Inside Crochet

Sorry, I forgot the link. Inside Crochet Magazine is based in the UK, can be subscribed for hardcopy or digital download here. Also, I hear that individual hardcopies can be found sporadically at Barnes and Nobles booksellers about 3 weeks after publication. HTH

GIVEAWAY winner and Thanksgiving

Congratulations GHOST from Michigan! You are the winner of the Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky! Please email me at Ellen @ GoCrochet dot com with your shipping address and I will ship this off to you!

It's going to be a good week. There will be 2 sneak peeks!

Every year we go to our old neighborhood for the Thanksgiving Day parade. You may remember this fun photo from last year of Grandpa Joe with the chicken on his head... well...


It was all chief could talk about...getting the chicken on HIS head this year! He just had a blast with it.

Here's me petting a gorgeous little black and white bunny. He was so soft! You can see the sleeves from my red Weekend Pullover sweater peeking out. Also, I'm wearing a green Driftwood Cap and the scarf is a skinny version of the Patina Tunisian Scarf from Inside Crochet issue 5 out now. Oh! and I'm carrying a Spa Bag! All these designs (except the Tunisian Scarf) can be seen on my Gallery page, (link at right sidebar or here)

Here's Chickee petting a lovely little goat. She is wearing a skinny red scarf in Gianna by SWTC. And just because I liked the photo:

Winner tomorrow!

I'm so excited! Tomorrow I will announce the winner of the GiveAway! whoo hoo! See you tomorrow.

Designer Tammy Hildebrand and Raffle!

Get great crochet stuff, patterns, finished items, and other crochet treasure from many well-known crochet designers. Here's how:

Tammy Hildebrand is one of our designer friends, matter of fact she was my mentor and is still my good friend. Tammy and her daughter have both been diagnosed with Lyme disease. Tammy's is chronic. Both require expensive care that is not covered by insurance. Our mutual friend, designer, Kim Guzman, has designed a website to take donations to help Tammy and her family AND enter YOU into a drawing for many great crochet prizes. Go to the website for a link to learn more about chronic Lyme Disease. Also, go to the website to see many of great designs by Tammy (you'll recognize her work! It's everywhere). Also, go to the website to see the list of prizes for the drawing on
DECEMBER 20, 2009.

I am personally donating:

A 3-6 mos size Summer Blues Baby Dress exactly like the model shown in Interweave Crochet, Summer 2008.

Did I mention that you should GO TO THE WEBSITE? I would consider it a personal favor if you would please stop by.

Let's Go Crochet Cardigan & Hat

I love reveal days! This cardigan and Hat set are in the new Coats & Clark booklet "Super Baby" and is available here. There are several great designs in the booklet, hoodies, dresses, booties, blankets, toys. 14 patterns of both knit and crochet.

On the hooks...

On the hooks today... I have a garment that probably has as many stitches as a blanket! It's going so slowly...but it should be worth it! Also on the hooks, a blanket, which will hopefully go much more quickly than the garment. Of course, there are several other projects in various stages of progress, but these are the two that I am pushing to get done asap. I'm also vascillating on whether or not I want to send out a particular submission. I just can't decide. It's one of those things where you hope it gets accepted but at the same time, I'm afraid it will get accepted...then I'll have to do it. LOL.

This is one of the horses who lives in our side field. "Little Dude" got out of the field and wandered into our backyard to munch on the lush grass. I called the owners who couldn't come get him for a little while, so I go out there with a small bucket of apples hoping to cajole him back into his yard. He totally ignored me. I put an apple under his nose and he ate it, but when I showed him the bucket and tried to get him to follow me...he totally ignored me! I went and petted him and I even nudged him a bit but no, he wasn't having it. Oh well. I had to get the kids ready to leave for some reason and as I left, we passed the owners arriving. I was concerned that he would wander off, but really, why would he when he was feasting on a fresh yard of grass? Horse whisperer, I am not.

GIVEAWAY!

I have 3 lovely hanks of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky as seen on my blog here and here and here and you can win them! I know this photo shows several hanks, but I have just 3 of these blue/purple/green multi-color hanks available. Just leave a comment on THIS post by Friday night, November 27th at Midnight Eastern time. Please leave something in your post that identifies you, your first name and last initial, a city perhaps. I know that I have a few followers with the same first name, so just a little more info is helpful. The winner's name will be announced on Monday, November 30th. The winner should contact me at Ellen @ GoCrochet . com (take out the spaces) with the mailing address.

Please also, stay tuned for another great way to acquire books, PDFs, and finished projects from familiar name crochet designers! More info hopefully this week.

Strong opinion quote

Today I am continuing to work on the big project, no, not that big project, the other one... The book is being pushed aside this week. It's just so hard to say 'no' to projects with shorter deadlines that actually bring in revenue. The good news is that sometime before December, there will be 2 sneak peeks! I just have finished 4 other projects that will not have sneak peeks. Some buyers approve sneak peeks and some do not.

I did find a scarf that I want to cast on for.... yes, I said it, cast on. It's knitted. I think that from now on, I'm going to knit at Crochet and Chat... which I should change the name to Crochet and Craft. Since we welcome all sorts of crafters. I want to knit more, but haven't been able to find the time, so if I devote the 1.5 hours a month at Crochet and Chat for knitting, where I can get help if I need it... it seems like a pretty good plan. Of course if someone is there wanting crochet help, then that is the priority. The scarf will be in Blue Sky Alpacas Sportweight in Hibiscus. 100% Baby Alpaca. I have one hank, so the scarf will be stitched until the yarn runs out.

Frankly, I’m suspicious of anyone who has a strong opinion on a complicated issue.

Scott Adams, The Dilbert Blog

Chief weaving

Chief came home from school so proud because he made a woven rug! He was so happy with it, he went right to my yarn stash and made one for the little girl who sits next to him in class. In the top photo he chose pink, purple and red, "girl colors" for her. He said, "She's beautiful". He is on his 3rd woven project (one for me!) and is excited about using many different colors.

My Crochet Library

On Ravelry, one of my new friends asked me which book in my Ravelry library is my favorite? Here's my reply:

Thank you for the nice compliment. That's a hard question! I like different books for different reasons. For design, I like Maggie Righetti Sweater Design book. (Even though it's about knit, it still helps with crochet). The Stitch n' Bitch Nation has the best explanation of how to calculate gauge. Everyday Crochet is the best set of wearable Crochet Patterns with fantastic explanations about how to adjust the basic shapes to personal taste. Blueprint Crochet is so innovative in it's use of symbol crochet, (and the garments are gorgeous). I have gone back to the Encyclopedia of Crochet several times in learning new techniques. The Stitch Bible probably gets the most use in my house. It's a good starting point, then I customize the stitch pattern for what I want or it inspires me and is a good at getting my creative brain "unstuck".

Of course, I think the best value are magazines... for the price of one book, you get a year full (usually 6 issues) of patterns (15-20) each plus great variety, articles, etc. Yes, it's hit or miss if you are going to "love" what's in a particular issue, but when you find a magazine that fits your style, it's a good bet you'll like something.

That blur is Chickee with the ball. She scored a goal that game and played very well. yay Chickee!

Brief Diversion

You'd never know from this photo, but I actually got quite a bit done, a whole accessory, in fact in between playing "put-the-stitch-marker-on-the-pet". Don't worry, he got me back by batting the stitch markers onto the floor. Oh the look on his face! "Really? Really Mom?".

Today is going to be another busy day. I need to make as much progress on a big project today before a rush overnight shipment of yarn for another big project arrives tomorrow (or maybe today by 3? ack!) It's getting pretty hectic. Good thing I only have to bring cookies to Thanksgiving next week.

Sweets' outside Menagerie

It's been a good crochet weekend. Most weekends, I barely get time to crochet and this was no different, but the time I did put in was quality time. I still feel like it was productive time. Still, my to-do list is growing instead of shrinking! Last year, Oct-Jan was my busiest crochet time of the year and it seems to be happening again this year.

Above, Captain took an old baby swimming pool, cut out the bottom and placed it on the grass. Chickee and Chief put logs and rocks and hay and a PVC pipe for entertainment in there. You can barely see Sweets' nose peeking out from the pipe. It was a warm sunny day. Sweets won't get to go outside too much more this fall.

Patina Scarf Revealed

Here was the sneak peek...
And here's the new Tunisian Scarf in Inside Crochet Issue 5. I don't know what they named it, but I named it the Patina scarf because it reminded me of the green-ish cast that happens when metal oxidizes. It is made of Lorna's Laces Lion and Lamb.

From the beginning

The other day a call for submissions came out. (yay!) So, immediately, I gauge whether or not I'm interested in the theme/buyer. I don't really consider whether or not I have time for the project because by the time it gets either accepted or rejected, it could be a few months from now and who knows how busy I'll be then. If it gets accepted, I'll find time.

Out comes my book of items that either I've already designed but just looking for a match or my sketchbook. In this case, out comes the sketchbook and my "Ideas" folder. My ideas folder is various sketches and snippets of colors, notes on shapes and textures to see if any of these ideas still capture my interest.

The sketchbook... I need a very sharp pencil. I mark the page with the date and my name. I list goals: thinking about skill level, shape, texture, the density and weight of the yarn, note about colors, types of yarn that might be interesting. A little brainstorm.

I start sketching. If I get a sketch that's worth keeping, I take a photo of it because I don't have a scanner. I get out the hooks and start swatching. Today I need to get to the swatching phase.


Sherill, and any of you who would like to contact me directly, may at Ellen @ GoCrochet . com (take out the spaces).

Brocade Afghan

There has been some buzz recently on Crochet Partners about my Brocade Afghan. It appears a few brave souls are going to give it a try. Want to join them? Here's the link to the free pattern.

Weekend Cardigan

Here's the family. Our neighbor was hosting a big horse event and we wandered over to look at all the fun. I'm wearing the cardigan version of the Weekend Pullover.

We had fun watching the horses' reaction to the water. Only one went in without any cajoling. I think this one stopped and backed up a few times first. There were 59 competitors and this division was teenaged girls, I don't know what skill level.

It's all a blur...

Another incredibly busy weekend. Our Anniversary, a Fashion Show, a turkey shoot, a dressage horse event, church, a soccer game, the usual chores, plus crocheting for an impending deadline. It's all a blur. Our Church/school teamed up with a local department store to do a fashion show. This is the best photo of the bunch. I was able to donate a big, BIG basket full of yarn, hooks and a crochet lesson. I was just so happy when the woman who won it seemed excited. (I was worried that there would be no entries for the raffle basket). I won a Martial Arts package for me and one of the kids. I've always wanted to try that!

Sweets new home

This amazineg house is Sweets new home. Captain made it for Chickee. On the left, the door is solid and is stenciled with "Home Sweets Home" and on the right, the door is a mesh wire door. The "ramps" for Sweets to climb up are getting guard rails and speed bumps, because they are a little slippery for her little claws. The top "lid" also lifts up like a cedar chest. Very clever!

Crochet Treasure

Glenda found this awesome crocheted pillowcase in her family's possession. This yarn is so tiny. It's not quite sewing thread tiny, but it's close. What a great use of motifs! So sweet.

Striped Shoulder Bag Revealed!

Find this free pattern HERE on Coats & Clark's website! I hope you like it. I love this bag and have one for myself.

By the way, I have 3 hanks of the blue/purple Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky, as seen yesterday that needs a good home. Look for a giveaway soon!

knit fasten off

How long have I been working on this easy scarf??!??!?!? I have no idea, months. On big size 13 needles it should have gone vrey quick, but I have repeatedly put if off for other projects. Now it's done! It's made of Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky. I have also made the Monterey Poncho (shown above in Lorna's Laces Shepherd Bulky and in Louet Gems in Crabapple and brown) out of it. I love Lorna's Laces and Louet yarns! The Monterey Poncho pattern is available here

Halloween 2009

Can you spot the crochet in Chickee's costume? The Genie is our Niece, then Chickee is the scarecrow, Chief is the skeleton, and our Nephew is the vampire. I made Chickee's hat and collar out of Red Heart Grande' Craft yarn. (I loved that stuff, and I'm sorry that it's discontinued!) I made her witch costume out of it a few years ago. Tomorrow, a knit FO!