Mikey Magazine: Sept 15, 2015

Mike y 4 Sept 15th, 2015

In This Issue

New patterns and tutorials this week!

Mystery Amigurumi clue # 2 is out

Free Patterns

&

Halloween Wreath Ideas

You make me smile

Hawt off the Hook with Mikey

I never thought I would say this outloud, let alone enjoy myself with a smile... but you caught me. I’m in love with sock yarn. There I said it! Man I wasn’t able to sleep last night knowing I had this confession to make.

What’s in this issue

For me, I’m an afghan crocheter. I like big things and creating projects of substance. So for me to switch to a smaller hook and thinner yarn. Umm, let’s just say there is a whole lotta of whining and potentially a throw myself on the floor kicking and screaming... WHY WHY WHY!

3 Yarn Talk and More

I have this crazy need for when I swish my crochet hook, I want action, I want to see gorgeous stitches coming off my hook and I want it quick quick quick!

I’m not going to deny that!

8 Mystery Amigurumi Clue 2

So my buddies at Yarnspirations said to me, Mikey, can you please do a video on the Globetrotter Shawl for a crochet along. My eyes brows hit the roof, my fist curls up and I say, “My pleasure... love to!” I know... a bit of drama in my so called crochet life.

4 Exquisite Triangle Scarf 6 Cool Casual Shawl 7 Snowflake Pillow

10 Cottage Throw 12 Ideas from Yarnspirations.com 14 Halloween Wreaths 16 Creativ Festival

I start my project and before you know I am hooked into it like a flies having a field day in a dog park! Could I actually be smiling and having a sense of enjoyment. NO... this cannot be true. Oh look MIkey, the yarn colours are transforming your project into a work an evil spell of delight. I’m hooked... The clock strikes midnight and I cannot put this thing down. I’m drowning in my own thrill.

18 Facebook Shares and Funnies

I must fight this evil feeling of enjoyment. This cannot be true. I want to be the Grinch who steals Christmas leaving little Cindy Loo

23 Blizzard!

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20 Knitter’s Fair Review 22 Crochet Cruise Updates

24 Mikey’s Video Library 25 Culture Club 26 Spinrite E-Tent SALE Boucle!

27 Diva Dan’s Thoughts 28 Past Issues

:)

This week

Whoo with nothing. The horror. I’m definitely striking my friends at Yarnspirations off my Christmas List... How dare they get me to enjoy a project!

There’s something to be said about sock yarn once you get past the small hook and thinner yarns. The project looks more refined and dare I say it, tres chic! Man, I cannot take all of this cofessional stuff today.

The project has a gorgeous drape and the project looks amazing. I want to wear it myself but I am not a woman. This is just so mean! It’s so pretty and I look fabulous wearing it. I have an amazing sense of pride that I have crocheted my version of it.

My example is on page 2. I know. It rocks my socks too! Don’t mind the pun, I’m feeling a bit whiney today.

You know what’s even funnier, I chose to do another project earlier this week using sock yarn for the Cool Casual Shawl that is later in this edition. I am admitting that I am hooked.

I guess all of these years of avoiding yarns like sock yarn has been almost a waste of opportunities that were right before my very eyes.

• Did I judge a yarn by it’s cover! You betcha I did!

• Did I learn my lesson... Please... I can only admit so much in one article. I take the 5th!

So don’t be a size queen going for thick hooks and bulky yarns! You may discover, as I did, you could be missing the next yarn that is destined for your hook!

I guess I need to wipe out my saying! “Go big or go home!” I know... it kills me to say it too!

Yarn Talk

Here is what you could be missing from our blogs with ideas and opinions from Mikey and even Jeanne. Links will go to our blogs.

Assorted Boucle Crochet patterns Crochet Projects for Men See a Need, Fill a Need Football Season is Here

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Exquisite Triangle Scarf W

ant something so simple but yet stylish? This is honestly very quick to do. It can work with many different yarns and you can keep on going as long as you like. We used Patons Kroy Sock Yarn for a fabolous look.

T

he fringe is what sets this scarf apart but you can leave it out and add your own personal style. You choose.

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this afghan and more.

Yarn Shown: Satin Sparkle Colour: Platinum

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Facebook Shares Lots of fans have already started or even finished their Exquisite Triangle Scarf. This is just many of the ones that proudly shows what crocheters have accomplished so far.

You too can share, by using the hashtag. (#) #thecrochetcrowd #trianglescarf Created by Kim Scheideman

Created by Darlene Elishaer

Created by Mary McCoy WIP by Martha Harris

Created by Amanda Kay lang

Created by Jennier Hoesing

WIP by Natasha Wilson Beech WIP by Andrina McLeod

WIP by Patti Moran

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Casual Cool Shawl

A

gain we used Patons Kroy Sock Yarn for a fabulous look.

This simple and easy shawl is perfect for those cooler days coming up.

W

ith a little embellishing for the border, this is a simple look to satisfy those that like the simplistic look.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Yarn Shown: Patons Kroy Socks Colours: Coal and Cascade Colours FX

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Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this afghan and more.

Snowflake Pillow W

ith Bernat Blanket Yarn being sold all over the U.S. and Canada, here is a simple and quick project that will get you started for the holiday season. Make these as gift for your friends and family.

W

hat great idea!

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog Click Here Yarn shown: Bernat Blanket Yarn Colour: Cranberry and White

Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this afghan and more.

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2nd clue is out!

Mystery Amigurumi This week The Crochet Crowders completing week number 2 in our mystery amigurumi project. Due to popular demand from us doing this twice in our past, we’ve brought it back again.

For those unaware, the mystery is exactly as you would think. We feed crocheters components of an amigurumi project through a free pattern and video tutorial. We intentionally go out of order so that it’s harder to guess what crocheters may be doing. We have a recommendation for yarn but we don’t share what the colours ‘could’ be because it might just give it away. The randomness of the colours make for an interesting gallery at the end.

This week’s clue is:

“I can ‘t walk backwards” Come join the mystery, there is no sign up required. Grab your hook and play along. You will definitely learn some great stuff in this mystery!

Let’s Play this Mystery 8

Mystery Limbs?

This week on facebook Facebook is showing up with many different ideas what the mystery might be. So far there are some good guesses. This next part of the clues might stump you a bit more.

Hmmm, this looks like a group is forming.

There is a special name for a group of these.

If you haven’t joined us yet, we are only on week 2 out of 4, you can still be part of the fun. We love doing these amigurumi mysteries! They are cute, unpredictable and the pictures are a hoot!

Keep posting your ideas what it could be. Be creative with the photos. :)

Almost, but the parts are mixed up.

Maybe wait till the next clue?

Nope, it not a mouse brought in by the cat!

Could it be a dinsoaur?

Miss Crabby wants to help!

Nope, it’s not a Lobster

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Cottage Throw T

his pattern is a bit deceptive as it looks complicated when, in fact, it’s not! It’s a matter of understanding what to do between the corners which makes the world of difference.

B

ring out your favourite colour combos and give this simple pattern a try

Pattern, Video, and Blog Click Here

Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this baby blanket and more.

Yarn Shown: Lily Sugar’n Cream Colours: White, Robin’s Egg, Tangerine and Hot Green

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Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Facebook Shares As soon as this pattern came out, we have had Facebookers post their Work In Progress! We can’t wait to see what the finish projects will look like. The combinations are so fantastic!

Be sure to continue to show what you are working on and if you finished it, let us know!

WIP by Ulrike Nikomani

Finished Afghan by Sharon Taylor

WIP by Ricky Salinas

WIP by Elaine Holloman

WIP by Tabathia Knapp

WIP by Mandy Dale

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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

Fall Colours Granny Blanket

Stepping Textures Hat

Gridline Cowl

Arrowhead Striped Afghan

Dipped Coat

Gingham Blanket

Pumpkins

Earth Tones Octagonal Afghan

Metallic Funky Cardigan

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Halloween Wreaths Dare to Scare!

With Halloween just around the ‘cemetery’, what better way to get into the scary and haunting mysterious mood then to decorate your house, especially the creaky front door where you can howl and enchant the trick or treaters as they come dancing down your walkway like goblins in search for candy.

Make your Own Wreath with the Help of Diva Dan 14

Enter at Your Own Risk!

Creativity can be frightening but it also can be shocking . Check out these spocktacular and scary examples of our Wreath Challenge we did last year.

There are more to discover in the dark ages of our Flickr Pages. Inspire yourself with ghost, goblins and spooks galore, be sure to add the witches at your door.

Created by Nicole Bergen

Created by Maryjean Reinhardt

Created by Crissi Coko

Created by Cathy Leitner

Created by Cristina Nelson

Created by Debbie Gimbal

Created by Holly Henry

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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 5 of 10 classes are now sold out.

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 (4 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 (3 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 (9 seats left) Always wanted a one on one and learn the Class 457c1.5 with Dela. basic to the Tunisian thought process! Dela will be getting you started on Make this awesome mobius your first Tunisian Blanket! Great for first timers!

cowl.

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.

Workshops at Creativ Festival 17

Shares from Our Community

Sherry did a wonderful job coming up with this fall Tea Cozy!

Amber first take on cables. You should be really proud of yourself!

Fantastic Hat!

Apple gets a new Halloween costume. Roberta says its ‘never to early for Halloween ideas’ Beatrice is super happy with the Big Wheel tutorial that Mikey made.

Perfect for the cold days coming ahead!

Nykem son’s loves Mike the Monster she made for him. Just filling in time while waiting for the next clue.

Gloria has her trolley all set up for all her WIP. This is certainly a great idea to have around.

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Krysti is watching a little bit of soccer on a chilly day. What better way to keep warm! Crochet yourslef an afghan!

Melanie won 1st prize at her local fair doing the Peppermint throw.

Congratulations!

Come up with a saying that is fun to add to these photos!

We have a funny & cute bunch!

What would your meme say?

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Knitters’ Fair A day before this show, I read on Facebook there was a Knitters’ Fair as a friend had tagged me to see if I was going. I hadn’t heard of this event, so I Goggled it to learn more. I realized that the show was pretty substantial with over 60 exhibitors.

This show focused on the medium to higher end of the yarn market, Something to enjoy, feel and of course, to discover the endless arrays of colours that could inspire you. The samples speak for themselves. However, like many of you, I am the ‘everyday crocheter’ and I love yarn that I can fill my basket. To do a quick project or afghan and not feel guilty in having to explain to Diva Dan where did some savings go. Beautiful yarn is amazing for those very special projects. My enjoyment at these shows is also to see the passion of these wonderful yarn artisans that truly love what they do to inspire us to love our craft even more. It is an art.

As expected, the show floor was busy. It was noisy with knitters talking about yarn and coming up with schemes to think about what to do with the yarns. I was in heaven. A great show and people appreciating the product.

We met several fans along our route. It was really nice to meet people who appreciate our videos and content that we provide.

There were definitely a lot of yarn users who were anxious to get there hands on the goodies. We saw a lot of yarn we were considering but being a Knitters’ Fair, there were very few examples of anything that was crocheted. A knitted project verses a crochet project can be two very different looks. We know from expe-

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rience that crocheting will use more yarn than a knitted project, so it’s really hard to determine how much yarn we need to make an equivalent project that we are admiring. The question is, do we take a chance and purchase but what if you don’t have enough or the crochet version doesn’t look as good. It’s a mind toss in the show.

If I were to attend again, as a crocheter, I would need to come up with a wish list of patterns and yarn requirements before going to the show. Ensuring I know my yarn weights and yardage needed for specific projects. Due to very few examples for crocheters and some exhibitors having no experience with crochet, you have to do some of the legwork of inspiration on your own. Let’s face it, it’s a Knitters’ Fair, it is targeting knitters and I need to be fair about that fact. I am sure it would be the same issue if it was a crochet show targeting crocheters and not having much for knitters.

Knowing my demographics and research, targeting one without the other seems to be a whole market opportunity that is missing. Who knows. Maybe there’s just not as many crocheters here in Southern Ontario Canada?

I was really impressed with the number of volun-

Show Highlights Rhichard Devrieze and his yarn is exceptionally popular. We love his angle of marketing being unusual and his colour palette is fabulous. teers staged up around the show. They were very inviting to ensure guests were not lost or confused.

They would say hello as you passed and I felt very welcomed. Kudos to the show organizers for this value added service.

Over all, I was impressed with the turn out. I was even more impressed that, within a small geographic area, we have such a great diverse group of yarn artisans. The Kitchener/Waterloo Knitter’s Fair’s organizers should be proud with themselves with the many years of putting this show on. But with all this being said, it is disheartening that crocheters really don’t have a voice here in Ontario. There is a very clear separation between knitting and crochet and even with other crafts. We must not forget weavers and so on. The bottom line for vendors is to sell as much as they can. The more money they can make, the easier it is to have them cover their show costs.

It only makes sense to be more inclusive in this day and age.

I would definitely go again. Daniel and I had a great day.

Read the FULL article and see more photos

Patrick Madden and his Signature Yarns: His booth was buried under a mountain of woman and justifiably so too. His examples had sex appeal with class.

Cindy Cole Bennet of Studioloo was really quiet but her yarn was on fire. It completely grabbed me, lured me in like a moth to a flame. Her ideas of creativity hit my personal creativity Stitch Please, always so welcoming and friendly.

They are definitely having a great time and positivity and cheerfulness attracts interested guests.

They are a young company, even in the ownership sense. They bring youthfulness.

Black Sheep & Ewe, We cheer for their success and they are so nice. They were crazy busy and I’m not surprised.

Yarn-it, we have met in a previous show. We wish them much success with their yarn tool.

Ancient Arts Yarns, were the talk of the show floor about one exhibitor having yarn that matches cat colours. It was a must see. It was called the Meow and Woof Collections. People LOVED it!!!!!

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Crochet Cruises Update Our exclusive excursions are optional as part of your Crochet Cruise with us.

We have arranged six excursions per cruise. It is noted below on which tours Mikey & Diva Dan have chosen to be on. However, there are two options per port and The Crochet Cruisers will be kept together on each of the two excursions.

Whether you choose to stay on the ship, choose an excursion with the ship, do our exclusive excursion or just have an adventure on your own, keep in mind that this is your holiday.

Make it count. Daniel and I will be part of the exclusive tour and anyone in our party is welcome to join us. You will need to sign up for this before the cruise so the appropriate size transportation and more can be arranged for our party. Like any excursion, this is an extra charge that our agent can set up for you.

We just a few seats left on board the luxurious Celebrity Silhouette for our crochet cruises on March 6 and March 13, 2016. Back to back cruising is still an option where cruisers can ride both for our cruises.

Thanks to Yarnspirations.com for being our official workshop sponsor.

Find Out More About Our Cruise 22

Caribbean Excursions Now Available

Let the Blizzard Come Work begins this week to start putting together the snowflakes we have received already! Its going to be a lot of work but we are shivering with excitement. The snowflakes that we have been receiving are just wonderful! The different shapes, yarns, sparkles on some and shades of white and going to make this igloo super amazing! We are so excited and honoured that many of you have taken the time to send if a few snowflakes for us! We are very thankful. Please keep them coming -Diva Dan

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

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?

* 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 Sept 13th, see if yours have arrived by clicking the below link

CLICK for Ideas, Videos and More Information to Help 23

Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials

C2C Scarf

Top Down Shawl

Dusty Snowflake Throw

Crochet Wristers

Halloween Top Hats

Rag Doll Hair for Halloween

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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Beginning Tuesday, September 29th, 2015, a new Crochet Along featuring a brand new pattern with Mikey will begin. 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

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Choose from Patons: Divine, Bohemain, Shetland Chunky, DĂŠcor, Classic Wool, and Classic Wool DK

Patons Paradise Sale...

September 15th to September 21st, 2015 Ends Monday Night at 11:59 (EST)

ONLY $10.00 per bag

Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through

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

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Do the Bohemian Blanket with Patons Decor

Shetland Chunky creates this awesome basket weave tote bag

Classic Wool DK is great for this Plaid Slouchy Beanie

Notes from Diva Dan Some people say we are crazy and others say we have to much on our plate. Well, that maybe true but when passion drives you to love what you do, there is no stopping what you are able to achieve. Michael and I have reached a place in our little socialite goals where meeting the demands of our fans, continuing to build content and still having a personal lives to deal with is no different then anybody having their own store, media business or even a profession.

Spending time at the Knitter’s fair on the weekend, we marvel at all the very hard work that the yarn artisans do to make your life a bit more colourful. It is our strive as well to make your lives more enjoyable, laughable and down to earth within the realms that is socially and personally acceptable. We are all human, deserving to be loved and treated with understanding and acceptableness.

Michael has been on a roll creating amazing content, along with Jeanne Steinhilber to keep you excited and onto to your next project. These two never stop! This week, for me personally, has been a bit hard with all the little crashes, such as a blown fridge, keeping the house clean etc. With life gives you lemons, you really have to try to take the time to make the lemonade. So crocheting is not on my agenda.

With one week past, and the weekend is nearer, summer is almost disappearing, I look back and see that there was so many other things that we could have done. But for many of us, sometimes seeing what others are doing, helps what is needed to get you back on track to express your creativity. I love the Facebook Crowd! Your shares, posts, comments are all with happiness and profoundness that makes everybody happy to be a crocheter. Never stop! You might help others who just need to step back and see the inspiration.

Thanks so much and continue the excitement!

Diva Dan

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Past Issues

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.

To join our newsletters for our latest Magazine

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.

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Š 2015 TheCrochetCrowd.com