Mikey Magazine: Sept 29, 2015

Mike y

Sept 29th, 2015

In This Issue

D

ouble your Pleasure Mystery Amigurumi Final Clue is out Did You Guess Right?

Free Patterns

You make me smile

Hawt off the Hook with Mikey

The Art of Wordplay

Creative wordplay is one of my specialties, I don’t know how I was gifted with this treasure but I love it. If you are a fan of The Crochet Crowd, the amount of different sayings for expressing kudos, slangy words or even analogies of solving a problem astounds even myself. I don’t know where I get the gift but heavens to betsy… nobody stop me.

I have this crazy ability to wordplay nearly everything. Taking innocent words and giving them an innuendo of another topic without saying too much . It makes my job a lot of fun. When Diva Dan and I met, he would say to me, “Where do you come up with this stuff?”

For the creative industry, it’s one thing to be creative, it’s another to teach but then it’s a whole other level of allowing people to see your vision from your point of view… which, of course, makes it exciting.

For one of my school years, I had the most boring teacher ever! Snooze fest and drool on the desk! Can the clock tick any slower? Come on 3:30, I need to blow this pop stand and get on with my life. I didn’t learn much that year, surprised I even passed and it was because I wasn’t engaged to buy into the teacher’s presentations.

But then another year, the teacher was the class clown. We laughed at his wise cracks and he made the subjects so interesting. I actually learned a lot that year. You wanted to hear what he had to say because there was always a twist to story which triggers memory recall for me. If you were snooz’n, you were missing the boat.

I started with YouTube because I had seen another host that had me nearly bang my head on the monitor in frustration. If she double crochets one more time in that monotone voice of hers, I may just go postal. She’s obviously smarter than me, trying to baffle my Neanderthal brain with really big words and terms I don’t know.

It was definitely a game question on jeopardy… “Who is making this craft sound so technical that you need a degree to understand it?”

I have a sense of excitement for the craft and I wanted to show it. I came up with my own slangy terms so I could teach it. I don’t know about you, there’s a time to be formal and there’s a time to let it all hang out. Speak like a regular conversation as if you were having tea with me. I am sure you could be frothing at the mouth wanting to hear gossip. Wait… that might be just me. Gossip is for people who don’t have much going on in their own lives where they get the sick pleasure of listening to it and then adding more to the story to juice it up. As you

2

:)

This week

can tell, I’m in their like a dirty shirt! Just keep’n it real my friends.

Thanksgiving Afghans

I got told once by an official organization that I need to smarten up and move my teaching back to the technical terms. That lasted, ummmm, a whole two minutes. I want the energy. I need it to learn. It’s like typing class, GGGG, HHHHH, IIIII… jkdfejdfahfkdah *as my face hits the keyboard”. Give me substance! Give me a reason to care! Talk to me like I am your friend. Fill me with your knowledge, oh master.

Contents 3 4 5 6 7 8

Yarn Talk and More Icy Scarf Uplands Scarf In Stitches New Yarns Mystery Amigurumi Final Clue 10 The Design Off 12 Facebook Shares Halloween 14 Ideas from Yarnspirations. com 16 Creativ Festival 18 Frozen Crystal Chandelier & Cathy Lund 20 Facebook Shares and Funnies 22 Michaels Grand Opening 23 Crochet Cruise Updates 24 Mikey’s Video Library 25 Globetrotter Starts Today 26 Spinrite E-Tent SALE

Sock Yarn Sale!

27 Diva Dan’s Thoughts 28 Past Issues

Teachers have a great responsibility of passing along knowledge. The presentation is everything.

While my grammar may suck and I may misspell words. The truth is, the passion for what I know to want to teach others usually over shines formality. While I may get the occasional email giving me a bit of a chewing that our company should be more formal and our grammar is terrible, my personal truth is that I do my best to make it fun. While it may not be the correct answer to some, good grammar and spelling isn’t my strong suit. I’m going to keep myself slangy and a bit off my rocker. If you want boring, our Crochet Crowd is definitely not the place to be.

Costumes for the young ones

Yarn Talk

Mikey Sniffles Watching Mr Rogers Young Children Halloween Costumes

Ponchos

Crochet Thanksgiving Inspired Afghans Poncho and Wrap Ideas

Mr. Rogers

3

ICY Scarf T

his Icy scarf is a Quicky.

With the new Patons Iced Yarn that has been released

by Yarnspirations.com, this bulky weight 6 yarn can hook up anything fast! Believe it our not the sparkle is not rough.

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

4

UPLANDS Scarf A

nother new yarn that recently came out. This is Patons Uplands Yarn. Very subtle almost country colours, giving a lovely illusive look. This is Mikey’s take on a simple stitch. Easy to do and it will not take you long!

Both Right and Left version are available to watch.

Pattern, Video, and Blog click here

5

Facebook ?s with Jeanne Hey y’all looking for some advice. My microbiology teacher is pregnant having a baby girl I wanted to make her baby a beanie with something related to bacteria since she is a micro teacher ... Any suggestions at all would be awesome as I’m stumped ! (she will love this for her little baby) - Ashley

I’m needing a sea turtle for a baby blanket for my newest grand daughter, and am having a hard time finding what I’m looking for. Can you help? - Jo Dear Jo - This is not a blanket, but it’s so ‘snapping turtle’ cute I have to share it with you. Sea Turtle Rug It’s such a creative Rug that I think anybody would love to try it!

I am not sure if there is a difference between a swimming turtle or a sea turtle, but I did find this Swimming Turtle Blanket that might work for you. It uses the Ripple stitch that Mikey has done before and adds separate little turtles. You can change the blues and even add a sandy tan colour for the beach.

Let you imagination splash away with the waves!

6

Dear Ashley - That is a challenge, but what a fun idea. In a previous life, I was in the medical field so your request caught my eye. I think you can start with a basic beanie pattern, like the one found here: Half Double Crochet Hat. Then instead of bacteria, how about a human cell model? Take look at this page: Biology Cell Model. It’s a pillow with the parts of a cell. There is no pattern, but I think with a little bit of creativity, you can decorate the top of the beanie to look just like this crocheted cell. Imagine a DNA ladder on the hat?? Be sure to share a photo when you are done.

Jeanne is looking for questions on Facebook to answer.

So I’m currently working on a c2c diamond afghan...is there a trick to getting the squares to be the same size? I did the exact same amount of rows and decreased at the same point yet my second square came out bigger. I didn’t change hooks or anything. Any suggestions on what to do? - Erin Dear Erin - I had a crochet teacher tell me once that your mood can affect the tension while you crochet. If you are tense, your stitches can tighten up vs when you are more relaxed. If all your number are right, try crocheting your diamonds at the same time every day… and be happy when you are crocheting. :)

New Yarns to Look for!

This is an interesting yarn. It consist of 6 separate strands of thin yarn not wounded together, creating a very unique look. This will create a marbled look for your projects. Multi-ply

A Bulky 6, soft roving yarn with a bit of sparkle. Surprisingly soft and the no-scratch metallic sparkle. This is great to create awesome scarves and sweaters. Iced Yarn

Patons Metallic now comes in Variegated Colours! This striking metallic finish yarn creates an amazing shine to any garment! Have fun with the new colours. Metallic Variegates

This is one to think about for colour blends, feel and uniqueness. The yarn does change in thickness at times but we are loving the neutral colours and textures it gives. Uplands

Sock yarn that is affordable. Great FUN colours that goes with this line of yarn. Gauge 1, this yarn is great for those detail projects with loads of colour! Sox

If you love camo colourways, you will love this! Soft! We did a baby sweater is this and it turn out nicely! Caron Simply Soft Camo

7

Final clue is out!

Mystery Amigurumi This is the last week The Crochet Crowders are bringing to life their Mystery Amigurumi. Did you guess right? We hope you had a ‘hopping’ good time with this Mystery. A least we didn’t see anyone boxing it out with what it could be. We enjoyed the laughs!

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

This week’s clue is:

R U Serious?

“My original name comes from the Aboriginal language Guugu Yimidhirr and a group of me is called a mob!”

I think I know what it is!

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.

Final Clue 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 brings everything together

WOW! Exhausted Mystery?

Remember we love to see your sample what you have finished.

We have set up a Flickr Page for you to send. You never know we might even have a random draw for some free yarn! We love doing these amigurumi mysteries! They are cute, unpredictable and the pictures are a hoot!

‘Well, this is Awkward?’ Says the owl Time to figure this out!

Okay, great attempt!

Coffee is more important!

Body parts in a bag, hmmmm Almost looks like a frog!

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's 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

10

It’s a Great Pumpkin We 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.

It's a blood bath of excitement as the four of us will apply our mad skills to the pumpkins. It can be carved, painted or anything. Creativity knows no bounds and there are no limits!

Starting today, Sept 29th, the designers will check in each week with updates for a Mikey's Magazine Exclusive Project. But we are not allowed to showcase all of our goodies because good girls should never reveal all of our secrets!

Hints of photographs and a quick update from our designers of what is happening in their corner of the ring!

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.

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!

We will be looking at your ideas and suggestions that you may post along the Design Off.

11

Shares of Halloween

Cute as Pie! Great job Lisa!

Boo to dirty hands! Cleaver idea by Adrianne

Pumpkin Candy Bag OMG Skeleton by Diana

Fiona from Shrek is looking Fabulous by Amanda

Spiders!!!!! Ready for Halloween by Tracey!

Boiling Toiling Trouble with the Witches Brew Hat by Kerrie

12

The Googly Eye Giggler by Kristen.

This is cute!

Vikings are back by Lorleen

OMG skeleton with his Friends by Diana

Shares of Halloween

Super Pumpkin Frame by Heather!

Adorable Scarecrow with his friend the crow by Laura Jean.

Little pumpkin by Ely

A Candy Corn bag without Candy yet! That’s Scary! By Vanisha A skull shawl is a perfect idea for Halloween by Annette

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!

13

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.

14

Ideas

Simple Scarf

The Gift Poncho

Meet in the Middle Top

3 Colour Blanket

Stagger Stitch Cowl

Acorn Napkin Rings

Cache Baskets

Granny Stripes Hat

Openwork Scarf

15

16

Upcoming Events creativfestival

With Creativ Festival around the corner, We are so excited to be able to meet so many of our friends again! This past week we have gotten our classes all ready and set up. This will be the first time ever that we will be having an additional group of teachers at the Crochet Crowd Booth. Kevin Price, Dela Wilkins and even Diva Dan all sharing their ideas, tips and, of course yarn, gossip!

Stay tune for the October 13th edition of the Mikey Magazine. We will be sharing a link to all the yarns that we will be carrying only at the show. We are showcasing and selling nearly 30 different selections with their entire colour selections of Yarnspirations.com yarns. Now remember we offer a show only discount for those that attend the festival to help you save even more money. So start planning your gift giving ideas.

This past weekend, we had some amazing moments of creativity just exploding! You would not believe the amount of comments of our neighbours just walking outside to come and see our nutcrackers and our igloo! All of them so speechless!! We even had drivers coming down our street, stopping and astounded with the creativity!

Thanks to Kevin and Karen for doing a fabulous job with the heads of the two Nutcrackers. With the suggestions from Diva Dan, the heads have The Nutcracker story perfectly described through the visual aspects of the Russian Christmas Eve story.

Well done Guys! We will all floor them at the show!

Our Igloo has its 2nd major hurdle accomplished! (The first was building the frame.)

Can you imagine the amount of time it took to cover that HUGE igloo! Pictures just don’t describe the awesomeness standing and sitting under crocheted snowflakes. We always love the experience of working together as a community towards an artistic goal. These snowflakes for us, represent connections, building a foundation of passion, sharing our creativity and being surrounded with support of friends. You will be standing in awe, seeing the light shine through and the comfort within. Still more work will happen during set up at Creativ Festival but we are one more step to show time.

We hope to see many of you there and thanks you everyone from The Crochet Crowd for your Help!

17

Designed to Perfection The Frozen Chandelier Upcycle Project We were sponsored by Swarovski to create an exhibit for Creativ Festival to with our Igloo. With the crystals arriving on our doorstep. Daniel and I dropped our jaw and realized we had so many ideas that we needed help.

Cathy Lund, from a neighbouring town, is someone on our friends' list. You name it, she can craft it.

From jewelery, knitting, crochet, sewing, serging and more. If you ever wondered if creativity over skipped you, it probably landed on Cathy!

We reached out to Cathy to ask us how to use crystals for our exhibit. Together, Cathy, Gary – her hubby, Daniel and I brain stormed ideas. From that, the idea to upcycle a chandelier was born. This is when Daniel and I exited stage left.

We corresponded back and forth and allowed Cathy to exercise her creative magic. Without a word of a lie, both Daniel and I were floored what came out of her mind, into her hands and landed smack dab onto the chandelier. It was more than we can ever dream of.

Cathy has been raised in a creative home with her mother teaching her to knit and she learned to sew in home economics and the 4H Club. Her love of crafting spawned a lifetime interest in being creative as an important part of her well being.

She raised her family, making clothing for her girl for school and trust me when I tell you this, the Gap has nothing on her skills! She taught her daughter some of the skills and incorporated her daughter's friends in with crafting sessions.

Cathy is pretty bold to admit she loves crafting for a purpose. She loves the recognition of the things she cre-

18

The Dazzle ates. In getting to meet her husband, Gary. Many of us would be super jealous on the support of her husband in encouraging her to create. Truth be told, I don't think I have seen such a supportive husband to this degree.

She is the energizer bunny. Willing to help others and is very active in her local church and groups. She even loves to perform in plays too. She's exceptionally bubbly with an infectious laugh that lights up a room.

It's been a pleasure to get to know Cathy as we collaborated with this amazing project. A crocheter from the Netherlands did up the crochet snowflakes on the chandelier as we wanted to incorporate community members with this project as a symbol of being inclusive.

Take a moment to view the pictures of the chandelier to witness the crafts-womanship. It's remarkable.

19

Shares from Our Community

Jessie’s first attempt of the Entrelac Blanket. You did a good job girl!

Love what Shellie did with Mikey Tutorial of the Spoked Granny Squares! 285 squares! WOW! Super and Fantastic Work!

Lynn’s version of an Absolutely Colourful Entrelac Blanket

The Broomstick Lace looks so great with this yarn! Amanda you should be proud!

20

Lene did the Daisy Rug. Excellent job on this rug! It looks Great1

Fluffy Meringue Baby Blanket was hooked up by Virginia. LOVELY!

Way to Go Pam! You did the Tunisian Fair Isle Cowl. Nice colour Combos!

Lisa just finished From the Middle Afghan and she added a fan edge to it. Nice Touch!

Shelly did the Exquisite Triangle Scarf. It looks Fab!

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

What would your meme say?

21

Meet Mikey this Friday at the Grand Opening!

October 2, 2015 rings in a brand new location for Michaels

Stores in Canada will be opening its doors to the public in downtown Toronto Ontario, Canada.

Located at 142 John Street, Toronto Ontario, Canada. This store is massive. Totaling over 32,000 sq ft with 3 stories. It’s fabulous and loaded up to satisfy the crafter’s cravings.

There are celebrations and the store is opening up super early in the morning to allow Torontonians to participate with their ceremony and be the first to take in the brand new store.

Get More Details 22

Crochet Cruises Update Attention 2016 Cruisers!

Shore Excursions are now ready for the Caribbean. We are offering this as an option. If you wish, you can be part of our group or feel free to do as you please. It is your vacation!

For all shore excursions and information - Click Here

Announcement: February 2017 Cruise For those interested in our 2017 cruises we will be launching on October 5th, 2015 the first of three cruises. Hint, this one is a bucket list for many people! We are giving those interested a head start for your planning. This one is 15 days! So don’t be alarmed.

We are waiting for word on our next two.

We can only say that it can be a back to back or it can be just for one week. Your choice. But it will not be in the Caribbean.......Exciting!

Find Out More About Our Cruise 23

Mikey’s Videos and Tutorials

Chevron Baby Dress

Crochet Step Ladder Afghan

Infinity Rib Cowl

Lattice Lace Wrap

Pumpkin Face Bag

Star 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 24

It Starts Today!

Try the Globetrotter Shawl 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

Preview trailer of the journey to conquer your adventure 25

Sock-tacular Sale‌ Patons Stretch Socks September 29th to October 5th, 2015 Ends Monday Night at 11:59 pm (EST) 13 Colours to choose from...ONLY

$9.00 per bag of 6

Order online for amazing discounted or overstocked yarn through

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

Do this lovely shawl

26

Twisting Lace Socks

The Casual Shawl

Notes from Diva Dan This week we have been playing around with new yarns. We are going to be featuring a lot of them for Creativ Festival. It one of the best things we get to do is to try out the latest fibers!

You know, I am a huge Diva for something new! I get bored easily. I’m a Diva wishing for diamonds but on a cubic zirconia budget!

But where to start with a pattern! Are you like me, spending countless hours, I mean a lot of hours on Pinterest!? I confess! I’m the queen of getting nothing done and pretty proud of it too!

Damn you PINTEREST... Oh wait... Thank you Pinterest for getting me out of my work duties!

Seriously, I look at many of these projects and look at the awesome creativity that people from all around the world. With today’s day and age with the Internet, there is no reason not to be inspired! Really, we just need more hours of the day! The heck with cleaning the house, lunch; lets go to Subway and for supper, I believe there is a bag of something in the freezer. Mission accomplished! Michael is just lucky I can do my domestic diva stuff quickly and make a meal under an hour!! If it was him, KD would be on the menu. It just sickens me that he jumps up for joy when he knows I am making him KD. I wish he would be that excited to push a vacuum or heaven forbid, unload the dishwasher! Men are just impossible to train! I am considering a dog in my future should anything happen to Mikey! I know the dog will do as I say!

This week, has been great! We accomplish some major projects and now for the small details! I truly can’t wait for Creativ Festival to be done! Always around the 2 weeks before, we are in Full Creativ Festival Mode! Michael, you better watch out, because this Diva will have a list for you. Should you not do my list, you will definitely be in the dog house without a crochet hook! Whine even more, I am going to make you eat those vegetables that you hate such as kale or swish chard.

Enjoy the week, We will be busy working on our finishing touches. Don’t forget, if you can come to Toronto this Friday. Drop by and see us at the New Michaels Store opening! Thanks for everyone’s help to get the igloo covered and the emotional support to get it all done!

Diva Dan.

27

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.

28

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