NatCroMo 2016

Hi Crocheters, Happy National Crochet Month!!

Welcome everyone, thank you so much for joining me on my blog post day for Crochetville's celebration of all things crochet.  There are so many wonderful crochet designers and local yarn shops involved this year, and the best way to keep up with all of the goings-on is through Crochetville's Facebook Page for NatCroMo.

I've been working on all sorts of projects lately, and those of you who know me know that I'm easily distracted by bright shiny objects.  But, I have focused long enough to bring you some fun things for the month of March:

1)  The Sunset Planner Portfolio

One really important project I've been working on for myself but that hopefully you will find helpful as well is a crochet bag in which to keep my daily paperwork organized.  The Sunset Planner Portfolio pattern is now available on Ravelry, and a kit with all of the needed ingredients will be available in my Etsy shop soon.  In celebration of NatCroMo 2016, the crochet pattern on Ravelry is 50% off and our kit on Etsy will be 20% off for the whole month of March with code NATCROMO2016.


At the beginning of every year, I struggle with finding, and utilizing, the "perfect" planner to keep track of all of my personal and business tasks, appointments, bills, ... everything!  This year, I think I'm a step closer to really having the tools and system I need to keep on top of everything, and I'm hoping my research into different methods of keeping track of items will be helpful to you too.

First, you might want to check out my previous post on being both organized AND creative and some steps to take in that direction.  Also, I've got another follow-up post coming up later this month with some great resources I've come across AND FREE PRINTABLES that I've been using in building my own paper organization system and crochet projects system.

2)  The Imminent Launch of "Global Crochet"

Like it's not hard enough to get organized and keep up with Many Creative Gifts, I've decided to launch a companion site, Global Crochet, that explores crochet styles and techniques from around the world!  We're going to be partnering with some amazing and creative people to offer some unique crochet projects and accessories and exploring exactly what the "crochet lifestyle" is all about.  For now, please visit us on Facebook, like our page, and get up-to-date information about the launch!  

And the best place to start is home -- the District of Columbia!  There's more than just politics going on in this town; we've got a very vibrant fiber arts and handmade movement here. Our new project bag celebrates DC and will be available for pre-order in our Etsy shop by March 14th, with delivery in about 3-4 weeks.

3)  Meet Clownie's Friends!

Here's my Clownie from last year's DCWBC Holiday Bazaar!  For those of you who already have made Clownie the Crochet Clown Doll come alive, many thanks from the bottom of my heart.  I know how special Clownie has become in a lot of families (he's the least scary clown you can imagine :-), but I've been worried about Clownie being a bit lonely ...  So, stay tuned to meet some new companions for Clownie and hear more about their adventures together!

Again, thank you so much for spending part of your NatCroMo celebration with me, and I hope to see you back here again and on Facebook later in the month for some updates, freebies, and surprises -- to get the latest, please sign up for blog post emails in the left column of this page, only one or two a week I promise, and connect with me through my Facebook page anytime :-).

A Special Anniversary Discount

As I promised, we're going to be doing a little celebrating for the rest of April, and the first special involves 50% off in my Ravelry store (http://www.ravelry.com/stores/phyllis-serbes-designs---many-creative-gifts).  Just use the coupon code "HappyAnniversary" between now and 11:59 PM EDT on April 19th.  There's no minimum purchase required, so I hope you'll give one of my patterns a try :-)

Visit our Facebook page next Tuesday for the next little surprise!

Crochetville 2014 National Crochet Month Blog Tour

It's National Crochet Month!  It's hard to believe it's already March, and I am participating in Crochetville's blog tour again this year.  Our theme is the "Spring Garden" and if you make it to the bottom of the post, there will be a free themed crochet pattern for you to try out!

But other important matters first.  During this month, we are supporting Halos of Hope, a charity that has a simple mission -- to provide crocheted, knitted, or sewn hats to over 450 cancer centers around the country each month!  I hope you'll check out the website and consider making a hat or monetary donation (100% goes to shipping expenses).  Hats can be sent to:

Crochetville LLC
Attn:  Amy Shelton
103 Scarlet Oak Circle
Harvest AL 35749 

You may send your hats to:

Crochetville LLC

ATTN: Amy Shelton

103 Scarlet Oak Circle

Harvest, AL 35749

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-2014-designer-blog-tour/#sthash.sEHToQ8l.dpuf

You may send your hats to:

Crochetville LLC

ATTN: Amy Shelton

103 Scarlet Oak Circle

Harvest, AL 35749

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-2014-designer-blog-tour/#sthash.sEHToQ8l.dpuf

You may send your hats to:

Crochetville LLC

ATTN: Amy Shelton

103 Scarlet Oak Circle

Harvest, AL 35749

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-2014-designer-blog-tour/#sthash.sEHToQ8l.dpuf

You may send your hats to:

Crochetville LLC

ATTN: Amy Shelton

103 Scarlet Oak Circle

Harvest, AL 35749

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-2014-designer-blog-tour/#sthash.sEHToQ8l.dpuf

In honor of Crochet Month and Crochetville's Spring Garden theme, I've been working on a baby-sized version of  Melissa Leapman's Flowers in a Row afghan, available on the Red Heart website at this link.  I decided to make the cuddle blanket in a chunky weight yarn with a J hook:

I'm about to send off the finished project to the mother, but I guess she'll be getting a preview of it here ;-).

Also in celebration, I'm offering 20% off any pattern in my Ravelry store, just use the promotion code NatCro2014 (no minimum purchase required).

Here is a little taste of my style and how I write patterns.  This free square pattern is actually the center part of a larger, more intricate square that I've worked up in a DK weight yarn and that should be available in my Ravelry shop in the next month or two.  For this square, I used the leftover chunky yarn from the baby blanket, and it ended up measuring a healthy 6 inches across.

Materials Needed

• Blue Sky Worsted Cotton:  Hyacinth (Color A) and Pickle (Color B) (150 yd/100 g)

• Crochet hook size I/9/5.50 mm

Abbreviations

beg = beginning

ch = chain

dc = double crochet

hdc = half double crochet

RS = right side

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

st = stitch

ROUND 1 • (RS): With Color A, ch 8, join; ch 2, 24 dcs in circle, sl st to top of first dc.

ROUND 2 • Ch 1, 1 sc in same st, [ch 5, skip 2 sts, 1 sc in next st] 7 times, ch 5, sl st to top of first sc.

ROUND 3 • [Sl st into next loop, ch 2, 5 dcs into loops, ch 2, sl st into loop] 8 times, sl st to first petal, fasten off.

ROUND 4 • With Color B, join yarn in center st of a petal, ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next st, ch 3, 1 sc in first st of next petal, 1 hdc in next st, 3 dcs in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next st (corner created), ch 3, 1 sc in second st of next petal, 1 sc in next 2 sts (center 3 sts of petal) (side created); continue around, creating 3 more corners and sides, sl st to top of first sc.

ROUND 5 • Ch 2, 1 dc in same st, *1 dc in next st, 3 dcs in ch-3 space below, 1 dc in next 3 sts until corner, (1 dc, ch 2, 1 dc) in next st, (should be center st of corner 3 dcs), 1 dc in next 3 sts, 3 dcs in ch-3 below, repeat from * around, 1 dc in last st, sl st to top of first dc.

ROUND 6 • Ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [ch 1, skip next st, 1 dc in next st] 4 times, (ch1, 1 dc, ch 3, 1 dc, ch 1) in corner, 1 dc in next st, [ch 1, skip next st, 1 dc in next st] 8 times, repeat around, sl st to first dc.

ROUND 7 • Ch 1, ch 1, 1 sc in same st, [1 sc in ch-1 below, 1 sc in next st] until corner, [1 sc in ch-1 sp below, 3 scs in corner st, 1 sc in ch-1 space], 1 sc in next st, 1 sc in ch-1 space around, sl st to top of first sc, fasten off.

~~~~~~~

So, I hope you have a wonderful March and get in lots of crochet!  I hope to be back on a more regular blogging schedule soon -- thanks to all the well wishes you've sent regarding my mom's recovery.  She's had a set back or two, but slowly, she is doing better and better :-)

Humpty Dumpty in Crochet

Sorry to have been AWOL for so long, but I used the government shutdown to stay away from the computer.  I have discovered that staring at a computer screen and staring at a crochet project seem to have different effects on my eyes, the latter being so much more preferable!  And, a lot of crocheting I did!  Here's my latest project -- Humpty Dumpty in Crochet.

The pattern is now available in my Ravelry store at this link:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/humpty-dumpty-in-crochet, and if you purchase before October 31st, he's 20% off with this Ravelry coupon code:  Humpty2013


Now, you might be asking, why Humpty Dumpty?  Well, here's an example of how a crochet designer can get inspiration from just about anywhere.  I have family who lives in Bethesda, MD.  So, when I go to visit, I often cut across Connecticut Avenue to Wisconsin Avenue by going down Bradley Boulevard.  One day there was a bit of a back up, so as I was sitting there, I looked over and at the end of a house's driveway was a little stone Humpty Dumpty sitting on the retaining wall.  He really brought back memories of the children's nursery rhyme, and I did a little Wikipedia research to find out more.  Anyway, he got my creative juices flowing, and this is the result!

What's been inspiring you lately?!

It's National Crochet Month!

Well, ok, I'm off by two days, but Ellen Gormley and Shelby Allaho have done a great job of kicking things off, and today is my special blog post in celebration (keep reading, there's a discount code in this for you, and if you missed it, here is my Owl Scarf pattern from yesterday's post):

And wait til you see what Amy O'Neill Houck and Akua Lezli Hope have to offer you tomorrow!

First, many thanks to the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA) and Amy Shelton and Donna Hulka of Crochetville for herding us cats and getting this blog tour organized.  All of the designers, including me, participating in this blog tour are professional or associate professional members of the CGOA.  We are so committed to the organization's mission of advancing the art of crochet and continuing crochet skills for generations to come, so I hope you will visit the organization's site to see all of the wonderful resources available and subscribe to Crochet! magazine.  Amy is our current President extraordinaire, and Crochetville is her beautiful contribution to the world of crochet, so please check out her wonderful resources as well.

All designers participating in the tour are Professional or Associate Professional members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). CGOA offers two national conferences each year with an extensive list of crochet classes, an annual Design Competition, and a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques program. Hundreds of local chapters around the country provide crocheters additional opportunities to learn about crochet and advance their skills. Other member benefits include a subscription to Crochet! magazine, a private email discussion group for members, discounts to online retailers, and classes at our Chain Link conferences. Please consider joining the organization and help us in our mission to advance the art of crochet and continue crochet skills into the next generation.

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-a-tour-through-crochet-country-begins/#sthash.GpUNgHCV.dpuf

All designers participating in the tour are Professional or Associate Professional members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). CGOA offers two national conferences each year with an extensive list of crochet classes, an annual Design Competition, and a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques program. Hundreds of local chapters around the country provide crocheters additional opportunities to learn about crochet and advance their skills. Other member benefits include a subscription to Crochet! magazine, a private email discussion group for members, discounts to online retailers, and classes at our Chain Link conferences. Please consider joining the organization and help us in our mission to advance the art of crochet and continue crochet skills into the next generation.

- See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-a-tour-through-crochet-country-begins/#sthash.GpUNgHCV.dpuf

All designers participating in the tour are Professional or Associate Professional members of the Crochet Guild of America (CGOA). CGOA offers two national conferences each year with an extensive list of crochet classes, an annual Design Competition, and a Master of Advanced Crochet Stitches and Techniques program. Hundreds of local chapters around the country provide crocheters additional opportunities to learn about crochet and advance their skills. Other member benefits include a subscription to Crochet! magazine, a private email discussion group for members, discounts to online retailers, and classes at our Chain Link conferences. Please consider joining the organization and help us in our mission to advance the art of crochet and continue crochet skills into the next generation - See more at: http://crochetville.com/national-crochet-month-a-tour-through-crochet-country-begins/#sthash.GpUNgHCV.dpuf

A complete list of stops along the blog tour is available here, and I really hope everyone will indulge themselves in lots of crochet this month!

And while you are crocheting away, I hope you'll take a little time to visit Project Night Night and see what you can do to help such a worthwhile endeavor.  Their goal is to provide every homeless child with a Night Night Package, so that when he or she leaves the shelter, they will have an age appropriate book for reading and family bonding, a cuddly security blanket, and a soon-to-be cherished stuffed animal. I always say that crocheters (and knitters too) are some of the most open-hearted and generous people, so please send good thoughts (and money and projects) to this special charity.  You especially can help Project Night Night by making and sending in a new crocheted blanket (50” x 60” or smaller) and/or making a financial donation. On the site, there is a list of all of the shelters the organization serves, so if you prefer, you could find one in your community or hometown to support. Be sure to visit the official blog tour site to add your contribution to the total!

Thank you for participating with me in CGOA's National Crochet Month's blog tour!  Please catch up on my six, five, four, three, two, and one Countdown posts and sign up in the little box in the left column for my blog posts by email and to be added to my newsletter subscription list!  

And enjoy 20% off all patterns in my Ravelry store for the entire month of March -- just use coupon code NatCro2013.  Happy Crocheting!

One and Done!

One day left in the Countdown to my blog post for National Crochet Month!

Today, I want to share the Owl Scarf crochet pattern with you all before the big day, but be sure to come back tomorrow for a special offer on all of my patterns in my Ravelry store and lots more info about what CGOA has planned for March.

Owl Scarf Pattern (in American crochet terms).  Finished owl is 7" tall and 5" wide; the scarf is 41" long.

With worsted weight yarn (orange) and an H hook, make a slip knot and chain 2.

round 1:  6 scs into second ch from hook
round 2:  2 puff sts in each st around, sl st on top of first st to join (12 sts)
round 3:  2 puff sts in each st around, sl st on top of first st to join (24 sts)
round 4:  ch 1, 1 sc in same st, 2 scs in next st, [1 sc in next st, 2 scs in next st] around, sl st to top of first st (36 sts)
round 5:  with brown yarn, ch 2, 1 dc in same st, [1 dc in next st, 2 dcs in next st] 17 times, 1 dc in last st, 1 dc in first st, sl st to top of first dc (54 sts), fasten off.

On RS, to create head, count back 8 sts to the right from the fasten off point and attach orange yarn.

row 1:  ch 1, 1 sc in same and next st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 2 dcs in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dcs in next st (should be center), 1 dc in next 3 sts, 2 dcs in next st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts, 1 sc in next 2 sts, turn.
row 2:  sl st to next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 1 dc in next st, 2 dcs in next st, 1 dc in next 4 sts, 2 dcs in next st, 1 dc in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, sl st to next st, turn.
row 3:  sl st to next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 scs in next st, 1 sc in next 8 sts, 2 scs in next st, 1 sc in next 3 sts, sl st in next 2 sts, fasten off.

On RS, to trim the owl, with a G hook, join brown yarn at 4th st from right side, ch 1, 1 sc in same and next 7 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 2 hdcs in next st, 3 dcs in next st (right corner created), 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 8 sts, 1 hdc in next st, 3 dcs in next st (left corner created), 2 hdcs in next st, 1 hdc in next st, 1 sc in next 8 scs, sl st to last st, fasten off.

On RS, to start the scarf, join brown yarn in center st of right corner,

row 1:  ch 2, 2 dcs in same st, 1 dc in next 12 sts, 2 dcs in center st of left corner (16 sts), turn.
row 2:  ch 1, 1 sc in same and each st across (16 sts), turn

Repeat rows 2 and 3 42 times or until desired length.  If desired, trim scarf (not owl) with the crab stitch.

To make the eyes,

round 1:  with brown, ch 2, 6 scs in second ch from hook
round 2:  with white, ch 2, 2 dcs in each st, 3 dcs in last st, 1 dc in first st, sl st to top of first dc (14 sts)
round 3:  ch 1, 2 scs in same st and next 9 sts (18 sts), fasten off.

Place eyes on face and make a beak by chaining 3 and making 3 dcs into 3rd ch from hook.  The feet are made with orange yarn along bottom edge of scarf by making [2 scs into a st, sl st into next st, 2 hdcs into that st, ch 2 and sl st to next st, 2 scs into that st] twice, with a sl st in between and to end.

And, voila!  You have your own little Owl Scarf to get you through the rest of winter :-)

Social Media

I've been doing a lot of crocheting lately and began to feel that I needed to shift back to some marketing and computer work.  I've had some Google ads running to increase exposure (it's been costing about $1.50 a day) and a coupon code for Ravelry (HOLDAY, use by 12/15/10 :-), but an article in Entrepreneur magazine has me thinking more about how to leverage social media (I haven't gotten all the way through it yet, so I'll be posting more when I learn more).  Again, the issue seems to be time.  I love interacting on Facebook and Ravelry, joining groups and forums (fora?), but it can be time consuming, and I'm hoping to pick up some efficiency tips.  Seems like one of the keys might be making use of the new directories and consolidators that are popping up.  Also, I came across a free template for a Social Media News Release that provides a way to pull together all of your information --  http://www.shiftcomm.com/downloads/smprtemplate.pdf

Of course, now I need to do something that's worth having a news release about!  Oh, which reminds me, I thought I had this great idea for a book on all the different crochet techniques, and sure enough, there's one coming out at the end of December.  But, hey, I could still do my own version...