The Art of Crochet Blankets Book Review

I've spent a bit of time lately contmeplating my crochet.  Why do I do it? What is its purpose in my life? Does it play a role in other's lives? There are varied and convoluted answers to these questions, but one answer that emerged during my deep think was that it is a means for expressing myself artistically. This is the piece that is much stronger than just making something functional--or even merely stylish. It is an expression of my inspiration, feelings and art. It is literally a piece of me. Guess what?

Call for Crochet Pattern Testers

Helloooooo!! I hope all is well in your crochet world and all other parts of your life. Today I'm popping in to make an official call for pattern testers. Let me address some questions you might have about what it means to be a pattern tester and why I need them.

5th Annual Designer Collaboration -- Giveaway

WELCOME TO OUR 5TH ANNUAL DESIGNER COLLABORATION – SALES EVENT and GIVEAWAY!

It's that time of year!! This year’s event is brought to you by 20 of your favorite designers!

We’ve had so much great feedback about our coupon code, ENABLER, that we’ve decided to keep it for yet another year! 

Simply click on all of your favorite designers’ photos below (and new-to-you designers) to be taken directly to their Ravelry shops! While there, add their MUST HAVE designs to your shopping cart, and apply Coupon Code: ENABLER to see what great discounts the designers are offering this year!  *Coupon Valid from noon est 11/20/18 thru 11/26/18 at midnight est.

WATCH YOUR SAVINGS GROW!

Try adding 1, 3, 6 or more designs from one designer to your cart and watch your savings grow! Each designer has set up different discounts that grow depending on the size of your purchase. 

KEEP READING, GIVEAWAY INFO BELOW…

A Crocheted Simplicity

CrocheTrend

Ana D

Felted Button

Accrochet

KT and the Squid

Made by Mary

Crystalized Designs

Cypress Textiles

Lilla Bjorn Crochet

KMT Creations

Just Be Happy Crochet

Divine Debris

One & Two Company

Pattern Paradise

Sincerely, Pam

Sweet Potato Crochet Creations

Blackstone Designs

HaakMaarRaak

The Purple Poncho

Now for some more fun...and opportunities to WIN BIG!! 

GAME #1 – FACEBOOK PAGE HOP!

Enter to Win (1) Pattern of Choice from each of the above 20 Designers participating in this year’s event!

Click on over to my Facebook Page HERE & find my video that was posted at noon EST on Tuesday, November 20, 2018. Watch the video, follow the instructions, & enter to win!!! (3) Winners will be randomly chosen & announced on Friday, November 22, 2018 by noon EST.

GAME #2 – SIMON SAYS(OUR BIG GIVEAWAY!)

This year we’re going to play our designer version of the classic game, Simon Says! If you have never played Simon Says before, don’t fret. We’re keeping it simple so everyone can join in!

Throughout the event each designer will be sharing collages on their Facebook pages, from all of the other participating designers. Every post will include the easy instructions on how to enter to win on that post! You can enter to win daily by commenting on every post you see like this! Every designer will be sharing 3 to 4 collages a day from Tuesday thru Monday… that’s 400+ chances to win!!!

In the post, you would Enter to Win simply by commenting with the following: (make sure to comment on the designer’s Facebook post)

• 1st Entry: Comment with the link of a Felted Button pattern (or that particular designer's pattern) you’d love to make.
• 2nd Entry: Comment with a photo of a finished project you’ve completed from a Felted Button pattern (or one from that designer).

That’s it! Easy peasy, right?  Then on Tuesday, November 27, 2018, we’ll gather all of the entries, randomize a list of winners, and announce them on my Facebook page!

NOW FOR THE AWESOME PRIZES!!!

THIS YEAR’S PRIZES INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

(4) Winners will each receive a $25 Etsy Gift Card – sponsored by all 20 designers

(3) Winners will each receive 8 balls of their choice of the following 3 yarns: Lion Brand Wool Ease, Lion Brand Jeans Yarn, Lion Brand Touch of Alpaca – sponsored by Lion Brand Yarn – **Open to U.S. Canada Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive a Set of (10) Clover Amour Crochet Hooks – sponsored by A Crocheted Simplicity – **Open Worldwide**

(1) Winner will receive a set of handmade stitch markers – sponsored by KMT Creations – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive 4 hanks of hand dyed yarn and handmade stitch markers – sponsored by KT and the Squid – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive a set of handmade stitch markers & hook pouch – sponsored by Blackstone Designs – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive (8 balls) of Scheepjes Stardust Yarn & a Blanket Pattern – sponsored by Felted Button – **Open to U.S.and Canada Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive an AC Moore Yarn Prize – sponsored by CrocheTrend – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive a Hexagon Burst Blanket Kit in Spring Meadow color palette – sponsored by Cypress Textiles – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(5) Winners will each receive 1 copy of YARN Bookazine, Issue 3 “Tropical” – sponsored by Cypress Textiles – **Open Worldwide**

(1) Winner will receive a $25 Amazon Gift Card – sponsored by Pattern Paradise

(1) Winner will receive Malabrigo Yarn & a Crochet Hat Pattern – sponsored by Just Be Happy Crochet – **Open to U.S. Residents Only**

(1) Winner will receive a Rosewood Yarn Bowl – sponsored by Habbedash.com – **Open Worldwide**

(2) Winners will each receive 1 copy of the book Snuggle & Play Crochet – sponsored by One & Two Company – **Open Worldwide**

WINNERS WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 27, 2018 BY NOON EST.

WE’D LIKE TO SEND A BiG SHOUTOUT TO ALL OF OUR PRIZE SPONSORS!!! THEY HELPED TO MAKE THIS EVENT MORE FUN FOR ALL OF US! 

It's going to be some serious fun! Good luck and have a wonderful holiday season.

Best to you! xx

*This post contains affiliate links.

Asanas Blanket Free Crochet Pattern

Hellooo!! I hope things are well in your neck of the woods. My neck of the woods is Utah. And here, it's cold in November!! Which makes me want to snuggle up in my comfy orange crocheting chair with the fire and a cozy blanket over my legs for some added warmth while I play with hook and yarn. What better time to introduce to you my newest free pattern...

Asanas Blanket

I shared with you a little sneak peek of the square here and also my love affair with the squishy and soft Scheepjes Namaste yarn that I used to make it.

Yarn Poised as Yoga Poses

Since returning from Yarndale earlier this month, I've been busy with a fabulous new yarn that I squished in my suitcase. I intentionally took a really large bag knowing that I would come home with loads of yarn, so stuffing 24 balls of the 34 colors of Scheepjes Namaste in my bag was easy--well, almost easy. Thankfully this yarn is squishy! 

YARN Book-A-Zine FOLK Is on the Shelf

There's a lot of beauty happening right now in the crochet world so I thought I would pop in and share a bit of what I've creativity I've come across lately.

Firstly, the YARN Book-a-zine FOLK issue was just released. There is nothing old-fashioned and frumpy about this! Would you take a peek at this blanket?! Rachele Carmona of Cypress Textiles has come through in her characteristic style of color, asymmetry and mixing up motifs and stitches in creative ways!

Happy Folk Blanket by Rachele Carmona of Cypress Textiles Photo Copyright: Scheepjes

Scheepjes Bloggers Go to Yarndale

Recently I posted about three good things I get from crocheting and creating. One of those things is that it affords me the opportunities to connect with other creators in meaningful ways. Just over a week ago I had the chance to travel across the pond again to Skipton in Yorkshire England to attend the annual Yarndale market. The best part--I was able to meet up with my fellow tribe of Scheepjes bloggers.

Crafty Llama: Three Things

When I first began crocheting several years ago I quickly discovered three things about this new versatile craft:

1. Crocheting allows me to focus my thoughts and quiet my otherwise noisy brain.

2. Crocheting makes useful, creative and cheerful goods ideal for gifting to others.

3. Crocheting is a natural "connector" to other people.

After reading the new book Crafty Llama* by Mike Kerr with darling illustrations by Renata Liwska, I found myself relating to this sweet story about crafting, friends and making "useful" things. (It is reminiscent of a loved book I have called Extra Yarn*)

Delicious Crochet Shawls Book Blog Tour

Hello, my dear friends! If you've found your way here through Kathryn's blog Crochet Concupiscence, welcome! I'm the lucky one to be next in line on the blog tour taking place for Lisa Cook's new book Delicious Crochet Shawls*.

When I was invited to participate I was thrilled because I have been following Lisa's work for some time and have always admired her shawl designs. You could say she is the Queen of Shawls.

Awash with New River Washed Colors

Have you been busy with family, work and other crazy life demands? I have been nearly "under water" it seems. But don't think for a minute that I haven't been busy crocheting. Not only is crochet part of my "work", but it is something of a priority around here. I must play with yarn!! You might just understand. As of today, I've got 4 designs that are completed and even photographed and 3 more on my hook but not a single pattern written for any of them. Why is that? Can you say..."Squirrel!"? I've got it bad. Distraction. My archnemesis. And to make matters worse, look what just showed up in the mail.