Mike y Sept 1st, 2015
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In This Issue
easy peasy baby blankets
+20 free patterns
You make me smile
Hawt off the Hook with Mikey
One of the hottest topics that usually sparks a lot of rage and sometimes personal attacks is the idea of creating crochet patterns. I bet you have seen some pretty heated debates online with people accusing each other of copyright infringements and then others getting involved to throw their two sense into the mix and before you know it... The the bell is dinging and the boxing gloves are on.
What’s in this issue 3
Star Baby Blanekt
Speaking frankly, the idea of creating patterns has me shaking in my boots. I learned very early on what copyright meant. In fact, I learned a very hard lesson with one pattern that I had written. The boxing gloves came off and though I had developed it on my own, another small designer claimed it as their own. Even though I had developed my pattern without influence of this designer, it then became a big to do. I quickly pulled my pattern and my video offline to satisfy this designer. She and her thug followers were making my life difficult and yet I had legitimately created what I did without her pattern. How can I defend myself over this fact?
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Colour Block Blanket
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Fluffy Meringue Blanket
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Vintage Baby Blanket
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Zig Ziag Blanket
The kicker of this story was that two years later, I found the exact same pattern of the designer with a couple minor stitch changes written by another person several years before this designer did hers. I’m not saying the designer copied this but I am saying, it’s possible for many people to have the same idea and execution of an idea without any intended copyright infringing. That’s when it gets complex. The chicken or the egg scenario is questioned.
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Stitch-cation, only 7 days
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Creativ Festival
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*Crochet Cruise updates, Alaska SOLD OUT
I think the idea of copyright comes down to being honest with yourself and accepting the idea that others may have thought about the same idea and execution. Billions of people on this planet and only one person has the idea is highly unlikely into today’s modern age.
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Some things are worth defending yourself and quite frankly, I’ve had to learn in the grand scheme of everything elese... we have to pick our battles and decide what is worth fighting about and when to know to be honest with yourself and ask yourself, “Is this truly something that really means anything in the whole grand scheme of life? Is your life dependent on this one idea? Who else cares besides yourself?”
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:)
This week
So in the pursuit of finding out more about this topic, I asked Ellen Gormly, Editor of Crochet! Magazine how she determines when a design is legit and when it’s possibly someone else’s work.
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She stated that a designer will always have working notes, possibly a journal of the design in development. It’s the rough notes, could resemble a scratch pad Ideas from by the time the designYarnspirations.com er is done. You can see the problem solving of stitches and more Mikey’s Video Library to come up with the design. It’s really critical Spinrite E-tent SALE for a designer to document their steps and Big Balls! keep it on file for later use.
Do you know about our Mystery fun? It starts next week.
Facebook Shares. See if you are in our newsletter!
20 Final Notes from Diva Dan
There can be a bit of politics behind the scenes and some good old fashion bashing online about who stole the pattern from who. Face it, both parties could have thought of it. Do you duke it out or accept it?
Yarn Talk
Here is what you could be missing from our blogs with ideas and opinions from Mikey. Links will go to our blogs
*11 Fall and thanksgiving Ideas * Roll Down Baby Booties
This Star Blanket is one of the most popular blankets in our library! Easy with the help of Mikey, you too can make this for the newest baby arriving in life.
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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Colour Block Blanket T
his is an awesome way to do creative blocking WITHOUT sewing the blocks together. In turn this creates a very unique quilting effect.
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ry it with as many colours as you want and experiment with different yarns.
Both Right and Left version are available to watch.
Pattern, videos, and blog click here Yarn Shown: Bernat L’il Tots Colours: All Blue, All Pink, Daffodils and Sweet Pea
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Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this scarf and more.
Fluffy Meringue Blanket I
ntroducing the Fluffy Meringue Crochet Afghan. This baby afghan will challenge crocheters but will leave amazing sense of accomplishment at the end.
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his afghan has been so well designed that you don’t have to stop at a baby afghan size, you can just keep on going as big as you want to.
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p for the challenge and something just a bit different. This afghan has been winning the hearts of many of our crocheters this year.
Both Right and Left version are available to watch.
Pattern, videos, and blog click here Yarn shown: Beehive Baby Fingering, Colour: Vinatge lace
Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this scarf and more.
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Vintage Baby Blanket T
his Vinatge Baby Blanket is easy to master. It consist of the Trellis Cluster Stitch. Light and quick to do.
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reate the perfect Christening blanket or even for yourself as a lapghan. Change the colours to suit your desires.
Both Right and Left version are available to watch.
Pattern, videos, and blog click here Yarn Shown: Bernat Softee Baby Colour: White
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Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this scarf and more.
Zig Zag Baby Blanket L
ove the Zig Zag Patterns but have trouble with it! Let Mikey teach you how to master this beautiful baby blanket.
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f making ripple afghans are you absolute thing to do, try this version. Don’t forget to show us on Facebook :)
Both Right and Left version are available to watch.
Pattern, videos, and blog click here Yarn Shown: Caron Simply Soft Colours: Blackberry, Blue Mint and White
Use your Crochet Crowd’s Shoppers Card for free shipping over $50 to make this scarf and more.
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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.
7 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 Patrice Dauterive
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 Stephen Pitchford
crochetchallenges@thecrochetcrowd.com
Mary Decker
Click for More Info Flickr Gallery
Holly McQuerrey Colleen James
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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.
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Crochet Cruises Update * 3 seats left in Western Caribbean * 4 seats left in the Eastern Caribbean Cruises. ALASKA is SOLD OUT! 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. It’s 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, you should book soon. Those booked for Alaska, details will be a while yet, we still have over 350 days before all aboard!
Find Out More About Our Cruise 12
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 Sept 1st, see if yours have arrived by clicking the below link
CLICK for Ideas, Videos and More Information to Help
Still have to add doorways. 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
Wrap It Up Scarf
Striped Scarf
Triple Play Infinity Scarf
Slouchy Beanie
Tunisian Ribbed Hat
Textured Hat
Chain Link Pillow
Apple Wreath
Circles Afghan
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Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials
Open Wave Shawl
Denim look Visor Cap
Flower Throw
Tunisian Rib Stitch Hat
Basket Weave Containers
Button up Cowl/Scarf
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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Monster Savings...
Tent Sale Monster Ball September 1 - September 7, 2015 Ends Monday Night at 11:59 (EST)
4 monster colours...ONLY $10.00 per 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!
Try this Mitered Granny Square Afghan with the Monster Balls
Cool Crochet Poncho for kids would be great!
Save Money on Balls like these for projects that require lots of yarn like this Purse.
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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 I 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.
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Shares from Our Community
Megan did the Fair Isle Tunisian Cowl. WOW! Way to go!
This is Lindsay’s second Dream catcher. This is very Lovely! Love all the different textures to this!
Paula’s daughter just love the new Garden Lattice Jumper. The colours are an excellent choice! Kelly finished her 4th of July Bag. This looks like it has be touch by a bit of gold. Nicely done!
Lene finished her first Tunisian Entrelac Blanket. Great choice in colours!
Poppy did one of Diva Dan’s scarf pattern! Awesome, you made his day!
Ayana loves the Crystal Ice Hat that Mikey has a tutorial on. Great job Ayana!
Debbie’s new basket for the autumn table is a wonderful centre piece. Love the design!
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Notes from Diva Dan This past weekend I have been very busy. If you have been following about the igloo, I have been in the process of creating a geometric dome from water pipes. There is a lot of math behind this but the concept is quite simple. This dome is going to be used for our teaching area at the Creativ Festival in Toronto this coming fall. It will be dazzled with Swarovski crystals and most importantly with your snowflakes! I was absolutely thrilled that it has come together and not falling apart. Hand work isn’t my specialty and things like this can push me over the edge. So this week, I will be adding the doors. This will be the challenge to see if the dome continues to stand. Wish me luck! For those that are helping with snowflakes, yes, I will need lots. So far I am so impressed with the support and community effort that is happening. We have been getting a good amount of snowflakes but still need much more. I am very much appreciative for you help! I can’t wait for this project to come together. Already standing in the middle of the dome is awesome. I am looking forward to be able to teach under it. Cathy Lund, our helper, is building a beautiful chandelier for the centre. She is doing a great job so far. Remember. I will need the snowflakes no later then September 30th. I will have to do a lot of sewing and arranging before the festival. Thanking you for your help -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 Colleen Barden - Samples & Show Support, Laura Jean Bartholomew Community Info Seeker and Jeanne Steinhilber - Community Chaperon.
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