$5.00

Last week, I released the PDF (in US Terms)  of my Artichoke Hat, which was originally published in Inside Crochet. I love this hat, and unfortunately a lot of errors slid through to the original publication, which probably turned off more than one crocheter. So, I put it through rigorous testing and re-edited it, (and turned it back to US terms)–and now that six different people have made it and reported back to me (thank you!!!), I am confident that all of the kinks have been worked out. They happen, I hate when they happen, and I try to correct it when I can. This is a great pattern for a intermediate/advanced crocheter, and I hope you’ll give it a whirl if you’re into bobbles and cables. It’s engaging, so save it for time when other people won’t be distracting you. The good thing is you’ll always be looking at the cable side when you do the post stitches, so you don’t have to confuse yourself with any back post stitches or uncertainty about where they end up.

$5.00

I also re-released my Lace Slouch Hat which originally appeared in Knit Circus. I love, love, love this hat. It is so soft and light and I can actually wear it in Texas. I’m looking forward to that. I kind of want to make it again in yellow, like this raveler did, and I’m also eager to try it in a lightweight sock yarn, because I think that would work too. One day! This one is worked bottom up in an easy to memorize pattern, and you can make it a beanie or a slouch hat, depending on your preference. Slouch is shown above.

$5.00

And just in case you’re on the other side of the world…. I also re-released my Summer Sun Hat. This was one of my first PDFs and needed some re-working, but thing that motivated me to do  it was we actually got tons of new paper (!) yarn in at Yarnivore.  So Tammy agreed to stitch it and I agreed to tighten up the pattern. It’s so nice to have a paper yarn source where I can actually see the colors in person– I’m itching to try a purse with it, when it gets hot again. Which, around here, won’t be too far away.

So what about you, dear readers? Just out of curiosity, what’s your favorite thing to crochet?

Since both Paul and I are work-on-weekends type of people, we aren’t really doing anything to celebrate unless you count pushing our noses to the grindstone. But I was inspired to dig up this photo of me and my sisters, Mary Ann and Anne Marie (as we called them then)  on our way to the 4th of July parade in 1988. We always had fun decorating our bikes with crepe paper, balloons, and the  like for the event.  That seems like such a long, long time ago! My dad was always good about taking photographs, and for that I am thankful.  Have a happy 4th, however you celebrate it!

Blackberry Beret is available for $4 on Ravelry and Etsy (if you aren’t a Ravelry member,  you can also click this link to be taken directly to the checkout to purchase this pattern, if that’s your preference).  I was in the middle of designing this pattern when I unexpectedly received a special issue of Crochet Today called “Must Have Gifts” in the mail. And what do you know, it contains the original Raspberry Beret. I don’t own the rights to this pattern–so I can’t sell it or give it to adoring fans–so if you want the pattern, run to your nearest bookstore and get it while you can. Must Have Gifts also has two of my other patterns from previous issues,the Snuggly Slippers and Always Blooming Bouquet. Be sure to check it out.

Also due out shortly is my Petal Beret pattern from Inside Crochet, Issue 10 (October 2010). This is a UK publication that can be downloaded online or purchased at Barnes and Noble,  Borders and the like. The pattern will also be available individually (via yours truly) in 6 months, if you want to wait for the American terminology–but there are lots of great designs in the  mag so I encourage you to go pick it up if you can find it in your area. I love, love, love this hat and it’s truly one of my proudest designing moments.  I crocheted it from one skein of Malabrigo Lace (that I happened to pick up during my book tour in Portland last year), and the resulting fabric is totally worth that tiny -but not too tiny!- hook. I really enjoy working with lightweight yarns in crochet. Although they may take more time, I feel like the smaller stitches give me more room to play around with, plus they produce delicate lace and eyelets rather than the “holey” look that people associate with crochet. I love working with Inside Crochet because they generally let me weigh in on yarn choice, which really makes a difference in my designing. I noticed that I’m more inspired when I know that whatever I come up with will have a chance to see daylight in a form that’s close to my original idea. So, look for more designs from me in future issues- I hope!

If you’re counting, that’s three berets in the last two weeks (the third being Stellar–check out Raveler Marysb’s purple/blue rendition!). I can quit anytime, I swear.

Special thanks to my sister Mary for modeling it in the 91 degree heat today! Thank goodness for that afternoon rain storm.

The cowl is worked from side to side in a simple 4-row repeat that makes it grow wider around the shoulders, but snug at the neck, as you go. You can work it in a #6 Superbulky yarn or hold 2 strands of  #5 bulky (or maybe even worsted) together. Due to the big hook and thick yarn, it’s a quick one. I wear lots of cowls *in the house* when it gets cold because I find that if my neck is warm, I am warm.

The pattern is available for purchase on Ravelry (click here for direct purchase even without a Ravelry account)  and Etsy for $4. I’d rate the skill level enthusiastic beginner–although it has lots of texure, it uses only basic stitches Despite the fun bobbled texture, there are no clusters involved, and the buttonholes are easy-peasy.  See more details on the Cotton Candy Cowl Ravelry page. And savor these last days of summer!

Here’s one of my favorite items: the granny square necklace (a teeny square suspended from silver plated chain).  They necklaces have been marked down from $24 to the sale price of $18. Earrings are now $12, hair pins range from $5 – $7. Hats start at $32.I would love to move some of these things out while it’s nice and warm and you have plenty of time to enjoy them.

Have a happy holiday weekend!

After I finished, I thought about how lovely and cozy it was. And how great the design would look in a solid color,with cotton, for summer. So I kept on crocheting and made 7 more hats with various yarns and crochet threads (I wanted to test the substitution). And here’s my favorite of the colors, modeled by my alter ego, Linda sans glasses. Folks, this is a RARE photograph of LSG, cause I almost never take off my glasses.

If you’re into these lacy romantic hats, cruise over to etsy to pick your favorite color. And if you want to make your own, round up about 30 grams of sock yarn (or CYCA weight category 1 yarn or thread- such as Brown Sheep Cotton Fine or size 3 crochet thread) and head to Ravelry or Etsy to pick up the pattern.

Have a great weekend!

PDF Pattern, $5.50

In case you couldn’t tell, this design was inspired by summer picnics. One of the things I loved about living in NY was going to central park and lazing about with friends for a potluck picnic! It’s just getting warm enough to do that in Bozeman, too. The yarn I used (Cascade 220 Heathers) reminded me of a picnic basket and I used some silky stash yarn to add the extra summery flowers. The pdf is a whopping 8 pages long and includes step by step photos for lining the bag and inserting the zipper. I’m not fond of knit/crochet bags without a lining and closure (unless they are totes) so I wanted to include all of that information for interested parties.

I had some wonderful pattern testers this time around, and if you’re on Ravelry you can see their variations on the Project Page.  I thought it was extra cool how international my testing team was- I had a tester each  from Canada, Sweden, India and the USA. I love the internet!!

I also wanted to show you this rendition I made with my Lacy Shells Hat Pattern. I squeaked it out with one skein (109 yds) of Noro Silk Garden. I love how it worked up and contrary to what I thought, the yarn does seem bearable to wear (and I’m a no-itch snob!). I’ll be teaching this pattern in my beginning crochet class at the yarn shop, if any locals are interested.

PDF Pattern, $3.50

I have a couple more finished projects to show you this week. It seems that all of a sudden this has turned into a bona fide crochet blog!  I’m still trying to think of my next crochet project, but don’t worry, I still sew buy fabric.  I struggle with wanting to design more patterns and wanting something totally mindless. It’s important to me to balance designing with making things from other people’s patterns so I can still keep my “hobbies”, see.  There are so many more wonderful crochet patterns now than there were even a few years ago, and I can’t help but try them out.

They’re awaiting transformation– some will be earrings, some hair pins, and some necklaces. I’m hoping to actually put them in my etsy store instead of dropping them off locally since I’ve been poked about 50 times by people wondering why my shop was empty. Sorry!!  The thing is, they actually tend to sell better in person, for whatever reason, and it’s nice to not have to do the etsy uploading process (urgh!). But, I am looking forward to stocking the shop up again, and hopefully if I say that “out loud” someone will hold me to it.

I’m also working on releasing a few crochet patterns –and I added the first to my Ravelry and Etsy shops for $4– it’s called the Loopy Newsboy Hat. The name comes from the mock cabling technique– you won’t use a single post stitch in the pattern.  The PDF pattern includes 5 how-to photos to guide you along the process, and will be emailed to you within 48 hours of purchase. In most cases, it will not take nearly that long for me to email you,  but you know, just to be on the safe side.  Let me know if you end up making one, I’d love to share photos.

I don’t have a lot to show you because this is a crunch week. Since my work largely blends with my life, when I travel, I try REALLY HARD not to take any work with me. This means working like crazy before I leave.  I did whip up a bunch of crocheted flowers this weekend, though, when my local boutique owner called me to say she sold 8 in one day. I actually think more people are buying handmade this year, hooray.

And here’s a cutie patootie pic of my nephew in a crocheted hat that I made him. My sister said he loves to pull the hat over his face and play peek-a-boo. She sent me a video to prove it. Adorable!! Between that and it being  -8 outside, I cannot WAIT to go to Texas. I am dreading the walk to the post office today, let me tell you. But don’t worry (ahem, mom), I’ll wear every piece of clothing that I own.

Ladies and gentleman, introducing The Colorful Scrap Wreath. I found a wire wreath frame (it looks like this, with 4 concentric, slightly raised wire circles) at Joann’s and it jumped into my shopping bag because a) I’d never seen a non straw/grapevine/styrofoam one before and b) it was $2 or so. Here’s how to make the wreath: cut your fabric scraps into pieces about 1- 1 1/2″ wide by 5″ long. Tie them around the form. Repeat 200+ times. Trim the scrap ends and fluff up the wreath as desired. Sew adornments on to front of wreath (I happen to have a bag of crochet swatches from a big project I was working on, so I used some of them. Bows, flowers, birdies, and rickrack would also suffice). If I had it to do again, I might try to stick to all green scraps, but it’s fun to look at all those fabrics from my scrap bin….

plus it kind of goes with my thread rainbow, so I’ll probably keep it up all year.

*This post was edited to delete info about my Hope For Jasenn etsy shop.