Crochet Renee'.....TV?

So, what seemed like a good idea is now seeming like a GREAT idea. The concept of doing a web-based TV show came to me like a bolt out of the blue. While I am not really fond of seeing myself recorded for all posterity to see, I do like the experiences I have had in talking with all of the interesting folks, and look forward to chatting with even more. In addition, there are (and will be more) instructional segments, product demos and other features. I have in mind to also do some instructions on specific projects as well. I am open to any and all suggestions; what would you like to see on Crochet Renee' TV?

If you haven't seen it yet, click here, and by all means, subscribe so that you will never miss an episode!

Crochet Renee' TV...awesome!

To watch my interview with Anne Bean, organizer of the Arkansas Fiberarts Extravaganza, click here. Then go to the Crochet Renee' Facebook page to enter a giveaway for fab fibery prizes! Then, subscribe to Crochet Renee' TV on YouTube to stay on top of all the great episodes coming and future prize giveaways that will be coming up!

One repeat done...Spider Stitch Shawl!

So I have a good start on my Spider Stitch Shawl for the CAL. I am using Naturally Caron's Country in the colorway Spice House. It says Fall to me. This is a lovely, affordable blend with 25% Merino wool and 75% Microdenier (which is a big word that means extra fine) Acrylic, making it machine wash and dry. I am thinking the wool will add to the warmth, and the easy care fibers will make this something I will wear often. How is yours coming along? Remember, we have a Ravelry group, where everyone can show off their work!
Happy Hooking,
Renee'

Spider Stitch Shawl CAL

I designed the Spider Stitch Shawl for Caron Yarns, International some time ago. When it appeared in the Caron Connections Newsletter quite some time later, I was reminded how much fun I had designing this shawl. I asked the nice folks at Caron if they minded if I did a Crochet-Along (CAL for short) since I decided that I would like to have one to keep. That got me to thinking, "I wonder how many other folks would like to do a crochet-along with me?" So, if you are interested, get yourself some yarn and a hook and let's make it together. The original was done in Simply Soft, but I think I am going to make my version in Naturally Caron's Country. Feel free to use the Caron yarn of your choice! They have so many lovely colors and so many options. I have created a Ravelry group, as well.The pattern is free here, so what are you waiting for?
Renee'




Photo courtesy of and copyright
Caron Yarns, International 2010

I woke up yesterday morning, feeling HORRIBLE, tonsils swollen and could hardly talk, but started getting ready for work anyway. DH said, "You're not going to work like THAT, are you?" I whined, "What else am I supposed to do?" In the end, I called my boss, who told me to stay home and try to acquire some antibiotics. Fortunately, we now have a walk-in clinic, in of all places, Wal-Mart. I was a little leery, but being a Saturday morning and not feeling it was emergent enough to go to ER, I went. I must say it was a good experience. I was in and out in about 45 minutes, prescription in hand. The pharmacy? Well, that was another issue.

Anyway, after taking my first dose and sleeping until my bones hurt, I decided to work on a project that I started for myself. Pretty much all of the crochet I have been doing lately is tip-top secret, so I haven't been able to share that. But I have been knitting a little more lately and had fallen in very serious like with the Slanting Gretel Tee from Interweave Knits. I have swatched 3 or 4 yarns to find gauge and finally had arrived to a very happy result with Universal Yarn's Classic Shades in the "Storm Clouds" colorway. It's a nice yarn, a little fuzzier than I should have liked, but an affordable choice for the first "grown-up" sweater I have ever knit. I couldn't see dropping a wad of cash on a more expensive yarn when my learning curve is not quite up to it yet. But I think it will be after I finish knitting this one. I could definitely see making this again in the future. Here is my progress so far.

I have been making so many things for everyone else, I decided it was time for me to make something for me. I am also making the Multnomah Shawl, with a Cherry Tree Hill yarn. This is my "purse project" which goes with me everywhere, so I have something to work on if my hands need to be busy. It's a very easy knit, so far, as I am still in the body, which is all garter stitch. I have done Feather and Fan before, so I am not too worried about the border.It is a sock weight yarn; sorry, I don't remember the line or colorway; something like "Denim" or some such.

It should be a nice little thing to throw around my shoulders when things are chilly. David's dog also had a puppy. There were two, but the first one was breech and didn't survive. Looks like LB is going to be a great mom.
There's never a dull moment around here.

Tessa what?

The neighboring county where I work (as opposed to the county where I live) recently opened a brand new library. I went to purchase a non-resident card today, as our own county library leaves much to be desired. I only had about 15 minutes left to browse...and having never left a library empty-handed, I found one book that I had to take home. Designing Tessellations by Jinny Beyer. What is a tessellation, you ask? It is a repeating shape that forms interlocking patterns. (Think M.C. Escher) I thought this would be an interesting read from a designing perspective. Man, is that ever an understatement. If you are interested, this is the book. It is really getting the creative juices flowing for me. Many designs I have already done in the past utilized this concept, I just didn't know that it had a name! One example is my Spider Stitch Throw that I designed for Caron Yarn, International. This photo doesn't show it in detail, but there are "tiles" rotated around a point to form a pinwheel type pattern. There is a better picture on the Ravelry site of a version made by grumpyspixie here. Yep. Tessellation. This is gonna be so. much. fun! Stay tuned.

Chain Link 2010

On Professional Development Day, there was a raffle to raise money for Lyme Disease. Here Kimberly McAlindin and Amy Shelton of Crochetville are busy vogueing....I mean selling tickets for the awesome door prizes. I won a copy of "Crochet Bouquet" by Suzann Thompson in the drawing. It's a beautiful book with LOTS of beautiful crochet flowers. Suzann kindly agreed to sign it for me. There was nearly $1,000 raised!

Here is a shot of many of the folks who participated in PDD. We heard from Kristin Ohmdahl and Lily Chin. Then there were break-out sessions for further education. It was all very informative. Participants were also given hooks and their choice of yarn to crochet blocks for charity.( was able to make 2!)

Here are Rebecca Velasquez, Ellen Gormley and Lindsey Stephens. We were all just hanging out in the 24 hour crochet lounge. It was great to have a place to hang out and create with each other! There were so many beautiful things that folks were working on.

One of the more unusual entries in the fashion show included a dress made entirely of plarn (plastic yarn) from recycled, or upcycled shopping bags. The gentleman's vest if made of upcycled VHS tapes!

The designer of this pretty sweater was told by the members of her knitting group that crochet was only good for trim on knitted sweaters. She found a tongue-in-cheek way to make her point, by crocheting the sweater and knitting on the trim!

Here is Vashti Braha, modeling her prize-winning Weightless Tunisian Wrap. She created it with and all new Tunisian stitch she calls the Wicker Stitch. Beautiful! 

 Finally, I couldn't NOT show the Grand Prize Winner, a beautiful confection of fibery arts goodness. It's a little kimono by Shelby Allaho, called Kyoto Coat. Shelby did a fabulous job of fusing several fiber and needlearts together to come up with this creation. Click on her link to read more about her creative process.

There were so many wonderful entries, both in the design contest as well as the fashion show. There is not enough room here to show them, but if you like, you can visit my flickr photostream to see the rest!
 If you have never been to a Chain Link Conference, I highly recommend that you do so in the future. I promise you will learn lots, meet lots of interesting people and come home with lots of inspiration to fuel your own creative spark!