Knit and Crochet Now, Season 8

What a whirlwind! The taping of Knit and Crochet Now is always so exciting that this year was no different!

I made some new friends! I arrived at the studio on Tuesday and spent the day preparing all the projects I was going to teach, organizing my step-outs, making sure I had all the tools and details I needed. I met the crew and got familiar with the studio.

We filmed at a new location in Cleveland this year. The set looks gorgeous! Every color seems to pot pop on this set! Pictured below, Melissa Leapman looks beautiful and chic!

Melissa is new to the cast this year, which is totally a smart choice! When I search for Melissa in Books on Amazon... I got 229 results. Seriously. Her Indispensable Stitch Collection for Crocheters
is currently in my take-everywhere tote bag.  Check out her book!  Of course she is also a successful knit author. (cough, cough, understatement)

Here, Melissa and I are with Connie Ellison. Connie and Lena are co-hosting the show this season. Connie has been in the industry with Annie's for years! She works tirelessly on the Annie's Signature Collections, Annie's books and now the show too! Connie is the brilliant editor who saw the potential in my love for Bruges Lace. 

I still have so much to tell you! Come back Wednesday when I'll reveal another cast member! (The top photo is a hint!)

Go Crochet! Skillbuilder is now available

I have my ducks in a ROW!  Go Crochet! Skillbuilder, and all 30 of it's one-day projects for beginners to advanced crocheters, is now available if you are a US resident and want a SIGNED copy.  I have them here.  If you want one, they are $20 (shipping is included). Click on the Buy Now button on the right.  For international buyers, if you want a signed copy, email me at Ellen@GoCrochet.com and we'll figure out shipping costs and whether or not you want to take it on before you buy.

The book includes: Tunisian, Tunisian in the round, Hairpin lace, cables, motifs, felting, bead crochet, pineapples, Bruges Lace and MORE.  There are process photos and stitch diagrams where needed and all the crafty inspiration. 30 PROJECTS.

Pentagon Capelet Revealed! (It's Bruges Lace!)

The Pentagon Capelet is in the new booklet: Crochet Red: Crocheting for Women's Heart Health. Here is the Ravelry page link for the pattern with all the how-to-find-it details.

I stitched it in Premier Serenity Sock yarn. Can you see that it is Bruges motifs with a lovely little edging?  I love Bruges Lace!  See previous posts on Bruges lace here,
and here
and here

Shy about trying Bruges Lace crochet? Try this!


MORE Bruges Lace to come!  :)   Can you find a Bruges style project on the cover of my next book?

Wintergreen Cowl CAL

Thanks everyone who participated in the Wintergreen Cowl CAL.

Here's Aimee's gorgeous project! 

Next up... the Bonus Scarf CAL... JOIN US! 

Get the pattern for the Bruges Lace Crocheted 'Bonus Scarf' HERE.

Saturday Beret CAL Starts NOW!

ArtLikeBread (aka Cami) on of my Ravelry group moderators is facilitating the Saturday Beret Crochet A Long. It starts today!  Here is a message from ArtLikeBread that she posted on Ravelry: 

Hello, GoCrocheters! I am thrilled and honored to welcome you to the Saturday Beret CAL, which will start on Monday, January 7, 2013. Yaaaay! Ellen was nice enough to entrust the administration of this CAL to me. I hope we all have a lot of fun!
This will be a casual, post as you go CAL. There’s no firm schedule, but lots of encouragement and fun! Also, if you have any questions about the pattern, this is the perfect place to get help. :)
We’ll begin on Jan. 7, which will be in a few days. Here are a few OPTIONAL things you can do between now and then:

1. Grab your yarn, hook, and pattern. Read through the pattern, and do your gauge swatch.
2. Recruit your friends and tell them to check in here on the thread.
3. Set up your project page and use the tag “SatBeretCAL” so we can find you quickly.
4. Show your enthusiasm by tweeting, plurking, and facebooking about the CAL. A sample post would be, ”I’m participating in the @gocrochet Saturday Beret CAL on @ravelry.”

Remember, the point of the CAL is fun and camaraderie, so enjoy every moment of crocheting this beautiful pattern that Ellen’s designed for us!
If you’d like a chance for your picture to be posted in Ellen’s newsletter, post your pics here by Jan. 26! Don’t worry, though, you can still post afterwards!!

ArtLikeBread is referring to the Ravelry group for questions and posting a project page.  Here's the link to the Ravelry thread.
You may also post comments here on the blog. 

Here's ArtLikeBread with one of her Saturday Beret's she made in advance of the CAL so she could help with questions. Thank you Cami!

Digital Version: Learn Bruges Lace

Did you know that you can get Learn Bruges Lace by immediate digital download?  Ba bam, instant fun. AnniesCatalog link. 
Go Crochet Afghan Design Workbook is also available on Kindle. (11.99 on Amazon) or the Hardcopy ON SALE at Martha Pullen right now for $15.03

Photo Friday:

.

Here I am flashback to Easter wearing a Bruges Lace Skirt that I designed for Interweave Crochet.

 

Clever Crochet Accessories Giveaway!

Yes, I'm biased, Yes Interweave gave me a copy of Clever Crocheted Accessories and I'm taking a large measure of joy that my hat is on the cover. 
Here's a link to preview the book. 
Here's a link to buy the book.

When I heard that I had a pattern included in this amazing compilation of big names in the Crochet Business, of course I was thrilled.  THEN, Brett Bara told me that she liked my hat so much, she MADE ONE for herself!  (GASP!) When I saw the cover with my Saturday Hat on it, I nearly fell off the couch. Really, it was exciting.

In beautiful Interweave fashion (Think Unexpected Afghans, Blueprint Crochet, Simply Crochet., etc) the photography is clean and engaging, the patterns clear and tested.  In this accessory book is everything from hats to jewelry, socks, mittens, belts to capelets... no, really, it starts with a hat (mine! squee!) and ends with a Chunky Capelet (Doris Chan!) 25 Quick weekend projects. 
And in between are names you will know and love: Robyn Chachula, Marly Bird, Drew Emborsky, Vickie Howell, Linda Permann, Amy Polcyn... I really would love to carry around Regina Rioux's Amazing Motif Bag.

If you like my Saturday Hat, it's a Bruges Lace style pattern, check out my book Learn Bruges Lace for two more Bruges style hat patterns plus a blanket, a bracelet, a cowl, and two scarves in this exciting style.  Learn Bruges Lace. Or, if you want a signed copy and live in the US, you can buy Learn Bruges Lace from me by clicking "Buy Now" in the upper right hand corner of this blog page.

The Clever Crocheted Accessories Book Giveaway:
Leave a comment on this post by 1:59 pm EST on Dec 3, 2012. with your name and city/town/identifying detail.  The winner will be chosen at random from all entries.  The winner will be announced on December 4, 2012.....the winner should email me at ellen @ GoCrochet dot com    by December 7, 2012.....  Sorry, I have to pay for shipping, so it's open to US residents only.