Project Book Review FORMAL JEWELRY BY KAREN MCKENNA

I met crochet designer Karen McKenna at The Knit and Crochet Show a couple of years ago in Concord,NC.  Not only is Karen the friendliest person you'll ever meet, she is also a wonderful designer.  Karen's book, Formal Jewelry, published by Leisure Arts is a jewelry book showcasing projects that use simple crochet stitches.  Even my knitting friends can try these!

 The patterns use mostly chain stitch and basic jewelry techniques. The book includes12 projects that are perfect for learning to crochet with beads and includes wonderful step by step instructions as well as bonus online technique videos. Just look for the camera in the instructions to see the video tutorials!

This lovely bead and crochet formal headband would be lovely at a summer garden party or a more formal event.  Can't you just see this on all of your bridesmaids? Or as an accessory with a beautiful prom dress done to match the dress?

My favorite pieces in the book are the barefoot sandals. By the pool or at a beach wedding, these lovely sandals can add a little boho chic or beachy elegance. I know I'll have to crochet some of these for myself and for my daughter, Angela!  

This double pearl necklace is easy to crochet too!  If you are a bride-to-be, how excited would your bridesmaids be to receive this gift from you? ! The necklace is quick and easy.

I like the triple pearl necklace with the strapless dress for the bride or mother of the bride.

Get the book, or e-book at:
Leisurearts.com or Amazon.com, and get started crocheting your jewelry today!

Follow Karen on her blog ihookdesign and visit her on Ravelry.
And tell her that Sandy sent you!

Other reviews of this book can be found on the following blogs:

January 19th  Amy Shelton from Crochetville  http://crochetville.com/

January 21   Marty Miller  designer, teacher, authorhttp://thecrochetdoctor.blogspot.com/  

January 26   Tammy Hildebrand   designer, author  http://hotlavacrochet.blogspot.com/

January 28   Sharon Silverman    designer, author    http://www.sharonsilverman.com/crochet/

February 2   Jennifer Ryan    designer  http://celticknotcrochet.blogspot.com/

February 5    Gwen Blakely Kinsler  author, founder of Crochet Guild of America  http://crochetqueen-royalramblings.blogspot.com/

February 10  Karen Rhatto Whooley  author, designer, teacher    http://www.krwknitwear.com

February 11  Sandy Huff   designer  http://knittyknittychainchain.blogspot.com/

February 16  Linda Dean    designer  http://www.lindadeancrochet.com/blog/

You Gotta See What's On My Needles!

I recently taught a class on Fair Isle knitting for members and others of the North Georgia Knitting Guild.  The class project was designed by Patti Henry and used with her permission. It is a free pattern on Ravelry called the Dots and Stripes Purse. Several participants are on their way to finishing this lovely bag.  Here is a finished purse by Amy:

 

I think a majority of the students used yarn from their stash leftover from other projects.

The Fair Isle technique along with using leftover stash yarn gave me the idea for the project that is currently on my needles.  I purchased a new denim jacket.  I removed the sleeves and I am using the sleeves as a pattern for the knitted sleeves that will take the place of the denim sleeves. 

 

I am working the sleeves two at a time on two circular needles to be sure that my sleeves will be identical.  I had a large stash of Knit Picks Palette yarn in so many different colors.  The motifs are totally random.  Some from a book, some made up. Most likely the sleeves will be sewn in by machine after careful basting.  Stay tuned to see the finished project. If you are not up for a sleeve project, why not add a simple square pocket to your jacket using fair isle or even your favorite stitch pattern.  Let me see what you come up with!!! What are your ideas?

 



Technique Tip Tuesday!!!! Buttonholes and Blocking

 Picture this!  You've knitted the perfect buttonholes on your sweater.
You block your sweater and your buttonholes turn into huge holes.

Solution: Using a contrasting color of yarn, "sew" your buttonhole together so that while you are blocking your buttonhole remains closed.
 



Music Monday!!! "Pardon Me, I Didn't Knit That For You" Sung by Kay Gardiner and Ann Shayne.

Today's Music Monday is a song uploaded onto youtube in 2008.  The song describes the phenomenon of the "sweater curse", the belief that if a knitter gives a hand-knit sweater to a significant other, it will lead to the recipient breaking up with the knitter.
Kay and Ann can be found on Mason Dixon Knitting where they have been blogging about knitting since 2003. 

Watch the Video here!

These Guys Crack Me Up!!

I was so fortunate to have collided with the Stephen & Steven Tour 2014 while I was in Manchester, NH at the Knit and Crochet Show!  Although there were many great things to do and see at the show, this had to be my favorite!
What a Hoot!!  These two men are so creative and so contagious! They are obviously passionknit about what they do.   I attended their class called "Dynamic Duo".  It was a kind of free-form anything goes kinda class.  A "rules go out the window" kinda class. 
StephenBe is a designer and business owner in Minneapolis with a career worth reading about.
Steven West is a designer, teacher, and author living in Amsterdam, but originally from Tulsa, OK. His designs are very eye-catching and artistic.
 If  you really want to keep up with what is going on and exciting in the knitting world these days, I highly recommend that you check these two guys out.  Fun for sure!!
A picture is worth a thousand words!  Wish I hadn't taken blurry photos!!  Anyway, I think you get the idea.

   Steven West in his knitted shorts.

  Steven West modeling some of his own pieces.

Me and the Ste(ph)(v)ens.  Selfie

The Knit and Crochet Show

Well today I am packing for my business trip.  I am heading to Manchester, NH for the Knit & Crochet Show to meet up with some old friends, make new friends, take classes, and get inspired.  I know that I'll be excited to show you what I saw and what I learned.  I will be taking a free-form crochet class with Margaret Hubert.  Free-form is so much fun!!

I will also be taking a class with StevenBe and Stephen West called Dynamic Duo.  This is the class I am most excited about! The class is billed as: "Stephen and Steven will lead this opened ended free form workshop to set you free. Class will be set up in teams of two. Basic guidelines will be given to class and each team will have a rough goal established. Spin the design wheel and see what is the next direction. The duo team will exchange projects back and forth with frequent direction from the Dynamic Duo of Stephen and Steven. No one will know the outcome of the final project until all revealed. Ravelry contest will be set up on line. We will have a best of promotion. A grand prize will be awarded in the fall. It is our version of a project runway challenge."
I am not really sure what I'm in for on this one but it sounds exciting.

Stay tuned for my review of the entire show when I return!

Tips for Handmade Gifts

I often wonder what becomes of some of the hand knit and crochet gifts that I give.  I often mention laundering recommendations, but who will remember that?  Here is an easy and personal way to do laundry tags and personalized identity tags for your hand made gifts.

I use Fabric Quick Fuse which is a fabric sheet that can go in your printer! You can even print photographs for t-shirts or quilts. I bought mine at Michael's.

 

I use the Avery Template # 5167, the return address template to prepare my tags.

Copy and paste the laundry symbols from the Laundry Guide.

                                                  

 

Use the symbols that correspond to your yarn ball band. 

You can even add the Laundry guide link right on the label if you like.  That way the receiver always knows where to find the meanings of the symbols.





Here are examples of the tags that I made.  Cut them to size.

These are iron-on sheets.  I recommend using the mini iron.  Follow the ironing instructions on the fabric sheet package for attaching the labels.

 

You don't even have to put it at the neck.  Put it wherever you want!  How about on the bottom rib in the back or side?

 

Tell me YOUR ideas by commenting on the post.

Better yet, Join my blog by email so you won't miss a single post!