Tag Archives: mary beth temple

2 Books Not to Overlook!

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I really do not know where the last 12 months have gone!

Last year a few friends had new books hit the shelves, and there are some that it has taken me a while to getting around to reading, not because I wasn’t eager to dive into the pages, but simply because my time demands took me in other directions. So, it was really been nice to be able to finally get through 2 of them recently.

First, my son has made comments about how the world seems to be returning to hieroglyphics with the proliferation of emojis, then my friend Charles Voth came out with his first book…Emoji Crochet! This book is full of fun patterns, from home décor to wearables. You can make a throw or a pillow then move on to a hat or sweater. The really great thing in this book, in my opinion, is how many different techniques are used. You can learn so many different crochet techniques that I would recommend this book if not simply for that reason. Charles uses tapestry crochet techniques, applique techniques, color work, charting and written instructions to delve into putting faces on your work.

Charles also ensured that there is great detailed instructions of these techniques accompanied with illustrations. This is probably due to his profession as a technical editor, meaning he has a hand in many crochet patterns that are published by ensuring that the math works and the pattern written creates the item in the photo. In addition to being a technical editor he is also a college professor, so he understands how people learn, and this book definitely has this in mind.

It is hard to pick which project I like the most in this book, but I think the Not Too Blue for You Mittens top my list of first projects to complete. If you get the opportunity, check this book out, you will not be disappointed! (Check out other designs by Charles here and his classes here)

Another book I have been checking out is Bath Knits by my friend Mary Beth Temple. Now I will not even pretend that I am a knitter, I dabble, and know just enough to get myself in trouble, so this book has been perfect to help me practice the basics. There are plenty of ideas for pampering yourself in the bath, but in my beginner state I will focus on the great array of wash clothes. Like many of Mary Beth’s book this one is straight forward and lets you dive right into the projects while subtly learning a few new approaches.

Mary Beth has been an accomplished designer in both knit and crochet for a decade, and might be best known for her long running podcast Getting Loopy! Both her book and podcast are worth checking out.

Now that I have been able to at least read through these 2 books, now it is time to get my hooks and needles flying and work some of these projects! (Find more of Mary Beth’s designs here)

 

Taking Pictures….Having Images

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ScannedImageI realized I am bad at taking photos. Not that I take bad pictures, I just do not take photos as often as everyone else, and often forget about doing it at all. For example last week I was in Concord, North Carolina at the Fall Knit and Crochet Show, I had a wonderful time, but do I have any photos to show for it? Not really, I was too busy doing to think about recording. I met so many wonderful people, visited with new and old friends, learned lots and became so engrossed in crochet and yarn that I forgot about my camera.

MP900305796There were so many events to get to meet people that I was completely engaged for long periods of time (for those that have met me, you understand that I do tend to talk a bit).

I enjoyed helping with Professional Development Day. I had excellent instructors throughout the event, that I highly recommend, (Vashti Braha, Mary Beth Temple and Dora Ohrenstein), I enjoyed the banquet dinner and playing in the fashion show, I had a blast at the Fun Night (I even won the speed crochet competition and went head to head with Lily Chin, the renowned fastest crocheter, I didn’t dethrone her but had a lot of fun). Even the simple things like meeting new people over breakfast or appetizers were great highlights, but I have not a photo to show for it.

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Photo at my pattern signing

I did manage to pull out my camera on the show room floor, but only to take a couple of shots of design competition winners (I had some friends that couldn’t make the event, that placed in various categories), and I got a shot of me at my pattern signing. But really the memories I have are well secured in the stories that I lived, I may not be able to show you, but they are there in my heart and mind. I cannot wait to go back again and immerse myself in the experiences again, maybe next time I’ll think about the camera.

If you would like to check out pictures of the design contest entrants I highly recommend checking out Doris Chan’s blog post, she highlights all the winners (that is mine at the top of the page), as well as a slide show of all the entrants (there was so many great designs, I feel blessed to have placed at all, I am really I did not have to be a judge).

Photos may help share memories, but mine are quite vivid for me.