Art of Crochet Blog

Well, Laura Killoran, of www.croshaydesign.com, and I have finally done it…! After talking about it for years, we’ve decided to collaborate. I couldn’t be happier, and I’m certain that everyone who loves to crochet will have more and more to excited about. Now that we are helping each other out, we’ll have more patterns, tutorials and online classes than ever before.

To celebrate, we have a special deal for our crocheting friends: Buy 2 patterns from www.croshaydesign.com and get Josi Hannon Madera’s “Bonny Girl Cloche & Scarf” pattern set for FREE!!

Use coupon code: ArtOfCroshay

*This offer good through November 30, 2007. Only available at www.croshaydesign.com.
As well, we are offering, for a VERY LIMITED TIME, every hat pattern available on both Laura’s and Josi’s websites. All together, that’s 13 hat patterns, plus a bonus scarf pattern, a $62 value - for the unbelievably low price of $30. A book’s worth of patterns, links to video stitch guides, bonus sections of tips & techniques, lots of photos - all from two of crochet’s best designers.

Use coupon code: iwantitALL

*This offer good through November 30, 2007. Only available at www.croshaydesign.com.

The patterns by Laura Killoran, available at Croshay Design, are TOP-notch.

You know you want one!
Go ahead - ask me why… ask me, “Josi, what makes Laura’s patterns so special? Why are Croshay Design hat patterns better than everyone else’s?”

My response: Every detail has been thought-out. For instance - the seams on these hats are the best around. Laura carefully changes the instructions round-to-round to ensure the most “seamless seam” possible. That, alone, is the difference between a great-looking hat, and one that looks handmade-in-the-bad-way.

But that’s not all. Croshay Design patterns make the absolute most of the recommended materials. I’ve been very vocal about my dislike for acrylics yarns. Laura’s designs give me a new appreciation for the fiber. She makes the most of it’s texture - creating hats with just enough structure to be fashionable, yet still be comfortably wearable and absolutely washable.

For this collaboration, I did the photography, layout and editing. Check out her spiffy new website, too - I custom-coded a shopping cart and automatic download system.

C’mon, I know you want a super-scrumptious handmade hat by Josi, dontcha? You’d be helping a girl out, too!**

	Brussels Toque style, with simple diamond-and-puff trim Solid color$30 100% wool $35 wool/silk
	Berliner Rounded beanie with criss-cross hatch detail 2 colors$30 100% wool $35 wool/silk
	Vienna Rounded striped beanie with brim detail 2 colors$30 100% wool $35 wool/silk
	Glasgow Skullcap with brim detail 2 colors$30 100% wool $35 wool/silk
100% Wool Colors	Wool/Silk Colors

Prices include shipping. To order, click one of the buttons below, and make certain to include the following in the note section of your order (if you forget, I’ll email you):
1. Style Name (Brussels, Berliner, Vienna, Glasgow)
2. Color(s)
3. Size: Toddler, Child (age 8 or younger), Small/Medium Adult, Large Adult

100% Wool Hat - $30

Wool/Silk Hat - $35

My Flickr Beanie Set has bigger pics and detail shots. ** Bob got canned 2 months ago, for the second time this year. I started a part-time job, and he starts a temp job next week. Between regular bills, and health care - we’re busted. So not only would you get a fabulous handmade hat - you’d be helping us get back on our feet. Much thanks.

I’m making a Tunisian Sampler Afghan, and each week of the Swatch-along will now also have patterns for 8.5″ x 8.5″ squares*. Each of these squares would also make a good all-over pattern for an entire afghan, and the stitch patterns that make them up can be incorporated into any design you choose - sweaters, skirts, purses, scarves, hats - let your imagination run wild. ( *when using DK weight yarn and a 6.00mm hook. )

Use the patterns for the squares as a starting point to create your own stitch patterns. You can: take sections of different squares and combine them to create new designs; take a single stitch pattern and reflect it or reverse it; add colorwork to a square shown as a solid; experiment with finer yarns and smaller hooks to create more intricate patterns…

The stitch patterns I am sharing didn’t just pop into my head and then spring forth from my fingers - Not At All! I did a lot of experimentation, all sorts of trial and error and nitpicking about stitch placement and centering (when applicable) and the tension created by the interplay of the stitches. I swatched, and ripped back, and swatched again.

And you know what - it’s a lot of fun because it becomes personal. I often feel like a crochet scientist in my own little lab, and maybe I’ve a touch of the Dr. Frankenstein but I become attached to the results of my process. As silly as it might sound to some, when you “get it right” you know it right away because it glows a little brighter and something a lot like EUREKA! echoes in your mind. It’s easy to get addicted to that feeling, and it’s totally worth pursuing.

This week I am going to share the patterns for 5 squares, 4 of which utilize Tunisian front-post doubles (featured in week 2 of the swatch-along) and the final square is created with T-push and T-pull techniques (featured in week 1). Each stich pattern will have its own post, so that you can easily bookmark the information you want. And you can always click on the “Afghan Squares” tag to access all of the posts (to date) with these patterns.

Checkerboard Checkerboard Pattern:
(remember: when counting rows - the very bottom row is the foundation, and the next row is Row 1)

• Base - using 5.50 mm standard hook and DK weight yarn, ch 38. Switch to 6.00 mm Tunisian hook.
• Foundation - lp on hook counts as first st (now and throughout), 1 Tss into each of the next 36 chs, end-st into last ch, return.
• Row 1 - 1 Tss into each of the next 36 sts, end-st into last st, return.
• Row 2 - * {fp-Td, 1 Tss into next st} x 4, fp-Td, 1 Tss into each of the next 9 sts *, repeat between * *, end-st into last st, return.
• Row 3 - * {1 Tss into next st, fp-Td} x 4, 1 Tss into each of the next 10 sts *, repeat between * *, end-st into last st, return.
• Rows 4 to 7 - repeat Rows 2 & 3.
• Row 8 - repeat Row 2.
• Row 9 - repeat Row 1.
• Row 10 - * 1 Tss into each of the next 9 sts, {fp-Td, 1 Tss into next st} x 4, fp-Td *, repeat between * *, end-st into last st, return.
• Row 11 - * 1 Tss into each of the next 10 sts, {fp-Td, 1 Tss into next st} x 4, 1 Tss into next st *, repeat between * *, end-st into last st, return.
• Rows 12 to 15 - repeat Rows 10 & 11.
• Row 16 - repeat Row 10.
• Rows 17 to 32 - repeat Rows 1 to 16.

If you want to use this as an all-over pattern for a blanket, simply add repetitions of the stitches between the * *. This stitch pattern is 18 stitches wide and 16 rows tall. Your starting chain for a larger piece should be a multiple of 18, plus 2 (1 each for the beginning stitch and the end stitch).

Click Here for This Week’s Class

You can view/download class materials and participate in discussion at the following link:
http://community.livejournal.com/art_of_crochet/679.html.

The Anna K will be the next pattern to be released on Art of Crochet.

I am tweaking the pattern a little bit in order to offer a version with more waist shaping, and which incorporates 3 colors instead of just 2. Of course, this means stitching another version, too (which is quite good as I will be able to get a few production shots as I go along, and maybe even some video of me sewing up the side seam).

It will probably take me about 2 weeks to get this pattern perfect and packaged. While that is going on, I’ll also be planning and starting the first seminar at the Crochet Academy. Here are the details for the first class:

If you wish to participate, please send me an e-mail (josi@iamintheloop.com) to sign up for the class. All materials will be available on the website, but participation in the live question-and-answer segment requires a reservation.

You can prepare for the first class of the seminar Gauge, Drape & Substitution by doing the following:

Materials:
approx. 50yds DK to Light Worsted weight yarn
3 standard crochet hooks — a 4.00 mm (US-G), a 5.00 mm (US-H) and a 6.00 mm (US-J)
rigid ruler, preferably clear plastic (not a measuring tape)
notebook

Select a DK to Light Worsted weight yarn. Anything you have in your stash will do, as long as you have at least 50 yards of it. Save the label, in order to compare your gauge with the listed gauge (or you can look this up on the internet later… most yarn companies offer that information on their websites).

For each hook size, crochet a square that is 25 sts x 25 rows. Measure, inside of the square, the length and width of 20 sts x 20 rows. Mark down this measurement in your notebook, making certain to mention the yarn and hook size. You can also label your swatch and save it for a swatchbook (this is a topic that will be covered in the seminar, along with why it’s best to use a clear plastic rigid ruler to measure gauge, and a discussion as to why some yarn labels just get it plain wrong when it comes to their hook size recommendations).

The day of the seminar, the website will have a few nifty tools that will help you analyze your numbers — and I’ll bet you’ll be surprised at all the information you will be able to gather about a yarn’s drape by swatching in a few different hooks sizes! It’ll be well worth your prep time, even if the assignment is simple I encourage even advanced stitchers to humor me, and participate by stitching up their swatches.

The question and answer portion of this event will take place on Yahoo! Messenger. It’s free and easy to use, so sign up today. Everyone who registers will get an e-mail the day before the class begins, with instructions on how to log into our virtual classroom.

I hope to meet you there!
Josi