Serenity Box Pleat Top

Happy Crochet Week! Believe it or not, before I became a knitting addict, I was a crochet fiend. In high school I gave crochet lessons to Pep Band members during basketball games and most of the people in my section (go French Horns!) commissioned a hat or two from me -I even crocheted a blazer from one of my mom's old '70s crochet magazines. My transition to the "dark side" occurred when I found Debbie Stoller's Stitch 'N Bitch book at Border's, taught myself how to knit and abandoned crochet for almost a decade. And then (insert angelic singing here) I saw Kristin Omdahl's book Crochet So Fine, the clouds parted and I thought to myself, "I need to do that again"! If you haven't already indulged in perusing the pages of this magnificent collection, I urge you to go to your LYS, the nearest JoAnn's or Barnes and Noble and at least take a peek. Kristin Omdahl, who also happens to be our guest blogger this week (see post below), is truly a magical Mistress of Design. Her intricate lace patterns are fresh and artistic with an unparalleled graceful elegance. My eyes are glazed over with longing and inspiration just thinking about them as I type... the shapely Serene Box Pleat Top in Lorna's Helen's Lace and the whimsical Enigma Hooded Cardigan in Malabrigo Lace Baby Merino, not to mention the the cover pattern that hooked me in the first place (pun intended), the Petals Wrap Cardigan. So many projects, so little time!

Fancy shmancy birch hook!

Of course to get started on any crochet project, you need a good crochet hook... or two :) The Addi Swing Hooks are one of our most popular crochet hooks along with the Birch Victorian Crochet Hooks by Brittany. Engineered to fit comfortably in your hand, the Addi Swing is comprised of a slick metal hook and a dual plastic handle that helps eliminate pressure points and fatigue so you can crochet as long as you like! For those who prefer the natural feel of wood in their fingers, the Birch Victorian hooks are ideal. Lightweight and durable, these hooks are beautifully crafted for a smooth, snag-free crocheting experience!

Go to a festival in Estival!

Next to enjoying the fruits of your labor, the best part about crochet is picking out your next project. Hopefully you're already finding inspiration in Crochet So Fine, but you can never have too much pattern support! A good place to start is Hooked For Life patterns such as Estival. This lightweight wrap drapes beautifully about the shoulders and works up quickly in a worsted weight cotton or cotton blend such as Blue Sky Alpacas Worsted Cotton or sparkly Glint from Berroco! Prefer sleeves? Check out the stylishly sophisticated Valerie's Cardigan from Blue Sky Alpacas! Crochet in soft, organically grown Skinny Cotton, this dainty lace shell keeps you trendy and warm for those evenings out on the town. The Happy Hooker, also by Debbie Stoller, is another great place to find a diverse array of projects for all skill levels such as the contemporary Crochet Spring Jacket in Cascade 220 Quatro and simple but stunning Unseamly Crochet Pullover in Cascade Sierra.

If you haven't already, be sure to vote on your favorite type of crochet project in the top right-hand corner of the page!

Happy crocheting and knitting!
Leanne

Happy February! While it may be the shortest month of the year, this February will be plenty busy! We've got lots of fun planned such as a guest blogger and the kick-off for our second annual Beans For Brains Scholarship (check out Jeanne's post below or click here to learn more!)... not to mention all the new products we'll be receiving in the weeks to come! But enough about the future and on to the present! We've got plenty of new products already here that are worth mentioning!

Trend-tastic T!

Let's start with a current favorite here are the shop -Rowan #49. One of the most artistically designed fiber arts publications and an indicator of the latest trends in the fashion world, Rowan Knitting Magazine is as beautiful to look at as the gorgeous patterns on its glossy pages. I've actually considered using one as a coffee table book because every issue is full of such exquisite hand-knit eye candy. Yes, I am just that knitting obsessed :) The new Rowan Magazine, Issue #49 has proved to be widely popular in its short time on the shelves, and with such a wide array of breezy, romantic knits, it is easy to see why. This collection features simple silhouettes, muted and natural hues and understated lacy stitch patterns that achieve an effortless, carefree elegance. I'm partial to the relaxed short-sleeved blouses in classic solids as well as the drapelicious and easy-to-wear styles of the summery knit and crochet tops.

If lightning bugs knit, they'd use Flicker!

As demonstrated in Rowan #49, you can easily dress up your favorite plain or rustic fibers with sophisticated design elements, but you can also add some spice to a simple scarf or provincial pullover with a stylish yarn choice! Enter Flicker, another new yarn from Berroco! This deliciously soft alpaca blend comes in natural, earthy hues and has a subtle glimmer of metallic tinsel nestled in the woven threads of its chain-like construction. The worsted weight Flicker is an excellent medium for a wide range of projects from the Cap Sleeve Cardigan from Knitting Pure And Simple to Fairhope by Dolce Handknits or the Basketweave Watch Cap from knittinIt Patterns -just to name a few!

Classy Kaw Valley Wrap

Prefer the lustrous sheen of alpaca and silk? Check out the Kaw Valley Wrap, one of the latest patterns from Blue Sky Alpacas! This luxuriously long wrap featuring a timeless lace pattern is knit in the sumptuous BSA Alpaca Silk. The beautiful drape and graceful scalloped edging makes Kaw Valley the ideal accessory for an evening out or the perfect compliment to your little black dress!

C? D-B-S-A-Q-T!

For those of you who enjoy lacy projects and complicated stitch patterns, you're probably always on the lookout for fun stitch markers to add to your collection... I know I am! Lucky for us Lantern Moon has two new stitch marker styles available: cuter than a button Bees and adorable Lady Bugs! These crocheted critters come in sets of six and are the perfect way to mark you knitting no matter what the project!

Until next week, happy knitting and crocheting!
Leanne