Celebrating National Crochet Month

Welcome and thank you for joining me on the first stop of today's Tour Through Crochet Country. I am honored and happy to be included in this celebration of National Crochet Month with so many fabulous designers! As a group, the participating CGOA designers have chosen a special charity to support this month -Project Night Night.

With that in mind I am offering a free blanket pattern. This easy blanket is a great carry-and-go project. It is made up of 9 individual 12 inch blocks which are then joined with crocheted seams. You can add rows or columns of blocks to make larger size blankets. This would also make a great scrap yarn project. Please consider donating a blanket or making a monetary donation to Project Night Night. If you do make a donation, please add to our group totals here.

I have been a Professional Member of the CGOA since 2009 and I started a local chapter, the Mi Stitchin' Time Crochet Guild. We crochet for local charities (as well as Project Night Night) and I really enjoy our meetings. We have a lot of fun! Click here to find a local chapter near you. It's a great way to share your love of crochet and meet new friends.

I am fortunate to have had patterns published in Crochet World and Country Woman magazines. I am also the author of Crochet-opedia which is set to be released in June of this year. (I am so excited about that!) I hope to be adding new patterns to my shops soon. You can find my patterns at redberrycrochet.com, Etsy, Ravelry and Craftsy.

Thanks for stopping in, and please visit Cari Clement for CGOA, your second stop of the day.

Tomorrow's stops include April Garwood and Mary Colucci for CGOA. 

 In case you've missed any of the previous blog posts click here for a complete list of participating designers.

I would like to thank Amy Shelton and Donna Hulka of Crochetville for organizing this amazing tour - thank you so much!

Bright Striped Blocks Blanket pattern

download now

 

Crochet-opedia - my book is now available for pre-order!

I am so excited to announce that my book Crochet-opedia is now available for pre-order!

US edition - amazon.com

UK edition - amazon.co.uk

The release date for both editions is June, 2013. Click on either photo above to be taken to the appropriate Amazon site.

Crochet-opedia is a comprehensive reference guide to crochet. The book is designed to help the readers learn and master each skill before moving on. With step by step instructions, color photographs, detailed diagrams, and 30 enticing patterns, Crochet-opedia will appeal to newcomers as well as advanced crocheters. It also comes complete with a handy stitch directory, allowing the reader to browse through thumbnail photographs to easily choose a crochet stitch. 

Years ago I taught myself to crochet from a book, so I realize the importance of clear instructions and good illustrations. As I was writing the book I continually asked myself the questions I had when I was learning. As a result, I have also included tips to help avoid pitfalls with each technique. There are many techniques covered including: basic stitches, increasing/decreasing, working in rounds, colorwork, and so much more. More advanced techniques explore thread work, broomstick lace, hairpin lace, and tunisian crochet, and again, so much more. It is my hope that this book will become an invaluable reference guide for anyone who crochets. It is truly the book I wish I had when I was learning. Crochet has brought so much joy to my life and I am so happy to be able to share it with others. It's been an incredible journey!

Craft Gossip Crochet posted a review which you can read here. I have to say Wow! It doesn't get much better than that!

Celebrate National Crochet Month!

Take a Tour Through Crochet Country with 48 crochet designers this month to celebrate March as National Crochet Month. All the participating designers are Professional or Associate Professional members of the CGOA. Each day a different designer (or two) is being featured through a blog roll. Click here for the introductory blog post and a complete list of participating designers. If you haven't been following along, catch up on the previously featured designers here. At each stop along the tour each designer has a special surprise for you! It may be a free pattern, a sneak peak at the designer's crochet studio, or a stitch or technique tutorial.



All the participants have voted to support Project Night Night, a charity that helps homeless children. You can help by donating blankets or a gift of money to this worthy cause. If you do make a donation, please add to the group totals on the Tour page here.


Many thanks to Amy and Donna at Crochetville for coordinating and sponsoring this special event. Please join me here on March 19th for my tour stop - I hope to see you then!