Sharing Free Pattern- Cented Flowers

ScannedImageSo with the craziness of the end of summer and the beginning of fall weather, I have been able to do a little regrouping. In the process, I realized that I had not shared a pattern I was intending to release after the Knit & Crochet Show at the end of July.

I was honored to be included in the Crochet Guide of America’s Make & Take projects that were available this year’s conference (its 20th Anniversary), in Manchester, NH. I designed and donated the pattern, Marty Miller shared her time and knowledge doing the technical editing of it, and Designing Vashti was generous enough to supply the Lotus Yarn for the sample as well as the projects at the conference.

IMG_6177.1I admit I over thought the pattern, and probably over symbolized it. Since it was for the Anniversary conference, and the theme colors were Emerald, White and Platinum, I made sure to include them in the project. Then for 20 year anniversaries some websites indicated that the Aster flower was the recognized flower for the event, so I created a daisy like flower. Then I added dimes in the center, made sure there were 2, so that there was 20 cents, 1 for every year. So I had two white flowers with green leaves, and “platinum” color centers. Yes, I probably did over think this.

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A few of the attendees of my Make & Take

The Make & Take was scheduled for Saturday during lunch and I had a total of 18 people participate (people did not have to stay the entire time, but drop in and go as they liked). Many people learned some new skills, as the pattern included foundation double crochet, surface crochet, and extended stitches. The project is mounted to a snap hair clip, but can easily be used to embellish many things, and created in many beautiful colors.

So, I wanted to share the free pattern “Cented Flowers” (yes, it is a little puny) with those that may not have been able to attend the conference in New Hampshire, I hope you enjoy it. Please feel free to down load it here. Cented Flowers

A Week of Fun, Learning, and Terrific Memories…All in the Name of Crochet

ScannedImageI cannot believe that I have already been home from the Knit &Crochet Show for over a week! I basically only just unpacked all of my supplies.

I had a great time while I was there, I took some fabulous classes, talked with some fabulous people, met even more fabulous people, and had a fabulous time (in case you hadn’t realized, crocheters are fabulous)!

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Jennifer Ryan and myself in the middle of some of her yarn bombing.

I love when new things happen and they instantly become occurrences that should continue always, an example of this was the “Yarn Bombing” of the Radisson Hotel in downtown Manchester, NH. Jennifer Ryan (a fellow crochet designer), spear headed this undertaking and it left everyone wondering why it had not happened before now. There were little yarn motifs and decorations almost everywhere you turned. It definitely had a fun feeling.

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A few of my students at the Make & Take of “Cented Flowers”, they were such a fun bunch!

This was the first year I was actually up in front of the room giving some instruction. I moderated the Professional Think Tank, where professionals in the crochet industry, and those striving to be were able to share ideas and ask questions that were relative to their careers. I also helped co-teach the CGOA Master’s Day, with Susan Lowman and Jane Rimmer. We helped those interested in completing the Master’s of Advanced Stitches and Techniques Program with guidance of common mistakes, and overall how to approach their work as a Master. Then I presented a make & take Project and had 18 students learn my “Cented Flowers”, they were created with Designing Vashti Lotus yarn, in white, and green (celebration colors for the conference), with dimes in the center, of 2 flowers 9so there was 20 cents for the 20th anniversary celebration…yes I probably over thought this project), but I had fun teaching it.

I also took some great classes.

I took Shuttle Tatting from Susan Lowman, and what I learned in that class…how I can appreciate the skill and nimble fingers it takes to create these delicate pieces. I practiced for w6 hours, but all I had to show for it was some short threads, and a souvenir butterfly, that Susan made for everyone in class. There were a couple of people that picked it up very quickly, and my hats off to them, I think Lindsey Stephens has already gone home and made a couple of book marks!

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Just some general fun with Margaret Hubert, myself, Vashti Braha and Marcy Smith

I was also fortunate to get into Vashti Braha’s Star Stitch Class. I always love taking her classes; she goes so in depth into the ins-&-outs of the stitch and what makes it work, she takes you to the very limit of what that technique has to offer. There is always an “Awe Ha” moment in her class, and this one was no exception. It helped me to look at this stitch that I considered “old & dense” in the past, as one that has some real possibilities to create gorgeous fabric.

I also to a very interesting class by Dora Orhenstien, it was about tension in crochet and how to adjust it. It opened my mind up to a different way of thinking. Usually you find that if your stitches are not coming out correctly that you are either pulling loops up to high, or not high enough, but this class caused you to take into account how your tension can effect various advanced as well as basic stitches. It is something that I never considered before and was really enlightening.

I wrapped up my classes with a Sunday morning class with Karen Whooley on Venetian Lace. I admit I was a little distracted during this class with issues at home, but still Karen presented a well planned class, that gave a complete history and understanding of this different lace style. It opened my eyes, historically speaking. In understanding different approaches to lace throughout Europe and she had beautiful samples that her grandmother had created. A fascinating class, I definitely enjoyed it.

It was a very enjoyable time and I always love the experience I have when I attend, this time was no different.

Some Pattern thoughts for Lotus Yarn (Free Download of Cented Flowers)

ScannedImageSo a couple of weeks ago I told you how I really enjoy working with Designing Vashti Lotus Yarn, it got me thinking, I do have a couple of pattern examples that I could share that highlight this yarn.

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My daughter modeling DJC: Lotus Bolero (What a ham)

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Another modeling shot…

The first one is from Doris Chan, and it is the DJC: Lotus Bolero. It is excellently written, from the top down, and a fun project. I can attest that the final product is very enjoyable as well. My daughter did the modeling for the girl sizes, and really adores them. (She completely mixes and matches them up with a variety of things in her wardrobe). Doris has it sized from a girl size 4 to a 3X, very impressive and flattering for anyone.

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Cented Flowers- Free download pattern

The other pattern is one that I worked up for the 20th Anniversary Celebration of the Crochet Guild of America, it is the Cented Flower. It is a small clip that is adorned with 2 flowers that have dime accents in their center. The celebration colors are White, Emerald and Platinum, so I attempted to capture them in this design. I am actually offering instructions and supplies for this design at a Make-&-Take Saturday, July 26, 2014 from 12:30-1:30pm (EST) at the Knit & Crochet Show, showroom floor. However, even if you cannot make the trip to Manchester, NH, I wanted you to be able to enjoy the pattern yourself so I have made it available here as a free download. Cented Flowers

I hope you enjoy the pattern; I would love to know your thoughts about it.