I always look forward to March, otherwise known as National Crochet Month, and participating in the blog tour by Crochetville with this year’s theme “Pawprints on our Hearts”. Make sure and follow along on the tour here.
This theme was a bit difficult for me. I still have a heavy heart from the passing of a pet, the family house rabbit, Storm. He managed to capture my heart in a way that the other pets in the home just haven’t managed. Storm was always nearby as I was working on projects and designs. You might not believe it, he would share his opinion of my work. He was always a critic.
Storm, the house rabbit
Imagine a rabbit that managed to be the dominate pet in the house. Keeping the 80 pound dog and cat in line. Stealing the dog’s bed and chase the cat, and learned to scratch on the refrigerator door to get blueberries. He is missed.
I have always had a soft spot for rabbits, and I am not sure why. I have had a few different bunnies over the years, and their personalities are always so varied. It is so unplanned, how our hearts can just open up to our pets.
BBD (Baby Brown Dog)
As a way of celebrating this love we have for pets with you during National Crochet Month, I am offering my pattern for BBD (Baby Brown Dog) at half price (get it here). This is a toy puppy with weighted feet that hopefully will find a way into your heart.
When I first created this design, I was planning on celebrating crochet during the National Crochet Month (every March), but now it has grown into a much longer celebration time….If you are visiting this site from the Yarnover Truck as part of the San Diego Yarn Crawl…Thank you! Please enjoy “my crochet story” and your free pattern.
I met Underground Crafter through the Crochet Guild of
America, actually I have my career in crochet because of CGOA. I never thought
that crochet could take me to the places it has.
I will admit that when I first learned about CGOA I didn’t
really know what to expect. I found an ad for it in a magazine, and figured I
would give membership a try.
I soon learned of the Masters program, then completed the Advanced Stitches &Techniques Program, which consists of 48 swatches and 13 question. Some of the swatches were things I had never heard of before, like foundation single crochet, so I learned some new skills and have my work reviewed. I remember that I was nervous, excited and a bit terrified to have my work reviewed. Fortunately, and eventually, I passed the program.
Later that year I was invited to the CGOA annual conference
to be recognized for my accomplishment. I was a bit reluctant….after all it was
a crochet conference….so people just sat around and crocheted?…But with
encouragement from family and friends I went, and I was hooked!
Where this one event took me
I met so many incredible people from so many walks of life.
It was an experience that changed my life, seriously. It was at this conference
that I sold my first design, and began my career as a crochet designer, that
lead to more teaching, that lead to volunteer work in crochet…that lead to
being a reviewer and a writer for the Masters Program, that lead to a seat on
the Board of Directors, and finally my title as President. It is hard to
believe that my career started only 7 years ago, from a membership that I took
a chance on a decade ago.
Even if I never took the chance at conference and started a
new path in my life, I was hooked as a supporter of CGOA for the simple fact
that it is the only organization that solely supports crochet. It is a unified
voice of crocheters in the craft industry, a central point for the history of
all things crochet, a source that encourages and expands the skills and
knowledge of crochet. It does all of this numerous volunteers coordinating over
twenty committees. I am constantly impressed with the ideas and energy of those
that love crochet.
I would continue to support CGOA simply because it supports
crochet.
In addition, please enjoy my free pattern, Quiet Night Wrap. I designed this pattern by candle light during the winter storms and my journey back to the 1800’s just a few weeks ago (find that story here). I hope you have enjoyed a month long celebration of crochet, personally I think I will try and celebrate it every day.
Quiet Nights Wrap
Quiet Nights Wrapby:
Linda Dean
Created in the dark during a winter storm, this simple 2 row repeat worked from the center back outward, will be a go to favorite for a triangle shawl. The ending edge really makes it a show stopper. This will be the wrap that everyone wants you to make for them.
Treble Crochet Two
Together (tr2tog): YO
twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through 2 loops)
twice, YO twice, insert hook into stitch, YO, pull up a loop, (YO, pull through
2 loops) twice, YO, pull through 3 loops.
The Pattern
Row 1: Ch 2, (sc, [ch 3, sc] 3 times) all in 2nd ch from hook, turn. -4 sc, (3) ch-3 sps
Row 2: Ch 4 (counts as dc + 1 ch now and throughout), 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-3 sp (insert removable stitch marker in ch-1 sp to mark center of shawl), ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. 14 dc
Row 3: Ch 1,(sc, ch 3, sc) in same st, ch 3, sk ch-1 sp, sk 3dc, sc in next ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in ch-1 sp] across to center of shawl, ch 3, (sc, ch 3, sc) in center ch-1 sp, [ch 3, sk 3 dc, sc in next ch-1 sp] across to last ch- 1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 dc, sk ch-1 sp, (sc, ch 3, sc) in last dc, turn. -7 ch-3 sps
Row 4: Ch
4, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp] rep across to center of
shawl, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in center ch-3 sp, [ch 1, 3 dc in next ch-3 sp]
across, ch 1, dc in last sc, turn. -26 dc
Row 51: Ch 4, dc in same sp, [ch
1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to center of shawl, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in
center of shawl, ch 1, dc in next st, [ch 1, sk 1, dc in next st] across to ast
st, ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in last st, turn.
Row 52: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, [ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts] 12 times, ch 5, sk 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, 3 dc in next ch-1sp (center of shawl), [ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sp, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 6 sts ] 12 times, ch 5, sk next 2 ch-1 sps, tr in next ch-1 sps, ch 5, sk next 2 dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 4 sts, turn.
Row 53: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, dc in next dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in next dc, dc in next dc, [ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk next ch-sp and dc, dc in next dc, dc in next 4 sts] 12 times, ch 7, sc in tr, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Row 54: Ch 3, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7 (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp, dc in next 2 sts, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next 2 sts, [ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next 3 dc sts] 12 times, ch 7, (sc, ch 5, sc) in sc, ch 7, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 3 sts, turn.
Almost done….
Row 55: Ch 3, dc in next st, [ch 3
(tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next
dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in
same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp, dc in next 3 dc, (dc, ch 1, dc) in ch-1 sp, dc in next
3 dc, [ch 3, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3,
sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in next st] 12 times, ch 3 (tr2tog, ch 3) 4 times in
ch-5 sp, tr2tog in same sp, ch 3, sk ch-sp and next dc, dc in last 2 sts, turn.
Row 56: Ch 1, sc in same st, ch 3,
sc in next st, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, (sc, ch 5, sc) in ch-1 sp, ch
5, sc in ch-5 sp, {[ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, sc in next ch-3 sp} 12
times, [ch 5, sc in next ch-3 sp] 5 times, ch 5, sc in next dc, ch 3, sc in
next dc. Fasten off.
Weave in ends, block.
A Bonus
Thank you for participating in the San Diego Yarn Crawl…as an added bonus, you can download a PDF of this pattern here.
Welcome to my post for the annual National Crochet Month Blog Tour hosted by Crochetville.com! I am honored to have been participated in the last 5 years of this tour event, and this year theme is “Glamping”…or Glamorous Camping, every day in the month of March Crochetville.com has visited designers, yarn stores, and had various giveaways…don’t miss a stop of the tour.
I cannot say that I have done much crocheting while camping…honestly, I have not been camping in years. I live a rural life, and have lost count of the days I spent camping as a kid, so I vacation now in a bit more of a “modern” style…someplace that offers room service.
To celebrate National Crochet Month I have a free pattern to share with you as well as a discount at my Ravelry.com store (use coupon code NatCroMo2017 and receive 25% off any and all patterns). The Spokes Tam is a simple beret hat dresses up your Glamping adventure with a bit of style. You can really use any weight yarn with an appropriate crochet hook, but I have listed what I have used below.
Special note: All Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc) after Round 2, are worked around fpdc the row below.
Front Post Double Crochet (fpdc): Yarn over, insert hook from front to back and then to front again around post of stitch, yarn over and draw up loop, [yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice.
Front Post Single Crochet (fpsc): Insert hook from front to back and then to front again around post of stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops.
Double Crochet 2 Together (dc2tog): [Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.
Rnd 1: Ch 4, 15 dc in 4th ch from hook, sl st to join. (16 dc)
Rnd 2: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, 2 dc in next st, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, 2 dc in next st] repeat around, sl st to join. (24 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 3: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, dc in next st] around, sl st to join. (40 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 4: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 2 sts] around, sl st to join. (56 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 5: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 3 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 3 sts] around, sl st to join. (72 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 6: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 4 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 4 sts] around, sl st to join. (88 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 7: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 5 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 5 sts] around, sl st to join. (104 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 8: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 6 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts] around, sl st to join. (102 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 9: Ch 3, fpdc in same st, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts, [(dc, fpdc) in next st, dc in next 7 sts, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 7 sts] around, sl st to join. (136 dc, 8 fpdc)
Rnd 10: Ch 1, turn, fpsc around same st, fpsc around each st, sl st st join. (144 fpsc)
Rnd 11: Ch 3, turn, dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, [dc in next 7 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] around, sl st to join.
Rnd 12: Ch 3, dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, [dc in next 6 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] around, sl st to join.
Rnd 13: Ch 3, dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, [dc in next 5 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] around, sl st to join.
Rnd 14: Ch 3, dc in next 3 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts, [dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog over next 2 sts] around, sl st to join.
Rnd 15: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st around, sl st to join.
Rnd 16: Ch 1, turn, sc in each st around, sl st to join. Fasten off.
Spokes Tam
Enjoy a Celebration of Crochet! Don’t forget to use coupon code NatCroMo2017 and receive 25% off any and all patterns at my Ravelry.com store until April 15, 2017.
Check out all the stops on the Crochetville.com tour for more free patterns, discounts and fabulous ideas!
Wow, a whole month focused on crochet! It has been fun following all the blogs featured on the Crochetville blog tour, and thank you Amy & Donna for all your hard work in pulling this together.
This year the blog tour is featuring the charitable organization of Halos of Hope. Please consider making a hat for the cause or make a financial contribution to this organization that helps many with cancer. Find more information at Halos of Hope.
So spring is in the air, it always brings about the thoughts of color for me, which is always an inspiration. Granted I have not been living in a world of winter white, but seeing all the flowers open up and the trees beginning to bloom looks like a painters palette to me. So I grab some yarn and begin to play, but not all yarns are created equal.
Notice the difference between the lines of color in the bottom of the swatch, double crochet clusters, and the band toward the top worked as single crochet. Different stitches, different color pooling.
Lately I have pulled toward variegated yarns, ones that have a mixture and change of color within the skein. However the length of each color run can make a real difference in how my finished fabric looks, so I have to take it into consideration. I pulled some variegated yarn off the shelf the other day, with the inspiration of spring, but found that my fabric just looked like a bunch of speckled dots, and there was no “color pooling” that happens when colors stack up upon themselves.
Why did my work look like little specks? The stitches I was using. Most yarns are not created with crocheters as the primary user in mind, so as a result the color repeats are usually shorter then would best highlight the art of crochet stitches. Often each stitch will include more than one color resulting in speckling. However, with a little playing, stitches can be found that act a little differently. A good example of this is Tunisian crochet, that gives pooling more like that of knitting, but even changing from double crochet to single crochet can create a difference in the appearance of the fabric, and one that might be more what I am looking for.
Left and Right same yarn, different stitch. Left in Tunisian, Right in single crochet cluster.
I was playing with some hanks (the twisted up rounds of yarn that need to be unwound into a ball for easier using), that were dyed by an Independent dyer , these are businesses that are usually small in size and create beautifully colored yarns in small batches, some even painted by hand. I found the color runs of each hank to have been about a foot long, and created just a couple of stitches in each color. I asked the dyer about this, and was enlightened to learn about the process she used. She explained that to create longer color runs she would have to have a way to work with the hank either in a much longer format, or have it unwound then rewound into the hanks standard size, to be dyed/painted. Both approaches are more labor intensive and cost prohibitive. Since the yarn is so beautiful though, I think I can find a stitch that will work in complimenting it.
Basically, if you find a yarn that you love, be mindful that it may not be the best match for every pattern you find. So do a little of that dreaded word….swatching, and see how the color comes together. It really can help you find some beauty. Your crochet is your therapy, your art, your history, so help your vision come to life, use the yarns you love and work the patterns you enjoy. Do not be limited by want the photo shows or the materials listed, make each crochet moment your own.
Free Garden Flower Head Band
Now if you have any scarps left give my newest free pattern a try! It is a head band, which has an attached flower (worked as you go, no sewing!), so check it out Garden Flower Head Band, and find my self-published designs at Crochetville, Ravelry and Craftsy.
The month of March is National Crochet Month, and to highlight the event Crochetville (a fun site dedicated to crochet), is hosting a blog tour of Professionals and Associate Professionals members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). Check out the fun filled month with a lot of insight, give aways and free patterns (my site is featured on March 30, and I will be having a give away you will enjoy, so check back). So check out the fabulous sites (these are very talent crocheters, and I have honored to be able to be in the tour with them). Here is the current calendar, but check the main tour site as additions keep finding a way in at “A Tour Through Crochet Country”!
