My First Knit and Crochet Show!

I can't believe that just a few days ago I was at the Knit and Crochet Show, surrounded by friends that I had known for years online, but only just met in person! It was like a dream to be able to see and talk to so many online friends. It was a busy week of meeting, socializing, and learning!

There were so many highlights, like finally meeting my crochet career mentor, the lovely Margaret Hubert, and meeting and signing books with my co-author of "Crocheting Clothes Kids Love", the amazing Ellen Gormley. It was strange that didn't really feel like I was meeting anyone for the first time, because I have gotten to know them so well online! 

Taking classes to learn new techniques was also a great highlight! I learned about Tunisian Eyelets from Vashti Braha, Hairpin Lace from Jennifer Hansen, and Aran crochet and crochet cables from Karen Klemp. All such wonderful teachers and interesting techniques that I hope to incorporate into my designs in the future.

The icing on the cake was getting to debut the kits and frame pendants that my husband and I created. We had a great response to them, which was so encouraging, and it has made us even more excited about the future of our new venture!

The show was really an amazing experience and I hope I might attend another one day. Next year it will be held in San Diego, which is a very tempting location!  

Meeting My Mentor Margaret Hubert

Signing Books With Ellen Gormley

Our Kits On Display in the Elegant Ewe Booth

 Meeting Andee Graves

Meeting Mary Beth Temple

Meeting my Mentee, LeAnna Lyons

Fun Banquet Dinner with Laurinda Reddig and Linda Permann

I loved Jennifer Hansen's freeform style of hairpin lace. So many possibilities!

Vashti Braha showed us her incredible Award Winning Weightless

 Tunisian Shawl, enlarged to show its intricate details!

My entire family was with me at the show, and it was nice to share the experience with them, since they have supported me throughout my crochet career. I loved getting to crochet with my dear daughter in the relax lounge in the Lobby. She has recently learned how to make a granny square, and is determined to make it the largest one she has ever seen!

Mini Masterpiece Necklace Frames!

The second item eWoodStory is launching is our Mini Masterpiece frames, available in 10 different types of exotic wood, and 2 sizes! The small size measures 2 1/8" wide x 2 1/2" tall, and the large size measures 2 1/2" wide x 2 7/8" tall.

You create a rectangle by any method you choose, then stitch it to the frame. The sky is the limit, crochet, knitting, cross stitch, hand or machine embroidery, weaving, felting, fabric painting....or even combinations of techniques. Your necklace will be a one of a kind statement piece.

I have created some samples in different techniques to give you ideas, and we have a flickr group that you can upload photos of your finished frames to inspire others.

These frames are available to purchase in our Etsy shop and in Kuwait at the Sadu House gift shop and the Needles and Yarn Shop.

Launching Our New Crochet Jewelry Kit!

My husband( eWood Woodworking) and I, are combining our crafts to create items that are a mix of fiber arts and woodworking. We call our collaboration: eWoodStory. I am so thrilled to announce that our first collaboration, the Nouveau Necklace Kit, will be launched at the Knit and Crochet Show in Manchester, New Hampshire!

This kit includes a frame cut from special thin sheets of exotic wood, silky microfiber variegated yarn, written instructions, a stitch diagram, and a yarn needle that is just the right size for stitching the crocheted background to the wooden frame.  The necklace looks equally good a little longer, so there is enough yarn included in the kit to make the longer version if you wish.

We have carefully chosen wood and yarn to create a variety of kits in different color combinations. We have 5 types of exotic wood and 4 color variations. Each hank of yarn has a unique distribution of colors and each piece of wood has its own natural grain, so each necklace is a one of a kind. I chose this yarn because the colors remind me of natural stones, and the colors vary and change in a way similar to colors in nature.

Wood Choices from Top to Bottom:

Kiri, Silky Oak, Red Cedar, Laurel, Rosewood 

We have produced these kits in Kuwait, and have a limited number of them to sell while we are in America in the month of August. You can purchase them through our Etsy shop, and in Kuwait at the Sadu House gift shop.

Woodworking + Crochet, and the Magic of Blocking!

It is only 10 days until I travel to the USA to attend the Knit and Crochet Show! My husband and I have been busy creating samples to show while we are there. We have been wanting to combine our crafts for a long time, and we are just about ready to debut our first projects together. Woodworking + Crochet= something wonderful! If you are interested in following our new collaborative venture, please follow us on Instagram: @ewoodstory. 

While working on our samples, I was reminded once more of the magic of the blocking process. I crocheted this tiny granny square out of DMC pearl cotton 8. I actually wanted more of a granny rectangle. By wet blocking the square, I was able to form it into the exact size and shape I wanted. Blocking...a step in the process of finishing a project that you should never overlook!

Make a Kerchief with the Caravan Scarf Pattern

Ever since I made the Caravan Scarf sample for Crocheting Clothes Kids Love, I have wanted to try making a kerchief for my daughter using the same pattern. She collects hair accessories and I thought this would be a fun addition to her collection. I used Garden 3 Thread by Universal Yarn, and a size F/5 (3.75)mm hook. I followed the directions exactly for the first 16 rows. Then, I crocheted the edging across the top as in the instructions. The only changes I made to the edging were to eliminate the Large Coins on the corners and all but 2 Small Coins on the sides. I wanted to add more coins, but it was just too much for the size of the kerchief. I made it in an afternoon, and used less than one ball of thread of the main color. The finished measurements are: 22 1/2" (57cm) wide x 9 1/4" (23.5 cm) tall (not including the coin), and the kerchief ends are long enough to tie in a knot at the back of the head. If you leave off the edging and coins, it would make a great project for a beginning crocheter!

Caravan Scarf (Original Version From the Book)