"The Cure" Crochet Necklace

I am so happy to be able to reveal "The Cure" necklace, featured in the latest issue of Tangled online magazine.  It is a special issue in honor of the Sock Summit, so all of the patterns use sock yarn.  It really is a fantastic issue filled with beautiful designs.

When I saw the call for submissions for this issue I was thrilled, as I enjoy using sock yarn for accessories. The background squares in this necklace and the linking rings are crocheted in Berroco's Comfort Sock yarn.  It is one of my favorite yarns for jewelry making, since it is fine and soft.  It is perfect for wearing next to the skin.  I chose DMC variegated pearl cotton for the motifs and ring detail, as I needed something finer than sock yarn, and the shades of color give the motifs depth.

This necklace is rated "experienced", because it includes thread crochet with a 1.65mm hook, and embroidery embellishment.  The Crochet work goes quite quickly, because there are only 3 elements in the necklace, and their patterns are easily memorized.  The really fun part of the project comes at the end, when you get to combine all of the pieces and see it come to life.  It is an eye-catching accessory that will turn heads wherever you go!  You can customize the size of the necklace, by adding or subtracting motifs and ring links to make it your desired length.

UPDATE: I have just created a stitch diagram for the motif and added it to the pattern pdf. If you would like to purchase the pattern, it is available for sale from Craftsy for $2.99.

The Kyoto Coat Inside Out!

I hadn't seen the Kyoto Coat since I sent it off to the Crochet Guild of America's design competition, last year. When I got the chance to see it again, I was reminded of some of the small details that made the coat extra special.  When I originally posted about the coat, I didn't have it with me in Kuwait to take photos of, so I used the photos I had.  I thought it might be interesting to do a blog post about the details you may have never seen.  The photo above shows how it looks inside the jacket and how it fastens.  I always love the chance to include a bow!

This next photo shows the trim on the inside of the neck edge, which is a slip stitch cord stitched to the coat with a running stitch in brown yarn.  The inside neck detail echos the woven trim at the ends of the sleeves.

Close up of the ruffle detail, which was crocheted with one strand of yarn separated from a multi-stranded variegated chunky yarn, and inserted through the spaces in the skirt.

This photo shows the inside of the coat, so you can see the skirt and back of the patchwork belt.  Please have a look at my Paris Belt Tutorial if you are interested in making a belt inspired by the Kyoto Coat.

I have prepared one small entry for this year's competition, and I am hoping to create something else as well.  Whether or not I am able to, will depend on how much free time I have in the next few weeks, and how long it takes me to recover from jet lag!

My Latest Discovery: The Eugene Textile Center!

During my recent visit to the Black Sheep Gathering, I wandered into the booth of the Eugene Textile Center.  I was ecstatic to find out that they offer workshops in hand spinning, especially since I had just purchased a drop spindle and have big dreams of creating my own yarn one day.  

They also offer workshops in carding, feltmaking, needlework, weaving, dyeing, knitting, shibori, and surface design.  I only wish I had enough time to take one of their beginner workshops before I return to Kuwait.  Now that I know about the them, I will be able to plan on a course next summer.  Maybe that will encourage me to make good progress with the drop spindle.  In the meanwhile, I am busy collecting links to spinning tutorials so I will be ready to give it a try when I get home.

It also says on their card, that they can arrange birthday parties for children and adults.  What a fresh and fun idea for a party!

A Crochet Friendly Yarn Shop in Eugene!

While visiting my family in Oregon, I enjoy visiting local yarn stores.  The Knit Shop in Eugene, is usually my first stop.  Even though their shop name sounds a little biased toward knitters, it is actually a very crochet friendly shop.  I was thrilled when I saw the sign below in their window, as I had no idea that Interweave offered these to yarn shops!  

I decided to see how crochet friendly they were, by going into the shop and asking about their book and hook selection.  I pretty much made it known that crochet was bringing me into their store.  I was pleased to see that they have many of the latest best selling crochet books, as well as several back issues of Interweave Crochet.  When I looked at the hook selection, I saw some interesting Addi Swing ergonomic hooks that I had never seen before.  I already have Etimo hooks that I love, up to size "J", so I enquired if they come in any sizes larger than that.  The owner even went so far as to check the company's website to make sure that they didn't.  I definitely felt welcome in this shop as a crocheter.  If you are ever in Eugene, you may want to stop by.  From now on, I will be on the lookout for the Interweave signs in yarn shop windows!