Crochet Queen: Royal Ramblings

I am honored to be the featured designer today over at the Underground Crafter podcast . Marie Segares has generously organized a stellar list of designers and free patterns in our joint effort to highlight and celebrate National Crochet Month sponsored by the Crochet Guild of America. Marie discusses and reads my pattern, Himalya Tank Top , on her Podcast. She has a novel idea that introduces those interested in crochet not only to great patterns but also to the designers who make them. My design is made with the wonderful recycled silk made from saris imported from Tibet by Himalya Yarns. Anni Kristensen, the owner of Himalaya Yarn Company , is a kind, peace-loving woman and former social worker who has dedicated her work with these yarns to employing the people of Nepal.. I thoroughly enjoyed working with her yarn and designing almost 20 project patterns for her. National Crochet Month has been quite a time of celebration for me. I worked weeks on a freeform crochet cowl ...

Brenda Bourg has proven what I've believed for a long time: "There are no limits to the creative possibilities of crochet!" Not only does one learn Tunisian crochet in her new book, but  also  how to expand Tunisian crochet skills by working in two colors to create the exquisite Fair Isle look. Annabel Bag Brenda uses the Tunisian Knit Stitch throughout the book, and introduces the reader to the use of the Tunisian hook with a cable. Thus, larger projects are possible including sweater designs. The sixteen projects in the book include a wide range of pattern-making experiences from boot cuffs and head bands to sweaters and afghans. Brenda also recommends the use of a nice selection of yarns for the projects affording the crocheter the opportunity to experience the feel and function of many yarns. She gives advise on substituting yarns, as well. Elish Afghan In the extensive tutorial section, the author has thought of everything that the crocheter needs to...

I have a little fan club in the Junior Kindergarden(JK) room at  my grandchildren's school! Although they are not in teacher, Mrs. B's class this year, I was invited to come back for my 2nd annual presentation on the letter Y; and that stands for "yarn." Conveniently, the JK students reach the letter Y in their studies of the alphabet during March; so it becomes my way to celebrate and open young minds to the mysteries of crochet! This year I spoke to about 30 four-year-olds; two combined classes; mainly because I got caught in horrible traffic by the State Fairgrounds and was late! Needless to say there was much enthusiasm in the room!  Aiming to speak to their interests andattention span, my theme was to show how tools like the hook are used to loop yarn, which starts with the letter Y, to create odd and interesting projects. I compared and showed big yarn  (cable cord) and little yarn (thread);  big hooks and little hooks; big projects and little project...

Since moving  across state lines in December, I have kept relatively busy with all the things that go along with a big move to a new house: errands to get those little hardware essentials, hanging pictures, finding the perfect storage solutions, rearranging the craft room to "try" and fit it all in. There are the boring things, too, like getting a new driver's license and car license plates, plus learning my way around as I accomplish all these things. My time is limited to the caretaker's schedule for hubby, so I usually feel rushed; but that's okay...there is always tomorrow! Finally, on Monday this week I felt like I had a snippet of time to have lunch with an acquaintance. I call her an "acquaintance" because we had only briefly met for a minute at the closing on our house and had communicated via email a bit before that. Word to the wise...if you are a designer, author, blogger or any kind of professional, promote yourself on your email signatur...

I rarely go so long without blogging and I don't like to use the excuse "Life got in the way." So suffice it to say, I am back! My goal on this blog has always been to express the connection of crochet to my everyday life. It is such an important part of my being or my identity; and I like to point out the many "hooks and connections" that influence how I live. On December 19, my husband and I made our 3rd move since June 2013! We experienced the ying and yang of suburban Chicago vs. the city of Chicago for 16 months. Being a "city girl," I yearned to live in the city and soak it all in. Ravenswood condo This little dream of mine was an overwhelmingly positive experience. We walked and walked, we viewed the city from the treetops while riding the "El" or the Metra. We enjoyed outdoor dining during Spring, Summer & Fall at the myriad of multi-ethnic restaurants within reach. We wandered to street fests and art galleries along wit...

Poetic Crochet I often say about crochet, “There is nothing new under the sun,” because I’ve been at it for over forty years!  Theme books like this book's title intrigue me because again, it is difficult for me to find books that offer truly new and creative twists to all the crocheting I’ve done over these many years. 

WomanMade Gallery: 685 N. Milwaukee, Chicago Yes, my specialty is crochet, and yes I am the author of the  Fine Art of Crochet: Innovative Works from Twenty Contemporary Artists.  However, I love fiber in all of its forms and Art-To-Wear is no exception. The Art Wear movement established firm roots in the decade of the eighties with the publication of Julie Schafler Dale's incredible book,  Art To Wear . Dana Balwin: Wild & Wooly Bride, lamblocks, embroidered, beaded, felted , Deborah Hirshfield: Triumverate of Maladies, silk, dye, wood, thread, wool roving Deborah Hirschfield: Untitled Melis Agabigum: When You Told Me to Go Along, I Should Have Asked How Far, coppper, powdercoat, waxed cotton Suzanne Peterson: The Weight of Overindulgence , glass, nicket, video Cydney Lewis: Blackberry Necklace, plastic bags Dawna Davis: Elizabethan's Treasure, wire The above work is the closest they came to choosing a "crochet-like...