Mikey Magazine: Aug 13, 2015

Mikey

In This Newsletter

Crochet Videos

Stitch-cation Update See who has entered & only 3 weeks left!

Free shipping from the E-Tent & The *NEW* Crochet Crowd Frequent Shopper Card! thanks to our sponsor

Try the NEW Tunisian Rib Hat!

Baking Queen of the Year + Recipe Facebook Shares

+12 free patterns

Aug 13th, 2015

Hawt off the Hook with Mikey

Hey Ho Mikey Here!

What an amazing week this has been. I’ve been spending my time at Spinrite Yarns and Spinrite Factory Outlet that is about 30 minutes from my home.

I thoroughly enjoy meeting with crocheters to gauge what they like to make. It gives me ideas for the future on what to focus on and it tells me a lot about our current direction and what people have thought from our past projects. For me, it’s a learning experience unlike any other.

I’ve been self employed since 2011 and this week has been really hard for me. I have to get up using an alarm clock. OMG... I have forgotten what that is like. I know. I am sounding like a huge sucky baby! But seriously, this week has been exhausting! Hats off to anyone that has a more routine schedule than mine.

While I have my routine and sometimes it can be the same thing day in and day out. I enjoy the flexibility of doing my own thing on my own time. If slack off in the morning, I can add more time at night time to make up. Having the office in my house means I am basically at work all the time. For some people, they have got their home schedule figured out to know when to punch the clock out. For me, I’ve not figured that out because I am passionate about crochet.

I find in the evenings, I head on over to The Crochet Crowd Facebook to see the pictures that were posted and take great pride in sharing those photos as a feature. I know it makes my day to be appreciated and I love to extend the courtesy.

Finally... Really Quickly... This is the first edition of the new Mikey Magazine by The Crochet Crowd. Daniel and I are learning but it’s more him organizing and coming up with concepts for our editions. We’ve never done this before and we are learning on the job. As the weeks and months go on, we will be refining our editions as we figure what our voice is here using this concept. This magazine concept was Daniel’s vision for our future... I’m excited to see where he takes us. - Happy Hooking, Mikey

Front Cover Pattern:

Sun Hat using Lily Sugar’n Cream

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 Some of the Fun with the Mystery Amigurumi!

Summer Stitch-cation

We are three quarters through the summer and Stitch-cation is still going strong! We are really impressed with every single one of these afghans coming into our flickr page! What amazing colours!

If you haven’t done one, grab your basket, throw in all your over stock and give this a whirl. A great, lets do a summer clean up with left over yarn! It looks complicated, detailed and colourful but you will find this to be the no different then a simple granny square concept without the sewing. Relax and enjoy!

Deadline for this Stitch-cation is September 7th, 2015.

3 Weeks Left

Happy Stitch-cation!

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.

Summer Stitch-cation Enjoy the latest Fabulous Summer Stitch-cations If you have already finished your afghan and not done a border, This is just a sportsy looking afghan by you can go back and apply a new border to submit to us. If you have already done a borAdrianne Villeda. der and we have a pic, you are already entered but if you want to replace your border with something more fanciErin Brady made her much larger then we er, we will gladly accept a replacement entry. suggested. It looks so good at 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 I am loving these colourful ones that have such fun looking colours. This one is by Jerusha Borden

crochetchallenges@ thecrochetcrowd.com

This reminds me of Hubble Bubble Gum Melissa Hufford did an amazing job!

Click for More Info Maria Catania added white to finished her motifs. Another fabulous look!

Flickr Gallery

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 460c1.5 (4 seats left) Learn to do the cutest and simplest Christmas Amigurumi Ornaments with Kevin. Spend time to do detailing and raise yourself to another level! Don’t be like Mikey who creates a mermaid that seriously had lips that we shall not describe!

Class 455c1.5 (6 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 (6 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 (5 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 (6 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 (6 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

August 10th, 2015 @ 9am (EST) to August 17th, 2015 @11:59pm (EST)

Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through

Spinrite’s E-Tent Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order! Take advantage of the free shipping

Create an Arm Knit Cowl with different textures of discounted yarn

Dk superwash is perfect for warmth and it is washable. This girl’s cardigan is easy to make

Get all the cotton you need to make cute little projects like these Jam Toppers

T

our

Fun at Spinrite Factory

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.

Ideas

Flower Throw

Starlight Baby Blanket

Hexagon Motifs Blanket

Nautical Top

Zippy the Sea Turtle

Log Cabin Scarf

Lacy Shells Baby Hat

Veggies Basket

Open Lace Throw

Summer SnowfLakes

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.

CLICK for Ideas, Videos and More Information to Help

The list of Snowflakes has been update on Aug 12th, see if yours have arrived by clicking the above link

Snowflakes being made by the following, Susan Hart Owen, Caroline Tremblay, Kimberly Christiansen, Paula Maria Hamilton Kristie Bretz, Barbara Jacobs and Alan Offthehook.

Thanks everyone! :)

Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials

Tunisian Rib Stitch Hat

Crochet Beach Bag

Fluffy Meringue Baby Blanket

Yes Yes Shawl

How to Crochet Star Stitch

How to Crochet Vintage Fan Ripple Stitch

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!

Click

Shares from Our Community

Yoely worked hard on her Mystery Afghan we did back in the spring.

Super Job!

Sebastian the kitty is likely doing a crochet intervention. Poor Sandy is not going to get any work done!

Michelle first ever big project was the Blue Lagoon Afghan. This is so very well done!

Dawn finished her Lily Pond Afghan. Quite Amazing!

Dawn finished her Garden Bag. This Awesome Job Dawn!

Stephanie won 2nd place at her local county fair on her Yes Yes Shawl.

Congratulations!

Gina’s friend wanted an owl pillow.

Lucky friend because this great!

Ginger’s daughter loves her new Crystal Ice Hat! Now to find the perfect ‘wristers’ to go it.

Crochet Cruises Update We have only:

* 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.

Crochet Cruises, Here I Come!

Notes from Diva Dan Way back in Grade 4 I loved to bake. Yes... Baking was my thing, besides playing a bit of music and getting my hands dirty in the garden. It was something I enjoyed doing. Of course, my parents didn’t mind, it was more food for them! I was always asked to make desserts for their friends that came over and normally there was nothing left. I lived on the farm, we raised milking cows, cattle and pigs plus we had over 1,000 acres of cash crops. So baking was a pasttime to keep occupied since I was too young to really help out on the farm.

In the fall, I loved entering my baking and garden veggies in the local fall fair. For a little red head, I got a good many prizes for the stuff I entered. So the fair was something as a kid, I always enjoyed. Each year I was always looking forward to all the possible entries when the fall fair booklet came out!

I decided one year to enter my pie for the overall baking contest. This was way back in the 80’s and I certainly had my competition against all those ladies that had way more experience then me. At home, I was prized for a delicious pie. It had a great crust and wonderful summery flavours. I enter my famous Peach and Blueberry Pie with a Cornmeal Crust! What! Not plain apple, or cherry! Nope this was beyond the boundaries of the norm. So it came, the judges decided who won. I came home from school and later that evening I got a call from the fall fair. They asked for Danielle, I said, yes that’s me. They said my name thinking I was a female. Congratulations! You won ‘Baking Queen of the Year’! Holy Pie Crust! I was skipping with excitement! Did my parents know I was special kind of special back then? Maybe so. Since then, I believe that the fall fair change their title not to have ‘Queen’ in it! Today it would fit so perfectly for me! (As Michael would be nodding his head!). **Michael’s Edit... Never a truer title for Daniel!** I look at the many Crochet Crowders expressing joys from their crochet creations that their have entered in their local fall fairs. It is something to be proud and happy about! The local fairs are such a great opportunity to show your passion! Take the time to go and support your fair. Enjoy the winners and even take part! Local fairs are informative of community talent, educational and fun! It’s a great way to be neighbour-like by sharing and being part. PLUS its great for kids! So get the kids involved! Michael and I are attending a few just to see and take in the excitement. We hope you will too! - Diva Dan

Notes from Diva Dan I know that many would be wanting the recipe for the famous peach and blueberry pie so here it is. This is my memory of it, so it might not be perfectly tested. For those that know how to make pies, this should be pretty basic for you.

Double Crust 9” 2 cups of pastry flour 1/2 cup of cornmeal 1 tsp salt 3 tsp sugar 1/2 lb of butter 1 cup of cold water

Peach and Blueberry Filling

3 cups of sliced peaches peeled, stoned, you know what i mean.

2 cups of blueberries 1/2 cup for white sugar 1/4 cup brown sugar 1tsp of cinnamon 1/2 tsp ginger 1/4 tsp almond extract 3 tbs lemon juice 3 tbs corn starch

Mix the dry ingredients together, cut in the butter, until it resembles coarse crumbs.

Mix water and vinegar together. Slowly add to the dry ingredients while mixing with your hands to form a slightly moist ball. Do not add to much water, it should natural form a ball with a little squeezing as you move your hands in a circler motion while mixing.

Divide in 2 balls, Chill if needed, roll out dough. I like to sandwich it with wax paper.

Preheat your oven to 400F Mix all ingredients together. Place in your 9” cormeal pie crust. Add you 2nd pie crust over it, brush it with milk and sugar.

Bake for 20 minutes, reduce heat to 350F for an additional 30-35 minutes. or until bubbly and the crust is nice and golden brown.

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. © 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com