Crochet Patterns in Progress

The Calypso Clutch: Finish In Style

Sharon Zientara — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 11:00:00 GMT

In the Spring 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet, there is a fabulous clutch bag by Brenda K. B. Anderson, the Calypso Clutch. My first thought when I saw this crocheted bag was "MUST MAKE!" My second thought was, "But there's SEWING involved." If you were just intimidated by the finishing (as lovely as it is) on this bag, as I was, don't dismay! I'm here to tell you that it's much easier than it looks.

		While my mother is a very accomplished seamstress (she worked in a bridal shop and had her own tailoring business), I never managed to fall in love with sewing the way I did with other needle arts. So when I see a crocheted project that involves picking up a needle and thread, I almost immediately dismiss the possibility of making it. I'm glad I forged ahead with the Calypso Clutch, though! The result is turning out to be very satisfying.

		First, there is only ONE sewing stitch involved with this project; the blind stitch. Second, it's a stitch you have probably already used in your crochet life. Here's how it's done: 1. Stitch the bag to the plastic canvas with two 1/4-inch deep stitches. This will anchor your yarn. 2. Move 1/4 inch along the hem and stitch through both the bag and plastic canvas, taking care to not poke the needle and yarn through to the right side of the work. Go 1/4 inch further and make another stitch the same way. 3. Stitch around the entire border of the bag, keeping the hem smooth (not puckered) as you go.

		4. When you return to your starting point, make two stitches as in Step 1, knot your thread and cut off any excess. Here are a couple of links that give good tips on blind stitch with helpful pictures. http://blog.makezine.com/craft/howto_hand_sew_a_blind_hem/ http://www.coatsandclark.com/Crafts/Sewing/Howtos/Hand+Sewing.htm Happy Stitching! Sharon

The Stashbusting Continues!

Marcy Smith — Sun, 14 Apr 2013 09:00:00 GMT

I'm still working on the stashbusting! How about you? You can read about my earlier efforts to transform piles of yarn into crocheted beanies (here and here and here). Here's a little update on my last stashbusting efforts, plus a new project!
	I did, in fact, crochet up that skein of Lion Brand Zpagetti that I mentioned in an earlier blog. It was, in fact, super speedy, as it was worked on a Q hook. This yarn is much sturdier than the Skacel TeeCake and calls for a knife grip all the way. It took a mere two episodes of The Big Bang Theory to crochet. And I put it to immediate use holding Six (or so) Skeins In Search of a Project.
	The Hexagon pillow is put together. It had a brief dalliance with being a laptop cover (it was the teenager's idea), but it just a tad large for that. So, as soon as I get a pillow form and whip up that last seam, this can move to the FO list.
	The Undefined Cowl from the Spring 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet is coming along. Here it is sunning itself on the newly bloomed azaleas. It really shouldn't take as long as it has been, but I got distracted by the following FO.
	In the Great Yarn Excursion, I came upon a stunning amount of Tahki Cotton Classic. (This was my go-to yarn for children's garments, back when my teen-agers were children and I could put just about anything on them without fuss.) I had a spectrum of colors in a range of lengths. So, I sorted them into light and dark colors and whipped up an infinity cowl. The pattern is from154 Crochet Wave Patterns by Darla Sims, a great resource for ripply patterns.
	The pattern is a variation of 133 Fanned Waves. My variations: Cowl is worked in the round right side showing, so there is no turning, solid dc row is subbed with sc, and every st is worked back loop only. The color sequence is green, orange, blue, white, then reversed with different shades of the same color. The dark colors are brown, black, purple and olive (I told you I had a full spectrum!) I actually have enough left to make one in shades of blue for my daughter. Then maybe she'll let me have this one back (because, yes, as soon as she saw it, she said, "Oh, I love that!")
You'd think I'd run out of yarn at some point, but really, it's the tip of the yarnberg. If you're working on busting your stash as well, here's a handful of free eBooks to help you in that effort: Chain Reaction Crochet Afghan Project from Crochet Me, 8 Free Crochet Amigurumi Patterns, and Crochet Bags and Purses: 7 Free Crochet Bag Patterns. Let me know your favorite stashbusting patterns! Happy crocheting! Marcy

NatCro-Yo!

Marcy Smith — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 09:01:00 GMT

Well, NatCroMo (National Crochet Month) is winding up. There are still a couple of days to catch Crochetville's NatCroMo event, a Tour Through Crochet Country. Every day in the month of March, they visited with crocheters from all over. Many of the crocheters had giveaways, some of which you can still win! So take a peek and see what goody you might win! In my world, every month is National Crochet Month. How about you? Really, we should make this the start of NatCro YO!—a year of crochet! One of the many things in my upcoming year of crochet is my first year as a member of the Board of Directors of the Crochet Guild of America. I'm thrilled to be a part of a group that is all about making your crochet world better. Drop by the CGOA website and see what we're up to--and let us know what you'd like to see happen. Meanwhile, when I'm not working with crochet, I'm playing with crochet—every day! I like to have several projects going that fit along a spectrum of ease. Here's what's on my hook(s) right now:
	This is almost done! It's mere seaming away from becoming a pillow for my newly spiffed-up office. The pattern is from the 2013 Crochet Day-to-Day Calendar. This is the bonus pattern for February. The yarn is three colors of Red Heart Eco-Ways, one color of Lion Cotton-Ease and a smidge of Malabrigo worsted (still working on that stash-busting!)
	I was farther along on the Undefined Cowl by Janet Brani from the Spring 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet, but I decided that the gauge didn't let the lace play enough. So I'm back to just a few rows on the new hook.
	To help overcome the mild blues from the start-over, I went for an instant-gratification project. One episode of Psych and two episodes of The Big Bang Theory later, I was done with this chubby crocheted bag / basket! It's worked in Skacel's Tee Cake. I'll be whipping up another—on a Q crochet hook!—soon in Lion Brand Yarn's Zpagetti. Both of these yarns, made from repurposed textiles, are super fun to crochet!
	And I'll be tucking this into the bag to head to my LYS to fetch more yarn. The yarn is Tristan and it's just perfect for the Andromeda Vest by Doris Chan. The crochet motif pattern is in Doris' new book Convertible Crochet. In this amazing book, Doris Chan takes crochet to the next level, with brilliant designs that convert from one garment to another, for instance from a skirt to a poncho. And additions to garments, such as a peplum, convert a short top to a tunic. The peplum is attached with a string, so really you've made two garments—three, if you string the peplum together to make a wrap. But the garment convertibility is only a facet of the brilliance—her construction methods are unspeakably clever. If you think of regular pattern collections as a short story collection, this book is a novel, with character development and theory evolving into actuality. Oh heck, just go get it already. You'll be glad you did.
	Oh, and what is this, ah, melange? This may be most exciting of all! It's a pile of crochet swatches I'm accumulating as I proof patterns for the Summer 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet. The issue will be jam-packed with lacy lovelies, including several designs that incorporate the sublime lover's knot (or Solomon's knot) stitch.
So, what's in your crochet basket? Let us know in the comments below what you're doing to celebrate crochet every day! Happy crocheting!  Marcy

Making the Blossom Hair Clips: Interweave Crochet Spring 2013

Marcy Smith — Mon, 25 Mar 2013 20:07:00 GMT

In the Spring 2013 issue of Interweave Crochet, you'll find some desperately cute little flowers designed by Karen Hooton. These fancy thread blooms can be used to adorn tresses or dresses—we show them both ways in the issue. These blooms are worked using a broomstick technique to create a large enough space to crochet the petals. There are a few options for creating these loops—the one employed by the designer involved the use of several double-pointed knitting needles. Not all crocheters have an extensive supply of knitting needles, so here I show you an option using your larger crochet hooks. Rather than keeping the loops on the larger crochet hook, we'll scoot them off onto stitch markers in groups of three, so they're all ready for crocheting the blooms. Note: For this flower, I used Nazli Gelin Garden 10 metallic in Magenta with Magenta metallic and a size 8 / 1.5 mm steel hook. The broomstick hook is Addi size 9 mm.
	First, create the base of the flower following the pattern. When you're done, it looks something like a butterfly yo-yo.
	Flip the back rows of sc up and you will see four bases, one for each layer of petals.
	To create the petals, begin by drawing up loops in each stitch on each round of the base, one layer at a time. I used a 9mm crochet hook* to hold the loops. Draw up 12 loops, working right to left. *I do love this Addi hook! Look at the glitter in it! And the plastic is perfect for holding the loops without snagging. Aluminum will also work, but bamboo might be trouble.
	Slide the 12 loops to the far end of the larger crochet hook.* Put groups of three loops onto stitch markers. I used the Clover locking stitch markers; they look like little diaper pins and they work for just about every stitch-marking/ -holding occasion. Leave three loops on the big hook to maintain the large loopiness as you pick up more loops. *What's that metal doohicky at the other end, you ask? This hook is part of the Addi Click Hook Set for Tunisian crochet; this is the end that hooks into the cable
	Continue around this first round, picking up nine loops at a time, then sliding nine loops off the other end onto stitch markers in groups of three. At the end, you will have an octopus-looking thing.
	Begin crocheting the petal stitches. I am working Petal Option 4: Full Petals with picots. I leave the stitch marker in the loops until I'm about halfway done--it provides a good "handle" for keeping the loops open while working the stitches. When you are done with one petal, move right on to the next.
	Keep on working in the 3-loop clusters until you reach the end of the round. The observant among you will note that I have nine petals here instead of the designated eight petals. This is a fine time to remind you to count your stitches at the end of each base round to ensure that you have the correct count. Otherwise, you may inadvertently add stitches and end up with three more than necessary and thus add an extra petal, which, you will likely agree, is one too many for a pretty bloom. You, of course, will have eight petals at the end of this round. So you can then proceed to the next base, pulling up loops and sliding them onto stitch holders as described above. (I, meanwhile, will be having a little weep before I pick up thread and hook again.)
Continuing in the tradition of making mistakes so you don't have to. Happy crocheting! Marcy

Intertwining Loops

Marcy Smith — Mon, 17 Dec 2012 17:10:00 GMT

Last Friday, I, like many of you, found myself unable to focus on sustained tasks.

As news of the Connecticut shooting broke, I was unable to look away. Parents leave their children at school, certain in the knowledge that they will pick them up at the end of the day, have dinner, make weekend plans.

I shifted between news accounts, small work tasks, and a bit of crochet I had just started working on to share with you all.

Cowl adaptation of Elvis 1973 Scarf
Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012

As I began to fail at the small tasks, I finally just gave myself over to the crochet. Its chart demanded that I focus only on it, changing from red to white and back again, pausing occasionally to let the yarns untangle. I watched as the president spoke to the nation, pausing occasionally to untangle his emotions.

I had this need to create something from nothing. To turn two balls of yarn into an unending circle. To fill the empty space.

As I worked the Scandanavian-inspired design, the starflakes morphed into hearts breaking. I persevered through the shape-shifting. The cowl is a gift for my daughter, who, along with my son, was large in my mind. Even as I wrote that sentence, my son called. I kept him on the phone for longer than his usual one minute, grateful to hear his voice. He is very nearly an adult. I cannot fathom not having known him in his childhood.

There is so little we can do to help those in pain because of the shooting. For me, likely for you, this intertwining of loops is the best we can do. In this moment.

As I crocheted through Friday afternoon, the story was still unfolding, accounts varying with every network and every newspaper.

Today, we see their smiling faces and our hearts continue breaking.

Hugs to you all,
Marcy

Crochet A Lisa Loo And Her Friend, Too!

Sharon Zientara — Thu, 13 Dec 2012 22:00:00 GMT

Greetings, Crochet Friends!

How goes your holiday stitching? I'm popping in to the blog just before I head out for my family holiday celebrations both far and wide. I don't know about yours, but my own hook has been flying at WARP SPEED the past few weeks. But before I go deliver my holiday crochet projects, I had to show you a very special story about one of my favorite projects of the season, and how it came to be...

Waaaay back when we did our photo shoot for our special Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012 Issue, I found myself becoming fast friends with our fabulous amigurumi fairy, Lisa Loo, designed by Brenda K. B. Anderson. Lisa and I went *everywhere* together.

First, we visited the candy store (Lisa has a bit of a sweet tooth)...

Next, we stopped at the soda fountain to quench our thirsts...

Then, we made a phone call to see if some friends were available for a visit...

And they were...

When we finished having our chat, we popped on our bicycle built for two...

And pedaled back to the office.

But Lisa was lonely. She asked if I knew of any other fairy friends that she might meet. So I grabbed my hook and basket of yarn. Not two days later, in popped Lily Loo!

And she and Lisa Loo made fast fairy friends forever.

I'd be willing to bet you know a special someone who could use a new friend for the holidays! Dive into your stash, grab your copy of Interweave Crochet Accessories 2012, and make your own Lisa Loo today! And a VERY happy holiday season to you and yours. May your yarn baskets runneth over and your hooks never be empty this holiday season and in the coming year!

Sincerely,

-Sharon

Heigh-ho! Heigh-ho!

Marcy Smith — Wed, 28 Nov 2012 23:00:00 GMT

It's off to the holidays we go!

A couple of weeks ago, I didn't know that my life was going to be populated by crocheted gnomes. There I was, pinning away on Pinterest, when a gnome came into my life. I wasn't even looking for him. It's not like I searched for crochet amigurumi or ridiculously cute gnome or anything like that. (If you pin, you know how that can happen.)

So, here is my band of merry gnomes:

Ridiculous, aren't they? And don't you just want one Right Now?

Most of these guys are destined to travel to friends' homes. That one in the front, with the sparkly pink moustache, is staying in my home.

All the yarn is stash yarn. I subbed some stray colors in the bottom (they were too shy to let me take a picture of their bottoms), and used the main body color on just the outer rounds.

Want one (or a few) of your own? You can find the gnome pattern at hvadbiertaenker. (scroll down to the picture of the gnomes, then click on Hæklede gnomer. The pattern will appear as a download.) It's in Swedish. You can use Google translate, or do what I did and just follow the pattern as is. If you know the basics of crocheting a cone, it will be fun (Just start with Lav Magisk ring).

The crochet moustache is from Tutus & Tea Parties. Add whatever accessories you like (on one gnome, not shown here, I did a little surface crochet with blingy string along the edge of the hat.) Maybe your gnome is more of a tie guy?

Have fun. And, we'd sure like to see pictures of your crochet gnomes! Just post them in the Member Photo Gallery.

Merry crocheting!
Marcy

Come Crochet The Sylvia Cardigan With Me!

Sharon Zientara — Wed, 07 Nov 2012 16:53:00 GMT

When our call for submissions for the Fall 2012 issue of Interweave Crochet went out, we included a story for "the essential cardigan". Well, without question, cardigans are my absolute favorite of garments. Here in Colorado, we are now amidst the part of Fall where a shirt is not enough and a coat is too much. I can throw a cardigan over a top and it's the perfect instant outfit. When Winter approaches (and it usually approaches rapidly and without much warning), a cardigan is the best way to layer for extra warmth. So I knew this had to be my queue to design MY essential crocheted cardigan. The result is the Sylvia Sweater:

Since I like feminine cuts with a little bit of special detail, I made a fitted, scoop-neck cardigan with set-in sleeves and crocheted chain stitch embroidery. The Sylvia Sweater is a great beginner crochet garment, as it features an easily memorable stitch pattern and just a bit of waist shaping. It is meant to be worn with little to no ease, but if you want something a little less fitted, you could either eliminate the waist shaping (you'll be able to crochet it in the blink of an eye!), or just go up one size. It's crocheted with The Fibre Co. Canopy Worsted, a luscious, smoosh-able blend of alpaca, merino, and bamboo that is available in quite a lovely palette of colors.

The picture above shows it with a great every day sort of outfit, but I think the trim also makes it a perfect pairing for holiday party dresses. You could even add some beads for extra sass! So, pick up your hook and yarn, the Fall issue of Interweave Crochet, and come crochet-along with me! I'll be here in the Forum to answer questions, give advice, ogle yarn...whatever.

Happy Stitching,

-Sharon

Turkey Talk

Marcy Smith — Fri, 02 Nov 2012 12:00:00 GMT

If you have the 2012 Crochet Me Amigurumi Calendar you've already met Terrence the Turkey. Terry likes to keep fit by doing pumpkin step aerobics. He's strictly vegetarian.

But maybe you don't know about his twin brother, Perry the Peacock.

Perry mostly likes to preen prettily perched atop pinnacles of one sort or another. He's never even heard of Thanksgiving because in his mind he lives in Paris with all the beautiful birds.

Perry and Terry don't see each other much, what with Perry being on the roof and Terry being on the ground. But you can bring them together again in your holiday décor. Just try not to let them see the big bird in the middle of the table (unless it's tofurkey)

Download the pattern for Terry (and Perry) for free until November 8 at 11 central time (you'll have to do the math for your time zone—or just go download it right now!)
You can also download a Terrence the Turkey screensaver for November! (Just don't tell Perry)

Happy November crocheting!
Marcy

Pineapple Pandemonium

Toni Rexroat — Wed, 26 Sep 2012 17:27:00 GMT

Okay, I am joining the Capri Cover club. The Capri Cover was designed by Tammy Hildebrand for Interweave Crochet Summer 2012.

If you haven't already checked out Marcy's collection of Capri Covers in different lengths, I would recommend visiting her "Who Lives in a Pineapple?" blog. The dress length modification is fabulous!

Next to join the club was Sharon. She whipped up her top in just two days. I sat next to her in a meeting one afternoon as she worked on the yoke. Maybe that's where I contracted "Pineapple Pandemonium" fever. Or maybe it was the parade of Capri Covers I saw at the office. They were gorgeous! You can see Sharon's top in her blog "Who Lives In A Pineapple? Part Two."

This pineapple tunic-length crochet top is a great year-round option. I plan to pair mine with a long-sleeve shirt this winter. The pattern is exciting and a fun modern take on the pineapple. But I think my favorite part is how quickly this pattern works up. The crochet lace design means it grows quickly and the top-down construction means you can try it on as you go-but keep in mind that it will grow with blocking.

Have you crocheted this tunic? What modifications have you made?

Best wishes,

Who Lives In A Pineapple? Part Two

Sharon Zientara — Tue, 14 Aug 2012 18:57:00 GMT

There's a fever going around the offices here at Interweave this Summer. It's a special kind of fever I have tentatively dubbed "Pineapple Pandemonium". I blame Marcy. Last week, while going to press on the Fall issue of Interweave Crochet, Marcy basically had a Capri Cover (Interweave Crochet, Summer 2012) for every day of the week. I was working away on my dress-length version until I couldn't stand the pretty parade of pineapples any longer. So, I put down the dress and started and finished a top in 2 days. Here's the result:

I made the 30" size Capri Cover with a mere 440 yards of Debbie Bliss Amalfi. The only modifications I made were: A) I made a ch-5 at the tip of the pineapple on the very last round, and B) I did 3 rows of sl st blo on the bottom hem, for a little sturdier finish.

As for the dress, it's coming along! I'm just now at the armhole join. Here's a little sneak peak for you...

There's no yarn information for this one; it's made from a discontinued DK weight linen. If you would like tips on how to convert this top to a dress, see Marcy's Blog. I hope to be able to frolic around in this by the weekend. And with most of the country in a heat wave, you could easily start and finish your Capri Cover with plenty of time to wear it this Summer! Go ahead, catch a serious case of Pineapple Pandemonium and show us your work in our Galleries.

Happily In Stitches,

-Sharon

The Most Popular Crochet Patterns

Toni Rexroat — Fri, 13 Jul 2012 18:27:00 GMT

Kathryn Vercillo, aka the Crochetblogger, recently put together a list on her blog, Crochet Concupiscence, of the 10 most popular crochet patterns to buy online plus 16 more people love. I have to say my fellow crocheters have very good taste. The assembled patterns are fun, innovative, and beautiful.

Dahlia Shawl by Lisa Naskrent

Of course, two of my favorites are patterns published in Interweave Crochet. The first is the Dalia Shawl by Lisa Naskrent. This exquisite shawl is a phenomenal representation of crocheted lace. And after you finish the first ten rows of the pattern, the four-row repeat is easily memorized.

Babette Blanket by Kathy Merrick

And any list of the most popular patterns would have to include Kathy Merrick's Babette Blanket. First published in the spring of 2006, this modern crochet baby blanket has been one of our most popular. The pattern is easy, and the finished blanket is a beautiful work of color art. I have seen Babette Blankets in pastels, neons, neutrals, and even transformed into garments.

Do you have a favorite crochet pattern? And be sure to check out the other favorite crochet patterns on Crochet Concupiscence.

Best wishes,

Edging a Baby Dress with Crochet Lace

Toni Rexroat — Thu, 05 Jul 2012 21:35:00 GMT

When Sharon mentioned that she wanted to start a crochet-along based on the crochet edgings in the Interweave Crochet Summer 2012 issue, I immediately claimed the Bruges Border by Natasha Robarge. I fell in love with the rippling grace of this crochet lace when it arrived in-house for photography.

As I began working the curves of this crochet lace, I fell more and more in love with it. The completed edging is worked in three sections. First you work the curved middle section. Because the lace is worked horizontally, meaning from end to end not top to bottom, you can keep crocheting until you reach your desired length. You don't have to worry about making sure your beginning chain is the correct length.

I didn't fasten off at the end of the middle section and used a second ball of thread to begin working the top band. This band really determined how long I could block the lace. But because the middle section was not fastened off, if the lace is a little short you can just work a few more rows.

Finally, the picot row is worked. This row is the icing on the cake, completing the elegant look.

I offered to make enough lace for the hem of my niece's dress. I only had about two weeks, but I figure that was easily doable. It couldn't be more than thirty or forty inches, right? It was seventy inches.

Then "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie" syndrome set in. For those of you who haven't read the children's book, a mouse is given a cookie, and then he decides he needs milk, then a napkin, and so on.

My mother was sewing the dress, and when she saw the gorgeous lace, she decided we needed lace for the sleeves as well. So I whipped up eleven inches per sleeve. Okay, I didn't quite "whip" it up, but I was surprised how quickly the Bruces Border can be crocheted.

The sleeve lace led to a quick bit of picot lace for the neckline, and the picot lace around the neckline let to a delicate little flower.

I love the way the crochet lace on this dress turned out. I am already planning on making more lace for myself.

Have you crocheted the Bruges Lace or any of the other lace edging in the Summer 2012 issue?

Best wishes,

The Crochet Oya Crochet-Along: Gathering Up Your Supplies

Sharon Zientara — Fri, 15 Jun 2012 16:20:00 GMT

Greetings, yarn friends!

Hopefully you are all well on your way to gathering up yarn, fabrics, and notions to begin your crochet oya projects. For me, it turned out to be quite the delightful scavenger hunt. Under my bed were some errant fat quarters of quilting fabrics that I acquired some time ago. Those will become a pair of tea towels for the kitchen. I just finished a jar of preserves, so I carefully soaked and rinsed it out with some deliciously smelly dish soap. I want to make the lid into a pincushion and crochet Shelby Allaho's Tiara Trim around the edge. I'll also use it as button storage. Do you have as many buttons floating about your craft space as I do in mine? I took a stroll down to one of our local antique shops and rifled through a lovely little collection of vintage hankies and for a whopping $6, walked out with three little lovelies. I think I'll give these as gifts to some of the ladies in my life.

Over the weekend, I even got a jump-start on Dora Ohrenstein's Traditional Oya. See all those pretty white flowers? I chose to use a sport-weight linen rather than thread. I'd like to make mine into a pretty garland to string around my bedroom. I'll show you a few more ideas I have for this lovely, versatile design as well. Come join me over at the forums and share what you will be working on, won't you please?

Happy Stitching!

-Sharon

P.S. If you're feeling ambitious, our special fabric design featured in the Interweave Crochet Summer 2012 New & Notable is available for purchase on the Spoonflower website, here:

http://www.spoonflower.com/profiles/interweave_crochet

P.P.S. See that hook? It's blown glass. The picture doesn't do justice to its beauty. It was generously sent to me by these folks, and I'll be testing it out with these oya designs.

Announcing the Crochet Oya Crochet-Along: A Create Your Own CAL

Sharon Zientara — Fri, 08 Jun 2012 15:22:00 GMT

Greetings, yarn friends! If you can believe it, we began our search for Oya back in October of last year. While I was not familiar with this traditional Turkish crochet edging, I quickly fell in love with the idea of applying a crocheted edging to EVERYTHING. See, one of my (favorite) job responsibilities is gathering up visual inspiration for each issue. I know, you're silently cursing me a bit now. I really do just get to sleuth around for the most beautiful possibilities that we can shape into a crochet story. But now you can join me!


Clockwise From Upper Left: Traditional Oya, Tiara Trim, Loopy Edging, Swirl Edge, and Bruges Edging


I'm beginning a crochet-along that is all about taking our oya and making it whatever you want it to be. You can search for anywhere you like to find inspiration. Try vintage shops, your favorite boutiques, magazines, or scour the internet. Next, choose which edging pattern from the issue (above) is right for your project. Or, you could just save yourself the grief and make one of everything. I have chosen the Traditional Oya by Dora Ohrenstein, Tiara Trim by Shelby Allaho, and Loopy Edging by Victoria Hewerdine Thornton. Toni will be making the Bruges Border by Natasha Robarge, and we have a very special Swirl Edge by P. K. Olson project that Marcy will reveal in our Fall issue. Please come join me in the forums where you can share all of your ideas, garner some encouragement, and just plain gush about oya. And remember to post all the pictures of your lovely work in our gallery. Can't wait to see you all there! Happy Stitching, -Sharon