Guess!

Guess what went live today!

LEARN TO CROCHET LACE! 

I'm so happy with the projects in this class.  I hope you'll love it as much as I do! 

 

My turn!

Hey! I'm a guest poster over at Jenny King's website and blog! 

Check it out :)

Jenny's Crochet World

Guest Writer: Susan Lowman!

Welcome to the first of my Mondays in June Guest writers... Susan Lowman!

Susan and I go way back... please give her a warm welcome... 

What is it about crochet thread that makes some people cringe? It’s really not that scary! Trust me! It really can be an enjoyable process to create beautiful doilies or other items with cotton crochet thread. If I can do it, anyone can! The process of making the stitches is identical to crocheting with yarn. The only difference is smaller hooks and fiber. Yes, it can take a little while to adjust your tension to be able to make your stitches smaller. But once you do that, you’ll be off and running on some fabulous projects with crochet thread (there are some “knock-your-socks-off” gorgeous thread crochet projects to be found these days, too!).

After learning to crochet as a teenager back in the 70’s, I quickly progressed to using crochet thread. Since I’m a frugal person by nature, I love the fact that I can buy hundreds of yards of crochet thread for just a few dollars. And with those hundreds of yards of crochet thread, I can make quite a few projects, especially gifts for others. I love to give crocheted gifts and when I use crochet thread to make them, it doesn’t break the bank or my budget!

So what can you make with crochet thread besides doilies? Well, you can make just about anything you want, such as bookmarks, coasters, towel edgings, pins, wiggly crochet hot pads & coasters, Christmas ornaments, lots of jewelry, garments and much more! The sky’s the limit! Yes, you really can make garments with crochet thread, too! I made the jacket that I wore in the video with 2 strands of size 10 cotton crochet thread and a Japanese pattern! It’s one of my favorite crochet garments!

 I had a blast preparing for and filming my Annie’s class last year in Berne, IN in January, 2013. In my class, I demonstrate how to make 7 projects: 2 bookmarks, a filet coaster, towel edgings, a flower pin, a necklace and earrings and a beginner’s doily. All of these projects make wonderful gifts for others. And they’re really fun to make, too! You can see all of the class projects here: http://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/detail.html?code=CBV01.

 

I also made symbol crochet charts for each of the 7 class projects and explained how to read symbol crochet charts in the class. All of these patterns and charts are yours when you sign up for my class. So if you love reading and following symbol crochet charts, you’ll be right at home! And if you’ve never followed a symbol crochet chart before, you may fall in love with symbol crochet charts, just like I did many years ago!

 Another thing I love about crocheting projects with thread, especially projects for the home, is the fact that I don’t have to make them fit! That’s a HUGE plus for those of us who have “gauge issues”, like me! If a coaster comes out larger or smaller than the target size, will it really matter? How about a bookmark or a set of crocheted jewelry? Heck, NO! Obviously, the towel edging should be the correct length to fit the width of the towel. But if it’s slightly taller, it really won’t matter! And unless you have a specific size that your doily needs to be, it probably won’t make any difference if it comes out a little larger or smaller, either.

 

Of course, I still crochet some garments and accessories, too. Who doesn’t? But I keep coming back to crochet thread to make lovely, lacy projects!

 

There are so many beautiful crochet techniques that are best made in crochet thread because of the delicacy that can be achieved, such as Irish Crochet, Filet Crochet and Bruges Lace, too. I’ve never regretted for one day learning to crochet, especially with crochet thread!

 

If you’re already a “threadie” (a threadie is someone who enjoys crocheting with thread), but you’ve never crocheted a doily before, check out my Annie’s class called “Beginner’s First Doily” here: http://www.anniescatalog.com/onlineclasses/detail.html?code=CBV01A. It’s a shorter class that will teach you how to make your first doily worked in rounds, plus I will demonstrate how to weave in the ends. This is a special class that costs just $4.95. And if you decide to take my “Crocheting With Thread” class afterward, you’ll get $5.00 off the full-length class! With any knit or crochet class purchase at Annie’s, they include a special class on Crochet & Knit Blocking Techniques that will teach you how to block garments, doilies, lace and more! And if you have any questions while watching the class video, you can ask me, just as if we were face-to-face in a classroom!

 

I hope you’ll give crocheting with thread a try! It will open up a whole new world of crocheting possibilities to you that you’ve never dreamed of (or have you?)!!!

 

Happy crocheting,

 

Susan Lowman

http://www.TheCrochetArchitect.com

 

P.S. I’m giving away a free “Crocheting With Thread” class to one lucky winner at the end of June. Come on over to my website to enter the giveaway! Good luck everyone!

Ellen says...

Leave a comment here, on this post, and come back each week, leaving a new comment on each "Guest Writer's" post (3 chances to win here!). At the end of the month, I'll choose one winner at random who will win a FREE Annie's online class of your choosing.  The comment needs to have your first name and some identifying bit of info, city, nickname, Ravelry name...

Why I run

Almost 3 years ago I started walking on a trail around the kids' soccer practice field... because it was there... and it was too hot to crochet. At some point, I thought I'll just walk 50 steps, run 50 steps, and see what happens. I thought, I'll walk all the hills and run all the flat parts.

In the span of a soccer season, I became a runner.

I'm still not exactly sure why I continue to run. It's hard. It's not fun exactly, but I keep doing it. Over time, I've gotten a little better.  I'm definitely stronger. I'm definitely faster than I was. I'm still not fast. I'm still not talented, but I can do it. Sometimes I stop and walk, more and more often lately, I don't. I've started to skip certain meals some nights in favor of better ones because I know they won't make me feel happy when I run the next day.

I like collecting medals. I like being able to say, "I ran today".

I always hated running when I was a kid and tried to get out of it whenever possible. Now I get grumpy if I have gone a few days without running. I'm not outdoorsy and yet I have found myself running in everything between 12 degrees and 90. I even ran in the rain once. (Who IS this person?)

I keep running, so I must like it. Do what works.

Go Crochet! Skillbuilder!

I just received my advance copy of Go Crochet! Skillbuilder, 30 Crochet-in-a-Day projects to take you from beginner to expert.  And it is delicious!

This was such an exciting projects.  Motifs, rows, lace, accessories, hairpin, broomstick, Bruges lace, Tunisian, Tunisian in the round, Tapestry, crocheting with beads, cabling, felting, IT'S ALL THERE!

In addition to the awesome stitch diagrams for every project, there are process photos for most of them!  I need to take a deep breath, I'm dizzy with happiness.

Random Cat Photo

Minnie found an old cache of stuffed animals and was attracted to this furry seal. She grabbed it off the second floor and brought it down to the living room where she proceeded to practice her hunting skills.

 

 

 

Ok, right this minute, Minnie came downstairs with this skein of yarn. Look at her, sitting a short distance from it as if denying her involvement in the theft.

 

She's like a toddler. Right now I hear her behind the loveseat tearing into left over tissue paper from one of Chickee's birthday presents.

 

I'll have to get a photo of Charlie observing quietly from a safe distance. If he were to make the bell around his neck jingle, Minnie would leave her current toy and pounce on him.



Summer is here!

School is out! Summer is unofficially here. This summer is going to be BIG.

During this summer my two newest books will be coming out and I have an Annie's Online Class coming out. The kids have big plans for the summer, full of travel and swimming and sports. Chief got his brace off his injured thumb just in time for summer. Chickee's social calendar is full of red-star days.

Also this summer... The Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, New Hampshire! Guess who will be there?  Shelby Allaho!  Shelby and I will be signing Crocheting Clothes Kids Love. (Come see us!)Sales of the book are going really well we are happily seeing people make the patterns for themselves and post photos on Ravelry. If you already have the book and love it... THANK YOU! Please consider leaving a review on Amazon.

Round Robin Roll Call!

Are you ready for something different? In the month of June, I'm going to have 4 guest bloggers. (Who will they be?)  There will be one guest per week for the month of June!

There will be chances to WIN prizes at the end. Stay tuned! The first guest blogger post will go live on June 2.

TNNA and Annie's Online Classes

Also at TNNA, I had the pleasure of signing my 'Learn to Crochet' DVD class for Annie's.  Are you familiar with the Annie's classes yet? There are two options, you can sign on to AnniesCatalog.com and view your purchased class and ask questions right from there.  Or you can buy the DVD and ask questions through the customer care email address.  Either way, there are SO MANY cool classes.  Crochet, knitting, paper crafting, quilting, card making, paper folding, quilling, etc. For my own use, I have purchased the Toe-up knitting sock class!  There are great names you'll know from the crochet world teaching... Kim Guzman, Robyn Chachula, Lily Chin, Jenny King, Susan Lowman and more!

For the crochet classes, I teach 'Larn to Crochet' and 'Crocheting with Beads'. I also taped a FUN class back in April that will become available in June/July.  AND, I'm scheduled to tape a 4th class this fall.  Chief is excited because he is going to visit Annie's with me as I tape the next class.  I took Chickee to the office now it will be Chief's turn to see where Mom works.

 

 

Update on Crocheting Clothes Kids Love

I had the pleasure of signing Crocheting Clothes Kids Love at TNNA for shop owners!  Though Shelby couldn't make the event, we received a warm welcome. Yarn store owners were enthusiastic about the colors and the projects for kids aged 6-10, who are often underserved.

The book is doing well with great reviews on Amazon.  Get your copy or please leave a review on Amazon if you already have one! 

TNNA more....

Here's a few highlights from TNNA in Indianapolis this year!

It was a super busy weekend for me. I have never had more meeting and obligations than ever before. But here are some of the fun points that were captured on camera.

First, I have a new laptop since I had TWO computers crash in April. This new system is so much more cumbersome to navigate. It doesn't have the software I'm used to for photos.

Ok, onward.

Above.. Rebecca Velasquez and I finishing off a piece of chocolate cake at Granite City...
And then Tammy Hildebrand and I take an opportunity for a quick "Us-ie"  (like Self-ie, only it's "us")  as we passed each other in the aisles of TNNA.  We never did get more than 3 minutes together to talk the whole weekend. Maybe at CGOA in July, we'll get the chance to visit!

BEHIND THE HOOK

Want to hear details of my new job and follow me on my journey at Crochet! magazine?
Now you can follow me there too!  I have a new blog at www.Crochetmagazine.com, on the left side bar, click on "Editor's Blog" or just click here: http://www.crochetmagazine.com/blog/ 

On Behind the Hook, you'll get all the behind the scenes scoop!

Here on GoCrochet, you'll continue to hear about my TWO new upcoming books, the family, the chickens, and anything else I throw in. 

Speaking of my next book....I just found the cover up on Amazon. 

Marvelous Crochet Motifs!  I'm SO EXCITED about this book with Annie's. 

It's 48 motifs! 4 designs, and SYMBOL diagrams for everything!  Look!  not just full motifs but HALF motifs too!  Fill in all those awkward spaces and create interesting edges.  And it's available for Pre-order. 

TNNA Recap!

Friday night I had dinner with a bunch of friends including my new friends, Rebecca and Karen from Amelia & Wiggles.

The little Wiggle character is made from the hand-dyed yarn that Amelia & Wiggles gets from small farms. They also dye their own yarn. Check out their new website and business. As two smart women start their own business, I look forward to seeing how they grow!

Darn it!

I KNEW I spoke too soon when I said all 4 of us were well....


Grrr, making an appt at the orthopedist for Chief.


:(

Spring is finally here!

I don't know about you, but April has been pretty tumultuous. I've had two laptops fail. (one crashed, the other the monitor part died).  We've had too many trips to the Dr. (Thank God that as of this moment all 4 of us are healthy... I'm grateful, I don't want to jinx our good fortune). Of course Tax time is always super stressful and I own my own business, so it's an extra demoralizing whammy to write a check for such a huge percentage of my earnings.

What else has been going on?  Well now that I've complained some about how hard April has been. (I'm leaving out the really gory details...) it's time to talk about the GOOD things that have been happening....

crickets...

I'm just kidding.  The kids are wrapping up the school year in fantastic fashion. I've been training to run a half marathon (13.1 miles) since January and despite a few major stresses that threatened to throw me off course, I did my Half the Saturday before Easter!  I walk at least a little each mile but I finished the whole 13.1 miles in a reasonable time... and I have to say I'm proud of myself. It was a challenge that took 15 weeks to prepare for and I did it.

I filmed another Online Class for Annie's and it is SO AWESOME. I just love it, love it, love it and I can't wait to share it with you.  It should debut this summer and I'll hopefully be signing DVD copies of it at the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, NH in July.

I'm preparing now to go to TNNA in Indianapolis for the 'Summer Show' this coming weekend. I'm looking forward to seeing many of my crochet and knit friends who I only get to see 1 or 2 times per year.

Minnie the Couch Cat is growing fast and continues to be mischievous and entertaining.

Gwen Reviews Crocheting Clothes Kids Love!

Go see the nice things she has to say!

Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Listen in on Creative Mojo with Mark Lipinski

Today 3:00 pm EST



Listen HERE

Take your daughter to work day!

Well, couple of days...
Chickee came with me to visit Annie's.

It was so fun to share my work life with my girl.

Yarn Giveaway WINNER!

And the winner of the Yarn giveaway...

the yarn to make both sets of mittens from Crocheting Clothes Kids Love....

is....


Denise A (sealed4ever)

Congratulations!

Please either send me a comment with your address (I won't publish it) or email me at Ellen @ GoCrochet.com with your mailing address and I'll get your prize pack sent out!

Thanks to everyone for entering!

Happy Crochet Month!

Please look at yesterday's post for a free pattern for everyone.

Crochet Month FREE pattern! Garden in Winter Hat

As promised, here is a free pattern for you for National Crochet Month!

Also, check out all the other designer blogs that are incorporating FREE patterns and giveaways. Find the whole list of dates and events here.

TODAY is the LAST DAY to enter my yarn giveaway! Go here for details.  

Ok, here's the rules about free patterns... enjoy it! Use it! Make the item again and again as much as you want. Print the pattern out for your own use!  Please do not GIVE away or re-post the pattern. But, you may give away the LINK so that your friends can come HERE and get it for themselves. :)

Thank you.  Here it is: 

Garden in Winter Hat

SKILL LEVEL

Beginner

FINISHED SIZE

Circumference = 19"

Hat stretches to fit 20".

Height (crown to brim) = 7.5"

MATERIALS

•           Schachenmayr Boston (super bulky) (70% acrylic, 30% wool) (1.76oz/122yds/55m)/50g per ball):

2 balls #00281 casual marl (A),1 ball #00151 royal (B).

•           Size K/10.5/6.5mm crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge

•           Tapestry needle

GAUGE

Rounds 1-2 = 3"

Take time to check gauge.

PATTERN NOTES

Hat is worked from crown to brim in joined rounds with Right Side always facing. Ruffle edging is worked in unworked loops of last rounds. Weave in ends as work progresses.

HAT

Round 1: Ch 4, join with sl st in first ch to form a ring; ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 11 dc in ring; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (12 dc)

Round 2: Working in back loop only, ch 3, dc in same st, 2 dc in each rem st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (24 dc)

Round 3: Working in back loop only, ch 3, 2 dc in in next st, *dc in next st, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (36 dc)

Round 4: Working in back loop only, ch 3, dc in next st, 2 dc in next st, *dc in each of next 2 sts, 2 dc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. (48 dc)

Round 5: Working in back loop only, ch 1, sc in same st, sc in each of next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, *sc in each of next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc. (60 sc)

Rounds 6-10: Working in back loop only, ch 3, dc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3, changing color to B in last st of Round 10. Fasten off A. (60 dc)

Note: Rep Round 6 to add more length to the hat before completing Round 10.

Round 11: With B, working in back loop only, ch 3, dc in each st around; join with sl st in top of beg ch-3. Fasten off B.

Ruffle Edging

Round 1: Beginning at seam on back of Hat, join B in first unworked loop on Round 10, (sc, ch 2, sc) in same loop, sk next 2 unworked loops, *(sc, ch 2, sc) in next loop, sk next 2 loops; rep from * around; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

Round 2: Repeat Round 1 working in unworked loops of Round 9. Fasten off.

Round 3: Repeat Round 1 working in unworked loops of Round 8. Fasten off.

Weave in ends.