Winter organizing, interior design, and the July CGOA Chain Link Conference

Have you been caught up in the purging/organizing mania that’s sweeping (so to speak) the country? I’m all for it! Many of us have too much stuff, which makes it hard to know exactly what we do have and where to find it when we need it. I’m pretty tidy, and I like my environment uncluttered, but there is always room for improvement. Usually I’m motivated to reorganize a category or area when something frustrates me. For example, I have a few similar tablecloths and couldn’t tell what the dimensions were, which cloth would fit which table, and how many table leaves they would cover without unfolding them and trying them in place. Not very efficient. Recently I measured them all and pinned tags on with that information. Now I can find the right one easily. I don’t know why it took me so long to figure out such a simple solution, but better late than never. I did the semi-annual yarn purge recently (my stash goes to the Kennett Area Senior Center) and am very happy to have a few empty bins!

Yesterday I was at Longwood Gardens. It’s their orchid festival, and the Conservatory is filled with orchids of every shape, size, and color. I particularly liked the display that looks like pansies at first but turned out to be mass quantities of orchids. The hanging baskets are also stunning.

The photo doesn’t do justice to these hanging baskets of orchids

It was a chilly day but nice to walk around outside as well as in the warm Conservatory. When the weekend crowds are oohing and aahing indoors, the rest of Longwood is delightfully empty.

I’m not currently working on a crochet pattern book, which gives me the opportunity to branch out a bit with my crafting. I hope to partner with some interior designers to create custom pieces for their clients. I’m starting by getting in touch with top local decorators, but I would certainly consider commissions from designers at other locations. I made a short (1:30) video to acquaint them with my work. All inquiries welcome!

Big news: three of my classes were accepted by the Crochet Guild of America for the July Chain Link Conference in Manchester, NH. I’m thrilled! I’ll be teaching “Designing Crochet Patterns for Fun and Publication,” “Mosaic Crochet Magic, Including Cowl Pattern,” and “Lilytopia Shawl: Lightweight, Round, and Fabulous!” If things work out, I’ll also have the opportunity for a Delicate Crochet book-signing sometime during the conference. I’ll share the details with you as soon as I know them.

Conference registration starts soon. You can find the details on the CGOA website. It’s the 25th anniversary celebration, which should be very special. I’m most excited about connecting with other designers and crocheters. I would love to meet you—let me know if you plan to attend.

We are getting ready for some colder weather here in Pennsylvania, but nothing like the polar vortex descending up north. The forecast isn’t just for character-building cold but for dangerous, seriously frigid temperatures, the kind of cold that makes you feel like your eyelids are going to freeze shut and your teeth might crack. I hope all of who are affected by that stay safe and warm. If there were ever a time to have plenty of yarn on hand, this is it.

Travel, inspiration, classes, and book-signings

I hope all of you had a good Thanksgiving! The holiday season begins for us when Longwood Gardens’ Christmas display opens. This year the theme in the Music Room is “books.” There are some incredible books with the ends of the pages folded in such a way to make words and pictures. What artistry! Truly inspiring. The wreaths and some of the poinsettias are also made of paper.

Backing up a bit, our family was fortunate to spend two weeks in Italy in October. We stayed one week in Rome, with excursions to Pompeii and Monte Cassino, and one week in the Tuscan countryside from where we also explored Florence, Siena, San Gimignano, Montepulciano, and Lago Trasimeno. (I did pop into a yarn shop in Siena and of course forgot to take a picture!) It was the perfect balance of city and countryside, and museums and more active pursuits. We ate very well—it’s impossible not to in Italy!—and walked miles and miles every day.

St. Peter’s at sunset

A couple of weeks after getting home, I was on the road again, this time to the Crochet Guild of Prince William County, VA. I taught four classes over the weekend (beaded crochet, tapestry crochet, more techniques in Tunisian crochet, and crochet patterns demystified). Guild chair Rhonda Reese deserves a huge thank-you for arranging everything. We had the perfect size room and table space, plenty of snacks and lunch foods, etc. I really enjoyed meeting the group and seeing their progress. A couple of people who took classes the first day worked on their projects in the evening and brought them in the next day! Since then, I’ve received several photos of completed items. It was a great experience! (If your guild or group is interested in having me come teach, please send me a message and we’ll see what we can work out.)

Speaking of teaching, I submitted some class proposals to be considered for the Crochet Guild of America conference next summer. They are supposed to report back the first week in January. I hope they say yes!

Meanwhile, the exciting news is that DELICATE CROCHET HAS BEEN PUBLISHED! I wish this blog had smell-o-vision so you could inhale that sweet “new book” smell that greeted me when I opened the box of my author copies. The photos, the way the symbol diagrams and schematics look, the projects from the other contributors…I’m thrilled to see how the book came out!

Upcoming signings:

12/4/18, 7-8 p.m., West Chester Public Library, West Chester, PA

12/6/18, 6-7 p.m., Lion Brand Yarn Studio, NYC

12/9/18, 1:30-3 p.m., Luv2Knit&More, Jenkintown, PA.

More information is on the “Classes and Events” blog page. There is no snow in the forecast—with the blast we got the week before Thanksgiving, that’s a relief. Hope to see some of you at the events! (Mrs. Costco will be providing snacks for the Pennsylvania signings.)

My Etsy shop here has been up for a couple of months. If you’re looking for any holiday gifts, take a look. (And if you want to say you made them yourself, my lips are sealed!)

On a totally unrelated topic, we have a lot of wildlife in this area. However, even for us it was a treat to spot a beaver in a pond in a Wilmington, DE park. We saw one a couple of years ago in the Brandywine at Hagley Museum, but this one was a surprise. It had made a huge lodge at the other end of the pond. A good reminder that winter is coming. Wishing you wonderful days enjoying brisk weather outdoors, and a place to come inside that’s snug and warm.

A beaver at Talley-Day Park!

Delicate Crochet weeks away for publication! Plus fall events and classes

With the return of cooler temperatures, things in my crochet world are heating up! The most exciting bit of news is that Delicate Crochet will be out next month. Here is a sampling of pre-publication comments from librarians and other qualified reviewers:

“This is an extremely well-planned and organized book. The patterns are delightful…”

“As expected, there are wrap/shawl/scarf designs and several tops/sweaters/cardigans, but also a pretty skirt (with directions for optional lining), a beaded necklace and a very fun cowl done in Tunisian crochet.”

“This is a lovely book that does a lot to show just how versatile and beautiful crochet can be..”

The book, with 23 original patterns including written instructions and charts, came in at 176 pages. Besides my own designs, there are patterns from Kristin Omdahl, Vicky Chan, Karen McKenna, Vashti Braha, Rhonda Davis, Robyn Chachula, Amy Solovay, Katya Novikova, Jude Butterworth, and Marty Miller. With two Canadians and a Russian in that group, it truly is an international cast. I’m honored that the contributors agreed to be part of this project. Thanks also to photographers Daniel Shanken and Alan Wycheck, and the models who showed off the garments to stellar advantage: Alexis Lebo, Nina Magnani, Aron Rook, and Shay Strawser. Not to mention Candice Derr, Emily Cable, Caroline Stover, Tessa Sweigert, Judith Schnell, and Kristen Mellitt from Stackpole Books.

For a sneak peek at the projects, click here. If you’re interested in purchasing a copy, you can do so here.

Meanwhile, the Wall Hangings book from Leisure Arts is getting some good press. Here is today’s review courtesy of Ambassador Crochet. I really had fun designing and crochet those projects. You can see all of the designs here and purchase the book here.

Add a little color to your decor!

I’m really looking forward to a weekend in Virginia, teaching for the Crochet Guild of Prince William County. Four classes are on the schedule for November 10-11: Beaded Crochet, Tapestry Crochet and Basket, Crochet Patterns Demystified!, and More Techniques in Tunisian Crochet. If you’re in the area, the workshops are open to non-members as well. Here are registration details.

The first week in December I have two Delicate Crochet book-signings and fashion shows set up (I’ll have all 23 items with me): Tuesday, December 4th, 7 p.m. at my home library, the West Chester Public Library in West Chester, PA, and Thursday, December 6th (don’t know the exact time yet) at the Lion Brand Yarn Studio in NYC! More information about both of those events will be coming early next month.

I hope your autumn has gotten off to a warm and cozy start!

Classes, Connections, Publications, and Plans!

Last week I ventured north to Middletown Thrall Library in the Hudson Valley to teach two "Introduction to Tunisian Crochet" classes. It's a long drive, but the scenery through the Delaware Water Gap was beautiful. I wish I had had more time to explore. 

The classes came about thanks to a lucky meeting a few months ago during a book-signing and Tunisian demo I did at The Knitter's Edge. The library's Head of Youth Services Director was there, and before I knew it, I had received an invitation.

What a wonderful experience! The staff at the library was terrific. Bridget, Lu, Betsy...I wish I lived closer so I could get to know them better. I arrived the afternoon before and they got me all set up in the meeting room. The next day we had two full classes, 12 people each, including one talented young crocheter in each group. I loved the energy and enthusiasm, and the way the students helped each other. Very congenial! I think some of them will get together regularly and I hope they practice their Tunisian crochet. I've already been asked to return in the spring, when I'll probably teach "More Techniques in Tunisian Crochet."

One thing that came up during class is that I need a better way to hold the yarn ball as I walk around demonstrating stitches and checking on the students' work. A woman in class mentioned something that hooks onto a belt. I found this very interesting link under the category "History of Domestic Paraphernalia." I think I'm going to rig something up for next time. It might be as simple as a Ziploc bag that hooks onto a belt--or I suppose I could see if one of the beltpacks I have would work. Have any of you tried something like that?

In November I'll be heading south to teach four classes for the Crochet Guild of Prince William County (VA). Again, it was another fortuitous meeting that resulted in the invitation. I taught a "Designing for Publication" class at Lion Brand Yarn Studio, and one of the students is from the Prince William Guild. I'm delighted that we were able to work things out, and I am very excited about meeting the rest of her group.

You might remember my bewilderment about having my classes turned down by TNNA (The National NeedleArts Association), despite my having received perfect ratings from all students who took my classes at the national show back in 2008. I finally figured out that they want teachers who can teach many hours, in order to get the most out of the travel expense reimbursement. I get it. For 2019 I submitted five class proposals. Now we wait and see. 

Speaking of conferences, I was not able to attend the Crochet Guild of America show but it sounds like it was fantastic! I was very happy to hear that Karen McKenna, one of the designers who contributed two Tunisian Crochet patterns to Delicate Crochet, showed both of those garments in the fashion show. Karen also won an award for another of her Tunisian designs. Well-deserved! Congratulations to Karen.

On to books! I'm delighted to tell you that my Leisure Arts leaflet, Wall Hangings, has been published in print and digital forms! It's available through the Leisure Arts website here. And here are some pictures of the eight crocheted projects:

I should receive the next version of Delicate Crochet (available here) from Stackpole Books later this month for one final review. It will be the first time I'm seeing everything laid out, not just in copyedited form. Less than three months until publication!

I finally made the time to take pictures and set up my Etsy shop, here. There are way too many finished projects here, all new and in perfect condition. I'd be happy for them to go to a new home and for that space to be liberated for new projects! So far I have about 50 items for sale; next up, another day of photography for hats, baby clothes, baby blankets, and more scarves and cowls. If you know anyone who is looking for hand-crafted items for themselves or to give as gifts, please send them to my shop. 

I'll leave you with this, a female box turtle we have seen in front of and in back of our house. (We know she's a female because of her eye color.) It had been a few years since we saw a turtle, and we are glad to welcome her back! 

Isn't she beautiful? I wish I could keep my nails that nice!

Enjoy August, whether you are at home or on vacation. Happy crocheting!

A busy spring with new classes, new projects, and a new book coming!

My February trip to Indiana to film two online classes for Annie's went great! The weather even cooperated and it was much warmer than when I was there two years ago. Both classes are live now, so I can reveal that they are "Tunisian Crochet: Beyond the Basics" and "Learn to Crochet Pineapples." Each class has two projects; here are some pictures.

The projects for the Tunisian class are a two-texture scarf and a lacy shawl. The ones for the Pineapples class are a fringed lap blanket and a lacy half-circle shawl. 

As usual, the crew was terrific. It's amazing how many people are in the studio, all working to make sure the class is professional and polished. Three camera operators, the producer, director, editors, stylists...no wonder Annie's classes are such high quality.

I was invited to one of my favorite yarn shops, The Knitter's Edge in Bethlehem, PA, to celebrate Local Yarn Store Day on April 21st. What a fun afternoon! The owners, JoAnne and her daughter Amanda, should be used as role models for any shop owner. Their store is spacious--with dedicated classrooms!--well-stocked with yarn for every budget, and staffed with knowledgeable, caring people. They set me up in their beautiful bay window to do a book-signing and some Tunisian crochet demos. I met all sorts of nice people who had come from nearby, and from as much as several hours away. (That goes to show you how valued The Knitter's Edge is.) One of the women I met that day has since invited me to teach two introductory Tunisian crochet classes at the Middletown Thrall Library in New York state in August. A lovely surprise to have that work out.

I'm looking forward to my trip up there. Not sure if I will have time to visit Manitoga: The Russell Wright Design Center then, but I certainly hope so. I have been on the travel/architecture beat recently for The Hunt Magazine. My article about the National September 11 Memorial & Museum just came out in the summer edition; in the fall, features about Ladew Topiary Gardens and the Chicago Architecture Foundation River Cruise will be published; for winter, I'm covering Hollyhock House (a restored Frank Lloyd Wright site in Los Angeles) and Grounds for Sculpture in New Jersey. Manitoga would fit right in. 

I'm excited to report that Delicate Crochet is listed for sale! Check out the "Books" page and the "Sneak Peek" to see photos of the 23 projects included in the book, and the names of the designers who contributed patterns. Amazon has the publication date as 12/1 but it should actually be ready to ship in late October/early November. If you are going to TNNA or CGOA this summer, look for Stackpole Books and some of the designers showing off some sample garments.