Mikey Magazine: Oct 13th, 2015

Mike y

Oct. 13th, 2015

In This Issue

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Hello Autumn!

challenges that went viral

Facebook Shares Scary Halloween & Autumn Ideas

You make me smile

Hawt off the Hook with Mikey

Have you ever hook’d up something just because you can? You might feel you don’t need the project but the pattern is luring you in like a moth to a flame. I get like that at times.

I never have to justify my crafting but I do find sometimes that patterns suck me in for reasons beyond my comprehension. I get as bad as day dreaming about crocheting the item. I don’t get it… but something inside me just has to hook it to satisfy the craving I feel deep within. Even if I just start to give myself a taste of the sweet pattern, I have to satisfy my urges!

What lures me in? I really cannot say it’s one reason or another. I could blame crochet and workaholic addictions that I have but maybe that’s a bit of a cop out. Could it be that some patterns have elements that you can learn something new and you want to do it just to prove to yourself that you can? Hmmm… I’m liking that question better and can slide my addictions back in the closet and save them for another excuse down the road. Yeah… me!

My plot got ruined this week and I got caught doing the nasty.… secretly hooking. You know how it is. You sneak into another room to grab some cookies from the jar. In my case, Daniel found me in my hiding place hooking away. He snuck quietly to see what I was doing, armed with the camera.

He’s so mean! I was in seventh heaven and obviously paying attention to my stitches that I didn’t even hear him approach.

So I think I will stick to my original thought of, “I hook because I can!” Please say I am not alone.

Leave us some thoughts on our Facebook Page this week.

Happy Hook’n- Mikey

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Contents

3 Yarn Talk 4 Women’s Peak Hat 5 Give em Spirit Wristers 6 Spring Mystery Afghan 7 Octagon and Square Afghan 8 Love my Giraffe 9 Give a Hoot Container 10 Facebook ?s with Jeanne 11 Market Bag 12 The Pumpkin off 14 Facebook Shares Halloween 16 Ideas from Yarnspirations. com 18 See Ya All at Creativ 19 Globetrotter 20 Don’t forget to hand in your mob 21 Facebook shares and the meme 23 Aloha our 2017 Cruise 24 Mikey’s Video Library 25 Spinrite E-Tent SALE

Christmas Yarn Sale!

26 Diva Dan’s Thoughts 27 Past Issues

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This week

Yarn Talk

Baby Chevron/ Zig Zag Blanket BroomStick Lace Shawl Crochet Baby Sampler Crochet Christmas Ornaments Free Online Crochet Workshop for Beginners Pin to Win with Yarnspirations. com

Front Cover: Bernat Brick Blanket

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Women’s Peaked Hat B

ack in January of this year we featured this amazing peaked hat by Yarnspirations.com. We couldn’t believe the response for such a cool hat!

The button says it all.

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e had over 4,445 photos that were entered into our Flickr Gallery! Can you imagine?

This one topped our charts.

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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Give em Spirit Wristers T

his was our first real hit when we started with the Challenges for our community. Wristers were the rage for that month way back in September 2013.

It was a quick project and many did more then one!

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e had 1,220 photos in our Flickr page and a lot of happy kids!

Right version is available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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Spring Mystery Afghan T

he Mystery Afghan was one of our most challenging afghans we ever did. It certainly had it’s ups and downs but over all, this was a winner. Never before have we every had such an amazing response doing a ‘mystery afghan’ challenge.

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e had 3,647 afghans added to our gallery.

The colours and combinations are just extraordinary!

Right hand version is available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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Afghan made by Donna Bishop

Octagon and Square Throw T

he Octagon and Sqaure Challeneg was very well received. It was within our first few months of these challenegs. Simple and quick to do, it is still one of our most popular afghans to date.

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e had 577 photos in our Flickr gallery.

Even though it was a small number it was one of our very first afghan challenges!

It made us proud!

Right version is available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here 7

Love My Giraffe I

n 2014, We came up with this idea to do a mystery amigurumi challenge. We would only give a clue and the body part. As the weeks went by it eventually becomes something recognizable. We have ever animal you can think of for this one. Including dinosaurs!

O

ur tower of giraffes gallery hit 1,361 adorable creatures. We mean adorable, the ideas and cuteness of all of them are amazing!

Right hand version is available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here 6

Give a Hoot Container W

hat a hoot this Challenge was. We gave our challengers the basic container idea using the basket weave stitch. It was up to them to decorate and be as creative as possible.

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here were so many ideas for this container.

1,305 entries for this basket. If you need ideas for this coming fall and winter, there is no shortage of inspiration you can find in the gallery.

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

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Facebook ?s with Jeanne Question.. Is it just me or do any of you fellow crocheters with long hair end up crocheting your hair into your work? I have found myself doing it a few times...

Don’t know how they got there. from Nana G Mikey told me a great story about this subject. “Reminds me of the time I taught a class and this girl crocheted her hair right into the project and her project was hanging from her head. Not even sure how it happened without her realizing it. We had to frog her project to release her hair. She had really long hair and her bangs were even worked into it.

Talk about dive into your project head first right?”

So there you go, it happens, but my suggestion if you have long hair is to pull it back into a clip so you don’t risk getting all tangled up in your work.

Hope my crochet books and yarn won’t be revoked for asking a dumb question, but what is blocking and why so you do it? from Paula J That’s it, turn in your crochet card!

LOL! Just kidding, there are no dumb questions as we can always learn something we didn’t know.

Mikey wrote a great article about blocking a while back. Blocking gives your finished piece a polished appearance and set the stitches into certain shape. Read Mikey’s full article on How to Block Crochet.

Jeanne is looking for questions on Facebook to answer.

a natural fiber and it has better absorbency, like the Bernat Handicrafter yarn for making these cloths. They hold up well with scrubbing and they are feel nicer on your skin. And don’t ever use Hey happy hookers what’s the best yarn for acrylic to make potholders or trivets dishcloths or washcloths or does it matter or because they will melt and you will have should I only use cotton? from MrsWilson a big mess on your hands.

I do know some say that acrylic yarn is ok for dishcloths and washcloths but not the best. You will find that most people do prefer 100% cotton yarn because it is

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Hi! Love your videos and teaching technique. How do you crochet for long periods of time without fatigue? I can usually go an hour or two but anything longer and

my neck / shoulders ache the next day.

Happy yarning, Sarah Sarah, first thing is to use an ergonomic hook. There are several good brands on the market. Try a couple to find which works best for you. The next thing I would say is to be sure to put your project down about every 30 minutes, stand up and stretch your back, arms and fingers. Even while hooking, look up and stretch and rotate your neck muscles often. Your body will say thank you.

Market Bag T

he Market Bag was done in June 2014.

Was a fabulous bag but the pattern was a bit challenging so we had to improvise in the video to make our viewers understand how to do this bag.

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hat a great collection of bags with almost endless array of ideas and colour combinations. We had 995 entries for this bag during our challenge.

Check them out!

Right versions is available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here 9

Women’s Peak Cap Ready... Set... Craft!

That's right my pretties... The Great Pumpkin, Design Off begins with four crafters in the corners of the ring! The boxing gloves are off as we pull out our hooks, glue sticks, sewing machines, scrap booking supplies and more. Oh my pretties, this is going to get ugly!

Meet Carmi

Her home studio should be a television set. You name it... she got it. She's got one of those gifts that sees something and instantly knows what to do to tweak or bling it. Her skills scare the fibers right out of me. Don't even get me started on what she can do with leather! I might just let her win!

Meet CathY

She's got years of experience under her belt. Whether she sew it, paint it, knit it, crochet it ah... why don't I just name all the crafts! She's highly competitive and happy to run us over with her car but is sweet that she will get out of the car later and help us up... Well after she wins, of course!

Meet Jeanne

Don't let that innocent look fool you. She's the type to tell us what she is up to but is secretly crafting in the closet ready to spring into action at the last minute. She may be our bff's to our faces and show support but secretly, she's Carrie from the prom night! She's not playing games and prepared to throw a bloody pumpkin or two!

And then there's Me! - Sweet, Virgin & Innocent

Mikey

With a Z-Snap in the air and a swish of my hip “Oh no they didn't!” I am prepared to strand these three up with a wiggle of my stick and make them suck their thumbs and cry for mommy while I dance a flamenco on their creations! I've got ideas and the balls to prove it! Someone's going to spitt'n pumpkin seeds and it ain't gonna be me.

The Battle

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Trash that Pumpkin!

Like an energizer bunny, I’ve been hopping around the house pulling out my secret crafts and applying them to my project. I’ve got my eye on the prize and I want to winwin-win! -Cathy

The Battle

Pumpkins, skulls and bling oh my. When those other crafters see my creation on the final day, they will wish they hadn’t asked me. I cannot help it… I’m gifted -Carmi

We (our team) have one condition. Decorate a foam pumpkin that is 14” high by 11” in diameter. It can be any colour. Using the skills of what we know, decorate the pumpkin as a decor piece for our home. Oct 30th is when the dark lady comes out throws down the hammer for us all to be done! Halloween Day is when our complete projects will be revealed! A huge splash on The Crochet Crowd as we lift our secretive curtain.

Don’t mind me… I’m still in the crafting closet working through my project. These stitches are going to scare those other 3 half to death. I have to say, I’m pretty proud of myself too. Just you wait and see! -Jeanne

Who needs a glue gun or bling when I got yarn and a sewing needle. I’ve been hooking fast and furious with ideas sparking out of me at any time. I cannot see what the other three are up to so I am putting the pedal to the metal! - Mikey

This is intended to be a fun challenge with definitely a competitive edge!

Unleashing our inhibited creativity is the goal. If one or two of us are kicking some serious crafter's butt, too bad... so sad!

Take a front seat and watch us dual this out! It's going to get messy!

Who’s is going to be the best?

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Shares of Halloween

AWESOME Halloween Wreaths by Karen.

These witches are up to no good by Eventrykisten..

Great Fall Wreath by Liliana. Love all the details.

From the movie Maleficent, Anabella’s daughter loves it!

Meet Tallulah the crocheted Witch

by Gricelle.

These two cute Hedgehogs are way too cute! Linda did a fantastic Job on her wreath.

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Little Red Riding Hood is ready to go for a walk int he woods by Cynthia.

Linda’s little pooch is so cute in her little witch outfit for Halloween

Nightmare before Christmas hat by Dawn

Shares of Halloween

Cute little pumpkin set by Bernadette! Adorable!

Nightmare before Christmas baby set theme! Now that is great! by Charlie

Loretta finished her Smiling Scarecrow. Makes you smile!

Michele’s RIP crochet tombstone is a classic! So perfect!

The Scarecrow hat by Tiffany. very creative!

What a great Skull scarf. The roses are fantastic with it. By Beth.

These are many samples of what The Crochet Crowd Community is doing for Halloween.

Many of these patterns are ideas and inspiration created by the crowders themselves. Also you can go to our Facebook Page, Click ‘Photos’, them ‘Photos Posted by Others’ and scroll down to find what you are looking for. Don’t forget to say you love their Creativity!

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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

Herringbone Afghan

Tweed Under Wraps

Shawl Collar Cardigan

Radiant Ridges Blanket

Radiant Ripple Vest

Wonky Square Afghan

Owl Toy

Radiant Shawl

Crochet Tripod Hat

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Attention! We have our shopping catalogue ready for you. If you are attending Creativ, Click Here to see our amazing selection. Build your Knotty List!

See Ya at Creativ!

It All Begins on Thursday

Enjoy making the Globetrotter Shawl Try this amazing and stunning New Challenge A new Crochet Along featuring a brand new pattern with Mikey has begun. Mikey will be teaching the Globetrotter Shawl as seen in the picture provided.

The shawl features a technique called bruges lace and Mikey had never heard of it before being asked to do this crochet along for Yarnspirations. He learned new techniques and had a lot of fun expanding his own skills.

The crochet along is one video featuring all components involved with the shawl. It’s one of the longest videos in Mikey’s video collection with over 1 Hour and 40 minutes.

He left no stone un-turned so that you can be successful.

To learn more about this pattern and/or order your yarn supplies to make these exquisite projects, please visit

Yarnspirations.com Blog for all the Details

Right Hand Version and Left Hand Version

WIP by Lynne

Stunning piece by Joanne

Excellent job by Robin

Beautiful work by Poppy

WIP by Anna

Great Autumn looks by Susan

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Mystery Amigurumi Don’t forget to add your photo to our Gallery! It’s a mob in there! A fabulous mob of crazy and fun Kangaroos!

Send in your Picture of the Mystery to MikeysHelpDesk@hotmail.com

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Shares from Our Community

Now this is a Christmas Bath set!

Awesome Job Ashley!

Look at this Cottage Throw by Dee! Nicely Done!

Debra finished her Triangle scarf with Red Heart Super Saver

Amy Sue finished her first Tunisian Entrelac Blanket! Super work Amy!

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Jasper approves the new Peppermint Afghan made by Ginebra

3 Stepping Texture Hats done by Kate. Nice work! Love the yarn!

Another great job with the Fluffy Meringue Blanket! Sandy picked light peach and ivory for colours

Katie did Mikey’s Never Ending Granny Square. Pretty Cool!

NOW this is a huge crochet rug by Kathy. WOW!

Check in with us, we will post on Facebook, the photo Mfeme of the day.

We like you to come up with something clever for the photo. We will pick the one we like, then add it to our Magazine!

What would your meme say?

I should have gnome better then to sneak past kitty, darn it!

Gnome puns?

You’ve got to be kitten me!

Gnome-body knows the trouble I’ve seen, Gnome body knows my sorrow....

Poor David the Gnome!

Gnome, gnome, gnome, gnome gnome

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Crochet Cruises Update ALOHA! We have announced our dream 2017 Crochet Crochet Cruise!

Yes, It is a trip to HAWAII! Can you imagine!

February 2nd, 2017 15 days! From San Francisco and back

For more information on staterooms and how to book please click here.

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Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials

Stepping Texture Hat

Big Wheel Afghan

Cool Casual Shawl

Baby’s Little Sweetie Dress

Apple Dishcloths

USA Peak Crochet hat

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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Lily Sugar ’n Cream…

October 13th to October 19th, 2015 Ends Monday Night at 11:59 pm (EST) 4 Colours to choose from...ONLY

$3.00 per bag of 3

Just $1.00 a ball!

Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through

Spinrite’s E-Tent Try out these patterns from Yarnspirations.com with your new order!

Christmas Trees

Country Rug

Dishcloth with Scrubby

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Diva Dan’s Final Say! Creativ, Creativ, Creativ! That’s been on our minds for weeks. Now that this is the week, we are super excited to get on the convention floor and start setting up our display. I get really nervous because anything can happen, from forgetting a major item or your idea tanked.

And as Mikey would say, I am a real B*&^# around this time. The Diva’s fingers just don’t stop pointing.

Never before has this been such an enormous project but a dream project too. I fantasized for years about building a beyond big igloo. At first I though of afghans but that later changed to the idea of snowflakes! The snowflake idea was perfect! I love how this igloo has now become a global and diverse contribution of all of our talents. We build a foundation of creativity to surround the many guest with it’s awe and inspiration. I am grateful in having such a wonderful array of different snowflakes and textures. To me it represents the individualism that we all are!

My biggest challenge is still yet to come with this Igloo. What you might have seen in our photos is only the so called 1st draft. I have to Diva-tize the heck out of it for the show. Time, time and time will be against me.

I only have one day to decorate and I hope I can accomplish it. I just can’t wait to step back and say wow! ( I hope or fall to my stomach with a full on Diva trantrum! Bridezillas got nothing on me!

Did you know that Igloo comes for the Inuit word Illuvigap (Ee-Gloo-Vee-Gah)?

This show we have had our help from Cathy Lund for the Crystal Chandelier, Keven and Karen Price for helping with the Nutcrackers and all of you that have donated to the snowflakes drive. This is my thanks and appreciation to all of you! Thank you for feeding a wild idea! Lets have some fun! Let out imaginations take us somewhere creative and most of all, let us be true to who we are and love all that we do to achieve our best!

I hope to see many of you for the show. Drop by and say hi and have some laughs.

Diva Dan

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Past Issues

To join our newsletters for our latest Magazine

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

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 Colleen Barden - Samples & Show Support, Laura Jean Bartholomew Community Info Seeker and Jeanne Steinhilber - Community Chaperon. Š 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com

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