New Year, New Pattern

Yes, we're more than a week into 2018, and yes, this actually did get published last week. So I'm a bit late. But not really, since school here didn't start back up until this Monday, so it hasn't really felt like the new year until this week. And then it rained for two days, which in Las Vegas is a really big deal. The last rainfall we had here was September 13th. That's nearly three months with no rain. 

So it's no wonder I've been dragging a bit with everything else. 

Anyway, my most recent pattern is now live on ILikeCrochet Magazine! 

Here's the web address: https://www.ilikecrochet.com/crochet-bag-patterns/mineral-springs-cosmetic-bag/?mqsc=ILCF18

And the Ravelry database entry: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mineral-springs-cosmetic-bag

This handy little pouch uses just under a skein of Cascade Yarns Sunseeker. I wish the yarn photographed better, there's a metallic thread spun into it that gives quite a bit of sparkle. But it's still a nice looking zipper pouch, if I do say so myself!

Seasonal Change Cowl

It's here! My newest design, the Seasonal Change Cowl:

The weather is getting cooler. The days are getting shorter. And the leaves will soon begin to turn.

This cowl takes less than a skein of Malabrigo Rios. And it works up quick - one of my testers finished in an afternoon. It's perfect for a last-minute fall accessory, and even better for those last-minute handmade holiday gifts.

The pattern is available for sale in both my Ravelry and Craftsy stores.

Wintersong is LIVE!

Hello all! Just a quick post to announce that the pattern for my Wintersong Headband is now live, and available in both my Ravelry and Craftsy stores!

This is a quick-to-make, one-skein project using bulky weight yarn. The original sample (pictured above) uses about half a skein of Berocco Vintage Chunky yarn, which is an acrylic/wool blend - but you can use whichever bulky-weight yarn you wish!

Like all of my paid patterns, this one includes both full written instructions and a chart. You don't have to know how to read a crochet chart to make this pattern, but if your preference is to work from a chart instead of written directions, you'll be able to make this, too!

Here's the Ravelry listing: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/wintersong-headband
And the Craftsy listing: https://www.craftsy.com/crocheting/patterns/wintersong-headband/476552

New Pattern: Midwinter Headband

This Monday morning in October, the temperature is barely 60F. What a perfect day to release my new pattern, the Midwinter Headband!

It's crocheted in bulky weight yarn (the sample uses about half a skein of Berroco Vintage Chunky), featuring simple cables and a button closure. 

Finished size is 2.5”/7cm wide x 21.5”/54.5cm long, unfastened. 

And it's available for sale in both my Ravelry and Craftsy stores.

Happy Monday!

Happy Birthday to Me...

Yes, it is my birthday! And the weather is gorgeous! At least, it is here in Las Vegas. I'm not so sure about the rest of the country...

Anyway, yesterday I released a new pattern on Ravelry:

This is the unimaginatively (yet descriptively) named Ribbon Scarf. It is a one-skein project, using 100g/215 yds/197m of Brown Sheep Cotton Fleece yarn (or whichever worsted weight yarn you choose).

Oh, also, since it's my birthday, I'm having a pattern sale. 36% off patterns in my Ravelry store. (Why 36%? Because it's my 36th birthday!)

And now, I'm off to go adventuring with my boys...

Happy Hippo!

Well, we're more than two weeks into March, which is National Crochet Month...


...and I've finished exactly one crochet project.
(Well, technically two, but the other is for a magazine so I can't show you just yet.)

And this might be the only crochet project that actually gets finished this month.

Hugo the Not So Hungry Hippo

He was a lot of fun to make! It took no time at all to crochet the pieces, but then it took over a week to stuff & sew them together. I blame the time change and my son's refusal to nap for the past week. His naps are the only time that I really have to work on these things.

By the way, my promotion is still running for my crochet tea wallet pattern, until Easter Sunday!

Happy Crochet Month!

Guess what just went live this morning?
Yep, my newest pattern!
I had a lot of fun creating these, and I hope you will, too.

And, just because it's National Crochet Month, and because there's a holiday fast approaching...you can get 50% off the purchase price with the coupon code "EASTER". (Click here to go directly to the promotion page!) This coupon code will be valid through Easter Sunday (05.April)

Testing...testing...

No, really. I have a pattern in testing right now. I had my DNA scarf test-crocheted by three very talented crocheters, who provided some very useful feedback in exchange for a free copy of the pattern. I've acted as a test crocheter and test knitter myself, but this time I was on the other side as a designer. Pretty neat, actually. (The free patterns I have posted here, my Fall Cables Lapghan and Oenfpp, were not tested prior to sharing. Also, my patterns published in I Like Crochet Magazine were not tested - the magazine has its own technical editors, but magazines have neither time nor resources to have patterns individually test-crocheted prior to publication.)

Now, I have another, somewhat smaller, pattern getting ready for self-publication:

Tea Wallets!

I've made quite a few samples, and most of them will be Easter gifts (and, really, with these pastels, they'll fit right in to the holiday.)

There are a few things I didn't anticipate when I decided to try self-publishing. I'm working through them, and every day I'm improving on my last efforts. 

My biggest challenge, I am learning, is photography. I don't have a super-fancy DSLR camera (which is probably for the best, considering I have a toddler in the house), I don't have extensive training, all I have is a willingness to take 100 pictures to (hopefully) get two or three workable ones.
Thankfully, the digital age has made this much more affordable than it was 20 years ago.

I'm also learning to create charts. This is an added challenge, since it involved learning how to use new software - I'm using Inkscape, which is open-source software similar to Adobe Illustrator. (I use open-source software whenever possible. I really don't have the budget for Adobe and Microsoft packages, even just the home versions.) But, it's pretty fun when I get that "ah-ha" moment, and the charts just magically fit together on the screen.

Anyway, the pattern for these tea wallets is on track to be released in March, just in time for some last-minute crochet Easter gifts. I'll post here when it's released, of course, but you can also stalk my Ravelry store here.

New Pattern!!

I've been gone for a while.

Well, that happens...we moved to Las Vegas, which means I've been learning my way around a new city. I've also been adjusting to life back in America - culture shock works both ways, which was not something I anticipated when we initially moved to Japan. Strangely, the national chains of stores and fast food restaurants have been quite comforting to me. A spicy chicken sandwich from Wendy's is the same in every state, after all. And I can find the same things I need in any Target store. (And being able to read every label at the grocery store, without having to play guess-that-protein? Awesome.)

Other things I've been doing: Adapting to being a stay-at-home mom. Chasing my two-year-old around. Growing another tiny human - that's right, Clinton's baby brother is due to arrive sometime around the end of April!

And, of course, I've been crocheting. And designing. And even getting some of these designs published!

Which leads me to my big announcement:

DNA is now live!

This is my first self-published, paid pattern. It is written out line-by-line, and also includes a chart, if that is your preference for crochet patterns. The cables are created via post-stitches. The lovely sample seen above uses two skeins of Dream in Color Classy in Callous Pink.
I hope you like it!