Tag Archives: pattern

New Designs for the Beach!

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ScannedImageIt seems like it has been a while….but I have a couple of new patterns released! These have a “beachy” theme and were inspired from a conversation.

By friend Vashti Braha, of Designing Vashti, was pulling together everything it takes to do a booth at the annual conference for the Crochet Guild of America, the Knit & Crochet Show, in San Diego, California. She began her own yarn line Designing Vashti Lotus Yarn just about a year ago, and was eager to take on this new challenge.(If you want my thoughts on this yarn, you can find it here.) While we were chatting about the booth Vashti expressed how she would love to have some beach like items available in the booth, it sparked some ideas and now here they are!

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Sun Twirl Cover Up

The Sun Twirl Cover Up is worked up as a simple square of filet crochet and has minimal seaming, creating a fast and fun cover up for a day at the beach or time beside the pool. It is written for sizes S-2XL, and the Lotus yarn is great with it. The color is bold and the yarn has just the right amount of cotton to make it comfortable, while the rayon adds some drape and shine. The swirl pattern is one that I have played with for a long time. This top has actually been in my mind, finding a way to be created, and fortunately the opportunity was presented. I like the swish of the lines as it helps to flatter many body types and shapes. This pattern is currently available on Ravelry for $3.00.

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Quick Outing Bag

What beach ware is complete without a bag? This Quick Outing Bag is another fast work up that has nice stretch, but not too much. It has a slight color play with some spike stitches, and it really lightweight. It can squish down to a small ball, yet can hold a couple of beach towels. So, in other words, it stores away well when not in use. It is also available on Ravelry for $3.00. 

So while summer still has a grip on the weather, whip up one for yourself.

Creating Some Fun Memories for Summer!

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ScannedImageSo with June finally upon us, dreams of warm weather and vacations dance within our minds, at least for the most part.

 

My design and article in the Summer 2015 issue of Crochet! Magazine, about Yarn Dyeing with Kool-Aid will definitely foster new summer memories!

 

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Easy & Bright Market Bag Photo Courtesy of Annie’s

With simply water, wool yarn, Kool-Aid packets, vinegar, and a little heat, you can create fun moments with children and custom yarn to create your own projects. Speaking of projects, my Easy & Bright Market Bag is designed for beginners, and allows you to highlight the yarn that you created in the article! If you choose to forgo the dyeing, this bag can be created with any yarn and then accompany you to the farmers market, the beach, and the kids’ sports games.

 

If you want to take a look at Dyeing Yarn with Easter Egg Dyes, check out the post I did a while back, it makes for some fun too!

 

 

Pattern with a Purpose!- Fighting Cancer!

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ScannedImageI am really excited about my latest design! Not only is it fun to work up with a great drape and fit over the shoulders but it helps fight cancer!

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Twinkle Hope Diamonds Shawl

The Twinkle Hope Diamonds Shawl (find it here on Raverly) is a join as you go motif design that high lights a large motif in the back, and since it is V shaped it stays in place over the shoulders. I will admit the name has a little of a double meaning to me. Yes, they are diamond shaped motifs that have a twinkle effect of the stars I see at night with the slight taper in the edges; but I also see it as also a symbol of hope.

I have had several people close to my heart be affected by various cancers. Some are no longer with us; some are living a life forever changed. I know that I am not alone by having had cancer enter the realm of life, so I am happy that all the proceeds from the sales of this design (as well as any other of my design patterns) goes directly to benefit cancer research through the organization Cast Off Chemo.FINAL-LOGO-FOR-JPEGS-01-cropped All designs created for this program have done with hours of volunteering. The pattern writers, sample stitchers, technical editors, photographers, publishers, designers; everyone, has donated their skills to create an avenue to raise funds for this worthy cause.

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Twinkle Hope Diamonds Shawl

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Center back of Twinkle Hope Diamonds Shawl

So, if you feel so inclined, please check out my latest designs, the other designers featured by Cast Off Chemo, or donate to the organization directly. It is always the small steps that can make the biggest difference.

Brighten Up the Canning Jar

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ScannedImageAs the season warms and welcomes late evenings and barbeques, my crochet tends to become a little lighter (in fabric) and sometimes a little smaller (in projects). My latest design fits that bill.

In the June 2015 issue of Crochet World Magazine, you can find my Candle Shadows. Now , when I bought my home over a decade ago, it came with a root cellar filled with old canned goods (the “freshest” being over thirsty years, and the some with dates in the 1930’s). So instead of just tossing all these old mason jars filled with over aged fruit, we have slowly cleaned them all up. Finding uses for them all is the more interesting undertaking.

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Candle Shadows- Crochet World, June 2015 Photo courtesy of Annie’s

You may remember from an earlier post that I turned some of the mason jars into pendant lights in my kitchen (if you missed it here, it is), some of the jars will be used as cups and center pieces at my sister’s wedding later this year, and some I have enjoyed using as a little outdoor lighting with my latest design.

The principle behind the design is pretty straight forward, a stitch pattern that offers a nice negative space (for the light to shine through) and that repeats in just the right amount to come evenly fit around the jar. Then adding in some great color and there is a lot of fun added to my outdoor dinner (or maybe even my indoor bubble bath). Using battery operated flame-less votive candles makes them even easier to use, and safe for kids!

Changes that Lead to Opportunities

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Shards Tunisian Shawl

ScannedImageI may have mentioned that my local yarn store, Lofty Lou’s recently sold to a new ownership group; a group of 26 ladies that loved the store and wanted to ensure that it did not close. This change in ownership has given me many opportunities to see the industry from different points of view. I have been teaching various individuals how to crochet as well as various aspects of yarn, all while observing the challenges that running this small store take on.

One of the interesting opportunities has been the need for the store to have crochet samples. They wanted to feature my designs, but I had no patterns in the particular yarn they had in store. Fortunate for me that they wanted a new design worked up in Mountain Color Yarn, so I was eager to undertake a new challenge; what could I create with only two skeins of Crazyfoot?

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Shards Tunisian Shawl

So after some playing the Shards Tunisian Shawl was born. It utilizes Tunisian stitches with short rows for an effect that is stunning. The varying of the stitch types in the sets of short rows allows the color way to offer a completely different appearance, almost like it is dancing. I had the unique opportunity to meet the dyers, and found that one had a connection to my little home town; her son owned a restaurant on Main Street, and made the travels from Montana to Northern California to visit her new grandbaby. So in a sense I feel this yarn has a local connection, and I always like to support local.

I have released this pattern for sale on line (Ravelry & Craftsy), while the sample adorns the store and brings attention to the beauty of the yarn. If you feel inclined check it out. I am very pleased with its results…if only the photographs truly captured the personality it has, you could fully appreciate its wow factor.