Wild Weekend Weather - Yikes!

The ongoing joke here in Michigan is if you are tired of the weather, just give it a minute . . .

Saturday was no exception with clear sunny skies and warm temperatures, until the afternoon thunderstorms hit. We had winds of up to 70 miles an hour! I know that's nothing compared to a tornado, but I am always afraid of the high winds. We have so many older trees on our place and surrounding our house. We had only 1 casualty, this 45 foot tall pine. Thankfully it fell in an open area away from Steve's shop.


Amazingly we didn't lose power - at least not until Sunday evening around 5:30 pm. We had some thunderstorms on Sunday, but nothing like those of the previous day. Seems strange to me that the power went out, but happily it was back up by 11:30 pm.

Steve managed to get quite a bit cleaned up on Sunday.


Today is a very blustery day out, with high temps in the mid 80's. More thunderstorms are predicted overnight and temperatures tomorrow will be - hold on give it a minute - in the 50's!
Yikes! There's nothing like Michigan weather to keep you in suspense ;)

The Amigurumi Chickens of Red Berry Farm

Meet the chickens of Red Berry Farm!

Red Rooster has a colorful tail that he likes to flash around the barn yard, and Berry Hen with her gorgeous red comb is the apple of his eye. Baby EggB is a little shy and hasn't decided if he's ready to come completely come out his shell, but he's on his feet and testing the world.

These cute chicken patterns are an easy project for those familiar with working in rounds, and require medium weight yarns and sizes G and H crochet hooks.
Finished sizes of completed chickens will be:
Red Rooster: 5 inches tall including comb, 3 1/2 inches wide
Berry Hen: 4 inches tall including comb, 3 1/4 inches wide
Baby EggB: 2 3/4 inches tall, 2 inches wide

I really enjoyed making these chickens, they are so much fun! It was my first experience creating amigurumi (Japanese word which loosely translated means crocheted small stuffed doll), and I hope to explore the world of amigurumi much more. Enjoy!

New RedBerryCrochet Patterns

It's amazing how quickly time can get away from you! Here are two patterns that I have listed in my Etsy shop since my last blog update:


This is an intermediate crochet pattern requiring simple color changes and embroidery. Requires 100% cotton yarns and a size G hook. Finished size of your potholder will be 6 3/4 inches (17 cm) wide by 7 1/2 inches (19 cm) tall. This pattern includes complete instructions, color photos, and embroidery charts for both the Jam and Jelly labels in a pdf file. My patterns also include a Helps & Hints section on the last page which explain and show (with photographs) techniques and steps that may be unfamiliar to you. Also included are explanations of special stitches and a list of abbreviations used in the pattern.




This is an easy beginner crochet pattern that requires worsted (medium) weight yarn and a size K crochet hook. These blankets are a Quick to Stitch project and the pattern includes complete instructions and color photos in a pdf file. The finished size of your pet blanket will be 19 inches across by 19 1/2" tall. I also include easy instructions for you to customize your blanket and make it as large as you wish.

Thanks for visiting and stay tuned for more fun crochet patterns!

Jelly Jar Potholder - A brand new shop item!

Newly listed tonight, this Jelly Jar potholder is just too "sweet"! I had so much fun making my fried egg potholder, that I decided to make some new designs, all with a country flair. I will also be listing a Jam Jar version of this in different colors. Designing new patterns is truly my passion and for my "hooker" friends I will also be adding a pdf crochet pattern of both versions for sale this week.

A Hooker Book Review - The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs

The Complete Book of Crochet Stitch Designs
500 Classic & Original Patterns
by Linda P. Schapper
ISBN 1-57990-915-9
Revised Edition, published 2007 by Lark Books


Originally published in 1985, this revised edition is much easier to read and has all new updated photos.
The book includes 33 chapters, an introduction, illustrations of basic stitches, International crochet symbols, and a pictoral index of all the stitches.
I really love the pictoral index. Set up with 6 columns and 5 rows, the mini pictures are clear enough to search for a particular stitch or design that you are looking for. For example, if you want a stitch pattern that is more detailed vertically than horizontally, it is easy to browse and visually pick out one that may work for you. Each picture in the index also includes a number and the page number where the details can be found.
When you go the page that has the stitch details you will find a larger photo, a symbol pattern chart (I love these!) and step by step instructions.
Every stitch design book is unique and different in its own way, and this book is much more than a guide to basic stitches and the simple patterns that we all know and love. If you are searching for a lacy pattern for a lovely evening shawl, or an openwork pattern for a tablerunner, or popcorn stitch patterns for a new scarf, you will certainly find them here!
This is a great reference book for any crocheter, beginner to experienced, that makes it easy to design and create your own projects.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.


4 out of 5 "Hooks Up" Recommendation

Boggy Bloggy Me

An alternate definition of the word boggy is "To be hindered and slowed." Yep, that's me. Hindered. And Slow. *sigh*
I have so much on my plate right now that I thought I would take a brief moment to update my boggy blog and put a few things into perspective. So, here's a few things I've managed to accomplish.
1. I managed to update my Etsy banner, and I've also uploaded the new one here.
2. I've added a new pattern to my shop. (That's my Daphne in the pic - awww, isn't she cute!)


3. I'm working on another new pattern that I've almost finished, and I hope to offer with a crochet kit in my shop soon.
4. I finished a scarf project for The Special Olympics.
5. I'm *mostly* caught up with all the EtsyHookers team stuff I have to do.
6. I reminded myself today that I am very grateful - for my wonderful husband and family, for my adorable and affectionate pets, to have a job that I love, and to have the gift of being able to making something out of simple tools of hook and yarn.
Okay, so no more feeling boggy, and I've just updated my bloggy :) Thanks for stopping in!

A Hooker Book Review - The Crochet Answer Book

The Crochet Answer Book
by Edie Eckman
ISBN 1-58017-598-8





“Solutions to Every Problem You’ll Ever Face, Answers to Every Question You’ll Ever Ask.”

This handy little guide is packed with tons of information. The author, Edie Eckman, is also a pattern designer and crochet instructor. In her introduction she states, “I’ve tried to answer some of the most common questions crocheters have and to anticipate some questions you didn’t know you had.” I think she’s accomplished this very well! Set in an easy to read Q&A format with well defined chapters, this book also includes clear and concise illustrations.

Many of the questions are aimed at the beginning crocheter, but I was surprised and delighted to find lots of information included here that would be helpful to intermediate and experienced crocheters as well.
While going through the book there were quite a few questions where I thought, “I wish I had this book when I needed that answer!” Such as; “Do I always have to work a foundation chain?”, “How do I make an oval?”, “How do I tell the Left Front from the Right Front of my sweater?”, “How do I join separate motifs?”, and so much more!

Also included in this guide is a hook size chart, graph paper, a chart for suggested sizes of accessories and household items (such as afghan sizes), standard measurements and sizing charts, standard abbreviations, stitch symbols, yarn care symbols, common crochet terms and phrases, more resources, and an index.

I am very impressed with this book and I think every crocheter should have a copy in their toolkit. Not only a useful guide for questions you may have, but also for those answers you may have forgotten.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.

5 out of 5 “Hooks Up” recommendation

A Hooker Book Review - 200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets

200 Crochet Tips, Techniques & Trade Secrets
by Jan Eaton
ISBN 0-312-36187-4




Colorful and well photographed, this book is a feast for the eyes. It is neatly organized into 7 chapters and the chapters include:
Hooks, tools, and yarns
Patterns and charts - Explains how to read patterns as well as symbol charts, including filet crochet.
Design - Learn the importance of gauge as well as garment fitting and design basics.
Crochet Techniques - Explains working with basic stitches, edge treatments, and garment details such as pockets, zippers, collars and making your own crochet buttons.
Working in the round
Fun with color - Includes a short explanation of color groupings and color theory. This chapter also includes yarn dyeing instructions for the beginner.
Assembling and Finishing

Found at the back of this book is a Resource section. It includes size chart lists which give average body size measurements: baby, 3 months to 24 months; child, 2 to 16 years; women, X-small to 3X; men, small to XX-large. Also has a handy head circumference chart (preemie through adult). Yarn and laundering symbols are also explained, and like all crochet books of this type should have, includes hook size information, and crochet abbreviations. The index is thorough and easy to use.

A major fault I found with this book is that specific patterns were not included in the Crochet Techniques chapter. For example, in the section about chevron patterns, there is information and photographs on how to create the peaks and troughs. Several swatches are pictured showing variations of the chevron stitch, however, there are no pattern instructions on how to create any of the swatches themselves! You can figure out the pattern from the pictured swatches, but I found this annoying and would not recommend this book to a beginner wanting to learn new stitches. Because of this fault, I would recommend a book of crochet stitches instead.

The “trade secrets” are nothing new and generalized like all the information in this book. There are many other books that serve this purpose better, such as The Crochet Answer Book, by Edie Eckman.

Overall this is a beautiful book and contains a lot of general information that beginners may find helpful, but personally, this is not a book that I would purchase for myself or as a gift.

What do you think? Visit your local library and if they do not have this book in their collection, ask them to loan it from another library for you. It’s a free service, and a great way to preview books if you are considering purchasing them.

2 out of 5 "Hooks Up" recommendation

My Pattern Has Been Published!

I am so excited! Today my issue of Crochet World arrived and I’m in it - woot!



I had sent this pattern in last fall for their pattern of the month contest. It wasn’t chosen for the contest, but the editor contacted me and told me they would like to publish it. Since their editorial schedule had been filled last winter, she told me it would be published this fall. Seems like it took FOREVER, but here it is and I couldn’t be happier.



And it’s so much fun to see my name in print.



And I also have the pleasure of being included as a designer on the Crochet World website:
http://www.crochet-world.com/gallery.html?designercode=joparka

I really loved making this scarf, and designing patterns is my passion. I’m so glad that I get to share this pattern with so many wonderful crocheters!

New Pattern Shop!

Late last week I received word that my pattern shop was available for business. It is through Ravelry, (thank you Ravelry! I love you!). If you are a Ravelry user you can also view my pattern shop here and use the shopping cart. Your new patterns will be added to your Ravelry library. It’s a great way to keep your patterns organized in one place.

But the best news is that you don’t have to be signed up on Ravelry to purchase my patterns! You don’t even have to have a PayPal account. You can find my patterns here or by clicking on the button in the right column.

And the bestest (is that even a word?) news is that once your payment is received, you’ll instantly be able to download the pattern! Yay! How’s that for instant gratification?

I’ll be adding new patterns as I design them, so please be sure to check back often. And as always I have the completed items for sale in my Etsy shop. Thanks for visiting!