Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

Tuesday, September 23, 2014 Pate Conaway: Mixed Media Artist Pate Conaway Not only is Pate one of the talented artists featured in my book, The Fine Art of Crochet ~ Innovative Works by 20 Contemporary Artists , but he is a friend. Pate's gentle and endearing personality ensures that he makes friends wherever he goes. Chapter 4: Pate Conaway His method, installation and performance, draws Pate's viewers in as they try to comprehend what he is doing and how he is doing it. Using commonly found materials, he plays upon those looks of recognition as he cleverly transforms his mateials into their final state of artistic wonder! Not much time is left, but I invite you to attend his interactive exhibit September  27, 1PM-5PM or September 28 (closing reception) from 12 PM-4PM at the Roman Susan Art Space , 1224 W. Loyola, Chicago, Illinois. You'll be glad you went! Untitled Recently my chapter of the Crochet Guild of America invited Pate as a guest artis...

September 23, 2014 Sharon Hernes Silverman is the consumate professional; she sets the bar high for all of us! She is efficient, does what she says she's going to do with deadlines she has agreed to. She is confident in her knowledge and expertise and precisely shares with others. A designer, author, and instructor based in West Chester, Pennsylvania, she is a professional member of the Crochet Guild of America and a design member of The National NeedleArts Association. You can find her at website , Ravelry ,  Facebook and Pinterest . Read what she has to say about her love of Tunisian crochet here in tandem with my blog today in which I review her seventh book, Tunisian Crochet for Baby . Sharon Hernes Silverman Gwen: Share with us a bit of Tunisian crochet history. SHS: “The craft known as “Tunisian crochet” has been around for centuries, although the exact time and location of its origin is unclear. It is also known as afghan stitch, shepherd’s knitting, an...

September 23, 2014 Tunisian Crochet for Baby by Sharon Hernes Silverman Tunisian Crochet for Baby Ranging from quick and easy hats to cozy sweaters, Sharon’s projects in Tunisian Crochet for Baby allow your hook to create unique looking fabrics. If you have never used the Tunisian method before, no worries! Included in the book are excellent sections, Traditional Crochet Skills Refreshers, Tunisian Crochet Skills   Refreshers along with a helpful Beyond the Basics section. Also the author of Tunisian Crochet: The Look of Knitting with the Ease of Crocheting ,  and Tunisian Crochet Baby Blankets , Hernes Silverman is passionate about the technique and has spent years perfecting her skills and her designs. She shows us that not all baby items need to be done in pastels; and her patterns add excitement to gifts you will want to give to beautiful babies and deserving moms year after year! Checkerboard Blanket & Hat To learn more about Sharon and her mission ...

September 18, 2014 The Complete Photo Guide to Crochet by Margaret Hubert Hookalicious Rating:   Every crocheter's library should include guide book. I have found, also, that crocheters quickly become avid book collectors and may have more than one example of any given technique or crochet category. If this is the case with you, just know that your money will be well-invested in Margaret Hubert’s comprehensive reference book which covers all aspects of crochet. You can also try your luck at winning your own free copy of Margaret's  book by adding your email to "follow" my blog AND sending me a direct email by midnight on Monday September 22  to let me know you did so. United States residents only, please, to enter to win. This book provides a reference for all methods, including Tunisian, intermeshing, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and freeform crochet and includes step-by-step instructions for all the basic stitches and swatches of 100s o...

September 10, 2014 As I watch the arc of the late afternoon sun gradually shift, my thoughts can't help but think about the next season that will be upon us: Autumn. I  enjoy Autumn, almost as much as I do Spring. The colors are gorgeous and delight us as new shades appear almost daily tease us with waning sparkle as the sun hits the leaves. the smells, the foods and the holidays during this season are nothing but good. The waning sunlight is only a tease only if we let our thoughts migrate to what is coming next: Winter! I live in the Midwest so I have learned to adapt to four distinct seasons, each with their pros and cons. Those of you in other, more stable climates, might not be able to relate in quite the same way. There is a certain satisfaction to re-arranging the closet and preparing to wear clothes that almost seem like new again since they've been under wraps for months. Our crochet habits are seasonal, as well. Many people do not work on afghans in ...

August 28, 2014 Ed. Note: Mary Rhodes, has been a long-time member and supporter of CGOA. It was great to see her again at the Chain Link Crochet Conference in Manchester, New Hampshire. Throughout the ups and downs that naturally occur in life, she has researched and experimented with crochet and at the same time has found comfort in many aspects along the way. I can certainly relate to her concept of "quiet comfort." Like Mary, I don't wear my crochet to be flashy or trendy. I wear it because it envelopes me in comfort as well as pride in the making. Mary "whispers" and yet shares so much! Gwen & Mary at the Stitchwhisper booth at the 2014 Knit & Crochet Show The Stichwhisper speaks out: "The range of crochet creativity on display at the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, NH, in July was awe-inspiring.  With CGOA, Gwen gave a gift to all of us by bringing together a focus on the creativity and nurturing that is so much a part of wh...