Crochet Magazine by Tom McGowran

crochet Online Only: www.contemporarycrochet.co.uk

contemporary The UKâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s First Dedicated Crochet Magazine

Issue 1 | Summer 09

the new fashionable craft Featuring: news patterns reviews features retailer listings events & workshops ... and much more

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hip to hook!

Absolutely no granny squares, doilies, or tea cosies!

W E N

ADV

crochet contemporary

The UK’s First Dedicated Crochet Magazine

Issue 1 | Summer 09

EDITOR Allie Sloan PUBLISHER Jon Sloan DESIGN Everlook Marketing

Welcome

PHOTOGRAPHY Colin Sykes, Pyxel Studios 01982 xxxxxx CONTRIBUTORS Doris O’Leary Faith Wood

Thank you for taking the time to download contemporary crochet – the first fully online crafting magazine, and the UK’s first publication dedicated completely to the beautiful art of crochet.

PUBLISHED BY: Everlook Marketing, 12 North Road, Builth Wells, Powys, Wales, LD2 3BU

The beauty of contempororary crochet is that you can read it and enjoy everything it has to offer at your leisure, then print any pages you want to keep for posterity. When you’re finished with your printed article, you can file it or recycle the paper.

Tel.: Web: Email:

01982 551963 c o n t e m p o ra r y c r o ch e t .c o . u k allie@contemporarycrochet.co.uk

contemporary crochet ©2008 Everlook Marketing. All rights reserved. The views and opinions expressed within the magazine may not be those of Everlook Marketing. Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy, we cannot accept liability for any errors or ommisions.

VERLOOK

Whilst you may be used to standard printed magazines, a digital version is beneficial on so many levels. Archiving the magazine takes up much less space on your shelves, and by being paperfree we’re all doing a little bit for the environment. As for the art of crochet, we can spread the word farther and wider than we can achieve with a printed version. The craft is regaining well-deserved popularity, and we aim to support you – the new generation of fibre artists, passionate about showing the world that crochet is much more than granny squares and doilies – and celebrate the beauty of the modern yarn industry.

ARKETING

CREATIVE DESIGN AND MARKETING

Crochet with passion.

Allie A PAPER-FREE SOLUTION IN SUPPORT OF THE PLANET AND THE WOODLAND TRUST

it’s hip to hook! contemporary crochet | Summer 09

crochet contemporary

The UK’s First Dedicated Crochet Magazine

Issue 1 | Summer 09

News

Hip to Hook!

News

Hip designs

Product launches

Reader’s hip hooking

Accessories

Yarn reviews & stitch samplers

Events & exhibitions

Washability tests

Workshop awareness

Best online

Featus

Contributor features

Interviews

Hand-dying feature

Manufacturer / Retailer profile

contemporary crochet | Summer 09

Contents Paerns 36

Regula 14

Coffee, Cake and Crochet

Book reviews

Competition

Retailer listings

Manufacturer listings

Pattern – XXX Sponsored by XXX

Web directory

Stitch tutorials

Next issue

Glossary of terms

Pattern – XXX Sponsored by XXX

The new fashionable craft

it’s hip to hook!

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View our website homepage for details on how to subscribe. www.contemporarycrochet.co.uk

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contemporary crochet | Summer 09

News contemporary crochet at Royal Welsh Show, Builth Wells – July 20-24, 2009 Every year, one of the biggest agricultural events happens right here in our home town in mid-Wales – the Royal Welsh Show. With a diverse range of exhibitors, features and activities including home-crafts, the week-long show attracts over 270,000 visitors. We thought it only fittng that cc should have a presence this year. As well as showcasing the magazine, we’ll be selling some of our own crocheted items and our favourite bamboo hooks. .

Meet contemporary crochet at the following events in 2009 As well as the Royal Welsh Show, we’ll also be attending: XXX at XXX Dates

XXX at XXX Dates

We’ll also be promoting our crochet workshops, which run throughout the year at our base in Builth Wells. More information can be found on our website.

Lining up to be judged One of the highlights of the show for crafters is the Handicrafts Classification competition. With over 30 individual classifications this year, there will be plenty of examples to see and enjoy. One of which will be ours, as we’re entering the ‘Shopping bag made using recycled materials’ category. We don’t want to give away our secret design, so more on that next issue!

If you’re planning on visiting the show this year then please do come along and say hello – we’d be delighted to meet fellow crocheters and hear your views on the magazine.

For more information about the Royal Welsh Show: www.rwas.co uk

contemporary crochet | Summer 09

News CC launches National Crochet Day! dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here dummy text here

contemporary crochet WORKSHOPS contemporary crochet runs workshops through the year at our base in Builth Wells, Powys, Mid Wales. Primarily aimed at the beginner, the aim of the workshops is to promote the ease and sophistication of the craft. We cover getting started, stitches, understanding patterms, and the joy of freeforming. However, for the more advanced crocheter, its a great way to embrace your passion for crochet in a relaxing environment, and brainstorm your ideas. We run a variety of workshops to cater to your needs: • 1/2 day – tea, coffee, cake • Full day – tea, coffee, cake (lunch not provided) • Weekend – tea, coffee, cake, and 1 night’s accommodation on Saturday in our own 5-star B&B (includes breakfast on Sunday). Lunch and evening meals not provided.

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Please note: We provide remnant yarns to create stitch samplers. If you wish to work on a particular personal project, then you are asked to bring your own yarns to work with, as we do not sell any products apart from bamboo crochet hooks. For prices and more info, see the cc website.

Embellish with this gorgeous ribbon collection from Craftime If you’re looking for affordable bundles of ribbon and embellishing yarns, it’s worth looking out for this charming collection from Craftime (www.craftime.co.uk). Available in a range of colours, including cream, pink, amber, and blue, they add an element of chic to any project.

Each strand is approximately 31/2 ft long, so they’re great for small items such as our Wardrobe freshner bags (see page XX). We have 5 sets to give away – see page XX for details.

contemporary crochet | Summer 09

Hip Designs QUICK IDEAS

Chic Cardi Wrap

#1 Wardrobe freshener bags Liven up your wardrobe with these adorable little freshener bags, which can be filled with pot pourri or fragranced wooden balls. Great to give as gifts. Alternatively, they make lovely gift bags for small items.

Stitch Diva Studios has come up trumps once again with this new chic cardigan wrap, modelled by their talented designer, Jennifer Hansen.

1) The coffee-coloured bag is made from Sirdar ‘Sunseeker’ DK (colour. 091707) using a 4mm hook. Stiches include double slip and single crochet, double crochet for the ribbon holes, and finished with a scallop edging. Base chain of 20 stitches. This is a lovely soft texured yarn, boasting a slight shimmer. It’s worth noting that’s it’s a pain to unweave if, heaven forbid, you make a mistake! This yarn would make a lovely cardigan too. 2) The cream-colourd bag is made from Patons ‘Icy Shimmer’ DK (colour 6570) also using a 4mm hook, and the same stitch combination. 3) The white bag was made by one of our students with some remnants we had lying about the office, and finished with a piece of ribbon recycled from a chocolate gift box. An excellent re-use of items! Stiches include single crochet, and a cute little bullion stitch detail.

It’s incredibly versatile. Here, Jennifer is wearning it loose for a casual look, then belted for a chic and more formal style. We think you’ll agree this is a Summer and Autumn must-have. It’s lovely in a silky plain colour, but it could also look dynamic in XXX from Colinette. For the colder winter months, a chunkier yarn such as XXX from XXX would make this exceptionally cosy. We’re starting on one now! Look for our forthcoming pattern review and garment showcase. Pattern from Stitch Diva: www.stitchdiva.com

IF YOU HAVE ANY QUICK IDEAS YOU’D LIKE TO SHARE, PLEASE EMAIL A DESCRIPTION AND PICTURE TO: allie@contemporarycrochet.co.uk REMEMBER TO STATE WHAT YARN, HOOK, AND STITCH COMBINATIONS YOU USED.

contemporary crochet | Summer 09

Hip Designs New design launches from Leisure Arts One of our other favourite American design studios is Leisure Arts. With understated, yet quietly confident styles, their designs make for fashionable wearing. They have just unveiled two new pattern books for the summer – XXX and XXX. Both books cater to the beginner up to the more advanced skill levels, with quick projects you can complete in a couple of hours, to full weekend pursuits. Priced at $XX.XX each (about £xx.xx at current exchange rates), we feel these are really good value for money. BOOK TITLE HERE Featured patterns include: • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx

BOOK TITLE HERE Featured patterns include: • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx • xxxxx

We’ll have a full book reviews in the next issue.

Pattern books available direct from Leaisure Arts: www.leisurearts.com

contemporary crochet | Summer 09