable, and sturdy (usually);  those are the qualities that make it the only logical choice for garments, throws, and most all children's items.  But, for those of us who live to create with yarn, handspun is the gold standard, the vahalla, the cherry on top of the whipped cream.  The artistic freedom of being able to create just what is needed for a project has spoiled me forever.  There will be a place for manufactured yarn in my work, but handspun...you have stolen my heart.

Today is March 1, thus begins National Crochet Month.  As some of you might know my fiber pendulum has recently swung back to the knitting camp and I have had a rather lackluster attitude towards crochet.  It is hard for me to pinpoint why this happens.  It is such a regular part of who I am that I have really stopped analyzing the changes, rather I try to roll with my creative ebb and flow.

I want to honor my first fiber craft yet there is so much knitting to do for Yarntopia.  What's a girl to do?  I am nearly done with Citron so I will be ready for a new shop sample project soon.  I am excited that Rowan has devoted an entire book to crochet this spring.  Voila'!  Shop sample and crochet all in one project.  There are also some very cute crochet projects from Tahki Stacy Charles that are crying out to be made, so I have a choice.

There are several freeform projects waiting patiently while I knit for the shop.  I really want to get at least one of those done this month.

All this and I haven't even started my International Freeform Crochet Group's annual challenge.  Argh!  The theme this year is "Somewhere In My World - Weather, Nature, Landscape, Travel: Real or Imaginary."  As I said, I like choices, but this category is so wide open I am having a hard time narrowing the field to one idea that can be represented in a scrumble. 

Since travel is my all encompassing desire right now, it makes sense to use something from a life changing trip - my 2007 trip to France with Amy and The French Girl.  This is a picture Amy took of me in France and I'd love to capture the colors, energy, and the joie de vivre of the moment in a piece of fiber art.  We can add found objects and other things to represent our vision as long as crochet is primary.  The creativity is flowing...where are my hooks and yarn?

Focus...focus...foc...fo....oh look a pretty new yarn...

I have updated my daily photo journal here and on Facebook.  I'm having a hard time remembering to do this everyday.  I take the pictures, but the day gets away from me and I don't get things published.  I will persevere!

Today's picture is my new WIP.  The spring yarn is flowing in and we need to get some samples made.  Sprout is a new yarn for us.  It is a chunky cotton yarn that is wrapped for a boucle look.  It is super super soft and cuddly - great for baby blankets.  The color pallette is gorgeous.

I am making a fitted shell in a gorgeous coral. It will be a great spring/summer garment.  Due to the large gauge I am hoping to finish this quickly - photos to come.

Day #2 didn't go quite as planned, but it was a great day.  I took Shorts to dance for her mom and then she spent the night.  We created some incredible memories and the best part is that it was just in doing ordinary things.

We started our day much earlier than I would have liked, but a cup of coffee later, all was well.  We colored pictures, laughed at cartoons, played games, and then got dressed to go shopping.  If imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, then Shorts paid me the ultimate compliment.  She watches everything I do and tries to emulate me.  But yesterday, she wanted to dress like me.  Imagine, a 53 year old woman being the fashion example for her granddaughter.  We put her hair up in a French Twist and then she donned a scarf & jacket and then we "posed" for a photo shoot. Simply the best day ever!

Then it was time for Mimi & Dydy (pronounced die-die) to have their picture taken by Shorts.

The day ended with Shorts going home, Mimi & Dydy heading out to shop and spend the day together.  All things being equal - it was one of the best days ever.

Today is Day #3 of my 4 day weekend.  The Super Bowl is today; the weather outside is cloudy, cool and breezy.  No doubt this is a day to stay indoors, get house stuff done, and of course, knit.