Crochet Savvy Magazine May 2014

table of contents letter from the EDITOR meet our STAFF media KIT Happy 20TH Anniversary CGOA! COVER STORY: KIM GUZMAN product REVIEWS Catherine Hirst: Calamity-Free Crochet finer fabrics with KRISTIN OMDAHL WEAR CROCHET Spring2014 spring PATTERN: KIM GUZMAN business focus: CROCHETING FOR PROFIT favorite bloggers: CROCHET ZOMBIE fabulous CHARITY CROCHET

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STAFF LaTonya “Keturah Ariel” Malinconico Founder/Editor-n-Chief www.knitfabulous.org

Rhonda “Turquioz Blue” Davis Assistant Editor/Blog & Social Director www.thisiscrochet.com

Karen Thistle Copy Editor

Aldonia Secession

Staff Assistant/ Charity Director

Lamira Fields Feature Writer

Aisha Frazier

Social Network Assistant Design Team Bohemian Design Solutions bohemiandesigns.info Crochet Savvy Magazine www.crochetsavvy.com Facebook www.facebook.com/crochetsavvymagazine Twitter www.twitter.com/crochetsavvy Ravelry http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crochet-savvymagazine

letter from the EDITOR Spring is here‌for the most of us. Which means goodbye to that stash of chunky yarns and hello to lace! It is also a very special time for Crochet Savvy Magazine because we celebrate our beginnings every spring. This spring marks our 2nd year Anniversary! Happy Birthday Crochet Savvy Magazine!!!!

I am very proud of our growth as a community and I am also very proud of the quality of our magazine. We went from trying to figure out how to do what we do, to properly maintaining a pretty good magazine and staff that I consider to be my extended family! In addition to this, Crochet Savvy has had many people participating via social networks with us- laughing and posting photos or taking those crazy quizzes on Facebook. So all in all, it has been another great year for us! We look forward to many more great years as well!

Kisses, Keturah Malinconico

meet our STAFF Keturah is a debut author and has been in the hip-hop industry for more than 13 years. An advocate for charity and having joy through trials, she teaches through motivation and inspiration a message of hope and balance for people, especially stay-at-home-moms, who feel that they are completely lost tending to children, husbands and house duties.

She currently has a BA in Liberal Arts and MBA in Business Administration and is a graphics designer and networker. She loves to use her creativity through arts, music and crafting (crocheting, knitting & sewing) to encourage others. Keturah currently resides in Toronto, ON with her family. For more about her, check out: www.knitfabulous.org.

Turquoiz Blue is from Atlanta, GA and is a crochet, knitter, seamstress and graphics/web designer. She loves to check out fashion trends, and looking at vintage fashions, fantasy costumes, and historical dress.

She is an accomplished crafter who has had several designs featured in top craft magazines. She can be found on her blog at http:// www.thisiscrochet.com/blog as well as most social media sites under the name “TurquoizBlue�.

Aldonia has always been creative. To escape life she would find something creative to keep her occupied.

Just last year she came across the world of fiber arts; and thought, crocheting looks like fun but refused to make your everyday blankets. With no one willing to teach a left handed person to crochet, she taught herself. After practicing and rewriting patterns she saw online she decided to write her own.

She is an active volunteer for the children’s festival and fundraiser of Cochise County and is crocheting winter hats for the teens. She is from Bridgeport, Connecticut and have two loving children.She is also a self taught Left-handed crocheter since 2012. and the owner of Barnwell’s delight in Arizona https://www.facebook.com/pages/Barnwells-Delight

Copyeditor Karen Thistle’s Aunt Blanche was the first person to show her the joy and beauty of crochet.

During one extended visit, her aunt made a zig-zag afghan to keep Karen’s mom cozy and also a matching skirt, top, and hat created with the same yarn for Karen’s doll.

First lesson learned: crochet means love.

Even so, Karen became a knitter around 1999—blame it on a failure of nerve; at the time, she felt she needed the security of two needles. In 2011, however, she got tired of having to pass up perfectly lovely patterns just because they were crochet. She grabbed a Boye hook, the book Crocheting For Dummies, 2nd Edition, and a ball of yarn, then started learning the craft in earnest. She’s loving it!

Mom now has a rectangular shawl to cuddle up in as well.

Lamira is also new to our staff; born and raised in Washington, D.C, she began crocheting at the age of 14 and was blessed to have two aunts that taught her this beautiful craft. Lamira started out making granny squares and that quickly turned into blankets. Unfortunately, she stopped crocheting around the age of 17 but quickly began again when she became pregnant with her first son at the age of 22.

Now at the age of 46, Lamira loves crocheting and cannot see herself without a hook and yarn. She loves to crochet blankets, hats (infant, children, and adult), and scarves. Her craft goals are to learn “Crochet By Numbers” technique by Todd Paschall and the Tunisian stitch. You can find Lamira on Ravelry.com in several groups there!

I make One-of-a-kind, Unique, Handmade, Sexy for all sizes, Bathing Suits, Tops, Dresses, Shorts, Custom Jewelry and so much more. I have been doing this since I was ten years old when my mother taught me how to do a basic single crochet…I stopped for years until about 2004 when I made a bathing suit, just experimenting. A friend of mine liked it so much decided to she wanted to buy it from me and that is house initially Essential Esssences_Crochet and More started.

I am mother of two wonderful boy and four stepsons, I am a wife to a great man that has supported me for over 12 years…this adventure into entrepreneurship started about 10 years ago selling things like crocheted Items and fashion jewelry. I have be doing this craft for many years and enjoy even more now then I did 10 years ago…I love creating new things and to see how far I can take my Craft. www.etsy.com/shop/essentialessences or www. facebook.com/EssentialEssences.Crochet My Motto is: Happiness; Love and Abundance PEACE AND LUV :)

media KIT

Crochet is dominating the internet, books and newsstands. However, it hasn’t been until recently that the fashion and style of crochet are truly getting the shine and recognition they deserve. We’re shining a spotlight with Crochet Savvy, a magazine solely dedicated to the vast community of crocheters and the loyal fans of the art. Crochet Savvy is the brainchild of LaTonya “KeTurah Ariel” Malinconico and it is a free online magazine and blog dedicated to the work of fashion and crochet and the independent online retailers of the crochet world.

Focusing on crochet, Crochet Savvy features up and coming crochet designers, bloggers, independent yarn suppliers, and yarn spinners and goes behind-the-scenes of crochet with tutorials, book recommendations, and how-to’s. For free, readers can subscribe to the blog and digital magazine, thereby gaining access to resources, deals, coupons, recommendations, and free patterns. For more information on Crochet Savvy Magazine and how to contribute, visit http://www.crochetsavvy.com and follow us @ http:// www.twitter.com/crochetsavvy.

Our staff of six is close-knit though we live in different locations within the United States and Canada and all of us are avid crocheters. We all have many years of crafting experience as well as other accomplishments. Two of our staff members have business degrees and are designers, with one of them being an accomplished designer with patterns featured in many mainstream crochet magazines. The other has been in the music industry for the past 14 years now. Our newest members include one very creative U.S. Army Wife, and a proud U.S. Marine! Much of our staff are also members of the CGOA or support the Guild in

many ways both financially and/or physically through contests and shows.

Our Resume So far, we have featured novice and professional designers alike as well as interviewed some of the crochet world’s favorites such as Kathryn Vercillo from Crochet Concupiscence and author of Crochet Saved my Life, and Amy Shelton, former President of the Crochet Guild of America and co-founder of Crochetville. We have also featured articles highlighting designer TurquiozBlue from This is Crochet as well as interviewed the fabulous folks at the Crochet Guild of America, designer-Renaissance Austin, Clare Sullivan of YouTube channel BOBWILSON123, Stitchworks’ Brian Milco, Furls Crochet’s Harrison Richards, and many others. This special magazine issue also featured fabulous men in crochet including The Crochet Crowd, The CrochetDad, and Johnny Vasquez of NewStitchADay.com!

We also have sections that focus strictly on charity crochet and the organizations that support others. In our Fall 2012 Issue, we featured the story of a women who fought cervical cancer and survived, only to still battle obesity. She later lost over 100 pounds and shared her touching story with us all. We received so much love and support for her story alone that it made us even prouder to do what we do.

In the Summer 2013 Issue, our cover featured a more averaged shaped model which inspired many reader emails expressing love for our magazine showing diversity within our crochet community. With our Winter Issue, we have gained many followers because we chose to feature a male cover story to show the other side of crochet. People have also emailed us with much encouragement and support and have let us know that we are the only magazine, whether free or paid, that features the designer and informative crochet stories instead of just patterns. We are very proud indeed to hold that title!

WE ARE SMALL AND NEW BUT HERE ARE A FEW FACTS TO INSPIRE YOU: Our fan base has grown steadily on all of our social networks in only two years to include a little over 1,000 likes on Facebook, 114 fans on Google+, 339 followers on Twitter, and 156 members in our Ravelry group. Our Facebook page is very active with many likes and views per day, including tons of comments per post. Our email list has close to 1,250 subscribers, tripling in size since our Summer magazine issue. Finally, the website sees close to 172 views a day, equaling 61,920 views to date.

“WE TAKE CARE OF THE INDEPENDENT DESIGNER, THE NEW ARTIST, AND THAT SPECIAL CROCHETER WHO HAS NOT MADE IT INTO THOSE BIG NAME BOOKS & MAGAZINES YET... I LOVE TO SEARCH FOR NEW TALENT; I USED TO DO IT WHEN I WORKED IN HIP HOP & IT IS A GIFT THAT SUITS ME. OUR MAGAZINE BRINGS THE SPOTLIGHT TO HIDDEN TALENT ALL OVER THE WORLD. I SEE CROCHET SAVVY AS OUR OWN SPECIAL PLACE, A SAFE HAVEN TO DISCUSS AND TALK AS WE SEE FIT- INDEPENDENTLY, DOING AS WE PLEASE AND GOING AGAINST THE MOLD, ALL WHILE SUPPORTING OTHER CROCHETERS IN THIS BUSINESS WHO ARE ALSO LIKE-MINDED. THAT IS WHAT IT MEANS TO BE FABULOUS & SAVVYDOING YOU AND DOING IT BIG.” -Keturah, Founder, Editor-in-Chief

Our History Crochet Savvy began in the Spring of 2012 and has produced ten magazines thus far, including this one and our new Summer mini-magazine, which is one magazine per each season. Gaining followers and supporters, the free magazine and blog also incorporates many charity projects that its viewers can participate in and share with friends via social networking around the world. This online magazine is all

about the designer and fashion and how we as crocheters have the freedom to create and make anything work! Traditional features of our magazine and blog include video tutorials and podcasts from some of your favorite teachers in the crochet world. We post photos and outfits of the day to help foster your creative side as well as tips and secrets for helping you “crochet savvy” in the home, at work, or wherever you are. Crochet Savvy is about fun, fashion, and crochet! We are not just a pattern;we get the story behind the designer to the sweat and tears behind some of the most fashionable and quirky personalities out there, both known and unknown to the big world of crochet. So join us online via your favorite social networks and subscribe to our blog’s RSS feed to get the latest updates in the world of fashion and crochet and continue to “crochet savvy”!

CrochetSavvy in the Media • Crochetville mentions us on their website and gives us a great big shout out! Thanks to Amy for allowing us to interview her about Crochetville.

• We are featured on Kathryn Vercillo’s article on “5 Mags that Celebrated Crochet Saved my Life.” It was a great honor to interview Kathryn. Her book was so profound, and many crocheters have the same story.

• Malinconico, Crochet Savvy’s Founder & Editor-in-Chief is honored to become a Guest Blogger on Cre8tioncrochet.com, thereby uniting our cause with theirs and gaining a great network of other crocheters in the process.

INTERVIEW REQUESTS AND MORE...

TO CONTACT CROCHET SAVVY MAGAZINE FOR INTERVIEWS AND MORE... EMAIL US AT: INFO@CROCHETSAVVY.COM WE CONDUCT ONLINE INTERVIEWS VIA GOOGLE+ HANGOUT. WE ARE ALSO AVAILABLE FOR EMAIL AND TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS.

Endorsements Just downloaded a digital copy of your magazine (they were talking about it on the International Freeform Knitting and Crochet List). Fabulous publication! Fun and informative.

Thank you so much! -Cheri Thank you for featuring an article on Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative. – Tina Just got off the phone with Keturah. Her enthusiasm is contagious! I am lookikng forward to advertising in her new mag. Nice work for putting all of this together for crochet.

-Debra Gravelle New fan here feel free to check out my page Marcelle’s Creative Crochet, I was sent be my fellow Fresh Off Tha Family member Jess Handmade Designs Many thanks to Keturah Ariel Malinconico on featuring Diva-In-Training Designs in the premiere issue of Official Crochet Savvy Online Magazine! We’re on our way to the top, one handmade item at a time! -Shauna Howard I love your work – I have tried crocheting few I’m now busy with rufle scarves people loves them whoah this blog is excellent i love reading your posts.

Just wish to point out that your articles are incredible. Thanks a million and also please carry on with this pleasurable crochet work.

Wonderful and Fresh ! I simply loved the featured art and artists. Great work. Thank You. -Indira Crochet Crochet Savvy Magazine is featuring me in a magazine article – I’m so excited I had to share the news!!! – Lenore Berry-Zaragosa Great magazine! When do you think it will be available on iBook? – Elsa I won and received my email of the Urban Edge with lovely patterns in it!! Thanks so much for the wonderful giveaway and great magazine. Looking forward to the future of Crochet Savey! -Brenda Thank you for this new resource for crochet. To Cool! – Carrie

Cool beans!!!!! What a wonderful surprise I got when I opened my email this morning.

I’m looking forward to the Crochet Savvy Launch and my wonderful prize. Thanks so much!- Alyce I can not wait to see this new magazine, there are a few crochet magazines out there but they can get a little boring sometimes. Looking at you’ll magazine I think you’ll will bring something new and fresh to crochet. I look forward to your debut magazine.

-Aisha I didn’t win but congrats to the winners! Lovely website and I’m looking forward to seeing how it grows. -Elizabeth I am very surprised I won! I can’t wait to see Crochet Savvy and all you have in store for us. Thank you. -Beckie Gracias!!! Me encanta esto congrats to the winners, although I really think we are all winners with the new online mag :~) -Chris What a wonderful thing to read [Pat Pat’s Hats Charity Story] and to read at the start of their new life in PA………..thank you from Patrick’s Nana

by: Gwen Blakley Kinsler

Proud Past ~ Brilliant Future CGOA Celebrates Twenty Years!

eryday to stay on top of what’s happening in the crochet world. But wait, I still make time for my beloved crochet “fix” each and every day! Crochet feeds my soul; it’s what I do!

New CGOA 20th anniversary logo

Crocheters will converge in Manchester, New Hampshire, July 23-27, 2014 to kick off the 20th Anniversary Celebration of Crochet Guild of America - the ONLY organization for crocheters – at the Chain Link Crochet Conference! <<Link: http:// w w w.knitandcrochetshow.com/#registration>> The Celebration planning committee is comprised of Past CGOA Presidents. A logo contest was held and the winner of the new 20th anniversary logo is CGOA member Donna Wolfe of Scranton, PA. As 2014 begins, I’ve realized that amazingly huge amount of crochet across social media can be overwhelming. Blogs have proliferated recently with everyday crocheters as well as professionals who regularly share their crochet passion by writing about not only their opinions but also fantastic crochet news. Blog tours have us traveling all over via our computers, and yarn companies and publishers are heavy into social media. We can’t just stop with a glance at Facebook, but we are encouraged to click, click and click from there to Twitter to Pinterest and beyond!

Sometimes, I think I’m addicted to my computer because I must check all my social media sites ev-

Back in 1993 when I sought “crochet pen pals” through a “Letter to the Editor” in Threads Magazine, I never dreamed that crocheters in the United States and many parts of the world would have such a strong advocate as the Crochet Guild of America. In order to answer all the responses from that Threads letter, I typed laboriously on an Apple II computer to create a simple form letter. I quickly saw a need from the heartfelt letters for a crochet community not unlike those for embroiderers and knitters. I have kept most of those letters all these years, and I remember how passionate and kind the respondents were. Often times they’d enclose a small gift: artfully created handmade stationery, an example of origami or a special doily, or want to meet me if they lived nearby.

From that first simple form letter, the Chain Link newsletter evolved. I had to cut and paste the graphics and copy them on a mimeograph! My dear friend and neighbor, Gerry (a non-crocheter) laid out the newsletters for me for two years. A high school friend of my daughter’s designed the first CGOA logo. Indeed, we’ve come a long way, baby!! Now we have cyber-friends in all parts of the world who we can visit on a daily basis. We can even chat face-to-face on our computers to supplement our emails and messaging.

There are no boundaries!

During the mid-eighties, I was a crocheter with a membership in the Embroiderer’s Guild of America.

Sort of a closeted crocheter sensing I was the only one around, I would hold my hook low on my lap during the business meetings! Boy did I learn a thing or two from those meetings, though, about embroidery and about how to run an organization.

At that time, I was one who scoured needlecraft magazines and crochet books in search of unique patterns. Back in the day, dialing 411 (information) would get you phone numbers. I did cold calling to find teachers I’d read about and asked them to teach at the first conference. Not only did they say yes, but they were so excited to be able to share their skills with enthusiastic crocheters that they taught for free! A crochet conference was a novel idea back then and I was amazed at the generosity of not only the teachers but also of all the participants. Everyone was ready to jump in and help where needed during the weekend.

One year before that first conference, I went to the American Craft and Creative Industries (now the Craft & Hobby Association) trade show in Chicago and visited the exhibits of many, many yarn industry representatives, promoting the conference and asking for support. Rita Weiss, best known as a prolific publisher of great crochet books, has said on more than one occasion that she met a “crazy lady” (me) there who was planning to have a crochet conference! Although many of the yarn industry reps looked at me a bit in askance that weekend, they were willing to offer support in the form of door prizes.

The Craft Yarn Council (CYC) and, most notably, Mr. Rick Caron offered incredible support over many years to CGOA. Rick accompanied me to a Knitting Guild conference and CYC funded it.

I learned so much about the structure of that organization and patterned our first conference based on discussions I had and ideas I gathered that weekend.

Mary Colucci, current CGOA board member and Executive Director of the CYC recently wrote: “Wow, it’s been 20 years since CGOA was formed. I remember meeting CGOA founder Gwen Blakley Kinsler back in the mid-1990s when she was organizing the first Chain Link conference. It’s amazing to see how CGOA has grown from that small group of enthusiasts to a national network of crochet fans.

“CGOA is credited with raising awareness of

crochet in the industry. Before CGOA, the yarn industry tended to be more knit-centric. As CGOA provided crocheters with a more unified voice, yarn manufacturers and publishers took notice. They began to realize the diversity of crocheters and the need for finer yarns, a more extensive selection of crochet patterns and they responded with exciting new yarns and an array of magazines specifically devoted to crochet.” CGOA Crochet Now Blog, March 2014 The first CGOA conference, which took place at DePaul University in Chicago in 1994, was amazing. Reflecting back on the theme that weekend, Ancient Roots, New Beginnings, I must have known it would lead to something big even though I wasn’t putting a lot of thought into what would come next!

Without the new-fangled computer tools that we use today, I worked for one year putting together a weekend of crochet excitement. Along the way, I met a few enthusiastic local crocheters who were more than anxious to get involved to help with anything I needed.

One key person was Dana Benjamin who insisted that a crochet meet-up take place in our local area before the first conference. It happened in June 1994 and the group became the Northern Illinois Chapter, the very first for CGOA. Dana served as the very first CGOA Treasurer. She died in May 2010 and, due to her many years of service to our chapter and to CGOA, we named our annual Chapter Challenge in her honor.

As if it were yesterday, I can remember how happy those first ninety conference participants were. To share the same level of passion with like-minded crocheters was a first for many of them! They couldn’t stop thanking me, and that made all my anxiety about whether it would be a success or not worthwhile. Key in the planning process was my Co-chair and very first crochet pen pal, Susan Kenyon. She assisted me in putting together an incredible juried art exhibit that amazed all the participants. She was a charter member of the Northern Illinois Chapter for many years and went on to start the Crocheters of the Lakes chapter of CGOA. The juried exhibit has evolved into the Design Competition, and a special category has been added. Bobbi Matela, CGOA board member and Design manager at Red Heart Yarns wrote: “And this year there is a special category, the CGOA 20th Anniversary Award, which will be given to the entry that best celebrates and exemplifies

the spirit of CGOA in 2014.” CGOANow blog, March 2013

derful venues. We highlighted each other at these events, and we were eager to share and to learn. The entire yarn industry was on board to generously supOur coming together in 1994 showed the passion port our development as an organization. crocheters have for their craft and the goodness in their hearts to share what they love. By the end of the Personally, it was a very proud day in 2003 when we weekend, we had vowed to meet again, and Bobbi had grown sufficiently to need a management group.

Hayward volunteered to organize the next confer- That year in conjunction with our tenth anniversary, ence in New Jersey. In August 1995, the conference we hired Offinger who has steadfastly continued to theme was The Graceful Hand Guides the Hook, and manage CGOA. Soon after, we got an updated logo. the conference took place in Somerset, New Jersey.

We established our organization, The Crochet Guild of America. CGOA had a newsletter, a logo, and bylaws in progress, all due to the hard work of many!

CGOA was designated a 501 C3 nonprofit organization within the next year.

2003-Updated Logo I am so grateful for their leadership and the day-today running of our organization, but the passionate crocheters who bring their creative ideas are who make CGOA special and the ONLY organization for crocheters. Today, the Chain Link Conference falls under the umbrella of the Knit and Crochet Show which we share with the Knitting Guild Association; and it is managed by Offinger. Crocheters and Knitters have the opportunity to “crossover” at these events and learn new skills by taking classes from each organization.

A great debt of thanks also goes to Dynamic Resource Group (DRG—now Annie’s) for their ongoing supFirst CGOA logo designed by Brian Muecke port. They publish our official CGOA magazine, Crochet, and fund the publication of the official Chain Generous volunteers from many parts of the United Link newsletter and oversee its inclusion in each issue States and the world came together and made it hap- to members. pen. For ten years, hundreds of volunteers worked diligently to develop our organization. Chapters were Between 2003 and 2004, we celebrated our organipopping up around the country, and these groups zation’s tenth anniversary in a big way. A juried and generously volunteered to host our annual events. invitational crochet art exhibit traveled all year and With each year, groups developed a good-natured made an appearance at the National Needlework Assense of competition and each successive confer- sociation show. ence outdid the last. Each chapter worked hard to showcase the best of the best crochet with loads of door prizes, great contests, fashion shows, and won-

stressed, “The celebration will reach out to all members whether they are able to attend the conference or not.

Special incentives and surprises are in store for all!”

10th Anniversary Logo We designed a new logo, offered a commemorative hook and even produced a commemorative crochet book, Today’s Crochet, in cooperation with Martingale publishers. Thanks to Susan Huxley, <<Link: www.linkedin.com/in/susanhuxley>> who coordinated the book effort, it was full of great designs by CGOA designers.

Seemingly timeless, the designs inside are still relevant today. You can read my review of the book and see some of the designs here. <Link: http://crochetqueen-royalramblings.blogspot. com/2014/02/book-review-todays-crochet.html Every five years we’ve created a new logo to celebrate the milestone and the 15th Anniversary in 2009 was no exception. The commemorative logos are made into pins and logo-wear that our dedicated members love to wear!

15th Anniversary Logo Pin Even though the world is now at our fingertips via the computer, there is nothing that compares to physically meeting up with others at a Chain Link Conference to strut our crochet stuff and laugh with our crochet buddies.

The 2014 Celebration Committee, comprised of several CGOA Past Presidents, has planned a sensational event for 2014, chock-full of crochet-pride which will kick off at the July conference. Amy Shelton, Chair of the committee has

The celebration colors, emerald green, platinum, and white, will be incorporated into the annual Commemorative Crochet Hook, and the proud crochet history will be incorporated as a category of the annual Design Contest open to all CGOA members. Commemorative pins and logo-wear will be available with the winning logo design.

We’ll have a delicious and huge birthday cake with Donna Wolfe’s winning logo design proudly displayed. Local CGOA chapters are being asked to join in on a fun contest and create special crochet anniversary cakes that will serve as centerpieces for the tables at our conference banquets.

As I look back over these past twenty years, I am busting my buttons with pride. Crochet is embedded deep in my soul and CGOA is at the heart of it. It is truly the legacy of each and every member to ensure that crochet lives on for all future generations to enjoy!

Gwen Blakley Kinsler, Founder and Past President of the Crochet Guild of America, is a writer, designer and teacher who is committed to sharing her passion for crochet with everyone. Her latest book is The Fine Art of Crochet – Innovative Works by 20 Contemporary Artists (http://amzn. to/1afyc2N) which was published in 2013.

Gwen believes that the art of crochet both amazes and astounds even the most seasoned crocheters and serves to change stereotypical perceptions about the craft.

When not writing, Gwen keeps busy covering her world in crochet one stitch at a time!

cover story

Kim Guzman

“The Queen of Tunisian Crochet”

If you crochet and haven’t heard of Kim Guzman, you must be hidng under a rock! She has free tutorials online, classes listed on Annie’s Catalog online and lots of videos on YouTube. She is simply amazing and teaches with a patience that truly shows her genuis. To me, she is the “Queen of Tunisian Crochet” and it has been an honor to feature her in our Spring magazine. Enjoy her interview everyone!

Kim Guzman fills each day with creativity. Whether she’s knitting or crocheting a new design or working on a new canning experiment with the fruits and vegetables she grows at home, she fulfills the dream she has always desired: one of endless creative ventures in a lovely country setting with her family close at hand. Taking photographs of nature has also become a new hobby, and her mother has nicknamed her the Garden Paparazzi. Kim is well known for her innovative Tunisian crochet designs and her use of little-known stitches and techniques in crochet. Look for her latest book, Learn Drop Stitch Crochet, published byfrom Annie’s Publishing, and she will have a new book available by the end of this year.

Q) How did you start crocheting and what propelled you into business/design?

After the doily, I happily designed all kinds of things: purses, afghans, even a bikini! But, I still knew nothing of these mysterious “Patterns.”

When I was about 18, I found a small dictionary of stitches at a used book store. I was in HEAVEN! New stitches! I taught myself every stitch and stitch pattern in the entire book. I made more projects, mostly baby afghans. I believe I was in my mid-20s when I got my hands on my first crochet patterns in Crochet Fantasy magazine. I still have that I mastered the granny square and wanted to learn how to little book from which I learned new stitches make some of the lovely doilies in my grandmother’s house, and how to read the language of crochet. but she said I wasn’t ready. Being very rebellious, I purchased some thread and a small hook with my allowance My path to crochet design was purely unand made a small eight-inch doily. When I showed it to my intentional. I was doing it out of necessity grandmother, she asked me what pattern I had used. I just from about age eight years. I never stopped.

I’ve been designing ever since. But, it wasn’t looked at her with wide eyes and said, “Pattern?”

A) When I was very young, my parents joined the Army together. My sister and I stayed with my grandmother and grandfather during their basic training. I believe that it was [at] this time that my grandmother taught us to make a granny square. I believe she was teaching us so that we would have something to do during our stay and to keep us busy during my parents’ absence.

until about 1998 that I was encouraged, through the internetInternet, to begin writing down patterns and submitting them to publishers. My first published design was by Leisure Arts in Crochet with Heart magazine.

Q) Your tutorials and classes play a large role in other people’show people learning your techniques. What goes into making your videos and do you get any weird request for stitch videos?

A) I love making the videos! Love, love, love it!

We live in an exciting time. The internet has made possible things I never would have dreamed 20 years’ ago. Through my videos, I can teach people all over the world. I can even teach people, [while] breaking the language barrier between countries. It has to be the most exciting development in my crochet career.

I don’t get weird requests for videos. I just get a LOT of requests for videos. I’m unable to fill all the requests, . But,but I try very hard. My video production schedule is currently a mile long because I had to take a break from it in order to write another book. But, I’ll be back in production soon.

Q) You are a teacher at Annie’s, how did that come into being? What do you like about being a teacher in general and what is it about you and your class that keeps people tuning in?

A) I’ve been designing for Annie’s since 1998. I have a very strong business relationship with them. They published my very first book, Thread

Tree Skirts & Stockings. After doing the DVD for my book, Learn to Do Tunisian Lace Stitches, we both wanted to explore the possibility of online classes. It was great fun and, again, being able to teach people not only across the US United States but also across the world is a truly beautiful thing.

I’ve had several people comment that they love my teaching style. Not too quick and not too slow. I repeat things in several different ways. Everyone learns differently, and I have learned that by, wording something differently, it makes all the difference in the world when someone is learning a new skill. And, although I’m timid to say it, I guess my voice is soothing, and people find it easy to understand and listen.

People continually seek out my videos because I have so many videos on Tunisian crochet. I have more published designs in Tunisian crochet than any other single designer, and I have over four hours of free video instruction in both left- and right-handed orientations.

When people are crocheting from one of my patterns, they know the video will be accurate.

Q) You have both free and paid patterns. As a designer and business person, how do you feel that having both available helps/ or hurts you as a business person? What wisdom or advice can you give new designers or designers who are not so successful with pattern sales despite the fact that they feel they have tried everything?

A) I find that social media works very well for me. I feel like I am forever online, promoting, promoting, promoting. These days, social media is absolutely crucial for any business to succeed.

I make it a point to help people with their crochet problems. I’ve been helping people online for 16 years. And, it’s not just my patterns. It’s any pattern. Help people! I help people with anything from working out pattern instructions, to demonstrating how to do stitches, to where to find patterns. It doesn’t matter if your work never comes up in the conversation. In other words, don’t just use social media to help yourself. Use it to help others and you will see significant results.

stitch from a video that called a different stitch the Knit Stitch, for example.

When learning to write patterns, I suggest that designers/pattern writers study the patterns they already love. Try to mimic a writing style that is well- liked. After a designer has something published, always study the tech-edited version against their original. See where changes were made and, most importantly, determine why they were made. Becoming a good pattern writer will force a designer to the top of any list when publishers are looking for designers.

I see too many Twitter feeds of people promoting their products and... that’s it! Get out there. Q) What software do you recommend, and do you Network. Help people! have any favorite tools of the trade (i.e. brand/size crochet hook, favorite yarns to work itwith, etc.)?

Q) As a technical writer, what is your biggest pet peeve about some patterns out there today? A) I am a software junky. I always have been. Here is What can designers do to improve their pattern what I typically use: writing skills?

Microsoft Word for almost all word processing A) I don’t do much technical editing, and I don’t Microsoft Power Point for my independent pattern laysee a lot of draft patterns. So, a pet peeve? That’s outs hard to say definitively.

Microsoft Excel to grade (size) garments Stitch Works Software for stitch charts I suppose the only pet peeve I have is Tunisian Microsoft Paint to draw schematics and stitch diagrams crochet patterns and uniformity. I’m working on Corel Paint Shop Pro to edit photos and other images it and went very far by writing my stitch dictio- Corel Video Pro to edit videos nary for Tunisian crochet. But, we still have so far to go. There is a lot of misinformation, especially My favorite hooks are Clover Aluminum. These aren’t online, about different Tunisian crochet stitches the Soft Touch hooks. They are plain aluminum. They’re and their names. It gets very confusing when very much like Tulip hooks. someone is trying to do a pattern in Tunisian Knit Stitch when they’ve learned how to do the For Tunisian crochet, I will typically use my Denise In-

terchangeables because they are so handy, in their own little case, and I have instant access to any size hook I need. I am, however, having a mad love affair with the KnitPro Spectra line because, well, because they’re purple. They come in both double-ended hooks and interchangeables. I don’t have a complete set of either but, they will be mine. Oh, yes, they will be mine.

Q) We notice many more designers starting to have dress forms. Do you recommend it and why/ or why not? Some people are saying that having some sort of mannequin available helps them visualize the design and measure their sizes.

Q) As an author, which of your books, designs, teachings was your favorite?

A) Really? I have to pick a favorite? I guess it will have to be the Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide. I put my heart and soul into that one. Books with project instructions will come and go, but stitch dictionaries live on forever.

I developed almost all of the stitch patterns for the book myself. Most of them have never been seen before because they came straight out of my head. I’ve done stitch patterns for things previously unheard of in Tunisian crochet like pineapples. Although I had to include the basic, typical stitch combinations. , [as well], I love that the book really and truly is all mine.

Q) Tunisian crochet, which many people know A) For several years, my daughter was my mod- you from, is best done when the crocheter is el. She is a perfect size 4, and I learned so much _______________________ (fill in the blank) and explain having a live body to try on the skinny mini gar- why). ments that are required for publication. She’s grown and moved out of the house now, but A) Stitching loosely. With Tunisian crochet, especially I still prefer to “bond” with a garment on a when you’re learning, it’s all about tension. Many peomannequin of some kind. I have three French ple will give up because they’re their first attempt will mannequins. One has a stand. The other two I curl. But, that is easily fixed with different stitches or a can place on a table. I have a dress form which looser tension.

I use when a publisher requests a size medium.

And, I have a full-size store mannequin named I have a popular blog post about it here: http://kimguzKara. I also have two awesome vintage-look- man.com/blog/tunisian-crochet-stop-the-curling/ ing head forms for modeling hats. Some people are freaked out by them, but I positively Q) Why do you think you took to Tunisian crochet so love them! One is named Georgette and one well? We love it! is Vivian. (Why, yes, I name my mannequins.

Doesn’t everyone?)

A) I was asked to try out a new brand of hook for dou-

ble-ended Tunisian about 16 year’s years ago.

I had to learn to use it first. When I produced my designs, it turned out that I liked regular Tunisian crochet better and pursued it in depth.

But, I felt very limited for awhile. It was because I hadn’t yet mastered the technique enough to think outside the box.

About a year later, I taught myself to knit. After teaching myself to knit, I went back to the Tunisian crochet and realized that I could apply everything I had learned in knitting to Tunisian crochet and then the world was my oyster!

It felts like a dream, and I’ve recently finished some projects with the elusive stretchy ribbing in Tunisian crochet. Oh, yes, even stretchy ribbing!

I’ve made cabled projects in one-third the time it takes to do them in hand-knit, looking so much like hand-knit that people will argue over it. And, I’ve done drop stitches that look like hand-knit drop stitches.

I hear knitters so often wanting to learn to crochet and I hear crocheters so often wanting to learn to knit. You’ve got it all with Tunisian crochet, all conveniently packaged in one hook.

Q) Speaking of Tunisian, do you feel that it’s a Did I mention that I love Tunisian crochet? ;-) great thing to learn for crocheters who want to crochet lace but maybe do not want to use Resume thread for crocheting? What about knitters who do not like so much the look of crochet Book Titles but loves the fact that Tunisian can often look Learn Drop Stitch Crochet by Kim Guzman, published by like knitted stitches?

Annie’s Tunisian Crochet Stitch Guide by Kim Guzman, published by A) Tunisian crochet is great for everyone. And, Leisure Arts I do mean everyone. Even someone who A Dozen & One Tunisian Dishcloths by Kim Guzman, pubdoesn’t know how to knit and crochet. It’s lished by Annie’s great for kids and adults. The repetition of doLearn Tunisian Crochet by Kim Guzman, published by Leiing each step of the stitch separately makes it sure Arts easier to learn than crochet.

Short Row Tunisian Fashion by Kim Guzman, published by Leisure Arts It is the best medium I’ve found for well, anyUltimate Beginner’s Guide to Tunisian Crochet by Kim Guzthing. With Tunisian crochet, I can easily make man, published by Leisure Arts something that looks like knit, crochet, macTunisian Cables to Crochet by Kim Guzman, published by ramemacramé, hairpin lace, broomstick lace, Annie’s even weaving, all in the same project, if I wantLearn to Do Tunisian Lace Stitches by Kim Guzman, pubed, and with the same tool. lished by Annie’s

Reversible Ripple Afghans by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Tunisian Baby Blankets by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Tunisian Around the Home by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Tunisian Baby Afghans by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Tunisian Sampler Afghan by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Afghan Variegations by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Afghan Stitch Afghans by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Thread Tree Skirts & Stockings by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Book Listing Online: http://www.kimguzman.com/books.html Magazine Contributions Crochet!

Crochet 1-2-3 Interweave Crochet Crochet World Quick & Easy Crochet Knit Simple Annie’s Favorite Crochet Crafts ‘n Things Crochet with Heart Creative Knitting Crochet Fantasy Yarn Company Contributions Red Heart Caron

Naturally Caron Online Classes Learn to Tunisian Crochet Class by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s Learn Cables & Lace Class by Kim Guzman, published by Annie’s 2014 Events Yellow Rose Fiber Producers Fiesta, Seguin, Texas Knit & Crochet Show, Manchester, New Hampshire Links Portfolio: KimGuzman.com Free Patterns: CrochetKim.com Indie Sales: KimaneDesigns.net Blog: KimGuzman.com/blog/ Daily Dose of Crochet Beauty: http://www.makeitcrochet. com Ravelry ID: http://www.ravelry.com/people/crochetkim Ravelry Group: http://www.ravelry.com/groups/crochetkim Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Crochet.Kim.Guzman Twitter: http://twitter.com/crochetkim Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/kimguzman YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/user/crochetkim Google+: https://plus.google. com/u/0/113722711306850734791/

product reviews Interchangeable Crochet Hooks

by: Keturah Ariel

Denise Interchangeble Set

Having never owned an interchangeable crochet Denise offered their sets in a vast assortment of hook set before, I found it quite interesting when combinations. When I say combinations, I really I found two top name brands who offered them. mean combinations. Both the crochet hooks and knitting needles use the same cords.

As most of you are familiar with interchangeable knitting needles, a set often comes with different The company is known for its airplane friendly size needles and a few cords to switch out for hooks and knitting needles. I must say however projects. The whole concept of owning a set like that I was never really interested in buying a set bethis is so that the user does not have to always cause I never wanted plastic needles. In contrast take stitches off and place them on a stitch holder to this, I had a recent trip that made me rethink when changing sizes or if they need the needles my mindset when I was scared to take my prefor a different project. cious knitting and crochet sets on the plane. I had to either buy a cheap crochet hook to use while Another advantage of having an interchangeable in flight or risk my entire stash being seized if they set is the cost of saving from having to buy nee- didn’t let my bag on…. dles in various different sizes- which can be very expensive in the end. So when I saw the oppor- The Experience online tunity to test drive a few of these interchangeable crochet hooks- I said, “Hey why not. This is a When you first go to Denise’s website, you will get great concept with knitting needles, why not cro- many options for sets. I was truly amazed because chet hooks too?” most companies only offer a few sets- and even then- you can not buy the hooks or needles separate. What I liked about Denise was that you can buy the Original set, individual hooks, cables, accessories and even cases.

I also liked that each product had a very clear and precise description with measurements. This is helpful for new crocheters or people who never used the product to really understand what it is that they are buying.

Packaging and details The details within the package gives you clear instructions on how to connect the tips to the cable as well as how to use the end buttons and extender. It then details a brief thank you for purchase, explains where your money goes to and tells you

to visit the website for free patterns, video tutorials and more. Mine even had a handy foldable business card that gives you all of their products in a brief view in case you wanted to make more purchases. It was quite clever.

Connecting the hook with cable At first, I had difficulty connecting the tips to the cable. Maybe it was just me - but it was hard.

These do not twist and lock with a key as most interchangeable sets do, they twist once and then sort of just lock in place. The problem with me was that as I twisted it, it sometimes seemed to twist to hard and miss the locking piece. I thought that I was breaking it, so I stopped and then tried again slowly. Finally I got it to lock, but I just had to be sure that it was locked so I unlocked it and twisted again. This time, because I practiced before- it worked.

So I suggest everyone to just be patient at first if you run into problems trying to connect. I will say this, the bigger the hook size, the harder it was for me to lock it in place because the bigger hooks seemed to slide in my hand more as it is plastic and it was a little slippery.

Once locked and ready to use, Denise hooks are great. One end has the hook and the other end has the cap to stop the stitches from slipping off.

Or if you like to do double ended crochet, you can put a different hook on each end.

Crocheting with Denise hooks Crocheting with the shorter cables are easy. It was the longer cables that gave me a slight problem with doing Tunisian crochet. Because the tips are plastic and the cable are thick, it was hard to twist my wrist to do Tunisian on the larger hooks.

The smaller size hooks were fine. However, I do see this as a problem for me in the long run because I have carpel tunnel and my signature crochet style is with multi yarns on large hooks. I had to place a pillow under my hand while crocheting with the longer cable, which did take away some of the pain, but I also think that because it is plas-

tic, that affected my speed and the way the hook sat in my hand.

With the metal and/or ergonomic handle hooks, I have better control of my work and it doesn’t seem as sloppy. This is the same thing other people have said about acrylic knitting needles- that they just don’t “feel right” in their hands compared to metal or wood. I was experiencing this with the plastic feel on the larger hook.

However, on the more normal size Denise hooks, I had no problem with regular crochet or Tunisian.

Each of Denise’s hooks have indents on them for your hand. As the hook gets larger, that indent seems to be larger and in the way. I wish that the hooks where more of an all balanced straight hook without those indents. But I notice that you need them to connect the tips with the cords or your hands will slip when trying to connect and twist.

In conclusion, I loved shopping experience online, I love the choices in color of the individual cords and the sizes are great. I like the sets in general- although a little plain looking for the original sets, you can also get the tips and cords in different color combos when purchasing some of the Denise2go sets and the special sets that where for Breast cancer awareness and Heart awareness.

The usage is great for traveling on the airplane and overall is a great crochet set. However, I did not like the larger sizes that well. I think that if any improvements could be done, it would be to have more color to the tips and to slightly improve the cords by making them a little bit thinner. I am not a fan of the wide cords, although they are made well and will not break or bend.

I give Denise an 7.5 out of 10 and recommend anyone to buy the set, especially if you do a lot of Tunisian crochet projects or travel a lot. If you would like to just try the set out, purchase one or two hooks and a cable individually. Denise gets an A+ for its various combos that you can buy.

Packaging and Shipment My order came super fast, faster than my Denise set did. It was here within a few days of ordering. I was very pleased about that. But that was more on behalf of Webs.com than it was a reflection of the product.

Nothing was special about the package and unlike Denise’s package which was specially made, this arrived in a boring and dull brown box. The hooks where inside of a plastic case which was not that special at all.

Crocheting with the Knitter’s Pride hooks

Knitter’s Pride Interchangeble Bamboo Crochet hook set I was also able to test out Knitter’s Pride crochet hook set in bamboo. These are a beauty. The hooks are a light bamboo color with gold plated ends that also attaches to the Knitter’s Pride knitting set. This means that you can use the same cords for both sets just like the Denise set.

Crocheting with these hooks was so fun! They are very well made and are so beautiful. I love that they fit the rest of my Knitter’s Pride cables and they feel warm to the touch. They do twist and lock with a key Since I have Carpel Tunnel, sometimes the coldness of my needles and hooks can send painful feelings into my wrist. These do not. They seem to snag a bit on wool and yarn that are made from animal fibers but work great on all other kinds of yarn. I think that because the hooks are wood and are not greased well with lubricate, this is why it does snag.

I would improve this by dipping the hooks in some kind of lubricate to seal the wood like some crochet hook makers do when they make hooks themselves.

I really love these hooks but hate that most of my yarn at the time of testing was wool or some type of wool blend. On a scale from 1 to 10, I would give Knitter’s Pride Bamboo interchangeble crochet hooks an 8 out of 10. I love the shaft and the throat on these Experience online hooks. It does fairly well on most yarns except those Disappointment sets in with you realize that you wool based ones and really are a beauty to look at. can not purchase this brand online from the company’s website. You have to purchase in a local The pros outweight the cons on this one. I just really yarn store or find the items online. I got my set wish that you could buy them online from the dealer from Webs Yarn. I have also seen people sell this instead of searching high and low for them locally or product on Amazon, Etsy and Ebay. So the online online. That was a great disappointment. experience can be frustrating if you wanted to just go to the website and buy. In this department I gave Knitter’s Pride a big fat “F” for online availability. Actually at the time I bought my set from Webs Yarn, the Knitter’s Pride website was experiencing a makeover and was not even functioning properly.

Knitter’s Pride is known for their colorful interchangeable knitting set and great quality of cords.

I also own 2 different sets of Knitter’s Pride needles in both wood and metal and love the quality of them. So happily I tested out the bamboo crochet set.

This book guides the reader towards each helpful entry by using colored coordinated sections, which makes it easy to find information.

The typeset is great for the eyes and the words are clear to understand. Photos are nice and pretty and illustrations are clear and precise.

I really loved how the book seems to be easy to understand for a new crocheter. I have other crochet resource books and love them. This book will be added to this collection but has already gotten more use out of it than my other books.

For novice crocheters or the well seasoned vet, this book is a great reference point for everyone and we are glad to recommend it to our viewers and readers!

You can find Calamity-Free Crochet by Catherine Hirst on Amazon! Pick up a copy today.

Calamity-Free Crochet:

Troubleshooting Tips and Advice for the Savvy Needlecrafter I had the pleasure of reviewing this resource book by Catherine Hirst- so much so that I asked to interview her. This book is my top pick for the Spring. The book is small and fits in your bag or purse.

Calamity-Free Crochet is a reference guide to the crochet process. It shows you how to fix problems and to avoid them. It has has tons of information and advice on tools, materials, yarn and other tips and techniques such as what to do if your tension is tight or how to substitute yarns. This book answers questions that you didnâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t know you needed to ask and lays out the best practice methods for each stage of the crochet process.

The graphics are fun and very colorful and the pages are a great feel. They are not plan paper pages that easily rips. The pages are a high grade photo paper and the book is well put together. Flexi binding allows the book to stay open as you work while advice is neatly organized in an easy-to-navigate way.

product review

by: Turquioz Blue

Book Review: Modern Baby Crochet by Stacey Trock “Modern Baby Crochet” by Stacey Trock is a collection of crochet patterns for home décor and playthings for babies. She believes that “modern babies aren’t stuck in a pastel world,” and her only rule is that modern baby décor must be adorable.

Trock is a crochet instructor who designs for FreshStitches Amigurumi. In addition to writing, she teaches at events such as Stitches and online at Craftsy. You can find her on her website and blog at www.freshstitches.com.

Trock begins the book with a “Getting Started” section that discusses yarn selection gauge and choosing hooks and supplies. Then she breaks down the “Anatomy of a Stitch” and explains how to work front, back, or both loops of a stitch and how to crochet post stitches. In the “Crochet Stitches” section, Trock has provided easy-to-follow diagrams with arrows that show the path the hook takes when forming a stitch and diagrams for all stitches used in the patterns. She ends this section with “Additional Techniques,” which explain changing colors, working in the round, and surface crochet.

The patterns section of “Modern Baby Crochet” is in three sections, each with a different theme. The first section is “Bold and Bright,” and it showcases designs that are vibrantly colored and feature fun shapes. The projects are: Mondrian-Inspired Afghan, Primary Planet Mobile, Zabby the Giggle Monster, Funky Argyle Pillow & Afghan, Rainbow Granny Squares Afghan, Colorful Wiggle Pillow, and Rainbow Bunting.

The second section is “Pretty in Pastels,” for the modern babies who love a softer palette. The projects in this section are: Pastel Petals Afghan, Oakley the Owl, Fun on the Tummy Mat, Crinkly Triangle Toy, Bubble Ring Rattle, and Asymmetrical Circles Blanket.

The third section is “Naturally Neutral.” These cozy designs are made with earthy colored yarns. The projects for this section are: Waves of White Afghan, Sea Urchin Pouf,

Teddy Bear Bookends Monochromatic Spiral Rug, Buzzy Bee Mobile, Asymmetrical Basket-Weave Blanket, and Sweet Tweeter.

Trock closes “Modern Baby Crochet” with “Finishing and Care” instructions about blocking and washing, along with “Useful Information” on yarn weights, skill levels, and conversion.

There are several projects from this book that I want to make. This will definitely be a go-to resource for me when I have baby items to make. Even though the book is themed as baby crochet, there are several patterns that can be adapted for all ages by simply changing the colors, such as the Funky Argyle Afghan and Pillow, Colorful Wiggle Pillow, and Asymmetrical Basket-Weave Blanket. I chose to make the Colorful Wiggle Pillow because I had never tried Wiggly Crochet before. The pillow was fun to make, and it works in home because I used more “mature” colors. This book is great for “babies” of all ages.

Catherine Hirst:

Author of Calamity-Free Crochet Q) How long have you been in the crochet/crafting industry? What got you started, how did you learn, and what formal or informal training do you have?

A) My grandmother taught me to knit and crochet when I was seven, and I’ve been hand-making garments, accessories, home goods, and gifts ever since. I’ve been teaching knitting, crochet, and embroidery for well over a decade now. I have a teaching certificate, and I studied history of art at university, which definitely inspired me in designing and making.

Q) What made you write Calamity-Free Crochet?

A) After my years of teaching experience, I have amassed a lot of tips and tricks that have been proven to be helpful to new crocheters. I wanted to share those troubleshooting tricks with readers who may have run into problems trying to teach themselves to crochet, but didn’t know why or how to fix them.

Q) What makes this book different from the many other how-to crochet books that are out there?

A) It’s written by a crochet teacher, which means I know all the trouble spots when first learning (or building up your skills), and I know how to explain to new crocheters how to avoid them.

Q) Why would/should people purchase your book? What can people gain from reading it?

A) Having the book in front of you is basically like having a personal crochet tutor sitting next to you. And it’s not just for beginners; I’ve had some very kind feedback from veteran crocheters who said they found Calamity-Free Crochet helpful in consolidating their knowledge and gaining additional skills.

Q) What advice would you give a newbie who has just come into crocheting?

A) Practice every single day! Even for just half an hour. You are trying to teach your hands how to do something new, which means muscle memory, which can only be attained through repetition. Also, learn the proper way to hold the hook and yarn, and make sure you are holding them correctly every time you crochet. Don’t get into bad habits and you won’t have to break them later!

Q) Do you have any other achievements, books published, patterns, awards, etc. that you have received in the crafting world.

A) I am the author of Teeny Tiny Crochet and Granny Square Crochet (both CICO/Ryland Peters and Small), the technical advisor for Crochet Step By Step (DK/Penguin), the co-author of Knitted Letters (Quarto/ Chronicle), and finally the author of CalamityFree Crochet for Rotovision/Searchpress/Harper Collins.

Please list any websites, social networks, or stores online where people can find you and your book.

My website is www.catherinehirst.com. I have now closed my crafts teaching business, but I am excited to announce that I have just released my first app, How To Knit with Catherine Hirst, with my digital publishing partners, 450 Degrees Publishing. It is available as a free download for the iPad in the App Store here: http://appstore.com/howtoknit . Digital publishing is the future of educational publishing in that you can provide an interactive experience, with text, photo tutorials, and video tutorials all in one place, offline, and with much more content than you could ever include in a print publication. We are hard at work on a crochet follow-up and more information about both can be found on my website.

finer fabrics with

KRISTIN OMDAHL We all love the complicated look of crochet lace... right? Well Kristin Omdahl is in her own right, one of the top lace designers within our industry. She has been featured on many shows and classes and watching her teach is fun. We had the honor of interviewing her on why she loves to crochet with fine yarns. Enjoy her interview!

Q) How did you learn to crochet, and how did you get started as a designer?

A) I taught myself to knit and crochet while pregnant with my (almost 12 year old) son while living overseas. When we came back to the US when he was a toddler, I submitted my designs to magazines and got accepted right away.

Q) Your instructional DVDs explore inventive ways to create crochet designs. What is your favorite crochet technique, and what is the most-requested technique that you are requested to teach?

A) I am mostly requested to teach seamless motifs, jewelry and tunisian. I am happy teaching anything I know because it makes me happy to share what I love with others.

A) Scarves are a great introduction to lace as they are smaller and have quicker gratification. Learning how to Q) Can you tell us about your crochet work with block is very important for lacework, as the negative finer weight yarns? space blossoms when the fabric stretches out.

A) I believe finer fabric makes more figure flattering garments. Period. So I think it is crucial to Q) I enjoy the food and fitness photos that you share make fabrics and garments that will be fun to on Instagram. It’s always fun to see other things that make but almost more importantly, look good designers love to do. Do you have any tips for time when wearing. management? How do you balance designing and the rest of your time?

Q) Many crocheters are hesitant to explore crocheting with lace-weight yarns. What types of A) Multi-tasking! It isn’t easy - I’m not going to lie and projects do you recommend to introduce crosay it is easy. But writing lists and being diligent about cheters to crocheting with finer yarn weights?

checking things off and re-listing really makes my life run smoother. When I get off track with my lists, I Q) What is your favorite part of being a designer (designing, teaching, writing, etc.)? usually get out of control.

Q) Do you have any advice for aspiring crochet de- A) I love sharing my enthusiasm and love for what signers who want to expand their crochet businesses I do with others and spreading the knowledge and joy. I love my flexible hours - as a single mom into areas beyond pattern design? that is a huge blessing. I love all the math (yes I’m A) Networking, social media... but as the business a geeky math loving girl at heart). And, I love dechanges it is really important to have an open mind, signing beautiful clothing. pay attention and follow your gut/intuition.

Q) Lastly, what can we look forward to seeing Q) What are your favorite design tools? Do you also from the Kristin brand? Do you have any new projects that you can share? have any favorite yarns?

A) I have lots of great tools, as I’m sure everyone else does. A good dressform is important, ample blocking board space and pins, crochet hooks and knitting needles that work for YOU (I use Susan Bates Silvalume crochet hooks, Tulip Interchangeable tunisian hooks and Lantern Moon Destiny Rosewood circular knitting needles. Favorite yarns? Well, thats a tough one. I think there is a project for every yarn and a yarn for every project. I’m not a snob about acrylic or Big Box yarns but I also love exotic natural fibers too. Long self-striping yarns make my heart sing. And I’m a sucker for laceweight in high yardage (so seamless project can be HUGE without lots of ends to weave in)!!!

A) I have a new crochet book coming Spring 2015 that I’m really excited about. And I have a few other tricks up my sleeve. Check out my blog, YouTube channel or Facebook page for updates! www.styledbykristin.com https://www.youtube.com/user/KristinOmdahl https://www.facebook.com/pages/Styled-ByKristin/193457893769?ref=br_rs https://www.facebook.com/kristin.omdahl

wear crochet

spring PATTERN

Tunisian Crochet Maura Rolled Brim Hat designed by Kim Guzman © Mar. 2014 Email to kim@crochetkim.com Please read my Terms of Use Finished Size 24” at base, when measured flat, will have a slightly less inner circumference once seamed Materials Noro Cyochin (86% wool/7% mohair/7% silk, aran weight, 189 yards per 100 grams): approx. 260 yards or 2 hanks, shown in colorway #01 Suggested hook sizes: 5.5mm [US I-9] 14” Tunisian Afghan Hook (or size to match gauge) and 5.5mm [US I-9] regular crochet hook Round shank button, desired size, desired color (optional)

Yarn needle Deborah Norville Interchangeable Tunisian Hooks Available at Annie’s

Gauge With Tunisian hook in tks, 14 sts for 16 rows equals 4” (Project is worked at a tight tension.)

Special Stitches Tunisian knit stitch (tks): Insert hook between front and back vertical bars coming out at back of work, yo, pull lp through.

Tunisian knit stitch 2 together (tks2tog): Insert hook between front and back vertical bars of two stitches together, coming out at back of work, yo, pull lp through (1 stitch decrease).

Video Tutorials Please see my YouTube channel for both right- and left-handed versions of the Tunisian crochet stitches in this project: Right-Handed Playlist Left-Handed Playlist Note Unless instructed otherwise, close all rows as follows: Ch 1, [yo, draw through 2 lps] across (1 lp rem on hook counts as first lp of next row here and throughout).

Additional Abbreviations ch=chain; dc=double crochet; hdc=half double crochet; lp(s)=loop(s); rnd=round; sc=single crochet; sk=skip; sl=slip; st=stitch; yo=yarn over Hat Hat is worked flat, then seamed once completed.

Row 1: With Tunisian afghan hook, ch 85, insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pull up lp, [insert hook in next ch, yo, pull up lp] across to end—85 lps on hook, close normally (see Note).

Row 2: Sk first vertical bar, tks across—85 lps on hook, close normally. Rows 3-23:Rep row 2.

Row 24: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 12 tks] across to end—79 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 25: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 11 tks] across to end—73 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 26: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 10 tks] across to end—67 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 27: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 9 tks] across to end—61 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 28: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 8 tks] across to end—66 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 29: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 7 tks] across to end—49 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 30: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 6 tks] across to end—37 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 31: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 5 tks] across to end—31 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 32: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 4 tks] across to end—25 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 33: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 3 tks] across to end—19 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 34: Sk first vertical bar, [tks2tog, 2 tks] across to end—13 lps on hook, close normally.

Row 35: Sk first vertical bar, tks2tog across to end—7 lps on hook, yo, pull through all 7 lps simultaneously, fasten off. With yarn needle, seam hat, matching row-to-row. Weave in ends.

Flower Rnd 1: With regular crochet hook, ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first sc.

Rnd 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each sc around, sl st to first sc—12 sc.

Rnd 3: Ch 1, sc in first sc, [2 sc in next sc, sc in next sc] to last sc, 2 sc in last sc, sl st to first sc—18 sc.

Rnd 4: *Ch 7, sk ch, sl st in next ch, sc in next ch, hdc in each of next 2 ch, dc in each of next 2 ch, sk sc from rnd 3, sl st in next sc, rep from * 7 times more, except on final repeat, sl st in first sl st, fasten off.

Assembly Attach optional button to center of Flower, with yarn needle, attach Flower to Hat as shown in photo.

Weave in all ends securely.

business FOCUS Crocheting for Profit In a recent poll we took- 40% of Crocheters believe that you SHOULD NOT make a profit from crocheting. They should be gifts of love or creativity.

60% of Crocheters believe that you SHOULD BE able to make a profit from creative works. Musicians and Doctors get paid, why canâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t we?

What do you say? We would love to hear from you. Post your responses on our blog and on our Facebook page!

AN OPEN LETTER TO YARN COMPANIES by: Sedruola Noel Maruska Taken from: http://yarnobsession.com/open-letter-yarn-companies/ This is an open letter to yarn companies because as a crocheter I feel a bit marginalized because of the talent I love. I hope that changes soon. Dear Yarn Companies, I’m not just talking to the companies that sell at big box stores like Michael’s or Joanne but I’m talking to the higher end companies that sell exclusively at local yarn shops. Why is it so hard to find decent crochet patterns that use your yarn? I’ve heard some say that representatives from yarn companies themselves have said that “crocheters are cheap and don’t buy good yarn.” but I can’t imagine that anyone representing a company that wants to sell something to those same “cheap” people would say something like that publicly.

I mean, after all, crocheters are a large part of the revenue that many yarn companies make.

Why would they alienate a whole segment in that way? I cannot speak for all crocheters, but I can speak for many that I’ve come across every day. I love yarn! The nicer the better. I will buy any yarn that happens to be in my budget if it’s beautiful to the eye and touch. I make it a point to visit my local yarn shop as often as I can to see what’s there and to be inspired to create from the yarns I purchase there. However, I always do feel a sense of sadness when I cannot find a crochet pattern which uses the yarns I’ve looked at, touched and fallen in love with. Does that keep me from buying the yarn?

No, I buy it anyway knowing I’ll find something to make with it because my yarn stash needs feeding and I want to feed it lovely yarn. My point in this letter to the yarn companies is this. Please take notice that crochet is growing in popularity, which means more people are looking for more projects to create with beautiful yarns. Don’t snub us because of your “stereotyped” thinking. There are some of you that I could choose to snub for the same reason. . . I don’t. If you have opportunities for crocheters to design with your yarns for compensation, make it known. I for one am ready willing and eager to work with amazing yarn to create amazing pieces that various level crocheters can get excited about. It’s always been my thought that if crocheters, knitters, weavers and all those who play with yarn got along and the yarn companies treated us all with the level of respect we should command because of our talent, all the yarn / textile crafts would be elevated to a higher level. Maybe my small voice is just that, but I for one plan on reaching out to you, I hope you’ll reach back. I look forward to creating with your yarns, I hope you’ll start marketing patterns that I love and can make with my hook. Because, after all, when it comes down to it, the nicer we play together, the better it is for everyone. Sincerely, A proud and happy hooker!

favorite bloggers: CROCHET ZOMBIE

My name is Laura, and I have been crocheting since I was about 6 or 7 years old, so about 24 years now. I started to learn to knit from my grandmother, and though I can do it, working with 2 needles was not for me. My mother started teaching me to crochet and I loved how fast it worked and that there was just a hook and yarn.

My mother started me out with a granny square, never really learned the actual stitch names until a little later. Once I was able to make a granny square my mom showed me how to join them by sewing them together and create a blanket. Once I hit high school, I stopped crocheting for a long time. It wasn’t until many years later when my I finished a course at the local college that I decided to pick up a hook and yarn again. After that, I decided I would try to learn more about crochet and started designing my own things and then teaching people from all over the world how to create beautiful crochet items, Zombie Style.

I uploaded my first video to YouTube about 3 years ago, it was a question to Bethintx1, about one of her videos on the Scrappy Afghan. Shortly after that, I found a group that shared their yarn creations and joined.

I was soon dubbed, The Crochet Zombie, as I have a sleeping disorder and when I can’t sleep, I crochet. From that moment on I was The Crochet Zombie, and I loved

it. Shortly after joining this online world, I started designing hats. Most of which have come from accidents and turned out beautiful. So I wanted to share my designs, so I began to offer my patterns for free on any website I could find that was free for members to find.

Then I began to teach my patterns through video tutorial on YouTube. Shortly after starting to teach and design I decided to branch out on my own and started sharing my creations on a weekly video called “Cast off Friday”, it wasn’t long before I had others asking if they could join my little cast off adventure. And thus, The Cast off Crew was born, and now we stand over 50 members strong from all around the world! We are a big family and love to chat and share our ideas with each other and our fans. Now, 3 years later, I have over 12,000 YouTube fans and almost 2,000 fans on Facebook. I never thought I would be where I am now, 3 years ago. I never imagined I would be able to be a teacher and help to change someone’s life, let alone change the lives of people all around the world. I feel blessed and love what I do.

I try to get at least one video online per week, and I generally try to blog at least once per week as well. Though as we all know, life sometimes gets in the way. I plan my weeks and months out as best I can around my life. I set aside certain times to film and edit and upload. Then I try to set aside times for designing, though a lot of the time a creation with come along out of the blue and no planning is made. Those designs usually come out wonderful. Then I have times set aside for emails, Facebook messages, and YouTube comments. Plus, other websites and social networks I use. If I am able to stick to my planned days, I will spend about 10-11 hours a day with work. If I am not able to stay on the plan, whether due to life or a design that comes to me in my sleep, then I can spend anywhere from 12-16 hours working each day.

I find my inspiration in all things around me.

For those who know me, my husband Mat, my mom Dianne, and all my pets are my truest form of inspiration. I draw so much energy and creativity from them that I don’t think I would be where I am without them. I also draw on the creativity and energy of my best friend Rohn, from Rohn Strong Designs. He has been my learning guru, he has always been there to give

me the push I needed to get through a tough design. Or to drill into my head how important certain things in crochet are. (Like Gauge lol). I also find a lot of inspiration in other creators and designers. I see the success they have and I say “I want to be where they are someday.” Crochet has always been viewed as a granny’s hobby, but it’s not. It’s about being creative, and pushing the limits of the traditional. It’s about showing the true you and what you have to offer the world.

I also can get inspiration from the yarn I have or the colors I love. Most people, if asked, would say my favorite colors are Pink and Green. It’s a weird combination, but I love it.

The brighter the better in my eyes. And I have quite the array of yarn. But I am a big lover of soft acrylic yarn and it is usually what I use for most of my designs and videos.

It is easy to work with, usually pretty good price wise and it washes well in a washing machine. Plus the colors are to die for ;) Places to find me: Website: www.thecrochetzombie.com YouTube: www.youtube.com/thecrochetzombie Twitter: CrochetZombie Facebook: www.facebook.com/TheCrochetZombie Ravelry: TheCrochetZombie The Yarn Box: The Crochet Zombie

Charity

by: Aldondia Secession Day to day, many of us walk past the homeless on the street even though we see them struggling. We watch as a teen gets kicked out of what should have been their home and now has nowhere to go. We talk behind a person’s back because they did something stupid with their money rather than feeding their kids or getting them clothes and sneakers.

It has to change one person at a time. I’m not saying send your whole paycheck to others. What I am saying is if you have the ability to crochet, knit, quilt, or sew, then use that talent to make hats, gloves, scarfs, blankets, etc. You can even check out the clearance rack when looking for materials. When people are in need, they aren’t going to be picky. Instead, they will be grateful someone actually acknowledged that their life matters. We don’t know why people are where they are at. And that should never matter.

There are many organizations and charities you can donate to in your community or even around the world. Churches, Boys and Girls clubs, schools, and more can and will benefit from the items.

During World WarI and II, the Red Cross found volunteers to knit items for US troops. Even today, people still band together to knit, crochet, and make care packages for the troops.

LET US CHALLENGE OURSELVES AND DONATE OR BRING SOMEONE JUST ONE ITEM

fabulous CHARITY CROCHET

Emily Kubin At the age of seven, Emily asked her mother, “Why is a man sleeping outside in the cold weather?” As her mother explained, Emily became sad and wanted to help. It wasn’t until she became a 17 year old junior in high school that she learned to crochet and made eight hats which she donated to people in need. She could never have imagined the impact it would have.

On December 27, 2011, she founded Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative. Her mother decided to go viral with Emily’s charity to get more volunteers to help with the cause. To their surprise, hats and other items came pouring in from everywhere.

Many people saw her work and wanted to set up a charity like this in their own communities, so Emily decided to have spinoffs instead of chapters. With a spinoff, each charity has its own mission statement and rules, while Emily and other spinoff leaders help and give each other support.

They had more than enough things to distribute, so they decided to branch out. They donated hats and other items to: • Outreach organizations • Churches • Tent City (New Jersey) • Homeless LGBT teens and young adults • New Jersey’s Period of Purple Crying • Superstorm Sandy victims • Many other places

Emily set out with only one goal in her mind, “Changing the world, one hat at a time!”

Who would have ever thought eight hats would turn into thousands of hats? Since 2011 Emily has received various awards including the 2013 Phenomenal Woman Award and letters from the governer of New Jersey and a United States congressman.

Now 19, she attends Drew University and has started a group in which she and other students make hats, and the students take some of them to their hometowns during holiday breaks.

Emily wants to have a spinoff in each state and country and you can help. See the link below: https://w w w.facebook.com/notes/emilys-hats-for-hopeinitiative/places-we-still-need-spin-offs-please-volunteer-/299479200173108 You can send winter hats, scarves, gloves, mittens, yarn (NO ANGORA PLEASE), blankets, and afghans to the spinoff closest to you. A list of spinoff mailing addresses can be found at https://www.facebook.com/notes/ emilys-hats-for-hope-initiative/global-spinoffs-of-emilys-hats-for-hope-initiative/315714565216238 DONATION GUIDELINES Please review the following before making and sending your donations to Emily’s Hats for Hope Initiative: “We would prefer that you use washable yarn when making items to donate to us. We would also like to ask that you please finish off the ends of all the hats, afghans, scarves, etc. by tying or weaving in all of the ends so that they cannot be seen.

“If you are using a loom to make hats please be sure to ALWAYS double strand the yarn so that it is not too thin. If you are using chunky yarn then you probably do not need to double strand. Please also add a brim to the loomed hat to keep the recipient’s forehead warm.

“Baby hats must fit an average size newborn or larger. Often we receive hats that are just too small. It is very important that you do NOT attach anything to hats for babies or children that could become a choking hazard such as buttons, bows, beads, snaps or anything that is not permanently secured. We want to make sure that the hats we send out are safe for small children and babies. Also, all hats must have secure knots tied where the hat changes color and where the hat ends. If you live in a home with a smoker or with pets, we do suggest that you please wash the items prior to mailing them.

“Child, teen, and adult size hats need to be warm. Many of our recipients are homeless and live in cold regions of the country where there is snow and freezing rain. If you can easily stick a pencil or your pinky between the stitches, the hat isn’t going to keep someone warm in the cold winter months.

“Scarves must be at least 4” wide and 48” long. Please do not use eyelash or feathery yarn. Warmth should always win out over fashion.

“Please make sure mittens and slippers are warm and please tie the pairs together so they do not get separated during transport.”

HATS FOR THE HOMELESS Every holiday season a young man named John would collect handmade and store brought items to help warm the homeless in New York City.

When he suddenly passed away in 1998, his mother refused to let his hard work go with him. She started HATS 4 THE HOMELESS in his memory.

Since then, family and friends have collected and donated all the warm items they receive from kind people all over the country to local churches, soup kitchens, veterans hospitals, and shelters throughout New York and New Jeersey.

Over the years the number of homeless keeps increasing, but the generosity of others also keeps growing.

The smiles and thank youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s from the homeless are more than enough to keep Hats up and running and always looking for more places to distribute their collected warm gifts.

If you would like to donate all they ask is that items be handmade or new and not wrapped.

Send all items to: Hats for the Homeless 905 Main Street Hackensack, NJ 07601 You can also email: info@hats4thehomeless.org

coming soon!