Mike y Aug 25th, 2015
In This Newsletter
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simply WOW scarf patterns
+20 free patterns
You make me smile
Hawt off the Hook with Mikey
The Global Crocheter
Crocheters over the years, especially within my generation, we have seen changes to how crochet and related products has opened up our eyes to see what we have been missing. In the past, we had been using patterns books and friends we had contact with to keep up with ideas and stitch techniques The Internet has flipped our hobby upside down.
Croof that say to others, “I first before I give it up!”
Who knew so many generous people would write 1000’s of free patterns and post them online for anyone to use? It was like the heavens opened up for me in 2008 when I had lost my pattern book and realized that the patterns and stitches were readily available online. I loved the idea of sharing our knowledge, which prompted me to start The chet Crowd. I wanted to be part generation where the hand isn’t out to have something to learn but you have to pay me
What’s in this issue 3
Diva Dan’s First Scarf
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Multi Coloured Scarf
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Faux Rib Scarf
6 Stitch-cation Showcase and Updates 8
Creativ Festival Classes
10
Crochet Cruises
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Snowflake Blizzard
12 *NEW* Shopper’s Free Shipping Card
The Internet has opened our eyes to tools, patterns and yarns we would have never heard of before. Think about it, merely 10 - 15 years ago, unless 9 Patterns to Explore your local craft based store would have it on the shelf, you might not have 13 known what you are missing. You might have subscribed to magazines to know there was far more. For me, I am the regular craft store shopper that heavily relied on what I find at the store to be my next inspiration. I didn’t realize how much is really out there. The store’s selection was my palette and I made choices, even if they weren’t a choice I really wanted, what other choices were there? I made due. Today, I think some of us are pretty spoiled and want things our own way. Don’t kid yourself, I would say I am spoiled too and want things that I see online. Who doesn’t… Right? While the Internet has broken away our borders between each other, when it comes to tangible items, we some-
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This week
times are restricted due to international trade laws that are much bigger than we are. We can cry fowl all we want but it doesn’t change the fact. Sometimes we just have to suck it butter cup and remember what has changed. Think of all the times we now have access to online shopping and so much more. We have come a long way. We have to be grateful for what we have access to now instead of worrying about and being upset about things that are beyond our Mikey’s Video Library control.
15 Spinrite E-tent SALE Cotton-tastic 16
Do you know about our Mystery fun?
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Facebook Shares. See if you are in our newsletter!
18 Final Notes from Diva Dan
While crochet and sharing our passion has become a global experience, sometimes, we have to sit back and appreciate the changes and be glad we can learn and share so much more. If you don’t have your dream yarn in your hands yet, maybe one day it will come. In the meantime, there’s still much more to discover. Enjoy the journey.
Yarn Talk
Here is what you could be missing from our blogs with ideas and opinions from Mikey. Links will go to our blogs
* How do you Choose Yarn? * Elegant Floral Granny * Small Christmas Fun Decor Ideas * Sun Catcher Afghan Pattern
Diva Dan’s first every pattern. The Arrow Cris Cross Scarf. It’s quick! Simple too! Check out the pattern and helpful videos with some new stitches such as the arrow and the cris cross
You can download our newsletters from our website anytime you wish. If you decide to print, the links will be not active. In any case, most of all the patterns can be found again through our Website TheCrochetCrowd.Com
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Multi-Coloured Scarf I
accidentally discovered an amazing scarf pattern that caught my interest. It appears to have mini stand-alone boxes in different colours. Initially, I pulled out the pattern to understand how the visual effect is making that happen.
G
ive it a stain glass look with variegated yarn. Simple and Easy!
Diva Dan’s Colour Choices
using Patons Classic Wool Orchid, Yellow, Vibrant Orange, Carmelia Rose, Navy, and Black
or
Sea breeze Ombre and White Winter for a wintery look
Frosted Glass Scarf Idea Incredible isn’t it! The variegated gives an appearance of frosted that is moving across the glass. The pattern is being broken up by the darker colour. It reminds me of a window pane.
or
Lotus and Deep Olive for a groovy look Both Right and Left version are available to watch. Picture shown in Patons Classic Wool Wisteria, Currant, Lemongrass, Aquarium, Water Chestnut and Mercury
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Pattern, videos, and blog click here
Faux Rib Scarf N
o it’s not knitted scarf! It’s actually a crochet Faux Rib Scarf. This scarf caught me by surprise.
B
ernat Bargello Yarn is unique due to how it’s made. The yarn resembles the final look as if you were to spool knit or cork. Due to this, it’s classified as a bulky gauge 6 yarn. I’ve even used this for hats and it has an elastic look and feel to it too! It’s pretty neat! It has great stretch and bounce back! Perfect for wristers, hats and scarves. Soft and flexible, it’s a very unique yarn to add to your library of neat projects to do. 11 colours to choose
Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over 50$ to make this scarf and more
Both Right and Left version are available to watch.
Pattern, videos, and blog click here
Colour Shown: Bargello Olive
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Summer Stitch-cation Summer is almost over for most of us here in the great north. Summer Snow has already hit Alberta, Canada last week! They are expect another terrible winter to come. Here at The Crochet Crowd we are sad to see it pass us by so quickly. As with the summer, so is Stitch-cation about to wrap up. Don’t be late. We have some exciting new plans for the fall and Christmas. So hopefully, everyone will love to participate with our newest adventures.
14 days left!
Deadline for this Stitch-cation is September 7th, 2015.
Border Jubilee Challenge! We are looking for the best border for our Stitch-cation Afghan! Create the ultimate border to go with this challenge. We will have Laura Jean Bartholomew, our Facebook seeker, to choose ten of the best borders of our Stitch-cation Afghans on September 8th from our gallery. One winner out of the ten will be chosen through our three panel judges, Mikey, Diva Dan and Cathy.
Winner will receive a wonderful gift package on from us here at The Crochet Crowd. Be Creative Not A Copy Cat: We ask that you write down your pattern, please do not copyright
any patterns, even those already in the flickr gallery.
Once the winner has been chosen, we will contact you to send a close up picture of the border and ask that you tell us how you did it. We do not expect the pattern to be perfectly written. As we all know, many are not able to write patterns and we understand that. Winner will also be acknowledged as the designer for the border in our final concept.
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Is almost Over... Enjoy the latest Fabulous Summer Stitch-cations Jennifer Maloney
If you have already finished your afghan and not done a border, you can go back and apply a new border to submit to us. If you have already done a border and we have a pic, you are already entered but if you want to replace your border with something more fancier, we will gladly accept a replacement entry. To Enter into our gallery and to check out what crocheters are doing with Stitch-cation. See the wonderful Kaleidoscope! It’s a Fractals of colour and an array of stunning prismatic displays! Be part of the fun and in the sun. Surprise yourself, it’s fast and a great way to explore your splashy creative side! Let’s turn our flickr page into a Psychedelic jazzy stitch-cation library! Just email to this address, *Please note this is a new address Stacey Lemay
crochetchallenges@thecrochetcrowd.com Cathy Jaeger
Click for More Info Flickr Gallery
Barbara Izzard Thynne Kelly Myers
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Upcoming Events creativfestival Workshops
The Crochet Crowd is doing 10 Workshops this Fall at Creativ Festival 2015. If you are going to be in Toronto October 15th - 17th, take part and have some fun. We have Mikey, Dela Wilkins (our Tunisian Expert), Kevin Price (our Amigurumi Guru) and Diva Dan (our MacramĂŠ Buff). A huge line up of courses, lots of yarn, gossip and sit back and enjoy!
Here is the update for Classes with the Crochet Crowd at Creativ Festival that are still available. Class 455c1.5 (5 seats left) Create a Tunisian Christmas Basket for all those candy goodies with Dela. Learn to do proper circles, short rows and linking. This can also be applied to make a hat. Double your learning experience! Great course! Class 456c1.5 (5 seats left) Learn the double ended crochet hook and make fashionable wristers. This is again with our Tunisian Expert Dela Wilkins. Using two colours and ribbing stitch technique. You will become a pro with her class! Plus you will love working with a double ended crochet hook! Class 457c1.5 (4 seats left) We all love novelty yarn but lets face it. It is tough to crochet with. Dela will be teaching you how to do a cowl that you will be drooling over with! Again the Double ended crochet hook saves the day. Class 458c1.5 (10 seats left) Always wanted a one on one and learn the basic to the Tunisian thought process! Dela will be getting you started on your first Tunisian Blanket! Great for first timers! Class 454c1.5 (4 seats left) Mikey will be teaching new techniques with broomsitch crochet. Do a scarf! and see where this technique can take you with ideas. Class452c1.5 (4 seats left) Bobbles, Fans and Shells! We are going to teach you how to make a unique and fancy afghan! Yes extend you stitch library with Mikey!
Workshops at Creativ Festival 9
Crochet Cruises Update * 6 seats left in Western Caribbean * 7 seats left in the Eastern Caribbean Cruises. * 4 seats left for Alaska! Once sold out, the next cruises are scheduled for 2017. Thanks to Yarnspirations.com for being our official Workshop Sponsor.
Stay tuned soon! The Crochet
Crowd Shore Excursions for the Caribbean will be announcing in the next few weeks. You can be part of our group while on shore and have some fun with us hookers of the high sea. We thank Sherry, our travel agent, for taking the time to start arranging these shore excursions for our group!
For the Crochet Cruisers joining us in March 6th and 13th, 2015. Here is our August newsletter. Its about getting your travel plans ready. Make sure you are prepared and looking around for the best possible deals. Don’t forget we have a dedicated hotel with corporate rates given to us, if you are interested in a hotel the night before or night after the cruise book soon. Those booked for Alaska, details will be a while yet, we still have over 350 days before all aboard! :(
Crochet Cruises, Here I Come! 10
Let the Blizzard Come Diva Dan is getting ready for Fall 2015 Creativ Festival in Toronto, Ontario. This year’s theme is a Winter Wonderland! Diva Dan is looking for crochet snowflakes! Lots of them! His plan to build a full size igloo to dazzle the 10’s of thousands that attend the show! We need your help and would love it if you have some spare time. We have decided that you can use whatever snowflake you like to make. BUT if you are stuck for ideas, Diva Dan has a list of snowflakes we have found for you. Create your own if you wish for a personal challenge. We love free formed too. A HUGE THANK YOU! We are also thrilled that Swarovski Crystals have donated some crystals for us to incorporate into the igloo. Imagine the light shining through them. A northern light display incorporated with your snowflakes? Please send to this address no later then September 30th, 2015. The Crochet Crowd 10 Mullen Drive, P.O. Box 473 Walkerton, Ontario Canada N0G 2V0
* If shipping these across the border to Canada, please use regular postal services and plan ahead to allow for delivery time. We will acknowledge receipt of each contributor as they come in.
The list of Snowflakes has been updated on Aug 25th, see if yours have arrived by clicking the below
CLICK for Ideas, Videos and More Information to Help
The start of the life size igloo. Yes, it gonna be big! It is 16 feet across and will be 9 feet high at the top of the dome. Plus, we hope for lots of snowflakes, I hope to add a fabulous top in addition! I thank everyone that so far has sent snowflakes. I will need lots more. Lots of Love! -Diva Dan
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Get Your Own Card Imagine free shipping anytime exclusively for members of The Crochet Crowd! Need an emergency order of yarn, get your code and keep it on file! Only at Yarnspirations.com. Does not include any sales from the Spinrite E-Tent.
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Ideas
Baby’s First Cardigan
Gathering Leaves Cardigan
Garden Lattice Jumper
Wonky Square Afghan
Not Your Granny Pillow
Gingham Hat
Yin Yang Double Cowl
Zig Zag Arm Warmers
Candy Coated Armwarmers
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Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials
*NEW* Infinity Rib Stitched Cowl
Tunisian Entrelac Rectangle
Shine Like Diamonds Shawl
Sashay Shawl
In Love with Colour Afghan
Baby Sweater
If love the teaching, the patterns and the down to earth nature of Mikey, then take the time to subscribe to the Crochet Crowd’s YouTube Channel. You will get updated with all the latest videos that could spark your next project!
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Cotton-tastic Savings... Peaches & Creme
August 25th to August 31st, 2015 Ends Monday Night at 11:59 (EST)
14 cotton-tastic colours...ONLY $4.00 per bag of 4
Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through
Spinrite’s E-Tent Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order!
Cherry Pie Hot Pad, Cotton is perfect for the kitchen
Make a bib and some booties that can be thrown in the wash and cleaned for another wear
Get all the cotton you need to make cute little projects like these Jam Toppers
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Bo
Happy Hooker
low F tton
MikeyÕ s The Crochet Crowd
P T ers F
Never Ending Granny Square
Diva Dan’s Happy Little Accidents
What could it be?
Each week we will give a clue, the pattern and video to leave you wondering what in the word could this be! It’s fun and has been brought back by huge demand. We are super excited. Even for us, We had no idea what it was until we finally put it all together! This is our 3rd Mystery Amigurumi Crochet Along. See what the last Mike the Monster and Giraffes that we did. We don’t tell you the colour as that’s part of the mystery.
Let’s Play this Mystery 16
Shares from Our Community
Great Job Josey! This was her first C2C afghan! Would you do a border she ask? It’s beautiful either way!
Paula had loads of fun at her local Fair. Congratulation with all the winning ribbons!
Maggie finished her Fluffy Meringue Afghan just in time. Love the little ribbon edge on this Afghan! This is Tammy’s version of her C2C afghan. The theme was to match her grandson’s cowboy room. Nicely Done!
Caren’s practice samples made into a very unique afghan. Fantastic way to use those sample squares!
Pamela did one of our crochet Giraffes. Isn’t it Cute! Now, don’t forget to share the name! Well Done1
First attempt at the Star Afghan, Karen did a shooting star job! Love the colours and the baby booties!
Bethany made 3 of the Floral Cami! Even her Friends get to enjoy her work! Awesome!
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Notes from Diva Dan Ever had one of those weeks where your partner is driving you bonkers! Well, this is one of them for me. Mikey can be cute but when I am working, his cuteness can sometimes get in the way! Lately, his allergies have been bothering him. His voice, eyes and nose all show signs of Niagara Falls drowning itself like itchy freshly shear sheep wool! Whining is not going to get you anywhere this week Honey! But he continues to be a pest for the week. I know for a fact, he is just driving me to the cliff for fun! So revenge has its pleasures! My highly intelligent brain (so not true) knows what his allergies are caused by and knows exactly what it looks like! Secretly.... I wanted him to take his allergy medication because he’s out like a log and hopefully it will stop his continuous whining. In my head it was perfect, some down time so I can get work done! So what did I do! I made him a lovely bouquet for his desk. If anybody knows what this bouquet consist of, you get a A+ from the garden expert! TEE HEE! It has the most beautiful of all sneezey weeds. RAGWEED! He didn’t know! He doesn’t even know what it looks like. Naive and thinking it was beautiful, he soon discovers his true enemy! It’s a Weed! In the other room, I sit innocently, complaining to him to take his allergy pill. Mission accomplished! Of course I tell him later and throw out the bouquet. But I did get my revenge with the help of some weedy friends! Now back to real life. Michael is fine and he is hopping and skipping to his tune again. Likely thinking to get his pay back! Sometimes the little tricks keeps us entertained! Once in a while we show our love in the weirdest way possible! Be kind to each other and don’t forget, revenge is not the solution but karma does rock! I know, it will be my turn next. - Diva Dan
This newsletter is produced by Michael Sellick and Daniel Zondervan, Creative Directors of The Crochet Crowd. While we try our best to provide a grammatical error free newsletter, a few errors most likely will slip between the stitches. We are a very small company with a creative thirsty crochet following. If we are to produce a newsletter that has no errors, we would never be able to send one out. Our team is also propelled by Cathy Cunningham - Executive Assistant, Colleen Barden - Crochet Samples and Show Support & Laura Jean Bartholomew - The Crochet Crowd Information Seeker.
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