National Crochet Month "The Concert Tour"

Is it March already? That means it's National Crochet Month! I'm grateful to Crochetville for sponsoring the tour again, and delighted that I am the featured designer for the 15th. This year's theme is "The Crochet Concert." Join the fun HERE.

(Breaking News! See bottom of this post for info on how to get a new pattern for free)

My Opening Act is quick and easy--and free! At the very beginning of quarantine last year, I designed a project meant to lift us up, and that would require only materials that we might already have at home, since stores were closed or shipments were delayed. Lots of people were putting rainbows and teddy bears in their windows to cheer up the neighborhood, so I came up with a group of Rainbow Bears.

I decided this pattern will always be free--everybody need some cheer, now and then. You can find it HERE. If you download the free pattern, make sure to show off picture of your completed bears on the Ravelry page, and to email me on how to get more freebies.

My Showstopper isn't a completed written pattern--yet.  The yarns I originally used on this have been, sad to say, discontinued. The anthropomorphic, circus animals in birthday cake colors are only about four inches tall, and there's a secret to how they stand up.

I'm actually remaking the whole Circus with currently available yarns. Lion Brand Yarn: A Star is Born/Naptime Yarn, is a chenille that works up exceptionally well, no shedding or kinking, even after frogging; and a luscious bamboo yarn, also from Lion Brand, Truboo, with a lovely sheen and pretty colors. If you want to know when the pattern is finally available, be sure to sign up for my occasional newsletter (see details below). You'll be the first to know! 

And finally, Designer's Choice, a pattern I finished in time for spring: Chocolate Bunnies, in dark, milk, and white chocolate. I even used buttons and thread to mimic the colorful candy eyes. These chocolate bunnies won't melt on you.

I wanted to make lacy collars instead of the expected satin ribbon, and Lion Brand Truboo turned out to be perfect for this. It's got good stitch definition, pretty colors, and a gorgeous sheen. The bunny pattern can be found HERE. 

Be sure to sign up for my occasional newsletter--you'll never get spammed, but you will get notices about new patterns, and get subscribers-only freebies. Email me at:

donna.childs.crochets@gmail.com

I want to thank Crochetville for sponsoring this Blog Tour, again! Thank you for all the hard work, and I look forward to seeing old friends and making new friends this month. 

Yarns featured:

A Star is Born/Naptime Yarn (chenille)

Truboo (bamboo)

both by: #LionBrand  #LionBrandYarn 

Breaking News! I have a brand new pattern coming out April first, and if you send me an email during this blog tour, you'll get a copy of this adorable, never before seen, pattern--for free! 

Bunnies!

These are inspired by the chocolate bunnies we get this time of year, crocheted in your preference of dark, milk, and white chocolate. They are actually pretty easy, so you might want to whip up a few. Unlike real chocolate, they won't melt during a good cuddle.

I expect to have the pattern ready and in my Ravelry store (link below) by March first. Grab some worsted weight yarn and a G-hook, and you'll be making bunnies in no time.

Buy this pattern HERE

New Patterns winter 2021

 My fans have requested patterns for these two collections, and they are on the way. Sign up for my email newsletter for notices and for the occasional FREE pattern (see below for details).

"Baby, You Can Drive My Car" was inspired by the birth of a baby girl to a family who owns an auto repair shop. The cars are the right size for little hands to grip and go, "vroom-vroom!" They are designed in 5 different shapes using Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice in some wonderful colors.

"Birthday at the Circus" is inspired by the colors of birthday cakes and vintage circus. The yarn I originally used for the animals has been discontinued, but I just discovered a new yarn by Lion Brand, A Star is Born Naptime, so I'll be re-working the whole gang--I think they'll be even sweeter and softer!

To sign up for my email newsletter, send a note to:

Donna (dot) Childs (dot) Crochets (at) gmail (dot) com 

Be assured I will never give out your email address to anyone, and I promise I will not flood your mailbox. You will get notices of new patterns and occasionally, a FREE pattern before I offer it for sale.

Check out my Ravelry page--and keep crocheting! 

#lionbrand #lionbrandyarn

Natural Dyes

Back in my hippie days, I spent a month on a sheep farm. I learned to spin yarn from fleece, and how to dye the wool using materials found in nature.

I slept on a cot near a stove, took long walks to gather plants in the morning, simmered batches of dyestuff in the afternoon, and at night, under the big sky full of stars, ate cheese and fruits from nearby farms.

After I produced yarns in about fifty different colors, I was challenged to make a final project of my own design. I came up with this vest.

I've been feeling a bit nostalgic, and thought I'd try doing some more natural dyeing this summer, but on a much smaller scale. I'm experimenting with dying small skeins of superwash wool yarn (approx. 30 yards/1 oz each) using the same method I use to make sun tea: put all ingredients in a glass jar with water, and leave it out in the sun.

I dissolved about an 8th of a teaspoon of alum (as mordant to fix the dye), added the vegetable matter and yarn to the jar, and topped it off with tap water.

The finished balls of yarn in the foreground were dyed in this method using turmeric (bright orange), spinach (yellow-green), blueberry (purple), and black beans (blue gray)--a small skein of undyed wool is shown for contrast. Steeping in the jars with some yarn are fennel, coffee grounds, and red cabbage.

If you are interested in trying natural dyeing for yourself, I've listed some particularly inspiring books below. The small batch dying is something I have come up with myself--some take a day, some take several days, some need more plant material added later. 

There's a lot of room for experimenting and having fun! Would I get different colors if I added vinegar, sea water, or a rusty nail to the jar? What if I used cotton instead of wool? This could make a good science experiment for home-schoolers.

Books:

The Natural Colors Cookbook, by Maggie Pate

The Modern Natural Dyer, by Kristine Vejar
And visit Kristine's dye garden behind her yarn shop (A Verb for Keeping Warm) in Oakland, CA.

Yarn:

Huasco DK by Araucania, purchased from Coveted Yarn in Gloucester, MA
This superwash wool yarn is soft, and holds up to all the rough handling that goes with dyeing.

Summer 2020--"Ovoid Bag"

I'm ready to enjoy summer. I've already fired up the grill and dusted off my beach chair--and if I can't get to go to the beach this summer (most in my area are still closed), I'm getting myself one of those little kiddie pools you blow up and fill with a garden hose. Because, darn it, summertime is for fun, and I am going to have some fun.

The summer 2020 issue of Interweave Crochet is out, and my "Ovoid Bag" is included.

I think it's the perfect little bag for an easy summer afternoon--big enough for sunglasses, phone, and lipgloss, yet light and casual enough to toss over your shoulder for a stroll on a hot day. And it's such a quick, carefree project, you'll want to make it in a bunch of different colors to match all your outfits. 

 

Check out the rest of the awesome summer issue HERE  And let's make the most of summer, no matter what it looks like this year!

 (All photos courtesy Interweave)

Duck, Duck--Chick!

What must my neighbors think, when I pose a bunch of stuffed animals around my yard?

  

These little cuties are available as a pattern HERE for just a dollar!

"We're in this Together" Rainbow Bear!

People are putting stuffed animals and rainbows in their windows while we all wait for the quarantine to be over.

Want to spread a little cheer yourself? I'm offering a free pattern for a small teddy bear that you can put in your window. 

Quick and easy enough for you to make up a bunch--keep crocheting and stay safe!

https://www.ravelry.com/stores/donna-childs-designs