Mixed Media and Another Use for Surface Crochet!

Surface crochet is one of my favorite techniques. It really is like drawing with your hook! I was doing some cross stitch recently, and it occurred to me that I could surface crochet into the holes in the Aida Cloth! This technique makes nice even stitches that are perfect for a background! For this Mini Masterpiece pendant, I used size 8 Pearl Cotton thread, and a .75mm hook.

I like using variegated thread as it gives the look of a watercolor painting. I did the sky in grass, going in different directions, then I surface crocheted the flower stems on top. I embroidered the small flowers, crocheted the large flower and sun, and stitched them on.

To demonstrate to you how to do surface crochet on a grid, I used some latch hook canvas. It is a lot fun to work on. I taught my 9 year old daughter how, and she is planning to surface crochet a rug for her room!

1. Insert hook into next hole up from last hole worked.

2. Wrap the yarn around the hook.

3. Pull up through the hole you went down in.

4. Pull through loop on hook.

 5. Stitch is completed. Repeat steps 1-4 and, go in any direction       you like!

Crochet Guild of America's 2015 Design Competition!

Summer is just around the corner, and so is the annual Knit and Crochet Show! One of the highlights of the show is the Design Competition. It is open to all members of the CGOA, and it is a great opportunity to show the industry what you can do, not to mention the cash prizes! You do not have to be a US resident to be a member of the guild. I entered the competition several years in a row, sending my entries from Kuwait!

There are 7 categories this year:

1. Fashion 
2. Accessories
3. Home Décor & Afghans 
4. Thread Crochet
5. Artistic Expression
6. Young Designer (25 years old or younger; may turn 26 in 2015) 
7. First Time Entrant/Non-Professional (for those who have not entered before and have not had their designs published)

The judging will take place in San Diego at the Town and Country Resort on July 22nd. You do not have to be present to win, the results will be announced online as well. The deadline for the entries to be received is July 1st.

So don't keep your ideas to yourself, put your heart into crocheting a great piece, and send it in!

eWoodStory in Australia!

We are thrilled to announce that the wonderful freeform fibre artist, Prudence Mapstone, will be selling our Mini Masterpiece frames at her events in Australia. You can find her in Perth, next week (May 20-24), at the Craft and Quilt Fair, stand #F09, at the Convention and Exhibition Centre. 

To see all of the events she is participating in this year, have a look at her calendar. 

The frames are also available in our Etsy shop, and can be shipped worldwide.