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Friday, June 29, 2012

Giveaway and What was I thinking

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Above is the finished product! The Peacock Throw, my contribution in Robyn Chachula's new book, Unexpected Afghans. And before I give you the details on the Digital GIVEAWAY, you have to listen to the 'what was I thinking' part. (giggle)

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You know I love hexagons. And I love complicated over and under stitching. And while I was so happy with the hexagon, for THIS book, with all these great designers, I knew that I'd have to push the design to a new level. Placing the hexagons point to point (instead of traditional side to side) was just the creative push I needed to make the blanket go from "wow" to "Holy Cow!" The point to point placement then caused a negative space that needed to be filled.  Above is a sketch of how I attempted to stitch a diamond "fill-in" motif, placing taller stitches at the points.
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Like most writers, sometimes I struggle with getting just the right words. Luckily, as a crochet designer, I can use visual aids and photos to describe what I'm doing. This photo is used not only for my own clarification and notes, but if need be, I could use it to help the tech editor and answer consumer questions.

Here in this detail photo, you can see that the rows of hexagons are matched at a side, but the next below row, should be staggered like bricks to fit in the spaces. This is where I turned the hexagon on it's head, and made an unexpected change by letting them touch points leaving the space for the diamonds. Here's the link to the project page on Ravelry in case you feel like putting it in your favorites ;)

If you are daunted by sewing in all those diamonds, configure the hexagons in the traditional way and leave the diamonds out.  Either way, I'd love to see your photos on Ravelry. But, if you are going to make the project, you'll need the pattern....(and all the other patterns by great designers: Doris Chan, Kristin Omdahl, Marly Bird, Linda Permann, Jill Wright, Edie Eckman, Tammy Hildebrand, Kimberly McAlindin and of course, Robyn Chachula).

To win your digital copy, leave a comment on THIS post by 11:59 pm July 4.  In your post, leave your FIRST NAME, Last Initial, CITY/Province, AND whether or not you like to be challenged beyond your comfort zone with crochet or if you prefer to move quickly to autopilot with a comfortable project.  A winner will be randomly chosen from among the complete entries. You may enter only once. The winner to be announced July 5 or 6.   The winner will need to email me at Ellen @ GoCrochet dot com  by July 10 to claim your digital copy of the book.

Want to see more from this book?  Check out all the designers blogs this weekend. You might want to start with Robyn's blog, Crochet by Faye, to get the complete itinerary and map to many more opportunities to WIN.

30 comments:

thelittlefluffycat said...

Lydia O, Texas, says: a lot depends on the material I'm working with; some things seem to scream for intricacy, some don't need it to look amazing.

Regina said...

Most times i prefer the comfort zone...however i always feel the need to challenge myself.

Anonymous said...

Ann C., Newport, PA. I LOVE a challenge and I love learning new and difficult stitches.

Alley Talley said...

Valerie T., Wetumpka, AL. I have this book on my wishlist to challenge myself with afghans.

cbk said...

Cathy K. Bellerose NY. Pushing out of my comfort zone is dependent on the project and the materials it calls for. I once learned Tunisian crochet for an entrelac project
because I fell in love with a ruana on the cover of a magazine. It is one of my favorite projects to date.

Chain Stitch Crochet said...

Kathy P, Springfield GA - it depends on what mood I'm in but most of the time I am up for a challenge. This project is really pretty!

Anonymous said...

Lorrie D. La Pine, Or. I love a little of both! Challenge and comfort. :0)

Melissa said...

Melissa H., New Smyrna Beach, FL. While easy-stitching is great while watching tv, I'm always on the lookout for more challenging stitch combinations - my short attention span demands something interesting if I'm ever going to have a FO! ;)

Anonymous said...

Marolee S. Whittier CA

I love comfort, but if there is something I love I will take the big girl pill and take on the challenge.

glad you are back to blogging everyday.

Fracksmom

musical_maniac said...

Haley B, NH. I like to stay within my comfort zone but will try something a bit difficult every once in a while.

TN teacher said...

Jane B, Clarksville TN Getting out of my comfort zone can revive my love for crochet when things get too comfortable.

byhooks4u said...

Vikki H. Indiana, I love a challenge and prefer making things that have textured and layers of stitches

Miss Julep said...

Love a challenge but am not on the same level as you in terms of hwat constitutes a challenge.

Congrats on the design, it is gorgeous.

Nancy A., Daphne, Alabama

Anonymous said...

I guess I like both! A challenge keeps it interesting.
Sherry Y. Macrorie, Sk.

Iesadora said...

Lisa M. So Cal
I really like my comfort zone because I still working on getting better at crocheting and finishing projects, I have WIP's galore. But I do like to be challenged in learning/trying one or two new-to-me stitches and/or stitch combos but the overall pattern has to be doable for me or I'll get frustrated and give up.

My Mom on the other hand can do it all in knit and crochet and she really likes to make afghans!

Marie/Underground Crafter said...

Thanks for the giveaway! Your design looks awesome. I prefer to be challenged most of the time, but there are some projects where I like to go onto autopilot. Whenever I'm pressed for time, autopilot is the way to go!

Marie S. in NYC

Anonymous said...

Sheila O., Mount Prospect, IL. I like both challenging and my comfort zone. The comfort zone is good after a long day and I just want to "veg". But too much comfort zone can be dull so a challenging project is just right. Thanks Ellen!

Kacy said...

I like a project that is, for the most part, within my comfort zone but that also slowly and lightly introduces me to a new skill. In other words, I want something to help me improve but not overwhelm me all at once.

--Kacy from the East Texas Boonies

Anonymous said...

Nice work. Love that you think outside the box and mix up the shapes! I'm also a huge fan of tone on tone. So your project is fantastic.

I love complex because it can be very impressive. I love the "wow" factor. There are times, I confess, that I just want to crank out something simple. But generally I gravitate to the unexpected.

Dana B. Colorado Springs, CO

Danielle said...

Danielle H, Pocatello, ID. Without pushing myself out of my comfort zone I would never have learned to read patterns in the first place, as I am largely a self-taught crocheter. But I love everything about crochet and am always looking to try a new technique or stitch :) Thanks for doing this giveaway! The afghan is lovely!

karingbear said...

I look forward to a challenging crochet pattern. I have many years of experience to help me figure out the complicated designs.

Unknown said...

I agree that having the hexagons point to point really gives this blanket that something special!

Charlotte said...

Charlotte H.,York, SC..You bet I enjoy the challenging projects. The others just bore me! Just wanted to stop by and say hello. I may not comment but I enjoy your posts. Stay Cool!

MarieAnge said...

MarieAnge B. Hamilton/Ontario
I like to be challenged beyond my comfort zone with crochet for most of the time. But there are days that mindless autopilot works very well too.
Thank you for hosting this giveaway. I especially love your afghan design!

DP said...

Debbi P E Bridgewater
I absolutely love to be challenged. In the past year I have learned how to make bullion stitches, crochet brioche and worked with thread for the first time.

carmelvineyard said...

Carmel J., Cary, NC. I haven't made an afghan yet, and I really should one of these years... :) I saw a picture of Annie Modesit's cabled afghan and really liked it.

Emma said...

I like to be challenged and especially learn new stitches, but I tend to make my projects more on easy side. Right now, I'm doing a ripple afghan.

Emma H, Gothenburg, Sweden

Anonymous said...

As a completely self-taught crocheter, I like both, depending on my mood, I guess! Thanks for the give-away!

Janet K
Hoisington, KS

Nancy said...

I adore a challenge and get bored with repetitive, easy patterns. Nancy Davis, La Vernia, Texas

Anonymous said...

Carmen N, Galesville WI. I love to be challenged! I rarely like to work on something that I can make up on auto-pilot. By the way, your pattern is my favorite from the book!