Guest Blogger Week 61 Hooked on Crafting

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Carrie

 from  Hooked on Crafting

Hi!  My name is Carrie Carpenter and I am a freelance crochet designer and crafter. I first learned to crochet when I was about 10.  I learned how to make a granny square and spent the next 7 or so years working on that same granny square which eventually turned into an afghan. I didn’t really get serious about crocheting until I began working as a fashion and design coordinator for a yarn company many years later.  

Since then , I’ve had designs published with various magazines, including Crochet! Magazine, Crochet World, Love of Crochet, Create and Decorate, and Crochet 1-2-3.  I also have several designs featured in the 2013 season of Knit and Crochet Now! You can find those and other free patterns here: http://www.knitandcrochetnow.com/

I also enjoy teaching crochet at my local yarn store.  I like seeing  the enthusiasm when people begin to really understand crochet and when they see their projects taking shape.

My most popular crochet design to date is the Bellflower Infinity Scarf.  This pattern is available for free at Natually Caron

 

and you can find it, along with many of my other patterns, 

including MORE FREE PATTERNS ,on Ravelry

Here are some other places you can find me:

My Blog— Hooked on Crafting

Facebook

Twitter

Pinterest

My Patterns Available for Kindle Download

In addition to my freelance crochet design work, I am also managing editor for two magazines – Knit 1-2-3 and Crochet 1-2-3.  

These magazines are in their first year of publication and are receiving very good reviews.  The magazines are available in the U.S. at Walmart and most major craft chains. You can also subscribe online.  And yes, the magazines are available to international subscribers! Here are the links to the websites.  I hope you check them out.  Issue 5 is coming out in just a matter of days!

Crochet  1-2-3   Knit  1-2-3  

  

Thanks for taking the time to read about me!  And thank you to Sue at Crochet Addict for letting me be a guest blogger!!!

Forever,

Hooked on Crafting

Thank you Carrie

You are just so talented!

I hope you will all thank Carrie, check out her sites and her fantastic patterns.

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Guest Blogger Week 60 Sandy's Cape Cod Originals

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Sandy

 from Sandy's Cape Cod Originals

Tell us a bit about you:

I am a stay at home mom. I used to crochet for gift shops and sell my hand crocheted items. I started designing about 5years ago. I was approached by the editor of Annie’s Attic to add some of my patterns to their download pages and then to make a leaflet called Cuddles Cocoons. A couple of years later I was approached by a publisher from England and she has helped me publish two more books. Baby Crochet that is for sale now. And Wedding Crochet that will be for sale around September 2013.

How did you decide on the name for your shop?

I live on Cape Cod Massachusetts

What made you start crocheting?

My sister came home from school and she had learned to crochet. I was sick in bed and she taught me a stitch and I fell in love with crocheting and I haven’t put it down for 40years.

Where do you get your inspiration from?

I get inspirations from God, things around me, customers give me suggestions. Looking at what is popular in magazines and clothing sites.

What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time as well as crocheting?

Go to yarn stores and pet the yarns. Visit with friends and family.

What made you start to sell your patterns\products? 

I had started selling on Ebay. I soon learned that ebay people want everything for 99cents and free shipping. So then I found Etsy. I started selling my hand made items and I had a lot of people asking me if I could tell them where to purchase the crochet patterns. So I started writing them down. When I saw that the newest thing for crochet patterns was to email them to people as pdf’s, I thought this was the best thing ever! My mind couldn’t keep up with all the patterns I wanted to write. 

Your favourite items:

What would be the one piece of advice would you give to a new blogger or a person setting up their own craft shop:

Don’t think you are not good enough to do what you love to do. Just go for it. 

The places you can find Sandy:

Facebook

Etsy

Ravelry

Twitter

Pinterest

Thank you Sandy

I love your designs and already have your book.

I hope you'll thank Sandy and visit her sites.

It's worth checking out her other fantastic patterns!

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Guest Blogger Week 59 Crochet N' Crafts

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Rhelena

 from CrochetN’Crafts

Sue, Thank you for having me on your blog. 
This is my first time ever for guest posting, so I'm really excited about it.
I’m known as Rhelena and I love to crochet. Since writing isn't exactly my specialty, 
I decided to design a free crochet pattern. 
This is a very simple single crochet beanie suitable for a beginner. 
The only stitches used in this pattern are the single crochet and one round of the crossed double crochet. 
The beanie is easy to adjust in size and can be worn by men or women.
Hope you enjoy.

Skill Level: Advanced Beginner

Materials Required:

Yarn: Red Heart Comfort, or any similar yarn – (2 colors)

Crochet Hook: I/9-5.50mm

Other: 1 Stitch Marker

Gauge: 2.5" over 8 sts and 10 rows

Finished Size: Suitable for Men or Women. When lying flat it measures 11" across and 8" from top to bottom. The hat is quite roomy on a 20" head. For a smaller size, use a smaller hook or do fewer repeats of the increase rounds.

Abbreviations:

MC = Main Color

CC = Contrasting Color.

Ch/Chs = Chain/Chains

Dc = Double Crochet

FO = Fasten Off

Hk = Hook

Rep = Repeat

Rnd/Rnds = Round/Rounds

Sc = Single Crochet

Sk = Skip

Sl St = Slip Stitch

St/Sts = Stitch/Stitches

YO = Yarn Over

Special Stitch Instructions:

Crossed DC Stitch: Skip a st and dc into next st, then backtrack and dc into skipped st. When working into the skipped st, yo and insert your hk from the front as normal, yarn over at back and finish the dc as normal.

Pattern Instructions:

Rnd 1: With MC, Ch 2, work 6 sc into 2nd ch from hk; do not join but continue to work in a continuous rnd. Place st marker in last st made of each rnd in order to keep track. (6 sts)

Rnd 2: Work 2 sc in each st around. (12 sts)

Rnd 3: (Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st) around. (18 sts)

Rnd 4: (Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (24 sts)

Rnd 5: Sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 2 sts. (30 sts)

Rnd 6: (Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (36 sts)

Rnd 7: Sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 5 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 3 sts. (42 sts)

Rnd 8: (Sc in next 6 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (48 sts)

Rnd 9: Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 7 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 4 sts. (54 sts)

Rnd 10: (Sc in next 8 sts, 2 sc in next st) around. (60 sts)

Rnd 11: Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in next st, (sc in next 9 sts, 2 sc in next st) 5 times, sc in last 5 sts. (66 sts)

Rnd 12: (Sc in next 10 sts, 2 sc in next st) rep from * around. (72 sts) 

Note: For a larger size continue with the increase rounds as established making 6 increases in each round. For a smaller size, do fewer increase rounds.

Rnds 13-24: Sc in each st around; place st marker in last st of each rnd to keep track. Continue with this round until you are 1.5" away from desired length. 

Rnd 25: Sl st into next st, ch 1, sc in same st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 28: Join CC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 29: Sk first st where sl st was made, Join MC in next st, ch 2 (does not count as stitch), dc in same st, backtrack and dc in skipped st where sl st was made (first crossed dc made), *sk next st, dc in next st, dc in skipped st; rep from * around; join with sl st to first dc. 

Rnd 30: Join CC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. 

Rnd 31: Join MC in first st, ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc into next st and into each st around; join with sl st to first sc. FO.

You can find more of my free patterns at my website CrochetN’Crafts. 

I am also the owner of Crochet Pattern Bonanza, a free crochet pattern directory.

Thank you Rhelena

What a fantastic pattern!

I hope you will all thank Rhelena for kindly sharing her pattern.

Please visit her sites as she has other fantastic patterns for you to see.

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Guest Blogger Week 57 Lace n More

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Nazee

 from Lace n More

My name is Nazanin S. Fard, Nazee for short.
I am a knitting/crochet designer with more than 500 published designs.
My designs are regularly published in magazines and on yarn company web sites.


I became interested in knitting at around age four,
when my mom started knitting for my unborn sister.
I learned then and hardly ever put down my knitting needles.
I learned to crochet from my craft teacher in middle school.
Using a hook instead of two needles always intrigued me.
Crocheting became a wonderful addition to my knitting.

In 2007 I started self-publishing some of my designs mostly in an electronic magazine format which is published four times a year.

In addition, I have individual knitting and crochet patterns available.
They are available on www.lacenmore.com.

Two years ago, my sister was diagnosed with brain cancer.
I have been fortunate enough to live close to her and was able to help out during her ordeal.
She lost her battle with cancer in July 2012.
While she was still well, I came up with the idea of publishing a book of prayer shawls and donate half of the proceeds to brain cancer research.
She loved the idea. I designed six shawls and with the
help of my knitting friends managed to complete them.
My sister and two other friends who are cancer survivors modeled the shawls.
The book “Prayer Shawl Designs from the Heart” is now published and is available on www.Amazon.com.


    
      


 Here is a review of the book:
Book Review at My Central Jersey



The Prayer Shawls Knitters and Crocheters group on Ravelry
(http://www.ravelry.com/groups/prayer-shawl-knitters--crocheters)
will be having a KAL, after Easter, based on the shawls in the book.
Starting March 28 (my sister’s birthday) until April 10,
 I will be offering one of the shawls from the book “Rough Seas Shawl” on Ravelry for USD 6 for anyone who likes to participate in the KAL.

In health and happiness,
Nazee

Website

Ravelry

Ravelry Group

Thank you Nazee

That is such a touching thing to come out of such an awful situation.

It's something that will always have your sisters memory in it.

I hope you will all join in saying thank you to Nazee

and go over and take a look at her site & Ravelry store and group.

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Guest Blogger Week 56 The Crochet Lounge

I would like to say a huge welcome

to "e" Lee 

 from The Crochet Lounge

Keep reading for details of a giveaway occurring at The Crochet Lounge TODAY!

"e" Lee at The Crochet Lounge was exposed to the fiber arts since she was a baby. It just wasn't time for her to pick it up until she was pregnant with her own almost 27 years later. A year prior to her first pregnancy, scarves were the only things she could crochet; patterns and charts didn't make much sense, and the hat attempts all turned into circular potholders. Miraculously, upon deciding to crochet for her baby, all patterns, written or charted became easy overnight - literally.Her crochet patterns are created in harmony with what is exuding abundance of love and joy in the expression of shapes and stitches. She is inspired by beauty in nature, and pure love expressed. All of this, bundled with fun, frill, excitement and gratitude to the friendship in the fiber community is the creation of The Crochet Lounge.

What is The Crochet Lounge?

The Crochet Lounge is one of my blogging playgrounds.  It is where I Relax, Create, & Inspire the Loungers and where the Lounger interaction Inspires others to Create and Relax.  My vision for The Crochet Lounge is a website where you have a unique spin/take on crochet basics via written and video tutorials and your one stop shop to learn about all things crochet.

Currently Lounger synergy takes place offsite in the Crochet Lounge facebook group and the g+ The Crochet Lounge Community ~ come join the parties and see featured works of Loungers around the globe.

What’s Happening at The Crochet Lounge?

On the website…

1) March Crochet Month has kept the Loungers on their toes.  Block Crochet Alphabet Pattern The Crochet Lounge Way (3” height) are being introduced weekly in a Mystery Crochet Along format (where the alphabet appears in random order).  All you need is an F/3.75mm hook, and 1-2 yards of worsted weight cotton.  They are specifically made in cotton for the simple fact that at the end of the month, there will also be a crochet blocking tutorial on how to make your applique look like real ‘block’ letters.

2) The Mystery Box Unveiled – recently, a mystery box arrived at The Crochet Lounge that has spawned a partnership in a series of yarn spinning tutorial DIY between BustingStitches and The Crochet Lounge.  If you’ve always wanted to know how to spin your own pretty yarn by drop spindling or spinning with a spinning wheel via DIY drop spindle or spinning wheel and/or by commercially made drop spindle and wheel, you’ll want to follow along this free tutorial series by subscribing to the e-mail list to not miss a single post!  There is a Giveaway attached towards the end of this series if you follow along.

3) A fabulous Giveaway happening >>>TODAY!<<<  The post will be live sometime after this guest blogging post, so you’ll need to check in and check back!  If you love the looks of this reversible slouch and want to get a copy of it as soon as it publishes, you’ll want to check out the + post at The Crochet Lounge.

This pattern will be an exclusive pattern in the April issue of Inspired Crochet magazine – can you guess what the giveaway will be yet?  There will be 2 lucky winners that not only will win first view of this pattern, but also 4 other exclusive patterns by fabulous designers and more featured designer patterns you would otherwise pay for.  It is a Giveaway you wouldn’t want to miss!

At The Crochet Lounge fb Group and g+ Community

1) Loungers with their own photo albums in the fb Group are having their work randomly featured as the group cover photo to inspire synergy and perhaps a Crochet Along!  Anytime 2 or more Loungers are working on the same pattern, it becomes a CAL at the Lounge.  There is no project too big or small – if you have a WIP and you are looking for a partner in crime, simply come to the Lounge and post a WIP photo and it’s usually enough to spark more interest into a CAL.

2) Ladies and gents of the Lounge are also known to share more than just their hooking fun.  We’re a part of each other’s lives – happy or sad, it’s a big family that picks you up and gives you support!

3) >Fair Warning< The Crochet Lounge is a yarny hookin’ enabling place.  If you come in with 1 WIP, you may end up in the albums for hours looking at pretty FOs you may soon have 3-10+ projects in the making.

4) Don’t miss out – there are a lot of independent designers in the Lounge group/community and they feature their new free patterns in the Lounge.  There are also monthly Mystery Crochet Alongs hosted by different designers via the groups.  If you want a bit of mystery and interaction with crochet designers, Come Join Us!

Taste of The Crochet Lounge Patterns

   

 
 

I would like to say a huge thank you to "e" Lee !

Wow you have some fantastic patterns!

Please say thank you and pop over to her links 

to see more of her wonderful work.

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Guest Blogger Week 55 Cre8tion Crochet

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Lorene

 from Cre8tion Crochet

 

Hello, my name is Lorene and I am the owner/designer of Cre8tion Crochet.  

At www.cre8tioncrochet.com you will find lots of free crochet patterns, tutorials and video’s, helpful hints and tricks and information on blogging and owning your own business.  There is so much more that I will soon be delivering to my followers, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.  

Some of my favorite items to make are hats.  I just love the creativity that can be expressed in a relatively short time span and being able to wear that piece of art for others to enjoy!  

I recently wrote 3 patterns for owl hats.  I had originally sworn that I would not ever be making owl hats, since let’s face it they are grossly overdone.  However I really wanted one for my daughter who just adores owls.  Of course I couldn’t follow a pattern that was already out there, so I decided to design my own. 

My owl hats stand apart from others out there for two reasons.  One because of the outline of color around the eyes, and two for the actual eyes.  In my Winky Winky the Owl

my owl winks at you with one eye (which is fabled to mean “I love you”).  My Sleepy the Little Owl 

is a cheeky little owl who looks awfully mischievous.  Lastly my Oh Boy Oh Boy the Owl  has the cutest little glimmer in his eyes.  All of my girl owls also feature the cutest darling eyelashes.  I have yet to find any owl patterns that have any of these features.  My owl hats are often in the top 5 most popular patterns on my blog.  

I hope you enjoy the as much as I do.  Have fun and….

Happy Hookin’

I would like to say a huge thank you to Lorene!

I just love your owl hat patterns!

They've each got such a different personality.

Please pop over to see Lorene's fantastic site

and all her wonderful patterns.

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Guest Blogger Week 54 Shifio

I would like to say a huge welcome

to Fiona & Shirley

 from Shifio

Hi I am Shirley and I am one half of Shifio! 

I design all of the knitting patterns for Shifio’s Patterns 

and some of the crochet ones as well.

I have 3 children all grown up and left home, 

no pets and have lived in the highlands of Scotland all my life.

Hi I am Fiona and I am the other half of Shifio! 

I design most of the crochet patterns for Shifio’s Patterns 

I have one child, he is just a toddler and keeps me very busy 

I have one “fur baby” as well and her name is Maddi, 

she is our doggy model- and hates every minute of it!!

• How did you decide on the name for your blog\shop?

The name ShiFio comes from a combination of our names SHIrley and FIOna,

• What do you have on\in your blog\shop at the moment that you would like to talk about? 

We have a Mother’s Day sale just started, 10% off on our website and ebay shop

• What made you start crocheting & knitting?

The only reason we can give for starting crocheting and knitting, 

is that it was passed on so we have always had a knitting or crochet project to hand. 

Shirley has produced garments for local shops, crafts fairs, friends and family for many years.

• What is your favourite thing to do in your spare time as well as crocheting?

Spending time with the family

• Where do you get your inspiration from?

This is a question we have been asked a few times. Inspiration comes from chatting together, from becoming a mother/grandmother, from lots of places, It can strike at anytime!!

• What made you start to sell your patterns\products (if you do)? 

We decided that there was a gap in the market and that we could produce many different and usual designs ourselves and that is how ShiFio's Patterns started.

• Website

Facebook

I would like to say a huge thank you to Shirley & Fiona

I really love the owls I am sure Little Red would love one!

Please check out their sites!

They have loads of fantastic patterns!

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