The Best Laid Plans…

I had high hopes for spending some of my time this summer updating and promoting my blog but, with all the travel, the time passed in such a whirlwind that some days I almost wondered which state I was in. Things are finally settling down, though. My travel plans are at an end for the year so I have time once again to concentrate on getting creative. While there were “only” 4 trips, it amounted to a whopping 3700 miles by car with lots of things to do in between. While the summer months didn’t leave much time for me to design, you can bet that I was putting together ideas in my design notebook, many of which I’m busy swatching now.

Even though I didn’t have a LOT of time to design, I did manage a couple of projects for one of my editors which I’ll tell you more about as soon as I know they have been released. In addition, Carol Alexander, editor of Crochet! magazine, used one of my dishcloth designs, Dishcloth Duo, in the At Home section of the November 2009 issue. In case you’re wondering, it’s a single design but worked in two different color ways with Coats® Crème de la Crème cotton yarn.  Even though it’s my own design, I have to admit it is my favorite dishcloth pattern. The reason is that I really like the convenience of working with medium weight cotton yarn, but I don’t like the bulk that many dishcloth patterns have. So, the simple (sc, ch-1) pattern is my answer to reducing the bulk without leaving the gaping holes which can occur with double- and treble crochet stitches. You can check out this issue at the Crochet! magazine Web site, but hurry before the next issue is published and replaces it on the Web site. To view the Crème de la Crème selection at the Coats and Clark Web site, click here.

Since summer has faded into fall, it’s getting chilly here in the Midwest now, especially at night. I had to give in and turn the furnace on last week, and it’s cool enough that a trip outdoors any time of day requires a jacket. Now I wish I’d made myself a pair of those cute fingerless mitts that are so popular, but you can be sure they are at the top of the list of things I plan to make just for me. I love the changes of seasons, and fall is an especially great time to bring out the heavier yarns and stitch up something warm and wonderful!

Speaking of the changing seasons, the leaves turning color on the oak tree outside the picture window in my office has inspired me to swatch an afghan in all the rich autumn colors. I’ve just ordered the yarn and can hardly wait to get started on it. Sometimes it’s hard to keep my mind on my work, though, as the view through this same picture window also provides a great deal of entertainment. With oak, walnut, pecan and evergreens in my back yard, it’s a true haven for all the neighborhood squirrels. They are especially active right now and have been putting on daily shows for me as they chase each other up, down and around the tree trunk and across the canopy of the trees in my back yard. 

And now, it’s time to get back to work!

Love and yarn,
Brenda

Three New Designs!

Have you had a chance to check out the May 2009 issue of Crochet! magazine yet? I contributed three designs to this issue including the two Flower Pocket Handkerchiefs on page 18 and a Jewelry Pillow on page 62, all commissioned by the editor, Carol Alexander.

Since I have been busy with other things over the past few months, these are the last designs that will appear in print for a little while, but there will be more soon. If you don’t have the magazine and would like a sneak peek at it, browse the Crochet! Web site. You can see photos of my designs here on the table of contents page.

Lattice Rose Set & Midnight Roses Tea Cozy

Several of my designs were recently published in Crochet! magazine. Midnight Roses Tea Cozy appeared in the January 2009 issue, followed by the Lattice Rose doily and rug in the March 2009 issue. All of these projects feature rose embellishments.

If you’re at all familiar with my work, you may already know that I design a lot of floral projects. My fascination with flowers dates back to when I was a little girl. My father was an avid gardener, and he particularly liked growing roses. He grew many other flowers as well, but the roses were always my favorite. Admittedly, I don’t have his green thumb, but the beautiful flowers that graced our yard have been my inspiration for designing floral projects for many years.

Lauren at crochetstitches.blogspot.com made the Lattice Rose rug as a birthday present and posted the photo on her site. If you would like to see it, check out her site.

Sangria Shawl

My Sangria Shawl is now being offered as a free download at the Coats & Clark Web site. If interested, you can get it here. Enjoy!

My Newest Designs in the Fall 2008 Herrschners Yarn Catalog

On 8/1/08, I announced that my First Baby Blanket was published on pages 30-31 of the new Coats & Clark booklet, Crochet Made Easy. I was pleased to discover this afternoon that this afghan has also been made into a kit and is available through the Herrschner’s fall 2008 yarn catalog. You can view the catalog online at http://yarncollection.com/shop_by_Catalog.aspx?catalogpage=1. First Baby Blanket is on page 33.

Another of my designs, Sangria Shawl, has also been made into a kit and is available on page 14 of the same catalog. This is a great project if you need to create a wrap in a hurry. It's fun to stitch and works up quickly.

Also, check out Rose In Bloom, the afghan pictured on the cover, available on page 24. While I did not design this afghan, I DID stitch this one for photography purposes. I normally prefer more vibrant colors but was really pleased with the way this one turned out. It's very classy-looking when completed.

UPDATE 11/15/08
Several people have contacted me asking for help with the stitches in the Rose In Bloom afghan. Please understand that my only connection to this afghan is that I stitched it for Coats & Clark. For help with the pattern, please contact Coats & Clark directly. Thank you! :-)

A New Design Has Just Been Published

I’m happy to announce that my first project since returning to crochet design earlier this year has just been published. You’ll find it in the Coats & Clark booklet, Crochet Made Easy. The design I produced for this booklet is First Baby Blanket on pages 30-31. It is also shown on the back cover. It is a very simple design but that was the whole point since the book is focused on teaching people how to crochet.

This is only the first of several designs that I have placed over the past few months. Since some are still in the publication process and others are still on my hook, I’ll announce each as they become available.