Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

No vacation is complete without finding a yarn store to explore. This happened for me yesterday; just in the nick of time! Casita de la Juera Esther Well-stocked & well-displayed This small shop is chock-full of colorful yarns and the owner is so welcoming. I had to add to the local economy, so I bought yarn. I wish Juera Esther much success! Oh, and I have been crocheting ALOT while here! Here is a sampling of the freeform motifs I have finished. I sat in the plaza relaxing with a strawberry fruit bar (paleta), this dog was laid out in the traffic path sound asleep. Someone came along and petted him, so he decided to move and came near me to lay down again with his head up against my shoe. Cute! This week I learned how to tell when a pineapple is ripe. Pull a leaf from the center top and if it is white and tender at the bottom, you can be sure to enjoy! I've eaten two whole pineapples this month. So delicious! I took...

The sub-title of this new book by Sandra Eng, Shifting Shapes and Shades across 100 Motifs , caught my attention! While reading her bio, I found that she is a color enthusiast and a practicing psychologist who is a proponent  of the therapeutic benefits of crochet and other fiber arts. To me, anyone who can live through the brutal winters of Minneapolis and still create such a colorful array of motifs like these has got to be a hearty spirit! For all these reasons, I heartily recommend this book!

Hooked: 40 Whimsical Motifs from Weird to Wonderful Beautifully designed by using crisp, clean graphics like  pleasantly arranged motifs that made me smile; Sunflowers meandering strands of yarn; and colorful balls of yarn, these whimsical motifs range from quirky to charming. Sheep Clear, colorful illustrations are paired with simple instructions that recommend that use of natural materials and allow latitude for various skill levels and finished sizes. Also included are practical ideas for using the motifs. Inspired by their travels to India, nature and everyday life, this family design team whose embroidery and crochet workshop is in Madagascar has taken on an important social role. Their fair trade company, Emalisa   provides income for over 100 families Published in March 2015 by David & Charles/F+W, Hooked is available for $19.99.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014 Cute Crochet World: A Little Dictionary of Crochet Critter, Folks, Food & More By Suzann Thompson Cute Crochet World Starting with the intro, readers will get the feeling that Suzann is right beside you to help with whatever crochet needs you have! Frequently crocheters are tempted to jump in and immediately start to crochet, but she pleads with us to pay attention to the “read me first!” section found in bright red letters at the beginning of the book. I’d say it is well worth the minimal amount of time needed to read these thirteen pages. They are chock-full of valuable tips not only for making the motifs in the book, but for a lifetime of future crochet projects as well! Suzann draws her inspiration from her daily life, but often consulted illustrated children’s books or Google images to find out things like “Where exactly do a sea turtle’s flippers attach to its body?”  The resulting motifs show the immense imagination and almos...