Granny Squares & Motifs

I'm looking forward to teaching my Granny Square Crochet class this month. I used to have a strong dislike for granny squares, but as has been said of today's granny squares, "these ain't your typical granny's squares". There are some gorgeous patterns for granny squares out there and even more gorgeous patterns showing how they can be used. Far beyond afghans, granny squares can be stitched up into hats, sweaters ... you name it.

And besides this fantastic crochet technique, I also teach my students how to crochet flower motifs. Just in time for spring, and the possibilities are endless! Crocheted flowers can be attached by sewing/pinning/gluing onto almost any surface you can think of. What a special accent they can add to a gift OR they can make unique hand-crafted gifts all by themselves!

If you're in the Charlotte, NC area and would like to join us for this exciting class, here are the details:

Granny Square Crochet

Saturday, March 28 - 2p-4p ($15)

All classes will be held at A.C. Moore - Matthews. Class sign-up and payment is all done "in store". When you sign-up, you'll be provided with a short list of class materials that you'll need for class (basically specific crochet hooks & yarn). Spaces go quickly, so I recommend signing up ASAP. In some cases you can sign up on the same day, right before class, but you'll need to contact me first to make arrangements.

Feel free to pass this invitation along to anyone you think might be interested in learning this fun technique. You can leave a comment here on my blog with any questions or at my shop: MyCrochetPassion Hope to see you in class!

Getting in Some Final Winter Pieces

I'm squeezing in a couple more winter items before the warm weather sets in down here. This first one is a custom order for my niece in NJ. I daresay she has a bit more winter left than I do here in the Carolinas. We've come up with this design over e-mails and photo attachments only, so I sure hope she's pleased with the end product. I used Moda Dea's Tweedle Dee in Cinnamon Twist. I'm not a fan of tweeds, but this is a great wool-blend yarn that I've really come to love. It's self-shading so the colorwork is automatic. I started with a foundation single crochet row (FSC=create foundation chain and 1st sc row at the same time), then used single-crochet as the primary stitch throughout. The center rows are designed with a v-stitch pattern for added appeal. Long sides are edged with a half-double crochet row.

I'm working on a winter sweater for myself which I hope to have finished this weekend. I'll post it here when it's complete.

Thanks for looking!

My Etsy item featured on new fashion website & National Crochet Month!

Wow, I feel like I've hit the big time - LOL! I am excited though because my Breast Cancer cup cozy is being featured as a free giveaway on a newly launched and sophisticated fashion website. Check it out here: http://tinyurl.com/azry5v And if you want to enter, hurry because the drawing is March 6, no purchase necessary!

This is also extra exciting for me because it's a great way to kickoff National Crochet Month. But I want to celebrate some more, so for the entire month of March, celebrate with me by taking advantage of a 10% markdown on all of my handmade items ... only while these current listings last.

See you at the shop! MyCrochetPassion

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!

I belong to the Etsy Artists of Color Team and January 30 (Friday) is our 1-year anniversary! In celebration of this grand event, I'm applying FREE S&H for every order placed in my shop on January 30. So, save the date and don't miss out on this great deal!! Remember, I'm more than happy to take custom orders for most items, just ask. Click here to see the goodies!

School is in!

As I continue to lovingly practice the art of crochet, I've discovered so many others that share my love for the craft and others that have a strong desire to learn/re-learn how to crochet. So, being in between jobs has presented me with the opportunity to offer crochet classes and man, how rewarding!! I've held crochet classes before, but during the last couple of months, I've been fortunate enough to be added to A.C. Moore's class roster. I teach beginning and intermediate crochet at the Matthews, NC location and my class offerings for January '09 are as follows:

Beginners Crochet Series
4 Saturdays in January (Jan 10 - Jan 31) from 2p-3p

Intermediate Crochet Series
4 Mondays in January (Jan 5 - Jan 26) from 10a-11a

If you're in the area and are interested in joining us, please email me for more information on pricing and materials. For those that have a conflict with this current class schedule, I also offer one-on-one classes; feel free to contact me for more information.

Okay, I'm off to finish more goodies for my Etsy shop so that I can make them available in time for the New Year.

Can't Believe It's Been a Year Since my Last Post!!

So what have I been doing? Working hard and crocheting whenever I can, which is a lot and never as much as I'd like. I've come to the realization that even if I could crochet all day, it wouldn't be enough. True sign of an addict, right? Well, those of you who can relate will be proud that your fellow hooker has put her addictive behaviors to good use. Yep, I opened a crochet shop on etsy -- mycrochetpassion! There are so many things that I enjoy making and want to make, so why not let others share in the joy of my passion, right? After all, I don't have room around here for all of my lovingly created pieces. And any room that I can find I need for my yarn stash - lol! So click this link - http://mycrochetpassion.etsy.com/- check out my shop, make it a Favorite and leave me a comment at the store or back here on my blog.

Oh, I almost forgot ... when you're at my etsy shop -- mycrochetpassion -- keep in my mind that for the entire month of December, if you purchase two or more items in one single order, you pay no (none, zero, zilch) S&H fees. Whoo-hoo!Well, I've gotta get back to hookin' but I hope to be back with an update soon, at least before another whole year goes by!

My First BICO & Sold Item!

"BICO" is the acronym for the Baby It's Cold Outside pattern that I discovered on Crochetville. I showed pictures of a few completed BICOs to a co-worker of mine and she asked me to make one for her as a gift for a new baby due in her family around the holidays ... AND offered to pay me!! I graciously accepted her offer. :-) When I was almost finished with the BICO, she asked me if I could add a hat. I got some good hat pattern ideas from Crochetville as well, but ended up using the cap pattern from the Caps to the Capital charity drive I participated in last year. Knowing that the original cap pattern was designed for preemies using a sport- and/or worsted-weight yarn, I used Homespun to match the BICO and also because I knew using a bulky-weight yarn would make the cap come out larger, and therefore suitable for an average sized baby.

Needless to say, selling my work is a dream come true and definitely an area where I want to put more energy and time (once I find it!). This experience has proved to me the level of caring that I put into my work. Having said that, I intend to make more BICOs so that I can improve upon my work with this particular pattern.

As always, thanks for looking!

**Special thanks to my Crochetville community; you all are an invaluable resource for ideas, problem-solving and encouragement!!**